Stripes

I've always had a thing for stripes; I've got stripey mugs, bed linen, cushions on my couch. I love them all. I've been doing a little market sewing, and I'm using the stripes and chevrons from Remix. Too cute!

I've whipped up a couple of cushions (the yellow one is Cat in the Hat), and a wheat bag. Bunny is still a work in progress.

I also ducked into Ikea on the way home from work yesterday (I love being able to do that), and picked up this shelving unit to use as part of my market stall. I'm envisioning jelly rolls stacked on the shelves, and maybe a few fat quarter bundles. (and you can see why the room needs painting...)

No progress on my sewing room just yet, as I'm looking for a painter, but I have hung a few quilts on this wooden ladder I picked up quite a while ago, just so that I've got something pretty to look at while I keep on tidying up the room.

A Proper Cuppa

Like a good English girl (my grandparents were from England), I love my tea. A few years ago I was given a Wedgwood tea set, and last weekend I finally got to use it for the first time. One of my fellow stallholders came over for proper afternoon tea.

We brainstormed ideas for freshening up our stalls (Ikea was mentioned), and I sent her on her way with a baggie of fabric scraps to be turned into accessories. I also got motivated and started on some market sewing; some new cushion covers and a super cute stripy bunny.

I also snuck down the beach on Sunday for a bit of a family reunion; I love the beach no matter the weather.

Found the Perfect Backing

After umming and ahhing about a backing for I Heart You, I finally found the perfect fit. Cute but not too over-the-top, on sale, and the required 9 yards available.

Sew Stitchy by Aneela Hoey

I probably won't get to make this quilt till later in the year; I still need to quilt my Scrappy Tripalong, and I want to start piecing my Marmalade/Star Blossoms quilt as soon as I can (once I get some market sewing out the way next week). If only there were more hours in the day! At least now that daylight savings is done there's more opportunity to be inside where it's warm.

The One Where Kate Gets a Sewing Room!

I know I'm a few days late spilling the beans but it's been crazy around here! It's no secret that I've been living with my mum, but not any more! Last weekend she moved into my grandma's house, as grandma has gone into care following her fall last year. As a result, I know have the house to myself and....a spare room!

It doesn't look like much right now; it desperately needs a coat of pain (hasn't had one in over 20 years), then I can start setting it up. There are also a few stray boxes that haven't moved house yet, but should be gone over the weekend hopefully.

My desk will move out of my room and into the new room (where the shelves currently are). A spare bed will go under the window, and a sewing table will go in the middle of the room. I'll finally be able to reclaim the dining room table and lounge room from all my sewing chaos.

Bella and Millie have found the whole process quite unsettling; Bella has always slept in mum's bed so we've had a few disturbed nights. Millie is also missing Jack, but she should get used to it soon. All in all, it's a very exciting time here at the House of Bella.

A Taste of Cuzco

It's finished! I knuckled down last night and got the binding done, and Bella has already christened it by sleeping on it most of the night (when she wasn't bugging me).

Fabric is Cuzco by Kate Spain for Moda.

Pattern is Lattice Quilt by Amy Smart (diary of a quilter). Don't let my stuff-ups put you off the pattern, I really should have been paying more attention to the fabric requirements and cutting instructions. It's definitely a quilt you could put together in a weekend if you wanted.

The backing is my absolute favourite print/colour in the range, and was the whole reason I wanted to do a quilt with Cuzco.

Remix!

If you follow my Facebook page, you'll know that I was very excited to have the Kaufman rep visit me last week. I got to spend my morning sifting through lots of gorgeous samples, and ended up ordering a lovely selection for my shop. The first new fabrics arrived yesterday; two Remix fabrics (stripes and chevrons) and some funky dragonflies from Fancy Flight.

These new fabrics can be found here; more to come over the next few weeks/months. I also put in my order for Little Red Riding Hood (Riley Blake) so I'm very excited for that to arrive.

A Different Kind of Day

Today was one of those days that didn't quite go to plan. I headed off to gym this morning looking forward to a good workout to start my day; instead another driver reversed into my car, and set the tone for the rest of the day. I do feel a little sorry for the guy, he is a local high school student. Fortunately the damage is minor and we won't need to get insurance involved. My poor little red car!

So instead of chilling out watching Gossip Girl while binding my quilt, I was running around getting repair quotes.

But never mind. I did get some good garden time this afternoon; planted my winter veggies, and gave my lemon tree a major haircut (it had gall wasp damage). It looks a little sad now, and I won't get much fruit this year. Must weed around it too!

Last but not least, a bird came in through the chimney and flew laps around the lounge room (just glad the poo missed my quilt!). Bella was right on it, despite never having had the opportunity to chase a bird before.

The big 'change' is still happening...I promise I will try to reveal this weekend. I'm very excited!