Happy New January.
Posted on January 5, 2024 | 7 Comments
A new month, a New Year! Time to get into all the sewing projects.
I have a small quilt finish. It is about 45 inches, square.
This quilt was a very simple design at Cutting Cloth in Melbourne. I bought a selection of fabrics from them and came home to play.
I had forgotten how much preparation is involved in a small quilt like this, but I stuck with all the cutting out. Many of the fabrics are delightful.
The fabric combinations worked well together.
Every second block had simple running stitch done in perle cotton.
I found a soft green with white dots for the backing, and a blue gingham for the binding.
You can see the straight line stitching for the quilting.
It is lovely to have a finish early in the year. Let’s hope there are many more!
Happy New Year. Cheers, Karen
Merry Christmas.
Posted on December 23, 2023 | 3 Comments
This was not made as a Christmas quilt, but the colours do give it that sort of feel.
I had several pieces from the Under The Australian Sun range left over and wanted to use them in a simple quilt that focused on the reds and golds. A post and rail seemed the way to go.
The next picture gives a better sense of the true colours.
Thankfully I had enough to complete the quilt top.
I had a piece of cream fabric in my stash for the backing.
I used the red gum leaf fabric for the binding as well.
I am still working my way through the backlog of quilts that were waiting for my machine to be repaired. Quite a few still to go. Hopefully I can catch up in the New Year.
Everything here is ready for Christmas.
Christmas wishes to everyone.
Cheers, Karen
Merry December.
Posted on December 16, 2023 | 4 Comments
It has been a hectic time, but I am determined to do at least one December post!
Lots of shopping has happened, including these gorgeous biscuit tins. Love the way the bauble has been incorporated into the tin. And, yes, it spins!
The colour and the design on the tin could have easily fitted into my quilt. This is another panel being used and completed.
I have kept it simple with just a few borders added. Each of the squares have delightful images.
I found a lovely piece in my stash to use on the back.
The binding was a black with a small white spot.
The last few panel quilts I made have already been snapped up, so I am sure this one will be finding a home soon, too.
In between the busyness of Christmas we decided to visit a lovely home. This is the Bundoora Homestead which is located north of Melbourne. It was perfect weather to be out and about.
The rooms are being used as galleries for various artists. Great displays, but no photos allowed. The inside of the building was stunning and I could take photos of that.
This is a stained glass window in the ceiling.
Another ceiling.
Plenty of beautiful glass.
Something had us a bit stumped. What do you think this is for? I’d love to know.
The hand is holding a bar, so something could be tied around it. If it was near a window I would guess curtains. But they were in the corners of the room.
I found this fun pattern for Highland cattle, so of course, had to make one!
I finished all my little Santas to give away.
And to finish off, I am enjoying how well the garden is growing. Plenty of rain and not too hot – yet!
Not too many days left before Santa makes it here. Thankfully I am on top of most of the holiday preparations. I may even get to slow down a bit this week.
Hope all your plans are going well.
Cheers, Karen
Be Quick Before November Finishes.
Posted on November 24, 2023 | 8 Comments
Just a little bit busy here. Lots being done in November, but not all to do with sewing.
However, there have been a few small finishes. I have been asked to make some small panel quilts.
These small blocks came together easily with some red sashing.
I found a suitable Christmas backing.
Not a great photo for the colour, but the next photo shows it better along with the striped binding.
It was finished off with some simple tear drop quilting.
The next one was a simple flannel quilt. A few borders were added to reach the required size.
I think the backing may be a very old piece of a Thimbleberries design.
And then lots of outlining and swirly quilting.
I have been making more of these cheeky monkeys as quite a few friends have grand babies arriving soon. They are a lovely gift.
I am keeping busy with a lot of Christmas sewing, but none of that is finished yet.
The garden is loving the Spring weather. These pots and baskets are growing quickly.
The passionfruit vine is covered in hundreds of green fruits getting ready for Summer.
My weekend looks like being busy with visits to see family and trying to decorate the Christmas tree.
Good luck for your weekend. Cheers, Karen
Happiness
Posted on October 28, 2023 | 6 Comments
I am a very happy Vegemite. I have one of my machines back!!! Yay!
As soon as the call came I was off.
I put mine and the loan machine together. I really have appreciated having the spare one from a friend, But you can see why I was happy to have mine back.
There was a bonus after the wait, too. Bernina acknowledged that the problem with my machine was a recognised fault and replaced the parts at no cost. That is good service.
So, of course, as soon as the machine came home I pulled out one of the many quilts sandwiched and waiting to be quilted.. I chose a super easy donation quilt ad started with a simple loop pattern. I knew it would take a while to get my eye in after a long time away from quilting. I was surprised at how awkward I felt at the start. Thankfully I settled into a rhythm and it was completed in no time.
The main block was made up of five pieces which created a square. The block could then be rotated.
I felt the separating squares were a little bland so I added a circle of theme fabric to each.
I added a spotty binding.
And a fireworks backing.
It feels so good to be able to do all this again.
On a different note, it is Spring here, and the garden is loving the weather. And so are the pots and hanging baskets.
It won’t be long before the weather turns hot and everything dries out. I am going to enjoy the green while I can.
I hope your weekend is going well.
Cheers, Karen
Kitchen Windows Repeat.
Posted on October 20, 2023 | 9 Comments
I finally have a quilt to share. Both machines are still at the repair man, waiting for parts to arrive. I ended up piecing this quilt on the little machine that I borrowed, then had to send it away for quilting. Thankfully I was also able to complete the binding on the little machine.
The quilt is called Kitchen Windows and I have made this once before. My sister liked the design and chose the colours. She had a zero birthday so this was a special gift.
I had a lot of trouble getting a photo as it was a breezy day.
It certainly kept me guessing. Those little guys peeking under the quilt are the latest addition to the garden. They turned into a flock very quickly after starting with only one.
I hope they enjoy the clover. It grows better than grass in our lawn. (No, they are not real!)
Back to the quilt. All the fabrics are batiks. The quilting panto is very simple but very effective in creating texture on the quilt top.
Not sure if it can be picked up in the photo but a variegated thread has been used in the quilting and it looks great.
I used the same black in the binding as was used in the blocks.
I combined two fabrics for the backing. I had some lovely sunflower fabric which I had used in another project (thanks, Joan). But there wasn’t enough for the full backing so I added a second to reach the size needed.
Last weekend it was rolled up, tied with a bow and gifted.
Great result with such a tiny machine.
I wish we had a place that hired machines out for when your own was being worked on. Wonder if that is a good idea for a business?
We have been making the most of the sunshine this week. Lots of time in the garden and a few visits to local nurseries for plants. Loving the Spring weather.
Hope you have a good weekend lined up.
Cheers, Karen
Stitching For Christmas.
Posted on October 14, 2023 | 7 Comments
It seems to be so far away, but I know from past experience that Christmas creeps up really quickly.
I am trying to get ahead, but I know it will still be a mad rush in the end.
I started with one of these decorations from a Bareroots pattern, Everything Nice Christmas Ornaments.
And then added a couple more.
They are a lovely collection. There are six in the set, so I have a few more to make.
The same design is on the front and back panel. The other two sides each have holly leaves.
Just to also explain, the little Bernina sewing machine is one lent to me by a friend. She went to a workshop/retreat at Uluru, and these are the machines they received. Isn’t the design on the front wonderful?
Continuing the holiday theme, I made these Santa decorations. I think they are a Two Brown Birds design.
These are the first two and I was trying different finishes. I think I like the black contrast stitching better than the matching colour.
Next part of the Christmas theme is making more cards. Not quite there yet, but not too many more to go.
I know a lot of people no longer send Christmas cards, but I still enjoy it.
And for something different, here is a picture of the Melbourne Town Hall with the magnificent organ at the back of the stage.
We were there for a concert by a group of musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. It was part of the Fever Candle Light concerts. This particular one was playing Queen’s greatest hits. I had to take a photo just as the doors opened, as once the concert started, no photos were allowed. It was a great night.
I hope your weekend is going well.
Cheers, Karen
Keeping Hands Busy.
Posted on September 29, 2023 | 9 Comments
September has flown by. But Spring is here and we are enjoying some lovely sunny days.
This is what is happening to our orange tree.
We have only recently finished picking the last of the oranges but that wasn’t going to stop the blossom opening. The whole tree is buzzing with bees.
I have been concentrating on hand work. My machines are still not repaired. This is going to be a giraffe, about 8ins wide by 11ins.
I think it needs a closer look.
The stitching is done with a single variegated thread. It is a design by Hazel Blomkamp in her book titled Crewel Animal Portraits.
It is going to take many months to finish.
I have been able to use a small machine that I borrowed from a friend, just to finish piecing this quilt top.
It is made using a bundle from Cutting Cloth in Fairfield. A small lap size quilt.
And because it always scares me when I think of how close Christmas is, I have started on some cards. Crazy, I know, but it will be here quickly.
We have a long weekend here with a holiday for the AFL grand final. And it looks to be sunny every day.
I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead, too.
Cheers, Karen
What! No Machine?
Posted on September 8, 2023 | 10 Comments
I am having withdrawal symptoms. Both of my sewing machines are in for repairs. My large machine had error messages that I could not rectify, so I turned to my smaller machine (plan B). I had only been stitching for a few minutes before I noticed a smell and then saw wisps of smoke coming from the motor. Oh, dear. So off they both went.
I didn’t realise how often I used my machines until they were gone.
On to Plan C! Hand stitching and lots of cutting in preparation for the return of the machines. It has been interesting because I have found quite a few projects that have been tucked aside and now are getting worked on.
First up is my collection of houses from Sue Spargo’s Homegrown.
I had started the houses prior to the pandemic, but was distracted by other wool projects. My plan was to prepare all the backgrounds, then do the embroidery. I had kept all the fabrics together, so now I am back working on it. I have finished preparing 15 of the houses and have 12 more to go. Of course there is a central panel and borders, but at least I am back on track with the houses.
The next project I found was a wool blanket full of embroidery.
Most of the embroidery is complete but all the blackberries need finishing. They are made from layers of french knots and then have dozens of beads added.
I think there are a few more flowers to add, but at the moment I am concentrating on the beads.
And for something different, I have completed another pair of my crazy socks.
Slightly different to the first pair, but just as warm.
I did manage one finish before the machines stopped. A little pumpkin pin cushion.
This sweet pattern is from Attic Heirlooms. I have cut out a few more so I can get the embroidery completed on those.
I am getting a lot of cutting out done for a couple of other quilts. Maybe the break is a good thing?
Let’s see what the weekend brings.
Cheers, Karen
Paris. Maybe. One day?
Posted on August 25, 2023 | 9 Comments
No. I am not lucky enough to be in Paris, but I have been using a lovely fabric range called Dance in Paris by Brigitte Heitland. She has designed a pattern for Zen Chic named Spring In Paris.
I have followed her design almost to the letter. This is my version.
It is about 60 inches square. The pattern only required a Fat 1/8 pack of the range and I still have plenty left. It goes together in rows of triangles that then match up into hexagons.
As you can see, the colours graduate from lightest to darkest going top to bottom.
I took this one to a long arm quilter and she loved to quilting design on the pattern and was happy to follow that. But she did sneak in some shadowing in the white on the lower left corner.
It just added an extra highlight to the design. It copies the petal quilting in the hexagons.
As luck would have it, we found a backing piece that held a lot of the colours and had lots of small hexagons in the design.
The binding is one of the darker blues from the range. I had several options and they all worked well, so it was hard to make a decision.
I am really pleased with this finish and it is already hanging on the wall so I can see it often.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend planned.
Cheers, Karen
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