Monday 17 October 2011

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

The lovely girls at Moona Fabrics sent me a fat quarter bundle of England Swings. I was fortunate and won a competition run by Laura.  I'm amazed I won, but incredibly pleased!  I initially was going to make a table runner and some quilted Aga top covers for MIL, but then the fabric arrived today.

See? Yummy!! Again the photos don't do it justice.  I'd love to think it will soon be in my MILs kitchen but it is going to be hard to part with this one.
Also they sent a couple of extras! Freebies on top of freebies, thank you so much.

These two look beautiful together, they are destined for a little coin purse or two.

At the end of last week I also received some lovely fabric from Sew Obsessed.  It was a half yard bundle of feedsack fabric.  It's destined for a Kaleidoscope quilt, but I have to complete two more quilts first, I'm starting to get quite a few projects on the go.  It's another nice thing to look forward to.

I'm going to finish off a Christmas table runner today, and as the bamboo fairy arrived early I'm going to baste a cot quilt.  Is it still basting when you are using pins?  

Thursday 29 September 2011

Instant gratification

I admit, I'm an advertisers dream. When Amy Butler released Soul Blossoms I knew it was merely a matter of time before I bought some.  My lovely LQS had a jelly roll for £39.50. Whilst they knew I was waiting for it I had to graciously decline.  I know they have to make a living but it's quite down heartening to see things that over priced.  So the hunt started online where I found it for £19.50 woo hoo! I'd pass on the secret knowledge but unfortunately the shop was closing down at the time.

Cue the arrival of Soul Blossoms. I opened it up, looked at it, ummed and ahhed. It was scary bright!  Hung up on my design board it looked even brighter!  I've had a play, sectioned some of the colour ways and made a very simple coin stack quilt top. Putting on the grey has made such a difference.  The colours sing rather than fight. The best part was it only took a few hours to get the top together. I have to say it's really growing on me. I'm often quite muted in my choices, but I think this has taught me to be a bit braver. (and to iron before taking photos?)



It's not going to get quilted quite yet, it's my birthday in a few weeks and I'm waiting until then for the bamboo fairy to arrive.  I was recently given a spool of thread to try by my sewing machine repair man.  I was struggling with Gutterman and was looking to try Aurifil. Whilst they didn't have that he did have some he thought I might like. I've got the variegated thread.  I think it'll really pop on the grey sashing.  I might try a quick scrappy mug rug first to see.

I'm loving this weather for photographing quilts, the light is so much better.  Now if only I could get rid of the wind as well we'd be onto a winner!


On a little side note, we've not had stickiness this time, roll on the next treatment! And as I am between treatments I shall be spending this lovely evening, in the garden, relaxing, with a glass of rose, and my dh. Long may this Indian summer last...

Saturday 10 September 2011

Not so nicey Jane, but very lovely Laura

Let's start off with Nicey Jane.  I don't like her anymore! We had a falling out when my machine munched part of a block.  The problem arose when I realised I didn't have enough fabric to make another one.  The quilt is smaller than intended, but hey ho, lesson learned.

Then I decided on a really simple zig zag quilt to echo the pattern. I waited till i'd finished to look behind and realise the tension was off. (My machine is *supposed* to have auto tension).  Here is a photo.  Incomplete, as it shall remain until I calm down a bit.... It's now at the bottom of the pile.  I think next time I'll wait till daylight and charge the camera rather than snap with the phone.



I had help! But he is so cute he may as well be included.



Next order of business, the lovely Laura has just emailed me to say I've won her fantastic give away over at  Needles Pins and Baking tins  it's a very yummy bundle of "England Swings" courtesy of the lovely people of Moona Fabrics. Go and have a look, I love them both and of course I'm not biased in any way! ;)
The fabrics are perfect for my mother in laws Christmas present.  She'll be getting a table runner and some hot pads ssshhhh! They match her kitchen colours and style so well.


I have to say that whilst I'm only have one follower I do seem to get quite a few people looking. Just in case anyone was wondering why I haven't posted in a few weeks this is why.
Introducing Isis and Hestia


Let's hope for sticky thoughts over the next couple of weeks.

Friday 12 August 2011

Ribbet, ribbet

It's been a long day.  I've been busy trying to get a quilt top done with fabric from the Nicey Jane line.  I decided to do a zig zag with no triangles.  I've been roughly following this tutorial from Crazy Mum Quilts.  It's been quick and easy so far.  The only downside was I took a break.

When I went back I started happily sewing my basic blocks together in pairs to make the V shape.  Somehow i seem to have inverted my V's after the break.  Not sure how, but now it's time to get the stitch ripper out.  I can hear my teachers now "must pay more attention" whoops! Well, that's my evening planned.  A nice glass of Montbazillac to remind me of my last holiday, and unpicking...Maybe even some chocolate if I finish.

Progress photos over the weekend!  That should kick me into action.











Monday 8 August 2011

My greatest skill

So I started making quilts a few months ago, since then I have discovered I have a real talent!  For many this may be piecing with a perfect 1/4 inch seam, quilting with beautiful free motion stipples or doing all the binding by machine.

Not me though, my skill is buying fabric.  Well it's something.  I don't have a huge space to store it all, so I'm on a fabric embargo. It won't last long I'm sure.  The plan is to make several quilts, gain some space and then look at "Little Apples" and "Happy Mochi Yum Yum."  Of course as soon as I made this decision I bought a bolt of fabric.  In my defence it was very cheap, Ikea Ditte in white.

Ok, it's not Kona or Bella solids, but I've had a swatch for a while and washed it plenty of times and it' holding up very well.  In fact I've chased this fabric all over the country.  Ikea kept showing it in stock on their website so I went to various stores (Bristol, Birmingham, Wembley!) only to find it wasn't there.  Apparently lots of other quilters are buying it as well. So what do you do when this happens, firstly a whinging email to Ikea made me feel better.  Then I went to Stockholm, to the original Ikea, found it and bought a bolt.  Ok that sounds a little extreme but I was going to Stockholm anyway.

I have so many fabrics that don't mix very well as they were bought as presents by different people. I'm hoping to try a pattern called "You Plus Me"  it's bought and waiting. I'm hoping to get it done this weekend, best laid plans and all that...


Jumping on the bandwagon

Well, here goes!

I seem to spend so much time reading others that I should probably start my own.  I could do with somewhere to keep a record of my makes.  It might even encourage me to finish a few more things.

I started learning to quilt at the beginning of this year from bloggers and youtube.  I'm going to be learning for a long time yet!  I love precuts and anything that make things move along quicker.  I have a toddler so time is limited.

I also occasionally make baby clothes and simple bags, sewing is what I like to do. It doesn't matter if it's a quilt or a jewellery bag, I'll give it a go.