Cottage Garden

I have a finish to share with you today!

The hardest part of this quilt was naming it.

My main motivation in making this was to create a 

dent in my scrap pile!

I started off with some Swedish Blooms 

from a Zakka book, which in my recent move, I have 

temporarily misplaced!

I soon realised that these blocks, lovely as they were,

required more fabric than just scraps.

So I decided to add some variety to my 

Cottage Garden by piecing these tulips...

A 'rogue' purple bloom!

from Cloud Nine's Amsterdam pattern.

I also blanket stitched some leaf stems 

to add another detail...

And finished it so-

I used a combination of straight line machine 

quilting 

(to anchor the layers) 

and hand quilting with Perle Thread...

with a couple more thrown in for good measure!

The binding is a piece of unknown fabric

 (probably dress fabric)

I had in my stash...

And the backing is that classic Ikea print- Ludovika.

Final measurements-

60" X 50" (approx)

Can you tell that I love this quilt?

I am hoping to scrape another finish in before the 

New Year!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Plenty happening...

Just not all sewing!

Did you have a great Christmas?

I have a new sewing space....

My Blue and White Stars quilt in the background....

And a pretty aqua Ikea trolley,

 which I put together myself!

These were gifted to my friend Mary,

A Liberty feather on a tea towel- not quite Anthropology!

And this is what I received in return!

Isn't that clamshell purse the prettiest thing?

I'm off to do some more FMQ quilting...

On my blue and white stars quilt....

I see an end in sight!

What are you working on?

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Some Joy...

The recent events in Sydney have left me very sad....

I've spent some time on a wool felting project which 

didn't require much thought.

The wool 'roving' was a bargain at Daiso!

I was inspired by this photo on the BHG website.

It took no time to put together...

I embroidered some "JOY" onto the little felt flags.

And have it hanging on my mirror!

That's the best photo I could get, without showing 

you my messy sewing corner!

Now I am planning some new, more challenging 

shapes...

with this lovely packet of rainbow wool I bought 

yesterday!

But first I have some hashtag blocks to make for Mollie Sparkles!

I hope you find some joy in today, and everyday.

SUZ

Rescuing Orphans....

Orphan blocks, in fact!

As my working year comes to a close, I find myself 

tidying my sewing space.

I found these two 'sample' blocks from previous 

projects,

And decided to 'make something of them'!

I've also wanted to improve my FMQ skills,

since winning this...

in Cindy's giveaway!

So after some extensive practise,

I quilted this one with 'pebbles',

or maybe snow?

A candle mat,

and a mug rug!

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday,

because even the bindings were scraps 

from previous projects!

How is your Christmas sewing going?

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Modern Amish...

That's the working title for my 2014 MCM Bee quilt!

I now have twelve blocks, with this latest addition....

my Dusty Miller block!

I love making this block and I love the way it comes 

together...

There is something very satisfying about making a 

block of your own design!

And here it is partying with it's bee friends!

Thank you bee buddies,

they look SO good together!

And this where they are headed....

That big black centre is going to become 

a feathered star, I think.

That's my plan, anyway!

Who knows what I will decide over the coming 

Summer months?

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Odds and Ends...

My Homespun project has returned home!

And I have plans for another block from my 

pattern....

to play with my MCM Bee blocks!

There have been stars in the making too....

It has been quite a challenge for me working with 

such a limited colour palette,

but I think this is working....

And I'm appliqueing, with blanket stitch,

 some leaf shapes to be added 

to my Spring Garden quilt top!

What have you been up to this weekend?

Happy sewing!

SUZ

"Martha's Medallion"- a finish!

I am pretty chuffed to have this one finished....

it was over two years in the making!

It is Judy Newman's "Museum Medallion" pattern,

with the main fabrics- the pink and yellow borders,

purchased from Amitie!

The rest of the fabrics came from my stash/scraps,

with some special additions from blogging friends,

around the world!

Apart from the long straight seams, 

it was entirely hand pieced....

And hand quilted with some Finca 

and some Aurifil thread!

The backing is one of those extra wide fabrics, 

because this quilt is a monster at 90" square!

The backing is rather plain but that meant there 

were 

no joined seams to cope with!

So a pretty label was a fun way 

to add a bit of interest...

Why "Martha's Medallion", I hear you ask?

My sister lives at Mt Martha, 

and many happy hours were spent stitching this 

while visiting her!

I would have liked some better outside photos,

but there was a distinct lack of quilt holders 

available!

Looks like it's time to start planning my next hand 

piecing project!

Any suggestions?

Happy sewing!

SUZ