Bet you can't see for dust...

Well... I bet you can't see me for dust (that's an Aussie thing... driving so fast the car kicks up dust preventing the car behind from following or driving safely, especially in the Sticks (AKA country) where the roads may be narrow or made only of dirt)... I've been speeding along so fast, that I haven't had time to blog!

It's been a week since my last post, and with my sewing machine station (and cutting and ironing areas) permanently set up, everything has been rolling!

The over and underskirt set for Miss Six is finished. I am in love with these Violette Fields Patterns.

The blue part is the ruffled underskirt. The idea is to make a few of the overskirts, to mix and match with the one underskirt, to create different looks without as much sewing. Oh! The ruffles were definitely an act of love! I don't want to look at one again without shirring elastic. Oh darn it! That's what I forgot to buy today!

I made two travellers bags - a matching set.



"Let's be adventurers" for passports, tickets etc. Quilted with the words "Paris" and "France".



and "It's On My List".



 - a bag just the right size for taking your kindle on the plane.



Another pleated skirt is finished (green with roses) - no picture yet, haven't had a chance to put it on!

And yet another pleated skirt ... this one is made from 70s inspired Prints Charming fabrics on the front (designed and made in Sydney, Australia), but I didn't have enough fabric, so it's teemed with a 30s feedsack inspired print. I've had both of them for ages, and it feels wonderful to use fabrics (and wear them!).



The binding is machined onto the first Superhero comics quilt. I am looking forward to some hand stitching with my sweetheart on the couch tonight.



Only 2 nights left for my Christmas in July projects! I wonder if I will give myself an extension or if I will reward myself with consistent work on my two main projects this year! It's been such a productive time!

I am very happy.

I hope you are too. Thank you for dropping by.

Feeling Skirty

I am so proud of myself.

Partway through making this skirt I realised it was going to be too small (After the last one needed 4 darts, I thought I'd make it smaller)....

Erm.. no! It's still easier to put darts in than to make it bigger once it's cut out!

It's finished. It doesn't fit. It is not for me. (the zipper at the back is not done up).

Ah well, lucky I haven't cut up my fav Christmas fabric yet!

However... before I realised this was going to be too small, I bought more fabric. Oh yes. I am definitely going on one of those benders where I make a lot of things the same, but different. (surely, you've read the finished projects list down the side of my blog!!)

Mum is back for a few days, and I just realised I haven't even finished the quilt top I planned to give her to quilt for me. Goodness! What a busy Christmas in July!

At a LQS today I bought fabric on clearance to make another skirt for myself, and some non-clearance fabric that I felt I just HAD to have! Eek! KFC fabrics!!

And then before I left the shop, I spotted this precious pattern. Ohhh myyyy Goodness!!! I am so addicted to this look.

I bought clearance fabric to make matching underskirt and overskirt for Miss 6 and myself. Yep. We are going to match at a 7yo girls birthday party in a fortnight. Hee hee.

This is the finished over-skirt for Miss 6. Next: the pettiskirt with hand gathered frills.

This is going to be fun!

I wonder when I will get back to my two big quilt projects? Hee hee.

Okay, so in no particular order... I am going to finish the borders on the 12 Days of Christmas Birds quilt; finish Miss 6's skirt set; make a matching skirt set for me; machine the binding onto the Superheroes quilt; make some journal covers; and some Christmas stockings; make some table runners; make another 3 pleated skirts for myself.... and that's just off the top of my head! Yippee! Busy happy times here in my new sewing machine area!

A bit of shopping, finished stocking and a WIP

Thank you Universe for a wonderful, wonderful day today!

There had been a light shower of rain overnight (first rain for months). The sky was still overcast this morning, making the air so much cooler. By 9:30am, the car was full of the smell of fresh basil, and other assorted fresh fruit and vegies... so delicious!

 It was early enough, and cool enough to go to the Handmade Renegade market. I hadn't been before, and it's only on once a month. What a market to go to two weeks before Christmas! I had found my tribe! Full of artisans and crafters, passionate about what they do, and with stalls everywhere. Every stall holder wearing their felt jewellery, or cutlery jewellery, or hand made glass beads, or quirky clothes. I am definitely going again, and I will take photos. The feeling was intense. I have missed it so much (it felt like I'd been living somewhere remote in comparison). My creative juices started flowing (as if they weren't already going nuts!). I satisfied myself with a homemade Vegan (sugarfree, dairy free, gluten free) "Magnum" ice cream, and a pair of glass earrings (to be wrapped up under the tree from the children).

Next stop: I bought two skirt patterns, and some half price Christmas fabric. But first, I have some finishing to do.



Sampson's Christmas stocking.

The fabrics were chosen to complement the stockings  made for his siblings, so they look good hanging up together.















Then, continuing with the wedding quilt (which I am thinking of calling Time To Love). These blocks were trimmed.

How convenient is it that the blocks are all on point? They are mostly needleturn appliqued, with some wool felt blanket stitch appliqued, which really helps give depth and a glow to the quilt overall.

I think these will look particularly good as cornerstones on the next border.

The blocks turned out to be larger than I originally thought when I drafted the pattern in a coffee shop, so I've had to change the plan a little bit, with two fabrics in the next border. I think it will be pleasing. Sometimes spectacular results are achieved when we deviate from the plan.

 The quilt has come along just magnificently so far, in such a short time.

Just one border left to add tomorrow, and I should buy more of the lime fabric for the binding, as I used it today when I didn't have enough of the pink millefiori fabric.

This quilt is coming along very quickly, and I believe it's all just working out with a little help from Above... and due to the "just do it now" attitude I've had to adopt as a Mother using whatever spare time I have. (Although, I have to say Thank You, for just how much support I have at home, with Daddy taking bub to the neighbours for a play so that I could sew).

I am hoping the quilt top will be finished tomorrow!
Then I need a day wrapping Christmas presents and posting cards.

After that, there are two quilts that need binding.

Then I will reward myself with a fresh project - a Christmas skirt! Exciting!