I'm really teed off.  Went to the reject shop for another trolley with drawers to be told he had just sold the last one, which means there was one out the back on Sat when I asked but staff didn't know it was there so I missed out.  Not to worry he will get me another but it may be at least 3 weeks away.  I am looking for a pat on the back as I have pressed every piece of fabric in my stash and put it on new shelves.  What a job!  I've got to say it is probably a job everyone should undertake every now and then, maybe not press, but just handled every piece as there is now fabric on my shelves that I do not remember purchasing and certainly didn't know was in my stash (perhaps some was gifts but don't remember is that old age creeping up I used to be able to remember all the little details of my fabric).  Must say it all looks very pretty in the walk in robe.  Husbands comment before it was half done "does anyone person need this much fabric there must be enough to open your own quilt shop."  He doesn't know the saying about who has the most wins!!!! and I'm not about to tell him!!!!!1
On a non quilty note I wish everyone a very happy easter and hope the easter bunny brings you all lots of goddies.

Did I say the unpacking was done.  What an understatement, that was everything but my sewing room.  Didn't seem too big a job, how wrong can one be.  I have new shelves in a walk in robe for storage but decided all fabric needed to be ironed before setting up.  What a job but it really did need it as it had been sqashed into plastic tubs for twelve months and I know I will be happy when it is all done.  I'm off to the local reject shop again today (I'm their best customer lately) for another trolley with drawers.  I know some are pretty shabby but these are quite nice, fairly sturdy metal frame and 5 plastic drawers, just right for my strips and charm squares, ribbon, etc instead of shoe boxes which they are in at present.  Once again no sewing done and also no reading and it is my book club meeting tonight, I'll just have to listen to everyone's comments and if they are good get the book from the library.  I have literally been falling into bed at night absolutely spent.  Did get to the AQC in Melbourne on thursday (gave myself a day off) and boy oh boy do we have some talent in this country, the quilts were to die for.  Hopefully sewing will be on the agenda by the end of this week!!

Finally we moved into our new home last Friday would you believe 1st April. Quite a date for me as I actually started a new job for the Dept of the Army on 1st April 1965, long time ago and only a week after my engagement to John. The house is really wonderful very spacious after the tiny little rental we have been in for the last 11 months. The sewing room looks like a bomb hit it at the moment but hopefully after another trip to Ikea next week it will look respectable and I will proudly put up a photograph for you all to see. The last week has been pretty hectic but most of unpacking has been done except for my very best china and crystal which awaits a new cabinet which will arrive a week from today. My big disappointment this week was that my son and his partner and my gorgeous granddaughter Lola were to have arrived from Perth on Thursday (haven't seen them since first week in December) but unfortunately Lola developed an ear infection so they were unable to fly. They will how be joining us in mid May. A few tears but I guess in the scheme of things what is another 6 weeks (says everyone but me)!!!!!!!! She will have had her 1st birthday by then, but only just so perhaps we will have a second celebration. Looking forward to getting back to sewing in another week or so. I know I could probably do it now but wouldn't enjoy it as much knowing I still have quite a bit to do so would rather get it all out of the way first. Thats just me!!!!!!!

I am missing Sylvia.  After having my Sylvias Bridal Sampler on the wall for nearly 12 months I find I am missing looking at it daily. I'm sure having it on the wall really inspired me to get the blocks done as recently I am not inspired to do much sewing at all.  I know I am in a very busy period leading up to moving house (when it finally happens hopefully in about 3 weeks) but I can't seem to settle to sewing at all, then at the end of the day I feel cranky because I haven't done any.  Tomorrow my group is having a welcome yearly  visit from our usual overseas visitors (over the Bay).  They are always very generous with their advice and usually have wonderful show and tell so maybe that will kick start me again.  One young lady seems to have a new quilt every 6 months when we see them and she only sews by hand. Truly inspiring.  I am looking forward to seeing her latest quilt. Unless I have got some all important news this will probably be my last post for a while.  Hopefully when I have a lovely new room to use for sewing and office things will look rosy once again.

We are now only about six weeks away from moving into our new house so it is time to once again begin packing up.  I have taken all my Sylvias Bridal Sampler blocks down from the wall and packed them up.  I must admit to being a little frustrated with it at the moment so am glad to see it down for a while.  After much indecision I decided to put it together in the quilt as you go method, which didn't prove very successful, so I unpicked the three rows and will join them in the traditional manner.  Not sure how I will quilt it though.   I participated in a Mug Rug swap through the Quilting Gallery and have posted them off  ( forgot to take photo of them before I sent them ).  Am awaiting mine in the mail also a christmas quilt block of the month through the fat quarter shop, so although I am in packing mode again I am also looking forward to receiving both of the above.  I have never had the room to hang a nice christmas quilt but will in the new house so must get onto it when it comes so it can be finished for THIS coming christmas!!!!

Happy New Year to everyone who reads this.  I have added more blocks for my SBS Quilt along with a couple of replacements.  I have had all the blocks on the wall and decided a couple just didn't look right, so before I begin another row it was time to move a few blocks around and redo a couple.  I'm happy with it now!  My next decision is whether or not I sew them together in the quilt as you go method.  I'm very tempted.  I have also made the decision to make my joining strips 3/4 inch instead of 1 inch.  It sounds a very minor alteration but to me it looks better with my blocks, just my choice. 
My group will begin again next week and once again I must submit a list of UFOs to the keeper of that list within our group.  Must admit I think I only completed one on the list in 2010 but my excuse is that where I am living presently is not condusive to sewing (very very limited space thats my excuse anyway).  Only another couple of months and hopefully we will be in our new house and I won't have that excuse any longer!!!  Hope everyone has a great 2011 with plenty of sewing.

Replacement Blocks - Lady of the Lake and
Crows Foot

F9 - Blazing Star, F10 - Aunt Sukey's Choice

F4 - Old Maids Puzzle, F6 - Album2
F7 - Big T, F8 - Ladies Aid Album

Here is how my SBS is currently looking. I am quite pleased but have yet to decide on a sashing.

Latest blocks for SBS

F1 - Silver & Gold; F2 - Alternate; F3 - Bowtie; F4 - New York Beauty

I am not doing them in the exact order as Jennifers Sylvias Bridal Sampler and I am
also replacing some blocks which I do not like with other of my choice, hence some
blocks named Alternate



The above 'Disappearing Nine Patch'  is a small floor quilt made for a friend's new granddaughter.  I made it at a recent retreat with the Happy Stitchers.  This is my first attempt at this design and it won't be my last, its a fun and quick pattern which can be put together in many  different ways with stunning effect.

Only sewing happening lately is moooooore stars.  I thought I had finished them all but no this month there was another batch to sew.  I have just been surfing around and realized I have a flickr account which has some photo of older quilts I have made on it.  For anyone who would like to have a look here is the link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marsiep/, I must add some more photos of past quilts made in case anything unforseen ever happens to my photo collection.  Oh forgot they are all packed away at the moment, so that little project will have to wait until we are settled in our new house which incidently is NOT  yet started.  I live in hope that October will see some action, but we are fast nearing the end of the month!!!!!

I have been quite busy this month having completed another 6 blocks for my Sylvias Bridal Sampler.  Must say I needed a break from them so started a new project, 'Star Crazy' from Alex Anderson/Ricky Timms Quilt Show and were some of them a challenge.  Here I was thinking easy peasy just stars, should be a breeze after some of the blocks I've done recently.  Not so.  Some were quite challenging as once again there were mega 6 inch blocks to make, will I never learn to do something a bit bigger!!

E5 Handy Andy, E6 Jack in the Pulpit

E8 Lincolns Platform, E9 Queen Charlottes Crown

E2 Corn & Beans, E3 Chicago Pavements

I continue to work on my SBS quilt albeit it slowly.  Today as part of my process of foundation I was pressing and must have had the iron far to hot as it melted the foundation violene I use for making my blocks, so back to the drawing board for this one.  I have also signed up to participate in a fabric exchange over at 'Stash Manicure' which I am really looking forward to, could be quite a challenge but I am looking forward to meeting my swap partner.
On the house front we are slowly but hopefully surely proceeding towards a point where maybe we can actually start building.  The hold up has been the subdivision but it is apparently now in the hands of the 'Titles Office' so maybe just maybe we will be actually be able to settle sometime next week, fingers crossed.
I'm sure my patchwork hobby has taught me the patience needed if one decides to build a new house!!!!!
Just have to go with the flow.

As you can see below I have been busy sewing SBS blocks.  I have had to do a couple more than once as I wasn't happy with the colours and still have a two more I want to redo.  Might leave them until a later date though. 

D10 boys Nonsense; D3 Mothers Delight; D4 Rambler; E7 Ribbon Star

D6 Odd Fellows Patch; Alternate D7 Cedars of Lebanon; D9 Orange Peel; D8 Rosebud

C10 Night and Noon; C9 Grandmothers Pride; D5 Square & Star; A4 Posies Round the Square