Cheerio

The blocks for Cheerio were cut out in January 2015 and they were all sewn together in July this year.  Sarah did the quilting and the quilt arrived back at my place on Tuesday, along with Starlight.  I made the binding on Tuesday night and just as I'd started to sew it to the quilt there was a total blackout for over 3 hours so I spent some time trimming the two quilts by candlelight.
 

Sewed the binding on yesterday morning before work and then stitched it down last night while catching up on some tv shows.

I love the modern loops quilting - it gives the quilt such a great texture without overwhelming the block design.

NSW had a long weekend last weekend - so good to have time to spend with the family (one little sweetheart had her first sleepover at Nanna's) and also time in my sewing room.

Over the last couple of weeks I've sewn two other quilt tops together, Spool Sampler and Swell.

They both need borders before they go to the quilter.

And I've started another two scrappy quilts hoping to use up more of the stash.

Another fun weekend coming up.  Basketball season starts tomorrow night, lunch with The Schoolgirls on Saturday and my little sweetheart is coming for another sleepover.

The Two of Us

"The Two of Us" is a very cute little bag designed by Rosalie Dekker.  I first made this back in January 2012 for a friend's birthday present, and thought it would make a very cute little bag for little ChaCha using some Tasha Noel charm squares a sweet friend had given to me.

I reduced the pattern by 20% to make it more ChaCha-size.

The jacket and overalls have been finished for months except for the buttons.  Delivered these to ChaCha as well - they should fit next year but you never know with her because she's so tall.  More patterns from the book I bought when Michael was a baby.

Mum and I had a a great day in Sydney on Saturday - shopping at IKEA then visits with our two little sweethearts and my bigger sweethearts.  ChaCha and Gulliver are so much fun and very entertaining.

"Cheerio" is now sewn together and waiting to be quilted.  I love how fresh and happy all the colours look together with the white/red polka dot background fabric.

Sunday afternoon was quilting time - "Marmalade" is done.  The binding is on too - hoping to stitch it down tonight.

Happy to recommend long-arm basting rather than pins - pulling out the threads in much easier than pinning a quilt.  I have another quilt that Karen basted for me a while ago and it will be quilted soon (I hope).

A work colleague and I went to the Helpmann Awards last night - this is an annual ceremony for live theatre in Ausralia and there are performances from various shows throughout the ceremony.  Lots of celebrity spotting.

"Matilda" was nominated for 13 awards and won all 13.

Saturday Dinner

On Saturday night Mum and I went out for dinner with my brother's family to celebrate my nephew's birthday.  We had such a lovely time and I took some photos of Mum with her youngest great-grandbaby.

 
All the 5" blocks for Spool Sampler are finished and the rest of the quilt is cut out.

Yesterday I decided to sew some Cheerio blocks together.  These blocks were finished in January, so it's about time.  Think I'm halfway and hope to sew a couple more rows tonight.

Mum wanted to see "Hunt for the Wilderpeople" (with Sam Neill) so we did yesterday - it's an enjoyable movie but a bit gory for me in a couple of hunting scenes (I just close my eyes).

New Starts

Mum and I had a fun time on Saturday:  a bit of shopping at Miranda Fair, where I was able to find some more background for my Cheerio quilt;

a visit with our favourite baby girl, who will have her first birthday in a week; then home so Mum could go to a surprise 80th birthday party and I was going to 'Sing-along Grease' at the Sunset Cinema in the Wollongong Botanic Gardens.

All the Cheerio blocks are now made and waiting for me to be inspired to work on the layout 

 

"Text Me" blocks have been sitting in my cupboard for almost a year because I was unsure about my background fabric choice.  After discussions with a friend, I decided to make two lap-size quilts and when finished they will be donated.

 

I have some quilts planned for this year and have started collecting fabrics and doing some prep sewing.

Aviatrix Medallion is a lovely bright quilt in solids - my IG friend Amy in Oklahoma is also making this quilt.  I need to make some templates and pick up some pale silvery grey background from Karen, then I'll be ready to start.

Instead of working on a couple things I should, last night I sewed Fig Tree "Butterscotch and Rose" strips together to start Thimble Blossom's "Patchwork Swoon".  I loved this pattern as soon as I saw it and know that I'll be making a second one in Bonnie and Camille fabrics.

Heading back up to Sydney shortly to spend tonight with my favourite baby boy.

Niner

"Niner", designed by Camille Roskelley of Thimble Blossoms, was cut out in January last year and finished almost a year to the day later.

I've used a big variety of Bonnie and Camille fabrics with a red dot on white fabric for the background.  The borders were added to give the quilt extra length on a queen-sized bed.

 

Sarah quilted it for me with a fleur-de-lis design

and the backing is another Bonnie and Camille fabric from their "Happy Go Lucky" range.

I've sewn some more "Cheerio" blocks.

 

Two more colours to go then I think it's time to sew with some different fabrics.  Might cut out a "Star Wars" quilt I have planned.

Wasn't much time for sewing on the weekend - had too much to do around the house and visitors on Saturday night - a little holiday planning.

A Busy Week

I've had a great week - I should have been packing away more of the Christmas decorations each night but I've been sewing and socialising instead.  I'll finish the packing tomorrow.

More Cheerio blocks have been made this week - I've been keeping the colours together.

 

 

I'm making the quilt a bit larger than the original design (surprise, surprise):  30 blocks made, 34 to go.  Working on red blocks next.  I'd love to cut out something new but am trying to be good.

Last night was the Hawks first home game - such a great team this season.

The weekend is almost here - more packing and some sewing I hope.

New Year Sewing

The couple of days before the trip to Brisbane I had no plans so that gave me some time to sew.  For Chrismtas 2013 Helen gave me a bag of heads to use with Annie Smith (Country Keepsakes) doll patterns.

Straight after that Christmas I made "Wishes Do Come True".

After Christmas 2014 I made "Angel Greetings"

And during my recent holidays I used the last two heads to make

"I Believe"

"Holly"

These heads are one of the best presents I've ever received.

Following the Brisbane trip I wanted to start something new, so made "Piccadilly Circus", a Thimble Blossoms design using Bonnie and Camille fabrics.  I loved making this quilt top and it was finished just as I had to come back to work.

Had a great weekend - lunch with friends in Sydney, a visit with my favourite little man and his mum and dad

then babysitting my other favourite little person - as well as starting to pack up Christmas and some sewing.  Started making "Cheerio", another Thimble Blossoms design using Bonnie and Camille fabrics.  This one has been cut out for months.

 

Chain-piecing and watching "Ally McBeal" - fantastic.