The Lemonade Quilt

A friend of mine was diagnosed recently with bowel cancer - she is only in her 20s so this came as quite a shock - especially for her! Fortunately she is smart as a whip and was straight onto it - so was her doctor. She had surgery just about straight away and is now recovering, with the wonderful news that the cancer hadn't spread. Talk about a close call.

The cancer has come on top of a very hard seven years for her and I just could not believe so much bad stuff could happen to one person, who just happens to be one of the loveliest, smartest women I know. She is taking it all in her stride (although I am sure she has her moments - don't we all?), albeit metaphorically at the present, as she is still a little sore from the surgery. I couldn't do anything material to support her (she's in Brisbane, I am in Canberra), except, to make a quilt! (A little fabric pun in there for all you stashaholics!)

I recently bought this ace book by Alissa Haight Carlton, and was inspired by the cover quilt to make a lovely lemony quilt for my friend.

I used up some yellows from my stash and paired them with some Kona Snow to create a monochromatic modern minimalist quilt (how's that for alliteration?). Instead of repeating the darkest yellow for the binding, I thought it would be better framed in a battleship grey and found the perfect shade at my LQS, Addicted to Fabric. I quilted it with double wavy lines and it's backed in a bright sunny spotty fabric I bought at Spotlight.

While I really wanted to call it the Gin and Tonic quilt, I thought she might want to share it with her gorgeous kids, so, instead called it The Lemonade Quilt (because when life gives you lemons...reach for the gin and tonic...er, make some lemonade).

The quilt is now living on my friend's bed and I hope it makes her happy.

Winnings!

I hardly ever win anything on blog giveaways, but I was stoked to have two recently!

First off, was a fabric giveaway at Emma's place. She sent me some gorgeous fabric left over from the most incredible custom quilt she made.

Then I won a cute skirt pattern from OzMaterial Girls - the City Girl Skirt pattern. I really want to make some summer skirts for myself, so here's my chance!

I also received my Pay It Forward gift from Mands - a cute owl appliqued shopping bag and a very cute notebook - all for my inventions, featuring Bert & Ernie! Of course Romily has claimed both items for herself! Thanks Mands!Thanks everyone for being such generous, wonderful, crafty folk!

As for me, very little in the way of sewing going on - but I did do some cutting in preparation for making my PIF gifts. Soon! I also ordered some fabric for a hush-hush Christmas present I'm making for my FIL. Can't wait to get started on that project - it's going to be an Oh Fransson! quilt. I love her work!

While there has not been any sewing, there has been a little bit of baking :) I discovered, via Corrie from Retromummy, a fab blogger Liss, who has the most amazing, droolworthy recipes on her blog, Frills in the Hills. Go check her out - you won't be sorry! This was the lemon delicious I made on Sunday morning to take to a lunch we were invited to - it was a big hit! (I made a double batch - nom nom nom!)

Definitely the last authentically!

Even though I love this fabric range, I think I've seen enough of it for a while. My blog has been taken over with black, grey, white and pistacchio for long enough! So here it is, the second table runner, which we gifted to Rom's Wednesday playschool teacher this morning. She loved it, so that made staying up to midnight last night finishing it all the better! Here's a close-up of the quilting.I was lucky enough to recently win a giveaway of a vintage tablecloth and some dotty fabric over at Beckyetal - it's arrived and I look forward to making it into a skirt for me some time in the New Year :)And last, and by no means least, my Christmas present to myself also arrived! It's a mini art quilt by Victoria aka The Silly Boodilly. This quilt was the inspiration behind Tequila Sunhouse. When I discovered it was for sale in Victoria's Etsy store (and on sale!) I knew I had to have it! It'll go up on my inspiration wall when I finally claim my sewing nook in the spare bedroom in January :)

I know I won't get any comments on this post

Because you will have all clicked away when I tell you that Corrie is giving away fabric!

Granddad's visit means baking!

Granddad's visit over the weekend (he went home Tuesday) was the perfect excuse to bake - more people to eat it, less calories for my hips! I took the opportunity to make a lemon and coconut tart from Homemade. It looked delicious, and it was. Unfortunately, despite baking it for the alloted 40 minutes and allowing it cool, upon slicing it up I discovered that the middle hadn't cooked through. So, we changed the name to self-saucing lemon pudding :D
The kids adore Granddad and he dotes on them. They haven't seen him since out lightning visit to Bendigo in July, so it was great that he could take the long journey from Bendigo to Melbourne Airport by bus and then plane up here. At nearly 82, the eight-hour drive each way is a bit too much. I'm just grateful that he is still able to travel under his own steam. He's a lovely fellow. I'm very fortunate in my father-in-law!

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And in crafty news, this gorgeous Kokka Trefle fabric arrived last week from the Retromummy Shop - it's to become shorts for Tristan, with a matching applique tee. Summer is here and now that he's on his feet (yes, he's walking! Just. Still can't stand himself up - can only pull up, but he's taking steps between close objects), he's getting pretty dirty from lots of time outside - I'm discovering boys need more changes of clothes than girls!

More stashbuilding

So, not much sewing still, but more stashbuilding! I went to the Canberra Handmade Market a couple of weekends ago and discovered a new patchwork fabric supplier - Posie. She had a gorgeous range of FQs, half yards and full yards. I couldn't resist some of Saffron Craig's Owl range, the Parrots from her Fields range and the gorgeous Pet Deer fabric from Michael Miller.

I think cushions and things for the owl fabric, a skirt for Rom with the parrots print and maybe a top and/or pants for Tristan from the pet deer fabric - I only bought a half yard.

I also bought a gorgeous flower brooch made from a zip and a photography session, which is happening at our place this week. I thought it was about time I had some decent professional photos taken of the kids. They'll only be this gorgeous once!

I am supposed to be working on my next assignment, due today, but we've all been sick again, this time with a chest/head cold. Both kids have a disgusting wet cough and streaming noses and I'm feeling decidedly sick. Carl had it first so we can all blame him. My fab lecturer has given me an extension until Tuesday, so I have two days' grace. I'd best get working on it I suppose...

Stashboosting

Well if a girl can't quilt, what's the next best thing? Buy more fabric of course :)
I ordered a 'charming jelly pack' of Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding range from the Fat Quarter Shop and was pleased when it arrived during the week. It took about two weeks to arrive from the US, but it was worth the wait. It's lovely Christmassy fabric in non-traditional Christmas colours. I have a couple of projects planned. They're on my ever-expanding 'to do' list :)

A friend asked me for some advice during the week on how to get started quilting. She wanted to do a butterfly quilt for her daughter. I went onto Etsy to see if I could find anything suitable for her and, in the course of my browsing, I came across a 'bits and pieces pack' from greenolive. I couldn't resist, and this gorgeous Flutterby fabric - screenprinted in Melbourne by hand - also arrived during the week.And, while not fabric, this also arrived during the week (I was popular at the post office!) - it's my win from a recent giveaway on Duyvken's blog. She was decluttering and had two boxes she didn't want any more.
My sister-in-law had these eggs up around her home at Easter time at I secretly coveted them - so when I won I was very happy indeed. Romily was over the moon as she just loves Easter. She, of course, wanted to put them up straight away and only being reminded that we have to have Christmas first could dissuade her! Thanks Amelia - your eggs have come to a great home!

I will be having a giveaway soon - I recently won a gorgeous pattern from Don't Look Now and Kellie somehow ended up sending me two. She has very kindly agreed that the second copy should go to a good home, so keep your eyes posted to this blog for your chance to win!

Swap quilt received and stash boosted!

Finally arriving all the way from the UK, much to Faith's relief, my Spring Blooms swap quilt is here. There was much excitement in our house when the parcel was picked up from the post office, especially from Romily who helped open it. (Click on photo to see a bigger version, as always.) Inside was one of the most extraordinary quilts I've ever seen. Faith has put many hours of work into the quilt, hand dyeing fabric, painting fabric, embroidering and appliqueing. It's a truly original design and completely different - one of the things I love about quilting: no two are ever the same and it's a medium that lends itself to so many styles and interpretations. Many thanks Faith!

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I have been on a fabric ban for a while, with many UFOs awaiting my attention and a large tub full of lovely fabrics. However, when my favourite quilting store, Addicted to Fabric, had its private sale yesterday, I was happy to break that self-imposed ban! I ended up with 15 metres of beautiful fabric, all of which is destined for projects other than quilting! Well, some of it will no doubt end up in quilts, but most of it will be used in dressmaking for Romily, as well as some crafty take-home book bags for the little guests at Rom's forthcoming birthday party, and presents for other little people in my life.

I bought some beautiful fabric from the Patty Young 'Mezzanine' range (I see a couple of dresses and skirts with matching applique tops).Some groovy orange floral and houndstooth Urban Chiks fabric.And some of the Prints Charming 'Rainbow Garden' range in the blue colourway.And the pink.I also grabbed some more Aurifil in white and some Superior Threads variegated blue machine quilting thread for a lap quilt I'm about to get started on. It's for my father-in-law's companion, who turned 80 last month. I made her a table runner for Christmas and the laptop is from the same fabrics. I need to get it pieced, sandwiched and quilted by Wednesday, as I'm taking the kids down to Melbourne/Bendigo for a week. I'll get the binding and label on while I'm at my parents' place in Melbourne and then we'll be able to give it to Robina on Monday week when we head up to Bendigo for the day. No pressure or anything!

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And some recent photos of my two lovely children (who, touch wood, are both healthy this week at least!).

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Finally, happy 4th of July to my US readers!

Fabric Shopper giveaway - good lord!

Who wouldn't want to win this????? Crikey! Count me IN!!

Score!

I was stoked to find this 40 x 3m pack of craft ribbons in Big W (similar to Walmart for those of you in the US) the other week. A steal at only $20. That's 50c a roll. Score!

Making me happy

I have to show off one of my Christmas presents - actually my favourite Christmas present! It was from my little brother and his very excellent other half (go check out her artwork). Bill has had somewhat 'eclectic' taste in his gift giving up till now, but, since he met Kate, he has been making us happy at Christmas and on birthdays.

How's this for a perfect present?
The Material Obsession book (you can get yours here). It's a fabulously fresh and modern approach to quiltmaking, with some interesting twists on traditional blocks, as well as an amazing use of colour. The foreword is by Kaffe Fasset - what an endorsement! Lots and lots of quilty inspiration there.

And 5 Amy Butler FQs from her Belle range. It's just beautiful fabric :)

FABULOUS! Now I just have to work out what I'm going to do with them!

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And just quietly, anyone out there a Battlestar Galactica fan? Carl and I just finished watching Season 4.0 - oh my goodness. What a great show. Can't wait for the final 10 episodes to come out on disk...stupid free-to-air stations here don't screen it. (No spoilers please! I know it's already been screened in the US. I am studiously avoiding any websites that tell me how it was all resolved! LOL)

Fab Amitie fabric

What lovely fabrics to go into my planned red/yellow/white quilt. Yum yum. From the fabulous Amitie, where I met the lovely Cathy, aka the fabulous Miss Marzie and also one half of Audrey & Maude.

It's the first time I've 'outed' myself in 'real life' to someone from Blogland! It was very funny.

Me to the gorgeous tall blonde lady: 'Would one of you be Cathy by any chance?'
Blonde amazon: 'Yes, that's me. Why?'
Me: 'Um I'm Lorraine...er, Lily, er Cascade Lily' (with growing desperation in my voice)
Cathy: 'Oh my gosh! Hi! How lovely to meet you!' (with the look on her face going from complete incomprehension, to vague recollection, to realisation!!!)

Then I had to go on to explain that I answer to Lorraine or Lily - my old friends, work colleagues and most of my family call me Lorraine, but my Dad and newer friends call me by my nickname Lily, which I prefer. It's a bit confusing! LOL

Once we got over the awkwardness, it was very exciting to be in the middle of such an amazing store and gushing about all the delectable fabrics and projects which take up every conceivable flat surface (and a lot of hanging space too) in the well appointed store.

I had to concentrate very hard not to be thrown off course away from my desire to get some stripes and more yellows/reds! Fortunately my mum came with me and looked after Tristan and Romily while I shopped! I had about an hour there and could have spent the whole day there if I'd been sans kids!

Methinks Amitie will be a regular haunt for me on my Melbourne jaunts! Grandma will have to do some babysitting :)

Luscious

As a reward for finishing my exam (although I am yet to sit it!!) and therefore the first unit of my masters of management studies, I bought some yardage and 30cm strips of the gorgeous, gorgeous fabric you see in the above photo (click for a larger image) from my LQS on Monday while Romily was at playschool. Most of this is destined for dresses for Romily - I'm just waiting for my Sandi Henderson Portabello Pixie 'Claire' pattern to arrive in the mail and we'll be making up some gorgeous dresses and tops for summer.

I am loving the combination of red, yellow, white and black. I think the left over fabric might be destined for a quilt...for me - I haven't made one for me yet. I think it's just about time!

The exam is tomorrow afternoon. Three hours. I feel like I'm an undergrad student again! Wish me luck :)

Strawberries and cream, pop and fog

Some fab fabric arrived from Quilt Fabric Delights and Hancocks of Paducah during the week, as well as some from my LQS. It's all for the 'summer' quilt I'm making for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap. Here it is all washed and ready to go. The quilt will be called Strawberries & Cream. Yummy!
Also, my slack postie arrived on Wednesday with a whole bunch of mail, including four more FQs from our birthday swap. Well, three FQs and a 30cm strip of divine Amy Butler fabric. Clockwise from top left: Cylie, Helen, Bec and Helen again. Helen you have really spoilt me with an FQ and a 30cm strip! Thanks ladies! Only a few more to come :)
As for pop, here's Romily, who's discovered the joys of popping bubble wrap!
And fog - this is the view we were greeted with this Saturday morning. Hopefully it will be a beautiful day once all that fog burns off!
Have a lovely weekend!

Yum, Yum, New Fabric!

My parcel from Equilter arrived last week, and all the fabric is now washed and ironed.

Although it's quilting cotton, it's actually going to be dresses for Rom...although leftovers might just find their way into my stash :)


And shirts for my twin nephews. I just couldn't find good quality cotton/nice prints in my local fabric store, so I thought I'd get this! I'd better get busy though if they're going to be ready in time for Christmas.


I've also been tagged by Tina.

Here are the Rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog.

So, five 'fascinating' facts about little old moi:
1. My wedding dress was green
2. I fell in love with my husband on Mt Everest
3. I hope to be living in Tasmania within five years
4. My middle name is Margaret (and so is my mum's and my daughter's)
5. If I won the lotto tomorrow I wouldn't work another day in my life! On second thoughts, that's probably not just me, but you get the drift.

Lots of memes are doing the rounds, so don't feel obliged. But if you are game, I tag:
Helen
AJ
Cathy
Gabrielle
Nicolette

Oh and hoorah! My work trip to Adelaide was cancelled! Thank goodness. I can well do without it at the moment. So much happening over the next six weeks.