9 Patch

This is the project that got me started in quilting.  A 9 patch block swap as organised by Sheridan.  The final mail out for these blocks was 22 months ago so as you can see I have taken my time in finishing this quilt off!

We each picked a feature fabric and sent it out in bundles to the other ladies in the swap.  They each paired it with something from their stash, sewed it into 2 different 9 patch blocks and sent it back.  I learnt so much during this fabric selection process which did add to the fun.

I then arranged the blocks, added a border, quilted it myself (finally) and have sewn the binding on.  The result speaks for itself!

The best part of this swap would have to be some of the friends I have made. 
Thanks Sheridan, Susie, Bronwyn,  Helen, Lynn, Lara, Beth, Donna, Leah, MJ, Lisa, Bec, Bianca and Louise.

Camp Weekend

I just got back from a weekend away at camp with a group of lovely ladies and good friends I met through knitting.  I packed my sewing machine and a heap of quilting supplies and hit the road.  I thought it was ironic that I packed the iron to take away for the weekend when I don't use it here, but given I didn't use it there either it was more typical than ironic.

The camp was held at Lake Keepit and it is a great spot for such a thing.  It was VERY cold on the Friday and Saturday but thankfully Sunday was a lovely day.

I took my 31 blocks that where made during Round 1 of Around the Block.  I love these wonky log cabins but I had not made any myself until this weekend.  I made another 23 blocks to finish the quilt top to size and got it all pieced, photos of that to come later.  Special Thanks to Ellie who made a couple of these blocks for me over the weekend.

I ate so much great food.  Also so much junk food.  There is a melting moment in the photo above as made by Mandy.  They are perfect, it feels wrong to call it a biscuit as it really is baking at it's best.  I also ate 2 packets of Tim Tams, a large bag of chips, M&M's and plenty of coffee.  Today starts my detox I think!

I also took my 9 patch quilt from the Chaletgirl Block Swap.  That really was AGES ago but I am happy to report that it is now quilted and as of last night the binding has been machine sewn on so a few nights in front of the telly hand stitching should see that done.  HURRAH!!

What a great weekend!  I am already looking forward to next year as I had a great time laughing and got a lot done.  It was wonderful all round.

Me time!

Yesterday I bundled up another set of swap blocks to be posted off to their recipient. I have another set to go but it was the middle of the day and I did not feel up to the challenge of a new project.

I decided to do some 'me' sewing. It has been awhile since I did something just for me and as the first row of my Chaletgirl Block Swap quilt came together my smile got bigger, and did not stop for ages :) In fact, I am still smiling now!



I added a border from the same fabric range as my feature fabric which is Gypsy Rose by Moda. I like it as it is the same shade of pink with a small and different pattern which matches in well. I made the border 9 inches wide which is the same width as one block in the quilt. This makes it double bed size too.

I spent AGES working on the layout for these blocks. So many things to think of in getting the colours in the right places to keep it looking even. I have one of those fuzzy felt type sheets so this quilt spent a week up on the wall and I would move this block with that one until I was happy with it.

Dear Husband is happy that it is now a quilt top as he didn't think much of it as bedroom wall art ;) Our bedroom is the only room with a large enough child proof wall to hold all the blocks.



I am going to do a pieced back. I am thinking I will use a cream backing fabric and incorporate my leftover fabrics, and the coins from the other girls feature fabrics as well. That might take me a bit longer to put together than the top!



Why do little people need to run across fabric as soon as it is on the ground?

The end... kind of!

How exciting! On Friday I received a very fantastic parcel, my blocks all complete from Chaletgirl's blockswap :) I have spent the entire weekend playing with the layout, which is different to the photos as it would seem that I have to keep moving this block with that until it is just right :)

Now I have to work out how much fabric I need to add the border sashing and I can get sewing!! I know the fabric I want so it will come together quickly once I get sewing :)

I just need advice on how to quilt it, it will be a double size. What would you do? It may be too big for me to manage?

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!!

A Busy Day

I have been a bit behind in my sewing over the last few weeks, I am not even sure why because I have had time, and material, and set projects I should have been working on...

I made up for it today and got a lot done!

First was all the 9 patch blocks for Mai lout Number 5 of Sheridan's block swap.

Lara's fabrics almost had me in a panic, I had no idea what I was going to put with them... Bright seemed to be the order of the day, I hope they are ok.

It is hard to see in the below photo, but the red is actually a red polka dot, which belongs to Lisa. I went with a green print, and a grey print from my stash for these two.

This pink belongs to Helen. I matched it with a lime green dot and a purple/grey fabric.

Then there was the Round Robin Block Swap.

My first mail out was some beautiful fabric belonging to Anna. This is just a sneak peak as I am not allowed to show what my completed block is.

As is was a rainy day today, Miss Possum was also well entertained thanks to Nikki at My Black Cardigan and her fantastic kids book idea. Many thanks for the email Nikki, as you can see it is already in very good use :)

I decided that instead of printing the animals onto coloured paper I would let Miss Possum colour them in before cutting them out to assemble her book. This went down very well even if Miss Apples nearly got in the way of the crayons and had to be removed to a safe distance...

And this is my 100th post!! I was trying to think of a giveaway option but have decided with baby #2 imminent it is all a bit much so will just do something extra special next milestone, maybe my 1 year blogversary or some such :)

Block Swaps

A sneak peak of the block I picked for the EB Round Robin block swap in my fabrics. I cant wait to get to make this block using everyone else's fabrics as there are some beautiful choices headed my way over the next few months!

Then I had to sew the blocks for the Chaletgirl Block Swap I have been lucky enough to be a part of over the last few months. I am now past the halfway mark for this swap and I think I will miss it when I am done. In saying that, I can't wait to get my blocks back!!

Bianca's fabric above

Rebecca's fabric below

I did see this morning that Chaletgirl is already thinking ahead to her next swap so maybe I won't have to miss out on the fun for long...

All of this sewing was done on the NEW sewing machine that Mum bought me. I think she felt sorry for me battling away on the old machine of hers! I won't say much more on this here as it really does deserve it's own post!

Block Swap Mail Out 3

Mail out three is done and headed back to Sheridan :)

I was very nervous this round as the first set of blocks pictured are Sheridan's so there was a bit of added pressure ;) I love the two floral prints that I paired with the pindots.

Next up I had Bronwyn's floral print to pair, the pink and green both worked really well with this fabric.

All up I was happy with this month's results, even if my machine was playing up and causing grief :(

Have I mentioned that I have signed up for another swap? Yes, I am crazy as this one runs till the end of the year and I will have a new baby to contend with soon. It just looked so interesting and it was hard to say no... It is a Round Robin Block Swap with the girls on Essential Baby (EB).

Block Swap Mail Out 2

Mail out number 2 is now complete and headed back to Sheridan!

The green spot is beautiful fabric which belongs to Maryjane.

The pink Chinese inspired fabric belongs to Louise.

And last but not least, the pink and black spot belongs to Leah

Hope the girls like what I have paired with them!

Now I am already waiting with barely contained excitement for mail out number 3 to arrive in my mailbox!!

All my sewing commitments are up to date (gasp!) so I have booked my machines in for a much needed service. While I am thinking about it, I will get some new blades for my rotary cutter and I will be all organised!

edited to add: I just dropped my machines off for their service and was told that it will take a WEEK! Guess I will get some knitting done :)

Block Swap Mail Out 1

The first mail out of fabric arrived the other day for Chaletgirl's block swap. As I am a beginner quilter, and novice swapper I took a few days to work up the courage to get started.

I discovered that my stash is non existant, I think of the below combinations, I only already owned two of the matched fabrics. Being rural as well I was worried about what I would find in store but I think I did fairly well.

These fabrics belong to Yarnplanner. Her fabric is a beautiful grey/green shade which I had trouble getting a good photo of. The overcast day did not help my efforts at all. Of these blocks I like all of them but am a bit unsure of the dark blue option on the bottom left...

The second lot of blocks I did are for Beth. I was nervous about her bright prints until I got started and realised what fun they were to play with. Again I am not sure of the blue here either but on the whole am happy.

I was very impressed with how neatly the seams at the back all ended. I did not have to take such care with my patchwork Santa sacks so am delighting in the neatness here.

I can't wait for the next mailout now :) I think it will be even more fun as the pressure is off with the first round now under my belt!

Block Swap Progress

When I signed up for Sheridan's Block swap I got all excited and enthusiastic and raced into town to pick my fabric. That enthusiasm carried over until I chopped, prepared and posted my fabric well in advance of the first postage deadline.

It would seem that Sheridan also got quite excited to see material arrive on her doorstep, peek here to see what she did!

What a great start to the week to see my quilt start to take shape :)

I hope everyone has an equally good Monday story to cheer them!

A Swap with a Difference

As I managed to get my first quilting project out of the way without any dramas I have decided that I am ready for my first swap.

Chaletgirl is hosting a block swap where all the participants select their main fabric of choice which gets sent out to other swap members to be turned into blocks using fabric from their stash.

The result will be interesting to say the least and I think it is great to be a part of a swap that has participants from Canada, USA, and of course Australia. Won't my quilt be well travelled by the time I get all the blocks back for assembly!

I can't wait to get further details so I can get started :)

I have this Moda Fabric 'Gypsy Rose' which I will use as my feature fabric in each block. It will be great to see what everyone puts with it.