Enjoying the journey

Life certainly does get a bit more hectic when you're pregnant.

There are appointments to go to, bloods to have taken from you, doctors to see, a nursery to create, and things to buy. Mind you - the whole nursery creating and buying things has been super fun! I cannot even begin to describe how much fun it has been to set up our nursery and daydream about our little possum sleeping there. More on that later though - as I'm really keen to share some photos with you of Possums nursery so far. 

Pregnant, and loving it!

A small snapshot of the nursery.

And I know what most of you are thinking - if I think I'm busy now, just wait till a baby enters the household!! Yes, I'm well aware that my delusions of being busy at the moment will be a far cry from the constant need and attention that a baby demands. But at least that will be my sole job and object - and I won't have to concern myself with other responsibilities, like work, just yet!

French Provincial Quilt, on Etsy.

Love the softness.

My Etsy shop is growing steadily, and I am really enjoying making and selling my handmade wares. I love that all around the world, there are little nurseries or couches adorned with my owl bunting, or a cushion cover, or a patchwork quilt. There is something so timeless and personal about a handmade item, made with love and attention. And I really enjoy sharing that with likeminded people who appreciate it. 

We are nearly about to have our 50th sale on Etsy, which is so awfully exciting! I still remember my first sale and how I screamed and yelled and raced outside to share the news with Simon. And each sale I make now, I still get incredibly excited! 

So, do you remember the above pile of prettiness I shared a while ago? This lovely collection is a custom order for a young mum and her two daughters - one chevron quilt, and one circle quilt. The chevron quilt top is nearly complete, and looking so soft and pretty. It has been a joy and pleasure to work with this mum and these gorgeous fabrics. We are both looking forward to seeing the two quilts finished - hopefully before Christmas! 

A dash of Navy, with a slice of Lime

I quite adore this quilt. I really do.
It's a colour scheme I'd never have normally picked, but I'm so glad I did. There is something so fresh, and so clean about Navy and Lime, with a lot of white.
Almost makes me want to change the colour scheme for our nursery. Almost. 

This little quilt is perfect for a cot, and has been made using half square triangles just placed about randomly. I do quite like the random, messy, craziness of it all. 'Tis fun!
It's currently up for sale in my Etsy Shop. Hopefully it will go to a great home.

Thank you for helping me to celebrate the release of my first pattern, and for entering my little giveaway. For those interested, the winner is Michell! Congratulations Michell! I hope you enjoy your prize.

Happy Sewing!

Pretty Florals with a Vintage Feel

Well, that's how I would describe this lovely pile of fabric.

This nice stack is currently sitting on my sewing table, patiently waiting to be made into two single bed quilts for a client.

I can't begin to tell you how much I'm looking forward to working with these delightful prints. We have some gorgeous Art Gallery Fabrics in here, amongst some Moda favourites.

These two quilts will be going to two lovely little sisters whom I had the pleasure of meeting this week, along with their mummy.

'Till I can get started, at least the lovely prints will adorn my sewing table!

Black and Yellow Chevron Love

Literally any day now, a little baby boy will be born, who will get to sleep under this Black, Yellow, Grey and White Chevron Quilt. A local Melbourne girl contacted me, wanting to complete her nursery style with a funky and modern quilt in this colour scheme. Particularly in a Chevron design (see, I told you Chevrons were popular!)

So, after numerous conversations and chats about fabric choices, this was our result. A super funky, and super modern quilt for her new little boy. I am particularly pleased with the technical aspects of this little quilt, and how it turned out. 

It required a bit of thinking to achieve the directional fabric prints to run in the correct way, and that was fun. It was great for my pregnant brain to have to think a bit more! 

The backing is, of course, pieced from left over scraps.

Good news? Caseii absolutely loves her quilt! Which makes me one very happy designer and crafter! 

Caseii, I hope you and your family enjoy it for many years to come! Good luck with your new little boy!

Modern Circle Quilt

I actually made and finished this quilt top some time ago, but as often is the way, it sat waiting to be quilted and finished for a whole year. Being a quilt that is designed to ruffle and fray with love and wear, I just couldn't decide how best to quilt it. I had thoughts of quilting multiple circles all over it; of doing shadow quilting in the fabric circles; endless ideas.

In the end I stuck with what I know, and randomly stipple quilted the whole thing. Love.it.

Sometimes I think it's best to stick with what I know, and what's familiar. My lovely Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0 is fantabulous at stipple quilting, as it allows me to adjust the pivot height and the tension to make it just perfect. Every day I use my lovely big sewing machine, and every day she's a pleasure to work with!

So, on to the circle quilt! The range of fabric is "Ginger Blossom" by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller. I simply cut a larger circle from a template, then folded that circle into quarters to cut out a smaller inner circle. Then it was just a matter of laying out the circles on some plain white homespun and sewing them down. Very easy and a lot of fun.

The quilt measures about 50" square, and has been washed already to give it that lovely crinkly, fluffy look. The backing was made up with a lovely plain green, mixed in with some scarps from the front.
So a year later, but worth the wait. 

Just Chevrons

I didn't have long to enjoy the finished result of my little Chevron Quilt. It was bound and photographed and placed on Etsy for sale, and within 4 days it was sold to the United States. 

I am so pleased that it will be going to a lovely home, where it will be hung on the wall as a feature piece of a girls bedroom. I'm sure it will bring some lovely colour and vibrancy to her room, and I hope she enjoys it for many years to come. Who knows? Maybe when this girl is older she will use it for her children. It's a nice thought to think! 

I just love the Kumari Designs range of fabric that was used for this one. It really is a fun range of fabric to work with, and I love the sassy colours. The quilt design and colours have proven to be really popular on Etsy, with already some interest in custom orders. See? I told you Chevrons were popular!

I'm anticipating releasing a pattern for this Chevron Quilt in the near future - getting back into the swing of writing patterns again is going to be interesting!

And for those interested, we are now 19 weeks and 3 days along in our pregnancy. The baby is moving around quite a bit now, which is so incredible to feel. I can't feel it on the outside as yet, so hopefully Simon will get to feel a few big kicks soon. We have our next scan coming up in a few days! 

Handmade Patchwork Quilts

Change is one of those funny things. Normally I avoid it at all costs, happy to stay in my familiarity and comfort. Like most of us, I'm sure!

But Missy Mack has been evolving and changing, and I'm loving it! I first started this blog to share my latest sewing creations, and to connect with other crafters worldwide. And I guess, that hasn't actually changed. Everyone loves a bit of show and tell, and a good chat. Add some chocolate in there, and a Chai Latte and I'm a happy little chick!

I feel like I am finally falling into something I have always dreamt of doing - making and selling my handmade items. Particularly Patchwork Quilts. I find great enjoyment in designing and creating quilts, and seeing other people appreciate and love them. I sold a cute little pony quilt, made from Heather Ross fabric to the US a few weeks ago, and gosh, I was so excited! To think that something I have made is now being used by a family for their baby. I love it!

So, my show and tell for today are some quilts that I have listed on Etsy. Gee, what a fun site that is. I am constantly inspired by the talented people on Etsy.
These two are Cot Quilt size, and the actual pictured quilts aren't for sale. Instead, a custom quilt will be made in the buyers choice of colours and fabrics. I find it great fun working with clients to choose the right fabrics for them. It's great to put in that personal touch through a favourite animal or colour.

So, I'm a pretty busy, but rather happy girl at the moment, and Simon is getting used to hearing all my 'etsy talk.' He is a wonderful support in all my endeavours. Bless his gorgeous heart.