But wait ... there's more

Giddy Up's friend came home yesterday afternoon

and then he came to work this morning to help me tidy up before my holiday.

Horsing Around

In November last year I won this pattern from Melly & Me.

I bought this fabric from a local shop

Last weekend I finished making this

Later this week he will be delivered to my great-nephew.  I made 2 but Mum borrowed one to show her neighbour.  I should have taken a photo of them together beforehand - maybe tomorrow if he comes home before we leave.

I've caught up on blocks due this week/month:

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler - Diamond Friendship

Album 2

On-line group's BOM, Colorado Beauty chosen by Bec

No more machine sewing until I'm back from our road trip, which finishes next Wednesday at Darling Harbour Quilt Show.

Zig Zag Quilt

For well over a year I've had this tutorial in my favourites.  I decided to make a large cot-size version.  Instead of cutting 3" strips, I cut 1-1/2" strips.  I needed 1-1/2 widths of two fabric per row of zig-zags (if that makes sense).  I used some of the leftover Beatrix Potter fabrics plus a few other yellows and blues from the stash along with white Moda Bella Solid.  It was very windy outside this morning when I was taking the photos.

The border is the wider section of Beatrix Potter's "3 Kittens" border print.

The outer corner blocks pattern is from the birthday miniature quilt pattern I received from our on-line stitching group - such tiny pieces.

The zig-zags were stitched in the ditch and I machine sewed a row of running stitch on every second white row:

The backing is lovely soft pale blue/white polka dot flannel I bought on our road trip last Saturday.

Weekend again - 6 sleeps and we're going on a little holiday so I think I'll spend some time this weekend tracing a few stitcheries to take along.

Lucky Me

Arrived home from work yesterday afternoon to find this parcel waiting on the bench:

Inside was this fabulous covered folder from Peg; beautiful Polka Dot Girls stitchery on the front:

The back:

Inside the folder were these: 

Thank you so much Peg - definitely a lovely, lovely surprise.

Last night I had a go at making this week's Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks.  I thought we would ease into the more difficult blocks but no, Dear Diann chose 2 blocks for this week - one (New Mexico) a nightmare, such tiny pieces and I haven't done much foundation piecing.  Some repairs need to be made to this block.  Many lessons will be learned while making these blocks.

The other (Yankee Puzzle) was easier, although I have chosen fabrics with not enough contrast:

Tail Feathers

Tail Feathers is finished.  I'm tickled pink with it.

Some close-ups of the quilting - I'm not a fan of quilting over the top of stitcheries but too many large-ish areas would not be quilted enough if the quiltig didn't go into the stitched blocks.

Feathers over the log cabins:

I really wanted to use the green damask print for the binding and thought I didn't have enough.  In the end I joined the strips using a straight seam rather than bias seam and I had 8" to spare.

Patisserie would be up there with my favourite fabric ranges of all time (along with Nancy Halvorsen's True Frends and 3 Sisters' Paris Flea Market) - I have plenty leftover to make another quilt or, maybe, two.

Excellent Day Out

Today I went on a road trip to a few quilt shops in Sydney with some friends - we had a great day and I've added a fair bit to the stash (along with a fair bit of on-line shopping over the last two weeks).

Bought some fabrics (cotton and flannel) to use for baby quilt backs and more baby fabrics to add to my stash.

Also bought some goregous lime green/white fabric just because I like it, matryoshka fabric to make Jenni a bag (maybe), pink/red fabric because I like it and a few other bits and pieces for an upcoming swap.

We visited Jules Craft Shop (Loftus), Logan's Patchwork (Leichhardt), Quiltsmith (Annandale), Remnant Warehouse (Alexandria) and also Gordon Smith (clothes shop).

I've made my first block for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler - Ladies' Aid Album, position F-8 in the quilt.  These Oh Cherry Oh fabrics are lovely and fresh.  Diann's block is here.  Our quilts couldn't be more different.

Finally stitching down the binding on Tail Feathers then it will be finished and ready for one of my brother's new grandbabies due later this year (if one is a girl).  I've been really enjoying the straight machine sewing/piecing; nice change from all the stitching.

She's Back ...

Finally, a blog post from Miss Diann.