Friday, 25 October 2013

Mini quilt madness and Halloween

For the last few weeks I've only had time to get my swap quilts finished. I think three swaps at once is a bit much and won't be engaging in any more for a while ;0)
They are fun though and I recommend them as it's really great to meet like minded people who you can share your passion with.
Here's a sneak peek at the two mug rugs I'll be sending off on Monday, don't want to spoil the surprise for Lilian in Canada!

                                  

The blue mug rug is in her favourite colour and Australian themed and the beige one is fall inspired, I hope she likes them.

I finished quilting the secret swap mini quilt. Although it's not to my taste,  I do like it. After all I did design and make it! It was never supposed to be for me and I'm hoping and praying it's to the taste of it's intended recipient. Fingers crossed! it's just not my usual choice for colours so I'm a little uncomfortable. But that's what is great about swaps. It takes you out of your everyday and plops you somewhere completely new!

 All i have to do is bind it and appliqué the label down.

      

       

       

       

I finished the quilt top for my other mini quilt swap. It's a secret too ;0)

      

All it needs now is the wadding and backing, quilting and binding. Will try and get the quilting started today. This was fun to design. I really like it too!

       

      
I particularly like the little heart shaped window in the vase. Too cute.

Besides swaps I have been trying to get some Halloween decorations going. My kids ask me every year to decorate and this year I finally made some ornaments. I started with the obligatory pumpkins. I will be making more of these because 3 are just not enough. I Want pumpkins everywhere!

                        

                                                            How cute are these!!!
They only took about 20 mins each. The first one took longer of course but after that they were easier. The hardest part is getting the needle to go all the way through the middle to make the segments.

I also made my own version of two Jan Patek quilts. 
Witchy poo and the Pumpkinman. (That's what I called them)

                                  

                                  
On the back are 2 folded triangles which are sewn on before the binding. They are perfect hangers. All you need is a flat stick like a ruler or paint stirer. Way too easy and a professional looking finish. I also found a tute for the machine sewn binding. This is super easy and looks really good finished as well. 

      

      


Pumpkinman is awaiting his turn to be quilted.



I'm also in the middle of making some Candy Corn Bunting.

       

       



These are super easy to make. I just joined three strips together, made a template out of cardboard for the candy corn shape cut it out after the strips were sewn and used calico for the backing.
The opening that is left after you turn them right side out will be coverd by the ribbon! Yay!
Whatever makes our lives easier, I'm all over it.

       

And that's it from me today.
I hope you are all enjoying your projects and find time to spend stitching.
Till next time,
Kel.































Friday, 4 October 2013

Busy little bee


It's been longer than usual since my last post. I have been busy, busy, busy with all my lovely sewing. I'm participating in two swaps at the moment. One is a mug rug swap and the other is a mini quilt swap over at www.schnitzelandboo.com
Here's a sneak peek at the quilt I'll be sending. I have only just started it but the appliqué is nearly finished!



I decided to make a move on the Phebe's and get the centres finished on both quilts.
I popped on the borders and began stitching the bias vine for the first appliqué border.
I hate making bias, I really hate it. However, I love the look that only bias can give. So, I'm hoping that one day I might just learn to like it ;)



                                                                    DD's Phebe

                                                                      My Phebe


I also managed to get some stitching done on my miniature hexies. I saw a small civil war Hexie quilt and was inspired to make a miniature version. These are darling, but be warned. They are no quicker to make than their full sized counterparts ! 



And lastly but by no means least is my enchanting CWBQ Block number 2.





And I think that's enough from me.
Keep on stitching,
Kel.