Some projects and photos

Olivia's quilt

I have nearly finished the top of Olivia's quilt with only one more side of the boarder and then the binding to sew before it's ready to sew the batting and backing.

When I laid the quilt out on the bed to take a photo Charlie jumped straight up onto the bed and sat right on top of the quilt. He seems to think he is the official quilt tester.

Jacinta's Blue Willow Quilt

I couldn't wait to start the Blue Willow quilt so last night after tacking all the material onto the templates I sewed one of the triangle blocks together. I love the fabrics and am pleased that I went for the large squares so that each fabric design can be seen. With the blocks being so large compare to my other quilts it will probably take less time to sew this quilt than Olivia's.

My peg bag
I have been wanting to make a peg bag for months as I don't like the plastic ones and the material ones either rip or are too small.

I go to Brink, a craft group on Tuesday mornings so along with another lady I cut off a pattern and we made a peg bag each. Apart from making the hole at the front too big I am happy with my new peg bag. The bag had it's first workout today and held together so that was good.

It was fun making the peg bag - maybe I will make some more for presents ..

Siobhan's birthday present

My niece, Ruth made beautiful folios for her girls for Christmas. I saw the pattern at the quilt shop a few weeks and remembering how lovely Ruth's were I decided to try and make one for Siobhan for her 4th birthday.

A Blue Willow quilt for Jacinta

I have started on another quilt which I am calling my 'Blue Willow' quilt. This quilt will eventually be for my niece Jacinta.

Over the past year and a half I have been collecting blue and white material and now have enough to make it into a quilt.

I found two patterns that I liked of which one was called 'Blue Willow' and the other 'Memories of Provence. Deciding on which pattern to use was hard. I liked the idea of making the Blue Willow quilt as it matched my material selection but with the pattern pieces being small you wouldn't see the bigger patterns on the material.

I've decided to use the 'Memories of Provence' quilt pattern. It is a simpler quilt but with it's large blocks (9 inch 23cm square) it will show the designs on the fabric. I have some navy blue and white material for the triangles.

I've cut out the fabric, cardboard templates and have started to tack the fabric onto the cards.

With the large blocks I think this quilt will be very quick to sew.

I love making all my quilts but the fabric in this quilt is probably my favourite.

Olivia's quilt 'Pretty in Pink'

I can't believe how fast I've sewn Olivia's quilt. I have sewn all the blocks together and have now started the first boarder. Having the fabric already provided and cut into squares saves so much time. I love the minke fabric used in the quilt - especially the rich deep pink colors and the softness of the minke fabric.

I am waiting for an operation on my hands. I have been diagnosed with 'severe carpal tunnel' syndrome which is causing me quiet a bit of pain, especially at night and aching in my hands and arms during the day. Since Christmas I have been finding it increasingly hard to sew as my hands go numb but I've kept sewing as much as I can. I have to have both hands operated on but will have the right hand done first as it's causing me the most grief.

It will be so good to have the operation however it will mean that I wont be able to sew for a few weeks afterwards which I am not looking forward to.