Ooooo!!! Baby Baby !!!

Well, with the amount of babies about to hit

my world soon, I thought what a great excuse to

buy some fabric, to tell you the truth I didn't need much coaxing. It was fun

browsing the local quilt shop and trying different combinations, there is so much to choose

from, but this is what I came home with.

Love blue, green and yellow such a bright and fun

combination for boys.

Boys, have got to have cars and these are soooooo cute!!

and just in case you thought I was trying to tell you something!!!!

Pink!

Yes, I have been busy putting a few things together, just

a simple quilt, I have let the fabric speak for itself, so pretty for

a little girl, this quilt already has been snapped up for a

little bundle of joy due in February 2013

The fabric is called "Twirl" by Me and My Sister

Applique, how can I avoid applique for babies and kids quilts,

I love doing applique, it does take a little time and can be

fiddly but the end result is fabulous. I am probably going

to put this on a fairly plain background and let it pop.

This baby is from "Funny Baby" pattern by Amy Bradley Designs.

That's it for now, will be back soon

Happy Quilting.

Frustration

I have had my longarm machine for about five years now

and I am totally addicted, my passion for quilting has taken

me interstate ( within Australia) and overseas (Houston).

I have met some fabulous people and had some classes

with amazing teachers.

At times I have found it frustrating to say the least, doubting myself 

and thinking I am never going to master this.

I did feel at times that there was a resistance with my

 machine around the middle of the table, but just put it

down to imagining things, and needing more practice. I also felt that I could never

get the precise finish I wanted and backtracking on

the exact line..........well forget it  !!

Luckily I was explaining this to Tracey from

Constatine Quilts and she immediately said its your wheels and that 

I should try the M&M Wheels. So I thought

why not!!

All I can say is AMAZING!!!

These wheels have made such a difference and

backtracking has become a breeze. Milly and I

are now besties again whoo hoo!!

I know I am rambling on but my point is

don't doubt yourself and ask questions, I should of

asked these questions earlier and I may have solved 

this problem years ago.

I am one happy little vegimite right now!!

 thanks Tracey     :)

Happy Quilting

Mandy

Bloggers Quilt Festival and Babies

Baby quilts seem to be the flavour in my world at the moment, I have been working

on this one for a while now and am happy to say its finished ..........yay!!!

I was asked to make this quilt for a friend of a friend

I couldn't resist the car theme being it's a boy, I love raw edge applique and couldn't resist
adding this to the quilt, combined with my love of
long-arm quilting, I went to town.

 The most fun I had was the quilting , I loved doing the swirls in the small

blue border and feathering in the strips and outer borders. But most of all

I really enjoyed doing the pebbles, there is something hypnotic about

the same thing over and over I found it very relaxing.............crazy I know!!!

I have joined Amy and many others in the Fall 2012 - Bloggers Quilt Festival 
go on over and check out all the beautiful quilts. I am sure you
will be enthralled by the amazing and talented ladies out there
in blogland.

Quilt Measurements: 35" x 35"
Special Techniques used: Raw Edge Applique
Quilted by: Mandy (Me)
Best Category:  Baby Quilt or Applique Quilt

But the most exciting news I have is that my daughter (Kym) is expecting her 

first baby in March 2013, we are all very excited. So you guessed it

I am busy making baby bits and pieces. Something is definitley happening in this part of

town, as I know of about seven babies, all due around the same time.  So

it's time for me to hit the machine and get busy.

Happy Quilting

Mandy

AMQF

I was lucky enough to attend AMQF a week ago and take some classes with

some of the well known longarmers, Renae Haddidin, Vicki Jenkins and

Myrna Ficken, I had the best time and learnt a few tricks of

the trade.

Not to mention the Ricky Tims Seminar, which was an 

all day seminar, Ricky is an inspiration and a very talented textile artist and musician.

His approach to quilting  is very relaxed, his " if it feels right 

then do it" attitude is very refreshing, it cetainly has opened up my

eyes and made me think outside the box.

Anita, Karen and myself with Ricky a highlight of our trip.

The girls and I also realised we have known each other now for five years,
with one trip to Sydney and three trips to Adelaide and one to Houston, we have
done a lot together and supported each other in our quilting journies.
Thanks guys for your friendship and many more quilty adventures.

Now I didn't get many photos as I was in class a fair bit
but these are a few quilting photos I liked.

 

Myrna Ficken

Renae Haddidin
This one I love and basically came from a stencil and has
just  been filled in with background fillers, I may have
to have a go at something similar, so many ideas and
inspiration.

Renae Haddidin

AMQF was fabulous, if you get a chance to go it's definitley
worth the trip.

Have fun  

Mandy

Is this you????

My stepdaughter sent this to me with a one word caption

Familiar?

I laughed so hard, as I have, many times been in this

situation where my hubby has said "Are you

going to leave some for anybody else"

Have a good day!

Mandy

Great Granny Along

I have joined the Great Granny Along, I have had these finished

for a while but have just found the time to blog about it.

 

 Boy time does fly by!

I know that I am far behind as they have finished their 

quilts, but better late than never :)

So here are my two blocks so far. I have decided to make

mine in feedsack fabrics (reproductions of course) as

I love feedsack quilts and this will be my first of many.

 

I have also been busy trying to get my Swoon quilt finished

 

Not sure if this is the final arrangement, but I am thrilled

that all the blocks are finished, just the sashings and quilting

to do.

Be Back soon

Happy Quilting

Hugs

Mandy

Neighbourly Love!!

How Lucky am I  ??

 VERY  !!!!

Let me explain, when I was a young girl (many moons ago)

we moved houses and when I met the new neighbour, now Aunty Jo,

I asked her, "Is Ringwood a good place to live?" Her answer was, " of course"

I was always popping my head over the fence, whenever they were

in the garden, asking what they were doing, or inviting me and mum over for a cup of tea

 I do remember her being a knitter and she made

me a waistcoat which I thought was the bees knees.

But she returned to England to live and Mum kept in touch and in

one of their conversations she mentioned I was a quilter and Aunty Jo

just happened to be stitching this beautiful cross stitch and she

sent it over for ME ............ so that is why I am VERY Lucky ........  whoop  whoop  !!

 I think it's absolutely beautiful and it is now at the framers getting framed

(will post a picture when its done Aunty Jo) I know she will

be taking a peek at my blog, so HI  !!

I love the detail of this lady making the quilt, I love how the

thread she is stitching with is loose and the details of her

earring and broach are amazing.

So thank you so much Aunty Jo, its not often that you receive handmade works

of art and it is such a joy to receive and this will take

pride and place in my lounge room for all

who visit to see.

Have fun

Mandy

Still Swooning

Still Swooning A Long, I actually have five completed

and intend on

completing the others

today

 

It seems I have been making this quilt

for ever, so enough is enough and I am

determined to finish this today soonish!!

I am really keen to start some Granny

Blocks, but I will be good and finish this first.

Wish me luck!!

and

Stay warm

Mandy

With Fabric and Thread

I was waiting patiently for the postman to arrive and 

here it is "With Fabric and Thread" by Joanna Figueroa.

We all deserve a little spoiling now and then, this is a gorgeous book

and I can't wait to make some of these beautiful projects.

 

Slipper Boots

 

These look so adorable and I cannot wait to make one or two  many

pairs for Abbey.

I have always wanted to make a quilt with only two colours, the problem

being which two colours will I choose?? But I do know

that this will be the quilt I choose, I love it!

Placemats!! the perfect gift for Christmas or Mothers Day

or even a friend's birthday, and these are really pretty, I know

I would love to receive a set. Looks like I have some

of my Christmas gifts sorted.

I am so loving these pincushions, when my daughter was five she brought me a 

pincushion at the schools Mothers day stall

which is well worn.

Sad huh!!!!

So you can see I am in need of a new one.

(I will never throw this old pincushion out, it is very precious and together we have produced

lots of fabulous creations over the years)

So it looks like I am going to be a busy bee, just another few

projects to add on to the list of thousands.

Oh well!!   Life is never boring!!

Have fun

Mandy

Boy! how time flys, its already six weeks

since the wedding and I have only just got

back into normality.

I finally had some time and hit the sewing

room and finished a swoon block, I am looking

forward to this weekend as I will have four days to

myself, whoo hoo!!

I intend to lock myself in the sewing room

and hopefully get a few UFO's completed. Or knowing

me I will probably start new projects!! Oh well,

a girl can never have too many UFO's right????

 

On another note this a cute little pickie that a

friend took of my grandaughter twirling in her pretty

dress at the wedding. So cute!!!

 

 

I got the idea from pinterest to add the things that

she likes at this age, I think its a fabulous idea

and one that I will reuse over again. Speaking of pinterest

I love, love, love pinterest, its addictive, I try so

hard not to go there (cause I should be in the sewing room)

but I am hooked.

 

Be back soon

 

Mandy

Some Wedding Pics

What a beautiful day!!

We all had a great time and even though

it was cold, we were very lucky it didn't rain, and the sun

managed to peek out just after the service.

It was such a happy day, I wish we could do it all again........ but

we can't and its back to normality ho hum!!

So heres a few pictures but if you would like to see more

then click here.

I so love this photo it reminds of when Kym was about three

and she use to look at me with those big green eyes......gorgeous !!

 

Gorgeous little Abbey (GD) sitting patiently at the top of the

stairs waiting for us all to get ready.

 

 

Lauren, Kym and Simone 

all looking beautiful

  

Me and Kym

 

The Bridal Party

 

from left

Adam, Lauren, Kym, Darren, Simone, George.

It was also a very special day for Adam and his wife

Nat, they were expecting there second baby. As they live in

Tassie, Nat stayed home and Adam decided he would take the risk and be here 

for the wedding and you guessed it she went into labour

early in the evening and little Kye was born just as Kym and Darren were saying

there goodbyes, it was very emotional and a special

moment that we all shared.

 

Darren and Kym

 I so loved these little cake toppers, I had them made to

match Kym's dress and the dogs as they are

Kym's and Darren's babies, it added that

personal touch and they looked fabulous, thanks Mia

for a great job.

 A rare occasion now but all the kids together, it was

so good to have Matt and Kristy here in Melbourne.

Matt and his girlfriend Tammy came all the way from Cambodia, taking

a break from the school that they run over there for the kids.

http://abcsandrice.webs.com/

All in all a beautiful day with family and friends!

Now back to reality and hopefully some time

for quilting yeah!!

Mandy

Bloggers Quilt Festival

Quickly adding my Quilt for Bloggers Quilt Festival,

a baby quilt,  made for a family member little Benjamin.

I have used the raw edge applique technique which is

my new best friend as I find this method quick and easy.

Just bound together with an easy stipple, I love how fresh and

personal this quilt is.

I hope you can all find time to pop on over to Amy's

Bloggers Quilt Festival and admire all the 

gorgeous quilts on line.

Sorry about the short post and lack of photos but my
daughter got married this weekend, so it has been a bit
chaotic over here.

Have fun!!

Mandy

A Bit of Applique

I have managed to squeeze in some sewing, which I am thoroughly

enjoying at the moment, less than four weeks till the wedding, you 

can tell I'm excited..........yeah!!

Its a bit  like the calm before the storm here, so I have slipped

away into my sewing room for some me time.

A baby quilt, I just love making these as you can make

them as individual as you like and they always

turn out so cute. 

Will show you more when it"s done

Have fun!

Mandy

Swoon Update

Dragging my feet, I know, but I didn't realise how much time

this exercising takes.

But the good news is I have lost 7kgs, whooo !!!

Six Weeks now till the wedding, getting a little excited now.

But on the quilting front I have managed two more blocks 

for the Swoon Quilt

I so love this fabric

Hopefully over the Easter Break I may get some more done, we are 

heading up to the Murray River and I am taking my machine, so

wish me luck.

Hope you all have a great Easter and gets lots

of chockies from the Easter Bunny.

Hugs

Mandy

Swooning A Long

Cannot believe I have not posted since the 17th January, what 

have I been doing??  Exercising, Exercising and Exercising, yes

it's 10 weeks now till my daughters wedding, so I need to shed a few

kilos before the day so I can fit comfortably into my dress.

So unfortunately there has been little time for sewing, I cannot believe

how much time exercising takes, or would that be the lack of energy after the exercise ha ha!!

Anyway I have managed to get one block done for my Swoon quilt, I so love this quilt.

 

It's so fresh and modern, love it.

Hopefully with the long weekend approaching I can get more

done, crossing my fingers!

Hugs

Mandy

New Year, New Quilts

After a long break over Christmas its time to

get out of holiday mode and into work mode (yuck!!),

but I suppose the mortgage is not going to pay itself.

Hubby and I have both made resolutions with consequences, his is to lose weight 10kgs

by September or he has to delete himself of Mafia Wars which is a game he has been playing for a few years.

Mine is to bust my stash and make at least five quilts for family members and

a charity quilt or my stash goes to the tip, NO way is that going to happen, over

my dead body.

So I have joined the swoon a long and this will be one of the first quilts

for the year, I am determine to win this one.

Has anyone else made resolutions for the year??

Photos soon.

Hugs

Mandy