Everything old is new again

I made this library bag in 2008 when Charlotte started kinder. Her kinder had a lovely library and it was a special time for the girls to go there together where all the 'big kids' were.........After two years of kinder, the bag was no longer required and became the ballet bag to hold precious ballet shoes.

Now as Miss Lily starts her kinder year "a drawstring bag is required unique to your child. One they can identify with". Now I know I could have made another, but the fabric is just so cute. So I took Charlotte's initials off and appliqued Lily's name to it.

This was the first time I had used my (new (yr old)) machine to applique and was fairly pleased with the results. I only have white cotton at home too - so white cotton it was!

I probably should have used a zigzag stitch, instead tried to use a blanket stitch which sometimes ended up looking more like a zigzag anyway (not sure why, tried adjusting tension but didn't really work).

I just love these little prints - I have seen a Liberty fabric almost exactly the same. I know mine was relatively cheaper than Liberty fabric - at $2 a metre. Not sure you can get Liberty fabric at that price.

Now the end of the poor drawstring has almost had it. May have to change that soon. But hey, whats the motto? "reduce, re-use, recycle." or as the song goes "everything old is new again"...

Happy Stitching, Susie

Thinking outside the square (or inside)

Now my husband will tell you I'm not really one to think outside the square. But - my son obviously is. With limited display storage (just tubs of toys around) he obviously wanted to make sure he could see his little bits and pieces.......

Now we can't give him credit for placing all of these in the holes but most of it. With a family of five and on one wage, our wine rack doesn't get used for wine anymore. Any wine in the home comes from a cask.....So..................we wanted to keep the rack (for future wine usage) and placed it in our newly renovated lounge empty. But not for long....

Thomas made an appearance.....

Buzz and Iggle Piggle were also made use of.

Even those pesky puzzle pieces that you can never find when you want them!

So, ta da! New toy storage and didn't cost a thing!

Happy Stitching all
Susie



Finally the 'tis the season SAL quilt is complete!

This quilt has been on my 'to do' list for so long..

Now our renovation is almost complete I have a sewing room/study where I can leave the machine set up instead of waiting till late at night, sewing at the dining table and packing it all up ready for tiny hands to leave alone in the morning.

I used a high loft (cheap) batting from Spotlight (joann's) which I wouldn't recommend for a first time machine quilter!! It was too high. This was the first time I had used my walking foot to 'stitch in the ditch' around a quilt. I thought about attempting some free motion quilting in the border but decided it didn't really need it.

This backing fabric was also purchased from Spotlight a long time ago. I didn't pre-wash it and am now terrified that it will run.......

Its one of the 'puffiest' handmade quilts I've ever seen.

The fabric is 12 days of Christmas by Kate Spain. I purchased it a while back before I found the Stitch a long and thought it would be perfect!

I wasn't sure whether to use a red, green or blue binding but I'm pretty happy with the red. After all - it is a Christmas quilt - all ready for Christmas 2012!

Happy Stitching, Susie

Free Motion Quilting Challenge

Last year, we (hubby and I cause he paid for it) took the plunge and purchased a new sewing machine after 21 years. I really wanted a machine that would have the capacity to do free motion quilting. I took a short course by Deb Louie at Amitie but really hadn't practiced any of it since. I recently discovered this challenge hosted by the wonderful Darlene at SewCalGal.

There are endless possibilities in the FMQ world and I really admire those beautiful quilts, quilted on domestic sewing machines, on display at quilt shows. The patterns are endless..I really like this one..........

(source: google images)

and this one........

(source: http://tnt512.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/free-motion-quilting.html)

With a view to one day achieving the ability to do something like this below by Kellie........



(source: http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/)



I'm really looking forward to this challenge.

Happy Stitching, Susie

A melted heart........

You know how there are some things in life that just melt your heart .......I had been out without the kids for the first time in over two weeks (to do grocery shopping after hubby had been overseas) and came home to this...apparently Miss Seven missed me whilst I was gone........

And the week before.........this..........for our anniversary.........she knew Daddy would be away and wanted to make me feel happy.............I'm blessed!

LOVE!



About time

Well it sure has been a long time between blog posts. I haven't been idle though.

Over the last three months, we have moved into a rental property, (had problems with the premises which I won't go into), renovated our own home with a new extension including kitchen, bathroom and laundry; meetings with tradies and two toddlers in a construction site isn't fun!; painted the new extension (well hubby did) cleaned the house from top to toe, cleaned the rental from top to toe, moved back home for four days then moved out again for a week whilst floors were done; and finally now.....we are back - about time too!

So whilst all this was happening I needed a portable project. I really need to baste, quilt and bind my TTS quilt but that should start tonight! In the meantime, here is what I have been up to:

Its a single bed quilt for my Miss L who is three and requested pink and green colours. I hope I have achieved this for her. I was fortunate enough to be able to use alot of my stash fabric. The pattern is the Town and Country quilt by Judy Newman
from a very fine house and amitie.

So as with Miss C's quilt, I have decided to hand quilt it. I have lost my favourite stencil so picked up this stencil which is great for larger areas. 

Can you see the little bird and big bird in this pattern above? cute isn't it although it is a bit fiddly to stitch.

I love this fabric but haven't quite been able to capture the quilting in this photo. It was quite a large piece so I just turned the 'lily' type pattern up side down and quilted the other half of the fabric.

I chose a pretty floral fabric for the border (name escapes me - sorry). I will be quilting it with a floral pattern and am looking forward to that stage.

Here is the backing fabric - I think its Annie's farm stand? I love the little rose buds.

Happy Stitching!

Susie

Stars and Sprigs Quilt

I am currently in love with this................

Its the 'Star's and Sprig's' quilt by Kim McLean.

I discovered it over at Taryn's blog. I love reproduction quilts at the moment and especially Judy Rothermel fabrics. I just wish I could purchase a BOM within Australia. I know BOM's are alot of work for local craft stores but I don't think there are enough of them around (BOM's nor craft stores!). I would have thought from a business perspective you could obtain the interest, then purchase the fabric etc (only purchase the amount of fabric equal to the interest, (and a bit more!)), add on for expenses labour, postage and voila! Obviously it's not that simple.....perhaps its just too darn expensive to do.....

sigh.......what a pity......I'm sure I would stuff up the colour combinations if the fabric was left up to me to purchase....


Happy Stitching

Susie