First up, up table runner designed by Leanne Beasley from Under the Mulberry Tree stiching club.  You can imagine my delight when the parcel arrived and the fabric was from Rosalie Quinlin that I have used around the canvas stitcheries.  Now the table runner can go in my daughter’s bedroom too. 

As mentioned in my last post, I purchased Rosalie’s new book and just had to get cracking and make this one.

Feeling the urge for a bit of Christmas, I made up ‘Five Golden Rings’ a pattern by Material Possessions.  I made mine in reds and greens.  The stitching took quite a while to do, but then they came together quite quickly.  I much prefer the smaller rings, I think they sit better – so may not use the larger ones.

Firstly, ‘Your Way Home’ by Rosalie Quinlan - a cute stichery put over a small canvas, the fabric is from also from Rosalie’s new fabric range (not yet out) – this one is now hanging in my 3yo daughter’s room.

  This is a little sewing bag ‘Precious Things’ by Leanne Beasley.

Of course while I was there, I just had to look at the patterns on offer and purchased yet another bag pattern – “Marie’s Roses Carry Bag” by Leanne Beasley.  I adapted the pattern a little, by putting pockets on both sides of the bag (instead of only one side), used a different fabric for the inside, and put on a shoulder strap instead of carry handles.  It’s a great size, 49cm (19″) x 36cm (14″).  The fabrics I used on the outside pockets (roses) and the inside (spots) were of a heavier weight fabric which I think worked really well for a bag this size.  I love it!

I’m off to the Quilts in the Barn (Wonga Park, Vic) tomorrow to meet up with my girlfriends to do our first swap of the dresden plate blocks …. of course in preparing these I just had to get some more fabrics – and here they are.

And what else have I been doing….. oh, 3 days of work, family stuff, sewing the above of course and a bit of gardening last weekend.  I got my husband to make me some new garden beds for my strawberries – probably was I had to dig them all up first (and de-weed them), then plant them all again …. all 230+ of them!  I originally started off with just 3 plants a few years ago and they just kept having babies (off shoots), they are the yummiest strawberries – Hokowase is the type.  Mum and I swear by them, you can even eat them when they are just starting to colour up.  Now I just need to get back out there and set up my netting.

My block prefrence is for a 20 petal dresden (I’ll do the centre’s when I get all of the blocks back and decide on a fabric to suit all), but being the over-achiever or the person that just can’t stop at the one small task, I’m thinking I’ll make some blocks during this time and turn what would be a 9 block lapquilt into a queen size bed quilt, as I’ve still not managed to get one finished for my own bed yet.  Now I’ve just worked out I’ll need to make about 36 blocks!!!!  Think I’ll just keep cutting petals and then sew when the mood takes.

First there was fabric, then samples were made, and now the block kit swaps are made up too!

This week I also received my first parcel of the “It Takes Two” BOM.  So again the preparation has started – I’ve never done paper piecing before, it seems easy enough, just more preparation!

Have also signed up for a new BOM from Sue Daley called “It Takes Two” because I need a nice surprise in the mailbox – am waiting on the first package.

Have been working solidly on Floral Beauty, but still many blocks to go. 

Have caught up with Gail Pan’s A Christmas Wish  BOM.

Have done a Rosalie Quinlan stitchery from her book Gift, just need to frame this, am thinking over doing it over canvas. 

Have also had to make a book character costume for my 8yo son for school next week.  He’s going to be Prince Caspian from Narnia. 

Morrell Quilt – I’m a bit over it (have been the last couple of months) so I’ve decided it’s going to be a generous single bed quilt.  I’ve sewn all the blocks made together and left space for the ones left and then there will be the border to do.  If you would like a closer look at the individual blocks have a look under the Morrell tab.

Dear Jane – have sewn up a few more blocks that were already cut out (need to cut out some more for when I’m in the mood for DJ).  I’ve put these all under the DJ tab.  I’ve also been working on a DJ cross stitch.  Silly me forgot that I was suppose to do this over two threads – but it’s been so long since I’ve done any I did it over one thread on 25 count aida – it’s a strain on the eyes!  The pattern is called “Quilt Sampler VI” by Linda Myers, I purchased this on a trip to Maldon from The Village Patch.

Girls Day Out Weekend – Attend a lovely weekend stitching with 80+ women hosted by Country Thyme in Mooroopna with Rosalie Quinlin, Melly and Leanne Beasley.  Country Thyme is a lovely shop with lots of goodies, and a great range of fabrics and patterns.  We got a great show bag with about 9 patterns from these three designers, I also bought kits for a couple of them.  I’m please to advise that I’ve finished Rosalie’s bag and needlecase, and have stitched one of  Leanne’s doilies.  I’ve really caught the stitching bug and am keen to do some more now.

Topiary Trees Cross Stitch – I’m loving working this in one colour, sorry but I can’t find the orginal link for this freebie pattern.

Floral Beauty – This is my last project…. I’m loving working on 6 1/2 ” blocks for a change.  This pattern is by Irene Blanck, and is sold through the gorgeous Threadbear quilt shop.  I’m using a mix of fabrics but quite a few are from Blackbird’s “Beach House” range.

Bags – this is one of my all time favourites

The quilt was started way back in response to the 2006/07 Victorian bushfires (which were our worst on record, till this year).  My friend Vikki and I went through our stashes for fabric and got some work collegues together and taught them how to make Ohio Star blocks.  Some of them hadn’t even sewn before so it was quite an effort, but they did really well.  Our intention was to donate the quilt to another employee who is a CFA volunteer – our wish was for them to raffle the quilt to raise money for that CFA brigade.  Both Vikki and myself have long since left the organisation, but have continued to pull the quilt together.  Now in light of this year’s bushfires they may decided to raffle it themselves to donate money ….. as I’m no longer an employee of the organisation I’ll leave it up to them.  My other wonderful friend Julie (of Jules Quilting 0402 497745  Mitcham, Vic.) donated her quilting service and only charged us cost for the batting and thread.  Here it is…  184cm square