Crumb/Scrap/Crazy Quilt

 

In January, I decided I needed another quilt for our lounge and I needed to use my scraps of fabric that were really too small for anything but either too pretty to toss or had memories attached to them e.g. I had made something for one of the kids, or they were part of the quilt block swaps I used to do, or Mum gave me the fabric.

So, I decided on a crumb/scrap/crazy quilt (whichever term you like).  I gathered all the pieces together and randomly started sewing fabrics together.

After sewing each section I ironed the seams flat then made sure there was a straight edge I could sew to another straight edge then it was back to the sewing stage.  I think I went through this cycle about five times so that the fabrics were really mixed up in the 7" blocks I created.

I decided on a black border to seperate the blocks and allow the eye to see each of the blocks lovely patterns that had been created.

I just love how tiny some of the pieces of fabrics became and the shapes that were created by cutting the straight edge and randomly picking another straight edge to be sewn together.

Then came the quilting itself - not my favourite stage but I am happy with the results and how smoothly it went together.  One of my best investments has been a quilting foot as that has stopped so much puckering.  The other thing I have learnt is to tape the backing fabric to the floor the layer then batting on top, next the top panel.  I then grab all the safety pins I have (one year I may purchase proper quilters pins) and start putting them in place ensuring they pin right through to the back panel to hold all sections in place.

This is the end result which I am really happy with - it's a bit in your face but I love that I could use pieces of fabric that were really too small for anything. I decided to bind the quilt in a binding that I created from remaining fabric scraps and I think this is my favourite part of the quilt.

I always use a pattern background fabric to hide any puckering and not so straight lines.  I saw this fabric and it reminded me of a circus which I think was appropriate for the front panel colour craziness.

The back panel with the scrap binding.

The best bit is - this quilt only took me four months to create as opposed to the two years I think the last quilt took to be finished.

Thanks for passing on by.

Babinda Kayaking edited to show flooding

Well its back to work for me today, I'm happy that it is raining today and looks like it will be all week rather than on my holidays.  I have gotten this far on a jigsaw of Bondi Beach in Sydney, really not sure if I will finish the sky and the water - we'll see.  

Last Friday, I ticked Babinda Kayaking off my bucket list.  Had a fantastic time and will definitely be doing this again, hopefully with Sully sitting on the front. $50 for the kayak hire, life jacket, kayaks ready for us to row away, then a pick up at the other end to bring us back to the car.  Oh, and can't forget the bonus iceblock we received.  

I was all covered up and lots of sunscreen as there is not much tree coverage along the way but not too hot as you can take a dip anytime you felt like it.

So peaceful and quiet, the kayaking is done at your own pace.  There were another two groups (1 x 4 and 1 x 8) floating down when we did, we would pass each other every now and again as one of the groups would pull off to a sandy bank to eat or swim or just take in the surroundings.

This is how clear the water is - taken from in the kayak.

The end

Thanks for visiting - I am hoping to keep this new routine of occasional blog posts and occasional blog visits happening as I have loved reconnecting with everyone. So fingers crossed - life does not speed up again and get in the way. 

This is the same creek 3 days later, so we timed it very well.  

 

Holidays full of gardening and sewing

Hi everyone, I'm happily on two weeks holidays enjoying the sunshine in our garden and trying to tame the jungle it is.  My succulents were first off the list which I weeded and added a couple little pots to the garden on the far right.  I still want to add a couple of small mounds so the garden is not flat, hopefully give it a little character as it was a veggie garden before succulents came along.

I got rid of all the dead branches out the passionfruit vine and now waiting for these yummy fruit to ripen and fingers crossed the visiting cockatoos don't find them.

Next was the bromeliad garden which had these lovely flowers happening.

This time of year my Rose of Sharon (type of Hibiscus) never fails to delight me.  I love the fact it's starts the day as a lovely crisp white flower…….

and finishes the day with this lovely vibrant pink.

Our Easter was very full of chocolate as I was lucky enough to win this hamper at work…..gave a lot of it away otherwise my husband and I would have been rolling everywhere. :-D

Brisbane went into lockdown just before Easter and this time round all of Queensland had to wear masks inside.  This is our first time throughout the whole of COVID that we have had to do this. So we are very lucky living in the tropical north.  So I decided to try out a few Pinterest mask patterns trying to find the best for masks that were anti fog.  I found this pattern which was quick to cut out and sew and seems very effective. https://diyjoy.com/how-to-make-a-no-fog-face-mask/  Love to hear if you have a favourite mask pattern.

Still looking for ideas to keep Sully busy, he is healing well although has a little fluid on his knee.  I discovered VitaRapid Tranquil Daily Treats and these have really helped calm Sully of an afternoon when he is really, really bored with his current cage constraint.  I like that they have natural ingredients.  We have quick sessions of training - sit, stay, come and down - hoping to tire his brain and perhaps his body a little.  Decided to make a snuffle box so he can dig through to find his food.  Sully does have a good time with this and keeps him busy for 20 mins or so.  This is a - keep an eye on Sully activity, with his past history of swallowing strips of fabric.  I went in search of items for strong chewers as Sully has chewed through most of his toys.  I discovered Aussie Antlers and now have a goat horn and antler which seem to be working well and lasting longer than a day and keeping him busy.

After a morning of gardening I have been getting back into my crumb quilt.  I'm loving seeing the random combinations and now have 15 of my 32 required squares done.

Thanks for passing by.