Little things

What do you do when you need to sew borders on a quilt. Why make some little things instead of course.


I made this mug rug using a tutorial over at I'm just a guy who quilts. I used some of my Australian fabrics and I love how it turned out.
I made this mini using a tutorial over at Oh Fransson. This one is 16 inches square.I can see making this again in a larger size. It is very easy and looks great. Edited to add-I got the idea for this mini from a cushion on one of the many blogs I read. I have no idea which blog though!!!

I had to include this photo of Rhani. She is 10 months old and is so naughty. Lucky for her she is gorgeous and has a beautiful, loving nature as she is not a good dog!!!!!!

Finished???

I made these blocks years ago and finally put them together. The quilt is finished according to the pattern but as my friend Deb pointed out if I add a border it will be a better size for a single bed.

I just happened to buy some fabric on sale at Hancocks of Paducah which will make a good border. What do you think?

I cant help but remember what 2 borders Pat always says- yeh funnily enough you should have 2 borders. So do I put a narrow border of the pale background on first?

I bought myself some Australia thongs for Australia Day.

These are what we call thongs. What did you think I meant?

City Quilts

When I went to Sydney to see Miss Nancy I went to a book shop recommended to me by a Friend here. This book shop had the best range of quilting books I have seen since we moved back to Australia. It had all the quilt books I have seen on blogs that are hard to find here. I have wanted the book City Quilts forever. I was so excited to find it. I could not decide which quilt to make so I made a cushion from City Green. I love it! We had a great weekend. The waves were very big and we headed to One Mile Beach, our favourite surf beach.

The waves were big on the surf side but the water was flat and beautiful on the Bay side. I had a great paddle in the outrigger to Little Beach , where we stopped for a rest before heading back. While we were standing in the water, two dolphins came in very close to the beach. It is great to see them so close.

I have spent a lot of time this week watching updates on TV of the floods in Queensland. It is devastating. There is not only widespread flooding but there has been some unbelievable flash flooding and then some places where people have moved back and started the clean up have been hit again. It has been heartbreaking to watch. As always there are a lot of bloggers trying to help. Two that I know of are Toni of make it perfect and the girls at Among the Gum Trees.

If anyone wishes to make a donation they can do so at the Premiers flood relief appeal site.

It is a small world. Last week I caught up with one of my good friends from Missouri for lunch in Sydney. Yes Miss Nancy was in Sydney visiting her son so I had to go down and see her. We met at the steps of the Opera House and of course took the obligatory harbour photo with the Opera House in the background.

We had some lunch next to Circular Quay and then explored some shops in the Rocks. It was great to see Nancy and I was sad to say good bye- although if her son stays in Australia for much longer I am sure she will be back.

Miss Nancy has been very busy buying a new house and getting that just right before she came. It is probably a good thing she came to Australia for Christmas or she would not have stopped working. Anyway she makes the most beautiful quilts and her stitching is exquisite. She found the time to stitch this for me. Miss Nancy doesn't like purple but she knows I do!!!

I have been having fun sewing some little things. Some were for Miss Nancy. I had to keep them small so she could squish them into her bags without them getting too heavy.

Oh the joys of travelling. A pin cushion

Some coasters A mug rug.

And a little bag to hold scraps or whatever!


I have been doing some sewing for me too!!

A mug rug

A table topper.

I don't usually make a new years resolution but his year I have. I am going to finish some things and start some new ones. I think I will be able to stick to this one.

A beautiful Day

We were lucky with gorgeous weather on Christmas Day. We had brunch on the beach with friends as the rest of our family are on the other side of Australia.

B got a camera so all photos were taken by her. We all had a great day relaxing and playing with our new toys. I got an Ipad which is great and perfect for reading blogs and emails. We decided on Pavlova for dessert.

And Rhani had a great day with lots of presents in her new stocking.

A Stocking For Rhani

The new addition to the family needed her own Christmas Stocking. Too Cute. The pattern is the Christmas Stocking Tutorial from FabricWorm. It is very easy.

I have been telling everyone for months that I want an iPad for Christmas so Debbie made me a cover in anticipation of me getting my wish. Now Dave has to deliver.

I made Gran and Grumpy mug rugs to match their quilts although Grumpy's is a little large-he can have large snacks.

I finished my Christmas Star. It is going to be a wall hanging but it doesn't have a sleeve so it will have to be a table runner for now.I quickly quilted around the borders to make this a couple of years ago. Yes, a dog Christmas wall hanging.

My First Mug Rug

First an update of Rhani. Isn't she gorgeous!I made a mini Christmas tree skirt for B. She loves dogs and has a mini Christmas tree with dog ornaments that this will be perfect for. It was a great and easy tutorial on a blog I follow but I cant remember whose.

I also made my first mug rug with left over blocks from a table runner I am making, using left over charm squares from the Charming Stars Quilt I am making. I haven't finished either of these but I have finished the mug rug and found a mug to go with it.