itchin to get stitchin

all in a weekend

2012-02-05T17:47:00.005+09:30

to console myself for the unsold house and putting our business plan/dreams on hold,

I set about the business of a proper design wall, way better than the old wadding hanging on a pole which I used to have. It's 2.3 metres high and 2.4 metres wide. I purchased 2 sheets of polystyrene foam and we glued the sheets together, covered the foam with wadding and velcro-ed it to the wall. I love it - it's perfect

as are our chandeliers

a decadent purchase really, considering the huge private school fee account I recently recieved but the lights are truely beautiful and make me smile. Gretel picked the light for her room and since our ceilings are quite low and I couldn't have the hanging chandelier I wanted, I got the same one for our room.

I wish I could knit like this ...

2012-01-31T10:22:00.001+09:30

knitted by my friend Christine

in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashermino

hand piecing

2012-01-26T14:38:00.003+09:30

hand piecing therapy

Liberty new and old

2012-01-03T11:19:00.004+09:30

I'm enjoying two weeks off work - going to the gym in a leisurely fashion, not having to rush before/after work, and this morning, a walk on the beach with the dogs - and some sewing too.

hearts

2011-12-28T12:44:00.004+09:30

I love this cardigan so much I could frame it and put it on the wall to look at for inspiration

but I'll settle for looking at it on Gretel
this is my quilt of Keiko Goke's fabric

and inspired by Keiko's books, where hearts are featured often, I'm quilting hearts in Perle 8 cotton

(I hope you can see the detail)

this will be an ongoing project as I really want the quilting to stand out over and above the bold fabrics

6 Christmas Quilts

2011-12-26T09:54:00.001+09:30

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas !

update

2011-12-21T10:03:00.001+09:30

Christmas Socks

2011-12-15T08:34:00.003+09:30

I have just started these little crochet Christmas Socks by Lemondedesucrette. A more recent post on her blog shows a garland of socks which I'm aiming to make for next Christmas.

2011-12-07T07:34:00.005+09:30

I just popped in to show you some photos of my recent quilting adventures before we go celebrate Charlotte's 19th birthday today and another huge milestone - she is leaving home to share a house with friends - a very emotional time. oh, and did I mention more cleaning - someone viewing the house this afternoon - a busy day ahead - glad I have today off work!

I love hearts - these blocks are easy and lots of fun in Kaffe's shot cottons and Keiko Goke fabric

binding done - and it went off to a new home

below: a quilt for our Japanese exchange student who will come to stay with us in February

loving my Charlotte - her 19th birthday and the day she leaves home for the first time

2011-11-25T20:23:00.004+09:30

I picked this quilt up from my quilter (Sharon of Just Quilting) today. I love it. I finished the top ages ago and then promised it to one of Charlotte's friends. I'm a bit sad to see it go. The fabrics are mainly Keiko Goke and Kaffe.

2011-11-25T17:04:00.005+09:30

My sewing table is in storage as we are selling not one, not two but three properties right now to put all our eggs into one basket - a commercial basket. Our first Home Open is tomorrow! I've been busy this week trying to get a couple of quilts finished before my things had to be packed away.

With regard to stitchy matters - have you seen this amazing book? It's one of the most beautiful books I've every seen - it's Japanese of course.

see the intricate applique ?

and here is Keiko Goke's amazing book Quilt Wonderland - very rare I think as

I had to ask a lovely person in Japan to get a second-hand copy for me!

and here's a picture of the bag for those of you who've been excited to see it!

2011-11-10T22:22:00.003+09:30

we are back from Bali - five whole days without any craft whatsoever. I definitely needed the break. I came home to a parcel of my favourite (I seriously think I love this fabric as much as Liberty) - Keiko Goke designs, Yuwa fabric - love love love

now to catch up and get back into the swing of things so I have some time for sewing

2011-11-04T08:35:00.002+09:30

we are off to Bali later today and I'm taking no craft whatsoever (I think)

maybe today I can squeeze in a little quilting though

I love nice things

2011-10-29T21:18:00.006+09:30

I love Liberty and Yuwa and Koigu

and I love Louis Vuitton too,

and since it's my 40th birthday in a few weeks,

while the Queen was giving her speech in Perth on the foreshore,

we were in the LV store in King Street,

and Jag bought me a bag and the matching bag charm

and I smiled all the way home because I love nice things

Tonight I'm hand sewing the binding of a third quilt of 6 required for Christmas time

I hope you are having as nice a weekend as I am

2011-10-25T10:45:00.003+09:30

I worked on Saturday in fabric and yarn heaven, Calico & Ivy , with the lovely Lynnie, and with all that crafty goodness inspiring me to spend the next day quilting these two little quilts. Apart from hand-sewing the binding, which I love, they are nearly done!

recent crafting

2011-10-21T09:35:00.002+09:30

a new quilt on the wall

crochet ripple in 2-ply

Princess Pom

rippling good fun !

2011-10-04T08:52:00.001+09:30

using up lots of my yarn stash

things to do when you have a cold .....

2011-09-26T16:03:00.002+09:30

quilt/bind a little quilt for a new baby in the UK

start rippling using my stash of Cascade 220, pattern thanks to Attic24

a simple granny using up my leftover cottons

buy flowers from the local farmers' market

2011-09-17T16:32:00.003+09:30

I have a new quilt on the wall - all credit goes to the Accuquilt Go Baby Cutter which I LOVE!

I have found an Australian distributor for the dies which arrive within a week!

finished quilts

2011-09-12T09:10:00.003+09:30

Gretel and I both finished quilts this weekend

Gretel did all the piecing and quilting

on this occasion I did the binding but next quilt I'd like to see if she can do it

Liberty babycord is a lovely backing fabric - so soft and warm

2011-09-10T14:24:00.008+09:30

Gretel and I are spending a much needed day at home, doing some sewing together ....

Inspired by Red Pepper Quilts and Sew Take a Hike I used the Go!Baby cutter to make a very, very small Flying Geese quilt. I really like this pattern

Go! Baby Arrival

2011-09-01T19:32:00.003+09:30

my Go! Baby arrived. I'm so excited/relieved it arrived safely. I put dinner on the stove and quickly unpacked it from its box, ironed some scrap fabric and cut 18 perfect tumblers in one go!

2011-08-29T09:17:00.002+09:30

I decided to wait no longer for my Go!Baby cutter. It's still in transit and hasn't even arrived in the country! I paid $105 for express shipping (supposed to be 3-6 days) and now two weeks later Australia Post say that parcels from the US are delayed up to a month. Lesson is - BUY LOCAL! This purchase definitely cost me more, both in time and money.

2011-08-26T18:42:00.003+09:30

I'm anxiously awaiting delivery of my Accuquilt Go! Baby & dies so no sewing - just crochet

2011-08-16T20:37:00.003+09:30

a new crochet project
another knitter in the family - Gretel's first scarf!

finished: a throw rug for the lounge - knitted in 12 ply with crochet edge

2011-08-10T09:18:00.004+09:30

starting ... Hand-pieced Liberty triangles

finished ... a quick quilt for Jag's niece

2011-08-08T09:15:00.002+09:30

here's where we found Poh after searching the house. On top of my sewing table, curled up in the quilt being quilted!

I enjoyed a crafty weekend - I taught crochet flowers at Calico & Ivy on Saturday, started and finished a cot size quilt for Jag's niece and started quilting the Liberty strippy quilt in the picture .. and then came Monday ....

Peeping Poh

2011-08-06T09:35:00.003+09:30

Charlotte's first collograph from her lessons with Magali.

Can you see peeping Poh?

Treevor's Cousin & His Friend Owl

2011-08-04T09:19:00.003+09:30

Gretel's artwork (from her lessons with Magali Dincher).

Treevor is the frangipani tree in our backyard. When Jag and Gretel played football, the frangapani tree would often "catch" the ball in his branches and they'd say "great catch Treevor". When Gretel signed her piece of art and captioned it "Treevor's Cousin & His Friend Owl" she told me the story and it made my heart sing! and how amazing that she related Treevor to the tree in her artwork .... one of those simple treasured moments.

I had it framed for Jag's birthday last week. I'll show you Charlotte's artwork tomorrow.

knitting ....

2011-08-02T08:59:00.004+09:30

this yarn is divine! it's Rowan Lima

a plaited yarn, 84% Baby Alpaca

it's so so soft and lovely to work with

flowers to be sewn on this little blankie this afternoon at knitting group

candelabra

2011-07-25T09:23:00.004+09:30

I love my new candelebra. I've never had one before.

Story goes like this: I was helping my partner look for a present for his parents' 50th wedding anniversary and I found this in David Jones. It's Villeroy and Boch and was on sale. I suggested his mum would like it. He made fun of it and said it's daggy. I bought it the next day for myself and I love it.

I love starting a new project ....

2011-07-21T11:19:00.002+09:30

and while I had the bag-making bits out

2011-07-18T09:46:00.003+09:30

I made more bags ...

another finish - I'm on a roll

2011-07-16T20:10:00.005+09:30

the latest crochet project

yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (perfect)

new Liberty

2011-07-16T20:04:00.002+09:30

Today I treated myself to some new Liberty in store at Calico & Ivy
and went home to make these two project bags

Liberty Hexagons

2011-07-15T14:36:00.002+09:30

I started this quilt about 4 year ago. It was quilted months ago and put away in a cupboard.

Today I finished the binding.

love love love

Liberty Love

2011-07-14T09:58:00.003+09:30

I love this quilt.

It's one of those projects you look at and admire and wonder - Did I really make this?

The quilting lines are only 1.3cm apart which gives it texture.

I love the different Liberty prints

I'm especially happy with my quilting.

The backing is Tatum Trail Liberty babycord.

Did I mention I love this quilt?

2011-07-12T09:48:00.001+09:30

quilting
Pom, Poh and my latest crochet project

Charlotte and Poh

2011-07-05T21:45:00.002+09:30

I've just finished a baby quilt for a friend. I'm so happy with it. The quilting is nearly perfect for a change.
the backing .... (from Calico and Ivy) perfect too

Poh found a comfortable spot on the mini computer

Art at Upmarket

2011-06-29T12:03:00.005+09:30

We are so glad we went to Upmarket on Sunday.

Charlotte spotted Magali's beautiful artwork and it was love at first sight.

Yesterday we visited her studio to pick up said artwork as well as others we couldn't bear to leave behind (more photos to come) and this afternoon Gretel and Charlotte are having their first lesson with her!!! I am very excited and so thankful for the opportunity this gives my girls.

beau est mien

2011-06-27T09:21:00.003+09:30

Purchases from Perth Upmarket

Koigu baby cardigans - just the buttons to decide on

weekend productivity

2011-06-20T09:06:00.002+09:30

a cardigan - two strands of Koigu KPPM

the start of a little Liberty quilt

2011-06-07T09:20:00.002+09:30

Buddies Underwear

2011-06-02T10:21:00.003+09:30

Whilst working, crafting, mothering, domestic-goddessing and buying very cute kittens, I have also been working on another project in conjunction with friends who thought of the idea. The product has now been launched. Take a look if you'd like: http://www.buddiesunderwear.com.au/

I've always wanted to be involved in a business but I wanted something I really believed in and a product that really was required, something important that would make a big difference to a person's life. This is that perfect product and I'm very proud to be involved.

2011-05-30T16:00:00.000+09:30

here's a better photo of Princess Pom

Po and Pom

2011-05-29T21:05:00.002+09:30

meet Po and Pom

British Short Haired Blues

our first ever cats

an early birthday present for Gretel

and an even earlier birthday present for Charlotte

(only one was planned but two came home with us)

the border

2011-05-27T20:39:00.004+09:30

I had the idea of a border of two rows of 1 inch squares but they didn't work out as planned - a result of my inaccurate sewing! Looks ok from a distance.

work in progress:

2011-05-25T18:24:00.001+09:30

back from Singapore

2011-05-21T19:45:00.003+09:30

I'm back from 8 long days in Singapore. For the first four days we enjoyed Universal Studios and endless shopping malls but on day five I could barely face venturing into the multi-storey shopping havens - filled with expensive designer shops and jewellery shops sporting 94 carat, 19 million dollar rings!

I found my strength again when, thanks to a friend who knows Singapore well and who provided me with a list of all the best spots - the very precious list I could not have done without, I visited a lovely quilt store stocking some of my favourites - Yuwa fabrics.

It's sooo good to be back

basting

2011-05-09T08:56:00.002+09:30

my least favourite stage of making a quilt - but thanks to some good advice, it went well

at last

2011-04-27T19:25:00.003+09:30

.... a cushion for the lounge

a 65cm feather insert from Ikea and some of my favourite fabrics

flower scarf

2011-04-04T09:08:00.002+09:30

39 different colours of Res Naturea Crewel Wool (coming soon to Calico & Ivy)

No 3 crochet hook

lovely Japanese flower pattern

knitted baby blankets - ALL SOLD

2011-03-28T11:12:00.005+09:30

Aren't these just lovely. They're all hand-knitted in 4ply luxury baby wool. knitted by my friend Christine. I'm surrounded by extreme craftiness, even at my office job! They are for sale too - please contact me if you are interested - they measure approximately 75 x 78cm - a perfect size for a bassinette or the pram.

in colour

2011-03-25T10:21:00.002+09:30

crochet flowers - in colour

it's finished

2011-03-23T14:16:00.003+09:30

39 flowers in all

hand-dyed crewel wool in greys/black

number 2.75 crochet hook

very happy - I'll have a colourful one to show you very soon

blocking?

2011-03-22T09:09:00.003+09:30

my first attempt at blocking - I think this is the way to do it ?

I can't wait until this afternoon when it will be ready ...

2011-03-18T19:51:00.003+09:30

my current loves ...

crochet flowers (see Attic 24 for some more delicious flowers)

this is my scarf - work in progress

Thomas Sabo: oh I love this stuff. I have managed to walk past the Thomas Sabo shop at Garden City dozens of times and last night happened to venture in. I fell in love with the little van and battled all night to convince myself that I didn't need it - I lost as you can see and at 2pm today I made the little van mine. (added to the appeal, as well as the moving wheels, it's officially registered by Volkswagon!)

a special message for Fay in the UK

2011-03-03T08:51:00.003+09:30

thank you ! it's lovely, you are very clever - the embroidery and beading are so perfect.

Christine arrived safely last night
and will be well loved and well cared for over the next couple of months.
thanks again Fay!

2011-02-25T22:12:00.002+09:30

it's soooo hot here - a heat wave of 11 days over 35 degrees I think they said on tonight's news

it zaps me of all my energy and so the things I really want to do, while I'm at work,

the things I plan for when I get home, they just haven't happened.

Today we cooled the house down from early this morning.

We left the airconditioner on all day and closed all the doors and blinds

and it was tolerable - just - and I managed to get a couple of things done

after some time spent on chores.

some knitting ....

sewed the last strip on this quilt top ....
and whipped up a bag on request - for my Charlotte who starts uni this week
another Amy Butler Nappy Bag

2011-02-21T09:12:00.003+09:30

a project for my stash of 2ply crewel,

the Japanese flower motif as blogged by Attic 24 (and those before her)....

ps: after using a 3.75 or 4.00 hook, the 2.5 feels like a toothpick in my hand!

works in progress

2011-02-08T09:09:00.000+09:30

the beginning and end

2011-02-04T16:50:00.004+09:30

the beginning:

the start of a new quilt

the end:

finishing off this little (very little) crochet hexagon rug

made with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino and Koigu Kersti

2011-01-30T10:48:00.003+09:30

I'm rearranging the house - new lounge, new sideboards, new Ikea desk for Gretel (which took 4 hours to put together!) got rid of the dining suite to create more space (lovely) and just generally clearing and cleaning. I'm working five days and just don't seem to have time for everything! In fact, the 2 Ikea sideboards and Expedit bookcase are still in boxes.

But, of course, life just wouldn't be without some crafty business.

I love the Worry Dolls pattern by Don't Look Now -

huge project - lots of work so it will be slow going.

Finally, I've started sewing the binding on this quilt

Quilts for Queensland

2011-01-16T22:20:00.003+09:30

Retro Mummy is coordinating Quilts for Queensland so this afternoon I spent some time sorting through my scrap basket, making some blocks for the quilts for donation. It feels good to make something for those who have lost so much in the devastating floods.

2011-01-09T12:26:00.002+09:30

working on a big quilt for my lovely niece baby Audrey

finishing the 3rd Liberty diamond quilt

hand sewing the binding - the best part!

my mum and baby Audrey

a hobby for Gretel

2011-01-05T20:28:00.002+09:30

2011-01-01T21:12:00.003+09:30

to make up for my recent lack of productivity and blogging , I've had a few really creative days ...

I've started on a single-size quilt for my cousin's baby...
trying my hand at embroidery with the only stitch I know - backstitch

Target had on sale the baby bodysuits I use to make gifts so I stocked up

and finished off a few more cardigans

a new year !

2011-01-01T12:55:00.003+09:30

Not only did my Charlotte turn 18 in December, but she also got her license yesterday AND scored 82.5 in her TEE. Things are certainly changing around here, counting down to a new car for her very soon and I can cut back my hours as a taxi driver !

Happy New Year to you all !

ps Yesterday I purchased a food processor and made a Victoria sandwich cake from the Kenwood recipe book ! and it worked!

2010-12-29T16:31:00.002+09:30

I love my Christmas tree and my eclectic array of ornaments

the felt babushkas are my favourites
a little bit of sewing :
with my favourite Marimekko Bo Boo

my kitchen benches are the perfect height for cutting a new quilt

and cooking too

Christmas Time

2010-12-20T09:41:00.001+09:30

I had to show you this - it was given to me by a very special friend.

The most beautiful Christmas wreath I have ever seen!

Liberty Diamonds # 2

2010-12-10T17:31:00.004+09:30

below: the back

WIP

2010-12-07T09:12:00.004+09:30

I didn't really want to cut the fabric up small but I can see now, looking at these photos, it needs to be chopped up lots smaller and sewn back together!

2010-11-30T09:44:00.005+09:30

it's a busy time of year with end of year school stuff, Charlotte's birthday next week and then Christmas. I've been sewing, not enough to blog about really, just a little of the next Liberty diamond quilt. I have been knitting though, so therapeutic, and another cardigan is nearly finished.

Charlotte graduated from high school on Monday night with second honours - ahh so proud! I've never known her to not be at school, well at least for the last 12 years. So the next journey begins. Now where is that instruction book ?

how exciting

2010-11-27T09:14:00.004+09:30

we got to mind Audrey last night for four hours -

Gretel and I held her whole time although it was hard sharing!

2010-11-24T09:09:00.002+09:30

look at my beautiful Wedgewood collection which grew 6-fold in a matter of moments,

thank you Leah!

aside from the kitchen, which has consumed our lives for the past month, I have just completed the back and front of the first commissioned Liberty Diamond quilt (I will blog photos of the finished quilt when it's back from the quilter).

I've continued to sew and knit for baby Audrey of course ..

a pram insert and a change-table mat

my kitchen!

2010-11-22T22:04:00.002+09:30

almost done except for the rangehood, blinds and little bits and pieces!

today

2010-11-17T17:08:00.002+09:30

a beautiful lunch at Incontro, South Perth,

and the start of another collection?

I love this wedgewood stuff!

for baby Audrey

2010-11-15T13:00:00.003+09:30

I was so excited at the impending birth of baby Audrey on Saturday and I wanted to buy something special for her. Next to Calico and Ivy (where I was teaching Beginner's Crochet on Saturday) is Fun Form and Function, the best ever toy shop. I love it. They have the German hand-made dolls, Kathe Kruse (drool) and Moulin Roty (love!) and the best of the best toys. I left with arms full. I have been watching this little ride-on mouse forever and finally had the perfect excuse. Her first doll - Astrid, a Miss Corolle .

2010-11-14T18:39:00.003+09:30

My neice arrived last night (Perth time) at 8.30pm! Makes my heart sing with love - my only sibling, my brother, and his partner Corine, their first baby.

Meet Audrey Violet ...

to be showered with love and gifts and lots more quilts xxx

construction has begun ..

2010-11-12T16:46:00.001+09:30

more blooming ...

2010-11-06T08:46:00.002+09:30

I can't believe these beauties are flowering in my garden. The cuttings were given to us by our neighbours when I admired one of their flowers, popping it's beautiful head over our wall. They are magnificent.

still cutting ...

2010-11-03T09:13:00.002+09:30

440 of the 634 required

2010-10-30T09:29:00.002+09:30

the kitchen is progressing while I cut one diamond from 634 different fabrics for two more Liberty diamond charm quilts. This week I estimate 15 hours spent cutting 282 fabrics - the folding/ironing takes just as much time as the cutting.

It's done ...

2010-10-25T08:58:00.007+09:30

The back ...

2010-10-24T08:55:00.002+09:30

a gift from my darling friend Leah : a necklace - so cute!

I love this Lecien range above (Sugar Flowers)

Lynnie picked some nice coordinating fabrics for me
during a quick stop at Calico & Ivy yesterday

the kitchen reno

(it's white - the blue is just the protective plastic)

for my aunt & uncle

2010-10-16T21:09:00.001+09:30

inspired by the Random Reflections quilt

2010-10-13T09:10:00.001+09:30

limited crafting time whilst in the process of a new kitchen

a good weekend

2010-10-04T19:49:00.002+09:30

yesterday I had a day at home (yay!)

quilting done and binding almost finished

2010-10-02T17:36:00.002+09:30

after the huge Liberty project I feel like working on some simple (small!) quilts.
this fun quilt design is one from http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ - love it!

the backing

2010-09-28T09:19:00.001+09:30

12 1/2 inch blocks

blowing in the wind ...

2010-09-23T09:26:00.001+09:30

the finished Liberty top - so big, so difficult to photograph!

Sunday Shopping

2010-09-19T18:58:00.002+09:30

Garage Sales: $3

David Jones: $16.50

a couple of finished quilts

2010-09-15T12:18:00.002+09:30

a quilt for the teacher

2010-09-07T09:32:00.004+09:30

One of Charlotte's favourite teachers is having a baby, a teacher who has made her TEE year just a bit more bearable, and she asked me to make her something. Charlotte doesn't often ask for anything (except itunes songs) so I was happy to oblige. Anyway, years ago Charlotte started a quilt - a scrappy log cabin - so I found it in the depths of unfinisheds and added a few more rows, quilted and bound it - it turned out fun and fabulous and her teacher was thrilled and now Charlotte understands the satisfaction one gets from giving! all happy !

my creative weekend

2010-09-06T09:01:00.004+09:30

a new quilt in progress

I like to make hats ...

welcome to the world baby James

2010-09-04T17:02:00.003+09:30

the renovations have begun!

2010-09-03T14:37:00.001+09:30

beanie therapy

2010-09-02T09:57:00.003+09:30

I have discovered the therapeutic-ness of knitting ...

7 beanies for new babes

this weekend ...

2010-08-30T15:04:00.003+09:30

I learnt how to make baby beanies !

from the book "Simple Knits for Cherished Babies"

unpicked!

2010-08-27T13:58:00.002+09:30