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!