Monday 30 January 2012

FABRIC FROLIC

On Saturday I went on a Fabric Frolic with my patchwork group. We headed off at 7-30am and returned at 6-30pm after visiting 7 patchwork shops. It's amazing what a group of women can achieve in a day!

Did I buy anything? Well---


I found some Annie Downs fabrics and another one that will go perfectly in the A Gardener's Journal quilt. I made all the stitcheries for it quite a while ago and have been waiting to find some fabrics that would go nicely with it. So, it looks like this will be one of the quilts I finish this year.

AND



These lovely fabrics are to go in my Farmer's Wife Quilt Sampler. I have made several blocks for this quilt using 1800's reproduction fabrics and similar ones that coordinate well.

But wait, there's more



I couldn't walk past these Lynette Anderson fabrics. They are so cute! Printed on the selvedges are little birdies with hearts hanging from their beaks . I shall be saving them for sure.


AND



This gorgeous panel just seemed to jump out at me . I have no idea what I will make from it but I am sure an idea will pop into my head some day.



Another lovely piece of fabric that will coordinate with the panel and a few odds and ends.

And lastly



Some shabby blue fabric and 2 pink variegated Seasons threads. Shabby chic is not usually my fabric choice but the blues appealed to me. The threads are going to be used in another Leanne Beasley project I am about to do.


Thankyou for being so patient scrolling through all these photos. I  love looking at what others buy as it inspires me to try different projects and I hope that you feel equally inspired.

Angel Blessings

Thursday 26 January 2012

OP SHOP FINDS AND A GLIMPSE OF INSANITY


Hi all my blog friends.

A few of you know that I have been working on an English pieced  hexie quilt for a couple of years now ( in between many other projects). I have finally completed the central part of this quilt. It consists of 96 diamonds shaped from hexies and around 1300 individual hexies. Unfortunately, I could not manage a  proper photo of it so I will take it to my applique group to get the assistance of a couple of fellow quilters to hold it up, showing the entirety of it to date. It is now ready for the first border which consists of 2 rows of hexies in the same neutral coloured fabric surrounding all the diamonds.  Then it requires another border  of another tone on tone colour but I am at a loss which colour to do. I personally like blues, purples or greens but what colour would you suggest?



A few days ago I ventured into a large Op Shop and found this lovely English pieced hexie square amongst a few odds and ends. It just screamed at me to take it home when I admired  the most beautiful hand piecing and needle turn applique . It saddened me to know that someone had spent a lot of time making this and it had ended up this way. So, whoever made this, wherever they are, it is appreciated and loved by me. Now I just have to work out whether to make it into something or leave it as it is. Ofcourse, blues and whites are one of my favourite colour mixes,so that twisted my arm a little harder.



I also found 2 stitchery patterns all intact. The little bag on the right even has the wooden handles in the packet. The stitchery on the left has the preprinted fabric as well as the design to trace.  I don't know if you can see it clearly, but it says " The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary."  So appropriate!

I hope to have a better photo of my Insanity quilt here soon. Meanwhiole if you have any colour suggestions for the 2nd border please let me know.

Until next time, Angel blessings.

Tuesday 17 January 2012

CATS AND QUILTS

What is it about cats and quilts in blogland? Well, I am certainly no exception. My cat tends to gravitate to wherever I place my quilts, whether they be on the floor while I am trying to work out what fabric goes where, or when I have a quilt strategically placed ready to baste. I couldn't resist taking a photo of my cat, Clay. He is not sitting on a quilt but there are some in the background.




I have nearly reached my first destination with my Insanity quilt. I just have another row of hexie diamonds  to stitch on  and then it is ready for the  first border. When I get there I shall take a photo and put it on here.


Meanwhile, I couldn't resist joining a couple of things  this year from Marg Lowe and Sue Daley. Sue, is the queen of English paper piecing so it shouldn't be a surprise to those who know me. Marg Lowe has some gorgeous stitchery designs  , so no surprise there either! Have you been over to Willowberry Designs for Cheryl's new BOM?  I am definately doing this one.

Angel Blessings

Thursday 12 January 2012

BUSY BUSY BUSY

The last couple of days I have been working on my Insanity quilt which involves thousands of English pieced hexagons. I thought I had finished the main part ready to put the first border on but discovered that it needed an extra 2 rows on it to make it look right. This is a fiddly process but I have nearly reached my destination.
I just may have a photo of it to show you soon.

I have now completed the stitchery  that was in my hoop and cut the fabric borders ready to stitch on . It is then going to be stapled to an art canvas, hung on the wall, and  ready to show you soon also.

Meanwhile, I have cut and traced 4 pincushions that are Gail Pan's designs as well as cutting and fusing webbing on 2 felt pincushion that came in kits . These are Hatched and Patched designs. I just have to applique them. More photos to come.

Now I have been inspired to do another stitchery of bamboo that is in Vignette #5.  Itchy fingers again.

Until next time, angel hugs to you all.

Sunday 8 January 2012

PROJECTS FINISHED



 Yesterday I was determined to complete my new great nephew's birth sampler and bibs. He was born on Boxing Day. I made the same in pinks for my new great niece who was born in November. I have another great niece due in February. Guess what she's getting? I have already made the bibs. I must admit I wasn't too happy with the preprinted stitcheries as the writing was a bit tilted . I do love the bear buttons that came with them though.

Angel Blessings

Thursday 5 January 2012

WHAT'S' IN MY HOOP?



This is one of the current stitcheries I am working on. I have always loved Leanne Beasley's designs since I first started patchwork and quilting. This design is in her own bi-monthly magazine " Vignette" issue 4 among many other delightful projects that are whetting my appetite. I am sure this is only the first of many other stitcheries that I shall be doing this year.

Angel Blessings

Tuesday 3 January 2012

THANKYOU

Wow!!! Thank you all so very much for your lovely comments.

It has been extremely hot here the past 2 days and I hate to admit that I haven't done any stitching- almost unheard of. I think we have definately decided to get some air conditioning installed before next summer despite taking up valuable wall space for quilts to hang.

I am slowly going to work out how to attach my favourite web sites and blogs , maybe with the help of my youngest daughter who has come to visit for a few days, She is much more computer savvy  than I.

Thanks again for your support girls.

Angel Blessings

Monday 2 January 2012

WELCOME TO MY NEW BLOG

Hi everyone. Welcome to my first attempt to set up a blog. I am still finding my way around so please be patient with me while I embark on this journey. Hopefully I will be sharing some of my current and past projects with you soon and I am looking forward to your visits.

Angel Blessings.