Super fortunate - Stash Additions

 

You will see how fortunate I've been lately when you scroll through and see these wonderful additions to my stash, all through generosity of friends, bloggers and fabric shop (shoppe).

 

 

I've subscribed to Cath Kidston emails for years. I love her all of her products, including bags, shoes (especially gumboots), clothing, cross stitch and especially fabric. My lovely friend just returned from the UK and brought back these beautiful fabrics and buttons. I've no idea how/when I will use these yet, but I know I will come up with something, eventually. (aren't they the cutest buttons you have ever seen?)

How cute is this puppy fabric? I'm thinking of something for my aunt and cousin who are huge doggy fans.

 

Next, I was fortunate enough to win 12 fat quarter 'red' fabrics on the fabulous Red Pepper Quilt's blog, kindly donated by the Fabric Shoppe.

Rita is super talented and a massive inspiration to many. If you have never had a look at her site - you MUST go and have a look.

I also received some Aurifil thread in the bundle which I have heard so much about but have never used before. I will let you know how it goes. This is also my very first text print and I just love it. 

 

OK, so this has to be my fave. Musical notes - so cute.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie

 



Another Baby Quilt

This is a quilt for a lovely baby to be received on her Naming Day.

 

I chose some bright fabrics from the Daydream line by Kate Spain.

 

A little picture overload but I just adore the citrus colours with green and blue. 

Such cute prints in this range, Kate Spain never disappoints.



The binding was a little difficult to choose, however, I'm now happy with my third choice - yellow and white.

 

Whilst quilting this baby I was desperate for my machine to keep chugging. It is long overdue for a service. Just a few more things to make first please........

 

 

Happy Stitching

 

Susie



Kawaii baby blanket

 

 

I began this baby quilt when my friend's baby was still in-utero and she didn't know the sex. After I had cut about a dozen 4.5" squares, little Daniel was born, two weeks early.



 

So I added a little more blue/teal than I had originally planned, 

A little label for the little man and a lemon brushed cotton backing, it looks a little bright here, 

I really adore Kokka fabric - it is so Kawaii!

 



(according to Wikipedia - Kawaii (かわいい [kaw͍aiꜜi], "lovable", "cute", or "adorable")

completed with my new love of machine binding for those times I'm in a hurry

 





 

 

I made this blanket to suit a pram or bassinet. We are still having some really warm days here and it is quite light but with the brushed cotton backing it remains cosy and warm when required.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie

The best part about hubby going away...........

The best part about hubby going away for two weeks is his return - not just his physical presence but this.........

Fat quarter bundle of Grant Park by Minick and Simpson.

 

This deliciousness is set aside for this quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini here.

 

I know there is a lot of talk about supporting our local shops and believe me I do! I have one right beside my local supermarket and another not that far away. But when you have free shipping to a hotel in the US and 20% off in which the Fat quarter shop sent to the hotel before Christmas and the hotel kindly held it till my hubby arrived, you can't go past this opportunity.

 

I can and will continue to support my LQS' but I saved $70 by buying this FQ bundle the way I did.

 

I've also been playing around with scraps

 

 

 

 

And a little man in my life started kinder

 

 

 

Happy Stitching

Susie

 

Mini swoon block and the beach

I have had the large Swoon quilt pattern by Thimbleblossoms for a while now but am still undecided on which fabrics to use. So I thought some practice wouldn't hurt by doing a mini swoon quilt.

 

I raided my stash and came up with this combination of fabric. I purchased this dark grey fabric a while back but it was a little darker than I anticipated. I thought if I used lighter coloured fabrics then the 'swoon' pattern would show nicely.

 

Hubby has been in snowy Colorado for two weeks now and it has meant I can hole myself up in my sewing room when the kiddies are in bed without feeling guilty. 

 

I also managed to do a little bit of Project Life

 

 

 

And I'm still going on my ABC block of the week / S is for stitch quilt.

 

 

Hubby is back tomorrow but unfortunately he missed our little girl's first day at school.

 

 

Summer holidays are now over. I will miss these days of going to the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

and lovely summer nights

 

However, I'm more than happy to say goodbye to this extreme heat.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie



ABC Block of the Week

So this isn't really a 'block of the week'. Back here I posted about a new project I was hoping to start using my stash. The ABC block of the week was hosted by Liz at Shush I'm quilting. I thought it seemed forever that I was waiting on my book - as it turned out I hadn't actually ordered it. I do things like that sometimes.

 

So in an effort to catch up I readied three quarters of the blocks to stitch when we went away for the week in early January.



 

 

Now I have to say, all these photos on this post are taken by my 9 year old daughter. It is our 11th Wedding Anniversary and in an effort to help me with EVERYTHING today (as hubby is away for two weeks), she offered to take these photos. 

 



 

 I think the photos are great - the light wasn't so good though

 

 

I a little disappointed that the blocks are a little 'squished' with my embroidery but I think they turn out fine once sewn together - well I am hoping anyway. 

 

 

 

I prepped the remaining bocks yesterday to stitch and hope to have them all done by the following weekend.

 

 

We are celebrating Australia day tomorrow and I intend to spend it at the beach with my little man, my mum and brother. The girls are off to their other Nan's for two nights to be spoilt before school starts (and mum needs to get ready for one child starting school and one starting kinder). 

 

Happy Australia Day

 

Susie

 



Project 1:2014 and a Christmas Gift

Well I thought I would start off the new year on a positive note. What better way than to look at my projects for 2014 and acknowledge two of my beautiful Christmas gifts. 

 

 

I was so fortunate to receive this stunning quilt from my sewing friend (and old work colleague) together with a book for my next project. I adore this quilt. I love the fabric combination, the Russian doll fabric especially and the gorgeous border fabrics. Don't you think that royal blue border is striking?

 

 and with such the sweetest hand stitching too. I'm very lucky to have such a good friend.

 

 Also contained within this parcel was our next project. We have decided to do this together. Now many of you may have heard of the Elm Creek Quilt novels, well this quilt pattern is by the same author - Jennifer Chiaverini. I think I have read most of the novels except Mrs Lincolns Dressmaker, one I am hoping to get to soon.

 

 

 

 

 

My intention is to complete this quilt by hand (even though there is some foundation piecing I may need to do on the machine - who knows, never tried it). We are going to be using the Minick and Simpson Fabric - Grant Park.

 

 

I think this fabric is rather appropriate given the title of the quilt. I studied American History at an Australian University and found it fascinating. I'm hoping this colour scheme will do the pattern justice.

 

So thank you for my lovely gifts Sam, you never fail to spoilt me. I also received from her this fabulous Santa but hubby has popped it away for another year. I'll show you next Christmas.

 

Happy Stitching and Happy New Year

Susie