It's a Party! AQQ is Four!

Yes, it is four years since I decided to start Auntie's Quaint Quilts  ... and it would have to be one of the best decisions I've ever made! To be honest, I started it for me as a record of my stitching journey, but along the way I have made so many lovely quilty friends where before I knew very few who really understood my little obsession. Some of you I am privileged to know in 'real-life', while others I ' know' well through your blogs and emails.

A celebration like this calls for some gifts ... one for each year of blogging. To say thank you for reading my posts, leaving encouraging comments and/or becoming followers four of you will win one of the following:

1. A Rose Parade layer cake by Moda.

2. A copy of Scandinavian Stitching by Kasja Wikman.

 

3. A Kiss Me pattern by Fig Tree & Co.

4. A Fresh Cottons charm pack by Fig Tree & Co.

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment. (I love comments but only one per person, please) Maybe you could tell me where you are from, how you found my blog or what you like to see/read on quilty blogs. Not compulsory but interesting for me to know. The first name drawn will win prize 1, second prize 2 etc. Overseas readers are welcome to enter ... I will post internationally.

Entries close at midnight (Penguin time) on Wednesday 4th January. Good luck to all.

Aviary Stars Quilt

This morning it was still and overcast ... perfect weather for photographing a large quilt outside. So here is my Aviary Stars Quilt.

It is made with Avairy by 3 Sisters and consists of Ann's New Years Eve Star blocks framed by simple borders.

I entrusted the quilting to Leanne at Esme's in Launceston. She always does an awesome job.

 The tone on tone pink backing fabric really shows off the quilting design.

I am rather obsessed with nice bindings with stripes being a particular favourite. If you share my obsession you might like to have a look at my Beautiful Bindings board on Pinterest. (another obsession!)

 

 To conclude, I hope all my readers have a wonderful relaxing Christmas wherever you may be. Today I officially start holidays until Feb 13. I hope to blog regularly over the summer ... there may even be a giveaway or two ... so until then ...

Quilt Story

Hello. Remember me? Between school and brass band, the last month has been one big round of rehearsals and performances. With school finishing next Thursday, the end is finally in sight! With so many commitments in the 'real world' I just haven't had the time or energy to devote to this little blog but today that all changes ... I am ready and excited to be stepping back into blogland. 

Most of the small amount of stitching I've done has been on presents for Christmas so you'll have to wait a little bit longer to see that. However, I can share this pillow I made for my Material Girls friend, Rosemary. For her birthday. Rosemary requested something in purple and I must admit I struggled a bit (actually a LOT with that colour scheme). Luckily I found some nice 'purpley' fabrics at Wells in Latrobe. 

Rosemary is a cat love so this stitchery from Anni Downs' Simple Pleasures booklet was an easy choice.

 

 I shared my Simple Pleasures quilt earlier this year and today it is being featured over at Quilt Story. I was already a regular reader of Quilt Story and was quite chuffed when they invited me to share some quilts.

Continuing the kitty flavour of this post, here is the lovely Oliver Henry staking his claim to my Jelly Breakfast quilt I finished binding recently. When I have some 'blog quality' photos I will share more.

Hope your Christmas preparations are under control and that you are all enjoying the festive season.

Until next time.

Twinkling Stars

My Twinkle quilt has been finished for a few months. Today I took it outside for a few photos.

It came as a kit from the Fig Tree Club at Patchworks Plus.

 

 and was made from a Breakfast at Tiffany's jelly roll ...

and lots of Fig Tree cream.

 I really like the combination of spots and florals.

Leanne at Esme's did the lovely all-over quilting. 

For a different look, I hung the quilt over the deck. Borders and binding are sometimes tricky to photograph so I was pleased with how they were highlighted. 

This would have to be my favourite picture from today. Although Oliver appears to be looking at the quilt, he is actually behind it!

This afternoon I worked on some Christmas swap projects. Sorry I can't share any pictures ... the recipients read my blog so there can be no 'sneaky peeks'!

All Wrapped Up

The last couple of weeks I've been piecing this quilt top.

 

 The fabric for the presents is Flurry by Kate Spain.

 I used a white fabric with little red dots for the sashings. It is from a collection called Sweet Shoppe by Michelle D'Amore for Benartex. I might just be collecting this range so look out for it in future projects.

 

 

 The pattern is called All Wrapped Up and can be found here in the Free Patterns section of Moda's website. 

Below are a few of my favourite blocks.

 

Today I plan to sew on the borders ... it is a public holiday in northern Tasmania and the weather is lovely. Hope you have a good Monday wherever you are.

 

A Gift for Annie

Annie, one of my Material Girls friends, had a birthday recently. She had requested spots, stripes and checks ... this is what I came up with. The stitchery is by Annie Bird and can be found in her book, From the Heart. I used scraps from my hexie fabrics for the border. This was a hard one to part with ... it looked very nice in my sewing room.

I used a cheery red spot for the back.

Lots of sewing happened this weekend. Unfortunately I can't show any of it yet but as Christmas seems to be approaching rapidly it won't be too long until all can be revealed. Oliver was oh so helpful (NOT!) when I was trying to cut fabric.

 I have discovered another use for binding clips. They are really good for keeping fabric pieces for a block together until you are ready to sew them.

Anyway, have a good week. Hope you find time to be creative.

A Few More Hexies

Oh, dear ... I've been a slack blogger again lately. After a day at work, all I want to do is put on my pyjamas and curl up in a comfy chair in front of the telly. Some nights I manage a bit of hand stitching before nodding off but not always. Anyway enough moaning, below is the latest batch of hexies I've managed to produce.

Fabrics include Sweet Broderie by Rosalie Quinlan,

several Tanya Whelan lines,

Bliss by Bonnie and Camille ...

and a few fabrics from Quiltsoup.

My box of prepared hexagons is nearly empty so it's time to get out the glue pen and stick down some more. Bye for now.

A Day at the Park

A Day at the Park is the third project from the Fig Tree Club.

It features Strawberry Fields ... my current Fig Tree favourite.

I really love all the spots, ginghams and prints in this range.

 Isn't this adorable?

 Consisting of charm squares and borders the top went together quite quickly. Well, in less than a week which is quick for me!

 Now I am waiting for some backing fabric to arrive so the quilting can commence.

Hope your weekend was a good one with lots of time for stitching.