Sunday Snippets

Despite the final flashes of warmth yesterday, I think we finally are staring winter in the face.  That goodness for hydronic heating, and lovely indoor activities like quilting and DVD marathons while drinking hot cups of tea (and other bevies!).

For other snippets, have a look over here.

Our Creative Space

After having being forced to a halt on the Hot Spot project, while waiting for some fabric to arrive, I picked up a UFO.  As a relative newcomer to sewing, I don't have many of these, but this was my first project that was started two years ago in a burst of enthusiasm, then put aside due to the realisation that all was not going to plan.  It started as a simple Fence and Rail throw but I didn't do a great job of cutting the fabric and what I thought was a quarter inch machine foot wasn't, so when it came time to sew the strips together, the pattern didn't line up.  I tried a number of options to fix the problem, avoiding the obvious which was to just to unpick the strips and cut the blocks to a uniform size.  Needless to say, none of them were successful.  So last weekend, I unpicked the sides, measured the strips, cut the longer ones to a uniform length and put in borders.  Still true to form, I made another cutting error in the process that had to be adjusted for (you should be able to pick it out) but managed to salvage the project yet again and now I think it will make a good baby quilt for someone I know who is expecting later in the year.

So what have I learned over the last two years?:

- a quarter inch foot with a guide is an indispensable tool.

- despite being an accountant, quilting maths does my head in.

- cutting precisely remains my Holy Grail.

- don't agonise if something isn't perfect - a mistake can sometimes lead to something more interesting that the original concept (I repeat this over and over).

For other interesting projects, see what other Creative Spacers are up to here.

ANZAC Day

As ANZAC day is a time for reflection and solemnity, I think it is appropriate that today is cold, dark and gloomy.  It is fitting to have a quiet day indoors, enjoying the comforts of home that so many of those who fought, and continue to fight, foreign wars could never do again.

Sunday Snippets

Another wordless round up of the week that was:

Thanks to Tinnie Girl for hosting.

Our Creative Space

One project finished; one more started.  Another birthday gift that will be late, but hopefully not as late as the last quilt.  This is the beginning of a 'Hot Spot' quilt from Alissa Haight-Carlton's lovely book 'Modern Minimal' and this will be another reversible throw (going from a cream centre to chocolate outer on the other side) for my youngest sister, R.















Browns aren't really my colour palette but I am loving the combination of chocolate, caramel, cream and other warm and toasty hues that will make up the finished product.

For more Creative Spaces, see who is lined up at Kirsty's place.

Sunday Snippets

This is a fun theme.  A great way to sum up the week that was.

To see other wordless weeks, head over here.

Wonky stars quilt finished!

It has taken over six months, countless hours and a involved a bit of swearing on the way, but the Wonky Stars quilt is finished.  After finishing the hand quilting a couple of weeks ago,  Louise helped me trim it up at the last Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild SASE, then last weekend I finished the binding during a Downton Abbey marathon session.  So it will now be passed onto the recipient some four months late, but hopefully she will think it is worth it.  The problem is that is looks so good on my red couch that I wish I could keep it.

For more creative stuff going on, head over here.

Sunday Snippets

I thought I would have a go at Sunday Snippets hosted by Tinniegirl.  This is about putting up some pictures from your week; words not necessary.

Here goes:

Plus the Hot Cross Buns from Friday.

Happy Easter.

A Good Friday

Any day off is a bonus but today has been particularly enjoyable - after a 1.5 hour group fitness class this morning, I came home to have a crack at  homemade Hot Cross Buns and while making them, stumbled on a film version of Jesus Christ Superstar on the telly which meant a sing-along while I mixed and kneaded. It was great to feel no guilt in loading up a delicious HCB with butter for afternoon tea and between all this managed to get most of the housework done so that the rest of the Easter break can be filled with reading, sewing and swanning around.  A great day!

When life gives you limes, make cocktails

I am not overly fussy about what is in my garden, but I must have fresh herbs and lemons.  The lemon tree was a key factor in buying our property and I went to considerable lengths to protect the tree when we rebuilt in 2010, including designing a deck that wouldn't encroach on its space and threatening the tradies with death or worse if it came to any harm.  The other tree I have always wanted is a lime tree and shortly after we moved here, Stos planted one for me however results, until recently, have been disappointing.  The return on investment has been poor - the tree cost around $30 and I am sure that it's only yielded 6 - 8 limes in 10 odd years.  Every year it has lots of flowers and fruit buds but fails to deliver on its promise and has not grown much since we have had it.   However, after complete change in the garden, two years of decent rain and some other unknown miracle, I've had half a dozen lovely limes in the last few weeks and there are another 30 on the tree in various stages of development.  Plus, we think the tree has doubled in size over the last year.  I am so excited - looking forward to daiquiris, lime delicious pudding and maybe lime chutney over the coming months.