Just a Bit Naughty!

I did have a lovely day yesterday at the Malvern quilt show with my Mum. The sun was shining and we were able to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings during our lunch break. There were some lovely quilts on display, although there seemed to be less entries this year. Perhaps I'll have to enter one next year, I have entered once before and do feel that even if your entry is comparatively simple it's still inspiring for someone. Saying that, the simple entry I submitted was hung next to a stunning appliqued/embroidered tiger that did make me feel just a teeny bit inadequate. I also managed to do some shopping too ( don't we all! ). Into my basket fell a new die for my Accuquilt Baby Go some thread for applique Sweet Tea and Green Beans pattern together with a couple of the block background fabrics
Liberty FQs for my retreat swap
a packet of Kaffe Fassett fat eighths for an on-going project
and this. I looked down when I was paying for my die and my hand was resting on it at the stall so I had to have it!
All in all a good day was had, now to get on with some stitching.

Zig zags

I have been stitching half square triangles together very slowly on this quilt. I did have a plan to finish this central section ready for the quilts how at Malvern. My plans were scuppered though as I wanted to get border and backing fabric from Oakshott and they weren't here. So I'll just have to carry on and get it at the Festival of Quilts in August I did a bit of re-arranging so that the quilt will look less 'blocky' and a bit more random. I did find some fabrics to bring home with me from Malvern though. Mainly some Liberty lawns to mix into some swap projects for the fat Quarterly retreat in London. Will post some pictures of that one when I've done a bit more of them.

Back Once Again

I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted on here. Life just got in the way. Now I have my mojo back, there's a quilt on the design wall in my new little quilting space, and I'm planning a trip to the Fat Quarterly retreat in London in the summer. So perhaps I will have more to say on this lttle blog once more. The quilt on my design wall uses a package of Oakshott cottons that I've had for some time now. I cut the pieces into half square triangles using a Baby Go die and started constructing zig-zag blocks I've admired the zig-zag quilts that I have appeared on various blogs, and fancied creating one myself. I wasn't completely satisfied with this layout, and have re-arranged things to give a less 'blocky' effect but I don't have a photo yet. I have started stiching the whole together now, so I'll post a picture of the top when it's done. The aim is to get the centre done in time to get some border/backing fabric at Malvern later this month.

New Year - Fresh Start!

Happy New Year to anyone who is still out there!I have sorely neglected this blog but am planning to get back on track once more for 2011

2010 was an eventful year for us. My DS went off to university ( University of Wales, Aberystwyth) to study Physical Geography. He seems to be looking after himself quite well, and is loving his course. DD has chosen her subjects to study for GCSEs too, and also seems to be doing well.

The biggest change for me has been this one. I took a horse on loan in the summer while her owner recovers from a car crash. Her name is Rosie, and she is very sweet. I have never had a horse before, but I am loving looking after her, although December was difficult with all of the snow that we had here.



Quilting is still going on here in Wales, and the UFOs are multiplying. I think I need some sort of resolution to get some of them at least finished - I will keep this blog updated. First off I need to finish a challenge quilt for an exhibition in April. The top is done, so tomorrow I will remove foundation papers and sandwich it. That will be this week's aim.

Update

How come it's Wednesday already again? I don't really want to just update this blog once a week, but time seems to be running away with me just now.

So, what have I been up to this week?

I haven't done much stitching at home, I'm busy trying to sort my little sewing room out, and it's such a mess in there that I have to do a small task each day. I would take before photos, but I'm just too ashamed!

I did take another class last weekend though, Hand Applique with Marianne McMorrow of Busy Bees. I made a fair amount to progress during the day. This photo is quite poor ( the colours aren't true) but I think you can see what my cushion will look like. I'm quite happy with my stitches now, and was thrilled to learn how to make bias tubing for the stems, and a shape other than circles or melons.
I'm sure I'll be on to more adventurous things one day.

Mid week catch-up

Something quilty to report this week. I have started a new project! I took a jelly roll class with Marion from Marion's Patchworks on Saturday. I used the Love You roll by Moda, simply because I loved the little owls. I do have a recipient in mind for this quilt, and I'd like to get it to her before she grows up, so I plan to get this one finished as quickly as I can. I have lots of units and bits cut, but only managed to finish 1 block on the day.
It's looking good though the orange is a bit brighter in reality.





It was the half term holiday at schools here last week. I had to work but managed a couple of days off with the kids. We finished off the week with a concert, 30 Seconds To Mars.Absolutely brilliant!
If you're wondering, Jared Leto was in the film 'How to Make an American Quilt'. I did threaten the kids that I was going to storm the stage to ask him about the quilts - but I behaved myself! Bron's friend did manage to get on stage, but she didn't ask about quilts!





And finally, just because he's so cute, DJ has learned how to beg!

Something new

For some time now I have had a yearning to make a lap blanket from crocheted granny squares. Only one problem, I didn't know how to crochet! Oops! I tried to learn from book, but this didn't really work out for me. So I shelved the idea. Then I found this blog, attic 24. I love Lucy's work, it's so bright and cheerful - just my sort of thing. So to cut a long story short, I was inspired to get out a crochet hook, some yarn and YouTube how-to videos on the laptop ( thank you Mikeysmail - great instructions!)

These are my initial granny squares, enough for a cushion top. While they aren't perfect ( my tension leaves much to be desired!) I'm pretty proud of them!



I need to sew my squares together, but first I wanted to carry on perfecting my technique. So here is another cushion top using multiple colours.This isn't quite finished yet, but it shouldn't be too long.



I think I might be ready for that technicoloured blanket soon!