Little update

Quilts For Boston first block, will get onto the second on Monday. 8 year old wants a pillow with the foxes on, very adamant about it, so I will oblige. The chevrons are actually navy, although they look black.

And these 6 blocks are my newest quilt along *sigh*, I know, but I just can't help myself!!
It's called the "St Louis 16 patch". It all started here on 'Sew with Sass', great blog name,  and has steam rollered into twitter at #stlouis16patch and has it's own Flickr group here!

Such a fab stash buster, I'm making a Queen *gulp*, my first quilt at that size. Which means 42 fat 1/4's, so I pulled and paired from my Amy Butler bin. Some of these fat quarters go back to the original 'Gypsy Caravan' line. I've tried to cut into this stash before and failed miserably, ie I put them all back and cut into less loved fabric! This time is different, just feels like the right time. Feels really good actually :D

Anywho, that's that!

I'm off to the Springwood Quilt Show tomorrow pm, looking forward to that. I put a couple of small quilts in, it's a non judged show so I feel very comfortable in doing that. I love the quilts that I make but am not at all comfortable with putting them up for judgement. I might feel differently one day, who knows!

Thanks for popping by
x Mandy

Katy & Pink Castle Fabric's Contest

Katy & Pink Castle's Contest, a photo by mandalin18 on Flickr.

This was a fun thing to do! And if Brenda of PCF's picks your bundle, as the one she likes the most you win it!!! Go here, and read up on Katy's blog about all the how's and why's. It really was a fun thing to do, I might have another go, oh yes, you can enter multiple times!

The fabrics above are

1. Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Ice Frappe
2. Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Hop Dot in Cream
3. Joel Dewberry Heirloom Rose Bouquet in Sky
4. My Mind's Eye Love Birds Mini Dot in Blue
5. Lizzy House Hello Pilgrim Pearl Bracelet in Soft Lavender
6. Moda Bella Solids Aubergine
7. Amy Butler Love Arabesque in Ivory
8. Sandi Henderson Secret Garden Vintage Ironwork in Midnight
9. Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow Herringbone in Pond
10. Joel Dewberry Heirloom Empire Weave in Amethyst
11. Free Spirit Designer Solids Gray
12. Anna Maria Horner Loulouthi Buoyancy in Deep

Been a bit quiet around here I know. Life is pretty full on at present, mostly pleasant changes that demand my complete attention.

Thanks for popping by

x Mandy

More Fresh Modern Bee blocks

I really enjoyed working with the all the deep purple linen that Viv sent, so soft and floppy!! The print was also fun, with sparrows, hummingbirds and foliage, and the little bit of orange made for a striking combination. Other people in the bee were given the opposite quantities of the solid fabrics, and their printed calico had spiderwebs and grubs on it. It's sure to be an amazing quilt!!

Here are the blocks I made.

I fell off my non buying fabric wagon in January, but I've been a good fabric addict so far in February. Here's the new January additions to the stash. Oldies but goodies, and colours I have very few off in my stash. I can ALWAYS justify buying fabric!!


So........what is this pile then, well........you know how I said I wouldn't do any more quilt alongs until I'd finished some quilts! Well........I've fallen off that wagon too! But I do get to finally use my blue and green Amy Butler fabrics. I've had some of these since I started my stash!


This stack of lovelies is destined to be a Single Girl Quilt by Denyse Schmidt. I truly have always loved that quilt. So when I spied that a Support Group had emerged in Flickr and one of the three leading the way was Katy from I'm a ginger monkey blog fame, I just had too! And as the Flickr name suggests, it is a support group, a hand holding, you can do it group!

Not that it's a tricky quilt, so we've been told often, but there is a lot of preparation. Each finished block is huge at approx 22" squares, and made of 4 quarters, each quarter has around 8 different fabrics in an arc, so the whole block has a squarish circle in it. These circles then touch each other when the blocks are sewn together!!!! There are 31 pieces to the circle and the pattern calls for 36!?! No, I haven't read the pattern, it only arrived today. I think I'll read it, and note my questions and then ask my fellow Single Girl Quilters. I have to get some more plastic for the templates before I can start anyway. I didn't think I had enough, but now I'm sure. I hope I manage more than one block, I'll definitely keep you posted!!

Cheerio for now,

thanks for visiting!

x Mandy

Catch up!

I've been away from my Blog so long, I can't remember if I have shared some of these photo's! I don't think I have, but my apologies if I repeated myself.


This is the DQS8 quilt that I sent to my partner, The Sometimes Crafter. I really enjoyed using the grey to highlight some of my fave big floral prints. And the variegated grey DMC thread was perfect for some simple running stitches. I wanted to try and emphasize the weave effect of the floral fabrics. I was pretty pleased with the outcome!


This one also has some running stitches! More along the Sashiko line though. The Sashiko panels are also my own work. The cushion size panel comes from Japan, it has pre-printed lines to follow. I found the hand sewing to be very relaxing. But decided to cut up the panel to make this Wall Hanging. The indigo fabrics are from my first Jelly Roll purchase. I just couldn't resist all those different Indigo 2 1/2' strips. I really enjoyed making this one, I gave it to a good friend for her Birthday.


This is a tiny Coin quilt! I sent this along as part of a fabric swap. Ack! I can't remember which one!


Ahhhh, this one is quite recent. I called it 'Amy Butler Sorbet', I am sure all these colours could be found at a Gelato bar. It went to Melanie, and was a DQS Angel quilt. Poor Melanie waited a long time to get her quilt. I hope this made up for it. Me and my monochromatic prints, I do so love them!


Look!!! I've finally pieced another big quilt, I've even quilted it, just trying to decide if I've quilted it enough though. Each pinwheel is about 18", yes huge! It is a ORBC quilt-along quilt. I'm really quite pleased I've started to use some of my yardage. I've definitely got over my 'cutting fabric' hesitation! 'The Old Red Barn Co.' Flickr group is like a second home to me, along with the 'Doll Quilt Swap' group and the 'Mini QT Swap' group.

I've found I have more conversations with people in these three groups. It feels so good to talk to like minded quilting/fabric peeps. I don't really get to chat to people, about my obsession, in my daily life.


I've got more to share, more Bee blocks, a Mini QT Swap quilt (sent and received). Plus some adorable 3 1/2 " blocks from 2 swaps. Oh and DQS9 sign ups are happening again. I love swaps!


Cheerio for now
x Mandy

Sunday Stash #15

Sunday Stash #15
Originally uploaded by mandalin18

I feel like I'm on a Blue Binge! I just love the blue on blue, with a little dull sunshine to contrast. And the one in the front, um well yes, I splurged. It's Amy Butler, but not just any Amy Butler.




Amy Butler...Love...Laminate!!
oooo so soft, and for the first time ever, I wanted to grab my scissors and cut into it instantly. But I resisted, it really is a good idea to have a plan first.
Follow this link for the inspiration behind my choices.

My Aqua Stash

A post I composed in December! But didn't post as I thought I had more fabric to add. I still think I do, but I haven't managed to get around to it as yet. Must get back into the swing of things. Anyhow enjoy pics of my favourite colour. Tell me what yours is and which fabric range you think best shows that colour.

Surf and Sand - Michelle D'Amore

Joel Dewberry

Midwest Modern & Daisy Chain - Amy Butler

Bleeker Street - Michelle D'Amore

Bits and pieces

And there might be more!

I didn't quite get to the bottom of the drawers.
I also haven't looked through my rescued/donated/upholstery/samples/op shop baskets.

I'm not sure what it is about this colour that I like.
I only know it makes me feel happy when I look at it.

Promised Pictures

From the lovely Amy Butler

Oh so yummy Daisy Chain

In fact, I've discovered I have an even larger stash of Aqua fabric's than even I thought!
I've decided to dedicate a whole post to pic's of them all.
You will truly see that I am a bona fide Aqua Addict.


And lastly, but definitely not least.
My 'Melly & Me' Fat Quarter's Bag.
I really love these fabrics, City Girl by Kitty Yoshida.
I think they suit the bag, which was a lot of fun to make.

I'm looking forward to the 'Melly & Me' book, which Melly has just started to think about. I just know it will be filled with fun and funky things. Hopefully a bit of this and a bit of that, a bit for me, a bit for you and some bits for them, plus a bag, any bag, I love making bags.

Once in a lifetime.............

Our evening out in Sydney was fantastic. Two gals from the mountains, drove into the big city and immersed ourselves in Amy's warmth and creative persona. We were dazzled, truly motivated and valet parked. First time in my life, what a hoot!

The following line is what I initially came away with buzzing in my head.

'Do what you love, and love what you do'

At first it sounds too idealistic to be realistic, but thinking further, what I think Amy was hoping to get across to us. Was that if you want joy from what you do, you have to stay true to what you love. Don't give up on it, don't lose sight of it. Don't dilute or temper it. And go for it! Don't hold back. Live it, breathe it, be it. Have courage and conviction, but don't be hasty, let it evolve at it's own pace. Walk when it walks and run when it runs.

(I wrote that last week, I wasn't sure if it sounded too daft. But I've re-read it, and it still resonates true, so I'll leave it).

Neither Jane or I took a camera with us. Ho hum. Too excited?

I have taken a picture of my signed book and of the fabric I bought. But I'm still waiting, for 'im indoors, to be able to download them. I'll do a second post later this week of them, (hopefully).


Santa's bringing me my very own camera for Christmas, I'll be able to blog more confidently and frequently then. Yeehar. If anybody out there can recommend their camera, which they find blogging easy with, could they let me know.

In January I'll be able to show what I'm making at the moment. I don't want to put them on the blog just yet, as I want them to remain a surprise on Christmas morning for my Mum and Sister.

Happy Blogging,
Mandy

An Evening with Amy Butler

I can't really believe I'm going!

This lady single-handedly changed the way I thought about patchwork, quilting, bag-making, all sewing really.

I first fell in love with Amy Butler's fabrics, and then moved onto her patterns. You know that Listerine advert on the tv, the one that blows all the barnacles off the hull of a sailing boat. That kinda happened in my mind when I first saw Amy's fabrics. It sounds rather ridiculous, but her colours and fresh, modern but retro designs allowed me to think outside what I though patchwork and quilting was all about. AND it allowed me to think that perhaps I could at least try it for myself. It gave me the confidence to experiment. Wow. I have not looked back. I still like traditional fabrics and traditional patterns. But now I look at fabric through different eyes, and have so many more options than I used too. Hang on, maybe that's another reason The Stash has grown to the proportions it has. Oh well, there are worse things to be obsessed about.


Moving on to other things...................

I've failed to say before, that my local village, truly gorgeous shopping place, Sage, has bought a few of my bags to to sell. I don't know how I found the courage to talk to Rexine, I think I must have been riding high on my success at 'The Falls Art Festival'. Because, I have the shy gene, and have on quite a few occasions, especially when I feel out of my depth, turned a vivid shade of red all on my neck and chest. Mortifying. But, talk to her I did! And, what a thrill that she liked what she saw. I also took some fabric samples and she ordered a couple of bags to be made.

This one




is the one she ordered. If you ever see this fabric, 'Country Roads' by Robyn Pandolph, touch it! It is oh so soft, you'd be forgiven if you thought it was flannel. This is the only fabric to get 'the nod' from Tim, and I have, of course, sourced some more for a quilt for our bed.
Back to the bag.
This bag is all my own. I first made this bag, which I've called 'Simply Shopping' from some 6 1/2" odd squares I found at Ribbons & Rainbows in Blackheath. I just designed that bag from what fabric I had, and basically followed the method of Rosalie Quinlan's 'Naomi's Bag'. This time though, I thought what about a log cabin center, and voila, there you have it.

This is the back


The center for this one is just all the left over, odd cut pieces, sewn together, and then cut down to the correct size. I like to think it has added a Ying/Yang - order/disorder aspect to the bag.
Anyhow, the second bag that went to Sage today was a bag I started maybe a year ago! I'd made the outer bag and the lining, and then gone, oops not sure if I like that, and had to stop. I found it again last week, and looking again at the colour compostition, I decided that yes I did like it after all.





And so to bed.......