Monkey. N.Round

Started well over a year ago... I am completely lost for inspiration with this bunch! I've changed my mind soo many times on what pattern to use... I am now either considering a snowball quilt or a sawtooth star quilt. Please feel free to offer up you 2 cents :)

Oh Mr Postman...

"Please Mister Postman look and see,

Oh yeah,

If there's a letter in your bag for me,

Please, please Mister Postman,

Why's it takin' such a long time,

Oh yeah...."

That verse by The Carpenter's has been playing in my head everyday I check the mail box. LOL. (My mum was a fan!)

Only 1 birthday parcel has arrived so far!!! It was the last order I made on Etsy but the first to arrive. Go figure!

Ordered from this store here on Etsy my yummy parcel of Heather Ross Mendocino also came with a an extra pile of lovelies

The service was super quick and the fabric was beautifully presented upon arrival! Aren't those wee gnomes adorable? They'll be used eventually in a red/aqua quilt I think...

I can't wait to get started on this quilt for me! I am thinking of making a Mendocino hexagon quilt for me now that I finally have the right triangle ruler! What do you reckon?

There is still some more Mendocino to arrive! Hopefully on Monday!! There won't be a lot of sewing done next week though, my brother-in-law is having open heart surgery on Wednesday so we're on kidlet/meal duty... but I might try sneak some in!!

Happy sewing!

The start of a new collection (read obsession)...

The problem with Flickr and blog land is that I get to see what a lot of really clever people make. And their fabric stash. Georgia

always makes beautiful quilts, often using gorgeous reproduction prints. I popped by my LQS (which I try to avoid because it makes me covet) this evening on my way to buy some lemonade for the DP who has "a bug in his tummy" (Dr Ollie's assessment). We were walking past and I thought it would be rude not to pop in - the lady who owns the store is lovely :) and patient.

In the window display she had some lovely reproduction prints. This one took my fancy. I was firstly drawn to the colour because I've chosen orange for my bridesmaid. And the print was very cute too. It also comes in a nice yellow and blue. Plus she had a bunch of other coordinates. Pity that! So I left with only 1 FQ. The start of my reproduction collection which I will use to make a nine patch. Hope ya don't mind Georgia?!

But before I can begin, I really need to sort out my craft space. This is the state of my dining room table. This is what happens when the table becomes a dumping/nesting ground for everything. It's probably why my crafty mojo is on strike. Or it could be that it's been a very long week with the DP being away 3 nights and who is sick :( Fortunately Gus slept through the night (first time in 3 weeks) again last night! BLISS! Now to get Ollie to do the same...

Hope you're all having a happy week with plenty of sewing to be had :) I am hoping that my birthday fabric stash will arrive tomorrow!!! Please Mr Postman! Please! Check back to see my new additions :)

Banned: From Etsy and Fabric Sites

I have no self control. I am hereby banning myself from Etsy (except to order our wedding invitations).

My DP gave me the go ahead to buy some fabric for my birthday and Mother's Day. He gave me a very generous limit. I was so excited. It was want I desperately wanted. After hours of searching mindlessly online, I came across a bundle of Mendocino. I wasn't quilting when this line came out but I sure wish I was! It is so sweet and pretty. I bought it immediately. With a few extra FQ's of Monalulu (?) for odd projects - they looked as though they'd fit well in my stash.

But unfortunately, my desire to have more overpowered my brain and before I even realised I added some more to my cart tonight! Oooh.... so naughty!!!!!! This will be the first quilt I make that will be for me! I am planning on making a decent sized quilt for the end of our bed. Not sure what pattern to use yet - open to suggestions... I am considering a hexagon quilt as I've bought the rulers but am yet to make something with them!

Anyway, so there you have it. I am banned from buying more fabric (except for Colorful Christmas by Riley Blake - I wish that would hurry up!)... And I am considering selling my bundle of Nicey Jane fat quarters? Any takers?
Happy Sewing!

Wheels Quilt Finished

I finished this quilt last week but haven't had a moment to post completed pictures...

I love this print for the backing... I see it's available in flannel... oh what cute PJ's that would make. Or cot sheets. I am restraining myself! Truly!!

Happy Sewing everyone!

In the making...

This wee quilt inspired by Allison's Hunky Dory baby quilt is for a special little man Asher. This quilt will be making it's way to the USA soon for a Kiwi family living in Nebraska while their wee daughter waits for a transplant. I saw Aria's story on an episode of Attitude a few weekends ago. Having little children, it really affected me. Someone had kindly made Aria a beautiful little quilt, but her little brother Asher didn't have one of his own... so here is his in the making. Fortunately having two wee boys I have a bunch of bright and cheerful boy prints. As you can see I have a few more blocks to make!

You should check out Aria's story if you have a moment. She's one very brave little girl. And her parents are amazing too.

The boys and I went to the park on the weekend... here they are having a bunch of fun together...

Need to take the plunge... to learn to FMQ!

So a wee while ago I took a stippling class at my LQS. It was not successful. In fact, I came out thinking that stippling was not for me. I love the effect I just couldn't quite master the actual doing.

But the budget buster (aka the DP) and I are going over the books tonight and I know he's going to say no more LAQ unless it's absolutely necessary. So I *need* to improve my machine quilting! I am ok if it's straight line stitching and I can masking tape out my lines to quilt against, but FMQ is beyond me...

So I desperately need all your top tips and stories! Please let me know how you do it! Do you draw the pattern on first? Or just go for gold? How do you keep the stitches even and get nice curves?

I am thanking you a bunch in advance!!