A Big Year

2016 has been a very big year in many ways, one of which is quilt finishes - 23.  20 of them are in the photo below.  Some were started a long time ago, some were orders for customers and some were made just because I liked the pattern and wanted to make them straight away.

Spool Sampler

On Friday night I looked after Gulliver overnight in Sydney.  I took Spool Sampler with me to stitch down the binding when he went to sleep for the night - think I managed to stitch down one side and turn a corner, so that was pretty good considering how hot it was.  Stitched the rest down on Saturday night.

My Instagram friend, Amy, wanted to make this quilt and asked me to make one too but, being me, I decided to change the design a bit.  So happy with how it's turned out - the original pattern has a plain background block between each sampler spool and I decided to make the quilt larger by adding more sampler spools and a three-fabric-spool between each sampler spool.  I'm not a big fan of lots of plain space.

Love the Baptist Fan quilting (Quilting on the Coast) - another lovely texture and the design doesn't overwhelm the patchwork.

 

Saturday morning Gulliver and I went out for breakfast,

then hit the shops, bought a few Christmas presents, waved to Santa and he generally had a good time singing very loudly and chatting to anyone who wanted talk to him.  Finished the morning off with a couple of turns on his favourite ride.

He wasn't happy when it was time to leave but soon changed when he saw that his Daddy was home.

Mum had a lovely birthday yesterday - most of the family was there to celebrate with her and we saw the rest at my nephew's engagement party late in the afternoon.  Thankyou to everyone who sent birthday wishes.  Mum's up with the times - has her own Facebook page - I show her what's on it every now and then :)

One little piece of Christmas sewing has been completed - a heart for the Hugs N Kisses swag that hangs in the loungeroom.

Kurt has been around for long enough now.  I've also ordered a little nameplate from Nikki Tervo for the stocking swag.

A Beautiful Surprise

Arrived home from work on Monday afternoon to find a parcel had been delivered - such a wonderful surprise present from a quilt customer who has become a friend.  I love the red foil packaging.

The mohair/wool throw is so soft and the colours - wow!  Exactly what I would choose.  It will look wonderful anywhere in my house.

The Stitching Girls had dinner together on Tuesday night - next week Paula is leaving for Christmas in Finland so it was lovely to be able to spend some time together to wish her bon voyage.  Karen brought along my quilted Spool Sampler.  I love the Baptist Fan quilting - first time I've chosen this design.

The binding has been stitched to the quilt ready for stitching down over the next few nights.

Not much sewing this week - Christmas decorating has taken over.  Mum came over on Wednesday night to help make a start.  Mum's 89th birthday is this coming Sunday and the family is coming for lunch so I wanted the tree up for the little ones to add some decorations - the lounge room is finished and I've made a start on the family room.

Going to Sydney this afternoon to spend some time with my favourite little man and hopefully do some Christmas shopping tomorrow.