Progress on Janelle Wind's Little Bluebirds

I started this quilt back in 2008. Wow. Three years ago! I loved the colour scheme of the red, aqua and white so very much and bought it as a monthly kit from Sarah at Quilt Fabric Delights.

I'm not much of an embroidery gal but thought the amount of stitchery on this quilt was achieveable. But what I did underestimate was how slow and challenging I would find the needle turn applique. I'm hopeless at it! So much to my dismay the quilt kit sat hibernating in my cupboard for 3 years. Until now.

Recently my genius friends suggested a whole new way to approach the applique which really inspired me again to get stuck into it. Why not raw edge applique the quilt in the same manner that Kellie Wulfson does? Of course!! So yesterday out it came and I achieved so much now that the mental road block of turned edge applique is far over the horizon.

There's lots more to come but I was so excited to get this far so quickly that I wanted to share it with you.

Ticking things off the list...

A loooong time ago I attended a craft weekend away and began a project created by Melly & Me. It was a bag featuring some stitchery. I'm not a big stitchery nut so the gorgeous project kept being popped back into the WIP basket. This weekend I was determined to finish it. I think it might be a new knitting project bag!

Next in my radar might be some darning and mending items that may very well be outgrown by my daughter if I don't tackle them now.

And a secret squirrel project of my very own is in the works. I can say that it involves a new website for me!! More to come when it's all set up. I can see lots of late nights ahead working hard into the wee hours!

New ideas need to be tested!

I mentioned in my last post that I have a new pattern in the making. I have finally reached the pattern writing stage and am looking for two pattern testers to go through and provide me with valuable feedback.

The project involves a small amount of machine sewing and basic embroidery skills. If you are able to finish the project within two weeks, please leave a comment below. I will select two people to test run the design based on their current skill levels and usual projects. This is a basic level pattern so even children aged approximately 8-10 years could do this? Or even clever girls like Nikki's with some mummy help!

Happy Daddy Day!

That's what we have coined as our newest term in our house. Happy Daddy Day. A day, I explained to our 2.5yr old going on 25yrs old, when you appreciate how great your daddy is. And she promptly replied, "Can I have a cake?". Ah, the 2yr old logic is going strong...

We spent a lovely day at the parent's in law's house eating and drinking and eating some more. I also decided today is the day to make a concerted effort at mastering the macro on my camera. It's been bugging the be-jeepers out of me and I need to master it. Or else I'll keep yelling at it and that ain't good. Here's some a pic from today. I am quite happy with it as it's getting quite close to that close up focus/background blurry look I love.

Here is a pic of the Little Bluebirds by Janelle Wind that I have started this week by transferring the stitching outline. My first and most important question is "Who the billy-o has the time and the patience to hand stitch and embroider?????!!". I'm used to being very gung-ho and roaring away with the machine, getting as much done in the small amount of crafting time that I have. But this slow, patient, calm thing.... it's taking a lot of getting used to. Quite meditative really, if I slow down long enough to think about it.....


And if you like the look of these beauties, they are called Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes and they are DIVINE. I made them for Happy Daddy Day. If you'd like the recipe, check below:

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes (makes 12)

1 cup (about 10) finely ground Oreo biscuits (including filling) - (I use my food processor to grind them)
40g unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup frozen raspberries, thawed
2 tbs icing sugar, sifted
375g cream cheese
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 170 degrees C. Line a 12-hole muffin pan with paper cases.

Mix ground Oreos and butter in a bowl. Divide mixture among paper cases, pressing down well. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove and cool.

Mash the raspberries to a pulp with a fork. strain through a sieve into a bowl, pressing down well, then discard seeds (I only mash and don't bother with straining or de-seeding. Life is too short!). Stir in the icing sugar.

Place the cream cheese in bowl of an electric mixer, beat until light and fluffy. Add the caster sugar in a slow, steady stream, beating unitl combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Pour cheese mixture over biscuit bases. Place small drops (about 1/2 teaspoon) berry puree on top of cakes and use a wooden skewer to carefully swirl though cheese mixture. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes until just set. Open oven door and allow cakes to cool completely in switched-off oven. (Taken from ABC Delicious magazine, Sept 05)