Where have I been?

I have just in the last couple of weeks started back at work full time, after a year's maternity leave. It has certainly been a shock to the system and it is hugely busy. I haven't done any quilting and I really miss it. I have a number of blocks to do so this weekend is the time. If you are waiting for an October block from me then never fear as I will definitely get it to you by the end of October!

Happy stitching :-)

Christmas and Mosaic Swaps

I received a lovely block from Debbie in the UK today, through IFQ's Mosaic Block Swap. I was a little concerned that it got lost as it took about three weeks to arrive but here it is. It's much more orange in real life, and so lovely.

And here is a sneak peek of my September Christmas block for Rosemary. I did finish it last night before midnight, so just in time! I'll post it this afternoon so she'll hopefully receive it early next week.

Let the Sunshine In!

I was lucky enough to receive a Sunshine Award from Cathy this week! I started a blog not worrying if anyone would read it, but predominantly because I thought that if I wrote about my projects, I would feel more accountable and might get them finished quicker. Hmm, instead I discovered block swaps and do more blogging (and reading other peoples' blogs) than quilting. BUT I have made some lovely bloggy friends along the way!

So, I would like to pass the Sunshine Award onto Lizzie, Leona and Christine. All these ladies are spearheading huge projects to bring some sunshine to others, so I hope this brings a little bit of sunshine to them!

Christmas Shopping

I went to one of the local fabric stores yesterday - they had a sale on Christmas fabrics so I bought some for the swap. Time to get cracking on Rosemary's block, before I find out who my next partner is!

I also have to get the hang of posting photos so I can do it a bit more artistically next time....

Pay it Forward - Craft Style!

I've joined Crafty Pug's pay it forward for 2010/2011. This means that she has committed to making me one hand-made item within 12 months, and I in turn have committed to finding three people to make hand-made items for. Those three people need to make items for three people and so it goes on....

So, what do you need to do? If you would like to join, just post a comment below and I will get in touch with you. I will then make one hand-made item for you, and you will then need to post on your blog and find three people to join you.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping to spread the crafty love....

Happy stitching :-)

More Block Swaps

DH has been home this week, so there hasn't been much time for sewing or blogging. He's off at work tonight so of course instead of quilting, I'm blogging about quilting! I've done some more of Lesley's quilt - I now have five out of 24 blocks done. I also did most of Block 4 from the Chocolate Coated BOM, but have to revisit it. I cut 3½" squares instead of 4" squares which was slightly problematic when trying to piece them as you can imagine.

Here are some great blocks I received this week:

Terry made this Mosaic Block for me for the IFQ swap:

And here is the one Donna made for me:

Here is the block Rosemary made for me for the Quilting Block Swaps Australia Christmas swap:

I love how she has fussy-cut the stars to match the main fabric.

Sue made this block for me as my September Quilting Block Swaps Australia partner:

And this is the block I made for Sue:

Alex sent this block as my August partner:

And finally, here is my block from Cecelia who was my August partner at Quilt Block Swap:

I love how these blocks are all so different - I asked for 12" blocks in purple and orange and each one is beautiful. I have the beginnings of a very nice quilt I think! It's also lovely getting to know these beautiful women through our common love of quilting.
Before the end of September, I need to make Rosemary's Christmas block and a log cabin for Virginia. My nieces also have their 13th birthday this month, so I need to get their gifts organised. The scary thing is that I will be going back to work soon which means I will have a lot less quilting time. Aargh!

Happy sewing :-)

More Worthy Causes

One of my blogger friends alerted me to Lizzie's post. She is trying to organise a quilt for a fellow SCQuilter, Sue, who is seriously ill. How loved will Sue feel when she receives a beautiful quilt made from blocks from fellow quilters around Australia, and the world? Lizzie's email address is on her blog so you can find out where to send them....

Another blogger friend, Leona, is organising a quilt for her sister Tammy who is also ill. What a wonderful way to show her sister how much she is cared for. For more details please see her blog, which has details of how to get in touch with Leona.

If you have an orphan block or half an hour to spare to make some blocks for Sue or Tammy, please consider doing so.

Thank you :-)

A Worthy Cause

One of my online quilting friends, Christina Kuhne, drew my attention to a group she is working with who make quilts for needy folk, including terminally ill children and their families, the 2009 Victorian bushfire victims, and most recently, victims/survivors of incest and rape in Zimbabwe. Please take time to look at her blog, and if you can donate fabrics or financially, please consider doing so. I remember once when I received a Red Cross knitted bear - it is such a wonderful thing to think that somewhere, someone who doesn't know you from Adam took the time to make a hand-made item to comfort you in a stressful or traumatic time.

Christina's blog is We Care Quilts For Kids, and there is an email address there if you would like further information from her.

Happy stitching,

Linden :-)

More Block Swaps

This is the block I made for Alex. It's the Baby Bunting block from Quilters Cache:

And here's the latest block I made for International Friendship Quilters Mosaic Block Swap. My partner was Terry from the UK. I love the colours!

Am working hard on Block 4 of my BOM; hope to have pics by the weekend.
Happy stitching! :-)

Block Number Three is Finally Finished!

Well, I finished Block 3 a couple of days ago. You can't see the quilting in the photo, which may be a good thing as it's still not very neat. I made a number of mistakes in this block - I cut it when I first got it, and wasn't very accurate. There are some selvedges showing, and one of the blocks is made up of two blocks because I ran out of fabric. Aargh!

Block four is an Idaho Star. I'm going to hand-piece it. Hopefully I will have it finished in a week again this time!

Block Swaps

I belong to two block swap groups, and am also doing a swap through another online group I belong to. Today I received a lovely block from Tarnia in WA. I sent her the middle square and she made the block around it. This is a swap through International Friendship Quilters. Here's Tarniya's block:

Here's the block I made for her:

I also finished my block for Cecelia, through Quilt Block Swap, and here it is:

She asked for a star block in deep shades of red, blue and green. I found this block online and drew it up. I didn't mean to have quite so much yellow, but I did a couple of boo-boos along the way!
I have also done a block for Alex, through Quilting Block Swaps Australia, but it's a surprise one, so I can't put a picture up until she receives it!
Happy stitching,
Linden :-)

Canberra Craft and Quilt Fair

Well, it's been over a week since the craft and quilt fair, and I have finally got around to writing about it!
MIL Truedy and I had two great days - the first shopping and doing workshops and the second looking at the quilts. We've decided that next year we are going to do it in three days, and not take Liam! There were a number of workshops we were interested in doing, but didn't have time for. We learned two quilt as you go techniques, as well as paper piecing hexagons. I can see why hexagons can be so addictive!
One of the things I bought which I am most excited about is an 'in the ditch' foot for my sewing machine. I also got a white fabric marker as a free gift which will be fabulous for Lesley's birthday quilt, as it's on a black background.
Here's the goodies I bought:

And here are my hexagons:

Have a great week everyone!

Organisation....

Today I've been working on organising things. Started by doing very boring dusting in the lounge room, and washing clothes and nappies. But this afternoon I've been organising quilt stuff. I'm doing a quilt for my dear friend Lesley's birthday which was back in April. It's called Dancing Butterflies and is designed by Rosene Cox. Have done a lot of prep work and have sewed many strips and have now completed one square. I've been sorting the fabrics this afternoon and they are now stuck in their strips on the wardrobe doors in the craft room.
Really need to start drawing up the appliques so that I can stitch them at craft group.

Excitement!

Well, about a month ago I entered a competition on the Sampaguita Quilts blogspot to win some batik fabrics. I looked back at her blog a few times but she has been busy and didn't yet draw the prize. But today she did, and I won!! They are lovely fabrics, some with butterflies, which will go in Lesley's birthday quilt I think. I'm very excited. :-)

A Long Time Between Posts

Well, it's been too long since my last post. We had my son's thanksgiving service last weekend so life was very busy - so many relatives and friends in town which was wonderful.
I'm not doing well with my BOW project - am stuck on block 3. Need to just get going and do it - it's not hard. Hopefully it will be finished this weekend.

Block of the Month Quilt - Week 2

This is the second block. I had pieced this and done the applique so I only needed to quilt it. I machine quilted the blocks 'in the ditch' and hand quilted the hearts. I am very slow at hand quilting, so I'm glad there are a few blocks left that also require hand quilting.

Block of the Month Quilt - Week 1

Here is the first block. This was the only one that I actually completed when it arrived. It is reasonably neat, but I used a quilters' pencil to draw the hearts. I saw a new fabric eraser by Sewline at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair, so I'm hoping that will get rid of the lines.

Block of the Month Quilt

About three years ago, I signed up for a Technique Sampler Block of the Month quilt from Chocolate Coated, an online quilting shop. The idea of course is that you finish the block before the next one arrives. Well, so far I have only finished two out of sixteen blocks, so I have decided that it's time to get it done! I'm giving myself the challenge of completing one block each week. It's been an interesting process looking back on the work I did that long ago - the cutting and piecing is not very accurate so I am having to adjust things as I go along to make it work. I do hope my work has improved since then!

Why write a blog?

I've been thinking of writing a blog for a while now. This is surprising as I've never thought of myself as a particularly good writer, nor an outgoing person. I'm hoping the blog will be a place where I can put my thoughts into writing as well as share some of my quilting and knitting adventures. I also hope that since I have a blog, I'll be more accountable. If I say I'm going to make a quilt, I now have to make it as I need to publish the results!
I've called it "Lindivine Designs" as I would like to create children's clothing and accessories. This is a bit of a way down the track at the moment though.
So, welcome to my blog!