Friday 28 June 2013

CCCQ Block #6 Rueben Stubbs

I have just finished Block #6 Rueben Stubbs for my CCCQ - yay!

Chester County Criswell quilt Block #6
CCCQ Block #6
On the original block the place name was Peach Bottom so I really wanted to use a fabric that had some peach colour to it. I had this Pine Tree Lodge fabric from Judie Rothermel in the blue...

Judie Rothermel Pine Tree Lodge fabric

...and had also ordered it online in the red (with peachy coloured leaves) but was sent the wrong fabric so then I had to re-order (the price you pay for cheaper on-line shopping). I had tried to source it locally with no luck so just had to wait for all the to-ing and fro-ing but I think it was worth it as I love the fabrics.



I'm virtually all caught up with the CCCQ BOM. I'm not going to make Block #11 as the lyre pattern doesn't do it for me (no offence Sharon!). I was thinking of making two of the fleur de lis instead, I'll see.

See you all again very soon.
Carole

Sunday 23 June 2013

It's gone! & a Winner!

My Morrell has left the building! It's been packed off to be custom-quilted by Katrina. This is the first quilt of mine to be custom quilted and it was great to be able to discuss in detail the styling and what my likes and dislikes are. Katrina's studio was a beautiful space with some of her stunning quilts hanging on the wall so I know I've left it in good hands. My sewing room seemed bereft without it lying all over the sewing table. 


However, this neat state of affairs didn't last long....


I can now return to some WIPs including The Comfort Quilt. One of the reasons that I started this was that I wanted a quilt for our bed but I never thought I would finish the Morrell, I guess one can never have too many quilts...??

It's been fun to get the Japanese fabrics out again.




I think need a design wall, I only have the floor and it's not big enough!


Anyway, another block finished.

The Comfort Quilt Block #10
My hand sewing for the CCCQ continues, 
this is block #6 happily  'emerging' 
(as Nancy would say).


Anyway, to the giveaway - a random number generator has selected Susan from the 'Planet Susan' blog as the winner of the Leanne Beasley doily pattern and pincushion - Congratulations and please let me know your postal address.




Cheers
Carole

Saturday 15 June 2013

Signs of Winter - giveaway!

Well winter is truly here in Melbourne. 
A sign of this seasonal change that I don't like is leaving home in the dark for work in the morning and arriving back home at the end of the day in the dark.
 However, every season has its charms and these are some winter ones that I do enjoy:
eating porridge for breakfast...


wearing boots (well worn but very comfy)..


wearing gloves


seeing the sun shine through spiderwebs on bare tree branches...


...and being cosy indoors just sewing. 


CCCQ block #6
I have finished all the borders on my Morrell (yay!). I managed to improve getting the points together on the keystone blocks with some great advice from Patti (thanks again!)


So now to look at backing fabric and binding.


I have chosen a fabric from Judie Rothermel's 'Pine Tree Lodge' range. I only have a small amount of the red stripe so I hope I can find more to purchase for the binding.


This morning I also went over the quilt top removing any stray threads, I tried to do most of this when I was piecing the blocks together so there weren't too many. The curved manicure scissors are great for avoiding snipping into the fabric.


And so to the giveaway...
I am making Leanne Beasley's 'The Comfort Quilt' and when following the instructions in her #3 Vignette magazine there were some errors for the cutting measurements. When I wrote to Leanne she explained that an amendment had been printed as a separate sheet, which for whatever reason I didn't have.  As part of her apology she kindly sent me a mini pincushion kit and her 'Pretty Stitches Doily Collection' pattern.




I'm more than happy with my old apples that I've had for years...



and my dead bird who loves to travel on the bus...


...so I'm giving Leanne's kit and the patterns away. 
If you would like to win these just leave me a comment (or send me an email) about what you like about the current change of season in your part of the world. I will post overseas and the winner will be randomly drawn next weekend.
Good luck!
Carole




Saturday 8 June 2013

Ramblings

This past week (or so) I have finished Block #10 of my CCCQ quilt. 


Chester County Criswell quilt Block #10

I really like the Fleur de Lis pattern, it is one of my favourite blocks in my Morrell quilt.

Sarah Morrell quilt Fleur de Lis block

Our 'Spot the Caravan' quilt was thoroughly road tested by baby Z and came through with flying colours.


We also went for a ramble down to Venus Bay to visit friends last weekend. 
There are a lot of cows in Gippsland...


... and green rolling hills ...


... and lovely towns...



We were very lucky with the weather, considering that winter has begun, as we had blue skies and sunshine. The surf beach at Venus Bay was pristine and practically deserted.



I've almost finished putting the borders onto my Morrell quilt, only one more side to go! 


And finally I had a great first week with my new job and yes, I still get sewing time on the buses (many thanks to those who've asked me how it went).
Cheers
Carole