autumn colours

Its been a busy weekend quilting ... Yah! Yesterday I finished the machine quilting and today put the binding on this beauty. I was in love with this quilt from the very beginning. Its my first quilt with sashing and the use of white (yes I know!), and I am hooked. The oranges and yellows mixed in with splashes of grey is a winning combination. We visted a park today to get some shots ... its definitly autumn in Melbourne! Dont the colours look wonderful with the quilt? I am perfecting my machine binding (thank you Red Pepper Quilts for a great tutorial and I'm down to a two and a quarter inch binding on this one. It will be hard to give this quilt up ... guess that means I will have to make a larger one for me! Inspiration came from Film in the Fridge and the tutorial is very helpful - thankyou Ashley! Check out the Flickr Group for other inspirational quilts using this design. Hope your having a good weekend.

sunday stash #4

I was super excited this week to receive a parcel in the mail. Amazingly just 5 days after ordering from Hawthorn Threads, with a weekend in between it arrived in Melbourne. Wow is all I can say! I had been stalking Hawthorne Threads for quite some time waiting for this fabric to be released and it was literally a race to sign in to order. I love Christmas fabric and this collection is so fun and in bright colours - love at first sight! How cute are the stockings and owls? I have spent some time staring at the fabric thinking about various designs that might work. I have thinking of a Brick Quilt and find this one inspirational in its colours and fun bright nature. What do you think of using this design? Hope your having a good weekend (ps did I mention that this fabric is super soft?). Thank you Hawthorne Threads!

eurovision 2011

Hi everyone,
It’s the final of Eurovision tonight (in Australia we have delayed coverage). We LOVE Eurovision, and have made the effort to tune into the two semi-finals this year, along with the final tonight. There are some great songs (costumes and performances are just as important) and its pure fun to watch.

It has been freezing in Melbourne this week, winter arrived with a bang and most days we have been lucky to get over 12 degrees with constant rain. Today was a perfect day to spend the afternoon quilting. I haven’t had the opportunity to get in front of the sewing machine for three weeks so it was bliss. This afternoon I finished piecing this cot quilt, basted it together and started the machine quilting. After fabric selection, my favourite part of the quilting process is that first feel of the quilt sandwich pinned together. For me it’s the first feel of the final product and quite special. I also found time for a sleep in, brunch out, making soup and caught up on a couple of favourite tv shows ... a perfect Sunday really. Hope you’re having a great one.
Amanda

P.s. I recently discovered the green apple fabric which is a canvas weight from Kokka. I love anything and everything to do with green apples, and was excited to find this in one of my local quilting shops and have plans to use this for the backs of some cushions.

bloggers quilt festival

I'm finally able to post about my latest quilting creation, and the timing could not be more perfect as its the Bloggers Quilt Festival.

I am extremely proud of this quilt, firstly, it is by far the largest quilt I have made (quite a jump up from the cot quilt!). Secondly, I lavished love and creativity into this over two months, as it was for a very special girl friend who go married last Saturday (thank you to Andy who listened to all my self-doubt as I made this one). I am fortunate to be close friends with both the bride and groom and was honoured to be a part of their bridal party. It was a lovely day, filled with laughter, great food and wine, a gorgeous bride and an estatic groom. It was one of those very special weddings that you hope to remember all the details of for a long time.

Back onto the quilt. It started with the feature fabric of the dress forms and lagoon kona solid. The inspiration came from Quilt Dad. A really easy pattern to construct and machine quilted by me. I under estimated the number of times I would need to turn the quilt in the machine and it was a sheer persistence that got me through once I had started. I'm back to constructing a cot quilt for some relief. I have a queen size quilt to finish once I complete this one and I think getting it machine quilted will be a wise choice. Enjoy the weekend and check out the creativity at the Bloggers Quilt Festival.

Quilt stats:
Pattern:Building Blocks Pattern from All People Quilt
Finished quilt: 50-1/2x59-1/2"

fun times in Western Australia

Hi everyone,
We have just got back from 9 days in Western Australia (WA) visiting Perth and Margaret River. I think Margaret River must be the only region with white sandy beaches that are five minutes from over 150 vineyards. What a combination given my partner loves the beach and although I burn to a crispy fry in the sun love the warmth (I probably didnt need to add that we both enjoy a glass of vino or five). We had high expectations of the region from all the great reviews from friends and we were not disappointed ... a very special part of the country. Couple of my favourite photos ....

..... and I have been busily quilting. Promise to post pictures on Sunday.

Amanda