Finished Quilt & Jonathan Butler

I completed this quilt today. It's going to be a gift for a relative in Scotland.
I had made the top last year from a charm pack and the technique is 'disappearing nine patch".

For the quilting I used a decorative stitch along the stitching line instead of stitch in the ditch. It was quick and doesn't require too much fuss.

With the very hot weather we are having these past two days (38 degrees Celsius) the garden is not too happy, but early this morning I took photos of these two lovely rose plants which are still giving so much colour...






This past Friday I went to see a live show with Jonathan Butler, for the first time in Australia.
Jonathan is originally from Cape Town, South Africa and has been singing and playing the guitar since he was a child. He has an impressive number of albuns released and has performed all over the world and continues to do so with such a varied reportoir.
I chose this song which is more of a smooth jazz / R&B style.

Baby Quilt

I have done a bit of sewing on a couple of swaps but until they reach the recipients I can't show you. But finally finished something I can share on the blog.
Part of the backing fabric.

I cut up the 5 1/2" squares with the AccuQuilt and in no time I put the quilt together.

The fabrics I used were from a collection called "From Little things" by Sarah Fielke.

I want to share with you my pin collection. I have hundreds of pins that I purchased locally or from my travels.

I pin them to a bag and hang the bag in my studio but I photographed it outside to get better exposure.

I flatted the bag to show you some of the pins...

These are my favourites, from my trip to Hawaii, New York including the Blue Note Club, my cruise on the cruise liner "Pride of America", a couple of visits to Disneyland, International Quilt Festival in Houston, Catalina Island, etc. All fond memories of places, people and activities we did...

This week many tributes have been made for Whitney Houston.
I always loved her music so I'll leave you with a favourite of mine.

Finally completed a project !

I've been busy with work and since returning from holidays my sewing routine has not settled.

I made this table topper from some pieces of a charm pack I had purchased years ago called Woodland Bloom by Lila Tueller. The colours are fresh and have a modern feeling which I'm enjoying more and more working with this style.

I didn't use a pattern because the flowers, leaves and stems were all cut from the dies from the AccQuilt. Everything was machine applique and pieced including the binding. I want to design a few more projects using many of the dies I've been acquiring as they are so easy and so fun to do.

 My friend Jan-Maree sent me these two pieces of chess board fabric... how cute is that ?
She knows that my daughter plays competition chess.  I'm thinking it will look nice for a tote but if you have some suggestions please let me know.

I decided to show you my thimble collection I've had for a little while.

Most of these thimbles remind me of the places I visited both in Australia and overseas and some thimbles have been gifts from friends who live in other places I am yet to visit.

My daughter is showing off my favourite thimbles which we bought together on our travels to Catalina Island, Washington DC, Hawaii,  International Quilt Market in Houston and of course New York. 

As part of my swap with Jan-Maree, she sent me these lovely stars...



And a stack of 1930's fabrics... too adorable....