Long time no blog...

So, after almost a year out of the blogging world I amazingly had some spare time this evening and rediscovered my page! What a year it's been, too much for one post, but I can leave you with some little snippets of what has been happening in my neck of the woods. Most significantly, I had a baby, Harry, who is already six months old! This is him below about three months ago. He is such a happy baby, I feel very lucky.

 Brigi loves him (phew!) and he is a big strapping thing, much to my relief. In the photo above you can see some of a divine cathedral window quilt that I made for him, finishing it about a week before he arrived. Amazingly I can't find a whole photo of the quilt, promise to post it next time. Thank heavens he was overdue, that's all I can say. It was worth the effort though, I think it's one of my favourites.

And last but not least, Brigi has been going so well we get to stop her fortnightly hospital visits for three months and see how she goes. This is her saying goodbye to "her" ward! Clever girl. I hope you have had a good year, next time I find a spare few minutes I'll hope to pop over to your pages. Bec x

Beehive quilt finished!

Phew! This quilt, although relatively simple design, turned into a bit of a monster from its sheer size, and the number of nine patch squares around the edges. White linen was used for the backing, just in case my mother in law needs a break from the colour.

Thanks to all the girls from the Beehive, I don't think it would have been finished for my mother in law in time for Christmas if it wasn't for your sewing capabilities! She loves it and it takes pride of place on her bed in her holiday house by the sea.

I hope everyone had a good break over the Christmas / New Year period, and I look forward to catching up on all the latest in the quilting world. Bye for now, Bec x

Where on earth have I been???

Before I answer that question, below is the final Beehive block for Karlyn. It was due for October, but I have been a little preoccupied...

I loved making this block, mainly because it looks so spectacular and was easy peasy. So, what have I been up to these last three months? Well, it just so happens that I'm pregnant... 20 weeks to be exact. While I have been lucky this time around with no nausea, I have been tired and wondering where on earth this little one is going to fit in our apartment. So the study is no more, actually it's a no man's land, and we are trying to prepare Brigi for having a little brother. I have been furiously trying to tie up projects (hopefully a post for next week), and find some down time amongst the chaos.

More news... my girl is having her gastrostomy button removed in two days. No more tube feeding. Big relief but I'm a bit scared, it's been a lifeline for so long. So a big week this week, just in time for Christmas. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us on Wednesday, it's going to be a looooonnnnng day! Bye for now, Bec xoxo

Tom's quilt

A friend of ours has just given birth to a little boy, Thomas, and I made him this quilt to keep him warm. Unfortunately the photos were really washed out so this is the only half decent one to post. In a nutshell it was strips of white and assorted prints charming fabrics, with a multitude of prints charming on the back. Very cute for the little one! My sewing machine is still in for a service and is still quite ill so I have been twitching around trying to find something else to channel my energy with but to no avail. Hopefully it will be ready in another couple of weeks. xoxo

Beehive blocks

These five blocks were made for Andi for the Beehive for July... yes, I know, a couple of weeks overdue, but hopefully worth the wait. My poor sewing machine is violently ill and I barely finished the blocks. So now it's a two week drought of sewing, then apparently machine will be good as new. Guess I should have paid more attention to the warning about running over pins!!

Ice Cream Social dress

This was my contribution to the ice cream social sew-along, although I was a couple of weeks late in entering! It's a little less floral and pretty than other entries but I like it.

The flecked fabric is a navy and white linen, and the gingham is a navy cotton voile. The linen, although I am sure will drive me nuts having to iron (unless I embrace the crushed look!), was great for this dress as the bottom panel weighs down the gingham well. Both fabrics are from Tessuti.

The trim was bought from some lace shop or other in Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong in my insurmountable trim stash, and the button is probably from Tessuti.

Picking up the sticks

This is a scarf I have made using some Noro wool- I think it took up three skeins and I really enjoyed making it. Beautiful colours, beautiful wool, this was a great winter project. The coat hanger has sentimental value- my grandma used to buy these for me in gaudy colours and I love them because they remind me of her.

The pattern was from Morris & Sons, called something like Suzy Swirl but I think it's more of a curly whirly twisty twirly. I'm now onto my second for my mum. Now the next pic is a comical shot of me trying to show you what the scarf looks like on- makes me cringe and laugh!!

And last but not least, this is a far better model shot of Brigi in her knitted red dress- with love from her nanna. Now I think she's a far better poser!