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

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have this beautiful book in my hands! My lovely friend Di dropped a copy in to me this morning, and I have spent some time today feasting on the glorious pictures within.  To me, of course, they are more than pictures, but rather memories from the past 20 years, starting back when I took my first class with Di at Primarily Patchwork.  At that time I was a newish mum, with not many female friends around, and without a clear idea of where my life was headed.

Di's shop was an oasis for me, somewhere I could be just myself and indulge in the process of creating gorgeous quilts.  Of course I was awed by the Primarily Patchwork quilts. Di seemed to be able to conjure something beautiful out of nothing - putting together fabrics in a way that was magical.

The book also holds the promise of things to come. As I was reading through today I was planning which quilt I would make next, and the next one, and the one after that.  My first choice is "Miss Porter", I remember fondling it when Di was making it (I even tried to sneak it out in my bag but I got sprung, lol!). I have a bag of blue and brown goodies all ready to go.

I still count my blessings that the Secret Sewing Sisterhood formed at the shop before Di retired, and this group of women, with Di at the heart, have become so important to me.

It's a beautiful book, reflecting the beautiful person that Di is. Congratulations Di, may you be reprinted many times!

Happy Easter,

Deb

Bird Dance Takes Flight

Well it took a little while to wing its way to me, but the first installment of the new Sue Spargo BOM, Bird Dance, eventually flew the coop and has landed here.

When Sue said that the backgrounds would be neutral, I was so hoping for grey rather than beige, and I'm happy to say that grey they are!  Or some would say taupe.  Whatever they are, they are glorious.

Each block is six inches square and each is embellished in a different way. Beautiful pieces of linen, ribbon and ric rac, make each background special and unique.  Indeed, they could make a rather gorgeous wallhanging without further addition.

My other project pictured here, is George III, another two blocks completed.

The one above started in Bali, the one below went to Bali in pieces and came back in the same pieces! I'm always overly ambitious with what I can do on holiday, are you?

 I had a wonderful day yesterday with my sisters.  We all went off to Sue's an hour and a half drive from Melbourne.  Sue has a lovely house, one of the most welcoming that I know.  Thanks Sue.  We were surprised by a sneak preview of something rather marvelous.  Keep your eye open over at SSS to find out what that might be.

 I hope you're enjoying your weekend too!

Happiness always,

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 3: Relaxing

It's quite a while ago now that we were in Bali........and you know there are days I wish I were still there! Here is the view from our hotel window, overlooking the rice fields.

Our hotel (suite) had a wall of windows, wasn't too much of a chore to wake up in the morning I can tell you. Every morning we swam in the infinity pool, the weather was glorious.  The Balinese people are truly wonderful. Incredibly friendly and deeply spiritual.

A highlight of our trip was a visit to the Neka museum.  Wouldn't want to mess with these dudes!

 

I loved this astrological piece- so patchwork. 

 

 

The Balinese painting is so finely detailed - and what beautiful colour.

 

I decided to take some hand piecing to do,  so a couple more  George III circles were completed.

 

 

They were a perfect choice, since I can never get enough direct light when I'm not in my own sewing space.

Mind you I haven't touched this project since I got back - I have another one nearly completed, maybe that's a job for tonight.

The weather has been terribly hot in Melbourne, so not really great for sewing. Wish I could still walk out and jump in that pool.

Stay cool,

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

January Part 1: Mooching

In Melbourne, the Christmas/New Year period is pretty hot and slow. Lot's of little businesses are closed and half the population is off to the beach on holiday somewhere.  It's the perfect time for kicking back and doing a lot of nothing much.

With this in mind I decided to use some of the time to relax, prepare for the upcoming party and holiday, and think about which projects I should work on.

First up, was to get some more Caswell blocks completed.  This one for example.  

I do really love the colours in this quilt.  Can't wait to get more done!  The little yellow buds that appear to be floating, will eventually be connected by embroidered stems....but these can wait.

I put some thought into what I might take OS with me.  I usually take applique, but find it hard to do on the flight, and the light in hotel rooms is not usually good enough for me aging eyes.   What do you take with you when you travel?

I eventually decided to pull out an old cross stitch project.  It's funny, since it was joining a SAL for this project that got me involved in blogging in the first place.  It was supposed to be completed in a year, and I made good progress, but once something in my room is put down, it stays down for a long time.

When I picked it up a couple of weeks ago, it looked like this;

 

after stitching on it a bit at home, and a bit more on the plane, it looks like this.

It was perfect for the flight since it has only one colour thread and is not too fiddly.  Unfortunately the flight back was a night flight, and I was too tired to stitch.  There is another reason why I am trying to finish this............more on that later.

Stay tuned for more shortly.  I hope you are all having a great January.  Today is my last day of leave :( back to work tomorrow.  That will be a big shock I can tell you!

More soon,

Deb