I Did

Apologies for my absence of late but I promise I have a good excuse...

Last Friday, 26 April, I was lucky enough to marry the man of my dreams.  YAY!  We are blissfully happy and looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together as husband and wife.

Before that though we're off on the honeymoon of all honeymoons, so I'd better go pack my bags and clean up for the housesitter.

See you in June.

E.

Le Challenge... Accepted!

On Sunday I promised a big reveal of my Le Challenge project and so... without further ado...

This baby quilt is destined for a new little miss, born last Tuesday.  As she came early, and I didn't know the sex beforehand, I hadn't really planned for this project and therefore needed a quickie.  This proved to be just that - with cutting started on Wednesday and binding finished early Monday morning.  Gotta love that turn-around!

I'm also pleased to brag share that this entire quilt was made from items I already had on hand.  Yay!  Of course, Mr C took this as another opportunity to point out that I have too much fabric (*gasp*) but I am choosing to ignore that.  Seriously, I know many of you have much, much, much more than me.  ;)

The finished quilt measures about 36" x 36".  Perfect size for bub - and it helped make the whole process even quicker as a pieced back was not necessary.  Now we're talking.

I absolutely love this funky print - and actually let it dictate the whole palette for the quilt, minus the yellow.

For the binding I originally imagined dark purple (Kona Mulberry, to be precise) but as I didn't have enough, I made do with a dark pink with just a hint of mulberry. 

I have to admit, I actually love it.  Hopefully the mum (who is a purple lover like myself) agrees.

The quilting was based on this quilt, the obvious inspiration for the whole project.  You know the saying, if it ain't broke...

Basically, it consists of straight-lines, quilted in a random pattern (or "crazy lines"), just like I did here.  Let me assure you, this method also ticked the "quick" box!  For a bit of added extra I used a variegated thread in pinks, blues and purples.

So there we have it... a geometric-inspired baby quilt in less than a week!

How's that for challenge accepted?  ;)

E.

Linking up to Le Challenge.  Be sure to fly over and check out all the fabulous projects - and find out this month's theme.  ;)


Also linking up to this week's TGIFF linky party over at Erin's place.  She has a fabulous finish to showcase so be sure to pop over.

Le Challenge #1 - Geometrics

When Lucy and Nat first announced Le Challenge I just knew that I had to jump on board.  I mean, these ladies are awesomeness personified and the idea of a monthly project, with various themes, was such a winner I couldn't possibly miss out on the fun.

I eagerly awaited the 15th and the announcement of the first theme - and was thrilled when it turned out to be Geometrics.  YAY!  As a bit of a self-confessed shape-nerd I immediately started thinking of ideas.  The choices were endless.

I considered many, many new projects and loved the inspiration the net offered, such as...

Tetris-style Cross Stitch

DIY Geometric Embroidery wall art

Half Square Triangle Quilt

 Paper Pieced Hexie Pillow

and, believe it or not,

Circle Quilt

And, then, I took a long, hard look at my (many) works in progress to see what fitted the theme AND what I could realistically get done in time.  Those that made this list include...

Plus quilt

Tippecanoe cushion cum quilt

Summer House of centre squares quilt

... and ...

Girly Road Trip quilt

In the end, though, a new baby was born and I couldn't resist starting a whole new project especially for her.  Sorry for the tease but all will be revealed tomorrow.  In the meantime, I'll give you two clues - it is a quilt and it was inspired by a pin on my Pinterest board.  ;)

I know, I know, I've left you hanging.  To quell your anger, and to make the wait a little less long, be sure to head over to see all the fabulous items being linked up to Le Challenge, especially this most amazing, gorgeous, special ring cushion that Lucy made for little old me.  Talk about lucky!  I am beyond chuffed!!!  Thank you Lu.  I love it.  x

Til tomorrow...

E.

TGIFF - Rainbow Star Quilt

I have finally finished a baby quilt, for a gorgeous little miss born in January.

This project took so long as I was a complete stresshead about it all and unpicked umpteen times.  Duh!  Infact, it started off HUGE but then got trimmed down to result in...

... 40" x 40" of rainbow star loveliness.  Each colour is from last year's new Kona colour range - teamed with Kona White.

Don't worry, though, I've saved the trimmed sides for another project.  Stay tuned!

Quilting is quite minimalistic with straight lines spaced 1" apart on the white and no actual quilting anywhere on the star (though I did stitch in the ditch between the colours and around the star itself).

Fun spots on the back, teamed with a gorgeous rainbow / spotty fabric for the binding.  I love this little touch and was super excited to discover it hidden in my stash.  Thankfully, too, I had just enough.  Meant to be, me thinks!

E.

Linking up with TGIFF, this week hosted by the lovely Laura.

WIP - Let's Catch Up

As promised yesterday - I'm baaaack.  In truth I haven't actually been anywhere but whenever I'm online it seems to be to organise our wedding and, thus, my poor little blog has a few nasty cobwebs.  Massive apologies!

Saying that, though, I have still managed a few crafty projects in between party planning, including...

JUST MY TYPE BLOCKS

To help Kristy test her fabulous new Just My Type paper pieced alphabet patterns a few of us joined forces to make up some encouraging words for a charity quilt.

For an update on "Fontastic" be sure to check out Kristy's recent post.  LOVE!!

SCRAPPY TRIPPING BLOCKS

For March's blocks in the do.good.stitches Care circle, Jane chose Scrappy Tripping blocks in seaside colours of greens, aquas and turquoise mixed with low volume neutrals.

I have discovered that scrappy isn't really my thing but am keen to see how this one turns out.

TIPPE(N?)CANOE BLOCKS

After seeing Lucy's gorgeous block from the How Far Will You Go? QAL I had to jump in and make a few for myself.  Of course, "a few" turned into 9.

Original plan for this was a pillow / cushion cover but I'm now leaning towards a quilt.  Hmm...

OWL CROSS STITCH

Our mechanic / friend and his wife recently welcomed a new bub into their little family - a much anticipated girl.  As I knew the mum was super excited about the chance to decorate in pink, after having two boys previously, and had chosen owls as her nursery's theme, I went with a sweet little framed cross stitch.

I found the free cross stitch chart here and then just played around with a few different fonts for the name.  Admittedly, I'm a little bit chuffed with how this one turned out.  It's just a shame that I seem to have misplaced my camera charger and, thus, only have crappy phone pics to share.  Boo!

PLUS QUILT

Speaking of owls - this is also the theme chosen for my niece-to-be's nursery.  Of course, I have to make her a quilt and when I saw these adorable owl and flower fabrics by Ann Kelle I couldn't resist basing my whole colour palette around them.

I've wanted to try a plus quilt for ages so bringing that all together I've come up with...

I'm currently working on the back and hope to have this one finished by the end of the month.  Ha!

BIRDS IN THE AIR QUILT

I started this one in January - with the hope to send it to Jess and her Tasmania Bush Fire Quilt Appeal.

It was rather simple to put together - it it consists of four orphan Birds in the Air blocks from a swap I used to be a member of.  I then added another splash of colour with some orange binding.  Fun!

This little baby (and by little I mean just 24" square) is now on her way to Tassie.

SECRET QUILT

I'm also making another quilt for a special little girl who has been patiently waiting for over two months now.  Luckily her Mum knows I'm a complete weirdo and stresshead and can just laugh at me when I admit to a few unpicking sessions.

Never fear - I'll get there!  ;)

LE CHALLENGE

Lastly... whew... I've also jumped on board of Lucy and Nat's fabulous new Le Challenge.  This month's theme is "geometrics" and has certainly got the cogs turning.  Check it out by clicking the button below and join in the fun.

Ok, I'm out of breath after all that so time it's probably time to shush and get back to some wedding planning.  Less than 5 weeks til the big day.  Wowsers!

E.

Linking up at Freshly Pieced

Claiming...

I can not believe that 2 months have passed since my last post - and WOWSERS - so much has been happening.  One of the crazier pieces of news is the closure of Google Reader so, in the interests of staking a claim on Bloglovin...

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I promise to be back tomorrow to show you that I haven't been a complete slacker during the time I was awol.  ;)

E. 

WIP - Blocks, Blocks and More Blocks

I don't know what it is about the new year but at the moment I seem to be in a serious clean-out mode when it comes to all my unfinished projects or bee commitments.  So... this week, in particular, I have been concentrating on various bee blocks.

First up is some AMH feather blocks for Lara in the Quilt Club Australia bee.  Admittedly these were due last month but I got a little behind as these drove me completely bonkers and ended up sitting on my table half-done for weeks.  I am definitely not feeling the love.

Lara asked for feathers in pink, orange and yellow, with a black centre and a grey background.  These blocks are large (18" x 9") but, for some strange reason, my first attempt came up a little short.  ARGH!

So I tried again and managed to come away with two half-decent blocks.  I've made two as I stupidly offered to make Laura's for her... and I'll send off the original smaller one as well with the hope that it can be used on the back or some such.  Even though they are pretty, I can't say I'll be sorry to see the back of these.

With the end of 2012 I've now retired from the QCA Bee and have instead turned my attention to the do.good.stitches Care circle.  I am stupidly excited to be a part of this fantastic cause.

For January the new hostess with the mostess, Kristy, requested Charm Stars (using this tutorial) in blues and aquas.  I was happily surprised to discover that I do have a few blues in my stash, so was able to create two blocks with completely different fabrics.

These stars came together quickly and easily and, after seeing all the pictures popping up in the flickr group, I can not wait to see the assembled quilt.  Great block choice, Kristy!

Surprisingly, February's block has already been announced so I jumped right in and got them done, while I was in the mood.  Eva-Marie asked for improvisational aeroplane blocks (using this tutorial) in blues and greens, with touches of red, orange and/or yellow to spice things up.

These were fun to put together and allowed a little creativity as far as shapes, sizes, placements etc.  Each block is the same at 11.5" x 11.5" - but I like how different they look.  The small, stripey version is definitely my favourite.  I think this quilt will be very interesting and I am intrigued at how Eva-Marie is going to pull it all together.  Will definitely keep an eye on this project.

Lastly, I recently re-discovered these orphan Birds in the Air blocks from when I was a part of the Quilt Block Swap Australia group and thought they'd be perfect sewn together and made into a little charity quilt.  Timing for this couldn't have been more apt as Jess has recently put a call-out for donations to those affected by the terrible bushfires in Tasmania, Australia so I plan to get this quilted asap and sent across country.

For more information on how you can help this cause, then please, please, please read this post.

I'm off now to start quilting.  No idea what I'm going to do but something should come to mind.  Ahh!  ;)

E.

 

 
Linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.