Still on Block One

More slow and steady progress on this Block in My Girls Day out quilt.

I've used Floriani's double sided wonder fusible interfacing and it is quite thick. Fortunately my needles are sharp and are going through the layers relatively easy. Well easier than I had thought. 

Some more slow progress on this cross stitch by Faye Whittaker

(sorry about the picture - can't rotate but uploaded in right position?)

Looking forward to starting this:

And, I was thoroughly spoilt by my friend when she returned home from England. How cute are these? And they can be purchased in a department store like our David Jones? I love it!

(I also received a lovely Liberty lavender satchel but is currently keeping my drawer smelling 'lavenderish')





There hasn't been alot going on craft wise - I finished my mothers day calendars (and forgot to take photo's prior to Mothers day) but was very happy with the way they turned out (and so were the recipients).

Happy Stitching

Susie

FNWF and sad news

I finally decided to join the lovely Cheryll at Gone Stitchin for Friday Night with Friends (FNWF). This has always looked like a fun night to join.

I was all geared up and ready to go, looking forward to watching one of my favourite shows at the same time - Escape to the country.........

Sewed around a couple of bolts of the fabric and got sidetracked with a show delving  in to Breast Cancer, which has always been close to me but even more so right now as my cousin awaits result from two lumps found.

I hope to make more progress on this tonight! I am still on my first block!

In some other sad crafty news, I heard last night that Creative Memories Australia has gone into voluntary administration.

For those of you who don't know who Creative Memories are, they are a US scrap booking company whom I have dealt with on a digital scrap booking level. They do traditional and digital, but I find digital alot more portable with a busy family and toddlers around.

Here is a pic of one of their storybooks you can print digitally. 

I just finished my calendar for my mum and mother-in-law on Monday for Mothers day and do hope there is no issues receiving it. A wonderful way to customise your calendars to suit the time of year. Mine start the month after the last one, this year the calendar will start in June. 

 It really is devastating for the crafting community as we lose yet another part of the market here in Australia. 



'Scrapping' is such a wonderful way to preserve precious memories and execute your crafty and creative side at the same time.





On Wednesday evening I had just set up new projects for the kids and a family album and was so excited about forging ahead with these.

My heart goes out to the consultants whose livelihoods depend on this product. A sad day indeed. We can only hope that perhaps someone will save it.

Fingers crossed.

Susie

French General bag

I was supposed to finish this bag for my February project in the Stitch-a-long. I am a little late. I've called it my French General bag but its not entirely authentic. The big panel at the back and lining isn't French General - I didn't have enough

Once I got started I found this bag very easy to make. The instruction were clear and not convoluted. I was worried at the lack of photographs of each stage in the pattern but I certainly managed without. 

This bag is from the Red Home book by Natalie Bird

Here is my live-in model - Lil.



Happy Stitching all

Susie

A quilt and a pin cushion

I finished this quilt a week or so ago and am still to gift it to the gorgeous bubba. 

A simple quilt in Gypsy Girl fabric by Lily Ashbury for Moda. So bright and cheerful. I had originally planned for a lighter green binding but I thought the darker green spot framed it better. 

Keeping it real with this texta mark on the table.....

Simple quilting with my 'stitch-in-the ditch' walking foot (so easy to use!)

And the personalised back - soft pink floral flannelette fabric. I decided not to do any batting in between. This makes it suitable for the car or bassinette.

Happy Stitching

Susie

Wannabe Nipper

I meant to add these photos to my post yesterday, and these photos are also for Laura.

Lily turns five in the middle of the year and will be able to begin Junior life guarding (Nippers) next season which begins in December (our summer).

Here she is with her Uncle (in black - my brother) out in the IRB (Inflatable rescue boat) having a ride.



But I think she enjoyed her icecream more..........

Happy Stitching

Susie

Progress

So I started this month's stitchery for our Stitch-a-long not really thinking how much more difficult it will be to 'trace' the stitchery on to darker fabric. I have ended up just drawing it on and hoping for the best. I like the darker fabric though.

Working on another bubba quilt for a sweet little girl who is getting on in age, best I finish this in the next day or two! This will be a little label appliqued onto the back.

Basting the quilt which I have decided to just back with some sweet flannette. I wanted something light even though we are going in to winter, it will be nice over the top of her pram or even in the car. 

really sweet flannelette

There has also been a little of this going on! We have now finished the season and little Lily will be five soon and will be able to start nippers with her big sister. 

Happy Stitching all

Susie

The books and patterns I am working on

I have recently been asked by a couple of Instagram friends (followers? colleagues?) what patterns I am working on. So I have decided to post some further details of these books and patterns.

During 2012 I worked on the Some Kind of Wonderful quilt by Anni Downs here and here amongst completing blocks throughout the year. 

This quilt was my first attempt at needle-turn applique and it certainly took me a while to get used to.

Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched is an extremely talented designer with numerous books and now a fabric line behind her.  I'm looking forward to beginning the feature quilt in one of her old books A Boy's story.

One of the other projects I am currently working on with everyone in the Stitch-a-long (SAL) are various projects from this book by Natalie Bird.

Another talented Australian designer Bronwyn Hayes of Red Brolly gave a wonderful review of Natalie's book here.

I also have one of Browyn's patterns on my to do list from the recent Australian magazine of Homespun.

This quilt is going to be so much fun to make. Made with beautiful French General fabrics - my favourites.

And lastly, for the record, I really want to make this quilt one day

Some close up pics here.

Perhaps they may be completed within the next 20 years?

Happy Stitching everyone

Susie