quilted and the binding on

You better sit down! Yes it is amazing, I actually quilted something within a week. I kept it simple (and Probably boring) and quilted in the ditch. Not exciting but I can do it and it looks good. I just used a light grey Kona on the back as it is a wall hanging and no one should see the back.

Rhani is still very naughty-lucky she is gorgeous. She is allowed on the old chairs and loves them.

Cherri House Quilt Along

Well this quilt along is actually finished but I have finally picked my fabrics and plan to get together with a friend on Tuesday and finally start it. I could not resist using batiks with some grey Kona.

What do you think? The last colour is a pale grey but not as pale as it looks in the photo.

About Time

So I have finally managed to get some sewing done. This is the baby quilt from the pattern "There's a Square in There" by Kate Conklin Designs. I love this pattern but I did not have enough pale grey so I had to make the borders thinner. I really like it but I think I would like it more if I could have followed the pattern exactly. I want to quilt this quickly and hang it on the wall. Kate is a great designer and I follow her blog so I knew to buy the latest Homespun magazine which features another of her designs on my wish list.

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.