Sweet distraction!

Hope everyone had a fun Melbourne Cup day yesterday.

I didn't even have a bet or go in a sweep...not at work so cup wise life was pretty quiet.

Instead I had a dental implant...nice that it is over & I am now in the home stretch (dentally speaking!).

A bit uncomfortable but it will improve!

So, to cheer me up, my non blogging friend Lea came over & we played with fabric.

We are both doing Christine's 9patch swap & we figured we will need more than 72 blocks, so we have pooled our repro stashes & are making more blocks together...fun!

It is gorgeous to see the fabrics spread all over the floor.

They were very interesting apparently!

We are cutting two of each colour combination, so I think we each now have about 18 extra blocks...

we are really looking forward to seeing ours & the swap ones together.

Cardygirl xx

Finally some finishes!

Finally some finishes...a trip to the Post Office during lunch tomorrow...

nine patch swap blocks off to Christine & some fat 1/4s on their way to a birthday girl!

A "Dressy Hanger" complete too...really cute...

itching to make more!

Back to the dreaded dentist ( he is actually very nice) this week for the implant....

I hope to be looking good!

Cardygirl xx

Stitching inspiration...sigh!

What a great day! Off to the movies with a friend to see "Julie & Julia"...a great movie, lots of fun & lots of laughs about the world of blogging too!

We really enjoyed it & I would recommend it...not so much for our hubbies, more of one to enjoy with the girls...Stanley Tucci is delicious as Julia's husband...lovely to see those supportive husbands on screen...but, hey, we live with them every day...smile!

It is a 40min trip down the highway to the movies, so we needed to take advantage of being near a very good patchwork shop too...here are some snippets....

to make some beautiful coathangers which I saw on Linen & Raspberry's blog...designed by the delightful Marg Low! I also have seen them on Bloom...all very inspiring!

so I am going to do a big cut out this afternoon then I can stitch quietly tonight.

Oops...better get a move on as the lawn needs mowing too!

Liz from Broderie recently sent me some checked Jobelan...beautiful....I already have plans for it!

 I purchased it from Liz through her other blog.

Hope to post some pics of some completed "Dressy hangers" tomorrow...

hope you have some stitching time!

Cardygirl xx

What would you do?

DS is steadily working through his exams....six done and two to go!

The mood remains pretty even!

So today I thought I might be able to achieve something in my sewing room.

The house is pretty clean, the washing up to date (don't ask about the ironing though...LOL),

my conscience was pretty clear, even had the bills paid!

Off to my room...finished quilting a baby quilt I had been dawdling over...even put the binding on...I am feeling good...off to catch up on a group project I have a bit slow on....hmmmm....a familiar theme here!

Look at this lovely bag of bits waiting to come to life!

THEN!!!!!!!!

DS decides whilst packing up the notes he has finished with that he really would like to delve into the dark cobwebby recesses of his room & tidy up a bit...could I please help??????

What would you do?

An offer like that may not come again in my lifetime!

Well off I went...lots of rubbish bags later & THREE big loads of washing he is feeling happy in a much improved room. We will fine tune it & peer under the bed once the exams are over!

Not how I thought the day would go...but rewarding nonetheless!

Cardygirl xx

First applique.

Here is a pic of my first attempt at applique...I made this quilt over 20 years ago...covered the cardboard shapes then stitched them on to the background.

It has hung over our bed in many different homes since then.

It has shared our journey.

The fabrics are fading...many are Liberty...but I still feel comforted by it & remember stitching all of those hearts...in some ways it feels not so long ago.

I am working on a quilt to take it's place...I think a rest or this little quilt is needed!

Cardygirl xx

Read the pattern...then check!

By the title of this post you can all guess where I am headed!

I have been busy working away on my SSCS present....determined to finish it and then relieve a bit of pressure in the rush towards Christmas. Last night I was heading off to bed, then realised that with a bit of focus I would be able to finish the handwork on the gift & it would be ready to whip up this morning...what could be easier!!!!!!!

Patchwork...done!

Embroidery...done!

Handquilting...done!

Lining assembled & ready to go...I feel good!

OMG...why is the outside 2 whole inches bigger than the lining?????????

Out comes the tape measure & I realise my error....

SO always check & recheck.

Thank goodness for these tools....

add a dash of inventiveness & it was saved...whew!

It is now complete...I love it & I hope it is loved by it's new owner too!

Cardygirl xx

Simple, yet strong

This is a quilt I made for my son a few years ago. He chose the fabrics & I made it from a Thimbleberries pattern- went together in a weekend.

I like the simplicity of the stars & the bold strength of the colours.

Simple, yet strong, a great teenage boy quilt. He likes it.

He is calmly working through his exams.

Cardygirl xx