On A Whim

I had these fat quarters in the stash, they are Deer Valley from Joel Dewberry.
I had planned to make a quilt for the boys - slighly more masculine - but did not want too dark and earthy colours.
When Camille released this pattern recently, it seemed to be ideal.

Starting out

Block 1 completed



4 blocks  completed

Hope to find some time over the weekend to cut into the other FQ's and make some more blocks.
I think the weather is forecast to be cold and showery - ideal sewing conditions - inside!

Hopscotch Quilt

My SIL made this bright and cheery quilt, I collected it from the long arm quilter last week, it has now been delivered to my SIL - who is busily sewing the binding on.
the pattern is Hopscotch,  one of Camilles's  newer pattern releases.

Great combination of fabrics - both colours and prints.  Photos taken in the dying light in the evening - not as clear as I would have liked.

Lovely bright colours



Star shapes as the centres

Loving the hexagon formation of these blocks

Pieced backing with more blocks

FQS BOM 1

Block 1 completed

After procrastinating for a week or more, I made this whilst the children were showering and bathing in the evening!!  All done and the sewing machine put away -- ready to sit for the evening meal.  It came together very quickly - very clear instructions  --  now eagerly awaiting Block 2.

Win a Weekend Away

The talented Abbe of Copper Patch is offering a lucky person and friends the opportunity to have a wonderful weekend in her newly opened Craft Retreat.
Please look at Curly Pop's post with some stunning photos taken at this weekend's grand opening.

As part of the launch of Victoria's newest Crafters Retreat,

The Retreat Woodend is having a GIVEAWAY!


Grand Opening on July 14th and taking bookings now.

A giveaway valued at $950!!!!

The Retreat Woodend is offering one lucky person and up to NINE of their friends, the chance to win a whole weekend at The Retreat.

Interstate and International people you don't miss out - if you are unable to claim the prize due to distance, you will receive a voucher for $100 to spend at the Fat Quarter Shop online fabric store.

Yes, that's right ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

One of our pretty bedrooms.

The Studio (it can be set up in various ways)

What do you need to do?

Book a weekend at The Retreat to receive TEN entries into the giveaway. Yep, ten.

(You do NOT need to have a blog to receive the 10 entries, just make a booking and pay your deposit before 31st July)

OR

Blog it. In order to receive one entry into the giveaway, all you have to do is blog about it. Please include a link to our website: www.theretreatwoodend.com.au

Then just come back here and leave a comment telling me that you blogged and add a link so I can verify your entry.

Each time you blog about this massive giveaway, you will receive another entry. There are not limits!

Please Note: I've done this giveaway to say a huge thanks to all of the wonderful bloggers who have encouraged and supported me. I appreciate non-bloggers can't blog to get entries although you can get 10 entries if you make a booking.

Down the track I will do another giveaway that will include non-bloggers.

Good luck!

Abbe

Conditions of entry in our GIVEAWAY:

1. Eligible entries must publish their blog post, linking our website, prior to July 31st, 2012.

2. The Giveaway will be drawn on August 1st, 2012 and will be published on this blog.

3. Winner will be notified by email, please make sure your comment enables reply via email.

4. Accommodation voucher valid until December 31st, 2012.

5. Long weekends and peak holiday periods excluded, date to be negotiated with winner.

6. The Giveaway will be redrawn if winner is not contactable by email prior to 7th August, 2012.

7. Booking must be confirmed and deposit must be paid in order to receive ten entries into the giveaway.

8. Giveaway weekend is not exchangeable for the booked weekend or for cash and must be used by winner and cannot be gifted to another party.

9. Gift voucher will be valued at $100 Australian dollars.

Colour Blocking and Smocking

Electra      AS&E Issue 33 -- page 6

 I have often admired the above special occasion gown made by designer Susan O'Connor - this has featured in an early edition of Australian Smocking and Embroidery.  Stripes of silk sewn together prior to pleating and smocking.
How surprised was I to stop at Eureka Patchwork for the first time, last month and see an assortment of colour blocked fabrics. The staff had some of the range on display - and they caught my eye.   I knew exactly what I could make with the fabric.  

Colour choice 2
Stripes are 19 cm or 7- 1/2 inch  wide strips

I called into the shop several weeks later - magazine in hand,  the staff remembered me admiring the unusual fabric earlier -- so quickly located all 7 colourways of this colour blocked fabric.
Regrettably - I did not take a photo of all the colourways laid out for Miss 5BN and myself to make the choice.

Fabric is Nuances by P&B Textiles

Colour choice 1 - won on the day

 I needed to sew two lengths of fabric together - I used a fine french seam- this seam went through the pleater so well.

Pleating the colour blocked fabric

Nearly all pleated!

I plan to make it sleeveless -- it seems to suit the older child better with a smocked garment  - and Miss 5BN feels she has more options to wear a sleeveless smocked dress--without feeling too over the top!!

Study Day and Shopping at Tessuti

We are in the midst of the school holidays, an annual Study Day I usually attend, just happened to fall smack bang in the midst of the hols.  We had all planned to have a few days in Melbourne- but life was too busy at home -so off I ventured on my own.
I carefully planned some retail therapy at the conclusion of the Study Day, perusing the net - before going to Melbourne, taking note of opening hours - and also the distance from the study venue.

First Up    Tessuti Fabrics
What a novel way to promote that this gorgeous shop is open for business
This was hanging over the shop door

A clip from YouTube - promoting the opening of the Melbourne Store

Gorgeous trims, and Japanese sewing books - some printed in English

An array of Liberty of London fabrics

Supersized scissors

This was my loot for the day from Tessuti Fabrics

Linens and Liberty of London

Next up, a quick drive north up Lygon St  to GJ Fabrics, arriving 5 mins before closing time.
I knew what range of fabric I needed - so straight to those bolts

 Sherbet Pips and Little Apples of Aneela Hoey fame

to add to the stash for a project in mind

 And finally  ---progress on my Vintage Modern hexies