Washing

With the weather being so hot yesterday, I decided to wash a couple of my quilts. I never treat them as if they are 'precious',  I just put them in the washing machine on a Woollen setting, with cold water, some Wool Mix and 3 or 4  Colour Catchers. These pieces of paper work their magic and catch any colour that runs especially if there is red fabric in the quilt. My Antique Sampler hadn't had it's wash when I finished making it so it still had it's Rosanne glue and chalk markings on the quilt.  Hanging it outside in the warmth with a good breeze blowing it took 20mins to dry.
The reds are red and the whites are white.......

 

 

........... I can't say the same for the Colour Catchers.

 

 

 

 

Australia Day

Today , the 26th January is Australia Day. It's about celebrating the fact that we live in the 'lucky country'. I came to Australia in 1966 and I was amazed at how big and blue the sky could be without a cloud in sight. I still love those days, when the sun is out, the washing on the line dries in 20mins and the magpies strut across the lawn as if they own it.

 

I've been sewing a bit more of my BOM. Now come the hexies in the corners. 

  

 

 

and one more Oak Leaf block.

 

 

 

When it's hot - Sew

We are all breathing a sigh of relief now that the weather has changed from unbelievably hot to our much cooler but more normal summer weather. I think most people living in Melbourne, Aus  melted during our four days of over 40C temperatures this last week. Yesterday dropped to 19C which felt a tad cold but today at 24C is beautiful. Long may this last.

It gave me the time though, to sit with the Air conditioning ON , to watch the Tennis and Sew. I started Di Ford's BOM , in Quiltmania. and here is a picture of what I have done so far. If you've seen it in the magazine you'll notice I've used a different fabric for my Broderie Perse. I'm already making a quilt with the Chintz fabrics and didn't want two with the same. The places where the ring of scallops sits, I've marked with an iron-off pen so they won't show once I have them placed  - and pressed. The background is a creamier colour than is showing in the photo, too.

 

 

 

and I'm still working with the Chintz and the hexies. It's turning out quite bright.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014 January

Feeling better and back to normal which includes sewing again. Summer has arrived at last with a couple of lovely warm days which is now going to be followed with 4 or 5 days of hot weather. The next few days are going to be in the 30C's which can get a tad uncomfortable but as we have air-conditioning I will stay in, sew and watch the tennis on the TV of the Melbourne Open. 
Meanwhile I finished Block 3 for Lori's quilt. The centre does look paler in the photo than it really is.

 

The next project is new and the pattern which is by Somerset will be available in a coming magazine so I'm only showing a small section.

 

I always pick the roses for the house when I know it's going to be hot. They last a little bit longer indoors.  I think this one is called Mother's Day

 

and a Blue Moon

 

and Mister Lincoln

 

 

 

2014

Happy New Year
Wishing everyone all the best for 2014.

I haven't been too well over Christmas so there has been no blog and no sewing.
Hoping to to get back to both soon.