It pays to be nice, apparently.

Ollie and I arrived home from child care today to find a parcel on the doorstep. We took it inside to open it, and when the fabric was revealed, Ollie exclaimed "The postie must know you are nice to bring you so many parcels of fabric!"

Note to self: leave a little treat outside on the letterbox for the postie. He clearly knows me well.

On a side note, Ollie and I are taking a little trip up to Sydney in early December with my sister. We'll be there for a few days (with a 4 year old), so if anyone has any hot tips on what to see and do in Sydney in December, I'd love to hear them. This will be my first trip there, so I really have no idea of where anything is etc. Thanks in advance!

The Possum Pelt

Yay, finally finished last week - all I had to do for the last few months was cast off the sleeves and sew on a button. And yet, there it sat on the unfinished pile all through winter!

Anyway, done now. Used a button from my stash.

The free Shalom Cardie pattern is available as a pdf from here. I made a modification or two (not that I can remember them now!!). I think I reduced the number of rows in each of the top sections, maybe by 2 or 3 rows. I was also going to do 3 buttons holes, but forgot to do the 3rd. I'm happy with the one button though.
The yarn I used was a cheapy from Spotlight - I think it was called Mousse. A combination of wool and soy perhaps... Very soft, but very prone to pilling - as you can see in the pics above. It has only been worn 3 times. Oh well, I knew it as I made the purchase.

Sorry for the wishy-washy details - I'm blogging from 'work', so can't run off and find the leftover balls of yarn to give you more info.

FYI - I've named it the possum pelt, as it is a lovely browny-grey and super soft. Just like a possum. Feel free to feed me apples if you see me in the street.

September Blocks

Did I mention i joined another online quilting bee, Bee Addicted 3? This one also started in September, and I'm the only Australian in the group (which means I need to buy shares in Australia Post!)

The first parcel of fabric came from Becca. She requested wonky houses of any size, untrimmed as she is unsure of how they'll all go together.

My first house is a little toadstool house. It was my first attempt at putting a curve on a quilt block, and although it's not perfect, it's pretty cute!

I wanted the second house to be a more 'traditional' wonky house, but decided it really needed a garage to house this cute car!
I've also been tossing up ideas for quilt blocks for my month (not until July of next year). I like the look of string quilts, and love the idea of using scraps to make it.
I made these four blocks using 1 inch wide strips. The middle strip of each block is made from charcoal kona cotton. The blocks are 8 inches square, and in hind sight, I really should have gone for a slightly wider strip, just to make less work for myself, but I do like the look of the narrow strips.

I think I'll make these blocks into a cushion cover, and I have enough strips left over to make another too.

Super-Puppy Photo Shoot

The favourite puppy has had a great day today. As well as receiving a new puppy quilt, he was also lucky enough to get a super hero cape. He was more than happy to model it for us (despite the sad look on his face!)

It's simply made from a circle of stretchy red fabric, sewn onto an elasticised loop.
Easy for the boy child to put on when he thinks that puppy wants to fly (which is often).
Poor old puppy is looking a little worse for wear! He gets thrown around, sucked, chewed, pummeled, and cuddled near to death. I really must look for another, but this one was a gift to my daughter about 10 years ago, so I fear I may never find one the same...

Puppy Mini Quilt

Yay, it's done! Not that's it's hard to finish a quilt that measures 13.5 inches square. But it's nice to finish something :)

Pictured with the boy child's favourite puppy toy.

Close up of the pebble quilting.

It has been well received by the boy - he immediately jumped on it and magically turned into a puppy! I didn't realise it was a portal when I was creating it...

His puppy has been bundled into a 'parcel' countless times already, so i'd say it was a hit.

WIP Puppy Block

For the puppy-obsessed boy child.

Pattern purchased here.

Doll Quilt Swap 7

There's nothing like living on the edge! This doll's quilt needs to be in the post tomorrow in order to make it to it's new home by Sept 15.

The most time consuming part (piecing the dresden plate) was completed ages ago, but I only just got around to sandwiching it and quilting it last night and today.

I used a natural coloured thread for the quilt top, and a variegated thread on the bobbin to produce a lovely effect on the quilt back (not quite captured in the photo, though).

All it needs now is some binding and a quilt patch on the back! I'm in a bit of a dilemma as to what to bind it with, though. Any suggestions?

Sweet and Simple Bubba Quilt

Made for a new babe (sister to my daughter) who is nearly cooked. No, I'm not my babe, rather, the babe of my ex and his wife.

Very simply made from two of my favourite op shopped sheets, sandwiched with some cotton batting, quilted in random criss-crossing stripes, and bound in the same green cotton that backs these cushions.
Nice and simple.
Just awaiting the birth of said child so I can attach a quilt label.

Kitty Cushions

The wife of my ex gave me a panel of screen printed fabric she found in an op shop, with a request that I make it into a cushion (they are expecting a babe at any time now, and the green coordinates with other things in the babes room)

I don't know her too well, and despite asking questions to work out exactly what she wanted, I was left feeling very unsure of what I needed to do (ie, she was very obliging, telling me to do whatever I wanted!). The panel is actually printed with all the pieces and instruction to make the kitty backpack pictured below.

Did she want the cat on there? Or part of it? Or bits of everything? I did not know. In the end, I just cut out the kitty's overalls (front and back), and teamed it with some green cotton for the back.

They actually turned out quite cute, I think. I particularly like the front panel, with the peter pan collar and buttons down the front.

Hopefully she'll love them!

I was also a bit pleased to have sneakily sussed the main colour of the babes room - I have made a sweet and simple little baby quilt in coordinating colours that will match well. More pics to come (once I've taken them!!)