Homestead Quilting

2011-12-30T10:08:00.000+10:00

Merry Christmas I know its a bit late but time fly's when you are having fun and a lot of fun has been had in our house over the last few week. The boys and I have been riding to the beach for a swim, games, spending time with family and a trip up into the mountains. So here is the lovely things I received with SSCS swap, my present was from Anne Marrie. Anne lives in Norway and for my ornament she made these lovely woven hearts. I can remember making these out of paper when I was little and never thought to make them out of fabric.

For my main present I received this lovely bag , so my colours and reminds me of spring every time I look at it. I also received a calendar, thimble and little saying to hang up. I was spoilt so much and thank you Anne for the wonderful things

Now my partner was Sharon in New York and I have to say went a bit nuts on the ornament, lets just say sometimes bigger is better .

Its a pattern I have had for awhile , its a Christine Book's pattern and I have been waiting for just the right time to make it and decided as Sharon is from the Big Apple, well she needed a big stocking .

It measures around 1.5 meters long and I do hope she was a very good girl so Santa filled it for her. The main present is a table runner that I designed my self and have to now write up the pattern for a quilt teacher who would like to teach this pattern next year .,

I know Sharon liked it and I am pleased that she got to keep it as her daughters where very keen to take it home. It is hard to believe that another year is coming to a end but it has been a full year and that is not always a bad thing. I have to say that the new year is going to bring a lot of changes to my life as the week before Christmas I was told I had Hemochromatosis ( to much Iron in the body ) and now have to give blood every week for the next few months and become a vegetarian which is not to bad but the hardest thing is no Sugar and as every tooth in my mouth is a sweet tooth that is not going to be easy, but we will do it .

I would like to wish you all a Safe and Happy New Year and look forward to blogging with you all next year
Big Hugs Bec

2011-11-13T15:35:00.001+10:00

Wow what a blur the past few weeks have been there has been a holiday, surprise, sewing, gardening and a Wedding ........ so grab a cuppa get comfortable and lets get started .
My oldest son and I have had a small holiday a bit of a rest for me and some relaxation time before exams start for John . We spent a few days in Melbourne seeing the sights and shopping . We went to the museum to see King Tut's belongings, Parliament house, Carlton Gardens, rode the trams and lots and lots of shops . It was just the thing we both needed and the high light of the trip was to spend the day with family and friend celebrating the wedding of my cousin Liam to his lovely bride Heather.

The couple on the big day , they both looked lovely and the ceremony was wonderful .

While I was away a parcel arrived for me, all the way from the America from my friend Shelly. I met Shelly another quilter through face book and was surprised when she told me that she was cleaning out her stash and could she send me a few pieces. Well can you imagine my shock when I opened to box to find not just a few piece but a pile of fabric , tote bag and two CD full of music Shelly thought I might like .

What a lovely and amazing range of fabrics Shelly sent me and as Shelly said in her letter she has a thing for fish a lot of them have a sea theme. I am always amazed at the generosity of some people and a big Thank you to Shelly wish I could give her a hug , one day I might be able to .

Now I have been sewing my challenge and am please to say that my scrape quilt is coming alone. Although I have to say I had to walk away a few times, until a customer said the secret to a scrap quilt is not to think about it and I have to say is a bit easier when I don't ( lets hope it all works out in the end

I have made 6 of the 25 blocks needed will sew a few more tonight after my bike ride with the family . This weekend we have been busy taking control of the garden again and painting the fence. So a few early morning to try and get things finished before it get to hot. I thought you might like to see a few of the flowers that are still around after the fighting with the weed, pruning and general neglect .

I tend to have a lot of palms in my garden and few flower but now that the palms are bigger I can under plant them with things that flower, as they will now have shade from the hot summer sun . I haven't had the time I would like to spend in my garden through the year but hopefully over the holidays we will get on top of it all again . Well that's me for today hope you have a lovely week and thank you for stopping by.
Big Hugs Bec

2011-10-30T18:31:00.001+10:00

Well I can now show you the quilt I did last weekend , as it has arrived at its final destination. I tired so hard to get it completed before my sisters birthday and in fairness the top was completed awhile ago. I just found it hard to get the quilting done as I wanted to do something special but decided in the end just to do a edge to edge. I am still happy with the end result and I know that my sister loves it . The quilt is called " Sugar Plum Stars by Cheryl Malkowski ", it features the Tonga Treats range .It was a lovely quilt to make and I would love to do it again but maybe blues and whites next time .

I quilted Dazzel on it which is a great design and I love the way it creates a secondary design that form circles.
Sorry the picture doesn't show it to well.

This week I set my self a challenge and I have till the end of the year to complete it . The challenge is to make a scrap quilt, from the box that has grown with every completed project . Now I don't know if any one else is as messy as me but I have to say when I complete a project the left overs where just get dropped into well a paper bag to start of with and now that is full ,a small box.

The bursting at the sides scrap box and magazine with some great ideas

Now I love to look at other peoples scrappy quilts and think they are so cleaver for having made them, but when it comes time to making them I get very nerves as I panic about the colours and fabrics working together. So my challenge is to make a scrappy quilt using only and I mean only what is in the box. I have spent the past few days cutting and trying hard not to think about the colours and on more than one occasion I have be firm with my self and not go to the rest of my fabric stash to add to it . I will keep you posted with how the challenge is going and if any one else would like to join me in this challenge , drop us a email would love to hear from you. Have a great week and happy sewing , I am of to do some more cutting .
Big Hugs Bec

2011-10-20T15:02:00.001+10:00

Well Hello I have been naughty I promised to show you all the lovely things I got from my Spring swap that I did with Clare from Clare's Craft room on face book . I do apologise but what can I say the fabric was calling hehehe.

I have also been busy with my SSCS swap as well and am pleased to say all is on track just a bit more to finish off with them all ready to post when I get back from a little trip to Melbourne with my oldest in a few weeks . We have a wedding to go to and I do love a good wedding and I love spending time in Melbourne too. Any way this is the lovely parcel I received isn't it just beautifully wrapping was a shame to have to open it .

But so worth it when I did , I received from Denise a I-Pad cover, a lovely little cover to hide the tissues and a matching note book to write down my ideas in. I was so spoilt and love everything that was made for me.

The fabrics are so fresh and bright just the thing to make you think of spring. Which is great at the moment because I'm sure that it has forgotten that it is ment to be spring , feels like winter again. Well I better go and do my Gym work out so I can fit into my dress for the wedding ( oh dear winter has left its mark ). Before I go I would like to share with you a quote I read the other day which really struck a note with me :

" Earth with out art is just 'eh' "

Have a great week and happy sewing
Big Hugs Bec

2011-10-03T10:09:00.000+10:00

Well the school holidays have been and gone and now I can put on my dancing shoes hehehe . Although both the boys have already started the count down till the summer holidays . It was a lovely two weeks with beautiful weather lots of sewing and a few birthday's as well.
I finished and have posted the small swap I did with Clare from "Clares Craftroom " on face book. I do hope Denise liked it and as I write this I have just received hers but will show you that tomorrow . Mine is a little sewing caddy using my friend Joy's pattern and Janelle Wind's applique pattern plus a bit of me as well.

Inside is two pockets for storing cottons scissors or

anything else you might like . As well as a piece of

Doctors Flannel to store and keep your pins and

needles nice and sharp and safe . It came out a lttle bit bigger than the original pattern but I am happy with the look and size .

Last week I celebrated my cough cough 40th birthday . I know 40 is the new 30 and it is only a number and you only feel as old as you want but this was a hard number for me but it is all over and done with and have to say am looking forward to the next 40 .....

This is a photo of my sister Rachael and me, we where so cute and butter wouldn't melt in our mouths ( cough cough ) . Rachael celebrates her birthday the day after me, so September is the birthday month in our family as my little brother is in that month as well . Well better go and do a bit more sewing for my SSCS nearly finished one and cant quite make up my mind what the other thing will be so many things I would like to make and not enough hours in the day . Hope you all have a safe and lovely week .
Big Hugs Bec

2011-09-18T16:30:00.000+10:00

That's it I'm hooked on paper piecing. I signed up to " This goes with that " BOM at our local patchwork shop awhile ago and got my first month the other week. Well with the start of the school holidays and beautiful weather this weekend I thought I would sit out side under our trees and start sewing theses little 4 1/2 " hexagons. Now this is the first time I have done any paper piecing on such a big scale as 272 blocks are needed to make a quilt the size of 65" x 68". I have attempted small paper piece projects but only a small amount, I was so engrossed in sewing that I didn't realise how long I was out side and although underthe shade of a tree I still got burnt and now have legs the same colour and the red in the centre of one of the hexagon. I sun screened my face and arms but forgot my legs ( in to much of a hurry to start silly me ).

I have started my SSCS and wonder how big is to big for a ornament for the tree........ hehehe.
Have a great week and happy sewing I am of to fine the Aloe Vera spray for the legs.
Big Hugs Bec

2011-09-11T11:25:00.000+10:00

The sun is shining and the breeze is cold and my garden is a mess, the weeds are starting to be higher than the plants. Time to get out and do some gardening might even be able to bribe a child to help as well ( don't like my chances but you never know ). But before I go and play outside I thought you might like to see the finished quilt Ta Da ...............

The quilt is called "Willowberry Winter" and was a block of the month I started last year . It is in lovely apricots and greens and although they are not my colours the work well together and will look good hanging in my quilting room ( if my mum doesn't take it first ).

I thought I would leave you with a a photo of my beautiful boys on the day off the wedding they were both pleased to wear a suit and looked handsome . John had to have a bow tie and what fun we had trying to find one, but one happy young man when we did find it . They are growing up so fast and although this makes me sad sometimes , I know both my Hubby and my self are very both proud of them both.

Now to hit the weeding, I hope you are all having a great week and happy sewing .
Big Hugs Bec

2011-09-04T17:32:00.000+10:00

I am so easily distracted........... You would think by now that I would be able to set my mind to one task and complete that task with out any problem but NO. At the cough age of cough, 2 weeks off cough cough 40 ~~Please help me but that is another story for another day.~~ I am distracted by fabric and threads. I finished this quilt top a few months ago and with being so busy with other peoples quilts it got put on the pile and forgotten about until this weekend . For the first weekend in quite awhile my machine was free and so on it went . I am nearly finished and will show you all when it is complete.

Now I know I said that I was planning to work on Daisy Dance this weekend and in all fairness I did a bit . I sewn on three of the borders ready to complete the corners and got the last side ready to stitch through the week nights. Very happy with the way it is all coming together .

I all so signed up for two swap once again the lovely Chookyblues SSCS swap ( so love doing this one ) and a quick swap that Clare from Clare's Craft room is running on Face book . With lots of stitching to be started I better go and get working so full of ideas, lets hope I don't get distracted for a little while but it sure dose make life fun. Have a great week and happy sewing .

Big Hugs Bec

2011-09-02T14:02:00.001+10:00

Last weekend on the not so sunny coast, well lets just say the weather here has been yuk and always on the weekend. I decided to put down the hand sewing that I have been working on for the past few weeks and play with a scrap bag I brought awhile ago. Now its not a very exciting pattern but I have to say it is nice to do something a bit simple for a change ( as the brain cells are not in the best form at the moment ) thinks its to do with the lack of sunshine wink wink .

I have to say am loving these scrap bags. As great fun, first with not knowing what fabric is in it and then second the usefulness of the pack with whipping up a quick little quilt for a lovely little girl . Will get to see her this weekend I do hope she like it .

As for the range of fabric not sure but it looks lovely with the white very fresh just in time for spring . I am nearly finished the 3rd border of my "Daisy Dance" only one more side to go . I have surprised my self with how fast I am managing to get through the sides. I have to say was thinking at least 2 weeks for every side not really that fast with the hand sewing . Hope to have a photo of it soon to show you how it is all coming along. Hope you all have a lovely weekend and the sun is shining where ever you are, happy sewing .

Big Hugs
Bec

2011-08-31T17:58:00.002+10:00

Now hope this works as am trying to blog with my ipad , so here we go . This is a quilt I started awhile ago for my then new nephew . I am pleased to say that he got it the other day and loves it to bits even if it is , cough 6 years late .his favourite is the Thorny Devil .

Big Hugs

Bec

2011-08-22T09:30:00.001+10:00

Do you rip your borders ?
This is a customers quilt and although I don't see it often I do come across riped borders and I have to say I dislike the practice. I don't think it gives you a good finish with the quilt and it weakens the fabric as well along the edge.

Would be interested to hear what you all do and if you feel the same way as me .
Have a wonderful day.
Big Hugs Bec

2011-08-20T18:49:00.000+10:00

Have you ever started something and thought to your self while working on it ( I should have re-thought this one ). I have to say had that moment this week. After sitting for about a hour, only to look at what I done and realise it was only a small part of the bigger picture. Now don't get me wrong I love this quilt I am making but after NOT doing a lot of hand stitching for awhile well the hands are a bit soft at the moment ( I know a big sook ). They are toughing up and it is getting easier. The quilt in question is Helen Stubbing's " Daisy Dance" and I love the colours , design and even all the stitching because I know it will be so worth it in the end.

This is the centre and I have started on the next borders, its a Medallion quilt and I have two more borders after this one . The Daisy's are 3D and look amazing when finished just a bit hard to stitch through all that fusible webbing .

This is one of the sides all ready to stitch the flowers are partly finished so I am off to make my self a good cup of tea with a good movie and do some more stitching . Have to say I am looking forward to the next border as its all pieced lol.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend where ever you are .
Big Hugs Bec

2011-08-12T21:03:00.000+10:00

Well it has been a while between posts , life is an amazing thing and disappears before you know it . So what have I been up to .......busy with work , special visitors and a wedding . My little sister and her partner decided to show their love for each other last month it was a lovely day shared by all the family .
Now that the lovely couple have there quilt I can show you what I made them .....

It's the first Kaleidoscope quilt I have ever made and got to use a new little tool called "Kaleido-Ruler".
This ruler dose make it easy and I am looking forward to playing with it a bit more. Each Kaleidoscope block is different and was great to see the design appears as you sewed the block together.

I know this quilt will be loved but I have to say it dose look good on my bench outside . Might have to make another one one day but not just yet, got few other things to do yet . Have a great weekend and happy sewing .
Big Hugs Bec

2011-05-01T18:57:00.000+10:00

Well I can now show you my big surprise. I have had my first ever publication of my own pattern in this months Down Under Quilt magazine .

Now for those of you who have followed my blog for awhile will know this quilt from last year . It was named by a follow blogger Beena in Florida as
"Hip to Be Square" . I enjoyed designing this quilt and was happy with the final look and to now see it in print has just made my week . I have been asked to design another one so better go and finish what I've been working on , using old Komodo fabrics a friend brought in Tasmania.
I hope you are all having a great week and happy sewing
Big Hugs Bec

2011-04-09T13:42:00.000+10:00

Well I thought you might like to see the a finished quilt for a change instead of just a quilt tops. I would have love to have taken a photo of it out side in the sunshine but once again we are experiencing the great wet . I am very happy with the over all look of this quilt but will never do a fringed binding again . I live with the belief that I will try anything once might not like it but you have at least got to try it .

This is part of the fringe binding and I have to say it dose finish the quilt of nicely. It is something you should defiantly do with a good movie or two or three or four, as not a fast thing to complete and by the time I was finished lets say I am still finding threads one week later .

These are some of the embroideries that you don't get to see to well in the big photo, as well as the design I chose for the plain fabric blocks. It was nice to finish something of mine for a change and I can now count one less to the pile of quilts waiting to be quilted .

Will have a surprise for you all next week but more on that later, hope all of you enjoy your weekend and happy sewing
Big Hugs Bec

2011-03-22T18:46:00.001+10:00

Now hands up those of us that have a project that we sometimes do but are in no hurry to complete the type of project you take to your quilting group each week stitch 3 stitches on and then take home again ( because to busy talking )to do it all over again next week . Well I have one of these projects and I am pleased to say that the center is now completed and all I have to do is the boarders and all is done, well until I get to quilt it . I started this quilt 2 years ago and it has been a constant friend on my trips to quilting , doctors and general running around after the kids. It is not a hard quilt but a lovely quilt called "Amore" by Ann Gadsby Designs.

Now I have to figure out the second border weather to go pale or dark hummmmm . One thing I know is it wont take another 2 years for that decision, I feel a trip to my local quilt shop coming up Yippy and hubby not here to see what I buy oh this could be very very very bad .
Have a freat week sewing
Big Hugs Bec

2011-03-18T13:50:00.000+10:00

Well as you all know Hubby is on his trip and like a lot of other Lady's sleep becomes a problem when the partner is away. Over the time I have found a few thing that help me to unwind and get some sleep , some of these range from knitting to puzzles. So of to my local opshop to have a look at some puzzles for me to do while Hubby was away.
Now I found this 2000 piece which I thought would last the 2 weeks.................................

Now imagine my surprise when I opened it up and found this ................................................

I can not understand this one bit, the person how owned this puzzle before me completed it and then when putting it away placed all the edges in a bag, the grass in another, sky and so on and so on a total of 6 bags. Somethings just leave you short of words . I don't know about the rest of you but when I finish the puzzle it gets tossed back on the box for the relaxing sort through next time I want to do it .

And as for the knitting well started a pair of socks but might only make the one so will be on the look out for a one legged person to give it to .
Have a great day and happy sewing
Big Hugs Bec

2011-03-16T06:01:00.000+10:00

I see stars .......... no I don't have a head injury although I do know some people who might say other wise .

Have you ever brought a pattern and no matter how many times you read through that pattern you can't make any sense of it . Well this pattern was one of them. So in case like this the photo is the key, so with the help of the photo we now can see the stars .

I am hoping to get a lot of work done over the next few weeks as Hubby is off over to Germany to see family and friends for two weeks . I never sleep very well while he is away so great time to work on my own tings . Have to say am looking forward to it as I have been neglecting my own sewing at the moment. As for our training for the Bridge to Brisbane all is going well we are now running 14 km a day and just have to get my time down . I have really enjoyed running more than I would have thought and am thinking I might give a half marathon a go.

Hope you are all have a great week and happy sewing
Big Hugs Bec xx

2011-01-15T19:01:00.000+10:00

To all the Emails I have received thank you, I and my family are all well although we are a bit over all this rain. The clean up has started in Brisbane and I am so proud to call my self a Aussie as people from all walks of life are putting on their Gumboots and grabbing their shovels to help remove all the mud and damaged possessions of complete strangers that where affected by the floods. Although I am unable at the moment to get down there to help I tried to give in other ways. I never thought I would live to see something this terrible in a place I love.

So with the sunshine today I decided to have a airing of the quilts as they really needed it with all the rain and humidity that has been around. Now on collecting all my quilts together I was amazed with how many I had .

Now this is only a quarter of my quilts but I only have a small clothes line and could not get them all out so hopefully we will have the sun for a few days to get all the others aired. I thought maybe I should donate some to the flood victims but which ones as they all have a special place in my heart , like the first one I ever made or the quilt that got me a job working with Lillian. Oh this will be a hard decision but I think it is time to send some away and hopefully to a home that will love it as much as me . Hope all of you are well where ever you are and happy sewing.
Big Hugs Bec

2011-01-04T15:37:00.000+10:00

What a fun week I have had I decided that I am going to do a queens size whole cloth in the coming week, but before I tackle that one I deiced to have a go at making a smaller one . I have to say what fun and I learned a lot, I'm sure I have more to learn but I know feel confident in taking on the queen size now. So what do you think ?

This is a close up of the center.
I have had a lot of fun with this quilt and it already has a home lol .They never stay long after they are finished , its getting to the stage where I have to frisk the family after they have been to visit.
The school holidays are coming to a close fast, which is sad but also good ( well for my sanity it is ). The boys have enjoyed them so far and now that the rain has stopped they are enjoying it more with trips to the beach . Happy sewing and I hope all have had a great start to the new year .
Big Hugs Bec

The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary.

2010-12-30T16:10:00.000+10:00

Well as 2010 draw to a end I find my self thinking over the year that has gone in a blink of a eye. I was starting to think that I haven't done very much this year then had to rethink that as it has turned out that I have. My business has grown to keeping me busy every working day of the week. As well as the quilts that I have finished and not quite finished yet are high in numbers not as many as the year before but I can only better my self next year. I have two health boys that are growing in to lovely young men and happy house and family . I will have to say that the end of this year has not been the best as a good friend of mine lost his battle with cancer just before Christmas, that left us all a bit flat over Christmas. A bright moment to Christmas day was opening my SSCS from May and I Love it . Its a table runner in my favorite Moda Red's and will now live on the coffee table when I get my new one next week . So as I look forward to 2011 I am starting a new list of things I would like to accomplished this coming year and top on the list is to run the Bridge to Brisbane in August. Its a 10 km run and although I am not out to win it I would love to run it in under 1hr , so with my new running shoes I am off. Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year with lots of sewing to look forward too .
Big Hugs Bec

2010-12-07T18:02:00.000+10:00

I got a nice surprise from the postie today all the way from Norway from the lovely May and boy was I spoilt rotten. With lovely chocolates , patty cake cups , napkins and these two lovely hearts that will be placed on the tree as soon as I have done this post. Although the boys will hide my other present ready for Christmas day .

Aren't they just beautiful and will treasure them always. I am off to go and find out more about May and where she lives as what I have seen looks amazing and beautiful and new pin on my map of places I would love to see.
Big Hugs Bec xx

2010-11-28T09:24:00.000+10:00

I'm seeing crosses at the moment hehehehe........ No its something new I am working on at the moment its been a long time since I have done some of my own sewing and long over due. So yesterday with the sun out well for a few hours before the rain I did some gardening and started making my crosses . Will try and finish the rest of later today after helping Hubby with putting in the new power point for the Christmas Tree ( he has had all year to do it need I say more ).

I thought you might like to see my most favorite quilt shop Esmes in Tasmania owned by Lillian
So much fabric in one shop by bank accounts hurts just looking at it .

This is the lovely Lillian who is celebrating her "21st" Birthday today wink wink
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lillian
Hope you have a lovely day
and happy sewing to everyone else
Big Hugs Bec

2010-11-26T12:28:00.000+10:00

Something to brighten your day

Hugs Bec

2010-11-24T10:06:00.000+10:00

Well it's on it's way and I have had so much fun doing it as I did last year. My SSCS is of to where can't say but I hope she likes it . I have managed to drag my body out of bed after spending the past few days in it with the flu. After a lovely holiday in Tassie I came home to a sick little man, poor Nick had the flu and was not well, as he said to me one night even my hair hurts mum. So after getting him on the road to recovery he kindly decided to share his flu with me I am so pleased that my boys love to share Not .

I have to say I am so looking forward to a new year as this one has been very up and down as well as being all over the place. Maybe its just me and next year I should make my resolution to be more organized........ humm who am I joking life is just some thing you can't organize. I like the little spanners that get thrown in some times , that what makes you now your alive .

Well here are some more pictures of the Cataract Gorge in Launceston I have always loved spending time here even as a kid and so do my boys .

This is my favourite spot in the whole park as I love the feeling you get when you walk across the bridge the way it moves and the looks on peoples faces when a kids try's to swing it more ( as I use to when I was little ).

I do miss the flowers that only grow in cold climates as they do go all out when the weather warms up. These are Rhododendron and come in such a lovely display of colours and look amazing when in full bloom. Well I hope you are all having a great week and happy sewing

Big Hugs Bec

2010-11-11T07:26:00.000+10:00

Well back home again and what a great and busy week I have had. It was very sad to leave Tasmania, but I know I will be back one day. I spent a few days in Hobart with a good friend would love to show you some photos but was talking so much forgot to use the camera lol. I loved catching up with Bron and seeing her farm and of course the shopping although I did end up paying excess but it was so worth it . I then drove to Wynyard to spend the weekend with my sister and the family. I got to play hairdressers with my nieces which I love as the boys won't let me braid their hair ( I don't know why as both have very long hair at the moment ). We then went for a walk to Guthridge Gardens a place I sent a lot of time playing in as a child. It was lovely to watch the kids run around and play in the sun as the weather turned to cold and rainy the next day, I forgot how sudden it can change in Tassie.

This is Table Cape and every time I see that I now I am home even though I have not lived in Wynyard for a long time. I still feel it is my home as I have such great memories growing up there. Well that's it for today, tommorrow I will show you the rest of my trip plus the fabric I brought, what fun I am going to have playing with it .

Have a great day and happy sewing

Big Hugs Bec

2010-11-02T16:08:00.000+10:00

Well I would like to say that the bag is packed but that would not be true and it will more than likely be a rush job in the morning. But I can say that I have done all the work I set my self to do before my little Holiday to Tassie. I can't wait so excited and only one more sleep to go.

One of the things I did complete this week was a very special quilt, now I can't show you a picture of this quilt because I think Liz should do that. This quilt is for a special lady called Sue and is made up of blocks that lovely bloggers have sent to Liz from all over the world, so go to Liz Blog and have a look it. It's worth it trust me although you may have to wait to see the finish thing as it was only sent back today by over night so not to long I hope. Now I am of on my way tomorrow and am so looking forward to see my sister and family and catching up with friends. So hope you all have a great week with lots of sewing and I hope to have lots of photos to show you all next week, that's if I can find the camera I know its in the house some where maybe I should clean up before I go .
Big Hugs Bec

2010-10-22T12:38:00.000+10:00

I got a belated birthday present yesterday from Lillian and it was a pile of fabric with a note to make myself a table runner. I have to say I love presents like that because I have the fun of making it. So I was a bit naughty and instead of working yesterday afternoon I played, if the truth must be know it was the fabrics fault it was talking to me to make it. Sometime fabric can be so naughty lol.

I love it and had a lot of fun making it, I love the red but I always love Moda reds they are so beautiful. Oh I am off to Tasmaina in a few weeks and so looking forward to catching up with friends and seeing some truly beautiful places. Happy sewing and have a great weekend.
Big Hugs Bec

2010-10-04T20:11:00.000+10:00

Auhhhhhhhhhhh school holiday, Jury duty and now to top of a really full and sometimes interesting few week , its short by 4 inches. I know you are probable scratching your head by now and to tell you the truth so am I.

I have finished the center to the quilt kit I brought from America and have gone to put the first boarder on only to find the fabric is short by 4 inches, so the hunt will start this weekend to see if we can track down the remaining 4 inches in one of our local shops ( shame that :D )

I have really enjoyed making the kaleidoscope blocks and with the special ruler, I found it very easy to create.

I have been on jury duty for the last week and have this week to go, well it has been interesting and the boys are now back at school as off today (thank you) so life will soon go back to some normality well as normal as any house with two teenage sons, a dog, two cats and one DH will ever be. Well better go hope you all have a great week and happy sewing
Big Hugs Bec

2010-09-22T16:58:00.000+10:00

Well the boys are on school holidays at the moment and the weather has not been the best for them. Which they are alright with at the moment as they both have new games to play. Although I would love to say the same lol, once again the house looks like a laundry mat and I keep tripping over a child as they have taken to laying around on the floor at the moment to play their games. Oh school holidays are fun ....

I am pleased to say that I have finished a quilt top sorry shouldn't say finished but as close to finish as I can get at the moment. It was a block of the month I started last year and this week because of the rainy weather we have been having, I sat down on the weekend and finished the boarders while watch my new birthday present. All the dvds of "The Darling Buds of May" I just love that series and would love to visit that part of England one day. I must apologise for the photo as I think it might be time for a new camera ( hummm Christmas)

Well I hope you are all having a great week with lots of sewing and laughter, I better go feed the animals and that's just the boys :D
Big Hugs Bec

2010-09-15T16:09:00.000+10:00

Wow it's here, after stalking our local postie for the past 3 weeks. The poor postie has had to contend with me and my local magpie. Although I am sure he would say the magpie was the better behaved out of us both lol. My order from Hancock's of paducahs here and I am in heaven. I got some more civil war fabrics for the big lone star quilt I am going to make and some charm squares from Moda's "wee woodlands " range.

I also ordered this kit called Chained stars the fabric is lovely and although I have never made a Kaleidoscope block before I am really looking forward to having a go. Although I might have to have a look out for the Kaleido Ruler, if any one has any tips for making these blocks would love to hear them .

Well take care and I hope everyone is having a great week with lots of sewing
Big Hugs Bec

My Time In Florida

2010-09-09T07:34:00.001+10:00

I arrived safely here at Beena's place in Daytona Beach, Florida quite some time back. This place really is a paradise! The first thing I did was take off the mittens I came here with from New Zealand. Much too hot here, for that.
Daytona is most well known because people are allowed to drive right on the beach. Here is a picture of one of the beach ramps leading to the water.

While I was here, I made a friends with Nelson, a sock monkey who likes to surf. We had a lot of days where we just chilled out listening to the rock band "The Heavy" that sings that song "How You Like me Now". This is a picture the morning after we went to a night club. I think Nelson is a bit hung
over in this picture, and had too much to drink the night before.

Beena said it was "an absolute must" to buy a Daytona Beach t-shirt while I was here. It's a little big for me, but I love it. It's a tye-die shirt with a shark on it and these fake glittery drops of water. Volusia County is actually the shark bite capital of the world. Nelson says he's seen sharks sometimes when he's surfing, but for whatever reason, they have never been interested in eating him. Something about the way he smells...like a sock...gives him natural protection against predators!

I spent some time watching Beena paint. I posed in front of her painting for her.

She admitted to me she likes this painting so much she is going to turn it into fabric for a quilt.

We shopped today for some souvenirs to bring to the Netherlands, and I am also bringing some fat quarters with me. I sure am going to miss watching Beena paint her dreamy sea scapes, and I'll miss surfing and hitting the night life with Nelson! This has been a very relaxing visit, filled with long days at the beach!

2010-09-05T18:17:00.000+10:00

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you think " I have done nothing productive all week" then when you really think about it yes you have. Well its been one off those weeks here and although I have done what I originally thought was not much it real was.
I have done some quilts and some stitching of my own , but can't show you its a secret so shhhhhh.
So I thought I would show you a quilt I quilted for a customer the lovely Edith. Edith loves big quilts and she has given me some amazing and big quilts to do over the past 2 years but this one takes the cake as it just fitted on my machine. We decided that it really needed a scalloped boarder and I think it has really finished the quilt off. It all so took Edith out of her comfort zone as it was her first time at binding a scallop border and I think she has done a great job of it .

It is just simple quilting but I didn't want to take away from the embroidery and sometimes simple is best.

Well I hope you have all had a great weekend and got lots of sewing done. I thought I would leave you with a photo of Binks relaxing in the chair, its a hard life being a cat .

Have a great week and take care

Big hugs

Bec

2010-08-25T09:27:00.000+10:00

I have come to the idea that as a parent I am my worst enemy....... DH and my self thought it would be great for the boys to have their own laptops as John is just about to go in to grade 11 next year ( I feel old) and with the homework they both have DH and myself was lucky to get to use one of the two computers in the house.
Now let me just say that for the past 3 years we have been on a Internet plan with Telstra that has been great a few times we have come close to our limit but it always will reset in a day or two. Well on buying these new laptops we told both the boys be careful of the down loads or it will be snail mail for the rest of the month, lets just say that the lovely Nick went through the limit in two days. When asked what he was doing on the computer to go through 12 gbits in 2 days he said " did you know I cam watch tv from all around the world", which would be great if he was catching up on current affairs not cartoons..........
So hence we have been on snail mail for the past few weeks and have been unable to visit any ones blog to see whats new. As for my own I gave up last week and even though it took 1hr to download one photo I had to update it as I have missed you all so much.
Now we are on a better plan and that was a mammoth task in it self and a story for enough day, hate dealing with Telstra at the best of times. So hope you are all having a great week with lots of sewing and laughter
Big Hugs Bec

2010-08-11T06:30:00.000+10:00

I would like to say a big thank you to all the get well wishes I have received since my last blog. I am pleased to say that after a visit to the Doctor's where I was told to stop smoking ( I don't smoke go figure) and handed a multitude of medication I am now feel fit and ready for the world. Now just have to get DH better as I do like to share lol .
I have a quilt that I can show you now as it has arrived at its destination for someone special, she loves it which is a relief as I was not to sure of her colours. It was nice to hear that it had arrived and to hear that it made her day, only wish I could have given it to her in person.

The feet and hand in the photo belong to the boys , they are growing up so fast that every time I blink we are shopping for new clothes or shoes that fit . Take care and enjoy the rest of your week I am of to see about a boat as the backyard is one big lake at the moment with all the rain we are getting.
Big Hugs Bec

2010-07-26T08:29:00.000+10:00

Oh ah............. a month has passed in a blink of a eye and I didn't even see it go, I didn't realise it had been that long since my last post . I would love to say that I have done lots of quilting but that would be a lie, well lots of other peoples quilts dose that count. I have been busy scaring off bears, frighting off foxes and clobbering groundhogs, no I haven't lost the plot ( depends on who you talk too ) its a game I have been playing on face book called frountivill and time flys once you start.

A while ago I brought a book called "The Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt" by Laurie Aaron Hird. I have to say I have enjoyed reading the letters in this book and find it amazing what these women had to cope with and what their dreams for their children where. In a time of great change in the world these women took everything in their own time , their dreams for their children are not that different from now, as they only wanted the best for their sons and daughters. Which is what all mothers want for their kids. One part of a letter that has stayed with me is from Mrs G.B.H. Richland County, Mont
" This is my work. My blessing, not my doom, Of all who live, I am the one by whom it can be done in the right way."
This little saying can be taken in many ways and for some reason it real stuck with me. I have decided to make this quilt for a school friend who is the proud owner of a lovely farm. I have enjoyed the blocks I have made so far and have only 70 more to go so not to much lol.

Here is the blocks I have finished so far and I am pleased with the way it is turning out. I can't remember the last time I made a scrappy quilt and what fun its been going through my stash although my room dose look like a bomb has gone off with fabric everywhere.
Happy sewing and have a great week I know I will when I get over this flu.
Big Hugs Bec

2010-06-27T14:23:00.000+10:00

Last week I got a parcel from the lovely Lillian with a little stitchery and the fabric to make Lynette Andersons "My Garden " BOM. Each block comes with a button and a cute little stitchery this is the first one called " The Barrow" I am so looking forward to the next one as I have no idea what this little quilt will look like and I think I will keep it that way until its all done sort of like a mystery quilt , lets hope I can last that long lol.

We have been working in the garden this weekend with mulching and painting the fence . Well the fence will take a few weekends with the boys help ( I seem to be doing a lot of repainting and the new mulch has more paint than the fence ,but I am happy the boys are trying )

I love these flowers they always appear after its rained and we have had a lot of rain over the past few weeks which is strange for this time of year. I am not sure what they are called but I seem to have them in every garden I have owned so I call them Bec's flowers.

I thought I would leave you with picture of Harry being Harry. John was unwell the other week with a bad cold and Harry decided to keep him company all day watch Doctor Who, both of them had a great time I'm sure. We all love Harry as he has a real personality about him and I am sure he forgets he is a cat sometimes.

Have a great week and happy sewing

Big Hugs Bec

2010-06-18T07:05:00.000+10:00

Not often do I get to see the completed quilt after I have quilted it, but the lovely Maureen sent these photos of the completed quilt on the bed of a special little girl who I am told loves her bed now. I do like the Drunked Path blocks because you can have so much fun with one block. This Block can make lots of patterns and is the flavour of the moment as I have done a lot of them over the past few weeks and all of them have looked different.

Have a great week end and Happy Sewing

Big Hugs Bec

2010-06-15T07:20:00.000+10:00

Hello I have been away for awhile and how I have missed everyone thanks for the few people how sent me emails to make sure all was well, life is good just busy at the moment. Bear Bear has been having a great time in New Zealand so go and look at his blog for the latest.

I have been lucky to see some amazing quilts in the past few years and some that have left me looking for a answer. I came across one of those the other day the lady had used one of those blue marking pens and is now unable to remove some of the marks, So my question to quilters out there is have you got any idea on how to remove these marks ?

I also have come across some quilting sins and think the top one on this list should be measure your borders, I understand that some times you are just so please to be on the home stretch of your quilt that you just sew your borders on and hope for the best but this can real make or break and quilt I think. So what would you class as other quilting sins I am sure we all have one that we just always look for . Well enjoy the rest of your week and happy sewing .
Big Hugs Bec

2010-05-23T15:47:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago I commented on a the start of Chookyblue's A garden's journal by Hatch and Patch. I loved how she was hers in a blue colour scheme and commented that I had made the same quilt a few years ago. Chookyblue asked to see my quilt, so here it is. I enjoyed making this quilt and putting the fabrics together for it.

This is my favourite block in the whole quilt , my next door neighbour at the time use to say it was a good likeness to her when she was in the garden.

Here is a little sweet treat bag I got to finish today, its from a Moda Honey bun pack that I had in the cupboard. Sorry the photo is a bit dark it looks like a storm is coming to visit outside.

Hope you all have had a great weekend and happy sewing

Big Hugs Bec

2010-05-17T18:01:00.000+10:00

It has been a very mad house kind of week this week, I guess I better start at the beginning. At the end of last week poor John had to have his toe nail removed as it was ingrown, all was looking good until the second bandage change where I noticed he had a slight temp and the toe was looking red and big. So of to the Doctors again to discovered the John had a Staph infection required more antibiotic's. So after lots of trips to the Doctors, I am pleased to say both John and toe are well and on the road to recovery.
For those of you how read my blog often, know that I have been going to the gym to try and loss some weight. Well the other day I was given some size 12 pants as I am running out of clothes ( very expensive this losing weight), I thought there is no way that I would be a size 12 but shock horror I was. So on doing a happy dance around the bed room went to show DH my new size. Now the next thing I am going to tell you left me a bit dazed. The lovely DH said your bum looks saggy in those pants, not wow you look great no your bum looks saggy. Talk about leaving me deflated. I was not sure how to answer this one as I am sure gravity has something to do with it. Sometimes I do have to remember why I love him..........

Any way today has been a great day as I received a parcel of fabric that I had ordered from America. In it was some more Civil war fabric for the quilt I am wanting to make. I like the blue strip fabric the most, I might just have to order a bit more.
I also got to quilt my Lone Star the other day. I am happy with the way it came out and am looking forward to making my big one soon.

I am looking forward to a better week this week and hope you all have a good one. Happy sewing

Big Hugs Bec

2010-05-09T17:10:00.000+10:00

It's not often that you get told to go nut's on a quilt but that is what the lovely Julie said with this beauty of a quilt. So after some thinking, drawing and then the quilting and of course waiting for Julie, it's finished and she was over the moon with it ( love my job). Sorry I got the photos around the wrong way and as it was such a big quilt and I was unable to put it outside for the photo, this was the best I could do.

Julie always take the time to make a good quilt and her colours are always bright and happy.

I hope all the Mother's out there have had a great mothers day, as I have with apple pancakes and coffee in bed with flowers and lots of cuddles with my boys ( I make the most of this day as the cuddles are hard to come by now a days, not cool I think).

Happy Mother Day and have a great week.

Big Hugs Bec

2010-05-05T20:13:00.000+10:00

I have discover today that 3 year olds are a hand full, I would love to show you a picture of the little cutie ( monster) but I was to busy making sure she didn't get into trouble. I thought boys could get into trouble at the drop of a hat, but I have a new understanding of little girls. I have had to vacuum out the washing machine as it doesn't like kitty litter, my dog has not moved since 3 this afternoon ( so tired) and I have had to hunt for the cats as they have both gone into hiding. But all this aside I have had a great day with my little niece, we made muffins, built a castle for the princess and played in the garden .

I think the hi-light of the day was when she discovered the mud, you never quite grow out of squelching your toes through the mud what ever the age. Hope you all having a great week I know I am and I might get in the mud again tomorrow.
Big Hugs Bec