My first quilt finish....

for 2016!

Productivity is obviously not my word for this year.

 But sometimes life gets in the way, doesn't it?

I haven't even named this one yet.

The label is half sewn on waiting for inspiration!

If your remember I had some initial

basting problems!

But once I solved that issue, the straightline quilting 

went mostly smoothly.

  It had been too long since I had tested out my FMQ 

skills, but once I started, I didn't want to stop.... 

I used my favourite Aurifil thread in #2021 for all the

piecing and quilting. 

 I managed a couple of quick outdoor shots...

with the help of my son, 

 and a close up of the binding and backing...

Autumn is here and this quilt is already doing its job 

on our bed!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Chucking along!

As the month comes to a close,

 I thought you might like to see my Chuch Nohara 

blocks for March... 

Yes, there is a 'y' seam in there.....

They came together well...

The top one I was able to free piece, just measuring 

up the pieces, 

and the bottom two were foundation paper pieced.

Here's how I did the log cabin in a circle.....

Obviously I made the log cabin first,

then I laid my photocopied pieces over the top to 

check for fit!

I made each of the four corners then joined them, 

turning back the inner circle,

which I reverse appliqued to the front.

I promise, it doesn't look nearly as wonky from here!

Time to plan for April...

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Small Gains

The day started with great promise....

But basting was the far as I got with this 'monster'!

I don't know whether it is the batting (Matilda's Own 

Polyester) or the backing (a vintage sheet) that was causing 

'shifting' problems?

So I spent much of the afternoon 'unsewing' various 

seams, and am now back to square one!

I pin basted today, but have some glue spray and will 

add that to the task tomorrow, as well as a different backing!

Thankfully I had no problems putting these nine-patch blocks 

together...

I'm thinking of adding them to my Chuck Nohara blocks?

Then this one made it across the finish line...

the back....

a close-up

It's hard to go wrong with Tula Pink and hexies!

And finally three tissue cosies...

shame I got those magpies upside down!

Hopefully tomorrow is a better day....

SUZ

Hitting the ground running!

With nearly a week away from the sewing machine,

A 'floating' butterfly

A wallaby having a snack....

A red sky in the morning...

the sailor's warning

I was keen to remedy it this weekend!

I made a border for my Tula Pink hexies....

14" square of fabric with 2" squares around the outside edge

ready now to applique!

a nasty night time photo!

A friend is celebrating her birthday tomorrow 

and as the 'group' gift isn't ready...

I didn't want to go empty handed!

So a tote bag was made!

The inside pocket

I raided my stash for this Lecien linen from way 

back...

It's called "Isso Ecco & 'heart'"...

no longer stocked, I believe?

And an outside pocket.

Who knows what is on the schedule for the third day 

of our long weekend?

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Dragging my feet....

I continue to plod along with my projects.....

I made this...

and these.

They may become coasters?

This is what has taken most of my time...

six inch blocks...

and EPP stars....

which will eventually be added to this....

only a sneak peek at this stage!

 But all sewing must wait, because I'm off on a 

business trip   school camp,

staying in a five-star hotel  a cabin with bunks,

socialising with supervising adults twelve year olds 

for four glorious gruesome days!

Wish me luck!

'Cos if I wasn't dragging my feet before,

 I will be on Friday!

SUZ

Where does the time go?

Can it really be a fortnight since my last 

blogpost?

Needless to say, I don't have much to show...

some purchases from a weekend market...

the beginnings of a new quilt...

all my Chuck Nohara blocks together...

time to choose those for March making.

and my addition (mainly along the bottom) to the 

the travelling bee block!

Now, if anyone can tell me how to find more hours in the day....

Happy sewing!

SUZ

One for me...

#cn 1024

two for you...

Bee blocks for Cindy

two for me...

#cn1132 and #cn1733

two for you....

Spelling Bee blocks for Lisa.

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Volvox

Volvox?

"What is that?", I hear you say!

A green algae which I have used as my inspiration 

for 

the first of this year's "Four-In-Art" mini.

If you do a Google image search, this is what you 

will find!

The overlying theme for 2016 is colour, and the sub-

theme for February was "Microscopic".

It was fun to see this little organism had inspired 

other artwork...

found here.

I first came across them when I was teaching my 

Year 7 Science class last year!

I have used a little 'artistic licence' in my 

interpretation....

But overall, I am pleased with the final result.

Beads, sequins, felt, fabric and thread.

I had fun photographing "Volvox" in the 

Science Labs where I teach!

And one last shot of it on my wall of minis.

Now it's my turn to choose the sub-theme for May...

the back....

Please take the time to check out all the other minis created by the group:

Betty 
Camilla
Catherine
Elizabeth
Janine
Nancy
Rachel
Simone

Happy sewing!

SUZ