Stash Shopping

All the local quilt stores are closed for the Christmas New Year season here in Sydney.  It's summer and taking just a small portion of annual leave coupled with paid holidays gives most families and small businesses a nice break.

What does all this have to do with quilting you ask? It's a quiet time; perfect for prepping a project for the New Year. Ah the dilemma where can I get a jelly roll for the Potato Chip Quilt?

Shop Your Stash

The final result of searching my stash. A couple extra strips than in a standard jelly roll because my stash didn't have enough full WOF pieces. Also I needed to balance the light, medium and dark tones as suggested by Kay in her tutorial for a variation of the basic quilt.

    Thank you all dear friends for sharing 2011*!*!  Wishing you all a Happy New Year.  Terry

Christmas Magic

A three day visit from the grandchildren brought wonderful memories.

Cadel playing leggo under the Christmas tree.

Cadel and Grampa went to the car wash and Cadel returned with this beautiful "Merry Christmas Grama" bunch of roses. He choose the pinky ones and watched them open slowly for the next couple of days. The last afternoon of his stay he commented. I guess they will be gone when I come on Christmas.

I told him " yes but I will dry the petals" I was rewarded with a smile to treasure. 

May you all have moments to treasure.  Terry

Home at Christmas

Welcome to my house. I'd like to start the tour in the lounge room .

A bit of a red and white theme

Gifts to share with the family.  Turn around 180 degrees

Take three steps up the stairs for a closer look                                                                          

The Nativity Set of Mary Joseph and the Christ child was shipped in the trunk we sent in 1971 when we migrated. The animals are from a toy store called Playways. Shepards and kings made from dolly pegs by my Dearest Wayne.

Traditions give us memories of good times past and let us share new times with family and friends.

Sharing with all of you brings joy to my life . You are all friends who are so willing to share.  Stop and enjoy this weekend.

Hugs  Terry 

Christmas Markets

A trip to the Eveleigh Markets held in the former NSW Railway workshops.

A grey rainy day and we even had hail while on the train into Redfern.

Bright Banners greeted us as we entered the Artisans Christmas Market.

I like the grid pattern of this banner by the children who are members of the local Police Citizens Youth Club.

They were out selling decorated cupcakes.

The visitors browsing laughing and shopping at the Artisans Market.

I had a good adventure Enjoy the upcoming weekend  Terry

First Ever Blog Swap

Last post at 5p.m. yesterday the Postie on his motorbike left this....a parcel.

It was from Stacey in Darwin my partner in the very first blog swap I've participated in.  Share my excitement as I open my parcel.

Wonderful Tree Quilt made with selvage background and 15 min play tree. But WAIT there's more....

Twelve Days of Christmas panel. I think this might be the start of a Yule Fest quilt.  Well that gives me until June to get something done. No pressure now.

Thanks to Stacey for being so generous and to Victoria at Bumble Beans for suggesting and organising such a fun quilting.

I had so much fun making my quilt to swap and getting a Parcel in the Post.

Everyone enjoy your weekend the first in this festive season.  A Hug to everyone Terry

My First Blog Swap Second Instalment

Dear friends this is the part of the previous post I forgot.

Dah! well if it was a swap (see previous post) then I did something as well.

Ta Da!

I really liked all the critters looking out for ?  SANTA ? well maybe.

Just like any child at Christmas I forgot to take very many pictures. Ah! no damage. 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend  Terry

On the Fence

A finished top from the stash photographed in the dappled light of the afternoon.

I enjoyed this quick quilt. It will find a home in the new year. I'm sure it will keep someone warm and happy.

Have a good day tomorrow and tomorrow  Terry

Saffron Craig in Magic Land

Saffron Craig has waved her magic wand over Magic Lands. Saying the magic word " Red and Pink" and quick as a wink a rosy blush appears.

The landscape invites you to play... cut and rearrange  

The dandelions promise wishes will come true.

Visit for more magic and a give away .

A Fuzzy Blankie for Basics

A fuzzy Blankie or what to do on a 36-C day in Sydney.

Stitch a blankie for Basics

Yup yesterday was a hot day with wind to match. The sort you hope there are no fires and stay inside.

I retired to the sewing room with fan ,ice water and a pile of squares.

I was gifted enough flannel sometime earlier this year for a blankie (read small loved quilt).

The quantity was clearly intended for a rag quilt. It's a technique I hadn't tried before and decided the Basics Quilt drive would make a great home for one. It's 10-C and temperatures are dropping for winter there.

Started stitching at 11am and finished at 5pm with stops for lunch and the exciting parts of the Presidents Cup. (golf a DH thing).

I clipped the edges during two episodes of Big Bang followed by The Closer.  Yeah all older episodes on fox but it gives you an idea of how long it took. 

Stitching and clipping time I figure 5-6hrs. I think that's well spent time learning a new technique and having a gift of warmth and love for someone.

The Basics Blankie is in the washing machine fluffing up. Finished result photo before being posted to the Big Apple.

There's time left to support the quilt drive. My first quilt only took 10 days to arrive in N.Y. form Sydney. Check out the details here.

 Off to hang up the washing (giggle).  Have a great week  Terry 

Secret Sewing

I am quietly stitching  But can only show peeks as it's the secret sewing done at this time of year. You guessed it presents and surprises to soon be posted as tokens of friendship.

 The small gifts you make sometimes last a long time. Here's one I can share.

I made a small calico bag with a shoelace cord for DH about 35 years ago. It was modeled after the marble bags I made my brothers when I was young (at least a half century ago). 

The red shape on the yellow square is a visual pun. It is worn as evidenced by worn holes on the tag and bag. I just love that my Dear One still uses it for his golf tees. A very small bit of Christmas stitching still in use is a thank you all the time. 

  No wonder I like this time of year and gifts from the heart. 

Sending you all warm wishes as I return to secret stitching.  Terry

Idea

I have an idea for the quilt using the medallion print from Mulhouse.

I'm going to use the klosjes I stitched last year for the first and second round . I need to make 5 more klosjes ...off to stitch.

Have a good week.  Terry

A Day at the Museum

No stitching this week due to surgery and a lot of laying about. BUT I have a plan and your invited to travel to Mulhouse in Alsace with me and see the beginnings of my idea.

Arriving after an early start by train.

Stroll across the canal to the Museum of Printed Textiles

A day learning to use wooden blocks from the museum's collection.

Making choices and getting ready to print

A wonderful lunch prepared by Celine. The young artist who helped me with the adventure. We even used dinnerware designed for the museum.

Lots more printing   Celine adding a couple more in empty spaces. I was worn out by now.

Two meters of quilters muslin printed with blocks from the textile museum. After lunch I realised I would cut up this fabric so trying to get edges to meet wasn't necessary. I just enjoyed the printing.

My plan I am going to use this small piece of printing for the center of a medallion quilt.  Progress reports to come.

My day of printing at the museum was wonderful. As quilters we all have our own stories about our quilts and this is a story that will return many time over.


Have a good weekend where ever you are.  Terry

All That's Left

A day of cutting left me with this small pile of crumbs.

I measured and cut to make up 4 kits.

I'm getting some easy sewing ready for the next couple of weeks.

These little parcels will be surprises so updates will have to be without photos.

 Have you started your Christmas list.I remember lots of homemade gifts over the years.

Enjoy your memories  Terry

A Passing Comment

 A casual comment among like minded women went something like this
          
 " it would be nice to have a quilt made for when you need one"

A rummage in the STASH SHOP found:

stripe from a pair of pedal pushers made in the 80's by one DD for the other DD

lower left a skirt that never got a zipper  sometime in the last decade

upper left op shop yardage

upper right leftover yardage from a finished quilt

Drum roll !!!

quilt top measuring 56"sq.

more stash shopping and a pieced back

the only purchase was the spots for edges and binding.

I even have a pieced batting ready to go  AND I learned a new technique while making this bright fun top.

not sure what the technique is called but you only sew part of the seam to start and finish stitching it when the finale part of the block is inserted.

While taking photos I caught some circles lurking among the the flowers

Wall Flowers

bedhead

 wall covering  you could hardly call this silk embroidery wall p----.

in Marie Antoinette's room.

not quite homey enough for me to be comfortable.

It's been a busy week and I am now going to spend the morning stitching.  Hope you all have a good day    Terry