to a new suburban block:
Nothing like a challenge - laugh with me, or I’ll cry! So there may be a distinct lack of ‘bloom’ photos for a while. The good news is that the Botanic Gardens are close by, so I may have to visit there for my flower ‘fix’ for now. Hope to be back stitching soon. Love to everyone, Bloom.
This lovely thing arrived for me yesterday from a special friend. It was stitched for me as a most thoughtful gift in sympathy for the passing of my Dad last year. The sentiment, "Flowers for pleasure, memories to treasure" is just perfect.
Thank you Wendy - I just love it. I especially love all those tiny french knots on the ric rac - very impressive!
I am wondering whether it is as obvious to others as it is to me that Wendy has Dutch heritage. Perhaps it is the blue & white theme, but there is something very dutch about this cushion in my mind. I have several good friends with Dutch parents & The Netherlands has a special spot in my heart.
This is my progress on a what will be a particularly slow, but very satisfying project. I am making these blocks at times when I am busy & have little time to sew, but just need a little 'fix' at the sewing machine. The blocks are made entirely from my scraps. I was inspired by this quilt from Crazy Mom Quilts who in turn was inspired by Melly & Me's scrappy cabin challenge. There will be something very satisfying about creating a quilt from 'nothing'.
This is block 1 of many of a quilt for the boy in my life! I would like to get it finished before he thinks it is 'uncool' - he is nine, so I don't have too long! The pattern is called 'Tim's Things' and is by Anni Downs of Hatched & Patched. It has very cute stitcheries of 'boy stuff' like frogs & tractors & cricket bats.
This little number has been in progress for some time. It is a wonderful design by Carey Golledge and was published in Australian Homespun #36. It is called 'Memories of Heathcliff' and is made from Moda's Wuthering Heights fabric range. Why am I stalling on this one? Those dreaded pinwheel blocks will not behave & I am stumped on borders!
I bought this lovely kit almost exactly 12 months ago, and call it my 'Just Because' quilt, just because it was pretty & I liked it (a 50% off price tag also helped)! It is the first kit I have ever purchased.
The blocks are done and it is high on my 'to do' list as it shouldn't take too long to finish - famous last words!!
The only Hardy novel I have read is 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' which I studied at school. I remember it being unlike anything I had ever read and was dark & disturbing, but entrancing - I couldn't put it down, wondering what could possibly happen next. It would be interesting to read it again all these years later.
My version of "My Dolly" Kinder bag
and "My Dolly" Lollie.
And dollies must be comfortable, so I made a little pillow to match. The heart stitchery is from a Bareroots pattern called Flower Quilt #51.
This is a cot quilt made for my niece and is a simple stitchery design by Sue Brennan of Weigela Design who I have previously mentioned here and here. Unfortunately, her designs are not available online, but I can email an address and phone number to any Australian girls who are interested. She could certainly do phone orders within Australia.
Hopefully, clicking on the images will show you more detail of the stitchery designs.
My Mum is quilting-a-long nicely and loving every minute of it, even flirting with the idea of buying more background fabric to make extra blocks - go Mum!
This is one of my most favourite roses & is called 'Seduction', a romantic, girly blend of the softest pink & pearly cream, and frilly to boot.
That significant wedding anniversary has come about quickly (yes, it's today) so perhaps a vase full of 'Seduction' roses is appropriate! Be assured, the champagne is ice cold & I am promised something yum for dinner.
You won't be surprised to learn that the 'Love Quilt' has not progressed very far. I will have to sign up for May Britt's WISP challenge I think!
We are waiting with bated breath for the hot, hot summer we are used to here in Australia. The temperatures have been kind so far, mostly mid to high thirties (celsius) but we usually have a few weeks of well over 40 degrees at this time of year. "Bring it on - we can take it" ... she declares boldly from the comfort of an air-conditioned home!
Some years ago now, I made this teddy bear swag for the newborn son of one of my good friends. I have to say he was not quite so 'newborn' when he finally received this gift! Perhaps 2008 will see me put some 'pep in my step' & finish projects more quickly? Hmmm, probably not!
How cute are these teddies? The pattern is by Buzzy Bee Buttons and is called 'Teddy Line up Swag'.
This was a joint project with a lovely friend of mine that we stitched together about three years ago, and was a gift for a mutual & special friend. It is Bareroots Cozy Table Runner #101. We had such fun putting this together & made enthusiastic and rash promises that we would each make one for ourselves one day, but of course, we haven't!
