Emily Louise...

She is here and Mum and Bub are doing well, Emily Louise was born 3pm she is 3180g and oh so very cute.

Sophie her little sister wasn't too sure at first, but the minute Emily made a noise Sophie was there to give kisses.

Thank you for all your well wishes.

Bye for now

Christine

quiet here...

Hi all

Sorry I haven't posted but a lot is happening and we are waiting for the new bub to arrive, big day tomorrow.

We hope all goes well and that everything will be back to normal very soon.

I do have time on my hands but don't seem to be able to put it to good use.

Hope you all take care.

quilting hugs

Christine

p.s. it is my birthday on Sunday and DH gave me my present early, I am now the proud owner of an Apple McBook Pro and have a few things to learn. Love it.....

Cheater Cloth...

Good morning all

Well once again a very hot day and that means air conditioning for me..... I would love to sit in the garden and stitch but it is too hot.
Kathie is talking on her blog about cheater cloth and how she is going to use them for backings and it made me think.

So I thought I post a picture of a backing I used for my version of Calico Garden by Florence Peto.

You can see a close up in the picture from the book.

My is called the "Ugly" quilt as I couldn't get civil war prints when I made it and so I ask my friends for their ugly fabrics. The quilt won 1st prize a number of years ago at the Brisbane show, I still love it.

I also love the book, it is a great reference book for reproduction fabrics, must try and get the second book too.

I am trying to update my blog roll and would love to have one on my sidebar showing a picture of the current post for those blogs, if you can tell me how? Please do.

cheers

Christine

Ice cream top is growing...

Here it is so far:

For all of you that have the book, there is a mistake in this pattern, row #8 Log B should be cut 33 1/2inches and not as stated 23 1/2inches.

cheers

Christine

Ice-cream quilt by Kaffe Fassett

Yes I have started my Ice-cream quilt, thank you Lurline for sending me the fabrics as a PIF gift, the quilt will be just for me.
Can't wait to do a bit more tomorrow.

I have posted some more quilts and somehow the post is three down , so if you like to see them scroll down.

cheers
Christine

Finished top..

I have finished the mystery quilt top and have to say : love it.........

I am not going to put borders on as I think it looks great without them, it will go on the machine as soon as I have finished a few more customer quilts.

Hard to believe that all these fabrics have been sitting in my stash for soooooo many years, yes years and finally they have gone to good use, well I think so anyway.

The postman just stop and delivered a wonderful parcel from Janet and not only is it the beautiful pillow for Sophie, there is also a present for me. The cutes ever tape measure and a lovely cotton vintage tea towel. I am going to take a picture very soon, but I want Sophie to open the parcel so it will have to wait till I see her in the next few days. Thanks Janet once again.

Hope everyone is keeping well and happy stitching

Christine

I am so very lucky....

Yes I am... not only do I have a great family and I love what I do work wise. I also have met some amazing people and made wonderful friends via quilting, patchwork and blogging.

I have been very spoiled by Lurline as she has sent me a fabric kit to make the wonderful quilt in Kaffe Fassett's bock called Ice cream, it is her PIF gift to me, thank you so very much Lurline this quilt top will be made asap and will be just for me.

The other wonderful thing that happened to me was that I won Janet's giveaway of a beautiful cushion she has made for my little grand daughter Sophie, it is adorable and Sophie will love it.

Thank you Janet and Lurline you have made my day, I feel very spoiled.

Also I am taking part in Lyn's challenge to make a little quilt from five vintage hexagon blocks, here is some of what I am doing... There is a link on my side bar " Make do Memories Mini Quilt challenge"





quilting hugs to all

Christine

working on my customer quilts...

I have been busy, even if I think sometimes I am not doing enough.

cheers

Christine

Some quilting done...

Hi all

Not sure about everyone but I find it difficult to get back in to my routine as my husband is still at home ( phew only till Monday next week).

I started back this Monday with my quilting as I have a back load to do.

The quilt for Perth is finished and I will post it in the next few days. The Kaffe Fassett quilt is a customer quilt and don't you just lovvvvvvveeeee the backing?

The bow tie is a quilt from one of my students last year and it is a lo of fun, the bow tie's are 3D.

I have nearly finished the top for my mystery quilt and only need to sew two more rows, not sure if I will do a border as the quilt is already big enough and I do love quilts without borders.

Hm need to ponder that one.

bye for now

Christine

Mystery Quilt

Here are some more of the blocks for the quilt from Bonnie site.
I have to make 5 more and I am so pleased using anything blue I had around the place for ages.






cheers


Christine

Happy New Year

Wishing all my blog visitors a very Happy New Year, thank you all for leaving comments through the year I do appreciate it very much.

I have been able to fit a bit of sewing in for myself and am working on Bonnie K. Hunters new mystery. The fabrics I am using are all blues and have been in my stash for a very long time.

I am very happy to finally use them.



Today I will also finish one more of the donated quilt tops ( Victorian Bushfire ones) and send it to Western Australia as 40 houses where lost just before the new Year. I had a couple left as many where sent to Victoria and this will be the right place for them to go.



Just finished this little doll quilt for Sophie, the fabrics are leftover from her quilt top that I need to finish next.

Hopefully everyone is safe and had a great start to 2010. Smile at a stranger when you go shopping and you might get a smile back, be kind to you and others.


quilting hugs
Christine

Merry Christmas

This is my 180th post and my Christmas one at that.

The 24th person leaving a comment will receive a gift from me in the new year.

I have the table set for 15, we celebrate our Christmas on th 24th Christmas eve as we have always done in Germany, this is tradition for our children and now their children.

Merry Christmas to you all and may you have a wonderful 2010.

quilting hugs

Christine

New blogs

Hi everyone

Please go and visit to new bloggers and say hallo, Kerry and Em's, I know how it was when I first started and it is so lovely when someone leaves a comment for you.

cheers
Christine

Blue china...

Cathy is showing her blue teapots and it got me thinking of taking pictures at my place and I must say I didn't realise I had that much blue china around the place.

I love my Spode plates, a little bit of Meissen, my Fuerstenberg Tea pot and of course part of my favourite china set Villeroy & Boch, love taking it out for afternoon tea.

Happy blue Thursday.

cheers

Christine

more quilts....

The first image is a a quilt top I bought on Ebay, the black and gold quilt is one of my beginners quilters and she ask me to quilt it for her. She did a wonderful job with her quilt, I know not many people like the old fashioned sampler for beginners, but I find it works and the basics are learned .

Today I have started the new Bonnie K. Hunter mystery.

cheers

Christine

I looooooveeeeeee this quilt......

If you love applique quilts and love old quilts you will have to go and check this one out, the blocks are available to print for a short time and then they can be purchased, I am in loooovvvveee with this quilt.

Sentimental Stitches- Beyond the Cherry Trees Album Quilt

cheers
Christine

Christmas is here...

I have received my SSCS parcel from Gudrun in Iceland and love the Tree decoration and the serviettes, have not opened the other present yet, but thank you Gudrun and Chookyblue for having the swap.

We put the tree up yesterday and the Stockings too, Sophie ( 2 1/2 ) said ohhh Oma you have big socks....... love it.

Still finishing two quilt today and that will be it for me before Christmas.

cheers

Christine

The winner is...

Micki from Ireland congratulations to you and thank you to all that have left a comment and entered, wish I had more quilts to give.

when I have some time I might make a few more, they do make lovely gifts for the little ones. Boys or Girls, because even a Teddy would love a quilt I am sure.

I have also been decorating today, yes I am late but my little grand daughter Sophie came over and she helped get the tree done, will take some pictures later.

DH bought himself a new Coffee machine and has been making one coffee after the other and I am feeling a bit light headed. We had one before a Delonghi and this one is a bit different so he needs to have a bit of a play.
No more Coffee for me today, I have to quilt two more quilts today and tomorrow as they need to be finished before Christmas.

After these two I will have a bit of sewing time for me, will start the next mystery with Bonnie Hunter.

Gosh I have the shakes from the coffee......... .

Giveaway

Hi all

I just thought this morning as I was washing this little Dolls quilt that it might be nice to give it a new home.
It was made by me in 1994 and has just been washed and is ready to go.


If you like it or know a little person that would love it for their doll, leave me a comment and I will draw a name next Sunday.
Also check out Toni as she has started putting her nine patch blocks together, it looks fantastic.





cheers
Christine

Quick post...

I am going out to launch with my Saturday sewing group and tonight my husband Christmas Party, also trying to get quilts finished and so on.

Have not done much sewing for myself, but only one more class to teach for this year and a few more quilts and I will have a bit of time for myself. Mind you there are already quilts in waiting for after Christmas, well it keeps me of the streets.... big grin.

The top two are customer quilts and I believe Christmas gifts, some very lucky people out there receiving these beautiful quilts.

The little one below I made for my daughter in law to give to her friend for her baby shower today.

Better go and get ready.

Oh I am also going to start the next mystery quilt with Bonnie K. Hunter, check out her site here.

She is one amazing lady, I love the way she makes do with things and re-uses fabrics, wonderful scrap quilts.

bye for now

Christine

Some quilts done and changing my sewing room...

We are painting and have started in one of my sewing rooms, it will all be almost white, we have painted my quilt racks and now I am looking for new furniture. Once you start in one room you soon know that it doesn't stop there.
I also got new white blinds.
Have started a nine patch quilt and love the way it is turning out.

The quilts below are customer quilts, the blue and white one is a gift for a teacher, lucky lady.

Better go for now.

Thanks for visiting

Christine

2nd anniversary winner....

Random number generator came up with number # 3

Congratulations go to Marls, hope you enjoy my two patterns.

Thank you to all that have entered and you can get my patterns via my etsy shop.

cheers
Christine

Hera marker...

Below are some images about a wonderful tool, I am not a big gadget user but love my Hera marker.
It leaves a shiny indent on you fabrics ( you have to use a bit of pressure when drawing the lines) and it works on all light/dark/plain/prints. It doesn't damage the fabrics and stay there till the item gets wash or used.
The one on the left is an old version and the other one a Clover product, the are available at any good P&Q shop that sells clover products.
Now there is nothing in it for me, I just love the product.
My pictures aren't the best, but it does work.

The other pictures are some more customer quilts and the second round of nine patches from the swap.

Have a great day, I am going to quilt now.

cheers

Christine

Swap all sent

Ok all the blocks have been sent out, yeepppee and thank you all for playing.

cheers
Christine

Swapping the next group of 12..

Hi all
I now have the other 12 sets complete and will swap them tonight and get them in the mail tomorrow. Yeppeeeee.

Also my mistake in the first group you girls had Jane and I left her blog of the list somehow.
Please go and check it out as it is a wonderful blog. Jane was the only US participant as Lurline did the posting back and forth.

cheers
Christine

Quilt tops on ebay

Hi all

check out Kate's blog she has a few quilt tops on eBay, you need to scroll down a couple of posts, they are lovely and I think auction ending soon.

cheers
Christine

Nine Patch swap....

Hi all

I have swapped the first set of 12 and they are ready to go in the mail, now my printer isn't working so I can't print off any details regarding each person in the swap ( by hand it takes to long) On my sidebar there are the names and if you click on it you get to the persons blog and find their email details. Otherwise leave a comment on my blog if you wanted to thank anyone.




Anyway these are the twelve lovely quilters in this group:

Lurline
Jane
Leah
Melanie
Janet
Maggie A.
Deidre
Jenny K.
Julia
Alison
Kate
and me ( I only did mine as I have to add them to the second set off twelve, not because I couldn't wait,big grin)

I will mail them this afternoon, thank you for all the lovely cards and gifts included there was no need too, but I love them still.

cheers
Christine

Another Doll quilt....

Good morning all

I have made another doll quilt using scraps out of my bins ( I cut leftovers into certain sizes and keep them stored)

Both the dolls are gifts from my older sister, the girl one is a reproduction of a German doll limited edition, it is Lison No. 42, she wears the clothes that are traditional clothes for little girls in Hamburg, the Tartan dress is made using the Tartan for that area. I too used to have Navy Woolen Coat with a white collar. She is very beautiful and her eyes seem to follow you around the room.

The little boy is a one off "Unikat" (the mould is destroyed in front of the purchaser by the Artist) He is as heavy as a child and is wearing real baby's clothes. The Artist is very well known in Germany and has made about 40 dolls for my other sister ( she is a very avid Doll collector)

Thought you might like to see my babies.

The fabric on the chairs was lovingly folded and stacked by my favourite little girl Sophie ( she is two and loves playing with fabrics and thread

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Christine

ps. I have also found this blog Quilter's Trail and it gives you all the info on the event with details on all the shops taking part, well worth checking out if you are in Queensland.

Nine Patch update...

Ok only four more sets to come and we are ready to roll.

The way I am going to swap is this:
I will have two groups of 12, you will receive one each of your blocks plus 66 new ones. A total of 72 different nine patches.
Each group of twelve will be at random, all the blocks are fantastic.

I like to say thank you for all who have committed and stuck with it. Not long now and I can post them each to you.

cheers
Christine

Today a bit of unplanned sewing for me....

Hi all

I have had fabrics from the Nancy Kirk Collection for a number of years and cut a lot of them in to squares and had made a lot of half square triangle units.

Anyway cut a long story short I just started sewing them today without a plan and just added and cut and used what I had.

I made this top:

Then I made this little table runner and even pieced the back, so all the fabrics have been used.

I am so happy, I am going to work through all these funny little projects I have floating about.

Well that's the plan anyway,big grin.

Kate from my Nina Patch swap send her blocks today and included these four lovely coasters for me, thank you Kate.

Julia send me a couple of gorgeous fat 1/4's that I have put in a very safe place and now have to remember where? Thank you Julia, I am sure I will find them soon.

I also finished this little Beatrix Potter quilt, it has been in the cupboard since our little Sophie was born, well it is finished now, only took a few hours to complete.

In the mail today my Kaffe fabrics that I ordered from Cow Lane Patchwork for $ 10 per meter.

Anyway only a few more sets of nine patches to come and I can do the swap.

cheers

Christine

2nd anniversary

Well I can't believe I have been blogging for two years.
It has been a lot of fun and I feel very lucky to be in touch with so many creative and lovely people.
Thank you all for blogging and sharing, it has made me stay in touch with old friends ( Hi Lurline), as well as find people that have moved ( Hi Cathy) and make new friends ( Hi Robyn).
and many more.

I know there are family members in Germany that read my blog as well as past customers from when I used to work in a Patchwork shop.
While I am not the best writer, you know what I mean.... some people have a talent with words - not me. Could be because English is my second language, I still enjoy sharing my Patchwork & Quilting journey with you all.

Can't have a birthday without a gift, can you?
My giveaway will be two of my patterns, Sleep Baby Sleep (Rocking Horse red/blue one) and the 3D Bow Tie Quilt ( in the header), if you like to be in the draw leave a message and if you like put a link on your blog I will do the draw in two weeks time.

cheers
Christine

Nine Patch update..

Hi all

I have received 13 set's of nine patches and am waiting for another 11 to come.

Some of you have let me know that they are on the way, thank you.

Please try and send them as soon as you can, I would like to swap them at the end of next week.

They are all looking fantastic, you have all chosen well.

Thanks again for playing

Christine

ps.let me know if you haven't received an email with my mailing details.

some customer quilts I did.

The Rocking Horse quilt.. I called "Sleep Baby Sleep"

Hi all

I have listed the pattern for the little applique quilt that I had in the Brisbane Quilt Show on Etsy, if you are interested you can order it there, the cost is in US $.

cheers
Christine

Fabric on sale

Ok I have just received an email from an online business and they are closing at the end of the month.
All their fabrics are A$ 10 per meter ( that is australian $ ), I have ordered all ten Kaffe fabrics in stock.
The already cut Fat1/4's are going for $2.

Check it out they are sad to close but they are happy for anyone to find a bargain.

www.cowlanepatchwork.com.au

I am not sure the reason but it is always sad to hear about a business closing.

quilting hugs
Christine

Giveaway winner

Sorry everyone I forgot to do the draw for my little giveaway in Friday.

Anyway I just pulled a number with the help of Random.org and got number 15 and it is Lynne from Patchwork Rose.
Congratulations Lynne, I have send you a email and will wait for your snail mail to post your prize.

Thank you to all for coming to visit an leave comments, I do read them all.

cheers
Christine

Quilt swap...

Hi all

Well I have posted my quilt to Jane and hope she will receive it soon.
Two parcels came in the mail, Jane has sent me 1930's prints as a swap for the quilt.
Here they are:



You can find Jane's fabric on her website, just click on her name and there is a link. great variety and great service ( I have ordered from Jane before).

cheers
Christine

Thank you Jane for swapping with me.........................................

Rain, rain glorious rain....

You should see it and hear it, we have been waiting a long time for this wonderful rain, our garden is singing with joy.

I am sitting here in the kitchen with my laptop, DH has made dinner and I am enjoying a glass of Merlot. The sound of the rain is just soooooo woooonderfulllll, just keep raining, please.

Have been quilting a couple of quilts for customers and have another one on the machine

Bought some things for my machine and am using them, tell you what it is like everything you always need something else.

The red quilt is a Bonnie K. Hunter design called Carolina Crossroads and the pattern is in her book . You can find it on her website www.quiltville.com I have made one myself and quilted three for customers. I had Bonnie's permission to teach a class in the second term this year and the quilts turned out just lovely.

Bye for now

Christine

Sleep Baby Sleep

Hi all

This is the little quilt I had entered in the show, as well as my Jelly star quilt.
The small quilt won 2nd place in the professional small quilt category.
I thought I had a picture when it was finished, well the binding is the same blue as I used for the applique. I love this little quilt, but found it looked completely out of place at the show, it just didn't fit in with all the other not so traditional quilts.

Also the small quilt category doesn't separate pieced quilts from applique quilts.

I suppose I make quilts that I like and they will never be art quilts, I like quilts to be bright, clear in colour fresh looking and traditional.

The quilt was found in a book as a picture by Lurline ( the original was made by girls at a college in the 1920/30). Lurline loved it and drafted the applique, she bought the background fabric and found a red but wasn't happy with what she could get at the time. so when Lurline swapped her drawings and background with me for backing fabric for one of her quilts and this is how I came to make this quilt.

I know Lurline still loves the quilt and we have talked about it and it will be a pattern, she will be the first to get one from me.
Might even have to put a little gift in the mail when I go shopping with my gift voucher that I won, but don't tell her. The sponsor for my prize is Liiisa Dawson from The Quilters Corner at Keppera in Brisbane, thank you Liisa.

Have a great day.
Christine

ps. we didn't get a catalogue this year, so I am missing that in my collection.

Me again

I have finished my first block form the CWBQ and have been buying fabrics,tztztz as if I haven't got enough on the go.

Also found these blocks in my UFO pile, they are from the Poppy Quilt .

Enjoy

Christine

Not posting again until tomorrow.

Swap done..

Well my quilt is going to a new home, thank you Jane for swapping with me.
check out Jane's site there are some wonderful fabrics for you to buy and great prices too.

cheers
Christine

Another swap....

Ok I have this quilt that I made a few years ago it is about 80inches square,the fabrics are Bed of Roses by Robyn Pandolph. The quilt has been used and is a little faded, but in very good condition.




Would you like to swap with me?

Now if there is someone in the States that would like this I thought you could use the Global Priority International bags ( I think the $ 10 bag holds about 6-8yards).


I would like to swap for some 1930's or civil war prints or Kaffe Fassett.

Anyone else let me know what you would like to swap this for, I am going to make a scrappy double wedding ring and would love to use lots of different 1930's prints.

cheers
Christine


ps. swapping one will give me the excuse of having to make a new quilt.

Brisbane show..this week

Hi all


yes it is that time again, the Brisbane show is on again and I am going on Wednesday and looking forward to it.


If you like a quick quilt to making check out my Bow tie Quilt( this is not just a bow tie, it is 3D) at the Patches stand, I have finished my first pattern and you can get it there, either just the pattern or a fabric pack and pattern.




After the show you can get the pattern from me as well.


Another quilt that is just so much fun ( I only quilted this one, I think it is by Natalie Ross designs ) the kit is available at the Peppermint stitches stand, I think stand J20.





If you go I hope you have fun.

cheers
Christine

time is running so fast.. oh and my 150th post

I can't believe how quick the year is going, it must be because I am getting older.

I always look forward to the cooler weather and then I blink and it is hot again and still not much rain, it really gets me down to see everything so dry and sometimes I wish I could move somewhere greener.

Having said that I would never move away from my children, you might not know but we came to Australia 26 years ago with two little toddlers. I had no idea then what we did to our family back home, but now that I am older and have grandchild I know had sad our families must have felt.

I can't stop the children moving and won't but I said to them if they all leave Brisbane we will move too. Haha I don't think it will happen.

Have been quilting and here are some pictures.

Hope you are all well and have time to do things you love to do.

Before I forget, leave a comment on my 150th post and I will have a giveaway, hm I will draw the winner on the 30th October and you can win 500g of my scraps (not to smaller pieces)and a little other surprise.

cheers

Christine

Sunday week ago

We had visitors and the Pizza oven was working hard, here is my lunch....



Beer and Pizza



The pizza base is a great recipe by Jamie Oliver.

I have also got a email telling me I have won a prize at the Show, won't know anything more till next week Wednesday when the show opens.

cheers
Christine

yes I did it..

I have finished the quilt for the Brisbane show, it is washed and nearly dry only have to sew on the label and rod pocket in the morning and take it to the drop off point tomorrow afternoon.

Can't show you a picture, but will share one with you after the show.

Below is another customer quilt, it looks just lovely.

cheers
Christine

Nine Patch swap and Sewing group and PIF...

Good morning all...

First to all the Nine Patch Swappers, there are four weeks left till beginning of November when it is time to send your parcel.

Please, include a self addressed and pre paid envelope, it will otherwise make it to costly for me to send them back. Hope you are all having fun making the last few and look forward to receiving them to swap them and return them to you.

I still have to stitch a couple of month worth and will try and get them done in the next few days.

Now to all the girls interested in my sewing group, time is running faster then I thought this year and I will have to make a start after the new year, I will keep all your email addy's and when I have a date sorted I will email you all and you can decide if you would like to come.

Sorry but it is just a delay.

I am still hand quilting my quilt for the show in Brisbane and have to have it done by Tuesday, oh oh not sure if I will make it.

Also finishing a couple of PIF's that will need to be posted soon too.

The pictures are of some quilts I have been quilting.

Have a great weekend and take care

Christine

Dust storm....

This is what it looked like out of my sewing window at lunch time, lucky I closed the house early and covered what I could on the patio, but my car ( normally black) is covered in a fine red dust.

We have been in Australia for 26 years and never had anything like this in Brisbane.

cheers

Christine

Applique and some piecing

Well, after I made my Bow tie quilt using Kaffe Fassett fabrics I decided to use the leftovers to piece this little quilt top (inspired by Red Pepper Quilts) using some very old linen that was given to me last time I was in Germany.

I will now quilt it just with straight lines and maybe my daughter will use it for the new arrival, yes she is having her second bub in February next year.

Also made a start on the Civil War Bridal Quilt using the Honey,Pewter and Mustard range of fabrics, I got mine at Patches/Indooroopilly as I had my eye on them for a little while.

Quilt washing day at my house...

Well it was time that I washed these two quilts, I try and wash all my quilts even if they haven't been used once a year. They get washed more often if in use.

Now I never pre-wash fabrics and I just wanted to show you how much dye comes out of the fabric even after the quilts have been washed more then once. So to me pre-washing fabrics doesn't give me the guarantee they won't run anymore and I like using the fabrics as they come from the shop. All my quilts are washed after completion.

I always put two or three colour catchers in with the wash, the quilts are washed in a warm cycle (40 degree) front loader, they are spin dried at about 800rpm. Spinning out the water will reduce the stress on the seams when hanging your quilt to dry.

My quilts are dried outside in the shade and I will rotate them a couple of times until almost dry, they then come in and stay on the spare bed till the next day.

On Sunday I will be having High Tea at Joseph Alexander here in Brisbane, it is part of my to be daughter in laws Hens Party weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend and thank you to all you lovely ladies who gave me a gentle push to get motivated to sew.

cheers

Christine

09.09.09

Well what an interesting date, you know I love dates.

My daughter was 19 on the 19/09/1999, we talked about it when she was born and it came around really quick

That is all for me for now.

cheers
Christine

ps. I need a push to start some of the quilts I want to make..... just a gentle push