December, 2020.
Posted on December 29, 2020 | 10 Comments
2020. Certainly a year that will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Here in Victoria, Australia we are having a lovely December. After our total lock down we have experienced 60 days without community transmission. That has been a wonderful achievement and well worth all those stay at home days.
With our new found freedom and a lot of sunny weather a lot of time has been spent outside. The garden is loving the attention. But the other side is that very little sewing has been done. There are a few bits to share. Even when I did have a finish, I couldn’t share it as we had all sorts of issues with our computers. We are almost back on top of it, but I still have to sort out a hiccup with comments. You can still make them but they don’t show up on the blog. I can see them in my dashboard but they are not transferring to my email. I will work on sorting that out next.
During the year I worked on these little felt caravans to send to friends and family. I think I ended up with about thirty in all. I even managed to make enough so that this year I could keep one or two myself.
Then there were the cards. I wasn’t going to make them this year but a little encouragement from a friend motivated me to get a wriggle on.
December has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for us. We are able to catch up with family and friends at last. We are back to spending time with grandchildren and all had Christmas together. But at the start of the month we also found out that our family living in the US all tested positive to Covid 19. I must admit that was a difficult time just waiting to see how they all progressed. I wasn’t keen to write about it until we knew the outcome. Thankfully they were all very lucky as their symptoms were similar to a cold and stayed that way. They are now back to normal and were able to enjoy a pleasant Christmas.
I am looking forward to getting back into a sewing routine. During the lock down I was working on quite a few projects at once. Now that many of them are close to completion I have gone back to one at a time and hope to have a few finishes early in the New Year.
I will work on sorting out the comment section. I must apologise to several people who have posted and not had a reply. Hope I can sort that, too.
I am looking forward to 2021. A New Year and a fresh start.
Cheers, Karen
Nearly Missed November.
Posted on November 26, 2020 | 13 Comments
With everything that has been happening I nearly missed November. Talk about getting in by the skin of your teeth!
It has been busy here for two reasons. Firstly, the lovely weather has arrived and a lot of time has been spent outside, mostly in the garden. Sun and rain means everything is growing fast.
Secondly, and far more importantly, most of our restrictions have been eased and we are able to be out and about. We can now travel and are free of masks outside except in crowds. What a huge change that makes to everyday living. We have spent a lot of time visiting family – it’s been a long wait since July. That has been the best part. I am so thankful to our government for sticking to the strict lock down which has now resulted in 27 days without any new infections in our state. It was hard to do but worth it!
I have been sewing, but nowhere near as much as previous months. Half square triangles have turned into blocks, then into quilt parts.
I had several charm packs by Me and My Sister. They were different sets but the colourways matched. So I turned them into blocks that represent birds flying.
Each colour will be a corner with the birds flying out to the edges.
So two more sections to go.
I have continued to finish small woolen blocks for a few different projects.
Sue Spargo houses for Homegrown.
Blocks for Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs.
And a few more pumpkins for Squash Squad.
The last two are incomplete but will be finished next week.
That’s it for me today. I am going to have some time stitching with friends this afternoon. That is something I haven’t done in person since February. I think there will be a lot of talking involved in this catch up.
Cheers to everyone, Karen
An October Post.
Posted on October 20, 2020 | 14 Comments
I realised October was getting away from me and if I didn’t post now I would miss it completely. I have been working away on lots of bits and pieces, but only one was a finish.
I am steadily getting the blocks done for the Sue Spargo quilt, Homegrown.
Lots more to go but a start has been made. At this stage I am putting down all the applique, then will return to complete the embroidery.
Next I have the first four blocks of another quilt from the book, Whimsical Wool Applique.
There are twelve blocks in this quilt, so I’m a third of the way there.
I am also following along with a Sue Spargo stitch along called Squash Squad.
I am making the effort to keep up to date with each weekly block so far. Two of the blocks have one stitch missing. That will have to wait until I learn them or get a lesson.
And last of all is some more knitting. Our weather is starting to warm up now so these will not get used until next Winter, so I deliberately made them in a larger size. I think a little girl will enjoy them when she sees them.
We are gradually starting to get an easing of restrictions here. We can travel a little further, but there is not much that is open to travel to. But in another week or so the shops will reopen and maybe there will be some discussion about opening the barrier between regional Victoria and Metro Melbourne.
I have kept myself busy over the last weeks catching up on making my blog books for the previous two years. I used to get them done overseas but unfortunately now their program is no longer compatible with my blog. So the answer is to do it the slow way by setting it up with one of the local photo stores and getting it printed when they have a good offer available.
Spring is keeping us on our toes with both the weather and the garden. I hope you have lots to keep you busy, too.
Cheers, Karen
The Wool Theme Continues.
Posted on September 27, 2020 | 14 Comments
I may as well make the most of working with wool while the temps stay low. Spring has given us some lovely days but it is not getting hot anytime soon.
I have added to my baby gift supply with a couple of sleeping rabbits.
The design is by Twins Knitting Patterns, the same designer as the monkey in the previous post. Great patterns to use and easy to follow.
I think I have enough of these done for the moment.
I have finished the first panel of the Wendy Williams quilt called Over The Hill. Each panel is made up of six blocks and all have curved piecing.
I am using wool felt and perle cottons.
Lots of lovely colour. I have also pieced the next panel and am ready to start cutting the applique pieces.
I am enjoying playing with the fabrics. In the new panel I have used beach chairs, umbrellas, crabs and turtles. This is the beach panel so the fabrics go with the theme.
I used a bee fabric in the previous panel – under the tree.
Plenty of stitching waiting to be done. It was announced today that we have three more weeks of lock down for the metropolitan area. That is a week sooner than planned as our infection numbers are dropping quicker than expected. Great news.
Have a lovely week.
Cheers, Karen
Keeping Busy.
Posted on September 10, 2020 | 13 Comments
Welcome Spring. It has been lovely to get outside in the sunshine over the last week. But there has still been plenty of time to fit in some stitching, too.
Three of these little friends have been put together. I tuck these away for gifts. They are an easy project to have on hand.
I have managed to finish blocks 6 and 7 from Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs. Past the half way mark now! I am starting to think about how to put these blocks together. I can follow the pattern but I am also thinking of other alternatives using sashing and corner stones.
In the middle of the project piles were these little guys as well.
They are now complete and have been delivered to their new home.
I have also managed to get all the border applique ironed on to the McKenna Ryan quilt. It is ready for the final stitching.
Still staying home here. Hopefully only a few more weeks. In the meantime I will enjoy the sunny days.
Cheers, Karen
Wool And More Wool.
Posted on August 23, 2020 | 15 Comments
Working with wool is a delight in Winter. It always feels cosy and warm.
First up is another knitted finish. This is a cardigan for our granddaughter.
This is made with a wool from Bendigo.
I sent a photo through to her when it was finished and had a selection of buttons grouped by colour next to it. The idea was for her to select which colour she would like. I should have thought about how the mind of a 5yo works because her reply was one of each colour.
Not a problem. That works for me so that is what I did.
The pattern is lovely. It created a faux cable that is quite pretty.
There is a lot more going on with yarn. These are the start to another crochet blanket. I looked at different combinations a while back and this is the end result.
Eight blocks across seems to be a good width so I will keep going with these African flower blocks until I have eight or ten rows – 64 or 80 blocks. I think I have done 30 so far.
I am also stitching wool as well. Some new and some old. I am up to the leaves in the border of my wool quilt.
I have also started Homegrown, a quilt design from Sue Spargo.
And just because I can, I have started Wendy Williams quilt, Over The Hill.
I have plenty to do, but there are only three weeks left of this lock down, so I had better get my skates on.
Hope your week goes well.
Cheers, Karen
Colourful Gum Nuts.
Posted on August 12, 2020 | 13 Comments
Although I am making several quilts in lock down, this probably represents the situation best of all.
It shows how I had to make do with what was here. I started off with a collection of fat quarters of each of the fabrics. I found the gum nut fabric at a local craft show then noticed they also had fat quarters in batiks which matched the colours of the gum nuts. I took a wild guess at what I would need and bought a selection.
A couple of years down the track and I decided to make a quilt. It really tested out my maths skills to get a design that worked. In the end I realised that whichever way I went it was going to be tight. My biggest problem was the blue – not enough. Thankfully, I found a piece of fabric in my stash that matched the blue in colour but not in pattern. I bit the bullet and used it. Then I found I was short on the gum nut fabric. I needed to piece together scraps to make just two of the remaining rectangles.
So this is the end result. It ended up as a small bed quilt in size.
I didn’t have much of a worry with the backing as I had a lovely piece of green I had picked up on sale. There was enough to use for the binding as well.
I used straight line quilting each side of the main seams. At least I kept that part easy.
Even with all the hiccups along the way, I do like the end result. The colours are vibrant and cheerful. I will keep it on display for a while as the days outside are overcast and grey. This will brighten up the studio.
Good to have another finish!
Cheers, Karen
Pelican Progress.
Posted on August 4, 2020 | 13 Comments
Okay. I am getting my head around Stage 4 lock down here in Greater Melbourne. There is a lot to keep track of but for us I suppose it is still stay home, don’t visit anyone and wear a mask if you have to go out. This time round we have a big stoppage of retail and manufacturing. I really hope people comply this time so we can relax the restrictions. I am starting to wonder if we will even be able to get together for Christmas!
Well, nothing more to do than keep on sewing. The kangaroo block was completed for the McKenna Ryan quilt and so the last two blocks have been attached.
I have gone through all blocks now to add animal faces – eyes, beaks noses. I have cut the borders and once they are on I can stitch any overlapping parts then finish the applique for the tree in the top right. The branches and foliage spread out over the borders.
Then I also have to add these patiently waiting pelicans to the bottom right border.
I enjoying knitting during the colder months so have been delighted to complete this little tunic/jumper for our youngest granddaughter.
It looks very ordinary in this photo so let me show you the pattern to get a better understanding of the design.
This pattern is available from Bendigo Woollen Mills and was so easy to knit up. It is done all in one piece with only side and underarm seams to stitch. So simple but really delightful. I have also used their yarn. Lovely to knit.
Cold here today. Snow in some nearby areas. Maybe the cold will make everybody stay home who should be there. Wishful thinking?
Have a lovely week.
Cheers, Karen
Pink And Green Bricks.
Posted on July 24, 2020 | 14 Comments
Before I jump into showing the quilt, I want to let you know that the winners of the Blog Hop have been selected. I have contacted both recipients and their patterns are on the way. Congratulations to Marilyn in Utah and Maureen in Ontario. And thanks you to all who joined in the hop and left comments. Greatly appreciated.
Now for the quilt. This started off with a very small fabric bundle of pink, green and white. All with spots. I decided I wanted a decent sized quilt so needed more fabric. I was a little shocked to discover I had dozens of pieces in my stash that were not only the right colours but all had spots! I didn’t realise how many spotted fabrics I had in other colours also. Have I been sub-consciously collecting these? A bit of a worry.
The end result with the pinks, greens and whites is this brick quilt.
It has grown to a good size and will easily fit a single bed. I kept the quilting to simple straight lines Along the down seams and across each panel.
In keeping with the stay at home policy I hunted my stash and found a pink backing which came from a Beatrix Potter range.
Then I totally changed direction and went with stripes instead of spots for the binding.
We are now into the crazy mask making phase of the lockdown here as they have now become mandatory. I made a few and posted them off to family to check for sizes. I was stunned when I saw the lines queueing outside large and small sewing stores. I can understand the rush on fabric and elastic, but why are people buying sewing machines? Surely it is cheaper to buy a mask. Yes, I suppose if you can’t get a mask it is the only option. Can you see a large number of machines turning up on second hand sales in the next months and years?
As well as sewing projects I am now going back through old photo albums. I have found our ones from a 7 month trip around Australia in 1981. All the photos are falling out and the album has loose pages. I am naming and dating each photo and they are ready for a brand new album. And that is only the tip of the iceberg!
Have a wonderful weekend. Cheers, Karen
Christmas In July Blog Hop And Pattern Parade.
Posted on July 15, 2020 | 45 Comments
Welcome to the Christmas In July Blog Hop which has been organised by Carole of From My Carolina Home. Each participant is providing a tutorial and many also have give-aways – me included. Huge thanks to Carole for getting this started. Okay, let’s jump into the tutorial.
To those who know my blog it is no surprise that I am going to play with Christmas ribbons. This has been a fascination of mine for many years now. I have made many patterns using them as well a pile of ribbon cushions. So for this hop my tutorial is to show you how to make a ribbon cushion.
They make great displays and wonderful gifts.
I make them in a variety of sizes with a range of ribbons. This one is an 8 inch cushion. I use linen as my base fabric as I like the look. You can choose any fabric as long as it is firm with little or no stretch.For this one a I have used a natural colour.
From the linen cut one square 8 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches, two rectangles 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches each. Also cut an 8 1/2 inch square of iron on pelon or a stabiliser. Iron the pelon on to the back of the 8 1/2 inch square.
Time to select the ribbons you wish to use.
IMPORTANT! Many of the decorative ribbons have wire edges. Make sure you remove the wire from both sides before cutting and stitching.
There are so many lovely ribbons available. Select at least 3 or 4 and purchase half a yard/metre of each as a starting point. Use different widths to create variety in the design.
Starting with your first ribbon, place it from corner to corner across the right side of your linen square overlapping the ends of the fabric slightly. Pin into place. Keep the ribbons touching side by side.
Keep adding ribbons along each side but leave some space in the corner with no ribbon to make it easier to turn inside out. Pin heavily as the ribbons tend to move around.
Once you are happy with the layout, start stitching using a thread that works with your ribbons. . I use a small zig zag stitch that can overlap the ribbons that are side by side.I also start next to the centre ribbon and work my way to an edge first, then the other side. This helps keep the ribbons from moving around. The stabiliser under the linen also stops a lot of movement.
This close up gives you an idea of the stitching catching both ribbons.
When the stitching is complete turn the top over. You can easily see the over hang of the ribbons so carefully use your rotary cutter to trim off the excess ribbon back to the square.
Time to put the cushion together. Place the two rectangles of linen right sides together. Stitch 2 inches down from the top using a 1/4 inch seam then stop. Do the same from the bottom. Exactly as the lines are marked in the picture above. Open the backing up and press the seam open.
With right sides together pin the back to the front of the cushion.
Use a quarter inch seam and a small stitch to sew all around the edge of the cushion. I like to round the edges slightly with a couple of stitches going across each corner. See photo above. It makes it easier to give a nice shape to the corners when turning them out. Snip a small amount off each corner after stitching and before turning out also. Turn it right side out and use a tool to help push the corners out gently. Now you know why you did not stitch closed all of the back seam.
This photo looks a bit rough but don’t worry. Pin all the way around the edge of the cushion making sure neither the top or bottom is rolling over or under. This makes it easier to stitch. You need to now top stitch all around the edge of the cushion with a 1/4 inch or 1/8 seam. The size doesn’t matter. Do what works best with your machine.
This is how mine looks after top stitching. I try to round the corners. This is the last opportunity to give your cushion a good press, but take care to adjust the temperature according to your fabric and ribbon type. You do not want to melt the ribbon!
My stitching is not perfect but the cushions are very forgiving and once stuffed it is not noticeable. So onto stuffing.
Take care when stuffing. You do not want it to be lumpy. Use small amounts to fill the corners first. Then add small amounts around the edges. Then small amounts to fill the centre. If you use large amounts it becomes lumpy and does not fill all the spaces. I fill mine quite lightly, just enough to hold the shape. Definitely not a hard cushion. When you are happy with the result carefully whip stitch the opening closed with small stitches.
This is the end result. I hope you are happy with the ribbon cushion you have made.
There are many ways to make these. I have placed the ribbons vertically instead of diagonally. I have also made different sizes such as the ones in the cushion stack at the start. They are 6inch, 8 inch and 10 inch. Just remember to add the half inch seam allowance to whatever size you choose.
I also enjoy playing with a variety of colours in the ribbons and the fabrics.
They do not have to be Christmas themed either. I can imagine making some in colours to suit the theme of a bedroom or family room.
What about a small one as a pin cushion?
Just a word of warning. It can become addictive. Each of these nine tubs is full of ribbons.
Moving on to the give-away. I have several Christmas patterns using ribbons. I am happy to send the winner a pattern of their choice. If you would like to go into the competition just add the name of the pattern to your comment. And if you do not want to win a pattern just leave an ordinary comment. Too easy! I look forward to reading your comments and would love to see any cushions you make.
These are the patterns to select from for the give away – Tree, Santa, Snowmates or Angel. They are small wall hangings.
Thanks for lasting the distance through the tutorial. There are quite a few blogs participating in the Christmas In July Hop so it is worth a visit to see their pattern tutorials and give aways too. And once again a big thank you to Carole for bringing all of us together.
Table Toppers, Home and Kitchen
Inquiring Quilter
Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Cooking Up Quilts
The Quilted Diary
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Morning Glory Designs
Scrapdash
Days Filled With Joy
Small Projects
Geeky Bobbin
Sunburnt Quilts
Tamarinis
Tuning My Heart Quilts
Prairie Sewn Studios
Puppy Girl Designs
Ladybug Buzz
Dragonfly’s Quilting Design
Traditional and Modern Quilt Patterns
Ms P Designs USA
Quilt 2 End ALZ
Patti’s Patchwork
Cotton Street Commons
Brown Bird Designs
From My Carolina Home
Cheers, Karen
NB. GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
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