Nature's Journey Progress Part One

So Part One is now complete. So chuffed I'm on time (for once).

(apologies to those whom may have already seen this on the SAL Blog). 

I never realised how satisfying it was using up these teeny tiny scraps I had kept. 

In the majority of these blocks I have used some lovely fabrics gifted to me from my Aunty Anita who sadly passed away two weeks ago. An amazing woman, so many stories. A WW2 Royal Airforce veteran, who was doing Morse code for Churchill in the war. My Uncle (her husband) was at the Normandy landing but he never said much about this. The only stories were gleaned after a couple of pints of Guinness at the local pub in Dublin. 

Anyway, I'm really happy and grateful to be using these fabrics as a special memory to a wonderful lady who I will miss ever so much. 

Happy Stitching all 

Susie 

Thimbleblossoms and Fig Tree combination

Warning - Picture overload

Juggle Quilt - pattern by Thimbleblossoms

Honeysweet fabric by Fig Tree and Co

Over the last three months of 2014 I began this long term project to machine piece this Juggle quilt then hand quilt. It was made for my mother-in-law who was turning 70.

I really had no idea how I was going to hand quilt - well what design I was going to use. My ideas evolved as I pieced it together

The triangles were a little fiddly - especially given I cut about a third of the 200 or so using the wrong template. Beware the size you print your patterns at!

I ran out of time for a fancy quilt label. 

The hand quilting was a little too tight so lessons learned for next time. I may try a hoop. 

I adore this fabric range. 

I purchased this pattern in a Craftsy class by Camille Roskelly of Thimbleblossoms. It was wonderful to watch how she put this together before I attempted mine. 

The backing was by Denise Schmidt purchased at Spotlight. The binding fabric was a spotlight essentials range. 

My mother-in-law was very grateful and really loved it. 

Happy Stitching

Susie

Cottage Garden Thread Holder

I finally managed to make my own Cottage Garden Thread Holder. 

I completed the stitchery last year but just hadn't got around to making my own after I had made one for a gift. Similar inside to my last too. 

Still in love with this gorgeous Kokka fabric which I was so fortunate to have given to me by a lovely friend. 

The pattern is by Gail Pan by Gail Pan designs and I purchased my pattern at Patchworks Plus.

I also finished my January project for the Chookyblue Stitch-a-long

Busy prepping the blocks now for Part One. 

Happy Stitching

Susie

A very special project

This June, my mum will celebrate her 80th birthday. I'm hoping to make her a special quilt to celebrate as I haven't yet made her any quilts. 

After much deliberation I've decided to go with the above. 

I adore all of Judy's projects. I'm fortunate enough to live very close to Amitie where Judy works. (the next suburb actually, used to be in my suburb which was very bad for the wallet).  Amitie is owned  by Jen Kingwell of Jen Kingwell designs. . Given Jen is such a lovely person, she has also employed everyone in the store as lovely as herself. So it was my first quilting class that I took with Judy about 5 years ago now using this pattern - Town and Country. If you are ever in the area and want to do a class I can't recommend them enough. 

I chose the Rue Indienne range of French General fabrics. I figured you can't go wrong with French

General. 

I'm not 100% sure of this bottom brown/orange colour but time will soon tell when I get them all out. Hubby bought these back recently from his trip to the States for work. He hates it when he gets to the hotel and there is already a package waiting for him. Never a doubt as to what it contains.......

I also purchased this dresden quilt template which will hopefully make things easier. 

Another special project I'm intending on doing is this Lynnette Anderson cushion for my mum's sister. I'm yet to source the button and choose fabrics but hoping that won't be too hard

My aunt lives in tropical far north Queensland and I want to finish and take it up with me when we go up there to celebrate mum's birthday. Aunty Shirl loves her garden so I thought this might be appropriate. 

Well off to entertain the kidlets for one more week before they are back at school and kinder and I'm back to work. 

Happy Stitching all

Susie

The 'ole faithful Christmas Table runners

Well this is the second year in a row I have completed these table runners to give as gifts for teachers. Once again I couldn't go past the Kate and Birdie Paper co fabric. This line is called Winterberry.

Last year I used Kate and Birdie Paper Co's fabric line - Winters Lane. Has to be my all time favourite fabric line. See those Table runners here.

 

The stitcheries are by Natalie Bird and can be found in her book - Tis the Season. They are super quick and easy to stitch up. I actually did an extra which I have popped away in my Christmas storage as perhaps I can use it next Christmas. The original quilt pictures can be found here.

 

 

These runners were made for my son's kinder teachers. Two of the three teachers have now taught two of our children and one of them has taught all three, so I wanted to make something a little special.

 

One runner was completed in a combination of the Winter's Lane and Winterberry fabric lines however I didn't get a picture! Time poor.

 

I've more to post soon as I'm a little behind in blogging. Those that follow me on instagram are kept well up to day. I do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will have a happy and healthy new year.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie

Two Birds Tablerunner

I didn't mean for there to be so long between posts - time is truly flying by at the moment. We haven't even reached the crazy season yet.

 

I began this table runner a while back but unfortunately had to rush it in the end.

The pattern is by Gail Pan and is located in her book Patchwork Loves Embroidery.

 

I made this for a very special lady - Sylvia who turned 96. This lady is like a grandmother to me. I only met one grandparent - my grandmother whom was born in 1893! She died at 89 years of age when I was 6, she lived in a nursing home and struggled to remember my name (which was very funny when she would go through 7 or 8 of her 10 grandchildren's names to finally remember mine). Anyway, Sylvia is my neighbour and lived next door to me for all of my life till I moved out with my hubby 15 years ago. There was never anything she wouldn't do for you (such as going in to our house to turn my electric blanket off if I had forgotten) to babysitting me if my parents went out. Now she is very frail but still very sharp of mind. She still remembers everybody's name and now all their kids names and never ever forgets a birthday. Sylv, loved her gift.

I read some wonderful reviews on this book, however I must admit I was put off by the cover. Yes, I know, "don't judge a book by its cover" but its very difficult to locate a hard copy to browse through or locate some of the pics inside the book itself. So upon the special recommendations by Laura and Shez, I decided to purchase it.

Now if the publishers of the book had of placed this tablerunner on the cover I would not have hesitated the couple of months that I did and most likely would have purchased immediately upon its release. Isn't it strange how the visual is so important in our day to day lives, especially our crafty lives.  I have even read many authors also judge books by their cover. So I am content I am not the only one.

 

Another project I've been itching to begin is this Rosalie Quinlan design. I've taken inspiration from Sharon over at Lilabelle Lane and I'm using Bonnie and Camille's Miss Kate fabric. I'm also going to be adding in some additional colours from the Cosmo thread line that match the fabric.

Just adore this watermelon and aqua together

 

A very pretty bundle of threads and fabric. Can't wait to start.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie

The Storytime Quilt

So although I haven't blogged for a while it hasn't been all that quiet at home. I've been keeping busy with my Rosalie Quinlan - Simply Blessed BOM.

 

I'm currently stitching number 3 of 9 but have only put one block together fully. I couldn't find any template plastic large enough for this 12 x 12 in block, so I used cardboard which really doesn't work as well. I do love the Tilda fabric. I purchased a bundle with a gift voucher I received, from Sew Creative Supplies and received lovely efficient service. Speaking of service, I also received my next block from Sarah at Patchworks Plus who is such a sweetie and super speedy efficient service also - that is why we keep coming back isn't it?

 

Next up was trying to finish my Storytime Quilt. I used one of my favourite designers range - Storybook by Kate and Birdie. Hence sprang the name - Storybook, with the cute Snugglepot and Cuddlepie characters together with Winnie the Pooh on the back.

 

 

Please excuse the less than lovely photos. They are all only taken with my iPhone.  I even forgot to photograph the final quilt and had to do it after the new mummy had opened the gift!  

 

Last Sunday, I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop held by the amazing Leanne Beasley. This woman just oozes talent and is incredibly inspiring. She clearly loves her work and is so passionate about sharing her creativity. If you haven't seen her magazine - Vignette, check it out, it is so lovely and has some stunning projects (on my to do list).

 

 

These were the projects we received kits for. I can't wait to make them all and hang them up. There is a perfect little spot in our home waiting for some decorating (well all our home really).

 

I finished this little one the other day. Just need to mount on a 4 x 4 canvas (when I can find one).

 

 

Happy Stitching

Susie