Quilt inspiration... I promise!!

I planned to post more photos of The French Collection quilt progress today... but Tuesday I rang a radio station and won 2 tickets to see Kenny Rogers at the Palais Theatre last night. As I couldn't go twice, and did not need 2 tickets, my DH and I went together.

We walked around St Kilda and dined al fresco at a cafe.

It had been such a beautiful day, and the evening was also lovely. The air was warm, but not hot, and there were no mosquitos yet.

We walked around, admired the cake shops in Acland Street, found 2 really interesting places to eat "Mr Vegetarian Pizza Man" (or something like that - he also made gluten-free and yeast-free varieties) and "Lentil As Anything" - yummy vegetarian curry dishes.

Kenny Rogers was doing his 50th anniversary tour. He introduced his wife, showed us photos of his 4 year old twin sons (!!!!!). He is obviously in his 70s. He sang for an hour and 15 minutes, couldn't quite reach the high notes anymore, and had to sit down for some songs. He was in good shape, but he really moved like an old man, I guess he is. Kenny really talked to us in the audience, and made jokes, told stories. He really is a professional showman.

Ooh, yes, I saw this building, and thought it would be good inspiration for the Art Nouveau wedding quilt I want to make for early January. I like the shape of the windows and doors

I don't know anyone who has made an Art Nouveau quilt before - apart from William Morris-type quilts. I am going to enjoy designing and making the quilt. (But first, The French Collection!!).

The walrus said...

"The time has come."

I have dug out my machine again.. can you tell??? (It was a little bit buried, or should I say, the pathway to the machine was under siege).

I know these blocks are The French Collection, but that's enough collecting. I want my quilt! Actually, with all the hand-made buttons, it is going to be a wallhanging.

Wouldn't you know it? I got them out and one block needs a little bit of stitching. Ergh! I thought I was finished the stitching. It won't take long, but it did hinder my progress.

First, I taped on some template plastic to centre the stitchery before cutting out the block. I used the rotary cutter to cut 1/4 inch out from the plastic, so I didn't wreck my blade and it didn't matter if my plastic wasn't perfectly straight.

Then, borders around each block. Doesn't the butchers look a little empty without the buttons???

Then, piecing the centre blocks into rows.

Joining the rows together. It's a little tricky to go farther until I have completed the last centre block.

Stay tuned! I am keen to get this quilt together so I can work on the applique.

38 nine-patches

Yessssss! The first installment of piecing instructions for the Mystery Quilt magically appeared online last Saturday.

I am intrigued! I've made this weeks's task of 38 nine-patch blocks, but I have absolutely NO IDEA what will happen next! It's exciting!

38 blocks. How does that work? 19 rows of 2. No..... er... 6 x 5 = 30 plus 8 leftovers.... or, 17 x 2 with 4 for the corners... OOH!! I love the mental exercise of a mystery quilt!! And, the feeling of "oh well, let's see how it turns out". (Actually, if you think you know, please don't let on. I love a good surprise!)

In the end, it's all good, wholesome stashbusting isn't it??

Another start...

I finally started the free Noah's Ark stitchery BOM by Lynette Anderson. There is a link in my list of UFOs.

Actually, I started before I bought all the thread colours, so the blocks don't look their best yet. I haven't finished any blocks completely.

The stitchery blocks are so tiny. For example, the dove picture is only 2.5 inches square. I was thinking about enlarging the designs on the photocopier, but then the quilt won't be a mini. And I like mini-quilts.

These photos aren't terribly wonderful. There will be better ones later, but this is my quilting diary, and this is what I have been doing.

8 designs of 12 have been released, so we all have to wait 4 months to finish the little quilt. What a good excuse for another UFO!!!

Am I wrong?

A bounty of beautiful quilts. 27 stacked on my couch. I have another 3 on the bed, and one more at the end of the bed. Oh, and another 3 very large ones being photographed. That is 34 quilts for me at home. Er... it sounds bad doesn't it?

I love fabric, textures, prints, colours. I love to experiment with pattern, colour and fabric. I have so many FUFOs (Future UFOs) that I just want to start!!

This is a quilt I made 8 years ago. I loved it, and used it. Now, I have "outgrown" it. I haven't used it on my bed for about 4 or 5 years. Thank goodness I actually made it into a finished item before I outgrew it. (Does that happen to you?).

I want to give this quilt to my Aunt at Christmas time. We don't normally exchange gifts, and it's not a "special" birthday or anything like that. I know she will like it, use it, and it will suit her house and her tastes.

Am I wrong to give her a "loved" quilt?

There is no way I would have given it to her 8 years agon when I just made it. The fiscal costs would be all too uppermost in my mind. Now, I feel I have had "value" from the quilt. I enjoyed making it, touching it, using it. I am ready to give it away.

Otherwise I could have it valued and sell it... maybe I should have it valued anyway and give it with a valuation certificate.

Mystery update

The online mystery quilt started 2 weeks ago. Each Saturday for 6 weeks we will receive instructions to complete during the week.

Week 1 was the fabric requirements (only 1 week to choose the fabrics! eek!). Week 2 was last Saturday - the cutting instructions. I have done all the cutting except for the borders. I think one really needs to see what the middle will look like before sorting out the borders.

I am thinking of giving this quilt (when it's finished) to our friends' daighter Daisy. She is about 4. This will be a single bed quilt.

I have no idea what the pattern will be so far... but if it works well, I might hunt through my stash to make a quilt for her brother who is about 2. They didn't get any quilts as babies. :(

I must try and keep up with the baby quilts, and if they are big enough, the quilts will last them, and I won't feel I should make them another one!! I know some quilters make one baby quilt per family. They are more expensive in money and time than most other baby gifts.

It feels good to be using up my stash!!

Spring rabbits at the letterbox

Congratulations to my dear friend Andrea - who won second prize in the Kilmore Kwilters blue and white quilt challenge (despite the fact she is living in Germany).

I have stitched the 3rd raffle block. That will do, there is no point making 5 blocks to enter the draw when you only win 5. You might as well as keep them!! LOL!!

As promised, here is a photo of the Spring rabbits in their current home. A quilt this size could easily be changed with the seasons. I might make one for Christmas next (see how we go of course!).

Last night I couldn't find the other 2 Mammy pictures I know I photocopied to make them the same size as the others.... so I traced off the Noah's Ark stitchery blocks. They are sooo tiny!