lets pretend that didn't happen

Hello! How rude am I to mention 'giveaway' and 'cake and then disappear?! I'm very sorry : (

 # I have just deleted my rant.I got if off my chest and now there is no room for it in what should be a happy place.

 My grandfather turned 90 and I was picked up by one of the most fantastic childrens boutiques ever.And its local.Love that.The 'girls' look like they are heading off somewhere swanky too, but I won't breath a word in case I jinx it.In the middle of those things we also had Carnivale celebrations at school (costume parades and feasting),and then the swimming carnival.Yikes!

So I made a quilt in a day and a bit-Yes A Day!! Insane. My lovely friend gave me a wonderful book on French embroidery.I have a new addiction! I put it to good use on Grampas quilt starting Sunday afternoon.I then pieced what I can only describe as a log cabin-ish quilt( that is not even a real word but you get the picture).Monday I raced down to the quilt shop for cotton batting and took the top with me.It had to be finished that night so I asked whether I should machine or french knot.The  'oh so knowledgeable quilting all her life older lady' asked me if I had machine quilted before.I had a go last year I told her.She looked at me."Knot it "she said." Oh come on....how hard can it be" I whined like a petulant brat.I will forever remember the indulgent look she threw my way.There is a reason one should listen to her elders.When I got home I sandwiched it then got out my thread to begin knotting.I looked at it.I want it to be fluffy I thought.Everyone ( in blogland ) seems to machine with great success-then washer and dryer.I want what they make.So I started.Four hours later during which I turned into a complete shrew and swore like a fishwife,I finished.My machine and I had serious words which will take a while for me to make better.Puckers,crooked stitching and different stitching-don't ask!I bound it by hand then washed it and tossed it in the dryer.I must admit I watched it and kept taking it out because the 'quilting expert' was horrified that anyone would throw a quilt in the dryer.I was petrified I would remove something that would only cover two feet let alone an entire body.Then it was a 7am rendezvous at the airport so my uncle could take it up for the birthday lunch.

The brilliant recession prevented me from going sadly.Its preventing alot of things around here.My husband has only worked for one week since we left for our holiday and then returned.Thats one week in three and a half months plus a holiday debt that I now almost wish we hadn't taken.Almost.Hind-sight's a monster isn't it?The bottom has dropped out of the film industry and the advertisements have dried up too.Did I mention the stress?The curse of the freelancer-if you're not working you're unemployed.No backup.Single income households are risky business.

But ta da.....

Everything in the quilt was in the cupboard and if I had planned it I never would have put this combination together. But I love it.

And its soft and fluffy so I am 'washer/dryer' convert.I do much prefer hand quilting though.I like the ritual and tradition of love that goes into a long project stitch by stitch.

Amongst the crazyness of getting things ready I have never had to get ready before ( swing tags/invoices etc), I was asked to come up with some birds on a string.I knew I wanted to put the bottom,bigger bird on a branch (logical connection)but I didn't think through the weight of that on the ribbon pulling on the birds bodies.So I made it like a bird swing.All very last minute and luckily there was a roll of wire under the sink.I am so happy with them.For myself or a gift I would do alot more to them but I had already quoted so had to keep it realistic. A large variation is already drawn up though- ready for some spare time which should come next week.

See,I took over the bedroom and now I have conquered the kitchen!All off tomorrow happily.There were things hanging from every cupboard door today and all over our bed aswell.

Sustenance.The Charlie and Lola biscuits are nearly all gone sadly.

It was really hard to get photos of these inside today.

Would you like one????Pick a colourway and leave me a comment or link back to this post and I'll draw it next Thursday.Hopefully it will be your name I pull out of the hat!And I will definitely make cake.Always good to have something to sweeten the deal.

xxxx

*Just to clarify the bird mobile-it won't be one of these above as they are off to the boutique.It will be a bird mobile just like it but made for you in your chosen colourway : )

Comments

[Jurga]

Wow, maybe I'm first! Please count me in your drawing :) These birds is just amazing, I would like to have whichever, but maybe the blue-green one is smiling for me? :)

[Sue]

Grandpa's quilt is beautiful. The fabrics look amazing. He must feel very lucky. Birds are gorgeous too. So sweet. Xx

[lexi]

I love your Grandpa's quilt, I love that you were able to make it in such a short time, and it looks gorgeous. WOW! And I really love your birdies. So sweet. (and your tags. and everything. it's all gorgeous!).

[claire]

Your Grandpa will love his present, it is beautiful. Forgot to say that Jan Constantines house isnt on the websites I sent you....sorry....hope you havent been pulling your hair out looking for it, I'm sure I saw it at Red Cover but now I cant seem to find it!!
Well done on your boutique orders I'm sure they will 'fly' out, couldnt resist that :).
I would love to enter your giveaway, any colour is fine by me...thankyou!
Claire xx

[nic]

when i read the first part of your posting i soooooo felt with you. i'd just want to say that!!!

the only way to deal with that (as a creative blogger) is to IGNORE it, i suppose. some days we manage... some days we don't. most of all... don't let this ruin your creativity and your fun!

by the way... i really love the quilt, it's amazing... an so are the birds! :o)

nic

[Cath]

Beautiful blog, beautiful birds! The blue/green chappy would look gorgeous in my Lucy-Lu's bedroom.
PS Do they not sell the Charlie/Lola biscuits in Australia?

[kitschen pink]

That is THE most beautiful quilt! Lucky grandpa. A long distance hug!
Oh birds. LOVE the birds. Love all of them. Will do the link next time I post. t.xx

[Kari]

Oh my, you are a busy bee. Really, it astounds me. A quilt in a day?! Throw my name in the pot, if you please. Love the blue and green. Thanks!

[sara]

HYSTERICAL story about the quilt-in-a-day ... i've never been so ambitious! And it turned out so well!

Would LOVE to have a bird mobile in red ... how much fun would that be!!!

love your blog!

[Paula]

What a wonderful giveaway! Would love to win the red bird, thanks for counting me in!

[Dawn Newsome]

I keep praying that one day I'll discover some wonderful quilt made by my grandmother but so far...nothing.
I would love to have one of your birds in the new nursery I'm working on for the grandbabies.
Colors and red/white/blue - but not "Americana", per se, more cornflower blue. But, really, I'm not picky - if you have some scraps you need to use up by all means...anything!
Thanks.
Dawn

[Tanya]

The quilt is wonderful. I love your color combinations! The birds are TOO cute.

[greedy nan]

I was reading through and thought this is good, oh, I like the birds, I wouldn't mind something like that and then saw it's a giveaway - please put me in your hat and perhaps I'll be fortunate enough to be picked out.

[notperfectbutnice]

Oh I love your site and your colourful birds!!! I'd love any colour all you do is so beautiful and so 'fi-fille' Please include me in your draw!!! Iris from France.

[dottydesigns]

Loving your quilt and the DOTTY cards, gorgeousness, gorgeousness in bucketloads!! xx

[dottydesigns]

Love your quilt and love the DOTTY cards, Gorgeousness, xx

[Emma]

I would love to be included in the draw for a little bird - please. We leave in 4 days to meet our new daughter and think it would look gorgeous in her room. You are so clever!

[KAZZ]

So...tail feathers huh...very creative indeed...if I don't win the bird (any colour is good & with tail feathers) please may I win the hat??
Can't believe you made the quilt in a day & a bit!! SVK'S mother would be very proud

[Jenn]

Ooo, sign me up! I love those sweet little birds! :)

I'm not too picky on colors, but probably pink, lime or aqua colors would match my sewing room the best! :)

[Baba]

The pink and white is just too adorable!