Some Sewing Progress

Just a quick post to show some sewing progress. A lovely lady has donated four embroideries for a "Girls' Night In" function in Mt. Perry to raise funds for cancer research. I'm making one of them into a small wall hanging. The top is complete, just needs quilting and a binding.

This is the infamous Queen Bed Quilt in my WIP list. Several years in the making, it's been something to work on when the mood was right. So I laid it out on a bed to see what it needs to finish it, which isn't much. Just some hand sewing on ric rac around the border piece and complete those english patchwork pieces and attach them. Only four of those to finish now.



While I won't be posting my bag tomorrow like others, I only have a little hand sewing to do on the bag and on the little extra something.

Just realized it's SPRING here tomorrow.

Quilting Wishes

Time for Show and Tell

What a busy week. I've only just managed to keep up with my favourite blogs and went to bed early last night exhausted. Now the weekend is here and I have a fresh start, I'd like to share some goodies that I have either received, purchased or grown.

Firstly I received my first fabric postcard in the mail yesterday. This is the first in the swap I joined and I'm loving it. Butterflies are on my favourites list.

Next are some fabrics purchased to compliment some stash fabrics. These will go towards three different projects. They are not specifically grouped so if I don't point out which fabrics are which, then no one will be any the wiser, hey Kerry.

I've had making another kaleidoscope on my mind and when I saw this fabric I had to have it, and of course the book to go along with the project. Iwill be strong and not start this quilt until I have a couple of finishes first.

Yesterday at patchwork I took along my queen bed quilt and did some more work on it. It's so close to being finished, if I knuckle down I plan to complete the top within the next three weeks. Then I'll decide if I'll tackle the quilting myself or save some pennies and send it away to be quilted.

Lastly my pour neglected roses are real troopers. They practically grow themselves. Here is Peter Frankenfeld (pink) and Just Joey (apricot) with the most delicious scents.

Off to do some sewing now. My bag for Linda's swap is almost finished and I've cut out a little something to go with it.

Quilting Wishes

Fat Quarters and Log Cabins

I've been thinking that a quilt-as-you-go log cabin quilt would be the way to go for my king bed. Carin is celebrating 200 posts and is giving away some fat quarters and a book on log cabin quilt as you go. So .... maybe I'll be the lucky one, or I'll know what to ask for at the book store.

Giveaway Time

I have a long way to go but Debi is having a giveaway to celebrate her 200th post. Drop by and see the lovely prizes.

Also Bonnie has made mention of her next mystery quilt. I was tempted to do the last one but didn't get around to starting it, so, this time I am very very tempted.

Quilting Wishes

Winds of Ice

It's been a freezing week and the weather man says it's not finished yet. Today is the windiest and it feels like it's coming straight off the ice. I hate being cold and keep telling myself that this will be the last cold snap before spring. Hope I'm right.

On the craft front, I've managed to do a little sewing on my bag for the swap. Mostly I've been cutting up those fabrics from my previous post. Loving how they look and can't wait to get them sewn up.

This lovely piece of fabric is to be made into a christmas present.

And here is my first ever fabric postcard. I've been admiring everyone else's for ages and thinking about making one. A local group is holding a swap so I decided it was time to join in. It's only simple but I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one when I know the theme. The background is a piece from my dyed fabrics. Something else I would love to do more of when time permits, and the weather is warmer.

Time to head back to a warmer spot than my computer is in. It's lovely here of a morning when the sun comes through the windows, just ask my cats. But the sun has moved on and so am I.

Aren't the walking races amazing. Australia just came in 3rd and 6th. Yeah Aussie!

Quilting Wishes

Giveaways and Fabric Buys

I'm meeting wonderful new people all the time in blogland. If you visit Marit here and Candace here, you can leave a comment to take part in their giveaways.

And some pics of fat quarters I purchased recently. I'm breaking away from my earthy, pastel colours I think.

The bottom two are 30cm cuts to add to these for DH's quilt. Another on my 'to do' list with the deadline for this one now for next winter.

It's a cold, windy day today and my back is out again so I'm off to lay down on the lounge (too much sitting is no good) in front of the heater. I'm currently reading Jennifer Chiaverini's "The Master Quilter" so I'll finish that off while keeping an eye on the olympics on TV.

Quilting Wishes

Recipes and Fabric Buys

As you will see on my side bar, I've joined Another Little Quilt Swap, and already have a pattern picked out, depending if it fits with my recipients preferences.

Also, I have a pattern selected for my bag swap and have decided how I'm going about it. Here are two of the fabrics recently purchased to enhance my choice of fabrics. Hope to get started today.

A couple of ladies asked for the recipes of my wonderful daughters cooking. For the slice I usually make a triple batch and use two lamington trays.

CHOCOLATE SQUARES

1 cup SR flour, 4ozs butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 3/4 cup coconut,
1 tbsp cocoa, 1 dstsp syrup.

Melt butter, sugar and syrup in saucepan. Pour over dry ingredients and combine.

Press into tray and bake for 15 to 20 minutes in a moderate oven.

Ice as desired. I usually sprinkle with coconut but little choc bits and yum too.

MOCHA COOKIES

150g butter, 3/4 cups brown sugar, 1 egg yolk, 2tsp instant coffee granules, 1 tbsp hot water, 1 1/2 cups plain flour, 1 tbsp cocoa, dark chocolate Melts

Beat butter, sugar, egg yolk and combined coffee and water until smooth.

Stir in sifted flour and cocoa in two batches. Knead dough on floured surface until smooth.

Roll mixture into balls, place 5cm apart on tray and flatten slightly. Press 1 chocolate melt into centre of each and bake about 12 minutes in moderate oven. (She ran out of chocolate Melts and used white chocolate ones instead. Just as yum!)

Enjoy

I also bought this 300cm or 120" tape in a tin. Cute, safe and yes, I have had it out and got it back in the tin.

More fabric purchases later.

Quilting Wishes

Summer Quilt Safe and Sound

I had an email today from Grace with some good news. Her Four Seasons Summer Quilt finally arrived and she's very happy. I've been visiting her blog regularly and they've had no end of rain so hopefully it will bring a little sunshine her way.

For a lovely green/yellow colourway, visit http://craftygiveaways.blogspot.com. She has some to giveaway.

I'm lucky enough to have a small tv in the sewing room so I can catch up on blogs while waiting for the games to begin. Don't know if I'll still be up when the Aussies enter the stadium, it's been a long week.

Quilting Wishes

A Quick Pic

I've spent several hours trying to iron out hick-ups with my computer and camera and now have my camera card in my sons camera and still haven't finished with the computer ...... so ......




here is evidence of the cooking DD did Sunday night (sorry bit blury) and i've yet to take some photos of the fabric I purchased last Saturday. The mocha cookies are super delish and the chocolate squares are always a treat.

I've just come across some lovely Dear Jane blocks that http://stitchinfriends.blogspot.com is giving away.

I'm playing catch-up with everything at the moment so roll on weekend.

Quilting Wishes

Giveaways and Goodies

I had a wonderful, if too short, time at the Quilt Show and managed a couple of purchases. My computer is playing up and I can't upload from the camera so pics will have to wait.

Here are some wonderful ladies who are having giveaways so pay a visit and check them out.

Farmyard Crafts and Quilty Threads

My beautiful daughter popped home (9 hour round trip) for the weekend to attend one of her best friend's 21st. A beautiful young woman and a lovely night for all. So this afternoon she was a little bored and declared "I'll do some cooking". A while later we have 2 chocolate cakes, 2 trays of chocolate slice and a batch of mocha cookies. Yummmm! With some in the freezer that should tied us over for a bit. She heads back early in the morning.

I'd like to finish with a picture of my step-father-in-law's prize orchid from May this year.

Quilting Wishes

Challenge Finish Five by end of July

Peg asked for a show of finishes so here goes.

1) Chenille Bag - for myself.

2) Summer Swap Quilt - in the post.

3) Project for a competition which will be in the post Monday. Photos in due course.

4) 5 x Mug Mats - 2 for a giveaway, 1 for a friend and 2 wrapped with matching mugs and donated to school cent sale.

I'm hoping that the finishing drive stays around a little longer but I'm off to Bundaberg Quilters Exhibition tomorrow and I have a shopping list for new projects.

Quilting Wishes