In The Sticks!

 I have a finish to share....

Just my 5th full-sized quilt for 2023.

I based this quilt on a few I had seen on Pinterest. 

It seems it was popular back in 2009 on 

"Film In the Fridge" blog

A tutorial for the blocks is here

 

I initially quilted in the centre of the white strips in a 

grid design,

and decided it wasn't enough.

So then I went back and did a random square spiral!

Still not finished....

I used perle thread in black to hand quilt each block!

I think it adds something extra to the final look.

So "In the Sticks" is done!

Yes, I think our friends believe we live "in the sticks" as 

described by Merriam-Webster:

"an area in the country that is far away from towns and cities"

so that is what I've named it.

The back is all made from stash!

Perhaps they think we live in this house?

Quilt #5-2023

Lifetime Quilt No.151

Happy sewing!

SUZ

My scraps were calling me....

This is what I started with, two tubs of scraps....

I sorted into strips 

and smaller squares and rectangles

I'd decided to make a string quilt based on one I'd 

seen on Pinterest, 

by Emily @ Quilty Love

Photo From Pinterest

And started making blocks.

I'm foundation paper piecing the blocks to ensure the 

stability of all those seams

I'm really liking where it is headed.

I'll be back when I have more to show you.

Have you ever made a string quilt?

SUZ

The good and the not-so-good.....

I recently picked up a charm pack from a second-hand 

store for $5!

Then Moda had a Charm Square Challenge and this 

was 

the free pattern they provided.

It finished at 32". 

Over on Instagram, I mentioned my desire to make it 

larger!

And what should arrive in the mail but all these lovely 

'scraps'....

And two new charm packs to play with!

Thank you Rose @somethingrosemade! 

You are a sweet and valued friend!

I think I showed you this at the end of last year.....

                   Finally, it has begun!

It has been a bit of a conundrum...for two reasons!

The fabrics supplied with the kit were not labelled and

 many did not resemble the photograph of the final 

quilt.

I even added one of my own fabric because the one 

provided didn't fit well.

And nowhere in the book was there a colour 

photograph or diagram of this version of the design.

The coloured versions were all in reverse! 

Boy, did that play games with my old brain! 

Now that I am this far into the piecing 

(I'm hand stitching for accuracy) 

I have it sorted!

I'm really looking forward to piecing the blossoms in 

those pretty pinks and reds!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Drawstring Bags

 I gave you a little sneak peek of what I was working on 

in my last post.

So I've made them doily and fabric scraps into 

drawstring bags....

Of various sizes.

Most required nothing but bits and pieces from my 

stash.

I did have to purchase some blue grosgrain ribbon to 

finish the last two.

Now to decide on a price that will ensure they sell but 

not so little than I'm practically giving them away!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Where to now?

 As we begin to open up after our eleven week 

lockdown,

there is still some nervousness about how life will look 

in the near future.

It is wonderful to see people enjoying our new-found 

freedoms-

Getting a haircut and new glasses were high on my 

priority list!

The spectacles are my usual shape but I do love the 

green! 

I finished this dress a while back.

This is the "Emerson" Stylearc pattern, which I altered 

slightly, by not having it button all the way through.

I also had a little trouble with the Mandarin collar so I 

just bound the edge, as I would a quilt!

I finally decided to begin a new quilt, by sorting through 

my scraps, yet again!

These are 16-patch blocks made from 2 and 1/2" 

squares.

This is the quilt I am using as inspiration.....

but first I need to make a trip to my LQS for some 

white solid fabric.

While not all retail is open, many innovative businesses 

are able to set up shop on the footpath outside.

All this will change on Friday when we will have 80% of 

our 16+ population vaccinated,

allowing regional travel and retail/entertainment to reopen!

Here we are in Vietnam, New Zealand, France and Melbourne!

Today my husband and I celebrate our 40th wedding 

anniversary! 

So there is some cause for celebration.

Unfortunately our plans for a meal in a restaurant together, for the first time in who-knows-when have been scarpered......

 by a malfunction in the kitchen of our chosen 

restaurant!

Life certainly is looking a little different from last week, from last year AND from 1981!

😄

Happy days!

SUZ

Hooley Dooley!

 This quilt seemed to name itself......

While I was working on it, I thought of this fun 'play-on' 

words, and it stuck!

The backing was lurking in the back of the fabric cupboard

I spent some of my recent fourteen day quarantine 

making this quilt.

I think it took me three weeks from start to finish.

Today I was released from 14 days quarantine....

and with the promise of a sunny morning,

 I set off for a short drive to take some photos!

Boy, it felt good to be out!

The bush setting was perfect, I think!

And a little water....

As I was heading home, I saw a pretty children's 

playground,

and took a couple of photos there!

I love finding great backdrops, especially when I don't 

have an agreeable quilt holder around!

Quilt #8 for 2021

Quilt size 47" square

Lifetime Quilt #137

Happy days!

SUZ