Block 5 - Kansas Troubles

Here is my block 5 from the Civil War Quilt project - Kansas Troubles.


This block was fun to put together - one inch finished size HST's seem like such a breeze after working on the tiny ones in the Nearly Insane quilt. (Update: I just noticed there is a damp spot on the block from when I starched it - oops!)

Today it got to 42c (107f) at home, and I've been laying low and doing things that don't require too much effort. I got busy with paperwork - clearing out stuff that's more than 7 years old etc. It's amazing how those papers can build up. I've decided I should devote 15 minutes to it each day. It's going to take me a while to get thru all that shredding!

Another Hungry Caterpillar

Just now I've finished quilting Lyn's Hungry Caterpillar quilt. I don't quilt for others anymore, but Lyn is the lovely girl I work with, and I'd made her a promise about this quilt quite a while ago. Also, her work is just so perfect that her projects are always a pleasure to quilt.


Lyn got really busy with her quilt and ordered extra fabric to make hers quite a bit larger, which is a good thing really, makes it more of a single bed size rather than a cot or throw size like Camo's is. I'll be thrilled to pass it back to her next week :-)

I'm still appliqueing on the Seven Sisters block, still a few stars to go, but I'm dying to put a Nearly Insane block together, so I think one of those will be next on the agenda. Chatter soon! xox

Block 3 - Seven Sisters ... almost ...

Gah! This is my third attempt at making this block, and I sooooo hope it will be the last!

First up I was needle turning the original star shape, and though I'm pretty good at the needle turn technique, with my acrylic nails I just couldn't manipulate the fabric well enough to make nice sharp points.

Then I decided to head down the path of fusible applique with machine blanket stitch. Which was fine until I removed the paper from the back of the stars - all the raw edges of the stars shredded! Grrr ...

So now I've chosen a completely different star shape, and I've changed how they're laid out on the block, and I'm back with the needle turn again. I've done an inner and an outer point, and so far so good ... let's hope the third time's a charm!

Block 4 - Texas Tears

Here is block four of the Civil War Quilts project - Texas Tears. Love these T blocks - long time readers will know I made a very special quilt from a similar block :-)


Is anyone thinking 'I haven't seen your block 3 yet'? Ummm yeah ... I haven't started that one ... Just haven't felt in the mood for applique yet ... (or I'm just terminally lazy) I'll let you decide :-)

1926 Singer Treadle

Here she is - my latest Singer Treadle. It's almost identical in every way to the treadle I got on Jan 1 last year, but the woodwork is in much nicer condition. Ohhh, and it's 2 years older - made in 1926.

This is a picture I took earlier - Marty got busy doing other things, but I hope to get him to take some nice pictures when he has some spare time.

This machine came with the instruction book and a few bobbins - nothing like the array of parts and pieces with the other machine, and we'll have to replace the belt. However for the sum of $150 I think Marty got a great deal.

So now I have three treadles - I've chattered to my Mum, and I'm going to give her my original one (which you can see under the quilt in this post). Marty and I don't much like tons of clutter, and as far as furniture and the like goes - we're full!

A finish ...

I'm entirely thrilled! This is my first finish for 2011, and I just love it :-) This project is from Bonnie's Leaders and Enders book, and is called Bowdacious. I loved the process so much that I will definitely make another in the future - one that can live with us.

I'll be sending this quilt on to our friends Pete and Joanne as a gift for their new baby Jade. I really hope they love it.

Tomorrow I have another little something to share. This morning while I was lazing around, Marty popped out to do some chores ... and when he came back needed help to get something out of the car. He had found (through the grapevine) another six drawer treadle and decided I needed to give it a good home. It's in even better condition than the one I got around this time last year - how lucky for me! I'll get him to take the pictures - he's so much better at it than me - when I have them, I promise to share!

And it's quilted ...

Just tonight I finished quilting the cot quilt, and I'm so happy with it.

I've used a King Tut variegated thread, the colour is called 'Valley of the Queens'. And the quilting pattern is my 'favourite de jour' ... just a flowery looking thing :-)

And isn't this backing fabric fun? I picked it up on a mega sale a couple of years back, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to use some of it. Just need to get busy on the binding, and then send the quilt on to it's new home.

Lastly, I need to get in touch with Norma Hamilton from West Des Moines - I'm hoping she's a blog reader. Norma, I've received your order, but the email address that was supplied is bouncing back to me as undeliverable. Please contact me via email - thank you so much!

Almost there ...

Yesterday I got busy and stitched the last blocks together to finish up the top of the cot quilt. It's so exciting, I'm racing toward my first finish for the year! I still had oodles of energy, so after dinner was done with, I pinned the top ready for quilting.

I was still buzzing and ready to start quilting, but sensible Tazzie overruled and told me it was time to go to bed. Why? Cuz today was a work day! I'm really exhausted now that I'm back home again, it's amazing how a person can get out of 'work mode' after a month of lazing around!

Once all the dinner dishes have been cleared away, I think I'll do a little quilting and actually have an early night. I'm saying that now ... but I wonder if I'll follow thru ...

Progress ...

I've made quite a bit of late night progress on this scrappy quilt top. The blocks are all made, and all that needs to be done is attach the final row of blocks, then some sashing strips, and possibly some narrow side borders.

This project now has a different destiny. While it was originally for Amy - some friends have recently had a baby girl, and so with Amy's approval, this will be a cot quilt for the dear little one.

Today after the top is finished, I plan to work on the third Civil War Quilts block. I'll need to needle-turn applique the block so I definitely won't be able to throw it together in such speedy fashion. I'll be sure to share my results :-)

Fabric Club

An exciting package arrived in the mail yesterday. It was my parcel from Somerset Patchwork and Quilting. You see, for a few months I've been a member of their 19th Century Fabric Samplings Club.

Aren't these fabrics delightful? And on the other side of the package are some lovely blues. They're 10" squares, so just perfect for these small block projects that I'm working on. (And I might add - no affiliations etc. - just a very satisfied customer).

Another thing: My wonderful friend Linda in the USA has started her own blog, and I'd really love you to visit with her. Here is the address: Linda's Quilting Blog. Be sure to tell her I said "HI" xox

Lastly, it's my DH's birthday today. Happy Birthday hon, love you!

Pastel Piecing

Last night at 11.15 I had to tear myself away from the TV. I had been glued to the news, and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. I thought a little mindless piecing would clear my mind and then I could rest.

Into the sewing room I went, and I chose one of my favourite Bonnie projects, Bowdacious. Here is where I left it last time:

Amy has claimed this quilt for her own when it's finished, though she's in 'like' with it, not 'love'. Some of the background fabrics don't really speak to her :-)

I immersed myself, and before I knew it, it was a quarter to one in the morning! (I've been very naughty with late nights these holidays!) And this is how it looked when I walked away from the machine. I really enjoyed working on something I hadn't looked at for a while, and trust me, I slept like a log!

Qld Flood Disaster

I'm finding it just devastating watching all the news of the Queensland flood disaster. My heart breaks for all the families involved, and there are so many. Thank you for the emails I've received from friends around the world uncertain of our geography - I'm fine, fortunate to be in a different state, but I know there are many of our blogging friends in harms way. Heavens I hope they're okay.

Our national newspaper shows us how many lives have been affected, and how quickly:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

What can we do to help? Well, right now we can donate. Here is a link to donate via the Queensland Government:
http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

And wonderful bloggers are helping out too, to participate in a fund raising auction, head over this way for info:
http://www.tonicoward.blogspot.com/

Please join me in donating what you can. It really helps. xox

Nearly Insane - Block 80

This is last night's finish from my Nearly Insane blocks - Block 80.


The middle of the block had me quite puzzled for a while, as the pattern in the book bears no resemblance to the block that the author made, or to the block in the original quilt. In the end, I just made up a checkerboard using 1" strips and cut it down on the cross to a 4" piece, and then added the border sections. Probably not the most accurate way to put it together, but I'm happy with it anyway.

In other news: Mum and I made up 9 jars of jam yesterday, and today I'll get some more made up. Last year I didn't get enough made to last all the year, so after we ran out, I had to buy jam - and it's just not the same as home-made. This year we haven't lost so much fruit to birds, so I'll just have to get busy!

And once I'm done in the kitchen, I'm thinking I'll spend some more q-time in the sewing room ... maybe some actual quilting rather than piecing ... we'll see ...

Jammin' again ...

Just a quick question for my lovely readers out there: Is it inappropriate to have my poinsettia's around the house after Epiphany? I use them as part of my Christmas decor, and it feels wrong to banish them outside at the end of the Christmas season when they're still so pretty. Your opinions would be much appreciated :-)

Can you tell I have a special love for blue and white transfer-ware? Note to self: Must.Wind.Clocks.

This afternoon my Mum is coming over, and we'll be Jammin'. Apricot Jam to be precise. It's that time of the year again - and my tree is just groaning. The 'cots in the picture are a little green - they're under the tree - and I'm just a shortie and too lazy to climb the ladder for pictures, but trust me - this afternoon we'll be all over that tree like locusts! Super fun, and I'll share the results soon.

Block 2 - North Star

This project is so exciting, block 2 was posted 50 minutes ago, and I'm all over it - I made it already! It's called North Star, and super easy to stitch up.

It's not to late to jump in on this historic quilt. Check out Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts blog for details.

A peek ...

... into the dining room. You would never know that Santa has been recently.

In the Mail and Epiphany

Not so long ago, Z&S fabrics had a 50% off site-wide sale, and I got really quite carried away with my clicking. Even the already discounted fabrics were 50% off, so I found myself with quite a haul.

It arrived yesterday, and my goodness the box was heavy. I can't wait to get stitching with my new fabrics!

And today is Epiphany, so all our Christmas decorations have been taken down, and mostly put away. We're heading out shortly to purchase some more plastic storage containers - I purchased more new decorations than I thought.

The house always looks naked when all the Christmas items have been put away, but we'll be accustomed to it soon enough.

We're forecast for a hot one today ... 36c ... which is 97f, so Camo and I will probably be taking it easy. Lego and stitching are definitely on the agenda :-)

Two Nearly Insane Blocks

It's so nice to be on holidays, I've had the chance to spend time in the sewing room, and I've done some sleeping in too! Blissful! Here are two NI blocks that I've made over the last two days (and for those of you not familiar with the project, these blocks are 6" finished size):

This is block 61 which I finished just a few minutes ago. So many flippy corners!

And isn't this block quite the oddfellow? I wonder what Salinda Rupp was thinking when she made the original quilt all those years ago? Perhaps this block was all about using up the tiniest of her scraps ... I did the very same thing.

Block 1 - Catch Me If You Can

I simply couldn't resist - before I went to bed last night, I cut out the squares, and sewed the HST's for this block of the new Barbara Brackman Civil War Quilts project. I had to leave it there though, as I glanced up at the clock and it was quarter to one in the morning!


So this morning, as soon as breakfast was taken care of, I was straight back into the sewing room - and pictured above is the result. I've chosen three fabrics from the Howard Marcus 'Charity' collection - these ones actually came to me in a Moda Scrap Bag - score!! The block was super easy to put together, and I simply cannot wait for the next one.

And, I have to add, did you see who commented on my last post? Barbara Brackman herself - what an honour! I feel so special, and I'm entirely thrilled that Barbara is making this project available to us all. Do join in if you can - I'm certain you won't be disappointed! xox

This is soooo going on my 'must start immediately' list ...

You can't even imagine how excited I was to read about this new project on Barbara Brackman's Material Culture blog.

I've already added the Civil War Quilts blog to Google reader, and since the first block is posted already, I'm going to make it up tomorrow!

Who's with me??

Happy 2011!

Happy New Year everyone! Isn't it nice that 2011 is stretching out before us like a blank slate to be written on? Do you have any resolutions for this year? I don't always make resolutions, and certainly almost never manage to keep them, but for this year, I'm going to make it a very broad one. 'Do Better'. I would like to think I'll try and look after my health a little better, my family, my home, and my friends too. Nothing specific, perhaps more a state of mind than anything.

So that I could end 2010 on a small personal high, I decided to work on a UFO I'd been stewing over for a little while. You can see where I left the project here.


I purchased four different border fabrics for this quilt, and I still don't think that I've chosen the right one. The thing that was really holding me back though, was the black and white inner border. I wanted to piece the border from squares, but it didn't matter what maths I used, I couldn't get a measurement that worked for the sides as well as the top and bottom. Then the answer hit me yesterday and I'm really happy with it.

I'd like to get started on quilting today, but first I want to get a few chores out of the way. Start the new year with a nice tidy slate ... :-)