Big Boy Quilt :)

I cant believe my little man is in a big bed already!?!?! He's only 18 months, but so far so good....with #2 due in about 2 months, i needed the cot back, so K has upgraded. Probably the best part about it (for me, anyway) was that i finally got a chance to use my beautiful Lecien Whales and Boats fabric. I bought this AGES ago, but have been too scared to cut into it. i just adore it, but when i found this pattern, i knew it would be the perfect way to show off my fabric. I hope you like it as much as we do.

this is the pattern i based my quilt on... tutorial available from here: Carly of Quiltville
loving his 'big boy bed'

the first day on the line...i was PRAYING my colours didn't run!!

on the bed- perfect single bed sizing : )

Not the best photos, it is tricky to photograph such a white quilt...i will try and get some more soon.

a vintage picnicer!

Well, the sewn launch is over, the blog parties have ended, and i didn't win anything :( And i entered sooooo many hehe. Oh well. I am sure those that won, will love their prizes just as much as I would have, so its all good ; )

So, anyway, moving on....

It was my best friends birthday a few weeks ago- she turned 30 too...we are both old now...but anyway, i am super slack and haven't gotten her anything...i know....even after she spoilt me with the most amazing witchery purse for my birthday...she even gave it to me EARLY which means i am doubly slack!! BUT i intend to make up for it with a lovely handmade pressie. She has had a really tough year, and i really want to make her something special- bright and cheerie and full of love. But since i am so new to sewing, all i know how to do it quilt!! So i thought i might make her a lovely picnic rug. But i am broke! So it needs to be cheap! Now come on, I am not cheap, but my bank balance is, so...i gotta get thrifty (secretly i think this is part of the fun!)
Now my lovely friend loves antique/ vintage/ shabby chic (i hate that phrase, but there i go using it) so i need to find some lovely floraly, spotty, stripy vintage fabrics, preferably in pastely pinks, blues and greens. I would love to make a real hodge-podge-y mixed bag, improv quilt..and this is all i really know how to do anyway...but one that will show of all the beautiful prints i hope to find...somewhere...maybe ebay, maybe my local Salvo's...dunno yet...know of anywhere good?
BUT- i want to make it a little more durable on the back- not just another sheet....does anyone have any experience or suggestions for a fabric to use? i would love to know what you have done or heard of. What works and what doesn't...Please, help me out!?!

Thanks peeps....

mmMMMWWWWAAAAHHHhhhh

check this out!!!

i am finally making a log cabin quilt!! YAY for me!! HOORAY!! i know, i am a tool, but i am getting a bit sick of doing coin quilts, as that is all i know how to do...but since i asked for your advice on what to do with my little fabric bundles, i went on over to this flickr group, like you suggested and went from there. there are some seriously awesome log cabins out there, i feel a bit intimidated! but anyway...
i then found a really good online tutorial from Aussies Melly and Me. here it is! it is awesome. maybe i could have done it free hand, or just made it up as i go, but from what i have seen this is fool proof, and makes the best looking quilts around. take a look, it is SO worth it if you have never done one before.
and look, here is the proof. i am loving this. i find the repetition so satisfying...it is calming and relaxing, but beware- do too many in one day, and you WILL dream about them lol
sorry bout the quality of my photos, but it is STILL raining outside and i think the sun has forgotten to come back, so my kitchen bench it is...for now!

quilting sucks....

but i do love it! dont know why- it really does stress me out when things dont go my way!! i was having such a good time quilting, and of course i had to go and wreck it by trying to do binding : )

i'm sure it looks pretty, and i'm sure its not that hard, but like anything, the first time was not easy (or very successful!). i did endevour to do machine only quilting, which in theory is pretty easy, and i didnt do too bad, i just sucked at the end of my binding strip...it ended up very crooked...so i quick unpicked (alot) and started again...

the finished result was a LOT better, and i am almost happy with it- still not up to a standard that i could sell, or even proudly give away, but i am getting there. and although i didnt really love the whole process, i do feel a little bit of a sense of accomplishment...even after the fights i had with it. i thought crafting was supposed to be a relaxing hobby...this is basically how my project went:

stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch....oh crap....stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch....oh crap....rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip................... stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, ...oh crap, crap, crap!! rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip.....................stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch............. i give up....the end!!

honestly, by the end, i almost wanted to stab myself in the eye with my quick unpick : )
but like i said, not a total waste, and i guess it can only get easier...i definately do need to go in for some lessons though!

here is the end result...worth it??? maybe just...lucky i LOVE this fabric, or it would have ended up in the bin!!!

finally more quilts!

ok i have been really slack on posting about my quilt making successes (and failures!) so thought maybe it was about time i updated! i have just finished our quilt and i LOVE it! it is almost a perfect fit for a queen bed, but since i dont use a pattern, or measure anything, i came a little under...but not to worry, there just isnt as much overhang as i would like, but other than that, it does the job! i used, gee i think 3 in the end, Moda Nest charm packs and backed with this lovely hhmmm what would you call it- Jade maybe, fabric. this was used for the sashing and borders too...very plain really. no binding or anything flash, but i love the fabric line, so i dont think it needed much else... here are some shots!

Kalan helping with the sandwiching

pins, pins and more pins!

starting the actual quilting..i went with a criss cross through each square...nice and easy considering the size of the quilt!!

what a cute helper!

and he even matched a little too :o )

the finished result!!

and again...i really love it!

and a very irresistible foot x

bye for now....

gina's nina

does this sound familiar to anyone??? i saw a great quilt kilt while at the stitches and craft show, called gina's nina...it was glorious!! which ever stall it was had some great kits available, and they were so well priced....does anyone know where i saw it? i have scoured the internet and the list of retailers from the show and cant find it : (

can you help?!?!

x

Sleepy time..

Kalan has been asleep for SO long today, which is fantastic, as I have caught up on lots of jobs, but I am sad as I have no fabric here and no sewing to do... I am waiting on some fluffy mail to arrive. I have just gone crazy and ordered some charm square packs from Moda- my favourite designer of the minute is Tula Pink, and I have ordered 2 lots of the Nest charm squares, and also Soiree, to do a gorgeous little cot blanket...

So even though I havent done any sewing, I have had a chance to get some shots of Kalan's original quilt, which I thought I would show you. I love this one, its made with Moda charm squares, by Tula Pink (of course!) in the Full Moon Forest range...LUSH!

Finished quilt!

OK- it is finally done..Dont really know how I feel about this one yet, I have too many other projects on my minds and found myself rushing through to get this one finished so I can start on something much more lovely! I really cant wait to start jmy oriental quilt...

But, this one is still pretty special..hopefully my Grama will think so, as it is her birthday in a couple of weeks and it is to be her gift. I figuered anything hand made is a treasure- lets hope she agrees : )

It is quite a large quilt- about a double bed size, lovely for snuggling up with! It is made with 2 charm square packs from Moda (love, love!) and some great co-ordinating fabrics for the borders.

I have some dodgy pic's to follow- hope they look ok!

My newest quilt!

ok, so I have started my next project and will hopefully have it all finished today. This is to be birthday pressie for my Grama, so fingers crossed she loves it...it is quite large, not big enough for a queen size, but a very generous quilt to curl up with on a cool morning with a warm cuppa! Will post some pictures to show progress... Also, went crazy doing some online fabric shopping in the last couple of days. My next project will be my beautiful niece's quilt- for her 3rd birthday. Her mamma has gone for a bit of an oriental theme in her bedroom, so here is a sample of some of the fabric's I will be including: