Around the Block

I am happy to be able to say that I have the first lot of blocks done for the 'Around the block' quilting bee!

Kate, from One Flew Over was first and requested blocks done as log cabins to be used as a quilt for her son. Using EQ6 for the first time I searched for a block, chose an off center 4 log cabin, adjusted the size and printed it off.

The first picture shows my practice block.

Followed by Kate's beautiful fabrics. I loved all of these!

Next up is Helen, who had decided on Wonky Houses for her block. Helen has included a tutorial on her blog for making a Wonky house if you would like to have a go :)

Wordless Weekend

B&W Conversion
Exposure 1/125
Aperture f/5.6
ISO 100

Cuteness

All going well here with lots of baby gazing and cuddles. Three weeks old already!


Thanks Kate, what a beautiful beanie you sent, a perfect fit to ward off the spring chills along with the matching booties and little shirt.

Doll Quilt Swap

EB is having it's 3rd annual doll quilt swap!! This will be the first time I have participated and I am a bit nervous. This story board is some of my favourite pics from Flickr. I hope I can make something as nice as some of these for my swap partner :)

Swap Guidelines:

SIZE: from 13″ x 13″ up to 24″ x 24″ or any rectangle or other shape in between.

FABRIC: natural fibers, please - linen, cotton, or wool.

CONSTRUCTION: Pieced, appliqued, wholecloth, or yo-yos; quilted by hand or machine; and bound. Embellish at will. Embroidery? Rickrack? Buttons? None? You decide.

LABELS: please include a label on the quilt.

Deadline to sign up: Sunday 30th of August.

Quilt post deadline: 31st of October.

Questions answered for my partner:

1. What colours do you like? brights~ greens, reds, blues, aqua, purple, pink

2. What colours DON'T you like? browns, darks

3. What style of quilt do you like best? (Abstract, arty, traditional, modern etc.) any but loving the quilts shown in the above mosaic.

4. What techniques and trimmings do you like? Applique, embroidery, yoyos, foundation pieced blocks, rik rak, lace, ribbons, buttons...? Applique, embroidery, foundation pieced, buttons etc

5. Is there anything you DON'T want on your quilt? yoyos, ric rac

6. Skill Level Beginner

7. Which other EB-ers you've already made a quilt for, or received one from first quilt swap

8.Who will doll Quilt be for - child, wall hanging etc Me ~ wall hanging

Progress is made

Finally I can blog about another couple of projects from the WIP pile! Above is Miss Possums coin quilt which is now on her bed having been (eventually) completed! I am really happy with how it turned out given that it is my first completed quilt and I did everything myself :) This quilt was made using vintage sheets from a swap and I think it has come up very well (if I do say so myself...)!

I have also managed to sew my round robin quilt swap blocks, a sneak peak of which is pictured below. I am not allowed to show them in full until the end of the swap so this will have to suffice in the meanwhile. I am not sure who owns these fabrics, but I enjoyed using them both for this block.

Next on the list? My Around the block quilting bee blocks!

Wordless Weekend

Walking the paddock at sunset
SOOC

ISO 800

Shutter 1/40

Exposure mode Manual

Flash No

Spending in the name of craft

I have been busy lately, not creating as such, but spending $$ in the name of craftiness instead ;) In addition to the below SIX new patterns I also have TEN yards of fabric AND another O+S pattern (Sandbox Pants) on it's way to me!

I also bought EQ6, not that I know ho to use it yet, I am still navigating the menus and 'playing' with it. I thought that as I had signed up for a Quilting Bee I had better get myself some help before my bumbly quilter status was too apparent.

To help justify all my purchases from the last week, I have raided my stash and have 5 Make it Perfect Lazy Days Hats cut out and ready to sew.

But before I do any more I must sew my Round Robin block swap blocks before I am further behind. They are cut out ready to sew so this won't be too big an undertaking.

And someone PLEASE hide my credit card...

Wordless Weekend

SOOC
Exposure mode ~ Manual
Aperture f/5
ISO ~ 110
Exposure (1/800)

Playing along with NOVY and INGRID among others.
Rural decay

The best laid plans...

Baby Bug:

8.5 lbs ~ 50.5 cm long

My plan:
Have baby Wednesday, come home Thursday afternoon...

What actually happened:
Went to hospital Wednesday, had an emergency Cesarean Thursday lunchtime. Baby bug whisked off to SCN and I met him THREE long hours later.
Both came home Sunday and now doing well, although I am sore and sorry for myself.

Feeling more mobile each day and will be back into the swing of things soon (touch wood).

9 Patch Block Swap

For the last little while I have been participating in Sheridan's block swap.

I am a little bit sad this afternoon as I have just finished and packaged up Mail Out 6 which was the last lot for me to do and send in. Now I have to wait patiently for the end date so I can receive all my blocks back and begin the task of assembling them into a quilt!

Below is a photo Sheridan took awhile ago at the halfway mark showing the blocks I will get back as completed at that time. VERY EXCITING!!

Below are a sample of the blocks I did for Lynn and Donna

No rest for the wicked, I have just signed up for a 'block party' swap called Around the Block!

I also have the Round Robin block swap as well!!

On the shelf ~ August 1st

Oh dear, the last book related post was June 30th :( I have not been reading much of late which is a shame, but these things go in cycles and I don't doubt the bug will strike again soon.

The only update for the month is:
JULY/AUGUST
41. The bonesetter's daughter ~ Amy Tan
42. Baby-led Weaning ~ Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett

The bonesetter's daughter is a story about the relationships and bonds between a Mother and Daughter with love and betrayal thrown in for good measure.

Baby-Led Weaning explores the idea that we should not force babies into eating purees at a certain age, but wait until they show an interest in food and let them eat what they will from an everyday menu.

The full list of books I have read in 2009 can be found HERE