Sweet Pea's Quilts

My first two finishes in Peg's Challenge - two Sweet Pea's Quilts all done, except for the labels, which can't be completed until the babies are born in September. I've added sashings to make the quilts a little larger than the original design and one of Peg's Peepers to the pink quilt. 95% of the fabrics in the quilt tops are from my stash - have been trying to use up some of the stash this year.

This is "Miss T Tipsy" the next installment in "Truly Scrumptious" and two buckets (minus handles) that my daughter Jenni has been making - they are from the new Bronwyn Hayes book "Little Chicken Feather". A friend of hers had twin boys in January (3 months premmie) - the boys are doing really well now ("chubbin' up" to quote Jenni).

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It sure is cold - winter has arrived with a vengeance. Won't complain too much though as I don't live in the northern hemisphere (I have lived through a very cold winter in Holland) - my favourite season will be here soon. The next installment Lynette Anderson's "Noah's Ark" should be available any day now. The kangaroos were last month's. Running a little behind on these stitchery BOM's - have yet to start Capricorn Quilt's block for last month. This is Melly & Me's "Sherbet" bag. A friend of ours will be turning 17 tomorrow and Jenni thought it would be a good bag for her. Lastly, a sneaky peak photo (haven't done one of these before) of something I'm making as a surprise present for a up-coming Big Birthday. I'm really pleased with how it's turning out, considering I've been making it up as I go. Looking forward to a quiet weekend at home.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Today our gorgeous baby boy is 26. He was a perfect baby - could have written a text book about him but all that changed once he realised he could move around. Michael was so cheeky and cute (still is) and has grown into an independent, wonderful young man.

Another Weekend is Over ...

Spent some time last week writing up the April block - last block in my Leanne Beasley's 365 Challenge quilt. The pieced block is "Combination Star" from an older Quilters' Cabin newsletter. Sashings are cut out - a few pinwheel blocks to make for the posts then the quilt can be sewn together. Might be a quilt to qualify for Peg's Challenge.




This block is Truly Scrumptious "Elizabeth" - all of these girls are gorgeous.

This has been another social weekend.- John and I went to see "Keating!" - loved it. Yesterday had lunch with The Girls at the refurbished Scarborough Pub - fantastic location, delicious food and the added bonus of whales playing off-shore.

It is our baby boy's 26th birthday later this week and we all went to Elizabeth's today for a bbq. Freezing cold day but fine and sunny. Was lovely to spend the afternoon with our family.

Another "Truly Scrumptious" girl is finished and I'm stitching "Miss Elizabeth" at the moment - she's a bonus girl meant for a label but I'll be putting her front and centre in my quilt.

Received an email this morning advising that "The Quilter's Kitchen: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel with Recipes" will be out soon. Always happy to have another Elm Creek book to read.

This morning is Jane McGrath's memorial service. I was heartbroken on Sunday to hear the world had lost this wonderful, inspirational, courageous woman.

Peg's Challenge

In a moment of weakness (seems to happen quite regularly) I signed up for Peg's "Finish 5 Quilts by the end of July" Challenge. Not sure about 5 quilts but will try to finish 2 "Sweet Pea's Quilts" and one of the Travel Quilts. Never know - might be inspired enough to make a start on quilting "Ruth's Quilt" and do a bit more of "Sharon's Roses". Thanks Peg (she says through gritted teeth).

On Sunday John and I went to the Sydney Quilt Show at Darling Harbour. The quilts on display were sensational and the Best of Show was won by a local quilter Merilyn Pearce. I was lucky enough to attend a machine quilting class with her when I first started quilting.

Some of my favourite quilt shops weren't there this year, so I didn't buy everything on my list but found enough to keep me happy for a while.

The best part of Sunday was meeting Ruth Buchanan - she was taking lots of photos of the quilts for the NSW Quilters Guild - recognised her red Converse sneakers that she had blogged about a few weeks ago. Was wonderful to chat with such a great designer - Ruth won an award for her quilt "100 Glimpses: Fact and Fiction". Many of Ruth's quilts feature in AP&Q and she is a regular contributor to Country Threads.

Last week the odometer on our Tarago turned over 400,000 kms - the time is coming for us to look at replacing the car but it's difficult to part with a car that has been such a huge part of our everyday life.