Monday Catch-Up

I've been using my sewing machine this past week (and a little more). Seams are being sewn, and that thrills me! Perhaps my passion for all things quilting is returning to me slowly :-)

So what have I been working on?

I put together a small quilt to help out my dear friend Lizzy. It was using this jelly roll:

I've had it sitting around for quite a while, so it was nice to put it to use. You can see by it's messy state that I'd unrolled it and rolled it up again - never sure what I would make with it. The pattern Lizzy selected was from the Moda Bake Shop, and it's called the Cross Terrain Quilt.

Our cousin Lucy has recently had a baby, and thinking this quilt would be perfect for her sweet baby girl, I decided to make it half size for a cot. Here is an 'over the ironing board in my shadow' work in progress shot:

And then finally, the finished top:

I did end up making the border a little differently to the original pattern, I just didn't have the stamina to cut up SO MANY tiny pieces, but I'm still happy with the end result. Lizzy has kindly offered to quilt it up for me, so I'll be thrilled to hand this one off to its new owner soon :-)

And just this morning I finally finished putting all the rows together for the Rail Fence Variation quilt top that Linda, Donna and I exchanged blocks for. I really like this top - it worked out a little larger than I realised, so I'm not sure at the moment if I'll add borders or not.

Between the three of us, we don't even seem to have too many fabric repeats in the blocks which is a lovely surprise. When I decide on the borders, I think I'd like to hand quilt this one - but of course I'm prone to changing my mind.

And last of all for today (and those of you who are my friends on Facebook will have already seen it), here is the result of my biannual trip to Ikea:

It's always such a dangerous place for me - all those things I didn't know I couldn't live without until I got there. I'm really looking forward to making dimensional gingerbread trees with those cutters - they'll look fabbo with the gingerbread house at Xmas time. Bring it on!!

Chatter soon friends xox

Hi friends!

Hi there everyone, have you missed me? Actually, you don't have to answer that, I've had questions and emails from all over the place asking me when I'll be blogging again, and it's so nice that you've all cared so much. The truth is, along with my sewing mojo, my blogging mojo disappeared too. I don't think I've ever neglected my blog for so long.

And just an aside, a big HI to any new readers visiting from the lovely shout out I received in Down Under Quilts magazine, I'm glad you've stopped by :-)

So, what have I been doing? Well, let me see what I've managed to capture on my phone-camera ...

I made this little table mat for my Nanna on her birthday last month from a couple of left-over applique blocks I had on hand. It was a fun little project, and I really hope she uses it on her table. Nanna is a bit of a bandit for putting her 'best' things away in the cupboard. I'll have my eye on her :-)

I learned how to make Anzac biscuits. My sweet friend Norma shared her recipe and assured me they're sooo easy. It wasn't hard to convince myself to bake some, they're my hubby's absolute favourites, and I've made four batches since getting the recipe. These are going in the regular rotation for sure!

My sweet friends Vicki, Wendy, Gail and I went on a mini-break weekend down to Middleton. We stayed in Vicki's sister's house which was so lovely - this is the view from the front window. We did bring our quilty pleasures along, but didn't really stitch a thing. We were very much diverted by shopping, and spent a good deal of time gazing out the window, glass in hand.

And why would we be gazing out the window? Because we were able to spend simply ages just gazing on the whales in the water right out front. Now, I'm no photographer, and there's only so much I can do with my iPhone, but let me assure you, we had spectacular views of many little groups of whales, and we were in the box seat. It was so special!

And last of all, it's entirely possible that a little of my sewing mojo has returned. I've begun putting Camo's aviation themed quilt together. After Mrs Billings, working with such big pieces feels like working with bed-sheets. But at least I know it'll go together quickly - and Camo is really looking forward to this one.

Well, that's it from me for now - I promise I won't leave it best part of a month before checking in with you again ... trust me!! xox