Wedding Quilt progress- quilting and binding

Binding all Ironed

Me quilting

It took me less time than expected to machine quilt the quilt. I had expected it to take a few months and a boat load of thread. I was right about the thread, only 350 mtrs + of black gutterman thread and I also used this thread and really enjoyed using it and loved the quality- pity I used the whole spool in one sitting. Time to buy some more!
So machine quilting it myself only took a few nights- and really only that many as I ran out of thread and was stuck at home because of the snow. I choose in the end to do  basic lines horizontally and then sew down the side of each square. In doing this no black thread in on any of the blocks.

Its simple and doesn't take away from the detail in the middle of the quilt. Binding is basic black and then a simple back and white print from a fat quarter. I am feeling rather proud of mysaelf to have quilted it all myself on my machine.

Thank you sewing machine for being so faithful In helping me with this huge project!

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Photo Friday

Have a wonderful warm weekend!

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SNOW

It snowed here in Christchurch.

View from our front door step

Me, Master W, Master B

Us making a snowman

We enjoyed making a snow man and having a snow ball fight as a family yesterday. Now going to spend the day keeping warm and waiting for the sun to come out!

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Quilting Tools

Quilting tools

These are some of tools I use for quilting. Olfa Rotary cutter, gutterman thread, *self healing cutting mat, *sew easy quilting rule (*I also use these two for scrap booking), most adorable pincushion made by larakate. I have also made a craft roll for all my scrapbooking tools!


I *heart* organisation!!

I came across this tutorial Market Apron and not actually needing to make an apron myself but loving how easy it looked to make easy to making a few adjustments for myself. I made two craft storage rolls using the same style and great cotton fabrics where most I used here came from Sew Pretty, made a few changes like where the tie goes and sewing up more sections for where I needed pencils to go and other craft tools etc. this is what I came up with.

Sew roll holds Rotary cutter, scissors, tape measure, cottons, spare machine needles, bobbins, pins

Scrap booking roll holds pens, pencils, eraser, photo mounts, corner punch, scissors

All rolled up!

Now its easy to keep my craft tools where I need them and easy to transport in my craft bag.


How do you organise your craft tools?

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Photo Friday

Have a great Friday!

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Carrot Cake recipe

This easy carrot cake recipe was given to me by a friend Mrs Clark (Alison Holst - Light carrot cake-100  favorite cakes and biscuits) and has been made many many times  in our home as a cake and mini muffins and most importantly enjoyed by my boys. 

Carrot Cake Recipe

Ingredients for a 20cm round cake or 24/30 mini muffins
All quantities used are New Zealand metric, any questions please feel free to ask :D

2 cups finely grated carrots (I use 2 large carrots)

2 large eggs

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup canola oil (or other)

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 tsp grated lemon rind

1 1/4 cups standard (plain) flour

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

• Heat oven to 180°C,  I place my rack just below the middle of the oven. Line the cake tin and spray with oil
• Grate the carrots finely in a food processor or hand grater, measuring them by pressing them into the cup. Put aside. Process or beat the eggs, sugar, oil, vanilla and rind together until thick and smooth. Add the grated carrot and mix in thoroughly.
• Measure out the flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, baking soda and salt into a sieve over the (food processor) bowl and shake in. Process briefly or fold together, without overmixing, then pour into the lined  baking tin. Bake cake for 45 minutes or until the centre feels firm and a skewer pushed deep in the middle comes out clean. If making mini muffins our into mini muffin tins and bake mini muffins for 10-12 minutes until the skewer comes out clean.
• Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a rack. When cold, ice with lemon icing or cream cheese icing. Let the icing set before cutting the cake.

Enjoy!!

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