Happy New Year!

Hello Quilty Friends!

Another year ahead, months of writing '2025'....then cursing because it's 2026 & why didn't I write that? It takes a while to get into the groove of a New Year or is that just in my head? 

Maybe it's because I have a long holiday 😇

I have several makes to share now that they have been gifted.

 No customer quilts to share yet as I'm still on holiday.

The first make is a gift, a very simple panel quilt I made for my granddaughter who has just turned FIVE (yikes time is speeding by) her latest fad is unicorns.

 Quilted with swirls, stars & unicorns & a unicorn flannel backing, I think Fern loves it!

The next make is a cushion for a very special long time friend. A Wendy Williams design called 'Baby Blooms'. When my friend & spent time together over winter she spotted a this cushion in a quilt shop window. They had no kits, otherwise she would have purchased one. But shortly afterwards at retreat someone was selling the pattern. It felt to me the stars had aligned, so I bought the pattern then spent months hand stitching the flowers etc. I can report my friend (who is the only one apart from my grandchildren I give a Christmas present to) is very happy! Yay!

Quilted on the long arm machine

Quilted back & fabric covered buttons

Next up is a pair of socks for my son & his girlfriend. I thoroughly enjoy sitting down in the evenings, watching a good show with my feet up & knitting socks!

Knitted in Opal self striping yarn, always fun!

And of course from time to time I knit myself a pair of socks!

 This pair I started & finished while away on holiday.

I made two bags for one of my daughters recent birthday.

 A shopping tote made from a canvas panel. My daughter loves fungi.

 

Pockets inside

The backpack was a fun make! Violet Back Pack by Knot & Thread, her patterns are very good, easy to follow. I had quilted several pieces of fabrics in a variety of prints along with By Annie Bag Batting on my long arm machine. After making this Fungi one for my daughter I made myself one in some funky canvas that I had also quilted previously:

A very handy size!

The previous owners of the mountain bike park where we often ride had their first baby last year so of course I had to make them a quilt for such a special arrival!

This was like a puzzle to put together from odd sized squares on this fun bike theme panel. I had a some bike fabric that worked well for the backing & I added a care label in one corner.

My husband is a music teacher & had the privilege & joy of two memorable exchange students from Japan. Hubby asked if I could make them a small quilt each. I added a personal label to the back of each quilt. Each quilt was essentially the same except for a few squares that were of fabrics related to each students interests, see if you can spot them:

Towards the end of the year I did a class with Mary Jane Sneyd, our topic a Rhino. What a challenging but rewarding class, let me introduce Rory the Rhino!

Rory is small but mighty!

After a long & somewhat sad reflection about my shop & the lack of sales I decided to gift some quilts to different charities. I have SO many quilts & I love making them but I can't keep them all & because sales are slower than a snail on holiday I have to give some away. 

The first worthy charity - BOI Animal Rescue has just been gifted this horse quilt to use as a raffle.

I have more quilts set aside to gift to various charities ( please let me know if you have any recommendations)  & I will share them at a later date. 

In the meantime I have a sale in my shop. If you use the code: HAPPY2026 you get a 25% discount.

Quiltmekiwi Shop Please share with friends & family.

I will leave this post with a thank you for stopping by & two montage photos of my recent holiday away, biking & street art. See you next time with customer quilts.

Until next time...............

Leeanne.