My Creative Space

There hasn't been a lot happening this week - it is so hot and humid here that it is a bit hard to get interested in anything much other than wondering when it will cool down.  However, I managed to get quite a bit done on James' quilt over the last week - basting completed and the first of the quilting was started at the MMQG Sit and Sew Day at GJ's last weekend and I did a bit more during the week. Per one of the suggested options in Modern Minimal, I am echoing the feature blocks in the quilting,
which looks really effective.  I'm extremely happy with the backing; this is a Prints Charming fabric that I picked up for $3 per metre(!) at Spotlight a couple of weeks ago.  But even though I really want to get it finished, manoeuvring a quilt around a sewing machine in this weather isn't a lot of fun so  I might just cut and join the binding fabric and put this on hold until the weather breaks later this week; even though I love the heat, we are overdue for some cooler conditions.

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My Creative Space

I have been thinking about a little boy who through, circumstances at birth, is probably not going to lead the life that his parents had hoped for.  Wondering what to do and say, but  in the end deciding that  a handmade gift will speak for itself as well as for me.

This work in progress is for James.  The design is Boxes from Modern Minimal by Alissa Haight-Carlton.

Our Creative Spaces

It is the busiest time of the year for the day job but I managed to get this little number finished for a boy born on 1 October.  I'm really happy with the way this turned out.  I'm getting better at the hand stitching in terms of getting the reverse side even and with such a cute animal backing fabric, I know I would want to look at  the back as well as the front.  It's not the end of the baby gifts - there are two more quilts that I need to make before the end of the year and then maybe I can get back on to projects for STLT HQ.  But no Wonky Stars or Cowboys for a while, methinks.

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Starry eyed

I don't know what it is about star quilt blocks but I just love them.  So when I was thinking about making a gift for a work mate's on the way baby boy, I thought that the best way to feature a cute cowboy print was to make another Wonky Star quilt, placing the print in the centre.  With fabric that didn't work for the Hot Spot Quilt as the background and some bibs and bobs I had around the place, I've made  multicoloured stars that I think make a nice change from baby pastels.  So while I might be using and old favourite, at least I am putting a new twist on it.  Now I am worried that I am developing a cowboy obsession.

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Our Creative Space

While it was wonderful being on holidays for so long and seeing sights, shopping, eating and drinking, I did miss being creative.  But since we have been back, life has been very hectic, so the first chance I had to do some sewing was at the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild SASD where we had a theme going.  GJ's Discount Fabric were running a charity sewing day on 14 July to help Rebecca Wolske raise $2,500 for her Conquer Cancer 200km Bike Challenge and help her is collecting blocks to make quilts and cuddle blankets.  As the date clashed with the MMQG event, we offered members the chance to participate.  Check it out here, and feel free to get involved - anyone can help out.  Anyway, I had some fabric left over from the Life at the Outpost quilt, so whipped up a couple of blocks to donate.  I probably should have made some more but I spent a bit too much time catching up with all the lovely ladies from the guild.  Hopefully this weekend will allow some time for some more sewing - I know a few people with babies due in the next few months, so would like to get on to making some gifts.

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Life at the Outpost quilt - finished

Finally the quilt for the January 19 arrival is finished. This is the first time I have quilted anything on the sewing machine and it was relatively painless and so much quicker than hand quilting. I took Alissa's advice and used basting spray for this instead of pins which was a great time saver both in terms of putting the pins in and moving them for the quilting. Now back to the Wonky Stars.