Makin' Do

New stars have been added to the collection after I found some pretty French General fabric from the Rural Jardin range.

After stopping by another fabric shop, I added some fabrics from the Minick & Simpson range - Clermont Farms, as well as a Michele Hill blue print from her range - Adelaide.

Oddly enough, three of the stores I visited told me they weren't stocking Moda fabrics any more. When asked why, they said everyone buys Moda online. Do they?

I'll admit to buying pre-cuts on line but rarely yardage and even though our dollar is so strong, I'm trying to stay loyal to local quilt shops. I like to see the fabrics and enjoy the personal, friendly service.

What a shame if we were to lose our quilt shops altogether. Support your local store - today.

Happy Stitching

Ann

Diamonds Are Forever

Well, these will last a while to be sure. This is my *in-between* project while the winter keeps me out of the sewing room.

(Couldn't be anything to do with the fact it's a mess in there)

I've had the idea for this quilt for a little while now but was spurred on when I read Pam Bunda's article about make-do quilts in the April issue of American Patchwork & Quilting.

How funky is that cover quilt?! May have to put that on the to-do list as well.

I'll be adding a soft white to the mix when I find the right one. Hmm, I feel a shop hop coming on.....

Happy Stitching!

Ann

I'm A Happy Bunny

It's been that weekend when you can eat all the chocolate you want - guilt free!

I have a finished quilt top.

The sewing machine is lint-less, has a sharp new needle and there are plenty of freshly wound bobbins ready to quilt the baby quilt.

The crock pot has been dusted off to make braised lamb shanks with parmesan mash

There's also chicken noodle soup and apple berry crisp.

She sighs with contentment

Now on matters quilting...the plan was to make a Lemoyne Star but I rather fancy Carpenter's Wheel instead.

What about this feisty little number seen on Material Obsession's blog?

Or perhaps the vintage look?

from a vintage quilt in the San Jose Quilt Museum - so I've been told

I need some thinking chocolate.

Hope you had a terrific weekend too!

Ann

Back in the Saddle Again

So sang Gene Autry. I know how he felt because I managed to have some time at the sewing machine this week for the first time since last November.

Whoo-hoo!

It meant that I finished my basket blocks. Yeahhh!

The pattern is from Kim Brackett's Scrap Basket Surprises book. Kim has a new book out called Scrap Basket Sensations and there is a Flickr group where you can post pix of your finished projects from either volume. Plenty of incentive to finish this quilt now.

The fabric range is Simple Abundance by Bonnie and Camille and I used a layer cake from Busy Thimbles as well as a little yardage. Busy Thimbles has some fabulous new fabrics in their online store - check out the Civil War reproductions and great new patterns.

Here are my swap blocks from Breezy Bree. I received them last year but hadn't got around to posting them. Sorry for the delay Karen.

Aren't they fabulous! Such a pop of colour. Soon I will be able to start putting my swap quilt together. Theri, Katie and Joanne have pieced their tops and I think are already quilting them. Fantastic!

Happy Stitching...Ann

Under the Sea

This is the last thing I managed to sew before life went into free fall last November.

It's a Moda Bakeshop design using Moda's Odyssea fabric range. The quilt uses a charm pack so it's economical and I always like an excuse to make pinwheels.

Now I just need to find the right backing fabric.  Hmmm...dots, spots, stripes or a tonal print?

Are you like me in that regard? Fussy about your backing fabric. Looking in every shop or online till you find just the right thing.

Thank you to all my bloggy friends for their patience and kind regards during my absence. I have missed you all and hope to have more time to see what everyone is up to now that things have settled.

The best thing about blogging - and quilting - is that you can pick up where you left off.

Happy Stitching!

Ann