more cushions and sampler blocks

Really enjoying making cushions at the moment, especially experimenting with  new foundation blocks. Only have to make one block /cushion and I love quick results!

Finished the batch for my sister's children adding these
This one is for my neice,  having made it, I decided that the grey/pink fabric looked a bit too weird, so tried to pretty it  up with some hot fix crystals

This one is for her older brother, always a bit hard to chooses fabric combos for older boys, so decided to go with simple Amish style  and ticking, think it works?

Also continuing with quilting gallery's beginner quilt along

these are machine pieced

kind of punch your eyes out, don't they?

ooh, think I feel a bit nauseous, maybe back to Amish and more  sedate colours today

Getting ready for a trip to Bali, really would like to buy some batiks , cant wait  ( but not looking forwards to the 1 and a half days travelling to get there)

experiments in applique

Not done any applique before, so looked up raw edge applique up on you tube and watched a few good videos.

Made a couple of cushions as Christmas presents for nephews, the younger one is mad about his fish

this is the back, a cute heavier weight fabric I found at FOQ

 and the older one is an Arsenal supporter, hence the red choice for him!

 Again, the backing is a funky upholstery weight fabric from fabrics galore at FOQ

Used  18" feather pads as they really give a good heavy feel to the cushions , and also backed the front cotton with iron on interfacing. Next one I do , I will take photos so I can post a quick cushion tutorial...NO ZIPS, hurrah.

festival of quilts 2012

Just recovering with a G+T from 2 days at FOQ.
Enjoyed 2 classes, 'Bringing it all together' with Linda Miksch
This was a method to join individually quilted blocks without cover strips , also
 'Falling in love with  curves' with Virginia Walton ( below ) with no pin curved piecing...really sweated over this as my bobbin was not behaving..naughty bobbin!. Both teachers from USA, both very patient and supportive.
Gosh felt really exhausted after class, such a lot of concentration.

Some people even looked at my quilt

Some  stash resuscitation occurred

Bought this  enamel necklace by Janna Hodgson , it goes with everything ;  and it reverses to all black enamel for your monochrome days

Janna was wearing the largest version ( mine  is the smallest one ) which looked tres chic on her. I have a feeling I may be browsing her work again soon

colour, colour, colour......we love it!

Anyone else go to FOQ? Did you enjoy, do tell

triangles galore

Much happier today than 2 days ago as now have new working washing machine ( thanks John Lewis) and BT engineer spent most of the afternoon swapping wires around  to try and get my broadband  to run faster than a tortoise with a broken leg...with moderate success. Ah, well, we can but keep trying.

Came across the tutorial for this lovely triangle block on my esteemed auntie's website , 15 minutes play.
http://www.15minutesplay.com/

Quite like my first block, although still having troubles where the points meet in the middle, bit or heavy ironing required to get  it to play ball.Any tips ladies and gents?
 But, have bought some nice fragrant ironing water, so its quite fun pummeling it into submission.

I just love how this block looks so completely different depending on your fabric choice

joel dewberry tea towels

Working a late shift today as daughter away at camp, so nice to have some time for sewing in the day, its a warm summers day here in Kent
Day started with a bang as new washing machine delivered at 0710 with 5 minutes notice.....er, wasn't exactly ready for them

Tarted up a couple of waffle tea towels as small thank you present  for best friend who gave me a lovely set of Joel Dewberry FQs for Christmas 
Machine  embroidered to give it some more texture

picked up a lovely cake stand  to give too... you can change the ribbon trim on it, so sweet
She and I love to bake cakes

london modern quilt guild

Quite an eventful journey up to St Johns Wood for my first meeting with the London Modern Quilt Guild.
Noticed this  fabric covering the train seat, made me smile, blimey that woman is going to give birth any moment !

 Dressed in white cropped leggings and flimsy ballets for the predicted 70 degrees today, was somewhat  flustered to arrive to torrential downpour in London. 
Walked past the famous Abbey Road pedestrian crossing with the mandatory tourist doing the Beatles pose

Arrived mud splattered and damp. First impressions excellent as  some lovely person had bought cupcakes. There was also a yummy  baby girl who enjoyed the proceedings intermittently making a grab for the cakes. Interesting to see different quilters styles and hear everyone's making stories. 


Also had a gander at the new kona solids collection that a lucky member had won, think they finally have a yellow that I need.......citrus. Need it to complement an Amy Butler lark yellow print for which I  could not match a solid.


Mmmmm, just discovered shot cottons , and I feel a big purchase acoming on, will wait to see them at FOQ,( Oakshott fabrics ) before buying.Think they should be spectacular in borders.


Yesterday, I did a big hunt through all my fabric boxes to find my solids as I felt I had run out....WRONG, but definitely need some pinks and reds. One day I will sort out the fabric stash, but not just yet....

Now, off to start making my item for secret scrap partner swap ....heh heh heh (evil laugh)