Pincushion Parade!

On Instagram, throughout August, 

there is a pinnie (pin cushion) parade every day, for 

those who want to join in!

(#pinnieparade)

I started by sharing this old favourite...

which had me looking through my photos at others I 

have made....

(or been gifted!)

These were all gifts from blogging friends!

 that live somewhere else in the world!

And this one lives beside my sewing machine...

and use it most days!

I decided I should make a couple of new ones too!

I found a couple of small cross stitch panels that I 

won in a giveaway a l..o..n..g time ago!

They were perfect for this quick little project! 

Would you like this one to live at your place?

To celebrate my 7th blog-iversary I'm giving away 

this little pincushion....

If you'd like a chance to win it, tell me, in the 

comments below, about your favourite pincushion....

Did you make it yourself?

What size is it?

Where does it live?

I'll draw a winner in a week!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Not Working Harder....

just smarter!

Well, mostly! But more on that soon...

I've been making Month #5 block of "Delilah" quilt,

while "Alice" sits in a corner and sulks, 

because she didn't turn out as pretty as hoped!

I commented that these North Star blocks seem to 

take longer to cut out than piece.

So I thought I'd share how I managed to make the 

cutting a bit quicker.

I cut rectangles of each fabric 

(here are the measurements for each shape:)

T19- 2" x 5"

T20- 2" x 4"

T21- 2.75" x 5"

and layered them in groups of four, flipping the 

template as required.

Rotating these smaller pieces of fabric is much easier than turning oneself inside out cutting around all these corners!

Pressing seams open makes for a block that lays flat 

too.

A completed block from the back....

and from the front!

This one is quite subtle, which I like!

This wasn't the smartest bit of sewing of the day.....

needless to say a bit of 'un-sewing' was required!

Ah, that's better!

Here are they are together,

and a group shot of all my blocks so far!

Two more of these to make and Month #5 is 

complete!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

All work....

and no play, makes for little sewing time!

On my desk at work- gifts from special friends!

I have my Month 5 Delilah templates, and some new 

fabric waiting....

And fabric ready for binding Chucky!

Cutting this out probably took as long as the sewing 

will take!

But I hope to be back with a flimsy finish soon!

Happy days!

SUZ 

Rainbow Stepping Stones

is finished!

So many favourite fabrics...

 and long forgotten scraps...

And in all it's rainbow goodness!

finishes at 72" by 68"....

Simple straight line quilting, about 2 inch apart.

Inspiration from here.

 "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" fabric for backing,

and binding.

And on this pleasant winter's day...

a Hellebores- Winter Rose!

Happy days!

SUZ

Indecision...

Do you ever finish a project, 

 (my Random Stepping Stones quilt is finished)

More photos to come

and not know what to start next?

Too many choices, too many ideas!

I have been collecting solids for a few months now...

But what pattern to choose?

Or what to make from my "Alice in Wonderland" 

stash?

What about making something with my black and 

white fabrics?

Any ideas gratefully considered!

In the meantime, I might just make a few more 

bandana bibs for Eli!

Happy days!

SUZ

Fairhaven blocks...

named for a well known Victorian beach!

There were three of these to make this month.

And I knew before the templates even arrived that I 

was constructing them my way!

Making all those Chuck Nohara blocks taught me a 

lot about block construction.

There was no way I was cutting these weird shapes, 

even with the templates. 

And piecing all those curves!

So I made 3.5" HSTs...

laid out my orange peel shapes.....

joined some sections and used applique to finish 

them off!

So I have nine blocks now, and its time for another 

 group shot!

I believe the next round of blocks, five in all, can be 

machine pieced!

Yippee!

Happy days!

SUZ