Petits Elefants

Desperate Housewife's Quiltalong: Round the Twist

2012-01-26T05:30:00.002+11:00

I'm so excited that my first ever block tutorial is for the very fun Desperate Housewife's Quiltalong, hosted by the lovely Jane. If you haven't seen the amazing range of blocks on offer, one a week from Jane, and one a week by guest bloggers, then pop on over once you've had a look at my tutorial!

This little block of mine is called "Round the Twist", because I'm sure any desperate housewife worth her salt has been driven round the twist once or twice. I know I have.

I based this block on the flying geese unit, which I'm currently obsessed with. And we're going to make it using the magic method, which I'm currently obsessed with. If you love to chain piece then you're going to love this. And if you've been scared of making flying geese, be scared no longer! This really is magic. And you will save yourself some fabric, too! That's got to be a good thing, yes? My flying geese obsession has led me to this Ruby quilt. And of course the Swoon quilt.

(note: there are numerous tutorials around the web teaching this method. This one at Connecting Threads gives measurements for flying geese in whatever size you like - handy!)

So, choose some fabrics from your stash. You'll need two contrasting colours for the twist, and a light or neutral for the background. My print fabrics are from the Loulouthi collection by Anna Maria Horner, which I'm, well, maybe just a little bit obsessed with. The neutral is actually also a print - a text print from the Make Life collection by Sweetwater. I'm currently experimenting with using less solids and more prints in their place, and also text fabrics. I need some more. Anyway. Back to the block.

You'll need the following pieces for your block:

One square of print fabric a - 5 3/4 inch.

Two squares of print fabric b - 3 1/8 inch.

Two squares of neutral fabric - 3 1/8 inch.

Four rectangles of neutral fabric - 4.5 by 2.5 inch.

(And apologies for the big shadow in some of these photos. Sewing at night is a necessity in this household and doesn't make for good camera work!)

Layout your big square and then the two neutral squares in opposite corners. They will overlap slightly in the middle to form a little square. Make sure this overlapping part is really square, and not a rectangle. Now draw a line from corner to corner.

Now stitch a line 1/4 inch both sides of the drawn line. Here's where the chain piecing part comes in handy. If you are making a lot of flying geese blocks, you can simply prepare the above units, stack them up and whiz away. They'll be done in no time. At the very least I like to make two blocks at a time, because it's more time efficient and you're not cutting the thread at the end of each and every seam.

Another important tip when sewing is to use a *scant* 1/4 inch seam. This means just a thread or two shy of a full 1/4 inch. Trust me - if you haven't tried it, you must - it makes for much more accurate piecing. Get out your ruler and measure your seams and you will see what I mean. If your foot is travelling outside the line, your seam is actually a bit bigger than 1/4 inch, and over multiple blocks or several pieces to a block, that adds up to a lot. But I digress!

Once you've sewn down both sides of the line, cut the piece in half, right on the drawn line. Then flip the little triangles over and press (I find it easier to press towards the small triangles).

Now take your other small squares and place them in the remaining corners of the two (now separated) units, again, it should overlap the two flappy triangles with a tiny square in the middle. Feel free to wiggle it into place to make sure it's lined up properly. Then sew either side of the line as before and cut the unit into two pieces. Flip those triangles over and press, repeat with the other unit and ta-da! You have made FOUR flying geese in just a few simple steps.

But we are not quite finished! The goose unit needs a little trimming to whip it into perfect shape. We are aiming for a unit of 4.5 by 2.5 inch. Have a look at your unit and you will see it needs a little haircut. Start with a short side as in the photo below. Line up the opposite side on a line on your cutting mat, place your ruler 1/4 inch back from the nearest line and trim - you might find that you don't actually trim a full 1/4 inch off the block, but we are just paring back each side as needed to get to the 4.5 by 2.5 inches required. Rotate the block to cut the long side with the point of the goose and cut again - there should be a seam allowance of 1/4 inch from the point to the edge! Repeat for the two remaining sides and you'll have a lovely 4.5 by 2.5 inch flying goose.

Now lay out your geese with the neutral rectangles as shown, and sew each rectangle-goose pair together, and press (the direction is not so important here, so whatever feels right).

Now you're ready to sew the pieced units together. If you want your geese to have nice sharp points, then have a look at the units next to each other - see how the points are a nice 1/4 inch from the edge? We want our seam to go right through those points. If it doesn't, you'll end up with poor cut-off goose wings. Eek!

If for some reason you've ended up with a smaller seam allowance poking out above those points, don't worry, you just need to make sure your needle goes through the intersection point. If you do this, you'll still end up with pointy wings, albeit with slightly smaller seam allowances. But no-one's going to know!

Easiest way to do this is put a pin right through the intersections on both pieces.

Before you press the paired up units, check which way you want them to lie. I like my seam allowances to nest, so I press one unit with the seams going to the left, and the other going to the right, then they nest nicely. Again, before sewing together, check your goose points to make sure your seam goes straight through that intersection!

And there you have it, one Round the Twist block! I hope you've enjoyed this one and hopefully learnt some tips about making flying geese. If you give it a go I'd love to see a pic. And now do go and have a look at Jane's blog for some super-clever blocks.

I started something new

2012-01-25T21:29:00.005+11:00

It's been a little while since I've blogged. The silly season put blogging and sewing fairly firmly on the back-burner. But 2012 has started with a bang and I've been sewing up a (relative) storm. Current big project is a hand appliqué medallion from Sarah Fielke's beautiful book. A fabulous book that every aspiring quilter must have!

I started this one when we were away over Christmas and have been making steady progress. LOVE hand-applique. Once all the leaves are sewn on there are a number of borders to be added, and then the whole she-bang gets a rather intense hand-quilting treatment. So I'm expecting this one will take a while. But I'm not in a hurry, and enjoying the journey....

Linking up to Lee's Work-in-Progress Wednesday for the first time in an eternity.

Ruby dear

2011-11-28T19:28:00.007+11:00

I'm linking up to Lee's Work-In-Progress party today. Check in there to see "how everything is doing!"

The blogging police will be coming to check up to see that an impostor hasn't moved in - this is my third post in under a week!

With a bit of momentum under my belt, I put my foot to the floor and finished off my Ruby Dutchmen's Puzzle quilt. I've really enjoyed this one, the flying geese were fun, and I love the colours of Bonnie and Camille's gorgeous fabrics. It wasn't without its challenges however - the borders were more than a little tricky, but I'm very happy with how they've turned out.

While I was enjoying playing with Ruby, I thought I'd press on and make another block to be turned into a matching pillow.

And now I'm turning my attention to this big project, quilting Lilly Pilly. You can read about my progress on this quilt here and here. I don't even want to think about how long the quilting will take. I am going to do the full swirly catastrophe on it. It is, after all, 1.4 metres high by 1 metre wide. All that swirly quilting will take a long time and I want to take it easy, and hopefully avoid any repeat of my elbow problems.

So in between quilting sessions, I'll also be turning my mind to Christmas preparations - much as I'm in denial that it will be December this week and I really am so unprepared, even more so than in previous years.

If you have any top Christmas organising hints, I'd love to hear them! My first task will be to put up the advent calendar. I really love this idea - maybe next year!

2011-11-24T14:04:00.002+11:00

Getting busy with the binding today. I do love a little stripey binding. I love this one so much I bought rather a lot of it. Then I bought a bit more.

Because you never know when you might need some more stripey in your life.

It makes me happy.

Scroll down for more pics of the birdie quilt, if you so desire! (God knows there are a few).

Thanks for visiting! I'm off to visit some more creative spaces.

Oh my goodness I forgot to blog!

2011-11-23T22:22:00.004+11:00

Hello!!

I'll keep this short as it's late and I really should be in bed! Lots of sewing going on in the Elefants house at the moment, thanks in part to the new arrival:

A couple of WIPs to show you today. (There are a few others too, but I'll just stick with two, in the interests of brevity, and hopefully to be able to provide more fodder for blogging over the next little while...)

I've had this little birdie in a tree lurking in my WIP pile for a very long time. It's from a pattern by the marvellous Kellie. I had already started the quilting but wasn't very happy with it so put it away. With the lure of a new machine, I thought I would try and finish it. And I have! And I LOVE swirly quilting on my new machine, it quilts like a dream. I'm so happy with how this one has turned out. So I hope you don't mind the plentiful photos...

The binding has been added since I took these pics, now in the process of hand-sewing it down.

I've also embarked on a Swoon quilt. I bought Camille's pattern approximately five minutes after she released it back in May and had my heart set on making it in French General fabrics (of which I have a rather large, ahem, stash). Two blocks done so far. These are fun to make but deceptively rather intensive! Lots of cutting and trimming. But beautiful! And big! 24 inches.

And one more birdie pic!

Linking up to Lee's WIP party today.

Birthday party

2011-11-01T21:54:00.001+11:00

Not so much sewing happening here, I'm afraid. Young Finn has turned 5. Hard to believe. He's been through such a lot in his short life, starting with his surprise arrival 12 weeks early. Seems weird looking back on that now. And 5 seems like a pretty big milestone, in the scheme of things.

So what better way to celebrate than with a dinosaur party?

Cue one dinosaur cake.

A game or two of pin the tail on the dinosaur.

And just having fun.

A gorgeous day for my sweet, funny, sometimes puzzling and exasperating boy.

A hex on this year going too fast!

2011-10-27T21:56:00.002+11:00

Despite my best intentions, I once again find myself realizing it has been rather a long time since I (a) did any 'real' sewing and (b) blogged about anything at all. Life just kind of gets in the way, and all I can do in the in between moments is daydream about the numerous projects that are either underway, or that I would like to start.

I really should start documenting them all. Isn't that what a blog is for, anyway?

So, for today's work in progress, I hereby show you my progress with the hexy project, aka paper-pieced hexies. I'm really enjoying these, although they are rather slow, but nonetheless quite fun to do in the evenings in front of the box. And I'm enjoying starting to think about the secondary shapes and patterns that you can make with them. Fun. This might take quite a while to finish, but that's quite ok with me!

So, a little disclosure here. And let's hope my husband is not reading this. Here are the main goals:

Ruby dutchmens puzzle quilt (blocks made, sashing and borders to go)
Sherbet pips quilt (sandwiched and ready to quilt)
French General framed boxes quilt - approx half blocks done
Finn's very overdue baby quilt. Ahem. Ok this should really be at the top of the list. He has just turned 5. How, I do not know.
Lilly Pilly (appliqué done, awaiting quilting)
Swoon quilt - one block done
In Spring quilt - barely started. Some shapes traced onto fusible.

Quilts I want to start - have the materials, just need some more hours in the day!
Whirligig from Sarah Fielke's book
Prints Charming rocket quilt
Sarahjane children at play quilt
Little apples quilt
Tula pink windmill quilt

I know. It's ridiculous! So, how many projects do you have on the go?

For more works in progress, head over to Lee's.

Finally - a finish!

2011-10-08T20:17:00.002+11:00

This quilt, in the making since January, was finally gifted to its recipients today (my sister and BIL, as a housewarming present). Before the gifting I actually remembered to take some photos. So often I forget.
Some of my favourite prints are in this quilt. So I may just have to make myself another. The solid is a Robert Kaufman linen/cotton. Hand-quilted with Perle 8 thread in various reds and pinks.

I love the binding on this - alternating Amy Butler dots and Keiki (the name of the line escapes me at the moment).
Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

My creative space

2011-10-06T13:52:00.003+11:00

I've been absent - again! But not idle! Ninety-six flying geese, now flying in formation like so:

Now for the sashing and borders...

Fabric is Ruby by Bonnie and Camille. More details to follow, including my flying geese tips!

I'm so in love with these, just want to keep staring at them! But that would not be very productive, would it? Instead I'll go and visit some more creative spaces on display here. And then some works in progress here.

Works in progress

2011-09-08T20:18:00.001+10:00

I often have the feeling that I take on way more than I can ever hope to achieve - even given a few rare hours of sewing time, I think that I'm going to get done way more than actually ends up happening. Not sure what the solution is, but part of it is probably about being more organised and having things ready to leap into when the opportunity strikes, rather than having to start with the preparation - fabric selection, cutting etc.

Anyway, having said that, my few hours of sewing time did see some achievements today and I do feel like I'm making a small dent in my pile of commitments.

First up a couple of blocks for quilts being put together by Sarah Fielke for her friend Amy who recently lost her husband to cancer. Such a terrible thing and he was so young. It's wonderful to be able to share the gift of a quilt with a friend and Sarah has been able to pull together blocks from all around the world to turn into quilts for Amy and her daughter. Amy is a big Kaffe Fassett fan, so this is what was called for. I'm more than happy to spend a little time cutting into my Kaffe stash.

Next up - starting on a Dresden plate block for Kelly in the Sew Australia bee. Lots of fun making this - I don't know why I haven't done one before!

What are you working on this week? Do you also think you're going to get more done in a set time than actually ends up happening? Or is it just me?...

More works-in-progress over at Lee's

Small bloggers unite!

2011-09-01T20:12:00.004+10:00

Here I am again, with nothing new to show but a hello to everyone visiting via Lynne's Small Blog Meet. I've known Lynne since I joined a bee - Fresh Modern Bee 2 - that she was setting up over a year ago. Lynne is an amazing, inspiring quilter - she hasn't been quilting for all that long, but has such an eye for design and colour, and is always coming up with the most amazing concepts that you've never seen hinted at anywhere before. She's truly original. And she's very funny too, as you would know if you've ever read any of the slightly off-topic threads in her Flickr group.

So thanks Lynne, for the inspiration and the encouragement. My little blog has been idling along, often neglected, but I'm almost at 50 followers so theoretically won't be eligible for the Small Blog Meet anymore :( But I will still enjoy visiting other new blogs and meeting more of you. Seeing so many new projects just inspires me to keep going and sewing! Hopefully there'll be something on my blog that will give you a little inspiration too. That would be lovely! Please let me know if there is!

Anyway, the picture you see above I say is not new, but I guess it is new because I haven't shown it here before. It is a quilt I made for my Mum's 60th birthday back in June. It bears the dubious distinction of being the quickest quilt I've ever done from start to finish. But that's a story for another time.

I love hand quilting

2011-08-30T11:00:00.000+10:00

Here's a little milestone - I started this quilt all the way back in January, and now I've just finished the hand quilting of it in red and pink Perle threads. So enjoyable, I'm a little sad it's finished and will have to find another hand quilting project to take on. Think, think, think!

Please excuse the poor quality photos - my camera battery is of course flat, so these are taken with the iPad camera which is, shall we say, fairly ordinary!

This one is destined as a housewarming gift to my sister and her husband who have, after months and months of searching, finally purchased their first home. They pick up the keys tomorrow - so excited for them!

Now for the binding....

I'm linking up to Lee's work-in-progress Wednesday for the first time in ages. Hi Lee! Lee has done the best flying geese block I've seen in a long time - must try this one!

What's your work in progress this week?

Trim, trim, trim

2011-08-27T14:58:00.002+10:00

We are still in the same busy predicament, but thankfully there was a little time for sewing this week. I have fallen behind with my bee commitments and must rectify!

First up is a half-square triangle based block for Kelly. I do love me a half-square triangle or two. Such a simple concept, seeminly limitless possibilities. The only part I don't like, however, is the trimfest that has to happen on each little square, to relieve the square of its dog ears and make sure it is, in fact, a square. Otherwise you end up with wonkiness, which we don't want, in this case.

While trimming these little ones (and aren't they pretty - I'm not sure which fabric line this is and perhaps I'd best not ask because it might force me to purchase some), I experimented with a few different methods of squaring up. I don't know about you, but I need to find some more techniques that save time!

What worked quite well I think, was to simply snip off the ears (not too precisely, to begin with). Then lay down the square with the diagonal running upwards from left to right, with the bottom side square against a line on your cutting mat. Hopefully the left side will also be square against its cutting line, but don't worry if not. So, with bottom squared up, trim the right hand side as necessary - in the case the squares were trimmed to 2.5 inches. Then rotate clockwise so the just-trimmed edge becomes the bottom edge, and trim again. With any luck that's all the trimming you'll need to do, but it's quick enough to check with your ruler.

I ended up trimming two squares at once and this seemed to work quite well too.

And here's the final layout for the block. Unfortunately there wasn't enough white fabric to complete it, so I'm going to sew as many rows together as I can and then Kelly will complete it.

Next up - a dresden circle which will be interesting!

Yes I'm still here!

2011-08-16T13:43:00.001+10:00

Hello everyone! Thanks for bearing with me through that extended break in transmission. Its so nice to see in my visitor stats that people are still dropping in regularly. Hopefully from now on there will be a bit more to see than posts that are 4+ months old!! Let's just call it a winter blogging break, shall we? I know I always seem to be saying this, but I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by. My lack of blogging is certainly not due to there having been nothing happening here in the Petitselefants house!

Winter has been really cold this year, or maybe it's just that I'm getting old and am feeling it more?.... But at last there's a little hint of spring in the air and I can't wait!

There are also some exciting things happening which I will share with you soon. But for now, just a little taste of a couple of new projects...

Some Sherbet Pips in progress - there are some plans for this quilt so this is all I can show right now.

In a moment of weakness I joined Lynne's hexalong - English paper piecing, inspired by this quilt.

At this rate (this is all I've got to show for about three weeks of occasional evening TV sewing - yes it's slow!!), I could be finished in ooh about 27 years.

I'll be back with some more WIPs soon.

In the meantime, I've also become a Pinner and a Twit so please come and follow me!

It's a chocolatey weekend... for some

2011-04-22T08:49:00.005+10:00

Yes, because a few weeks ago we bit the bullet and decided to go on a "diet" (I only need to lose a little, maybe 3kg, Craig a bit more than that), I guess we won't be having chocolate this weekend... much. Some might think you can get the same kind of endorphin rush from fabric! Is that true? Maybe...

Anyway, here's what I've been up to.

I finally found a spare moment(s) to piece together the petals for the very large Dresden circle. Hooray! It looks beautiful, don't you think? I then enthusiastically launched into the next step which involves piecing a circle into the centre. It actually is not as hard as it sounds. However.... because I failed to measure the inner circle formed by the Dresden petals before sewing in the circle piece, it ended up as a big puffy pillow in the middle. Oh dear. I'm not even going to share the photo. Lynne suggested I could leave it in and "quilt out" the puffiness. But I'm not taking any chances and have unpicked it (oh the pain!) Turns out the circle is half an inch smaller than I thought it was (hence the circle going into it was half an inch too big). So, starting again on that one.

I also made these fabulous bee blocks for Allison in FMB2 - I can say fabulous because the design (and of course the fabric choice - Central Park) is all hers. I loved making these blocks and have added this to my list of projects to make for myself. Ahem.

Then I whipped up this bag for my friend - it was supposed to be a Christmas present. Last year. Oops.

And finally - look what the postman brought! My doll quilt! From Safieh in Texas. Beautiful colours and an amazing design. And some sweet extras as well. And meanwhile my doll quilt has arrived safely at its destination too - Shayla!

And now we're off on a bike ride around the lake, enjoying the tail end of the lovely autumn weather. Traditionally from next week it just gets very cold!

Happy Easter!

DQ - finished!

2011-04-06T14:20:00.002+10:00

DQ - finished!, a photo by Petitselefants on Flickr.

It is done! This little quilt is currently mid-air enroute to its partner. Can't wait to hear that it's arrived and hoping that she loves it! Meanwhile I'm patiently awaiting the arrival of a parcel from somewhere in my letterbox.

It's been quiet on the blogging front recently due to a few technical disruptions. I've been catching up on some commitments - 3x6 bee included - nearly done!

Oh and did you know Sherbet Pips is finally here! Dreaming about what to make and what I'll need to make it with. But then there's still my Bliss quilt to make, not to mention, Lilly Pilly to finish, and a birthday quilt for my mum (not yet started).... and, and, and! Help!

Going round in circles

2011-03-19T12:41:00.002+11:00

Dresden attempt #1 a photo by Petitselefants on Flickr.

I've said it before. I don't need another project. But how could I resist Lily's Quilts Dresden Quilt-along?

I've gone for a selection of French General fabrics - from the Rouenneries, Rural Jardin and Lumiere de Noel collections, mainly because my stash is practically bottomless and there's plenty to choose from without compromising on future quilt options with those fabrics. I'm just going for the one block version rather than six. If I'm just dipping my toe in the water, let's not go overboard!

Here's Lynne's gorgeous Sherbet Pips version. (Image from Flickr).

There are already lots of amazing versions popping up in the Flickr Group, including a very sweet mini version (using a charm pack) by Agnieszka.

Work in progress - my creative space

2011-03-17T18:29:00.003+11:00

Contents: Lots of 6 inch squares of linen, combined with squares of some of my favourite fabrics.

Method: Sew them all together, stand back and smile. Fold up and put in the cupboard for two months. Ponder quilting options, in between other quilting projects. Decide to hand quilt. Hurrah!

Expected date of completion: Not a clue. But I like to have hand sewing projects at the ready, and with Lilly Pilly nearly complete (at least the hand sewing part), I needed another one.

More beautiful things over here.

Put a bird on it!

2011-03-14T09:11:00.005+11:00

My arm is gradually feeling better and I've seized the moment to catch up on some machine time. Here's what I've been doing this weekend.

1. Working on my doll quilt. I'm still at the quilting stage. As I may have mentioned once or twice before, although I do love my swirly quilting, it takes an inordinate amount of time. Anyway, we are getting there! I estimate it is about 75 per cent done. This will be hard to part with! I hope my partner likes it as much as I do!
2. Working on some bee blocks for the 3x6 sampler bee. This is where you're grouped with 6 other crazy girls, you choose a block style and then make it in their choice of colours. So six colour ways of the same block. You theoretically have three months to complete your blocks and send them off (and in turn receive six different style blocks in your own choice of colours). This time round I've chosen a wonky star block. (I say theoretically, because it seems some people take the three month thing as a lower limit.... This may or may not include me.)

This is block #3 (the other two I made some time ago, before my arm went kaputt). Very happy with this one!

And this is block #4.... Hmmmm. I'm not sure about this one, as you can see I kind of over-exaggerated the wonk on one of the star points! Not really on purpose, but just not really thinking about what the result would be. On the one hand, I really like it. On the other hand, I don't know if the intended recipient will like this level of wonkiness. It's not for everybody.

Anyway, I would really love to know what you think!

**Please leave a comment and let me know if you like the extra-wonkity star block, or if I should pick it undone and try again!!**

3. Finally - OK this one doesn't involve the machine, but I have to report on it, because I've reached the milestone of having all the leaves in situ. Did you notice how I dropped in a little Latin there? Granted, the leaves are not all sewn down, but nearly all of them are - well, there are 32 leaves left to sew. At the current rate of sewing these should all be knocked over by next weekend.

If you look closely you might also notice that my tree has grown a flock of birds. Who are at the moment still wingless. Not to mentioned legless. I had to put these in at this stage to facilitate accurate placing in situ of the final set of leaves. In contrast to the leaves, the birds are not hand sewn, but raw-edge machine appliqued (along with the trunk and branches). This stage happens after all the leaves are done. So - soon!! And then more swirly quilting!! Hooray! I might even run a little competition to estimate how many hours the quilting will take.

And, finally finally, just had to share with you this video I found about how things are so much better when you put a bird on them. I couldn't agree more!!

Checking in

2011-03-08T20:58:00.004+11:00

Lilly Pilly - growing some more leaves a photo by Petitselefants on Flickr.

A work-in-progress post!

Yes, it's been ages since I last blogged, life has been busy! I can't believe it's already halfway through Term 1. Halfway!! The year will be over before we know it.

There hasn't been an awful lot happening on the sewing front, mainly because of Mr Tennis Elbow who has well and truly outstayed his welcome. (Not that he was welcome in the first place). It has been a long road. Six weeks. But I'm nearly there. Sewing maching activity has reduced to practically zero (I had a quick 15 minute burst last weekend just to test the waters, and happily survived without a repeat of my last attempt).

On the upside - handsewing has been going gangbusters. I didn't believe Kellie when she said that Lilly Pilly was a quick project. I thought, mmm sure, that will sit around in my cupboard for at least 5 years before it gets finished. But - au contraire - the tree is growing very nicely! Of approximately 130 leaves I have sewn down 92. Yes that's right - 92 leaves!! Mainly at night in front of the TV. Not every night, but on the nights when I get it out of the - ahem - project cupboard - I usually get about 6 to 8 leaves sewn.

Added to the sewing part is the preparation part, which is, shall we say, a little tedious and not as much fun as the sewing part (tracing, cutting out, ironing onto fabric, cutting out again, trimming, gluing the edges, setting out the leaves on the tree, gluing, pinning). I won't try and estimate how much time that takes. But nobody says you have to prepare 130 leaves at once. If you break it up, do a bunch at a time - easy peasy!

The progress should actually be one that looks a bit more advanced than this. But I am having such an unenjoyable time trying to upload photos to Flickr at the moment that I just can't be faffed with another one, this will have to do. I'm sure you get the picture by now!

So, there it is - nearly done. The quilting though.... that will be a gargantuan effort. Let's discuss that some other time!

More works in progress at Lee's.

Lily's Quilts: Moda Bake Shop and a Giveaway

2011-02-14T16:14:00.002+11:00

Lily's Quilts: Moda Bake Shop and a Giveaway

As an avid collector of fabric and lurker of fabric blogs and online shops, I think I'm pretty up to speed with what's out there and what's coming soon. This beautiful little fabric line has a real buzz about it, lots of people are "talking" about it on Flickr and in the blogosphere, although it is not officially available until April. Some lucky people have already got their hot little hands on some though, not least of whom my Flickr friend (I hope she doesn't mind me calling her that) Lynne of Lily's Quilt s, who was lucky enough to be able to design a quilt for Moda Bake Shop with it. The result is a spectacular hexagon quilt which showcases the cute little designs from Sherbet Pips so sweetly.

Lynne is running a giveaway of a layer cake of Sherbet Pips, which I'd fall all over myself to win. And if I don't, well I'll have to make the fabric budget stretch a little further to get one.

I'm an idiot

2011-02-02T10:51:00.002+11:00

Quilting progress shot
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

My doll quilt is well under way, but to say I might have overdone it is probably putting things mildly.

For about a month now my arm has been a little 'hurty' - actually, it started in my elbow. About two weeks ago it started to get really bad - spreading up into my shoulder and neck and down into my hand. Arrgghh. I thought I had RSI. I couldn't sleep because of the pain. Off I went to the doctor. Diagnosis, tennis elbow. I don't even play freakin' tennis!! Apparently very common in mums of young children. All that lifting. Scrubbing. Nappy changing. All those wretched car seat wrangles. Treatment, anti-inflammatories - tick. Physio - pah, who has time to go and organise that while school holidays are in full swing??

Anyway, it *was* feeling about a million times better. So I thought I'd give it a blast with a spot of swirly free motion quilting. Quite possibly the worst thing you could do when your elbow is feeling a little worse for wear. So, now I'm paying for it, and I won't be touching this for at least a week or two.

Who says we don't suffer for our art?

I hope you are all well and unemcumbered by quilting injuries!

Here goes - my first doll quilt

2011-01-27T13:58:00.002+11:00

DQS 10 - the first attempt
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

I have agonised over this one quite a bit. You see, I always thought I would do a tree for the DQS, but it seems this is a pretty popular idea and I didn't think I wanted to do be seen as derivative. But then I realised, even though there are quite a few trees appearing in the swap, they are all quite different. And, moreover, everyone seems to love trees, I'm sure I can't go too far wrong with this.

I'm very happy with the colour palette I've chosen, which is a little outside my comfort zone (I would normally have gone with one tone, rather than so many). So - mainly pastels, but then a few reds and oranges to add some contrast, and I like it! The fabrics are almost all Amy Butler (Love) and Kaffe Fassett, plus some Valori Wells.

So far so good! Check out the growing pool of doll quilts over at Flickr.

Blissful, and a clever girl

2011-01-18T14:24:00.002+11:00

One of my very favourite designers is Camille Roskelley. She makes the most beautiful quilts, has a beautiful family and look at that, a polka-dot armchair! I have her first book which is packed full of said beautiful quilts and I can see myself making pretty much every one of them over the next few years. Oh, and she also designs fabric for Moda - how clever! Bliss is the current line, I have a growing stash of it. I also love her previous line Simple Abundance, which featured in this quilt.

Anyway, she is running a giveaway on her blog at the moment. I would love to win, mainly because I cannot get enough Bliss in my life, and perhaps you would too. Head over there and leave a comment which specifies what your dream is.

DQS10 - Let the fun begin!

2011-01-16T07:07:00.002+11:00

DQS10 Inspiration Gallery
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

I have been dying to be part of the Doll Quilt Swap on Flickr almost as long as I've known it existed. I love the fact that like-minded quilters will make beautiful little pieces for each other, it gives you the chance to stretch your creativity but just focus it all entirely into one small piece - so the results are more often than out totally amazing. There have been so many beautiful little quilts pop up in the DQS photostream, it's mind-boggling what people can come up with and translate to a tiny quilt.

Anyway, I'm thrilled to have been picked to participate in this round. We haven't been allocated partners yet, but I've already been thinking about what I might make. I've put together this gallery - with the purpose of pulling together some beautiful pieces that I'd love to emulate and also show my partner the kinds of things I like.

If you haven't checked out the DQS Flickr stream - go and have a browse! There's also a blog. One of my extremely clever Flickr friends Lynne has got a post there at the moment. If I could come anywhere near her fantabulous quilt she made in the last round I will be hyper-ventiliating.

And now to a spot of sewing. This month it's Krista's turn - she sent some beautiful natural linen and a selection of yellow prints, all completely lovely. Funny that I have never thought of yellow as being a very interesting colour to work with, but I really enjoyed working with these. I think I might need to start collecting a few yellow pieces. Hmmmm. The theme for Krista's month is circles and I obliged by drawing different size circles onto stitch-and-wash, and appliqueing them to the linen. I hope she likes them!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-08T15:52:00.001+11:00

I've been notably absent from these parts in recent times. The last few weeks of the year were a little hectic - starting a new job and having visitors staying for Christmas does not a relaxing December make! On top of that I somehow got a terrible cold which knocked me over for a while (but all the while still having to work etc). Anyway, all of a sudden it's January. And 2011. Amazing. But don't get me started!
December was a shocking month, in weather terms. It rained and rained and rained. Then it rained some more. After seven years of drought, this came as a bit of a shock. Unfortunately we had planned a little mini-holiday to the beach at this time. Here's a shot of the boys enjoying the beach, in between rain periods. Luckily we were staying in a fabulous house which had lots of space for everyone to spread out in - the rain didn't really matter and we all had a lovely time.
Needless to say, my sewing ambitions for December were unfulfilled. I managed to complete my package for Modern Swappers - will have to post on that later. And I finished my blocks for the 3x6 mini-bee, and Amanda's blocks for FMB2. As well as a little doll quilt for the MiniQT swap which was heaps of fun.
And now onto 2011! I couldn't possibly let the first week of January pass without starting another project now, could I? In recent weeks I think my husband has started to realise the enormity of my obsession and exactly how many projects I have on the go. Top of his list that must be finished, come hell and highwater, is Finn's baby quilt. He's 4. I know.

Anyway, in the interests of short posting I will leave that here for now and return soon with a post about my swaps received and sent, and also about my quilty plans for 2011. Plus some pics of fabric purchases. Only little ones. I promise.

Unfinished objects

2010-11-28T15:37:00.001+11:00

IMG_4843
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

This is my offering for the current round of Modern Swappers. It's been under construction for approximately 100 years, but given that the due date for posting is looming dangerously near, I put my foot the floor (quite literally) and got it finished. Now all that's left to do is to hand-stitch the binding down (so yes, it has advanced a little further than what you see in the photo!)

Can I just say at this juncture, my least favourite part of making a quilt, has got to be making the binding, and of that part, my least favourite part is making a mitred join for the two ends. Arrrggghhh. If anyone has some killer tips on how to get it just right without tangling yourself up in knots, I will think of a reward for you!!

That aside, I did really enjoy making this, the circle of geese block was fun - will definitely make some more of these! Love the half square triangles block, and the hexagons were also fun to make. And I love these colours. So, I really hope my partner likes the finished product!

It has been very quiet on the blogging front recently. Work has been so busy that there's been little time for sewing and as a result, even less time for blogging. And now I can't believe it's about 5 minutes until Christmas. And I am so not ready for that!

Now, on to my next unfinished object....

How are your unfinished objects going? Any that you MUST get finished before Christmas?

My first festival quilt

2010-10-30T07:59:00.003+11:00

This is the first time I've joined in the fun of the Blogger's Quilt Festival! My quilt is the one I made for Craig for his birthday this year. It's made up mainly of one of my favourite fabric lines, Simple Abundance by Bonnie and Camille. Craig had already taken a liking to the large floral print (I know! Got to love a man who appreciates fabric) which I had used in another quilt for a friend. So I knew I had to make one for him that included this fabric. It's a very simple pattern which I designed myself, and the neutral strips are Carolina Chambray - a beautifully soft fabric, I wish I could find some more of this!

I'm so proud of this quilt, and it's now on our bed!

For more beautiful quilts - the thumbnails altogether look spectacular! - head to Amy's! Thanks for hosting, Amy!

There is progress in the world...

2010-10-19T20:53:00.004+11:00

My world, at least, if not the world at large. But let's not go there. The two pillow tops for my boys are complete (apart from, in the case of the monster one, a teensy-weensy bit of hand embroidery of details - procrastinate, procrastinate). And the fabric and zippers for the backs are purchased. I'm going to do invisible zips. In the vain hope that this will prevent (or at least discourage?) little hands from prying. Am I kidding myself? Probably.

It was a funny experience with these projects, quilting-wise. With the beep-beep one, I decided to go with the swirly quilting, because, well, I've had a bit of practice recently. The whole time I was doing this, I kept thinking, it's not working, it's not working, it looks terrible. But weirdly, it doesn't. In fact, it looks pretty damn good, even if I do say so myself! But for some reason I can't put my finger on, I just didn't feel comfortable with it, not in the way I did with Willow. Anyway, it's done, and it looks good, so let's just move on, shall we?

With the monster one, I thought I'd try something a bit different, given that the three panels seem to lend themselves to something a bit different! So, a little stippling in the yellow section, and in the main top section, some pebbly quilting. My first time trying this and I have to say I'm really happy with it. This went so fast - particularly in comparison to the swirly quilting, which takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r. And it has a slightly, errrr, organic feel to it. If you look closely you'd see what I mean - kinda messy, but it works! I love the texture to it, and I think it really suits the monsters.

I'd love to know - what kind of free-motion quilting backgrounds do you like to do (or if you're not into the doing, do you have any favourites you like to see?)

Speaking of the doing, I've had a few people contact me asking for tips on the swirly quilting. I'm planning to put together a little tutorial on this in the near future - stay tuned!

Tip-toeing through the tulips

2010-10-12T21:31:00.002+11:00

Spring has sprung! On the weekend we took a little drive out of town to the Tulip Top Gardens - a private garden on several acres and boy was it impressive. Beautiful trees, lots of blossom, and more tulips than you could poke a stick at.

The kids seemed to like it too (though maybe that was just the sausage sizzle and chocolate cake). Finn is totally into the over-exaggerated smile at the moment - every time the camera comes out it's a big cheesy grin and nearly-closed eyes. Funnily enough though, when we ventured a portrait session with a professional photographer on Saturday, he wasn't having a bar of it - I'll be amazed when we get the pictures back if there are any where you can't just see him disappearing into the background or off to the side....

No sewing pictures to share with you today. I'm working on a plan for my Modern Swap partner, trying something I've been wanting to try for ages and so far it's coming together quite nicely!

Busy bees

2010-10-09T09:20:00.003+11:00

Can you believe it's October? I can't. Does that really mean it's nearly Christmas, and the end of 2010? Yes it does. Eeek. Anyway, the good news is that October is my month in the Fresh Modern Bee 2. These girls are a hugely talented bunch and I feel completely inadequate amongst them. So I agonised for ages over what to set as the month's project. I decided not to do something prescriptive because I think people like to have the flexibility to show a bit of their own creativity. So I asked for squares, square-in-squares, rectangles, grouped, single, whatever - but preferably no wonkiness.

My fabrics are mainly from my precious stash of Wonderland, but also some Tweet Tweet, Hunky Dory, Sweet and a little bit of Flora and Fauna and Joel Dewberry Stamen. Plus Kona Ash to pull it all together. The top photo shows a few of the sample blocks I did (because I kept doubting myself and was scared that the fabrics wouldn't go together).

Lynne was the first to show her wares - and as noted by one of the other bee members, she set the bar very high! What an amazing block!

Next up is Alison with these beauties - I love the fussy cut Wonderland tree, and the little rectangular strips. This is going to be so cool - I can't wait to see what the others come up with!!

My creative space

2010-09-23T18:25:00.003+10:00

More works in progress - some long-promised pillows/cushions for my two little boys. These are based on patterns by Kellie of Don't Look Now - she has whole quilt patterns for the cars and the monsters which I would love to tackle at some point in the future! Hopefully before my boys get too big...

Kirsty's on holidays this week, so no other creative spaces to share - but you know as well as I do there are creative folk galore all over the web - so go exploring.

A finished quilt, and a started quilt

2010-09-21T12:27:00.004+10:00

It has taken me a few days to get to this post. Blogger was doing weird things with my pictures and I gave up in the end. Luckily he seems to be behaving himself tonight so hopefully this will post without any further ado!

I finished the pink half-square triangles bonanza and whizzed it over to my friend's newborn last week. I was in such a rush to finish that I didn't quite make it - I literally had to sit in her lounge and finish hand-sewing on the label, while gooing and gaaing at the baby of course (so it took me forever!!) Unfortunately I didn't get any more photos of it. I stipple-quilted this one - my first attempt! Looks pretty good, but I thought I would need a bit more practice, sooooo... in a few idle moments on the weekend (yes I surprise myself too - idle moments, I'd forgotten they even existed!!) I whipped up this one:

The truth is, about 10 months ago I purchased a Birdie charm pack, and that very same night I chopped all the charms in half and sewed them back together again, yielding a pretty stack of double coins. Then they sat in one of my fabric bins. Until a few days ago. Out they came, combined with a few charms from some extra Birdie FQs I'd picked up along the way, some sashing strips were cut, extra bits added to either end of most of the rows to make them appear as if they're floating, and ta-da. A finished quilt top.

Would you believe I have even got the batting sorted for this one, and another Birdie strip to use for the binding. The backing is another matter, but I'm sure I can cobble something together pretty quickly. I am not terribly fussed - I had intended this would be more of a 'practice' piece that my daughter might use as a cuddle quilt. It is pretty big though - more than big enough to cover her cot.

Some more works are in progress, including a big pile of cutting which awaits me in order for my month in the Fresh Modern Bee 2 to begin - how exciting! But more on that later....

Works in progress

2010-09-19T21:54:00.001+10:00

FMB2 Blocks for Jessica - September
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

This blog has sadly been a bit neglected of late. Very little time for sewing and consequently even less for blogging! A rare break from the two oldest kiddos (6 and nearly 4) gave me some much-longed for sewing time. First up, my Fresh Modern Bee 2 commitments for this month. Jessica asked for rectangular based blocks in solids, along with a black and white dot. I love the combination of these colours - one of my favourite combos, but I hadn't ever thought of putting them together in a quilt. Who knew?? These were a lot of fun to make.

Next month (October) is mine in the FMB2 and I'm yet to decide what's going to happen. Must get cracking on that this week as the post will have to go out.

But for now, I'm so tired I can barely type without making a mistake - Not ideal!! So, more on my weekend sewing adventures tomorrow!

My creative space - it is done!

2010-09-02T20:40:00.003+10:00

Well after many hours (I don't like to think about how many!) Willow is finally complete (OK, I admit I still have to hand stitch the binding down, but that doesn't count, right?) Sooooo happy with this, and even though there is something slightly irksome about the wonky swirls in the top right hand corner of the quilt (why didn't I pick somewhere a bit less conspicuous to start?), it is kind of satisfying to notice how much better my technique has become through doing this project. I'm so proud of it.
Just had to share with you also a little binding accident. This has never happened to me before, but it was inevitable really. I don't know about you but I struggle with the last bit of joining the binding together with a mitred seam. It is just so unbelievably fiddly and I can never remember exactly how to put it together. Anyway, I thought I'd managed it, after about 10 minutes of wrestling and only a couple of swear words, when I went to iron the seam open (and yes I trimmed it first!! Big mistake!!) I realised that the bloody thing was twisted. There is no fudging a twisted binding I quickly discovered. And now thanks to the trimmed seam allowance I had even less fiddling room. All is well that ends well and I succeeded in covering up what was an extremely dodgy seam. You wouldn't even know!
I even added a hanging pocket. Really! How organised! I amaze myself sometimes. This is going to go up on my daughter's bedroom wall. And hopefully she'll love it for a very long time.

More creative spaces (from clever people who have probably never twisted their binding) at Kirsty's.

Lucky me!

2010-08-29T15:05:00.004+10:00

This was a very good week when it came to parcels - the most exciting kind of parcel of all arrived at my house. A Modern Swappers parcel. My very first swap!! I could barely contain my excitement when I saw the name on the parcel. I was pretty sure I knew that this was going to be inside....
The most adorable cushion cover, made out of linen with the sweetest mini quilt made out of tiny cut squares stitched down. The quilting over the entire cover is an exquisite cross-hatch, so perfect. I just love it.
Also inside, four pieces of the stunning Anna Maria Horner Good Folks line. Love.

And finally, the grooviest rotary cutter and pins ever.

Thanks Joan, I love my goodies so much. I loved this swap. I can't wait to do another one. But first I can't wait to see what my partner thinks of her goodies. They should be arriving any day now.

Half-square triangles baby quilt

2010-08-28T20:46:00.002+10:00

Half-square triangles baby quilt
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

Loving this layout, but struggling a little bit with the bulky seams - sometimes there are 6 or 8 pieces coming to a point. I've tried snipping the first few stitches and opening up the seams, but I don't think they're ever going to lay completely flat. Perhaps it's just a case of practice makes perfect. Or trial and error? Either way, it's still looking pretty, no?

I'm sensing multiple HST quilts in my future. The layout possibilities are simply endless!

This little one is for my dear friend Bec's new baby, Charlotte, born last week. Sadly they are not in the same city as me but I'm hoping for a work trip soon so I'll be able to go and visit (and deliver the quilt. Because it will be finished soon. I promise!!)

Moving on...

2010-08-17T16:06:00.003+10:00

Two little birdies - for Modern Swappers
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

I loved quilting this project. Never mind the fact that I started quilting it only to discover about twelve beautiful swirls later that the backing fabric was folded over and I'd quilted through both layers.... eeeerrrrggghhh. My time is so precious I hate to waste it unpicking! But never mind, it could have been worse!

And yes, it did take a lot more than 10 minutes. Maybe an hour all up. Not counting the unpicking. Ahem.

Anyway, so proud of this one and so pleased with how the swirls are going - getting better and better. Practice definitely does make perfect. I am nearly ready to show you the completed 'Willow' too - very happy with that too!

Two little birdies will be winging their way to my Modern Swap partner this week - along with some other goodies.

Hope you are all having a lovely Tuesday.

Oh, and if you haven't already seen it you absolutely MUST go and check out the most amazing craft room ever. I have serious craft room envy. Says the woman sitting at the dining table surrounded by sewing crap, with numerous toys strewn at her feet.

My creative space

2010-08-12T15:45:00.002+10:00

Two little birdies - for Modern Swappers
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

Two little birdies sitting on a wall....

Crafting is in 10 minute grabs these days - sadly! Ten minutes to draw the designs, 10 minutes to trace onto fusible and choose the fabrics, 10 minutes to iron on and cut out and iron on, 10 minutes to get sewing machine out, whizz around all the shapes, pack sewing machine away again.

Can I quilt this in 10 minutes? Ahh, no. But I'll try!!

More creative spaces as always at Kirsty's.

Long time, no blog!

2010-08-02T09:17:00.006+10:00

Gosh, it has been a couple of weeks since I posted anything here. Since I started back at work 2 months ago sewing time has been severly depleted, and I find that despite my best intentions, I really can't sit down at the sewing machine at night after the kids have gone to bed. Firstly I'm too tired to concentrate properly and would be worried about making mistakes which I'd then just have to re-do, and secondly, there aren't that many free hours in the day to spend with Craig - it doesn't seem fair to take myself off to another room to sew. So hand-sewing at night is pretty much the only options - and to that end I have been plugging away with the Joseph's Coat petals....

And at the weekend - well that's been pretty sporadic too. My kids are aged 6, 3 and 1, and well, that obviously entails a lot of hands-on stuff! Not that I am begrudging them my time - I know that in a few short years they'll be off with their friends and won't care too much about spending time with us. So I will just fit it in where I can and try to stop feeling so envious of all my blogging and Flickr friends who produce oodles of beautiful things in the time it takes me to quilt half a pillow.... Let's just say I continue to be endlessly inspired by so many clever people. And that I look forward to the day when I have heaps of spare time to produce as much. But in the meantime - my kiddies are only going to be this little for a little while!! :-) And they are so cute. Even if they do drive me crazy occasionally.

So just a couple of Bee Blocks to share with you today - Susan asked for a wonky log-cabin/square-in-square style. A little outside my comfort zone, but actually these were such fun to make. The colours were also nothing like anything I've used before. But I love them together. The aqua and dark blue are beautiful. Next up are Lynne's Union Jack blocks which I'm intrigued about - more paper piecing!

I've also been working on something for my Modern Swap partner - but not ready to show it yet!

Willowing away

2010-07-19T15:21:00.006+10:00

The swirly quilting is pretty intensive and is taking seemingly forever. On the upside though, I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out and so pleased that I have worked out a good technique for filling in small spaces and making it look as though the swirls are continuing underneath the applique. Of course I still have a long way to go before my swirls look anything like these ones, but maybe in about 50 years I will have at least come half way.

(Photo from Don't Look Now on Flickr)

My creative space...

2010-07-15T18:30:00.002+10:00

Half square triangles
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

...today involves a bunch of half square triangles (64 squares, to be exact) and a scribbly kind of 'maybe' diagram. Still not sure on whether to go with something like this, or something very simple like a zigzag. It's for a baby girl quilt.

I love the HST and have been putting together a bit of a collection of my favourite layouts. The possibilities are endless!! I'm sure someone mathematically inclined could work out exactly how endless. I'll post some of my favourites in the near future.

Not much time today as it's a work day (which means no time for sewing - acckk!!)

But if you have time, check out some more creative spaces at Kirsty's.

Willow - not weeping, smiling

2010-07-13T15:47:00.003+10:00

Applique finished, quilting started - so much fun!

Ice cream social

2010-07-12T11:35:00.004+10:00

Ice cream social
Originally uploaded by Petitselefants

I've been admiring the Oliver + S range of patterns for ages, wondering whether I had the courage to tackle one. So when I saw that Kate and Amy were hosting the Ice Cream Social - a sewalong of Oliver + S's ice cream dress, I cheered!

I've been poring over the pattern, and it actually does look not that hard, and to have a go-to group where everyone is trying out the same pattern will be very handy indeed! The possibilities are endless with this dress (there are three versions, a top and two styles of dress - look at these pretties that have already been posted to the group pool).

1. Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress, 2. Oliver+S Ice Cream Dress, 3. Ice Cream Social Dress, 4. ice cream top, 5. birthday ice cream dress, 6. ice cream dress

I'm hoping to do one in a Little Folks voile by Anna Maria Horner, but first I'll try it out with a cheapo fabric picked up from Lincraft some time ago (for the purposes of little girl dress-making). Just to make sure I can do it! Can't wait to get started - the pattern is traced now I just need to get cutting!

My creative space

2010-07-08T12:53:00.005+10:00

More free motion embroidery today - I can't get enough of this! Despite the fact that I have a cough and cold and a grumpy toddler, sewing is my little respite today.

This one is Willow - from the clever Kellie of Don't Look Now. There are around 100 of these little green leaves! Surprisingly it actually didn't take that long. Nearly done with the flowers and then it's on with the quilting (aka the scary part!) This is designed to be made up into a European-sized pillow, or a wall-hanging. Yet to decide what to do with mine.

As always, more creative spaces at Kirsty's.

A quick progress report

2010-07-02T19:49:00.006+10:00

After yesterday's post, I whizzed away on the machine and the red tree quilt was 'finished' in almost no time at all! Well, the applique/embroidery part of it anyway. So much fun! I love doing this! This is a really forgiving technique - it's nice to give it a "sketchy" kind of look as you do two or three rows of stitching around each shape or along each line.

I actually have another couple of projects on the go too (using the same raw edge technique, so I'm economising by doing all three at once).

For those who have tried this before, you'll know that changing the thread and bobbin for each colour change can get rather tedious, so I'm trying to be clever by doing all the shapes in a colour across the three projects, then changing colours and doing it again. No doubt a huge time saver!!

My creative space

2010-07-01T10:10:00.005+10:00

Under my sewing machine today.... love love love this!

More creative spaces at Kirsty's.

Saturday stitching... and paying it forward

2010-06-26T17:10:00.006+10:00

I love circles and I've been dreaming about making something with lots of different size circles for ages. Last night the moment grabbed me and said "draw some circles, girl!" So I did. And this afternoon I stitched them. I actually only drew the outline of one circle in each set, and then used the first line as a guide for stitching either inside or outside the original circle.

Sorry about the colour of these photos, they look kind of weird, but it was late in the day and obviously the lighting is all wrong. The fabric is actually cream, nearly white. The colours (Perle 8 thread) are orange, a dusky pink, and two shades of green - one a little more blue than the other.
I don't really know what to do with this, so I'll just sit on it for a while (figuratively speaking of course!) I have in mind I may be able to make something for it for my partner for the Modern Swap. So here's hoping it grabs her eye when she sees it on Flickr!

Why has it taken me so long to discover Perle 8 thread? I had heard of it of course, but only used it for the first time at the Prints Charming workshop I went to a few weeks ago. I love it! So nice to stitch with and none of that fiddling around trying to separate the strands of embroidery floss. I only have four colours so far - now there's another thing I will have to start collecting....

Now I need to tell you about a little initiative I'm putting my hand up for and that is "Pay it forward" (in a crafty sense). Thanks to Justine for this! The idea is that three people who comment on this post will each receive a little hand-crafted something especially for them, in the next little while. In turn, you agree to post on your blog the same initiative - that is, inviting commenters to your post and promising to make them something, if they then post on their blog etc etc... This way we all spread a bit of crafty love around (the world - yes, international peeps very welcome!)

And I would love the challenge of making something custom-made especially for you. So - please leave a comment. The first three people will be the winners, but I'll also pick another one at random - so if you're not there in time to be in the first three, don't be discouraged. Feel free to let others know too - the more the merrier! I'll draw the fourth person next weekend (3 July).

Sunday Sewing

2010-06-21T08:59:00.005+10:00

Hello, how was your weekend? Hubby was away for the weekend but I still managed to squeeze in some sewing! Hurrah! This is now the third Pleated Tote I've made from Ali Foster's pattern, it really comes together so quickly now. I barely even need to consult the instruction sheet anymore. The longest part is cutting out all the pieces. Or perhaps trying to decide which beautiful fabrics to use.... I finally settled on an Alexander Henry print (Birdsong) for the main part of the bag, and some Amy Butler Floating Roses for the yoke and handle. The handle looks really short from the angle of the photo, but it's not - it's the perfect size to put over your shoulder and still have access to the bag. There is a magnetic snap and a little internal pocket.

This one is for a friend's birthday. I'd so love to keep it for myself! I know she's going to love it.

I've also started putting some thought into what to make for my swap partner for Modern Swappers, and yesterday started doodling with some pretty fabric scraps courtesy of Mr Kaffe, some Moda natural muslin and some fusible, and came up with this inkling of an idea. Not sure yet where it's going to take me but I'm liking it so far.

Finishing touches

2010-06-14T17:12:00.007+10:00

It's been a holiday this weekend and beautiful weather. Unfortunately the kids haven't been exactly on their best behaviour so we have all been going a bit stir crazy. But anyway.... Did manage to get a couple of projects finished which is always a good thing!!

First off, my Amy Butler Birdie Sling. I have had this pattern for quite a while and the fabric as well (from my stash of Rouenneries), and have over the last few weeks tackled the bag in a few sittings. It came together pretty well, although I did have to use the quick-unpick a few times - mainly due to my failure to read the directions properly.... I added a zip pocket inside and a magnetic snap closure. I love the bag, and would love to do another, but next time I would lose the fusible fleece on the lining. I think one layer of interfacing is enough. There was way too much bulk in the seams around the band which made it tricky to do the final top-stitching.

And now for my second project finish - my first bee blocks for Fresh Modern Bee 2 - string quilt blocks for Scruffycat. This was my first attempt at string blocks and I love them! These were so much fun to do and I love the result. I hope you do too, Amy!

Now off to finish dinner - a roast lamb has been cooking away slowly all afternoon and it smells divine!!!

Finally - the finished quilt

2010-06-07T16:22:00.004+10:00

This quilt made for my hubby's birthday is the quickest finish ever! Took about a week from start to finish (with the start even including thinking "uhhhh, think I'll make a quilt for Craig's birthday next week...."). In the end I was very grateful for my mum's help in sewing on the binding (including hand-stitching). She loves sewing on binding! What can I say?? It isn't my favourite part of the process, and in any case, to keep it a surprise I couldn't really be sitting there at night with hubby happily stitching away on his quilt. Although when I told him this he said he wouldn't have suspected.

The fabrics are mainly from the Simple Abudance line by Bonnie and Camille. The large floral print (which I think is called Mum's Blue) is my favourite and hubby happens to really like it too! I'd used it in a previous quilt and he admired it so much I stored that away for future reference. On the back I used a Robyn Pandolph Christmas print I'd had for about five years, which I thought went really well with the colours of the front, plus a pieced strip - which took waaaaay longer than I thought it was going to....

All-in-all, very happy with how this one turned out! And the best thing is (apart from Craig really appreciating it) that it gets to live with me! :)

Stitching with the Prints Charming Girls!

2010-06-06T15:09:00.008+10:00

Well I can never resist the call of a beautiful design and some yummy embroidery thread, so yesterday I went to my LQS for a few hours of stitching with the very clever ladies from Prints Charming. Not only do these girls design the most amazing, unique and fun fabrics, the likes of which you are never likely to see replicated by other designers, but they also design beautiful stitchery/embroidery panels with their signature motifs (birds, flowers, leaves, combinations thereof) which you can then embellish to your heart's content.

Love these colours!

It was so much fun seeing everyone's take on the same design - a simple bird pattern, but with everyone's different choices of colour, stitch style, and where on the bird these colours and stitches appeared, they were all so unique.

This is the same bird motif we were stitching - looks fabulous on the natural linen and simply framed

Cath and Kirsten (the brains behind Prints Charming)

The girls also had a lot of their quilts and other goodies on display - which only serves me to wish (again) that there was more than 24 hours in a day. And now those clever people at my LQS spotted an opportunity to suck more people in to start a Prints Charming block of the month program! Arrgghh!! When am I going to get all this done??

If you haven't ever heard of Prints Charming you must go and check out their website right now!! Oh, and they also run screen-printing classes at their studio in Sydney which I would love to do. Cath gave us a quick demo yesterday and it looks super fun and so easy!

In other news, I have been embarassingly absent from the blogosphere recently and it's occurred to me I haven't even posted a photo of the completed quilt I made for my hubby. So I must get onto that. (In case you were wondering, I did go with the natural chambray sashing and it looks great - even if I do say so myself! Thanks to those who offered suggestions!)

Last week I returned to (paid) work for the first time since my youngest was born (20 months ago) - working 3 days a week as that's really all I can manage at the moment with 3 kiddies, of course there will be even less time for sewing :(

Life's big questions - to sash or not to sash?

2010-05-21T18:10:00.004+10:00

I have been sewing like a demon (?!) today. Last night I spent a couple of hours (way too late really) cutting my fabrics into strips and cross-cutting into smaller strips and squares. This morning I just started randomly sewing them all together and wound up with this.

All in all I'm very happy with the result, but the big dilemma now is - to sash or not to sash? And if yes to sashing, what colour? And between all the strips? Or just two or three? I have got some gorgeous Carolina Chambray in a natural/stone kind of colour, and I think that might look lovely. But perhaps red might be a good option too? This isn't neessarily the layour I'll go with, I've basically just laid out all the strips one by one for now.

What do you think? Any suggestions happily appreciated!!

PS have just noticed a big smudge on all my photos from today and realised this comes courtesy of a certain small person's finger print on the lens... sorry! And please feel free to admire small person's fire engine slippers in the background. He'll be flattered. They have flashing lights, you know!

My creative space (one amongst many!)

2010-05-20T11:43:00.004+10:00

Creativity hasn't been on the backburner chez Petits Elefants these last few weeks, despite the absence of posting. On the contrary! Lots has been happening. But for now, just a taste of what's happening today.

Some Simple Abundance, from Bonnie and Camille (love this line!) getting acquainted with my rotary cutter. The print on the bottom left in the pic below is from My Mind's Eye by Riley Blake. Isn't it adorable? Love those little birds (obviously!!)

My sewing machine has been at the doctors for the last week and I'm just about to head off to collect it! Hooray!

More creative spaces, as always, over at Kirsty's.

My creative space

2010-04-29T16:13:00.004+10:00

I can't explain it. I have approximately 4,623 projects on the go, but still I had the uncontrollable urge today to start something new. Linen and red thread, cute bird .... how could I say no?..... The pattern is from here.

More creative spaces over at Kirsty's place.

My (very late) creative space

2010-04-16T20:58:00.003+10:00

Sadly I've been missing in action from the bloggy scene for the past couple of weeks, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy slaving over a hot sewing machine!! Some months ago I swooped on a big pile of Rouenneries fabric from French General. I am so in love with this line, it is simply divine. My initial intention was to make a quilt for our bed and I'm still toying with various designs.

But while I'm waiting for my inspiration to settle into something more concrete, I decided the time had come to cut into the lovely pile - well, at least a little bit of it - and whipped up a tote for my aunt's birthday.

In the meantime I've also been progressing with the pink quilt. Now all that's left to do is put on the binding. I decided to put a solid pink around each of the blocks, using several different shades of solid. I didn't really plan it and when it came time to arrange the twelve blocks it turned out to be a bit of a task to set them out without blocks of the same colour adjoining each other. Anyway, I think it turned out OK in the end! The quilting is a pretty simple pattern, just in-the-ditch around the blocks, a cross through the centres, and some (occasionally wonky) railway tracks through the solid pinks.

All the while my head continues to swim with other ideas for new projects! Not enough hours in the day at the moment!

My creative space

2010-03-25T14:06:00.005+11:00

Today it's all about pink! This little project will become a quilt for a four-year-old girl. I don't know what this block is called, but it's basically a 3.5 inch square surrounded by strips. I have offset the square in some blocks, and centred it in others. I think it will be 3 blocks by 4.

Now I'm thinking about putting another layer around each one, in a pink solid (in fact, I have three or four different pinks and may use some of each). If anyone is reading this and has some suggestions I would love to hear them!

And while we're at it - here's another pleated tote I whipped up yesterday for my sister.

To see lots of creative clever people, head over here.

Joseph's Coat Update

2010-03-22T10:35:00.007+11:00

Well time for a little update on this loooooong term project.

Firstly I have to say I'm enjoying this enormously, I love sewing down all those little petals, it's great fun. The preparation, errr, not so much, but after having traced, cut out, ironed on, cut out again, and again, glued (occasionally with swear words), and glued again.... well let's just say it is at least getting quicker! And I love the satisfaction of getting 12 petals glued down on the background and they look so pretty before being pinned and stitched, and ending up all wrinkly as per the photos you see here. Sorry, but there is just no time for ironing!!

I did have some problems with the first few blocks as far as getting the petals down on the background (and making them fit in the right spot) goes. Often I would get 11 petals down with no problems, but as soon as I tried to get #12 down, no way, it just would not fit! Overhang of several millimetres - so frustrating!! Then I worked out that my stabiliser petals were all just a tiny bit too big. I hadn't bothered checking them against the template (even though Kellie had suggested doing this in her instructions), because I thought pah! I'm tracing so carefully, what could possibly be wrong?? But lo and behold, each time I ran the pencil around the template, yep, it was just a touch too large. So after cutting I'm now checking each petal against the template and giving it a little haircut. And my life is so much the better for it!

As far as gluing down the edges goes, I am still finding it a little bit hit-and-miss. Sometimes I get great pointy points, sometimes they look like they've run into a brick wall at high speed (and have a flat nose). But what works best for me is a tip I adapted from one of the other Josephs Coat participants, Shelly, early in the piece, which is to use a pin at the very point of the stabiliser and fold down the top edge over that, this helps make sure that I fold over exactly the right amount of fabric, not a bit too much or too little. And then when folding over the first side edge, I make sure that edge runs parallel to the opposite side. On the whole it's working pretty well now. (Thanks for the tip Shelly!)

Anyway, as you can see I haven't started stitching the rows together yet (despite best intentions). I had actually intended to have rows 1 and 2 done at the end of February so that I could take them to show Kellie when I did her class in Canberra, but alas, I didn't make it - and three weeks later I still haven't done it (but I have been doing lots of other stuff in the meantime!!)

I think I'm leaning towards making this a 6 x 6 block size, possibly with some borders, so I'm looking forward to seeing what Kellie suggests in that department.

The big mystery remains, who will the quilt be for? I don't really know, to be honest, I just wanted to make it because it's so beautiful, I wanted a handsewing project, and I had already collected these gorgeous pinky-oranges and they were just perfect for this project. Although I have supplemented in the process. Ahem. I think at the end of the day, there will have been so much of me put into this quilt, I just won't be able to part with it. But we'll see!

Thanks to Kellie for a fantastic project. The extra late nights of stitching are so enjoyable!!

My creative space

2010-03-18T15:12:00.007+11:00

The sewing frenzy continues! Funny how finishing a project instantly spurs on more action on new projects - exponentially so. By the end of the month I will probably have about 8 projects on the go - is that completely insane? Probably. I'm going beserk with my sewing machine because my return-to-work date of July is looming prominently in the foreground. Only 4 months to go, and so much to do!! I may need to start sewing in my sleep.

Anyway, today I finally delivered the 40th birthday quilt to my dear friend. As expected she loved it and was of course not the least bit perturbed that it was nearly 6 months late. I'm so pleased with how it turned out and so proud that I did everything myself. Have got plans to do another similar one. After a few other projects are complete. Ahem.

So having finished that one, I thought I would make myself something for a change and yesterday afternoon finding myself with a couple of hours to kill whipped up a fab new bag. I'm so happy with it! I can't stop looking at it!

The amazing green hummingbird fabric is from Patty Young's Flora and Fauna collection. (Sadly I've used up every skerrick I had of this and now wish I'd got some more...), the top band and handle is Wildwood by Erin McMorris, and the lining is from Sweet by Urban Chiks (it is a green backgrounded polka dot print - sadly cannot be seen because Blogger is refusing to upload any more pictures). And the pattern is by Ali Foster. A wonderful pattern - I will definitely be making some more of these bags. I will just make the handle a smidgen longer next time.

Lots and lots of clever creative people here.

My creative space

2010-03-11T14:14:00.003+11:00

Here's a project that has been in production for an embarassingly long period of time - promised for a friend's 40th birthday which took place in November. (Sorry, but how did it suddenly become March??)

Just have the last few inches of binding to sew down (by hand). This is not my first quilt I've worked on, but it is the first quilt I've done entirely on my own - design, cutting, sewing, quilting, binding. It almost seems a shame to be giving it away, but I'm giving it of course to someone who will love it (and I'll have visiting rights). Craig wants one the same (a pity I do not have enough of the same fabrics).

The fabrics include Mums Blue from the Simple Abundance line by Bonnie and Camille - I love love love this fabric - after I'd decided to use it in this quilt I quickly ordered some more so it can still live in my stash until I find another worthy project. The teal green backgrounded florals are Wuthering Heights by Three Sisters for Moda from about four years ago (yes I've been hoarding them - plus some fat-eighths and a charm pack, ready and waiting!)

More creative spaces here.

Curls, swirls and weirdy beardy things

2010-02-28T20:59:00.008+11:00

This is what I've been up to this weekend, slaving away over a hot sewing machine,

under the expert guidance of the very clever Kellie of Don't Look Now. OK, so my piece, yet to be finished, of course doesn't look anywhere near as exquisite as Kellie's (see below), but as a start, I have to say I'm pretty pleased with my efforts.

The genuine article. Look at those beautiful swirls! Just perfect! (She's had a lot of practice, let's face it!) And Kellie was an absolutely terrific teacher, with plenty of great tips and advice on setting out on this amazing road. I had a fantastic time, quilting a la Kellie is so much fun! I'm sure all the other ladies in the class would agree, everyone did a lovely job - I felt terribly inadequate!

I did have a few hiccups along the way. Grrr ... tension problems.... grrrr. However, there weren't any tears, even after numerous weirdy beardy things ending up on the back of my practice piece.... I won't post a photo of this, it's far too frightening. Funnily enough these seemed to diminish once I'd got the whole thing about remembering to drop the foot to the halfway mark each time I started out.... But these (unrelated to the beardy mishaps) pink eyelashes look kind of cool, don't you think??

The shell shape seemed to work better for me - but I'm determined to conquer the swirl!!! I will not be defeated!!

Oh dear - so wonky! Or should I say 'stylistic'?

So what's next? Finish the sweet little 'practice piece' and turn it into a cushion... and then move onto a slightly bigger project (European sized pillow). How many leaves in this one Kellie? About 50?? No worries!!
And after that? Maybe this...

Or perhaps this...

(Yes, I'm dreaming!!)

And other than the luxury of hours of uninterrupted sewing, the other great thing about the weekend was having my dear friend Bec join me. We hadn't seen each other for 4 years so it was wonderful to see her and she drove 8 hours to get here - poor Bec!! We're both looking forward to doing another of Kellie's classes next year - hopefully Kellie hasn't completely burnt herself out by then and is still going. Going by the number of amazing things she churns out, I'm convinced that Kellie sews in her sleep!!!

Thanks Kellie for a great weekend and for sharing your beautiful quilts and amazing skills with us!

And thanks also to Jenny and everyone at Addicted to Fabric for hosting us. Love this shop! (Of course we had to do a tiny bit of stash-building while we were there. Just a tiny bit.)

And now, it's back to this baby... (14 down, 35 to go! Loving it!)

Quilting along (slowly!)

2009-12-01T07:46:00.005+11:00

No posting recently as I have been up to my ears in cutting out stabilisers, fabrics, pinning and stitching. I really love this Joseph's Coat Quiltalong idea, but sheesh! I am a bit bamboozled by how much time it's taking to get going. The preparation involved is really something else. As a result I have only 2 blocks stitched, whereas I think by this time, if I was keeping up with the pace, I should have about 8 done. Anyway, here they are - I have to take some better pictures and admittedly these were taken before stitching them down. But they are stitched now, I promise!!

Time for an update!

2009-11-07T15:21:00.003+11:00

Well it has been way too long since I last posted. Excuses are many and varied and I haven't been completely idle, in a crafting sense - really, I haven't! There are some things to show for my absence, but first things first - in a moment of madness I have signed up for a quilt-along being organised by the very talented Kellie from Don't Look Now. Is there anything this girl can't do? Apart from having the most amazing designs which are so in line with my own tastes it's kind of scary, she is also super-generous and has posted incredibly detailed instructions of what to do and how to do it so that your work might have even a very good chance of looking like hers! (I wish!!)

Anyway, so here is the lovely culprit that has been swimming in my mind for the last few weeks. I am eager to get going. Unfortunately I've just realised I don't have the right kind of needles - hopefully I'll be able to rectify that tomorrow and start stitching. In the meantime I have been busily cutting out stacks of lovely petals from the fusible web.

Now off to do some more cutting!!

Missing in action

2009-09-22T15:28:00.004+10:00

It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted. Kids' illnesses have set me back a bit but hopefully we can get back on track now that everyone is (mostly!) better.

Gret from the lovely little red ribbon has a giveaway on her blog at the moment - a sweet little coin purse handcrafted from linen and vintage embroidery. Head over here and leave a comment, and it could be yours!

One for the birds

2009-09-01T17:47:00.007+10:00

Not only do I have a thing for trees at the moment... and anything red.... but also birds. Sometimes I like to combine all three. Right now I'm wearing a cord necklace with a red metal bird on a gate motif - found last week at the National Portrait Gallery shop (the BEST shop for gifts in Canberra, surely?). Made by Elk. Their jewellery is delicious. I could easily take it all home.

Something else I've found - Indiefixx Feed Your Soul, a great art site with free downloadable pictures you can print out to your heart's content. Luckily for me there is an abundance of birds on board. Here are a couple of my favourites.

And finally, a peek at the Helleborus-in-progress. Going well so far - I'd say I'm nearly at the halfway point, and it hasn't been too painful (despite Terhi's warning of death-by-boredom-scarf).

More art to love

2009-08-29T09:28:00.003+10:00

Just found this sweet little picture on Etsy by a Canadian artist Tine Wiggens - this would be lovely in Elli's room! I'm ashamed to say that I have been a bit of a failure when it comes to decorating my kids' rooms, it all looks a bit half-hearted. I'm hoping to change this though - it's really just a matter of a few more pictures and some strategic tidying up and everything will be beautiful! All part of the territory when it comes to squeezing three kids into two bedrooms!

This caught my eye....

2009-08-28T18:55:00.004+10:00

Being a total newbie to the blogging world, I find myself being amazed on a daily basis by all the clever people out there. And the things you find on a very circuitous route. I love reading A Little Red Ribbon (thanks Gret) - she always finds the most beautiful things (and makes some gorgeous vintage embroidery pouches). Today's find comes via there, through a wonderful site called Lovely Clusters, which takes all the hard work out of finding beautiful things - clever, huh? (A Little Red Ribbon is about to be featured there).

And there my attention was piqued by this gorgeous pink-leaved tree from A. T. Whim. A further peak at that site reveals an array of beautiful artwork - very tempted! A few of these grouped on a wall would be delightful. I really have a thing for trees at the moment!

Coming soon - boys' things from Hatched and Patched

2009-08-28T18:32:00.002+10:00

I'm excited - one of my favourite designers, Anni Downes of Hatched and Patched, is close to releasing her next book full of things to make for little boys (and big ones too, I believe). On her blog today is this gorgeous photo which is tantalising - I think those robots are going to want a home here with my two little boys. Can't wait to see the book - hopefully we won't have to wait for too long!!

This beautiful quilt....

2009-08-26T13:37:00.004+10:00

...is being given away by the incredibly talented Kellie of Don't Look Now. I don't normally gush, but I have to say of all the artisans out there in the big wide world of quilt-land, she is surely the pinnacle. One lucky person is going to win this quilt, and it would be great if it were me! Whoever wins will be the envy of many.

I am so in love with the bird and tree combination, as well as the selection of colours. Before I started lurking around the blogworld, I had various designs based on birds and trees floating around in my head. Little did I know that others before me had also stumbled upon this wonderful concept - who would have thought?? Anyway, such a simple concept really, but Kellie takes it to a whole new level. Her work is simply beautiful and it would be a privilege to own one of her quilts. Maybe one day I'll have the confidence to try one of her patterns....

The competition closes on 2 September - good luck!

Getting my knitting groove back

2009-08-25T21:09:00.006+10:00

I am on a bit of a roll with knitting at the moment, having finally completed a little cardigan for little miss E a week or so ago (OK so I still haven't sewn on the buttons, but she's been wearing it, and it really doesn't need the buttons..........). Pleased with that accomplishment (yes, it had been on the go, on and off, since before she was born - 10 months ago) I decided to pop out a quick hat for the biggest little boy. It is a paper-bag style hat, knitted in a rectangle, very cute!

Sorry about the sideways shot - still getting the hang of this! I really love this wool, which is lucky, because there is still a lot of it left. More on that some other time.

Then I decided I would knit a scarf for my sister. Weird that I have been knitting for years and years but never actually knitted a scarf. Isn't that just what everyone starts to knit when they learn how to knit, before getting completely bored and moving onto more interesting garments? Anyway, a scarf it will be, but in between times I unfortunately had to abandon the first attempt due to the dreaded stockinette curl syndrome. A pity, because the chevron lacy pattern was going really well and it would make a fantastic scarf, but sorry, that was way too curly. It had to go.

Luckily I found the perfect replacement designed by the very clever Terhi here - the picture below shows her original, mine will not be as wide, and given that it is in a darker wool, the pattern will not show up as well as this, but after having done about ten rows, and seeing the pattern start to emerge, I am really loving it. Thanks Terhi.

More tomorrow on another exciting knit-fest!

A work-in-progress #1

2009-08-16T15:38:00.005+10:00

As is no doubt the case with everyone who likes to indulge in a little craftiness here and there, I have of course numerous works-in-progress. I am trying, however, to finish some of these off - admittedly, this is to some extent driven by a desire to start something new (and who doesn't have a list as long as their arm of things they want to start working on!?)

To get the ball rolling, I'm sharing with you today a quilt I've been making for my little man #2 - it was (you guessed it) supposed to be his baby quilt... and yes, he's turning 3 in just a couple of months, scarily enough. And yes, I have had another child since.... (and I haven't started her quilt yet!) Anyway, it is what it is - and I still love it, though I have to admit that I have moved on somewhat since I started this, and I would choose something totally different if I were starting something for him today.

The pattern is from Barri of Bare Roots who just makes the most adorable quilts and other bits and pieces. I have altered the pattern slightly (but not too much). The top is just about done - all the pieces are hand appliqued using the fusible web and blanket stitch technique (though in one section I have used backstitch for a different effect which I'm really pleased with). Just a few more circles to go around the border and then on to the sandwiching. I'm thinking of hand-quilting this, despite the fact that I know it will take me forever. If it's finished by the time little man turns 4 I'll be amazed!

As an aside, I actually started this quilt when I was 27 weeks pregnant with #2 - little did I know that only days later he was to arrive amidst much drama (at 28 weeks). Who knows if I might have actually got it finished in time if he'd gone full term??

Starting out

2009-08-15T22:23:00.002+10:00

Hello out there! This is my first real go at this blogging business. In this little space I'd like to share my favourite bits and pieces - things to make, things I've made (when I actually get to do that!), things others have made, in the realm of crafty, home-y, baking things.

Testing

2009-07-17T15:50:00.001+10:00

Hello this is my first post