Scrappy Mug Rug

I have joined another swap!

I am on the home stretch of the "Embroider-bee" so decided to dive into another!

The Scrappy Mug Rug Swap.

Sort of a mini placemat for a coffee cup and snack.

This is what I made with that new American Jane fabric I purchased at the weekend.

Just a practice one!

It was such fun to make!

It was only when I had finished, I realized that this jug matched pretty well too.

I bought the jug in Paris back in July- it is such a cute range- I wish I could have brought back more pieces or even if I could buy it here in Melbourne.

So on one side I have Mug Rug 

&

on the other - a Jug Rug!

Makes me happy!

SUZ

Sunday Stash

Not much sewing done this weekend!

In fact, I haven't sat down at the machine at all!

I spent most of Saturday at Patchwork House Market Day!

Besides selling off some of my stash I did a little spending too!

Don't you love this American Jane?

One half is woven in spots, the other in checks!

Two for one!

And the tape measures!

 And very good value!

This is about 45 inches, and cos all fabrics were 25% off, all it cost was just over $8!

I'm a girl who loves a bargain!

And I bought this from one of the other market girls who was off loading her stash!

I think I can see another quilt here - in brown and turquoise.

Such a pretty combo.

What are some of you favorite color combinations?

Have a happy day!

SUZ

Together!

  A HAPPY MARRIAGE-       

Of Patchwork and Embroidery!

The embroidered doiley is an old one I had lying around just waiting to be used in another life!

I saw this idea on a blog somewhere, sometime ago!

(If anyone out there can point me to where, I would be most grateful.)

But in the meantime, this is one idea I had of combining the two techniques.  

Simply 3 1/2 " squares-

                    

Pieced!

This will become a cushion cover for a friend.

The colours are quite dark and traditional but that's the way she likes it!

A bit of a vintage feel to it, I think.

Pinned!

Quilted!

And completed as a pillow!

Do you think my friend will like it?

I hope so!

I will let you know when I give it to her in a month or so!

Have a happy day!

SUZ

Sew Picture Perfect

Did I tell you?

This photos is of  some 'treasures'  I found in Paris recently was featured on Jodi's

Sew Picture Perfect ?

In Paris- on the hunt!

This is the second time I have been featured!

I'm pretty chuffed actually.

I love Jodi's blog- her quilts are so fresh.

And her attitude to life is so positive.

She just somehow makes the day seem happier! 

And continuing the Parisian theme-

My latest stash building.

I have had the Eiffel Tower fabric for quite some time.

But I added the four complementary pieces this week.

Couldn't resist making a purchase from Hawthorne Threads.

One of life's joys - 

A parcel (not a bill!) in the mail!

Don't you think?

I have a couple of ideas brewing but this one will need to wait until the school holidays.

Only four weeks to go!

Have a happy day!

SUZ

A quick trip to Europe!

Not much sewing happening here this weekend!

Back on the exercise kick so went for a 40 km cycle yesterday and a 6km walk/run today!

Also working my second job today (more about that another day).

So I thought I would share some little quilts I have made over the last couple of years.

I purchased a pattern from "House on the Hill"  in New Zealand when I visited there back in 2005.

It is not a big company but the designs are really pretty.

                                                  

This is the Dolce Vita pattern - my 'signora' as I call her.

Don't you love her little blue Vespa?

                                                

This one comes from the "Paris Cafe" quilts pattern.

And a close up of mademoiselle enjoying a cocktail.

The table cloth has a neat little fringe!

And out walking her poodle!

He is made from felt.

They are a real delight to make- manageable size and simple applique.  I use fusible web and add blanket stitch to finish them off.  Also a little embroidery too which I like in a quilt.

I don't have a permanent place for them (waiting for my sewing room to magically materialise!)

but they are displayed on my quilt ladder.

I have an idea  to design one of my one with the Eiffel Tower in the background, in the style of the Dolce Vita one.

Just add that to my list of 'things to do'!

Check out House on the Hill if you get the chance.

Have a happy weekend!

SUZ

There are wonderful people out there!

Today I wanted to share something of the lovely things I have received in the mail recently.

  The first photo shows a wonderful bundle of goodies I received from Chris in Wisconsin, USA.

I sent Chris a needlecase I made as part of the Quilting Gallery's Applique Needlecase Swap.

She sent this as a thank you gift!

How generous is that!

The fabric is especially lovely- very wide and will make a great border or binding.

Now see this cute little hedgie!

And this woolly sheep!

I recently won them and these delightful buttons at a giveaway here

They are all made in the teeniest and tiniest stitches.

I am saving them for a very special project!

Thank you Chris and Katia- you made my day especially happy!

Have a fun day!

SUZ

Beautiful Flowers for a Not-so-Beautiful Day!

Today I thought I would share some photos I took in Singapore recently!

Enjoy!

There is something rather prehistoric about these beauties, don't you think?

Have a happy day

SUZ

                                                                              

Mariner's Compass VI

Mariner's Compass VI

This is what I worked on this weekend.

My Mariner's Compass blocks.

This is block number 6!

Close up

I hadn't done one for absolute ages!

And I was very happy at how well it all went.

I only had to unpick one seam this time!

That make me two thirds of the way.

Only three more to go!

Even closer up!

It is quite timing consuming and uses up quite a bit of fabric.

But the accuracy of the final result seems to make it all worth it.

The book I am using

And the cover of the book has the completed quilt hanging right there!

My aim is to have it finished by the end of the year.

Do-able?  I hope so!

Have a happy day-

SUZ

At Play!

In the spirit of my new name and another cold, gloomy day in Melbourne I decided today I would play!

Play with fabric that is!

First up I finished up these cross stitch pieces I did while I was away.

Don't they look pretty?

I think they might become cards.

Close Up

I had wanted to try one of these for a while now.

I found a tutorial and this is the result.

It was really quite easy and I'm pretty happy with my first attempt.

Asterisk Block


That is one thing I like to do when I have the time-

Try out new techniques and methods-just playing with fabric and color and see what happens!

So I also worked on my foundation pieced Mariner's Compass blocks today.

But I'm not ready to show Block 6 just yet.

Until then, have a happy day!

SUZ

I'm SO excited!

I have long been a fan of Jodi @ Pleasant Home !

Her photos, patchwork and bright and happy nature have always appealed to me.

I think her blog was the first one I began following.

Recently she started a new blog called Sew Picture Perfect , which, in her words is

 "A place to share inspirational sewing photos I find all over the World Wide Web"

So can you guess what has me excited?

Yes!

I am using it as a place mat!

One of the photos of my unofficial Doll Swap Quilt (cos I 'm not officially participating) has made an appearance! 

In the Turquoise and Orange section.

I am so proud!

(It does refer back to my old blog, but I'm not complaining!)

In fact it has been a fantastic day!

I received a wonderful parcel from Chris, my needlecase swap 'partner', and my prize from Katia @  Plushka's Craft

But I will save that til my next post when I have photos!

Have a happy day!

SUZ

The Bees Knees!

The needlecase I made

The Quilting Gallery organised a Swap

They gave participants the pattern and instructions and the name of our recipient.

Mine went all the way to Christine in Wisconsin, USA.

I attached a sweet little silver charm of a bee, which I bought on my recent trip to Paris.

I hope Chris enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Needlecase I received

The needlecase that arrived for me, yesterday, came from Charlotte in Washington State, USA.

Mine is covered with BEES!

A bit of a coincidence, don't you think?

The colours are really vibrant!

And she kindly included a mini version to which she attached a key ring!

Too cute!

So to my two new internet and quilting friends-

Have a happy day!

SUZ

The Pink and Green Quilt!

My weekend efforts-

This is my abridged and simple version of a tutorial!

Cutting

Pinning!

                                   

Piecing

Close up!

This is the progress on my Pink and Green Quilt (must think of a better name for it!- any suggestions?)

I originally blogged about it back at my other 'home', here.

Raf's Mum had a great suggestion but with so much to do, I couldn't face a whole bunch of 6" stars.

Latest round

I am happy with the latest additions.

I think it is time for a final border of flowers!

That would be one less UFO lurking in the cupboard!

Then it would only need quilting!

Have a fun day!

SUZ

Hello Again!

Not sure whether this is a move or a name change!

Certainly easier than moving house!

But I feel like I am going through a divorce!  The last time I changed my name was nearly thirty years ago when I was married.  Didn't have real intentions of going back to my maiden name!

Anyway here I am at my new home with my new name.

Patchwork and Play! 

Do you like it?

I'm very pleased with it - I hope it inspires me in my patchwork, sewing and all the fun things in life we like to 'play' around with.

This photo is a little out of the ordinary- not what I would normally post but it is about the fun stuff in life!

Getting together with friends (and MrPandP), eating good food and drinking good wine!

And for the patchwork theme, this is a patch I recently completed for a swap I am doing.

I certainly hope my partner likes it.  I had all sorts of trouble finding fabrics she likes by designers she likes!

I'm not really into choosing fabric lines by designer, I just buy fabric I like.

I am pleased with the final result.

What do you think?

Anyway, have a fun day!

SUZ