On a roll

I just couldn't rest until it was finished.

I made the back using left over bits from the front and some solids I had in my stash.

The quilting is a new approach for me, thanks to inspiration from the fabulous Ashley of Film in the Fridge. She uses this sort of random line quilting to wonderful effect. Like on this quilt.

You can see the quilting much better on the back.

And for the binding, more scraps from the front. The scrappier the better, I say!!

I hope you're having a crafty Monday too.

Andi xx

A new generation

I was basting a quilt this morning and my littlest one asked if she could help.

I suggested she put in some pins for me.

She found it quite tricky. Her little fingers are not quite adept enough to do the job.

But I'm glad she wants to be involved.

I must admit, I've been having little fantasies of never having to baste a quilt again. My little helper can do it for me.
;-)

Hope you and your families are having a lovely Christmas day.

Andi xx

Piping

Practicing some new skills learned here and here:

Using some tools of the trade(s):

A bit of an improvement from the original, I think:

It wasn't all that bad to start with but it certainly wasn't 'me'.

The new fabric is Echino purchased here.

Have a happy christmas and a great weekend!

Andi x

Well, maybe just one more quilt

Even though I have summed up and signed off for 2010, I got my hands on a fat quarter stack of Momo's "It's a Hoot" and a charm pack of "Just Wing It" by the same designer and a quilt instantly designed itself in my head.

I had to sew it IMMEDIATELY. You know when you get into the flow and can't stop until the thing is done?

I am hoping to teach some classes next year at Amitie (the happiest place of them all) and one idea is to have a class aimed at sewists who don't want to dwell on perfect points and following rules. This would be a class aimed at people who want to learn the tricks of fast and furious (but still rather gorgeous) quilt making.

Patchwork where your mistakes don't get re-done. They get hidden away or simply embraced. Besides, who will ever actually notice???

 

This is the quilt I thought I'd teach. Would you be interested in a class like that?

Andi xx

2010 - in retrospect

It has certainly been a very crafty year.

Lots of quilts, cushions, bags and toys. Loads of fabric and colour!!

But more importantly, 2010 has been a year of transition for me.

It has been the first year of turning Patch Andi into a business. I have made mistakes. I have learned a lot. I have made new friends, both online and in 'real life'. And I have tried lots of new crafts. New techniques, new traditions.

In more personal terms, I have discovered that I really like the freedom of not being in a 'regular job'. I love being with my family and watching my children grow and develop into unique and wonderful little people. I love having a home that reflects my creativity. A home that can welcome lots of guests to share meals and play dates with.  I love that my dad describes me as a Balabusta.

It has been a year of getting to know so many of you via this blog. I love the crafty blog world. It is a community of people who truly 'get' each other and can relate to each other's stories.
Thank you to each and every one of you who has shared my journey via this blog. I truly appreciate every visit, every comment.

I wish you all a happy festive season. Whatever you celebrate, may it be fun, creative and full of love!!

See you next year.

Andi x

Chuffed!

Apparently, my kitchen is much Better After.

I think so too!
Thanks for the mention!!

Andi x

I'm in love

with Squint Design ...

The most amazing patchworked furniture I've ever seen.
Treat yourself and go have a look!!

 

Truly a feast for the eyes!!

I'm inspired!!!!

Andi x

Matching quilts

Earlier this year, friends of ours had their second baby boy, Ezra. Here is the quilt I made for him:

And here is the matching cushion I made for his big brother Jacob (so he wouldn't feel left out):

Well it turned out that big brother adores the cot-sized quilt and can often be found snuggled under it on the couch.

It became clear that he needed a quilt of his own. This time, sized for his big boy bed!!

Happy 4th birthday Jacob!! Now you and Ezra can snuggle together!!

Andi xx

Furniture re-fashion!

I finished my upholstery course and I'm thrilled with the end result!!

Here is the 'Before' and 'After' shot:

And here is an animation showing a bit of the process along the way:

If you're in Melbourne and interested in a fabulous and fun upholstery class, take a look over here.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Andi x

My creative space

End of year teacher gifts. Check!

More creative peeps over here.

Andi x

Sorry girls

When Kate suggested we meet for coffee "at my kitchen table" this morning, I actually thought she meant we would have a coffee at her place ... not at the cafe called "My Kitchen Table". Oops!!

Seing as I don't like to arrive at someone's home empty handed, I stopped in at a divine local middle-eastern bakery and picked up these treats for us to share.

Sorry girls. I couldn't bring them into a cafe so I guess my kids will be having a rather gourmet afternoon tea.
(Minus the 'rosewater, raspberry and white chocolate' one that I have already eaten).

Despite the mix up, it was so very nice to catch up with you Kate, Rita and Christie.
I feel so lucky to live in a city with so many lovely and talented crafty bloggers that I can actually meet up with in the 'real world'.

Andi x

Super cushion!!!!!

What to do when your son's favourite Superman comic book falls apart?

Take some of the fallen pages .... scan 'em ...... print 'em ..... stitch 'em .... and voila ....

Instant bed-time reading!!

Andi x

A very special quilt

A while back, I gave you a peek at a commission I was working on using printed text.

Well, I couldn't show you much more than that, as the piece was destined to be used as a chuppah at a wedding and I didn't think it was right to show you the quilt before it was seen by the wedding party and guests.

That time has passed now, so I can reveal all.

The idea behind this chuppah was to create a communal piece with input from many of the wedding guests.
Guests were asked to send in a message for the bride and groom. I then formatted the messages in a variety of fonts and printed them onto printable fabric sheets.
As well as messages, a selection of black and white wedding photos of the couple's parents and grandparents were included.

These sheets needed to be soaked to set the image.

 

Once they were dry, they could be pieced together.

I was nervous about pin basting this quilt as the printable fabric is very tightly woven and the pins really do leave little holes in the fabric. So I compromised and spray basted the central part of the quilt and pinned the regular white cotton of the border.

Then I quilted and quilted and quilted. Straight line quilting in the central part and stippling in the border.

You can really see the quilting with the light behind the chuppah.

Around the border of the quilt are appliqued words in hebrew that roughly translate as:
Song of joy and gladness, song of bride and groom.

Bound in black satin:

 

Finished and folded:

And here it is in use.

Mazal tov Len and Davina.
Thank you for allowing me to play a part in your special day.

Andi x

I have COMPLETELY sold out!!!

Happy birthday to my mermaid loving, super pink, 5 year old girl!!

Love, Mummy
xoxox

My creative space.

... is full of possibilities.

Thanks so much Suzanne for a fabulous and very generous giveaway!

Andi x

PS More creative spaces to be admired here.

A very happy un-birthday ...

 .... to you my delicious Jake.

Your birthday is is in the middle of summer when everyone is away on holidays so we had your birthday party VERY (almost 2 months) early this year.

You had a fun bowling party with good friends and all I had to do was make a cake!!!

Take a $5 mud cake from the supermarket and cover it with blue butter icing and some chocolate coins.

Make a chocolate dome in a greased bowl to put over the top.

Decorate with lollies using a bit more melted chocolate.

Sing the birthday song, blow out some candles and give the birthday boy a nice clean hammer.

 

And you have a pinata cake!!! (And a happy chocolate eating boy!!)

 

And here you are opening your presents at home.

 

I love you my Jakey Boy and wish you such happiness every day of the year .... even on your actual birthday!!

Love, Mummy xoxox