Applique Top

Using my Hot Possum Hippybiscus quilt pattern, I traced out one of the hibiscus flowers and appliqued it onto a long sleeved red top. I think it will be to small for Cate as it's a size 5, so a gift for Grace.

I need to buy some bright fabrics to make this quilt, it's quite a simple design and looks like it will come together quite quickly.

Cake Layer Swap

AJ organised a Cake Layer swap, we each had to send 10, 10" squares to the other participants in the colours of there chioce. I chose to recieve lilac and white on white prints. Thanks Helen, Mands and AJ!

Cate's Top

I bought this pattern from an Op Shop for 50c, when I opened it I found that it had no instructions.
I have been wanting to make the little apron smock for Cate for a while, for her to wear over a long sleeved top with jeans for a casual look. Using an Amy Butler print from my stash and a matching mustard lining, I completed it in about 2 hours. (and hey, it matches the wall paper)
Cate wore it to the craft fair and looked fantastic!! Sized 5-6 years, it's quite generous on the length but perhaps a little snug on the head hole, I also attached ribbon trim for the ties instead of making fabric ones as they looked to chunky. Cate loves it so I am going to make her a few more for this winter.

Craft Fair Loot

I think I did really well with my purchases from the craft fair, I was quite restrained, everything I bought was so needed!!1. Golden Threads Quilting Paper $20
2. Pink bundle of fat 8ths $7.50
3. 5 pale green fat 8ths with paisley green FQ $13.50
4. The Peace Quilt pattern $18.50
5. Aunt Bec's 9 Patch quilt pattern $15
6. 2.5" Stip Templates $20
7. Hippybiscus Hot Possum quilt Pattern $20
8. Kimono Lady 7" charm pack $31

The Peace Quilt

I saw this quilt at the Craft and Quilt fair, it is divine! The Peace Quilt by Margaret Rolfe, its made up of 99 foundation pieced paper cranes, so another long term project. To get me started I also bought this 40 pack of 7" japanese print fabrics from the Patchwork Shop, the staff were so friendly at this stall, very helpful. To make this quilt you need 160 squares but 40 will have to do for now. We also need to find 5 metres of a deep navy or black with a tiny light print for the background.

My friend Anne bought 3 different 7" charm packs, 2 Japanese and a burgandy pack. She also purchased a new Log Cabin Template Ruler and a set of templates designed for 2.5" Jelly Roll strips. The template rulers are new and the Jelly Roll one looked really interesting, allowing you to make heaps of shapes (diamonds, hexagons, squares, triangles) from your 2.5" strips.
I was trying to convince her to buy a delish quilt kit from Amitie but she wasn't a willing participant!

WIP Wednesday ~ Amanda's Blossom

Still working on this, but I think this will be my last WIP, I hope to have it finished by Sunday. I am quilting around each Bento Box layer and it is starting to look mighty fine, loving the mustard thread and I am glad I bought matching yardage for the backing. It meets Muffin's approval, I left it in my sewing machine to go and watch House and upon my return I found him snuggled in deep. (I hope all the basting pins are closed.)

Quilted Bags and Purses

When I saw this book at the library, I thought oh, Cass! Written by Mary Jo Hiney, its a lovely book, I can see myself making a few bags over the next few months.

Dandy Damask

I fell in love with this fabric as soon as I saw it! Dandy Damask by Michael Miller, truly delish, I can see a bag, apron and some cushions made from this bright fabric.

It's cold here

Muffin loves our Rinnai heater almost as much as I do, forever draping himself across it. Handy access for him, one side is my sewing nook, the other side the fridge! It's only a problem when he turns it on and off by standing on the buttons. Muffin is a 2 and a half year old Ragdoll, I am still embarrassed that the vets had him registered as an 11 year old Birman! Such a fatty boom-bah!

WIP ~ Amanda's Blossom

I am madly working on my Bento Box Quilt, only 9 sleeps till someones birthday! I have changed the block colour layout, so instead of joining the 4 smaller blocks from the same fabrics together, I have mixed them up. When they are sewn together none of the blocks are the same. I have been cutting and sewing them when I can, no dedicated sewing sessions have happened this week, maybe tomorrow? I hope to finish the top by the weekend.I saw a Bento Box Doll Quilt made by Chalet Girl, using a charm pack, so cute! You can see another one by Lemon Tree Tales here.

Doll Quilt Swap - recieved

My doll quilt swap was recieved today. Out of 53 participants all over the world, I got AJ! The quilt is titled Fresh Tradition, and was designed by Darleen Zimmerman, I got this pattern from the All People Quilt web site.
I made it using Prints Charming fabric and a tiny White on White snowflake print by Moda. I also made 2 matching Babushkas. To see more photos, AJ has gone nuts here!

Homespun Magazine

My last Homespun Magazine came today, my subscription has finished. I normally renew it at the Perth Craft Fair in May but I will have to see what deals they are offering this year. I do enjoy reading it but I have noticed over the last year it has more craft type projects v's fabric and quilting projects.

The Humming Mini

Has re-opened! Enjoy!

Material Obsession

I was obsessed with getting this book. And now I have it. Sort of. It's hidden somewhere in the house ready for Mothers Day. But I already know I love it! Material Obsession by Sarah Fielke and Kathy Doughty, the have a blog here and a shop here. Enjoy!

WIP ~ Amanda's Blossom

I can't give to many details away, so just a sneak peak. The Bento Box. Named Amanda's Blossom, Blossom is the fabric range from the Urban Chick's and Amanda for all of her help with the pattern selection and advice along the way.

Just 17 sleeps

to go and then it's Helen's birthday! She made me a lap quilt for my birthday so now I get to return the favour because that's the kind of sister that I am!!! Isn't she lucky?!
I own 11 Jelly Rolls, this one is my fave and it's the first one I have unrolled and cut up. All for a good cause, but it still hurt! Blossom by the Urban Chic's, I like the retro look of it, and I know Helen does too. Lets hope I do it justice or at the very least buy it a good quilt hanger!

Pouffe Cushion Covers

I completed 2 pouffe covers for Stuart's classroom today. Thankfully I had enough monkey fabric, they used about a metre each. I just traced around the top, measured the sides, attached togetheer, pre hemmed the edge before adding some sheeting elastic so they stay on nice and snug.

Quite an easy project, about $4 each and I think they look so much better than the faded blue carpet fabric now hiding underneath! I hope Stu's teacher, (aptly named Miss Monk) likes them.

Monkeying Around

I found this fabric on a clearance rack, down to $3.50 a meter. I was asked to recover two round pouffe's in Stuart's classroom, there was only 2.5 metres left so I hope I have enough, I think it's perfect for brightning up a classroom. I also bought some sheeting elastic and I am going to make big shower hat type covers for them so they can easily be removed for washing. I have about 5 WIP at the moment but I hope to make these up before school on Monday morning.

A Post a Day in May

From Allsorts Blog, a post a day for the next month coming up! Maybe. Might be a bit like my fabric ban!