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
Many Colours.
Posted on August 18, 2023 | 7 Comments
While it has been cold outside, I have made the most of having my Harbour Blanket on my lap so I could finish the borders.
This is a design from Attic 24.
It is quite large. This is a double bed.
I had a laugh when I saw this photo. The edges look so uneven. I can assure you that is due to the doona underneath.
Here are the edges.
I didn’t have enough to go all the way round in one color, so I used one colour for top and bottom and then another colour for the sides.
This was a lovely project. Not quite sure what to do next with crochet. So I may finish some knitting instead.
There are lots of flowers in our home at the moment, due to one of those 0 events that occurs now and then. I had to take photos as they are all so lovely.
A beautiful bouquet.
With roses, gerberas and chrysanthemums.
There is a beautiful posy of natives.
Gorgeous daffodils – they are struggling a bit with the heating being on.
The lillies are opening.
The next are called Blushing Bride. Not sure what their correct name is.
Okay, that’s the end of the flower show and tell.
I am hoping to head to a small, local quilt display tomorrow.
Enjoy your weekend, too.
Cheers, Karen
August In Felt.
Posted on August 10, 2023 | 6 Comments
A few little bits and pieces have been finished. And all have been worked in felt.
I made a box/cube using four Sue Spargo designs.
Each of the designs was stitched onto a felt square.
At first I was a bit stumped as to how to use the pieces. I think they were originally in a wall hanging. But the size made me think about a cube box.
Each piece was backed with more felt and had plastic inserted like a sleeve to stabilize the sides. Looks like it has worked okay.
The sides are about 10 inches square, so quite handy for storage. I am now thinking about making a smaller one.
I have been continuing my work on the Squash Squad blocks and have finished two more.
There are now only two left to finish and both of those have a fair bit done already.
I have finally reached the end of the rows for my Harbour Blanket (crochet) and only have to complete the border. Yay!
Happy to have that on my lap on these cold nights.
The weekend is coming. Have a good one.
Cheers, Karen
Jumping Into July.
Posted on July 7, 2023 | 10 Comments
It has turned very cold and wet. Not surprising for the middle month of Winter. But it still feels Brrrrrr….. .
The trees have taken a while to change colour but the last two weeks have changed all of that.
Perfect weather to be inside stitching. And that has led to a finish.
My Tinsel BOM, (Sue Spargo), is now a completed top.
I have shown the blocks along the way as each one was completed. That left the border to go. All those snowflakes kept me busy, 144 little circles in all. Once sewn down, each little circle was stitched around in silver thread. Now it is time to work out how to quilt it.
A little bit of knitting has been done. A small Scandi Bear.
It is only about 15cm tall and uses 10 ply. This one knits up very quickly. I bought the pattern through Ravellry.
I have also been working on a new quilt top from Zen Chic called Spring In Paris.
It is a bit crowded on the design wall, but at least you can see where it is up to. I now have to trim both sides so they are straight, then add more white to the left hand side. So nearly there. I only needed a Fat eighth bundle to make the top, and I still have plenty left over. Maybe I will have it quilted by Spring?
It has been school holidays here so that means we get to have the grandies for sleepovers and lots of play. Can’t beat it!
Hope you are looking forward to a good weekend.
Cheers, Karen
Making Progress.
Posted on June 4, 2023 | 8 Comments
Bits and pieces are starting to come together. Always good to see progress.
The last block for Tinsel has been completed.
So now the nine blocks are ready to go together. There is then more applique to go on to overlapping blocks. Plenty to keep me busy with this project.
I have also manged to finish a second jumper for our granddaughter. Good timing as it has turned quite cold here. This was a quick one as it was a 10 ply yarn.
That is a short a sweet post for today. Have a great week.
Cheers, Karen
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