Liam's Quilt

I have finished one of the quilts on my list for this year. It is for Liam, he is turning 17 in May and I haven't made him a quilt since a little one when he was born. I think it is time he got a new one. I spoke to his mother and she said he liked blue, so this is what I did. The pattern is from Cluck, Cluck, Sew and is called Off Track. It was quick and easy and fun - all done with 2.5" strips for the coloured bits. 

It is not quilted yet, but Belinda (from Eucalypt Ridge quilting)  took it yesterday and is doing it for me. I need to get it finished and in the mail before I head off on my exciting trip to Quilt Market in Portland in May. I will post pics of the finished quilt when I get it back and bind it. 

Works in progress & finishes

I have been sewing a bit lately and thought I would post the pictures so that I have a record of what and when. Last week I posted a pic of the Lynne Alchin quilt I am working on, and I have done some more. I also finished a quilt for Hobbysew and Belinda and I gave two quilts to Relay for Life.

This is coming along very nicely. I had a great class with Lynne on Thursday and I'm really happy with it so far. 

This was so much fun, quick and easy. Done with a new range of Batiks that Hobbysew (Orange) just got in. I think I will write it up as a freebie on the website.

This is the one that I did at Rydal, Belinda quilted it (beautifully of course) and it was raffled for Relay for Life last weekend.

This is an oldie but a goodie. It was a pattern I did a few years ago, the background is plain black. It was also quilted by Belinda and raffled for Relay for Life.

Work in Progress

Progress on my Lynne Alchin Quilt.

I mentioned that I was doing a class with Lynne Alchin, and the next meeting is on Thursday so I thought I should get on with it. Haven't got far, but I have got the basket and the stems stitched down and the first flower stuck on. I'm doing it all by machine. Hopefully I will get a bit more done before class this week.

This picture is taken in overcast daylight. It is a bit darker than reality.

And this one is taken with a flash and is a bit too light. When it gets a bit further along I will take better pictures.

Natalie Ross in Stitches

The featured designer on SewArmadillo this month is Natalie Ross in Stitches. She is a great Australian designer who does a wide range of fun patterns, everything from quilts to toys to sewing accessories to bag and more. There are several on my list to do (one day). All of her patterns are reduced by 10% for readers of this blog or SewArmadillo Facebook followers if you send me an email and ask for the discount.

Sew Beary Necessary - fun pincushion and sewing caddy pattern.

Happy Happy Garden - this one in on my 'to do' list

Going Bananas - cute and perfect for monkey fans

Winterberry Birds - pretty and practical sewing mat and caddy pattern

Funky Monkey 1,2,3 - I'm making this for a new baby. 

The Hootie Hoo Family - fun and easy and perfect for all owl collectors.

Dolls

I have been wanting to make some dolls for ages, and I haven't gotten around to it. But I have a pattern picked out and now I'm looking for some fabric. It is a simple doll but I need to start somewhere as I haven't made a doll for over a year. I love all the Jill Maas designs but I'm not really ready to start them at the moment, but I thought I would post a picture of one made by a customer. This is Shelly's Fred and Frogs in a Box. The pattern is by Jill Maas.

Isn't he so cute, I love him. Great work Shelly.

I will post some pictures when I pick fabrics and show the pattern I have chosen. This doll will be for me I think. 

Fabulous Valentine's Day

Well I had a wonderful Valentine's Day. I started a new class with Lynne Alchin to make a gorgeous applique and pieced quilt. I forgot to ask if I could post a photo, but I will check next time, and I will post photos of mine as it comes along.

But I've almost finished the one I started for Fiona. I love it, not sure if she will but I will be very happy to keep it if she doesn't like it. Just have to finish the blanket stitching and get it quilted. 

It's called Carolina Lily by In The Doghouse Designs.

And I had to go shopping today. Look at all the gorgeous new fabrics I got. Have a few ideas about some of them but nothing concrete yet. Haven't had a fabric shopping spree for ages. It was fun.

Valentine's Day Sale

Valentine's Day is one of my favourite days of the year. Not because I am a romantic, but because it is my favourite (and only) nephew's birthday. I don't get to see him very often but I still love him a lot. And so to celebrate I am having a sale in my eBay store (http://stores.ebay.com.au/millthorpe) and also in my online store (www.sewarmadillo.com.au). There is 10% off nearly everything, except some new listings on eBay. I can't mark things down on SewArmadillo so I will refund the discount or send a new invoice after any purchase.

Happy Valentine's Day