Quilt progress

So here's the progress on my quilt. Going to be a bit smaller than I thought - but that's okay. The white border is going to have more pink ribbon sewn on top - haven't quite got there yet. I'm quite happy with it despite all the little mistakes in it - No one will know when its all put together!

Not exactly sure how I'll quilt it - might need to see if I can beg/borrow a hand quilting hoop from someone so I can give that a go. I'm sure my stitching will need work! Anyway, its progressing.

Been a bit topsy-turvy in the emotion department - very concerned about Grumpy-George's heart failure (this is the diagnosis finally). I'm worrying more because Mum is worried, but it also occurred to me yesterday that I just don't want him to die just yet. He's been my step-dad/Dad for 27 years now. I only had 16 with my biological Dad with about 4 years estrangement. Anyway, I love him and don't want him going and dying any time soon - he's 67 and gets a bit stroppy when people try to tell him what to do - including doctors regardless of his best interests at heart. So excuse any teary-ness observed - its sometimes hard for a leopard to change his shorts.

R U OK? day

Are you okay? day is an inititive by the sons of Barry Larkin, an Australian management consultant who took his own life in 1995. What a great idea! I've been there - persistent thoughts of self-harm involving sharp objects - resulting in an inability to enter our kitchen. The very next day I was admitted to St John of God hospital in Burwood with my youngest son, Toby. Below is a fab video from Aussie footballer, Nathan Thompson. Remember to ask often, not just the once.



Visit the R U OK website for more info.

Brayered sunset

Apologies for the poor image quality - taken with my phone. I was inspired by Michelle Zindorf's brayering instructions to work on this card using the new Stampin' Up colours. Cajan Craze is becoming a favourite - such a rich and delicious spicy colour!

This sunset uses Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Cajan Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Early Espresso. I think I may have used a touch of Poppy Parade too. The silhouette of flowers is repeated stamping of the main image from Just Believe. The sentiment I did originally with Marina Mist and Tangerine Tango, but I've gone over the leaves with Pear Pizzazz, flowers outlined with Concord Crush and the berries with Blushing Bride markers. Its added a depth that I felt was needed to help the card along. I'm not entirely happy with my setting sun, but I'll work on that in the future!

A little bit different

Quilting/Patchwork has long been on my "to do" list as something I'd like to try. Stephanie, a lovely, lovely former manager of our school canteen, who I used to help on a more or less monthly basis gave me a gorgeous Moda fabric "Blush" charm pack just before she moved to greener pastures. Its been calling me for ages and this morning I went and found this fabulous website: www.modabakeshop.com which inspired me to finally drag out the sewing machine and create.
Don't pay attention to how off-square this is - this is my very first attempt at patchwork. I pieced together nine-squares and then cut them in half vertically and horizontally to make the squares. I then laid them out on the table and moved them around til I was happy with the pattern. Then I wanted to expand the whole thing a bit - after finding no joy in my fabric scraps, I delved into my Stampin' stash and pulled out the 1 1/4" pink pirouette grosgrain ribbon from Stampin' Up's Autumn mini. I cut the ribbon and singed the edges using a candle to stop them fraying. I've now had to order more fabric so I'll be able to make this a decent size. The fabrics are just delicious and some of the "recipes" on the ModaBakeshop website are sweet! I'll be making at least one more quilt once I get better at making things square!!