Blueberry Kisses

Three nights of watching "The West Wing" episodes and the binding on this large quilt is stitched down.  "Blueberry Kisses" is 92-3/4" x 99-1/2"

I was very fortunate to receive a bagful of blue fabrics from Thimbles and Needles, the designer of this terrific pattern, and those fabrics were a great addition to my smallish blue stash.  That meant that there are no fabric repeats in the blue crosses.

I wasn't sure which quilting design to choose - Karen (Quilting on the Coast) suggested Wind and Waves and the curves look good against the straight lines of the blocks.

The backing is a lovely Jocelyn Proust fabric - I love her Australian flora and fauna designs.

"Star Pop" in "Nantucket Summer" is together.  I'm waiting for some fabric to arrive for backing for another small quilt, "Happy Stripes", then I'll send them both to Karen for quilting.

Mum and I went to see "Where the Crawdads Sing" on Sunday - Mum has read the book but I haven't so had no idea of the story.  I enjoyed the movie and Mum thought it was excellent.

What's Been Happening

Karen took "Blueberry Kisses" home with her to quilt and sent through a photo yesterday.  It looks fantastic.  The design is called "Wind and Waves" - took ages to decide which design to use.  I wanted something with a curve but not flowery or feathery.

The last four "Fireworks" blocks are finished - still working on the layout for this quilt.  I'm going to add borders and sashing between the blocks and posts at the intersections which will turn the corner triangles into Shoe Fly blocks to make the quilt a bit bigger.  Without sashings it measures 68" square.

The final two "Swoon" blocks are also finished

and the layout is sorted.  Not too difficult with only 9 blocks.

Last Saturday we worked on the laundry cupboard - took a long time to clean it inside and out with sugar soap and then we painted it.  Also painted first couple of coats on the back screen door.  Will be nice to have that back in place before summer starts.  Electrician is coming tomorrow to finish off work in the new room.  The floor is beautiful (in the Swoon photos above).  Might be ready to move some furniture in on the weekend, depending on what else is happening.

On Sunday T&H came for the day, then Mum and my brother turned up, so it was a lovely busy day.

Bathroom Refresh

Painters were at my house last week to paint the "new" room as well as the bathroom, laundry and 2nd toilet.

Previously those rooms were what I call "poison green"

and now are a very clinical-looking white.  I had a white wicker shelf-unit, clock frame and laundry hamper in the room but even with a new coat of white they looked yuk so I spray painted them midnight blue and they look much better.  Time to update the cupboard and drawer handles as well and download a new white clock face.

Tomorrow morning the floor polishing will start in the new room then the electrician can hang the new light fitting and replace power points/light switches etc, and I need to buy/install a blind and curtains.

Hoping to have time over the weekend to paint the laundry cupboard so that I can move everything back into the laundry from the family room.

"Blueberry Kisses" quilt top is together

Jocelyn Proust backing.

and went home with Karen following her visit last week.

Last week's "Swoon" blocks

and last week's Fireworks blocks.

Two Swoon blocks and four Fireworks blocks to go - hopefully they will be made this week.

I also made the cot-sized version of "Happy Stripes" in Nantucket Summer low volumes - this was a very quick quilt to sew together.

and I've made a start on "Star Pop" also in Nantucket Summer fabric.  Because I'm using a variety of low volume and white-on-white Bonnie and Camille fabrics for the stars, I need to lay out the fabrics work out what goes where.

A Week Off

The University was closed last week and most of the staff had the week off.  As it was school holidays Gulli was with me during the day and T&H were also with us on Monday.  We had a great week.

Karen sent through a photo after she'd finished quilting "All Stacked Up" - Karen is coming to visit some time this week and will bring the quilt with her.

Elizabeth's cardigan is finished and she's been wearing it a lot in this very cold weather we've had lately.

So hard to get a photo of the correct colour in the winter light - the progress shot show the true colour.

In amongst the SAL blocks, I've been working on Blueberry Kisses - I need to make some more cross blocks (maybe 15).

Last week's Fireworks Blocks

and last week's Summer Swoon SAL blocks.

I've also cut up my Nantucket Summer fat quarter bundle to make two quilts designed by Emily Dennis of Quilty Love:  "Star Pop"

and a cot size "Happy Stripes".

Yesterday Mum and I went to see "Falling for Figaro" - loved it, especially Joanna Lumley.

Lots of progress in the room renovation - the skirting boards and architraves have been added and the painter is there today to do the room as well as the bathroom, laundry and 2nd toilet.  Next week the floor will be sanded and polished.  I'm waiting for the light fitting to be delivered to the shop then the electrician can come to install that and replace the power points and light switch and the room will be ready for use.

SALs

This winter has turned out to be a time for participating in sew-alongs.  The first one I joined is Chooky Blue's Churn Dash Along.  I sewed up July's blocks while chatting with friends in a Chooky Zoom on Sunday evening.

A month or so ago Camille Roskelley (Thimble Blossoms) suggested a sew-along making a Swoon quilt - there are a few Swoon quilts to choose from and I'm making the original in various Bonnie and Camille fabrics.  I've made this quilt before but not in B&C fabrics.

I will try to make two blocks each week.

 

When I cut out my Swoon blocks, I also cut out blocks to make Fireworks.  My plan is to make four blocks each week but not sure how achievable that will be in amongst my other sewing, crocheting etc.  I made three this week because I made one block after cutting out the fabrics.

Making some slow progress on Blueberry Kisses and hope to continue with it over the weekend.

Hooray the sun is shining today!

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is one of my favourite musicals.  There is so much to love about this show - the dancing is so fantastic, great singing.  T was very excited for "Step in Time" and the tap dancing was brilliant.  Everyone is the show was outstanding.

First saw this musical in Melbourne in 2011 - Mum, Elizabeth, Jenni and I had a lovely few days trip.  This new version of the show is even better I think.  Wore my pink shoes.

After a couple of weeks of no sewing, I turned on the machine over the weekend and have commenced sewing "Blueberry Kisses" blocks together.  This will be a fairly large quilt when it's done.

Received a parcel from Sarah (Patchworks Plus) late last week containing to two quilts.  The small version of Pretty Birds

and another quilt that is a present so can't be shown yet.  Black fabric sure catches threads and dust.  I'll need to spend some time with the lint roller.

Also received a fat quarter bundle of Camille Roskelley's new fabric range - "Nantucket Summer".  So many pretty fabrics.

I have plans for two quilts using the blues - the greens can go into the stash.

A Jumper for H

Time flies when you're busy.

Lots happening at home and work.  Haven't turned on the sewing machine for well over a week.  The backing for "All Stacked Up" arrived last week and I should make that up so the quilt can be sent away for quilting.

The Aran jumper for little H was finished 10 days ago.  Really happy with how it looks.

I started to lay out some "Blueberry Kisses" blocks but didn't sew any together.

Left the window open a bit too long on the weekend :)

Not to worry - it's a scrappy quilt and the blocks can go anywhere as long as the crosses and nine patches alternate.

I've joined in a sew-along making Thimble Blossoms' original Swoon quilt - the SAL is to make any Swoon.  Decided to make the original because I haven't made it previously in Bonnie and Camille fabrics.

Made one block.

While cutting out Swoon, I thought I might as well cut out another quilt - "Fireworks".  I made this many years ago, so I think I'll enjoy making it again.

The sub-contractor (Mum) and I are knitting a cardigan for Elizabeth - Mum is knitting the back and sleeves and I'm knitting the fronts.  It's a long cardigan and it feels like it's taking forever but the end is in sight.

Since that photo was taken, one front is finished and the other should be finished tonight or tomorrow night.

A gyprocker came last week to tear out all the old plaster and install new gyprock - the room looks great (and so much lighter).

A carpenter is coming tomorrow to replace the architraves and install new skirting boards then I can organise painting and floor sanding/polishing.  Amazing how quickly things can happen sometimes.

Last Sunday was Gulliver's 7th birthday.  The gorgeous boy had a wonderful time with his friends at Timezone and then another party at home with more of the family.

This coming Saturday, T and I are going to see "Mary Poppins" - I'm pretty excited.  Mum, Elizabeth, Jenni and I first saw the stage musical in Melbourne in 2011 and I'm very much looking forward to T's reactions to Mary flying and Bert tap dancing on the ceiling.

Jiggery Pokery

Finished stitching down the binding on this large quilt on Monday night.  I love the name - it means "trickery".  The quilt was designed by Kaffe Fasset and I've used a lot of Jen Kingwell's "Gardenvale" fabrics along with some Moda Bella Solids.

I asked Karen to use "Featheration" on this quilt too - really happy with how it looks.

I was on holidays for the week after Easter and was able to spend some time sewing.  The main blocks for a blue version of "Blueberry Kisses" are made.  When I get back to this, pieced setting triangles will be next.

A friend asked me to make the small version of Elizabeth Hartman's "Pretty Birds" for her with white cockatoos as a tribute to her 40 yo cockatoo.  I really like Elizabeth's patterns - although there are many pieces in some blocks, the pattern is very well-written with great diagrams and lots of detailed instructions.  I used Alison Glass fabrics because the colours are so fantastic.

Cockatoos

Lorikeets

Macaws

Toucans

Cockatiels

When I have the backing fabric sorted and another secret-sewing quilt top finished, I'll send "Pretty Birds" off for quilting.

Little Sweetheart stayed over last Friday night and we took out my Thimble Blossoms jigsaw puzzle to start.  I've had this for a long time but hadn't jumped on the Covid jigsaw bandwagon.  

Have to say, it's a great time-waster.  A couple of times since I've completely lost track of time.  I have a couple more jigsaw puzzles in the cupboard and will be doing them once this one is finished.