It Opened and it was Grand, oh and some FINISHES!

The Grand Opening of The Retreat was fun filled and exciting.

Several people came to see what The Retreat is all about and I got heaps of positive feedback.

I also got to have a wonderful weekend with some very special friends and family.

It's one thing to have an idea but actually doing it and then putting it out there for all to judge is rather nerve wracking.

Lucky there was some nerve calmer (I managed to wait until 11am on Saturday which I was advised was a decent time...somewhere)

Due to the GIVEAWAY there are lots of photos popping up of the retreat so I thought I'd show off some of the quilts that I've managed to complete and get onto the beds.

I must say, I had help! It's handy to have mates who love to bind. Very handy.

I'm very proud of the Giant Dahlia quilt.

It hangs on the huge wall in the Studio to really show it off.

I made it with Michelle Yeo in a class at the now closed Primitive Patches.

I had the top done for several years but I knew it needed some special quilting to do it justice.

Kerry from Black Forest Quilting did a brilliant job with the most perfect feathers quilted onto the petals.

I love how it looks - it's even better in person.

'Chocolate Lollipop' was in the pipe works for a long time. It's super busy and crazy and no doubt not to everyones' taste but it's fun and I like fun. It lives in the purple bedroom these days.

There was no way that I could cut up this stunning Amy Butler fabric and same goes for the backing.

My lovely friend Jenny from Bayside Quilting did this one and it looks great.

This quilt didn't have a name other than 'More bloomin Amy Butler fabric!!!??!?' until I took it to Kerry for quilting. After a quick chat we settled on 'Persian Princess' pantograph pattern and I fell in love so meet my 'Persian Princess'

It's a very cool pattern.

Under the influence of Dresden Girl aka Dear Fii I made a quick trip home from craft camp, grabbed some extra supplies and zoomed back. A fortifying sip of champas and I cracked out my dresden templates. I have been stashing hoarding my fat quarter set of Hope Valley by Denyse Shmidt for quite a long time. 

Now that I've cut into it, I actually like it more than I previously did.

So much so, that I now intend on using some of my other all time favourites so that I can enjoy as the patchy, quilty gods really intended.

For some great house pics check out Nic's blog at Yardage Design and Cam has done a post at Curly Pops.

It was so wonderful to see them both as well as Bronwyn who stopped in for some crafty time.

Dates are starting to fill up at The Retreat.

If you're hankering for a getaway, don't forget 20% if you pay and stay before August 31st.

Thanks again for all of the emails, messages and posts of support. I'm a lucky girl.

A HUGE thanks to my helpers - Jules, Fii, B, Faith, Pam, Jude, Gis, Bec and of course my CP boys.

I'm really, really lucky.

Ab xx 

Un-sausage rolls

A couple of crafty minx types have been hassling me for this recipe so I thought I'd better share it.
It was passed to me by my aunt and although I was a bit sceptical, I gave it a try and whoa Nelly, I am sooo glad I did.

The key to sharing them with others, especially meat-and-three-veg menfolks types is to tell them nothing. When they ask, "what's for tea?" the answer should be sausage rolls. It's not a lie....

MEAT-FREE SAUSAGE ROLLS
Makes 12
Prep: 10 Min Cook: 25-30 Min

Ingredients:
1 Cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/2 Cup pecans
3 eggs
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs (I use oregano, basil, thyme & rosemary)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 Cup quick oats
1/2 Cup dried breadcrumbs
3 sheets ready-rolled puff pastry

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 200degrees C
Process cottage cheese, pecans, egg, onion, herbs and soy sauce in a food processor.
Add oats and breadcrumbs.
Pulse until combined.

Step 2:
Cut each pastry sheet in half.
Fill each half with two heaped tablespoons of mixture.
Roll into a sausage shape and cut in half.
Brush top with a little milk.

Step 3:
Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Place rolls on tray and prick pastry with a fork or lightly score with a knife.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Serve hot or cold.

Note: The sausage rolls freeze well either cooked or uncooked. I make up a double batch and have some in the freezer for those lazy nights.

My dad is a good cook and he's always been known for his sausage rolls. They are damn good, but.....
I like these better. They look like meat, they taste like meat but they are light and you don't get the greasy feeling after eating them.

One of my friends and her husband came for lunch and we had the un-sausage rolls. He's a very plain eater and would never choose a vegetarian meal and he didn't pick that they weren't meat.

Try them out and let me know how you go.

Back to all things crafty. I bought a little something for the sewing room....

I've already insisted we move it into place because I knew if I left it in its temporary spot, I'd fill it will crap and then have to unpack it to move it. I couldn't help but put a few quilts in for the photo though. A bargain at the local oppy that I think will end up looking pretty fab once it's stripped and attacked with some white/off white paint. That will have to be down the track because it's already full of crafty stuff.

I hope your craftiness finishes are happening, I'm still pegging away at mine and I think I can get at least one WIP completed in February. What are you working on at the moment?

Ab xx

Swoon sucker

My powers are about as resistant as Superman's to Kryptonite.

Since the Swoon quilt is on my list of finishes for 2012, I don't think I'm breaking any rules.

The Swoon-along hosted by Katy.

I've auditioned many fabrics and I think these 18 have got the part.

Several Denyse Shmidt from Spotlight have snuck their way in.

The last thing I need is to work out what background colour.

Blue? Green? Grey?

Big decisions.

Oh and did I mention that I have my first proper finish for 2012?

Yaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!

I started this quilt last year when I was given the fabric and thought my unborn needed a quilt. I liked the colour of the fabric but not that chuffed by the print or feel of the fabric (rough).

I've quilted it simply in the ditch and finally got the binding finished last night.

Great to add my first entry in the 12 WIP's in 2012 and

a relief!

Abbe

Hallaluja, there's been progress

I got started on one of the baby quilts yesterday. I'm doing some wonky stars in some very girly fabrics. I'll get back to that this afternoon...thank the gods for nap time!

The other night, on a whim, I decided to try my hand at some free-motion quilting. I did a class here a couple of years ago and liked stippling but I couldn't get the tension right on the machine - looked good on the front of my practice piece but it was a knotted shambles on the back. The same thing was happening again so I

decided to do a funny thing and READ THE INSTRUCTIONS....

Absolutely amazing what you can learn.

Anywho, a quick stippled whiz about on my practice quilt sandwich and I grabbed the Cowboy quilt top, some batting and backing and spray basted it. I then hand to do motherly duties, all the while excited about getting stuck into the machine quilting.

Finally, it was bedtime for the monster and I could have a go and....

Voila!

It took about an hour.

It's far from perfect but I love it.

As soon as I was finished I was feverishly looking around for another quilt to throw on the machine.

I came to my sense and had a calming chocolate milkshake instead.

In the meantime I have machine appliqued the 'On the Move' blocks and basted the 'Faves' Amy Butler quilt. I'm trying to find the right thread colour to match the striking pink backing but have been thwarted by closed quilt shops so far. I have been making great progress with the WIP's and still feel really enthusiastic about getting things finished.

And this guy. Shucks, I just love him.

Even though he's turned into a vampire.... 

Check out those fangs!!!! 

It looks hilarious.

Nearly nap time...I'm heading for the sewing room while Mr Fox deals with Master Fox.

Ab x

It's time I exposed myself

Don't be rude, I'm showing my WIP's not my arse!

I am challenging myself to get all of the following projects finished.

Last year was supposed to be the year of finish but then I had the best kind of start (Master Harvey) instead so I was completely and utterly distracted.

So I invite you to look at the inner workings of this very distracted sewist....

My favourite Amy Butler fabrics quilt. It's possibly to be long arm quilted, possibly to be machine quilted by me...Anyway, the backing AND binding fabrics are sitting with it so it's semi organised.

Another Amy Butler quilt (there's three, I was obsessed ;o)

Also has backing ready to go. I will get this long armed.

'On the Move' cot quilt. I finally stuck the appliques on the other day, I need to raw-edge applique them and of course piece this one. It too has the binding and backing fabrics sitting with it. There are at least six babies that I need to create for this year (not including making a quilt for my own...the one that is yanking on the laptop right now. I guess I'm finishing this post later)

Several hours and a bedtime later....

Un-named red and white quilt for my friend Lisa. Already gifted and then taken straight back so that I could quilt it. Anyone noticing a theme?

The final Amy Butler, also un-named (I always name my quilts, usually with a pun) and unquilted. I'm planning to hand quilt this with Perle thread. I'd love to have this finished and being used this year.

This green and white number is the toile quilt. Um it's been a finished top for a very long time. Dare I say at least five years. Oops. To be long arm quilted when I find a backing. I'm considering scalloping the border so I think that's held back the finishing.

'Cowboys' is another top that 's been languishing in the 'Tops to be Quilted' container. I really wished I'd bought bolts of the red with white spot - it's the scrummiest colour. This will be for one of those many babies. I'm banking on a few boys at least.

This is 'Chocolate Lollipop' in the Walk the Line pattern by Sarah Fielke (I think. It was in Australian Better Homes and Gardens some time ago). Must piece it.

'Birdie Stitches' was a stitch-along on the LMS blog. I ran out of steam but plan on using the blocks for a girl baby quilt.

The 'Rainbow Connection' is a zig zag quilt. I think it's going to be for our bed...who knows? Much piecing to be done.

A table runner that I practiced hand quilting on. It has needed binding for quite some time and it'll give me an easy finish.

Another one for a baby-to-be. Simple but very cute panel. I'll machine quilt it.

Oooh look another panel. As above.

Some scrummy, girly fun fabrics for girl baby-to-be (the only one I know what the sex is...because her mum accidentally told me - oops!) probably a simple star pattern.

I'm hoping to start (and finish) this stitchery, well the whole quilt actually, with my favourite wenches B and Jules.

Finally Swoony. I've never made a quilt for my one true love and it's really about time that I did. His favourite colour is blue and mine is green so I'm hoping to make it a perfect fit for both of us.  

So that's me exposed.

Eleven, yes ELEVEN tops to be pieced and/or quilted.

Five quilts to be started and finished....um, also at least a few other for the remaining babies.

Eeeek that probably means TWENTY QUILTS to complete.

Bugger.

Oh well, I'll be a super sewist (my new word) in 2012.

Wishing you all good luck and productivity with all that you begin this year.

Abbe :o)

Ps. I am linking into the 12 WIP's in 2012 created by AJ. A bit of extra motivation for me.

Christmas Past, Present(s), Future

I got me an elf for Christmas.

Yup, he's gorgeous.

We had a wonderful Christmas with family and it seems Harvey has been good because Santa delivered!

I successfully cooked a turkey for the first time and we had a wonderful, relaxed Christmas at home with my folks. There was lots of joy while gifts were opened and all eyes were on Harvey while he explored his new things.

I hope you all enjoyed the festive season and that the new years brings you love, laughs, fun and LOTS of fabric.

I'm hoping I can complete one project a month during 2012.

It's ambitious but I have the need to reduce the WIP's so that I can get into some long awaited 'must do's'.

Happy crafting,

Abbe 

Sew it begins

The list has begun.

This top is sitting with its backing fabric and binding, all ready to be basted and quilted.

This red and white is for a friend. It was her birthday in late December so the top was given and taken straight back so I could finish it. Must get it done before her next birthday!

This one is STILL on the design wall (floor) but needs to be pieced asap.

This one is slowly being hand quilted. Very slowly.

There is a lot more to add to the list and it will get done.

I love being able to cross things off so hopefully that will help inspire some finishes.

Ab x

Committed

Humph was the word of the day that I decided on this morning. Last week I went in search of some material in my sewing room and a big slap of reality hit me in the face.

I have too many sewing projects.

There I said it.

I don't really believe you can have too much material and for me collecting is part of the obsession hobby. But I have so many 'one day' quilts and good intentions but things just are not getting started let alone finished. Actually I'm not too bad at starting, it's definitely the finishing that is more of the problem. But how many WIP's and/or UFO's are too many?

It's not okay to have a whole tub (which I can't close the lid of due to the contents) of 'Tops to be quilted'.

It's not really okay to have a project on my design wall (floor) for months at a time. 

It's squares, I'm sure I could have it sewn up in one afternoon.....

Nope, not okay to start another masterpiece...

So I am committed.

Committed to finishing.

While he sleeps.

The next few days I will see me sorting through and prioritising. I will be making lists.

I will be getting things done.

Hold me to it. 

Ab x