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This wonderful package arrived on our doorstep from the lovely Megan, full of goodies and inspiration. I'm looking forward to using these fabrics and was thrilled to see some hollabee fabric again, this time I'll be making something for home - thank-you Megan!

Here are some pictures of block two and three from the sue spargo quilt which I've been slowly (very slowly) working on. I enjoy sewing with wool, the texture is beautiful and it doesn't fray so it's super easy to sew on!

guilt quilt

Mother guilt. I am constantly wondering whether my children are adjusting to school/daycare, whether they are making friends, whether they are confident in themselves and if they are as happy as they possibly can be. I tend to forget that they are just 3 and 5 and they are children and the smallest things can make them happy.
I've just finished the quilt top for Josh's first quilt which he helped pick out the fabrics for (the goldfish are his favourite!). He is so happy and it's made me work on it constantly as he can't wait until it's done.

The binding will be this stripey fabric, all I need to do now is quilt it.......should be ready by the middle of summer!!!

coasting

After a two week break, it's back to school tomorrow. It's been nice spending some time at home with the kids, relaxing and catching up with friends. I managed to find a little time this weekend to use this beautiful fabric from Hollabee. It is a cotton/linen blend and I love the print on them!


They're coasters.......a set of eight, for some friends!

not a tote

If you're looking for a bag pattern that is simple and fun, try this one from grand revival designs. It is reversable, can be made in a large or small size (I tried the small one) and can be made in an over the shoulder or satchel style! I found mine at duckcloth which is having a sale on some fabrics at the moment and has free postage within Australia!

not quite sure

Have you ever started a project, and after a while you start not to like it so much and then you struggle to find the inspiration to work on it at all?
This is the first block of a sue spargo quilt that I started months ago and it's unlike anything I've done before. I started it to try something different, it has a lot of applique and bias, and I've used deeper coloured fabrics along with wool felt.

It's starting to grow on me now, after the first block is done.

I've started the second block.....let's hope I'll have pictures of it soon!

swap happy

Three lovely parcels arrived the other day as part of the scrap swap from my swap partner, Tamara. They were divided into fabrics for Josh, Ash and for me. Ashley oohed and aahed (and so did I) over her pretty florals and Josh loved his cool cowboy prints and stripes. I was lucky to receive some gorgeous prints too and am looking forward to using them. It's funny how different fabrics can give you the inspiration to sew, I have all these little projects that I have been meaning to try and a lot of the fabrics I received are just perfect for them!

Tamara also sent some gorgeous pins and hairties for Ashley, which she wore right away and you can find them right here!

Thanks Tamara, you've been so generous and it's been fun swapping with you!

sunny days

I've been trying to finish off this tote for a friend's birthday and it's finally done! I usually have trouble matching up the lining and outside fabric (and end up with little gathers) but I think I might have gotten away with just a small pucker this time. I also attached the handles to the outside for a change and did a wobbly little criss cross.....it was a little trickier than I thought it would be.

And while the machine was out, I sewed up these cushion covers. I haven't made cushions before so the back is an envelope closure. Now I have to work out how to make buttonholes on my machine before I add on some buttons!

Now it's time to head outdoors....the sun is out and it's a beautiful day!!!

where do the hours go?

Looking forward to the weekend and hoping there will be some time to sit and sew up some of the ideas that are swirling around in my head.

Thanks for your comments, the two names picked for the giveaway are Allison and Kirsten! (please leave your email in the comments so that I can get in touch with you)
Have a great weekend everyone!

one year on

Have you seen these Petit Pattern Books? I managed to find the one on Scandinavian Style and it is full of beautiful geometric patterns that are also provided on a CD so that you can upload them on your computer and copy or change them as you like! It's a beautiful book and I'm looking forward to playing around with the patterns. Here are a couple of my favourites.....

isbn: 9784861003868 (take a look at print & pattern for more)

It has also been one year since I started this blog. I'm not very good at posting as I find it hard to juggle everything all at once most of the time. I do enjoy it though and I'm happy to just go along at my own little pace. I appreciate each and every comment that is posted and to say thank-you I'd like to send a couple of goodies your way! One is a japanese craft book on aprons and the other is an issue of Cotton Friend (current issue) which is packed with goodness. Just leave a comment and I will pick out a couple of names in a few days!

new home

The quilt is all finished and has a new home now!

sashiko

It's school holidays and we have been busy here trying to keep the little ones entertained each day. This morning we braced the cold and ventured out to the grower's market where we found some deliciously sweet strawberries. I planned to spend the afternoon baking with the kids, using the strawberries but they just didn't last long enough!

I also recently found a sashiko kit and made this little patch. It is a form of traditional stitching used in Japan, originally used to hold layers of fabric together for extra warmth. I really like the simple geometric patterns and one of my favourites is this wave pattern. The kit came with a stencilled piece of fabric which made it easier to stitch these waves. You can find them from abundia if you like. Not sure what I'm going to do with the patch now, maybe turn it into a pocket for something?

spots and stripes

The quilt top is done! The pattern is from here and I used very similar fabrics as I liked it's bright and happy colours. I changed the border fabric to a deeper blue as it is for a boy and the original has more reds and pinks.


Now it's time to sandwich it together and start the hand quilting!

moopies

What do you do when friends and family are all popping out babies? Make mini-moopies of course!

card making

I visited the shoppe not long ago and couldn't resist these beautiful cards. They arrived so quicky (unusual for us in Australia!) and were packaged so perfectly. They inspired me to make some cards over the weekend.....

When we were in Japan we found a beautiful washi store in Ginza that sold traditional japanese paper. There were so many patterns and styles and I ended up choosing red, navy and white designs. I used them on these cards underneath teardrop patterns.

.......and on the back, I used a traditional Korean stamp with my name carved out on it in Korean characters.

friday

I love fridays. I can start to relax at around 3pm when I've picked up the kids from school/kindy and we're on the way home. No more rushing around, trying to bath and feed them and having them in bed by 7pm. It's even better when you know you will have a morning to yourself the next day. I'll be spending the morning with a friend for a coffee and a catch-up (hopfeully some shopping too!).

There is so much I want to do this weekend.....finish off a quilt top, do a little sewing, make some cards, start a new quilt and the list goes on. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

beads n wire

We went to visit my sister-in-law's bead store on Saturday and It was just like going into a button shop, colours everywhere and so much to choose from!


These tiny floral beads are my favourite.....

We spent Sunday threading them up, making bracelets for Ash, Josh and their friends....might have to visit again this weekend!

Beads N Wire, Shop 5, 7 Hillcrest Road, Pennant Hills 2120

wip

I have a bit of trouble coming up with quilt ideas for boys. I always end up choosing floral themed fabrics and tend towards red stripes or spots. This one is for my nephew and it's looking very bright....we'll have to see how it turns out. I'm hoping to finish it before his christening in July so fingers crossed!

change of mind

I started this quilt months ago when I found out I was going to be an aunt and it turned out to be a very girly quilt. I now have a new nephew James so I have had to start another one! Ash has claimed this one for herself and it just covers her as she is three.

It's a simple quilt, nine inch squares and hand quilted with a criss cross pattern. I'm so glad it's finished!