September and Spring

 Spring  has arrived and it has graced us with some lovely days, a promise of things to come. I have been also noticing that the sun is getting up a little earlier too. As much as I love winter I feel I have also missed the loveliness of sunshine.  With September here it is only a matter of time till I can start getting festive and the elves will return.  I am afraid I won't be doing Elves at my new school as there isn't really a place for them to enjoy their shenanigans so they will become home elves.

On the crafty front, I have been looking forward to starting my Ginger jars but there has been so much indecision. The background fabric I chose was fine for the blue jars but sadly the white background jar I sewed just got lost on the background.  I needed to decide whether to continue with just blue jars or perhaps mix up the backgrounds. Dilemma no 1

Dilemma no 2. I wasn't really inspired by my fabric stash that I wanted to use for the flowers. I think that is the problem when you have had the same fabrics in your stash for a long time and used them in so many projects. I wanted to try something new!

I have been looking over the past months at the inspiring Japanese applique designs on the net and on instagram and felt this was an avenue I might like to try.  So.... onto the internet and after some searching and on line therapy ..... I had my fabrics chosen and ordered. It seems there wasn't a place in Melbourne that has the woven japanese fabric. (If anyone does know of somewhere I would love to know) Perhaps they aren't really in vogue any more?  There is a shop in NSW - BeBe Bold that specialises in Japanese fabrics, sashiko and boro goodies and it was there I found my background.  For the colour packs I wanted, I found a lovely shop in Japan that had amazing service and variety and it seems they are the ones that have been tempting me all this time on Instagram with their gorgeous designs- Studio Quilt.

Now enough blathering, get to the pics you say..

These will be my two backgrounds and I feel they go together well. I have had great reassurance from various crafters whose opinion I have sought.

I can't wait to start the floral arrangement on the first blue block.

Tuesday afternoon the was a beautiful day and the dogs got to have a lovely walk.  I must say I needed and enjoyed it too.  

Please rest assured that I am just sitting on the ground, I have not collapsed as some others on Facebook may have suggested.  Though in hindsight looking at the photo,  it did remind me of when Dorothy's house fell on the wicked witch of the West, no ruby slippers for me though! Just runners with orthotics! lol

 I am hoping there will be lots more walks in the near future.  I am sure the dogs will second that motion.

Craft show is on this weekend in Melbourne and I am toying with going.  It has been many years since I have gone.  We'll see if thoughts turn into actions.

Happy sewing

Marina

Saturday sewing.

 I have had a great sewing marathon session today. I was hoping to get the next four pieced blocks for the Simple Sampler sewn up. All the pieces were prepped ready to go and that saved a lot of time.

They aren't the most perfect of blocks but they will do. There was definitely some fudging taking place to get things to fit but it's amazing what a good press can do. The imperfections I see just confirm to me that piecing is not my first love. (I must admit that the photo does improve the look of them)

I have four pieced blocks to go and then I can tackle the appliqued borders. Now that's something I am looking forward to.  Only three weeks to school holidays so those last four blocks will hopefully get done then.

I am also hoping to start my Ginger jars!

This is how the pieced blocks look so far, with their appliqued neighbouring blocks.

Nice to put them together to give some encouragement.

This is the original design for the Simple Sampler. I have made the applique blocks without a border as I felt it was too much for my eye and the applique was switched from felted wool to cottons. 

I do love the original but I knew it was not going to get done with all that extra piecing.

I'll save my patience for the applique.

Two sunny days for us in Melbourne. Spring is letting us know that it is just around the corner.

hope the sun is shining where you are

Happy sewing!

Marina

Something blue....

Last Thursday my Christmas snow globe top was dropped off at Jemima's for quilting. A pretty Lori Holt backing with holly and a teal colour theme to match the front was selected and a great all over quilting design of baubles on a string. They both will work perfectly.

While there I thought I'd pick Veronica's brain for some advise on backgrounds for the ginger jars. She has a great eye for fabric and I've been going there so long she knows my style and she always is such a pro at quilt maths. 

I wanted something a little more in my zone even though I love the Tilda background fabrics in the pattern.  I ended up with a lovely light cream fabric with a stripe, tone on tone. I love it and can't wait to start. while working out the freezer paper for the applique I realised I don't think I want my quilt to be as big as the pattern and it just seems like I am working with giant pieces so I thought I'd shrink it a little to 80%. I feel much happier with the pieces this size.  It's like when you knit most things in 8ply and you then decide to knit in a 14ply. It may not sit right so I've made another adjustment.

Adjustments so far:

• applique jars instead of piecing
• possibly use a variety of ginger jar shapes in the blocks
• reduce size to 80%
• use a different background style.

Saturday afternoon we were invited to dinner at No2 son's house so not needing to cook dinner it was a great opportunity to have a sew. My Kim Diehl project has stalled a little with the pieced blocks but I had two cut out ready so off I went. Well after some sewing, unsewing, recutting due to directional fabric I finally managed one block. I was confident I'd manage the two but it wasn't to be. Managed the last of these blocks on Sunday. Of course it wasn't without drama. The next set of four blocks is just as challenging as far as I'm concerned. All the pieces are sorted for when I feel like taking them on.

thought it might be a good time to revisit my Works in Progress list....

 Works progressed:

• Simple Sampler- pieced blocks to be done. 4 down 9 to go an extra one done!
• Snow globes/stitcheries- 1 block done, two more stitcheries completed and blocks ready to prep.  Top done and at quilters 

Ready to start.

Tilda Ginger jars

Slow works in progress

Tilda cushion applique designs- free patterns to be made into small quilts. Two done, two more to do - no progress

Mini hearts- two new rows done, one needs to be added to the main body.

Here is my latest Hellebore. this is the third year without seeing flowers ... I swore if I didn't get a flower this year it was see ya later. Well she must have been listening. One stem of flowers and it will be enough to  save it's skin.

Happy sewing!

Marina

Snowglobes

 And just like that a top has come together!!

I am happy to see this orchid blooming again this year. There were four spikes until there was a canine accident and then there were three......

They have been brought inside now to be enjoyed and protected.

the black hellebore has bloomed again too. It is a favourite.

Short and sweet this week.

Have a good one!

Marina

new temptations....

 Well another week has just flown by. It would be nice to slow the days down sometimes.

All my snowglobes are done but they aren't able to be shared at the moment as they are all pinned together ready to sew them up. I hope to get the top done this weekend so that I can get it to the quilters in time to get it back by the end of the year.

I already miss not having such a handy project that is easy to pick up. I thought it best to give some attention to my heart blocks. I had decided that now that it is a decent size piece it might be more economical, time wise, if I sewed up hearts into 9 patch blocks then sewed them onto the main piece, instead of sewing a single row together and adding.

It seems to be a strategy that works.

While watching Good Omens 2 this afternoon I got the next section done.  I hope to start Season 3 tonight. I am loving it. Michael Sheen and David Tennant are amazing together. If you are fan of theirs you definitely need to watch Staged. filmed during lockdowns. 

Now to sew them onto the main piece.

Here is my Billy boy photo I promised. Our boy is now ten, he is such a good boy and thankfully still in good shape. This photo was after a good wash and trim. We have owned Curly Coated Retrievers for 40 years and I have always loved trimming and grooming them myself. They wouldn't win ribbons for my hair cutting but there is only ever a few weeks between a good and bad haircut.

From when we bring home as puppies their coat care training begins. One pair of curlies we had, used to line up the minute they saw scissors come out to be the first in line for a trim, the same happened when the bath got filled up.

These days we take advantage of the ergonomic height of the dog wash at the Car wash. It's perfect and Billy is the perfect gentleman, getting up and down when asked. Being a water dog we have never had an issue with getting wet lol.

A new project is in the works thanks to some encouragement from Fiona from Bubz Rugz. She is undertaking Tilda's Ginger jars quilt that showcases Tilda's Something Blue fabric range.  Being a blue and white fan I had secretly been coveting this fabric but wasn't sure what quilt design would tempt me. Jemima's patchwork had designed an applique quilt to showcase this fabric range but their supplies sold out quite quickly so I left it at that. 

When Fiona shared her project I thought it was absolutely perfect the applique flowers pushed me off the fence and Fiona had a spare copy of the pattern that she generously offered to send me. So off I went like bull at a gate. Fabric has been ordered though I do need to decide on a background fabric. I have also toyed with ideas as to how I can alter the sizes of the ginger jars so that they will be more varied than the original. the shorter jar on the cushion will be incorporated I think. I also will be appliqueing my ginger jars as piecing is  not my strong suit.

Well here we go.....one project ends and another inspiration appears!

Happy days

Marina

new things

 In one of my earlier posts I eluded to the big changes that have happened in my world.

One of those things was changing workplace after 9 years at the same school. I have left a great bunch of work mates and I do miss them terrible but sometimes you have to be the change.

I have been gone nearly two months and although not regretting the change I am feeling the loss of the people. People that know you well, your family life and your work life, your sense of humour and your emotions.  My new workplace has a lovely team and I have felt welcomed but they don't know me. I hope they will eventually

I had an amazing send off from my work colleagues and I thought I'd share some of the festivities here too.

The theme they went with was 'so long, farewell' and I think you can guess where this is heading......

This was my work desk and the theme song for the day was the So long, farewell song from the Sound of Music. So many emotions....

 I think I make a good Maria, even if my  head is a little large lol

These are my team- don't know how I got to be the boy with the high voice in this pic?

biscuits and cakes courtesy of my work bestie.

these were a belated gift from my boss....

And of course some sewing... I am plowing through these stitcheries and enjoying them a lot. Fiona from Bubzrugs realised she has this stitchery panel and has decided to stitch hers up too. She is going with the snow globes theme also and I can't wait to see her spin on this idea.

Latest stitchery ready to get stitched down.

First row done! it's coming together fast

It's hellebore time again and earlier this year I dug mine up and put them back into pots where I could keep a better eye on them, as they were pretty miserable in the ground where I planted them and I've been rewarded with healthier plants and some lovely blooms.

Unfortunately the aphids are loving them too but I am trying to keep them at bay without chemicals as sometimes sprays damage the flowers or foliage.

I think they are such pretty flowers, for some reason they turn green once they start to fade! there you go.

thanks for making it this far....

Have a great week

Marina

 

5 in a row

 Well surprise, surprise.

I have managed five posts with regularity!

It's only a reasonable sized one today as I think I have caught up on a lot of stuff so now I can share regular progress in more manageable bites.

First job was to get labels on my finished quilts. I find if I don't do it straight away I just am too lazy later.

this is a topsy turvy one for my heart quilt. No 3 son is warned that a new quilt is coming. My DIL told me way before she was pregnant that I could make as many quilts as I wanted when they had children. I reminded her of this promise at the baby shower when baby girl received her first quilt.

One does have to be careful what one says lol.

I had planned to make a different label for Orange Sherbet but when I was looking at the doilies I thought this one was just perfect.

Even though I am not a big fan of orange I do really love this fabric. It was a bargain on a destash site.

One new snowglobe block has been completed over the weekend and I have stitched another which is waiting to be put on it's background.

just had to have alittle close up on the teddy and the robot. Love how the robot's expression has turned out.

All the remaining blocks have the globe pieces prepped and the stitcheries kept with their backgrounds so it is easy to pair them up. Don't know why I didn't do this from the start.

I have really enjoyed working on these and if I keep up the pace it may get quilted for this Christmas.

Thanks for those who have been popping in to visit, I am enjoying chronicling my crafting again.

Happy days

Marina

here is a pic of my crazy girls. Poppy is now 7 and gypsy 4

This is how they were soaking up the morning sun.

Don't panic Billy is still going strong and turned 10 this year. He may get a shout out next week.

Heed the call

 Don't you love it when you get that message that your quilts have been quilted!

I got that message Friday and couldn't wait to go pick them up on Saturday from Jemima's ( my local quilt shop). It felt like I'd only taken them a few weeks ago but yes, 9 weeks had passed.

Next holidays I will take another quilt and slowly work through my flimsies.

I rummaged through my stash and realised that I wouldn't have any fabric for binding so I bought that too when I picked them up.That afternoon the binding was on and last night I put the last stitches in to sew the binding down.

One is a mini hearts quilt for my new grandbaby. I had made one 5 years ago for no 1 princess before she underwent major heart surgery at 5months so thought no 2 princess deserved one too. As there was less urgency with this one it is a little bigger than the first one and I also had it quilted. the first one was hand quilted as there wasn't time to delay as I wanted her to have it in hospital so she could have nana hugs with her as it was during covid and it wasn't easy to visit.

There were some lovely donated pieces of fabric that conrtibuted to these heart quilts over the years. Gotta love sewing friends.

There is a third one in the works in case another little princess or prince is in my future. I am hand sewing it together and it is a great pick up whenever project.

Princess no 1's quilt

Princess no 2's quilt

Poor Caswell quilt being used as a design wall.

No 3 underway

the second fnish is Orange Sherbet, pattern by Irene Blanck. This is a little out of my wheelhouse as far as colours and brightness goes but I loved making it and do love the final result. the inner backgrounds are the same as Irene used in her original and it took some web surfing to find them but I just had to have them. The border was navy in Irene's original but it was too much for my eye so I went with a Lori Holt fabric that had a subtle pattern. I'm not unhappy with the choice and the navy floral binding frames it nicely. 

Leftover orange fabric made a great backing.

More Snow globes are coming together. I have slowed down a little now that I'm back at work but I am over half way.

We had a brief getaway down the Mornington Peninsula a few weeks back and after scouring so many op shops I managed only two doilies.

One of these will become a label for the heart quilt, just need to decide which.

They are becoming rare as hen's teeth.

Be back next week hopefully with labels done!

Well done if you have made it through all this post and thankyou for stopping by.

Have a great week

Marina

Christmas stitching

 Well the holidays have come to an end and it was back to routine yesterday.

I feel I have been very productive these holidays, letting the creativity flow.

My Christmas snow globes are going great guns and they are easy and relaxing to do of an evening or whenever I sit down on the couch.

I can't wait to start sewing the rows together.

Here are a little snaps of the blocks so far...

Two other little side projects I have done are the Tilda cushion designs. I'd like to make them each into a small baby's quilt but there's no deadline for now so it can sit happily as is for now.

There are two more designs that I want to make eventually. They have to wait for now.

Excuse the wrinkles.

Brainstrust question:

I am having problems with comments not being emailed to me for moderation. Has anyone else had these issues of late? 

Off to have a sit and stitch 

Have a great day

Marina

holiday time

 For those with children or school based jobs you will know it is school holidays.

I must say I have been finding lots of sewing time and also inspiration since I suspended one of my social media outlets. Amazing really.

As I promised I will share some of my Kim Diehl applique blocks. Last week I managed to complete two of the pieced blocks and am hoping to get stuck in to them this week and tick a few more off.

After working on the Joy of Life quilt the pieces in this project seem so tiny but it was still very enjoyable to make. I wanted the same background fabric as was in the original pattern and the only place I could find it was in the USA. The store only had a limited amount and when it arrived about half a metre was discoloured and not fit for purpose. I did receive a refund which didn't really help the fact that I was now short on fabric. I have decided to do the outer borders in a different fabric. Tilda's new range has a lovely fabric that compliments the unusal colour of the applique backgrounds nicely.

(I have just placed some of the red fabrics to have an idea of how the colours will go together)

These are the first four blocks I will share with you. The original pattern had used felted wool for most of the applique with some cottons thrown in, in places. I thought I'd just go cottons for the applique.

(this one looks a little wonky but I am hoping it's just the photo, it is what it is now!)

Recently I felt the urge to do some stitchery. I spotted a pre printed linen from the Birdhouse that looked very cute and had lots of elves to stitch. I had a sewing catch up with friends Friday and thought I'd make a start.

Then it got me thinking how would I put them together?

I thought they'd make very cute snow globes, of which I am very fond of. Years ago I had downloaded a pattern by Sindy Rodenmayer of Fat Cat quilts who generously offered many free patterns.  I searched the computer and found the download. After some tweaking of the patterns and some retail therapy for the backgrounds I was off and running. (oops did I mention that the sashing and border fabrics followed me home too?).

Thanks to Jemima's.

first block done. Base is a little wonky and I don't think I can live with it so it will need redoing!

Looking back through my blog I tried to find a past to do list and happily I don't have any outstanding projects from that list- They have been completed, gotten to flimsy stage or rehomed so I can enjoy making a new list of current works to keep me motivated.

Works in progress.

Mini hearts- no 3 is in the process of being pieced by hand, a lovely slow project with no deadline

Simple Sampler- pieced blocks to be done. 3 down 9 to go

Snow globes/stitcheries- 1 block done, two more stitcheries completed and blocks ready to prep.

Tilda cushion applique designs- free patterns to be made into small quilts. Two done, two more to do

So that is that for my to do list. Not bad I think. Nowhere as large as it used to be but there you go.

Sun is shining here but who knows for how long. I'm off to prep those globe blocks for appliqueing.

Have a great day!

Marina