Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Baking time with the family, makes me happy!

Lots of icing and sugary toppings make the kids happy. Haha happy new year!!

See you in 2021. I am excited for fresh starts, vision boards, new goals and plans!

 

The Raven quilt goals

We went away for a couple of days with the family: The kids uncles, partners, kids and grandparents. Well, I felt very much like I didn't have a holiday at all. I didn't get to sit out with the other adults late at night (ours were in bed), and I was up at 6am with an extra one to take care of, bouncing on me in my room. The kids had a blast, and I learned about what I want out of a holiday, and where I would go stay.

My enjoyment was stitching after going into our motel room for an early night (couldn't leave the kids on their own!!) .....

 I now have two blocks finished from my blackbird designs quilt "The Raven". It's my goal to finish this by next Halloween.

These blocks are huge at about 15 inches each. Lovely big pieces, except for the berries.

Only 9 blocks in total, time to prep another needleturn block. I have goals!!

 

Christmas Cats

One more chance to show off a finished Christmas project hanging in a space where it gets the attention it deserves!

I made this swag by making Crazy Christmas Cat quilts, using quilt as you go, then binding them individually with little ribbons hanging out of the sides.

Such a pleasing view. I used up every scrap of that cat fabric, and the co-ordinates I bought to go with them.

Some Christmas ribbon I got on sale after Christmas one year.

And backed with Christmas cat fabric as well.

There we are, all documented for the future. That's why I started this blog after all. I love quilt history, the stories behind why something was made, the evolution of a project, and the quilt artist herself.

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. My heart is full.

 

Christmas Eve

I wanted to turn my brain off, so I asked the beloved to get me a jigsaw at the shops. Oh my goodness. Well, it's a painting.

So i got the sky done, which traditionally would be the hardest part, and now I am throwing the jigsaw away.

I don't even want to give it to the opp shop, it's so bad. What a waste it's been.

So he grabbed me this Christmas one too.

It's also a shocker. 

No more cheap jigsaws for me. I will choose my own. Preferably scenic photos!!

Stuff it! I am going to play with these fabrics I had on layby instead. I think it will be a French Braid quilt.

The children are too excited to eat much, but we dressed the table with wholesome foods and handmade care.

A little boy's yule....

honey glaze roasted carrots

Goddess Fortuna

It's Christmas Eve... plenty of carrots for the reindeer, a chinotto drink, cake and decorated gingerbreads.

Letter to Santa....

Santa sacks and Christmas stockings are under the tree... 

This is a time I cherish so much. I give thanks for these wonderful times, future memories, I am so grateful to experience the wonder and joy of Christmas from the eyes of my own children.

This is my snowflake candle. Gratitude. Blessings to all, and to all a good night.

 

A card pull

I really wanted to photograph this gorgeous piece before it went to its new owner. I hadn't even finished it and it sold. It's another one of those that I would love to get that fabric again!!

Just another way to use these altar cloths. Take them to a friend's house with a deck and bam. Instant sacred space.

I decided I needed to complete the superhero quilt for 10yo. He is the only one still using his oldest quilt with monsters on it. 

This one should carry him through for a while. I've made it quilt as you go, same as the other children's new bed quilts from earlier this year.

I got so busy this year with altar cloths that he hasn't had a lookin, and just humbly used his old one. Not that it's cold anyway. But he does take pride in a clean room. 

Hopefully time for a few more personal stitching projects before the end of the year.

 

gingerbread

It's the first time in years that I've been able to make gingerbread properly. Living here in the subtropics, the outdoor kitchen wasn't cool enough to roll out gingerbread dough. It's made with melted butter and even after refrigerating, at warm temperatures and on a hot bench, it drooped very quickly before making it onto the baking tray. 

How do you transfer your cut out shapes onto the baking tray? I would love your tips.

We made some without sprinkles ready to ice.

I pulled a card to share on this stunning altar cloth/divination cloth.

What a great photo to post on your instagram or to a client if you do readings.

You can find my altar cloths for sale in my Etsy shop.

Etsy.com/shop/SewIntuitivebyRainey

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I am loving this extra space to hang all my Christmas cheer. It's making me finish projects that have been around for years. I honestly can't remember if I've ever shown this one, and if I have, the photo wasn't as good as it is this year anyway. Made from a Loralie Christmas dogs panel.

I finished this Grinch tree last year. And my 5yo son has been adding the decorations in the way of a countdown each day leading up to Christmas. He's been watching The Grinch movie most days, even though we have more than 10 Christmas kids movies. He loves it I guess!

I am super proud of my quilting on this one. It turned out to be more amazing than I could have thought.

Let it be a reminder to us all, if we have a panel hanging around, stitch that thing and enjoy it!! It looks so much better stitched than sitting in a zip loc bag.

I came across this panel at my local quilt shop and thought the colours were perfect for going with the Grinch countdown. They all seem to be in the little decorations. So with only a few days left before Christmas, I whipped up this hanging and the rest of the numbers are in here on display. Once again, preferable to a ziploc bag.

I had some of the same fabric from the Grinch backing left, so i used it on the back and as the binding, and didn't have to buy anything else.

 

getting ready for the new year

Gosh, if you could only see the detail in the stitching and sparkly paint on this noir goddess. She embodies a richness and depth and brilliance.

Bought this cute diary to inspire me.

Finished this chakra altar cloth. Maybe it should be called "Breath".

And I loved this rainbow sparkly one as well.

A new start for new habits.

Do you love altar cloths for creating instant sacred space?

You can find me on facebook: Sew Rainey Sew

or Etsy : SewIntuitivebyRainey

 

A binding

Finally it's my time to put my feet up and enjoy some time in front of the tv to unwind and stitch down a binding. I have a piece of wall with this Christmas wallhanging's name on it. I think I bought this fabric in the Summer of 2014-2015.

There are very few times I can watch these full on girly movies these days... the beloved can't stomach them at all.

When I'm sewing on my machine I listen to podcasts and Gaia TV mostly.

Does anyone even use these binding clips anymore? Clover brought out the wonderclip and I haven't seen these since.

A new restyling of this witch, and she is set for intentions... Witch Power <3 

 

The end of year is getting close

It's getting so close to the end of year that I don't know when my last post will be. I always feel a kind of urge to finish more and make more to squeeze more in to the year, and then Christmas festivities take over and I am happy to just Be rather than perform in the quilting world.

Saying that, this bear altar cloth is staring into my eyes... how is he affecting you?

Another spirit animal altar cloth with a rabbit, dandelion and the moon... wow, what a special piece....

Of course it sold straight away. I would love to get more of this fabric.

How are you going on your December projects?

 

Fortune Teller

I'm just so busy, I want to find more time to sew my altar cloths... looking for balance in home life, keeping the home clean, looking after myself and family, and now that it's school  holidays, and the 3 children are home, I am spending more time with them all than ever.

I did get this fortune telling lady made. I love it... Reminds me of one of those fairs in the olden days. I look forward to carving out some time to create more altar cloths soon!

I hope you are enjoying your Christmas preparations!

My altar cloths can be purchased in my Etsy shop.

 

Welcome to the North

I am overjoyed in our new home (yes, we are renting until we build, but we got this!!)

I'm wearing another Christmas frock (I put out *insert image of milk and cookies*  for Santa), which is a bit tongue in cheek, and so me! Haha.

It's the first time I've been able to hang this quilt in my own home. I made it down south in another state, It took me a few years, it was a lot of work, I made it quilt as you go with free hand raw edge machine applique. 

Then I ran classes teaching other people how to make it. There's always a learning curve when we make something, so I think their finished quilts were improved.

I had nowhere to hang this quilt when I moved to subtropical far North Queensland. I started in my caravan, then I moved into a small portable home.

This quilt was being taken care of my by sister. She hung it on her wall every year for a while. I am sure she will miss it this year.

Every house in Santa's village has been added with a few more trees.

Ooh, how did this get there? A 5yo kinder painting of a Christmas tree and presents.

The original pattern by Piece o Cake designs was called Welcome To The North Pole. It was formed in blocks, I chose to make mine in rows.

So many embellished details that you can only see in person.

I am feeling so Christmassy. Time to put up a few more decorations I think!