blue

Yes indeedy, BLUE is the colour chosen by Angela for this month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.

I had most of the day to spend sewing (a rare treat these days) so I made another one. . .

 . . . and since I had lunch and dinner organised I worked a little on the Civil War style blocks.

When making HSTs,  I always make them a wee bit bigger and trim them back. 

How was your weekend? Any sewing happening?

 

makeover

I love those makeover shows on tv and not just because I'd like them to give my place one.

You might remember this block from a few posts ago. Well, I wasn't really happy with it. Not just because the points were off (I'm not a perfectionist by the way but these were irritating), I also wasn't keen on the lack of contrast.

So this block got a makeover.

Number Seven

That's much better! I'm not a big fan of unpicking but it was well worth it. Same with this block.

Number Six

For some reason, I didn't check the size of the four units that make this block. They weren't 6 1/2 inches at all (which might explain why this block looked whacky the first time around) so I unpicked, trimmed and resewed.

This is the sixth and final block of the six Kelli H gave me. Now I need to make five more (the other one above is number seven) so that I have twelve in total.

Searching Pinterest I found this block:

Hey Ruth - does this look familiar?

Yep, it's from Ruth's blog Country Log Cabin Quilter way back in 2012! Here's my version

Number Eight

The background fabric print has been washed out by the flash (it's a bit dark in the sewing room today). Thanks Ruth! I need designs that look good on point and this is just the ticket.

 

travels

Image courtesy of Visit NSW

I had reason to travel to the beautiful Hunter Valley recently - renowned for its vineyards, Angus beef cattle, thoroughbred horses and coal.

The mines aren't quite so pretty as this but the whole valley is one outrageously large coal deposit. Quality ore. Which we dig up and sell around the world.

Let's just stick with the pleasant images, shall we?

I stayed in a beautiful historic home, now a bed & breakfast. Segenhoe Inn is a classic Colonial Georgian two storey built in 1837 from the same gorgeous sandstone used to construct so many Australian colonial buildings. The Hunter Valley was settled not that long after the settlement of Australia in 1788.

The walls are about 12 inches thick with the door jams and skirting boards made from wide planks of Australian red cedar felled from the area. Large rooms, high ceilings, big comfortable beds -  it has the lot. There is also a cosy cafe at the back.

In nearby Scone, there was a terrific restaurant - The Cottage - housed in another heritage property. Delicious food!

It was nice to catch up with family, many of whom I haven't seen for far too long.  On the way home I stopped in at Glendoon Patchwork Cottage.

Fabrics at Glendoon Cottage Patchwork

I know, I know. I'm supposed to be quilting from the stash but . . . .

Well, there was such a lovely selection of Civil War Reproduction fabrics that I just had to collect a few for my quilt.

This is a good time of the year to visit another historic town - Morpeth - so I might just have to call in to Glendoon again.
 

yellow

You guessed it! YELLOW is the colour for June in the RSC 2017 Challenge. There are so many wonderful blocks being made for this quilt-a-long.

Canuck Quilter's butterflies escaped into the garden and I'm in awe of so many other RSC creations.

I'm linking up with SoScrappy's Saturday.

Also found time to make another Civil War style block. This one is called Jack in the Box.

I'm saving all the offcuts and leftovers from these blocks to make smaller blocks - maybe some of the Moda Blockheads?

I saw them used as the centre of Ohio Star blocks and I quite like the idea.  Looks like I've got some catching up to do!

jam

 

The Raindrops baby quilt is finished at last. Hooray!

You're right katiemaytoo - dots are addictive. I can see more dots in my future. Maybe I just need a new prescription for my specs.

Remember these?

 

I still use that one on the left. They don't make 'em like that any more. Beef Casserole and Parsley Mustard Dumplings for dinner tonight. 

I've also been making some jam. Aurora Plum; Rhubarb, Pear & Ginger; and Red Grape. I use the microwave as there is less mess and it doesn't make too much.

The oven timer bell just chimed. Better check on the Banana Raspberry Choc Chip Muffins and put the kettle on for a cup of tea.

Enjoy your weekend!