Trusting my Instincts!

Despite some warm Summer weather and a busy (for us!) social calendar,

I have made some progress on my swap sewing!

My totally silent partner in the zipper pouch swap will be receiving this design....

based entirely on her mosaic!

Zipper is ready and a lining possibility being auditioned too?

I hope to have this finished soon!

My FLQS partner is into solids so I have modified the original 'Spiderweb' 

block...

to look like this!

And here is an idea of how the whole mini might look!

The colours are a little 'off' in this photo!

It is almost entirely made from solids, which is challenging me somewhat!

(I just wish I had access to a better range of fabrics.)

Never mind, I intend to forge ahead and trust my instincts!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Swapping!

I have signed up for two Flick'r swaps 

which will keep me busy for the next month or so!

Firstly the Mouthy Stitches hosted by Hadley, Susan and Cindy!

I have to make a zippered pouch and send it with some scraps to my secret 

partner by the end of February!

I have used zippers in dresses and skirts before but never in a pouch....

In fact it is probably easier!

It came together pretty well, I'd probably cut the lining a little smaller next 


time to make it a better fit!

And I am thinking of maybe adding some embroidery...

I bought these transfers from the US

The second swap came as a bit of a surprise -

I have been invited to participate in the newly established

"Fab Little Quilt Swap"....

and this is what I have planned discarded so far!

The fabrics are not as dull in real life as they appear here!

I'm thinking about foundation piecing?

Or I may do something completely different!


Like this...

This one is 6 inches square

(Thanks Mary, for a great tutorial for this block!)

I'm hoping my partner (or any of my followers) comment so I can get more of


a feel or ideas of where I might go with this!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

More Stars!

Before my recent little holiday, I completed some more "Stars"!

Would you like to see them?

And another...

And one last one...

And that makes eight!

I am loving this quilt!

Why is the latest creation always the favourite?

Does that happen with you?

Linking up with Lee @ "Freshly Pieced"

for WIPS Wednesday!

Happy days!

SUZ

72 becomes 1!

72 kite pieces, that is!

I have finished my first "Heirloom 2012 Quilt" block!

It is based on the hand pieced "Jazz Hands" block 

in Material Obsessions 2.

The finished block is 12 inches across.

It looks a little wonky because there are paper pieces still in the outside edge!

I spent many travelling hours getting this one to the finish line,

but that's okay - it's not a race, is it?

I love the accuracy of English Paper Piecing...

and the portability too!

I have learnt a bit about the design process while constructing this block too.

I probably wouldn't put the pink floral in the outside position- I think this 

point requires something stronger.

So with that knowledge under my belt, its on to No. 2!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Saw/Sore!

(Warning- this post has nothing to do with patchwork

 but everything to do with 'Suz at play'!)

Our little cycling vacation is nearly over!

I have ridden over 200 kilometres in the last 6 days!

The cycling group after the Community Challenge- yes, we could still smile!

So I am a bit sore but a bit fitter too!

And for those interested (namely Rachael, Kirsty and Leanne), here's some 

of what we saw.....

No, not quite the Tour de France but a very well organised and friendly event!

Needless to say not much sewing has been happening!

I promise next time to have a bit more of my paper piecing project to share!

Happy days...

SUZ

Wordless Wednesday- Almost!

Seen.....

Sewn....

Happy days!

SUZ

Pardon...There will be a Break in Transmission

Mr PnP and I are taking a short trip interstate to cycle and be part of the action 

of the Tour Downunder-

(Australia's answer to the Tour De France!)

So there may be a bit of this,


 while I'm away from my machine.....

Yes... I'm a leftie!

and maybe some of this!

In fact I have started what I am calling my "2012 Heirloom Quilt"!

This English Paper Piecing project is going to be my long term one for this year!

At least I don't have to cut out the paper pieces!

Although they are kind of small....

each individual kite piece is 2" point to point!

This triangle piece is 3" across.

I am using this to guide me in my piecing...

And this is what I am aiming for...

"Jazz Hands" from MO2

In my enthusiasm, I have another one cut out ready to baste!

That should keep me busy on our little road trip!

See you all in a week or so!

Happy Days!

                             SUZ

Stars in My Eyes!

Here are the latest star blocks I have been working on....

in my favourite blue / green colourway!

Most of these fabrics came from a swap with a blogging buddy!

Thanks Marg!

Ooops-  I cut the points off- just in the photo!


And another....

These stars will all be joined together with more diamond shapes.


This will give you some idea of the future layout....

on my design floor!


But I have to make all 12 stars first!

While I was at the machine,


 I decided to see what I could do with the off-cuts....

It is remarkably like a quilt top I 'pinned' recently....


(only I can't work out how to share it here! If anyone knows??)

so I think I might have two quilts for the price of one!


Happy sewing! 

Linking up with WIP Wednesday over @ Freshly Pieced!




SUZ

The Old Buzzard....

has come home to roost!

#15 Buzzard's Roost

Like a "Streak of Lightning"....

#92 Streak of Lightning

he had taken Denyse to...

#85 Square Dance

the local "Square Dance"!

They had a great time!

Happy Days!

SUZ

I love my Library!

And I LOVE this block!

It is from this book.....

which I borrowed from my local library!

The block came together SO easily!

It starts with five 2 and a half inch strips....

Joined and then folded in half lengthways.

Using my new 60 degree ruler, diamond shapes were cut!

Isn't it pretty?

I played around with the layout but this is what I ended up with!

There are even useable pieces leftover.

Now how will I use these?

or

or, striped into a row!

This is definitely the beginnings of my new quilt!

I love it!

I'm off to make some more!!

Happy sewing!

SUZ