Dick and Jane - the first one

There has to be another photo of this little quilt somewhere. I made it in 2008 as a sample. It has Dick and Jane in a sawtooth star, with log cabins around the outside.

This is the little boy who now loves it. Thank you Riley. You are a treasure. xo

One in, and one out.

We went on a looong bus trip to 4 quilt shops yesterday. The bus left at 7:30am and returned 5:45pm. Plus 20 minutes drive to the "bus stop" and on the way home. 40 ladies enjoyed a lovely day out. The weather was just delightful (top of 26C), which made traffic easier, and we lunched outside. I enjoyed a glass of wine....

We went to shops ranging between 1.5 and 2 hours from home - places where some of us wouldn't drive to especially, but might stop if passing through.

Ok, here's the damage (really not too bad at all):

shop 1: Paper dolly fabrics.

The large dolls can have a stiff interfacing ironed onto the back, then cut out.

The clothes can have felt ironed onto the back and the tabs removed. This way the clothes grab onto the bodies a bit.

I bought the multi print for a bag to keep some of the dolls or their clothes in.

Here's a question for you: Should I make dolls (to do what with???) or should I use the doll fabric in a quilt where the girls can still be dressed up with the clothes.

shop 2: pins

shop 3: I was very good, I just drooled.

shop 4: magnets and labels

The flying duck fridge magnets remind me of the decorative pieces that hang on the walls. I have always liked them (Mum hates them).

There are a lot of labels - you can see only half of them.

So cute.... too bad I already put a label onto the baby quilt I just finished!

the bus:

And here is a job I finished on the bus. Binding on! Quilt finished (except for the full name of my cousin's baby), I need confirmation of the middle name.

I also finished the spring rabbits, but I want to show it to you when it's on the wall. I will ask DH where I can put a hook when he is home from work.

So, a PIG comes in (paper dolls) and a UFO goes out (Dick and Jane baby quilt). Quite a successful day, really. VBG.

Feeling quilty

I am feeling happier today, and much more quilty. I'm sure it's the therapy of stitching. VBG.

Last night I nearly finished the blanket-stitch applique at the top of the Spring rabbits.

I ran out of DMC 420. So exasperating! I tried some others, but they just looked too different. I wanted to quilt it!!

So, I quilted the Dick and Jane baby quilt instead.

I quilted kites with strings onto it using King Tut variegated thread. It changes colour (not just shade) every inch.

Let's have a great Friday. :)

Sparkling wine, cold and bubbly...

Where did yesterday go? I didn't actually miss a day of my life. The sun was out, the sparkling wine was cold and bubbly... but while I had a nice luncheon my DH was up ladders and on scaffold.

We were supposed to have finished painting the room by now. The walls are washed, the plaster is "puttied" (or whatever it's called) and sanded back. Maybe now we can start with the easy bit - the painting!!

I finished the armchair pincushion on the train.

The lid opens to store stuff inside it.

Last night while my DH was sanding away, my brain wouldn't focus on work anymore, so I played with fabric and my machine. Nice, soothing, mindless sewing that turns into a baby quilt for my cousin's newborn son really quick!

I put the whole quilt top together (it's only small - about 30" x 40"). I just don't have space to spread it out for a photo. (You must remember, while the room is being painted all its furniture is in the rest of the house).

This is looking pretty good on the screen, even if it has something lumpy under it. I think I'll make another quick baby quilt with Dick and Jane for a friend. My goal is 10 for this week. *grin*

Me and Da Vinci

I really am enjoying blogging. It is inspiring for me. I have finished 22 projects this year. More than half of them have been in the last 3 months since I started blogging.

Yesterday my list of UFOs (now at 35 after I found a few lurking around) was getting me down. Then I read this post by Sharyn. I had forgotten about Da Vinci's books full of designs and ideas that were never made or were started and unfinished. It's a nice comparison: me and my quilts, Da Vinci and his projects.

I have been listening to the John Marsden "Tomorrow" series on audio books. I am up to the 6th volume. When does an author run out of ideas to write? Probably never. Do they use a finish to spur them on? And, there are so many genres to try: horror, narrative, mystery, lonestar, double wedding ring.... Just like me again.

Some musicians are prolific - they bring out a new album every year. Others take 3 years to write one album. It's just like finishing the blocks, then the borders, then the quilting... to make a finished quilt.

What am I rattling on about??? Mum started a blog!! YAY MUM!!!

Yesterday I found out my cousin had her 3rd son. How inconsiderate of her! I had a girl quilt ready to go. Oh well, I just had to start another one. The eldest boy is about 4, he has an I Spy quilt. The second boy is not quite 1 year old, he has little cowpokes on his quilt. This little boy is having fun-fun. Well.... here's a start.

I found some leftover Dick and Jane fabrics in a bag while spring-cleaning.

This is all I've done so far.

We are still cleaning and sorting like mad. Last night my DH cleaned out 4 shelves of the pantry! Would you believe we had 2 shelves of tea and coffee? This is a great excuse to sit down for a cup of tea. "Honey, I am helping. I am cleaning out the pantry."