Friday Flaunt

This wasn't finished this week but was made as a xmas gift for a friend of mine, she'd admired the original quilt which is below when staying with us. And as she' d lost her mother earlier in the year I thought a quilt would be a good xmas present for her. As have I now
made 3 of these quilts now I am not planning on making anymore in the near future.

This is the original quilt which was a BOM from https://www.susanclaire.com I know she has some patterns still but they aren't up on her website. (well I couldn't see them) Susan has some lovely ideas for quilts so it's worth a look to see what she has.

And this one I made for one of my son's girlfriend when she was 21. It's my favourite.

Its so windy here in Wellington NZ the chair has blown over in the wind. The wind must have had a strong gust as there is a fence behind. Too windy for gardening so sad might even allow myself to do some quilting!!!!!!!!!!!

Squilters an online group I belong to has had members showing the view from their sewing rooms. Since I have been banished back to the dining room this is the view from the dining room window and the table that I have managed to make a mess on since xmas day.

Half pint quilt a long

Well I managed to get the blocks put together last weekend when I went off on another quilting retreat. I do think retreats are such a wonderful escape from life and i can enjoy my favourite things quilting and food with lovely people. On Thursday I am hoping the finish the quilt top.

Advent Swap Day 1

look this is what I recieved from Tami for the first day of the advent swap. What a cute little ornament haven't seen anything like this before Thanks Tami I love it

Class with McKenna Ryan

On Wednesday I was lucky enough to do a class with my most favourite quilt designer ever Mckenna Ryan of http//www.pineneedles.com it was a great day learned how McKenna actually makes her quilt and we used wonder under what a great product once I have used up the visoflex I have i will be using wonder under.

This signed little block was the block we made in our class, wasn't McKenna kind she ended up signing the whole class well 13 of us blocks. It makes them more special.

Here I am with McKenna Ryan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diet needs to start now.

I have not finished any quilts for a while but I have a few on the go. I'm off on my guild retreat at the weekend so hopefully will get the half pint quiltalong top put together, a few more Dear Jane blocks and another Japanese doll quilt finished.

As there is no photos to show you thought I'd show you where my great great grandfather James McDonald was born. This beautiful little village is Helmsdale in Sutherland northern Scotland. He wasn't the only member of his family to come out to New Zealand his parents and a few of his siblings came out too I'm not too sure when though. Another one of the mysteries in life but guess if I keep delving into records one day I will find what I am looking for.

Dear Jane

Another 4 Dear Jane blocks completed I was away at a retreat a couple of weekends ago and decided every time I go away to a retreat I need to do a few more blocks.

At the moment I am working on the Half Pint quiltalong might have a photo to show you tomorrow as there is rugby on TV tonight and I would rather quilt..

Stitchers angel swap

Here are the beautiful gifts I recieved from my stitchers angel swap, aren't I lucky they are all beautiful. Thank you Janet I love them all.
I have been missing in action I thougbt there was something wrong with my camera or computer as I couldn't get the photo's to upload, you will be pleased to know there is nothing wrong with either the computer or camera it was me. Ha ha. So back to blogging no excuses.

Today is my daughter Kylie's birthday she is in India for another 3 weeks then back home again. We arelooking forward to her being back home after haveing almost 4 years working in London.
Happy Birthday Kylie hope you have a great day. How can you be 27 where has the time goes. The way you are going you will be older than me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some bags I have been making. Life has been pretty hectic here I sure notice the difference in housework and washing having a full house again.

Day 3 making herself at home.
Thankfully the cats are not so petrified and are coming inside, even if their eyes are just about popping out of their heads.

half pint quiltalong

Over on The Charming Chatter Blog Kelly has started a new quiltalong called Half Pint Quiltalong.
Pop over and have a look. For the life of me I can not get the button thingy onto my blog.
http://cottoncharmquilts.typepad.com/charmingchatter/2009/10/lets-quilt-along.html#comments



Day 2 with BOLT

Well today's discovery is she doesn't like being left home alone, I popped out to get some groceries to come back to the cat door destroyed and dog vomit. She had got herself into such a state she madeherself sick. So this is going to be interesting, I might not be able to go out. Hopefully in a couple of weeks she will have settled down.
DS3 took her for a walk and her collar broke!!!!!!!!!!!! she must have damaged it trying to climb out the cat door.

This is our new dog is called BOLT which might have to be changed. The cats are terrified, Freddie the grey cat must have jumped out the bathroom window and spent the day out on the roof over the kitchen area. I wondered where she was and thought she was under the house. Then she jumped off the roof when Michael climbed up to get her, I have been calling and calling her as I was worried she might have broken her legs, but she's ok I just was letting her in and the dog came to see what I was up to so don't know where she is but at least she's ok. Tabby is hiding under the house. Suppose they'll come in when they are hungry.And I left the cat food up on the table but being a bigger dog she managed to rest on a chair and eat the food. But she is beautiful and has a lovely nature, coping well with her first day in a strange house. Never a dull moment here.

Friday flaunt

Finally here is a flaunt for Friday. This is for my fathers 80th birthday I started it last Sunday so I managed to get it finished in less than a week.
We are meeting my parents for lunch tomorrow so will give it to him tomorrow.

This little cutie came to live with us a few weeks ago when my middle son come back home. Sadly for Freddy she has been made feel very unwelcome by the 2 resident cats Tabatha and Sooty. Its like world war 3 poor Freddy can not come into a room without hissing and growling from the other 2.

Haven't had time for any quilting but thats changing have to finish a photo quilt for my dad's 80th he was 80 last week, but we are not seeing them till this weekend.

Sweet Nostagia BOM

While I was checking out my friend Jeanette's blog today http://www.ribbonsandrosebuds,blogspot.com she mentioned a giveaway on http://dorothybakerdesigns.blogspot.com so while I was checking it out I saw she is offering a new Block of the month starting on the 15th of September so hop on over and check it out.

Friday Flaunt

One of the online groups I belong to has a Friday Flaunt to show what you have been up to during the week. So I will see how I go after having to pack up my quilting room as its turned back into a bedroom. I probably have enough fabric for a year of flaunting.
The TV programme packed to the rafters has nothing on us.

Anyway this was an easy quilt using Kaffe Fassett blues made for friend who has decided to try apartment living she says she is going to read in the afternoons so I thought she needs a quilt to snuggle up with too. And I quilted it myself on a friends long arm machine this is my first go on her machine certainly a lot to remember. I will have forgotten what to do the next time I want to use the machine

Since I had to be very restrained while away I couldn't resist these patterns both by Bronwyn Hayes from www.fionamarie.com. I also signed up for the Global Christmas Shop Fiona is running.

I think a lot of my friends will be getting the hot pads for xmas.

And I have been eyeing up this BOM for a while. Fiona offers this as a pattern only BOM so means I can use my stash for fabric. (Maybe)

Stitchers Angel swap

I joined this wonderful swap again this year had 2 lovely partners last year.
I need to get myself organised and start on this years gifts.

I have been away

I have been away for 4 weeks had a great trip and am back again to all the ususal household chores.