Tazzie Quilts

Retreat - Days 3 & 4

2012-01-29T11:16:00.001+10:30

I've been plugging away at the first 'block' of Mrs Billings coverlet. There was quite a bit of 'unsewing' at crucial times, but eventually I got it together.

Now I'm not sure what to work on next, perhaps I'll prepare some more hexagons?

Retreat - Day 2

2012-01-28T07:19:00.001+10:30

While at Road to California we were lucky enough to take a mystery class with Tracey Brookshier. I got my basket blocks almost complete at the class - and I thought it would be fun to complete the top yesterday.

I purchased the fabrics as a kit from the tutor - its really quite fun isn't it?

Retreat - Day 1

2012-01-26T15:59:00.001+10:30

Here is where I'm up to after a fun day of sewing at the retreat. I'm so thrilled with how this project is looking so far!

Mrs Billings Coverlet

2012-01-25T17:03:00.001+10:30

I got a few hexagons made on the plane, but now that we're at Linda's beach house on retreat, I'm progressing in earnest.

I'd really love to have the first installment made entirely by the time we leave, but I'll see how I go ...

Just a tid-bit ...

2012-01-24T14:48:00.001+10:30

Had a great time at the quilt show, and I'll share more later. Yesterday my friends and I spent the day at California Adventure, and today we were at Disneyland, it really is the happiest place on earth!!

Road to California

2012-01-22T02:19:00.001+10:30

The entrance hall has some beautiful quilts hanging. We're heading in for day two - can my pocketbook take it?? So many lovely purchases already.

On my way :)

2012-01-17T06:42:00.001+10:30

Shame about the sun coming up in the picture ... but here is my chariot for the first leg of the journey. Hope the fam behave themselves while I'm away :-)

Hexies

2012-01-16T12:08:00.001+10:30

I'm cutting tiny hexies for my Mrs Billings project. These ones are 5/8" finished!

A peek ...

2012-01-12T17:19:00.001+10:30

... into my sewing room. My new sewing cabinet is all set up, and I'm entirely thrilled with it. It was my prize for winning viewers choice with my NI quilt :-) And my dear friend Lyn from work gave me a quilty calendar for Christmas, so it's proudly displayed. Happy days :-)

Binding ...

2012-01-07T20:37:00.005+10:30

I'm sewing down the binding on a favourite scrap quilt. Some of the fabrics in the top are VERY old ... so it seems appropriate that the binding would have some age on it too ...

Almost done now, and then it's on to the hand sewing :-)

A new year :-)

2012-01-02T21:38:00.000+10:30

Can you believe it's 2012 already? I really can't ... 2011 flashed by so quickly, and it really made a mark. Too many of my family and friends are really glad to see the end of it. I'm wishing for wonderful things in 2012 for sure :-)

So, what has been happening here recently?

Well ... in the days after Christmas, there was seismic activity in my dining room ... resulting in the demise of the gingerbread house ... and it was delicious!

I'm really keen to make a gingerbread chapel next year - I pinned one on Pinterest and may have a practice during the year. I know the family won't be sad to eat it :-)

I have also been working on some 'secret squirrel' projects:

I see miles of hand stitched bindings in my future. I love to listen to the TV while I'm working at bindings ...

And I've been working on a whole pile of strip piecing too ...

I hope to finish the piecing on these tonight ... it's on the list!

Speaking of lists, so that I don't fritter my days away (and it's very easy to do on holidays), I've decided to prepare a list of things to achieve in the day. This was today's list:

~~Red Binding~~
~~Laundry x 4 loads~~
~~Bathroom/Kitchen Trash~~
~~Run Dishwasker~~
~~Empty Blue Fabric Container~~
Take Up Jeans
Finish "Secret Squirrel" Tops

Not too hard to accomplish for today - and I'm almost done. Emptying the 'blue container' is a HUGE accomplishment. It is the scrap fabric that has been languishing in the corner of the sewing room for YEARS. I donated a whole lot of it recently, I've sorted it today and put away the useful fabric, and tossed the rest. What a huge relief!

Anyways, I better run and finish my last few things - if I get to it I'll post again tomorrow. Chatter soon friends :-)

TFW - Blocks 24 & 25

2011-12-26T19:38:00.003+10:30

It is so hard to believe that Christmas is over for another year. The preparations are always so enjoyable, and occupy so much time - and then when the big day comes, it's all a blur and very quickly finished! We had such a lovely day spent with family - we ate, drank and made merry - and we were all thoroughly spoiled!

This morning I tidied and put the house mostly to rights - and then this afternoon because I miss them so much, I treated myself to a little Farmers Wife action - and here are the results:

Block 24 - Country Path
Since taking the picture I've noticed that I have the cream triangles and tablet shape in the centre a quarter turn the wrong way - but it doesn't really affect the block in a terrible way, so it's staying as is. Apart from that, it's a very cute block.

Block 25 - Cups and Saucers
I have no plans for tomorrow, so I see plenty of sewing time ahead of me ... happy days!

Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T23:58:00.000+10:30

The cookies have been baked ...

And the gingerbread house made ...

The table is set ...

Some of the presents are under the tree ...

Jam has been made ...

So, all that remains is to wish you all a Merry Christmas ... Happy Holidays ... and if I don't get back to you in time, an entirely wonderful New Year! xox

Oops!

2011-12-17T22:00:00.000+10:30

On Thursday I promised my sweet friend Monica that I would work on a post for my blog that very evening. She'd told me she was stopping by every day to see what was new, and of course there have been crickets chirping at my end.

There has been so much going on - you all know how busy this time of year can be - but the honest truth is that most of my 'quilty' doings have been of the 'secret squirrel' variety.

However, in a very time consuming sense, I have had major work going on in Camo's room:

I had to completely empty his bedroom, and on Tuesday the 6th, the painter came and made his room beautiful. Then on Friday the 9th the wardrobe installation guy came and installed the new robe/desk combo. I'm just so pleased with how it has come up. It took best part of a week to sort/purge/empty his room, and it took pretty much the whole weekend to put everything away again - and there are still more things to do. I'll share more pictures when it's all done. Camo's so happy with his new more grown-up digs.

Some little bits I can share ... I've pieced the backs for some placemats using my 3.5" strips. It feels so virtuous to use up fabrics that might have otherwise sat around for a while :-) The blue strip of fabric there is the binding for some other mats I made a while back and finished recently - they're super cute. And in icky work - the Xmas mat in the background is one I need to replace the binding on. My little man was very naughty and snipped it. Grrr ... but at least it's an easy fix.

No Farmers Wife blocks just at the moment, but I've printed foundations for the next two blocks. Hopefully I'll have a few hours just to myself sometime soon!

TFW - Block 23

2011-12-07T21:35:00.000+10:30

I made one more block this week - and I've since had to move on to other things. Hopefully I'll be able to share pictures on the weekend.

Block 23 - Country Farm
I foundation pieced this block - it really makes the process super easy, and super accurate too. I hope to use the same technique for more of them.

There are only four more working days until I'm on holidays - once all the Xmas shopping etc is taken care of, I can really spend some serious time in the sewing room. Bring it on!!

TFW - Blocks 19 & 22

2011-12-05T14:07:00.002+10:30

I put a couple more Farmers Wife blocks together this morning - it is so nice to be back stitching on them again :-)

Block 19 - Checkerboard

Block 22 - Corn & Beans
Both simply rotary cut and pieced. Corn and Beans was made much easier with Marti Michell's point trimmer - it really does make it easier to line up the triangles for stitching. Once again - no affiliations, just a very happy customer.

The rest of today must be dedicated to getting Camo's room ready for painting tomorrow, so it's unlikely there will be any more stitching for me. He's having a huge re-decorate this week, so hopefully I'll be able to share some pictures on the weekend.

Chatter soon! xox

TFW - Block 18

2011-12-03T10:52:00.002+10:30

Last night I made up Block 18 - Century of Progress from my Farmers Wife project.

I need to take out the bottom right hand portion of the block and have another go at it - it just doesn't line up well enough. If it weren't 1am when I completed the block, I would have done it immediately ... there comes a time when a girl really has to sleep. I've decided I'll make a few more blocks and come back to it. Sometimes it's better to leave things be for a little :-)

Update: And I should add that I changed the placement of some of the colours in the block. The block in the book lacked a little symmetry I thought, and you all know how that can bug me ...

And I'm still completely on a high from my amazing news at guild on Thursday night. Just can't believe that my NI quilt won viewers choice. Thank you all for your amazing comments and congratulations, both here and on the Facebooks. This past month has truly been the most amazing ever! xox

Oh my goodness!

2011-12-01T20:50:00.002+10:30

And it got better again, I'm at the guild meeting, and just learned that my NI quilt won the:

So, what have I been up to this past week?

2011-11-28T20:36:00.000+10:30

I'm still working away at the Noah and Friends quilt - I have to finish one more block, and then I can put the top together and add the final borders. It will be a relief when it's done.

It's really quite cute isn't it?

And I've also pieced and quilted about a bazillion (okay - 8) Christmas themed placemats.

Hopefully they'll be bound and finished by this time next week, and then I can work on some more Farmers Wife blocks - I'm dying to get back into them.

And speaking of the Farmers Wife:

I received a comment last week from Danish Lisbet, she asked what fabrics I'm using in my Farmers Wife quilt. I couldn't reply directly as her email address wasn't enabled. So here is my answer:

The red is by Judie Rothermel - Cocheco Mills Collection
The mustard is by Kaye England - Remember When
The pink is by Judie Rothermel - Charleston IV
The cream print is by Judie Rothermel - Sturbridge Village Greens

I hope this helps Lisbet - some of the fabrics are a few years old now, but I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to get similar prints to achieve the same look.

Well, that's it from me - I hope to check back in soon. xox

Noah and Friends project

2011-11-22T20:39:00.000+10:30

Just thought I'd quickly share a project that I've been working on, off and on for a little while now. It belongs to a sweet lady that I used to do some quilting for - she brought it to me because she was having all sorts of problems putting the blocks together. She'd accidentally cut the background fabric squares too small, and just couldn't get the top to lay flat. I've taken it all apart and I'm putting it back together for her - it seemed such a shame to abandon the project, and she'd done such a lovely job with the applique.

Isn't it sweet? It's a Kookaburra Cottage block of the month project, called Noah and Friends. I'm really looking forward to giving her top back complete - it's going to look just lovely!

TFW - And two more ...

2011-11-20T08:00:00.004+10:30

I just can't stop myself - and I may not be able to return to a normal life! :-)

Block 15 - Buzzard's Roost

Block 17 - Cats & Mice

Isn't block 15 a funny looking one. I must say though, that the piecing was much easier with the help of Marti Michell's templates. No affiliations - just a happy customer. And block 17 is super cute - but made a little tricker with the cutting of 1 and 15/16ths of an inch squares. Gah - none of my rulers have those markings ...

Today I MUST work on a whole different project ... I'll see if I can tear myself away ... Wish me luck!!

TFW - Blocks 14, 16, 20 & 21

2011-11-19T08:00:00.004+10:30

After the mind bending I received while stitching Block 13, yesterday afternoon I thought I'd put a few simple blocks together:

Block 14 - Butterfly at the Crossroads

Block 16 - Calico Puzzle

Block 20 - Churn Dash

Block 21 - Contrary Wife
I think this makes 17 blocks completed now - such a fun project :-)

Block 13 = Success!

2011-11-18T11:51:00.000+10:30

Finally! I spent some of this morning unpicking and resewing this block, before I realised that it was just too far gone and I'd need to start again.

Here is my finished block:

Block 13 - Buckwheat

I've been working on another project in-between these blocks, so this weekend when I have a chance, I'll share some pictures with you.

Block 13 = Fail

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000+10:30

So, last night I spent about an hour putting this block together ... all the time thinking something just wasn't right with it ...

See the ruler on the left, that's the size it should be ... I'm about an inch short. Not right to say the least! It's back to the drawing board with this one :-)

Just checking ...

2011-11-16T19:25:00.000+10:30

... to see if I can use PSP on my iPhone ... looks like it works :-)

Farmers Wife - Blocks 8 & 12

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000+10:30

Tonight I made up two more blocks - they're so much faster than the NI blocks, and not having to make fabric choices speeds up the process so much too!

Block 8 - Bouquet

Block 12 - Broken Sugar Bowl

I wonder if I'll get any more blocks made this week? Chatter soon xox

Is it clear that I'm hooked?

2011-11-15T08:00:00.001+10:30

Oh yes, utterly hooked. These blocks are highly addictive - I've made three more, and I've cut out the freezer paper templates of the next one.

Here are my latest finishes:

Block 3 - Basket

Block 9 - Box

Block 10 - Bowtie

I predict you'll be seeing more of these dear things in the not too distant future! Chatter soon xox

Farmers Wife - A few more

2011-11-14T08:00:00.007+10:30

Here are three more Farmers Wife blocks I completed on the weekend:

Block 5 - Bat Wing

Block 7 - Birds in the Air

Block 11 - Broken Dishes

For Block 5, I used freezer paper templates - it's my current favourite technique for odd shapes. And Blocks 7 and 11 were super easy, using oversized squares to make HST's. Super fun! I'm loving this project! xox

Pageant Day

2011-11-13T08:00:00.003+10:30

Yesterday was the day of the Adelaide Christmas Pageant, and as tradition dictates in our house, it's also the day we put up the Christmas tree. Mainly because I love how the house looks when it's decorated for the season, so I want to make it last as long as possible! :-)

I must say, it all looks so much more glittery in real life - I'll have to get Marty to take a picture with his fancy camera and even fancier filter.

The Farmers Wife - A beginning ...

2011-11-12T08:00:00.001+10:30

Originally I was going to make my 'Civil War Love Letters' quilt using the colourway I've used in these blocks, but I changed my mind. I think it will look better with a larger variety of colours, so I'll make it in scraps and reproductions some day - lets face it, I still have a LOT of scraps and repro bits and pieces!

Having made that decision, I decided to start making 'The Farmers Wife' quilt instead, and I've been dying to get busy ever since.

Here are my first blocks:

Block 1 - Attic Windows

Block 2 - Autumn Tints

Block 4 - Basket Weave

Block 6 - Big Dipper

These blocks have been fun to make, and I can't wait to get more made. I've almost completed Block 3 - Basket, it's pieced, I just have to needle turn the handle down. And Block 5 - Bat Wing, I must print the templates before I can begin piecing.

I hope I can share a few more blocks with you soon! xox

Thank you!

2011-11-11T18:30:00.003+10:30

One of my sweet quilting friends gave me the loveliest bunch of flowers yesterday as a big congratulations on my quilty award.

Don't they look wonderful? I can't wait for the blooms to open. Thank you Monica!

Orphan Block

2011-11-10T09:02:00.001+10:30

I have been completely unable to settle to a new project since I finished my NI quilt, so for fun I started digging around in my box of orphan blocks.

I found one I needle turned about 15 years ago when I was just learning, and thought it'd be fun to quilt it and make it into a little table topper. Here is the end result:

Gratuitous NI picture :-)

2011-11-08T20:10:00.002+10:30

Just because I can't get enough of these pics, I thought I'd share where my NI quilt is right now. I'll have to take it down in a few weeks for valuation ... and then next year it'll have a little holiday in Melbourne. In the meantime, it's hanging in the dining room ...

And it just keeps getting better!

2011-11-06T16:24:00.000+10:30

My Mum and I visited the guild show again today - I wanted to visit with my quilt again, and Mum was dying to see it hanging. I'll never tire of seeing it there with it's lovely ribbon. Lizzy called me to let me know that two of the guild ladies were looking for me - and I have to tell you they had the most exciting news ...

My quilt was one of those selected to represent South Australia at the Australasian Quilters Convention in April next year! Can you believe it?? I'm just gobsmacked, and completely honoured! Just when I thought things could not be more wonderful, they just get even better!

Chatter soon friends - I'm still on cloud nine! xox

It is so very exciting!

2011-11-04T17:36:00.000+10:30

Now that I've had a little time to settle after such excitement, I can begin returning messages and emails - and share news and pictures a little more adequately. Thank you to everyone who has left comments here, and messages on my facebook page, it has been just overwhelming and entirely wonderful.

Here is another picture for you - one that shows a little more of the quilt - but still not a good photo. I'm going to visit again on the weekend and hopefully will be able to take some better pictures.

While at the show, I visited one of my favourite interstate booths - the one where I purchased the NI book originally - Somerset Patchwork & Quilting, and they have a block of the month going - I signed up immediately. Scroll down on their front page - it's Mrs Billings' Coverlet. I'm in love! I have the first block, and I can't wait to begin. I don't mind admitting that even though I have things I need to work on, I've really felt a little lost since I finished working on my NI quilt. I had a feeling that may happen ...

Update: my laptop died in a heap last night, (beastly thing) so I don't have access to the emails I've already downloaded - hopefully all will be well soon so I can get busy responding to all your kind messages xox

Winner!

2011-11-03T19:44:00.002+10:30

My Nearly Insane quilt won first place in its category at the SA Quilters Guild show, and I'm beyond thrilled. I'm at the presentation now - more later!

Testing ...

2011-11-01T21:40:00.002+10:30

I've been working on some table mats using some of my favourite Kaffe fabrics. I'll make a couple more and get busy binding.

Most of all though, this post is just a quick test to see if I can blog from my iPhone. I guess I'll know very soon! :-)

Another runner ...

2011-10-28T22:33:00.001+10:30

I hope you don't get tired of these runners any time soon, because today I made another, and I know there will be more in my future!

Lyn chose this gorgeous fabric for the shop, and it looks wonderful - very glitzy! Kind of Christmasy, but with a hint of spice :-)

And here's how I've quilted it - I should be more adventurous, perhaps on the next one :-)

If I try hard, I should be able to apply the binding tonight, and I'll do the hand stitching later.

This weekend I'm going to make up some more blocks, and also get busy on some other small projects - I'll check in soon! xox

Lo and behold - I reacquainted myself with my sewing machine!

2011-10-24T22:13:00.001+10:30

But first - a photo I had taken with my phone-camera and forgot all about it ... when I took the picture of my Nearly Insane quilt hanging in my dining room the other day - I had unceremoniously dumped my Dear Jane quilt in the lounge.

Miss Gracie clearly saw this as an opportunity to rub up against a quilt that up till now had been impossible to get to! Little monkey!!

And in entirely marvellous news - I have been able to make a little headway toward catching up on the Civil War Quilt blocks. Here are the blocks I made on Sunday:

This is Block 39 - Hovering Hawks. Such an easy block, but so effective.

Block 42 - H is for Hospital. How fun would a quilt be made entirely with this block in a Rail-Fence kind of design. Very striking.

And lastly, Block 43 - Right Hand of Friendship. I had to do a little unpicking with this one to get it just right, but I think it was worth it. I love the red print with the dots - I only had the smallest piece and wish I had more, it's adorable.

Well, that's my sewing for the weekend - it was so much fun, and I can't wait to get a few more blocks made. Chatter soon! xox

Table Runner

2011-10-21T20:14:00.000+10:30

Would you like to see one of the things I did at work today? Yes? Well, here you go:

Isn't it cute? A table runner made with a pretty border fabric, and Marti Michell's Kaleidorule. How I love that ruler!

We have a bolt of that pretty border print left over from a kit, and to help customers see what they can make from it, I thought this runner would be just the ticket. Last time I made a Christmas runner like this, the fabric sold out so very fast! I'm just about to quilt it and apply the binding, and I can take it into work on Tuesday. How fun!

Roses

2011-10-20T17:48:00.001+10:30

We have some really beautiful roses in our garden this year, and I thought I'd share a couple of pics:

These are just so lovely that I couldn't bear to cut them from the bush. Such gorgeous old fashioned roses - they were all planted before we purchased our house, so we don't know the names of any of them.

And these are lovely too, but a little past their prime. I snipped just a few so we could enjoy their last days inside.

Bears Anyone?

2011-10-17T16:38:00.000+10:30

I was cleaning up in my sewing room today (because I have the time now!), and came across this little bag of goodies:

They're bear parts that I bought a good long time ago. Now I know that I'm never ever going to make a bear, and even if I did, I don't think I'd know what to do with them. Would anyone like them? I'm happy to send them anywhere. Just drop me a message and let me know. If there's a few of you, I'll draw a number.

Thank you for helping me de-clutter! xox

My NI is completely finished!

2011-10-16T12:17:00.002+10:30

My NI quilt (Not Quite Insane) is completely and utterly finished, and I'm just thrilled! I took this quick pic of it hanging in my dining room.

This quilt has been the best fun to make (machine pieced and hand quilted) - a very long process - and I've very much enjoyed the ride. I'm so ready to work on something new!!

Fabric Shopping for the Dazed and Confused ...

2011-10-14T21:55:00.007+10:30

Finally I opened up the baggies in the box of fabric that was delivered just over two weeks ago. And I have to confess something ... when the box arrived - I was stupefied by the size of it!

And here's the story ...

Most often when I shop online, I head on over to Hancocks of Paducah and click away. On their site, they sell things by the half yard ... (and the astute among you will have figured out where I went wrong already ...) But this time I was shopping at the Fat Quarter Shop ... and they're NOT half yard kinda folk :-)

They're more like 'We sell by the yard' - and hey presto, I have eight yards of the lovely red reproduction there ... and four yards of the background fabric ... Duh!

At some point I must have had a moment of clarity, because I have much more reasonable amounts of these fabrics ... one, one and two yards. Yay!

And these fabrics (Hooty Hoot and the Kangaroo) I seem to have a lot of also ... but I'm sure I can use it. Camo fell in love with it, and how can a Mum say no? Well, this fabric addicted Mum anyway?

So, the moral of my story is this: Do look over your purchases carefully when you're at checkout, because when fabrics are on sale it's REALLY easy to get waaaay too much of them!

And in completely unrelated news:

A couple of girlfriends and I recently went to see the movie Horrible Bosses (which was really quite funny). BUT - before the movie, the preview to What's Your Number was played ... and I happened to spy that the girl in the movie had a white Singer Featherweight in a sewing nook by the window! How's that for spotting? I think I'll have to go see it just for that :-)

Updated: And a big thank you to Amy - my tech savvy girl - she helped me with the whole 'print screen - where did the picture go' thing, so I could share it with you:

Chatter soon friends :-)

Bound, but not gagged :-)

2011-10-12T23:41:00.000+10:30

I am really on a roll right now - I can see the finish line, and I'm sprinting toward it!

The binding is completely stitched down, and I've attached the label - only one more thing to check off the list and I'm entirely done!

I'm so pleased I used the green for the binding - the pink and green fabrics, and the purple from the cornerstones were all contenders - but the green was my final choice. I'm really happy with it, and that's what counts :-)

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments on my last post - I will respond to them all over the next couple of days (except for the couple of anonymous ones - still just lovely, but I won't have email addresses for them). Better run, it's getting late - chatter soon!

Yes!!

2011-10-09T18:34:00.000+10:30

It has been a really long time coming, but I'm just so thrilled to share that ... I'm finally finished hand quilting my NI quilt!!

All that remains is to apply the binding, sleeve and label, and my life can once again become my own :-)

Don't get me wrong, I have loved, loved, loved working on this quilt, but there have been times when I've longed to work on something else, and just haven't been able to. As soon as dinner is out of the way tonight, I'm going to get the binding ready and maybe get it stitched in place. I'm thinking of the green fabric which is in the zig-zag border, yes?

And you know just how preoccupied I've been with the quilting when you know that this box of fabric was delivered the week before last, and I haven't even opened the packages to check them out! That can be some excitement for later this week :-)

How fun it will be to get back to regularly scheduled blogging ... I've missed you all! xox

Yum!

2011-09-26T19:56:00.001+09:30

How naughty of me to take a whole week to reveal that ... we were in Singapore!

We stopped into Raffles Hotel more than once for the obligatory Singapore Sling, it would have been irresponsible not to! They're the 'thing to do' and mighty delicious as well :-)

We had a great time with our friends, and we've declared that we'll be back. The girls and I shopped pretty hard, this time we didn't even nudge our baggage allowance - but of course I managed to find 7 pairs of shoes to come home with me.

In quilty news, I've finished quilting one whole border of the NI quilt, so I'm definitely on the home stretch. I'm really looking forward to finishing now ... chatter soon friends :-)

Where in the world??

2011-09-19T16:44:00.000+09:30

I know many of you already know this answer to this one ... but play along anyways ...

Where in the world were we??

Progress, and thank you!

2011-09-12T14:13:00.000+09:30

Thank you so much to everyone for your wonderful help with Prue's fabric search - crisis averted and she has enough now to complete her border. Once again - thank you!

I have been madly hand quilting away, and with good progress - sadly though - endless hand quilting does not make for good blog fodder, so I've neglected you all, but you know that once this project is finished, I'll be back to blogging more regularly.

Here's a little area on the quilt that I've completed out to the zig zag border.

The border area should be much faster to quilt - well, at least I'm hoping so anyway!

And this is the last of the blocks I have to quilt - one little half block - with any luck I'll have it done tonight and I can concentrate on the border. Once the blocks are finished I'll swap over to my square 'hoop' for the border - much easier! But for some reason I don't like the square one as much when I'm working on the middle of the quilt. I don't question it ... I just go with it :-)

Lots of chores to get done today, and then hopefully some stitching time this evening ... must get busy!

Fabric Hunt

2011-09-01T21:32:00.000+09:30

Just a quick pleading post tonight: My dear friend Prue is desperately looking for a particular fabric, and I thought I'd put up a quick shout out to see if anyone can help out.

She's looking for this fabric: It's from Kaye England's Back Home Again collection. A yard would be wonderful if you can spare it, and we'll take care of all costs.

The fabric has kind of a linen look to it - if you have it, you'll know what I mean :-) Thank you so much for reading! xox

Christmas Tree Skirt

2011-08-29T20:29:00.000+09:30

Since I don't have anything interesting of my own to report - I'm happy to tell you all about the achievements of others :-) Recently I made up another tree skirt to kit up for the shop, and today my dear friend (and quilting magician) Lizzy called to tell me that she had quilted it up for me!

Hasn't she done another spectacular job with this one? I'm entirely thrilled and can't wait to get the binding on! (If only I could take better pictures for you to see the details)

On the reverse side, her quilting really shines through - she's a feathered wreath master! Do keep your eyes peeled, I'm hoping to have this project advertised in AP&Q.

In my own news, I have now only got 7 blocks of the NI left to hand quilt, and then the border ... I'm on the home stretch! xox

Lady of the Lake Table Runner

2011-08-21T12:21:00.000+09:30

My 'Lady of the Lake' table runner has come back to me! Australian Patchwork and Quilting have finished with the photography, and I'm thrilled to be able to put it on my table.

It looks so nice in the morning light - I wander by all the time so I can gaze at it.

My dear friend Lizzy did such a marvellous job of the quilting, she's a superstar with her longarm machine. Thank you Lizzy!

Something different ...,

2011-08-15T10:17:00.000+09:30

Hand quilting has kept me very much occupied since I last posted, but recently I've had the need to work on a couple of different things:

A dear friend Margaret came to visit Friday week ago for a sewing afternoon. Rather than continue with my quilting, I thought I'd start on the Civil War Love Letters quilt I'd like to work on when I'm done with the NI. I made the two easiest blocks I could find, just to see if I really want to continue with the fabrics I've chosen.

These blocks are called 'Enthusiasm' and 'Virginia Military Institute'. I quite like them, and think I'll continue in this vein :-)

And on Friday last week, I quilted something that I threw together at the shop on Thursday.

It's a table runner made using the Kaliedorule - it'll be useful for demo's at the shop, and really nice if I do say so myself! Amazing things can be done with lovely border prints :-)

And this morning, I just finished quilting on this little project. It's hanging on my clothes airer, so looks a little funny.

I had a really great time quilting this one - it's the Dogwood Trail fabric and project from Moda. This is also a shop sample, and I hope there are still kits left as I type this, because they've been going so fast!

Well, that's what I've been up to recently - this afternoon I'll be getting back to the hand quilting - I'm really getting it done now!

Good ... or just okay??

2011-08-03T21:21:00.001+09:30

I'm just getting ready to quilt this block - it's the infamous block 18. Yes, the 6" block with 229 pieces. I'm pretty pleased with how it went together ... mostly.

DH took this picture a few minutes ago with his fancy-pants camera :-)

And just for giggles, he took this macro shot ...

Not looking quite so good now is it?? *lol*

And two weeks flew by!

2011-07-25T19:04:00.000+09:30

Some would say that I'm obsessively hand quilting away on my Nearly Insane quilt. I prefer to say that I'm consumed by the quilting. Utterly and entirely!

I took a quick snap when I moved the hoop the other day - apologies for the poor quality - flat battery - used phone camera and all that :-) At last count I had quilted 58 of the blocks in the centre (and some of the zig zag border). I must confess that I'm starting to stress a little that I won't have the quilting done by my (self imposed) deadline! Wish me luck friends, I'm going to need it!

Today has been the last day of my kids's school holidays. Amy and Camo have both had a lovely time - and in very different ways. Camo has been to Mannum with my Mum, and to Yalpara with Marty, and on Thursday last week Camo, my dear friend Chris and I went to visit our lovely friend Prue at her farm.

We had the nicest and most relaxing day - Prue provided a lovely lunch, and then we settled in for a little stitching together. Camo made a new friend of Prue's son (never mind the 15 odd year age gap) and settled in for some TV time.

I took some happy snaps - once again with my phone camera. But still nice for friends from afar to see a little slice of Australia.

And what was Miss Amy doing while all this was happening? She was living large on a school trip to the snow - Mount Buller to be precise. Doesn't it look delightful?

She learned to snowboard for the first time - and she and her friends were entered into the SA Interschool Snowsport championships. Can you believe it that Amy placed third?!? How amazing is that? And her school won the gold group medal. We're so proud. And you can bet that she'll want to go back again next year. How fun!

Well, that's my update for now - I'll get back to the hand quilting, and hopefully I won't take two weeks to get back to you. Chatter soon!

Setting up the next project :-)

2011-07-11T15:04:00.000+09:30

It's not that I'm going to be ready to work on another project any time soon ... but this endless hand quilting can become a little tiring ... so I started to pull (and order) fabrics for the next project I'd like to work on.

Two of my dear friends Prue and Chris are working on the Civil War Love Letters quilt, and seeing their darling blocks come to life inspired me to consider working on my own when I'm done quilting.

Rather than the scrappy selection I've gone with on my last couple of quilts, I have decided to just use a couple of fabrics, and you can see the ones I'm leaning toward in the photo above.

Far left is a fabric I'm considering for sashing strips - I'm not certain of that one just yet. The red, pink and mustard colours are for the blocks, the cream print is my 'background' fabric, and the fabric at top will be used in the border. A very unusual colour combination for me, but I think it'll look great in the blocks.

The hand quilting on my NI quilt is progressing nicely - sadly though it doesn't make for good blog fodder :-) I'm thinking I may do a little piecing next week just to keep my hand in, and hopefully that'll mean I have something interesting to share! Chatter soon ...

Busy ... busy ... busy!

2011-06-30T19:49:00.002+09:30

I've been such an absent blogger of late - two reasons really. Firstly - life has been crazy busy lately, and secondly - when I do have a few quiet moments, I've been collapsing on the couch and not really feeling like blogging. I'm sure this will pass, and I'll be back to more regular posts before long :-)

Of course I'm still hand quilting away on my Nearly Insane quilt - I think I've done around 40 blocks or so now - I've actually lost count! I'm still loving it, and that's a good thing, because there is a LOT to go! I'm so pleased I purchased that extra thread a little while back, I'm definitely going to need it.

Do you see the green masking tape on there? I'm using it to mark my shapes for quilting. I like the green painters tape better than the regular stuff - it just seems to stick better and for a little longer :-)

Also in recent news, my tiny man turned 9. Where did those years go?? We had his family party on the day of his birthday, the 20th, and his kiddy friend party on the 25th. Kids are such changeable creatures - first we were all go for a Lego party, and then a few weeks out he decided he'd rather do indoor rock climbing with his friends, so fortunately we were able to change plans to accommodate him.

Here he is half way up the wall (actually I think he's on the way down!). The kids scampered up the wall so easily - they had a great time. A lot of the Dads stayed too, and they had a blast once the kids had worn themselves out :-)

I love to have fun with the 'lolly bags' and here are this years efforts. Under the squishy monsters are milk shake cups filled with chocolates and treats.

And here they are all cello-wrapped up for a fun surprise :-)

The last picture for today is a nice treat that arrived this week - they're the latest thing that everyone is working on right now - paper piecing shapes from Patchwork with Busyfingers. I have no idea when I'll have a chance to play with them, but at least I'm ready!

Miss Amy is in the midst of exams right now, so think positive thoughts for her. She's chosen some tough subjects this year, and seems to be doing very well, really makes a parent proud :-)

Well, I better run - so much to do - chatter soon! xox

More Masons Vista

2011-06-20T10:51:00.001+09:30

And so my Masons Vista collection continues to grow ...

I just love the shape of the jug on the left - it's a recent addition.

In other news - Happy Birthday to my dear little man Camo. I just can't believe he's 9 years old today. Time certainly flies! xox

And it's done ...

2011-06-19T11:37:00.001+09:30

Just last night I put the last stitches in the binding of the cot quilt. This was really fun to put together - a treat after working with such small pieces for such a long time.

Such large strips meant I could go to town with the quilting. So of course I got busy with my favourite thing - feathers ... with a few swirly tendrils thrown in for good measure.

I have missed working on my NI quilt though - so I'm looking forward to getting some more hand quilting done soon. Perhaps tonight while I'm checking in on the next installment of Downton Abbey - how I love that show! Chatter soon :-)

Simple Sample :-)

2011-06-14T22:26:00.000+09:30

I just wasn't feeling like hand quilting tonight - first time in a long time! So I decided to put together a little shop sample I kitted up today.

It's a very simple strippy cot quilt - 6.5" strips. It went together so quickly, and the fabrics are very sweet. Of course Holly had to get in on the act - check out the devilish eyes!

I've done a little of the quilting - and I'll finish it up tomorrow evening. Hopefully I'll have this project bound and done by the weekend :-)

And still quilting ...

2011-06-05T10:36:00.001+09:30

I'm continuing to plug away at the hand quilting on my NI. Not so much achieved this week, and I've forgotten how many blocks are done now. I think it's in the 20's.

In one area I'm out to the border, and just for fun I decided to quilt a little of the zig-zag area after our guests left last night.

I'll do a little more shortly before I head to the grocery store ... Ughhhhh, I really don't enjoy grocery shopping!

'Tiffany' Love

2011-06-03T21:59:00.002+09:30

Another trip into the city today, this time with my dear friend Kath. A little retail therapy followed by a light lunch ensured this darling light fitting came into my home.

Lucky for me my DH has his electrical ticket, no waiting for tradesmen in this house. After dinner he busied himself getting the light fitting in place - clever man, I'm just thrilled!

I'll keep you posted as to whether we get an additional one for the lounge room - we'd like to live with the new 'mood lighting' for a little while first :-)

Light Fittings

2011-05-30T18:14:00.001+09:30

Today I had lunch with my dear friend Karen, and we went browsing in a couple of favourite homewares stores. I've been looking for some light fittings for my lounge and dining rooms, and today I found some that I'm pretty sure will work beautifully in our home. What do you think?

I've always loved these Tiffany style pendants, and didn't know exactly where I'd be able to find one. Recollections have recently got them in, and I'm hooked!

Here is a close up of the one I'm loving ... I just need to convince my DH that he's in love with them too! :-)

Masons Lamp

2011-05-27T11:34:00.000+09:30

Hi there friends - I need you to put your detectives hats on today. This is my own personal 'Can you help' moment. :-)

For the longest time (probably 15-20 years) I've had this lovely Masons Lamp, and I don't think I've ever known what the pattern is called, so I was wondering if my dear sweet blog readers might have any clues. I thought for a little while that it may have been 'Blue Mandalay', but after googling that pattern, I've found the lamp to be different. Ideas anyone? I'd love it if someone could help me figure out what it is!

Oops - I shopped again!

2011-05-26T09:21:00.001+09:30

I'm a few days late, and more than a few dollars short with this post - but better late than never, right? I had the best time shopping at Hettie's Patc h on Friday, they have so many of my favourite kinds of fabric there, it was hard to know where to begin and end!

I'll just launch right in with my purchases ... A jelly roll and two charm packs of the French General 'Panier De Fleurs' range - it's just beautiful, and I'll be there with bells on when the yardage arrives in September. The jelly roll is destined for use with the Short Line pattern I purchased a little while back - can't wait for that :-)

Also in the picture - other assorted French General yardage, and the most adorable conversational by Judie Rothermel that I hadn't seen around before. A spool of YLI hand quilting thread (I'd hate to run out mid NI quilt) some trapunto yarn that was on sale - great for one of my wholecloths. And last but not least, the cutest little mug - love those little Babushka dolls on it!

Doesn't seem like that much when I lay it all out and write about it, but my bag was heavy!

In other news - I'm still keeping up with my one block a day quilting on my NI quilt - and I'm just loving how it's looking so far. I have to confess, I'm still not interested in working on anything else - I'm inspired! Chatter soon :-)

Still quilting ...

2011-05-20T10:41:00.000+09:30

I've been quiet, but very busy quilting away on my Nearly Insane quilt. It's so hard to show good pictures of progress, but trust me, there is plenty :-)

So far I've managed to quilt up one block each day, I doubt I'll be able to keep up that momentum, but thankfully I have plenty of time to complete this task.

It's really fun to revisit each block while it's being quilted - and the stitches add such lovely dimension to what was a flat (but not boring) quilt top.

I'll reposition the quilting hoop shortly, and then I'm going to dash out for a quick visit to Hettie's Patch. They have some of my favourite quilting thread in stock, and we've run out at the shop. It's always nice to visit other stores - everyone sees the same Reps, but always buy different things - I predict I may just have to bring a little more than thread home with me :-)

This could take a while!

2011-05-15T12:15:00.001+09:30

Thank heavens I love to hand quilt, because this is really going to take a while!

I've quilted five blocks now, and I'm just about to start on the sixth :-) It's not easy to see in the picture, but you can get an idea of where I'm heading with the quilting pattern. There is a four petal flower in each block, and a circle surrounding each block in the sashing strips.

Marty will be away this weekend, so I'm hoping to entirely cocoon myself and get lots and lots of stitching done - it has been so cold lately that quilting is just the perfect activity to keep warm. Chatter soon! xox

Busy, but not blogging ...

2011-05-09T11:27:00.001+09:30

I have been such a busy bee over the past couple of weeks, but I have been very naughty not sharing my adventures with you. So, here are a few pictures to fill you in on what we've been up to:

For the Easter long weekend (five glorious days) we headed on over to the family beach house, and spent some q-time in the sun. The weather was just lovely, and as always the kids had a blast.

Amy and her boyfriend catching a few waves.

And Camo has clearly had enough of Dad taking his picture :-)

On the last day of the school holidays I took the kids to the Zoo. We're members there, so we really should go more often. It was so much fun to see the Pandas. Fortunately for me, the kids were happy to pose to make up for my lack of fabulous Panda shots.

Lizzy has done an amazing job of basting my Nearly Insane quilt for me, so I've started on the hand quilting. This is not going to be a quick job ... I see many days and nights of quilting ahead of me. Thankfully, it's one of my favourite parts of the whole process :-)

And here's where my Masons Vista collection stands to date. Do you love the 'new to me' cabinet? It was made for my Grandparents for their wedding, and as part of their paring down process, my Dad kindly brought it down from their house and gave it to me. I love how it fits in perfectly with my decor. That's my Grandmother's picture in there - a sweet snap of her in the 40's. Isn't she gorgeous? xox

And in other quilty news, on Friday I had a really fun play date with the lovely ladies Claire and Val. Such a nice day, and we hope to do it again soon.

Well, that's it, you're all caught up now - I hope I don't leave it so long next time :-) xox

Just a quick note ...

2011-05-01T20:32:00.000+09:30

... to let you know that I haven't fallen from the face of the earth!

So much has happened over the past week or so, and I promise to share pictures soon. The kids are just finishing up school holidays - back to school on Tuesday. We spent Easter over at the beach house - I even managed to take my sewing machine along. I've been piecing and quilting when I have the chance ...

... and most recently I've been doing a little rearranging.

Good times :-)

Civil War Crossings

2011-04-21T22:52:00.000+09:30

I haven't been slacking off over the past couple of days - I've been busy piecing away ... and here's where I'm up to:

I made up a test block for the Civil War Crossings project, and because I was super happy with it, I got busy and cut out all the rest of the pieces ...

... and got busy chain piecing. Shouldn't be long now before all 16 blocks are put together. I'm really enjoying this project - and working with 12 inch blocks after the NI blocks feels like working with bed sheets! xox

Yet more Civil War Quilt blocks ...

2011-04-17T17:50:00.003+09:30

Friday evening and Saturday (inbetween mountains of laundry) I got busy with a few more of my Civil War Quilt blocks:

Here is my version of Block 3 - Seven Sisters. I'm not sure if I'll make this one again before I finally put the quilt top together - I altered the shape of the stars to make them easier to needle turn. I've been struggling with needle turn applique since I got acrylic nails for the first time in December. I just can't seem to grip things as well - and either I'll get used to the acrylics or at some point I'll give them up. For now I love them though :-) so this block will have to do!

And here is Block 9 - Birds in the Air. Super easy to put together even with the final bias edge seam. I may fiddle with that seam intersection in the middle there ... it's a little out :-)

And lastly, Block 11 - London Square. Another easy one despite the bias edges. I now only have two blocks to catch up on, Block 13, and Block 16 which was put on line yesterday.

I have also been debating what project I'd like to work on next, and since I've seen my friend Linda's Civil War Crossings top made up recently, I decided that's what I'll work on next.

Linda and I were coveting this project at the very same time a little while ago - I had my finger hovering over the 'purchase' button at Hancocks of Paducah, and talked to Linda on the phone, and she was debating over it too. I had it delivered to Linda's house, and I don't remember if it was my 2008 or my 2010 visit to the US when I picked it up, but regardless it's been sitting in my stash for too long! I'm going to enjoy this one, I just know it!

More Civil War Quilt blocks ...

2011-04-13T21:57:00.000+09:30

Yay! Slowly slowly I'm catching up on these wonderful Civil War Quilt blocks. But I still haven't finished Block 3. Yes, it's THAT block. I'll get to it - honest!

Anyway ... here's Block 10 - Lincoln's Platform. Making up a 3 grid block in an 8 inch size requires some tricky cutting ... you know, working with 16ths of an inch and stuff, but this one has come out the right size. Happy days!

And here's Block 15 - Fort Sumter. I made myself choose some of my darker fabrics for this one, and it's kind of cute.

I'll be interested to see how all these blocks look together in the end. The trick will be picking the perfect sashing strips and cornerstones I'm thinking.

And further to my last post, I've tallied the comments, used a random number generator, and the commenter to receive my 'reject block' is Subee Sews. If you'd like to email me privately with your address details, I'll send a squishy your way.

I'm heading into the sewing room now - I hope to get an hour of stitching time in before I head to bed. TTYL :-)

Bits and Pieces

2011-04-11T20:17:00.002+09:30

Monday is one of my days off work, and I really got some quality sewing time today. Yesterday I spent some time tidying up the sewing room, so it felt great to work in such a clean space :-)

First up I put together another of the Civil War Quilts blocks I'd not yet made. This one is Block 12 - Louisiana. I've noticed I seem to be selecting a lot of mid range fabrics in these blocks - something I hope I've remedied with the block I'm working on right now.

And then I played around with some things I've wanted to do for a while ... I made some of the string blocks for Bonnie's Roll Roll Cotton Boll quilt. It's on my to do list :-) And then with some if the tiny pieces left over from my NI quilt, I made some 4" Log Cabin blocks. There are a great many more of these in my future I hope :-)

And just for fun, I lightly quilted and bound one of my reject blocks from my NI quilt. It's block 8 - one of the blocks that has the 1/2" finished HST's. I thought just for fun I'd give it away if anyone is interested - it'd make a cute mug mat. If you'd like it, just send me a comment. If I get a few comments, I'll use a random number generator to select someone. How fun! :-)

**Thank you for your comments - Subee Sews' name has been drawn to receive my reject block :-)**

Dear Jane - L9

2011-04-09T17:23:00.004+09:30

Here's something I haven't done in a while - I made a DJ block!

This one is L9 - Walter's Place. These blocks even seem tiny compared to the NI blocks, but at least they don't generally have so many pieces.

While this was fun, I'm not sure that I'll get back into making this second DJ full swing. If I can make a block every so often, at least I know this quilt will get made eventually. Right now I'm a little indecisive, and don't really know what I want to work on!?!

A little sewing ... and a couple of dishes ...

2011-04-08T21:47:00.007+09:30

I haven't done much stitching this week, but I have managed to put one block together:

This is Block 14 - Fox and Geese, from the Civil War Quilts project. I'm really quite behind with these darling blocks, but if I at least make two blocks per week for the next few weeks, I'll be able to catch up fairly painlessly. Sometimes the fabric selection is a good deal harder than actually putting the block together!

And here's a little something that arrived today:

I'm determined to have a full set of Masons Vista dishes to use this year for Christmas - and slowly but surely I'm finding pieces to add. These are the 20 10 (oops - typo) inch dinner plates. Of course, I could get a whole set yesterday if I wanted to pay 'full tote odds' but I'm only choosing to buy pieces when they're at reasonably inexpensive prices ... and so far so good. They're just so pretty, and I'm hooked!

Two finishes, a redo and a gift :-)

2011-04-04T20:23:00.004+09:30

This weekend past was so entirely wonderful - I was able to get so much done! I had two finishes - the binding on the Kaffe fabric quilt, I also finished the binding on four spiderweb placemats that are intended as a gift. (And I made an entirely new one to take to the shop)

I was feeling very inspired - I think this makes four finishes for the year so far!

On Sunday I picked up a project from this time last year. While I stayed with Linda at Donna's house (prior to heading to Paducah), we had a sewing day together, and I started working on some Paducah Nine Patch blocks. They're from Pat Speth's Nickel Quilts book. I didn't get many made, and the ones I did make had such bad seam intersections, so when I got home I took them apart.

Finally I've put them back together again, and I'm really thrilled with how they look now. These blocks are from Linda's 5" squares and scraps - how fun to be able to play in someone else's stash. She and Donna are always so very generous sharing with me :-)

I was feeling so energised after getting so much fun sewing done, that I decided to get into my closet and have a big clothes sort and purge. I've donated two garbage bags of clothes to charity, and even though I tossed five pairs of shoes last week, the old shoes in the closet should start feeling nervous :-) This is going to be a great week, I can feel it!

And the final picture for today is a gift sent to my by my Grandmother.

Grandma and Grandpa have been moved into an assisted living facility, and as part of the paring down process she sent this dinner set down to me. I had already received the tea set part of the service and you can see it here. It's a Susie Cooper design from the 20's or 30's - from when she worked at Grays. I've learned that the design is called 'Floral' and from what I can tell, it's not all that common these days. I've only ever seen one saucer appear on ebay. I will treasure these lovely pieces - thank you Grandma! xox

What shall I finish?

2011-04-01T20:24:00.006+10:30

Now that I've finished the top of my Nearly Insane quilt, I thought it would be a great time over the next month to work on a few projects that are laying around unfinished. First up, I've quilted and bound my Kaffe fabric quilt.

All that is left is to stitch the binding down on the reverse side, and then it's all done. I have my wonderful friend Linda to thank for the gift of this kit while I was staying with her last year in the US. Can you see the cute fabric that I selected for the back peeking out there. It was one of the fabrics I thought may become a border - but I'm glad I didn't choose it in the end :-)

And here is the latest item from what has become one of my new addictions:

I'm entirely hooked on Masons Vista pink dinnerware, and when I saw this piece, I just had to snap it up. It's a cheese wedge, and it arrived here safely all the way from the UK. Amazing!

I have the house to myself for the weekend, so I foresee some late nights, some sleep ins, and plenty of stitching time. Bring it on!

Nearly Insane Top Finished

2011-03-27T21:51:00.003+10:30

OMG! Today is a big day ... I have finally finished the top of my Nearly Insane quilt! I'm entirely thrilled with how it looks.

The picture could be better, but I'm sure you'll forgive me - it's almost 10pm and so it's quite dark. But of course I couldn't wait until tomorrow morning to share.

Now I just have to wait until my backing fabric arrives, and I'll be able to get busy with the quilting. Happy days!

NI - I like this a lot better!

2011-03-25T21:50:00.003+10:30

I spent some time unpicking and re-sewing this afternoon, and this is the result:

I'm much happier with this arrangement. Even though it's not how the original quilt is put together, I really like how the narrow inner border defines the edge of the pieced blocks. I also like how it tamed the problem of all the bumpy seam intersections between the main body of the quilt and the zig-zags. There are only two further zig-zag sides to put on, and then it's the final wide border, which is the same fabric as the sashing strips and the narrow inner border.

So happy with how this is progressing, I'm really on the home stretch :-)

NI - One Zig Zag border attached

2011-03-25T09:40:00.003+10:30

I haven't had a lot of time for sewing this week, but thought I'd share where I'm at anyway. One zig-zag border is on my NI quilt top, and I've started putting together some pieces for the subsequent borders.

Just one thing I'd like to share - this border doesn't really fit the quilt. I drew the centre up in EQ7 using the dimensions in the book and it sizes to 76-3/4", and making the border up as directed it measures 78".

As you see, I've eased it in place, but I'm wondering if I should take it off and add a narrow border 1/2" finished all around inbetween the blocks and the zig zag border. It's not in keeping with the original quilt, but it would solve the problem, and also make the issue of very bulky seam intersections between the blocks and the zig zag disappear. What do you think? And for anyone that has finished the quilt top, how did you deal with this? I just don't think the suggestion in the book of playing with the seam allowance is accurate enough.

Working on the inner border

2011-03-21T12:50:00.004+10:30

First up, thank you all so very much for your lovely comments - I have been very lazy answering you all, but do know that I appreciate each and every one of them.

Since my last post I've been working on the inner border of the NI quilt, and so far, I think I'm liking what I see :-) I've almost completed enough zig-zags for one whole side, but I have to put the stitching aside in favour of some chores for now.

When I was imagining how this border would go, I was certain that I'd choose tan and navy, but Jenny and I auditioned fabrics the other day, and we selected these pink and green fabrics which are the colours they used in the book. Looks nice, yes?

I'll be looking forward to getting more done ... I'll check back in soon :-)

Nearly Insane Centre

2011-03-19T17:41:00.005+10:30

Last night and this afternoon I got busy piecing, and I'm so happy to report that I've completed the centre of my Nearly Insane quilt! I'm thrilled with how it looks and how it's gone together.

Next on the agenda is the zig-zag border. My dear friend Jenny visited yesterday, and we spent a little time hunting in my stash and have found the perfect combination for the zig-zag's. After dinner is done with tonight, I'll make up a little test piece to ensure it's what I'm looking for. Happy days!

NI - Block 80 Remake

2011-03-15T23:39:00.002+10:30

And so my happiness is complete!

Nearly Insane Block 58

2011-03-15T22:22:00.002+10:30

I didn't think I'd have the time to put this block together today, but I did, and I'm thrilled! This is my final Nearly Insane block - #58!

How exciting to have completed all the blocks, it has been hard going at times, but utterly worth it. I have one little thing I'd like to finally do, and that is to alter Block 80. It's a little crookedy, and if I'm going to fix it, now is the time to do it - I don't want it to bug me for all eternity.

I'm so pumped to start putting that zig zag border together. Bring it on!

Nearly Insane Block 70

2011-03-14T22:36:00.003+10:30

Here is my NI Block 70. As much as I want to rush holus-bolus into the last block, because it's getting late, and with work commitments, it's unlikely I'll get any stitching done until Thursday. Unless I get super organised ... and there's not much chance of that!

I made a small error with this block - the large cream outer triangles should have been green, and the smaller green triangles should have been cream. Having said that, I'm still thrilled with the way the block looks, so it's staying as is.

Rock on Thursday, I'm dying to get the last block made!!

Nearly Insane Block 57

2011-03-14T15:07:00.004+10:30

Here is my NI Block 57. I've used all sorts of red in this one, as I'm getting very low on some fabrics, and don't really want to cut into yardage at this very late stage. I also managed to use the little owl I had intended to use in block 63 - it fit this one perfectly (though when the block is set on point he's going to tilt a little).

Only two blocks to go now, and they're drawn up and ready to go!

Nearly Insane Block 75

2011-03-13T21:48:00.002+10:30

Here it is - Block 75 - it seemed to take forever! I'm so glad to have this one checked off the list - the final three blocks will seem like a breeze after this little cutie!

To get the block to sit flat for a photograph, I've soaked it with so much 'best press' that it feels like a little piece of cardboard!

And for the purists, you'll notice that I added a couple of tiny squares in the middle, and slightly altered the second last, and last row of triangles for symmetry's sake. The wonky nature of some of the blocks irks me a little. So, because of my changes, there may be a couple more than 181 pieces in this block ... I just don't feel like counting them right now! :-)

On today's agenda ...

2011-03-13T14:07:00.003+10:30

Today I'm tackling the dreaded block 75. It has 181 pieces, and I predict it's going to take a loooong time. Don't forget that these blocks are 6" finished, so there are a LOT of tiny pieces.

Update: I've completed the centre to the first row of green triangles ... now we're getting to the really tiny pieces! Pictures soon :-)

Table Runner Finished!!

2011-03-11T08:59:00.002+10:30

Yesterday was an exciting day, I picked up my table runner from Lizzy! She has done an amazing job with the quilting, and I'm more than thrilled. Thank you so much Lizzy hon :-)

As soon as I got home I applied the binding, and after dinner was done with, I sat down and did the hand stitching on the reverse side. I was done by 11pm, which surprised me, as this is one big table runner at 34 x 104".

And here is a close up of the quilting. If you're here in Adelaide and need some quilting done, do get in touch with Lizzy, you definitely won't be disappointed!

Today I'll get the project all ready for the mail, it's to be in Sydney by Monday for inclusion in an upcoming issue of Australian Patchwork and Quilting. Too exciting! :-)

Nearly Insane Block 69

2011-03-07T15:18:00.002+10:30

Here is my Nearly Insane Block 69. Just a few more gaps to fill and I can start final assembly of the quilt top. Very exciting!

Nearly Insane Block 65

2011-03-06T22:52:00.004+10:30

And here is my second block for the day - Block 65.

It's just short of 11pm Sunday now, so it's fairly safe to say that I'm done for the weekend. Tomorrow is my day off though, so there may be another NI block in my near future :-)

Nearly Insane Block 63

2011-03-06T14:44:00.005+10:30

I'm on a Nearly Insane roll again. These 6" blocks are just so addictive. I know I'll miss working on them when I'm finished. This one is Block 63 - isn't the fussy cut fan in the centre cute? I had wanted to use an owl which was on the same fabric, but it was too close to the selvedge to center it nicely.

If you're counting along, you'll know I only have six blocks remaining now ... let's see if I can get another done before the end of the weekend ...

Nearly Insane Block 56

2011-03-05T23:25:00.003+10:30

Here is Block 56 of my Nearly Insane quilt. It was actually quite easy to put together, I made it this evening while I have the house to myself. Something that doesn't happen too often!

I didn't realise until I looked at the picture just now how similar that tan print and one of the cream prints is - how fun! Once again, for this block I used a variety of small scraps - many of my NI fabrics are tiny pieces now. I'll have to make up some small log cabin blocks or something to use the last of the little bits.

I have only 7 blocks left to make - I'd like to get another one prepared tonight, and perhaps I'll get it done tomorrow :-)

Civil War Blocks 6, 7 & 8

2011-03-04T17:12:00.007+10:30

On Wednesday night, I got the final green border on the table runner, and by Thursday it was in Lizzy's hot little hands for her quilting master strokes. I didn't take a picture with the border as it was really late, but I know I'll have it back quite quickly so I'll be able to share with you all.

Today is one of my days off, so I decided to do a little catch up on my Civil War Quilt blocks. I still have two more to finish, but at least I'm not quite so far behind now :-)

Here is Block 6 - Richmond. I've used some of my scraps for this one, and the red came from Donna's scrap bag. I'm not sure if it's a reproduction, but it looks like it could be :-) Donna was a big help with this one, she suggested to cut the little squares 1-7/16" instead of 1-1/2", and the block went together so much easier. It's a smidge small, but will work in the big scheme of things. Probably a block that would be better made at 9" square rather than 8", the maths would be so much simpler :-)

Block 7 - Log Cabin. Also made from my many reproduction scraps. You'll have seen them in my Nearly Insane blocks all over the place :-)

And lastly, Block 8 - Cotton Boll. We Aussies would probably say 'cotton ball' but for the purposes of this exercise, I'm just going with it as named. In this block I've used some of my scraps from the 'Back Home Again' quilt.

After dinner tonight, I'd really like to put another Nearly Insane block together. I only have 8 to go now, so the finish line is in sight.

So close ...

2011-03-01T21:59:00.005+10:30

This evening I was so inspired by my progress on the table runner that I thought I'd lay it out on the dining table to see how it's looking.

I'm loving it so far! Just a final green border, and this one is ready to send off to Lizzy for quilting. Very exciting indeed!

Table Runner progress ...

2011-02-28T20:57:00.003+10:30

Yay! I'm finished playing with the HST's, and now I'm constructing the table runner. Things should progress much more quickly from here.

Even though I knew I needed a big runner for my table, I didn't really think too much about how big this one was becoming until I laid it out on the floor. It's a big girl at 104" x 34". Heavens! Lizzy, do you need to rethink your commitment to quilting it?? I would understand completely, it's like a very skinny bed size quilt!

There have been many sightings of Lady of the Lake blocks around blogland lately. Most notable for me has been Keryn's quilt. Now that baby takes some commitment to HST's. Major commitment!

HST's

2011-02-26T14:20:00.002+10:30

Endlessly working with a bazillion HST's can be really quite mind numbing ... just sayin' ...

Checking in :-)

2011-02-25T09:39:00.006+10:30

It's been a few days since I last posted, but trust me, there has been a lot happening here at la Casa de Tazzie. I worked on Tuesday and Wednesday, and should have worked yesterday also, but found myself laying low with an evil headache. I'm feeling considerably better today, but I'll still take it as easy as I can :-)

On with the post:

Do you remember this table runner I talked about while I was on Christmas holidays? I had hoped to get busy on it much earlier, but it just didn't happen for whatever reason, and now I really have to get motoring as it has been commissioned by Australian Patchwork and Quilting.

I've made almost all of the HST's, and those that aren't complete are just waiting for me to stitch them together. I use Bonnie's favourite technique for making HST's with my Easy Angle ruler, but I'll most likely use different directions in the magazine for the benefit of those without the ruler. You can see I printed the picture out and have it tucked under my thread stand for reference :-)

In the next picture, you can see a little of my shopping therapy.

A couple of weeks ago I saw a lovely Masons Vista 8 person dinner setting at my favourite local auction house Small and Whitfield. I didn't go to the auction in person, but placed an absentee bid, and was just kicking myself when I was outbid by $5.00. So, to console myself, I purchased from ebay a couple of serving pieces that I can use with my everyday white dinner set. I just love transfer ware, and would have loved a red and white set for Christmas time. Oh well, maybe there will be another one in my future sometime.

And I shopped!

2011-02-21T21:42:00.006+10:30

It was a sad day in my shoe closet today. I finally had to face the fact that my leapord flats (you'll see them here) had gone to shoe heaven, and I had to throw them away. So, to console myself it was really necessary to find something to replace them. May I introduce to you my new animal print flats:

I'm thinking maybe they're faux cheetah, yes? They'll be great to wear to work, and I think I'll do just that tomorrow :-)

And when I got home from picking up the kids today ... some parcels greeted me at the doorstep. Clearly I was carried away with a bout of clickage recently. It's usually a temporary affliction, sometimes prompted by emailed newsletters and the like. Note to self: Unsubscribe more often.

No buyers remorse here though, I'm loving these fabrics, and the book is just delightful. And speaking of books, I'm dying to get my hands on Bonnie Hunter's new book ... must pace myself though :-)

And lest you think I've been slacking off in the sewing department ... there has been much progress. I've a magazine commission to work on in a bit of a rush, so yesterday I made about a bazillion half square triangles (or maybe 230ish) so I've got about 50 more to go. If I don't get any more done tonight, I can't see myself working on them again until at least Wednesday, and then I'll give you a sneaky peek. We'll chatter soon okay? xox

And yet another ...

2011-02-20T00:08:00.003+10:30

My final finish for the day - block 50. I was a little naughty with this one, and redrafted the outside area to eliminate a second round of set-in seams. I was a little over them by the time I'd completed the centre. If you stand back and squint your eyes, you'll never notice :-)

I'll probably draw up another one before I head to bed, ready for me to stitch up tomorrow. I think I have only one block left to complete before I can attach the next row. Super fun!