Rascals & Rhubarb

19/04/2020

Took a break from quilting to work on a little project for my daughter. I love that she prefers handmade clothes - she enjoys being part of the process, picking out patterns and fabrics.

The top is made from a floral fabric she found in my stash and the coordinating denim shorts were made from an old pair my jeans. She loved how soft my jeans were and loves that these denim shorts don’t have buttons!

05/04/2020

I think I may need a lockdown quilting intervention 🤭

Seriously considering starting this project....a queen sized quilt made up of over 1500 individual blocks.

I saved this pattern 8 years ago knowing one day I’d find time. And, if a lockdown isn’t the best situation to find some time, I’m not sure when is!

Not crazy at all, right?!?

03/04/2020

It’s such an honour to help my customers create Forever Quilts from their precious keepsakes. And I love hearing their feedback ❤️

“Thank you so much for my beautiful memory quilt I love it! And thank you for your expertise and guidance about how to create it!”

This quilt was so much fun to work on - but as a runner who is recovering from an ACL injury, it was a little bittersweet at times 😉

02/04/2020

It’s taken me a long time - and lots of trial and error - to be happy machine binding my quilts. I used to feel it didn’t give the same level of finish as hand binding. It felt like the equivalent of cooking a gourmet meal from scratch and serving it in takeaway boxes 🤭

But then I perfected the technique and now I love it! Nice clean finish both back and front, quicker, and it’s much stronger ensuring my quilts last the distance.

My first is nearly complete!

Only 238 to go 😜

31/03/2020

I must not pull out a new UFO until I finish one....

I must not pull out a new UFO until I finish one....

Ooooo....look at this UFO that somehow fell out of the box onto my design wall 😂

30/03/2020

It’s been fun searching through my stash for coordinating fabrics!

I’ve decided the two quilts will be same same but different - keeping the original blanket as a whole panel and adding in borders. The first is bordered with a marbled cream and gold fabric that adds a touch of softness. Immy’s already claimed it as her one!

29/03/2020

29/03/2020

So many unfinished projects I should be getting done during this lockdown. But, what would be the sense in that when I can start knew ones, right? 😜

First project is to preserve this blanket my husband used as a little boy. It’s a few decades old, the seams are coming apart, it smells a little odd, and the batting inside is all manky.

Step one is to pull it apart and give it a good wash and air. Then I plan to make two quilts, one each for the kids, preserving the blanket for many more decades to come ❤️

27/03/2020

Love when I can take a client’s vision, add some gorgeous fabrics & threads, and create joy 💙

25/03/2020

As New Zealand enters COVID-19 Alert Level 4 and is completely locked down, things are always changing. Yesterday the government announced that courier services would be for essential services only. With a husband who works in the supply chain, I completely understand why. They have also said we must only use our vehicles if we need essential services.

So while I will be finishing up the customer’s work I have on hand, unless you can walk from your house to mine I will be not be accepting any new work until the lockdown is lifted.

Plenty of time for getting to all those UFOs!!

23/03/2020

Well, yesterday escalated quickly didn’t it? As we enter Level 4 and a complete lockdown, running a home-based business means I able to continue working for as long as my supplies last.

While my ability to offer custom made quilts is limited, I have more than enough thread and batting to continue providing longarm services to help all those people who are spending this time working on their UFOs.

Maintaining physical distancing is essential so please message me regarding drop off or courier information.

21/03/2020

With so much uncertainty surrounding us at the moment, it’s nice to have a quiet space where I can allow my creativity to bring a little calm and normality to my routine.

With NZ moving closer to more widespread self-isolation, I’ll probably be a little more active on this page as my family and I practice our *physical* distancing. Because right now we need *social* connection more than ever x