Happiness quotient high!

Here I am with another post.... it's either a famine or a feast.
Even though I haven't posted many pics recently I have been quietly working on my Tribute to Lucy Kemper blocks and after a little bit of effort today I managed to join the final  corners to the top.
I am so happy with this quilt and it will be my birthday quilt as I started it last year when I celebrated a big '0' birthday. I can talk about it now but it wasn't a number I acknowledged for a while.
so may I introduce my version of Irene Blanck's Tribute to Lucy Kemper...

these are the fabrics for the background...

 this block was re done early on as I wasn't happy with the centre flower as it was too bright and I also had issues with the directional background and had to redo. So as not to waste it I decided to put it into the backing.

 this will sit with the top till i can work out how I want it quilted. Happy dancing for sure.

Then could the day get any better...
You bet ya! This stash of loveliness arrived in the mail from Threadbear in Castlemaine.
I ordered some fat 1/8ths to add to my Caswell quilt stash. I was lacking variety in these shades of colours.
They have different prints and will add lovely texture to my stash too.
Just love squishy parcels.....

cheers for now
Marina

sunday sew in...

As hub was working today I had the day to myself and I vowed that it would not involve any housework or washing....that was yesterday.
So after a walk to the shops with mr Coffee to buy some baking ingredients it was home again to put some yumminess in the oven then a quick call to mum to see if she was up for a lunch together and sewing afternoon. Well of course she was so we had a wonderful afternoon together stitching away.
Mum worked on a quilt for her great niece. It has been a difficult project to work on with lots of tweaking to make it how she wants it to look.
These are the last two blocks.
(they haven't been ironed yet so have the markings still on)

 Just the wings on this fairy to be stitched and the white dots to be appliqued to all the mushrooms.

My efforts were directed at Lucy Kemper..... and also making a start on one of the appliqued hopscotch blocks. There are lots of leaves to cut for this but it's a start.

This week I have spent some time preparing for a start on my Caswell quilt.... Yesterday I thought it would be good to make a stash of bias for stems and to cut the blocks from the fabric I had.
I have managed to cut 25 background blocks and a few metres of bias.
Here is where I am at ..
-applique templates cut for four blocks
-bias cut
-25 blocks cut

 All the bias strips behaved them selves and came together perfectly. This should keep me going for a few blocks. The lighter green will be for the hopscotch quilt blocks.

Seems like applique is where my passion is at the moment. Three lovely projects to work on.
Now remember I mentioned some baking......
Thought it was time to make some Maltese Bread pudding.... I think it's been over a year since I made some. It reminds me of my late mother in law...she always made the best pudding.
The girls at work will be very happy!

Hope you have had a wonderful weekend
cheers
marina
x

by hand and by machine.....

the title reminds me of a scene from the Blues Bros where they ask about the music performed at Bob's country bunker.... 'oh we have both kinds.... country and western......' the woman replies.
Because I have been doing both kinds of sewing ...........machine and hand sewing.
I managed to complete all the  checker board blocks for my next project from Irene Blancks book...
I knew if I didn't do the machine sewing blocks first they would be a bummer to be enthused about after the fun of the applique blocks.
When the mood strikes I can start this one.

But first I need to work on Lucy Kemper. The third corner is prepped and ready to go. It's difficult to get a good picture that shows all the different blues. I so love this quilt and am really enjoying the applique.

You know sometimes when you just get an idea and you want to have a little fun with it...
well this is the product of that idea... Not sure what these easter eggs will become. I tried to make a hanging decoration out of one but it was a slight failure so these pretties may become something else?
Hmmmmmm thinking.....

Got the email yesterday that Sweet William is ready to be picked up, basted all ready for handquilting.
He'll have to wait a little bit as I have ordered some plastic quilting stencils from America after having had little luck finding them locally or even interstate. In the meantime I am getting my quilting stitches tuned up by working on my little houses.
I have nearly completed two rows of houses. I really love these houses. seeing them in the photo makes me want to drag out the stamp and make more... Some control Marina!!

So many things to work on and so little time...

Tomorrow I will hopefully get to see the country and city girls and the other wonderful girls that used to meet at the Mill rose cottage. I will only get to pop in as I have to be elsewhere but a little bit is better than none.
A big thankyou for those that showed interest in my tops for sale, looks like they both have a new home, the blue top will go after I complete it for a friend who is a non quilter, and I am very excited that the homespun bom one will finally be loved and finished.
and the doilies were gone in a flash.
Would also like to mention that February is my blogaversary month. I am so happy I started my blog in 2009 as it has brought me in touch with some wonderful crafty women some of whom I actually get to spend fun times in person with. Thankyou to all of you who stop by and say Hi and offer encouragement, friendship and support. x
Have a wonderful Weekend!
Marina

crafty blog catchup....

It feels like ages since I have blogged, it seems my bloggy mojo has gone on a holiday.
The school year is over and I can recharge and get my act together.
I have been crafting as I am sure you all would expect and occasionally commenting when blog hopping but more often than not I have just been visiting seeing all the beautiful festive crafting travelling to and fro.
It is all very inspiring and I am hoping that I will get some christmassy crafting on track next year as this year has been a dismal failure in that regard.
I will give a warning that there are a lot photos in my catch up so hold on and come along for the ride...


firstly mum's lovely gift quilt got quilted by Jemima's and I did the binding for her. It is winging it's way to France..... Bon Voyage!

 The last two Baltimore blocks are done and dusted..... now to decide how to put it all together. I would really love to applique traditional sashes on the outer borders but just can't decide whether to add sashings between blocks?                    to ponder another day...
I have really enjoyed making these blocks and enjoyed the classes at Jemima's a lot.

 The little cottage stitcheries got done and put together into a table runner and was gifted on Saturday to my KK at craft group....

 The 'redo' Lucy Kemper block is done and dusted and the centre sewn together. I am loving this so much!! now to work on the border blocks.

I received a lovely parcel in the mail from Els in the Netherlands, it included this lovely little dilly bag for sewing goodies and another surprise giftie received was from the lovely Susan (of thimblestitch) one of her gorgeous little thread keepers. Perfect in the blues and don't they all go together well, even my wool needlecase fits in the colour scheme perfectly.  There were some other goodies sent by Els but I haven't taken pics yet.

well that is a hooly dooly big post....
Not sure when my next post will be..... will wait and see.
I'd like to wish everyone a most wonderful Christmas and safe and crafty new Year.
Thankyou to you all, my bloggy friends for visiting and supporting my crafting endeavours.
Hope to see you all soon....
cheers
Marina

some applique and some pincushions...

I made some pincushions last week to give to the sales table at the Bluegum Quilt show which is coming up.

I had hoped to make more but I have had some glueing malfunctions with the glue gun glue not sticking to the glass properly. Does anyone have any ideas what glue will work well to stick the fabric to glass?

 these ones utilised some cross stitcheries and I backed them with felted wool.
I am afraid the little blue one at the front is staying with me as I just can't part with it.

Some applique has been keeping my needle occupied too.

I was worried I wouldn't complete September's baltimore block in time but I did manage to get it done before the class this week.

Quite a pretty design but sooooo many leaves! at least they were larger ones. We received our last block too. I will complete mine at nine blocks. We will be given 3 extras in case we want to make it a 12 block top.

.....then I worked on my fourth Lucy Kemper centre block so this one completes the centre. This afternoon I marked the cutting lines and trimmed the blocks down.
When I bought the background fabric I didn't realise there was a direction to the pattern. There was only an exact amount left on the bolt when I bought it so there was little margin for error, but murphy's law......I did make a mistake with the direction on a block. I have ummed and aahed as to what to do but looking at the photo in this post I realise I can't leave it and have to redo the non conformist block. I had tried to mix the blocks so it would be random but no go.....so after some reverse sewing of the centre I have prepped the pieces to redo the block.  I was lucky to find a yard of the background fabric on ebay so I have enough to redo. The side blocks won't be able to match the direction of the centre but I can live with that., hopefully.
If only I had thought this out before starting I could have used several didn't fabrics...... but that's the way the cookie crumbles

I am hoping to have my clam shell top ready to show soon, just appliqueing the last border of leaves and berries. I am quite happy with the overall look.

Won't be much longer and the Shirt challenge project will be revealed by those taking part. Considering I had most of the top done early in the year it has taken way too long to get the borders on. It won't be quilted but the top will be done for the reveal.

Hope you all have a great week.

Marina

a month of crafting..

Well it's been a month since I blogged some craftiness and I have heaps to share.
Firstly no news at all regarding No3 son's car sadly.  Thankyou for all your kind words ( and even some of the not so kind words that were sent regarding the thieves).
Cath  has posted a linky for a Design Board Monday to showcase what you are working on for the week.
I have been appliqueing my little heart out this past month and it is time to spend some time on my neglected stitcheries...
This will be the one I am working on this week. It's been neglected for far too long. It was last shown here.

Now roll on the photos of what I have been working on..
Two more Lucy Kemper blocks done. Loving these so much. One more centre block then it's onto the bordering blocks.

 August Baltimore done and dusted in time for the next class on Wednesday.

 My clamshells from my class with Irene Blanck..... this is going to be a small doll/baby quilt. It still has a few rows to sew down. Irene's method is fantastic and no fiddling with papers either. Bonus!
The fabric for my clamshells was a pretty charm pack that was gifted to me by Elyte. Lends itself perfectly.

A little crochet thrown in the mix... A new throw for a work friend.

And if you have lasted this long.... Guess what My final project was?
Well I had the blocks prepared from awhile ago so some 'me' time on the weekend saw me going into full productivity on some Sweet William blocks. I have decided to finish the top at 25 blocks. It will be more practical and economical all round.
Would you like to see the new blocks?

These flowers aren't in the original pattern. I sourced them from other patterns and free blocks from the net.
The final block is from the pattern and I am working on that now. It involves about 20 berries so will build my courage for that. Then the search will be on for the fabric for the alternate blocks.
Well that's what I've been up to this past month thanks for sticking to the end of this marathon pic fest.
Hope the sun was shining in your part of the world today. We have had some gorgeous spring weather these past few days. Lifts the spirit no end!
Happy days..
Marina

block one complete....

After some debating about fabrics for leaves I have managed to complete my first Lucy Kemper block!
I must say I am very happy with it and it's great to use my blues.
 Block 2 is underway also. Happy days!!
Here are some pics....

Blueberry ripple completed too so the three throws are ready to gift.
There are some wools left over so I need to make a scrappy project to use them all up, should be fun just need to decide what pattern to chose.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
Cheers
Marina

No more steps, just jump!

After a morning out and about, this afternoon I was itching for some fabric fondling.

Yesterday afternoon I got out the backing fabric for my tribute to Lucy kemper project and cut, cut, cut!

When I bought the fabric there was less than 3 metres left on the bolt but the lovely sales assistant worked out if this would be enough and it was thankfully.

So the backgrounds were cut and next step to arrange and collect my blues from my stash...

So pretty but would I have the courage to attempt to cut them and arrange them for the first block

 Well the answer is yes! When that inspirational lightning bolt hits there is no dodging it.
Like Ben Franklin flying his kite
The photo isn't quite true to colour as the above photo is a better pic of the colours. It is also missing the stems.
I wanted to have a go at balancing out the dark, medium and light fabrics and I am pretty happy with the results. If I had had the correct bias tape it would've been stuck down and my block would be on it's way!
A trip to spotlight will be in order this week.
Would love some feedback on what you think of my shade choices as I feel a little out of my depth.

The wintery weather doesn't encourage many flowers in the garden but our trusty Camelias are putting on a great show. 

Here are some of the blooms that are adding colour to our garden at the moment.

 this flower has some blooms that are as large as a large bread and butter plate.

well that's another weekend done and dusted.....

I'm off to work on my blueberry ripple blanket as I am definitely on the home stretch.

Have a great week

Marina