DS mini quilt from PolkaDot Classic

I received this lovely parcel from Marta last week...we were actually swap partners in the DS mini quilt swap but didn't know it as it was a secret swap!!!

There was something special in each pretty package:

 A quilt pattern, some beautiful FQ of Pernillas Journey fabric, a cute hexie block, and the most gorgeous dresden mini quilt in my favourite colours:

 I love how Marta has used DS fabrics from all of the ranges and they go so well together! 

 And the quilting around the dresden is just perfect!!  I haven't made a dresden circle before but after seeing how lovely they look, I want to try it!!

Thank you so much Marta for making such a beautiful mini quilt for me - I really love it:)

Kirsten.

Sew &Tell - Mini quilt challenge

When I saw Amylouwho was hosting a mini quilt Sew and Tell challenge, I remembered that I had one leftover Starflower block from the Christmas Table runner.........

so I decided to make it into a {very} mini quilt which will be gifted to a lovely friend whom I have met via blogland.

I really love the pattern the quilting makes on the back:)

Quilt stats: 12.5 x 12.5

Fabric:  Michael Miller Funky Christmas

Adding this to a new flickr group: Modern Mini Quilts. 

Also linking to {sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations, Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory (buttons in sidebar) and to Little Quilt Monday at Pieceful Life.

Kirsten.

WIP Wednesday # 21

I made some starflower blocks last week using the tutorial by Jennifer at Ellison Lane to use them for the Christmas Table Runner swap on flickr:

So this week I have joined and quilted the starflower blocks – I was originally going to sash them as well but then it would have been too wide for my partner ........

And I also made a start on a Christmas decoration featuring this little owl:)

Linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced:

Kirsten.

DS "Log cabin" pillow

I {still} had all of my Denyse Schmidt Picnic and Fairground fabrics out after the DS DQ swap, and wanted to make an “Autumn” pillow for the Celebrate Color event at Stitched In Color.

I decided to mainly use the lovely mustardy yellows that we were so lucky to have in our Spotlight stores in Australia and added in a few of the reds and blues to add a bit more interest:

I did a QAYG log cabin style pillow cover which ended up at 17 inches square. With an 18 inch pillow form inside, this has become quite a nice plump and cuddly pillow.

I am linking this to {Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations and to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory (buttons in sidebar) and also to Farbstoff's pillowtalk for November:

Kirsten.

WIP Wednesday # 20

There hasn't been a great deal of sewing going on around here this week - unless you count the stitching done by the vet on my adorable naughty kitty Simba who has been getting himself into  trouble fighting with the other cats in the area - more than likely it is one of the 3 black cats who were all around for Halloween too:)

 

Doesn't he look sweet in his little bonnet with pink paw prints in it? I think he is going to be a full -time indoor cat from now on so I can keep an eye on him!!!!!

I did (finally) make a start this week though on the table runner for the Modern Christmas Table runner swap using some Michael Miller "Funky Christmas" fabric:

 I have made a few starflower blocks using these bright and colourful prints as I think the "stars" are very Christmassy and I am going to lay them out a bit like this:)

Linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced:

Kirsten.

Fresh Sewing Day - November

This is a very special first of November for those of us in Australia as it is also the first Tuesday of the month when the Melbourne Cup is run. My husband and I actually went to the Cup five years ago when we went on a week-long cruise from Sydney to Melbourne. We had a great position just across from the finish line - here is a pic of us all dressed up for the "big day":

Onto the sewing..... I didn't do a great deal as October was quite busy but I did manage to get the second DS "plus" quilt done for the swap - which has now been received! I also did a mini quilt for a "Fuddy Duddy challenge" in colours of brown, green and burgundy, and a kindle case for my brother - which I gave to him on the weekend. Ed said it was just what he needed as he has noticed scratches on his kindle already as it just gets thrown into his bag........And I also made another Giant Starflower which was backed in flannel and I did a lot more quilting on it this time too. I really love this pattern - simple yet stunning:)

Linking to Fresh Sewing Day for November at Lilys Quilts:

Kirsten.

Amy Butler "Love" Starflower

I have finally finished my "Love" starflower quilt – just in time too as it was over 30 deg C (86F) on the weekend!

There was just enough flannel to turn it over and machine stitch down for “cheater-binding“, firstly doing a zig-zag stitch along the raw edges to ensure it doesn’t fray too much. 

I did straight line quilting about an inch apart in the white areas and echo stitching along the printed fabrics. 

 

I haven't done many pieced backings as I tend to use a single large piece of wide backing fabric instead, but I really like how this has turned out and the flannel is so lovely and soft. 

We went away for a few days to celebrate my parents 70th birthdays (Mums was in August and Dads in October) so I took some pictures of the quilt at the amazing place where we stayed.

It was called Barefoot Oasis and is located in the Byron Bay hinterland - it had a lovely pool as well as a cute little “Bali Hut” overlooking the green valley.

 There were lots of black cockatoos flying around screeching loudly and we also managed to  find the resident koala just before we left, although she soon disappeared due to a huge storm that came through that evening. 

Linking to Sew Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations and to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory (buttons in left sidebar).

Kirsten.