Please don't enter this giveaway....

I want to win it!

Kellie over at Don't Look Now is having another gorgeous giveaway to celebrate the release of more patterns in her delightful signature style. Even if you don't win, you'll be able to make your own!

Vintagey (?) giveaway

My aunt recently passed on some items from when she used to sew that she'll never use again. Since they're not quilt-related, I'm never going to use them either. So comment and let me know if you're interested in the books, the patterns or the fabric and notions (or all!) and I'll pop them in the post. Sorry, but Australian residents only, unless you want to pay postage.

Click on an image for more detail.

The fabric includes poly-cotton, rib knit in various colours, and some other pieces, most of substantial size. There's also a selection of bias tape, elastic, chalk, press-studs and a self-covering button kit.
The patterns all appear complete:

The Sew for Baby book on the left has the patterns in the back:

Seaside Swap

Not a lot of sewing has been happening. Since the computer crash I have wasted many valuable quilting hours searching for my EQ5 disc to reinstall it, to no avail. I'm about to give up in frustration; I've practically turned the study upside down - although a nice side-effect is that the room is rather tidier than it was!

And today I swapped the seaside quilt for the real seaside. Simon's parents had a house at Goolwa (only about an hour south) for the weekend, and we joined them for lunch, cockling, and dinner.
James was right into collecting the cockles.

But Eleanor wasn't keen on the water coming and going, and played in the sand.

She did eventually gain some courage, but got bogged!

Since I was behind the camera the whole time, this is about as close you'll get to a shot of me:

I tried to get a photo of all our feet, but James was distracted by something!

Warm fuzzies

Kathleen from Magik Quilter has just featured some of my quilts in a post on her blog. Kathleen puts a lot of effort into hosting a number of large photo pools on Flickr, such as Fabric, Patchwork and Quilting where you can find thousands of quilts to feast your eyes and inspire. Go and have a browse.

Proof and progress

First, proof for Helen that what she saw was a few squares of fabric, attached through their own clinginess:
And that they have now been moved!!!

Next, Seaside progress. I've completed the water - that involved replacing thoes pieces I mentioned - and I did as planned with the waves breaking on the beach. I'm now piecing the beach. This will get some embroidery and small applique later, too. So far I have thongs and sunnies left, then a barefoot trail across the waterline to a bucket and spade (there's a very wide seam allowance at this point, to allow for changes when the whole lot goes together). Next I need to build back up the beach to some bathing boxes and grasses.

And lastly, some delicious FQs from Nadine of Dreamweaver's Quilts because I happened to find a few odd characters on her redeveloped website. Check it out, her quilts are incredible, and I can't wait to see what her book will be. Her daily quilting tips are great, too. The FQs came all the way from Germany with some equally delicious chocolates. Thank you Nadine!

Seaside 2 progress

I've been building my next seaside quilt from the bottom up. Click to see a larger view. Each section is divided into planned segments to free-foundation-piece, then the whole thing gets foundation-pieced. Taking a photo is a good way to assess it, and I can see I want to go back and change a few pieces before I continue (the bubbles and the two pieces with fish on a pale background towards the top). I'm a but stuck how I'm going to to transition from the water to the beach. I have a fabulous waves-on-the-beach print but it's much greener, and not wide enough. I might just piece it, then join it applique-style over the edge of the sand with a curved edge, then FMQ to blend it. As you can see, I've done the setting sun (which will go above the beach) but am not sure how, with what fabric I have, to achieve the evening sky I had planned.

Mess

This is how the study looks these days! I've been so busy sewing, I haven't had the chance to sort everything away again. The ironing board is usually in the living room, but I brought it in for something where I needed to press frequently and keep things in exactly the right position and orientation. And then James and Eleanor keep bringing toys in - and leaving them!
This was my sewing table later last night; seaside fabrics pulled out for my new quilt. I got them all out and separated them into piles for different sections of the quilt.

But each piece needs to be 'auditioned' individually, and fussy-cut, so the whole piece of fabric gets tossed open, and there's no point folding it until I'm sure I wont be using it again. What a glorious mess!

In the foreground is one of the sections I'm foundation-piecing. I've now done about half of the water section, but that still leaves the beach and the evening sky with a setting sun to go.

DQS6 start

This is the palette for my DQS6 quilt.

I've made the quilt base; a lattice effect using Sandi Henderson's gorgeous Farmers' Market fabrics, and the pink/red print (from the same range) is just placed behind to show how it will work as the binding. I still have some applique to add, but am stuck on what colour to use for part of it, and as drawing isn't in my skill-set, I need to find a suitable image to trace.

Crash!

Our computer completely crashed yesterday. I had an IT expert here for close to 5 hours today (lucky it was a flat-rate!) and he has managed to get it going again, make a few improvements (hopefully Explorer won't crash so frequently), and restore our emails, files and, most importantly, photos (although most of those are backed up on our external HD).

But all my internet favourites were lost, and I'm trying to remember and find them. At least with bloglines I still have all my blogs to read! And all my email contacts have gone, so if you think I had your email address, please email me (rather than comment here) so I can have you back in my contacts list.

I'm feeling a little lost; settings have changes, files have moved, and it's not quite what I was used to. Oh, and although I did lots of sewing last night while I couldn't use the computer, I stepped on and was stung by a European Wasp this morning - and it's the all-important sewing-machine-pedal foot! So I'll give sewing a rest tonight while I find websites and adjust settings.

Usual blogging to return soon.

Drifting

My 4SQS5 Monochromatic Challenge quilt 'Drifting' has arrived at Tami's so now I can share the whole quilt. I actually forgot to take a photo of the whole quilt after adding the crystals. Tami specified blues or greens, and spring.

My inspiration was blossoms drifting on a gentle spring breeze into a serene, secluded pond.

The blossoms are appliqued using white fabric, and quilted in pale pink to give that tinge of colour. I hadn't anticipated this 2-layered one would curve during quilting (it's 2 layers of white, joined by vliesofix and satin-stitched and closely trimmed) but I love the three-dimensional effect; much better than if it had remained flat as expected! It did take some creative packaging to get it to the US un-flattened, though!

I bought a hot-fix crystal applicator ages ago (after I received 'Believe' from Margaret), but hadn't had the perfect project for them until this.

And here's the back; just to prove the pink was indeed added through quilting and therefore within guidelines!!!

Tami has blogged it here and you can see the whole quilt with the crystals. I'm so glad you like it and that it suits your studio, Tami!

Now I'm looking forward to the next round of this swap, whatever form it may take! Thanks again, Margaret.

Constellation Consternation

This is my completed quilt for the Bushfire Quilt Project. All the quilts will go to people affected by the Victorian Bushfires in February 2009.
I initially sent Tia 8 star blocks and binding for 3 quilts, but this has taken a little longer, and will be in the mail tomorrow.

I wanted to make it big enough for a single bed, so used the same 12in star blocks, but in a 5x7 layout. I had planned a light background, but couldn't find a suitable fabric. The consternation comes in because I realised part way through that black and red might symbolise fire, but I think this might appeal to a teenager or a boy more than other colours, and a lot of the blocks seem to be more girl-oriented.

I did a stipple over the whole thing, which used way more thread than I'd expected - 1.5 x 500y reels! I ran out late one night, but luckily am starting my own thread-stash (latest count, almost 50 large reels) and had another the same so I could continue. It certainly gave me lots of stippling practise!

This afternoon I took it out to the bridge over our (now rather dry) creek for a photo-shoot before I mail it off with everything else tomorrow.

I hope it will provide warmth and comfort to someone.

Tropical Ice

This is a commissioned quilt I have just finished and will be posting tomorrow. It's called Tropical Ice because I designed the pink blocks surrounding the centre based on the pineapple block, and the bluey background looks so icy.

Jess mentioned she loves Peter Rabbit, so I used some of the fabric left over from Eleanor's play quilt in the star centres.

Here's the block I designed:

I really like the effect, and have drafted several other quilts using the same or a similar block in different colours and layouts for use one day.

Most of the quilting is stippling in the background, plus a little in-the-ditch, and some radiating lines across the logs.

Stash Sunday - bypassing a quilt and straight to the stash

Here is the rest of the Surf & Sand and coordinating prints which arrived during the week.
But they ended up not working with my chosen design, and I've gone back to my original idea.

And having seen this fabulous stripe (from Sunflower Sunrise) in Lily's recent post, I had to pop in to Spotlight and get some myself:

Stash = 1.144km

Whoops!

I suppose I shouild think myself lucky I didn't break a needle on it!

The good news is, after 1.5 large reels of cotton (with a little unpicking!) and the most stippling I've ever done in one go, my first bushfire quilts project quilt just needs the binding and label attaching.

Preview for Jess

This is another commission I've been working on. The photos were taken before the border was added, and it is now almost completely quilted, so it shouldn't be too much longer.

I designed the four pink blocks surrounding the centre myself, inspired by the pineapple block.

Stash Sunday - just in time?

I seem to be good at deciding I want certain fabrics just as the range is disappearing from shelves.

Exhibit A: Surf & Sand from Marcus Brothers. Inspiration finally hit as to how I could make another beach-themed quilt for my new niece due in a couple of weeks. It's not going to be anything like the beach scene I made when Zoe was born, but I had neither the inspiration nor the time for that. And although I know my sister-in-law will hate me for this, I'm hoping she's late like last time, to give me amore of a chance of getting the quilt done. You see, it took 4 US online stores to get the full range I wanted, and there's still one parcel to arrive.
Exhibit B: Posh by Chez Moi for Moda. I've been umming and ahhing over this for ages, but when I had 4 separate envelopes to fill, I snuck in bits of this where I could find it.

Stash = 1.124km.

4SQS5 peek

Here is a peek at my 4SQS5 Monochromatic Challenge quilt which from tomorrow will be Drifting overseas to its new home.
I took full advantage of being able to quilt using different coloured threads to give these blossoms a tinge of pink.

And added a bit of sparkle, testing my previously unused bejeweller.

This is from the back:

I hope it's new owner likes it!

Stash Sunday - sporadic

I've decided from now on, I'll share any 'new arrivals' as Stash Sunday posts. This week a bulging box from Desperate Quilters, mostly some newish ranges:

"Juliana" by Sue Zipkin for Clothworks:
"Delilah" and "Delilah Wheels" by Johnny Karwan for Clothworks:
"Rocket Scientist" by Keir Beyer for In The Beginning Fabrics
"Swanky" by Chez Moi for Moda (and a couple of snowflakes):

Stash = 1.109km

DQS6

After thinking about it the last few rounds, I've joined the Flickr Doll Quilt Swap (DQS6). I can see my partner being a bit of a challenge for me, so in the hopes of making life easier for the person making my quilt, I've created a mosaic of some of my favourite quilts on Flickr. I hope my partner does the same!

The links aren't working properly here, so go to the mosaic in my Flickr photostream, and it will link you to all the individual photos and tell you who made them.

I like fresh colours and a sharp finish.

My favourite colour is blue - anything from aqua through to purple.

I love anything to do with snowflakes.

I currently have a bit of a 'thing' for white.

My favourite animals are pandas and frogs.

Shimmer and sparkle are good.

I love to see a touch of 'you' in a quilt, maybe a gesture towards your part of the world.

I don't like buttons, yoyos or ricrac.

I'm not a fan of browns, oranges or too much pink - though they can be great in the right place.

I don't like vintage, retro or reproduction fabrics/quilts.

Please nothing religious.

I'm intending to hang my quilt, so it doesn't need to be highly washable or child-safe.

I hope this has helped. I know sometimes a list like this can be daunting!

Smooth

I have my sewing machine back. It's running so smoothly, it's almost purring, and confirms just how overdue the service was. Heinz said it was remarkably clean given the amount of sewing it does, although there was a lot of dust and fluff right up inside where I couldn't reach.
Jess will be pleased to see these blocks for the quilt I'm making for her daughter.

Don't be concerned about the colours; the flash washed them out a little.

I should be working on the Rockets quilt, but had cut this out, and the piles of pieces were spread all over my sewing table, which I'll need clear to sandwich the rockets.

So I've pieced all 25 blocks, and will now put them aside to get the rockets done next.

It's so good to be sewing again.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to get a mosaic of some of my favourite quilts for my DQS6 partner, and will provide a bit more information about my likes and dislikes to help my partner.

Unfortunately...

I spotted this on a few blogs, and spent far too long doing my own. Just google "Unfortunately yourname" and see what appears!


Unfortunately, Emma is nothing if not brilliantly inconsistent.

Unfortunately, Emma has not always fully appreciated his expression of that friendship. (Referring to Jane Austen’s novel)

Unfortunately, Emma failed near Crovan's Gate and so James pulled them back home.
(From Thomas the Tank Engine!)

Unfortunately, Emma is a rather costly option for most of us.
(Simon might agree!)

Unfortunately, Emma thinks Santa didn't put quite enough stuff in her stocking

Unfortunately, Emma is totally honest.

Unfortunately, Emma guards secrets that threaten her chances for forever.

Unfortunately, Emma's estimation of her own ability is far beyond reality.
(Oh, dear!)

Unfortunately, Emma has so entangled herself in the web of her matchmaking that her realization might have come too late.

Unfortunately, Emma's methodology for problem-solving generally involves forgery.

Unfortunately, Emma is NOT going to be the face of Chanel's perfume.
(Who would’ve thought?!)

Unfortunately Emma does not nap everyday anymore.
(Most unfortunate!)

Unfortunately, Emma and her husband are forced to file bankruptcy
(I didn’t think I spent that much on fabric!!!)

Unfortunately, Emma was positive for heartworms.
(and elsewhere was due to be spayed!)

Unfortunately, Emma appears to be brazen opportunist.

Unfortunately, Emma has had a baby out of wedlock.
(Shhh!)

Unfortunately Emma died in 1883.
(Well, that’s it, then!)

When without a sewing machine...

I've been cutting:

(This is a commissioned quilt ready for me to start piecing.)

Shopping (at AQC):

Rolling binding:

(Two of these are for my bushfire quilts, and three were sent with my stars to Tia.)

And dreaming: Of a new sewing machine. Mine will be back, serviced and good as new, in its rightful place on the sewing table tomorrow, but I'd dearly love to upgrade to one of these while they're on sale.

Charm square swap

I opened all my envelopes from the EB Quilters' charm square swap today. I requested bright tone-on-tones, and here is a selection of my favourites:

And the whole colourful pile!

The naughty AJ, Joy and Milly included some extra charms, but Cylie takes the cake with this delightful pincushion with hand-embroidered snowflakes. I wish my fabric would miraculously turn into such creations in the mail ;)
It even came with coordinating pins!

Thanks for the fun swap, girls, and especially my fellow snowflake connoisseur Cylie!

Oh, and someone recently asked about the pieced snowflake I made for my round-robin centre. I couldn't reply by email, but I thought I'd let you know it is still being completed, and I'll show it as soon as I can!

4SQS5 Monochromatic Challenge

An unexpected parcel arrived at our door this morning. It didn't take me long to notice it was from the UK, and as I was hoping it was from Kate, I spotted her last name on the package! Ha ha! The 4SQS5 quilt I had been coveting. And James seemed pretty impressed, too!
I thought I knew what I was getting, but quilts can be deceptive to photograph, and there were wonderful surprises in store. It's hard to capture sparkle, and the background fabric is gorgeously shimmery.

Plus some of the trees are beaded, and there are seed beads scattered in the background.

And of course there's Kate's creative quilting, I love the swirls and am going to have to practise some myself. If you look closely at the photo below, you can seee some of the tiny beads.

Kate also included some matching blue beads, embellishments and fabrics which I love. She mentioned that the quilt is not very Australian, and I agree, but it's what I wanted. I see Australia every day, and snow not as often as I'd like. Now I can imagine myself picking a nice line through the trees on my skis (which, being Rossignol Sapphires, would match the quilt perfectly!)

Thank you, Kate! This is my third big international swap, and my third fantastic quilt!

Now I'd better get on and finish mine, which has been sitting half-quilted for about a month!

AQC Surprise

Simon organised a family weekend in Melbourne as my Christmas present. I didn't realise until 2 days before we went that it was the weekend of the Australasian Quilt Convention! I managed an afternoon there to admire the quilts and do a little shopping - it would have been even better to have been able to join some of the classes, maybe another year.

I'd only been there a short while when someone asked if I was Emma? When I said "Yes!" she said, "I read your blog." I was flabergasted! It tuns out it was Sandi! We had a lovely chat before I had to continue on my rounds to see everything in a short amount of time.

I spent a while at the Pfaff stall and chose my new machine; a Quilt Expression 4.0. Then I came across Helen Godden demonstrating the fab-u-motion, which I've added to my shopping list after a chat with her! It helps glide the quilt around for FMQing, and it seems it's also available with a stitch-regulator, which I'll investigate at my local dealer later this week when I collect my mahcine from its service (I thought being away for a few days was a good time for an overdue service!).

I forgot to take photos at first, but here is a selection of quilts which inspired and delighted:

Detail of gorgeous quilting and fabric painting (I'd love to take an Esther Aliu stencilling class sometime)

A detail (above) of the quilt below, 2 double-page spreads of a fairy-tale book, stunning in it's intraicate detail.

Well, it's frogs....

Loved the colours in this next one, apart from anything else!

Detail of fireworks (rotated by blogger), I want to come up with my own way to use this idea:

Great use of autumnal prints: