Market Madness

With Christmas coming, market season is in full swing and it starts to get a little hectic around here. My basket of rattle cubes was cleaned out at last weekend's market by one person, so I've had to dig in a make a heap more. They aren't too difficult to make, just a little tedious, so I avoid them when I can...

I've used Oh Dear by MoMo for this lot, as there is a good mix of colours for both boys and girls.

They still need to be trimmed, turned and stuffed...and I've run out of bells to put in the middle so there is a trip to the shops required before I can finish them. As you can see, Hopscotch is still in the sewing machine...

I also whipped up a cushion for a KK present last week...the new owner was very happy so I might need to make a few more. I'm also contemplating a cot quilt from Kate Spain's Honey Honey before the upcoming Boutique/Mathilda's Market.

Fortunately it's not all work and no play around here...Bella got a little bit of outside time last weekend so she could enjoy that bit of sunshine we had been having (and yes, that's me!).

Now to make the most of this six-day weekend I've managed to score...

2012 BOM Block Five

Block Five of the Fat Quarter Shop's Mystery BOM, also known as Cherry Sundae.

The flying geese points were a bit difficult due to the bulk of the seams, but otherwise a pretty easy block to put together.

Whimsy Clear Out

Listing my Hunky Dory fabrics on here during the week went better than I expected, so I'm doing it again. This time it's Whimsy by Fig Tree for Moda, released in 2010. I'm listing total meterage available, but happy to sell by the meter, or the whole lot. Looking for around $12 per meter. Postage is $2 for 1m, $6.20 for up to 3m, and $10.55 after that. Either leave a comment here or email me at kate(at)bellaspatchwork(dot)com(dot)au.

From top left we have: Beach Dot 3.5m, Beach Dress 2.8m, Chocolate Dress 2.3m, Red Dress 0.75m, Milk Dress 2.5m, Milk Daisy 4.75m.


And if you are still after some Hunky Dory just pop over here.

Half Way!

There's been so much going on at my place that Hopscotch has taken a bit of a back seat, but I'm finally half way through the quilting. Our new carport is almost done (no roof yet), and we've had a couple of large trees removed this morning.

As tedious as this quilting is, I really love how it's looking.

I've also been clearing out the Bella's Patchwork cupboard...I'm running out of room! If you haven't seen my posts on the Facebook page, I'm clearing out the last of Hunky Dory by Chez Moi, a Moda range from a few years ago. I'm pretty much willing to take any reasonable offer on what's left, plus the cost of postage ($2 for 1m, $6.20 for up to 3m, $10.55 thereafter).

From top left: Blue Bud 2.2m, Blue Fantasy Floral 1.75m, Blue Tonal 2.5m, Yellow Garden 4.1m, Pink vines 3.2m and Pink Tonal 3.2m. I also have 2.4m of the Yellow Tonal. If interested leave a comment or email at kate(at)bellaspatchwork(dot)com(dot)au.

Nine-Patch Pin Cushions

I felt like I needed a little break from the endless straight-line quilting, so I dug out my bag of Central Park scraps from when I made Swoon and started cutting out lots of little squares. A bit of shuffling and I've got myself a cute little pile of 9-patch pin cushions.

I have another market coming up so I think these will make a welcome addition to my table. If only it wasn't so tempting to keep them all!

I'm slowly making progress on Hopscotch, but this quilt takes a serious number of lines!

I got an early delivery of Honey Honey and Noteworthy pre-cuts today; these lovelies weren't due until January.

 Now I think it might be time to go and bake a banana cake....

Gone!

Last week I had a very wonky carport...

This week I don't!

After four weeks insurance and the builders finally got themselves sorted and removed it yesterday. Just in time too, it took on a bit more of a lean during last weekends windy weather. The new ones goes in next week! Looks like we have a bit of pruning to do...

When we had a carport, the dogs were kept down the back of the yard, away from the fence so they couldn't bark. Now that it's gone, they get a little more lawn and sun time. Millie is really making the most of it.

I'll admit that this week hasn't been my finest, hence the lack of posts. I had a revolting day at work on Monday that left me wondering if it was worth it. I actually started looking for a new job. I had hoped my yoga class would calm me down but it really didn't have the desired effect. Then I capped it off by whinging at the man, which made me feel worse...

I'm excited that I made a little progress on Hopscotch; those lines take forever! I've done two rows of blocks, so just six to go.

  

I also finally picked up one of my birthday pressies; a little sapphire ring from Tiffany. So really the week wasn't all bad, but it certainly didn't get off to the best start.

(instagram: blackcat20)

Quilting Weather

After such a gorgeous day yesterday, I woke this morning to the sound of pouring rain and thunder. Admittedly it was already 9am but that's what days off are for. Perfect weather for lazing around, and for quilting!

Once I got all of my little jobs out of the way this morning, I hauled Hopscotch into the sewing machine and got started.

I must have been dilusional when I decided to quilt lines that close together; it's going to take ages! I'm doing five lines at a time, then taking a little break to give my shoulders a rest, especially the one I injured a few years ago. 

But I'm loving how it looks! It will give the quilt quite a firm feel, so if you like a softer quilt I'd space the lines a bit further apart. Might be better for your sanity too...