Ch-ch-ch-changes

David Bowie said that. 

If there is one constant it is change.....not sure who said that.....but it is true, don't you agree?

The change here is that I no longer have school children....no more notices....meetings...books....excursions....lunches to make.  And best of all, exams are over, at least for now!

The air is somehow clearer and stress levels have decreased quite a bit (both mine and the lovely girl who made it through a rather stressful year. Well done I say).

She is one HAPPY GIRL..................and now  having fun and planning her 18th birthday party which is just around the corner.

The boy child is also having fun, but not here....he's in London or maybe in Italy by now taking an intensive music course.  So lucky!  But I miss him already and he won't be back until February.  

As I said - changes.

And me - well I've been in and out a little and about to head back out tomorrow, so I thought I would post a couple of pictures before I go.

First up, the last two Caswell Blocks.  All done now and waiting for a border.

 

Second, the centre panel for Ann Dagg. Poor legless birds!  These were a bit tricky.....not sure what I will do about that yet, until I figure it out, they will have to keep flying.

 And last but not least, the final block of Imperial Blooms.  It has been sitting on my desk for close to a year...I was dreading attempting the fluffy bit in the middle. In the end it wasn't too scary and came out OK.

Have to dash........see you when I get back.

Deb

A New Start

and it's zipping along.

I decided to start Ann's Legacy since - well obviously it's beautiful - but also because I had pretty much all the ingredients ready to go.

The centre panel is coming together really nicely........I am only using what I have in my stash which expanded considerably while I was sewing Phebe and Caswell.

My Caswell blocks are now finished...except for the embroidery which I will do as I sew it all together.  I still have to get my head around the border.....it has been too busy at work to get some head space for this creative process.....but hopefully soon.  Here are Blocks 27 and 28.

I have two quilts to bind before I can show them to you.  I hope to get them done before the end of the year, but I have quite a lot on before then, so who knows.

My lovely girl is well and truly in the VCE exam period so things are a little tense.  She kicked off well with a really great drama exam performance and took out the Drama Award at the Valedictory. She really deserved it - she puts her heart and soul into it!  Two weeks to go and the school kid phase of her life ends - for both of us!  I think it will take some getting used to.

Happy days,

Deb

Glamour Attack!!

 It doesn't seem that long ago that my daughter started school...and then high school seems like five minutes ago.  So it was a bit surreal last Friday when the school formal took place.  A few friends came over for pre-party partytime!

So many gorgeous girls!  And here she is, almost all grown up, with her very cute beau.

 They had a great time and are now busy studying for wretched exams.  Not long to go sweeties!

 On the sewing front, another two Caswell blocks have been completed. I like the first

 but the second might get some reverse sewing before it is set into the top.  It's a little plain...needs some pizazz!

 

 My mind has started to wander far and wide, thinking about what project will be next. And as my mind wanders, my feet wander in and out of fabric stores seeking inspiration.....which I always find in the form of a collection of fabrics that end up in my bag (lol).

Hmmmmmm...............I wonder what's cooking!   These would be perfect for Worthing Downs (Megan Carrol, available from Threadbear).......but I also have a pile that has been waiting to become Ann's Legacy (Di Hall, published in Primarily Quilts available from Threadbear) for some time.  So I think Ann wins.

 I have also been collecting Chintz's to start Love Entwined (see link on side bar) which is gorgeous too.

Too many beautiful choices......better get those fingers flying!

I hope you are lucky enough to have too many beautiful choices too!

Peace,

Deb

The end is near

on the Caswell quilt main blocks.  Tonight I start number 29 (out of 30) so I figure in a couple of weeks I'll be done.

I'm giving myself a High Five! for sticking to one project.....you know I'm easily distracted, but I have learnt the value of finishing a project so I was determined to keep the blinkers on.

Now don't get me wrong.....it does not mean that I haven't been musing, thinking and planning....far from it.  I have too many things to choose from, goodness knows which one will become the next project.

But, and the but is large, before that, I need to decide what to do with the Caswell border.

You see although I think that the original border is beautiful in it's simplicity and elegance, I can't help feeling I need to give it a little something extra.  More work, but I think it deserves it.

So watch this space....................who knows what will happen.

In the meantime, here are a couple of the blocks I have finished and not had a chance to post.

Until next time , happy sewing,

Deb

A quick post

 is a good post! Or at least, better than no post.

There is little news from my corner of Melbourne.  We are all head down and moving forward through normal work/school activities, hoping for some warmer weather and trying to eek out a little time to do the things we love.

I have only a few months left of being a parent of a school child!  Come November, my lovely girl will be a graduate and looking forward to pursuing her interests in drama.  At the same time my music boy will be heading off to Italy for a jazz course and travelling in Europe. So lots of exciting things to look forward to.

Having finished a new quilt - it was time to spruce up an old one.  I made this quilt quite a few years ago.  It was foundation pieced and hand quilted.  Yes...I do occasionally hand quilt, but I am not very good at and I don't enjoy it that much.

I have the George III quilt on a bit of a go slow, but managed to get another circle completed during the week.  I am a bit behind!

And my next two Caswell blocks.  Not too many to go!  In fact I'm so close to being done with the blocks I'm starting to think about the border.  Might do something different from the original pattern.

I'm not getting around to responding to many comments at the moment I'm afraid.......sorry!  Please know that I value your interest and read all your comments.

Take care,

Deb

Where did June go?

I really did plan to come back and post in June, truly, but somehow it disappeared right before my eyes!

With many work commitments taking up my time I have had little time to sew so not much to show you.  I have had quite a few nights out of the house and a short trip to New Zealand ....which is lovely....wish I could have stayed for a bit of touristing.

I haven't yet bound the red and white quilt, though I did square it up this afternoon, so hopefully I will sew the binding on tomorrow.

I have finished the next pair of Caswell blocks

 

love the red bird!

 

I finished sewing "the bag".  I really didn't need a bag but I saw the Amy Butler Weekend Bag and got the bug.

To be honest I'm not much of a sewer, and this bag was hard and fiddly. It took a lot more time than I thought it would. But it's finished and it's CUTE but far from perfect.

The pattern doesn't have much internal division. I added a pocket to the bag and bought these

to help me keep things in order. Overall I'm happy..........and glad it's finished.

The last thing for today is another sneak peek.........thank you Katrina for the beautiful quilting you have sewn on this quilt. You are an artist!  The more I look the more I see.

If you would like to see more before I get a chance to post about Sallie Ann, do visit Katrina's blog.

That's it for today....my fingers need to do something!

Deb

This is all

that's left from my latest project!  I would show you a photo of the finished garment, but when the boy child got up last Sunday, I said - "I finished your jumper" and with a big "Thanks Ma" he put it on and hasn't had it off since!  Well that sure is appreciation.  

Apart from that it has been a few slow weeks. Lots of work and things keeping me out at night.

 

 A couple more Caswell blocks have been finished.  The one above has leaves from hell!

And another George III circle made its appearance.

 Oh yes, I decided to make a bag....here's one of the panels......so much work....more later.

So as you can see, I've been flitting around from one thing to another which has been great fun.

I hope you are also having some fun flitting,

Cheers

Deb

A Teaser

 As you will see I have changed my header photo.....can't show you the whole quilt until I get the binding on!  It is made but not attached.  I am on a bit of a go slow for the moment.....just don't seem to have much energy, I'm sure you know the feeling!  Hopefully though, it won't be too far away, since my lovely girl is chomping at the bit to get the quilt on her bed.

Lucky I have a couple of Caswell blocks up my sleeve to show you.

  

The one above is my favourite so far.  I'm really happy with the way the vase turned out.

 

 

We have glorious weather in Melbourne right now, so I'm hoping to spend some time outside today, it won't last too much longer.

Have a great day,

Deb

Still chugging along

Sorry for being so ...............well, boring is the word that springs to mind!  But in a good way. Everyone here is still getting on with what they have to do, can't ask for more than that.

Two more Caswell blocks down....I'm going to take a little break from this shortly just to catch up on some other projects.  For example, I have a quilt waiting to picked up from Katrina......yes there will soon be a Ta-Dah post, I'm really looking forward to it.  Especially since I have another ready to give Katrina, how exciting.

Thanks Merri for donating the glorious red flower fabric.

 

I have also been doing a little knitting now that the cooler weather has kicked in.  I have to say I'm really enjoying knitting again after I lost the knitting mojo some years ago.  Now that my kids are happy to wear handknits again (and their friends covet them too) I'm finding it great fun.

Here is one of my best creations, wearing my latest creation.

Ain't she sweet? I love you gorgeous girl.

I hope your life is pleasantly normal too,

Deb

No news is good news

I really have nothing  to tell you, but the blocks are mounting up so I thought I would get some photos up.

We have all been very excited about Di's new book, she flies out today to go to Nantes for the Quiltmania launch.  I'm sure she will have a great time in France (well how could you not). We had a wonderful day at CAG last week  for the Australian launch.  Have a look at the Threadbear blog for more info about that.

Otherwise life continues to move forwards in a normal way, work is busy and my two wonderful children are studying hard(ish).

The boy child will be playing at the Melbourne Jazz Festival which is rather exciting, and the girl child is working towards her first performance for the year.

In my spare time, I have been working mainly on Caswell still.

I tampered with the pattern a little on the one above, so it if it is different to yours, don't be concerned!

George III is also coming along, but I must admit to neglecting it a little.  I have two more blocks that I might try and finish before the next mail out. That would be me, up to date, ARE YOU SERIOUS? That's a precedent I may not want to set.

 

 OK, a Tarte Tatin needs my attention.  Have a delicious week.

Deb

Talk about behind the times!

Did I really spend all February talking about January?  Sure did.  Which is lucky, since February wasn't nearly as action packed.  

All was pretty routine and normal.  Back at work, you know the drill.  Another birthday has passed......those numbers are starting to look big - a bit scary really - how am I ever going use all my fabric - not to mention the fabric I haven't bought yet.

My lovely sisters helped me mark the event painlessly, since it was my turn to host our monthly meeting.  And much to my delight and surprise, they arrived bearing a 2013 Frida Kahlo calendar. Thank you lovely sisters for being so thoughtful.

Not great sewing weather here to be honest, below some more blocks for Caswell which is still bringing much pleasure. Some, like this one,

are very simple, and take no time to do. Here's another that was real quick to sew.

And then there are those that take a bit of time, but are so worth it (I think anyway).

Our sewing group keeps Liptons in business (lol) since so many of our fabrics get a tea bath. It is just enough to take the bright out of the white.

I thought I'd finish up by showing you some more holiday snaps.  Here are a pair of beautiful carved doors at the Neka museum in Ubud.

I love the frame on this one as much as the painting.

We had lunch one day in the mountains, with a spectacular view across the rice fields.

Enjoy your week,

Deb

January Part 2: Partying

I'm sure I'm not the only mother (far from from it) who at some point has wondered, "How on earth did this little one

This onesie is so comfie, I hope they keep it for when I'm a big boy.

become this big one?"

Hey Ma, where is my favourite blue onesie?

 

The days and years slip by as a collection of (mostly) ordinary days, with some extraordinary moments thrown in. The trials and tribulations of babyhood (we had many), childhood (pretty easy) and teenage years (not too bad, with some notable exceptions) seem quite distant and my much adored baby has become my still much adored adult son.

Oh yes, let's not forget his much adored sister.

He'll never guess where I hid his onesie!

To be honest, I'm not much of a party person but DS wanted a party and he wanted it at home. Well how could I refuse? He was turning 21!

So the early part of January was concerned with organising a party, cooking, cleaning and general fretting.  In the end, it went off without a hitch.  No drunks, no gatecrashers, no neighbour complaints, no problem.

I am very happy that DD has really great friends who are pretty chill (and party so often, it isn't really a novelty) so that even though the last of his buds were sent home at around 5am, it was all pretty easy and the damage was minimal......one broken glass and an "empties" strewn backyard.

 Less than 24 hours later, we would be flying to Bali.

In the meantime, I prepared some piecing to take on holiday (more on that later).  I find that the combination of my poorish eyesight and dull lighting in hotel rooms, means that applique is best avoided.  And another couple of Caswell blocks were completed.

This one is one of my favourites in the quilt.

Some of the blocks are simple - so quick to sew - but still need some embroidery to complete.

Have a great weekend,

Deb