Sunday Stash & Dash - AMH

My addiction to all things AMH has picked up pace this year.  I have been ordering 1/4 yards here and there when I find some Innocent Crush in a store.  I've been gifted some charm squares including Folk Tale from a lovely IG friend and well, just a couple of weeks ago, I decided I would use some of the money I made from my last quilt sale to just jump right in....

This bundle of happiness arrived with perfect timing on Wednesday morning.  Three fat 1/8th bundles from Westwood Acres.

Dowry, Hand Drawn Garden and the new Pretty Potent.  I have to tell you - arranging these beauties like so was a pleasure.  Simply divine.  Their perfect arrival meant I could cut straight in to them!  I had 80 drunk geese to make, and they were all made that day!

And on Thursday, I had to choose fabrics for my curved borders.  I turned the decision over to my IG folk after I pulled out all yardage of AMH I had on my shelves.  (There were a few more prints, but they weren't in the running).

And these were the most popular (and my) choices.  This Modern Medallion quilt is beyond yummy.  It it shaping up to be in the running for my all time favourite quilt - and has already won my husband's heart.  Although Andrew always says my quilts are great - I got actual sentences out of him the other day upon showing him progress.  "That's more modern, I like that style better".  Ok then!

My low volume stash is taking a massive hit through this quilt's construction, but I am every so grateful right now for my ahemmmm addiction to fabric purchasing.

I'm linking up - You can too!

FYI - The Modern Medallion Quilt pattern is now available for instant download purchase HERE.  Go get yours so you can join in the quilt along fun in June!

Sunday Stash - The Great Destash Edition!

So unless you were living under a rock (or not on Instagram) you would know that a fabulous phenomenon swept fabric hoarders around the world a few weeks ago.  Someone fabric savvy decided to use the hashtag #thegreatfabricdestash and told everyone to go forth and cull.  To date, there are over 10,000 destash posts on IG!  I only had one target on my list - Terrain!  I put a call out on IG, telling peeps what I was looking for, and then started receiving tags alerting me to its whereabouts!  I happily nabbed one bundle from a lovely gal in the USA.

Mmmmmmm, orange Terrain!

Approximately one week later, the gorgeous Penny Poppleton decided us Aussies needed to create our own action - given the postage rates are ludicrous to get our fabric across the ocean.  When she put the call out for destashers, I was horrified - I was away at the beach!  It didn't stop me from participating though!

I took to sitting on the side of the road outside our holiday house (the best place for reception!), madly checking and rechecking the hastag #greataussiedestash And I struck the jackpot on several occasions.....  As you will see, I came up with a few new targets......

Exhibit A. Half a yard of Far Far Away, a fat 8th bundle of Comma, a little fat quarter bundle of Type, some Sketch and Crosshatch half yards, and some divine little scraps!

Exhibit B. Some Amy, Heather and Aneela.  Oh and a cute card from Cat!

Exhibit C.  More divine Heather with a sprinkling of Anna Maria.

It would be VERY fair to say that I am more than ok with the data quota on my phone bill going a little over for January!  And it would also be fair to say I now have a new fabric collection happening......  Welcome Heather Ross.

So that's this week's incoming fabric.  I honestly cannot remember if I have any more parcels from the destash yet to arrive.  But I will say that I cleared out a bit myself!  So thank you to the lovelies who chose to purchase the fabric on my shelves that needed a new home!

I'm linking up with Sunday Stash - You can too!

2013 - The Year That Was....

In one word - exhausting.

If I were to look back at 2013, I would tell you that I got through it.  I landed on my feet - opposed to curling up in a ball.  So I guess I would call it a success?

On the creative side of life, it couldn't have been a better year!  I finished my 20th quilt for the year last weekend, and happily handed it over to my husband's cousin, for the new little man in her life - baby Archie.  And I have to say - the satisfaction that I receive when I've finished a quilt and am able to gift it to someone is unbelievably wonderful!  It adds to the enjoyment of the making.

I somehow managed to make the ever popular Swoon quilt too..... Which to my utter astonishment has had over 7500 view on Flickr after being picked up by Explore!  It seems people like a random photo with a cat!

I took my paper-piecing addiction to an all new high, by making this fairytales wall hanging....

I've made a gazillion cushions this year.  Plenty for gifts and plenty for a consignment that headed over to a homewares shop in Bali.  Happy to say they all sold!

There's been Bee Blocks.....

And assorted other projects....

And amongst all of the quilty things I've made for myself and others - I've made plenty of little people's clothing for customers (and my kids!).....

I think it's fair to say I spent a fair bit of my year behind my Bernina.

And on a personal note..... I think I've achieved a hell of a lot....

I've watched those four kiddos of mine grow like weeds.  Apparently I now have a man for a son.  My bestest friend moved back to Australia after 15 years in London, and I've been blessed to be a part of her two little girl's lives.  I've won fabric!  I bought a big kick-ass camera and am loving taking photos.  I've made cakes.  Lots of them.  I've spent countless days and nights with close friends.  I've learnt to quilt - properly!  I learnt to paper-piece, and became addicted.  I've bought a shit load of fabric.  I participated in my first ever crafty swap/secret santa.  I participated in my first ever quilt-along.  I went overseas with my husband for the first time.  I hosted my first ever blog hop.  And I survived Christmas!

I've had some pretty shitty times this year also.  I've watched my sister kick an almost 30 year habit and have been by her side to deal with the ramifications.  I've learnt more about mental illness, but feel like I will never, ever understand.  I've watched my teenage son become a man, and helped him through what could have turned out to be an absolute disastrous situation.  I've gotten along with his father - mostly.  I've seen families torn through in-fighting and poor decisions.  And I've been sadly reminded that life is too short for some, and to never, ever take the ones I love for granted.

2014 is shaping up to be a fabulous year.  Today is my tenth wedding anniversary!  In a few week's time, my youngest will be heading off to school, and for the first time in 15 years, I will have no children at home.  I am planning on working less weekends, and working more weekdays.  I am planning on diving in the deep end and pushing forward with some business dreams I have held for far too long.  But most of all - I am planning on continuing to see the great things in life and not focusing on the crappy ones!

So after that long, drawn out recap of this year - I wish you all a wonderful and happy new year!  May it be fun, filled with love and laughter.  I thank you all for coming to visit me here in my happy place, and look forward to sharing my trials and tribulations with you all again in 2014.  And a very special shout out to the wonderful group of friends I have made through quilting.  You have all become such an integral part of my daily life, and I love you dearly.

Love,

Midge

xxx

In Real Life

Yesterday was a big day for me.  I met quilters.  In real life.  Not through a computer screen.  True!

Some time last year, my dear friend Gemma directed me to a Facebook group called "Quilt Club Australia" aka QCA.  It has been through this group that I have had possibly 100's of my quilting questions answered.  Where I have been able to show others interested obsessed with quilting, my progress - no matter how shaky, how hilarious or how triumphant my progress may have been!  I have been cheered on, encouraged and enabled to stretch my learning and grow my ability.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every single day, being part of such a wonderful group of women and men!  And yesterday, 14 Melbourne members got together to chat, swap ideas, gain inspiration and gather knowledge.  And about an hour in to our gathering - we partook in Show and Tell.

It is with much pleasure and jaw-dropping delight that I share just SOME of the amazing quilts that were brought along......

Christine and her paper pieced dragon wall hanging.

Lisa and her Great Barrier Reef quilt - created around souvenir tea towels from her visit to the iconic Australia destination.

Jodie and her memory quilt - Jodie has only been quilting for four weeks!

Sue's amazing quilt!!!  

I loved this quilt by Carol (who is hiding behind it!).  The brilliant prints just pop with the black background.

Norma's block of the month quilt.  Lots of appliqué!

Judith's beautiful Cathedral Windows.

Ummmm......this would be me.  I think I was pointing out my dodgy appliqué on the back of my Bloom Bloom Pow quilt!  

And this lovely lady?  This is my MUM!  Meg is a prolific machine embroidery freak!
If you stick around, I will be doing a whole blog post, very soon, about my Mum and her quilts :)

Moira's gorgeous jelly roll quilt.  Love the V & Co range!

Shirley and one of her many Convergence quilts.

Sarina and one of her stunning, bright quilts!

And our hostest with the mostest - Sharryn.  Such a gorgeous Owl quilt!  Thanks so much for opening up your home to us Sharryn!

I could have put up all 50 odd photos I took from yesterday, but I would have been here for days!  As beautiful as the photos are, they really just do not capture how much love and devotion has been put in to each and every creation that was shared.

The best thing that came from yesterday?  Well, I now have real life quilty friends!  Don't get me wrong - I LOVE all of my online quilty friends!  In fact, there are a bunch out there who know more about me than you would believe.  But to actually sit with a group of women, and be able to touch and look at their quilts, and ask them questions was really great.  We also learnt more about one another, about our families and where we come from.  I guess we can now put a story to the face we see on the computer screen.

I gather you can tell it was a fabulous day?  Lots of laughs, ooh'ing and ahh'ing.  And exchanging of gifts.  I ensured my gift did not get taken from me in the hilarious "kris kringle".  Apparently licking the back of a charm pack and then rubbing it on your behind kind of puts others off wanting it??  Remember that one!

So tell me - do you gather with quilty friends?

Sunday Stash - In Pictures

I shared with you last week how I was spending some of my tax return.  Well, the UPS and postman both came to the party during the past week, and my stash got a ridiculous boost in numbers.  I'm now on a fabric fast.  For a long short time anyway....

The Intrepid Thread never fails to excite me! 

Some Sarah Jane deliciousness from Fabric.com

I finally bought some Ghastlies after months of procrastinating.

Nordika......yum yum.

Waterfront park......sigh.

Interesting colour combo for a cot quilt.

David Butler Parson Gray fabric for a boy's quilt.

Heather Ross......these prints are seriously divine.

Randomness.......two are for binding for quilts in the making, the fairy tales for my Chloe and I just like the bugs, pinwheels and zig-zags!

Soooooooo.........what do you think?  Did I spend my money wisely?

I'm linking up with Sunday Stash being hosted by Fabric Mutt this week - You can too!

My Latest Obsession

My habit of not letting a project sit around long is continuing.  I embarked on my Swoon quilt a week ago, and as of this afternoon, I have six finished blocks and four half finished blocks - which essentially means I am almost 3/4 of the way done!  Hoorah!

My body is not shouting Hoorah however.  This chain piecing and assembling really does take it out on your body.  Oh and not to mention the hours spent at the iron, pressing HST's and geese!  But oh well, I'm pretty damn impressed with my progress......

I've managed to fussy cut quite a few of the centre blocks, but I am using fat quarters, and it gets a bit tricky trying to get all the pieces required cut, and managing to leave a 6.5" block of perfection!

Now, given that this will be the first queen size quilt I have made, I am wondering how I am going to quilt it, or if I will even be able to manage it?  I have a beautiful Bernina, however, I already wrestle with single bed quilts, so thinking my muscles may not be up for the challenge.  I've discussed it a little with the lovely quilters in QCA, and have been told to look up Quilt as You go.  Which I still haven't!  The other option is sending the quilt off when it's finished to be quilts by a long arm.  Still a little bit of time to decide, but I am open to suggestions - so fire away!

I'm apologising warning you now - you will see many a blog post from here onwards until this quilt is finished!

I'm linking up with W.I.P. Wednesday - You can too!