October 8

I've just been looking through my phone trying to find photos from the past month - hard to believe it's been that long since I was here - and I'm amazed that I don't have many to share with you right now. But here goes:

I made some more of the star blocks, I really love these. I hope I can get 200 made before the end of the year, but time is running out! I'm going to dig into my conversational prints again, they really sparkle don't they?

And if you thought I wouldn't be able to leave this stitchery project alone, you'd be absolutely right! I learned about Derwent Inktense Pencils and thought it would be really fun to do some shading. I added some additional run ray lines in there too. But I really must put it aside. This is going to be my project for travelling when Mum and I holiday in Europe next year.

More rows have been added to my crochet blanket. It's a slow work in progress as I really only work on it while I'm 'watching' F1 with Marty.

While my Lily Rosenberry quilt was at the show, I put my Dear Jane quilt on the wall in the lounge nook. Seeing it again inspired me to make up a block or two - this one is block A9 - Cabin Fever. Can you believe I started the 30's Jane project about 15 years ago? You can't rush art my friends :-)

I've made another block since, but I haven't taken a picture of it yet.

Last of all I wanted to share this skerrick of fabric which my lovely friend Maryanne shared with me. Won't it look absolutely lovely in my Sarah Morrell quilt? I can't wait to use it. Thank you Maryanne!

That's it from me for now - I know I have a few things I can take pictures of over the next few days - I think I'll have a finish on a special project tomorrow. So I'll chatter soon!

June 8th

Hello friends! I've had busy fingers in the sewing room these past couple of weeks, and I'm enjoying the freedom of working on whatever project I feel like putting my hands on. One of the first things I did was finish up a dress I had worked on before we headed off on the cruise. It didn't fit well so I put it aside - I've fixed it now but forgot to take a picture. I will genuinely remedy this in my next post.

I've also put together a couple more Sarah Morrell blocks, the first one in these two pictures I just finished up this afternoon:

In the pattern, the block above doesn't have any floral/broderie perse additions in the centre. I decided to add something to tie it in with other blocks nearby. I still struggle with broderie perse, particularly when the fabrics fray. Here's hoping I grow more comfortable with it, as there are so many blocks with broderie perse coming up!

This peacock block is a special one. Longer term readers may remember the funny story about when I nabbed Chris Forster at the airport when she was visiting Adelaide. It was all very innocent and fun, and she knew we would be catching up at some point, as she had a little gift of some fabrics for my Morrell quilt. The two fabrics above were from Chris, and based on an inspiration picture on Pinterest (which I'm not sure who it belongs to) I combined the two fabrics to make the block. I'm super happy with how it came together, and it really was very easy. 

I have additional yardage of the fabric I used for the circular frame, so if I feel like I'd like to do some more of the same, I'll be able to do it. I don't have a lot of fabric with birds though, so I'll most likely use larger scale florals. 

Piecing has also been happening, and I've now made a dozen fun little Ohio star blocks from scraps:

I've been having an enormous clean up in my stash - particularly the scraps that have been building up in my baskets. I've been finding little treasures along the way and making up these blocks - the fussy cutting is so much fun when I find the right fabrics. I'd like to make 200 before the end of the year - a big goal at what is traditionally my busiest time - it will be fun to see what I can come up with.

Another fun thing in my sewing room - my lovely friend Bridget gifted me some wooden cotton reels after her Mother had a clean out, and now the apothecary jar in my sewing room is full to the top:

Let's pretend there isn't any dust on the top shelf there ... haha :-)

I'm working on some secret squirrel projects that I'll share later in the year. But last of all for today, here are some new additions to my Etsy store:

A darling little card craft sewing basket:

Vintage lace and ric rac:

The Etsy listing pictures above are clickable if you'd like to have a closer look at the items. I have many more items to list, so if you're into vintage trims etc, do check back in.

That's it from me for now, thank you for reading all this way, and I'll check back in with you all soon xox