Merry Christmas

Wishing All My Bloggy Friends

and Visitors a Peaceful
Christmas and a New Year

filled with hope

Ann

One...Two...Three...Four...

I know, I know....you haven't seen me for a while. Sorry about that. Work and family commitments have been biting into time spent on blogging and sewing. I'm also having problems loading websites - especially blogs.

The resident computer nerd in our family can't seem to locate the issue. Drats!  So I visit your blogs when I can persuade my PC to download them.

At the moment I am working on a baby quilt. Hopefully I will have pictures for you soon.

Keep counting.....I'm coming....

Happy Stitching...Ann

Send Me An Angel

Laurel Hermon's design appeared in Creating Country Threads (Vol 9 No 11). I have made some small changes.

This Christmas Angel will be winging her way to her new home soon. It has been good to make some inroads in my Christmas sewing plans.

Did you know that there are only 8  12 Saturdays until Christmas?

I may have forgotten to include all the Saturdays in November. Sigh. It's no fun being daft!

Happy Stitching...Ann

Sewing Again

It's rather nice to be back sewing again and here's a little tease about something I'm working on at the moment.

I have also started work on the gift list - there are birthdays and Christmas to be done.

Here's a Cranberry Heart I made

Front and back views.

Just a little something for a bloggy friend to hang in her sewing room.

I always enjoy searching the net for fabric and patterns. Kate from InStitches has a terrific online shop and her service is prompt and efficient. Visit her here at Bella's Patchwork

Happy Stitching...Ann

Swap Blocks from Theri

Swap Blocks from Theri

and some fabulously luscious chocolate

Thank you so much Theri!

Did you miss me? I sure missed all of you. I feel like I have been away from this blog for an age and so much has been happening. You have all been so busy.

I haven't sewn for so long that I'm not sure I would recognise a needle and thread if I stood on one!

Some wonderful swap blocks came from Theri amidst all the chaos and they are wonderful. Have you seen Theri's design and layout for her swap blocks? Isn't she clever?

I did manage to spend a pleasurable few hours at a local quilt show the other weekend. The quilts were amazing. I liked so many of them and was honoured to have some of the quilt makers tell me about the inspiration for their work, the difficulties they encountered finding just the right fabric and the pleasure they had in completing their quilt.

I thought I would show you the pincushions I made for my swap partner. For some reason she hasn't posted pictures on Flickr. Strange, but perhaps her computer is misbehaving. Been there, done that.

This was a pattern in the issue of Quilts & More I received in the block swap. You can find the online version of the pattern here.

This one is from the book Quilts as Gifts. I really enjoyed making both.

Well, I have quite a bit of catching up to do so I'm off the read your blogs.


Message for Debra - Wagonwife
For some reason, Debra, I can't seem to post comments to your blog posts lately and as you are set to no-reply I can't email to let you know or thank you for the lovely comments you always leave on mine.

Just wanted you to know.

Happy Stitching...Ann

Pincushion Swap - Fabulous!

Isn't it gorgeous! It was made by owenjulesmommy (Christine) just for me.  But that's not all I received. Check this out.

Christine also made a gorgeous folded fabric needle book and a tatted ornament. I love tatting! She included the pattern for the pincushion so I can share the love. There are loads of other treats as well.

Thanks a bunch, Christine! You really have spoiled me!

As if that wasn't enough, more swap blocks and goodies have arrived. You'd think it was Christmas around here!

From Liriopia

Fantastic fabrics in the swap blocks - check out that safari print

A beautiful embroidered block with my State's flower - a waratah

A pretty silver frame, vintage buttons, an enormous piece of fabric and some delish choccies!

Thank you so much, Liri!

From StitchNiche

Beautiful blocks featuring some reproduction prints and a sweet card

Thank you so much Christine!

From Stash Heaven

Two gorgeous blocks - I love the fabrics used

Two magazines, a Hancocks catalogue (drool worthy), some choccies and a layer cake!

Thank you so much Mary and Theri

What a wonderful surprise it was to open all these parcels. I am so touched by all your generosity.

Happy Stitching...Ann

Mrs Beeton Would Not Be Amused

If I could only remember where I put her helpful tome. Sigh, it's got to be here somewhere.

I know, I know....time management and organisation are the keys to domestic success.

Guess I should quit while I'm ahead.....

This should cheer me up!

I have got to start sewing!

Ann

What Do You Get When...

...you cross a quilt with a pillow? A quillow!

I'm making one for my nephew who has some hospital visits coming up and he's mad keen on lizards.

I'm adding some handles to make it easy to carry. This is the pillow top waiting to be quilted. I'll use a multi coloured thread and meander stitch. The backing is a soft flannel. Nice for snuggling.

More swap blocks have arrived and they are such delightful parcels.

from beth at my creations

I really like all the fabrics used  especially that funky lime green.

There is a sweet wool bookmark to stitch, a super needle keeper that folds out and a nice magazine to thumb through over coffee.

Thanks Beth, this is terrific!

from Grandma's Quilts

Two gorgeous blocks - one with ladybirds, the other with bees and a charming handmade ornament for my Christmas tree. I love it!

Also in the parcel were these adorable goodies

I'm rather fond of gingerbread peeps and snowmen.

Thank you so much Marsha for these wonderful extras. My Christmas decorating will have a special feel to it this year along with a charming reminder of all my USA quilting friends.

With these parcels arriving it feels like Christmas and that's where my sewing is heading after I finish the quillow. I have some birthday/Christmas parcels to get ready. So much fun!

Stop Press!!

Merrit from APQ has started a blog. Please stop by and say hello!

http://www.justbeecuzzblog.blogspot.com/

Happy Stitching...Ann

One Good Turn

Darci over at Scissors and Stitches is hosting a giveaway in celebration of the opening of her new etsy shop.

She says if you do all this stuff you can have more entries. Easy!

1. leave a comment on her post - I can do that!

2. blog about her Grand Opening Giveaway - I can do that!

3. become a follower of Stitches & Scissors. - I've already done that!

4. post this giveaway to her facebook page or status - I'm afraid I can't do that.

5. add her button to my blog and/or website - I can defiinitely do that!

Oh well, four out of five isn't so bad.



Happy Stitching...Ann

Swap Blocks Arrive!

From Log Cabin Quilter

Such lovely fabrics, a beautiful card, magazine and tissue holder

Thank you Ruth!

From Katie May Too Quilts

Good strong colours, a terrific pincushion and beaded scissor fob
(already in use) and delicious cherry almond chocolate

Thank you Katie!

From Loose Bobbins and Other Tangled Matter

Amazing prints in these blocks! How funky is that car print in the borders? A wonderful selection
of scraps that feature in the blocks too.

Thank you Kathleen!

From Canuck Quilter

Her signature blues shine in these gorgeous blocks. Joanne also sent a block in soft greens, a box of delicious chocolates and a really nice card.

Thank you Joanne!

Thank you so much for these lovely parcels and the kind words offered. I'm looking forward to making these blocks into a quilt - once the others arrive of course!

Not much sewing happening here as we begin a pre-Spring Spring Clean. I have sewn some more basket blocks and started on a quillow for my nephew - pictures soon.

Happy Stitching...Ann

Just a little peek-a-boo

Well, we can't have the reveal until my swap partner receives them now can we?

I have made the pincushions for the Pincushion Swap and will be posting some goodies to my swap partner this week. I do hope she likes everything!

I stopped by the quilt fabric shop last weekend and this little bundle of lovelies needed a new home.

Our fat quarters are a little bigger here - 20 x 22 inches - so these beauties are equivalent to a layer cake and for $2 each a good buy.

I'm just doing my bit for the economy.

Hope you enjoy some sewing time this weekend.

Happy Stitching...Ann

Waste Not...Want Not

I just couldn't bear to throw away these little half square triangles leftover from making the basket blocks. I think there is a miniature Ann Hermes quilt in there somewhere....

Here is a basket block with its borders. I'm finding it difficult to be random with the fabric selection. I have an overwhelming desire to be too fussy. Must resist temptation...must be strong...

Last, but by no means least, here is my last set of swap blocks. Beth, I have posted yours. Theri and Kathleen - I shall be posting yours this week.

I have joined the Slow Poke Quilters and not just because some folks say I'm slow. They are a group of delightful girls who hand piece all their quilts and I feel the need to start a hand piecing project. Stay tuned for details.

On a technical note: ever since the new PC came into our lives we have been struggling to figure out how it all works. For some reason, it doesn't always like talking to blogs. If I take a few days to comment on your post please be patient. I get there eventually.

I hope you found some time to sew this weekend

Ann

Sweet Surrender

On display at Cabbage Rose Quilts & Fabrics, Fort Worth, Texas

This charming image is from American Patchwork and Quilting's Quilt Sampler Spring/Summer 2010.

See that quilt on the far right? That's Papillion by Figtree Quilts. I know, everyone else has had their Figtree moment and moved on but for some reason I have become captivated with Joanna's designs and fabrics.

Especially these....

...and these...

I think I deserve a little treat, don't you?

Show and Tell No# 2

I am so happy with this quilt. Not only did I enjoying piecing it but I decided to have it professionally quilted because of its size - 68 inches square.

The pattern is called Irish Swirls and was stitched in pale blue thread.

The quilter has done such a good job. As I sewed down the binding I kept getting cravings for chocolate.

I can't imagine why...

Happy Stitching...Ann

Time for a New Project

It has taken me a long time to settle on the design for my new project using a layer cake of Simple Abundance that I got from Busy Thimbles last year.

Check this post for the original design idea. While I liked Late Bloomer, I wasn't completely sold on the idea. Can't really tell you why - it just didn't feel right in the end. I would like to make up Late Bloomer, just in different fabrics.

Then Rachel (p.s.iquilt) held a pinwheel quilt along using this fabric and I do like a pinwheel but I still wasn't convinced. It wasn't until I saw these blocks on Sister's Choice Quilts that I knew I had found the inspiration for my design. Nicole is using a Schnibbles design by Carrie Nelson. She makes a phenomenal number of beautiful quilts.

Image courtesy of Sister's Choice Quilts

I have chosen Scrap Baskets from Kim Brackett's book Scrap Basket Surprises. I knew then it would be just right.

Here are my first blocks

Kim's designs are for 2 1/2 inch strips but I was confident that I could use the layer cake. Some of the pale fabrics wont's be suitable so I will substitute with a little yardage.

These blocks make up well and Kim's instructions are clear, easy to understand and well illustrated. There are lots of terrific designs in Kim's book.

A message for the APQ Blog Buddies Swap members: The July draw will be happening soon and this month there will be three people drawn. Just wanted to give you plenty of notice.

Happy Stitching...Ann

Show and Tell No #1

Whilst the computer was out of action I finished up a couple of quilts. This one is my first effort at *modern* quilting.

The fabric is a honey bun of Soire'e by Lila Tueller for Moda.

It was impossible to use up all the fabric and even though I made a pieced backing I still have some strips leftover!

To balance all those angles I decided to quilt a loopy meander all over it and I just had to use a spotty backing fabric and stripe binding!

I really enjoyed making this quilt which measures 36 x 52 inches and to make my day, it was accepted into the Fresh Modern Quilts Gallery on Flickr.

Happy Stitching...Ann

Sydney Quilt Show 2010

Busy Thimbles Stand

The Show was fantastic! Lots of lovely quilts and plenty of shop stands. Busy Thimbles had a fantastic display and lots of new release fabrics. Their BOMs are incredibly popular - 4 of the ladies I went to the show with are doing at least one!

I rather fancy Park Avenue and Luna Notte - both ranges by 3 Sisters for Moda.

Busy Thimbles are once again involved in Quit Aid for 2010 and their block and finished quilt design are delightful. This year's design is pretty and girly.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures because my camera is on a fishing holiday in Queensland but there are plenty of images on the NSW Quilt Guild's website.

The prize winning quilts were amazing! One of my favourites was an amateur entry - a large quilt beautifully machine quilted on a domestic sewing machine.

A Caterpillar's Dream by Rose Lewis

Not only was the detailed applique stunning but Rose had intricately quilted the piece, including trapunto butterflies, birds and insects.

Well deserving of a prize. There were quite a few antique quilt tops that had been quilted in modern times on show. I really liked these.

The crowds were incredible - so many people! Trying to get to the stalls was a feat in itself. Of course, there were so many things to look at that I found it quite overwhelming.

I predict that the felt Santa decorations on the Homespun stand will be very popular this year. The pattern is in the 7 August issue.

Other really good stands were Hatched and Patched, Catharina's Country Collection and Giggle Buttons. I did manage to pick up a pincushion pattern for my Pincushion Pass swap partner.

After all that eye candy I'm inspired to start my next quilt!

Happy Stitching....Ann !

A Word to the Wise

If you haven't backed up your files lately or updated virus definitions then I recommend that you do.

I'd been talking about buying an external hard drive but hadn't got around to it. Then it happened - a catastrophic failure of the pc hardware. Luckily, I managed to retrieve all my files - this time.

I may not be so lucky next time. So I have a new pc, modem, virus protection and external hard drive.

Lesson learned.

Now I have some catching up to do. I imagine there has been a lot going on while I have been out of action.

I'm off to the Sydney Quilt Show this weekend but won't have much in the way of spending money after having to buy the new pc.

Probably a good thing really.....

Ann

There's Nothing New Under the Sun

I have my partner for the Pincushion Pass and I really want to make something nice for her.

After mooching about Flickr I have discovered that if you can think of it - someone has made it into a pincushion. If you doubt my claim then just type Pincushion into the search button - there are 6897 images of them.

Go on, I dare you to look through them all! I wimped out after page 180.

Perhaps I should wait until the Sydney Quilt Show in a couple of weeks in case I see kit or pattern.