First Finish for 2012

I have a finish for 2012!   My Clamshells is finished, complete with label on the back. 

Soot & Ashes

This is another almost finished.  Cheri Payne had a quiltalong last year and I participated quietly in the background.  I have always loved her work and found this project to be lots of fun.

This week has also seen me working on  the next border that goes on this...

Irish Circles

And whilst I was fossicking into the depths of the fabric cupboard, I came across this project half completed.  I still have a lot of applique to do before this quilt is finished but maybe I might get back into it soon.

More pavlovas!  This time, I made mini pavs.  Here they are cooking in the oven

Here is one all ready to eat and ...

A collage of my pavs - was nearly going to make this my blog header but I thought it might be taking it a bit far!

Sue-Anne xxx



Slowly Settling Into The New Year

I am slowly getting back into a routine, sort of, after the hype of Christmas. I have managed to do a little applique - yes Phebe has reappeared and I am very proud of these little flowers! I have absolutely no vision when it comes to fussy cutting and even less patience with fiddly little pieces so I am sure you will understand how happy I was to get these little darlings stitched down.

I also made a cover for the ironing board.  When I had the Friday Girls over to make our little quilts (the I'm not going overseas quilts) back in October, I was very embarrassed at the state of the cover.  It has only taken me 3 months to replace it!  This is the first time I have made one and although it is a little rough around the edges I think it looks pretty good and next time I will have a better idea on how to have a better fit.

I've been sewing some clamshells too.  I think I only have about 7 rows to go so may decide to put my all into it and get it finished.  It would be nice to actually have something finished for a change...

I also managed a little fabric shopping at Needles & Pins at Warrandyte.  I had to go down to Melbourne on Friday with Nicholas to pick up his Drift car.  Its a bit of a long story but was down there getting a specialist tune up after the motor getting rebuilt.  I took him down, he was going to drive his car back  and I planned to do a bit of shopping before coming home.  Anyway, turns out there was a last minute problem with the car and Nic couldn't take it home so, off I headed to Needles & Pins with Nic in the passenger seat.  We get there and he says to me "Please don't be long, I have to be back home before tea tonight".  I replied "Don't worry, I don't know anyone at this shop".  I walked in and who do you think was there - Di Ford - of Phebe and countless other beautiful quilts fame!  We had a great chat.  Di and the Secret Sisters are featured in the next Quiltmania due out so make sure you get a copy.  

This week also saw the family get together for dinner to say goodbye to Nic.  He has headed back to base now after having a month off.  That's him above with Chris and Amy.  All major dinners in this family have to be a roast and Nic's favourite dessert is Pavlova.  Now I don't make pavlovas - my father has always made them and this Christmas there was a lot of discussion as to how to make the perfect pav.  I decided to give it a go and make one out of the Donna Hay magazine.  I was quite ambitious as it is a double layer pavlova (two cakes) but I was so happy with how it turned out, that I am claiming bragging rights for quite a while.

There was no beading or weeping, the crust was silky smooth, tasted divine AND

look at all that marshmallow in the centre of it!  I also made raspberry coulis (another 1st for me) and everyone had two helpings.  I hate to think how many calories are in it...

Even Buddy was wanting to see what was happening up on the table!

Sue-Anne xxx

There Has Been Some Changes In The Wind

What a month I have had!  This is my beautiful boy Nic.  Last year he applied to join the ADF as a soldier.  It has been a very long process but he got a phone call and 13 days later, on Tuesday, we had to say goodbye to him for a while.  Our home feels very empty, as he is the last child to leave but we are very proud and happy for him. 

Another change that is going to take me a while to get used to is the closing down of Patchwork on Stonleigh.  This shop has played such a huge role in my quilting life over the last twelve years and I will miss popping in there each week.

We were lucky enough to get in one last Irish Circles class before the shop closed and this is my latest block.

Here she is!  All quilted and all I have to do now is hand stitch the binding down and attach a label.  This is the biggest quilt I have ever made and even with the clothesline wound all the way up, the quilt is still dragging on the ground.

It has been a while since I have mentioned clamshells (sorry Jossie) but I have been adding to them.

I went to my friend Jackie's open garden today.  This is a view from one section of her garden through to the next.   She does a lot of companion planting and her garden is functional, as well as beautiful, with all the produce that she grows.

This beautiful blue flower is "Morning Glory" and is growing all over her archway.

We are on the home run now to the wedding - only two more weeks.  So much for me finally getting a photo of all of us together, with Nicholas being unable to attend.

Well that's about it from me today.  I have been enjoying all the "Red & White Quilt Show" photos that have been displayed in blogland.  What a magnificent exhibition and now I really want to make a red and white quilt!!!

Sue-Anne xxx

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Exactly one year ago today I decided to start a blog of my own.  I never imagined that I would make so many new friends from all around the world and I wish I could someday get to meet you all in person, what a wonderful time we would have! 

Christmas day arrived and even though there were a few "Kath & Kim" moments we had a fantastic day.  This is the only photo I took (slack I know).  Kellie's job was to bring the ham and because she had to work until 5 in the morning, she slept in and didn't make it till lunch was nearly over.  The Plum Pudding turned out well and my father told me that I have the job of making it from now on - don't know whether that's good or bad?  This year we finally decided to do Kris Kringle and everyone seemed quite happy with it except for Nicholas (the middle child, need I say more?).  He still thought he would be getting a present from his mum and dad and was devastated when he realised this wasn't the case - he is 24 years old!!!  I think these little stories are what makes each Christmas special and gives us a laugh when looking back in years to come.

The flooding has gone and the heat has set in and Buddy is bedding down for the duration.  I am not quite sure why he has started sleeping with his tongue poking out but it does look pretty cute.

I have cut out and stuck down all of the 48 star flowers for Swan Lake!!!

Here she is laid out on the floor and is now starting to look like a quilt - I am getting a little bit excited!!!

I have also stitched two more rows of clamshells.  It has been a stressful couple of months and this little quilt has been there to let me feel peace and calm whenever I start stitching.

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year with lots of health, wealth and happiness for 2011!

Sue-Anne xxx

I Lost November & 21 Days Till Christmas!

Well, I have totally missed November and there is only 21 days till Christmas! 

My husband became ill and had to be admitted to hospital on Melbourne Cup Day.   After spending two weeks there, he finally came home but there have been a couple of hiccups with his recovery, due to his disability.  I am happy to report though, that he is much better and will just need lots more time for total recovery.  I have been really slack in catching up with what everyone has been up to and thank you especially to those who have emailed to see where I have been, I treasure your friendship.

*To Bronwyn in Sydney - Thank you so much, time has got away from me but you are in my thoughts and I will be in touch soon. 

The one positive from sitting at the hospital every day was that I got to applique the centre of Swan Lake.  The centre is quite plain so as not to detract from the border which is definately the Star of this quilt.

The flowers were a little challenging though and I am pleased to have them completed.  Now all I have to do is cut out and applique down 44 flower stars????

I have also completed a couple more rows of my clamshells.  I really really love working on this and although I got lots of stitching done while Howard was in hospital, I have not been able to do much since he came home.  This is perfect to pick up when I get a few moments and need to destress.

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My Mum has made the plum pudding every Christmas since I can remember.  This year, she decided that it was a bit much for her so I was given the job.  Having never made one before, and having to live up to my mother's pudding reputation, I very nervously took on the task last Sunday (note the phone in the photo, I made several calls to mum whilst making it.  It smells ok and now we just have to wait till Christmas Day to see if it tastes ok.  Fingers crossed.

I finally got the tree decorated yesterday so now it is starting to "feel a lot like Christmas"!

Sue-Anne xxx

Happy Halloween!

We don't seem to embrace Halloween here in Australia like other parts of the world but in recent years the marketing has been getting stronger and this year I couldn't resist getting into the spirit when for the first time I saw these Jack-o-Lantern pumpkins at the supermarket.

After watching numerous Youtube videos, I went to work and was quite pleased with how "Jack" turned out.

And finally, I have a use for this Witch I made several years ago - don't you just love her lace-up boots!

I received this beautiful parcel from Nadine.  The fabrics are from Provence and were selected by Nadine whilst she was there on holidays.  There were lots of little treasures in the parcel and I felt really spoilt when I opened it - thank you Nadine.

I have a couple more photos of Quilts in the Barn to share with you but please go and click on the badge on my sidebar for much better photos of all the quilts that were displayed.  I just wanted to show this one.  Look at all the detail with the different layers of fabric to create this beautiful bird.  This level of work was indicative of almost all of the quilts displayed - amazing!

Here is Sarah Morrell, made using a pale blue background.  I am so in love with this quilt!

One for all the hexie lovers.

I have made the centre of this quilt.  It has been in the cupboard now for a couple of years and I may just have to get it out and finish it???

This is called Drayton Hall by Di Ford and I came home with the pattern for this one. 

I also came home with this chair for my sewing room - yes we went to Ikea after visiting 3 patchwork shops.  As I said in my last post, we had a very big day out.

Fabrics purchased from various shops and,

this beautiful little book.  If you love cross stitch, go have a look at Jean's, from Linen & Raspberry, latest post.  You will be in cross stitch heaven!

I have been working on Swan Lake and "Hooray for Me" I have finished the fourth border!  In saying that, I still have 44 star flowers to applique down the mitred borders once it is all joined together - won't that be fun???

Now I don't have too much to show for Clamshell Club this month but I have been working on them.  I ran out of clams so I have cut lots more and have been turning over the tops in readiness to applique down.

Here is my Buddy boy.  Just had to share this pic I took of him.

Sue-Anne xxx