Me and Mrs Jones:

Me and Mrs Jones are getting along very slowly but at least we are getting along. I have managed to complete the 16 log cabin blocks required for my new strippy log cabin applique quilt. Today I made a start on the court house steps blocks. The thing is I now have to complete the whole top of this quilt using Mrs Jones because the presser foot is only 1/8 wide. I did not realise this till I had completed several blocks. I still have a week left till Bernie will be home and hopefully this quilt top will be complete by then.

Back to basics:

My beloved Bernie (Bernina) has gone off to be serviced and unfortunately, there is a two week turn around. However will I manage with out her for two weeks? Well sometime ago I was given a old Jones sewing machine. It belonged to my brother in-laws aunt who sadly passed away. The family wanted it to go to a good home because it was much used by its owner Elsie, who apparently, continued to darn her husbands socks on the machine. Bless her. I think it is from the late fifthies or early sixties, luckily enough it came with the original instruction book (which was a blessing today). Bernie has only been gone for two days and I miss her dreadfully. I decided to get the Jones machine out and sew my Christmas challenge together. The machine does work but all I can say is "please God let the next 12 days fly by". It is fascinating to think that at the time Elsie purchased her machine it was the height of monderninity, with a special darning feature and various stitch size. The machine only sews straight stitch but does have a reverse stitch ability. I have managed to sew my challenge top together but will have to sit and hand quilt it. Oh well it will help the time go by till Bernie comnes home.

Boy its blue:

I was recently asked to make a cot quilt by my friend Barbara and here is the finished quilt. Barbara had seen the two girl quilts I made for our Natalie and wanted to have the tilda bunnies on her quilt. However, Barbara's quilt is for a little boy and the pattern I have for the tilda bunnies are little girls. So a little re-jiggling with the bunnies dress and we now have little boy bunnies in their cool dungarees.

Curly Scarf:

One curly scarf complete, two more to make. This one is for my sister-in law as a christmas gift. They are very quick and easy to knit and come in a vast range of beautiful colours. The wool is called creative Can Can by Rico designs.

Hair today gone tomorrow:

Now ladies I do not mean to frighten you with a picture of me instead of a beautiful quilt or wall hanging but I thought I would share my new hair style. Last week after waking up for the umpteenth time with my long hair wrapped around my neck after a very bad night flush,I decided it was time for a change. As some of you may know I have my very own stylist, my lovely daughter Micheala. I did not have any particular style in mind just as long as it was no shorter than my shoulders. Here is the finished result, I love it and it is very easy to manage. Best of all it no longer strangles me in my sleep.

All that glitters:

Oh I am so excited at last I have sufficient fabric in a new colour scheme (black, gold and cream)for another log cabin strippy. I have been on a mission over a number of weeks gathering the fabric. As well as visiting several craft shops my friend Hilary kindly gave me some pieces from her fabric stash yesterday that completed my bundle. (Thank you Hilary for your generosity) Whilst I am itching to get stuck in to this new quilt, it will have to wait a little longer, as I am currently in the middle of a commissioned baby quilt. In the meantime I will just continue to admire the fabric.

Log cabin blooms:

Hurray I can blog again. I have been having some technical problems with my Internet connection and have been unable to blog for a little while now. I have almost finished my strippy log cabin quilt just a little bit more quiting to do. I have to admit I did get fed up with it and there where times when I fell out of love with it. However, I do adore the pattern, I certainly plan on making another one and have already started collecting the fabrics.

safari nights:

Saturday the 7th November was our area day and the speaker was the lovely Sue Warburton. In the morning Sue showed us her fantastic quilts and spoke about the work she does with people in Romania. In the afternoon Sue held a workshop titled Safari Silhouettes. I took part of the pattern and made a long wall hanging. I hand dyed the backing fabric using fabric paints. It was a fantastic day was had by all and I thoroughly enjoyed making my wall hanging.

Danglie mania:

Oh dear,I kind of got carried away making Janet's danglies. Me thinks its time to get back to quilting my stripy log cabin quilt. Sometimes I need a little distraction when making a big quilt as I can often loose interest and become restless to start another project. Taking time out to do little things gives me a sense of achievement and motivates me to continue with the bigger project at hand. I may be all danglied out now? phew!

Halloween:

Have you ever seen such a chunky skeleton? Little man came knocking for trick or treat and he was so funny with his little bag of goodies.