The Pieceful Patch

Tanya Whelan, fabric designer and author

2011-12-20T01:45:00.001+10:30

This wonderful designer has a new fabric line out, and a new book coming!

Sew What You Love: The Easiest, Prettiest Projects Ever

can be ordered from Barnes and Noble or from Amazon. I love Tanya's design including accessories, clothing and gifts so this book will be a welcome addition to the library.
You can see her beautiful projects and fabrics on her blog
Hop on over and enjoy the eye candy!

Ceryle's Celtic quilt

2011-11-03T02:28:00.003+10:30

I was celebration time for Ceryle this Tuesday at patchwork class. During the years when she's been very busy having 2 children and working, she's managed to hand-sew this amazing quilt top. The design came in a kit from The Quilt Basket at Victor Harbor, but Ceryle redesigned the whole centre block. It's truely a masterpiece. The design had to be marked on the blocks, the strips of bias fabrics all cut and hand sewn into suitable lengths, then tacked onto the black background fabric making sure the pattern twisted over and under sorrectly. Then Ceryl could begin hand-sewing both sides of each fabric strip!This Tuesday the quilt top was finished up to the borders. ...congratulations and it's fabulous:)
The first photo show the quilt top ready for borders (more patterns) and the bottom photo shows just the centre block that Ceryle designed. The quilt is perfectly straight and square. It's the photo that's distorted.
Now this quilt is in danger of being finished:)

Knitting another shawl in Royal Style!

2011-11-03T01:59:00.000+10:30

I had a cone of cashmere from Colourmart enticing me to knit another shawl like the one the Duchess of Cambridge was spotted wearing on her shopping trip just after she was married. After studying the photo I decided the shawl has a chevron texture with a k1p1 ruffle. I swatched and yes! the pattern looks good. To replicate the shape exactly I would need to work just one large triangle either from the bottom point up or from the top down to the bottom point. Because the main texture required a lot of garter stitch, the shaping would be too complicated this way, so I chose to work top down from the centre back, with a spine dividing two triangles. That would give enough shape at the top for the shawl to stay on the shoulder well and not be a nuisance.
So here's my shawl made with 2/36 NM cashmere held double to make roughly a fingering weight yarn. It would have been better knit single, but I didn't want to take a year to make it:) What's the project called? "Shopping in Royal Style", of course.
Thanks Teagan for being a wonderful model:)

The Koala returns

2011-10-11T15:09:00.000+10:30

Add caption

We used to think it was funny when international visitors expected to see Koalas wandering the streets in the suburbs. well we have our own Koala who strolls down the road to his favourite tree right next to our house. We think it's a male as he snorts like a pig during the night. The first few nights we were all a bit perplexed as he sounded like a wild pig. There was evidence that he had climbed into our yarn and had a drink from the fish pond.

This time he's also making other noises too, much quieter. He has been seen wobbling along the local roads, but we have no idea where he comes from or where he goes. He arrived earlier this year and it will be interesting to see how long he stays.

An August Tuesday Patchwork class

2011-09-22T01:25:00.002+09:30

Some updates on the Tuesday Class happenings:)

Ceryle is dedicated to finishing her Celtic quilt, and Anthea takes some time out to check out a book.

Bev's almost finished the lovely I Spy quilt for her granddaughter. The hexagons provide a little game of "spot the pairs" and "spot the odd one".

Here you can see the great block Anthea is working on. It's from her latest block of the month quilt purchase.

This is a better view of the centre of Ceryle's Celtic quilt. She has re-designed the centre with her own creation and we're all looking forward to seeing the full quilt. Stunning!

Renata is working steadily on her "Fun on the Farm quilt". It looks superb:)

Another view of Renata hard at work. If she keeps working at her present rate there will be many finished projects by Christmas time.

A hand-knitted shawl in Royal style!

2011-07-04T01:39:00.000+09:30

A few weeks ago I was experimenting with an easy Estonian knitting stitch with the idea of making a triangular shawl with some very soft Malabrigo Lace yarn. It just happened that at that time the newly married Duchess of Cambridge was photographed dashing out to the supermarket wearing jeans, a casual white top and a green cashmere ruffled shawl.
I loved the shape of the shawl and how it looked on her. That was it, the Estonian stitch would work perfectly for a shawl in the manner of her shawl. Not deterred by the fact that The Duchess could make any clothing look great I imagined that I could make a stylish shawl like that:)
It seems that I wasn't the only knitter intrigued and envious of this shawl, because on Ravelry there was a group started for those who fancied making their own version of the shawl.
A few thousand stitches later, the shawl was off the needles. I did it! It looks like Kate's! Well with some imagination it does. The length is right, the wings drape down just the right way and the ruffle sits beautifully:) My model is every bit as stylish as Kate!
I began getting emails asking for the pattern. Five lovely ladies volunteered to knit and test the pattern, trying out different sizes using a variety of yarn. It was exciting.
Now at last the pattern is available so you too can knit the shawl in the style of the now famous one worn by the Duchess of Cambridge.
Available here or from my page on Ravelry for AU $4.50.

A shawlette finished/ Fiore di Mare Shawlette by Tiziana Samuri

2011-04-08T02:19:00.000+09:30

Over the last month or so I've been knitting a lovely shawlette designed by Tizianz. It's called Fiore di Mare. Those who know me won't be surprised that the inspiration for the flower shape, and the crescent shape of the shawl come from "old" shawls.As with quilts, I'm drawn to the antique ones.
I used Yarn Addict Anni's hand dyed yarn called Fairytale sock yarn. It's a lovely mix of wool, silk and cashmere. The pattern is available from Tiziana's Ravelry shop.

If you enjoy knitting or crochet, it's definitely worth joining Ravelry. It's free. It's an international data base of thousands of free patterns, pay-for-patterns and more. There are forums for any kind of thing you could possibly be interested in. I've discovered a world of yarns and patterns I didn't know existed and made some great friends. One really cool feature is this..if I have some yarn and don't know what to do with it, I can search a data base for all the projects others have made with that particular yarn. They're shown with links to the patterns. In about 10 minutes I can see what I want to make. Amazing!

Free quilt project

2011-03-29T03:30:00.000+10:30

I just discovered that a quilt I designed for Quilter's Companion Magazine is up on their website for free. The photo is lovely. I'd like to say the photo is taken in my dining room...but those who know me would know it's not:)
The quilt is called "Down by the Old Mill Stream". The pinwheels and the flowers somehow made me think of a river with rambling flowers on the banks and a big paddle wheel powering a mill. Mukm and Dad used to sing the old song "Down by the Old Mill Stream" and I couldn't get it out of my head as I designed the quilt.
So if you want a free pattern go over to Universal's complete craft website

This is a computer generated image of the quilt, but you can see a much better styled one by following the link.
best wishes
Colleen

Ceryle is progressing with her Celtic designs quilt

2011-02-22T02:25:00.000+10:30

It's great to see Ceryle making huge progress with her hand stitched Celtic Design quilt. It's a kit (block of the month) she bought from "The Quilt Basket" at Victor Harbor a little while ago:) The outer blocks are now all finished and Ceryle is working on the centre design. She's changing the original and designing her own celtic curves for this large block. The colour arrangement is very clever. Being a busy Mum of 2 boys means Ceryle doesn't get much time to work on her project at home, but she sure can achieve a lot at class!
The photos show some of the blocks, and Ceryle's Mum, Anthea working on her quilt, along with Alexander who loves being "in" on what's going on:)

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2010-12-17T00:23:00.000+10:30

www.GettingThemSober.com newsletter

Winter Leaves pattern available now

2010-07-09T00:43:00.004+09:30

As promised, I'm making the pattern for this handknitted rectangular shawl available free download now
Hope you enjoy it :)

Winter Leaves Shawl complete

2010-07-03T01:22:00.004+09:30

I'm very pleased with how this project turned out. Actually it was quite a fast knit.

I've used the same borders as Anusla used on her "Frozen Leaves" shawl and I designed it to be knit straight through from bottom to top. That means no provisional (temporary) cast on and no kitchener stitch grafting. Yay! It doesn't matter to me that the leaves are all going in the same direction. When the shawl is being worn the leaves grow up on one side and down on the other. I know this bothers some people, but in the interest of easy knitting I'm happy. In fact, it's more true to nature anyway. As I look out my window at the vines, the leaves are looking in all directions:)

I'm almost finished making the pattern which will be offered free on Ravelry and here if I can work out how to do it.

I'm looking for some test knitters. Please let me know if you're interested. You can use lace or fingering yarn, and make it wider if you like.

The next 2 photos show how I blocked the shawl. I wasn't sure how I would block the curved leaf edges along the length. I started by threading the blocking wires through the very outermost tips of the leaves on both sides so I could stretch the width out evenly. I pinned the rods in place then threaded 2 more rods through the ends, catching them in the points made but the yo's in the borders. My intension was to use mega lots of pins to shape the leaf edges in curves but common sense prevailed and I just carefully took out the side rods replacing them with a single pin in each leaf. If I had left the side rods there, it would have made bumps in the edges...not good. I had trouble getting the edges looking good at each end (borders), so the rods you can see along the long edges in the photos are woven into the lace holes at the very ends to keep them straight. They are just resting on top of the shawl along the rest of the edges. Clear as mud??

download now

best wishes
Colleen

To Everything There is a Season Quilt by Renata!

2010-07-01T00:32:00.002+09:30

I'm very excited. Renata (a lovely long-time student and friend) has finished her magnificent quilt! Renata used my pattern and certainly made it her own. Her use of striking contrast makes it a happy sort of quilt.

The applique is fused and Renata finished the edges with machine blanket stitch.
As you can see it's quite a huge quilt, well and truely suitable for a queen size bed. Now Renata is more than capable of quilting, but made the decision to have it professionally machine quilted by Tracey Browning of Constantine Quilts. Wow, the quilting just adds another dimension. There are some close-up photos showing the quilting and also Renata's great applique.

Thanks Renata for sharing this with us:)

Winter Leaves rectangular shawl

2010-06-20T01:18:00.003+09:30

Well the rectangular shawl is taking shape. I'm using some Knitpicks laceweight merino that a smart and lovely lady...Mary, you know who you are.... from The United States sent to me. (Knitpicks will not send yarn to Australia, unfortunately). This yarn is very low priced but it's perfect for swatching and trying out ideas.

When I knit the leaves using the same pattern as Anusla's Frozen Leaves" they got lost somehow. It's probably the colour. Anyway I decided to add a vertical line of paired yo's between the leaves and I like the effect. The shawl has curving edges as it follows the outline of the leaves.

I can see a design fault but I'm not worrying about it at this stage. I'll correct it later.

It's not particularly hard to knit.

I'll be writing up the pattern for this shawl, for anyone who wants to try it:)

Let me know if you'd like to have a go.

best wishes

Colleen

Loving a Reproduction Shawl

2010-06-18T01:00:00.000+09:30

Frozen Leaves Shawl
I found the pattern for this lovely shawl on Ravelry
A knitter who calls herself Anusla on Ravelry took elements of German designs from the 1930-50's to create her shawl.
I made mine with some very fine alpaca yarn I bouhgt from Barb's Sew and Knit at Glenelg.
The close-up photo shows the clear beads I used throughout the edging. They add a little to the design, but mostly they help with the drape of the feather-weight shawl.

I blocked the shawl into a slightly crescent shape because I like the way it drapes over the shoulders and stays on without fussing.

As I was knitting I kept thinking about a rectangular shawl using the same stitches. Hmmmm. Shouldn't be too hard :)

Happy stitching and knitting
Colleen

The Shawl with no name again

2010-06-07T03:11:00.000+09:30

What a difference blocking makes! This is the finished shawl. In the previous pictures the shawl looked like a crumpled up piece of nothingness and here it is with the lace all stretched out and in good shape:)

I used some size 6 beads amber colour lined with a turquiose centre.

Yes, this is the same pattern as the orange shawl from the previous post. The pattern will be available in about 3 weeks if all goes to plan

cheers

Colleen

Shawl with no name

2010-06-05T03:03:00.000+09:30

I've been moving right along with finishing the warm merino version of this shawl. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out. The Knitpicks Lace yarn is a lovely soft yarn for a very reasonable price. I used just over 1 skein for this shawl.

The photo on the right shows the detail of the bottom lace diamond pattern and the edging with the nupps. Nupps are the Estonian version of the "bobble".

Now I'm editing the pattern ready to go to the test knitters.

Happy stitching and knitting!

Colleen

A Little bit of shawl knitting designing

2010-06-02T02:49:00.002+09:30

Just thought I'd give you a peek at what I'm knitting. This is a rather poor photo of the green tencel shawl I'm designing using patterns from Estonian Lace stitch books. I've fiddled with the diamond shape pattern a bit to make it fit in with the smaller pattern.

More details later, along with another shawl using the same pattern, different yarn :)

Cheers

Colleen

The SnowQueen Pi Shawl

2010-05-27T00:39:00.003+09:30

Once again I just had to join the lovely group

to make BadCat's knit-a-long project. This time it's the SnowQueen Shawl. What a beauty!

I used Silky Merino lace yarn from Yarn Addict Anni and size 8 triangle beads from Cranberry, Berry-licious beads.

Andrea always runs a friendly educational group, and I hear she's starting her new "Summer" projects very soon.

How about joining in with the fun learning experience?

cheers

Colleen

Secret Garden Shawl

2010-05-25T00:23:00.000+09:30

It must be at least a year ago that I started designing this shawl. I had some yarn from Yarntopia called Tencel, in this soft colourway and had a picture of the sort of shawl I wanted to knit. The amount of variegation in the colour meant I had to be careful what lace patterns I chose.

I worked to the point shown in the photo on the right then put it away for the winter last year. This summer I finished and I'm very pleased with the project!

I've since knitted 2 more samples as I've been writing and checking the pattern. Pics another day:)

Thanks to the beautiful model:)

Flowery Hearts Shawlette

2010-05-20T12:50:00.000+09:30

I came across the pattern for this wonderful and different hand knitted shawl on Ravelry. It's called "The Flowery Hearts Shawlette" designed by Tiziana Sammuri . I love how the design has elements from Herbert Niebling designs and Estonian motifs. The dark outline of the hearts is achieved with Nupps. The yarn is an absolute pleasere to knit with. Unfortunately the yarn dyer is taking a break from dyeing. I bought her yarn, Titania a merino/silk laceweight from Chili Gredelin.

Another project I love

Colleen

Easter projects

2010-05-19T12:25:00.006+09:30

I decided to make some little gifts for my Grandchildren for Easter.
Madison had expressed interest in Alan Dart's Noah's Ark and I talked her into choosing just one animal. I wasn't sure I'd really relish knitting and sewing up all the little pieces required for the whole caboodle:)
I started with the monkey. It took a while but eventually he was looking like a monkey with his seemingly millions of pieces sewn together including the pipe cleaners needed for the legs and arms.
Then I went searching for simpler creatures. I came up with the ones pictured above. Thanks to Ravelry I found many to choose from. Each creature needed a little blanket...easy after the fiddly creatures. So here's the little troup all wrapped up snuggly ready for Easter Sunday giving.
I visited Hettie's Patch and fell in love with the little Easter basket Lorraine had designed and made. Armed with fabric pattern and special bag batting (oh it's fabulous stuff) I returned home ready to attack the project. They were really quite easy especially with the super tips Lorraine gave on the pattern sheet. I'll be using the special bag batting for all my bags now. It is firm yet soft and definitely gives shape to the bag.

Lastly I put together a pattern for some "little chicken in an egg in a nest" projects for the Grandchildren. These cute eggs hide a little chicken ready to hatch and the nest adds the finishing touch.
The Grandchildren loved them.
I'm not sure how long it will be before I make any more though:)
cheers for now
Colleen

Toddler's Treasure Bag

2009-10-24T00:32:00.003+10:30

I had a pack of rather girlie charm squares in my stash, and a granddaughter who likes her dolls. I put the two together and came up with a doll's quilt and a bag to carry and store the doll's necessities!

I used just 39 squares plus some contrasting fabric. The large pocket is great for keeping essentials handy.
It would be very easy to make a non-doll version with fabrics your toddler would love. You oculd even make it in time for Christmas!
Pattern coming soon
best wishes
Colleen

Summer Squares Suite project

2009-10-24T00:21:00.003+10:30

At last, some better photos of my Summer Squares project!

There was a breeze when we were taking the photos, so I eventually had the idea to "go with the wind" and let the shawl take flight.

Knit with almost 3 skeins of KnitPicks Shadow lace yarn, blue heather on size 3.75mm needles.
The border is beaded with size 8 triangle beads in fuscia lined blue. I used a crochet hook to apply the beads as I knitted.....easier than I expected.

Thanks Andrea of BadCatDesigns for a great project:)

best wishes

Colleen

Periwinkle Aeolian Shawl

2009-09-05T01:53:00.007+09:30

What an absolute pleasure it was to knit this shawl! It's the "Aeolian Shawl" designed by Elizabeth Freeman and published in Knitty Spring 2009.

What made it so fabulous to knit is the yarn....Luscious Lace yarn from Yarn Addict Anni.

Anni sells lace and sock yarns she has dyed and this is my favourite. The Periwinkle colour is fascinating, appearing blue or lilac depending on the light and the surroundings. I used Matsuma ceylon beads in lilac colour. They gave the shawl just the right amount of drape without being heavy.

I'm still trying to find a willing model for the best photos!
I haven't worked out how to move the photos to where I want them. The first photo is the shawl blocking.

Cheers

Colleen

Renata's progress on the Friendly Jungle Quilt

2009-09-04T01:43:00.000+09:30

This is Renata's work in progress. There are 2 small two-block wallhangings here. The blocks just have some details to complete. Meanwhile Renata is placing the colourful squares between the blocks and around the edges. The work is pinned to a sheet hanging from a dowel rod.
Renata has a good eye for putting bright colours together and I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.
Thanks Renata!
cheers
Happy quilting
Colleen

Knitting: A new Shawl of my own design

2009-09-04T01:10:00.000+09:30

I can't help myself sometimes. I look at knitting patterns and begin to wonder "what if....?" I had this wonderfully soft Malabrigo lace yarn from Yarn and Kisses in Western Australia that was calling to be made into a rectangular shawl that I can wear as a soft, warm large scarf. I chose a stitch design that appealed to me and was repetative enough for me to fairly mindlessly knit. Beginning with a provisional cast on meant I could add to the shawl at both ends if I wanted to and if the overall design needed it. Not really knowing where I was going, I knit until the first skein ran out. I adapted another stitch pattern to flow from the first design and knitted it to both ends, followed by a border design that also flowed well (the number of stitches in the repeats matched).

I'm really happy with how it turned out.

I will get modelled photos as soon as I find a willing model.

cheers

Colleen

Patchwork Fleamarket Treasures...Lynn's cushions

2009-09-03T00:23:00.000+09:30

Well didn't I get a lovely surprise! Lynn sent me photos of the very stylish cushions she made from my "Fleamarket Treasures" pattern. They are for a special friend Kellie who has an excellent business "Beauty in Vogue" in Karratha. Lynn doesn't mess around. I'm sure she only told me about starting them last week! I think she cut them out the day the fabric arrived in the Post Office :)

My original cushions are made from very soft pale florals. The pattern is easy to make from scraps or from a couple of feature fabric fat quarters plus small pieces of complimentary fabrics. Now that I've seen Lynn's frangipani version, I want some in one of those new fabric lines!

thanks Lynn

Colleen

Summer Squares Project, Knitting

2009-08-17T00:37:00.006+09:30

Now here's a different way to wear a shawl:) The lacey holes just get in the way of a good play.

While I've been catching up on some patchwork and quilting (making Charlotte's quilt), I've also been relaxing with BadCat's knitalong projects. The first one is finished. I really enjoyed knitting this along with the group.

Made with 2.5 skeins (1207.0m) of Knitpicks Shadow yarn, kindly gifted by Mary.

I used 3.75mm needles

If you'd like to join in, it's not too late. The projects will continue for a few more weeks:)

I'm very behind with the second and third projects, but that's ok because I'm slowly working on some quilting projects.

cheers

Colleen

Bev's quilt in progress

2009-08-17T00:07:00.002+09:30

Bev's moving along quite quickly with her Candlewick quilt. This is a close-up picture of Bev's favourite block, the butterfly. Here's how it looks set out on a bed. The middle of the quilt is now all asembled...the blocks sewn together and the lace sewn oner the seams. Just the borders to go! Bev will attach the borders, sew the lace over the joins then quilt something beautiful all around.

Hope you are all enjoying your projects!

cheers

Colleen

The Tuesday Quilters' projects

2009-08-12T00:20:00.000+09:30

I'd like to show you the Tuesday Quilting class hard at work:)

Renata is trialling my pattern "The Friendly Jungle". She's changing it around a bit, making two wallhangings using the applique shapes. There will be small squares, assorted colours, between the blocks..will look lovely. She has a great sense of colour for cheery children's quilts. Renata leaves the ends of the embroidery threads until all the embroidery is finished, then she takes them through to the wrong side and secures them.

Anthea is making her sixth, or is it the tenth baby quilt. The original pattern was designed and made by Elaine Rose and called "I Spy Sophie Rose". It was published in Express Publications magazine, Patchwork and Stitching Vol 5 No 10. Anthea makes her quilts a little larger than the original, and always has squares on hand for the next baby in the "family" (which definitely includes her Church family). She has the happy knack of finding the right colours for the lattices and name strips to bring all the squares together in a way that appeals to the children. These quilts seem to find their way all over the world.

Now this is another of Bev's masterpieces. The candlewicked blocks (amazing in themselves)were quilted individually, and Bev is now sewing the rows of blocks together. Sorry the next photo is sideways...how do I fix it?

Bev is working on the back of the quilt now, working herringbone to join the batting pieces, and then very neatly sewing the backing squares together.

I tried to get a close-up of some of the embroidery work..it's exceptional. The varied stitches and threads give it a real depth.

So that's what's going on in the Tuesday quilting class this term.

Hope you are enjoying your quilting/ knitting/scrapbooking etc

cheers

Colleen

Climbing Leaves Shawl

2009-07-18T15:07:00.000+09:30

The Climbing Leaves Shawl designed by Karen Walker is at last blocking. This is just a glimpse of some of the details. Knit with Penny Rose zephyr lace yarn (merino and silk) on 3.75mm needles. It's interesting to knit, having changes of stitch patterns throughout the length. Once again I used Sullivans bamboo circular needles which I find great. They have a good balance between grip and slip:). Also they are very light weight, great for arthritic hands. The price is right too.
Why a circular needle? The weight of the knitting falls on the cord rather than the actual needles and this weight is on my lap rather than on my hands.
There will be a modelled shot as soon as I can find a willing model.

cheers, Colleen

Summer Squares Suite Part two

2009-07-08T01:17:00.000+09:30

I'm working on the second week's project from Badcat designs. I've picked up the stitches around the edge of the square and I'm knitting the border. This is where the first skein of yarn ran out. The yarn is lovely to work with and the pattern is easy to remember..so all in all it's a relaxing and enjoyable knit!
cheers, Colleen

The Summer Squares Suite, knitting

2009-07-08T01:07:00.001+09:30

I've started knitting the new "Summer Squares Suite". I love joining in with the friendly and encouraging group Badcat has created with her knit-alongs. This one lasts all our winter (her summer). Each week Badcat publishes one square plus either an edging or a border to make a blanket, shawl etc. This is the first square and I will continue to knit a border then an edge to make a square shawl. Oh, and this one is beaded through the edging (when we get that far).

A delightful "friend" I met through the group sent me the Knitpicks shadow yarn for this shawl...aren't I lucky?
You can find out more about this group at Badcat's blog

cheers

Colleen

A new quilt on the way

2009-07-07T00:47:00.000+09:30

This is a photo showing my progress on the "Allspice Tapestry" Jelly Roll quilt. As you can see it has some applique and a little broderie perse. I'm quilting around the motifs by hand and enjoying it very much. Just the binding to slipstitch, the pattern to tweak, a good photo session and the pattern will be ready for sale.

cheers, Colleen

The Useful Quilt

2009-07-03T00:26:00.001+09:30

The original "Useful Quilt"
Very snuggly flannel quilt using 9 blocks

The girly "useful quilt"

Some of you would know that I've been trying to get "The Useful Quilt" finished, including the pattern. Well a bit at a time the girly version is done. This one is obviously Madison's quilt, finished in time for her 6th Birthday.
It features twelve 12-patch blocks, applique hearts, yo-yo's, buttons and ric-rac braid.

The other versions are a very simple flannel 9 block quilt and the original 6 block quilt.

There is another version not shown here, which is a cot quilt/toddler's quilt featuring cats and butterflies.

I promise the pattern will be ready one day....

cheers

Colleen

Knitted Aeolian Shawl

2009-06-29T23:21:00.005+09:30

It's finished at last!

I used some beautiful yarn from Yarn Addict Anni called Luscious lace...it truely is luscious. With silk and cashmere it has to be soft and drapey.

The pattern is designed by Elizabeth Freeman and presented on Knitty.

I used size 8/0 Miyuki Triangle S/Beads - Color/Lined Amethyst/Rose (30g,1150 beads approx.) and size 3.75mm needles.

Thanks to models Kate and Sally :)

cheers and happy quilting and knitting!

Colleen

Cottage Chic Cushions

2009-06-09T23:49:00.008+09:30

Lynn made these four lovely cushions from my pattern Cottage Chic Cushions.

My original ones are in an assortment of pale florals, checks and stripes so this is a delightful change. thanks Lynn. I love the green backgrounds behind the applique flowers. It really makes the flowers shine out, and matches the floral prints in the centres of the other two cushions.

Maybe a quilt to match would be good?

cheers
Colleen

Lynn's winning quilting project

2009-06-09T23:41:00.003+09:30

At last, I can show you the photo of Lynn's patchwork table runner, which won first place in the Moonta quilting group challenge during Kernewek Lowender (the world's largest Cornish festival in the Copper Coast of South Australia).

The little yo-yo's really complete the design. Well done Lynn.

Oh, and her cat appreciates it too:)

Mystic Roses knitted lace shawl

2009-05-28T00:44:00.002+09:30

These pictures show a lace shawl project that I made. Anna Dalvi designs shawls and presents them as mystery shawls over 4 weeks. I must confess that it takes me quite a bit longer than 4 weeks to make them :). It's great fun and a good learning experience as we all share our progress. This one's made from Malabrigo Lace yarn in colour Garnet.

She has a new one starting today . Information is at http://knitandknag.blogspot.com/

cheers

Colleen

Lynn's lovely quilts

2009-05-28T00:35:00.003+09:30

Well aren't these two wallhangings wonderful?

My sister Lynn Ausburn designed and made these for her lovely historical house.

While she was making these she was also making a table runner which she entered into the challenge for her quilting group during the Cornish Festival. Good news, she won the challenge! well done Lynn :)

I'm glad someone in the family is making quilts. My body still won't let me sew. Frustrating but it's the way it is. I can knit as long as the yarn is thin and the needles light and skinny...I;'m thankful for that.

best wishes and happy stitching

Colleen

American Beauty Shawl

2009-04-13T01:38:00.004+09:30

Time to show my latest shawl, another mystery shawl from Badcat http://badcatdesigns.blogspot.com/.

Andrea designed this beauty and shared it on her blog over a few weeks. I used Kaalund Enchante yarn in Poinsettia colourway. It's a lace weight silk yarn. The photos aren't really good . They show the shawl blocking, detail of the bottom of the shawl, and back view on a willing model . It's beaded which was a lot of fun. If you're a member of Ravelry http://ravelry.com you can see more details there (I'm Piecepatcher).

I want to tell you about the great patchwork/quilting my sister Lynn is revelling in. She's taken to designing and the ideas are coming faster than she can create...and the creations are wonderful :) It will have to wait till next time though!

Antique Flower Basket Quilt

2009-01-22T01:08:00.000+10:30

Wow, I love this Antique Flower Basket Quilt that Glenice Jones made for her Son Cliff and his bride Kim for their wedding in September 2008 Glenice joined the Pattern of the Month Program last year. Each month for 6 months those in the program receive a part of the pattern for this quilt plus another pattern for a smaller project. That's a total of 7 patterns. The bonus patterns are bags, table toppers, small quilts etc.

The program is now available as a full set rather than having to wait for each month's package to arrive.

Thanks Glenice for sharing this fabulous quilt with us. Happy quilting!

Colleen

Congratulations, Glenice, this is a superb quilt!

West Australian Quilter’s Association Raffle Quilt

2009-01-22T00:57:00.001+10:30

I'm always delighted to see the quilts that others make from my designs. This is a real beauty! It's from my paterrn "To Everything There is a Season" and I love it in these colours.

The quilt has been made by Barbara John and her sewing group, fabric selection was made by Barbara and 2 of the QuiltWest committee early in June. Several people helped Barbara make the quilt and the quilt was longarmed quilted by Barbara

The Quilt will be exhibited during the West Australian Quilter’s Association’s QuiltWest Exhibition in May where raffle tickets will be available. Raffle tickets will go on sale at the beginning of March. Funds are being raised for the Royal Flying Doctor and Breast Cancer Research. It is very likely that the quilt will tour a few Perth Metropolitan Quilt shops when tickets go on sale. Watch out for the article in "Australian Patchwork and Quilting" magazine.

Wouldn't you like to win this beauty?

Anniversary Knit along shawl

2009-01-22T00:26:00.000+10:30

While I still can't manage the cutting and sewing required for patchwork and quilting, I have kept myself amused by getting involved in a Mystery Knit-along from Goddess Knits. The mystery is now finished and the pattern is available from here. It's a fantastic round shawl using the "Pi construction" method. Each of the 5 clues had 4 choices of patterns and this is my finished masterpiece:). I used JoJoLand Harmony yarn, which is a lace yarn with gradual colour changes. It's not perfect but I love it :)

Thanks again Anna for modelling the shawl!

Happy knitting and quilting

Colleen

New Quilt, Sun Time, Fun Time

2008-12-23T00:45:00.000+10:30

I've received many requests for the pattern for this quilt, called Sun Time Fun Time. It was photographed in my profile in Australian Country Threads magazine. In the new year I'll get the pattern ready for sale....but for now here's a preview.

A preview of a wallhanging project

2008-12-23T00:41:00.001+10:30

Happy New Year!
I hope it's a good year for all.
I'll start the year by showing some "new" projects. Today it's this one:

My sister Lynne is a quilter, too. She use my wallhanging "Children Bloom with a Mother's Love" as the basis for her Christmas stitchery quilt. Isn't it great? I love the verse. Thanks Lynne.

Autumn in New York shawl

2008-12-23T00:15:00.000+10:30

Over some about 4 weeks, Andrea from BadCat Designs posted the instructions for this shawl. I had fun along with hundreds of others, knitting along and sharing the experience through her yahoo group and Ravelry. I used 2 balls of Noro Kureyon sock yarn and 4.5 mm needles. You can find the instructions at Andrea's blog.

That's lovely Anna from The Yarn Barn modelling the shawl so well!

Of course I'll have to wait until winter to wear it. Thanks Andrea for the great shawl pattern.

Yeah! A little Quilt finished!

2008-12-23T00:05:00.000+10:30

Well I'm pleased to say that I've finished making this little quilt. It takes just one pack of 5" charm squares and with the little bit of applique it makes a quick not-so-shabby quilt. Oh but it is sort of shabby chic though. It finishes at about 33" square. There's no binding involved. There's some of that lovely large ric-rac sewn around the edge.

Hope you're ready for Christmas:)

cheers

Colleen

What does a quilter do when she can't quilt?

2008-12-07T00:55:00.000+10:30

For a while now my body's not being cooperative in the quilting department. I'll spare you the details, and just say that it's ..not...very....good...and....I'm...sick... of.... it.

OK, so what does a quilter do when she can't make quilts? She knits.

I found a wonderful knitting designer who shares her designs through her blog. http://badcatdesigns.blogspot.com/

She's known as BadCat, and she designs fantastic shawl. Thanks BadCat.

This is the first project I "knit-along" with BadCat and hundreds of students...the Summer Sampler Project.

Each week for about 20 weeks Andrea would post part of the pattern, each week a new stitch, until we had a complete shawl. I've learnt something new every week and thoroughly enjoyed the whole process. Of course I love the finished project.

So quilters can sit down and knit when they can't make quilts.

BEV'S ROSE OF SHARON QUILT IS FINISHED

2008-12-07T00:47:00.000+10:30

We celebrated! Bev has been working on this wonderful quilt for many years now, (in between other projects) and it's finished! Hand appliqued and hand quilted.

It's truely manificent.

I think some quilters would understand Bev saying that although it is great that it's finished, she feels sad and maybe a bit "lost" now that it's not there for those times when a little bit of stitching can be relaxing and comforting.

Congratulations Bev and hope you find the next big project just as enjoyable.....it's a candlewick quilt....

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Pocket Pinnies

2008-09-29T11:24:00.000+09:30

Ladies from the Campbelltown Uniting Church made some wonderful "Pocket Pinnies" at their sewing night!

They made two of the options from my pattern, and I love them all :)

here's the link to the pattern:

http://www.piecefullypatched.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=BagPatterns

Thanks for sharing the photos, ladies.

Tuesday Sewing Day Special group

2008-08-07T01:03:00.000+09:30

Each Tuesday a special group of ladies meet for patchwork and quilting. I've been teaching these ladies for about 8 years and we have a lot of fun. Above are some photos.

Renata finishing a Christmas project that can be used as a tree skirt or a table cloth. Have to admire her for being so organised ready for Christmas!

Bev quilting her Rose of Sharon quilt. We won't talk about how long this has been in the making...it's an absolutely beautiful masterpiece of hand applique and hand quilting.

Anthea hand quilting her fantastic Fun on the Farm quilt (Susan Murphy's design).

cheers for now

Working on a new pattern

2008-07-09T23:37:00.000+09:30

This is what I've been working on today. At last I've tried out the fabulous yo-yo maker that everyone's talking about. It's great! Easy, quick and makes such neat yo-yo's!

In the picture you'll also see some of the fabrics I'm using, from a lovely fresh range by Australian designers 'A Day in the Country".

I've had many enquiries about my "Useful Quilt" pattern. It was meant to be available months ago but problems with the printing spoiled that. As usual, though, it turned out for the best because I've made some more sizes to include in the pattern, along with various applique accents. When it does come out, you'll get more for your money!

The first photo shows some hints about one of the quilts included in the pattern.....this one's for my granddaughter's bed.

best wishes.