WOW - A quilt for Dad

Today will see me trying to finish off the lap quilt I started for my Dad's Father's Day gift.

I bought a Kit about 3 or 4 years ago because I thought it was such a fantastic design for a Man's quilt - especially one who has dabbled in Parquetry.

The one thing that has disappointed me about the quilt is the inconsistency in the fabric - I should have listened to my own advice and changed at least one fabric which was way too light in both colour and weight to have been included in the kit.
Every quilt I make is a learning curve...  What I learnt this time was:-
                               as always, if in doubt leave it out!
                               next time - Foundation piece it!
                               Allow more time - 3 days isn't really enough!

Spring Cleaning 101 - Change the wallpaper.......

The weather has been hinting at it for a few weeks so now it's official!
The 1st day of Spring so what better time to change the wallpaper!
Japanese Maples in the Garden are no longer bare and  are now bursting with new growth.

Had a WOW of a time.......

Tonight I went along to a demonstration by visiting English Cake Decorator and Author Maisie Parrish.

Maisie landed in Melbourne at 6:30 this morning and went straight into 2 workshops and a demonstration!!!
We laughed a lot while we learnt about making caricature faces for fondant figures.

This is Violet..the sweetheart of the 1940's armed forces

Beautiful day for gardening.....

....so the perfect time to plant those Cyclamen we bought on special after Mother's Day...

All 14 of them!!!

And of course the weeds that have taken over during Winter needed removing.....

But it's Look'n Good!
Now all I have to do is the other 4 garden beds out the back before I even contemplate doing something with the front garden.

(Which has been sadly neglected while we contemplate a new front fence - but hey! the Freesias have naturalised nicely!!! )

The next line on the Instructions said........

Stand Back and Admire your completed Quilt Top!

....and that was it! 

Time for a well deserved celebratory cuppa.

At 88" x 92"  'Under the Australian Sun' will be the largest Quilt I have made.

I am very pleased with the way it went together - It certainly was a quick quilt to make, and provided some very favourable exclamations as family walked by the room.

The large floral print is of Australian Native Flowers mainly the Waratah, with Bottle Brush, and white Flannel Flowers.  It is not a panel but an all over print with the main flower being a spectacular 7" !

If you are interested in the fabrics that I have used - Check them out at www.chandlerscottage.com you will find the entire range of this fabric in Leesa's shop, Fabric by Culture/Australian.

Now you may ask.... what do I spy under the coffee table? 

... Just the fabric I received in the post for Mahal Magic!  The first quilt in the Culture Club series - First stop INDIA!



(PS: If you 'click' on the photo twice you will get a really good look at the fabric)

Work In Progress - WOW Wednesday

This week, I have been working on my "Under the Australian Sun" Quilt.
I am pleased to say that given NO INTERRUPTIONS tomorrow -- I might Just be able to finish the top.

Ahead of me is matching the seams for 20 posts and their corresponding sashing.

Now THAT will tell if my 1/4" seams were accurate!

And it was VERY tasty.....

For all who are not sure what an Australian Fruit Cake looks like...

.....and for all my Friends, who by distance are not able to share in

 a piece with a 'cuppa' 

I was told it was truly delicious. 

Oh Yeah... and it smelt AWESOME.