Bizarre Quilter

Kiwi Quilt #1

2011-12-22T20:32:00.003+11:00

Here we go!! Another panel with borders... ... and this will be a lap quilt. I bought the centre panel in NZ almost one year ago (to the day!!)

And the abalone shell fabric too.... the others were in my LQS - perfect!!

I have another 3 panels... I will make two more lap quilts as gifts, and turn one into a wallhanging for myself...

How have I ended up with more machine quilting to do, when I'm trying to add to my list of finishes? Hahahahaha... at least this fabric is out of its box and has been played with...

Cranes

2011-12-21T20:17:00.000+11:00

I fell in love with this Japanese crane panel.... then before I could even photograph it, I've added four borders and it's ready to quilt. It's going to be a gift for a friend after it is used as a sample in my LQS.

Oh my... another piece to machine quilt!!

I have the binding on the Saggy Baggy elephant quilt, ready for hand-stitching... I hope I will add another finished item to my 2011 list before the New Year!!

Whoops!

2011-12-16T19:42:00.001+11:00

Whoops!!
I'm not really sure how it happened!! But here is a completed quilt top without any previous photos!!
I'm sure I took some, and posted them.... Uh-oh.

It's another version of the Persian Tiles quilt designed by my friend Carol.

I'm just going to piece the back... then ask Mum to quilt it with butterflies (I'm going to give it to a gf after it's been used as a sample for my LQS)...

It's made from a "Flora" jelly roll and layer cake... stay tuned!!

Kashmir - what a mess!

2011-12-14T16:35:00.001+11:00

I've been cutting out these tumbler pieces for erm.... a long time... more than a year? Yes, I think so. *awkward grin* Andrea came over for a mad sewing Tuesday... and I finished cutting them out... then I laid them all out into the arrangement...

And I didn't start sewing until today! They are all pieced into rows now, ready to be pressed and joined...

But, what a mess! I had to get it off the floor as quickly as possible!!

The Little Red Baked Goods quilt

2011-12-11T16:45:00.006+11:00

Last night I found myself sitting at home watching movies for the first time in a long time... (do you know, I freaked out at the surround sound? I wondered what was going on behind/beside my couch!!) hahahaha)...

And I enjoyed my hand-stitching.... I added the binding to The Little Red Baked Goods quilt.... Oh! It's a gorgeous little quilt measuring just over half a metre squared. It feels soft and snuggly already! I love it!

Then I snipped the edges of this little raggedy edged quilt made from the leftover squares (I added another fabric for the backing squares)..And here are the little pieces that came out of one little moda snack box....

While I was hand-stitching away, I also finished the binding on this tablerunner.... I know... shocking!! When did I start it? Months and months ago... I don't think I even blogged it! That's how bad it is!!

I'm definitely happy with these 3 little finished items towards the end of the blog year.... *wink*

Baking Day continues...

2011-12-08T15:19:00.003+11:00

Everyone's quickly trying to finish their sewing projects before Christmas!! I've managed a little quilt top in only 3 days...

There are about 40 little 3inch squares left from the little snack pack...

I'm thinking I'd like to make them into a little raggy quilt. I haven't made one before, why not make it little? It's not going to need any batting, but I may need to cut backing squares - depending on how many little squares I actually have left (maybe I can just use these for the front and back)...

Baking Day

2011-12-06T15:09:00.000+11:00

How cute is this little snack pack? It's a Moda BakeShop product. Oh, they know how to get us in with their packaging don't they?It's a mini- honeybun (the strips are 1.5inches wide) containing 6 red and 6 cream strips. Simply make four-patch blocks from the honeybun, and alternate with the pre-cut 3inch squares.
So fun, so fast, this is what I've done already!!The rotary cutter indicates scale. The finished quilt top will measure 56 inches x 56 inches. Only a little one, but I love little quilts!!

Rememberance

2011-12-05T14:52:00.001+11:00

I didn't realise this wasn't a very good photo of the finished quilt "Rememberance".... I usually like to take photos of my quilts flat, showing the binding... but this was taken while the quilt was in the hands of the recipient. I finished sewing the binding down last night... What a pleasant past-time it is to sit on the couch ... watching a funny movie... ("The Guru")....

It's been a while since I sat down and relaxed with handwork in front of the TV. I miss it. There are so many other things we do: mowing the grass, yoga sessions, dance classes, socialising, taking walks... This reminded me how important it is to make time for all the activities we lenjoy.. even if it is only once in a while...

Christmas Sew-In

2011-12-04T13:29:00.001+11:00

Yesterday I made new friends at Susan's "Christmas Sew-In'. Susan and I have been friends via an Australian online group Southern Cross Quilters (SCQuilters) for years. Now we are friends on facebook too. So when she created a facebook event, I was invited... (bonus! Susan only lives an hour away)..

Hmmm.. hand-sewing. It's been a while since I had to prepare anything... I took the vintage flowers stitchery quilt (hand-stitching to attach the binding)... but didn't get much of that done. Hahahaha.

I took part of the Kaffe Fasset mystery quilt I've been working on - I stitched on one star.

This is the only part of the quilt I am allowed to show you, as it will be a mystery project at my LQS.

I took the Basket Case quilt blocks and a Clover flower maker in case I felt like making flowers (never got up to it).

I completed hand-stitching one of the sides of this bag. I'm not going to make the bag. I'm going to adapt the pattern to make a wallhanging with 4 shop fronts in a double-story arrangement. I just love the little stitcheries, but, I know I wouldn't use it as a bag.

These pics are from the Whatnot Bag by Bronwyn Hayes.

I am going to make the Whatnot Wallhanging.

And of course, we ate, we drank (ginger beer for me), we enjoyed a tour of Susan's Christmas-decorated home. Oh wow. Lots and lots of Christmas trees. She takes 2 weeks to set up her Christmas display. I felt so special to be invited.

In Susan's home. We each selected a crocheted snowflake from her displays to take home to hang in our own tree...

Basket Case

2011-12-03T19:43:00.005+11:00

Finding a good name for this quilt was really easy!! I certainly feel like a basket case!

I've just stayed up sewing and sewing... I can't put the baskets down!!

I filled six bobbins on a friend's machine. My machine really, really needs to be serviced... Tension bad, bobbins not winding, thread cutter on the fritz... poor workhorse!

A snapshot of a few blocks- each block has 2 borders... and I've joined them into rows.

I think they'll have a little ric-rac and/or ribbon for decoration, and some 3D flowers made with the clover flower maker... I'll keep you updated. *grin*

Oh, and hand-sewing? Mum has quilted my Flower Of The Month stitchery quilt. It's beautiful. I've machine-stitched the binding on... I'm off to a Christmas Sew-In at Susan's today, and I'll be needing some hand work.

Burnout...

2011-12-02T19:14:00.002+11:00

I'm love-love-loving sewing at the moment... Definitely have my mojo back... and I'm trying hard to increase the number of finished projects for this year (they are significantly lower than previous years)... but... we won't worry about that...

So, I started the basket quilt. It's made from panels, with borders added around the printed blocks. (It's cheating really, the baskets look like they've been pieced or appliqued on.. Shhhhh...)

Each block has been cut out, following the printed design on the panel. Then I chose two fabrics to border each block before starting to sew.Ok.... it got a bit mad... I kept sewing, and even though my machine is on the fritz (the tension just goes in and out.. I'll be sewing along, and mid-seam the top thread will go all loose)... so I've had to sew a few of the seams twice!!

Then it became later and later at night... and I was still sewing!!

Wow! All the blocks have the first frame on... and I'm trying to fill a bobbin, and they won't fill. Uh-oh.... There's something wrong with the bobbin-winding motor. What can I do? Keep emptying bobbins.

Thank goodness I fill 3 bobbins at a time, and I have about 25 bobbins - most with thread on them at one point or another... There's a message here - stop sewing tonight!! I'm going to go with it... Zzzzz...

Emptying bobbins

2011-12-01T15:55:00.003+11:00

Well... okay... it took two days to clear all those little pieces off the table!! What can I say? I've been terribly busy!

Here they are all joined together... I emptied a lot of bobbins... I kept thinking, "I just need to sew this bit, I won't fill a bobbin - what colour can I use?" So, I emptied a few bobbins in a range of neutral colours: grey, cream, sage green... they all worked...

I think you can see that there are quite a lot of seams... I'm loving the fabrics...

I can't wait to slice and dice the Sunburnt Grass to insert a zebra print. I'm hoping it will look like there is movement in the quilt...

Now, I just need a little bit of time please Time Fairy... *grin*

The next mad sewing day...

2011-11-29T15:18:00.002+11:00

So, where are my sewing buddies? I woke to an early alarm clock - not wanting to be late for my quilting mates for our mad sewing session... and not one of them turned up!!

That's it, next time, I'm sleeping in!!! (I know you're reading this Rosie and Andrea *wink wink*)....

A good friend from out of town did visit me, but I didn't start sewing until after lunch... well and truly after lunch!!

I cut up the rest of the Bali Pop to make Sunburnt Grass:

I've colourwashed it into sections of green and reds....

Then I went to dance class, and thought I'd better come back tonight to stitch up what I can - it can't stay on the table tomorrow!!!

Uh-oh, this is all I managed to sew. I'll be up early again in the morning...

African Dreaming

2011-11-24T18:34:00.001+11:00

I've had these African fabrics sitting in a shoebox for 3 years I reckon...

Tonight after work, I was so tired that I went home and slept for about 1 1/2 hours... and I dreamed...
Along with theabove fabrics I had a Bali Pop - it's like a jelly roll (pack of 40 pieces 2.5 inches wide) of batik fabrics.... I woke, scribbled down the ideas that had come to me... then I had to sew... so I stayed up fairly late considering how tired I was... but this is what I've made so far...

This is the African sun in the sky...
These are the pieces I have left from the Bali Pop - these are the grass fabrics...

To be continued...

Just In Time

2011-11-23T18:44:00.000+11:00

Just in time for Christmas... I've finished the Calendar!

This little wallhanging looks so so much better than it did in a panel. The quilting adds a lot of depth.

I decided to use little black safety pins and make them a decorative feature, rather than try to conceal the way the date medallions were attached.

Just in time for me to clock up another finish... Hmm... now that's finished...what will I start next? Maybe I should finish something else first? Noooooo..... that would be sensible! Hahahaha.

Sewing and sleeping

2011-11-22T18:47:00.004+11:00

So... Christmas is drawing near... and today I've had a "mad sewing day" with the girls... Okay, it wasn't as mad as last Tuesday. It was very peaceful... we were all doing handwork at one point (I've sewn the binding on! YAY!!)
Oh yes, it is quite narrow...

We were all feeling rather tired - Rosie decided it was our machines that usually keep us awake.... perhaps it's the noise? I suggested it was because we were up and down to the iron when machining... Whatever the reason, we were all stitching ourselves to sleep (except Carolyn who was fusing on a tree trunk and tracing leaves)... What can I say? We were soothed and relaxed.I know that after starting to sew the little date medallions for this hanging (on the machine) I was more awake... but I'm not sure if that was the Coke spider I drank or the machine... *wink wink*

I'm not sure how I am going to attach the medallions temporarily each year - it's a perpetual calendar, so the medallions will move. I tried to stitch a safety pin on the back, but even a tiny one moves so that it is visible at times.

Carolyn suggested I make a feature of the little black safety pins by pinning through the top. Well, at the moment, they just have sewing pins on them so they don't go for a walk... Hopefully I'll finish the other medallions tomorrow... I have a quilt top I'd like to add borders to tomorrow (if I'm not on the ride-on mower)...

Before the Countdown

2011-11-21T18:32:00.000+11:00

I'm loving Julie Paschkis' Christmas prints... I've already made the Christmas stockings - now I am making the perpetual Christmas calendar.

It comes as a panel like this. Even the binding is printed on (it's a narrow binding I can tell you!!) ...

I've completely quilted the calendar piece which will be main part of the wallhanging. Oh, I had fun... only took a couple of hours... a bit with the walking foot, and a bit with the free-motion foot.

And now that it's trimmed back, I'm thinking... Wow! That looks great!! ... Binding next....

I've started this just before the Christmas countdown at the start of December.. and hopefully it will be finished before then...! Eek!

Elly-fump

2011-11-17T20:08:00.003+11:00

Now that doesn't happen very often these days.... not very often at all!!

Not only was this quilt top made in 2 days, but that's 2 quilt tops finished in 3 days... (okay, okay, one of them was on the go for five years.... but does that count? Really?
Here it is.. the Saggy Baggy Helephump... awww.. can't wait!! I'm asking Mum to quilt it with monsteria leaves or something similar.

The Saggy Baggy Elephant is a sample for my LQS... the panel comes with instructions on how to turn it into a book, but it was saying quilt to me. I chose batik fabrics in the colours I think African sunsets should be.

Eventually, this quilt will be for a baby due in April 2012... and...

... this will be for its identical twin.... The Poky Little Puppy. I've chosen sympathetic colours to go with the panel, but they are not African jungle/sunset.... these are softer....

Awwww.. look... these little puppies already have quilts...

I won't be starting this one in a hurry... there is another sample for my LQS to finish.... (more simple straight line sewing)... but I'm afraid I will become bored if I do just this kind of sewing... I think it's time to crack out the audio books again!!

It's a quilter thing...

2011-11-16T17:36:00.006+11:00

I'm still sewing and sewing after yesterday's effort... Fun! Fun!

Does this ever happen to you? You suddenly sew your little fingers to the nub? Don't get me wrong... they are not hurting.. hahahaha.. It's been an absolutely wonderful frenzy!!

Firstly I made the remaining two stockings from the panel (see my previous post)... I still need to make the birds, but I want to hand-embroider names onto them, then hang them as name tags off each stocking. Then I will have to make them all again... because I am thinking these will be for my sister, and I'd like a set too. *sigh* (We always do for others first right? It's a quilter thing).

This panel was talking to me at my LQS.... I felt obliged to listen...Here it is with borders... I just need to assemble the back as it only needs a 15cm strip inserted into the back to work...

I love Olivia the little pig - these scenes of her with her family are quite touching. I also love the red and pink together: bright, fun, and it lends the bedroom decoration to include pink, red or both. After I joined the front border strips, and fell in love with it, I didn't feel like doing the quilting... the quarter inch foot is on my machine, and I'm ready to sew lots and lots of strips. Funny about that, I have a couple of quilts that need some of that.. I think I'll leave my machine threaded with this colour for a couple of days...

I'm making the Saggy Baggy Elephant for my friend who is expecting identical twins. I really wanted to make the Saggy Baggy quilt for my friend's baby, and felt torn when he said it was twins... What to do? I didn't want to make two quilts the same (not just because I would be bored, but because they will be individual people, and deserve to be treated as such)... then I found the Poky Little Puppy panel in my stash at home! Oh wow! I'm excited now!!

I shall keep you updated... so much to sew! But, now it's time to mow....

Oh, and a little update on my studio... I've been using a room in the house that is officially labelled a Disaster Zone. Today, the electrician put lights and power into a little outbuilding that I am going to turn into a super duper studio!! Yay!! A dedicated sewing space of my own... oh joy!

Mad Sewing Tuesday

2011-11-15T15:39:00.003+11:00

It's the first of the Mad Sewing Tuesday sessions... a few of us are going to get together to sew and sew... I'm glad I started today, or I would have been mowing...then grocery shopping.. then by the time I go to dance class and yoga that would be it!! The day is gone!!

I finished something off first (well nearly.... it needs quilting)... You know, I have this rule that I need to finish something before I can start something new... so, it's almost a finish.. because it's ready to be quilted by Mum. (Thank you!)...

This is the Flower Of The Month stitchery I started in 2006. The last time I worked on it was May 2010. This how it looked then...

oh dear... It's been waiting for borders for 18 months! I just love love the colours and fabrics... I would love to keep it... but I had an idea while I was finishing it today that my gf Janelle would love it. She lost her Dad last week - he was a war veteran... with poppies quilted on this, I would name it "Rememberance".

This bunch of flowers will last a lot longer than some real ones that would fade too quickly. I'm not going to tell Janelle why she is getting this quilt. I am just going to give it to her.

My next task was to prepare for Christmas...

This Christmas stocking panel by Julie Paschkis is stunning. The prints have depth, and the colours are warm. I quilted the fronts, then quilted black pieces for the back... then added straight grain binding to the tops, stitched around the outside... and added bias binding to the sides.

Two made, two more to go... maybe next Tuesday? I think they took an average of an hour each... that's not too bad.... Still to make the birds (I want them to be name tags for the stockings).... Fun! Fun!

Raspberry Cream

2011-11-14T18:08:00.000+11:00

There were only 2 hours between work shifts last Friday night... and I still managed to quilt this little item that had been sitting around for 2 years as a quilt top! Oh dear! Little meandering around the stitcheries, with stars here and there... There was no time for quilt-marking, so I completely free-formed it. The stripe border contains little flame shapes...the green sawtooth border has swirls, and the white sawtooth border is diagonal squiggles.

I'm loving it to bits. The binding was stitched on today... That's a Finish - now I can start something else!! Yippee!

Playtime

2011-11-11T17:13:00.003+11:00

Oh, I'm going mad with joy over these Egyptian prints!!

These came into my LQS just at the time the Tutankhamen exhibition opened in Melbourne... Was I happy and inspired? Oh yes!! Now, when was that? Perhaps June? I really can't remember... but my fabrics were purchased immediatly... and dutifully left in the bag they were purchased in... oh my!

It's definitely playtime for me and these fabrics. This is the start: strip piecing the width of the bolt. It reminds me of the way heiroglyphics run horizontally across walls. Well, no, actually, perhaps they run vertically? However, I think it will be more pleasing to the eye if these strips run horizontally....

I've organised a sewing get-together day on Tuesday with Rosie, Andrea and Amanda. We are going to stitch our little socks off! I'm not yet sure whether this quilt will be worked on, or the new idea I have with the stunning indigenous prints in my LQS.

Ah, that's 4 days away.... let's just see what is talking to me on the day.

Birds In The Air - ready to launch

2011-11-04T16:24:00.000+11:00

I have finished another little quilt ready to hang on the wall!!

I so enjoyed quilting this miniature piece - Birds In The Air.

The finished size is 20in x 16in. It was such a pleasure to machine quilt. It turns out that the teeny tiny "birds" (i.e. triangles) did not actually need quilting. See this close-up for quilting details.

I just scooted around the large base triangles a quarter inch away from the seam.

All that remains is to add a label, which I shall do.

I call it finished... after 10 years...

2011-10-17T16:06:00.002+11:00

I hereby name this quilt Dharavi - after the Indian slum it now makes me think of. Look at the quilt as though it is a birds eye view.

Mum quilted it with swirls in the centre - over the slum roofs. The swirls remind me of dust moving in little eddies with the wind, or with the monsoon rains that pour and pour through the bits of plastic and tin used as housing.

Surrounding the patchwork of roofs made from varying found materials are people walking in bright colours. There are some make-shift tenements that have escaped the boundaries of the legal slum.

Then there is the ribbon border- depicting barbed wire. Legal slums have very specific boundaries. The ribbon border is made of three different materials, just as the barbed wire fences would be made from whatever wire is on hand.

Lastly, the slum is surrounded by tall buildings. Slums are always next to high-rise buildings. It's where the workers live while they are doing the building.... then the high-rise tenants move in, and they don't want a slum view from their windows.... so the slum dwellers move once again, taking their temporary dwellings to another site where they will hopefully be employed to make concrete once again.

Luca is one

2011-10-15T16:17:00.000+11:00

This is my little nephew Luca.

For his first birthday I quickly (and I mean quickly) whipped up this little quilt/playmat.

What a great panel! It has both roads and train tracks. Whip it down on any dirty floor space and let the little one vroom and broom to his (or her) heart's content!

Happy birthday darlin'. Love from Aunty Lozza. xxx

Freshly Quilted

2011-10-12T16:23:00.002+11:00

I just felt like moving in the gentle trance of the stitcher...

...line-following... the hum of the machine... they seem to induce trance-like states... our minds flow...they think of other things... but they don't worry... and they don't feel pain....

This little mini quilt has been sitting around for quite some time... (okay, that's over a year).. now it is quilted. Binding to follow very soon. I feel sure it won't be sitting around like this for long. These birds want to be in the air.

(Birds In The Air miniature quilt designed by Lori Smith).

Here comes another

2011-09-30T16:44:00.000+10:00

Imagine that? Me obsessed? Never??!!! Hahahahaha.. I must laugh at myself... I've been enjoying making and wearing these wrap skirts... and here comes another one!!

I bought the very pretty main fabric from Magic Patch while on an antiques fossicking trip to Tyabb. Unfortunately the main antique warehouse was demolished, and new building works were in progress....

We did trek around some other antique shops, and it made an interesting diversion from the footy on Grand Final day. No, I am not very interested in Grand Final BBQs...

This skirt will be a medley of fabrics - here they are cut out ready to stitch. Come on Lorraine..... get to it!!

Gypsy Caravanesque Springtime Skirt

2011-09-22T14:17:00.001+10:00

Ta-da!
The finished skirt! I loved embellishing the front - a little bit of broderie perse, and some Indian trims.

It was actually warm enough to wear the skirt today. But, I'm sooo glad I wore leggings underneath. The wind outside would have revealed my bright coral knickers to all and sundry today!!

There you go, gypsy caravan from top to toe.

I still feel like sewing... but, I think I'lll take a little break from making skirts. Just for a few days anyway.

A little bit more skirt...

2011-09-21T14:10:00.000+10:00

I've finished the Empress Woo skirt. Love love love it.And this is me wearing it! It has a lovely A line shape which is very flattering.

It was actually too cold to wear a skirt today, so I wore it over jeans!! *grin* I just couldn't help myself! It is Spring after all.

And I've started the Gypsy Caravanesque skirt. Ooh, I'd like to finish it tonight so that I can wear it tomorrow!

A little bit of skirt.

2011-09-19T13:41:00.005+10:00

I really fancy making skirts right now. I bought this fabric in New Zealand, January this year, with the intention of making a skirt. I've cut the pieces out ready to sew.I've made this skirt before, but it was a larger size, I'm now on the small size (yay me!!). So, I had to re-draft it. The side seams are sewn and zig-zagged. Ric-rac is added to the wrap-around edge, and a contrast trim is stitched to the bottom.

All I need to do is add the trim at the top and make a slit using a machine buttonhole stitch. Way too tired to do that tonight....

How different does the fabric look with different light? These photos were taken using my iphone with no flash.

I've also selected fabric for another skirt. I'm using the patterned print on the back, shot cottons on the front folds, and the bright coral for trim. Deliciously Gypsy Caravan decor.

Guru Love

2011-09-05T15:44:00.002+10:00

I have finished this wallhanging "Guru Love" - started last November - just in time to give away for a birthday gift.

Seven beaded motifs - one for each of the main chakras.

Well, it's finished BECAUSE it's a birthday gift - there is no coincidence!! *grin*

Closeup of Guru and student.

I used saree fabrics for the background and applique. The fabrics were purchased during a trip to India January 2010. An embroidery stabiliser was ironed onto the back of all silk blend fabrics - there was a lot of movement and give in them. It would have been impossible to achieve a pleasing results without stabilisers.

Free-motion machine quilted - cotton fabric on the back - it's so pretty!!!

I love the quilt hanger- it's perfect. I'm thrilled to give this to someone special.

Almost photographed

2011-09-03T16:05:00.004+10:00

Hmm... I just realised I haven't really posted a good photo of La Petite Ecole - Persian Tiles. I still haven't managed to post a good photo. It's quite a big quilt!! I think I've got a good place for this at home!!

I'm ready to snuggle up...

It's important for me to try to take good photos of my quilts for this blog - I have them printed into a book each year - that's a record of my quilting journey.

I've been asked to speak at the Geelong guild in two weeks. They want me to talk about my quilting journey - to bring quilts, and talk about what I do, how I've done it..... everything. And it's the early days that I can't remember so well, and I've given so many of the quilts away now.

The ones I grew out of, the ones I could spare for urgent charity quilt drives, the baby quilts I gave away, or healing quilts... I just can't remember them all. I must try to collate all the photos I've taken in one place.

In the meantime, I might talk about some of my past quilts at different times, just to make a record in this journal, and in this woman's quilting history.

An early morning...

2011-09-01T11:37:00.002+10:00

After an early rising the Fast Asian Wallhanging top is complete.

There are four borders: green, blossom, green, then large flowers. Are they peonies or chrysanthemums? I'm not sure.

The back is pieced. Now for the most time-consuming part - the machine quilting.

I'd love to quilt it to death.

Really fast.

2011-08-31T10:33:00.001+10:00

Sometimes you need to make a really fast quilt.

This is going to be one of those.

This is the beginning - the panel.

This is with two borders - green, then blossom.You wouldn't think sewing borders would take a long time, but there's a lot of measuring and re-measuring.

That's all I could do tonight. I need to concentrate. Zzzzzz.
So much for a really fast quilt!!

Quilty Garden

2011-08-10T10:15:00.003+10:00

Well, I finally finished the Garden Song quilt top, gave it to Mum to quilt, and here it is.

Mum, the quilting is truly beautiful. Thank you so much!

I need to sew on the additional buttons (that just MAKE it!!), and I started sewing on the binding...

but I want to take it off. I used a thinner batting this time, and I need to adjust the seam allowance. I machine-stitched the entire binding on, and hand-stitched about an eighth of the binding onto the back before I realised I don't like it.

So... this will drag on a little longer, until I have the energy and patience to unpick!! (Actually, all I really need is time)....

A complete photo of the finished quilt will follow... eventually. *grin*

Garden-ing Update

2011-07-19T11:35:00.002+10:00

I've been working.... and here is the centre of the Garden Song quilt so far.
There are still leaves to be appliqued, and I would also like to add some extra flowers, stems and leaves between the blocks. It is just a little bit empty for my liking.
Then the borders... I will keep on sewing....

11 Years ago...

2011-07-13T10:49:00.006+10:00

This is my year 2000 quilt - I can hardly belive it was 11 years ago!! Actually, I swapped squares during the year 2000 and made my quilt the following year.

I joined an online swap - each person bundled together a "squishy" - 25 squares measuring 3in x 3in, and swapped them along with a "signature square".
Some of the fabrics were butt ugly. How was I going to turn 2000 squares of fabric into something attractive?

I didn't have an even number of light and dark prints, so I decided to colourwash them into squares. And, I love how it looks.

It made a very large quilt that would hang over my king sized bed. It was quite heavy, and consequently I didn't use it very much.

I have given it away to be loved and used.

Isn't that what any quiltmaker wants from a recipient?

Memory Lane

2011-07-12T10:14:00.000+10:00

I am giving away some quilts I made some time ago. This made me think... Hmm... do I have a good photo of these quilts anywhere? I'd better add them onto my blog (it is my quilting journal - I have it printed annually in a hardcover book).

This quilt is shown sideways. It was the first quilt I machine pieced. (The first actual quilt I made was a sampler made with hand-piecing).

I was living in Swan Hill, and I used fabric from my (at that time) meagre stash. There was a quilt shop in town, but I didn't have a lot of disposable income. It was my first year out of Uni, and I was living on my own.

The pattern was in a magazine. I hadn't really used the rotary cutter before. It was a good learning quilt. Mind you, the cornerstones don't match up.

Yes, I labelled the quilt, but I didnt' give it a name.

This next one was made in 2000, via machine piecing and rotary cutting, combined with some applique.

The fabrics were from the "Folk Art Wedding" range - I guess it was my first start in vintage-inspired fabrics. Again, it was un-named.

I will share another quilt in my next post.

A little bit of William....

2011-07-08T15:18:00.004+10:00

I'm happy to show a new finish!! This is a cushion I made using William Morris fabrics. The pattern is from Michele Hill's first book "William Morris In Applique".

And.... some pillowcases blendingAustralian Aboriginal fabrics and Kaffe Fasset prints.

These pillowcases will be given as wedding presents (with pillows) to my friends who have migrated to Australia to India. I felt it was a beautiful merger of fabrics as well as souls.

Keep sewing

2011-07-06T17:57:00.005+10:00

I am preparing some handwork for Saturday. I'm off to the Willows Quilt-In at Melton with Rosie. It's been a long time since I've been to a quilt-in as a spectator. I'll wear loads of warm clothes. And sew bindings. *grin*

This is one little sucker that will be bound. This is the QAYG tablerunner I started yesterday. It needs the binding machined on.

And this is another that needs the binding machined on.

It's the French-Persian Tiles quilt. Can you see the quilting design? Thanks Mum! I love it!

And what kind of day would it be without pillowcases?

Here are some more with the gorgeous egg fabrics. Now I have 4 pillowcases - 2 of each colourway. I'll use them all on the bed at once.

But, er...

2011-07-05T12:56:00.006+10:00

Um, no. I haven't finished the fat quarter bag. Is that okay?

I really have to put my brain into gear to modify the bag handles.

But, er.. I have something else that to show that I started today.

This is a quilter's worst habit isn't it? (starting something new before finishing something).

Is it our biggest problem? No. Our biggest problem is storing it all - started projects (UFOs and WIPs) and unstarted projects (PIGs) and even finished projects.

I have an entire couch full of quilts. Okay, they used to be all over one couch, to the point where the wasn't room to sit down. I moved the massive pile of finished quilts into another room and closed the door.

It's the same room containing all the unfinished items... and I can hardly get in the door.

Just 4 fat quarters

2011-07-03T12:51:00.000+10:00

I've just started to make a bag as a sample for my LQS.

This pattern uses only four fat quarters - you've never found it so easy to select fabrics!!

Ok, it's cut out and I've started to stitch.

But, I want to modify the handles - I really don't like the D rings on the bag. I think they make it look erm... how can I make "skanky" sound nice? I can't!! LOL.

Time to turn my brain on. I have to think about this now.

There it goes

2011-07-02T12:38:00.000+10:00

I totally shattered my "resolution" to make no more than one pair of pillowcases per day.

These will go with the red and green applique quilt on my bed.

The eggs don't really match anything yet, but they are sooo cute! I know it won't be long until I have a quilt they will look good with. I think I will make another pair of pillowcases with the eggs as the main fabric.

That will give me four pillowcases for my bed - just right I think!

Somehow, I don't think I will be sewing them today!!

Confession time

2011-07-01T12:44:00.000+10:00

Yes, I will now confess that I made another two pillowcases after I posted yesterday!!

This is one pillowcase.

This is the pair. Oh... I love vintage and repro fabrics! These are made using mostly fabric from the "Greystone" range.

I think it's time to resolve not to make more than one pair of pillowcases per day. This could get ridiculous!!

Framed, Centred and Sidetracked

2011-06-30T16:51:00.001+10:00

It didn't take long to finish the alternate frames on these 1950s stitcheries.

The centre is complete. Yay! I was looking at the huge pile of "short bits" left over after the scrappy strippy log-cabin style borders were added... thinking What will I do with these?

I think I know what to do. Now the centre is complete, I will use up the strippy bits by joining them into long borders. I will go around the quilt centre as many times as possible.

Then it will need quilting - probably in some large flower design that is reminiscent of the 1950s dresses themselves. Followed by... hmmm... probably a plain brown binding. Or red. *grin*

..............................................................................

Then, I got so excited by this "almost-up-to-quilting-finish"... that I wanted to make pillowcases.

My friend Shelly found a fantastic online tutorial for making pillowcases. Click here to watch the video. You make a tube and turn it inside out. It's that simple.

These cat pillowcases are for a girl who is celebrating her 9th birthday in a month (yes, I've made them a bit early, but how cuuute is the fabric??)

Uh oh, I can feel a new and urgent addiction coming along. Stay tuned!!

Not what I expected...

2011-06-29T16:37:00.005+10:00

This is not what I expected to show next...

I thought I would be working on the Yuwa Live quilt - but, the Vintage Flea Market quilt grabbed me with its bright colours and mix-matched fabrics.

Alright, let me explain the progress. The photo above shows that all blocks now have two rounds of scrappy strippy borders, as well as the beginnings of the frames around each block.

The blocks will alternately be framed in green and brown, then joined without sashing.

Ooh, why was I so tired last night? I just couldn't stay awake to sew any more.

Itching for stitching

2011-06-27T15:06:00.002+10:00

I can't wait for a little bit of time to sit at the sewing machine. Of course there are the 1950s dresses (to be known as Flea-Market Vintage) ready to pounce upon, and here is a UFO I pulled out a few days ago.

These are squares from the Yuwa Live fabric range that have been joined. For some reason I also bought one metre of a particular fabric.

I've joined them as much as I could, then put them away for er.... well...a long time.

I was looking through some old magazines that are sold to support charity quilting, and found an advert for the Yuwa Live squares. The magazine was from 2002. *pursed lips*

Okay, let's let these fabrics live and breathe as a quilt, rather than stagnate as a UFO. I have selected border treatments, and here they are cut and ready to stitch on. (I've even cut the binding so I don't forget what I will use - one just doesn't know how long a project will be put away for).

Maniac on the loose!!

2011-06-20T18:19:00.004+10:00

Yes, I am just going for it on the machine!!

No time for reverse stitching - I'm going full on!!

The 1950s dresses I started stitching in about 2006 (gulp) would like to be turned into a quilt. They were supposed to be stitched in redwork, but I couldn't resist adding lots of colour.

The fabrics I've chosen give a "flea market"-vintage-sort-of-look. They come from different repro eras - 1930s, 50s, and 70s retro with one or two modern designs that still look nostalgic really...

Okay, so that is one full round on each block (I made 9 of the 12 blocks) plus another strip at the top a-la Log Cabin style.

Stay tuned. I'm going to complete the second Log Cabin round, then border the blocks alternately with green and brown prints. That should finish the front... I've got some other retro prints for the back that I will play around with to make something Flea Market-ish.

Actually, that would be a good name for this quilt - Flea Market Vintage. I can just see some of these dresses at market stalls.

A little update...

2011-06-16T18:06:00.000+10:00

I am still constructing the Garden Song quilt as a sample for my LQS.

It seems to be going very slowly... perhaps it's the amount of reverse stitching I have endured...

I am very keen to sit at my machine at the moment, and just sew like an absolute maniac!! (I really don't have time for unpicking)...

As for handwork - here is a little update on the 12 Days Of Christmas. I am still working the final border. This is a section of one completed strip.

There are four sides to a square quilt (funny about that eh?), thus, I have another three sides to stitch. The thing is, every time I pick it up, the blue pen has faded out. Bugger. And I have to re-draw it... It's not supposed to be a fade away pen, but I guess 6 months is a long time between stitches. Haha.

Right, let's finish the Christmas Quilt before Christmas 2011.

Maybe I should call it French Tiles?

2011-06-15T12:03:00.001+10:00

I definitely feel like I have my quilting mojo back (where have you been????)....

It's going to be great to see this quilt on my bed in such a short time... (right Mum? hint hint - yeah, I know you are busy...xxx)

The outer border is on. I changed it from Carol's design, where the remaining strips and squares were cut up to make a border of little squares. I used a wide border from the "French Quarter" fabric range - it seems to be perfect with the "La Petite Ecole" colourings by French General.

Honestly, I like the modern and vintage mixture of texture and colour in the prints. It will suit a new or historic home decor.

I've attached a label to the backing - fusible web and machine blanket-stitch. I like to do this (when I remember), as it's difficult to steal a quilt and hide its origin when it has been quilted through.

I joined the backing. What a big job when it's a big quilt. The backing needed to be 2.5 metres square, so it takes about 6.5 metres for the back. I know, I could have used a wideback, but I love this fabric. And it goes sooo well with the front.

Look, even the binding is made, ready to attach. I am feeling virtuous. *wink*

No, really. I can't wait to have it on my bed.

Pyjama Day

2011-06-13T11:54:00.001+10:00

Just call me a banana because I like staying in my pyjamas all day... heh heh...

Actually, it's not something I normally do.. but by about 2pm I had finished the four sides on all 25 blocks.By this time I felt justified having a shower and getting dressed...

Well, today is a public holiday - what else are they for??

Feeling so relaxed and comfortable, I decided to keep sewing (it's amazing what a difference a heater in excellent working order can make on one's ability to concentrate on sewing!!)

And this is the result - 25 blocks joined to form the centre of the quilt. Finished by 5pm. Yippee!! Then I raced off to dance class, did some other jobs, and thought "Hmm... I'd love to get the borders on this quilt before I see Mum tomorrow morning - I could give her the quilt and get it back on Saturday!!"

Ok, that didn't quite happen. But I did get the next narrow border on before bedtime.

What a productive day!! I can't wait to finish this quilt - I just want it on my bed!!

Oh. Oh.

2011-06-12T11:36:00.004+10:00

There's something tempting about a Jelly Roll and Layer Cake still in their wrappings. (Maybe I should have taken a photo? Oh well... I couldn't help ripping open the packaging).

I've been looking and patting the fabrics for a while, taking them out of their storage er... paper bag (Yes, they have been with the other PIGS - Projects In Grocery Sacks - for quite some time) with the intention of making "Persian Tiles" - designed by my friend Carol.

Well, today is the day... I just had to cut them up. I fancied some simple straightforward sewing. I filled three bobbins (as I usually do... because I just HATE it when the bobbin runs out 2 inches from the end of the last seam).

So, I've filled three bobbins, and the machine is threaded... then I realised I had to select which squares to keep, and which to cut up. Then I had to cut strips. Oh. Oh.

So, all I've done is this:

Two sides added onto each of the 25 block centres.

Zipped up

2011-06-11T11:49:00.002+10:00

This cute lil' zippy bag was a UFO. 8 of the 9 strips were joined together.

All I had to do was add the last strip, layer and quilt, sew on the label, insert a zip and stitch the sides....

Easy Peasy, and it's a finish! (yes, I am going to count it... hahahhaha)

Satisfaction

2011-05-31T17:31:00.001+10:00

I'm feeling quite satisfied with the bit-by-bit quilting of these mini quilts.

How good is it to finish 3 little quilts, then hang them all together??? Well, I can tell you. It IS good. *grin*

Especially after going through a dry spell (the blog has been a bit light-on hasn't it??). The quilt above is Delightful Four-patch - started November 2009, completed May 2010.

I'm rearing to sew at home, but the heater is on the fritz, and it's the coldest we can remember for June. So, if I am at home, I am in bed with the electric blanket and a beanie on, with a book. It's not quite right for the sewing machine... *grin*

Of course I'm also working on a mystery BOM for my LQS that I can't show my progress on... so that's another reason the blog looks a bit forlorn.

Still, I hope to keep you updated soon with another mini-quilt completed. (I do so love seeing these hang on the wall!!)...

Simply Charming - a mini quilt

2011-05-25T17:30:00.003+10:00

Aha! I told you the next one finished would also be a mini quilt!! This is Simply Charming designed by Lori Smith.

I do enjoy free-motion quilting.... then I've used geometric machine quilting on the borders.

I love this backing fabric - that's George Washington.

The quilt measures 16in x 20in. I can't wait to have a wall of miniature quilts... I have another 6 just waiting to be quilted.. ("Pick me! Pick me!" They are calling...)

Counting every LITTLE finish

2011-05-11T17:24:00.003+10:00

When I look at the very small list of finishes for this year, I need to count every LITTLE finish...

So, let's celebrate this little quilt, which is now quilted and bound. I would like to have a wall of miniatures to post at some time...

It's time to start quilting another mini. There is something about finishing a piece isn't there? I'm just raring to go onto something else!!

Stimulating the Senses at Quilt Camp

2011-05-10T11:12:00.001+10:00

It was a special time for me over the Mother's Day weekend. I went on the Phillip Island Patches Weekend away - it's Quilt Camp really. We stay in a school camp, our meals are prepared for us... we relax, chat, socialise, and sometimes even sew!!

Upon arrival Friday afternoon, we unpacked the hugely overloaded car (poor little Kermit) into our sleeping quarters, and moved our sewing supplies into our designated workshop areas. After fish and chips on the beach for tea I finished quilting this little mini quilt - remember this??? It's been a heckuvva long time in between stitches!!! The binding was ready to hand-stitch down.

The next day we settled into our workshops. I enrolled in the Caroline Sharkey "thread and painted landscape" class.

Basically, we chop perfectly good fabric into little pieces. Like so...

This (above) will be the greenery in front of the water - I am using a photo as a guide to "build" my landscape. I've included lots of tulle pieces to add texture and depth. Actually, this photo isn't very accurate. It's much more green than blue.

These little bits of fabric will be used on the water. The little pink scissors are what we use to cut all the little snippets or confetti pieces.

With so much snipping it was necessary to take a break - numerous walks were required, and enjoyed... breathing in the seaside air.

The smell of spray glue and hot sewing machine oil made stimulated us all... but conversations couldn't be sustained while sewing machines were making zoom zoom noises... Music filtering into the ears surely assisted the creative process.

The R-rated coffee machine (adults only) sure was a hit with a lot of campers. Personally, I thought the drinks from the machine tasted disgusting. But, I'm a kid, and I'm not supposed to use it anyway...

Different people were constructing different parts of the scenic landscape. This is how a tree went together.Saturday night dress -up. The theme for the weekend was flowers - these are the flower children.

Every now and then I glean a little inspiration from somewhere... like these toadstools growing in the kiddy playground.

Olga Walters (legendary quilter and quilt teacher) have some sort of bond... we really only see each other on these weekends each other.

But as you can see, we are kindred spirits...

Not sisters... but sisters... :)
My dear friend Rosie introduced me to these weekends away.... They bring such blessings and joy.
Show and tell from everyone in my workshop.
Of course we stopped at a cafe while journeying home... and because it was Mother's Day we were treated to special cookies.
Jocelyn said this cookie was meant for me because the swirls matched my Maori koru pendant.

Blessings, blessings, blessings.

And now, I feel inspired to keep sewing!!

Shaded

2011-03-18T19:08:00.003+11:00

I've covered the upper part of the lamp shade, complete with ribbon trim, ric rac, coin detail and Kaffe Fasset fabric.

The base is yet to be painted... it won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

A slow patch

2011-03-16T17:12:00.000+11:00

I must be going through a slow patch (if you will pardon the pun) with my crafting... It's been really hard to pick up a needle.

Normally, I would say sewing soothes the soul.... perhaps it is already soothed? Perhaps I am just too busy with so many things going on in an active life.

So, there is just this one lonely block finished. Grin.

Oh yes, it was a very slow patch.

The trouble is...

2011-03-02T17:44:00.004+11:00

I am having difficulty finding time to get my head around the actual finishing of some projects.

I am still working on:

the Garden Song quilt

hand-stitching borders on the 12 Days Of Christmas

re-covering the lamp shade

Tis The Season stitcheries are complete, the surrounding fabrics need to be selected, cut and sewn

and.... here is the problem. I haven't focussed on my list of 5 for so long, that I don't know what is on it!!

I guess, I could pull out My Stars for hand-piecing... I really need something on the list I don't have to think about... something I can just do.

So, what do I do in the face of already owning one UFO for each year of my life? Start something else of course.

Oh boy.

At least it's only a little "oh boy".

This is what I started. A cushion from the first William Morris book by Michele Hill.

I chose one design from the "Friends" quilt for the cushion.

Okay, that's fused. Now I have to get out the machine and stitch it! That's the other problem, I haven't had the sewing machine set up in its usual place.

I really need to get my priorities right! Or is it, that I am prioritising in the right way of late?

I can't even work out what the trouble is.... LOL.

2011-02-26T17:26:00.000+11:00

I can't really talk on here about the other projects I am working on.

I have 2 secret projects in progress.

One: I am designing and making a Mystery Quilt from Kaffe Fasset fabrics for my LQS. Oh, drool, and pat. I am becoming drunk on the fabrics!

Here is a little snifter at what I mean. Glorious colour! I am playing and playing. Yes, I am taking some photos of my progress, but I can't really share until the quilt is no longer a mystery!! LOL!!

Two: I am taking part in a challenge with my girlfriends at the blog Mission India-possible. In May, I will be able to show you what I did in February... In June I will be able to show what I am doing this month!!

Bear with me, while I work on these secret works....

2011-02-22T17:16:00.000+11:00

I've had a few non-quilty projects competing with my time of late.

Have you seen my new blog? "My Bohemian House". It's a journey of my home decorating, and related thingies.

I am covering a lamp shade with Kaffe Fasset fabric.

It's the first time I've really tried to use a hot glue gun. I nearly stuck the gun onto the lampshade!!

I have successfully adhered satin bias around the top and bottom of the lampshade, and a coin trim around the bottom edge. I am going for the gypsy-caravan-boho type look.

The fabric has been hemmed top and bottom, but I think I need to unpick and adjust the bottom hem. Then I will run a ribbon through the sleeves I sewed in, gather the fabric to fit, and hot glue gun into place.

All I need are the arms of Shiva and I will be fine!!

Heaven knows I have UFOs

2011-02-18T16:55:00.001+11:00

Penelope. She sure is pretty. VBG. That's why this quilt is named "Pretty Penelope".

Mum quilted it in a floaty-sort-of-feathery design, which is perfect.

Ah, perhaps now this quilt is finished, I will be able to breathe??? Sometimes a project just makes us breathless, and we run around, and sew fast in order to finish it quickly. Why is that?

Maybe we want to enjoy the finished quilt on our bed, or finish it before we lose interest... or perhaps it is because we want to finish it quickly because another project has made us breathless??!!

Whichever way it goes, it is pleasing to enjoy a fast finish every now and then. Heaven knows, I have enough UFOs to keep me going...

Just one more block

2011-02-16T15:55:00.007+11:00

This was such a quick block to applique - hardly any thread changes. I am working on a few blocks at a time when it comes to the machine stitching.

Hopefully this will reduce the number of thread changes (I can stitch with a particular green on two blocks at once, instead of just one block, and so on).

I do enjoy seeing the splash of colour when viewing all the blocks together so far.

Hopefully this will keep me motivated. Of course, I am also involved in other crafty things. Have you seen my blog My Bohemian House? It is all keeping me quite busy at the moment.

Pretty Penelope takes the lead

2011-02-13T13:40:00.001+11:00

It's like calling the races at the moment, Pretty Penelope has overtaken Garden Song in the "I am more important!! Pick me!!" stakes.

Mum quilted it in a soft, floaty design that looks fantastic with the border print. It adds a soft French feel.

I have machine stitched the binding, just need to hand stitch it over to finish.

In the meantime, I am sleeping under it before the binding is complete. Is that allowed?

Okay, now Pretty Penelope is in the lead for hand-work, but I am about to machine some more on the Garden Song blocks. Let's see which wins by a nose.

The Garden Is Growing

2011-02-10T13:31:00.001+11:00

I have finished another two Garden Song blocks.

Really enjoying making them... almost half way (Listen to me - isn't that how we motivate ourselves to finish a project, when we've only made 3 blocks???)

The variety of flower petal fabrics (around the outside of the applique centres) are starting to look interesting.

They certainly look more dynamic together as a team. Well, I did choose the fabrics because I thought they looked together.

Time to keep sewing!!

Bird in the garden

2011-02-05T13:25:00.000+11:00

There's a bird in this garden!

This is my first completed block for the "Garden Song" quilt, designed by Nancy Halvorsen of Art To Heart.

I am machine blanket-stitching. This is the project I need to focus on... for now anyway.... LOL!!

A little bit of froth

2011-02-03T13:12:00.000+11:00

There was enough fabric to make a tablerunner in the Java fabric too.

Look at those coffee bean prints!!

I love a quick finish!! (Just every now and then...)

Thanks for quilting it Mum...

Coffee has perked!!

2011-02-01T13:09:00.003+11:00

This is the Java wallhanging.

I just love the freshness of the colours in the fabric print.

It sure makes me want to perk coffee in retro coffee makers, and drink from Spanish coffee cups.

I know just where to hang it too! (Derr, it's already hanging, that's how I took a photo...)

If you squint, you might be able to see the coffee cups Mum quilted on it for me - with steam curling out of the cups. Love it!!

Pretty Boho

2011-01-26T17:57:00.000+11:00

I think there is smoke coming out of my sewing machine!! I just sewed and sewed.

I really should listen sometimes. I ran out of bobbin twice while sewing one particular seam (How do you do that? I finished one bobbin, then put in another with only a bit of thread left on it. I wanted to empty it so I could fill a few bobbins at once - not enough for the whole row of sewing though). So, onto the third bobbin for that row.... then I had to unpick it all. Sewed it in the wrong place, silly me!! I should have listened - the machine was telling me something!

Now the centre of the quilt top is all sewn, I can sweep the floor. Yuck! All the threads and fluff that drop when handling fabric! It's a very dusty occupation, this sewing caper.

I need to audition borders, then sew them on. Now the quilt pieces are off the floor, I think I will leave it for a few days. I am exhausted!! (but a very happy kind of exhausted!!).

Pretty Penelope is developing her own Boho sort of feel, and I am loving it!

Avoiding housework in more ways than one

2011-01-25T17:47:00.004+11:00

I am finding "Pretty Penelope" (as I have nick-named this quilt-to-be) to be an absolutely addictive plaything. To design the quilt layout, first I had to make as many blocks as I want (at least to start with, I could always make more or exclude some if necessary).

Then I arranged all the strips before doing any sewing.

Next I made the cornerstones and laid them all out. I had to avoid placing the black cornerstone with a black frame as the four-patches were totally lost where that occurred.

So, the entire quilt is currently laid out on the "design floor" (i.e. the floor, in lieu of a "design wall"). You can see only the first couple of rows are assembled. There is a lot of sewing to do before this floor can be swept!! Hmm... avoiding housework by making quilts works in a few ways, doesn't it?

Pretty!

2011-01-24T16:58:00.000+11:00

Just starting something else new. I hope it will come together almost as quickly as the Java quilt top!! Although, as I am designing this quilt to suit the fabric, I expect it will take a little longer.

It's just so pretty! ... from the fabric range "Penelope" by Lakehouse.

What I've been wanting...

2011-01-23T16:30:00.005+11:00

This is exactly what I've been wanting to say "It's finished!!"

I am really happy with the colour choices in this quilt.

Thanks for the fab quilting Mum. It really does make the quilt.

Steam and flames

2011-01-22T17:58:00.005+11:00

Alright! I've finished the quilt top and tablerunner top from the "Java" range.

I am hoping Mum has a quilting design that will look like coffee steam - sort of swirly with points in it as well - steam and flames behave a lot alike don't they?

These fabrics are really lively. I can't wait to see them quilted.Alright!! I'm on the way to another finish!!

Argh!

2011-01-20T17:50:00.001+11:00

I had to start something else. No, really, I had to. It's a sample for my LQS.

It's going to be a wallhanging. There will also be a co-ordinating table runner. I love the fabric, and the project is not difficult.

I just feel like I would like to be finishing something. Soon.

Look at the highlighting on the fabric print. It's quite retro isn't it? This is the free pattern that goes with the new "Java" range by moda.

Uh-oh

2011-01-17T17:24:00.000+11:00

It's not a good start for 2011, is it? I've started something else new, and haven't finished anything yet!! I have to make some quick quilts for work, so this will be one.

It's already half pieced, let's hope it doesn't stall for too long at this point. Sometimes when I am on a roll, I need to stay on it.

F is for finished quilt top

2011-01-15T17:37:00.000+11:00

Yep, the quilt top is finished, the backing is pieced and Mum is getting it tomorrow for quilting. Thanks Mum!! There's no rush. It's been hanging around for 5 years already!! LOL!!

This quilt is for my sister - I visited her over the Christmas holidays, and even in Summer, her couch quilts are used all the time. The quilts were looking very well loved. I am glad. But, I think it would be nice to freshen them up, and put the others away for awhile. (They have been in constant use for 5 years or so!!).

It's a good excuse to finish a very old UFO.

F is for Feupie

2011-01-14T17:29:00.000+11:00

I dug out these initial blocks from a swap I participated in 2005. I made the "F" block, then made a block for someone else each month. 11 different people each made a block for this quilt.

I provided the background fabric (4 different colours), and requested no flowers, frills or pink - Feupie does NOT DO pink. At all.

Feupie is the special nickname I use for my sister.

As you can see, I stitched a Fish. Other blocks are: Fresh Fruit, Falling leaves, Feline Fleur de lys, out of the Frying pan into the Fire, Fabulous Funky Fungi, Fat Furry Feline, Feupie and Frainse, Fish, Frog, Fraise (French for strawberry), French Friends Farewelling a Friend on the sailboat "Free".

The blocks have been cut down, the sashings are chosen, and the binding is already put away. I started with a reddish colour for the cornerstones, but had to change to green. There wasn't enough contrast.

I was too tired to finish adding the last couple of rows. I hope I don't put this down for too long!!

Small diversion

2011-01-09T17:15:00.003+11:00

This is almost quilty.. it's a finish, whatever you want to say. Diane Phalen paints pictures with quilts in them. Some are printed into cards, and some of her pictures have inspired quilts with pieced blocks and landscape techniques combined.

Andrea gave me this jigsaw for Christmas, and I've finished it. I will pack it up, and take it on my next retreat. It can be stay set up on a puzzleroll in case anyone wants to put a few pieces in on their way past. Everyone needs a little diversion, every now and then. :)

The skirt-to-be

2010-12-29T17:26:00.005+11:00

Yes, still on holiday, and I have another project in mind...

Isn't it a cute little bird? Yes, birds AND Christmas!! Yippee!! My favourites! Okay, I confess to shopping in NZ.

This is the first shop - "Stitch" - the playroom for knitters and stitchers. I chose this interesting fabric (a sort of linen-feel) and the red floral as an accent.

I would like to make a passport and ticket holder. Something with a bit of stiffener that can be closed quickly and securely while going through airports and waiting rooms.

Then I found this shop.... I have my sister's car and satellite navigation... gee, I love the sat nav!! Easy to use, even for a beginner! This gave me plenty of time to shop.

These Empress Woo fabrics were on sale - only NZ$10 per metre. The one above is the skirt-to-be. I imagine yet another A-line wrap skirt.And a few other pieces for kurtas (blouses). What do you think? I suppose they could also be used to make quilts with. Too bad!!

I can't wait to start the cross-stitch! I think it will be a daytime project when the light is best. The stitcheries are going down well for the evenings while SKY is on the telly or a DVD is screening in the big screened lounge.

Do I admit it now? Okay. I will. Now that I have stitched out a few of the Tis The Season stitcheries, I am getting low on DMC thread. I pounced on the little birdy cross-stitch in case I ran out of DMC thread.... then I remembered, I can buy DMC threads here! Derr... (Last overseas trips were in India, Dubai and Morocco. I had trouble even buying a needle there!!) Silly meeeee!

Tis The Season

2010-12-28T17:23:00.001+11:00

Tis The Season for stitching... tee hee...

Yes, I do like stitchery for a holiday project.

These red and blue stitcheries will be used in another little wallhanging from the same pattern booklet. The original stitcheries were worked in only one colour. I am enjoying selecting different parts of the little pics to highlight.

A little hasty?

2010-12-26T17:18:00.001+11:00

I may have been a little hasty with my hand over to 2011. I am on holiday in New Zealand.

Of course I brought stitchery (takes up hardly any space in the bags). I've already stitched these three little motifs in red and green thread. They will go into a little wallhanging "Tis The Season" designed by Natalie Bird. I chose the thread colours to match the fabrics I left at home.

Hand over

2010-12-20T17:10:00.002+11:00

Here it is, ready to hand over to Mum....

It's the initial swap quilt top. The back is pieced, the label is attached.

One just doesn't know which blog post is going to be the last for the year... when I look at my other "last of the year" posts, I really didn't know they would be the last one for the year at the time of writing. How could I not know? I guess, I thought there would be time for another show and tell. Sometimes there is no time to blog, and sometimes there is no time to sew.

Well, I am ready to hand over to next year. I am going on holiday and probably won't add to my blog till next year. Happy New Year.

Another UFO ready to go down!

2010-12-18T14:42:00.003+11:00

These blocks were made during the year 2004. They were part of an "initial" swap. I made the first block with my initial (L) on it. Each month another swapee made a block for me - inspired by the letter L.

You can see Lepidoptera (butterflies), ladybugs, log cabin, lyrebird (made by me), leaping frog and lazy lizard with leaves, letterbox, lily, lavender and lace, leaves, lamp, lavender and lilac and lemon and lime log cabin loveheart, liberty fan.

I would love to have this quilt top finished and off to Mum this year.

These blocks sat around for so long, wouldn't it be nice to have a quick finish?

The 10 year project

2010-12-16T14:35:00.000+11:00

The Log Apartments quilt top is now finished. So is the back!! It took me a while to sew on the last two sides (they were already pieced), but then I wanted to arrange a few more log cabin squares into the outer border.

There they are. I am so pleased with it so far. I have even pieced the back and attached a label already.

Mum can take her time quilting it for me (while I am away on holidays... poor Mum!!). It has turned into quite a large quilt.

I am so pleased to have finished such a long-standing UFO!

Uh-oh!

2010-12-15T12:37:00.006+11:00

So much more to do!! I've got a secret to tell ...
I organised a challenge with the Sunbury group that we have been working on all year.

We all chose our own fabrics and placed them into a bag. Then, 12 people each made a block for that person using their fabrics.

The block was really simple. This helps to reduce errors and allowed beginners to participate.

Some people chose exactly what fabrics would be used where.

Other people put the fabrics in the bag and said, just use "medium" here, "dark" here and "light" here.

We haven't looked in our own bags all year!

What an exciting surprise!

Of course, this now means I have another project to finish.

I entered the swap twice to end up with 24 blocks (my quilt will use 25 blocks).

Then, I won some of the raffle blocks!

I even won one of the blocks I entered - my favourite - it says Peace.

Look at this cute snowman. The nose looks like a coloured icy-pole! What a shame this block wasn't named. After I make these blocks into something (that's another project!!) I will try to find out who made the blocks. I would like them named.

Okay, let's finish something else before I sink my teeth into these 2011 projects.

New project and a new challenge

2010-12-10T12:05:00.005+11:00

I'm a little behind with my blog posts.

At our Christmas function we received a new challenge from the Christmas Elves of the Sunbury group. The Elves have been secretly planning this challenge for the last 6 months. They made samples to show us, now we have until the Christmas in July function to undertake the challenge!

What is the challenge? To use the bias tape and the fabric supplied to make a quilted item in the "stained glass" style. Hmmm... lots of ideas are bouncing around at the moment!! I might need to shop for extra supplies!!

Here are some blocks I am making for the Garden Song sample quilt for my LQS.

This one is finished. I couldn't resist making the bird one first... I just love birds in quilts!

And this one has been started. Still some machine-applique to go (I am stitching on a few blocks at a time to reduce thread changes). And carrying the hand-stitching around with me. Each block has some words embroidered, and some have other details such as whiskers etc.

The other kris-kringle

2010-12-09T11:43:00.000+11:00

I neglected to work on the other Kris Kringle present (different quilt group) - I was waiting to find out who the recipient would be. Then, we decided it would be a lucky dip of sorts!! So, I made a "generic" present.

Here 'tis.

This is a rubbish bin. Simply insert the bottom of a 2L softdrink botthe and it will hold its shape!

This is a pin cushion made from selvedges - a little bit of fun. I also popped in kit to make a little zippy bag. And wouldn't you know it? Rosie got my gift!!

This is what I received from my kris kringle. A stocking and some shortbread.

A pleasent evening out with friends - and we didn't have to cook!!

All these Christmas parties should be explaining why there is not much sewing show and tell on my quilting blog! LOL!!

Christmas night out!

2010-12-08T11:56:00.000+11:00

I gave away the Kris Kringle folder tonight. I was a little concerned at one point, as some of the gifts were over and above the effort required!! (Was my gift good enough?)

But I squashed any doubts when I thought that I had made the folder with the recipient in mind, and I did what I could.

The Kris Kringles were to be home-made, sewing related gifts.

I received this full of truffles and some chocolates. How do you get the truffles in? Voila!

That's another night out with no sewing for showing.

Stitch and Cut

2010-12-03T17:35:00.002+11:00

I stitched another raffle block - that makes three. We have all purchased little squares of the same fabric from the swap co-ordinator (20 cents each) so that it really is all the same fabric. (You know how solid black can vary? So can solid cream). Everyone is using the same variegated thread "Christmas Time" by Threadworx. I like stitching with variegated threads.And, I have been cutting. I will make a sample of the quilt "Garden Song" by Nancy Halvorsen of Art To Heart for my LQS. Her patterns are just luvverly.
This is a close-up of some blocks in the book.

It's okay, I am not yet sidetracked from Log Apartments. I machine-stitched a bit more of the border last night... and would have done more, but I ran out of fabric!

I am only cutting out these appliques so far. Well... cutting and fusing, but definitely not machine stitching!!

Why? Because...

2010-12-02T17:28:00.000+11:00

No, really. I don't feel sidetracked. It's not quite veering away from the Log Apartments quilt. Why? Because that's machine work and this is handwork.

These little stitchery blocks are the first (I plan to stitch five blocks) in a series for this year's quilt group raffle blocks. Do you remember raffle blocks from previous years? Each participant makes as many blocks as they want to. For each entry they receive a raffle ticket. All the raffle tickets go into the draw, and winners receive a bundle of blocks. (Okay, so I am stitching five blocks, I could have used them all myself.... but where is the challenge in that?). Besides, it's nice to have friendship blocks.And, I finished hand-stitching the binding on the final bibs.

Pop! It just works!

2010-12-01T18:28:00.005+11:00

It is such a pleasure to be working on this quilt.

I am just letting "the next thing happen". At night before I go to bed I will draw a quick sketch of the next bit, and it just works! Pop!

The zig zag border is now attached. I need to make the next border before I can calculate the size of the light minty green strip between to make them fit just so.

After this (final) border is attached I will audition a few more "loose" (or is it castaway and leftover) log cabin squares. I might need to add more flow from the centre to the outside.

I am using "log shapes" in the outer border, but it is giving a slight curved edge to the outside. I am particularly happy with the alternating pinkish-red, then greenish-blue repeating theme as the borders are applied.

I look forward to seeing the next bit! Let's just see how it flows.

Is the ribbon border barbed wire?

2010-11-28T18:13:00.000+11:00

If the centre of this quilt is Dharavi, then what is the next border? Spillage? Overflow?

The green background with "plinks" printed on do look like people walking around (with or without umbrellas) from an aerial view.Perhaps the ribbon border looks like concertinas that will expand to let more people in. I have used three different dark green-ish fabrics in the ribbon border.

So far they are not stitched on.

I need to calculate how wide to make the straight band of light minty green to make sure the ribbon border fits just so.

Maybe the ribbon border is barbed wire? Does it keep people in or out of Dharavi?

What else could it be? Any suggestions?

Kyomi - another finish!

2010-11-27T22:06:00.000+11:00

It's another finish for the year. A gift for my Aunt's 60th birthday. (She is receiving it early, as I will be overseas while she celebrates).

It's too bad you can't see all the beads I sewed onto this.

Edgeing

2010-11-26T19:01:00.003+11:00

This is part of the next border. I won't be able to work on the quilt tonight - you will have to wait a few days until the next bit is stitched. I am up to the third dark print in the zig-zag outer border.

After that I am not quite sure what I will be doing. It will need another dark striking border so that this light background edgeing doesn't just float away from the outside.

Borders can make a quilt grow very quickly can't they? It's becoming bigger and bigger. This is so much fun!!

What does it mean?

2010-11-25T19:04:00.007+11:00

It's growing and growing! I am thinking about the quilting already Mum!! I am not sure whether to add any applique around the "ribbon" type border, or whether to leave it open for quilting.

I will just let it all talk to me as it grows. I have only used one dark fabric in the outermost border so far, I selected another two dark prints to use as well. I want it to feel like it flows around the outside, and changes colour as it moves.

I originally thought of this quilt as "Log Apartments" - a modern version of a Log Cabin (when I started the centre in about 2000). It was the first time I really enjoyed playing with colour, and was successful with my combinations. Since then, I feel I have really grown when choosing fabric colours.

Now, I think of the centre as an aerial view of sarees lying out on the ground drying... or perhaps silk carpets... or perhaps the brightly coloured awnings or tarps etc used for roofing in an incredibly built-up area such as Dharavi in Mombai, India.

This is an aerial shot of Dharavi I found on google. Can you see what I mean?

This next photo (also from google) shows carpets or block-printed fabrics or sarees (not sure which) laying out to dry in the sun.

I started this quilt about 6 years before my first trip to India. What does it mean?

Digging them up

2010-11-24T12:53:00.004+11:00

I sure am digging them up when it comes to this ooooold UFO that has been "hanging" around for about 10 years.I have trimmed the centre down (it used to be an odd shape) and used some of the squares on the outer border.

Still more to add to this border, then another round with a flying geese-ribbon border. That's not a very useful description is it? You will just have to wait to see. I would like to finish this quilt this year.

Sew! Sew! Sew! Go us!

The universe is smiling...

2010-11-23T15:37:00.004+11:00

I've been experimenting with saree fabrics we brought back from India. This is what I started with....

then I made this block - with the om symbol. It's my first successful attempt at zig-zag machine applique. The universe was smiling at me when I decided to make it!!

I don't want to join this delicate applique with the first section of quilt. So, I started another block.

This will be the tree of life. I plan to join the 2 blocks then applique peacock feathers down the sides to complete a wallhanging.

These girly bibs are for my DH's grand-neice. She is only a few months old, she will be able to grow into them too.

Twins

2010-11-21T15:32:00.001+11:00

I quilted this tablerunner and completed the binding on the same night. Do you know what I mean when I say I have been crazy to finish lots of things?

Do you remember seeing its twin? You may notice they are not identical!

More bibs have gone to good homes. These ones are for a baby boy - James. I think he will have to grow into them! Still, from what I hear, lots of gifts for newborn babies only fit for a short while.

A useful bundle

2010-11-19T16:45:00.003+11:00

I've been sewing my fingers to the nub preparing for a baby shower! I think I mentioned I am trying to finish all my "Christmas" and holiday sewing before the start of December - that will leave me December to increase the number of "Finished Items" for the year! Hurrah! This is one bib made from a towel.

This is all three for Catherine. We don't know the gender of the baby - so I have tried to be neutral with the colours (but still bright!).

I also decorated these little singlets. (It will be a Summer baby, and might get to wear them on a hot day!).

This one is my favourite colourway. Hmmm.. now the bird looks like it needs an eye. Oh well, it's "arty"!

I bought this little suit and decorated it with... you guessed it another bird!!

This is sure to be a useful bundle for the Mum-to-be.