Oma or Daphny, Patrick's Mum from Holland, offered to make a small quilt, she needed to keep her fingers busy while Sequoia was still at preschool and she had a bit of time to stitch. Though that is over now. Sequoia is officially on school holidays finishing her two years at pre-school. Yep tears were shed.
I laugh at Daphny as— like a true quilter—there was no hesitation in cutting into the Beetle Bug fabrics. So many times I get emails from people admitting they can't cut into fabrics they love. Daphny has done that too many times. Today she simply made sure the fabric had a straight edge and cut a 10cm strip of each of the six fabrics straight off the bolt. Schnipp schnapp.
She decided to use the windmill block, which is also a favorite of mine ever since Daphny had made our wedding quilt with this block. Then she cut the strips into 10cm squares. One the back of each square she drew diagonal lines as a guide to hand stitch along. She sat outside on the deck and hand-stitched the blocks together basking in the warmth, one square at a time. Always looking at the colours and the way the fabrics played together.
Within less than a week she had stitched 9 blocks, which was enough for this quilt. Daphny suggested putting a sashing around each block. We drove to the local fabric shop to seek out a solid, I had a pale gray in mind, however we thought the unseeded cotton complemented the range the best, giving it a warm, natural feel.
She then moved to the sewing machine to sew the sashing around each windmill block. We shuffled each of them around until we both agreed to put the red Bug Party blocks in each corner.
Daphny added a sashing around the 9 blocks and then a thin border of the Bug Party followed by a wide border of the Running Bugs.
Other things that have happened this week are:
Oma ate her first Aussie Pavlova ever and smiled from ear to ear at its deliciousness. She took seconds.
We took Sequoia to see Santa in the city, she would not sit on his lap so she sat on mine instead. Click.
I bought a ridiculously expensive present for my daughter, one I know she will only play with for a short while, just so she believes in Santa. This might be the last year she will. She already questions "how can there be so many Santas? And why does he come in a sleigh here and on a horse in Holland?"
I went to a 6am yoga class.
I ordered the Free range turkey which went like this: phone call from Mum at the butchers
Mum to me: "Have you ordered the turkey?"
Me: "That was on today's to do list!"
Mum: "Do you want me to?"
Me: "Thanks."
I got my hair cut short.
I queued at the post office, a lot. Far out it is so so so boring.
I took the family to see the Christmas lights there are plenty here after 9pm.
I went to my daughter's ballet recital where I shed tears for 2 hours as it was too cute and I am a hopeless romantic.
Now I just have to decide how to quilt the quilt top made from my precious Beetle Bugs?
Will you find any time to stitch over Christmas?
Other things that have happened this week are:
Oma ate her first Aussie Pavlova ever and smiled from ear to ear at its deliciousness. She took seconds.
We took Sequoia to see Santa in the city, she would not sit on his lap so she sat on mine instead. Click.
I bought a ridiculously expensive present for my daughter, one I know she will only play with for a short while, just so she believes in Santa. This might be the last year she will. She already questions "how can there be so many Santas? And why does he come in a sleigh here and on a horse in Holland?"
I went to a 6am yoga class.
I ordered the Free range turkey which went like this: phone call from Mum at the butchers
Mum to me: "Have you ordered the turkey?"
Me: "That was on today's to do list!"
Mum: "Do you want me to?"
Me: "Thanks."
I got my hair cut short.
I queued at the post office, a lot. Far out it is so so so boring.
I took the family to see the Christmas lights there are plenty here after 9pm.
I went to my daughter's ballet recital where I shed tears for 2 hours as it was too cute and I am a hopeless romantic.
Now I just have to decide how to quilt the quilt top made from my precious Beetle Bugs?
Will you find any time to stitch over Christmas?
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Amelia Sliedrecht commented on 06-Jan-2011 10:09 PM
What a wonderful quilt! It must have been so lovely to see your Oma sewing with your fabrics.
Toni Coward commented on 23-Dec-2010 06:59 PM
Oooh, I LOVE Oma's quilt! Awesomeness. I love how she pieced by hand too...I used to make quilts that way and hope to do it again when the kids are a little older.
Hmmm, I'm intrigued to see what pressie you bought Sequioa!
Merry Christmas :)
Hmmm, I'm intrigued to see what pressie you bought Sequioa!
Merry Christmas :)
Alison jeppesen commented on 19-Dec-2010 12:34 AM
Love your new fabric - have been looking forward to being able to get some for my little boy.
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Pam commented on 17-Dec-2010 09:56 PM
The Santa Clause....he has to come different ways in different countries, just for practicality, otherwise the reindeer would get too tired.... How lovely hearing all about Oma's adventures, I'm glad she enjoyed the pavlova! Now lamingtons for Australia Day!
Nancy Leee commented on 17-Dec-2010 01:40 AM
Ah...the multiple Santa question... Our response? We always told our kids that THE REAL Santa went ONE place to have photos taken for the season... All the others were just dads that "played" Santa so everyone could get their photos taken... It thrilled them to see all the Santa's and try to figure out if it was the "real" one or just some Dad... One year at the mall, they were both convinced they had FINALLY seen the REAL Santa...it was priceless..
elsa hart commented on 16-Dec-2010 10:21 AM
how lovely this quilt is ... love seeing your Oma's hands at work!
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