Still going ….

It’s so exciting putting a quilt on the loom, but in reality it stays there a very long time. Sort of like a piece of the furniture! I’ve been quilting today. The the loom is great in the summer months when you wouldn’t be able to tolerate the heat of the quilt. I’ve gone for big stitch with this design to speed up the process.  It still doesn’t feel very fast. Anyway, I hope you’re quilting! 

 

Hunter’s Star

This was a great pattern and although it wasn’t conventional, it seemed like one of the easiest methods. There are plenty of versions of this pattern out there, some harder than others. But, once started I’m all about finishing spit needs to be easy! Two tone quilts are my ultimate favourite and when completed I always wonder why I don’t make more of these for my home. As a matter of fact, every two tone quilt I’ve done has been given away. This is one for the to-do list for me this year. Happy quilting!

New Stitching … New Location

I would like to introduce my new wordpress blog http://countrystitcher.wordpress.com a distinct split of my Country Quilter site. Stitcher will have dedicated stitching updates and pictures leaving the Quilter site to patches and quilting. I hope you enjoy, Happy Stitching!

Baby Richards Quilt

Finally finished my sister in law’s baby quilt. Gorgeous colours and cute vintage coordinating fabric with cycling elephants, we just need the baby to go on it. Happy stitching!

Biscornu update …

With one baby overseas holidaying her heart out, the other just home today for a month there may be little time to post. So far so good, and not much of the top to go. Next time we catch up I could be stuffing. Happy Stitching!

autumn days gone

Winter has truly set in in the Southern Hemisphere. But, this year I really was out in it, through the onset and into Autumn (fall). I had forgotten how good a bracing walk feels and how beautiful Autumn is. Even the dog started to get fit. Unfortunately when nearing the equinox it’s too dark to be walking anywhere, especially with my ageing dog!

. Now we are churning out winter desserts and staying in …. At least until it gets lighter in the evening. Oh well, no time wasted, more stitching! Happy Stitching!

Stitch exchange loot

What fun it is, to be in a stitch exchange. Especially when your loot arrives! Thanks Lisa, I love it! Happy stitching!!

Quilt frame beginnings …

If anyone out there has a quilt frame and hand quilts, you will relate to this process. The length of time the quilt ends up being on the frame can be lengthy. Some of mine have spent years on the frame, sitting silently in the corner of the room, sometimes draped in a bed sheet, sometimes ignored for months on end. It’s all enthusiasm for me in the beginning, to get it on the frame is one step closer to the quilting part. To take the first few stitches, after the template is chosen, is like setting out on an adventure. I love this part of the process. So much of the quilting process is now farmed out with a view to expediting the time between the machine and the bed. I like to hand quilt the ones I intend to keep. The drape of a hand quilted is like nothing else. The weight, the feel, the texture all adds to its finished charm. Do you hand quilt? It might be a while before I post the finished quilt, but it’s all about the process for me. Happy Stitching!

Hello Stitcher’s!

Holidays! There’s no time for stitching. One is just too busy. However I did manage the February exchange. After 7 long weeks off work over the summer, going back to work brings routine and time for stitching back into my week. I’ve got a lot of projects planned for this year. I have some quilts to make, I thought I’d try my hand at needle punch, and I’ve bought a canning kit! I just thought I’d touch base before all this begins! Happy Stitching!

Gingerbread Tradition

For about 5 years I have made gingerbread cookies and a gingerbread house every Christmas with my girls and this year was no exception. I take cookies to work and package them up for guests when they visit. Every Boxing Day,my sister in law has a family gathering and I let the youngest child take a bite or punch in the Christmas G/bread House so everyone can have a piece. This year my youngest daughter wanted to decorate the cookies in a (?swedish) style and they look great. This recipe hasn’t been handed down, it’s a tried and true from Women’s Weekly. Here is the link Australian Women’s Weekly Gingerbread House Recipe. I know Christmas has passed, but tuck this away for next year. The same recipe makes the cookies. It’s the only Recipe I know off where kids eat the cookie as well as the icing. The cookies are soft and far more tasty than store bought packs which can have spices in them little children don’t like. Anyway, enjoy your new year and start thinking about the projects for the new year!