iHeartSquishy

Gifts and commissions

2011-09-17T13:43:00.001-07:00

Golden Horseys, a photo by craftykat on Flickr.

Been busy rolling out a few more baby quilts lately! Firstly this lovely Golden Horseys quilt for one of the bubbas in my mothers group. I got her in the secret gift draw for their first birthday. Little Bridget loves horses so somehow I had to incorporate them into the quilt. I did not have enough time to order fabric from OS so I raided our local spotlight. How hard is it to find cute horse fabric? I was lucky I found a fairytale panel on the bargain table - and on of the bits of the panel was magical horses which I used on the back. Then I was going through my stash at home and found I had some Heather Ross Unicorn Far Far Away fabric = score! I used most of it on the back of the quilt. The fabric in the front was random bits from my stash.

A few other quilts I did as a commission for friends - Green Circus with some Laurie Wisbun Urban circus fabric, and Hot Pink Flowers with more random bits.

Quilt for Oof

2011-09-06T00:07:00.001-07:00

Quilt for Oof, a photo by craftykat on Flickr.

Wowsers it seemed like I started this a while ago. A selection of lovely African fabrics with a rainbow of Kona colours for my friend Ruth's 30th. (and yes, in true lateness she will be 32 in December). It was part of the Oh Fransson Paintbox Quilt-a-long http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/paintbox-quilt-along.html
Oof (as people of the toothless variety call her) loved it! She has spent a bit of time in Africa (Tanzania, Uganda) doing good stuff and she could identify most of the fabrics used. And her test to see if it was authentic? Lick the fabric - if it is salty it's real (and it was). She then preceded to lick some of my other fabrics...tsk tsk

Back is some scraps + Timeless Treasures Wild Thing fabric. Bit scary from a distance but I love all the animals in it - very "Where the Wild Things are".

Bec's 3 year quilt

2011-07-18T01:02:00.001-07:00

Bec's 3 year quilt, a photo by craftykat on Flickr.

How long does it take to create a quilt? Well in this case - 3 years of planning and collecting and then just over 1 week of hard work.
My poor friend Becky - a quilter herself, I promised to make her a quilt for her 30th birthday. As soon as I decided I was doing one I started to collect fabric of things she likes - like Heather Ross' horses & gnomes, anything to do with airplanes (she is an aeronautical engineer), cooking, gardening, music and sewing (wow just realised she has many interests). But I never really had a plan for what I was going to do with the fabrics so I just collected more and more. Fast forward to about a month ago when I was planning a little visit to her in Perth (yep long way from Sydney) and suddenly the inspiration to get it done hit me. So I spent some time looking at patterns and thinking how I could organise this mismatch of fabric. I finally settled on one of Elizabeth Hartman's The Practical Guide to Patchwork patterns called "Rain or Shine". I also teamed it with some Kona Solids. So I pretty much started cutting on the Sunday, flew out to Perth the next Saturday with just the hand binding and about half the little rosettes to do (which I finished over there). So happy I finished it and she loved it!

The back

Closeups

At the little bakery in Margaret River where I sat all morning to finish the binding

Urban Circus Quilt

2011-05-28T18:35:00.001-07:00

Urban Circus Quilt, a photo by craftykat on Flickr.

Wow - a friend actually paid me to make this one! I have been sitting on my stash of Urban Circus for a while pondering what to do with it. I combined it with some Kona Solids scraps and kinda winged the desgin - and volia! Very happy (and so was my friend). I used Sandi Henderson's Butterflies for the Back and some stripy fabric from spotlight for the binding.

New Library Bag

2011-05-11T23:53:00.000-07:00

New Library Bag, a photo by craftykat on Flickr.

As a librarian - my daughter needs a library bag! She has just gotten her first library card (who knew that you could get a card at 8 months old?) so Little Miss E finally has another thing made by her mum. Made using the new Avairy2 fabric from Joel Dewberry.

Look what I found

2011-05-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Now Little E can sew with me :)

Found: Gladesville Vinnies
Cost: $4.50 (1/2 price sale)

Accidental Quilt

2011-03-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

I accidently made a quilt the other day. I have a so many projects on the to-do list so i have no idea how it happended. I was supposed to be making a competely different quilt and then I started to experiment with the scraps and before I knew it I had sewn a quilt top. It was only a baby size quilt and I had decided I needed to order some white sashing for the main quilt I was supposed to be making so that project was put on hold. So not wanting to add to the pile of almost completes I finished it! It is made using Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane fabric (and an Amu Butler Spots snuck in) and Kona Solids.

Nala took a moment to admire the quilt

Quilt for Claire

2011-03-07T13:51:00.000-08:00

Back at the end of November I suddenly realised that my wonderful sister-in-law would be turning 30 in a few days time. I usually do quilts for peoples 30th - and while most people are usually turning 32 by the time they actually get their quilt, I decided that I could easily whip a quilt in 3 days. Also not factoring in that I had a 3 month old to look after - I was determined to get it done!! Well I did not make the 3 day deadline - though I did manage to get it all cut and about 1/2 pierced. Fast foward 3 months later ... and its done. I used Oh Franssons New Wave Quilt pattern teamed with some of Amy Bulters Love Fabric and some Kona Solids.

and the back

I love the pattern (well I do love everything designed by Elizabeth Hartman)but I probably need patterns that are a bit more forgiving with seams lining up. There were a few unpicks involved and not many of the seams line up but I don't mind. A handy tip is to pin from the centre when sewing strips together - at least if your seams don't match it is a bit more even then from starting at the top and then the bottom seams are very jagged.

Front close up

Back close up

I actually hand sewed the binding on this one instead of machine sewing. Very time consuming but I do love how it looks. Little Miss E kept staring at the quilt so i would lay it on the bed and do some of the sewing with her in the middle of it. This quilt almost did not make it to Claire because E loved it so much.

Sneak Peak

2011-02-19T21:32:00.001-08:00

Somebody is enjoying the quilt I am making as I am hand sewing the binding :)

Queensland Flood Quilt Auction

2011-01-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

**Please note that auction closing time has now been changed to 9pm EST Monday 24th Jan**

Toni from make it perfect has started up an auction to help in the Queensland flood appeal from her blog - So to help out I am auctioning off this funky quilt to help out my fellow Australians!

The quilt is perfect for a cot quilt or a playmat. The front contains fabric from Cosmo Cricket, Patty Young, Heather Ross, David Walker and Erin McMorris plus Kona Solids. The Wadding is 100% bamboo. It is fully machine quilted with straight lines and outlines of some of the quirky shapes in the fabrics. It measures approx 97cm x 108cm

(please excuse the photos - it is still drying on my clothes line! - I will try to take some better photos later in the day)

As promised - some better photos!

How this auction works:
1. Bidding will start at $30 (Australian).
2. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address. Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.
3. Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.
4. This auction is open to everyone, Postage is FREE.
5. The auction begins NOW and will END at 9pm on Monday 24th January 2011.
6. At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address). The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email. Once proof of payment has been received, I will post your quilt to you.
7. Thank you for participating and happy bidding!

New Year Sewing

2011-01-07T02:42:00.000-08:00

OK - 2011 is going to be my year for crafting and blogging!!! (if I write it here at least I will be accountable - right???) I also have a crazy goal of opening an online shop or have a market stall this year. Oh and also finishing some of the projects I started last year or didn't start as the case may be.

To start the year off I have made

1. A cute gathered clutch - featuring Heather Ross Far Far Away II Roses fabric and some Kona Solids - not sure of the exact colour. I finally had the nerve to cut into the Heather Ross fabric and am very happy I did. It is from Noodleheads Gathered Clutch Tutorial. This is a christmas pressie (a little late) for my brand new sister-in-law!

2. Some bibs! These are for my little twin nephews. They use an Amy Butler print from her Nigella line and the most softest bamboo terry towelling. I was a bit nervous to sew with a stretchy fabric like terry but am pleasantly suprised at how easy it was.
The bibs co-ordinate with the diaper bag I made the twins mum some time last year.

oops

2010-12-15T03:05:00.000-08:00

has it really been over a year since i updated this ... my bad!
Maybe in 2011 I will get back into it -- we have a new addition to the family who i am sewing uber cute things for!!!

mayhem all around

2009-12-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

oops been away for a while - had a surprise wedding in which 99% of the guests thought it was just a BBQ, went overseas travelling through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Rome and Malta, turned 30 sailing down the Nile and got back to discover my new sister-in-law is pregnant with twin boys (now i just need to learn to make "boy" clothes - but have a great excuse to sew twice as much!!)

Scrap Sunday Week3

2009-06-29T03:53:00.001-07:00

Scrap Sunday Week3
Originally uploaded by craftykat

Week 3 - I continued with the String Strip Block - my scrap pile is dwindling! This week I teamed it up with Project Runway Season 3!!! I went for a more pink/blue/yellow theme this week.

my sunday scrap project

2009-06-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

At the moment I am trying to get organised and move my craft corner (which is a series of tubs - way too embarrassing to photograph) to a cupboard with all these nice little boxes I got from Ikea. As part of the process I have been trying to use up scraps - mainly because I know they will sit there for years and I will probably never get around to using them - and of course it is a great form of procrastination.

I have decided that Sunday afternoon is my trying to use up scraps day. And because it is winter and the last few weekends have been wet - it has been the perfect excuse to put on an old movie and sew! So week 1 I decided to do some little log cabins using yellows and purples. I am not sure what my next step with this one will be - I might add some more fabric or turn it into a doll quilt. I paired this one up with Marilyn's The seven year itch

Week 2 I thought I would try Film in the Fridge's String Quilt Block tutorial. I have never done paper piercing before and lucky we had a new phonebook arrive the otherday so I could tear out the pages of the old one to use. I had fun making this one (+ it uses up some of the bigger scraps). I think I will be making more! While making this one I watch K Hepburn & Bogat in The African Queen

I still have a lot more scraps to go....

Quilt top for Mum

2009-06-17T16:22:00.001-07:00

Quilt top (not yet fully sewn together) Quilt for my mother who loves turquoise at the moment. Made from Amy Butler Daisy Chain - I was inspired Pressed Flower fabric (centre) which reminded me of a tile - surrounded by some kona solids then more Amy Bulter!! Because of the pattern I could get 2 different "tiles". I am loving the fabric combination and hoping it is a raining miserable weekend so i can finish it without feeling guilty that i should be doing other stuff!

Scrap Bag

2009-06-12T21:30:00.001-07:00

Scrap Bag
Originally uploaded by squishedfairy

I recently bought a copy of Patchwork Style: 35 Simple Projects for a Cozy and Colorful Life (Make Good: Crafts + Life) by Suzuko Koseki and have fallen in love with half of the projects and the use of scraps - i wish i could get my hands on some of the fabric she uses!. For my first project i made the fan bag from some black white and red scraps. I am keeping this one for me!

Katie's 30th Quilt

2009-06-03T04:40:00.001-07:00

Katie's 30th Quilt
Originally uploaded by squishedfairy

On the weekend I finally finished my hope-to-one-day be sister in law Katie's 30th birthday quilt. It was the quilt i was doing as part of the oh fransson quilt-a-long. It uses Amy Butler Midwest Moderns and Quilting solids + some dark grey sashing. The back is made up of some of the scraps and two pieces of an early Amy Butler print. I am still not confident to do free motion quilting so I am still just following the lines. I hope she likes it ( it is a month late)

quiet but busy!

2009-05-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

oops ... i was supposed to update this right? Been a bit busy the last few months - new job - holiday planning - trying to tidyup the place - trying to use up scraps- buying more fabric!!!
A few weeks ago I was getting ready to migrate my sewing junk pile corner into a new cupboard and I decided instead of putting everything straight in there I would sort things out and finish things! As a result I found I had some old cut up sheets, a pair of pjs with an unfortunate rip, binding and scraps left over from a view different projects. The result .... and a chance to practice my applique - some cute little kimonos and pillowcase dresses made using the patterns of Habitual at http://habitual.wordpress.com/.

First up we have thekimonos. The cute butterfly material is my friends pj pants. So I gave it back to her to give to a high school friend of ours that just had a baby. My friend also took a few more to give as presents! I made them all the smallest size so they are for 6 months olds. Others have been given away and I have 2 left waiting in my emergency gift pile.

Butterflies and Windmills
Balloons, Dots and Diamonds

Kites, Butterflies and Dots

Next is the pillowcase dresses. I made these for 18 month olds - as I calculated when it hits summer in Australia again my beautiful god-daughter Zoe should fit into them. And the brilliant thing is that when they no longer fit as a dress they should fit as a top! So the butterflies and the pink damask went to Zoe and the others are in the emergency present pile. (the dresses would probably look better modelled - but alas - don't know many 18 month old in the same city as me!)

baby boys...

2009-01-30T20:21:00.000-08:00

I recently was visiting a friend over in Perth and became a godmother to her little girl. Her mother had created this amazing quilt for little Zoe and it gave me inspiration to make a quilt for another friend who had just had a little boy Maximus. I have tried making quilts for boys before and have had a horrid time trying to find suitable fabric. Well little Maximus' father owns a demolition company - so I could not go past Michael Millers Dig it! fabric and I also found some David Walker Robots fabric. For the backing I found a cute print at the local spotlight store that was gingham and had trucks and mixers etc

The great thing about this quilt is the little velco shapes that will be highly educational or make great chew toys. Also when he is old enough we can just unpick the velco and it can be a normal quilt. and just cause i had some leftovers I also made a cute little double sided bib and appliqued at detour sign on a little singlet.

fabricmanic

2009-01-30T01:27:00.000-08:00

I realised the other that this is a year for significant birthdays - I have an 18th, 21st and numerous 30th (including my own) ... and i want to make quilts for all of them!!! I have therefore gone into a fabricmanic mode and trying to match fabric collections to friends and family and am scouring flickr to find inspirations for patterns. so much FUN!
So the first one I have to get done is for an 21st in 3 weeks time. I had some dots & stripes from Heather Ross Lightening Bug Collection + the extra cute dog print. Of course i had to order in some more fabric especailly the horse fabric as this person is a mad horse fan. I am hoping it arrives before next weekend so I can complete it on time. I am going to use this great pattern from o fransson and the Paintbox blocks

first post...

2009-01-29T00:21:00.000-08:00

Well I finally got on the blog bandwagon. I should be posting some interesting stuff about my craft, travels and so forth.