C-7 Megan's Mountain Laurel

This one was a bit tricky. I still have terrible trouble doing foundation piecing and end up with everything back to front!!! I gave in and just pieced the double diamonds and then appliqued the larger diamonds on. My applique technique is improving I think........!!

C-6 Ashley's Aura

Again layers of applique to do this one. I must say my applique skills are improving with all this practise.................

C-5 Eye of the Cyclone

Had fun with this block - 3 layers of applique!!

More Placemats!

I have just finished binding 6 placemats for myself, 3 aqua and 3 orange............

C-2 Streak of Lightening

I am not a big fan of Foundation Piecing at the best of times and this block was no exception! I am in the process of selling our house and my sewing things are at my friend's house where I retreat to for some sewing fun. Today however, the language was a little colourful as I worked on this ................... Jane, you are driving me insane..............

November block for Jill

Here is the second November block for my Aqua and red Bee......

Aqua and Red Block Bee

I have recently joined a Block Bee dedicated to lovers of aqua and red. This is the first month and I have completed November's block for Caroline. The fabrics are fun!!

C-4 Tic Tac Toe

I had the girls around for a sewing afternoon and managed to complete another DJ block. This one was quite tricky when it came to the outside triangles, but I just cut them out and pieced them. Think it looks ok!!

C-3 Rayelle's Fence

Today I finished off this block and I couldn't help but fussy cut these cute little flowers!!

C-1 Trooper Green's Badge

Started row C today. This first one was easy and I used some of my new fabric. I love the colours!!

Craft and sewing Show

We decided to have an excursion today in place of our usual Friday sewing group, and went to the 'Craft and Sewing Show' on in Melbourne at the moment. It is always a great place to stock up on fabrics for your stash, and purchase pins, blades, rulers, etc and discounted prices...........

Here are some of the fabrics I purchased in preparation for the Aqua and Red Block Bee that starts in November.

On the way home I happened to pass 'Patchwork on Central' and popped in to see if they had any 'Liberty' fabrics I could add to my Dear Jane stash........and guess what - they did!!!

Here they are.........

Next Friday we will be back to normal sewing group and I can start to play with some of these colours!!

B-13 Four Corner Press

As I am now 30 blocks into my Dear Jane quilt I thought I should rename my blog to reflect this. As my Nearly Insane is still a big part of my recent quilting history I have combined the two in my title...............

I have been following Minka's blog (http://minkasstudio.blogspot.com) and read her interesting post about this block of Janes. This is the only block in the quilt that does not use the ivory contrast fabric - hence my use of two of my Liberty fabrics for this one. The aqua looks quite green in this photo, but it does blend in well with the other blues.

B-12 Starflower

I had fun doing this one. I am not a great fan of applique so thought I would give piecing a go. Quite happy with the result - first a first attempt at tiny curves, although a few stitches are peeking through. As my mum says "A blind man would be happy to see them!!"

B-11 Melissa's Cross

I really enjoyed making this one and am happy with the result...........

B-10 Jud's Trophy

Here's the latest block..........

B-9 Tinker Toy

Quite an easy one, but effective!!

B-8 Water Lily

This is one of my most favourite blocks so far - such pretty fabric.

B-7 World Series

Here is my next block - don't look too closely at the applique stitches!!!

B-6 Wild Goose Chase

And here is the second for the day..........wow, was this a time consuming one!!! Cut, sew, measure, trim, cut, sew, measure, trim.......anyway it looks ok!

B-5 Hot Cross Buns

Finally back from holidays and able to find some sewing time.......here is today's result.

B-4 Chris's Soccer Field

I cut this one out and completed it today (with a few mistakes that had to be unpicked and re-done)!!!

B-3 Mirror Image

Sewing group resumed today, I had this one cut out a while ago so started by completing it.....

B1 - Bachelor Buttons, B2 - Sweet Tater Pie

I have not posted anything for a while as I have been on holidays in the USA. We had 2 wonderful weeks in Santa Monica, Boston, Cape Cod, Quogue and New York (yes, in the hurricane!!) We had beautiful weather and even got a tan!! I also found time to visit a couple of quilt stores (much to my husbands horror) so I had to be quick....... I bought some great fabric at 'Tumbleweed' in West Barnstable, Cape Cod.

I also had time to visit 'The City Quilter' in New York for some fun New York and Halloween themed fabric. Not sure what to make with this new stash.......but sure it will be put to good use!!

Now I am home I have finished off a couple of blocks I started before I left ....... just had to complete the applique.

Sew Busy!!

Well again it is a while since I put anything on my blog!!!I finally managed to get all Prue's things ready for her term away and we waved good-bye to her 2 weeks ago. The day she left I went out and purchased a new toy..........

I have been having a great time playing with it - my old machine (C1977) was rarely used, only for attaching binding and joining quilt backs. I decided it was time t

o get with the program.

Here is my first attempt...

I then made it into a mug rug and sent it to Prue for her 'Milo'.....

Next project was a set of 6 placemats for my sister. Her 1950's

house has just undergone a fabulous reno and thought this fabric would suit.

Special Quilt

I have been very slow on my Dear Jane lately. Not only have I been having some fun with the placemat swap, but also I have made a special quilt for my daughter, Prue, who is going off to her school's remote campus for 8 weeks next term. As it will be the depth of winter I have made it with cute flannel fabrics so it will be nice and cuddly..........!!

Here is the rugby jumper they wear that I used as inspiration for the colours and logo.

Placemat swap

Front

Back

Front

Back

I have just joined into a Placemat Swap and this has taken up a bit of time...........need a break in between Dear Jane blocks. Here are the two I have made to swap with my partner......

I had fun with the hand quilting.

A-13 Starlight-Starbright

I paper pieced this one to make sure I got the birds in the correct position. I like the way it has turned out. I now only have 2 to do to complete row A.

A-3 Hunter's Moon

Here is my next block............I seem to have a few distractions at the moment and the applique is not a good as I would have liked.

A-12 Framed Fancy

This one is a bit pale - the fabric is really pretty, but as the pieces are so small I feel it is a bit lost. I am thinking that the Liberty fabric is maybe not bright enough to make the blocks really pop!!

Will plod on and see how it goes....

A-11 Pebble's Protest

This was a bit tricky, but managed it with a bit of paper piecing. Like the effect of the florals.....

A-9 Cabin Fever

Very tiny pieces, but looks great.....

A-8 Florence Nightingale

A very simple one..............

A-4 Courtney's Stethoscope

I love the fabric in this one.............

A-2 One-Two Buckle My Shoe

A bit fiddly but effective....

A-1 Pinwheel Gone Awry

I have been sewing away on a few projects and have not had time to add my latest Dear Jane blocks, so here they are..........

L-1 Widow's Pane

This fabric is so pretty I just had to use it in a block I could fussy cut.

K-13 Brandon's Star

Here is the pale blue version of the fabric. Pretty!