Little Leia

My girls went to a Star Wars party so what's a Mumma to do?

Applique Leia on a singlet of course!

Stack n whack to come

Sneak peak at major project coming up!! Thank Heaven for #eastcoastfabrics sale. And hubby for entertaining both munchkins!! My first hexagon #stacknwhack

My PHD in 2016

That's Project Half Done for you neophytes!

I suddenly realised late last year that of the scores of projects I've done, I've never actually made a full size quilt for myself. Not anymore!! New Years Resolution #1: A quilt just for me. I'm still mid project but I'm already in love 😊

Thank Heaven for my 1/4in foot. Best investment! 

More details of the project once it's finished but here's the basics:

- Amy Butler fabrics, mostly Soul Blossoms

(started w a scrap bag from Southern Fabric...

... Mostly 20cm cuts)

I've loved this range for soooo long. I think it was even my very first pin on Pinterest!

- pattern inspiration from Brooklyn Quilt Co

- the backing plan is to have scrappy feathers using the same fabrics as the front.

Stay tuned!!

A scrappy pillow

So most years I make some kind of culinary delight for teachers, neighbours etc Teachers still got them this year however we have the greatest neighbours at our new place and their decor matched some fabric I had from a previous project so I got it in my head to do something different.

I cut 2.5in squares from my layer cakes.

Here Tis - a cushion

Instead of the standard button closure on the envelope fold, I opted for a little yellow felted ball. Super cute result!

The backing fabric is a 1000 count sheet.  Made the cushion feel really special.

And here Tis in situ

Though I confess it started out looking like this...

...but it didn't suit the plus pattern. Just goes to show you should plan and test your patterns with the fabric you intend to use. Amazing the improvement the right pattern achieves!

A few more shots for good measure (pun intended!)

I got the insert at Pillow Talk which was cheaper (and much more convenient) than the usual Spotlight job!

Interestingly, the two people I've made things for out of the Bluebird Park fabric both have Bally prints which match the fabric perfectly. Total coincidence!!

The Peachy Chevy Quilt

2015 has been a very trying year for a friend of mine.  She’s borne everything thrown at her with such grace that I wanted to make her something to keep her spirits up.  Introducing the Peachy Chevy Quilt.

 

I’ve had this Rock’n’Romance fat quarter bundle for ages (Heartbreaker palette) from Moona Fabrics on Etsy and it seemed the the perfect pairing with Cluck Cluck Sew's Pow Wow pattern. The flirty feminine fabric seemed to soften the sharp corners of the chevrons.  The chevrons are meant to guide her through the next phase of her journey – sounds a bit like marketing (I can’t really turn off that part of my brain, even on mat leave!) but it’s true.

It was a very simple pattern but looks so effective!  I also really prefer making Throw size quilts as they’re big enough for adults to enjoy but not so big they’re a nightmare to quilt.

Instead of using plain cream cotton for the sashing I wanted something that would really sing and I found that at East Coast in the Art Gallery section.  It's Frilly Flutter Creme from the Winged collection. It’s just the right mix of cream stalky pattern through soft taupe.  I also took the time to cut and then position the sashing so the stalks would always point up.  I'm very glad as it gives a more professional look to the quilt.  (I used the leftover sashing fabric for my log cabin cushion) 

I also found some of the Heartbreaker fabrics at East Coast and picked one for the binding.  While I usually prefer the look of a dark or patched binding (it forms a nice frame), the peachy worked better here.  

As it happens, my friend tells me that peach/coral is her favourite colour and, now that I think about it, she does wear a lot of that colour!  Perhaps my subconscious picked up on the clues ;)

This was also my first attempt at free motion quilting and I’m absolutely THRILLED with the stippling result.  It took some practice but, with the help of YouTube and Pinterest, I managed to work out how to do my swirls without going back over myself.  A big thank you to Mum for lending me her open toe quilting foot!

I love all the beautiful rural fences near Mum’s place so I took a drive out there to stage my photos this time. I am a bit obsessed with old fences and trees.  They’re my favourite things to photograph other than my kids LOL

It even looks great all balled up (which, let’s face it, is how most kids leave a quilt!)

So did you guess?  Yes, this quilt was the sneak peak but the way it was folded makes it appear to be a cushion!

I’m loving this new way of folding my quilts – the tuck fold.  You can see both the front and backing designs this way.  Very cool!  Check it out here

http://627handworks.com/2013/08/how-to-tucked-quilt-fold/

Here it is in situ

Christmas sneak peak

And it's not what you think!!

DIY Festive Decor

Tis the season as they say. There's nothing as rewarding/frustrating as trimming a tree with a threenager. 

So, naturally I had to share with you my Puggle Christmas decoration...

and my latest project...

As much as I love being on maternity leave, it does pose a bit of a conundrum. Minimal funds means fewer projects.

I have been planning to buy a beautiful Garland to match our front door wreath however no funds coming in this year means I'll have to wait another year.

Enter Pinterest and a big thank you to all who pinned cheap and easy ways to DIY Christmas decor. These were also terrific projects to do with our three-year-old! Though it helps to have a hot glue gun and some paint sample cards on hand.

You'll notice Colin & Firth made it into the photo 😊 (their names are inspired by my mither's reindeer Rupert & Everett)

I adore our new felted ball one, perfect for a house full of kidlets as they can't break it!

Given that I was using only the most treasured decorations on the tree this year, I used the old cheapie decorations (purchased from Crazy Clarks way back when we first moved in together) to upcycle and create my own Frozen style garland - again, great for Elsa-obsessed 3 yr old. Much better than sending to landfill.

I'm also changing out my coffee table decor for more festive flair. Yesterday we went hunting for pine cones which I now realise is a very northern hemisphere decorating thing as it's completely the wrong season for them here. A family trek to the other side of town yielded fruit (pun intended) and today Bug and I will paint them. Dang they're sharp! Gotta love Xmas Craft!