WIP Wednesday…..a day late!

Hi all,

I have had a couple of computer problems which had hubby up til 1.30am last night! They are fixed now, YAY, so I am back!

You can read about why Lee started WIP Wednesday over on her blog Freshly Pieced. I am just doing a quick post this week, not a great start but the misbehaving computer played a big role in my being late.

I really wanted to show you this quilt that I have been working on, which is why I am doing my WIP post late rather than waiting until next week!

This is my Charm Bracelets quilt, pattern by Kate Conklin, just basted!  Sorry about the poor quality photos, I used my mobile phone, but actually they look better than I expected!

I basted this baby at my mums, also where I work, because she has a huge table that we use for cutting out mass quantities of work related stuff but it is also great for basting large quilts.

I am waiting on some new threads to arrive so I can start quilting it. Hopefully I will have it done in a couple of weeks! Ha Ha, I wouldn’t hold my breath but I can be hopeful!

You may also notice a few changes on my blog – new header (I designed it on EQ7) and matching colours. There are also a couple of new buttons – click on them to see where they lead! The WIP wednesday button, the Inchy Flower Swap button – a swap I have joined where we swap hexie flowers, and Bee in Oz button (I also designed this one in EQ7) – a virtual quilting bee I have joined through Flickr. Next year is starting to look busy! You can also sign up for Another Little Quilt Swap 5 anytime before the due date for the pics, check it out, this is another fun swap!

Whew, I am outta breath!

Be happy,
Jess

Cake decorating!?

I know, I know, cake decorating is not sewing. But I have wanted to try this out ever since I stumbled across it about 6 months ago….yes, it has taken that long!

 
Does it look yummy yet? Let me tell you – I think I have a sugar hang-over today, honestly I feel terrible, but that is neither here nor there. The boys loved it, all that bowl and mixer licking! I’m surprised they aren’t sick!

 
This is my first ever attempt at decorating a cake, and this method is super easy. I made a chocolate cake, from a new recipe which I don’t recommend as I wasn’t 100% happy with the cake, so use a recipe you have made before!

I even made chocolate ganache, which was pretty easy and super yummy!

And then I followed the tutorial over at Texas Monkey for the dressing up part, I used M&M’s and Corinthians wafer sticks. You really need to check this blog out – the cakes are gorgeous!

So, Happy Anniversary Mum and Dad!

Be happy,
Jess

Over-due finish!

Hi all,

I say over-due because this really should have been finished way back in April or something.

 
This is the cushion that was made during the workshop Kellie of Don’t Look Now fame did at Patchwork Angel early in the year.

I am keeping this for me, as a reminder not to leave things half quilted for a very long time. I can see in the middle the quilting is tight and very beginnerish, whereas the edges are more loose and relaxed but I still need a lot of practise!

Anyway, chalk it up to a OPAM finish for November!

Be happy,
Jess

A great giveaway!

No not mine…. but check it out -

 
Over at Retro Mummy!

Wouldn’t you love to get your sticky fingers on some of this gorgeous fabric!

Be happy,
Jess

Opposites challenge quilt

Hi all,

I delivered my quilt to Sew This and That today, there is no going back now. It feels weird to put myself out there with my own design, do you get what I mean?

 
It is called “Opposites in my backyard”. The tags for each opposing pair are removable so it is really an interactive quilt made with children in mind.

There are ‘high/low’ owls, ‘tall/short’ flowers and ‘in/out’ chickens. One of my favourite parts of the quilt is the chicken wire (not really little finger friendly).

One of the requirements of the challenge was that the fabric had to come from their shop.  I used a fat quarter each of 2 coordinating Amy Butler prints for the border and put them in opposing corners.

Stats – size. 50cm x 65cm
techniques. fabric colouring, basic hand embroidery, piecing and quilting
fabrics. assorted cotton prints from Sew This and That

Be happy,
Jess

Reverse sewing….

Hi all,

Just letting you know I am still around! I have been franticly working on my entry for the Sew This and That Quilt Challenge….

 
But don’t you hate it when this happens? Luckily I hadn’t quilted too much before I noticed – otherwise Vreni might have heard me saying naughty words all the way over in Singapore!

So out came the ‘reverse sewer’! Anyway, it is nearly finished so hopefully I can reveal all very soon!

Another major thing happening right now is our renovation. The kitchen is in, but because we are trying to do most of it ourselves it is taking time…

Here is a sneaky peek of the kitchen for you! I love the recipe book holder, it is a anniversary present from my folks, we have just passed the 10 year mark!

Have a great week and be happy,
Jess 

Ps. If anyone is waiting for updates on our little goslings – unfortunately silly mama goose built her nest too low and it got flooded in all the rain we had a few weeks ago. So there will be no goslings just yet. Never mind, nature taking its course and all that, apparently she should lay more eggs early next year so we live in hope.