Fireworks

Last quilt finished in this latest batch is "Fireworks", designed by Thimble Blossoms.  It is made using Bonnie and Camille fabrics.

I added an extra-wide border because I wanted to have a wavy edge.  I have a special ruler to help with the measurements.

I asked Karen to use "Featheration" on this quilt.

In an effort to use up some stash, over the last few weeks I've been cutting out a bunch of quilts.  Don't envisage starting any of these till next year.

I'm going to make an effort to start the Butterfly quilt before too long.

Star Pop

This is the second time I've made this quilt, designed by Emily Dennis of Quilty Love.  This pattern comes together very easily and has large blocks.

For the last quilt I asked Karen to choose a design - she chose Rodeo and I used it again for this quilt.  It looks lovely.

I'm not 100% keen on this shade of green but it works well with the various blues in the range.

"Fireworks" is quilted and I'm hoping to make a wavy edge on this quilt.

Thimbles and Needles asked me to test her latest design "Flicker the View" and I decided to make the baby size so that Mum can give it to her 13th great-grandchild due in two weeks or so.  I used 'Guess How Much I Love You' fabric and it's very sweet.

Waiting for some backing fabric to arrive and I can send it away for quilting.

Holiday Sewing

I had a few grandchildren-free days during my time off work and was able to do some machine sewing.  First was catching up Churn Dash SAL blocks - made the deadline by one day.

Couldn't help myself - I had to sew a few blocks into rows to see how they would look

and then I just kept going until the blocks were all together.

Decided to add a couple of borders to use up the rest of the rosebud fabric.  The quilt is made entirely using Bonnie and Camille fabrics.

This is a close-up of the pretty background fabric.

So happy with this quilt top and so happy I joined Chooky's SAL.

A couple of years ago I decided to make another Scrappy Log Cabin quilt using up loads of fabric strips I had put aside over the years.

When I pulled out the box, I found I had quite a few blocks underway

so it didn't take too long to have enough made to cut them into 4 and start setting them out on the design sheet.

Used the same setting as last time - it was designed by Sarah Cecil and I love the red dots for the setting triangles and the white dots for the posts.

The quilt is pretty big (96-1/2" sq) but it will shrink a bit with quilting.

Last night I cut the wavy edge on "Fireworks" and sewed on the blue/white stripe bias binding.  I've stitched down one side but it will take another couple of nights in front of the tv to finish.

Next quilt to start sewing up is Lissa Alexander's "Friendship Blues".  The four patches were made a couple of months ago and have been put aside while I've been distracted by other pretties.

The photo shows about 2/3 of the blocks.  The original quilt has very wide borders but I think I'll cut them a bit narrower.

It's about time I started my 2022 Scrap Busters Quilt - Tula Pink's "Butterfly".  I have the fabrics set aside.

Jenni and Kurt have bought a home unit and will be moving into it early next week.  They spent last weekend painting Vinnie's room and the office.  Very exciting time for them.

Making Bindings

The last quilt in the previous parcel to Karen arrived home on Monday.  I love how "Berry Parfait" has turned out.  The colours are beautiful.

This week I'll start sewing down bindings on "Swoon", "Star Pop", "Happy Stripes" and "Berry Parfait" although they won't be finished before I go away on holiday on Saturday.

Another parcel of quilts has gone to Karen for quilting - the last one to be put together was "Fireworks".  The border is fairly wide because I plan to make the edge wavy.

"Starlets" is also in the parcel.  This is a lap-size quilt and was very quick to make and sew together.

On Saturday I'm flying to the Gold Coast with Elizabeth, Matt and the little sweethearts for 10 days.  I hope to catch up with my friends Diann and Bill if they're back from their travels.  Then I'll have another 10 days holiday at home before going back to work.

What's Been Happening

Karen took "Blueberry Kisses" home with her to quilt and sent through a photo yesterday.  It looks fantastic.  The design is called "Wind and Waves" - took ages to decide which design to use.  I wanted something with a curve but not flowery or feathery.

The last four "Fireworks" blocks are finished - still working on the layout for this quilt.  I'm going to add borders and sashing between the blocks and posts at the intersections which will turn the corner triangles into Shoe Fly blocks to make the quilt a bit bigger.  Without sashings it measures 68" square.

The final two "Swoon" blocks are also finished

and the layout is sorted.  Not too difficult with only 9 blocks.

Last Saturday we worked on the laundry cupboard - took a long time to clean it inside and out with sugar soap and then we painted it.  Also painted first couple of coats on the back screen door.  Will be nice to have that back in place before summer starts.  Electrician is coming tomorrow to finish off work in the new room.  The floor is beautiful (in the Swoon photos above).  Might be ready to move some furniture in on the weekend, depending on what else is happening.

On Sunday T&H came for the day, then Mum and my brother turned up, so it was a lovely busy day.

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.