Christmas, Easter And Winter.
Posted on May 20, 2023 | 8 Comments
That’s a few of the holidays and a season covered!
Christmas refers to the Sue Spargo embroideries for Tinsel.
I have two more finishes and only one more block to go. Of course that is not the end as there is also a lot of work on the border.
I am leaving some of the guideline markings there for when I eventually trim the blocks.
Next, Easter. Our neighbours had a lovely Easter display in their home. They used some fun rabbits purchased from one of the chain stores. I asked to borrow them and had a go at making my version.
And last of all, we have Winter.
It has been time to get knitting for the youngest grandie girl, as she is the only one who will wear a knit jumper. This one took a while as it was in 5 ply with a pattern that kept me on my toes. Definitely worth it , though.
She chose the pattern and the colour. Perfect.
One of the features I really liked on this design was the buttonholes. They look great.
I am always learning.
That’s my collection for the day. Very happy with these finishes.
Cheers, Karen
Over the Hill And Far Away.
Posted on May 5, 2023 | 12 Comments
This quilt is a design by Wendy Williams named Over The Hill. When I first saw it, the curved backgrounds for the blocks took my interest straight away. And of course I love working with the wool felts.
It was easy to work on as the design was broken into smaller sections, making it very manageable.
I used the picture on the pattern to help with quilting each of the blocks. Here is a quick summary of the sections.
I found a lovely print full of circles and thought that would make an appropriate backing.
I also used it for the binding.
Well, it took a while to complete the blocks, and then another while to finally get the quilting done. But now it is finally a finish.
I hope you have a lovely weekend planned.
Cheers, Karen
Short And Sweet.
Posted on April 15, 2023 | 7 Comments
As the title says, this is a very short post.
I am working on several baby quilts, trying to collect a pile for friends who are having grandchildren. They can give them to the family, or keep them to use at their home when the new grandies visit them.
This is the latest finish.
This is a very simple design using a sweet doggie fabric.
In fact, I have enough of this fabric to make a similar quilt with another colour in the sashing, and a third one using leftover scraps in circles.. Neither is quite finished yet.
I had a coloured spot in my stash that I was able to use for the backing.
So there it is. Short and sweet, as promised.
The grandchildren are arriving tomorrow for most of the week, so lots to do to get ready to play!
Cheers, Karen
One Sock, Two Sock.
Posted on March 24, 2023 | 11 Comments
The title makes it easy to work out what I have been busy making. Socks of course.
But not the average, run of the mill sort.
These are Norwegian Rainbow socks.
These are knitted in a mix of 8 ply yarns. A friend travelled through many countries a few years back, especially Norway and Finland. She was kind enough to bring me back a kit with the wool to knit the socks.
But, there was a problem. A big one. The pattern was written in Norwegian and I am afraid that is not something my high school taught! I tried Google Translate but ended up with the weirdest collection of words I had come across. It took a while, but I finally made contact with a person at the company that printed the pattern. They were able to tell me how to order the PDF in English.
Here is the link for the Rainbow Socks, but take a look at the other fun patterns they have, too.
The rolls are knitted in purl to turn them outwards. And the little fleur de lis are are knitted into the stocking stitch. I have stretched out one sock to display the full design.
The kit came with lovely wooden DP knitting needles. They were a delight to use. And the kit has enough wool to make a second pair. I think my toes are going to be very warm this Winter.
This last photo is just to show the difference in length with the full stretch of the sock.
Now to head in a different direction. I have finished my sixth block of the Sue Spargo Tinsel BOM.
Three more to go and then the border.
That’s it for now. We have a busy weekend coming up. Lots to do.
Have a lovely weekend, whatever you get to do.
Cheers, Karen
A Baby Quilt.
Posted on March 19, 2023 | 10 Comments
Lots of babies are on the way for friends in the form of grandchildren. So a few little quilts will be needed as gifts. I thought it would be easier to make several at once. So this is the first one.
This is an Amy Bradley panel from way back. It was simply waiting for the right time. I kept it easy by adding a thin green inner border and then the striped outside border.
I kept the quilting simple but made sure it would stand up to a good wash in the machine and then a turn in the dryer. I know most quilts are now used as play mats, so they have to handle regular washing.
The striped border was from the same range as the panel. And I has more of the range for the backing. Surprising what is hiding in the stash.
Purple was the right colour for the binding, again from stash.
Quilting consisted of straight line, meandering and outlining.
That’s one down and a couple more to go.
It is great to use up favourite fabrics and make something special to give.
Back to the sewing machine. Cheers, Karen
Small Things This Time.
Posted on March 5, 2023 | 10 Comments
These little faces have been watching me for a while and I think that was a way of reminding myself I had to get them, and their clothes, finished.
They are a knit pattern from ak traditions. I have made some other patterns from them a long time ago, but found these and thought they were sweet.
The body holds its shape really well as there is a separate fabric insert made to go inside ( like in a cushion).
And then there are clothes to knit.
There are dozens of outfits in a separate pattern book, so I can see the needles working overtime for a little while.
In keeping with the small things theme, this is the little softie that travelled with the Moose Quilt to its new home.
It was a pattern from Bunny Hill Designs. The pattern name is Elvis!
And then I finished off another little stitchery from Marg Low Designs. The original pattern is in reds, but I had seen it done in different colours and wanted to give it a try.
Just another little hoop to go up on the wall.
That’s all the show and tell. It is a hot day here with a strong wind so the plants need a lot of watering. We are collecting a huge number of passionfruit from our vine this year. Our friends, family and neighbours are not complaining.
Our weather is planning to do an about face tonight. So much so that when I am going in to Melbourne on Wednesday it will be only 14 degrees celsius. I will need a coat for that. A friend and I are going to see The Mouse Trap. Hope the theatre has good heating!
Have a great week. Cheers, Karen
Moose On The Loose.
Posted on February 18, 2023 | 14 Comments
A moose quilt was requested by our eldest grandie. The family spent time at Yellowstone National Park last year and the moose was the standout animal. So it was no surprise when that was requested as the theme for her next quilt.
I didn’t have to search too far as I had purchased a pattern from The Red Boot Quilt Co a while back. The design was approved so away I went. And this is the result.
The fence is a great place to hang a quilt until you realise there is a fence post pushing the quilt out! Never mind. It’s a good size – 62 X 78 ins – so will easily fit the bed in her dorm room with a bit to spare. She attends a residential Governor’s School For The Arts
I was able to have a bit of fun with the fabrics and slipped in a few references to Australia, even though the quilt will be living in the US.
Aboriginal designs in the antlers.
Melbourne trams in the background.
Gum leaves in the block borders.
Flowering gum blossoms in the body.
And then with other blocks I just played with some fun fabrics.
I found a lovely blue backing in my stash and then selected a a stripe to use for the binding.
If all goes to plan it should be in the mail on Monday, heading over the seas.
I wouldn’t mind if I could do that, too. Keep enjoying the weekend.
Cheers, Karen
Getting Ready For Christmas.
Posted on January 27, 2023 | 11 Comments
Christmas never really feels like it is far away and maybe I will get a few projects done early. These are projects that have been on the go since last year, so maybe they will be in time for Christmas 2023.
Last year I started the Sue Spargo BOM, Tinsel. Because of delays with mail delivery around the world, I didn’t receive my first block until March. Loved them right from the start. This is what I have managed to do, so far.
That is five of the nine blocks finished except for removing some of the markings from the stitch guides. And two little bits of stitching.
The last four blocks have been prepped and the applique is on, waiting for all the stitching to be done.
I have enjoyed watching the FB group share all their blocks along the way. And of course lots of people have their quilts completed. I will get there in my own time.
The other addition for next Christmas is a little Marg Low stitchery to add to my hoop collection. I like sneaking these little projects in between the big ones because it means a quick finish.
The original design is set in a rectangular frame, but I realised it would fit into the hoop (just!).
We are now up to the finals in the Australian Open, so plenty of tennis to watch over the weekend.
Hope you enjoy your weekend, too.
Cheers, Karen
Welcome, 2023.
Posted on January 16, 2023 | 9 Comments
Summer is in full swing here in the New Year, 2023. We have started having our hot days at last, but the garden is surviving and so are we.
There has not been a lot of quiet time, but I have managed to get some quilting done.
This was a simple quilt with Aussie animals in each block.
It has ended up a little bigger than 50 by 50 inches. Colours are a bit tricky on sunny days, and the wind kept blowing. But that is all part of it.
I did a lot of straight line stitching around the blocks, then did some echo quilting around each animal.
I had to add in a couple of plain blocks to make up the numbers so chose this pineapple print. I then quilted the outline of a kangaroo in each. Unfortunately I can’t pick those up in my photo. But the grand kids had fun finding them hidden away.
I have lots of fun fabrics I know I am never going to get around to using in quilt blocks, so I am planning to use them in backings. This was a good start.
This is a far better indication of the true colours on the back.
I have at least two more quilts sandwiched and ready to go. And believe it or not, I am working on some Christmas projects. Not sure if I am too early or too late. Regardless, I will enjoy them.
Happy New Year, Cheers, Karen
Merry Christmas Wishes.
Posted on December 23, 2022 | 6 Comments
Merry Christmas. Looks like we are going to have a proper Aussie Christmas as the warmer weather has finally decided to arrive. No complaints as it is time that Summer showed its face.
Most decorating has been done and thankfully all the shopping is out of the way. Just a few presents left to wrap.
I decided my sewing room needed to have a little Christmas cheer this time, so lots of decorating in there, and a few good get togethers were also enjoyed in there.
The garden needed a few decorations.
And a few from other parts of our home.
That is my very brief Christmas round-up. Have fun. Enjoy the big day.
Cheers, Karen
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