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)

spool block

waking up after a great evening watching opening ceremony of olympics, did you see? what did you think of it ?
I was really touched by the fact that women from countries where they are not usually allowed to do PE let alone appear on olympics, were on  their teams...fantastic...a few feminist tears rolled down my face I can tell you. OK that's enough of that.


Thought I would try and learn a bit more about traditional blocks  as that is not my style , but I  do love to learn  , so started the day by making a the spool block. 
Now back to hoovering and washing up, thats should wake my daughter up, ha!

 caught up now with the quilt-along, been quilting for 12 hours now, funny how time flies

liberty print bird sculptures

Spent a great afternoon at Jaina Minton's Liberty print bird workshop held at Craft Guerilla in E17.
Jaina has a very interesting background, after working as a prop maker for TV art attack  where she discovered you can make anything out of news paper, she  makes fantastic sculptures  you can see on her site
http://www.polkadotsundays.com/


Robyn and I spent 4 hours making these little darlings from a bit of scrunched up newspaper, garden wire, PVA, acrylic paint and about half a fat quarter of Liberty lawn fabric per bird. At one point all our birds had health problems, mine had  HUGE feet, another bird had polio in one leg, and one bird was looking mean and nasty! Jaina coaxed us through and all was good in the end.

 Robyn took this photo of Florian and Charlie ( of course they have names! ) on our balcony.
Thoroughly recommend the workshop, even got homemade banana cake and tea whilst birdies were drying out, lovely!