Weekends away as the spring kicks off

There wasn't a lot of sewing this weekend. 

I headed up north to catch up with my sister, her partner and a little girl in their care who is very sweet.

Can you find a better way to spend a Friday afternoon?  Not me in the pic, but seriously, I was wishing it was.  :)))  Casually floating about.  Not a care in the world.

Looking back towards the hinterland at the back of Coffs Harbour from Sawtell.

This is the river that runs through Bellingen.  The one that floods when the rain comes.  But this weekend the kids where swimming and jumping in the deep parts off the bridge.  The water crystal clear.

The Saturday craft market in Bellingen with the locals.  And a new op shop in town. Bizarrely the place to be. 

So as you can see I didn't get a lot of sewing done. However I did have a relaxing couple of days.

Oh & I did get to go through soem of my sisters patchwork books/magazines looking for something new to get into. 
And I would like to say I've got it.  But it's a surprise.  So you will all have to wait till it is seriously under way for a sneak peek... 

Happy week all.
K x

Sunny Stitchy Sundays

 

 I have this little stash of fabrics that I nicked off someone.  LOL & and yes they know that I nicked off with them, maybe, perhaps they have forgotten.  Which is always possible.  Anywho I was too'ing & fro'ing as to what to do with them this morning.  Nothing was jumping to mind. 

They are a bit boring. . . so they are tucked back where I found them.   Until something springs to mind.  I was thinking something really modern since they aren't.

The quilt along...  it is taking some motivation to keep onto of late.....  :))  I figure I will just do a couple every now and then.  Fingers crossed I get to finish it some time soon..  

But I was a little stuck on what to do?  Do I start another quilt?

Finish something that has been hanging around for a little while?

I have been a little on the sick side of things, so my motivation is a little slow this weekend.




The spider pattern block from a couple of weeks ago, popped into a cushion.

I have so much of this hydrangea range in the cupboard it is a bit on the ridiculous side.  What can I say.  I love it..  Oh and I do have different colour ways too.  So I wasn't short on a piece to do the back.


Happy week all..

K x

Shiny little things

It was a hassle trying to get more covered buttons. No credit card facilities, so I thought I would try making my own.  I just grabbed a little packet from Spotlight and followed the instructions.  Cute hey.  They look good, and it was easy peasy...  I want them for the next set of sprocket cushions...  Which are happening below.

I was surfing about the other day, on a couple of other blogs that I lurk on and I found a great tut for a spiders web block here .  Honestly with instructions as clear as this tut how can you go wrong! 

The effect is amazing, shame I don't have too much more of this hydrangea fabric left in this colour way.  Oh well.  I'm visualising another cushion maybe.

The last of the Sprocket cushions, I'm just struggling trying to get the button onto this set.  I will have to try again.  Maybe I have too much wadding in them.  Oops.....  :)  These ones are a bit wonky.  Not to worry. 

Enjoy the last of the weekend

K x

Me or the Zipper.....

I have had this Japanese dragonfly stitchery completed for AGES...  & AGES.  It has been sitting in the pile for things to get finished off.  Which you all know is massive...

To tell you the truth the thought of installing a zipper has scared the pants off me.  But they look good in cushions and it lets you take out the insert and wash it.  

Well today I sucked it up, how hard can it be.....

It was actually a bit of a cinch. 

Suppose it helps when you get to check out tutorials like this over at sew mama sew :)  So a very big thanks...  for the confidence.

The tutorial suggested installing a little flap over the zipper which means the cushion is now reversible. 

Two for one love it. 
Only problem now is which side do I like best???

Anywho, enough chitter chatter on the successful cushion... 

K x

Ps. Last nights Boeuf Bourguignon was sensational, if you get a chance try it out.

Blissfull Saturdays. . . . . . . .

 I love Saturday mornings, you know, the ones....  where your  plan is to hang out in your PJ's till after lunch. With no one to tell you off.  No one around wanting to drag you off somewhere.  Today has been productive.

So this is the quilt top done.  And on the right where I started this morning.  Pinning all the strips together. It is a single bed size.  I was thinking borders, but I like it the way it is.

Whats in the oven for dinner??  Boeuf Bourguignon, for the Aussie readers, beef stew, LOL french style.  Julia Child's is being tested out at my place for dinner.  Can I say, 1/2 bottle of french red, and the smells wafting from the oven are amazing.  I have had it in the oven since 3pm.  Not long to go.   Dinner should be sensational.  Served of course with mushrooms and onions as per the original instructions from Julia herself, oh and a glass of red. 

Only one thing to say,  Bon Appetit

Happy weekend

K x

What can you do with a jelly roll?

Seen them everywhere and I have always walked past them. 

Click clack sewing at its best. ... . . . . .  I just happened to nab one on sale, and thought why not try it and out see how it works for me.

I have had this quilt top in mind for quite some time.  Having fabric precut at 2 1/2 inch strips saved heaps of time cutting. 

This is the colour range, really pretty bright colours.  I just happen to have a doona cover and pillow cases in the aqua shade that matched perfectly. 

I have been wanting to get rid of it for some time.  In fact I have been carting it around the country side for about 10 years now.  So I thought I would put it to good use in this project.

Cuts of 6 1/2 inch, 6 rectangles from each strip.

It is coming together beautifully and quickly. 

look out for the next post, I'm hoping to have it all together.









k x

September is National Sewing Month - Sew along

What can I say.  I seem to be a bit of a sucker for punishment at the moment.  Cause I don't have enough to actually do with my time.

Tula Pink is joining with a couple of big guns to bring National Sewing month for September.  If you flip on over to Tula's blog, you can find all the details and where to sign up.

Don't we all need a little encouragement to get sewing and to try different things.  Find some great tips on getting things right.

So WHY NOT? she cried.  Sign up I did. 




Happy weekend.
K x

part two of fudge sunday

A couple more for the quilt along.  Im still behind..  Oops...

 

nothing else to add.......

Have a great week

K x

Progressive fudgy Sundays

I have been working on this pinwheel one for some time now.  Oh and I must say I'm over seeing it on the design wall.  Best I just get into it and get it done.  Then onto something new.....

So Ta daaaaaa . . . .   Picture on the left start point, on the right all together.  Just!

One wise ole Aunt of mine who shall remain nameless, who has more than 20 years patchwork and quilting experience said to me once "you know K... sometimes it's NOT all about ones ability to have everything matching up perfectly. Sometimes you just have to fudge it....." So fudge it I have.

Am I pleased with the results?  Goodness yes, what hasn't been fudged out will be quilted out.  :)

Im thinking a white border, say 4 inch top and bottom but about 8 - 10 on the sides.  With red perle 8 stiching on the sides. 

K x

Name Change...... Name Change...... Name Change......

If you visit regularly you may have noticed a slight change in name.  From now on I will be blogging under . . . . . . . . .

Crafty Barter

Why I hear you all dramatically asking all at once right?

Well why not I say.  You know the old saying sometimes a change is as good as a holiday.

Anywho, things are moving around here....  so if you're interested stay tuned... and if not, that's OK, pop back once in a while and check out what I'm up to.

K x