My Color Swap has left the building...

I signed up for a number of swaps this year thanks to the lovely Maree at On My Verandah. Two out of the three have proceeded and I was so excited to send my first off today. It was a colour swap that consisted of a fat 1/4, thread, something nice, something yummy all in light muted olive green...it wasn't easy. I think I managed, but felt I let my partner down as I've had health problems which led to me stuffing up the item I was handmaking...however, the swap did not specify that an item had to be made it could be bought and I hope I achieved the objective.

I haven't heard from my block swap partner since I last emailed, and have pretty much given up hope of this happening. That is fine, I will just try again next year.

The last swap is the 'Random Act of Kindness' swap which is secret and meant to bring joy to a person on the list. I will endeavour to do my best for all my swaps, and I hope that the recipients are happy with their packages.

As I have a quilt top to quilt I have bought a DVD TV season to have on in the background, Eureka Season One. I love Sci Fi, and it always helps to cheer me up and keep me humming along with my work. I also had to buy more batting as one of my cats had found my stash and decided to make a bed out of it and it is right in the middle of a big piece. I know I can cut and join, but still it is the issue of it all...it is my husband's big bottomed cat.

Red, Black and White is coming up roses.

I thought I would have this top finished by the end of February, but it didn't happen. I have been having loads of problems sleeping and didn't want to sew too much when I was so tired. I thought I'd make more mistakes if I sewed whilst feeling so strung out...and I was right.

Last night I finally got to sleep before 4am. It was an early 12am when I finally fell asleep. So, today was a marathon of sewing to finally sew up the sashes, put on the black frame, and then the frame of the delicious roses fabric.

Here are some photo's..

Framed and bordered.

Added sashes

  A close up

    Isn't this fabric wonderful

  This will be the backing fabric.

I'm going to use the backing fabric and a black bobbin to disguise any mistakes that might happen. This is the largest quilt top I have ever made. I just don't know where to start. I know what do to, but I am at a loss as to 'where' to start. Do I start at the middle and work out?

Oh and a small friend of mine became rather exhausted with my sewing marathon. This is Mr Mrrow and I love how he is sleeping.

Take Care, and sweet dreams like Mr Mrrow.

Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)

A wonderful facebook friend has a great habit of listening and sharing songs on a Friday night. When he posted about the 80's all I could think about was this song. I used to sing it to my brother's so they wouldn't forget me when they went about their lives and left home.

Finally adding some photo's

So, I've finally uploaded my photo's and thought I'd share some.

This is my red, black and white quilt top. With the sashes lightly placed to ensure the dramatic effect I was trying for. I did have another border fabric chosen, but thanks to my Mum and Sister that has changed.

My first attempt at English paper piecing...a pin cushion. Thanks to my lovely cat Dexter for helping me to model my work.

Fortunately, I learned a lot from this first attempt. I did manage to make another cushion, but I made the mistake of trying to finish it when I was tired. It ended up inverted on one side and looks quite odd. I'm too embarassed to show you all a picture.

Aloha Quilts!

Yay! I finally have a paperback copy of 'Aloha Quilt' by Jennifer Chiaverini. I'm off to read it, but will be back soon with a review.

Plum full of Jelly's

Well, I have been bitten by the hexagon bug and started using a charm pack by Moda, Me and My Sister 'Happy' design. Then I realised I wanted it to be bigger and thought what could I do? I searched all over the net but prices were quite high and I figured a jelly roll would be easier to use as it is 2.5".

Late yesterday afternoon I received a newsletter from Hobbysew about the upcoming specials which included 15% off Moda pre-cuts. This combined with my frequent shopper discount brought them down to $48 a roll and I didn't have to pay postage. I was very sneaky and found three of the jelly rolls in the shop in this range and put them on layby. Now, I think I will have plenty of fabric to finish my new obsession. Even when I get sick of it, I can always go back to it.

Now, I'm looking for a nice box/basket to sit on my side table to put all my hand sewing items in. To have them on hand, keep them away from the kids and more importantly to make certain the cats don't have too much fun with my threads.

I've received my Colour Swap details and am excited but trying to find food in that colour is going to be fun. I look forward to making my handmade item too. I'm a bit worried about my Best Friends Exchange 2011 as I can't seem to get in touch with my partner. I hope she is ok, and just cross my fingers we can get in touch with each other soon.

So much to do and so little time. Thank goodness the kids go back to school on Monday. I will be posting often in the next few days and hopefully will figure out how to post pictures to the blog. Trial and error I think will be the best way, and as a quilter I am more than aware how often I try things, make errors and continue to learn new things everyday.

Sketches have been drawn

Well, the brewing has stopped and I have two projects in mind. The first one is a quilt for my adorable nephew Kane on his naming day. Instead of making a cot size, I am making a single bed sized quilt with a pillow case. I am using the One Bizillion BC range and panel. It is a black back ground with bright cartoonish dinosaurs. It looks fabulous.

My husband took me to three different shops today to try and find the co-ordinating fabrics but alas, none were found. Thank goodness for the internet, it is now on the way. Photos will follow.

The second quilt is using the 12 days of Christmas panel from Moda. I am cutting it up and making it into a better shape, resembling a Christmas tree. I'm still deciding on how I will do it. Either piece it or applique. Hmm...too many ideas forming.

Watching a DVD on design boards today, and I feel I need one. I do sketch my ideas, no matter how ridiculous they look, but fabric choices are not my strong suit without much contemplation.

Hopefully tomorrow I can post some pictures of what I am doing. I think the Christmas quilt will be first as I can try out techniques on it that will be refined by the time I create Kane's quilt.

TTFN