[Almost] worldless day....while the packers are packing and the boxes are piling up....

This was full at the beginning of last weekend...

And this was the end of the weekend!

Crafting for a Cause - The Gracie Jane Project

For those one or two of you that read my somewhat random and infrequent posts on my, now sadly neglected, Facebook page you might remember the series of quilty projects I completed for organizations based in the Quilting for Peace book. The last, the project for Binky Patrol was featured on one of my first blog posts but the size really did not make for one of the prettiest quilts ever. It was, however, really warmly recieved.

Since then I have bought the Craft Hope book that grew out of the blog of the same name with the idea of making some of the projects and donating to some more local charities.

In the meantime I came across the Gracie Jane Project, as a result of a post on Quiltstory.


So with some charm packs in the overflowing cupbaord, some Kona solid without a specific purpose and only some flannel needed to buy for the backing it seemed like a great, quick, cheaper to post project that would have the double benefit of being of benefit to someone and making the amount needed to pack and unpack just that little bit smaller.


I have used the Lollipop range by Sandy Gervais for Moda, and because of the small size needed for the quilts and the solid already used for the backgroud I have omitted most of the plain/solid squares in the charm pack and well as the red colourway.

As per the the common pattern to be used for the project the quilt is straight line quilted on one direction about 3/4" apart and backed in cream flannel.

I made these two over two nights and machine stitched the Kona solid binging by machine yesterday morning. They have crinked up beautifully in the wash. A quick satisfying project. These will be winging their way to Canada in the next few days....

September Block - do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}

I saw this bee on a blog a little while ago and I thought it a great idea and sent the bee admin Rachel from Stiched in Colour and asked to join. Fast foward a few months and, with two more stitching circles started I have been able to start sewing.

I am part of the 'Faith' circle that benefits charities and individuals local to the quilters.


My first two blocks are for a quilt for a little boy and his mother. The quilt is to be made up of wonky crosses in aqua and yellow and co-ordinated by Jennifer from That girl... That quilt from a tutorial on her blog.

For this first block I used some Kona solid and a cute litte sailor print.

I think these spots and stripes add some interest and are quite gender neutral.

I found I had to cut the cross strip a little longer to compensate for the wonky cut but I am pretty happy.

What I'm supposed to be doing...and what I am doing.

I'm supposed to be tidying, culling even (if I am brave) starting with the fabric cupboard.

Tidying the craft supplies strewn all over the house and hoping, wishing and praying that the new house has a dedicated sewing space (caution to the wind: that there in fact, is, a new house).

But instead I went to get a few fat quarters for my do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} blocks and came home with this.

The next day I went back to the fabric store with my partner  to get the backing for the blue and white quilt and came back with that and also this

But don't you just love the selvedges?

I'll really miss my LQS.

In my defence I also weeded the garden, planted out all the plants that we had in pots and washed the pots out for the movers, filed a years worth of filing in the study and did my tax.

I also started quilting the Happy Camper picnic rug, one of the three six unquilted tops I found. I am trying to get some of them quilted, basted or at least the batting cut to size for them in the hope these can be packed in the WIP boxes and I won't have to try to have the batting roll packed and sealed for transport.

But a pledge - no more fabric until after I have moved! I have some recommendations for Melbourne stores (let me know if you have any too) and want to be able to go shopping when I get there. I'll stand fast....except maybe on the 23rd when the sale starts...

Bee Seam Piecing Downunder- September Blocks for Kelly (and Bella)

September is Kelly's month in the Bee Seam Piecing Downunder Bee and she asked for pieced squares within sqaures sashed with white to make a quilt for her toddler age daughter.

She sent this great moda basic grey - blush offcut range. I separated the pre-cut squares into patterns and designsn to help with placements. I chain peiced the sides and they came together well.


I came up with this

and this

They are on the way to Kelly and Bella now.


I hope they like them!

A Set Back and A Completed Project

So I was on my way home from work last Thursday. And it was a bit later than usual as I had had a busy day and was looking forward to getting home and completing the Icecream dress from Oliver+S I had started earlier in the week. I had been a bit delayed by running out the of colour match cotton I needed and, as the dress has a fair amount of top stitching, I really thought I should match up the colours rather than make do.


But, as is often the case, that best laid plans oft go arwy. In this case when another driver thought that the give way sign did not apply to him and he drove straight out in front of me. And then, after checking I wasn't hurt, drove away again without giving me any of his details.

Needless to say I was severly unimpressed with him, but extremely greatful to the lovely woman that had been driving along and stopped to help, and gave me a jacket to keep me warm while we waited for the police.

So, I was even later home than I had planned, didn't finish the dress that night and spent most of my time on Friday trying to organize to get the car fixed, especially in time for the move. None if which is sewing, and that made me cranky.


But I did get to finish it Saturday and that made me happy. As did the dress itself. It came together really well (why is it that when I sew children's clothes everything matches up right but not when I make things for myself ... I have some ideas, but that, I think, is another post) and the instructions were easy to follow.


My only slight disappointment is that the plain fabric does not stand out as much as I hoped. I did not want a total contrast but I think that some, particulary the top of the pockets, disppears into the main fabric of the dresss. Something to consider next time.

Next project on the list.... basting and quilting 3 more unfnished quilts.

Check out Kaelin's Giveaway

Pop on over to Kaelin's blog the Plaid Scottie. She is having a giveaway to celebrate 2000 visitors to her blog.

She is a member of a bee I belong to and is great fun.


Don't forget to check out the comments on the post while you are there, she is asking for links to commenters favourite projects, and boy is there some inspiration there!