Whippet Good

The blues

2012-02-13T11:23:00.000+11:00

My 'British Blues' - a range of blues, greens, mauves and lavenders called Coloured Dreams by Fabric Freedom - I got a jelly roll while in the UK last year and found a quick and easy pattern called Basket Case!

Laying out the rows at MMQG yesterday, I had some help from friends to make sure pairs weren't touching and that the overall look was 'messy' enough to be 'right'!!

Lynne suggested taking a black and white photo - helps to see the darks are distributed randomly enough

I think they are...

Anyone else got Powercam on their iPhone? What absolute fun!!!

This one is TCVGA..whatever that means...

This one is Solarize...

I couldn't resist Granny Squares...my new scrap project!

Though I certainly add to my scrap bag more than I take out I'm absolutely sure!!

Floaty bubbles!...

Some toes in some favourite Birkers...

This one has had the blues.....Ruby fell and scraped the skin off her kneecap

...ewwww I saw bone!!

$445 later, she's getting lots of cuddles telling her not to do that again!....

We call her Conehead now....

Dr Who Spectacular!

2012-02-05T13:14:00.000+11:00

Family Christmas Present happening yesterday!

Dr Who Spectacular with the MSO

Australian First

So So Good

Hosted by 'Canton'

He was a fantastic host and performed impeccably

3 hours of fantastic music solely composed by the amazing Murray Gold

Video (with just a little glitch...everyone laughed and laughed when the sonic screwdrivers came out!!!)

Solo performances by Antoinette Halloran

and Tobias Cole

Just Beautiful.

Photos from inside the beautiful Plenary Theatre came out pretty rotten and even outside where not crash hot.....but we did find some aliens YAY!!!!

There were DALEKS, Cybermen, a Judoon, OODs, Vampires of Venice,

and

THE SILENCE

Fez, bowtie and "Mrs Tennant" t-shirt!

My lovely scrappy +and x quilt!

2012-02-05T12:59:00.001+11:00

My lovely scrappy +and x quilt!, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Big Kiss and Hug for my giant block! Just like for the front hehehe

My lovely scrappy +and x quilt!

2012-02-05T12:57:00.002+11:00

My lovely scrappy +and x quilt!, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

My lovely jubbly scrappy wrappy quilt is finished!

It has a little bit of history (a rather annoying and frustrating visit to a professional baster who chopped off a good section of the pieced back URRGGHHRR!) which put it in my 'bad books' for a while...til I realised that it was not my quilt's fault...and I began to love it again!

Big kiss and hug for my quilt...X O

Do you feel this way about your work when finally done and dusted?

Have you had any troubles with 'professionals' who don't do the 'Right Thing' by the quilt or the quilter??? Vent to me and we can vent together!!

A slice of heaven

2012-01-30T18:25:00.000+11:00

Do yourself a favour....

Stay at

French Fields, Blenheim, NZ

The Best B&B In The World!

Honestly, not kidding

Really and Truly

Magnifique

We were kinda dumbstruck the whole time, cos it was that bl***y good

I think I still am...

Not now darling, Mummy's working...

2012-01-29T12:01:00.000+11:00

Warning Will Robinson! If certain words give you 'pussy bum face'....click somewhere else.....

Sh*t Oz Bloggers Say.....

"I'm shutting my blog down....nup..nup that's it...I'm shutting it down.....I'm going to write a post about how I'm going to shut my blog down."

Hil-ar-i-ous!!!

This is only Episode 1.

I need more!!!

Workshop for the spatially challenged

2012-01-29T10:38:00.001+11:00

Treehouse Textiles - Schoolhouse Tunic by Sew Liberated workshop - anyone interested?

I am thinking of booking in on Fri 23rd March (the second date) (cos it would make a lovely birthday present for myself hehehe) and am already scouring the net for ideas and pointers and alterations that may work for me.

I love the idea of having someone to ask a million questions over as I nervously cut, pin and sew (and unpick) - are you one of those people too?....If you can do it with one eye closed, while playing the harmonica, don't put your hand up!!!!

I really do want to learn how to make clothes....I'm such a naffy when it comes to sewing 3 dimensional things....can't barely picture how a piece of pattern becomes a thing that wraps around my (ample) torso...

Has anyone made one already? I am wanting to use a 2m piece of linen-y gauze type fabric, but pattern says 2.2m....can I get away with squeezing it in?

Treehouse Textiles....really lovely website and a really lovely concept for good sewing, good food and good tuition....I'm Excited!!!

[source]

Edit: I've booked! Come join me!

20 years and still going....

2012-01-18T09:58:00.000+11:00

20 years married to my man today

We were babies when we got together, but we knew we were on to a good thing.

Just gets better and better! Gotta have a montage.....

1. Bron's Yr12 1988, 2. Sean & Bron history 001, 3. School Prom 1988, 4. Wedding Day Jan18 1992, 5. Pen Winery 2009, 6. Peninsula Winery 2009, 7. 2011 Holiday (161), 8. 2011 Holiday (187), 9. 2011 Holiday (188), 10. 2011 Holiday (1149), 11. 2011 Holiday (1151), 12. 2011 Holiday (1150), 13. Sean's 40th birthday, 14. Sean's 40th Dracula and his bride

(School Prom photo got a bit of a headchop - can't fix, so sorry - you'll just have to imagine the Big Hair and the Taffeta)

Out to dinner tonight - got myself a snazzy new dress (love it when it jumps out at you from the rack) and maybe some last minute shoe shopping - some cocktails and a groovy restaurant and then a quick holiday in NZ next week!!!!!

We know how to treat ourselves goood!

Love you babe

Always and forever

Distractions

2012-01-11T18:11:00.000+11:00

Some organic cotton swans - in my favourtite colour by Laurie Wishburn

Some really nice velveteen and voile - I can see an infinity scarf in their future (tissue box not included). The soft sherberty orange dosn't match the AMH fabric exactly, but I like them I do.

Some (very popular fabric so Spotty girl fabric cutter tells me) bike and dot fabric - suits DD2 down to the ground and she has nominated a slouchy bag like DD1 made - well, I will, just cos I love you

Some irresistible fabric - I just couldn't - I don't need them, I just Wanted Them!

Backyard Baby range from Hawthorne Threads

The trees are so lovely and the flying seed pods kill me.

I have a soft spot for houndstooth. There, I've said it.

Can you tell I don't want to write my assignment......

Love a knit in Summer

2012-01-11T13:21:00.000+11:00

A rather washed out self portrait of me and my new cowl knit

No not made by me (as if!)

but a pre-Christmas prize won by moi!

I had sent emails thanking Pretty Wit for picking my name out of a hat - random choice but still....letting them know that though it is Summer here (ie beach weather for sure!) I would be using it in due course (being Melbourne the fickle little minx she is) but Boy do I need it today! Rain, hail and a top of 19 degrees - In January!!!
It is so so soft and warm, but not too warm and a most beautiful wheat/caramel/toast colour - I saw a lady looking at it - I sure she wanted it! Ha! All mine (except when my children snipe it from my cupboard and wear it as a hat)

check out other Pretty Witty things here! and be just a little jealous of my new warm cowly neck? maybe not the wrinkles it hides though. You don't have to be jealous of that, just saying.

WIPs - this is your year babies!

2012-01-07T18:51:00.000+11:00

A cool splash is needed for this hot beginning to 2012 here in Melbourne.

A new look always inspires me to do a little dabbling with the ol' bloggo.

I didn't get terribly far hehehe!

I also haven't got very far with my Medallion Quilt borders

I'm still on No. 3 - Applique.

Need twice as many hexies as I had made.....

though my first 'proper' bit of sewing done for maybe 2 months - striped border and white border left me with an aching back and hamstrings, but boy did I enjoy the hum of my machine...sigh... (sorry...I say proper sewing, as if handsewing the hexies together is not....you choose!)

WIP's for 2012 - no resolutions to be made here EXCEPT sew WIPs and sew from stash!

Thats all I'm saying, peeps, no more!

2011 - Year of the Unfinished:

A little fixing of some bad looking quilting and a binding and then + and x quilt is done!

My Liberty stamps - slowly but surely

I have had this collection of DS's Country Fair for sooooo long - they are destined to become a picnic rug and I pull them out everynow and then, but, then they go back in their little hidy hole and get forgotten

This lives on my stair railing unquilted and unfinished - 2012 is your year buddy!!!

DITTO!

This needs so much doing to it - it's not funny - bad joins, batting, backing, borders?

A Don't Look Now/Sewjourn Retreat project - looking pretty....but that's about it.

Wow - this one really does live under my table, hidden away from prying eyes, but no more it cries!

Please fix up the frightfully awful hand-quilting job done on me and get me sorted!!!

Just another piccie of my (once) baby - just a little tweak here and there is needed...

A newbie on the scene - Basket Case pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew - with my British Blues - gotta get you a photo of them - they really are stunning!

My photos Always have a loose thread!

Just a few pictures that I like - thought I would share.

Those little cockatiels are adorable and a childhood dream on a lid

Study is killing my sewing time at the moment - my back accident put me nearly a month behind schedule and I am a-slaving away to catch up...2 assignments done (but only with an extension and a pretty serious semi-melt down) and 2 to go....silent prayer that words get typed on page....

my eyes are hurting

Chinese takeaway is calling

my tummy is rumbling

After the storm

2011-12-30T18:56:00.000+11:00

Christmas has come and gone - lovely day with in-laws for Summer Fruit and Croissant breakfast at our house, then a late lunch at my parents of Turkey, Ham (and Pork for all the little piggies who needed more on their plate!), roast vegies and oh so yummy Plum Pud! Have I told you about my mum's Pud? We had the 'old' one!! hehehe It was The BEST! I also love cold plum pud for snacks for days after oh yeah!

Well we still have the tree up and various pressies under it, cos certain members of the family can't seem to get back to us as to when they are 'free' for us to pop over with pressies for them and the kids.

How many times do we need to ask?

Would it be wrong to do a drive-by and THROW the presents onto their porch!!!

'Fraid the Christmas spirit is flying away here....

Some photos of a present for my pasta-adoring DD1 - so she can have pasta coming out her ears!!!

Hubbie loves making Lasagna - and we love eating it!

A long overdue photo of DD1's textile project at school: a request for fabric was given the all-clear to raid the stash and she chose some zebra print (an oppy find that was just waiting for her!), and some Scotty dogs for the internals.

I think she did a fantastic job!

My Christmas Tag List and a Self-y or two

2011-12-24T13:59:00.000+11:00

Running out of time to get some naff Christmas cards for the neighbours and the cousins....print your own - race down to Officeworks and grab some stiff card paper - 210gsm weight as least - it will only take a min or two!!! and start your own collection of instant card/tag downloadables that are ready at the touch of a printer button......here are just a few I've collected.....

Lollychops

EatDrinkChic - just scroll, scroll, scroll - faves are the red and aqua deers!

Hey Look - mint and coral or green and pink? do I have to decide?

My girl Thursday - these are love-r-ly retro

Bear and Squirrel and Owl tags - divine!! (Can SOMEONE design some fan-bloody-tastic Aussie ones)
linked from Studio Morran - RIP Morran

Super cute blobs! Also by Camilla Engman

Cute if not a little 'snow-y'
Helen Dardek's 2010 tags - I think I love these more - her designs are sooo appealing!
and some more HD! - I use the French Cat all the time for my girl's friends presents - they always love it!

Feathers - Inspired!!!

Mini doodles cards - love to do a spot of doodling (if only I had time to do doodling!!!)

Fabric Bookmarks - can never have enough bookmarks I say!!

Some Christmas Eve Family Self-ies!!!

This is, of course, Ruby - OMG NOT THE CAMERA

Ha - Gotcha!

Pippi - "I must endure..."

Merry Christmas to all from us at Whippet Good

Hope you all have a happy, relaxing and most importantly safe and secure Christmas time

Please be careful driving to the relies or to your holiday home -

(and no falling down stairs!)

Just a little bit of sugar

2011-12-21T12:21:00.000+11:00

A present for a music teacher Whippy-d up quick!

from here!

A retreat from it all

2011-12-19T12:30:00.000+11:00

Some randomness amongst all the Christmassy excitement: long overdue piccies of MMQG Hepburn retreat in November; only a snippet of what we did over 4 days; too busy for too many photos; too many lovely places to visit, eat, drink, chat, watch movies, drink cocktails, and sew sew sew!

I really should be writing my essays, but I'm fluffing around with this - must get off this computer!

December Sunshine

2011-12-09T12:56:00.001+11:00

Yay! Photos are reappearing here on Whippy Goodness - blog is not a blog without some sort of pictorial voyeurism!

Melbourne is having the most beautiful pre-Christmas days - maybe a little hot for those out and about, but for those who have the 'um' luxury of being at home in a chair (or beanbag) all day long; it's the BOMB!

My first walk outside enjoying my Spring Flourishing Garden:

Yes, I said 'walk' - I'm up and about now - Wahoo - albeit slow and steady I have great plans of exercising on the 'evil' stairs - okay maybe just 3 or 4 at first - my muscles are so weak and my bum has slid down so low that I will need implants sometime soon, just so I look like I have one! (apparently most common plastic surgery - who'd thunk it?)

Still in The Chair, but certain people in the house are talking, just quietly about 'bed' sleeping, just a suggestion, see how it goes kinda thing..,,,

I think I feel a little attached to the thing I've been sleeping in for past 3 weeks and as weird as it sounds I'm just a little nervous about doing the 'normal' thing again....what if it hurts? what if I can't get out? what if?????

Amazing how pain can change your psyche but it is amazing how we can change our brain!

Wish me luck!

Ooh - It's Christmas time isn't it - I have almost missed it all! - here's a little sample of some late (for us) decorating:

Despite my (quietly) anti-northern hemisphere snow laden Christmas scenes for our Summer Australian Christmas, which means sunshine, beachtime, bbqs (to me!); edit: I've just thought of more things that mean Christmas in Summer to me: MANGOS, cherries, nectarines - I love my Summer Fruit! (but still addicted to Plum Pudding!)

My DD2 was Desperate and I mean Desperate for a Winter Theme of Silver, White and Blue

The angel on top needs serious flying appendages...to be remedied

And I LOVE IT!

My DD2 Rocks big time!

Mending

2011-12-06T11:51:00.003+11:00

Im on the mend which is the only sew-y pun I can muster today. Sunday was my best day in 2weeks. I was able to leave the house to go to dear friends baby celebration lunch. I got dressed into real clothes for first time .... Ahhh a bra! And walked (like a zombie I'm sure) with lanky hair (why does it do that?) and some make up and the best smile I could muster! I couldn't hold the baby. Really for her sake more than mine and I was a conversation stopper when I snail walked to a chair and lowered myself gingerly down. " I'm down!" I announced and the room cheered!

I've just asked for some serious extensions on my first 2 assignments. Did I mention I'm a Uni student now. After years of saying never again I am doing a Master of Info Studies through CSU online. Feeling rather teary about it today just realizing how far behind I am but...I can do it and I will do it! I have a wonderful reward late Jan next year ( special hubbie and wife trip to NZs marlbough wine region YUM. Which is a great incentive to stop the fabric p*** as my husband so eloquently puts it. And get down to stretching some brain cells.

So, life at the moment is looking up. A little down then up again. I've the most wonderful neighbours giving us cooked dinners which was a life saver last night.

I have so many things I want to do for my blog:

need to post photos of retreat at Hepburn Springs back in early Nov I gave a promise to share and it will happen!
Photos of DD1s 14 birthday
Sewing of hexagons on my AMH quilt
Making of hexagons to be appliquéd for last round of Medallion quilt along
Photos of DD1s fabulous bag and hat made at school and her fantastic ticker tape cushions she designed without even knowing what the process was
Progress of my +andx quilt. Whole nother story

I'm sure there's more but the big pain in the a*** is that I have to type all this and more using one finger on the iPad Driving me nutso!
So nutso that's it!
Please stay tuned. Some kind of re-admission into the blogosphere will happen!

What I did just forget to say is Thankyou to all my bloggy friends who have been sending me kind wishes and thoughts. If I haven't got back to you personally please don't be offended its prob cos I'm sick to death of typing with one bloody finger! Even just a few caring words can make an ill persons day and sometimes we need a few and sometimes we need a lot but they're all good Much hugs to you all

Never take it for granted

2011-12-02T13:05:00.000+11:00

Even though I've hit my 40th decade I consider myself young youthful active capable strong but having an injury occur to me has put me on the back foot immensely. Slipped on staircase sent me into a whole new world of immense pain shock and out of control worry that I had damaged my spine.

A wonderful concoction of Really Strong Drugs allowed the ambos to get me to hospital where the miracle of IV morphine kept me in lala land for awhile. V v thankful that no injury occured except for a very technical and explicit diagnosis of 'a jarring of muscle'

Home in 2 days left me in pain vomiting and frozen in fear of pain for moving til the recliner chair arrived that I've being living in for past 2weeks.

I think I'm getting better. Yesterday was a Black Day for me but today is brighter.

My family have taken such great care of me and so many friends have been so caring that it puts me to shame that I know I don't show the care of others that they have shown to me

Never take your family your friends your health and your stair railing for granted. You need them all !!

Medallion Round 2 - Squares!!

2011-11-02T17:44:00.002+11:00

Medallion Round 2 - Squares!!, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Okay - not the best photo in the world - slightly out of focus and fabric all wrinkly and unsmooth!

Squares inspired by Outfoxed!..

Love the randomness of the squares with the white blocks scattered amongst them; kinda like a failed tetris game! hehe! The corner white squares will be a lovely place for some sort of whippy good quilting!

Quilts and quilts and quilts....

2011-10-24T13:18:00.001+11:00

Mum and I went to the Eastern Palliative Care Quilt Show, in Nunnawading, on Saturday. What a treat!!

Also - I was allowed to take P.H.O.T.O.S - what a change to many many other displays! (had to change cameras half way through to the phone (bl***y batteries) (so some if not most are not Highly Professional, but you know what you get when you visit W.G.!)

(Click on the photo to get a larger photo to read the names)

I loved the delicate fabrics in this pale pale quilt: anyone know of the Lily of the Valley pink fabric?

This was first prize for the Raffle - (no contact phone call to say I'd won...did they lose my number ;) )

I picked this one as my Viewers Choice - Liberty Blocks in the most interesting sashing!!! Gotta store that little bit of difference....loved the fine fine pencil stripe of the background - a lovely change to white.

Angie Northrup also made this one: again - a stunner!

An 1800's Quilt - unbelievably well preserved!!

Now - thank you to each and every person who helped me with deciding on the backing of my + and x quilt - many of you loved the Aunt Grace scottie dogs - and me too! - but with indecision looming over my head, (mainly due to be terribly tired) Hubbie was consulted (which he says he loves to do, bless this man) and he thought the grey AMH fabric was more the go. I concurred but I could not let go of my puppies....so they starred in a twice enlarged + block and a substantial strip (plus some red and whites Sherbert Pips).

Off to the Basters tomorrow (best money spent I say!) and then it will come with me to be quilted at

Hepburn Craft Retreat

NEXT WEEK!

WAHOO!

Turning 12

2011-10-21T10:15:00.001+11:00

DD2 just became 12 years old - this is what she looks like...

G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S inside and out

Nuff with the paparazi!

4 days before party - DD2 asks how the Dr Who cake is going? Oh, bummer, forgot about that! A quick online search and 2 images picked, email sent, a couple of calls, confusion of time and space then Voila!

One Dr Who Cake - weird angle makes DT look quite evil! It even has its own 'Crack in Time'

This was a bit of a bugger to get on the cake nicely, I have to say - not as easy as they say it is!

(this was a Cherry Choc Cake - recipe from here - but it sank amazingly in the middle so I filled the middle with Morello cherries and Choc ganache and then covered the lot with the edible picture)

Still Yum - phew!

Teppanyaki was so much FUN!!!! (anyone notice the Birthday Hat - Fezzes are Cool!)

Some egg tossing....

Some omelette catching....

This was the (1st) Party Cake - this cake topper was really good - much happier with this one - on a Choc Hazelnut Sponge (store bought - yes! that's fine!!)

All the kids took a piece home - "I'll have Matt Smith's nose"..

.."the Tardis for me please"...

."I'll have David Tennant's hair...and his lips" (that was DD2)...

Appendix C

2011-10-20T16:46:00.001+11:00

Was it too much Party Food (2 parties in 14hrs)?

Was it stress and worry about the upcoming Dance Concert?

Nooooooo!

My baby girl had her appendix out at on Monday!

Here she is in Recovery with (big cuddle giver) Horton

She is such the little trooper - we laughed when the Thumbs Up was given!

Later on, she told us that she felt that her body was wide awake and could do things easily (like Thumbs Up) but she could not, for the life of her, open her eyes!

Home a day later, but lots and lots of couch time and bed time and movie time and pain pills time and well, just lots of slow, easy time to feel 100% again.

Feeling sorry for the quilt

2011-10-20T14:33:00.001+11:00

Okay - I was too lazy to even pick the dang thing up - but then did feel a little guilty (spelt it quilty!) - I love all my 'children' just some are more equal than other mwahhahah!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80179988@N00/6262205495/in/photostream

Now that I have picked it up - it is terribly small - needs some bordering, but I generally (hate) well dislike x2 putting borders on or even the look of borders (please no offence to those who love and adore borders and put them on everything),.....Buuuut, I think it needs borders. hmmmph.

The backing always throws me

2011-10-20T10:41:00.000+11:00

Bit of a break here, mainly due to Birthday Parties, Dance Concert Rehersals, Appendix Removal (not mine) and these are all in Capitals to emphasize the Importance of Each Event (Pooh would Approve) - all these details to be expanded upon (once I get the photos out of hubbie's phone)

So....until then....I need some advice - my + and x Quilt needs a backing (don't you think) - really cant' just leave it as a top, all floppy and not quite right and laying about like a (beautiful) rag - But I find the backing of quilts to be a really hard thing to do!!!

Does anyone else have this problem - how much should it tie in with the front? (A bit...) How much effort do I really want to put into making it super duper interesting? (at this stage, not much!)

The front is super busy with colours going everywhere, but a subdued framing of greys - Grey on the back? Splashes of red to liven it up?

Some very lovely dogs and scarfs liven it up too....

I do love the basics of Sherbet Pips - really delightful - lovely handfeel too

BUT I have a great big bundle of this little cutie - had it in the stash for A.Long.Time

(Aunt Grace Scrap Bag 2005!!!)

Saving up for something special and maybe this is it!

This indecision is doing my head in....

One more top finished (kindov?) - the 10min block tutorial on youtube by Suzanne McNeil

Hung over my bannister cos I'm way too lazy to pick it up to photo the whole thing for you, sorry!

I don't Love it - the 10min thing - well, it did take a bit longer that that...maybe 20min to get the middle piece all lined up nicely...25 fingers would be useful for this part of the sewing and not every block was exact, so a bit of chopping up here and there to get some kind of uniform block - really, I got to the end of it and I was pretty over the crappy job I was doing with it, so I just pieced it together and stuff the misaligned seams - do we have to like what we are doing all the time? Hope not - cos its not happening here people!

I do love the fabrics in it though - feature fabric in the middle is from Amitie - a lovely japanese print with random letters that look embroidered and added various reds, aquas, rich blues and white prints from Stash...now that's a good feeling! This is a great block for large prints - why I chose some small ones, I don't know and they don't look as good, so again...not my best work.

Well - I can tick it off my "Quilts I want To Do cos My Head is Bursting" List - it almost did with this one

I know you want more.....

2011-10-07T18:39:00.000+11:00

Back in the Saddle of Sewing and Blogging and Surfing and Posting and up bleary eyed to check the morning email status...(am I mad?)

Thank you to those who did think of me and my enforced leave of absence - here is something for you:

Some More + and X blocks!

and Some MORE!

Which Have Turned Into THIS!!!!!!!

It has been on my bedroom floor for a few days now - I like to stand on its edge and stare and stare and smile and smile. I can't actually describe how pleased I am with it. With myself for creating it. This is pretty big on the 'I Made That!' list in my head.

I wanted a bit of an interesting border, without taking any focus off the blocks - A very lovely Dark Grey with Bright Yellow Spot - from Soiree by Paula Prass (initially bought for my AMH Hexagons) paired with a very subtle but oh so intriguing Soft Grey Alexander 'Heath'.

I loved Amy Champion's bordering on her + and x quilt and totally copied her (well her idea) Is that wrong?

I wanted the blocks to be hard edged with the Dark Grey and have a more softly floating corner into the Light Grey. I wanted the blocks to be in the corner so a thick border and a thin border evolved.

Did.not.love.it - at first

But it is growing on me!!!

What do you think - does it work or should I change to all Dark or all Light?

And No, for all those thinking: surely she has had enough now....DD1 has just requested her own in chosen colours....I think I can, I think I can....may need just a little 10 min break before launching into it again!!

Just a little bit MIA

2011-10-02T12:03:00.000+11:00

Despite how exciting the last big storm was that we had Literally Over Our House, (should have heard the screaming!) it has done damage to our computers, modems and other bits and bobs ( very technical terms here) so I'm trying to cope without the easy life othat I once had, connected to so many people places and Quilty Goodness! Hubbie is doing his very very best to get everything back to normal but he is on crutches at the moment which complicates things further!!

IOW I'm around but not 100% reachable. Think of me when you relax into your favouite chair in front of your favourite blog list - I may not be on it for a little while ;(

The obsession continues....

2011-09-15T16:35:00.000+10:00

Thought I would be kind and not give you one block in your face, over and over and over, but a group, a collection, a series of quartets, not in any particular way or fashion, really just how I stuck them up on my wall.

When will this rollercoaster ride finish? I don't know yet...the thrill is still there...but maybe wavering ever so slightly....

I'm already thinking of new things for this block....I like the idea of a set of colours for a whole scrap quilt - is it still a scrap quilt when it's organised/planned/designed/coordinated?

I have 3 boxes of various shades of blue, including aqua and teal, even going into purples maybe and lots of red/raspberry/pink overtones fabric...this could be good - may depend on how restrained I can be (which is not very much when it comes to the Stash)

+ and x block - maybe my fave so far??

2011-09-08T08:14:00.002+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Very Hungry Caterpillar is my all-time favourite picture book, so of course I had to have him in my all-time favourite quilty block!!

you guessed it!

2011-09-08T08:13:00.002+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block - one more

2011-09-08T08:12:00.005+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

here we go again...

2011-09-08T08:12:00.004+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

My Medallion triangles

2011-09-07T14:02:00.000+10:00

Flying Geese to go with the Owls!

Just enough quirky for this round - lets see what we can do next month!

Some more CC's

2011-09-06T18:53:00.002+10:00

Okay, just a little bit more Chisels...

Now for their ROCK!!

and

'Goodbye Astrid'

'Rising Sun'

but to finish this post - "Choir Girl" - one of their most sensitive beautiful songs - I was only 8 years old at the time of this clip - if I had been double that, at the time, I would have gone gaga over this man!

hehe love the RAGE icon on the clip - does it bring back memories for you too?

Chisaaaallllllls!

2011-09-06T18:33:00.000+10:00

Yes We are Cold Chisel Fans

and

Yes - we are going to their concert!!!!!!!

2011 Reunion Tour in November

(sadly without drummer (late) Steve Prestwich)

I expect a very sore throat at the end

Indulge me with just a few little recordings....

I'll start with their Ballads....just a few of my faves...

and

love this Countdown clip - Mossy and Barnesy were such SPUNKS!

(Orange jumpsuits were the rage in 1980!lol!)

Thinking...thinking...

2011-09-06T08:46:00.001+10:00

My Medallion Quilt has me doing the above...this month the assignment is Triangles - I like triangles...alot...I'm just hopeless at the maths to make them...and make them well!

I've cut my centre piece which I am happy with - but first problem is that it is not an easy size to piece around, due to fussy cutting the owls in the middle.....just do not know how to make triangles fit each edge....so...

Experimenting with ideas; just a few maybe flying geese along each edge and fill in with fabric - that way I 'd don't have to have exact measurements
or....blocks of different blocks around the centre in an eventual log cabin pattern (or not)

I feel inspiration coming from here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyl2011/5992855365/in/gallery-80179988@N00-72157627478495831/
by Stacey - Gorgeous and very INSPIRATIONAL!
What can I say about this? I love love love it! The colours of predominately aqua and red (which I love), complemented with bright yellow and orange and black - I would not think to do this!!, the block piecing, the fun floating bubbles of butterflies, the seriousness of the blocks on the right and the wonky fun houses on the left, the mini HST around and the giant flying geese, the random little blocks and the fill-in fabrics. I am so impressed!

I've collected a few more lovelies in my Medallion gallery

I think I need this too!
!

A break from the + and x transmission....

2011-08-31T09:26:00.000+10:00

I thought you may like a little diversion from all the plussing and x-ing going on around here....

Just when I didn't really need another project, another one came along...I am joining in with Meredith of Pomegranate and Chintz's Medallion Quilt-Along

Seems super easy - just pick your own centre piece..

Check!

and pick your own fabrics to go around the outsides.....

Check!

and all will be revealed little by little - we are encouraged to do our own thing (which is kinda super cos I don't need too much more brain drainage at the moment, which means I will probably choose fairly super easy blocks each month!)

and then we all get together to show and tell our super duper quilts!

Anyone notice Which fabrics I am choosing?

My much coveted, very rare, precious little babies of Full Moon Forest by Tula Pink

It is Their time to Shine!!!

Okay...this is becoming a problem..

2011-08-24T17:12:00.001+10:00

The Story so far..., a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Kylie's lyrics are running through my head...

I just can’t get you out of my head
Boy your lovin’ is all I think about
I just can’t get you out of my head
Boy it’s more than I dare to think about

I went to bed thinking of these blocks and what this quilt will evolve into...bordering? backing? what about a huge + and x block making up the back?

Is this what it feels like to need the next hit?

Hit me baby one more time! sorry - my brain is suddenly channeling pop princess music with really bad lyrics....

How big will this monster get...only time will tell (insert big grin!)

I just had to show you some more...

2011-08-24T17:08:00.005+10:00

The Story so far..., a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

The Story so far...again

2011-08-24T17:08:00.003+10:00

The Story so far..., a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

The Story so far...

2011-08-24T17:08:00.001+10:00

The Story so far..., a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block

2011-08-24T17:07:00.005+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block..yeah baby!

2011-08-24T17:07:00.003+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block...you knew it didn't you!

2011-08-24T17:07:00.001+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Okay...just one more

2011-08-24T17:06:00.009+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block

2011-08-24T17:06:00.007+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block

2011-08-24T17:06:00.005+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block

2011-08-24T17:06:00.003+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block

2011-08-24T17:06:00.001+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

and one more...

2011-08-24T17:05:00.005+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block

2011-08-24T17:05:00.003+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

+ and x block

2011-08-24T17:05:00.001+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

This one is just a little messy..look away!

Sorry for the bombardment...okay last one for today!

2011-08-24T17:04:00.002+10:00

+ and x block, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Love me some little docs

2011-08-19T08:12:00.000+10:00

Spoonflower is having their Free Swatch Day now (with a nice little opportunity to donate to Heifer International - lookee see what I have ordered - I know a little girl who (hopefully) will go gaga over it.....

want to see more Dr Who.......gotta get me some of those "Exterminate"(tors)....

More + and x blocks

2011-08-18T11:40:00.008+10:00

More + and x blocks, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Loooving this one

(I have copied this next bit from a post in Flickr, but I thought I might ask you guys out there the questions too - and maybe just maybe you might try it too?)

How Much I Am Enjoying These Blocks!! capitalised for emphases

I cannot think of a block that I have enjoyed making so much - what is it?
Is it the rummaging through my huge scrap bag?

Is it the initial indecision then a lightbulb goes on and it's a Yes to a combination that I would never have put together before?

Is the so so easy cutting, sewing and voila!

Is the serious lack of pinning that I don't have to do, cos it just comes together like magic?

Is it the staring at the design wall of the finished blocks and working out which one I like the best?

Do I like the + to stand out or do I like the x to stand out, or maybe the little 4 squares to push their way into my sight?

Why do you like yours?

More + and x blocks

2011-08-18T11:40:00.005+10:00

More + and x blocks, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Looove this one

More + and x blocks

2011-08-18T11:40:00.003+10:00

More + and x blocks, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

More + and x blocks

2011-08-18T11:40:00.001+10:00

More + and x blocks, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Not the best one I have made....

More + and x blocks

2011-08-18T11:39:00.005+10:00

More + and x blocks, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

More + and x blocks

2011-08-18T11:39:00.003+10:00

More + and x blocks, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

More + and x blocks

2011-08-18T11:39:00.001+10:00

More + and x blocks, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Liberty Postage Stamps

2011-08-09T11:05:00.003+10:00

Liberty Postage Stamps, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

I've been wanting to do this for so so long - had these little babies tucked away, just waiting for the right fabric to pair them with - and I found it! Making a colourwash effect, which I have always liked!

I dilly dallied with releasing this information, cos I think I'm on to a winner here, but this is a sharing caring blog and I will reveal:

Pure Elements Linen White by Pat Bravo is the silkiest, softest, most delightful creamy vanilla icecream of a fabric and a very very close match to the wonderful feel of Liberty.

Good Luck with hunting it down - rare as hens teeth (maybe now that I have a bit of a stash of it heheheh)

Check Moona Fabrics first!

+ and x blocks

2011-08-09T10:56:00.002+10:00

+ and x blocks, a photo by Whippet Good on Flickr.

Its growing!!!

More Wintery Sunshine

2011-08-04T11:12:00.002+10:00

Firstly some + and x blocks:
Dang - that roses piece is around the wrong way! I really love making these....

This could be my favourite so far..

I made this one when I had 'piecing withdrawal' after some intense machine appliquing while at.....

A little cottage in the country:

Maybe a flower...

Brenda...

Bonnie...

Jan....what the?

Some very pretty things...

A little lace...

Views of a foggy morning turning into the most beautiful blue sky....

A bejewelled masterpiece....

Some pretty sunspots....

A rather messy room....

My cushion so far...

Some expert swirling...

by an expert swirler...

Blue skies up above....a lovely couple of days just sewing, sewing, sewing!! I was quite exhausted but very thankful for all the things I learnt and the lovely people I got to spend time with.

Wintery Sunshine

2011-07-19T21:29:00.001+10:00

This is where we were for half of the Winter School Holidays - and yes, it was cold, bleak, dark and oh so well wintery. We love it!

This photo gives me the eerie sense that the boathouses are just holding their heads above water

The family including Nanna with her snow bunny beret - and a shot of Ruby! yay!!!

Bits and pieces of sewing is happening around these parts - mainly at MMQG - I am diligently working on my DWR quilt, though not so much recently - there is proof though - check out recent photos taken at last meeting - I'm holding up my 'melons' (blush blush). Got lots of new info from friends for next steps in my DWR so no bl**dy excuse!

This is 'I just had to do it' block: Japanese + and x quilt-along - Badskirt Amy wrote the tute inspired by a Japanese original.

(I think I have a new addiction)

Clothing scares me

2011-06-18T12:16:00.000+10:00

I think this photo scares me! Camera head!

Some stretchy knit jersey stuff? (I have no idea what you call this fabric) that I picked up for 2 bucks at op-shop - for my muchly looking forward to....

Pattern Free Top Workshop

with

Ms Mallalieu

Big Big Step for me - I have no clue AT ALL when it comes to fitting some kind of fabric around my body and I am welcoming the thought of just kindov winging a design

This rings bells for me - you know the kind that makes your heart stop and brain say Yes Please all at the same time.

Some nice person giving me instruction and signs of approval as I look up imploringly from my work is what I am looking for and I think I will get it there - so I'm told! lol!

My first pair of 'cowboy' boots! I call them that, but don't really believe any authentic cowboy/girl would wear these little pretties!

And they are red!!!

Goes so so well with some looovely linen blend fabric called Jeneveve by Valori Wells - thinking of doing an A-line skirty thing from Sew What Skirts aka the Ubiquitous SIT skirt Sew Along

See that little bit with the leaves - 1/2 yard - what should I do with it?

Yoke? - It may not be seen when I wear a top over it

Band at bottom? - Does this look like your legs are cut off?

Strip along one leg? - Too weird or 'disruptive' to main pattern of skirt?

My lovely lovely 'roses' from my Australasian Bee girls - my idea was for lots of pink or green or a combo of both crazy-pieced blocks of all different sizes to make a bouquet of sorts of roses.

Haven't really got a clue how I am going to put them together - probably group some and piece some out and about in the quilt - like an arrangement in a vase??? I have loved getting (most) of my blocks back - though I'm not quibbling over some pieces of fabric that may or may not come back to me - all the very best to them!

The Bee has now finished - Thank you to Jo of SparklyGreenKnickers for being the coordinator - the blocks and people have been varied and interesting (some stay involved and some very rarely) and I hope to keep up with at least a few of you - may see you again in another Aussie/NZ bee - Hope So!!

Some stuff off my table

2011-06-08T16:29:00.000+10:00

Piles of things on my cutting/sewing table are a common thing...things on the go; things to do; things to inspire; and left-overs....

AMH's flannel pieces leftover from my previously blogged baby quilt - sitting quietly, not wanting to be put away in the 'forgotten' box

has become

a little snuggly cushion cover!

Should it go to the baby or stay with me??? Baby doesn't need a pillow so.......

An easy peasy envelope back - that bottom left print is my favourite.

Quilted front piece with wavy 'organic' lines

Pippi the Poser

Ruby is a whole nother dog......hated the orange teddybear coat we were given with her, so I found some Ruby coloured polar fleece in my stash....and Whippy-ed up a new coat, BUT she is not going to let me photo her!!

No Mum!

No Mum!

No no Mum

It's that thing that sticks out its nose at me!

You're killing me!

There - ONE shot!

Snuggly wuggly

2011-06-06T15:37:00.001+10:00

Is definitely how I would describe the deliciousness of a AMH Flannel quilt, made for a girlfriend's first baby (arriving soon!)

I can't believe how bad the photos are (I secretly hate it when people apologise for their photo quality or dirty windows etc - so a little bit of self-loathing happening here)

I think some kind of new camera is instore

(I always blame my tools hehe!)

After good advice from blogland especially Claire of Matching Pegs, I made the pattern super easy and with larger than normal seams, due to the 'interesting-ness' of sewing with flannel. It really did come together like a breeze, not so much lint everywhere as others had stated (or maybe there is so much lint already surrounding me and my machine, that I didn't notice another layer?)

Love a good quilt with legs

Some cakes for the baby shower - made from this recipe - Everyone Loved Them! aw shucks

They were yum - but not for weak of heart arteries.

and my quilt was really loved too - I was well thanked - which is a much needed boost to my sewing ego, when others don't say thank you AT ALL for gifts (made and bought)..sad face...

My new hand-project - can't believe I'm actually saying that but.....got a bundle of Garden Party AMH recently and love it - waiting patiently for its pattern to emerge (as they do sometimes).

Bought a 2" hexagon template from Mill Rose Cottage - so so pretty shop - taking the fam back there under the pretence of the apparently wonderful cafe next door and the super cute little town of Ballan. Why in Ballan? Cos it was just down the road from Hepburn Springs and a most wonderful place called Craft Retreat! Couple of weekends ago, I had the privilege of staying there over 2 nights with a lovely bunch of girls from Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild. It. was. so. good. (more to come)

Kindov addictive!!

Off to SAY tonight (Sew and Yarn)

Some MO inspiration

2011-05-17T15:22:00.000+10:00

My first Wedge piece - inspired by the indefatigable Kathy from Material Obsession

Eclectic

Colourful

Birds

Zigzagged

Stash-raiding

Out of comfort zone

Exciting!

Whippet Good's Twice as nice

2011-05-17T15:14:00.000+10:00

Just a little break from the OS holiday snaps to somewhere closer to home:

Mother's Day Sunday, instead of taking my mum out for brunch, I decided to take her on a Road Trip!

An out-of-the-blue opportunity came about for us to get another Whippet! Boy was I excited - a road trip into the country; just us girls and the dog; adopt another dog and meander back home again!!

Here is Mum when we went on a 'trial' walk through the Albury countryside - the weather was brilliant!

We stayed at Fauenfelder Cottage - a very sweet and livable place- very homely and VERY DOG FRIENDLY - I mean the dog can come inside and sit on the couch if that is what you like - YES PLEASE!

We actually stayed in the Kitchen Cottage behind the main one - super comfy!!

Here she is!!

The girls got along really well right from the beginning - they are actually distantly related!

Pippi doesn't seem to mind the newbie - she still gets to sleep on the quilts.

RUBY - that's her "You know I hate the camera" look

Proud Mama!
My two 4-legged girls!

I don't think I am ever going to get a good photo of her - she has gone completely phobic of the little black thing shoved in her face and us saying 'smile Ruby' - wonder why?

She loves to rub her whole body along your leg and gives you the most gentle and adorable chin-on-your-lap look.

I think we have found a treasure!

Marrakech

2011-05-11T13:04:00.002+10:00

My girls, hubbie and sister made the decision a long time ago to visit a fascinating, off the beaten track kind of place - hugely inspired by Jamie Oliver's tv program 'Jamie does...Marrakech' - hubbie and I looked at each other and said - LETS GO THERE!

4 nights were booked with Riad Puchka - unfortunately a last minute flight cancellation meant we lost a day, but it did not deter us!!

A taxi was organised by the riad - a B&B style hotel - and a driver led us through the dusty, dirty streets with our wheelie bags behind us - what a sight we must have been - to be led to a door that opened up to this!!

It was truly our oasis in Marrakech -

A classic tagine

Oh the ceilings...

The Most Wonderful Ceiling (just tilt your head and you will get it - Blogger is being a pain spinning my photos over!)

Looking out our bathroom window onto the dusty laneway

This place is unbelievable

Can't get over the detail - all hand done

My sister is going to hate this photo - but it was the best one to show you the amazing bathroom fittings!

The doors were amazing!

We ventured out the first night through the amazingly busy narrow streets to 'The Square' to get some dinner - boy that was a bit scary! The motobikes zoom between people as if they are practicing their advanced drivers licence and have no qualms about tooting you out of the way - the girls gripped our arms the whole way there and we gripped them - bouncing them out of harms way!

The organised chaos of the Night Market called Djemaa El Fna - this is fast food at its best

Have to admit that the plates of meat sitting out on such a hot night made me nervous

So romatic

Another amazing ceiling

What more can I say ?

Covered souks were a blessing - the sun was hot! This is mid-morning - best time to go - very few people and motorbikes!

This is a classic sweets stall - Moroccan pastries made with date, pistachio, almond and more - we just ask for a sample selection and got a huge box full, which we all pigged out on!!

Piles of olives and preserved lemons - YUM!

Typical ramshakle laneway

Can't you just see a quilt pattern there!!

I know its hot - BUT bare shoulders and lots of leg are not what should be shown for public viewing in Marrakech. If only some people would learn about the culture they are visiting and be a little bit more respectful of custom and dress. No head covering is needed for women, but loose cool covering clothing is essential. I felt happy that we had made an effort and I think we were treated with a lot of respect the whole time we were there, even when my sister and I were exploring on our own, because we showed respect.

The Square - hub of action day and night, though this was taken in the heat of midday sun - not so many ventured out, from a cafe/restaurant's top floors.

Look at that silly grin - the home cooked meal at the riad was the BEST. Chicken with olives and lemon tagine - told you they like them.
Huge salad to begin with, and the most sweetest slices of oranges with sprinkled cinnamon to end - oh my what a feast!!

The surprisingly modern and attractive airport - great architecture!

I was very saddened to hear of the recent terrorist bombing in Marrakech, in the square, at a tourist cafe. The little city does not need such awful events to happen - the local staff who work day in day out, at such places, are the ones who are at greatest risk. Tourism is such a needed income for many many people here and at first, I felt glad that we had been, so we would not need to go back ever again - but I have changed my mind - murderous bombing can happen anywhere - London 2005 is an awful example - and it did not stop us going back.

Marrakech is a wonderful, exciting, exhausting, melting pot of people and places
and I am very glad we got a taste of it.

A little village called Shere

2011-05-11T11:37:00.000+10:00

In beautiful Surrey

It's snowing petals!

'The White Horse' - a more authentically old pub you could not get!!

Somebody get me a tomato!

Housing in Shere ranges from the antique 1400's to the positively modern 1600's.

Look at those shutters!

A bumble bee...ohhh!

Then I encouraged a child into the bushes to do a squat, only for it to be full of stinging nettles! Whoops!

The TARDIS is close now, but I must take you through Marrakech first!!

Can you hear the Whirring?

2011-05-05T17:35:00.000+10:00

I think the TARDIS is landing.....

Exhaustive Dr Who post coming soon.....

Tour Take Two

2011-05-05T13:49:00.001+10:00

Okay - my new favourite chair just for you - this is a long one.....

Wimbledon - a very pretty town South West of London city - a little bit of the mixture of houses....I love housing architecture, so you are going to get an eyefull!

We stayed here for a few days - Honey Cottage - when they call it a cottage, it means tiny! But very comfortable!

Throw in a Lion as well - See that Blue Sky!!

The amazing wall of sewing machines in previous post belong here..... Can you imagine sewing on one of these beauties!

Some Liberty shots from a very iconic and amazing store - stock is varied and eclectic....

I think this photo is upside down??

I so want this in my kitchen.....

A quick trip up to Edinburgh...home to hubbie & I for about 8 months, eons ago...

View from Scott Monument, over the Edinburgh Gardens, towards the Castle

Holyrood House - Queen's Palace in Edinburgh

Royal Mile

A wonderful little store called Curiouser & Curiouser - best modern/retro mix of homewares, prints, textiles

I didn't get anymore photos so I am linking to this post: if you are ever in Edinburgh make the walk down Broughton Street!

Another great store is Ness:

Very pretty - Girl-y Tartan!!

Are you hanging in there still?

The Family Tour of 2011

2011-05-05T12:55:00.000+10:00

Take a seat, my peeps, for I have tried tried to cull the photoshoot, but....it may not have worked...it will be coming in dribs and drabs.....

The fam & I went to London to visit the Queen....oh no sorry not Her, but her......

This is my sister making her "We do not approve" face - outside the Cath Kidston store in Wimbledon Village - I had to quickly move the whole family away from the entrance cos they were starting to make 'vom' noises!! I mean, really?

Any Cath Kidston fans out there?? I will show you my stuff if you like.....I bought just a little - no my house does not want to look like the inside of this store, so just bought certain things that had broken back home....that's all!! Only went twice!!

Some icons.....really the sky was this blue!! I'm not kidding - we had The Best Weather the Whole Time in UK!!! Heard it's crap now, now that we're back hehehehe!

The one and only time I would have an animal head on a wall:

The ceiling inside the Liberty lifts:

Trafalgar Square, looking towards St James Chapel and National Gallery on the left....again, the blue sky!!!

The Eponymous Eye

I think I've been pretty restrained with this post....might still be needing that chair though....

Three guesses where we have been...

2011-05-05T12:28:00.000+10:00

Sydney here I come!

2011-03-24T09:44:00.000+11:00

SIT or Sew It Together is happening this weekend ie starting Friday (when all good weekends should start!!)

Beautiful humid Sydney is hosting the show this year - I am flying up at Friday lunchtime, stitching with Prints Charming in the afternoon, dinner somewhere TBA, then Saturday bonanza crafting session which includes a Workshop of the elusive 60 degree triangle (by Material Obsession gals), giveaways, goodie bags - oh the goodies we get!!, food, drink, chat, sew, chat, sew, chat, sew, then a great meal for all of us at the Heritage Belgian Beer Cafe - Cheers!!

Sunday sees some of us on a bus to Material Obsession's new shop - a beauty I am told and I cannot wait to see some of Kathy's creations!!

Then a flight back home in the arvo to collapse at home.

I have made 5 things for the Sample Swap, where we get into groups of 6, (do a little shuffle), and swap our homemade pressies!

I have made Infinity Scarves from AMH voile - super super easy and really effective

This is me wearing all 5 - not that you would!

This is Wendy's name tag for SIT - we were too lazy to get in the official swap, so we decided to do our own - requirements are: handmade, colours of chocolate and/or citrus (food oriented here) & about 9cm size - little baa lamb has to be glued on the side before it goes.

Pear Ginger & Caramel cake made for a birthday arvo tea at my place (cos it was my birthday - I had a truly lovely day!)

Not so pretty once it is demolished, but oh so good!!!

Snippets of sewing

2011-03-20T17:13:00.000+11:00

I have been working full-time for the last 6 weeks - my hat and my coat is off to any and every parent who is working full-time and looking after the house, the shopping, the cleaning, the notice signing, the homework checkup, the lunchbox making, the washing, the ironing, the general well-being of your little (and big) loved ones....only 2 more days to go and I am a free woman (so to speak). Little if any sewing has been done, but a rare lazy Sunday afternoon, I cracked out a few needed-to-be-done things:

This is my QAYG block for Abi in NZ, for the Christchurch Quake - Abi has very generously used her time in the Australasian Bee Block Swap (the very last block for this group!) and asked for people to make a block with a red centre and bright surrounds.....this is such an easy and super fun block to make...pulling out fabric scraps willy-nilly from my big bag beside my chair, I just went with the flow and sewed what I found - there's a bit of mini mumu for the centre, some Jennifer Paganelli, some Kaffe, some Sandi Henderson and some Timeless Treasure Cake!!

This is a stripy circle for Ange in the A. Bee also - I absolutely stuffed up her bento box block but Ange was gentle with me and told me that everything would be alright! At least I could do a stripy circle (even though it has yet to be sewn on a backing piece...(Ange is doing this.....sorry Ange)

Fiddling around with online shops looking for some AMH Little Folks Flannel, I could not find one that had all the range I wanted, when I came across a LQS near me, selling it also....a huge range of just the colours I was looking for; pinks, plum, golds......for a girlfiriend's first baby, a girl, due in June....

the flannel is To. Die. For. Soft.....

I may want to keep it afterall.....

bad Bronnie....

Kaffe Wonky Stars

2011-03-02T19:04:00.068+11:00

After a (very very long) time, my Around the Block Swap (round 1) has been made up into this lovely quilt:

My Kaffe Wonky Stars

The stars are (obviously made with KF fabric), sent out to some lovely ladies all over Australia and Canada. I asked for any size to be made - I wanted an eclectic look - a random smattering of shining sparklies. Boy, the assembly took a bit of patience though - ended up with a few Y seams - eek - though all worked out in the quilting. I have big ones, baby ones, skinny ones, spiky ones, all fabric ones, all different pieced ones, holed ones and framed ones!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this block swap - I think my quilt is truly unique because of you!!

The background is Kona cotton 'Nightfall' - a lovely deep blue, terribly hard to photograph. I ended up with two different dye lots of the fabric - and they were different BUT I actually like the patchworkiness of the blues - gives it just that little bit more of an interest to the monotone background.

I am not in love with the Kona cotton - just not smooth enough to touch for my liking - I don't think I will use it again, if I can help it. Despite that, this has been my first quilt that I have enjoyed sewing the quilting - just a random swirl/loopy/with some stars 'thrown in for good luck' pattern.

The back is strips of Kaffe fabric in yellow golds, pinks, red, oranges and greens - all very circular patterns - I was going with a 'planetary' effect: Cogs, Fans, Lichen and the gold one (can't remember the name!)
The binding is Star Flowers in red - truly adore this fabric! edit: just notice a ring-in - Brandon Mably's Red Rings on the back (that's okay - I think being the friends they are, it is allowed)

I shouldn't have favourites....but I do!!! I love love love the star within a star within a star from Lynn of Craftstew and this little baby with a pansy inside!!

In the sunshine the blue is so much brighter!

Can anyone give me pointers as to how to get a good photo of your quilt - is the problem my camera - a small digital point and shoot - where is the clarity??

Bees and roses

2011-02-26T14:31:00.002+11:00

These are February Bee Blocks for Australasian Bee - for Amy of Seven Stitches

Very very cute retro inspired domestic images in reds and yellows and black and grey - squares in a square design, with alternating coloured frames.

Here are the little piles of my fabric cos March is my month: (Edit: had to remove photo) I am wanting lots of roses - all pink or all green or a little of both - crazy pieced, scrappy and all different sizes - I raided my pink stash and my green stash - two stashes that are HUMUNGOUS and needed a bit of fresh air.

I have a bit of AMH, AB, spots, birds, flowers, feathers, vines and more.....

Check here on my flickr page for more info or more ideas

Am I simply mad to ask for any size (I did this too for my Kaffe wonky stars - which I love love love but boy, it took alot of head space to get them all together.

That reminds me - must take more photos of quilt - it is finished!!!

Taking Liberties

2011-02-26T14:16:00.000+11:00

Some little precious pieces of Liberty of London fabrics flew all the way across the seas, just for me! Well, I did pay a little bit for them, but I hope they are happy in their new home!

2 1/2 inch squares - 300 to be exact (bought in 3 x 100 lots off ebay, and not en-tire-ly sure I got an exact 100 each time????. Yes have tried to count them, but get distracted with a new one I see, and forget which number I'm up to) Only a few double ups too!

My girls thought I was mad as for days I took over the lounge room floor to arrange, rearrange, add some more, take some away, put them into groups and generally fuss over them like a mother hen.

Here are some (albeit fussy photos) of just a smattering of my favourites:

I have some ideas for them - a colourwash quilt and as the middle of a cathedral quilt. I bought them exactly for this last project - but I have this strange idea that I don't want the fabric covered up in Any way, which the curved arcs of the window will do - isn't that weird? (The arcs are millimetres wide!!!)

I also feel that I want to hand sew these babies - may be perfect for a project to take up to SIT in Sydney in a few weeks time (yay!), though not sure how I would do this with the colourwash pattern - should I just wing it and sew colour / tone / pattern groups together or have a written plan and label everything etc.

Have you tried a colourwash quilt before - what are your tips for a beautiful flow of colour and pattern?

I'm seeing stars!

2011-02-21T21:35:00.000+11:00

Is anyone going to Ballarat this Wednesday to see Kaffe Fassett in 'concert'???

I have a 'golden' ticket and I am driving up sometime Wednesday (took the day off work yaHOOOO!), catch up with some old friends, take in the sights of beautiful Balla, and go and listen to some fabric design genius!!

This is my 'Kaffe Stars' Quilt - from Around the Block Block Swap - just the top so far, though I have to get some shots of it quilted and bound now.

cathedral window pillow close up

2011-02-02T14:45:00.002+11:00

cathedral window pillow close up
Originally uploaded by bearpawandbearpaw

This is a lovely suggestion of what to do with those pretty little pieces of vintage linen, collected now and then, and never used or converted. I have finally found EXACTLY what I will do - Thank you bearpawandbearpaw!!!

Never thought I would

2011-02-02T14:43:00.000+11:00

Even though I am on a fabric diet (see sidebar reminder), I'm sure that doesn't include other crafty paraphenalia such as.......

BOOKS

I have had my eye on this book for maybe years now?, though it is not very old - bit of a whim buying it, thinking "love the concept, but never going to execute...."

Well, I surprised myself, but actually sewing my very first cathedral window

and it wasn't that hard!!!!!

I love an example of a wall hanging of CW's - this is my inspiration....I have some little lovelies coming my way soon, which could be perfect for a window collection......

Lynne makes the most stunning designs with many different colours (she does love batiks, which I could take or leave, though they Are highly effective in this medium), and then different shaped windows, which gives movement and interest and are amazing!!

The author has made the book extremely easy to read - very light and conversational - she gives little snippets of advice here and there - this one is a GEM:

Look Up!

2011-01-30T21:19:00.000+11:00

Did ya notice my new header? didya didya???

I made it all by myself ....and with the wonderful machine of Picnik.

One Pretty Thing Blogging Tip roundup linked me to Life Sweet Life - great step by step instructions to easily and for free, change your blog header to something fun and fancy (if you wish) - I had to flick back and forth many many times, but that's okay!!!.....and I am happy happy happy!!!

Great Fun to play with - I have already made three and I'm a-going back for more!!

Coat hanger refashioned

2011-01-20T14:51:00.002+11:00

Coat hanger cover HR linen
Originally uploaded by Whippet Good

Wouldn't this look so much more prettier hanging in your wardrobe, than the hundreds of empty hangers (cos I just can't be bothered ironing!)

Padded with a old chenille bedspread that I have been meaning to cut up for years now!

This one is a prototype - now to see if I can replicate all the good bits and none of the bad bits...eek?

Mustn't forget - pattern by Thea & Sami - this was a freebie from SIT 2010 - um, I know that was last year....early last year......but I was always going to do it.......; )

19 years ago...

2011-01-19T11:32:00.001+11:00

I married my darling boy, who owns my heart forever.

I could not resist putting this photo in too - it is my all time favourite....ahhhh!

Some red jewels..

2011-01-18T11:01:00.000+11:00

Some tree bark after the rain

A vintage Italian silk dress conversion....but the icky white buttons MUST go....

Some red jewelled buttons discovered at the Camberwell Market, where else but at the Button Lady's stall! She picked these out for me and were the Per-Fect match!

Buttons sewn on, while relaxing outside on a Sunday arvo, listening to the garden sounds and the kitchen sounds of children baking...

Sorry - Banana cake all gone!!

Retro tin from op-shop, in my secret fave op-shop district - can't tell you - may have to maim you if I do)

If you really want to know, just ask hehe!