Such relief ...

This week I'm feeling so much relief that I'm really getting through some 'have to do' things. One of those things was to complete the tree skirt I shared an in progress shot of last week:

I've been trying to get a new tree skirt into my Etsy store each year, and this year the festive season is starting to draw very close. It's a quick make so I feel confident that people will be able to get one made in time with no trouble. This was such a fun project, and I was so happy to be able to use some fun fabrics. I don't have my tree up yet (which is so late for me) but I'm looking forward to putting this tree skirt to use.

Two other projects I'm working on I can't share just yet, but won't be long I promise.

On Monday I put together another block for the OPA Sampler sewalong. I challenged myself to work only from my 1.5" strips - I haven't actively added strips to that container in quite a while, so some of the strips in there are OLD. You'll see some very vintage repros in this block:

Block 22 - Brickwork

There is definitely a Smithsonian print in there, and several from the Ann Robinson collection - both of those are late 90's collections. I also see others that I know have been in my stash a good long time but I don't remember any details about them.

And last of all for today, I can share that last night I put the last stitches in the binding of the first of the Scrappy Stars Stitchalong quilts. In this picture you can see the plaid binding I chose really well, and also a hint of the random backing fabric I dug out of my stash.

I'm mad for plaid bindings right now, I just love how they look on the edge of the quilt, and I have several different colours to suit different quilts. Come to think of it, I really like a stripy binding too.

And as for that backing fabric, I really like it, but mustn't have had a plan for it. I'm trying to get fabrics like that out of my stash closet and used up to make room for future new fabrics.

After I'm done on here, I'm heading back into the sewing room, I'm really feeling like I'm on a roll right now and may be able to get a long term project completed this evening. Such a relief! So I'll chatter soon, thank you so much for stopping by xoxox

Checking things off the super long list!

Another wonderful week is drawing to a close, with many successes making me happy. I've been busy working on mmmCrafts ornaments:

These are so enjoyable and easy to work on. I have quite a few I'd like to get done before the big day. Some more for little Mary, and also Amy, plus some that I'd like to send to far away friends. They'll  have to be next on the list to ensure they get there in time.

And I did manage to quilt and bind the first of the Scrappy Star Stitchalong quilt tops:

I do really love a plaid binding, I have quite a few different colourways to suit different quilts. I think I'm mad for plaid in general, I'm always drawn to it in clothing stores and pretty much everywhere! I have some other things to work on for a bit, so I may have to put the second top on hold for a little while. Let's see how many hours I can eke out in the coming week.

This past Wednesday I went shopping with a lovely friend in search of something I have been seeking for YEARS!

I have wanted to get a Christmas Pickle ornament from David Jones for the longest time, and I'd never manage to get there in time before they sold out. Well this year I was determined to get in early and found one. Can I tell you that in store they only had 5 left already! Apologies for the blurry 'instructions' card, but you can see why the pickle is special. DJ's always have the most glorious selection of ornaments, so I got a few more things ...

Of course I purchased the Kitchenaid Mixer ornament, and the macaron ornaments too. They're so me. I know it's early to be talking about Christmas for some folk, but I needed to shop early to make sure I didn't miss out. Also, tomorrow is the day for the Adelaide Christmas Pageant, so it's traditionally the day I'd put our tree up. I'm going to wait a couple of weeks this year, as I need the space free in the lounge for a bit.

And the last Christmas themed info for this post: I've popped one of my finished tree skirts in my Etsy store if any of my sweet readers are interested. I really like it, and hope you all will too:

Please let me know if you have any questions about the skirt, I'll be happy to help you out.

I'll sign off here, there are still a number of things to get done today, and they day is disappearing, so I'll chatter soon! xox

Scrappy Stars Stitchalong Top

This has been such a great week, from a quilting perspective, and from a home perspective too.

I got one of the tops from the Scrappy Stars Stitchalong put together, I'm so very pleased with how it looks:

The bottom row of blocks is cut off in this picture (also it's upside down), but you can see how the fabrics in the setting squares and triangles look. I'm so pleased I went rummaging in my stash closet, I really like the fabrics I selected. Hopefully this week I'll get the second top put together, and then I'll get ready to quilt and bind them. I don't think these little quilts are candidates for hand quilting, I have plenty enough of that in the queue already!

And speaking of hand quilting, I moved the hoop once again:

I don't always feel like hand quilting, so when I'm in the mood I really have to go with it. I'd love it if I can have this quilt finished some time next year, so let's hope I can remain focused!

In other news, I'm so thrilled with all the decluttering I've been getting done at home. During the week I went through all my quilting books and donated about a third of them. I wanted to free up one of the shelves in my quilting room - little Mary loves the Sylvanian Families and I have a couple of sets for her. I've popped them on the spare shelf in the sewing room and she happily plays with them while I get a little stitching done. 

And my handbags too - I gave a whole bunch to a friend today, she was interested in them and it was a great opportunity to reduce their numbers. I think I kept five total - only absolute favourites, ones that I know I'll use.

It's amazing to me how much I'm preferring having space instead of stuff. I'm going to look forward to continuing organisation in the sewing room. There are so many projects I'd like to work on, and I'm loving getting through them!

Well, that's it for me this week, I'm going to get a little more hand quilting done, and then it's night-night time! Chatter soon xox

Scrappy Stars blocks finished!

This week when I've had stitching time, I've mainly been hand quilting. But I have managed to get the last two blocks from the Scrappy Stars Stitchalong finished:

These are blocks nineteen and twenty. They're probably the least busy of the blocks, especially the last one. The project has been an exercise in letting go a little for me, as I prefer my scrap quilts to be much more 'controlled scrappy' in nature and all these different prints and patterns as well as wonky orientations have been tough for me to work with. I've done my best, and even though there were some things I just couldn't do, I'll say I'm growing!

The next step is to put the top together with setting squares - the original quilt has a largely solid fabric in a taupe/cheddar tone. I don't have anything like that, so these are the fabrics under consideration for me to use for my setting squares etc:

I'm thinking that if I can't do a solid fabric, I'll do a fabulous pattern instead. What are your thoughts? I'll be interested to hear.

This is where I'm going to leave off tonight, as I'm really itching to get back into some more hand quilting. So I'll wish you all well, and chatter soon! xox

Blocks, blocks and more blocks ...

Though I've been working on several secret squirrel projects, I've also been working hard to catch up on other blocks I've gotten behind on:

These are blocks twelve thru eighteen on the Scrappy Star Stitchalong:

I'm not sure what order they've been arranged in, but it doesn't really matter :-) The blocks were fun to put together and the best part is trying to find fabrics in my stash that somewhat match the original blocks.

There are only two blocks left to make and then it's time to put the quilt top together. I've made two of each block, so I'll be able to make two little quilts. I'm looking forward to that part.

And today I managed to put together another of the Opa Sampler blocks, a cute one too:

Block 22 - Quadruple T

I managed to find two fabrics that were somewhat similar to the original in my stash. How am I working on two projects that require this kind of attention?!? There are still many blocks to make, but I'm sure I can get them done.

In addition to working on some Christmas items, this week up I finished up painting the bathroom, and I've had bunches of orders to take care of from my Etsy store. I do love being busy, but I've paid scant attention to blogging and emails, so I promise to catch up asap. Hope you're all well, chatter soon! xox

Monday Evening

As the title suggests, it's Monday evening here now - we were so lucky to have had a long weekend (Labour Day), so sleep ins have been on the agenda, and sewing too! But as promised, I'm checking back in with some additional quilting eye candy.

First up, during the week I pieced and quilted a new Slightly Spooky Halloween Table Topper. I had given away the one I made last year, so because it's the season, time for another:

I love this little project, it's always a breeze to make. One of my sweet customers had asked me for some tips to bind scallops, so today while I was working on the binding I took some pictures to make up a little tutorial. Scalloped binding is super easy, nothing to fear at all - I plan to put a selection of photos with some information on Insta when I have a chance. Also, the pattern for the table topper is in my Etsy store if you like it.

Another thing I finished last weekend was some placemats for my Mum which were almost identical to the one I made for Nanna. The cream and green stripes are narrower in this version, which I think looks nicer.

This placemat is based on a picture that a quilting friend found on Pinterest and she really wanted to make some. The Pinterest link on the picture of the black and white mats didn't lead to anything other than some very suspicious looking links, and though we hunted far and wide for a pattern, we just couldn't come up with anything. So, because of our lack of success, I put together a few very basic cutting and piecing directions for my friend, and though the dimensions don't appear to be exactly the same, we're both pretty happy with the end result. If you'd like a copy of my rudimentary directions, pop me an email, I'll be happy to forward them to you.

And back to piecing, I put a few more of the Scrappy Stars blocks together in an attempt to catch up:

These are blocks eight, nine and ten. The group is up to block thirteen, and I expect fourteen to come out at any moment - I feel confident I'll have some free time this week so I'll catch up soon!

And I've (mostly) been able to keep up with thirty minutes each evening of hand quilting, and last night I was able to move the hoop on Lily Rosenberry:

Gosh I love this quilt, the hand quilting is so relaxing, and I must remember to savour it, and not race toward a finish. 

Last of all for today, a little Rowley snap:

Marty was watching the MotoGP, and I don't know if Rowley was genuinely tired, or if he wasn't happy about not being the centre of attention ... but he had his back to Marty with a less than pleased look on his face. Funny dog! It's hard to believe that in two weeks time Rowley will be eight months old - it has gone so fast!

So that's my little early week catch up - Friday I'll be back to my regular posting schedule. Chatter soon!

Quickie post ...

I'm so sorry, this is going to be a super quick post tonight, I'm so very tired after a seriously busy week.

Today I got a couple more blocks made from the Scrappy Star Stitchalong, these are Blocks 6 and 7:

Block six has that fabulous blue stripe, and even if I did have time to stitch a bunch during the week, I didn't have anything remotely similar so had to partake in some retail therapy. I'm so glad I did!

I also got another block made from the Opa Sampler Stitch Along:

Block 18 - Crossed Canoes

A fun one to make, and I simply adore that blue Judie Rothermel print. It's yummy!

Last of all, I promised I'd share a little of the fabric I'd managed to get in a fabulous sale. These are largely for little Mary quilts, I'm adding to a whole new area of my stash for that sweet girl.

And finally for today, I've moved the hoop on my Lily Rosenberry quilt, I've managed to get 30 mins of hand quilting done each day, often times it's quite late at night. A perfect relaxation toward heading to bed.

And speaking of bed, I think I'll head in that direction now, I feel like I'll be asleep within minutes! Chatter soon xox

More stars!

Ohhh I hope you're ready to see more stars? I had a great time working on them during the week. I think I'm behind by one star at the moment, but that one will have to wait until I can stumble upon the perfect fabric.

Block four - I was thrilled with how this one came together, the perfect fabrics were lurking in my scrap stash, so I was able to put them to good use. The brown stripe and the little check print were gifted by my lovely friend Donna (and possibly one of the indigoes too). I dug the music print conversational and the other indigo from deep stash, they were fun finds. 

Block five - I struggled to find appropriate scraps for this one. I don't have very much purple repro fabric, something I feel like I should try and remedy.

Block six has a wide mid blue and white scrap for the outer squares, I am 99.675% sure that I don't have anything like that hiding in my fabric closet, so I'll have a think about what I'll do there. It really does make the block, so it's worth contemplating.

I also put together the latest Opa Sampler block:

Block 35 - Variable Star

Cooincidentally this weeks block is just a larger scale version of the other blocks I've been working on. It was hard to find a brown print that mimicked the fabric in the original. I auditioned a couple of darker brown fabrics, and thought they were too dull. I settled on this sweet brown print fabric from the tub of reproductions kindly gifted to me by lovely Pam Holland. I had a small piece of this way back in the day when it was new, but that was long gone, so it was a thrill to find this piece in the tub.

And last of all from a quilting perspective, tonight I put the last binding stitches in a placemat I've made for my Nanna's birthday.

Nanna is 94 this week, such a great age. She's in a nursing home as she needs a lot of care now, and we'll visit with her tomorrow for cake and celebrating. The placemat is for her to put on her tray table where she has her meals, I hope it'll brighten her space some more. We just adore Nanna, and we are so blessed to have five generations of first born daughters that are all so close.

Also this week, I received a small delivery of fabric, which I managed to forget to take a picture of, so I'll share that with you next week. Lastly I've been busy and finally finished up updating all the pictures in my Etsy store - they decided in their wisdom that we needed to have square listing photos going forward - so that was a fun exercise in playing with photoshop etc. 

So that has been my week, I hope yours has been wonderful too, and I'll chatter with you next week! xox