Things on the Go

I have too many things on the go in the sewing room and I've had to start something new after receiving a request for a Piccadilly Circus quilt to be made from batik fabrics to suit a particular colour scheme and the quilt needs to be in USA by 25 May at the latest.  Fortunately it's a quilt that's pretty quickly put together once all the strips are sewn together and having a long weekend was a big help.

The aqua and chartreuse fabrics will be the backgrounds for the Dresden Plate blocks.

There needed to be a bit of shopping to buy backing for the quilt and it arrived the next day - fantastic service from Widebacks.  I also received two packs of lovely Bonnie and Camille "Vintage Picnic" fabrics from Sew Lux.  As a treat to myself, I joined Sew Lux's Bonnie and Camille Collectors' Club for the year so will receive a f/q bundle on three full ranges over 12 months.

I also purchased "Hello Darling" fabrics to use as backings for a couple of quilts.

While searching through one of my cupboards I came across this quilt - "My Blue Heaven" started in 2006.  It was so close to being finished - only needed three more borders and all the half-square triangles were made.

One night's sewing and it was done.  When quilted, this will join the donations pile to be sent off mid-May.

Before starting the batik Piccadilly Circus, I was playing with scraps making Scrappy Log Cabin blocks - these were very popular last year on Instagram but I'm always late joining these parties.  Feels great to be using up so many scraps and almost making a quilt for free.

Last week Miss ChaCha's crochet overalls were finished - these were started ages before she was born.  Of course, I forgot to give them to Elizabeth when they were down on the weekend but they went off in the post yesterday.

This little jumper was started before both babies were on the way and I sewed it up on Monday night - it should fit Gulliver next winter.

It was a busy long weekend with family and close friends and I have a lot to look forward to in the next few weeks.

"Two Fruits"

The theme for our on-line group's first swap of the year was to make something using a Helen Stubbings pattern (Hugs 'n' Kisses).

Jo sent me such a lovely parcel wrapped in a fat quarter of Helen's fabric.  The design Jo chose is "Pretty in Pink" and is beautifully stitched using more of Helen's fabrics.

 

Notice the card from Chookyblue

My partner to send to was Jenny.  I made "Two Fruits" for Jenny - I did all the stitching on the plane to Singapore and stitched the clamshells on the flight home.

 

This was a fun design to put together fitting it all around a beetroot can - I didn't have a "two fruits" can.

I had a lot of 2-1/2" squares left over from the B&C Patchwork Swoon quilt and was looking for a block design to use them in.  One day last week I had a brainwave and the scrappy churndash block is the result.

All my sewing time since has been taken up making these blocks.

I have loads of blocks in various stages of progress but have now run out of background fabric - that will be delivered next Tuesday, so back to Starlight and Hopscotch.

Had the best day on Saturday - minded ChaCha while Elizabeth and Matt were out for the day and we visited Michael and Gulliver.  The littlies were so entertaining playing with each other.  I also had a bonus time minding Gulliver later in the day which Michael picked up Peta from work.

Mum and I, along with some of our friends, are going to a charity showing of "Eddie the Eagle" tomorrow night - don't know much about the movie but I do remember Eddie the Eagle at the Olympics.  Hugh Jackman is in the movie so that's a plus :)

Fiddler on the Roof

My all-time favourite musical theatre/opera performer is Anthony Warlow.  Last year when the new production of "Fiddler on the Roof" was announced I bought tickets for Mum, Elizabeth, Jenni and me.  I was pretty excited by the time Saturday afternoon came around and we were finally going to see the show.  He was fabulous - such an incredible voice, wonderful stage presence and great sense of humour.

I've cut out another quilt from my Hello Darling f/q bundle - Hopscotch, a Thimble Blossoms design (surprise, surprise).  The bundle is now almost gone.

Lots of points to line up in this quilt - not my favourite thing to do but the effect is great with the 6-pointed star being made when they align.

More points to line up with Starlight - most of the triangles for the half-hexagons are made.  I think this one will be really pretty with the pink star points.

A couple of weeks ago I finished binding the two Text Me quilts that Karen quilted.

I have a couple more quilts to finish off then they will be sent off for donation.

Second-last 'Downton Abbey' tonight - a shame this wonderful show is coming to an end.