Scrapping ...

One of my favourite things to do with small projects is to make up scrappy backings for them. It helps me to feel like I'll get through all my scraps someday ...

In the big scheme of things, I don't really use up all that much ... but some of them are fabrics I probably wouldn't have used otherwise. And when I use up my scraps of batting too, it feels really virtuous :-)

And because I'm sure you were just dying to know ...

Yesterday's pavlova was a success. And when it was time for dessert ... it was demolished completely! To make it marginally healthier than normal, I used yoghurt instead of cream - the tang of the yoghurt worked really nicely with the sweet meringue. I think I'll be doing it again.

Back to the sewing machine now ... I have lots of quilting to get done! xox

Stitching Day

Today I had the most lovely day stitching with my lovely Guild buddy Roz at her home. My new friend Yvonne was there also, and Camo came for the day to hang out with Roz's little people - they had a great day too!

Whenever we spend time together, we always laugh, chatter, snack and generally have a really fun time, and the day just disappears way too fast. I did get some sewing (and unsewing) done that's been nagging me for a little while:

The Montmellick mystery has been calling to me, and I just haven't been interested in working on it. I finally acknowledged what has been in the back of my mind. I really just didn't like the border I'd chosen for this quilt. It's not that I didn't like the fabric - I love it, but I didn't feel it was perfect for this project - and I needed to do something about it.

But first, I sewed a few more of the little stars to put in place on the second last border. I got the four done in the picture above, so there are only eight left to go now. And after I was done with the fun stuff, I got busy unpicking and removed the outer border. I need to do more investigating to see what I'd like to use instead.

Maybe it'll be this lovely print I picked up at Hetties last week? I haven't put the top and the fabric together yet to see if they play nicely, but it's a contender :-)

The border print that I removed won't go to waste - I know it'll make lovely table runners, and it won't take long to whip them up as it's already cut into strips.

Last of all, Amy and I went to Ikea on Friday night (surprising I know!). Amy needed some bits and pieces for her room, and I wanted to pick something up that I've coveted for a while:

I pinned this trolley on Pinterest a while ago thinking it'd be great to put my hand stitching in. I thought I could have it by me while I'm in the lounge or the family room, and when I'm done wheel it back into the sewing room and everything stays tidy. I didn't buy it straight away as I didn't want it to be just a whim and turn into clutter - but after passing over it a couple of times while I was in Ikea and many months down the track, I still wanted it, so I gave in and bought it. And I'm super happy that I did! Now I just need to get busy filling it with my favourite bits and pieces.

Tomorrow we have a dinner to go to, and I'm planning to bring a pavolva for dessert - I thought I'd get started tonight, but it's getting late, so that'll be a job for tomorrow. Instead I'll spend a little time at the sewing machine.

Well, that's it from me - chatter soon! xox

Tap, tap, tap ...

Is this thing on?? I know I've been such a slacker not checking in and posting ... and my dear sweet friend Faye gave me a gentle nudge last Saturday when I bumped into her at the Guild's Country Forum day. Now that I know you're checking in Faye, I'll be sure to post a little more often :-) ... Hahaha, famous last words!!

Just a quick happy snap today, some things you've seen, and one or two that you haven't:

In the baggie there at the back, is a charity project that I quilted for the guild, I worked hard to get it ready on time, but silly me I forgot to take it to the meeting. Never mind, I'll be able to drop it off to the next one and soon someone will be able to enjoy it.

One of the runners has been quilted and bound - that's it on the left there, and I've quilted the spiderweb mats that you've already seen (but yet to bind them) and I've made a while lot more. I really love working thru my stash in this way - but I always seem to replenish it - I picked up the cutest fabric last week at Hetties - I'll share that one next time.

And I shared a little while back that I was starting soon with the Ladies Doubles team on Wednesday mornings - well this was my first week with them. They're all just delightful, and I had a great time - I played three sets - one with each of the three ladies on my team. We won the first two sets 6-3 and 6-0, and the third we lost in a tiebreaker. Still a great result, and I learned later that my team won the day and it was their first win for the season. I'm entirely thrilled!! I cannot wait for next week.

Well, that's it for today - I promise to be back much sooner next time!!

And some spiderwebs ...

Today I've been working on some spiderweb placemats. I've made so many of these -  I seriously think it could be more than 100! I may be able to make them in my sleep, but I do love working on them :-)

That cute floral print is left over from the backing of the strippy quilt - it's so pretty, I really like it.

One of the things I always like to do when making up spiderweb mats, is to use up all my little random pieces of batting.

We all have these strips trimmed from the edges of our quilts - I keep them for use in small projects - you wouldn't believe how much I actually get used up. For small items, I use basting spray on the backing - abut the pieces of batting (don't overlap the edges) trim to size if necessary, and finally spray baste once again and lay the top piece on to the batting. Super easy, and feels like you've got a free batt!

Once I got busy quilting, I had a little visitor:

I had to lay an old quilt down for her as she was determined to lay by the machine. Definitely didn't want Gracie on the runners I'll be quilting on soon. She's like camouflage kitty - very hard to get a good picture of this kitty.

Well, it's back to the machine for me - chatter soon!

Ohh, whoops, I almost forgot to mention - Judy really liked the little mat that I gave to her on Saturday. And for our last outing for the summer season, my tennis team won the day, Judy and I won our doubles 6-2 6-2, and I won my singles 9-6. A wonderful result! I cannot wait for next summer :-)

Border Prints

Today for the first time in a couple of weeks, I had a day entirely to myself. I knew exactly what I wanted to be doing, and planted myself firmly in the sewing room.

Some left overs of border prints have been kicking around just begging to be made into something, so I got busy cutting:

This one is a left over from a Kaye England project a while back, and super cute. I whipped out the Kaleido Ruler and started making wedges ...

Here are a few of the bits and pieces I've put together so far - I have more stitching in my future, and then a whole lot of quilting and binding. I will love it!

If you think you'd like to make some runners and table toppers like these - don't forget there is a free tutorial available for download over on my web page. Have fun :-)

Update @ 10.30pm:  I just finished this little doodad ready to give away tomorrow:

Tomorrow is our team's last tennis game for the Summer season, and I put this together for my sweet doubles partner Judy. I'm 100% certain she doesn't read this - but if she does, I guess it won't be a surprise. She's such a honey - I will miss playing with her during the Winter season. I'll be playing for the same club in the Wednesday morning ladies doubles comp, but she plays for a different club in Winter. Anyway, I hope she likes it :-)

Back to the sewing machine for me, I have a few bits and pieces I want to finish up before I head to bed xox

And it's done!

Life has been super busy here, so I simply haven't found time to check in with you all, but I did quickly want to share that I had a finish this week:

The strippy I was working on is all done now. In stolen moments during the week, I hand stitched the binding in place, and I have to say I'm just thrilled with it!

I'd like to put another one together with a pretty toile fabric - I'm just looking for the perfect one. It would look great with kids prints too I'm sure.

Now, I'm never good with names for my quilts - does anyone have a suggestion for this quilt?? It would be much appreciated :-)

Chatter soon xox