A quilt for the tropics

Wednesday saw me finish this little quilt. I started it during the Winter Olympics earlier in the year and then set it aside while I got on to some of my other projects (nothing like a little variety to keep things interesting, don't you think?!)

I had my mother in law's birthday in mind as I began to quilt it - I knew it would suit her lounge and she loves the colour green - the shades are so soft and pretty in this Hunky Dory range from Moda. As I told the girls who I was making it for, I was questioned on the logic of my intentions by my second born: "But Mummy, it doesn't get cold in North Queensland!" (ie. why would you bother sending a quilt to Grandma - she doesn't need one!) After a good laugh, I explained that she was right, it doesn't get very cold at Grandma's house, but that we don't always need to be so practical. I was sure that Grandma could find a use for it - even if it was just draped over the sofa for her to look at. Hopefully, Ali was happy with my reasoning! She is so adorable. I couldn't help but notice that her comment was much like the things her very practical Daddy says!

I machine quilted it using a Pfaff ClassicStyle machine belonging to a dear and generous friend of mine. It manages the layers so well with it's integrated dual feed system and keeps everything smooth, aligned and in place - just what I need as I feel my way through this quilt making business! The stitch length stayed the same regardless of the layers and seams of the fabric. My machine doesn't cope so well with quilting - the stitch length varies from teeny tiny to big and bulky depending on how much fabric it needs to get through. Thanks, Kerry!

The backing fabric has been lying in the fabric chest for years - I'm talking years before I even met my husband, and we've been together for 12! I was at uni, starting out with some sewing on an old Singer machine with a knee lever that I  bought for $5 at an auction. I bought metres of the backing material, and three other fabrics to match, for a quilt that never happened. Now it is serving a worthy purpose - finally!

It was a rather bleak and grey day so these photos aren't very bright but I was pleased with the finished product. I hadn't made binding for years (not this much of it, anyway) so I was pleased it came together so well. I picked up the binding fabric from SLight recently, but with another project in mind. It's perfect for this job, though.  I found a terrific tutorial on quilt binding at Sew Inspired - the best I've seen, so it was pretty straight forward after that. I also learnt ladder stitch, thanks to Mr Google, for hand stitching the binding to the back. Now that's a clever stitch to know - virtually invisible and very quick and easy.

The quilt has arrived at Grandma and Grandad's house. She loves it, has it on her burgundy sofa and plans to take it in the car for chilly nights on long road trips. I had so much fun making this - I hope the rest of my family are happy to be given something similar in the near future!

Playdough days

Here is a little taste of what we've been up to lately. Lots of indoor winter activities and busy-ness - craft, cooking and playing, sewing and a little knitting and lovely walks with our dog on sunny winter days. There have been grandparents visiting, piano concerts, MS Read a thon reading and Alice has been madly knitting her first teddy scarf!

We have lost one loved guinea pig but adopted a new baby one. Much time has been spent helping her settle in and make friends before the move to the hutch outside. An indoor pet certainly keeps the kids entertained and happy. Having to juggle guinea pig cuddles with piano practice and home reading is tricky!

This playdough session, crossed with playing dress ups, was worth a photo or two I thought. How cute is that hat on Ruby? A recent purchase from a gallery and gift shop in Richmond - $5 in a reduced bin - could do for a Book Week parade one day I think? Just have to come up with a character to suit!!

Hannah didn't combine play dough with dressing up but she did do some serious playdough biscuit making. Very serious business, as is Mummy's 'tasting' of her produce. It seems this part of the game is very important. Don't they just light up when we 'eat' and love their playdough 'cooking'? And how sweet is that face on Hannah?

This is the picture I first saw when I looked up and realised we had the hat on while playdough playing. Very cute I thought - looks like Little Bo Peep at pre-school!

The concentration and focus on Hannah's face in this shot is priceless. Combining playdough with the tea set seems to be a good idea - makes for busy little girls. And doesn't a pony tail make them look so much older? Hopefully there'll be many more mornings like this one before they grow too old for them.