Around the World Blog Hop!

My best blogging friend Mary 

@ Molly Flanders Makerie twisted my arm 

to participate in the "Around the World" Blog Hop! 

(Apologies to my other friends who asked me- the school holidays has freed up my time)

Here are the questions I have been charged with answering: 

1) What I am working on?

1.    My Museum Medallion hand pieced/hand quilted monster! 

2.    EPP Hexies- this one I come back to when I have more colours in my stash.

3.    A series of Polaroid calendars, with just two months to go.....

4.    Shelburne Tartan Quilt which still needs quilting.....

5.    And numerous other 'secret' projects!

2) How does my work differ from others its genre?

 I don't think my work does differ in any significant way. I do put a lot of my love and effort into my work. I don't often create my own designs but I do try to put my own 'twist' on everything I create, whether its my eclectic colour or fabric choices or maybe the final layout of a quilt.  It's different because it's mine!

"Bricolage"- a modern sampler- 2012

3) Why do I write/create what I do?

 I create because I love to! I have always made stuff- dolls' clothes, my own clothes. I've tried cross stitch, redwork, even botanical art! When quilting, I like to challenge myself with new techniques and try to learn something with every quilt I make.  I also love to share my work with family and friends.

4) How does my writing/creative process work?

"Almost A Rainbow" - 2013

This is tricky one! I have sleepless nights where I plot and plan, waiting for the creative process to kick in!  I 'pin' lots of ideas, enjoy sorting through my stash for interesting colour and fabric combinations, and continue to read quilt books and other blogs for inspiration.  Sometimes it is a slow process, but you can't force it. My mantra for 2014 is "savour every stitch".  So although a finished product can be a long time coming, you can't force the creative process.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

"Fun and Friendship" Quilt reveal

It's hard to believe that this day has come!

The final reveal of our + and x friendship block quilt!

This was the palette Carla and I based our quilts on....

And I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

Here it is before I quilted it....

four blocks joined and sashed in an aqua spot 

with brown corner "+s"...

Putting it together wasn't without it's problems....

Keeping it real....

That's a broken needle AND a pin in there!

I chose a wavy quilting line from the many 'patterns' 

offered by my machine....

And I 'marked' diagonal lines with my Hera marker, 

two inches apart, 

keeping this line centred as I stitched with my 

walking foot....

I found a bargain backing at Darn Cheap fabrics....

Cuckoo Clocks from the "Folktale" range,

by Cinderberry Stitches in orange!

This was such a fun fabric,

perfect for a fun experience!

There are so many special parts in this quilt....

Carla and I even exchanged labels!

The binding is called "Alphabet Soup" by Henry Glass

My quilt finishes at about 68" by 75"

Be sure you pop over and see 

what a beautiful quilt Carla has made 

from our fun block sharing experience!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Happy Birthday Helen!

I haven't enjoyed making something so much 

as I did making this...

for my sister's recent birthday.

Helen had admired my first Sew Together Bag, 

so I didn't need an excuse to make another!

Oh, its blurry! I'm seem to be making a habit of that!

I pieced simple patchwork from my stash, 

from my favourite palette of pink and yellow!

and had fun choosing matching zippers...

and construction went smoothly too!

Although I do all the bindings by hand, not machine!

So now just the final shots....

Here it is enjoying some Spring sunshine!

And some indoor shots!

Rather appropriately it is now living happily by the 

beach, 

given the fabric I chose!

I will leave you with a favourite photo from another 

day at the beach...

Helen, Mum and I (circa 1960)

Happy days,

SUZ

Cobbled Illustrations

I have finished my Cobbled quilt- 

now named "Cobbled Illustrations" to include the 

name of the P & B textiles fabric collection 

it is made from.

It is hard to see but I quilted it in straight-ish lines, 

echoing the houses in red thread.

Once I decided on a path I just meandered through,

stitching lines about one inch apart.

This is the obligatory 'rolled-up' shot 

with its spotted binding!

 The red door has to be my favourite part!

I used bamboo batting, because that is all the shop had!

It gives a lovely snuggly feel 

now it has been washed!

I'm happy to have a recipient in mind for this.

One day this lap sized quilt will live in Scotland, 

maybe as a reminder of the terrace house 

they lived in in South Melbourne!

Happy days!

SUZ

Welcome Spring!

What a weekend we had....

well some of it!

The air is filled with the smell of blossom....

Wishing you a happy day!

the back...

SUZ