It's been a while

The past two weeks I have had visits from DD2 ( twice ) and DS2 once. DD1 decided a family photo was in order so this is the result. Proud Grampa was not letting go of our 3 month old grandson. He looks most unimpressed though. 

While I was away on our trip I did do some sewing and this is the result. I have had this Helen Stubbings pre printed embroidery for ages and decided that this was an easily portable project for that just in case moment. I realised when I got home that I had stuffed up by putting french knots where the lazy daisy should be but that was soon rectified. Will eventually make it into a cushion for DD2 to have as she was the intended recipient.

Having had a few minor health issues I have not had the mojo to do anything but now that I feel heaps better I am going to get going with the latest Dear Jane blocks. 

I've been everywhere, man

Warning LOTS of photos... Colosseum in Rome

Trevi Fountain

Pisa... leaning tower of... iconic photo!

Bridge of Sighs Venice

Pompeii.. Roman soldier lookalike maybe

Tunnel of Love around Capri

Atomium in Brussels ( DH was a physicist in a previous life ie pre retirement)

Pyramid at the Louvre

Le Tour Eiffel

Moulin Rouge windmill... somehow I was expecting bigger.

THE bridge at Monet's garden. So beautiful

The reason for the trip DS2( trying to avoid having his photo taken)

The other reason... my big brother had a significant birthday and we were there to help celebrate. This is at the station as I said bye, Stockport is the town I was born in.

London and yes they still have working ??? phoneboxes.

The best reason for coming home, our beautiful grandson on Grampa this morning. He has grown soooo much in 5 weeks.

We loved being away, catching up with the son, my family and even some old school friends but it was so nice to "sleep" in my own bed last night. I say sleep as it was hard to get to sleep but when 10.45 dawned I was a bit shocked. Now back to wet and cold Melbourne but couldn't be happier.

the next project..

This is the centre section of the quilt for DS2 GF who is 21 in November. Have to go around all the applique shapes but will do them on the machine. Hope it smooths out a bit!

Here is my gorgeous grandson with his mum and dad, Grampa, (DH) and Great Nana( DH mum).He had just made some noise down below which is why DD1 is killing herself laughing.This is at Easter so lots of family around. LJ is no 13 great grand child for Nana and hopefully no 14 will arrive soon.

Luckily DD2 came down early and got to have some lovely cuddles with her nephew. He was very comfy on her chest that afternoon.

Building blocks finish and a surprise...

Blocks 5-8 of Dear Jane.

Building blocks quilt along is complete. I am so very happy with this and I am 12.5 months ahead of schedule as the 18th birthday isn't until April next year.

The back... almost a double sided quilt and you can see the quilting better.

This young man made his appearance on Monday at 11.53 am after a fairly quick labour. Dad looks so proud here and I just love the photo SIL doing all the correct things. DD1 was exhausted and looks it so will save a family photo for after Easter when I hope to get a 4 generational snapshot.

Here he is , all 8 lb 15 oz of him.(and 5 days early)

Cos my computer was throwing a wobbly, here are blocks 1-4 of Dear Jane.

All the blocks are done

4 house blocks...

.. last two stars...

.. 4 wonky stars (these were a pain to mark so the may be a bit different to Leah's pattern....

... the corner blocks. Top left I added a few flowers and butterflies to my basket( didn't want to do matrix) and the one with all the circles.... well a border was enough for me and I once again added spirals to the ones that weren't as round as they could be!.

 I have started putting them together and have the fabric for the cover strips. Lucky for me Kilmore is on tomorrow so once again I will be using the bias maker , as long as I get the strips sewn before I head off. I have changed the orientation of the bottom baskets... having cut too much off the background on one, i have made it so that the binding goes on that side.  Think it will still look ok. Stay tuned for the big reveal.

Bump to bump..

So one cousin to another... DD1 and her cousin at the baby shower yesterday. DD1 is now 37 weeks and Niece is 35 weeks so I wanted a bump to bump photo.So different in the way they are carrying so it will be interesting to see what they both produce. Not long now and this Gramma to be is very excited.

Here are some more of my Building Blocks Quilt along. Love the stars one and the one above it. I am even happy with the stippling and the circles on the other two. Love that Leah says if you aren't happy with a circle then just chuck in a spiral and that hides a multitude of mistakes.

I did change one of these, it had a wiggly spiral all through it but as I couldn't mark it I just put squiggles in the blue bits.My circles improved on these ones and so did my stippling so yes the practise is helping. Sad that I have cut some of the backing fabric when trimming the blocks but I will get round that.Think I am over the halfway mark now but they are getting a little more complicated, so not sure how I will go. 

and another 1( or 10 ) bite the dust

More Building Blocks Quilt Along blocks. These were fun to do.

Stippling is not my favourite thing but it didn't come out too badly. Not that it is clear but the stippling on the black I did do free hand.

Not happy with the spirals but I am not reverse stitching. Again they were all fun to do. I have trimmed them for stitching together and have the next lot marked and ready to try fmq on. Think I am improving but I don't think I will ever be brilliant!.