Star Quilt Coming Along

I've spent this cold, dark morning making the chain blocks to set my star blocks from Crazy Mom's Quilt Along of some time ago and am now just playing with the layout. I think I will put it together without the optional sashings as I am just having one of those days when I can't cut or sew a straight line, so I want to give myself fewer opportunities to stuff up!

I made my blocks with all different white tone on tones for the background, to give it a scrappier look.

Yesterday I had a lazy day in front of the TV crocheting another doiley:

A couple little projects

I've been catching up on my DVD watching this week, while crocheting this cute filet tray cloth:



And also made a smelly wreath for my kitchen with cinnamon sticks and star anise:

Nine Patches

I spent yesterday morning putting these nine patch blocks together in a simple design with a narrow sashing. These blocks are from a block swap I took part in several years ago with an online quilting group and I have been determined to finally do something with them. I'm not sure what I will do for the border, probably something scrappy and simple.

A Fine Day?

It is looking like we might get the first rain-free day in over a week today. Fingers crossed, although it has been good weather for snuggling up to warm pups and doing some crafting in front of the heater.

I bought these pretty pastel fabrics from the local Big W, when I went to get some sewing cotton last week:

And made these Penny Pockets using Happy Zombie's pattern:

Not sure what I am going to do with them - I'd like to make a little hanger for the bathroom for odds and ends. I also made another set of the doileys I blogged about previously, this time in a very light mercerised cotton in blue:

The rain cleared enough yesterday morning to hit the local markets at North Rocks and Blacktown with my friend Lyle. My favourite purchase must be these old magazines from the 50s and 60s, and one from the 1972 because I liked the crochet patterns in it:

They are interesting to flick through. The recipes are quite appalling though. Were herbs not invented in the 50s and 60s? Feel really sorry for the Australians in that era for all the bland dinners! Will have to have a better read through and will share anything interesting.

Lyle also gave me some lovely patterns he bought for me last week:

I finished my panda quilt. I didn't do much quilting on it, just in the ditch around the panda and the borders and bound it in black. I gave it to Lyle as he loves pandas, and he has put it on his wall.

Panda Quilt-Along

I had my second attempt at AJ's Panda Quilt-Along today. This time I read the instructions properly and pinned my pieces together so I didn't get them jumbled up between the cutting table and the sewing machine!

I lost a couple of points on my pinwheels, and I just realised I put one of the borders on wrong, but overall I am really pleased with it. It's such a cute design. Thanks for sharing this pattern, AJ!

Finished cushions

I finished my hand quilted Soiree cushion covers yesterday. They are so happy and bright. And so big and comfy. With the phalange they are about 60cm square, and they are filled with plump, down-filled cushion inserts my friend Lyle gave me.

I find hand quilting small objects so relaxing. And after this I am starting to get a bit better at it. My stitches are still big, but they are getting more even.

Soiree Cushion Covers

I am still playing with scraps from my Soiree jelly roll, and have heaps left so more to come.

I am on hols for a month as I have too much leave accrued, and as I am sooo sick of my work right now, I agreed to take some leave. So today I whipped up a couple of these mega-sized cushion covers and spent the rest of the day hand quilting in front of DVDs and the heater.

Sugar kept the heater warm for me while I was getting my piecing done.

While Spice just made a big old mess of the bed and decided to try to keep warm in there.

It's lucky I love these dogs so much because washing sheets and making beds are two of my least favourite things, and I wouldn't do them for just anybody!

Bits and pieces

It was too cold to venture too far from the heater yesterday so I spent a quiet day watching DVDs and doing a little hand quilting on some scraps.

These fabrics are so pretty, and I love the effect of big hand quilting on it. I think I will make these into little purses or bags. Or maybe a pin cushion.

Sugar's New Coat

I finally finished Sugar's new coat and I think she looks very beautiful in it.

I think she likes it. But she's looking a little nonplussed here, as I dragged her away from in front of the heater to take a photo outside. I don't know what the outdoor temperature is, but indoors it is 7 C right now, so I can totally understand!

Doggy things

Winter is here in Sydney and the days and nights are starting to get chilly.

I've been crocheting a new winter coat for Sugar in all the colours of the rainbow (see below):


I hope I finish it in time for her to get some use out of this winter. I've also just bought a new kennel for her. They have a kennel but Spice normally gets in first and refuses to share, so I decided it was time to get a second kennel to keep Sugar off the cold ground.


I put it together yesterday but as yet neither has gone in it! While I'm home the dogs are pretty much always in the house with me, and sleep in the house, so I guess they might give it a try when I'm back at work tomorrow. Hope so!