Caleb demonstrates...

...how to charm your grandparents.Photo by Mum.

Daniel enjoys storytime

Some days I feel like I'm running a preschool 'round here!

Packaging the quilt collection

I've been a bit slack about storing my quilts lately, but that all got sorted out today. I made dustcovers and labels, and although I can't see the cheerful quilt colours anymore, at least I know the quilts are well protected! It seems to be part of the way I work, that whenever I am getting ready to start a new quilt, or a new phase of a quilt (e.g. the quilting) I first have to do some serious cleaning or organising around the house. Now onto that quilting!

When the adrenalin kicks in

When you only have ten or fifteeen minute intervals in which to piece a quilt of 1000 or so pieces, you try not to think about the quilt as a whole, but focus rather on very small sections at a time. Bit by bit the various sections grow. Suddenly, there are no more little bits left and you realise that instead of 1000 pieces, you now have 20 or so larger sections...
Then the adrenalin kicks in, and you say to yourself 'hang those 10 minute sewing sessions!' and the housework gets ignored, dinner is forgotten and the kids get left to their own devices. (I wonder when they will catch on to the fact that this is the point at which they can ask for their heart's desires and I'll probably say 'yes' without thinking, as I have only one thing on my mind at this stage). And all at once you have a new quilt top completed!
I can't show it yet, but I love this one. It was the most challenging so far. I pushed the piecing down to a very small scale. It worked, but didn't make for enjoyable sewing, so I think I will go a little bigger in future.

Art fix

Since Caleb joined our family and Aaron started full-time school two years ago, I haven't been to half as many art exhibitions with the kids as what I used to do. (Aaron and Hannah always loved taking their sketchbooks along to draw their favourite artwork.) This week, though, I made it to Cottesloe's Sculptures by the Sea with Caleb, Daniel, mum and Arls.
I was great to get another art fix! I especially enjoyed watching all the schoolkids interacting with the different sculptures.

Pizza cookie

I have discovered baking-with-kids the lazy-mum's way! This pizza cookie recipe from 500 Cookies by Philippa Vanstone was perfect for Hannah and and her friend Jordan this morning. And for me. No fuss, little mess,lot's of fun and extremely yummy!
...boy-style...
...girl-style...
(I think I know which one I'd rather eat!)
Yummo!!

I love her optimism!

"Mummy, please may we play with water? We won't get wet!" she asked me oh-so-sweetly just 15 minutes earlier.

Done

Well, we made it! The quilt has been finished, and with days to spare! It - and the child - have been photographed, forms have been filled out, and images burnt onto CD. Now just to post it still. Although I am really happy with this quilt it is not the one I'd hoped to have ready for entry, but given the priorities to which I am working, I will take what I can!
(Sorry I can't show you the quilt yet - this exhibition, like many others, has a policy of only accepting quilts which have not been exhibited or published).

3am housework

Been doing some 3am housework lately - a by-product of 2:30am quality one-on-one time with the baby. Just some dishes, and some tidying up, things I don't seem to have energy for anymore at 10pm. The next step?
3am quiltmaking, of course!

No, I didn't, but I'm thinking that I probably could get away with it, as Phil is generally fairly oblivious to the night-time feedings. How blissful that would be - to sew while everyone else is sleeping!

Hmmm, who ate the banquet?

I am inspired by the artwork of Graeme Base. I love that there is so much detail to be discovered and enjoyed when you spend time with his books. As you can see, there are others around here who agree with me!

Handy little tool

Trimming the quilt so that it is ready for binding has always been a dreaded part of the quiltmaking process, at least for those quilts which don't fit on my cutting mat (anything over A3 size, in my case). This little tool donated by my father-in-law (a carpenter) has certainly made the job easier, though. It has a laser light in it which throws a straight line across the quilt, for me to cut along, and by lining up notches on its side with a cut edge, I can make sure that the edges are at right angles to each other. Apparently these things only cost a few dollars at the hardware shop when you can find them, but unfortunately I have no idea what its called!

Interruption

Allow me to interrupt this morning's concerted thread-burying effort to present...
...our little charmer! He wants to smile and chat this morning, which is more than a little distracting.

Oh, bother - pumpkin for dinner!

...with apologies to everyone who visits here to see quilt-related content! My word-limited, quilt-limited posts are probably a good indication of the state of things here - not many bright thoughts from this baby- and child-focussed brain, and even less quiltmaking...

Having said that, one of the exhibition deadlines I would have liked to meet this year is looming somewhere about two weeks into the future - and I think I can make it. It just means that the focus for the next week will be a little more on burying (tying off) threads, and a little less on housekeeping. I'll let you know how I go!

Recipe for fun

13 seven year old boys......plus birthday cake......and red creaming soda...= excessive energy!