Just to let you all know that the GIVEAWAY is now CLOSED!
The winner will be announced soon!
Thankyou to all who have participated!
Best of luck!
Merilyn
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
One Year In!
I have thoroughly enjoyed putting together the second installment of Lori's QAL mini quilt!
These pieces are the half blocks (10 are needed) and include the plaids! I don't have a stash of plaids at all, but these ones are a start and I love them! If you are wanting to do Lori's Quilt-a-long check it out here:
http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2012/-1/quilt-longs-part-1.html
I also decided to use a slightly different pink print for the plaid blocks just to add a bit of interest!
This week has seen my first blog-iversary!! It was a big step to jump into blogland, but it has been very enjoyable and I've met some lovely people in the past year!
So to celebrate I am having my first give-away! In fact I have two give-aways, so when you leave a comment please indicate whether you would like Option A or Option B.
All comments/participants will be numbered as they come in and on Thursday 19th January I will put the numbers (on a folded up bit of paper) in a big container and pick out one, the first draw will get the Option they have asked for and the second draw will get the Option that is left! Not being too computer savvy I have no idea how to do the computer generated number thingy, so will opt for the old fashioned way of doing things LOL!!!
Here is Option A
This pack contains a Charm Pack, 'Little Gatherings' by Primative Gatherings for Moda. A pattern with ruler again my Primitive Gatherings 'Primitive Pinwheels' for small quilt 11"x 12 3/4", some reproduction fat quarters and tape measure!
Here is Option B
This pack consists of a Charm Pack "Cattails & Clover" by Kansas Troubles Quilters for Moda.
A Quick-unpick with a handmade wooden handle made from Australian 'Myrtle' timber. A pack of five English sewing needles for Embroidery/Redwork by Jeana Kimball, some Reproduction Fat Quarters and tape measure.
There will be a couple of extra inclusions too, but they will be a surprise!!! Good luck to everyone!
I will ask for the winners mail address (anywhere in the world!) once the draw has been done!!!
The draw will close at 12 noon, Thursday 19th January, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time.
This week has been extremely hot and one afternoon I went out to the back verandah and caught Miss Mini meditating very comfortably in a plastic tub, she looked awful cute so I managed to get a photo of her before I disturbed her!
Then she saw me!, it wasn't long before she jumped out for a cuddle and some food!!!
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend, it certainly is a lot cooler here today!!
Take it easy!!
Merilyn
These pieces are the half blocks (10 are needed) and include the plaids! I don't have a stash of plaids at all, but these ones are a start and I love them! If you are wanting to do Lori's Quilt-a-long check it out here:
http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2012/-1/quilt-longs-part-1.html
I also decided to use a slightly different pink print for the plaid blocks just to add a bit of interest!
This week has seen my first blog-iversary!! It was a big step to jump into blogland, but it has been very enjoyable and I've met some lovely people in the past year!
So to celebrate I am having my first give-away! In fact I have two give-aways, so when you leave a comment please indicate whether you would like Option A or Option B.
All comments/participants will be numbered as they come in and on Thursday 19th January I will put the numbers (on a folded up bit of paper) in a big container and pick out one, the first draw will get the Option they have asked for and the second draw will get the Option that is left! Not being too computer savvy I have no idea how to do the computer generated number thingy, so will opt for the old fashioned way of doing things LOL!!!
Here is Option A
This pack contains a Charm Pack, 'Little Gatherings' by Primative Gatherings for Moda. A pattern with ruler again my Primitive Gatherings 'Primitive Pinwheels' for small quilt 11"x 12 3/4", some reproduction fat quarters and tape measure!
Here is Option B
This pack consists of a Charm Pack "Cattails & Clover" by Kansas Troubles Quilters for Moda.
A Quick-unpick with a handmade wooden handle made from Australian 'Myrtle' timber. A pack of five English sewing needles for Embroidery/Redwork by Jeana Kimball, some Reproduction Fat Quarters and tape measure.
There will be a couple of extra inclusions too, but they will be a surprise!!! Good luck to everyone!
I will ask for the winners mail address (anywhere in the world!) once the draw has been done!!!
The draw will close at 12 noon, Thursday 19th January, Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time.
This week has been extremely hot and one afternoon I went out to the back verandah and caught Miss Mini meditating very comfortably in a plastic tub, she looked awful cute so I managed to get a photo of her before I disturbed her!
Then she saw me!, it wasn't long before she jumped out for a cuddle and some food!!!
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend, it certainly is a lot cooler here today!!
Take it easy!!
Merilyn
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Two New Distractions!
Over the past three days I have managed to steal some time in the sewing room in between chores and get a start on a couple of distractions that I simply couldn't resist!!
Firstly the '12 Days of Christmas' project put out by the Temecula Quilt Company. I had bought a small pack of 16th's in blues which I used, and added borders from my stash! It looks a bit monochrome but that's ok too!
I would love to do this again using Christmas fabrics, ummmm! another distraction........
I will use left over lengths of the different blues in the binding!
Another wonderful distraction I worked on yesterday and into the night and early this morning was Lori's QAL, which you can find here: http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/quilt-longs-part-1.html
I just loved the colour mix of the original little doll quilt, so I am staying as close to the original as I can!
So far this is Part 1 of her instructions, I used a Barbara Brackman pink, the red, navy and brown are from my stash! The cheddar will be the background or alternate blocks. Eagerly awaiting the next step!!!!
Maybe some housework might be in order now LOL! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Take it easy,
Merilyn
Firstly the '12 Days of Christmas' project put out by the Temecula Quilt Company. I had bought a small pack of 16th's in blues which I used, and added borders from my stash! It looks a bit monochrome but that's ok too!
I would love to do this again using Christmas fabrics, ummmm! another distraction........
I will use left over lengths of the different blues in the binding!
Another wonderful distraction I worked on yesterday and into the night and early this morning was Lori's QAL, which you can find here: http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/quilt-longs-part-1.html
I just loved the colour mix of the original little doll quilt, so I am staying as close to the original as I can!
So far this is Part 1 of her instructions, I used a Barbara Brackman pink, the red, navy and brown are from my stash! The cheddar will be the background or alternate blocks. Eagerly awaiting the next step!!!!
Maybe some housework might be in order now LOL! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Take it easy,
Merilyn
Thursday, January 5, 2012
New Year Projects
We are well into the New Year now and there is a buzz in blogland with so many new projects to tempt one at every turn!! The thing really is to focus on what you want to finish up or start, because if you are anything like me there are many unfinished projects/quilts looking quite forlorn and feeling very left out at this time as we allow ourselves to get caught up in all the new stuff!!! I have caved in to a couple of 'small' projects LOL, a little indulgence is all good don't you think!!
Our final Barbara Brackman CW BOW has been put together.
# 53 Union Shield.
The block Barbara gave us had the shield take up all of the 8"x 8" block, and like the Spool block some time ago it had rather large dimensions compared to all the other blocks, so I played around with it on EQ and reduced the size. The shield part is 4 1/2"x 4 1/2", with a 1/2" blue border and 1 1/4" in the shirting fabric.
I am a lot happier with this arrangement, it should fit in nicely with all the other blocks.
As I am probably going to do a straight set, 8 rows of 7 blocks (56 blocks in all) I still have a few more to make, plus there were a few rather ugly ones in there too (from the beginning) LOL, they'll need replacing, so I'm guessing I'm in for at least another 6 blocks before I start arranging them and cutting out sashing and cornerstones.
The border will have to be a well considered choice and that'll probably mean a trip to the quilt shop and a few hours there too !!!! Not that I mind of course, any excuse to while away several hours surrounded by gorgeous fabrics!
You've probably noticed I have changed by header photo! Time for a change and to include a few of my favourite things. Firstly is a photo of one of my matenal great grandmothers, love her corsetted dress!
I also included some crochet my maternal grandmother did, hanging over the photo frame. The tapestry is a project my mother started well over 50 or closer to 60 years ago, there are some unfinished patches of the background yet to do, I guess I have that job now huh!!!
The other little crochet doiley is something I made in my 20's, probably while I was on night duty as a young nurse tryng to stay awake, still have quite a few pieces like that, and yes I do use them!!!
The other little treasure in there is my little toy Singer sewing machine, I bought it on ebay a few years ago, but it doesn't have a manual or a clamp - still looking!!! I've included some little needle keeps and sewing cases, pincushion, favourite scissors and my unusual sewing/darning eggs.
As I said earlier I have caved in and have bought fabric for at least two new smallish projects. The first one was way too cute to ignore! It is called the '12 Days of Christmas' by the Temecula Quit Company.
See here if you are interested: http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/
I couldn't decide on fabrics so I opted for a no brainer and bought a little sixteenth pack of blues.
Each piece is around 10"x 10" and more than adequate for 12 little 3"x 3" blocks. This project started over 10 days ago, so today I washed and ironed my fabric and completed 11 blocks. The 12th one hasn't yet been posted.
It's supposed to be a mystery with a block per day, so we'll see what tomorrow brings with the final block and the layout! It's been fun putting these tiny blocks together and satisfied the 'new project urge' I had!!!!
The next little project has been put together by Lori over at Humble Quilts, check it out here:
http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/quilt-longs-part-1.html
I have always wanted to make a quilt with cheddar and pink and this little doll quilt really caught my attention, just perfect! It also contains some plaids, and I have not one plaid in my collection of fabrics, so I fixed that up right away by starting with four plaids. The rest of the quilts' requirements will come out of my stash!
Lori hasn't given the instructions yet, but they are on their way! I'm quite looking forward to putting this one together!
What a whirlwind for the beginning of the year, I hope it doesn't keep this pace, but I have a feeling............
Until next time,
Take it easy,
Merilyn
Our final Barbara Brackman CW BOW has been put together.
# 53 Union Shield.
The block Barbara gave us had the shield take up all of the 8"x 8" block, and like the Spool block some time ago it had rather large dimensions compared to all the other blocks, so I played around with it on EQ and reduced the size. The shield part is 4 1/2"x 4 1/2", with a 1/2" blue border and 1 1/4" in the shirting fabric.
I am a lot happier with this arrangement, it should fit in nicely with all the other blocks.
As I am probably going to do a straight set, 8 rows of 7 blocks (56 blocks in all) I still have a few more to make, plus there were a few rather ugly ones in there too (from the beginning) LOL, they'll need replacing, so I'm guessing I'm in for at least another 6 blocks before I start arranging them and cutting out sashing and cornerstones.
The border will have to be a well considered choice and that'll probably mean a trip to the quilt shop and a few hours there too !!!! Not that I mind of course, any excuse to while away several hours surrounded by gorgeous fabrics!
You've probably noticed I have changed by header photo! Time for a change and to include a few of my favourite things. Firstly is a photo of one of my matenal great grandmothers, love her corsetted dress!
I also included some crochet my maternal grandmother did, hanging over the photo frame. The tapestry is a project my mother started well over 50 or closer to 60 years ago, there are some unfinished patches of the background yet to do, I guess I have that job now huh!!!
The other little crochet doiley is something I made in my 20's, probably while I was on night duty as a young nurse tryng to stay awake, still have quite a few pieces like that, and yes I do use them!!!
The other little treasure in there is my little toy Singer sewing machine, I bought it on ebay a few years ago, but it doesn't have a manual or a clamp - still looking!!! I've included some little needle keeps and sewing cases, pincushion, favourite scissors and my unusual sewing/darning eggs.
As I said earlier I have caved in and have bought fabric for at least two new smallish projects. The first one was way too cute to ignore! It is called the '12 Days of Christmas' by the Temecula Quit Company.
See here if you are interested: http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/
I couldn't decide on fabrics so I opted for a no brainer and bought a little sixteenth pack of blues.
Each piece is around 10"x 10" and more than adequate for 12 little 3"x 3" blocks. This project started over 10 days ago, so today I washed and ironed my fabric and completed 11 blocks. The 12th one hasn't yet been posted.
It's supposed to be a mystery with a block per day, so we'll see what tomorrow brings with the final block and the layout! It's been fun putting these tiny blocks together and satisfied the 'new project urge' I had!!!!
The next little project has been put together by Lori over at Humble Quilts, check it out here:
http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/quilt-longs-part-1.html
I have always wanted to make a quilt with cheddar and pink and this little doll quilt really caught my attention, just perfect! It also contains some plaids, and I have not one plaid in my collection of fabrics, so I fixed that up right away by starting with four plaids. The rest of the quilts' requirements will come out of my stash!
Lori hasn't given the instructions yet, but they are on their way! I'm quite looking forward to putting this one together!
What a whirlwind for the beginning of the year, I hope it doesn't keep this pace, but I have a feeling............
Until next time,
Take it easy,
Merilyn
Friday, December 30, 2011
Saying Goodbye to December
Tomorrow will be the last day of 2011 so this will the final post for the year! To say it has sped by is an undertatement, it has been very full indeed, especially with the beautiful weekly Civil War blocks by Barbara Brackman!!!
Because of the time of year I would have expected the last block of December to be a bit Christmassy and so we have #52 Christmas Star!
I decided to Foundation Paper Piece this block because trying to get 5 even measurements out of an 8"x 8" block was really playing with my head, so I reverted to my trusty method LOL!!!!
I was very fortunate to have been the receipient of some lovely gifties too this Christmas!! Santa certainly didn't bypass my house LOL!!!
I did a swap with a few quilty friends, as you can see I nearly ripped off all the wrapping paper before I took a pic!!!
From Elyte http://teafabricandotherthings.blogspot.com/ I received this delightful little embroidered pouch and pin! Elyte's stitching in red on white is a real treasure!!! Thankyou Elyte!
I sent her a Mugrug with matching mug and a pincushion!
From Barbara http://sanguinestitcher.blogspot.com/ I was lucky enough to get a gorgeous cross-stitch pincushion and delightful FQ with a wonderful little tatted tag - I will definitely save that and use it on something special! Tatting was something I always wanted to learned to do, but haven't done so yet!!!! Barbara does exquisite cross-stitch, just love her work!!! Thankyou Barbara!
Because Barbara lives outside Australia I thought I would send her a little something that was Aussie!
I included a pair of Scissaroo scissors, they feature a kangaroo pattern on the scissors instead of the traditional stork!
From Lyn I received a two gorgeous embroidered placemats!!! I just love the embroidery stitching design, they are perfect and will definitely be used and treasured!!! Thankyou Lyn!
I sent Lyn some items using 30's prints!
From a couple of my Quiltbee friends I received some beautiful sewing threads and quilt labels and a homemade Christmas cake!!!! Thankyou to Sharon and Margaret!!!!
Thankyou girls for making this Christmas quilty swap such a lovely experience, it is so nice to receive treasures from others, we all have our special talents and specialities, so all your gifties are very much appreciated!!!!!
I wish you and all my followers/ readers a very safe New Year holiday, and all the best in needle and thread for 2012!!!
See you next year.........
Take it easy,
Merilyn
Because of the time of year I would have expected the last block of December to be a bit Christmassy and so we have #52 Christmas Star!
I decided to Foundation Paper Piece this block because trying to get 5 even measurements out of an 8"x 8" block was really playing with my head, so I reverted to my trusty method LOL!!!!
I was very fortunate to have been the receipient of some lovely gifties too this Christmas!! Santa certainly didn't bypass my house LOL!!!
I did a swap with a few quilty friends, as you can see I nearly ripped off all the wrapping paper before I took a pic!!!
From Elyte http://teafabricandotherthings.blogspot.com/ I received this delightful little embroidered pouch and pin! Elyte's stitching in red on white is a real treasure!!! Thankyou Elyte!
I sent her a Mugrug with matching mug and a pincushion!
From Barbara http://sanguinestitcher.blogspot.com/ I was lucky enough to get a gorgeous cross-stitch pincushion and delightful FQ with a wonderful little tatted tag - I will definitely save that and use it on something special! Tatting was something I always wanted to learned to do, but haven't done so yet!!!! Barbara does exquisite cross-stitch, just love her work!!! Thankyou Barbara!
Because Barbara lives outside Australia I thought I would send her a little something that was Aussie!
I included a pair of Scissaroo scissors, they feature a kangaroo pattern on the scissors instead of the traditional stork!
From Lyn I received a two gorgeous embroidered placemats!!! I just love the embroidery stitching design, they are perfect and will definitely be used and treasured!!! Thankyou Lyn!
I sent Lyn some items using 30's prints!
From a couple of my Quiltbee friends I received some beautiful sewing threads and quilt labels and a homemade Christmas cake!!!! Thankyou to Sharon and Margaret!!!!
Thankyou girls for making this Christmas quilty swap such a lovely experience, it is so nice to receive treasures from others, we all have our special talents and specialities, so all your gifties are very much appreciated!!!!!
I wish you and all my followers/ readers a very safe New Year holiday, and all the best in needle and thread for 2012!!!
See you next year.........
Take it easy,
Merilyn
Friday, December 23, 2011
Happy Christmas Season to Everyone!!
Can't believe that Christmas is just around the corner, this year has just flown by and here we all are!!!!
As I drive to work each day past farms in the rural area where I live, there is a very old tractor that has been sitting in the same spot for years. Around 3-4 years ago the farmer did a paint job on it and it is now bright red! Each Christmas the tractor is decorated with some tinsel, a Father Christmas and sleigh!!!
It is quite a sight to see on the side of the road, but nice to know that someone is motivated enough to do this ritual every year!
There are usually cows in this paddock but they must have wandered off to the back on this day, you can see Father Christmas is cordoned off with an electrical fence to keep the curious bovines from interfering with the display!!!
Just one of the nice things about living in a rural area, not overly flash like in the city, but someone has decided to use what he had at hand and put it to good use - good old Aussie ingenuity!!! - it's always a pleasure to see it as I drive into town and work most days of the week!!!
We are also coming to the end of Barbara Brackman's CW blocks!
#49 Yankee Puzzle
#50 Grapes of Wrath - it was great to be able to use some of my purples for this block - love purple!!!
#51 New York
I decided to use a different block format for this one, I had a look through EQ6 for a block where I could incorporate some stars 'n strips and this one fitted the bill nicely. It was nice to be able to use some of the star farbics I had in my stash!
Only two more blocks to go and then the real hard work begins LOL - arranging the blocks into some visually pleasing order and sewing them into a flimsy - I'll definitely get a long-arm quilter to do the hard yards though, I'd like to think I could have it finished before June when Barbara closes off the blog for this project!!!
Last post I put up a picture of a Christmas wall-hanging, but it was the uncompleted version, I must'n'have been concentrating, so here is the completed version complete with binding and little hanger!!
I used a lot of stitch in the ditch and stippling for the blocks and free motion quilting for the borders!!
This is a table-runner I made for Christmas 2010. I created it after being in a Christmas themed 4"x 4" block swap through Carol Doak's online Foundation Paper Piecing group. I made 12 blocks, and received 12 blocks in exchange, I had to make a couple of extra ones to fit in with my design, I put in a 12"x 12" centre block, also one of Carol's designs. This is the centre block.
I had a bit of math to do to work out how to make things all fit together, and here is the result!
It is 46 1/2" long and 19" wide.
Here is a couple of close-ups of each end!
As I drive to work each day past farms in the rural area where I live, there is a very old tractor that has been sitting in the same spot for years. Around 3-4 years ago the farmer did a paint job on it and it is now bright red! Each Christmas the tractor is decorated with some tinsel, a Father Christmas and sleigh!!!
It is quite a sight to see on the side of the road, but nice to know that someone is motivated enough to do this ritual every year!
There are usually cows in this paddock but they must have wandered off to the back on this day, you can see Father Christmas is cordoned off with an electrical fence to keep the curious bovines from interfering with the display!!!
Just one of the nice things about living in a rural area, not overly flash like in the city, but someone has decided to use what he had at hand and put it to good use - good old Aussie ingenuity!!! - it's always a pleasure to see it as I drive into town and work most days of the week!!!
We are also coming to the end of Barbara Brackman's CW blocks!
#49 Yankee Puzzle
#50 Grapes of Wrath - it was great to be able to use some of my purples for this block - love purple!!!
#51 New York
I decided to use a different block format for this one, I had a look through EQ6 for a block where I could incorporate some stars 'n strips and this one fitted the bill nicely. It was nice to be able to use some of the star farbics I had in my stash!
Only two more blocks to go and then the real hard work begins LOL - arranging the blocks into some visually pleasing order and sewing them into a flimsy - I'll definitely get a long-arm quilter to do the hard yards though, I'd like to think I could have it finished before June when Barbara closes off the blog for this project!!!
Last post I put up a picture of a Christmas wall-hanging, but it was the uncompleted version, I must'n'have been concentrating, so here is the completed version complete with binding and little hanger!!
I used a lot of stitch in the ditch and stippling for the blocks and free motion quilting for the borders!!
This is a table-runner I made for Christmas 2010. I created it after being in a Christmas themed 4"x 4" block swap through Carol Doak's online Foundation Paper Piecing group. I made 12 blocks, and received 12 blocks in exchange, I had to make a couple of extra ones to fit in with my design, I put in a 12"x 12" centre block, also one of Carol's designs. This is the centre block.
I had a bit of math to do to work out how to make things all fit together, and here is the result!
It is 46 1/2" long and 19" wide.
Here is a couple of close-ups of each end!
I'm ashamed to say that I still have some work to do on it, some stippling mostly, I used a stiffer batt, (for placemats and bags) and it wants to fight with me everytime I try and do some extra work on it, being stiff it has no give, so I have avoided some of the battles, but I'll eventually get it done - you can see some of the chalk marks on the green border!
It's been a very busy year and despite my best efforts have not been able to post on a weekly basis, but that's life I guess, other stuff gets our attention and we just have to go with it!!!
I wish all my followers/blog readers a very happy and safe Christmas, I have really appreciated my followers comments, your support, generosity and in some cases wonderful friendships, thankyou all, you have made this journey into blogland a very happy one and I've had a lot of fun too!!!!
Stay safe and we'll see you in the New Year!!!!!
Take it easy,
Merilyn
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Red, White & Green!
I have no idea where the time has gone lately, but it sure is puttering along at quite a speed, only 22 days before Christmas!!!! November just whizzed past LOL! it didn't register at all this year!!! (to me anyways, dont' know about you!)
We're getting very close now to the end of Barbara Brackman's BOW's, somehow I have managed to keep up my weekly habit of getting these blocks done!
#47 Dixie Tea. I really enjoyed choosing the fabrics for this block, I'm happy with how it turned out!
I just loved the opportunity to use some of these rich brown/reds by Jo Morton and Judie Rothermel, and the maple leaf block is one of my favourites!
# 48 West Virginia
I badly needed to include some more purples into my collection of blocks for this quilt, so this block lent itself very well. The centre print was a 10"x 10" square in a small bundle of purple prints I bought recently at the Brisbane Quilt Show. Luckily I had just the right purple print to go with it and another wonderful rich red as well. That shirting has been hanging around in my stash for the longest time and finally found a home!
I decided to Paper Foundation Paper Piece this block to stabilise it due to the 'y' seams and the fabric being cut on the bias, didn't want any unwanted stretching LOL!!!
Well, now that December has arrived I have been able to put up a couple of small Christmas quilts on my walls. I love the look of these cheery pieces, and I will have to make a few more for next year. I always love sewing with Christmas fabrics, they are kind of special and fancy!!!!
I made this wallhanging for last Christmas! I was inspired to make it because I had been in a 'crazy heart' block swap (Carol Doak's yahoo group), and received one 'crazy heart' block made with Christmas fabrics from a lady in New York. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CarolDoakQuiltingGroup/#ans
Sandra did a beautiful job with this block using all my favourite type of traditional fabrics. I had held onto it for a while before deciding to add to it and create a wallhanging and use some very similiar style of fabrics that I had in my stash!
I used Carol Doak designed blocks for the other three: 'tree', 'gift' and 'candle'. I used stitch in the ditch and free motion quilting in this piece!
This next little quilt is a Kathleen Tracy design. It's called Turkey Tracks and was a Christmas Challenge on her yahoo group October last year! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smallquilttalk/
I just loved the blocks in this little quilt! I did both machine and hand quilting on this one!
During the Christmas season I also like to bring out and use special cups with a Christmas theme! So I've put away my usual blue & white cups and now have my tea in my little Chrissy cups!
I made some little placemats using another Carol Doak 'crazy tree' block!!!
The red, white and green theme is carried through in my rather feral garden as well! At this time of year my little gardenia tree is in full flower, I just love the smell of these blooms as it wafts up to the house from the garden below!
This little tree is completely neglected yet it rewards me every Christmas with beautiful flowers!! I cut some to bring inside too, I especially love to have them in the bathroom!!
I can't remember where on earth I got the vintage brass vase, but it seems perfect for Christmas blooms!!!
Out the front my hibiscus is also full of gorgeous little red flowers!!
It was a bit bright and sunny when I took this photo a couple of hours ago, but you get the general idea, the bush is just full of blooms.
These are known as a single, as apposed to a double flower, love that red!!
I've also been doing some Christmas gifty sewing, but I won't be able to reveal just yet! When the girls open their packages at Christmas I will then show you what I've been up to!
Hope you are all having a great weekend!
Thankyou all who drop by and leave a comment, it is most appreciated!!!
Take it easy,
Merilyn
We're getting very close now to the end of Barbara Brackman's BOW's, somehow I have managed to keep up my weekly habit of getting these blocks done!
#47 Dixie Tea. I really enjoyed choosing the fabrics for this block, I'm happy with how it turned out!
I just loved the opportunity to use some of these rich brown/reds by Jo Morton and Judie Rothermel, and the maple leaf block is one of my favourites!
# 48 West Virginia
I badly needed to include some more purples into my collection of blocks for this quilt, so this block lent itself very well. The centre print was a 10"x 10" square in a small bundle of purple prints I bought recently at the Brisbane Quilt Show. Luckily I had just the right purple print to go with it and another wonderful rich red as well. That shirting has been hanging around in my stash for the longest time and finally found a home!
I decided to Paper Foundation Paper Piece this block to stabilise it due to the 'y' seams and the fabric being cut on the bias, didn't want any unwanted stretching LOL!!!
Well, now that December has arrived I have been able to put up a couple of small Christmas quilts on my walls. I love the look of these cheery pieces, and I will have to make a few more for next year. I always love sewing with Christmas fabrics, they are kind of special and fancy!!!!
I made this wallhanging for last Christmas! I was inspired to make it because I had been in a 'crazy heart' block swap (Carol Doak's yahoo group), and received one 'crazy heart' block made with Christmas fabrics from a lady in New York. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CarolDoakQuiltingGroup/#ans
Sandra did a beautiful job with this block using all my favourite type of traditional fabrics. I had held onto it for a while before deciding to add to it and create a wallhanging and use some very similiar style of fabrics that I had in my stash!
I used Carol Doak designed blocks for the other three: 'tree', 'gift' and 'candle'. I used stitch in the ditch and free motion quilting in this piece!
This next little quilt is a Kathleen Tracy design. It's called Turkey Tracks and was a Christmas Challenge on her yahoo group October last year! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smallquilttalk/
I just loved the blocks in this little quilt! I did both machine and hand quilting on this one!
During the Christmas season I also like to bring out and use special cups with a Christmas theme! So I've put away my usual blue & white cups and now have my tea in my little Chrissy cups!
I made some little placemats using another Carol Doak 'crazy tree' block!!!
The red, white and green theme is carried through in my rather feral garden as well! At this time of year my little gardenia tree is in full flower, I just love the smell of these blooms as it wafts up to the house from the garden below!
This little tree is completely neglected yet it rewards me every Christmas with beautiful flowers!! I cut some to bring inside too, I especially love to have them in the bathroom!!
I can't remember where on earth I got the vintage brass vase, but it seems perfect for Christmas blooms!!!
Out the front my hibiscus is also full of gorgeous little red flowers!!
It was a bit bright and sunny when I took this photo a couple of hours ago, but you get the general idea, the bush is just full of blooms.
These are known as a single, as apposed to a double flower, love that red!!
I've also been doing some Christmas gifty sewing, but I won't be able to reveal just yet! When the girls open their packages at Christmas I will then show you what I've been up to!
Hope you are all having a great weekend!
Thankyou all who drop by and leave a comment, it is most appreciated!!!
Take it easy,
Merilyn
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