A Fig Tree

I have planted a few of these fruit trees myself this year. This fig tree is just one of many fruit trees that is growing in the orchard of Marieka from Bespoke Bites. She has a few acres of fertile land in the gorgeous Barossa Valley in South Australia. She asked the members of Wombat Stew to make her an orchard full of paper pieced trees.

I had to tweak the round shape to make it look a bit more figgy shaped.

It will join this apple tree from Ms Midge

and this orange tree from Quiet Play.

Actually the pattern is from Kristy as well. She may release it soon enough in her Craftsy Store.

Don't forget that Kristy is starting a new Paper Pieced Block of the Month in January 2014.

It is called Sew Kitchy and should appeal to many people who love retro, cooking and paper piecing.

I am linking up to the Paper Piecing Party.

A Figgy WIP

So this is last month's Wombat Stew block for Marieka of Bespoke Bites. Yes it is late. 

I have done as much unpicking as sewing already today. 

I also have finished the binding on the Parterre Gardens quilt that is to be gifted in a ceremony next Wednesday. 

I have to embroider or write my own quilt label as my go-to girl, Liz, just gave birth to a healthy baby boy yesterday.

Don't forget to check out the Cushion for Christmas blog hop . Did you see these Pipsqueaks from Quiet Play yesterday?

Or check out Ms Midge's version with a zipper tutorial?

Today it is over with Molli Sparkles for a purple string block cushion.

I am hosting on Friday so feel free to check back for a Christmas Star tutorial.

Linking up to WiP Wednesday for the first time in months.

Sunday Stash #90

Oh my! Sunday Stash #90!!! Exciting things are happening for Sunday Stash in 2014 but more on that NEXT WEEK!

Next week Sunday Stash will be with the hostess with the mostess - Miss Molli Sparkles. 

Things of Stone and Wood

A mid century house I was improvising but did not quite finish.

This week is all about fabric for Paper Piecing projects. Finding fabric to represent certain features of a paper pieced block is not easy. So when I saw some of this wood fabric at Spotlight, I snapped it up.

I also inherited a bunch of woody fabrics from my mum.

And this fabulous stone wall fabric too!

I find that Sketch by Timeless Treasures is great go-to paper piecing fabric.

And then there are fabrics for the leaves. 

Both $1 each from Spotty.

And more Sketch...

And now for the linky up below...

Little Houses

Last  month Lara was our chief Wombat in the Stew. She asked for little houses with whimsical faces at the windows. Kristy came up with about 9 different patterns each 6" square. 

I love mid century architecture and so this little house was perfect but I reversed the pattern.

Linking up to Paper Piecing Party over at Quiet Play.

Ripe Strawberries

Well Spring is sunny with light winds so far. September has followed on from the hottest August I can remember for a Winter. I think the second highest temperatures ever recorded for August in Australia.

My garden is full of blossoms and ripening fruit. The miniature strawberries are ripe for the picking. The regular ones are still green and growing large on the stems.

Kristy, Quiet Play, is head Wombat for Septemeber and has decided on a Spring Garden theme. So I have already pieced together her Sweet Strawberry pattern.

I cannot wait to see what other patterns that Kristy and the other Wombats come up with.

Linking up to the Paper Piecing Party over at Quiet Play today, where Kristy has lots of helpful tips.

Kimono Dragon

This month Alyce, of Blossom Heart Quilts, is Wombat Stew Sensei and she picked a wonderfully Japanese icon to paper piece. The Kimono. After the labour intensive QCA Bee block last month, this was a very easy and quick pattern to piece - bless her!

She gave us two designs - front or back. These are the ones already made by Marieka and Kristy.

You can be sure that Alyce will make her paper pieced Kimono pattern available soon enough so you can make one for yourself.

Linking up to TGIFF!

What a Fairytale...

Le Prince de Grennouille

This month is super exciting in the Wombat Stew. Gina, Party of Eight, has requested paper pieced Fairytales. Talk about lots of inspiration. Quiet Play's Kristy got to work quickly on some cool patterns.

I chose  - The Frog Prince. 

As usual choosing the fabrics takes the longest.

Piecing the sections not so long.

 Kristy's patterns have a way of going together without much trouble.

I did you a little time saving  by using a normal stitch length and sewing 1cm lengths where I need the sections to match up.

And here are two of the other patterns that Kristy has designed. Aren't they just gorgeous? Stay tuned for Kristy to release these in the future.

Rapunzel by Kristy. Pattern by Quiet Play

The Little Mermaid by Jane. Pattern by Quiet Play

Thumbelina by Gina. Pattern by Quiet Play

Three Bears by Midge. Pattern by Quiet Play

Old Ben Kenobi

Have you seen the fabulous paper pieced patterns that Kristy has been coming up with lately? Lego Star Wars! Awesome!

She called for some pattern testers. I had to laugh when I saw the title "Help Me Obi Wan Kenobi, I have no Face" linked up to her blog. It was from Snips  Snippet who was pattern testing Princess Leia.

Well sorry Snips but Obi Wan cannot help as he also has no face either!

Kristy's pattern is actually for the younger Ewan MacGregor version of Obi Wan Kenobi but I am more of a fan of the original Episode IV Obi played by Alec Guiness. 

So I had to make a few changes to his beard on the pattern (happily supervised by Kristy).

It was a little tricky to get the numbering correct. Good puzzle for my brain.

I am keen to work out how Lia mananged to use fabric paint to finish her Princess Leia block. Isn't she just fabulous? 

Update: Lia emailed me to say she uses potted fabric paint and applies it with the eye or point of a needle!

It will be challange to try that method. I was hoping to use my fabric Sharpies but they don't come in grey. I might wait until I do a few more blocks, invest in some proper paint and try Lia's method.

And how fabulous are these blocks already made by Kristy? Especially the light sabres. I love all of her pattern but I think these are my favourites now. Actually I love all her blog posts - they are usually very witty.

My boys are Star Wars fiends and so I am going to be making them a wall hanging for their room with all of these blocks. I might have to get the Wombat Stew girls to help me out when my turn comes around again.

Finally I can link up with this week's Paper Piecing Party over at Quiet Play. And SUPER TGIFF over at Blossom Heart Quilts again.