Giant I-Spy Cushion

On Wednesday night I finished this giant 24" I-Spy cushion for Master 3.

It's made up of four 12.5" blocks that I randomly pieced improv style from all manner of boy type fabrics. Some scraps, some stash.

I had a go at free motion quilting for the first time on something other than a secondhand pillowcase stuffed with scrap batting. It's certainly not perfect but it's not too bad and definitely better than I expected. I used a lovely variegated King Tut thread.

Master 3 chose this motorbike print for the back. Motorbikes are the flavour of the month.

I used this great tutorial to put the cushion cover together. These cushions are a great way to use up scraps and practice free motion quilting. I will definitely be making more.

Linking up with Quilt Matters for TGIFF.

Good Friday Finish

This week I finished this rainbow quilt for my son's playgroup, Rainbow Playgroup, co-incidence? I think not. It is going to be the first prize in our Mother's Day Raffle. 

I based it on the Beeline pattern from the Scrap Republic book. Rainbow strip center and white/neutral base fabrics for the border.  

I backed it with this gorgeous floral print I picked up at Spotlight. I have a little bit left over that I'm hoping to use in a pieced back for my great granny square quilt.

I also made this cushion using a scrap vomit block. The colours and prints were carefully chosen though as this is going to be a birthday gift. 

Using Katy's tutorial, I made an envelope back. It came together really quickly. I see more of these in my future.

This Ipad pouch is also going to be a gift. I have been wanting to make one for my sister for ages but have been too scared as it calls for a zip! Her birthday is coming up so I made myself sit down and make a start on it after I did the cushion. I ended up finishing it as it went together quite quickly. I also see more of these in my future. You can find the tutorial at Freckled Whimsy.

Linking up with Never Too Hot To Stitch for TGIFF.

Red & Aqua String Block Quilt - It's Done!

It's finished! Just over a year after I started it. After making quilts for more than 2 years this is the very first one that I have made for myself and I can tell you that I'm pretty chuffed with it.

I joined my first quilt block bee in February 2012. I was first up in February and this is the block that I chose. The string block. Tutorial at Film In The Fridge. I chose red and aqua for my colour scheme. 

I received so many lovely blocks from my fellow bees but I also had to make a lot myself as it was only a small 8" block. Initially I intended it to be a 60" x 60" lap quilt but I just couldn't bring myself to make any more blocks so it ended up 45" x 60". Which is still a good size for me.

The back was pieced using Nesting Chairs in Celebration by Laurie Wisbrun, Lotus by Amy Butler and some gorgeous red Timeless Treasures fabric I had in my stash. I went with a grey binding as it was a bit softer than black and it blended beautifully with the greys in the Nesting Chairs and Lotus fabrics.

The quilting was done by the owner of my local quilt shop, Finch's Nest. I have so many WIP's at the moment that I just wanted to get it out the way and I knew that my straight line quilting just wasn't going to do this one any justice. I made the right decision.

Master 3 and I went to the HMAS Sydney II memorial in town and took these photos. It was a typical windy Geraldton day.

The best thing about this quilt is that it's full of all the wonderful blocks from my friends in QCA Bee 2. It makes it really special having blocks in it that people have made just for you. For that reason I'm so glad that this is the first quilt that I have completed for myself. I will treasure it.

Linking up with Sew, Love, Live for TGIFF (for the first time in ages!)

I Heart Batman

Master 2 is obsessed with Batman at the moment. He has never seen a Batman movie, cartoon or comic before. It's all because of the Batman Monster Truck. He loves Monster Trucks. Particularly the Batman one. I'm quite proud of him because I am a HUGE Batman fan. I have always loved the Batman films, especially the last three.

 

 When we visited our local quilt shop last week he spotted the Batman fabric. He was in his pram and he told me that he had to hold it. He has been cranky lately as he has a nasty cold, so to keep him happy while I shopped, I let him hold the bolt. This resulted in him not wanting to give it up when I had made my purchase and it was time to leave (much like I don't want to leave certain bolts of fabric there when I leave haha).

I thought about getting some to stash for the I Spy quilt I want to eventually make him but it's quite a large print and it would get lost in small squares. So I told him we would think of something to make with it and get some next time. I was texting my Mum about it later that evening and she suggested I make him a pillowcase with it. Perfect!

I looked up, and found, this tutorial and the next day went back to get the fabric. I chose a nice bright fabric for the cuff.

This week I finished it, along with a pillowcase for my cousin to co-ordinate with her Ballerina's & Bugs quilt. 

I think I just might have to make myself one to match :)

Linking up with Erin at Missy Mac Creations for TGIFF.

Woodland Friends Quilt

This week I finally finished my little Woodland Friends quilt. I quilted this one and put the binding on the front weeks ago and it has been hanging on the back of my sewing chair ever since. I finally got sick of looking at it sitting there unfinished and attached the binding to the back with my machine and put it up for sale on my Facebook page.

I'm so glad I did because a lovely lady contacted me yesterday about purchasing it and wanted to come and see it. She is expecting a baby in three weeks and it turns out that she had made a canvas for the baby's room using the middle panel fabic (cute!). So this quilt will match perfectly! 

So off it went to it's new home. Waiting for a new precious baby to enjoy it. This is what making quilts is all about for me :)

 

Linking up with Beth at Plum and June for TGIFF.

What's In The Ocean?

This week I finished a soft book for my littlest cousin's first birthday present.

It was a panel that I purchased. When I saw it I just had to get it for him as it's the same fabric print that I used on the back of the quilt that I made him when he was born. 

Back of Master L's quilt

Top of Master L's quilt

Cut up the panel as per instructions, add batting and sew together. Easy. Once again I have to give my mum credit for her part in it. She did the hand stitching. I'm really hopeless at it. Thanks again Mum x

I also had two orders for fabric covered baby wipes containers this week.

 Linking up with Gemma from Pretty Bobbins for TGIFF