Return to Card Making

Somewhere?? I had seen someone playing around with making cards etc. from old patterns, so I dragged out the card-making supplies and did this one up for a friend's birthday. The edges were not meant to be so tatty but I tried to cut them with the fancy scissors before the glue was dry. (I was in a bit of a hurry with this one). But I kinda like the look. I aged around the edge with a bit of burnt umber acrylic paint watered down. It was a very rushed effort as it was done just before she was calling in to see me for coffee and lunch. Next time I will take a bit more time.
She loved it.

I had forgotten how much fun it was to make cards and hope to do more of it. The only ones I have been doing lately are the little selvedge gift cards and I hope to continue to do more of those.

Carmels a Quick Quilter

Here is a close up of Carmel's 1930's quilt from the previous post. A simple design and her fabrics and colours are so delicate.

Carmel put some of her scrap pieces and "orphan" blocks together for this wild quilt. She is going to hand embroider over the seams, crazy patch style. What a great idea..... now where to find the time to start one of these....

Tracky Dak Day

A couple of weeks back on a very cold and wintry day, a few quilting friends and I met at Carmel's house for a "tracky dak day". We came in our track pants and ugg boots, relaxed and sewed, and as you will see painted. Carmel had the fire going, we all contributed to lunch, and Yvonne provided the yummy chocolate/mocha hot pudding with custard after lunch.... yum.

Here is Frances and Carmel working on their painted homespun canvas. They are doing the base for a free motion quilted piece. Will show you the results when they are done. (In a few weeks). It will be spectacular!

Carmel has "whipped up" this beautiful 1930's quilt.

Here is Yvonne practising her free motion quilting before tackling her nephews quilt. She actually used twin needles for some of the quilting, and a beautiful variegated thread. Will also show you the finished product later. Just have to remember to have my camera on me at all times!!!

Kaffe Fassett Collection

I finally bit the bullet and started cutting up my Kaffe Fassett collection. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. Once I decided on the pattern and could see how it was all going to come together, it was really exciting. The pattern I am going to do is in Kaffe's book, 'Quilts in the Sun'. The quilt is the Red Floral Parade Quilt, but I am making the squares slightly smaller and more of them because ...well because. Most of the fabric I have been collecting has been in the way of fat quarters and eighths and this dictated the square sizes.

My daughter is loving the colour and now wants to make a quilt for Lily-bub in KF pastels. We will have to start another collection now. Found some fabulous KF fabrics at a very, very good price on fabric.com, so had to indulge in a couple of these. Needed some more polka dots for the 'collection quilt' anyway.

It amazes me how all the KF fabrics seem to blend. Do hope the quilt ends up colourful and not just plain garish though. It is the brightest colour I have ever, ever used.

Bare Earth

Is this the most uninteresting photo you have ever seen on a blog? Well I am just showing you the "before" shot. Hopefully the "after" shot will be a profusion of daffodils in springtime. Fingers crossed!!!!

Selvedge Courthouse Steps

Had some more selvedge fun last weekend and put together this 12 1/2 inch courthouse step block. I figure I have so many selvages now, I am compelled to do a whole quilt.

It did take quite some time to put this block together as you are working with approx 1/2 inch strips most of the time. I have asked my friends (nicely) to cut their selvedge gifts a little bit wider for me.

Looking forward to doing more blocks to see how it all comes together. Unfortunately, too long at the sewing machine sends me off to bed with a migraine, so I will just have to do a block here and there. Another long term project Hmmmph.

Orange Cake gone wrong?

Look at this poor old orange cake. When I poured the mix into the tin it did look a little curdled! But what the heck, I shoved it in the oven and hoped for the best.

It was to be for a special friends 65th birthday gathering!! What to do?
Well, I decided to cover up all its imperfections with orange icing and hope for the best.
Guess what? It tasted delicious.
Never go by looks alone.....