Quilt Festival.
Posted on October 28, 2011 | 85 Comments
Ribbons And Trees.
Posted on October 26, 2011 | 12 Comments
I have to admit that I am often easily distracted. Showing me something new with sewing is like waving a toy around in front of a child. I always want to try it out.
I had been playing with ribbons to decorate trees on Christmas cards.
I remembered seeing small wall hangings made with ribbons used for the trees. So of course the cards were moved aside and I played with larger shapes. I cut some heat’n’bond into the shape I wanted then simply ironed different ribbons over it.
I will stitch the ribbon down then choose a suitable fabric for the background. And then maybe a little bit of embellishing.
Then maybe I will go back and finish the cards.
A Snowman Quilt Top.
Posted on October 21, 2011 | 16 Comments
At the very end of last year I was extremely lucky to win some beautifully embroidered blocks. They are a collection of snowmen, reindeer and Christmas trees.
The beautiful stitching was done by Pauline of Quilt n Queen. Pauline does the most amazing stitching. She generously had a give away last year of eight of these blocks that used designs from Bird Brain Designs. This particular pattern is Snowmen and Reindeer blue work.
So over time this year I have been putting together a collection of blue fabrics to use in a quilt for these stitcheries.
This quilt top is the end result.
I used the same fabric to frame each block. It has an ice crystal look about it.
Here are some of the blue fabrics.
The pattern I have used is called Perfect Ten and is from Swirly Girls Design.
I am planning to free motion quilt this with lots of loops and swirls and stars.
I am really pleased with the collection of blue fabrics and love the way the embroidered blocks stand out in the quilt top.
Once again, a huge thank you to Pauline for these amazing stitcheries. Pay her a visit and see the rest of her wonderful work.
Califon Is Complete.
Posted on October 15, 2011 | 19 Comments
Several positives to report. My machine is back, working and happy.
And so am I.
And as a result I was able to sew the binding on my Califon quilt and hand stitch it down overnight.
My LAQ was incredibly fast and had it back to me in a couple of weeks.
I chose a continuous pattern with loads of swirls as so many of the fabrics in the quilt had swirling patterns in them.
There was a striped fabric in the range with some orange in it, so I used that for the binding.
Today was the perfect day with the sunshine to be outside taking photos. I know I have to make the most of it as we are having typical Spring weather with plenty of showers.
I do love a good finish!
On a different note, I did try the idea of using the owl punch on some fabric with a stabilizer backing. No good. I tried a couple of different ways but still had no success. Did manage to jam up the punch but a little jiggling around sorted that out too.
Tin Teddies.
Posted on October 13, 2011 | 8 Comments
Today has to be the most perfect day for the Teddy Bear’s picnic. It is a mild Spring day and the sun is shining. Can’t ask for more that that!
I am linking up with Melody at The House On The Side Of The Hill and joining all the teddies and their friends for the day.
The bears in my photo have been to the picnic before but I wanted to share the tins I had been given. The one on the right contains a set of tins inside each other. The one on the left contained a lovely coffee mug.
I hope everyone is enjoying some sunshine today.
Paper Owls.
Posted on October 12, 2011 | 9 Comments
Today I needed to spend some time catching up on card making. I had a few thank you cards to write so had a little fun in the process using the owl punch. They are cute little guys and seem to look good in most colours.
I now need to find out if the punch can cut fabric with a stabilizer ironed on to the back. A little bit of experimenting needs to be done.
Borders Times Two.
Posted on October 10, 2011 | 7 Comments
My machine has decided to play funny games and as a result is waiting at my LQS for some maintenance. This means I am now using a very old and basic machine until mine returns. I can straight stitch and zig zag, but no FMQ or even stitch in the ditch. Oh dear!
I have been able to add the borders to my Garden Maze quilt.
I had a lot of blocks left over because I didn’t add as many rows to the quilt as the pattern directed. So I made a smaller lap quilt.
Apart from size. the only variation is in the borders.
These will now have to wait until my machine returns. I do hope it is nothing major!!
A Tree With A Twist.
Posted on October 5, 2011 | 23 Comments
Over the last two weeks I have been able to attend a class to make this special Christmas tree. It is constructed in similar fashion to an Etui box.
So it starts off looking like this.
Then the little cap comes off allowing the sides to open and reveal the centre.
The little box in the centre can also be removed.
The idea is to fill the centre box with little goodies like trinkets or chocolates.
The workshop was spread over 2 days with homework in between. I had a great time with a lovely group of ladies. We all went home at the end of the day with our trees completed. That’s a good feeling.
Do I Have A Parliament?
Posted on October 2, 2011 | 13 Comments
I know the collective name for a group of owls is a parliament, so I am wondering if my little group of 3 is considered a parliament.
After making the one owl I posted about earlier I have continued to sew with felt to make several others. I think they always look good when they multiply.
These are made using a pattern from Laura at Bugs and Fishes. Here is the link to the owl tutorial. While you are there take a look around at her gorgeous work.
Laura has also recently released her own book with lovely felt projects.
While I was playing with the owl pattern I was tempted to try out a Christmas theme. Just using red, white and green, then adding a hat can make a huge change. So now I also have a Christmas owl.
I also received a lovely parcel in the mail this week from Melody as a thank you for participating in the Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Melody is an incredibly talented lady who shares her many projects at The House On The Side Of The Hill. Melody regularly shares patterns and also finds links to many more projects.
Have a look at the lovely goodies I found in the parcel. The special ones are made by Melody herself.
Melody has made a lovely felt brooch, a gorgeous teddy needle keeper and delightful beaded scissor keep. How lucky am I? Thank you, Melody.
When you visit Melody’s site you will find there s always a lot going on.
Just Stitching Along.
Posted on September 24, 2011 | 19 Comments
Totally unrelated to sewing – but I have been enjoying the fun home page on Google today. I can’t help but push the buttons and play with the monsters. They are muppets to mark Jim Henson’s 75th birthday!
Now back to my regular sewing. It seems to have been a busy week but I have still managed to do little bits of stitching here and there.
I have finished this one from Natalie at The Birdhouse. It is called Deck The Halls.
I have used a Cottage Garden Threads, perle 12 variegated thread. Lovely to use when stitching.
I am also working on these Christmas trees in two different formats. They are from Marg Low and are simply called A Little Something.
The second group of trees still need to be appliqued.
I am afraid the Jacobean embroidery has been a bit neglected, but I have managed to make some progress.
I am steadily putting borders on two quilts, and have also taken another to the LAQ. Always good to see progress being made.
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