Busy Bees

The lovely ladies in my Australasian Bee have been very busily sewing up blocks for my new quilt. I sent off a selection of olive, grey and white fabrics, and they have generously been adding some coordinating fabrics from their own stashes. I asked for improv squares with high contrast, ranging in size from about 6 inches (I think) to about 10 inches. This is what I've received back so far...

I'm so delighted with the blocks! I have no idea yet of layout, I'll wait to see what else I get back before I really start playing around.

The Lilac Dandy rides again

Yes, I'm still lovin' the name of this quilt! It's slowly coming along. I'll make another 3 star blocks before sashing it, then I'll probably do some stippling.

I hope to have it ready for binding on Thursday, in time for another session of Perle8's.

I've been recording the amount of time spent making these blocks (just for interest's sake, not so I can flaunt it to all the rellies at Easter when I hand over the quilt to my Grandma), and I'm surprised at how long the blocks have been taking to make! So far I've spent 8 hours making 9 blocks, which includes cutting all the fabric too.

Penny's Pillow

Whoops, just realised I hadn't blogged about my finished Pillow Talk Swap cushion cover that I made for Penny!

Here it is in all it's glory.

Swap Goodness

As you are no doubt aware, I've taken part in a couple of great swaps in the last couple of months. First up was the Doll Quilt Swap 8 (you all remember the one I made for Anna). I was fortunate enough to receive this lovely blue green and linen mini quilt from Marilyn in the US.

Both the front and back are beautiful enough to display. Thanks Marilyn!
Next up was the Pillow Talk Swap (my favourite swap so far!). Who could forget the hand pieced hexies I made for Penny (listen to me tooting my horn :P ). In return I received this much coveted (by me when I first saw it) cushion cover made by Amy.
I totally had plans the moment I saw it to make myself a copy. Now, my plans are to make another so I have a pair of them!
Four diamonds down, two to go. I had quite a few of Amy's fabrics in the stash and in my scrap bins, so they'll be very matchy matchy.

I can't wait for the next swap!!

Return of the freezer paper stencils...

I haven't done any freezer paper stencils in a while, and with the (slightly) cooler weather upon us I thought it was time to jazz up a couple of plain tops for Ollie.

I cut the stencils for these a couple of weeks ago at Perle8's and painted them up about a week ago.
Ollie's favourite is the scooter boy. He, of course, believes that I've painted a picture of him onto his top. I found the image here.

Keen to do some stenciling of your own? Hoppo Bumpo has all the tips here.

The Lilac Dandy

Don't you just love that name? Sounds like an 18th century gigolo, doesn't it?

Alas, it is only the latest quilt block I have made (although pleasingly, I now have a name for the quilt!). I'm making a lap quilt for my soon-to-be 86 year old Grandma. I'm pretty sure her favourite colour is purple, so I bought the two lilac fabrics for her quilt at Spotlight this morning. The floral on white fabric is a vintage sheet from the stash.

I used a tutorial from Modify Tradition, called the Dandy. An easy enough block to sew, I'm sure I'll tire quickly of cutting all the squares for it, though. I fear I've been spoilt by quilting bees - after a couple of blocks I'm ready to move on to something new.

Anyhoo, I have procrastinating to do... or fabric to cut.... depends on what's on tv :)

Autumn House

The quilt I made for the Doll Quilt Swap 8 is finished and sent!

I love it, and wish I could make one for myself. But of course I never make anything this good for myself! I'll have to change that mind-set, convince myself I'm making it for the great great grandkids or something :)
Now you didn't think I'd reveal the recipient on my blog, did you? Names have been blurred to maintain secrecy.