6 and 6 + in 2018 July update

Meredithe recently asked if we had started any new projects, I ditched Dear Daughter for Dearest Lavender when we adopted a newborn calf and Karen started a sew-along for Dearest Boy, so my list now looks like this:

These are my 5 blocks that I have finished for Dearest Lavender, it's been fun being part of a blog sew-along again.

I am also currently sewing Simply Blessed and finished Block 1 in July.

I am also trying to progress my Reading the Fine Print and now have a way forward with help from my sister with choosing new sashing and setting triangle fabric.

Since my last update I also completed a whole quilt in record time, my version of Lori Holt's Lets Bake! for my daughter-in law-to be.

I've decided to bite the bullet and have sent three of my quilts from the '6 to be quilted and bound' section of the list to my wonderful long arm quilter so hopefully by the end of August at least one might be finished.

Cheers

Carole

This could be me!

Have you seen the movie Something's Gotta Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson? Well, I have just loved this kitchen ever since I saw Jack and Di preparing for a late night snack of pancakes and now I'm very lucky to be getting my own version (not quite as flash but using similar elements). 

Here's the before...

Very 70's with all that pine paneling! 

This is why I haven't had much time for blogging as it has been a a marathon effort for us to completely clear out the kitchen before it was demolished. Everything was stripped back literally to the rafters in the ceiling.

New insulation has been added...

and new plaster walls...

A second large window has been added to mirror the original, it's amazing the difference this has already made, giving extra natural night and garden views.

The ceiling cornices have been done and the holes cut out for power points and new down-lights. We are now in for a fun weekend of painting (not!) so I don't think I'll be doing too much sewing.

Speaking of sewing this is what I've been working on since my last post - the G'nT Sisters had a great retreat down by the sea...

Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road

Judy has posted about it here. I managed to finish Block #24 whilst we were away.

AWS Block #24

I also finished the piecing and appliqué for block #16 and back home I've been auditioning some different flower options for the broderie perse.

AWS Block #16

I have also finished these two blocks.

AWS re-worked Block #2

AWS Block #18

I'm really enjoying playing with fabrics and sorting into dark, mediums and lights for my new Value Proposition Quilt.

Value Proposition Quilt rounds 1 & 2 Block #1

I have decided to use Inklingo to print out the cutting and sewing lines for hand piecing.

I'm also using a doughnut template for individual fussy cutting. This all makes for easy and accurate sewing whilst sitting on the couch after a long day of cleaning, packing etc.

I feel like I've already learnt a lot about tones which helped me select some Japanese fabrics for the first block of Rosie Quinlan's Simply Blessed.

I have even managed to squeeze in a DJ block!

I used the back basting technique for this triangle block and worked it in 3 stages, as some of the pieces were so close together. Can you see the birds in the fabric? I even managed to get one in the small heart at the top of the triangle.

Hmmm, I have managed to fit in quite a bit this month. I hope you have had a great sewing start to 2015.

Cheers

Dianne K. Carole 

Topsy turvy teapots, flying saucers and sheer madness

I've been working on the second block of Gossip in the Garden.

Oops! The flowers are upside down, I don't think it matters in amongst the flying cups and saucers in this quirky pattern.

I went to the AQC exhibition and saw many amazing quilts (I'll do a post on that later) and some great stalls.I kept trying to tell myself that I didn't really need anything, until I saw this...

... Rosalie Quinlan's new BOM 'Simply Blessed'. When I saw it made up with Japanese taupe fabrics I simply lost my mind! I must be mad :)

I bought the whole pattern set and I have a bit of a stash of Japanese taupes from my Comfort Quilt. On the bright side it has motivated me to get this quilt out and try and finish it. So I sorted out some fabrics for block #13, must be disciplined and not start Simply Blessed until this is finished....

Hmmm, while I've got out the fabrics might just see what could work for the first block.

Nooooo, pack it away - immediately!

Oh, ok. 

Thank goodness I don't have the variegated thread I want for the embroidery (yet).

I hope you've had a safe and peaceful Easter.

Carole