Hand work for tripping around

We had a holiday in Qld a few months ago, that I especially prepped some wool applique for.   The pattern is called Fall Harvest by Stacey West of Buttermilk Basin.  However having plenty of reading matter meant that I didn't sew, until it was time to watch the footy grand final, resulting in only achieving a moderate amount of stitching.  

 Since finishing the photo quilt commission last weekend I have slowly been adding more blanket stitch and just have one full pumpkin and a few little pieces to finish attaching.  The pattern then has a pieced border of patchwork fabric.  I think this is going to be a cushion rather then a wall hanging.

This poor project has been neglected for far longer and I had to dig around to find it.  But now I have I am keen to finish it ASAP!  The reason being it is a lovely appliqued panel on a zip closed bag, with  clear vinyl on the other side, which is perfect for carting around hand stitching projects! LOL!

Just need to stitch the last six leaves and one flower, then onto the clam shells, which are prepped and ready to go :) 

Happy quilting Sue.

Finally a quilt finish, or two

I have finally finished the commissioned photo quilt I was working on.  

 Unfortunately some of the photos started to shatter from being folded, rolled or just plain handled, as I quilted it.  Such a pity.  The family did the photos, so I have no way of knowing which photo paper/fabric product was poor quality.  

As a thank you gift I received a quilt history book published by V&A Museum, which is fabulous, hours of interesting reading, which I have started. 

 I brought myself some MORE fabric - advertised on Instagram, shop is downsizing its reproduction fabric, which means if I dont buy it now, then it wont be around to buy when I want it....right?!

 Border sides are on.  Just contemplating the cornerstone fabric options, above is option 1

 This is option 2

And lastly, is option 3 - no cornerstones!  I think that looks a bit too heavy, but would value your opinion.

Happy quilting Sue.

Eurambeen garden tour

Eurambeen homestead like many original mansions had extensions during its life, which you can see clearly in this photo with the different types of materials used.

 The garden was delightful and I particularly loved the border of Lambs Ears and the meandering paths.

 There were delights to be found around each corner and lots of flowers I hadn't seen before. 

Espaliered camellias will be something I aspire to in my own garden one day. 

 The various buildings on the property have been converted for B&B, and this was a school house.  It was very sweet, but I loved this side view of the veranda detail and climbing rose.

 Lots and lots of lawn to mow and luckily for us the cooler spring weather we have been experiencing,  ment there was still plenty in bloom.  Thats Mt Buangor and the paddocks in the background.

 I love flag iris and this bed had a nice mix of iris and bush roses.  I think I need to buy some bush roses!

 I love rusty metal art and the garden was dotted with different pieces.  The barb wire was from the old fencing and I am sure these disks are from farm machinery - good way to make a tree stump look pretty!

 I have always fancied growing artichokes, not to eat them but for the flowers, so beautiful but big!

Cute corrugated sheep hiding in the hedge!

 Rusty chooks, also hiding in the garden.  Perfect because they dont scratch up your seedlings!

The front of the house with a lovely original tree, which unfortunately is slowly declining due to age. You can see the enormous cypress on the far left of the photo which could not be saved, but they kept as a dead tree, for its structural beauty.  

Simply a pretty garden, well worth a visit. 

Happy quilting Sue.

Fabric shopping breaks sewing drought!

In order to find my sewing mojo I knew I needed some mindless chain piecing.

 Late last weekend I found the bag of pre cut half square triangles for Rainbow Scrap challenge and sewed up some stars (my first pink for October before the month ended),  to get me started.  

 Then made some four patches.  For no reason I have started a new block - no idea what you call four half square triangles, but I think they look cute and it helps use up the surplus triangles.  

When I ran out of pink I started on purple and yellow scraps.

I hadn't showed off the lovely booty that Lisa brought me at a destash sale...four packs of reproduction charm squares in purple, blue, black and brown.  I love them! 

When I went looking for patterns suited to charm squares, I unearthed my stalled projects; 

a top that needed a back (blue), a mini that needed borders (pinks) and a quilt that needed binding (red). 

I was very mean (didnt dial a friend) and just whipped up the highway for a solo shopping trip, to get these purchases.  I was short on time and was only going to buy what I needed and come straight home to start sewing.  Well that was always the intention, but you know, life gets in the way!

Well, I did come straight home, but I did buy a bit extra, some hot pink yardage and this is a sea green with a fine dot.  I have a vague plan for some little girl quilts after seeing this fabrics, so brought up and left the shop before I could spend anymore money! 

And so after all this inspiration I have made a good start on the quilting (quilt as you go) for my photo quilt.  Its working out better then expected...but only about 40% done so far, so got to get stuck into it today - deadline is looming!

Happy quilting, Sue.