WIP - Bit O' This, Bit O' That

I have to apologise for the dual posts today... but whilst Weigh In Wednesday continues it might just have to be like that.  Afterall I don't want to miss out on Lee's fabulous WIP Wednesday linky party.  Hope you all don't mind!

Unfortunately, I don't have any finishes to show off as yet (I'm working hard to have something finished in time to link to M-R's TGIFF post) so today is all about those works in progress (funnily enough).


QUILTS FOR BLANKETS OF LOVE

First up, a small quilt I am making for the Blankets of Love campaign.  If you haven't heard about this one, Kat is asking for donations (of blocks to complete quilts) for premature bubs born at the main women's and children's hospital in Perth, Western Australia.  As I live nearby I immediately put my hand up to contribute to this worthwhile cause.

Measuring just 25" x 25" this baby is basted and ready to quilt.  Astute eyes would have noticed the indents from previous quilting, which was unpicked the other night after a disaster with a pieced back.  Um... I seem to have learnt the hard way that squaring up the top and back is hard work.  So, after much grumbling, I've retreated to my usual safe option of a plain back, no piecing involved!

As this one was so quick to put together (as I told myself before the quilting disaster) I've also cut out another 25 5.5" squares to make another.  A good cause is a good cause afterall. 

The second quilt will be quite similar with only one print swapped out and another popped in.  There is a method behind my madness as I wanted to take this opportunity to play with colour combinations - and, in this case, see what difference more blue and less red would make to the overall look.


JANUARY BLOCK FOR QBSA

For this month in the Quilt Block Swap Australia group I've been paired with the lovely Melody who has requested a block incorporating an owl, in any capacity.  As I've been itching to start embroidery I couldn't resist having a play.  Here's a sneak peek of what I'm working on.

This has been a lot of fun and a great project to have on hand when I need to sit and relax.  Might have to get a move on, though, to ensure Melody receives it before the seasons change.  ;)


SHIRRED DRESS/ES

I've been hearing rather nasty rumours that my new little Brother BC-2500, Laurie, wouldn't handle shirring at all well... so I was determined to find out for myself.  I mean, shirred dresses are quick, easy, inexpensive and adorable!  So I stocked up on shirring elastic and sat down with some scraps for a play.  I found out pretty quickly that Laurie can, in fact, shirr... and after a play with stitch length and tension he was doing a pretty good job.  Yippee!!

So I requested some measurements from a friend with a 2 year old... and set to work.  Unfortunately things didn't go exactly to plan.  I'm not sure if I've done something wrong, or if this is how it is supposed to look... but I expected it to gather more than this?  Any thoughts?

Would absolutely love to have some tips if you know of any.  And, no Katy, I don't want to hear that he can't do it.  My beloved Laurie can do anything!  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.


So that's what I'm working on this week.  I'm pretty sure that there are many other WIPs stashed around the place (a certain Summer House quilt, for example) but let's not go there.  ;)

I'm looking forward to checking out all the other projects linked up to Lee's.  Pour yourself a water/coffee/wine/etc and pop on over for a look-see.

E.

TGIFF in Pictures

As my last few posts have been very 'wordy' (I know you're sick of hearing from me), I thought it was about time to limit the chatter and just show you what I've been working on this week...

Circle Zip Earbud Pouches for me and Mr C

22" Mod Mosaic Floor Pillow for me (not Laura!)

Simple Pyramid Doorstop for my Mummy

Sewing Machine Cover for my new little Brother, Laurie

Scrappy String Blocks for the QCA's 2012 Bee (it's my month!)

So, there you have it - quite a productive week for me.  AND... all of that between sweating it out at the gym for Weigh In Wednesday.  Wowsers.  ;)

E.


I'm linking up to the first TGIFF party for 2012, at Quokka Quilts.  Pop over to see Laura's gorgeous summer skirt, with matching accessories.  :)

Introducing... Laurie

Picture this, if you will.  A few days before Christmas, whilst I was in Adelaide enjoying some one-on-one time with Mr C, I get a cryptic text message from Laura saying "I think I will go and look at the sewing machine for you - it looks awesome."  Huh???  Of course, I thought she was looking at some new beaut, fancy-pants Bernina for herself and using me as an excuse but, no, she honestly meant for me.  Apparently earlier on she'd emailed me a link to a second-hand machine for sale in her neck of the woods and she was keen to check it out on my behalf.  Umm... oki doki!

At this point I should interject and just clarify that at that stage, Laura and I had never actually met or even chatted on the phone (she didn't even know I wasn't in Perth).  So the fact that this almost stranger (you know what I mean!) was willing to go out of her way and do this for me was... humbling.  Seriously, I was touched.

Anyway... hours later (whilst Mr C and I was enjoying a bevy or two and watching the sun set), Laura rang me with her report.  It was a Brother BC-2500, in near new condition, going for half-price.  Noice!  She was a little concerned that (a) the automatic threader didn't work (I didn't even know what that was but figured I could manage without it) and (b) it only had 60 different stitch types (I just laughed).  After a brief chat about the pros and cons, and then a few seconds of battering my eyelashes at Mr C (it didn't take much as he'd had a few), it was decided that Laura would pick it up for me and then I'd grab it from her once I returned.  Score!

Of course, even now I can't get over the slight craziness of it all.  I mean, we barely knew each other and, yet, we both we were willing to go along with this whole idea.  Isn't it funny how sometimes you just trust someone inexplicably?  For me, especially, that was so out of character because I can be as cynical and untrusting as they come but this time I followed my gut and I'm so glad I did.  Not only because I have a fabulous new machine but I also now have a fabulous new friend.  :)

So, without further ado, meet my Little Brother, Laurie.  Yes, he was named in honour of his finder & minder, Laura.

I was super dooper excited to pick him up and have a play on Friday - and he did not disappoint.  Besides a few teething problems as I got used to a computerized machine (Laura, in her ex-"teacherness" was very patient!) it was a lot of fun to sew on something so... smooth and trustworthy.  I even had my first ever go at FMQ which was a laugh but definitely whet my appetite.  Unfortunately I don't have a pic of my efforts for you to have a chuckle at.  Next time (my darning foot should arrive shortly)!

Now, what does a new machine need when he comes home?  Why, a new cover, of course!

I LOVE this donkey print by Alexander Henry - I also have it in white (anyone surprised?).  I've been hoarding it for a few months waiting for the perfect project to come along and ta-da.  I'm soooo happy with it.  Everytime I walk by and see it I can't help but smile.

This cover came together very quickly and was so simple I didn't need to use a tutorial.  Basically, it is just a rectangle with some ribbons sewn into the binding for ties.  The quilting is a little hard to see but it is crazy lines, as suggested by M-R for my Terrain Mod Mosaic Pillow.  This design was a lot of fun and very, very easy.

Lastly, here is Laurie settling into his new home.  I even cleaned up my sewing room for his benefit!

Welcome Laurie.  I'm sure this is the start of a wonderful (and productive) new partnership.  :)

Anyone else get an unexpected windfall over Christmas?  Feel free to leave a message and brag.

E.