Mini Monty

Long Time....

Between Drinks! between posts...finishing this quilt.

Lost the blogging mojo...life is busy, but I'm still making, creating and hooking.

Finished a quilt I started last year....The Vintage Sheet Bento Box Quilt...(that's a mouthful)

 
Took forever to push this thing under my machine to quilt it. But I got it done, and I'm so happy!

 
The bento box isn't as defined as Id like but I'm still happy with how it turned out..

 

I stuck with white binding...I think anything else would have been to much.

 
especially for the back...which I love just as much as the front...maybe more.

 
The close up of my wonky machine quilting :) The orange floral was my parents in the 70's...I'm quite fond of it.

Now for the warmer weather to come so I can put it on my Bed.

 

Hard work being santa"s helper

Ive been beavering away here in Monty. Ive been commissioned to make five cushions for Christmas.

 
This time I got to make 3 boy cushions, so much fun. This is for a little guy. Not sure about the shorts!

 
This one is for a big 6 year old boy so I kept it simple.

 
and this one is my favorite of the three, hippo theme, with denim jeans! The pattern is by Kellie from Don't Look Now, Ive lost count on how may Ive made as gifts!

As well as christmas presents I had to make a spare of the moment Birthday present! Riley got an invite on the day of, lucky I had planed on making one of these and had all the stuff on hand!

 
Its and Eye Spy Bag, fantastic for using up all those annoying bits and pieces, that kids have in the bottom of the toy box.

 
I had some printable canvas and made up a list of what was in-side. You can play heaps of different games with it. Like how many red things can you find? How fast can you find all the things on the list? Can you find me something starting with? and it goes on....

There are heaps of tutorials on the web if you type in eye spy bag tutorial into google.

So I'II be back with the rest of my cushion making marathon, and I received my Pillow Talk Swap Pillow in the mail... So stay tuned.

 

Pillow Talk

My Pillow Talk Swap 4, pillow is on its way to its new home. This is my first Pillow Talk swap and I love it as it took me out of my usual.

 
The front was all hand pieced and actually for a quilt, as the back is done the same time as the front.

 
You'll have to excuse the crappy pictures as my battery charger still is lost and Ive ordered a new one and preying it comes before christmas!

After the front was done I reinforced the top with machine stitches running down each line as I was worried about wear and tear. I then added boarders and the back.

 
I made a free motion tag to go on the back. My partner liked earthy tones but also loved linen with colour, I really loved how it turned out.

 
A bit of running stitch added some interest.

 
And from the scrap's I made a mug rug as an extra.

 
and had a go at some thread sketching, I really enjoyed it and I'm sure you'll be seeing more.

Well christmas is upon us and this is the last week of school so I'm trying hard to finish my handmade gifts, add in that tomorrow is my No. 3 's birthday and last day of kinder for the year and I have to back a cake to take as well as the hot food for the party they are having and I'm in get organised mode too.

I'm attempting to make this cake today wish me luck!

Odds and Ends

Hey how are you? Its been a while... I have a few things to show you.

 
I made this mini art quilt for a swap on Swap-bot. My partner loves koi fish and gold fish, lucky for me this was a free pattern that popped up on sew take a hike by Penny. I added the Japanese symbol for koi at the bottom.

 
And this is the back. Its actually a good size for a mug rug.

 
And I started my scrappy hoop swap.

My Man left for the U.S last night and before he did he left me these

 
They are all from our front yard...two weeks and counting down till he returns...

Hope you had a great weekend and have a big win on the Melbourne Cup tomorrow if your the betting type, if not enjoy the day off.

Leah x

Another Party, Another Present...

And the hits just keep on coming with no end in sight I might add.

 
So this time Holly had a party invite, I started this in 2 hours before she was due to be there...thus the threads you can see everywhere..

 
Ivy was very happy with her new cushion, I made the name out of denim this time and it was a hit with the 10 year old's... who knew. This time I machined the eyes and face much quicker...it was all about quick as it had to be done.

Holly has2 more party's coming up... and had requests from her friends....yay, nice to know that something I'm making is loved.

 

For Big Sister...

 

Remember how I made this cushion for Taya's little friends Birthday...

Well Riley was invited to a party who happens to be the big sister of kaylee. So I felt obliged to make another cushion...Its only fair really.

 

Gave me a chance to practice my free motion...any excuse.

 
These are fun and surprisingly quick.

 
I made the bias binding...but still need a lesson in sewing the corners.

And whilst my darning foot was still on the machine I finished two more blocks for the Quilt As You Go.

 

 
My second try at free motion ...don't know the name of it...the one where your not supposed to cross lines.

 
The second is spirals...like the cushions.

 
Still not consistent with the stitch length...but that's why I'm doing it. For Practice.

This weekend the weather has been amazing... Hope your's has too.

Leah x

On the Machine, Off the Needle and on the Hook.

Yes as usual I have to much on the go!

On the machine Ive been making blocks for Quilt As You Go Round 2.

I gave the pebbles ago and it was hard but Im happy with the result..Im actually loving the back more!

And here's my next one ready to quilt. Fun...

I finished another "In Threes Cardigan' this time in Purple and slightly bigger for Taya.

The best thing about this was I brought the wool from Savers for 99 cents...It took the one ball! So I have this cute little cardi for a dollar and some TV time...

Sweet!

And on the hook Ive started a Shawl for a 50th birthday present.

Again the Mohair was thrifted, dirt cheap...but im not feelin' the love with the colour and I wanted something more Web like and intricate...may be I'II dye it a emerald green?// is that possible?

Thank you to everyone who commented and sent me some love regarding Buddy... I feel blessed that you guys are there and understand. You guys rock!

Hope your crafting is as crazy and full as mine!

Leah x  

Vintage sheet quilt..

Finished.This is my second vintage sheet quilt. The first is still sitting unfinished, anyway ....

This one is cot size or lap size. Was easy and fun to sew.

I needed to cut into my ever growing collection and picked like colours...Im really happy with the result.

 
Im embracing the Wonk...and am thinking I wouldn't mind quilting in the inner-squares as well.

Where the pattern sheets are. I used a woolen blanket for the batting, thrifted of course. and the binding also picked up from the local oppie.

So its quite weighty and warm. Would make a great play mat for bubs.

My two testers thought it was great...I plan to make more in pinks and oranges, and yellows and browns. Was hoping to sell them either at a market or on-line.

Sometimes Im all talk too....lol.

The Heat Pack was a hit with the young fella I made him for. He even asked me at the party if I would help him heat it up! I was chuffed to say the least.. He made my day.

Happy Sunday where ever you may be... Im off to walk with my girls in the winter sun shine...whilst the boys are watching Brisbane Lions play there last game in Melbourne this Footy season. GO LIONS.

Chain Gang...

Im involved in a Monthly block swap with some ladies I was introduced to by Kylie my room mate when I went to the Don't look now work shop at Sewjourn. Its a Red And Aqua block swap you can see the details over Here. Wendy organizes us all which is a good thing.lol.

So when working on theses Whirly Gig block, Its easier if you chain piece them together, so they look like little buntings.

I alway think how im working on the chain gang. So I make twelve of these blocks and take them along to swap with the others.

And these are some of the beautiful blocks Ive received in return. How awesome is that! All the different fabrics its fun to see what people pull out. The only part that kills me is that it will take a year before I get to put it together. Oh well, its not like I don't have enough on the go already.

I went to the stitches and craft show yesterday, thus the haul above. I want to make some cushions for a new couch that I have on order. Woohoo. That bird print from Kristan Doran will be a cushion, and the backing fabric I got from the lovely girls at Ink and Spindle.( cant wait to see their place next week) The news paper print fabric is from Amitie along with the red and aqua fats. (guess what their for?)

And I actually got to sit at a craft bar and crochet this flower which Im yet to sew up. I have to say I was disappointed with the show this year, it seamed empty and I was expecting more fabric stalls. The best bit was the incubator stalls and seeing all the amazing creations that people have.   

I want to leave you with a HAPPY BIRTHDay note to my Other Half! Happy birthday to my Man who is my rock, my shelter and my best friend. Love you. xxx

I made his favorite cheese cake last night I'II be back soon to share the recipe its to die for.

Have fun at the craft show if your heading off.

Whats come over me?

I have a confession to make, Ive been slack at blogging lately because....are you seated, ive actually been doing house work! ( gasp's all round). I know Im perplexed people....I actually mopped my kitchen floors after the kids were in bed, you know put the chairs up on the table and everything, not the usual swish around the chairs and table legs! Although the next night I was reminded why I dont bother, as the kids split cordial all over the floor and then I went and smashed a glass with coke in it and it went every where! Then Ive been doing the dishes every night right after dinner...I am now a believer in the fact that if you do something every night for more than 3 weeks it becomes a Habit....WHO Knew!

Ive been reading a book I brought a couple of weeks ago and its all about getting organized in a year, and it takes you step by step and each week is a different task. Ive been working on the kitchen, my Pantry is neat and you can actually see where everything is, although I still need to do the top shelf. As part of this change I have been making a Dream board of what my ideal house could be, something to work towards and bring to fruition. She mentions in the book getting a group together and making a " Zen Group" to help each other get organized and stay focused. Make dream boards and discuss where everyones at. Sounds good, not sure if anyone else is interested or living in "CHAOS" Cant Have Anyone Over Syndrome" like me? Id be interested to hear your thoughts...

I have made my decision and bordered my Bento Quilt..... Drum roll please.

Thank you all for your suggestions and I did take them into consideration. I went with the lighter option as not to over power the patterns on the inside. This is what I came up with. I had the check/gingham from a international swap I did on Swap-bot and the corner you see was also a swap, they happen to match and work out perfectly. I chose the white to go on the outer boarder as I plan to bind it with all the different patterned sheets.

 So now im starting the back and am still thanking of a good free motion pattern for it.

Why is it when ever I try to take a  photo someone always has to get in on the act? Usually its the little ones, this time its the Biggest.

 Speaking of quilting, Ive joined the Melbourne Modern Quilters Guild, its open to anyone in Melbourne and there is a site for you to pop in on and contribute to if you like, they hope to hold meetings and get together where you can swap and chat and get tips and tricks and all that good stuff.

http://mlbmodernquiltguild.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network 

Ive already met some lovely people on line. And don't worry if your not a very good quilter cause Im right there with you! lol

We can learn together.