Hello November!

My goodness, how can it be November already? It seems like the year has only just begun. The month has been busy for me already, so let me share a few of the goings on here so far:

On the day of the Adelaide Christmas Pageant I put up our Christmas tree. It's tradition for lots of families in Adelaide to mark the day in this way - for whatever reason the pageant is a couple of weeks early this year, but that just means we all get to enjoy our festive decorations for a bit longer. I'm sure I've told you all before, it's an all day job for me, and one I look forward to. It's much less fun when it's time to take it down.

And putting away the Halloween display in the hallway meant I was able to put out something else:

I've been hand quilting and working on some secret squirrell business too. And I promise to share photos of those things when they're gifted. But I can share pictures of the table topper I made for my friend for her birthday:

I'm so sorry about the quality of the photos - I clearly took them (especially the last one) in a rush. For this table topper I used my Dresden Christmas Tree Skirt pattern, and instead of cutting away the center circle and opening for the tree, I appliqued a circle of Dutch Chintz fabric in the centre. I do really love that green floral, it's so pretty.

Another recent adventure was meeting Nagee Maehashi from Recipe Tin Eats:

My lovely friend Sonja and I decided on a whim to head to Tea Tree Plaza to meet her at her book signing. We joined the queue just oven an hour before it all began and were so thrilled to meet her and have Nagee sign our books. Her recipes are wonderful, and Nagee is a delightful person. Amy and I are going to make one of her recipes tomorrow after Amy has a sewing session here.

Dog walking has continued. We decided to give the Wynn Vale dam a go once more - we tried it a while ago while Rowley was still very much in his puppy stage, and it was a big overwhelming for him. It's a much busier place with lots of smells and other people and animals to meet. Just a couple of pictures of the dam:

We are so lucky to live in such a nice place with plenty of space to wander.

And the last picture of the day - some cute pompom like flowers that I bought at the grocery store. I wasn't sure what they were, but my dear Instagram buddies tell me they're crysanthemums:

These would be so lovely to grow in the garden, I'm definitely going to look into it.

I have so much work I'd like to get done tonight before I head to bed, so I'm going to sign off here with a promise to catch up on comments tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by, I always appreciate it xox

I'll try something here ...

Hi friends, I hope you're all well ... I have a few things to share with you today, one of which I'm not exactly sure how to do - but I'll give it a go!

First up, I am finally able to share the secret squirrel projects I've been working on for a little while. Do you remember I shared that I'd found a number of milk glass bowls, ones that are frequently used to make pincushions for sewists ... well - I needed extra to do what I wanted with them. So I assembled a small but dedicated team of friends to find more - and fortunately we managed to locate enough for my quilting buddies, and I set to making them up as gifts:

I'm so pleased with how they came together. I wasn't able to find an actual pattern that was meant for the bowl, and made it up as I went along. There are several lovely inpirational pictures on pinterest, so it was fun to spend time researching as well.

And I also made up an embroidered ornament for everyone, a super fun stitchery project:

All the mmmCrafts projects are absolutely foolproof - the directions are fabulous, and I've already planned which one I'll tackle for my friends next year.

For the sampler project I've been striving to catch up on, I was able to put one block together, and it was a bit of a tricky one:

Block 24 - Dolly's Star

For whatever reason I decided to machine piece the center area of this block instead of hand piecing like I normally would, and it was a bit of a battle to make sure all the points lined up. I used freezer paper piecing which I love, but I'm finding that the freezer paper I have at the moment just doesn't seem to stick as well as it used to. But no excuses, I should be able to get good results anyway. 

I'm aming to get a couple more blocks made this weekend, so I'll be looking forward to digging around in my stash. I think there are only two more blocks to be revealed, and I'll be hoping to get them all complete during the holidays.

Last of all, I wanted to see if I can share a video of my Christmas tree - I'm not sure if I've shared a video before, so I'll see if I can do it ...

I hope this has worked, let me know if you're able to see it. My Xmas tree is one of my favourite things, and it's such fun to decorate it. This is a slim tree, I think 7 1/2ft tall. It's so much fun to cram so many decorations on there that it's hard to see the actual tree itself.

Last of all, I took a quick snap of the camper-van placemats I put together before I handed them on to their new home:

I really like this placemat pattern, it's great for prints that you just don't want to cut up too much. There will be more in my future!

Okay, I'll sign off here so I can spend some time in the sewing room. I hope you're all doing well, and I'll chatter soon! xox

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

Limited sewing time ...

Sewing time has been so scarce this week that I have very little to share with you. My little Etsy store has been super busy and I've been painting wooden bead heads almost every day. It thrills me that people are so happy with my work, and I never grow tired of the darling little faces.

So, I have two things to share for you - the first up is a new tree skirt I'm attempting to have completed really soon. It'll be another option for people looking to stitch up something for themselves, and this time jelly-roll friendly so ppl can keep to a fabric theme/collection.

I'm having fun with these novelty prints, aren't they darling? I'm sure to be close to finished/if not finished by next week, so I'll look forward to being able to share more soon.

And today I made another OPA Sampler Stitchalong block as I've gotten well behind ...

Block 41 - Chessboard

This block absolutely could not be simpler, so it's a good one to get back on the horse with. And it's the only block in the quilt that is repeated, so I definitely knew what I was doing when I put it together. I'm hoping I'll be able to sew up another block tonight, but if I don't that's okay too :-)

Another thing I want to tell you about, and it's bothering me. I'm having loads of trouble commenting on peoples blogs recently, and I'm just not sure how to fix it. When I send lovely friends a comment after stopping by, I'm getting a message in my mail account saying Bigpond isn't allowing the comment. Gah! I'm not tech savvy enough to troubleshoot and fix what has happened, there must be an update that has messed things up. But I did want to send my sweet friends know that I have been visiting with you when I can, you just won't know that I've been by. I'm so sorry!

Anyway, that's enough from me for now, I'll check back in with you soon when I have something fun to share. Have a great weekend! xox

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

Avoidance at its finest ...

Last week I shared with you that I was feeling super happy to have completed a broderie perse corner on the centre block of my Morrell quilt - and that it was challenging because of the fabric's propensity to fray ... so this week I have been studiously avoiding that particular block ...

And instead today completed this block - it's # 36

I really love it, and I so enjoyed making it. It's all I can do not to make a few more that are very similar. But I really should finish the centre block - it's so close!

Earlier in the week I made an alternate colourway of one of my recent tree skirts. Also avoidance I suspect - but I told myself it's Christmas in July.

Also super happy with how this project worked out. The pattern is available in my Etsy store if you're interested, it's the easiest tree skirt I've ever made - you can stitch it together almost in a heartbeat!

So they've been my quilt related accomplishments this week - I'm super pleased that 'life with puppy' is getting easier and stitching time is easier to find. It's also mid year school holidays for the next two weeks, so I'll have an extra couple of hours to myself each week which I'll dedicate to all things crafty. 

And just a fun little aside - I was watching a movie while working on some hand sewing during the week (it was the tennis movie Battle of the Sexes) and at one point they were sewing tennis outfits for the ladies - and I was so thrilled to see that they were using this machine:

A darling white Featherweight! How fun is that? I have one of these sweet babies of my own, but I don't use it very often. I purchased mine while I was in the USA some years ago, and it's a 120v machine, and we're 240v here. I do have a transformer for it, but if I need to use a Featherweight I tend to use my black one as it's much less messing around. Maybe I should put the white one on display somehow, as it's such a sweet little thing.

So that's my stitching week up to now - I plan to get a little hand quilting done tonight while I watch some of the tennis at Wimbledon. And then tomorrow I will make some kind of bargain with myself so I finally set to and finish that darned broderie perse. Seriously!

Chatter soon - and hugs!

Tree's up!

Thank you everyone for the lovely comments about our little room reno, you're all so sweet! Because that was all finished up, on Sunday I was able to finally put our Christmas tree up. Now I really feel like we're heading into the festive season.

In years past the tree has always been in the bay window, it's so nice to have it in a different place for a change. I love how it looks!

This is the new tree skirt I made this year. I had wanted to put one together for the longest time, but other things always got in the way. If you like it, I made a pattern for my Etsy store, it's selling really well, it's nice to have some options for people.

In stolen moments I've also been working on another tree skirt, this one is even easier if that's possible!

My sweet friend Bridget has helped me out a little with the binding too, when she ran out of things to do at quilting she put a few stitches in. Every little bit is appreciated, I love my quilting ladies <3 <3

And in exciting news, another of my wonderful quilting friends - Lizzy - finished basting the Lily Rosenberry quilt for me, so whenever I'm ready I can start hand quilting! I cannot wait!

So that has been my week. It seems like it has been a busy one, and it has just flown, but slowly life is queting down here, and I'm looking forward to having time to myself this weekend to catch up with you all. Big love and hugs, and chatter soon!

Another new project ...

I'm sure I've mentioned that I have so many things I'd like to get done before the end of the year. Before Christmas really. 

One of the things is another tree skirt - it's on the way right now.

Apart from the fabric with the sweet little doggies, they're not really Christmas fabrics. And I can't even tell you how much I wish I had the foresight to cut the doggie fabric the other way around. Anyway, I think it'll still look cute.

I'm ready for quilting now, it shouldn't take long. Even though it's late, I'll probaby get started tonight.

Some of the other things I'm working on are secret squirrell projects, so it will be a little while before I can share them with you.

It's off to the sewing room for me now, I'll check back in with you really soon! xox

Happy Friday!

It really is a happy Friday! I'm so pleased with what I was able to achieve this week, it feels like I should give myself a pat on the back!

The little Winnie the Pooh quilt from the Churn Dash sew-along is complete but for the binding being stitched down on the reverse side:

The binding definitely won't take long to stitch down as the whole quilt only measures 40in square, so I'll probably make a start on that once I'm off the laptop. A movie and a mug of coffee and I'll settle in for some stitching :-)

Next on the list was to get the Lily Rosenberry border fabric stitched in place:

I'm happy with how much of that is completed too. The applique shapes in the top border are yet to be stitched down, but they're positioned, and that makes me happy. I have many of the shapes prepped for the side borders too, but I need to trace the placement lines on to the top with washout marker before I can start glueing them in place. It feels like the finish line for this top is in sight!

There is one shape in the main body of the quilt that I'm going to change though:

That green leaf is just too bright for my liking, so I'm going to take it off and replace it with another that fits in better with the colour scheme. I had entertained leaving it for now and then later on shading it with a fabric marker to tone it down, but I've changed my mind on that front. It won't be a big job, but I was looking for lazy solutions. Why on earth would I do that when I have put so much work into this quilt so far?

Last of all (and actually the first thing I tackled on the list) was that I managed to complete the Dresden Christmas Tree Skirt and listed it in my Etsy Store:

I'm looking forward to getting closer to Christmas so I can take pictures of my new tree skirts under the tree. I don't think I have the energy to take the tree down and decorate it for a short visit, but it's only about four weeks until the Christmas Pageant here, and that is my signal to start decorating for the season. Christmas decorations are already front and centre in stores, and I'm being tempted by new Nutcrackers all over the place!

And just a quick public service announcement for any of my readers that are on Instagram, I'm slowly getting the hang of things over there and have posted a video or two as I'm inspired, so do head on over if you're interested. I have no plans to drop my personal commitment to blogging each Friday - but as I said, if you're interested, it's there.

Tennis and quilting resumes this coming week, so I may have a little less free time going forward, but I hope to be able to keep the quilting momentum up! Chatter soon lovely friends! xox

Dresden Plates

Hi there friends! This week I've had a fixation with Dresden Plate blocks, so I ran with it and got a couple of projects started:

The first one that I managed to get finished (and a pattern written) is for my Etsy store - a little pattern for Halloween decorating. It's the first Halloween project I've ever made, and I love it! And they're my first decorations I've ever purchased for the holiday too - if we should get any trick-or-treaters, I'll be ready for them!

And the second Dresden Plate themed item I'm working on is a tree skirt. The other tree skirt pattern I have in my Etsy store goes crazy in the second half of the year, so I thought it might be nice to give people another option. I didn't get as far as I'd like, but here's where I'm up to:

It's about 42" across, but for some reason it seems much larger. I really like it, and I'll look forward to using it at Christmas time. Hopefully I'll have it in my Etsy store in the next week or so,

One of the reasons that I haven't had much stitching time lately is because I've been super busy painting the little wooden heads for mmmCrafts ornaments. When I made a couple or ornaments a little while back I received so many compliments on the little painted faces, so for fun I listed a few painted beads in my shop too. I had absolutely no clue how popular they would be, and as we get closer and closer to Christmas people are buying more and more of them! It thrills me that people are so pleased with the work I'm doing for them - nothing makes me happier.

So over the next week I plan to finish up the tree skirt, quilt the little Churn Dash top I shared last week, and get a good start on the second border for Lily Rosenberry. It seems like a lot of work, but I feel confident that I can do it!

Thank you so much for all the comments on my recent posts, I love reading them - and a big thank you to Elsie Montgomery - you always leave the sweetest messages, but your email address doesn't come to me so that I'm able to reply. That's all from me for now, I hope you've all had a great week, and chatter soon! xox