Chase's Rainbow

My cousin-in-law and I are pretty close.  Our families spent a lot of time together while our children were growing up.  Our youngest daughters (born 5 days apart) both had their first babies this year - my grandson, Vincent, born in March and my cousin's grandson, Chase, born in September.

It took me a while to decide what to make for Chase's quilt then I stumbled upon a piece of "Safari Life" fabric in The Pink Room and bought some Kona Solids from Sarah at Patchworks Plus to make a rainbow to tone in with the "Safari Life" fabric.

The backing fabric wasn't big enough for the quilt so I added a couple of "stripes" to the sides.

Jenny, AngelCake Quilting, used Ikat design and it looks terrific.

The Triceratopses are made so it's time to start sewing the quilt top together.

I think I may have enough fabric leftover to make the smaller quilt (48" sq) as well.

Most time this week has been spent cutting out new quilts.

"Master Plan" designed by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co

"Joyful", a new Thimble Blossoms design

I like have a few quilt options to sew - don't tend to work on one quilt at a time.

When Jenni turned 21, I made her two quilts and one was from Very Hungry Caterpillar fabric.  I've been saving this fabric for 13 years or so and made a little romper for Vinnie for the coming summer.

During the week Jenni sent me some photos of Vinnie wearing this yellow top/pants set that I knitted when I was pregnant with Michael 40 years ago.  This shade of yellow looks lovely on Mr Personality.

Blueberry Kisses

"Blueberry Kisses" is the next Thimbles and Needles quilt that I've finished.  The original quilt features lots of blue fabrics for the crosses and sashing squares but I didn't think I had enough of one fabric in my stash so decided to make a very scrappy version.

The quilt is very large, 92" x 102", so sits beautifully on the bed.

The quilt has gone to a new home and the owner wanted to sew down the binding, so that saved me from a big job.

Jenni, AngelCake Quilting, quilted this with Elegant Feathers - the texture is beautiful.

I love the backing - looked so lovely and fresh for this quilt.

I've also been making pieces for the "Loveliness" blocks each day and am ready to start sewing these into the blocks.

Last Monday was a fantastic day as I was able to visit Jenni, Kurt and Vincent - I haven't seen them for going on to 4 months so have missed a lot of Vincent's development.  He is now sitting up, commando crawling and chatting so much - loads of fun and very busy.  Had to take it easy with Vincent as he's not seen any other people besides his Mummy and Daddy.

They are coming to visit tomorrow - very much looking forward to seeing them again.

Sewing

I decided the October long weekend would be the time to sew all the beautiful fabrics from Material Difference into clothes for the little sweethearts.  I was on leave for the next week as well, so lots of sewing time, I thought.  Amazing where time goes especially when on leave.  Restrictions had eased enough for two little sweethearts to stay over on the long weekend, so sewing was postponed for a couple of days - so fantastic to see them (it had been almost 4 months).  I was very brave and didn't cry.

Tracksuits for three grandchildren and two tops for Vincent.  I chose french terry for these fabrics and they are beautiful to sew with.

I made a couple of knit fabric dresses for a friend and there was some fabric leftover, so little sweetheart T scored two t-shirts.

A couple of dresses to make for T plus a dress and blouse for Jenni to go - maybe next week.

I've been working on the Dinosaurs quilt in amongst other sewing.

Triceratopses to make and then the quilt top can be put together.

Electrolite

"Electrolite" is another pattern from new designer Thimbles and Needles.  I really like her use of scrappy accent and low volume fabrics and the easy way the blocks go together.  Great designs to use up loads of favourite small pieces from my stash.

Karen, Quilting on the Coast, quilted this one with Flowers for Lynda.

I wanted the quilt to be more bed-sized so I added a braid border.  First time with one of these and I was really happy with how it turned out.

Love this backing fabric - Beach House designed by Jen Kingwell.  I was very tempted to make a dress for me out of it.

Bradley Street

 One of my dearest friends married an Englishman and has lived in England for over 40 years.  In August her first grandchild was born so a quilt needed to be made.  Fortunately I had a load of Aussie-themed fabrics already cut into squares and enough teal solid for another Bradley Street quilt.

All the print fabrics are Jocelyn Proust designs from Spotlight of May Gibbs designs from Nerida Hansen Fabrics.  The backing is a cute koala Jocelyn Proust print.

Jenny from AngelCake Quilting used the Wattle design - it's so lovely.

The quilt has arrived in UK.

I also made a cushion cover for Jenni and Kurt and Jenni quilted this too.

Feathers

"Feathers" was finished last night and is on the way to its new home.  I loved making these birds and will definitely make some again one day.  The birds and border are all FigTree fabrics - the colours are so beautiful and lots of favourite pieces have been used.

Karen, Quilting on the Coast, used "Filigree" to quilt this one.  I request this design so often - seems to really suit FigTree fabrics.

The new owner chose the border, backing and binding fabrics.

"Blueberry Kisses" is a finished top and ready to go to Jenny, AngelCake Quilting, to be quilted as soon as an extra-large piece of batting arrives.

Thoroughly enjoyed making this design by Thimbles and Needles.  The backing is a sweet fabric called "Starlings".

Thimbles and Needles released a new quilt pattern last week - "Buttons and Bows" and I was thrilled to bits when she asked me to make a test block.  I will definitely be making this quilt in the near future.  It's good to work with curves and these are gentle enough to sew on the machine.

I'm really enjoying Gulli's company again this week and I am very excited about tomorrow because two more sweethearts will be visiting.  I haven't seen them since Gulli's 6th birthday party on 19 June and can't wait.  I think Gulli will be thrilled too.

Last Week

Most sewing over the last week or so has been "Blueberry Kisses".  Some more rows to add and it will be ready to go to the quilter next week.

Two quilts are on the way back from Karen - "Electrolite"

and "Feathers".

Looking forward to seeing them quilted.

Saturday week ago was "National Jelly Roll" day and during the week before I cut into a hoarded "Breakfast at Tiffany's" jelly roll to make another "Floral Bouquet" quilt - this will be the third I've made over the years.  

These are great chain-piecing blocks and go together very quickly.  I'll get back to these one day. 

While I was having a break from "Blueberry Kisses", I cut out another quilt - "Loveliness" designed by Coriander Quilts using loads of Bonnie and Camille fabrics.

So I'm back to making a few hourglass blocks each day.

When Gulli was here for homeschooling in July, we visited an online Australian fabric shop recommended by my daughter - Material Difference.  Gulli chose fabrics for his three cousins and himself and they arrived on the weekend.  These fabrics are individually printed for orders and are french terry so they'll make nice spring-weight clothes for the little ones.

A close-up of Gulli's fabric.