Spring Bunny, Birds And Flowers.
Posted on September 15, 2016 | 12 Comments
Back again, thanks to a heads up from Mary. And sorry to anyone who tried to comment and couldn’t with the last post. There was a gremlin in the mix but thankfully my amazing computer whiz (son) fixed it. I am very grateful for that.
On to all things sewing. I had shown Bertie’s Spring when it was a flimsy, but now it is a finished quilt. It was a grey day but the quilting still shows up.
I outlined every block, echo quilted all the HSTs and then meandered around the wool applique. I used the same fabric for the binding as was in the triangles.
My wool flower collection is steadily growing and is at the half way mark.
There are lots of real flowers blooming in the garden with the start of Spring. And plenty of water for them. We are having a very wet start to Spring, with some areas of the state in flood. My thoughts go out to those affected and thanks to all the volunteer workers helping them.
Cheers, Karen
Red And green Mixed Blocks.
Posted on September 6, 2016 | 11 Comments
A mixture of reds, greens and creams has led to this quilt.
I had been wanting to make blocks which were scrappy and could use fabrics from my stash. I was originally working on blocks for two separate quilts, but realised with a little tweaking I could combine them into one larger quilt.
I started off making these stars after seeing Raewyn making them for a colour challenge. Here is the link to Raewyn’s post about making these stars.
I made them in red and green.
They work really well as stash busters. Thanks, Raewyn, for the inspiration.
The other blocks are strips and squares that look a bit like steps.
I was able to use a good variety of fabrics in these blocks. I saw this block at Beyond Sock Monkeys and loved the idea of using Christmas colours. Here is the link.
Lots of different block combinations followed.
Once I realised I could combine the blocks I decided to add black sashing and cream corner stones.
The layout was organised with alternating blocks but also with the red stars on the diagonal from corner to corner and the green stars in the middle on each edge.
The border and binding are in the same fabric as the sashing.
I found a suitable wideback for the backing and sent it all away to my LAQ. We chose a pattern with loops and stars which seemed appropriate when looking at the patterns in many of the fabrics.
This quilt has ended up being 70 X 70 inches and looks lovely spread across the bed.
It has been good to be able to enjoy some time outside and be able to take photos in the sun.
Spring has been sneaking quietly into the garden and the weeds are pulling out easily while the soil is soft and damp. Very unusual for around here.
Have a great week in your part of the world.
Cheers, Karen
A Santa Flimsy.
Posted on August 16, 2016 | 10 Comments
I am steadily getting myself back into a sewing routine. After having 3 weeks with a house full it takes a little bit of adjusting to get used to the quiet.
I have made plenty of clothes for various dolls for our visiting grandies, but this is the first of my projects I have returned to.
I had finished all the blocks and only needed to put them together. I am hoping to prepare it for quilting later today.
Like many others living near Melbourne, I have gone to the Making the Australian Quilt exhibition at The Ian Potter Gallery at Federation Square. It is a wonderful display of quilts from 1800 t0 1950. I am in awe of the skills shown by these quilters when considering the poor lighting conditions they endured and limited supplies available to them.
Most quilts were made here, but quite a few were made on the long sea voyage to Australia.
I will only show some photos of one as I was quite taken by the detail involved, combining embroidery and applique into the quilt. I have included the sign with the information.
I have to admire their patience with all that stitching, but also had to laugh at some of the sayings from that time.
Cheers, Karen
Snow And Snow.
Posted on August 2, 2016 | 9 Comments
I have continued to work on my collection of snowies and managed to recently finish this one for May.
I was then looking back through my posts and realised that I had not posted a photo for the April/Easter snowie.
That’s better. I am now up to date.
It has stayed quite cold here so these snowies fit right in, even if in their world the sun is shining. But we know that Spring is just around the corner. Not long to wait now.
Cheers, Karen
Little Pillows.
Posted on July 26, 2016 | 12 Comments
It is a very busy time here, but I have still managed a couple of finishes.
These are small six inch pillows.
Little pieces of wool felt on a cotton background.
Then a few added embroidery stitches in perle cotton.
Too easy.
Okay. I am off to play with grandies.
Cheers, Karen
Completed Blocks.
Posted on July 19, 2016 | 15 Comments
I need to do a little blog house keeping first. Linda, for some reason my replies to you keep bouncing back. Not sure why.
I also have had a few anonymous comments on the last 4 posts and I am sorry but I can’t reply to those either. I have tried to work out who it is but am not sure. Hope we can sort that out.
Now onto sewing matters. I have completed the last two blocks for the wall hanging.
Each one has some buttons to add but these can wait until the quilting is done.
I am busy making hour glass blocks to go in between the applique blocks. Love the look of the red and grey together.
I do hope your week is productive, too.
Cheers, Karen
Testing, 1, 2, 3.
Posted on July 16, 2016 | 10 Comments
Yes, I am testing with this post.
I need to know all is working with our internet.
We have had huge issues with Telstra. A big outage in our area – no internet or landline for a full week. I can accept that a cable was damaged and that it takes time to repair.
What drove me crazy was the poor information from the call centre. We were offered a free mobile with internet to tide us over but we must be at home to receive it. We changed plans and stayed home all day – no phone. When we called to check we were told that the phone had arrived and we had rejected it. I don’t think so!
We were then told a phone would arrive two days later. Again no phone turned up. This time we were told that there were not enough phones available. Why offer one in the first place then?
We were then told one would arrive between 8 and 9am on Friday. The internet came back on that morning and of course the phone arrived that afternoon when it was of no use to us.
Very poor communication and service, and this was only one of the problems we had with them this week. We are ready to go on to the NBN and are weighing up which company to choose. I am sure you can guess which one is not on the list.
On a totally different note, it has been very cold here because, of course, it is Winter. We had snow in many areas, but not here.
It did, however, look like snow one afternoon. We had a hailstorm that lasted for nearly five minutes. The stones were not large so there was no damage done, but it did mange to cover the ground for a while.
We are also very, very excited because the US branch of our family is arriving next week. Can’t wait.
Cheers, Karen
A Yarn.
Posted on July 5, 2016 | 10 Comments
It has been perfect weather for knitting – cold and wet. Staying inside where it is warm and being able to watch Wimbledon and Tour de France has helped, too.
I have been able to finish this sweet little pinafore dress.
It has been made with a lovely yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mills. It is a wool and bamboo blend and feels beautifully soft.
It was very easy to use.
I have also enjoyed some crocheting and having a blanket rest on my lap as I go along.
This is a very simple pattern from Attic 24. Definitely my bright colours. This will end up lap sized.
And for something different, here is the progress on my latest embroidery piece.
Many hours in this one still to go. It takes me about 3 hours to complete each flower as they are all done in single strands of DMC.
There is still one week of tennis and over 2 weeks for the bikes, so I should be quite productive. Ha ha!
Cheers, Karen
Another Two.
Posted on June 28, 2016 | 15 Comments
Our cold weather is a perfect time for knitting. I am surprised at being able to leave my quilting but the knitting needles have called.
Here is the next addition to the possum scarf collection.
It looks very warm and snuggly.
And the last one.
I think this one is a tiger possum.
I am reminded of a can of worms when I see them together.
Last week we had quite a severe storm go through. It brought snow to many areas which only get it on rare occasions. We also had strong wind and heavy hail.
The tree in the photo below was well and truly hit by the storm. The day before it was still totally covered in leaves.
After the hail is was stripped of leaves on three quarters of the branches. You can see the branches on the left that still have full green leaf cover. That section was protected by the house. It does look very odd now. And it looks like a bit of garden work is needed.
I do hope your week is going well.
Cheers, Karen
Christmas Starting in June?
Posted on June 21, 2016 | 10 Comments
Natalie Bird of The Birdhouse has a lovely Christmas quilt design called Christmas Blessings.
It has four applique blocks and some pieced blocks.
I have completed two of the applique blocks.
I have chosen to do raw edge applique for these and I have hand embroidered the words and decorations.
There are some stars to be added, but they can wait until the quilting is done.
It is not a large quilt. It ends up at about 32ins square.
Okay, another short post. Stay warm or cool depending on where you live.
Cheers, Karen
SEARCH THIS BLOG
AWARD FREE
Recent Posts
Translate
Quilting Gallery
