Taking Liberties

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!

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.

More on that later...

(photo taken at Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild  - first meet for 2011 - great fun!)

I would really love to know if you are going - we could car pool or meet up for coffee?

cathedral window pillow close up

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

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!

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

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...

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..

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!

Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild

Need a break from the kidlets this weekend?  So many parents came into the library yesterday, looking just a little bit exhausted, frazzled, sharp, maybe desperate???  School hols can be a blessing and a curse!!


Tomorrow (Sat 8th) is the first date that Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild is getting together for 2011!

This year there will be two permanent spots to come and meet other Modern Quilting fans: Ashburton Library and South Melbourne Community Centre - once a month Sat or Sun

A Sit and Sew Day - A WHOLE DAY (from 10 - 5.00) could be yours, to relax, sew, chat, eat, read or sleep (if that is what you need - we won't mind - we will put you in a corner with some lovely quilts to snuggle under hehe)

Here are the details for registration (sounds all very formal, but it is just to get an idea of numbers)

I'm going to the Ashburton Library - I have told the family - that day is MINE ALL MINE - Wriggling in my seat!!!

2011 and running...

2011 Whippet Good - a little bit of Sunshine-y Goodness 

BUT going back a bit....


Christmas - over and done with...memories of

multiple family meals with lots of roast potatoes and plum pudding, silly hats and huge smiles!,
Nigella's Chocolate Christmas Cake made a week before Christmas, but had to be sampled to check if okay...yes okay, if a little overcooked...sampled over quite a few days...none left for Christmas Day (surprise!!)
pressies given and received,
bottles of empty wine clinking together,
shortbread biscuits nibbled on,
gingerbread house demolished,
lazy mornings, middays, afternoons and nights,
lots of Dr Who episodes and a spinoff Sarah Jane Adventures,

New Year - memories of....

BBQ's and bubbly,
catchups with neighbours,
sleepovers with friends in country - rode a quad-bike and made lots of dust clouds!
sunburn,
mountain climbs and rainforest skywalks,
visited all the 'dead animals' in the museum,
now....back to work...but only for a day - Yay!


Have joined in with Angela of Cut toPieces and her very controlled Fabric Diet Challenge - boy have I put on some fabric weight in 2010 - okay - so damm hard with a good Aussie dollar right now!!!!!

Okay - I blew it almost instantly cos I forgot - had to get some of Badskirt Amy's last FFA linen - just had to, okay???

Now - I am stopping.  Really.  It's only for two months.

hmmm does that mean I will be off it when I go to SIT in Sydney??  YES!!!