My Bugs Wall Hanging

I did a class for this Wall hanging last weekend.  Its my very first class ever and I had a great time.  I learned lots of new techniques and I can't wait to try them out on other projects.  I'm not 100% happy about my fabric choices, I tried to think out of the square and but it didn't quite work out but nonetheless its still acceptable.  Pattern is from Mary Transom www.marytransom.co.nz

My First Complete Christmas Present

For my niece Kate who is 9 years old.  A makeup/toiletry bag and a Owl Softie plus I will give her a $20.00.  I found the owl pattern in a magazine and I adapted it to suit.

All my Goodies

I have been busy this past week, firstly I made these for my daughters friends birthday tutorial here from Noodlehead.

Then I made these Cathedral Window pincushions.

and I went on to make this giant Cathedral Window Pillow tutorial found here from Heather at alamode

I also made some 32 minute bags for the kids tutorial found here from Amy at Diary of a Quilter

 I went on to make a pointy kitty tutorial found here  from Wee Wonderfuls

and Wendy the Bird from Lollychops

and of course I couldn't go past trying out Molly Monkey from mmmcrafts

I'm on a roll,  Christmas presents is all I can think of at the moment.  I am feeling so happy with all my little creations.

Pinned Down

Just a quick note to let you know that I decided to change my blog name to Pinned Down,  its a little less complicated than I never knew I could sew.

Noodlehead Tutorials

I have lots of kid's birthday's coming up and I am fed up with buying crap.  The kids come home and say Mum what are you going to buy eg  for Jane's birthday, I say I don't I haven't thought about it yet,  my dd says because she said that she wants a  mushabelly, $20 + a bar chocolate.  My mouth is still wide open at the cheek of it.  Well I'm thinking no more,  I have been searching for cute little gifts that I could sew and I bumped into Noodleheads Tutorial list and found the Gathered Clutch and the little cutie pouch.  I have managed to whip up a few this afternoon.  Another first for me is the Zips.

I really did set myself up on this one

ha I checked a post of mine back in August, where I say I am going for a faultless finish,  what on earth was I thinking?  It all started happy with great expectations,  but then it went on and on,  and yards and yards of fabric later, a zillion yards of thread and a lot of crooked lines, groaning (more like grunting) and moaning,  I had had enough of this quilt.  It's a quilt as you go job and well, I really did think it was going to be the answer to everything NOT.  This method of quilting had just as many difficult areas to tackle as normal quilts do and to be honest I think I would rather not quilt as you go again.  Nonetheless I have finished it under protest (against myself) because it's my daughters quilt and she kept saying Mum when is my quilt going to be finished.  I hate it, I hate all the mismatched sashing lines, all thee... well I won't go into anymore details about my lack of sewing ability, but just to say thank god its finished!!!

Candle Mat Swap

Made from a selection of Charity for a Cause and Park Avenue by Moda, plus some sparkly fairy frost.  This was my first attempt at feathers,  I wouldn't go as far as saying that they are feathers but another few goes and I'm sure they will get better.

The back

I have to admit that the blue and silver mat above is actually my second attempt at this pattern.  My first one below I was unhappy with my binding and the effect my hand quilting had on it.  I thought I could fix it with washing and ironing it until I pressed so hard and long that I scorched the flippin thing.  I am happier with the second but am still tempted to try a third lol.

You can't see the scorch marks on this photo as this is the pre-scorch version.

Cotton Eye Candy

My newly organised thread drawer,  I am hoping not to have to purchase thread until this time next year, well that's what I am telling my husband lol.

Something else I have been working on

 This is my very first go a neddleturn applique,  and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I love watching TV at night and quietly sewin away.  I still have to sew in the beck and eyes of the bird.

This pattern in from the book Material Obession by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke.  At first glance of this book, I sort of ho hummed and closed it.  Then later I thought I would take another look and I found this pattern that I could not go past.  Here is a glimpse of what I have done so far.

Another Table Runner

Well you do get a lot of good pratice doing table runners,  and they are so quick to finish.  This one is the 3rd one for my Mum in Law's 70th Birthday.  All  table runners that I made for her are all made from the Martinque fabrics by Moda.

The whole top is made from 2" squares,  which was a pain but it makes it easier when it comes to quilting.  I had a lot of fun practicing my circles, swirl thingys.

A Blushing Table Runner

I made the top for this about a month ago, on a whim and not knowing what I was doing.  Well today I decided I going to finish that Table Runner, and I did.  I used the raw edge applique technique (roughly I say) for the flowers and free motion quilted the rest.  I think it came out okay, and I have the perfect spot for it.  Once I had made over the spot I will repost.  Table Runner measures 9.5" x 44".

Tokyo Subway Progress Blocks 12 & 13

Well I am now completely up-to-date on this quilt along.

Look What My Husband and Kids

found today in our unkempt garden, 2 kg's of carrots and potatoes.

My husband Trevor got so inspired by free food he went on to pick our Tangelos and him and Dean juiced them all up.

So now we have carrots and potatoes for dinner for the next couple of nights but we also have Tangelo Juice to drink and Tangelo Iceblocks as well.  Yummy

Tokyo Subway progress

Well I am a little behind and I did manage to get 3 blocks finished today, so now I am only 2 blocks behind.

I have found that my seams are getting larger, so now I am going to have to resew the top 5 blocks.  Which I won't rush and do (although I have redone number 1) right away.  I love working on this quilt,  I am hoping to get blocks 12 & 13 completed tonight, once I've cooked dinner and all the other necessary requirements to complete.  Wouldn't it be nice to be able to sew when you felt like, not having to stop and start for the necessities of life, ho hum.

Block 6 & 7 I really like the orange and blue together with the white, a combination I don't think I would have ever liked,

Block 8

Block 9

Block 10

Block 11  This block is pretty damn cute.

My Daughter can Sew

My eldest daughter Samantha visited over the weekend and she was dying to get stuck into a little sewing project.  To my knowledge the only sewing she has done, was a poorly shaped pair of boxer shorts in High School.  I still have a little giggle everytime I think of them.  Anyway I was very wary, but ended up coaching her through making this cute little disappearing nine patch baby quilt.  She sewed quilt top and I quilted and completed the binding.   Also I love this fabric by Blue Hill Fabrics called Berkshire.

Well I unpicked

the table runner and quilted in a more neutral colour.  I looks so much better.  I hope my Mother in law likes it.

This pattern was from the Moda Bakeshop http://www.modabakeshop.com/search/label/Cindy%20Lammon

Ivy Designs Guest Giveaway

Ivy Designs Guest Giveaway

A Fantastic New Pattern

Check out A Little Bit Biased blog for a new gorgeous pattern, a great competition and a really great blog.

WIP progress

Well I added two more panels to this piece,  I think Its looking nice.