Happy Stripes

Almost six months since I've written a blog post!  Think I'll work backwards.

"Happy Stripes" was started in September last year and finished earlier this month.  Loved making this quilt - it comes together very quickly and is a design that works with all fabric combinations.

I added an extra-wide border so that I could give the quilt a wavy edge.

The backing is made up of lots of backing off-cuts.  Some of these are favourites.

I asked Karen (Quilting on the Coast) to use Bowtique for the quilting.

This week two quilt tops have been finished.

"Astra" is designed by Zahm Co and I've made this using Kona Cottons.

It's been a long time since I've used black as a background colour - it picks up every thread in the house. 

The quilt is very big - it will finish ~90" x 108".

The other quilt top finished is Tiny Nine Patch in Bonnie and Camille fabrics.  This was a sew-along on Instagram but I didn't follow the sew-along.  I made the nine patches a year ago and a couple of weeks ago finally found some fabric that I wanted to use for the alternate blocks and setting triangles, a Riley Blake fabric.

We've had a busy time with grandchildren's birthdays over the last few weeks.  On 8 March Vinnie turned 4.  He had the best time at his party with his little friends from daycare and his cousins.

Happy Halloween

Elizabeth Hartman's "Happy Halloween" is finished.  I hope my little sweetheart likes it.  Really enjoyed making this and I have plans to make the small version one day.

A few months ago I bought some Kona Regal but that colour was too dark to use as the background - not enough contrast with the charcoals and black, so I bought Kona Noble Purple as suggested in the pattern.  The Regal fabric came in handy for the backing. Karen quilted this with Square Dance - this design works really well with Elizabeth Hartman designs.

Jenni, Kurt and Daisy went to a wedding on Sunday while Vinnie and I had a fun day at Sydney Zoo.  I like this zoo as it's close to their home, isn't too big to walk around all the exhibits with a little child and there is a good range of animals in nice surroundings.

At the moment I'm working on "Happy Stripes" designed by Emily Dennis of Quilty Love.  This is such a fantastic pattern for anyone who wants to make a quilt in a very short time.

The jelly roll was a gift from my American friend - it is "London Parks" a Liberty fabric produced by Riley Blake.  I was able to buy some border and binding fabrics from the same range here in Aus.

Last Saturday was Jelly Roll Day but I didn't start this quilt because it was Elizabeth's birthday and the next day I was with Vinnie.

Started sewing these blocks on Monday - the designer says she can make a quilt top in one day.

Happy Stripes

This is a cute baby-size quilt designed by Emily Dennis of Quilty Love and made in Thimble Blossoms' "Nantucket Summer" low volumes and mid-blue feature fabric.  Love these low volumes.

Also love this Nantucket Summer floral - it's very pretty.

I asked Karen to use Modern Loops on this quilt - the texture is lovely and doesn't overwhelm the patchwork design.

More Quilt Tops

Still sewing up the stacks of blocks.  "Berry Parfait" is a quilt top I made to test a pattern for Thimbles and Needles - another great, scrappy design that goes together so well.  I love a pattern with pressing instructions.

Last week I sent "Berry Parfait", along with three other quilt tops/backings to Karen (Quilting on the Coast) and the first one is on the way back.  "Happy Stripes" designed by Quilty Love.  This is a baby-sized quilt and I think the texture will be wonderful.

"Dwell 2" blocks have been sewn up and this quilt top is pretty bit (around 91" x 95") - quilting will shrink it a bit.  I'm starting another pile to send to Karen.

"Sewcialites" blocks were finished in June last year but I've been dithering about the layout.  Saw this layout on Sister's Choice blog and liked the look of it.  I think I'll add a white border then it can go onto the pile to go to Karen.

"Fireworks" blocks still to be sewn together then I think I'll be up-to-date but I've been sidetracked by a container of half-square triangle offcuts that I started sewing up and trimming.  These are all sewn and I have one more lot to trim then I'll have the 400 needed to make Thimble Blossoms' 25 HST Blocks - 25 different blocks from half-square triangles (16 per block).

The blue triangles in the photo above ("Happy Stripes" offcuts in "Nantucket Summer") will be made into a "Moda Love" block - might be a cushion cover.

Here it is sewn together. 

Recent photo of our littlest sweetheart that Jenni posted - he is the funniest little fellow.  I'll be spending Thursday and Saturday night with him - can't wait.

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.