Keeping the Hands Busy

I haven't been an angel when it comes to keeping my resolution to stay away from computer games, but I have been trying to change my habits. Having a bit of crochet on hand has made it easy to pick up and occupy my hands when I might otherwise resort to playing a game. I have been working on quite a few things lately. Pics of finished items coming soon.
P.S. Sulking over - will probably self publish my children's novel within a year. Am tired of playing the mainstream game.

Manuscript rejection

Harper Collins just rejected my manuscript -
Prattle House 1415. 

I always feel a little bit beaten up when I get a rejection.
Will sulk overnight only.

Confession and Resolution

I need to confess that I am addicted to computer games. Last night I did a bit of a tally on how much time I spend playing computer games and I was horrified, then I was angry with myself. I won't share the figure, but I have to admit that I could achieve so much more with my life if I wasn't wasting a good chunk of it. Perhaps the reason for my addiction is fear - fear of success. It's a big hurdle because it means stepping out of my comfort zone. I feel sure there are many readers who will associate with this.
Now I will make a resolution (and how many resolutions do we all make and break, but I'll make it anyway) - to value my time and to use it well.
After all - life is way too short, isn't it?

Lemons into Lemonade - Coathangers

Recently I made an error in judgement when I bought a particular wool because I loved how soft it was. It was not suitable for the intended projects so I needed to think of something useful to do with it. Eventually I struck on the idea of covering the new coathangers we had bought at the supermarket which were covered in a slippery satin-like fabric. All the clothes were slipping off them. Now they are all covered in this beautiful soft wool. I have covered about two dozen in the last couple of weeks. And I have had fun rummaging through my ribbon tin looking for suitable pieces of leftover ribbon to add that finishing touch. It has been a nice little distraction from working on big quilt projects.

Laura Ashley charm squares

One of my patchwork friends had a number of stacks of Laura Ashley charm squares which she gave to each of us in our group. We received a stack about 6" high with 2 sets of charm squares containing 4 pieces of each print. These fabrics are genuine 1970s Laura Ashley. What a gift, considering today's retro craze.
Initially I wanted to make mock cathedral window blocks using black, thinking that would pop the bright colours out, but after making a couple I was not happy with my work or the effect and gave up on that idea. One of my friends was making hers a two sided quilt using the square in a square block and it turned out so well I copied her. Half way through I decided I wanted to do something different with the second set of charm squares after seeing the windmill block in a magazine. I have now decided that one side will be square in a square and the other side will be windmills and both will have white sashing. Now I need to get white fabric to go with the old Laura Ashley. Stay tuned.

Black Dahlia quilt

I have been withdrawn and self absorbed for many months and am not sure I'm ready to plunge back into the public eye but here goes. Recently I promised someone I would put up a photo of my Black Dahlia quilt (pattern by Michelle Yeo, see http://www.michelleyeoquiltdesigns.com/html/s01_home/home.asp) and somehow it is always easier to do something for someone else than it is to do it for yourself (does that sound familiar to you?). I hope you enjoy the quilt. I've made a blue one and a black one, and I have material for a red one, which is on this year's bucket list. Running out of time ...

Bucket List

I am really behind with my 52 week bucket list. I put up the list last October and there are only 21 weeks left in my 'year', but I still have 38 things left on my list. It has been interesting to note the types of things I have 'avoided' doing. The list of Experience Goals has been basically untouched but the household chores are being done (several of them are nearly finished - but just not quite sufficiently for me to mark them off as done). Why is it that I am prepared to do housework without rewarding myself with some fun, personal experiences? Is it that 'female' thing of putting others first and being the responsible one in the family. Nobody else notices if there is dirt in the bottom of the wardrobe. Why does that matter so much? Interesting.

Laurel Burch Christmas Cats quilt

Here is my completed Laurel Burch Christmas Cats quilt. It did not take long to put together, and because the fabrics made me happy, it was a lot of fun to make. I don't know when I will have it quilted, as there are a few other quilt tops still to catch up with.

New quilt started

I've been a naughty girl and started another quilt. I saw the pattern in a couple of magazines and knew it was perfect for the Laurel Burch fabrics I bought about 7 years ago. I was able to cut my 21" x 10" pieces without wasting anything at all and the pattern allows the fabric to do all the work. My red design wall (flannelette sheet) doesn't help much but at least I have a design wall. Now all I need is the time to put in the sashing. Maybe Thursday.

Marmalade Quilt

It was a dull day for taking photos but here it is nonetheless - my Marmalade Quilt that I finished binding a couple of nights ago. I love binding. It means the project is nearly complete. I still have to put a label on it, but am busy binding another quilt today in order to finish it and take it to Geelong to show my Mum tomorrow. She loves seeing my quilts finished and I have two for her to enjoy.
Bliss is the name of the fabric range by Moda, and I love it. It makes me feel very happy.

Guest Speaker at Latrobe Valley Quilters

On Saturday my family and I drove to Morwell where I was a guest speaker for Latrobe Valley Quilters. In appreciation they gave me these beautiful flowers. Everyone was very warm and welcoming and made me feel at ease. It was nice to share my story with them.
It  also made me happy to be with my family in the car for a few hours, where we could talk and catch up with each other. I was grateful for their company on the journey.

The Australian Challenge Quilt Series

If you would like to order any or all of my fiction novellas please contact me by email:

rowekeys01@optusnet.com.au

Marmalade Quilt on the Design Wall

I thought I was on the home stretch. Today I was determined to finish blanket stitching around the final set of petals, and I was nearly out of white DMC thread but managed to squeeze every last millimetre out of the thread and finish the bundle sitting on the arm of my chair. It was a lot of fun putting it all together on my design wall. When all was done I stood back to admire the process, then realised I was missing eight petals. I'm sure you can see where they need to be.
Last week, with the suspicion that I would run out of white thread, I went to my local Lincraft store only to have wasted my time - as usual. That store never has the colour DMC thread I want. White is not a particularly unusual colour. You would think they would have it. Now I'll have to drive further to get some from another store ... maybe tomorrow.

Having fun with Dresden

After reading about the request for Quilts for Japan I spent a couple of days pondering what type of quilt to make. I decided to use bright fabrics to make the most cheerful quilt possible. Already working with brights for my Marmalade quilt I thought using the leftovers would be a good idea and found the perfect pattern at The Patchwork Teahouse (my happy place). The pattern is called Dresden Star and the white points are actually folded and sewn into the seam. I am having a lot of fun making this. I have no idea what the finished quilt will look like, but it will just grow out of love for my fellow human beings.

All Petalled Out

Have been busy cutting out Vliesofix petals for my 'Marmalade' quilt. Unfortunately using right handed scissors means a leftie like me gets serious pressure dents on my thumb and forefinger.

 This is what I am working on.  I love the fabrics, having recently been more and more attracted to 'brights'.

Super Moon in Melbourne

Listening to the news this evening I learned that Melbourne would experience a "Super Moon" tonight at dusk. We have not seen this phenomenon at Melbourne in over two decades, when the moon would look much larger than normal. Unfortunately I did not heed the words of our illustrious newsreader, Jennifer Keyte, when she foretold the event would be magnificent as the moon rose over the horizon just after 7:00 pm. I was half an hour too late when I went out to photograph the event. The moon had risen too high for me to see it at its best effect. But here it is between the gum trees at the local primary school a couple of streets away from my home.

The Sun was too Bright (hence - I need a light box!)

I was tracing another block pattern for my Amelia Challenge Quilt when the sun came over the treetops and blinded me. Hubby's caps are usually (annoyingly) on the chair next to where I was standing - but not today. I had to venture into the garage (aka 'his cave') to borrow his gardening hat to shade my eyes from the glare so I could continue my work. Ten minutes later - accomplished.

Decorated Journal

I was so inspired by a friend's decorated journals I had to do my own. It started with a piece of scrapbooking paper I found recently to which I added fabrics. From left to right: beautiful red silk, a strip of white antique braid, the scrapbook paper, and a piece of black brocade (unfortunately you cannot see the gorgeous texture of the black fabric). There are four keys - my husband's surname is 'Keys' so they are completely appropriate =). One key is a little diary key, one is my DH old FC Holden (no longer living), the next is DH family home front door key (house no longer there) and the fourth is to the front door key to our first marital home together.  I finished it all off by tying scrap pieces of the red and black fabrics to the spiral binding.
This is not as good as my friend, Marion's journals, which inspired it in the first place. I'd love you to see hers at www.redthreadz.blogspot.com

Xmas in March - fabrics delivered to my door

 

Xmas knocked on my front door this morning when the delivery man came with a box from The Fat Quarter Shop. Daughter and I had a fabulous time pulling out all the beautifully wrapped parcels and discovering what was there. I can't express enough how fantastic the service was - I ordered on Saturday (Melbourne time) and it was delivered Thursday. There was even an envelope with "Thank You" printed on it. How nice.

 Even Mischief, our cat, was able to benefit from the delivery.

Now ... to get sewing =)

February Lost

Would somebody please tell me where February went????????