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

A Flimsy!

I haven't spent much time at home 

over the last two weeks, 

so crafting time has been limited! 

I spent some time placing and moving blocks around 

on 

my Carisbrook Cabin quilt.

And trying it out with a black-and-white photo.

Even after I had sewn the rows together I continued 

rearranging them.

I know it's not perfect, but we know what they say.....

"Better done than perfect!"

I want to get it basted and quilted real soon!

Happy days!

SUZ

Carisbrook Cabin Quilt

 It's time for an update on my latest  WIP!

I have all the thirty-six blocks completed just waiting to 

be pieced together.

I did think I might stop at sixteen, resulting in a small 

baby quilt 36" square.

A blogging friend suggested I make a few more to

bring it up to 36" by 54".

Thanks, Suz!

That gave me the incentive to scramble through my 

stash for even more combinations!

I thought these colour combinations would tone down 

the overall look!

The last twelve made...

Here are a few of my favourite blocks!

I haven't bought one piece of fabric for this quilt- 

what a scrap buster!

I'm off on a little road trip tomorrow so the completion 

of this quilt top will have to wait a bit!

I'm taking some knitting though....

The wool is more green than brown.

Happy days!

SUZ

A new year, a new project!

 Not my tissue covers....

            Although they are a quick and easy make!

I've long admired the quilts made by Linda at KokaQuilts

Check out the beautiful quilts she makes....

And when I saw her Log Cabin quilt, I knew I had to make one too. 

I've lifted this directly from her website. I know she won't mind!

There's also a sew-along happening on Instagram 

and while I 

considered joining in, I could not justify paying over 

$20 for the pattern that was required to join in... 

I mean, it's a log cabin block for goodness sake!

This became a test block- the yellow fabric is different shades!

Initially, I was hoping to use my scraps but after getting 

frustrated looking for suitably sized fabric, I've now 

resorted to stash. 

In fact I unpicked another block too...

You can tell from this photo (above)the effect I am 

aiming for.

I decided I needed more of a plan after all the random 

piecing and piles of messy fabric...

creating my own cutting plan.

Laying all the prepared pieces on my newly covered 

design board made for an efficient piecing process.

I have my solids sorted but I definitely need to 

supplement them with a purchase of some

blue and greens, and maybe some pretty strong florals!

Oh, I've decided to call it Carisbrook Cabin and hope to 

get photos here....

The Carisbrook Log Cabin Jail built in 1851

when it is finished! 

The jail is probably not as cosy as a cabin, but this is as close as it gets!

There aren't a lot of log cabins in

Australia.😄

Happy days,

SUZ

My poor neglected blog!

 How is it that retirement makes one busier than ever?

I've been helping out in the garden....

Can you see the little bird there?

The bottlebrush bushes need pruning after they have 

finished flowering, and we have about ten of these in 

the garden!

I knitted a cushion cover in some of that rust-coloured wool.... 

  

I had left over from my jumper.

I sewed some felt Christmas decorations....

for my son and grandsons.

And decorated a gingerbread house with Eli and Aston.

Next year we may do one from scratch, not just a kit?

Eli stayed for a few days before Christmas and was keen to sew...

       

      This is what he made.  It is a small mat for display.

He did all the sewing himself, and I did the cutting and binding!

I've been keen to extend my artistic skills and did 

some water colouring.

There was a short free five-day course by Este McCleod   

that gave me the incentive to while away a few hours.

Finally, my sister needed some assistance 

re-upholstering her favourite occasional chair.

We are very happy with the result!

So as the sun begins to set on another year,

I will see you in 2023!

Happy New Year!

SUZ