Takes the Cake

 "Takes the Cake", designed by Thimble Blossoms quite a while ago, was finished in June.  So happy with how this quilt turned out - it's very pretty in aqua, pink and red.

This is was made from my Bonnie and Camille stash with Moda Bella Solid in Ruby Ice for the background.  It's a large quilt - I used 2-1/2" squares rather than 2" as in the pattern, so didn't make quite as many blocks as used in the pattern.

"Party Streamers" is the quilting design on this quilt - more lovely work from Karen.

I was fortunate to find a bolt of "Lighthearted" fabric still available to use for the backing.

In August I came across a tutorial on Instagram to make a "Hidden Wells" block - what a rabbit hole that turned out to be.

I cut loads of 2-1/2" and 1-1/2" strips and started sewing blocks.

I was wanting to butt the blocks against each other but it looked too messy.  Had a look through my stash of solids and liked the look of pink as a narrow border between the blocks.

I used up 99.99% of the strips and now have a large quilt top ready to send to Karen.

I've had this pretty parasol fabric for quite a few years and really wanted to use it to back this quilt but there wasn't quite enough (I had 5m).

A few leftover blocks were sewn together to make a centre panel and the parasol fabric is now large enough to back this big quilt top.

There has been a lot of knitting happening since I finished the cardigan for Jenni and the scarf for my friend.  Making an effort to use up wool in my stash.  I bought a new pattern book, "Joyful Kids Knits", and there are so many great designs in it.

"Toothy Striped Cardi" for Gulli from wool leftover from my friend's scarf.

"Stripes Galore Jumper" to fit Daisy in a couple of years.  Patons "Sierra" left over from her Mum's cardigan with Bendigo Woollen Mills green I've had for years.

Vinnie chose his own jumper from the book"and picked the colours:  "Two Tone Jumper".

And now I'm knitting the two colour version of "Toothy Striped Cardi" for T.  Hopefully the green Bendigo Woollen Mills 8 ply and Patons "Sierra" will be all gone when this is finished.

Small Dinosaurs Quilt

The small Dinosaurs quilt is also finished.  I made this so Vinnie could have a Dinosaurs lap quilt in the event he chose the Robots for his bed.

Once again I asked Karen to use Scottish Plaid Diamond for the quilting.

And, there was plenty of fabric left for the backing.

A few years ago I visited a local quilt show with a friend and I bought wool to knit a cardigan.  Mum knitted the front and sleeves and I was to knit the two fronts.  Since that time the unfinished knitting has sat in my spare room. 

I just haven't felt like knitting until recently.  Maybe it's the cold nights when I found myself sitting in the loungeroom at night in front of the heater with a quilt over my lap and  thought about finishing the cardigan.  Feels so good to have it finished and now it's an extra hug from Mum for Jenni when she wears it.

Last month I spent an afternoon with my friends and her husband and I sorted through some of her sewing and knitting stash.  She is no longer able to knit or sew and I find this so heartbreaking for her - she did the most beautiful smocking and embroidery as well as knitting, patchwork, dressmaking etc.  This is what I brought home to sort through and sell on my Instagram destash account @lyndah2502_destash.

In one of the bags was a kit to make the Lichen Scarf in beautiful Cleckheaton Superfine Merino 8 ply.  I've knitted this for my friend and hope it helps keep her warm.

Soon her husband I will tackle the sewing room - so many containers of beads, embroidery threads, books, magazines, etc.

Peanut Butter

This was a free pattern from "Then Came June" on Instagram.  Loved making this and was able to use up lots of lovely scraps and favourite low volumes.

I stuck with pink/green/yellow/orange for the borders and shades of blue/aqua for the posts.

I love the pretty Rosalie Dekker backing fabric.

This quilting design "Verdant" is new to me.  I asked Karen to choose the design and it works well with this quilt.

The quilt was finished 17 July 2023.

I knitted some of H's cardigan while at the hospital with Mum.  His favourite colour is cyan, so I was glad I had enough in the stash to make this - I added to stripes to make sure I had enough cyan.  The pattern is from the wrapping on a ball of wool from Big W.
 

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.

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.