January Challenge done!

Pinwheel Quilt for Baby

Bunting

I have finished two of last year's unfinished projects, a little quilt and a colourful bunting. The quilt top was cut out using my diecut machine and the bunting was made for our eldest son's wedding.

The quilt was made to practice accurate piecing and I will either sell it when we have a market stall or use it as a gift for a new baby. I love to use reproduction fabrics and I have quite a collection.

Challenge Accepted!

I have a lot of unfinished projects and Hello Little Birdie, my darling daughter, challenged me to finish one of these a month this year and she would do the same. At the time it seemed a commitment neither of us could manage, but I have decided to try anyway. So, challenge accepted Mo ghaoil* here we go!

*My dear in Gaelic (more Lillian Beckwith.)




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Preserving Garlic

I bought a punnet of locally grown garlic last week and have preserved it in sherry. It is very easily done by pouring boiling water over the garlic, peeling it, packing it in a sterilised jar and pouring sherry over it. The garlic keeps very well in the fridge and you can use the sherry in any stirfry dishes.

First new project finish for 2013

My first finish for this year is a quick little bib. This one is slightly longer than the others I have been making and the backing is cut from an inexpensive hand towel.

Bibs for Baby

I have found some great free patterns for bibs on the Internet and have made some for a friend's newest little granddaughter. They are quick to make and have a soft cotton backing.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

"What a pretty name!"

(Sergeant Wilson, Dad's Army, Series 4, Episode 35 )
Violet May is a new Granddaughter for two very good longtime friends and I have made her a quilt. Because of the SIDS guidelines I know she won't be tucked up in her cot with it, but hopefully it will be useful for tummy time, visiting and perhaps to snuggle under when she gets older. The family are on the land as well, but a different type of farm to us in the Riverina District of NSW.



Sometimes I build quilts based on the fabrics rather than follow patterns and a coordinated range is great to work with. This one, called 'Home to Roost by Heather Du Pont for "In The Beginning" Fabrics, is very happy and busy. I bought the full collection of fat quarters from The Nauvoo Quilt Company , my favourite place to buy fabric. Since my own little Grandson arrived I have discovered the wonderful children's fabrics that are available and added a few to my supplies.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Land Girls

"I'm not getting out in front of all those landladies!" Corporal Jones, Dad's Army, Series 5, Episode 48.




With our eldest son's wedding rapidly approaching, the men had a camping weekend away and the womenfolk enjoyed an afternoon tea in the garden for the Bride. But there were calving cows to check, recalcitrant ponies to shift, late lambing ewes to watch and one poor cow with mastitis to be treated. The girls are all, of course, quite used to the farm work. It was a busy and very enjoyable weekend.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

This morning our front paddock looked like this.




This evening it looked liked this.





This machine, and its operator, are amazing!






Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Windmill, Pinwheel and Flutter Blades

This particular block has a few different names and is another one I like very much. I have been experimenting again with the cutting machine and my sewing is becoming more accurate. It might be time to attempt something larger.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

"Tahiti looks nice"

We didn't make enough money to go to Tahiti, but we had an enjoyable day. Hello Little Birdie and The Witch on the Barn had a stall at the Open Drawer annual de stash market in Camberwell. It was a well organised event and we met some lovely people interested in many different crafts. We even managed to cover our costs and make a little profit (very little!)

"All the lovely lilting things of Spring"

"The Loud Halo" by Lillian Beckwith.

Miss Beckwith has a lovely turn of phrase about nature and people. I am still enjoying any more of her books I can find. Our garden is doing the best it can at the moment and the roses are showing some promise.