fun mail

It's Friday and the start of the school holidays! What better way to start them off than to have a read of these quilting magazines from Lisa, which landed on our doorstep as part of a magazine swap organised by (another) Lisa. Thanks Lisa, lots of inspiration and fun projects in these magazines.

Here is a little peek at what I'm working on.......hope you enjoy your weekend!

twirls

My daughter loves her skirts and dresses. I'm relieved that the days are getting warmer as she always likes to pick out the dress without sleeves or wants to wear skirts without tights. This little twirly skirt is my first attempt at making something for her to wear. When I finished it she asked me who it was for and I felt a little guilty because I realised that I usually make things for other children. When I told her it was for her she changed into it right away!

It twirls!

This pattern is the Ruffled Skirts Tutorial from Grand Revival Designs. Give it a try, it's simple and fun!

counting down

Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas? I'm one of those people that always get caught out with last minute Christmas shopping. This year I'm hoping it will be different. I'm trying the handmade approach this year....not sure how it will go as I always feel a bit nervous when making gifts for family and friends. I made some coasters from the last minute patchwork book, you can never have too many coasters can you?

I love the new Urban Chicks range 1974 which I'm hoping to make into a quilt for home. I ordered it from Pink Chalk Fabrics which has the speediest delivery. Only one week, which is super fast from the US to Sydney. Now I just need to decide on a pattern for it!

just in time

Our nephew's 1st birthday party was yesterday and the quilt was finished just in time. I ended up quilting rows just inside each block with white perle cotton. It was a bit tricky sewing straight so I stuck some masking tape down to help me sew straight lines up and down and across the quilt.

It's a cot sized quilt and I added a white border to make it just a little bigger. Making a quilt that is big enough to fit over an actual bed is something that is on my to do list!

Here's a peek at the back which is mostly white with a strip of coloured squares. Now for a rest......until the next birthday!

this little piggy

I have a nephew who is turning one in a couple of weeks and I have been frantically trying to finish up this quilt for him in time for his birthday party next weekend! I spotted this tutorial for a disappearing nine patch and thought I would give it a try. I think my quilts all look the same, made up of squares and usually in blues, reds and whites. At least this one has different sized squares! It is a crib sized quilt and the top and backing are done. I think I will sandwich it together tomorrow night as it's been a long day.

Here is a little close up of some of the piggy fabric....he was born in the chinese zodiac year of the pig! I'm hoping to hand quilt it with a perle cotton, maybe just around the inside of the squares. I always get stuck for ideas on quilting....anyone have any other ideas?

hello spring

It's the first day of spring and we couldn't have asked for a better day! Blue skies and not having to wear long sleeves or scarf made for a beautiful day. We spent the morning baking fairy wands and then ate them outside in the sunshine. It was difficult not to want to make pointy stars and ice them evenly but watching the little ones creating their own versions was worth it!

I also pulled out this spring inspired quilt which I have been hand quilting (for quite some time now). Almost there......