Breathe In...Breathe...

Out....
I've never made a Twister quilt before, but why have I left it to the last minute?  Actually it's past the last minute Master G has already arrived. Oh that's right, this is the 4th baby quilt in 7 months, plus all the other stuff.

 Cutting into it was a little nerve wracking. What if I slipped? Would it all end in tears?

Well, I survived the first row.

I had to remind myself to breathe, as I found myself concentrating so hard on getting it right, I was holding my breath.

Here's all the cut pieces ready to be sewn together. It looks okay. There is a bigger red border to go around it as well. I think it will be fine, even though it has ended up with a bit more pink in it than I thought.
Not long to go now before we all hit the road to Nundle for Girls Day In The Country.

Take care,
Cheryl

Last Day of Summer Break

Just pottering around on the last day of my summer break. I was going to say it is too hot to do any gardening, but I have just seen photos and the temps from down south. I don't have anything to complain about the weather here today. My heart and best wishes are with anyone affected by the high temperature, bushfires and the drought. 

I 've been tidying...the house...sewing area...the camera SD card...finished items on blog sidebar...etc.
I realised I forgot to show Master H1's quilt. He arrived back in June.(Slack blogger, I am.) My sister had her 3rd and 4th grandchildren arrive last year. We are up to our 12th grandniece/nephew, with the 13th to arrive shortly. So forgive me if a baby quilt slipped my mind. By the way, did you know there is no collective noun for nieces and nephews. Please correct me, if I'm wrong.

I made 2 Paddington Bear tops awhile ago, this one and a green version.All I had to do was quilt it. We added a Paddington Bear book to the present. It went down well, as the new Mum turned out to be a huge Paddington fan.

These are the swap presents I made for our Bloggers Meet and Chookyblue's SSCS. I did make similar presents. The bags have different linings, but they are made of fabric I just love. Had them in the stash for awhile and thought this was the perfect time to finally use them. They are stylised chooks on the red fabric.You can see that better a few photos down. The bags are large and the idea is to use them instead of plastic bags when grocery shopping.

I did 2 plum pudding ornaments. I loved doing them. Marilyn also got a crocheted and embroidered hanky.

Marilyn with her bag

My SSCS went all the way to Martine in Belgium. It is exciting to send a parcel to the other side of the world.

 Martine got the bag, and the pudding ornament, as well as a copy of Natalie Bird's new book, a tea cup shaped thread organiser and a covered shopping list notebook.
 

This week I went back to work on something for me - Sue Daley's Square Dance. I have been dragging the chain on it. It is my take out project as it is so portable. I have finished appliqueing all the rings and have made a start on the borders. The best bit has been auditioning the colour combinations.It won't take long to put it together once all the hand sewing is finished.

So that means, Dawnie, I'll be freer to start that challenge. I have gathered my background fabrics and have been looking through stash and the scrap box for suitable applique pieces. ;-)  Not a time wasting activity at all!  LOL

Next week, I'm back trying to get reluctant sweaty teenagers fitted into  school uniforms and remembering what subjects they choose so they get the right books. (Note to self - just remember it pays for your  obsession hobby!)

Do take care everyone.
Till next time,
Cheryl (aka Kayly)

PS- Sorry about those unsolicited emails, if they are still arriving.

Finally a crafty post....

 We have another beautiful grand-niece, Miss C. No cuddles yet. I'll have to plan a visit and take my parents, her great grandparents with me.
So another baby quilt is needed. I've had this pattern and honey bun set aside for awhile. The fabric is 'Fresh' by Deb Strain. I used a Thimble Blossoms pattern, with a couple of changes.
The biggest thing about this project had been my new design wall.
I saw these Fons and Porter's products when I went on retreat to Glenrose in July. It was so much better to see your quilt's layout on a wall and not struggling to see it on the floor.
I don't have a wall free at the moment.






So I'm using these magnetic clips on the front of my 2 metal cupboards.

 I don't have too much room to step back for a look, but it's okay for the moment. My sewing machine was next to it.
It was great sewing the blocks together. Just push back on my wheeled chair, pick them off the wall and turn back to the machine.
When I worked off the floor, no matter how careful I was, I always seemed to turn a block the wrong way.

I was really pleased with this quilt. I was sick of doing pink ones. This range, although an old one now, is bright and as its name says fresh.

I finished the quilting this afternoon. I want to get the binding on tomorrow.

The other sewing I've been doing is secret Christmas swap stuff. So no photos yet.

See you later,
Cheryl (aka Kayly)

Do I hear you say...

...another one?
Yes another beautiful grand-niece has arrived.


Here she is being carefully held by her Great-Uncle.

Of course, she is entitled to her own quilt.


If it looks familiar, it is because I used the 'Square Dance ' pattern by Bits 'n' Pieces again. I do love this pattern - fairly quick with a great overall look. Yes, I also used 'Spring Fever' by Me & My Sister again, but different FQs. I love that range and have enough for another.


The pattern is sitting on the fabric I used for the back.

As much as I love all the new arrivals and giving them their quilts, I have a long list of other things I want to do. First up on that list is attending GDITC in Nundle this weekend. I have made my pincushion for the swap, dug out an old name tag (no time to make a fancy new one) and I am in the middle of packing, as we leave tomorrow.

Better get back to it or I'll never be ready to leave.
Take care,
Kayly

Getting back in the groove.....

It's been just too hot lately to do much. That and I've have not had much enthusiasm for anything. I have started to feel more like it this last week.

Many years ago I did an adult community education class with Jill Lind. Jill once worked for Patons and knows everything about knitting and crocheting. She introduced me to broomstick and Tunisian crochet. I have wanted to make jumpers (Queensland speak for cardigans) for myself for ages. Mum has knitted beautiful jumpers for me over the years, but her arthritis stops her these days. Due to an odd arm, my knitting is painfully slow. Beanies, booties and tea cosies are my limit.

I love crochet, but until recently I only did d'oyles and handkerchief and towel edges.
I have been gathering books on Tunisian crochet. This method will give me a garment with the look of knitting but the ease of crocheting. So the purple thing in the photo below is the start of a shawl or mobius wrap. I shouted myself a set of Denise crochet hooks. The set has different tails and hooks that can be mixed and matched via a locking system on the ends. It is a fairly simple pattern and I can do it in front of the TV at night, when my eyes are not so good for stitching and my hands are not so sticky that the wool won't flow smoothly.

In the tin is the Chocolate block for my SAL SKoW quilt. I am far behind, but I will get there.
Below, pinned and ready for quilting, is the quilt top I made up to replace the 'too blue' one I mentioned in the last post. I am very happy with the way it turned out.

I am going to trial the basting method that uses slats of timber with the top and backing rolled onto them. My knees and back do not like me pinning the quilts on the tiled floor anymore.
Well I'm not going downstairs to quilt it now -too hot - over 30 degrees C still. I'll try in the early morning.

Take care everyone,
Kayly

Baby Quilts

I didn't realise how long it had been since I last posted. The beginning of the year is a very busy time for me at work, but all is nearly settled now.
I have a dilemma. Another beautiful grandniece has arrived. I thought I would be able to finish off a little quilt I started last year when our patchwork group had a sewing day. We used the x-block ruler and book to make perfect baby quilts. Have a look here. I've just searched my blog to do the link and I'm surprised (shocked) to see it was October 2010 NOT 2011. Oops!
The one I was working on is a touch too blue, pretty but too blue. I confess I like pink for girls. So I have just turned out my fabric stash looking for something else. I think I found something just right.
I thought I would do a little collage of the baby quilts I have given away to family and friends. I must admit there are finished tops stashed away but not quilted.

I am looking forward to going again to Girls Day in the Country at Nundle in March. The countdown and stirring has already started. Sue Daley will be our tutor this year.
I'd better go the dishes are calling for a wash.
Take care,
Kayly

Catch Up!

Well, it has been awhile since I last blogged!

I have a new laptop. While I have been transferring files and programmes from the old one to my new baby, I have been cleaning up and deleting a lot of accumulated rubbish. It is a baby compared to the old one in both size and weight.


This last month saw my father turn 80. We gathered up in Gympie so the brand new baby was not travelling on the highway. Dad didn't want a big family gathering, just his immediate lot. This photo show our mob plus a couple of ring-ins. We had a pleasant day and a delicious lunch at Gunabul Homestead.
The trip north meant I could deliver the little quilt I made for Miss S.
Another finish is this little bag - 'Precious Things' by Leanne Beasley. It has been a WISP, for along time. In 2009, Heavens to Bettsy and I went to Melbourne for a Girls Day Out at Glenharrow with Leanne Beasley and Rosalie Quinlan. It was a wonderful day- lovely company, fabulous and very 'atmospheric' location, good projects and scrumptious food. I finished the project I started on the day shortly after coming home. This one lingered, part done, ever since.

I have a new system now. Six projects of varying types, written up on cards and stuck on to my craft cupboard. I can work on any one of them. A new project or a WISP can only be added if one gets finished and its card taken off the cupboard. So far so good.

Now for the exception to the rule. Yes, it didn't take long before I broke my own rules. LOL.
Knitting and I don't get along - bung arm and too slow. But I can crochet. I have always wanted to make a cardigan or similar. Crochet patterns for garments are not common. The lovely ladies at Yarn Over put me on to some American magazines.


I made this! I'm rather proud of myself as it didn't end up a UFO and was done in fairly quick time. The pattern is from 'Crochet Today'.

I have replaced the small bag's card with GDITC Nundle's wall hanging. I have told myself I cannot go on another Girls Day Out or similar until I have completed all the projects I have accumulated from the 3 I have been on. Let's see how long that resolution last!

Catch you all later,
Kayly

Back on the 'Crafting' Deck!

Hubbie delivered this quilt to his latest grandniece, with lots of cuddles. He has one more parcel to deliver to the latest grandnephew. I showed that little quilt last month. I used the disappearing 9 patch pattern for both, but arranged the blocks differently. This one is made of 'Spring Fever' by My Sister & Me. The other one was from the blues and browns of their 'Birdie' range.
I adore these 2 ranges and have bought some more to put in the stash.
I have the ordering part of my little job under control now. So I have been able to get back to some stitching for the Gardener's Journal quilt. The end of the year is fast approaching and I still have a bit to do. Still love doing it though and I'm looking forward to seeing it finished.
Last week, our small 'kitchen table' quilt group went to the Brisbane Craft & Quilt Show. We were there at the start and went out the door at the finish. We certainly make the most of our day. So much to see, so much inspiration!
Tomorrow we are off to play with a new Janome Horizon - one of our group has a new toy.
I am also hoping not to forget a post about Tuesday's Treasures. Been a bit slack on that front.

Take care everyone,
Kayly

Baby Quilt ready and waiting!

Back in April I posted about this quilt, made for a grand niece. I mentioned then that I was making a blue slightly different version. So tah dah! Here it is.
I used the pattern given as a freebie on the Piece N Quilt blog. I left off the applique flowers.
I so love this Birdie range from Me & My Sister. I have bought some more to put away 'just because'. The designers behind Me & My Sister have a new range 'Dilly Dally'. Can't wait to see that in real life.

With 2 grand nieces or nephews soon to arrive, I have to have more than one quilt ready. I have 2 tops waiting to be quilt and another 'pink' one to be made. Better get cracking on them this week.

Take care everyone,
Kayly.

PS I have finished and washed the embroideries for block D for Gardener's Journal. Hope to show that finished block soon too.

Great Sewing Time and a Good movie.

I've had a good couple of weeks. I'm half way through the embroideries needed for August's block for the Gardener's Journal SAL. I've just sewn the binding on a boy baby quilt. I only have to hand sew it down and tidy up loose threads. I'll take a photo when I've finished it and I made this top for a girl baby quilt. I'll soon have it pinned ready to be quilted. I used Spring Fever charm packs by Me & My Sister in a disappearing 9 patch pattern. I love how quick it can be.

Our nieces are nearly ready to have their babies. My SIL and I will be stuck if they both have girls though. I should have 2 boy quilts and 1 girl quilt ready and waiting. It will have to be a quick sewing job if they are both girls.

Last night DH and I went to the movies. We saw Inception. It was fabulous. I had been warned not to go to the toilet during it and to concentrate hard on the plot. Some friends didn't like it as they got confused by the plot. DH and I like puzzles and I think that helped us keep track. It was convoluted but very well done. A thoroughly enjoyable night. I recommend it.

DH is cooking a caramel slice for a family get together tomorrow. I wonder if he needs a taste tester. Better go and see.

Take care everyone.
Kayly

Hats, Hats Hats and Finishes.

This morning I went to town to the Queensland Art Gallery. They have a new show on - Hats An Anthology by Stephen Jones. It has been brilliantly curated. I recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in fashion. As usual the Gallery is encouraging children to participate with the 'Top Hat' area where they can make their own creations. Guided tours are also available. The best part is it is free.


On a craft note, I have had a few finishes. Just to prove I did finish at least one of the projects from GDITC at Nundle here is my pin cushion sitting on a small table runner made from yo-yos. I used a Clover yo yo maker. I take my hat off to the people who have made these the traditional way.

The next(read above***) photo is of the quilt I did for our new great neice. I used charm packs of 'Birdie'. I love this material. I had 2 charm packs and separated them into blue and pink piles. I made two tops because the sex was going to be a surprise. Both were done with the disappearing nine patch block, but sashed up differently. I was very pleased with the way it turned out, even my attempt at free motion quilting on the border.

***I'm new to this. I have to work out how I get the photos where I thought I put them.
I have to keep reminding myself that it's a steep learning curve, but I can do it.

See you later,
Kayly