Postage stamp quilt for charity

Hi, things have been hectic as always, busy with work, the retreat and life in general. I find in the winter months I sit by the fire rather than venture into the sewing room so not much happening really, other than to much  chocolate is being consumed. 

At the retreat all the lovely ladies that visit have been all doing a joint postage stamp quilt inspired by Red Pepper Quilts. So I thought it would be a lovely thing for ladies on retreat that have a few scraps left over, to throw into the old suitcase and spread the love. After all the collecting and patching I thought we could donate the finished quilt to an organisation. 

I have found this great charity called Assista Sista. This group helps women who have come out of domestic violent situations, to set up house- haven and start again. They fit out the home with all donated goods, new and pre loved. www.assistasista.com.au if you would like to help. They are based on the Gold Coast but have over 28 havens now with the wonderful help of others. If you would like to help of just follow on Facebook please check them out. And I best get on with making little bits of fabric into bigger bits. Oh we are quite mad! Love to you all and get sewing to help a Sista.

If you would like to help Circle Retreat and either make some blocks or send fabric scraps let me know. 2" wide x 7"strips required. Sew 4 strips together. then cut lengthways strip 1 3/4 " then mix n match baby to sew a little block of 4 together.

Good luck 

Happy stitching 

Stacey

www.circleretreat.com.au

Wonky log cabin star!

A quick work in progress pic, I think I may add a strip border it is currently 4x4 12inch blocks, happy with using up loads of the scraps from old quilts and newer projects. I am loving the grey background. And hst log cabins! 

Happy Friday 

Cheers Stacey

Scrap heaven

So I have been madly tripping around the world here at CRQ I have loved making my first trip around the world and gave it with much joy to a girlfriend. This friend has had a hell of a year and I mean awful right up to the point of 3 hours before the two of us were to go on our first girls weekend away to Sydney I get a message from her hubby that the trip is all off, Felicity has had a Heart attack!!!!! Ah hello this doesn't happen to 45 year old girls! Well apparently it does! Whooa! So a stent and pacemaker later, i gifted my trip around the world to my friend who cried will love and joy on receiving her welcome home present! Isn't the giving part the best, we both cried. She is doing well and learning to trust her heart!

So now I am in the deep depths of further trips and cabins of scrappy logs to use up the scraps of the trips? Following along??? I know right it's a mess and I am loving it! 

On another point, I have been zooming along using some thread, cheap nasty stuff that I grabbed on the run! I have been cursing that damn thread it just doesn't run smoothly thru the machine it grabs, and pulls and I must have re threaded the needle at least 25 times. Anyway the light bulb went on went and i went in search of my rasant thread and its like a new machine and a dream come true.

Another truth to the saying you get what you pay for! 

I hope you are all having a wonderful scrappy July and that your sewing space is not as horrendous as mine! 

Cheers Stacey 

Trip around the world

The wonderful world of blogging and pinterest has many delightful trips around the world quilts. So I decided to jump on the band wagon and give this delightful pattern a trip around my sewing room. I delighted in finding many old favourite fabrics and some not so, that had enough left for a strip or two. Some fabric is recent additions to my stash but many from previous projects. I will definitely be making another one or two. Fun and easy, with winter approaching I can see another one in my near future. Top stash buster.
Cheers Stacey

Don't look now

Hello on this gorgeous April Saturday. I have been busy this week on a challenge for a quilt show. It's the first I have ever participated in, and it has taken many hours to decided just what to make. Well I had to add to my extensive stash to find just the right colours,( "raise your eyebrows here") of course. Then on Anzac day I threw all those ideas out the window and decided on making my own version of a" don't look now" pattern, By Kellie Wulfsohn. I am really happy with the tree trunk I have used the trapunto technique, and patchworked the trunk with many shades of green for the leaves.
This is the first time I have done this style of quilting and surprisingly it wasn't as time consuming as I first thought it would be.
The effect is really nice and pulls the tree out nicely!
Anyway enough rambling from me I best go put the binding and rod pocket on. I will let you know if I get a gold star or not! My mum will give me one for sure!

Spring colour quilt

Hello, it's been months since I last posted. I have been really busy doing life and a bit of sewing here and there. The truth is I have become addicted to Pinterest.... My iPad and my new thermo cooker Bellini not thermomix. I would rather depend the 2k on a new sewing machine. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Anyway here is a finish. I have loved making this quilt. I actually finished the bulk of the quilting back in October but then suddenly it was February and I still haven't finished the last border.
Well today I have finished.

Flying geese tutorial link

I love this block and have found a great tutorial here by Lily that was so easy and helpful. I sat and made this little block, this afternoon and was thrilled at how quick and simple it was. The instructions were great and hassle free.  Go to see Erica's blog to see the quilt she made with this tutorial. This will make a great quilt from the scrap box, and endless supply of scraps. I so love this on line sharing community, of like minded mad sewers!

Happy flying Stacey

Birthday quilt

Hi in my winter hibernation I had a birthday. Now my beautiful mother also a quilter has been sending me fab quilts over the last few years for all the beds up at the Retreat. She says she just wants to use up all her fabrics. But as we all know the stash grows as we are madly trying to use up the pieces.
Last year when I went to Houston for the quilt market and festival( girls put it on your bucket list) mum asked me to look out for some Japanese prints for a lady she knew. And this is what I got for my birthday this year.
I had been telling mum about the disappearing nine patch block. So my tech savvy mother googled it and voila.
Mum has been reading the Jennifer Chiaverini "Elm Creek Quilts" series and can't put them down. so if you haven't read them check out your local library

Sorry Mum I am late in my display of thanks but better late than never. xxx

happy stitching
 Stacey

For me

Hi well I have been unwell nothing drastic just ear, nose, & throat so I have been cruising Pinterest from my bed. Wow what a great source of inspiration. I have found loads of great tips for biodegradable cleaning products, recipes and of course patchwork. I love all the fabulous ideas and designs.
I haven't worked out how to attach a link to my blog. I am sure someone out there maybe able to give some tips.
I love all the great sayings. So here is one that I think we will all love. I am circle retreat quilter Stacey if anyone wants to have a look at my pins.

It's a Lark

Okay so I was chatting to Liisa, from The Quilters Corner last week about Amy Butler's Lark range. Now I do love this range and have picked up about 10 pieces, over the last little while- as you do. So I have been cruising Pinterest lately and inspired, with a patchwork lark skirt. So I adjusted a pattern by Monica Poole - reversible wrap, bought from Liisa a few weeks back and this is what i came up with.  I cut 2x 10" squares from all the pieces and made the waistband out of a peach skin black, cut on the cross and  Voila.......
So a unique skirt for under $40.00 thanks for coming and i still have half my fat quarters to go in a fab scrappy quilt. Maybe half square triangles with the rest of the black. something to think about. Go see Liisa for the pattern and fabrics.

I wore it today and am really happy with the result. Not all fab fabric needs to be quilted right?
What a Lark.

Cheers Stacey

Formal

Well the dress was finished and didn't fall apart on the night. My girl received some nice comments about her dress and some from the mums which is always great. A fun time was had by all! I have been sewing and hope for a little showing by the end of the week.
Happy stitching

Stace

Fab signs

Found this in my travels recently and could not resist sharing with you all. Is there anything better than shoes, you can gain weight, lose it and your feet pretty much stay the same! Oh my goodness there are some fab colour thus season in the stores. All bright and funky. Enjoy

The unexpected

Ok here is the ugly truth..... I am not a great sewer, I am a jack of all trades and master of none, and thats ok. I can do loads of things but just none fabulously. So it happens that dressmaking is something I avoid because, I can buy lovely clothes at reasonable prices and now that my babies are grown I dont need too right? ahhh wrong.............
Well miss 18 is off to a school formal with less than 2 weeks to go and cant find a dress that is not to ahhh blingy, Hills in Hollywood and just looks like everyone else's dress.

So here I am on a short deadline sewing a formal dress. I will let you see the finished product, fingers crossed. here it is in progress. Yes I hear you yellow, no one else will be wearing this colour I think.

Hope you are having a fun week too.

Stacey

hibernating for the winter

Hi one and all! i have been hibernating like an old bear for the winter and had a vacation from Blogging, sewing and all matter of things like ah dusting it would seem? i am busy sneezing my head off whilst i type.
The computer and sewing room is in the part of the house that doesnt get the heat from the wood fire so, i have found myself immobilised and couch happy for the Winter.
But that's now over, the birds are chirping early along with the sun rising and i can feel warm again. I do live in the southern hemisphere thank goodness. Heaven help me if i didn't have 9 months of warmth and sunshine I would never get out of the bed let alone the house.

Anyway i hope you all have had a great time sewing and knitting your way through the months. I have only a visitor to show, when i was at the retreat last week i took this pic. This adorable Kookaburra visits the Retreat most days and is so tame you can hand feed him, sometimes he brings a friend.

Happy Days

Stacey

I Pad Joy

Well it has arrived, I know, I know I am a little slow off the Mark ok a lot slow but i am so happy to have my new little portable, take it any where gadget to call my very own. You may have noticed I have not blogged of late, I have been sewing but not completing.... the story of my life really but lets not go there. I have my new Toy and am hoping my bloggy friends can help me with the best way to blog from my I Pad. what great app is there also Is instagram the way to go? Any tips I am open to all commentry. Also how do I link my blog and facebook? any clues......

From Clueless but Happy Stacey :)

Sore bands

When my girls were little we use to have a big to do about repairing little cuts, minor bumps and major stubbed toes with sore bands well at least that's what my Taylor use to call for when she was two, not a band aid but a sore band. As with all things names stick and still to this day with Taylor about to turn 18...where has the time gone? they are still sore bands. Check   here for the best little sore bands going.

Don't you just love these. great for topping up a little present for the friend that has everything?
 Thank you Helena for a great Idea.

I am off to Eumundi Markets today so  have a great weekend Stacey

Cushy Cushions

 A few little cushions always brighten up the place don't you think? I made the pink one with the up-cycled selvedge edges and the bluey green cushion I purchased. I always feel compelled to buy something from a stall or store selling handmade goods don't you?
I know i could have made that but someone else put love and time into it. And besides it gorgeous don't you think?

Ok a new project is in the wind, so here is my little system, set up or production  line . Sweetwater Hometown here we come.

The Sew n Sews

The Lovely Sew n Sews

 I love seeing all the action going on from all the great groups that come to stay.
And that every group is a group that I could easily walk in sit and stay and sew with. We really are all birds of a feather and all that Jazz. The wonderful world of craft is a strong bond.

Love this Chocolate Roses I can send you the details of this pattern if you need it?

Joseph's Stars?

I really love this Crochet

Enjoying a cuppa and a read

Loads of Space

 As you can see lots of work being done at Circle Retreat from the Sew n Sew's. Its so great to see all the different crafts that are pursued by this and many other Crafty groups. I love all that inspiration and ability. If you would like to enjoy a weekend with your friends at Circle Retreat  I still have a few weeknds left in August and November, December.

If you have been to stay and not sent me your pics please do so.
www.circleretreat@iinet.net.au

Cheers Stacey

Love the Colours.

The Cutting Table Multi purpose.

Baby Quilt with Minky dots

Hi i have been so busy of late with having both sets of parents visiting from Adelaide over the past 6 weeks I have not been blogging, or doing much of anything sewing related, however..... I did manage to start a baby quilt between my mum leaving and hubby's parents arriving -48 hours later. So when hubby took his parents up to Buderim for some lawn mowing and lunching I got a few hours of sewing in here and there and over the rainy weekend between baking I got this little baby girls blanket finished.

 So here is my super easy and quick baby blanket. its not a quilt as really no quilting . I used the lovely and super soft minky dots that you can find almost everywhere fabrics are sold. So I just made up a top using the ever enduring snuggle pot and cuddle-pie material found in Spotlight. how could I resist right? with a mixture of other fabrics from various ranges.I kept it simple and added a few piece of the minky into the front and then backed it with the Minky also.The Kiss principle is a great Principle

Once the top was finished and squared up, I heavy pinned the outside edges and using my walking foot sandwiched the two pieces together just like sewing a cushion. I then just top stitched the outer edge. The Minky being a stretch fabric must be treated with a little more care. Under advisement from my Sista su she said don't even bother trying to quilt it from all she had read on other Blog's.

 A few pieced easy triangles snuck in amongst random rectangles all the width of my ruler....lol.

And Murphy's law two fabrics the same smack bang next to each other.
So now I am ready for my friend to make her special delivery.

Happy Wednesday Stacey.

Scrap heaven

Hi well you may know that as a rule I love scrap quilts easy, quick and random, now Marg.... I know this is scary but you should try it out. Just check out this new and fab book I have just discovered. Scrap republic. It has it all laid out with great designs and color for using up all those bits we love that are small and scrawny but lovely. The easy organic quilting I will call it looks lovely, and great for doing at home on our little domestic machines, well mine at least is still an oldy but a goodie

So I hope you look out for this gem or ask your local store to get it in for you.
Cheers n happy scrapping
Stacey