A Good Weekend.
Posted on June 8, 2015 | 19 Comments
We have a long weekend courtesy of the Queen, so Monday is a holiday.
I have spent my long weekend rediscovering more projects that had been put aside.
Nearly two years ago I had started the Fernhill BOM from Lynette Anderson. I made good progress with the stitcheries, but then stumbled when the mini quilt had to be constructed before the final four blocks could be completed.
That has now been rectified. The blocks have been pieced and added to the stitcheries.
The next four blocks have been added so that the applique work can now begin.
All the applique pieces are cut and ready to go.
The next project to be revived was the Disappearing Pinwheels quilt. I had made 16 blocks for a small quilt, but then decided it needed to be larger. So I set to work making more blocks. But it still wasn’t quite what I wanted until I decided to set it ‘en pointe’.
Now I am happy with the way it is going.
A simple pillow case was next on the list. I had a few pieces left from the dog quilt. I had to do a few calculations and some juggling, but the end result was a matching pillow case.
Yes, lots of shadows, but if I had gone outside for the photo, I would have been blown away.
Here it is with the matching quilt.
I seem to be collecting a lot of panels and really need to start using them. But I also noticed that a lot of them were for bunting. How can the children use them if I have not stitched them up? So I started on those, too.
One lot stitched, just needing tape across the top.
And more to come.
There is also holiday bunting and another RW&B to go.
This has been a very satisfying way to spend the extra day at home.
Cheers, Karen
Red Robin.
Posted on June 2, 2015 | 12 Comments
Another UFO becomes a quilt! I am pleased to say that I have managed to keep working on my UFO pile. But I have also started a few new projects as well.
This was a small lap quilt, already sandwiched, so not too much needed to get it done. Just quilting and binding.
I know it is not a full picture but I was having problems with the wind and then the rain. I had shown the finished top a while back but then it disappeared for quite a while into the UFO black hole.
This quilt really was just an exercise in how I could use a couple of fat quarters in the cute robin fabric. It will work well on a table or the back of a chair at Christmas time.
Spots on the backing and stripes in the border. It had to be reds.
So there it is – a little lap quilt that has finally been completed.
Cheers, Karen
A Sheep Or Three.
Posted on May 28, 2015 | 16 Comments
This is the last bit of show and tell from the baby collection.
As well as a quilt, I make each grand baby an embroidered woollen blanket.
This time I made one based on the nursery rhyme, Baa Baa Black Sheep.
The design comes from an early copy of Inspirations magazine.
The sheep are made using hundreds of french knots using a combination of 8 ply wool and embroidery floss.
And then all the little flowers are added using wool embroidery threads.
The fabric backing turns over to the front to form the border.
This one should be very warm and snugly.
Cheers, Karen
Perfect Weather For Snowmen.
Posted on May 25, 2015 | 17 Comments
It is so chilly here at the moment that I think these snowmen would feel very much at home.
This is a felt mat that is about 60 cm wide. (24 ins)
I made a few changes along the way. It is supposed to have tongues around the outside. That would make it too wide for the place I plan to use it, so I added ric-rac instead.
And one stage I had cut my finger and had it wrapped in a bandaid, but a spot of blood ended up on the felt. To cover that up I put snowflake buttons in several spots.
My next hiccup came when I had a lovely bunch of lillies in the house. A spot of pollen must have been on the bench when I put the mat down. This bright orange pollen will not come out at all. So, lots of star buttons were added next.
I attached the ric-rac with french knots.
So that’s another Christmas item done and dusted.
I am still catching up on UFOs and that is a great way to spend this week.
I hope you have great plans, too.
Cheers, Karen
Finally A Finish!
Posted on May 22, 2015 | 14 Comments
This one has been a long time coming. I think I have been working on this Jacobean embroidery for over two years. It was constantly being put aside for other priorities and only getting worked on in dribs and drabs.
I have finally managed to work on it for a month or so now and have finished the whole embroidery.
I will take it to be framed in a week or so, but sometimes it is easier to photograph without the glass.
Here are some more detailed pics.
Most of the threads are DMC. The pattern is from Daft Designs.
This is the centre.
And for those who are curious, the back does get very busy and messy, but it gives a good indication of the colours.
Finished size is about 25cm X 25cm.
It is so good to see this one finished. I think i will select some smaller projects for a while before jumping in to something like this again.
I hope you are planning a wonderful weekend.
Cheers, Karen
And Another One.
Posted on May 19, 2015 | 14 Comments
When we were waiting for this last grand baby to arrive, I had the first quilt (from my last post) well under way and nearing completion. But I had the bug to also make a just in case quilt. I wanted to make one that was specifically for a little girl.
At that stage we had no idea whether the baby would be a boy or girl, so I thought I would take a chance, and if it was a boy then the quilt could go into storage. As it turned out we have a lovely little grand daughter, so she received two quilts.
It is made using Sherbert Pips.
I had bought fabrics from this range quite a few years ago and tucked them away for a rainy day.
I kept the quilting very simple with straight lines following the blocks. The red fabric in the border was also used to make up some extra blocks. I used straight line quilting through the border, too.
The backing used the gorgeous scarves design and was also used for the binding.
I do like the characters in this fabric. It is a gorgeous design from Aneela Hoey.
I am very pleased this quilt did not have to go into storage. It will be great to see it being used.
I do hope your week is going well.
Cheers, Karen
A Baby Quilt.
Posted on May 15, 2015 | 14 Comments
This little quilt was completed a couple of months ago, but I had to wait for our gorgeous little grand daughter to arrive before I could show it here.
I was then delayed another two weeks because I became ill and wasn’t going to visit while I still had a chance of passing on my virus. It has been a long wait!!
We finally were able to spend time with them again yesterday.
Unfortunately I did not have good lighting for the photo, but you get the idea.
I set the blocks out so that they created a diamond shape in the centre of the quilt.
The blocks were simple. I used a 5 inch charm square in white then added triangles using the flip method – like flying geese.
I used a Nancy Halverston fabric range for the colours.
I did echo quilting around some of the stars and added some pebbles as well.
Lots of straight lines to echo the shapes.
I have used this backing before on a quilt. I think it works well with this one, too.
The binding is also from the same range.
More quilting.
So pleased to finally be able to pass the quilt on.
It has become bitterly cold here very quickly. Lots of rugging up in coats and hats. The gloves have even come out.
I have a weekend of sewing planned. I do hope you have a lovely weekend coming up, too.
Cheers, Karen
Pink And Perfect.
Posted on May 2, 2015 | 17 Comments
We have been a little distracted these last few days due to the arrival of our gorgeous grand daughter. Mum, bub, dad and big brother all doing very well.
Love these little fingers.
We are lucky to now have two in the southern hemisphere and two in the northern hemisphere.
Big smiles everywhere here.
Cheers, Karen
Making Progress.
Posted on April 27, 2015 | 17 Comments
It’s cold! I am trying to adjust to the quick change around from being hot and wearing short sleeves, to swapping into sweaters and shoes. This is only in a matter of two weeks.
Time has been well spent finishing off a quilt top.
This is a Viv Robinson design. Lots of raw edge applique. I have to check every block to make sure I have not missed any detail, then plan the quilting. (Just found a reindeer with-out eyes!)
It uses lots of fabrics from a variety of ranges from Lynette Anderson – plus a couple of others.
So, lots of thinking to be done.
The next part of the post is for Shez and Fiona who wanted to know what shopping I had done at AQC.
The photos will explain all.
Here are some of the lovely projects from the book.
I need to increase my supply of wool for these applique projects. A good aim for the next few months!
Have a great week and keep dry and warm
Cheers, Karen
Christmas Red Work.
Posted on April 16, 2015 | 13 Comments
I have been steadily working my way through the little set of ornaments designed by Lynette Anderson, called Sweet Christmas.
I have half of them done and wanted to see how they looked with their buttons.
(The buttons are not stitched on yet. I will do that when I sew the fabrics to the embroideries.)
I have purchased an additional set of buttons to make a second set. But I am getting ahead of myself as I still have to finish the first set.
I have a lovely day planned for Friday. I am heading off to the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne with a couple of friends. Looking forward to a lot of inspiration from the quilts and the traders.
I hope you have some wonderful plans, too.
Cheers, Karen
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