Using Up Stash

New Year - Fresh Start!

2011-01-01T22:39:00.003Z

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

2010-03-03T21:18:00.002Z

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

2010-02-24T18:10:00.003Z

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

2010-02-18T19:59:00.004Z

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!

A new project in mind

2010-02-07T20:48:00.002Z

Yesterday we had a fabric sale at my quilting group when a trader visited with a van load of stock. I didn't really need to buy any fabric, but his prices are very very good and he had a lovely range of solids in really scrummy colours. I have been seeing some very inspiring liberated Amish projects around blogland lately, so I bought enough to make myself an Amish Bars quilt. I haven't worked out piece sizes or anything yet, but here are my fabrics laid out on the floor in a rough format.
I think it's going to be a good 'un!

First finish of 2010!

2010-01-15T21:45:00.003Z

I did it! I have completed my first project of the year.
I may have started this little quilt some time ago, but at long last it is all done. I finished binding it earlier this week, but I had to wait until I came home from work in daylight before I could get a half decent photo of it.
The fabrics are all my own hand-dyes, although I did these several years ago. They had been sitting in the box all this time waiting for a 'special' project. Eventually I decided that I would grit my teeth and cut into them. After all, I can always have some fun and dye more if that special project ever materialises! LOL!

Now to finish another!

White Stuff

2010-01-13T21:29:00.003Z

Here in Wales, Wednesday seems to be turning into snow-day! And I have to say that I am really fed up with slipping and sliding about. It's very pretty to look at, but trying to get to work and go about daily business etc is a drag.

My son was out early taking photos of his pride and joy with it's new covering. I do feel sorry for him, as the vehicle was off the road for 2 months getting a new engine, and he only got it back just before Christmas. He hasn't been able to drive it much in the last 3 weeks due to all the snow and ice. Hopefully we'll get a proper thaw soon.

And just to show, your kids are never too old to make a snowman!

I do have quilting stuff to report too, but I'll do that tomorrow when I have taken pictures in daylight.

Resolutions!

2010-01-02T22:06:00.003Z

We often think about new starts and changes to our lives at this time of year, and after mooching around blogland looking at the New Year resolutions of others I am no different. I've deliberated and cogitated and come to a conclusion.
Stuff the diet and getting fit things - I'm just going to quilt more! It makes me happy! And, if I'm happy, then my family will be happy (mainly because I wont be nagging them quite so much!LOL!)
How to start though? I still haven't finished painting my little sewing room, so that's a teal mess just now, and as I had Quilters today, I've just done a bit of hand sewing (basting hexagons) - it's sewing though, so that's OK. I should probably set myself some goals though otherwise who knows how many more new quilts I'll start!

So, my plans for January are fairly realistic.

1. Bind the quilt below. This little quilt has been all but finished for ages and it's really about time that it was upon the wall.

2. Finish the bag I started in a Sally Ablett workshop last year.

I'll add more goals to these as the year goes on, for instance I know of at least 3 other things that just need binding, but I think 2 is a good start and not too over-whelming.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T23:39:00.002Z

It's almost midnight here in Wales and the moon is looking beautiful

Here's wishing everyone a very Happy 2010!

Let's hope that we all get lots of quilting done in the New Year.

Look what I found in the new shopping centre

2009-11-12T21:22:00.002Z

We have a new shopping centre in Cardiff, complete with John Lewis ( haberdashery! Woohoo!)
One of the shops in the new centre has this amazing window display - all antique sewing machines. My husband thought I was daft, I was so excited. I think he walked away when I got the phone out to take this picture!

I have No idea what the shop is called, but I think they sell men's wear.

What an excuse!

2009-11-11T21:10:00.002Z

I took a quilting class on Saturday with Deborah O'Hare.
Although I wasn't really looking forward to it on the day (no real reason, just was not in the mood!) it was one of the best classes I have evr taken. I had a great time!
We used sweetie wrappers to make the applique shapes and then covered the wholelot with organza before quilting. I havent finished quilting the background yet, and we're away this weekend, so I hope I will be able to get to it next week.

The photo doesnt really show how bright this piece is!

It does make me happy!

Lace progress

2009-09-28T20:25:00.002+01:00

My lace shawl is coming on quite nicely, although I must admit that in this photo there was 1 stitch too many on the needles! I've managed to sort that problem out though.

This scarf is nearly finished. I'm on the final round of the pattern. It wont be a big one, but I'm very happy with the way it's turning out. I should be finished soon and then I can get back to stitching again.

Lace

2009-09-25T19:29:00.002+01:00

This week I have had a really yucky head cold, and so I've been home from work for a few days. I didn't feel well enough to do anything initially, but have just found the energy to pick up my knitting needles again after a very long time.

I've fancied trying my hand at a lace scarf for a while now, so I have started this. The yarn and pattern were bought some time ago at a craft fair in Cardiff, and the yarn is a Greek cotton. It's coming along quite nicely now, but initially I had a real nigtmare with it. I think I ripped the firt 20 or so rows out at least 10 times. Each time I had the wrong number of stitches on the needles at the end of the row. Hopefully I have now got the design fixed in my head. The pattern isnt difficult, but obviously it took a while for my 'knitting' brain to kick in.

Not bad progress for now.

New Toy!

2009-09-21T17:50:00.004+01:00

The summer holidays are now well and truly over now, and the nights are drawing in ready for winter. This means that I'm back to leaving work in time to meet the children after school ( I know that they're teenagers, but I like to be around for them). My quilting life can start again now properly now that I have more time.

I also have a new toy!
My husband gave me my very own net book for my birthday today. This will help with keeping my blog up to date. No more fighting with the family to use the PC coz this dinky little machine is all mine! And the main thing I'm going to do is keep my blog up to date! I promise!

I'll have to have a think about what happened over the summer.
I did get to the Festival of Quilts with my daughter. We had a lovely 3 days together, took some classes, caught up with other quilters and generally enjoyed the show. Bronwen was lucky enough to win one of the Little Gem quilts in the Guild tombola. It's very cute as you can see.

I have done the odd bit of stitching, applique melons and hexagons, but I did make this table mat. The idea came from the Moda Bake Shop website. To make a floor mat would use up quite a lot of scraps I think, so perhaps I'll carry on braiding.

Now I'm going to catch up with some blogs ....

Holidays over til next year

2009-08-03T21:49:00.004+01:00

Italy was fabulous! I cant believe the summer holidays are over for another year - I already feel like I haven't been away. We all really enjoyed Lake Garda, and even managed a day in Venice which was just beautiful. Lots of inspiration there for quilts.
I took a bit of hand sewing on holiday with me, and managed to finish some more of the applique blocks. I have a couple more prepared, but I think I need some more to make this into a reasonable sized lap quilt

While we were travelling along some steep roads, complete with hairpin bends, up to the Ritten Plateau I was able to concentrate on basting hexagons. They took my mind off the precipitous drops outside the windows of the bus!
I have just started to put the hexagons together into little diamonds. I think I will border them with black to make a cushion. They should sparkle with the bright batiks.

Back from York, but only for a short while!

2009-07-16T23:16:00.003+01:00

We have just come home from a short break in York with the family and my Mum.
I ad never been there before, and we had a lovely time ( the weather was even good to us!) There was so much to see and do, that we only managed to scratch the surface of this lovely city, so we'll have to go back again some time.

I did sneak in a quick visit to the Quilt Museum though! It's well worth a visit if you are in the vicinity. The building it is housed in is beautiful, although the single photo I managed i quite poor as you can see. And there was a lovely garden to sit in as well ( which I completely missed photographing at all!)

I took scores of photos of lovely old buildings, the Minster, city walls etc, but this one really took me down memory lane. When I was a child the Rag & Bone man was a common sight as he collected scrap metal and assorted junk on his horse and cart. I think it must be about 35 years since I've seen one, so we were thrilled to catch sight of this man as we were all walking around the city walls.

We are now off to Italy for a week with the children. I have a pile of hand stitching all ready to take with me, as I hope to spend some time lounging by the pool. I should have plenty to show when I get home again.

Painting

2009-06-28T21:33:00.005+01:00

Yesterday I took my Mum to a Quilter's day run by Region 12 of the Quilter's Guild of the British Isles. These are run every quarter or so and usually consist of a variety of activities followed by a speaker in the afternoon. The speaker this time was Ann Jermey - It doesn't Matter if it's Not Finished! This was a very liberating talk for those of us who have lots of UFOs as Ann brought out one after another of the 50 unquilted tops that she has! I know that I have lots of unfinished things that often make me feel quite paralysed, but now I'm going to organise them and finish them when I'm ready!

In the morning there were a variety of demonstrations - my favourite being the freezer paper stenciling by Debra O'Hare of Quilt Routes. Debra creates beautiful hand painted fabrics .
I made this little bird yesterday at the Regional Day

But the we carried on playing with freezer paper and paint today at home

These are DDs samples...

And this one is my Mum's.

My Mum is not a quilter, and would say that she is not artistic either, but this is great! And before she knows it, I'm going to get her putting borders on it and turn it into a small wall hanging!

These are some more birds I did today.

I think I'll add some leaves and flowers as well and then see where the pieces take me.

It's been quite a while.....

2009-06-07T17:32:00.005+01:00

I didn't realise just how long it has been since I've been on here, I was away on a course from work for a week, had my MIL staying for a week, and was just snowed under for a while too.
While my MIL was staying with us, we spent a couple of days up at the Hay Literature Festival doing a mixture of the intellectual ( Steve Jones) comic ( John O'Farrell) and downright entertaining ( Hot Leg - Justin Hawkins new band - I thought I might be too old for this one, but enjoyed it in the end). There was no quilty content to this time, although I did find this at the knitting stand on the festival site. They had turned them all into french knitting doodahs, but I just loved the spool!

This weekend I have made friends with my machine once more ( it was feeling most neglected) - this citrus jelly roll was one I got at a show some time ago. It's nice to be making something with it at last. I know I have lots of unfinished items hanging around, but I just want some nice easy stitching to get me back into the groove.

I think I'll sash the blocks with a wide black/white stripe. This fabric is DD's, she plans to make a vest top with it, but it's helped me to make up my mind about how to continue.

I just need to cut the remaining blocks out, and I can carry on with this quilt.

While I was playing at my machine, I tried out the Dresden Plate template that I've had for a couple of months. This was really quick to make using some fabric strips from a Moda scrap bag, although I'm not sure if I've done something wrong somewhere along the way. The instructions said to cut 20 wedges, which I duly did, but when I came to stitch the 2 halves together, they just would not go. I had to unpick a seam and remove a pair of wedges to get the thing to lie flat and circular. Ho hum!

I don't know how many of these blocks I'm going to make, perhaps I should be realistic and go for a cushion!

An almost finished

2009-04-26T22:38:00.003+01:00

I have spent this week getting the quilting finished on this little confetti quilt. I saw a quilt like this on back in May 2007. The blocks are nice and easy, so I was inspired to have a go myself. The fabrics are all ones Ive dyed myself and never got round to using and the quilting is done with hand dyed Perle.

I'm pretty please with how it's turned out.

Now if I can get the binding on this week, I can turn to the next item to be finished!

Teeny Tiny Quilt in the Post

2009-04-19T22:46:00.003+01:00

This little quilt came in the post on Friday. We've had a visitor all weekend, so I haven't had time to put it on here until now.
Lori has made this little quilt for me, in lovely bright fabrics. The spoke of each pinwheel is 1 inch square!
It's a lovely quilt which I am very pleased to put onto the wall - thank you Lori!

Bloggers on-line quilt festival

2009-04-19T22:26:00.003+01:00

Park City Girl has had a brilliant idea - an on-line quilt show. There are lots of links to many blogs that I haven't come across before, so I thought I'd join in the fun.

I haven't included this quilt before, as it is one of the first quilts I ever made. I did a workshop with Sandra at Busy Bees on naive country applique using fusible web and blanket stitch. The nice thing about the class was that everyone made a quilt that reflected their on personality - we didn't all come home with a clone of the class sample, so I really love this early effort of mine.

My husband made the hanger especially for his quilt and it lives in the dining room - although it does get moved about from time to time!

UFO Update

2009-04-15T22:10:00.004+01:00

I have been quite busy the last week or so, but have managed a little work on the Oriental Pinwheels blocks. I've put together more blocks, and started to quilt them. I was going to machine quilt each block, but in the end, it is so easy to hand quilt them that I've gone with big stitch quilting in Perle thread. They're looking pretty good!

My other little project at the weekend was this little quilt gift for my Mum. This is my Grandfather when he was a young man, probably taken in the late 1930s. She was thrilled with it, and spent much of Sunday with it in her hand.
It's nice to get something so right.

I've got a friend coming to stay for the weekend, but hopefully I should be able to post a bit more progress next week.

Looking out UFOs

2009-04-06T22:08:00.002+01:00

In recent days I have been trying to tidy up and sort out my quilting stuff. I have put most of my quilting books on shelves in a single bookcase - still some more to go though, but I'm getting there.
As well as books, I have been unearthing some of the unfinished items that are lurking in my little room. This one, I'm ashamed to say, seems to date from January 2004! The pattern was from Fabrications magazine, which was very carefully placed with all teh blocks and fabrics in a box. It's a pinwheel, but each block is made as a small quiltlet and then the blocks are all zig-zagged together.
I don't have many nearly complete blocks. These need quilting so I think I'll practice machine quilting on them.

As well as the above blocks, I have about 20 of the basic blocks, which need the wadding attaching and the sides closed up before turning through, plus pieced strip pairs all ready to make more.

I think I'll leave this one out and see if I can get it finished some time this year.
The trouble is, I just know there are loads more half finished projects in boxes lurking under the surface. I really think I'm going to have to name and shame in order to get them out in the open and onto beds!

Young quilters rock!

2009-03-30T20:20:00.002+01:00

We've just spent the weekend at the Quilters Guild AGM and conference in Swansea. We had a fabulous time doing the Young Quilters workshops and enjoying the traders.
My DD, Bronwen, was delighted to win the Bettina Longcroft trophy in the 12-16 category for her oriental dragon quilt.
As you can see, she was very pleased and thinks quilting rocks!

Teeny Tiny Squares swap

2009-03-30T19:44:00.002+01:00

My teeny tiny squares quilt has arrived at it's new home, so I am able to post a picture of the completed quilt.
I was very pleased with this one. I mixed up hand and machine quilting. I love the look of hand quilting, but the machine quilting stabilises the quilt nicely and the hand quilting adds a nice accent.

I hope Tracy liked it.

Another finish!

2009-03-25T21:39:00.002Z

I finished this one at the weekend, but have been incredibly busy and haven't had chance to post it.
This weekend is the AGM and conference of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles in Swansea. As we're the host region there has been a lot to do to get ready, including the challenge with the green fabric that I've posted about before. I have seen some of the submitted quilts and they are amazing. Mine is quite an ordinary quilt in comparison, but it's finished and I like it. It doesn't show up very well in the photo, but I've mixed up machine and hand quilting again. I'm really liking this. The machine quilting stabilises the quilt nicely and the hand quilting adds a bit of depth

I'm hoping taht normal service will resume after the weekend. Perhaps I can continue the roll and get another quilt finished very soon.

"Can I help?"

2009-03-21T21:42:00.001Z

I think someone else fancies a go at this quilting lark!

I may have been quiet during March, but..

2009-03-15T22:58:00.003Z

.. I certainly haven't been sitting on my laurels!
March is often a busy month in our house including DS's birthday - he was 17 last week which means he can now start learning to drive!

I have managed some stitching time though. The applique circles from last time are going well. I haven't started on the Charisma fabric yet - still practising, but I'm really pleased with how they're turning out.
I have also been making a swap quilt for the Teeny Tiny Squares swap. My partner is like me and loves all quilts it seems, so I decided on scrappy. This hasn't been an easy swap though. My first idea was a disaster, with a 9-patch of 1 inch squares inside a paper-pieced star. Usually I can do foundation piecing pretty well, but not this one! I had to unpick several times, and when I'd finished the block it was awful! Then I thought I'd try something simpler. No dice! This was unpicked and remade a few times too. However, it has turned out pretty well in the end. I've machine quilted it with some hand quilted focus areas and I think it's not bad.
Here's a couple of sneak peaks of the top before quilting, just in case my partner is looking

I've been busy in the kitchen too - made my very first ever batch of marmalade. It took hours and hours, but was well worth it as it's yummy!

Practice Makes Perfect ( I hope!)

2009-03-01T21:23:00.002Z

I have a little collection of Moda Charisma fat quarters. I know I really don't need any more fabrics, but they really spoke to me! Marianne at Busy Bees made a lovely medallion quilt from the range based on Kaffe Fassett's Knot Garden design. It looks just gorgeous and consolidated my decision to buy the fabrics. I've been thinking long and hard about what I'm going to make. I do love Marianne's quilt, but really want to make whatever I make my own. I have finally decided on using this pattern, iDo. I want to make the rectangles a bit more staggered, but otherwise I do love this design. Only trouble is..... my applique skills! I don't really want to use fusible web, as the fabric is quite fine, along the lines of Liberty Lawn. So, once more Marianne came to the rescue. She talked me through, and demonstrated the template + starch method, and the following are my first 2 practice pieces!

I am pretty pleased with myself.

In case you are wondering, DJ is now fully recovered from his broken leg and is bouncing around like his usual self again ( although you wouldn't beleive it from this picture!)

A Last Minute Finish

2009-02-28T22:07:00.002Z

February hasn't been a complete washout as far as quilting goes. As well as the applique melons, I have done this little quilt. It's part of the BQL calendar challenge. The idea is that we attach a printed calendar page to the bottom, but I just like it as a Mini quilt.
I think I'll display them all on the wall together.

I really like this one and think I'll have another go. I'd like it to look a bit more 'random' and mis-matched.

I cant believe that I've kept up with this for 2 whole months!
Roll on March.

ALQS2

2009-02-19T18:26:00.002Z

My little quilt for the ALQS2 swap has arrived safely all the way from Chile (I've never had a parcel from Chile before!)
Thank you very much Vero, it's beautiful!

Little quilts and applique

2009-02-07T20:38:00.004Z

As today was the first Saturday of the month, Cardiff Quilters was on.
We have been making tiny quilts to be given to the local Maternity unit for use when babies are lost at birth. Each year we go to a memorial service on Palm Sunday to remember our own little boy and it will be here that I hand the quilts over to the local SANDS ( Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society ) rep ready to be given to grieving parents.

There are more quilts to come in yet, but these are the first batch made by the members at a quilt-in and at home.
They are so beautiful. I'm really thrilled with the efforts made by my friends.

At home, the only quilting progress this week has been more applique blocks. I still haven't decided how many I'm going to make, nor what I'm going to do with them, but for now I'm just enjoying the journey.

Young Quilters and a finish

2009-01-31T21:25:00.002Z

Today the Quilter's Guild had the first Area Day of 2009 near Newport. The speaker was Jenni Dobson, with an interesting talk on quilt judging, and there were several traders for us to peruse ( I came away with a couple of scrap bags and a couple of FQs). As usual, I took a Young Quilter's class, although this time I only had 2 of them.
In honour of Valentine's Day soon, we made these little heart hangings. The hearts on the left are my samples and those on the right DD made. I think she made a pretty good job.

I have managed a small finish myself this week ( as well as all that cutting out!). BQL are having a monthly calendar quilt challenge. I usually fall down at the first hurdle on these monthly challenges, but I really a going to try to keep up with this one.
I've managed January!

The start of a new week.

2009-01-26T21:57:00.002Z

No photos today I'm afraid, but I have made progress on the challenge quilt this evening. I have pieced all of the coins into 3 strips of 20 inches length. I should be able to add the sashing strips tomorrow after work. I'd like to have the top pieced by the Area Day on Saturday.

As I have quite a few things to do this week, I think a list may be in order.
My priorities are:
1. Make the sample for the Young Quilters workshop I am doing on Saturday
2. Complete Challenge top
3. BQL calendar challenge - I'd really like to participate in this one, last year I fell by the wayside in month 1!
4. Make items to be sold at the Guild AGM in March from the Daffodil fabric we were given - this one may prove difficult as I have no idea of what to make from my piece.

Hopefully my good start will provide the impetus I need to get these tasks finished. I have a big day at work tomorrow, but then the rest of the week should be a little quieter.

Quilter's Guild Challenge

2009-01-25T21:27:00.005Z

Life is still kind of busy just now, work has been crazy building up to a demo next week, and DS has taken on the looking after of his horse which has meant a lot of running about. Hopefully this will settle once we get into a routine.

I haven't had my machine out this week, but I have been doing lots and lots of cutting.

I treated myself to a new book, Quilts From the Selvage Edge, after finding this inspiring blog. There are some interesting ideas both in the book and on the blog, and I have been inspired to try to use up some strips that would otherwise have gone in the bin. I haven't started stitching yet, nor gone through my scraps bin, but in no time I had quite a box full of selvages ready to use.

My other cutting out has been for a challenge quilt. We were given the following fabric and the remit to make a quilt no longer than 30 inches on any one side.

As usual, it has taken me ages to decide what to do. The fabric didn't really inspire me, and so I mooched about on the Internet looking for inspiration. The Chinese Coins style quilt here gave me the idea to go for a very scrappy design.
I haven't started sewing yet, but the coins are all cut out and ready to go. I should get them all done this week

I know that I have neglected this blog lately, but hopefully now I've started stitching again, I should have something to show here very soon.

Lovely mail day

2009-01-13T22:16:00.003Z

Look at what the postman delivered this morning!
I havent received my ALQS2 quilt yet, I think my partner has been having some issues and is running a bit behind, so Kate has made this little beauty for me as a stand-in. The photo doesnt show the machine quilting, which is great. I've tried a few times to free motion quilt, and I know that you need to practise, practise, practise, but mine still always looks like a dog's dinner!
Thank you very much Kate this looks very nice on my dining room wall.

I haven't made a good start to 2009, espite having soem conmmitemnts that I really need to get moving on, and ufos that only need binding. 'm not sure why this is the case, but I'm sure that my mojo will re-.appear soon

One of the distractions is a new man in my life. This is DS and Will. We are having him on a shared loan from next week, although we have been spending time getting to know him. He has a very sweet nature, and I'm certain that we will all get along fabulously.

Thank you to those who asked, DJ is getting along very well with his broken paw. He really wants to get out and chase mice and stuff, and is putting on weight at an alarming rate. It wont be long before his cast is off, we're halfway there now.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T20:51:00.002Z

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year for 2009!

As you can see, ours is having a slightly rocky start. We don't know what happened, but DJ has broken bones in his paw and a broken fang. It doesn't seem to be bothering him too much, and he stomps about the place quite quickly now, although he is desperate to get outside.
He'll be fine soon though, thank goodness.

Party time!

2008-12-07T21:50:00.007Z

Yesterday was the annual Cardiff Quilters Christmas party. As the first one I've been responsible for since I took over as chair, I have to say I was quite anxious that it went well ( even had nightmares about it during the week!) Thankfully it went off very well and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. We had a tasty buffet lunch, a couple of traders to spend our money at ( a quilt book stall and another from a quilt shop with lots of lush fabrics, jelly rolls and charm packs) and a really fascinating speaker in the afternoon. The speaker was Dian, who, as well as being the coordinator for Region 12 of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles, is also a member of Sons of the Dragon, a medieval re-enactment group. Dian had lots to tell us about life in the 14th century, particularly life for women, and had brought along her fabulous costumes as well. I couldn't help feeling that my Mother would have signed up to join them on the spot if she had been there, she loves that period of history.

I decided to issue a challenge to my fellow quilters, and I have to say they rose to it extremely well. I gave everyone a piece of timtex and backing and challenged them to make a Christmas postcard.
These are what they came up with...

Apologies for the iffy photos, at least the light was reasonable yesterday

The members all voted for their favourite, and this one by Barbara was the winner. Isn't it gorgeous?

I did a little shopping at the traders stalls, bought a quilty calendar, a secret Santa present and this Christmas cats panel. I've machine quilter around the blocks today, and once I've bound it, I'm planning to quilt moggie paw prints in the centre of each block. It should make a nice little decoration for the sofa over Christmas. I would let the cat sit on it, but he's in disgrace just now - he keeps bringing mice in ( and they aren't always dead!)

Santa's Workshop

2008-12-01T21:07:00.003Z

It is the school Christmas Fete on Friday, so I've been busy making some bits and pieces for them to sell on the craft stall.

Christmas tree decorations always go down well. These were demonstrated at Cardiff Quilters a couple of years ago and have been quite relaxing to sit and stitch. I have got some more, but these ones just need some ribbon loops attached.
They look quite nice on the design wall.

I'm pretty certain that I have seen large quilts made like this - another hand stitching project to keep in mind for the future once have finished with the applique melons.

Marianne at Busy Bees showed me how to make these lovely Jester bags. These contain little bags of chocolate coins. I have quite a stack all cut out and in progress. I should have quite a few ready by Friday. The lack of ribbon is all I need to sort out and then I can get them finished off tomorrow after school.

I hope that they are popular at the fete - I'd hate to se ethem all left over at the end of the sale.

Does this look comfortable to you?

2008-11-18T17:18:00.002Z

I'm posting this just because I thought you might like it

He stayed sleeping like this for quite some time - makes my back sore just looking at him!

ALQS2 - A bit late, but on it's way at last!

2008-11-18T15:58:00.004Z

I have at last finished my little quilt for the ALQS 2 swap. I was very remiss with this one, but it is on it's way to it's new home.

I like this little quilt, although I have to confess that I was a bit over-ambitious with this one. There are 128 pieces in that centre - and it's only 10 inches square! Sadly some of my points are not up to scratch. I covered the worst offenders with embellishments.

I really hope that my partner doesn't mind this little quilts failings and feels the same way about it that I do!

Someone had to get his paws into my photos - why I would be trying to take a picture when the camera isnt on him is anyone's guess!!

Autumn Quilt Show - Part 1

2008-11-04T22:24:00.007Z

At the weekend DD and I went on a coach trip with the local Guild to the Autumn Quilt show at Malvern. We had a lovely day out, and Bronnie encouraged me at the traders as well!
Part of the exhibition was devoted to some really nice antique quilts.
I found this one a charming way to showcase a favourite fabric and use up some scraps at the same time.

Always difficult to photograph are the wholecloth quilts, but I had to try to capture some of the motifs used.

Scrap quilts are always nice.

This one was particularly inspiring. I have a few of these six-pointed stars that I have been hand-piecing when I'm waiting around for children. Now I know how I'm going o set them, although I think it will be a while before I have this many!

Finally, Bronnie and I took one of the mini workshops with Pat Archibald. We still have to finish our Poinsettias off, but she really enjoyed using the foils to add the sparkle.

Young Quilters

2008-10-29T12:58:00.003Z

Before I forget.. we had a Region 12 Area Day on Saturday over in West Wales.

It was a great day, Gail Lawther was the inspiring speaker with lots of gorgeous quilts and her stained glass bowls too.

I had 2 new girls came along for the Young Quilters workshop which was nice. It's always nice to pass on the obsession to new quilters. I managed to get this photo of a couple of the projects the girls made, quilted button pictures.

I think they did brilliantly with them!

Back Again!

2008-10-29T12:50:00.003Z

We have finally got our Broadband problems sorted out. We kept losing the connection for days on end, and although the engineer came out twice, he couldn't find the cause. Never mind - it's all OK now, so I can get back to posting again.

I have just spent a lovely few days with the children and my Mum in Leicester visiting my brother.
I didn't manage to get to any quilt shops, but we had a fab day out at Bosworth battle field, although the company was terrifying at times! LOL!

This is DS incognito.

During my time out, I have managed to finish another quilt! Yay!
I finished the pink surprising 4-patch, but stupidly, forgot to photograph it before I gave it to my niece up in Leicester.

I'm now going to head off to my little room to work on my ALQS quilt and get started on binding another that is almost done.

Quilty stuff and a cake too!

2008-09-22T17:05:00.002+01:00

I had a birthday at the weekend, and it seems that I have finally got my family trained! Among other things, DH bought me The Painted Quilt by the Kemshalls and Sandra Meech's Contemporary Quilts book, and my Mum gave me a mini rotary cutter and a selection of button ( including some cool music ones which will go well with the guitars!) So now that the kids are all home from school and busy, I'm going to head upstairs with my books and a cup of tea for a little bit of 'me' time.

As well as the lovely presents, DH and Bronnie made this for me...

The characters are, left to right, DH, Bronnie and DS, Niall ( the bearded one!) DJ the cat is in the middle of the cake.
We'll overlook the fact that initially the candles said 47!

How to use a Jelly roll

2008-09-16T21:13:00.003+01:00

Like many of us, I have bought a couple of jelly rolls, and had no idea of what to do with them. After much humming and haaing, I've finally started on a pattern that I like.
This pattern appears in the current McCalls Quilting special America Makes Fast Quilts which has lots of designs for charm packs, jelly rolls, fat quarters and fat eighths. There are quite a few nice designs in there, but I particularly liked this one. The quilt is supposed to be 72"x88" and uses 4 jelly rolls, but I'm sure that I can get something reasonable out of a single roll.

I still haven't decided on what to do with the guitar fabric yet, but this should keep me out of trouble while I make up my mind.

Any ideas?

2008-09-15T21:22:00.003+01:00

DS ( aged 16 ) has something of a guitar obsession. He's currently got 3 and is considering getting a new acoustic guitar. So when I saw this in Celtic Quilting on Saturday, I couldn't leave without it.
Not knowing what I would do with it, I took what was left on the bolt ( just over 1 m ).
Niall loves it, and is looking forward to whatever I make for him.
I have no idea what I should make though.
Any ideas? I'd really love some inspiration if you have any ideas.

Dead PC

2008-08-26T22:07:00.005+01:00

Sadly, my home PC has currently died! I'm hoping that it's just a problem with the power unit and can be fixed quickly by the techie guys. We have a laptop, but being without my files etc is a pain, so I really hope that I can get them back.

In the meantime, I had some nice quilty mail.
This packet is from Kate , part of her ATC challenge.

It's along time since I've made any ATCs, but I'm looking forward to playing with this lot! There were some lovely beads, as well as the card bases in the packet. I have a couple of ideas on how to use them percolating already

This is the only sewing I have done in this last week. The riding school that we go to were having a fund-raising weekend for Breast Cancer research, with pyjama rides and the ponies made up with pink ribbons in their manes/tails. Unfortunately due to a back problem just now, I had to forgo the pyjama ride, but I did make a cushion for them to raffle. I hope that some pony-mad child wins it!

Phew

2008-08-13T21:04:00.002+01:00

Don't you just hate it when work interferes with quilting!
I have loads on at work just now ( double what I can really cope with) so I'm not getting home until after 7pm each night ( fortunately DD is staying with her Gran just now) This means that I'm just too tired to get anything done in the sewing room. All I've managed in the last 2 weeks is preparing more melons for my applique blocks. I have about 50 all tacked and ready for the tidy stitching.
Never mind, all this work has meant that I am building up plenty of flexi time, so I'm taking Friday off and DH and I are going to the Festival of Quilts. It will be our 21st wedding anniversary, can you think of any nicer way to celebrate?

Normal service should resume shortly, and I'll have lots to show you

Back from our holidays

2008-07-27T22:03:00.002+01:00

We got back from Holland last night. We had a lovely 2 weeks, and the children really enjoyed themselves. We did get to Amsterdam, and I persuaded my family that I really needed a trip to Den Haan & Wagenmakers for a quilt fix. I got some lovely fabrics there. There is a lovely border print and a selection of reproduction fabrics tied up with a ribbon.

There is another quilt shop, Bird Blocks, right next door Bronnie and I managed to sneak in there too before the menfolk came to pick us up. They had a beautiful quilt on the wall depicting the canal houses of Amsterdam, so I had to get a copy of the pattern as a souvenir.

Unfortunately I completely forgot about the camera in my bag, and so didn't get any photos of the shops to share with you.

I havent been able to get any photos of my purchases yet, but I shall do that asap.

I took some sewing away with me, and managed to get all of the applique blocks I had prepared completed. I don't know how many more of these I'm going to do before I put them together, but I think I'll carry on for a while yet.

A Finished quilt!

2008-07-11T20:38:00.003+01:00

My local quilt shop are having an exhibition next week, so I have just been to drop off a couple of quilts for them. I finished binding the Indian Hatchet this week, so that one has gone. Unfortunately photos of the finished quilt will need to wait until I get it back, as the light isn't great in the evenings just now and I couldn't get a picture yesterday during the day thanks to after school commitments. The other quilt I took to Busy Bees was the Surprising 4-patch that I did in a class there. It came back from the long arm quilter a week ago, but I just could not get the binding finished in time. So this one has gone as a work in progress.

Just so you have something to look at in this post, here is someone enjoying the sunshine a couple of weeks ago!

We are heading off to Holland for 2 weeks on Sunday, so poor DJ will be going into the cattery tomorrow morning. Let's hope that the lady who runs it wont mind giving out lots of cuddles!

Look what I got....

2008-07-07T22:20:00.002+01:00

This beautiful quilt arrived this weekend. Made by Amy, I certainly feel very lucky to have been given this one!

Here's a detailed shot of the tiny piecing and intricate machine quilting. As one who can only manage straight-ish lines of machine quilting. I would love to be able to quilt like this.

Amy also included some very pretty fabrics and notepad in her parcel.

All in all a lovely surprise to get in the post - thank you very much Amy!

Back on Line Again

2008-07-07T22:09:00.003+01:00

Well a fried cable modem has meant that we have had no Internet for a little while.
But I'm back again now ( for a little while at least!)

In the meantime, I have finished and sent off my little quilt for the ALQS swap. Stupidly though, I was so intent on getting it in the post in time, I completely forgot to take a picture of it!
All I have is this picture of the finished blocks. I did a mixture of machine and hand quilting in the end, and was quite pleased with the finished quilt.
I hope that **** likes it!

Carrying on with the children's quilts

2008-06-09T22:17:00.003+01:00

My washing line looked very attractive with all of those colourful quilts drying in the sunshine yesterday. I have 2 more quilts to finish, 1 to bind and 1 to complete the quilting and bind, and then I can wash those and deliver them all by the weekend.
This evening I have concentrated on the quilting. I just have a few more lines to do and then I'll be done.
I'm not much of a machine quilter, I can just do straight ( ish! ) lines with a walking foot. I really want to remedy this though, so I have bought a machine quilting dvd - Fast and Fun - and signed up for a class on Quilt University. I know the theory, and also that practise is the key, so I have the idea that I will make table mats - nice and small to try out the techniques.
Oh well, it's almost bed time, just a little bit of blog reading before I head up - night night!

Famous - but not too famous we hope!

2008-06-07T17:01:00.002+01:00

On an aside, DD Bronwen has her photo, and a photo of her Guild Challenge project in this month's Popular Patchwork, along with the other Young Quilters who were at the AGM earlier this year.
Bronwen is the small one on the right in the photo, if you happen to see it.

Let's hope the fame doesn't go to her head! LOL!

Charity Quilt Day

2008-06-07T16:53:00.002+01:00

I belong to a local quilt group ( well, I say belong, I have just become chair!)
with around 60 members. Some time ago we started a project to make children's quilts for charity, then kind of fizzled out a bit. Well, we have had an entire day today of finishing some off for delivery to Project Linus later in the summer at the Festival of Quilts.
These are the ones that will be delivered to the lady who will be taking them in the next week. Some of them were already finished, and I have 2 more to finish the machine quilting on and bind, but I think it's a good start.

There are some more in the pipeline, and when they're done we're going to sit down, work out who we want to quilt for and find a new design to try.

Visitors, work and mud!

2008-06-01T21:28:00.003+01:00

Recently my mother in law has been visiting us from London, so I haven't had any time for quilting ( and hence no blogging either!). I get on well with her, so we all had a lovely time over the last week. One of the places we went was to the literature festival at Hay on Wye - thanks to the rain, it was extremely muddy

This was the state of the car park when we were leaving - I really did not think we were going to get out of there!
We haven't been to the festival before, but we enjoyed it so much that we'll definitely be going back next year. I took the children to see a comedy show ( Marcus Brigstock and Dave Gorman) while DH and his Mum went to see A A Gill, and then we all went to see the Liverpool Poets in the evening. I've seen Brian Patten and Roger McGough before a long long time ago, so we knew that we'd enjoy it. DS, 16, was not sure though. Picture the scene, the whole family waiting in the queue outside the venue, Niall - "So what are we going to now Mum?", me - "The Liverpool Poets", Niall - "What will they be doing?", me - "Reading their poetry". A look of complete horror, Niall - "What! You're taking me to a poetry reading?"
He did finally confess to enjoying about half of the performance, I think the poetry about love and death was a bit too much though!
Still I'm sure that these experiences will all stand him in good stead at some time in the future! He he!

I have an appointment with the local long arm quilter tomorrow to take 2 quilts to her, so I have been finishing off a pieced backing for the Crayon Box quilt. For some reason, whenever I buy fabric that might be good for backings, I never buy enough, so the backing is as wild and funky as the front of this quilt. Let's hope Bronnie will like it when it's all finished.
It was too wet outside when I'd finished it, so I'll have to post pictures when the whole thing is finished.

Mum, DD and I have also done the Race for Life today. A quilting friend of mine, Jennie, died a month ago, so it was a particularly emotional day. But we're glad that we did it again - this was race number 4 for us all together!

Dear Jane

2008-05-18T21:06:00.003+01:00

I have recently added this Dear Jane blog to my list of blogs that I like to follow. Anina has some great mini tutorials on each of the blocks that they are making. I haven't yet followed her reverse applique instructions yet (I'm not great at the 'A' stuff) but I will.

I started making blocks from the Dear Jane book years ago, and then got sidetracked and put them away - as we all do. However, thanks to the Dear Baby Jane group and a lady from Swansea Quilters, I have been inspired to look them out and try again. So just for Judith, here are the Liberty blocks I made back then. I thought I had more of them, but this seems to be the lot, and I don't have lots of the white background fabric, but I think I'll make a few more and then put them together into a completed project. Some of them look a bit big as I haven't trimmed them down yet, and one or two are a bit wonky, but here they are...

I'm pretty certain that I have some swap blocks kicking around too, so I'll find those next. Otherwise, I will be getting to grips with the software and making scrappy blocks to continue with my stash-using-up.

Quilts UK

2008-05-18T21:05:00.002+01:00

I had a lovely day off work on Friday, and drove up to Malvern to the Quilts UK show. I went up on my own, but as is always the thing with quilt shows, I met lots of quilters that I knew. I did look out for Tonya, but I didn't see her.
There were some stunning quilts there, I especially liked the scrappy double wedding ring with beautiful hand quilting. I don't see one of those in my future though - much as I would like it!
I don't know if it's the case, but there seemed to be less quilts this year, which is a shame. Maybe the Festival of Quilts is having an effect. Perhaps i will put a quilt in again next year. I've only done this once before, and if people don't enter their quilts there will be nothing for us all to go and look at.

As, I managed some shopping at the traders - Dear Jane software, some reproduction fat quarters, hand painted sock wool( I know that's not quilty, but it is lovely!), magazines and bits and pieces. All in all, a good day.

Bad Blogger!

2008-05-11T19:48:00.003+01:00

I don't know what it is, but I just cant seem to settle to much at the moment.
I was at a quilt exhibition last week, demonstrating making quilt label using rubber stamps, but that has been about it. Sadly, I had a bit of a day that day, couldn't find the box with my supplies in and forgot the camera, so didn't get any pictures of the fabulous antique quilts there.
Thanks to my futile search for the stamping box, my little sewing space is in a right state now! I've tried going in there a few times over the last week to impose some sort of order, but I just don't know where to start! My poor mojo is trapped in there under all the piles of stuff!
Thanks to Gina I have managed to find a bit of inspiration today. Gina had made some very nice scrappy square in a square blocks. For some reason they have stuck in my mind over the last few days, they really seem to sparkle. So I've decide to make some. I don't know if I will make a whole quilt yet, but I have done these, and got another 8 in various stages of completion. Perhaps I'll try an orphan quilt, I do have a pile of scrappy stars and flying geese that I could also use.
For now I'm happy just to stitch.

Onto non-quilty things now. Icicle never did come home, she's microchipped, so I worry that something happened to her, it has been over 7 weeks now.
However, this little chap was in desperate need of a loving home. He's quite young, and has been out on his own for some time, so all he wants is somewhere secure to live,and lots of petting.
We have called him DJ. Icicle may still be found, and we'll have to deal with that if it happens, but DJ is a friendly little soul and has made friends with the other cats around here.

Spring Quilt

2008-05-01T19:18:00.002+01:00

Here is the Spring quilt I have made for the latest round of the Four Seasons quilt swap. It is making it's merry way to....

I hope the recipient likes it

Completed Item

2008-04-30T21:59:00.002+01:00

I don't know why I'm such a 'Last-minute Lil', but I find it very difficult to commit to a project until the deadline is looming. Well, once more I have just made it, and finished my Spring quilt for the 4 Seasons swap.
I'm really pleased with this one, in fact I might make another. I got the design from a new book called Bits And Pieces by Karen Costello Soltys .
I cant post a photo tonight, but when I get onto the desktop tomorrow I will be sure too.
I hope the recipient will like it.

Some photos from the AGM

2008-04-19T22:15:00.007+01:00

Now that Blogger has decided to let me upload photos again, here are some from last weekend.

Bronwen with her Young Quilters challenge project. The theme was 'Fabulous Food', so she decided on a 'Foodoko' floor cushion, using a sudoku puzzle she had solved as the pattern.

These are the other YQ entries - aren't they fabulous? We particularly liked the bowl of spaghetti which won the 11 and under prize!

We did manage a bit of shopping at the traders stands. As well as a book each, and some cat fabrics for Bron we came home with lovely hand dyed threads...

.. space dyed velvet and scrim...

.. and a couple of scrap bags.

All in all, I think we had a pretty good weekend! Cant wait for next year now.

AGM Report

2008-04-17T21:42:00.003+01:00

Well Bronnie and I had a fabulous time at the Quilter's Guild AGM in Cambridge, I cant believe we haven't been before. We'll certainly be there in the future!
We went to several lectures by Ineke Berlyn, Charlotte Yde ( Lovely Art quilts ), Shirley Bloomfield ( Baltimore applique ) and Helen Deighan ( dyeing and coiled pots ) and enjoyed some lovely exhibits as well.
Bronnie took the Young Quilters classes, making a funky mask, quilted bag and pussy cat doorstops. She really enjoyed herself. She was also very impressed with the college, and decided that she would like to attend there when she leaves school.
I have got photos of Bronnie's YQ challenge project, along with the other YQ entries, but sadly blogger isn't playing at the moment and wont let me upload. I shall try again tomorrow.

Getting ready to go away for a few days

2008-04-08T21:47:00.004+01:00

DD, Bronnie, and I are preparing to go to the Quilters Guild AGM in a nice college in Cambridge. We booked this weekend away together months and months ago, and I cant quite believe that it's almost here.
There are classes etc to book on, but as I haven't been before I didn't bother for myself ( I think there will be more than enough going on to keep me out of trouble!). Bronnie will be doing the all of the Young Quilters activities that are available.
As a result of our impending trip, and supervising Bronnie with her challenge project, I haven't achieved much in the stitching way.So I thought I'd show some of the quilts I have done before.
This was one of the early quilts I made from a class with Sonia Fox. I went through a phase of collecting Japanese fabrics and this wall hanging is one of my favourite pieces, it lives in my sitting room.

Detail of one of the kimono

I still have lots more Japanese fabrics, and still love them. I must find something to do with the rest!

Hopefully I will be able to show off Bronnie's project tommorow before we go away on Thursday!

Spring Quilt!

2008-04-05T21:33:00.005+01:00

I had a lovely surprise in the post today. My Spring swap quilt arrived from Colene. I really love this quilt, it really says 'Spring' to me

I love these little Grandmother's Flower Garden flowers - they're so pretty.

Thank you very much Colene!

Still no sign of Icicle

2008-03-31T21:43:00.002+01:00

Out cat Icicle is still missing. She has been gone for over a week now. I am still hoping that she may be trapped in the garage/shed of a neighbour who has gone away for the holidays. We have posted leaflets through all the neighbour's letterboxes, put up posters in the village, contacted local vets, cat's rescue and the microchip company and I don't think we can do anything else but wait and hope. Bronwen is home from her trip to her Grandmother's and is missing the cat dreadfully. It's very hard to watch your child hurting.

Thank you for all of your kind comments. We have heard lots of hopeful tales of cats who went missing and just turned up out of the blue after worrying their owners sick!

A Quilt!

2008-03-26T17:35:00.002Z

I have finally finished sashing and putting together the blocks of this surprising 4-patch. And I have found the border fabric, so maybe I'll get those cut out and put on tomorrow.

I'm quite pleased with how this one has turned out, even though it is not my normal sort of thing. It is very pretty and delicate ( my quilts are normally bright!) I hope that my niece will like it.

Thank you for all of the kind comments about Icicle, she still isnt home and we are trying to keep positive.

Feeling out of sorts

2008-03-24T21:50:00.002Z

I didn't realise that it's been 2 weeks since I last posted - wow!
I haven't really had anything to say, and that's my excuse. Work has been busy and life has been even busier with stuff not related to quilting which all seems to have taken up loads of my time.

I have managed a little bit of stitching, but not really enough to post photos of. I did finish the centre of the floral surprising 4-patch, but am not sure what Ive done with the border fabric I bought for it! Anyway there's not much hurry as the long arm quilter I was hoping to use to get it quilted has a broken machine just now. Story of my life at the moment - nothing seems to be going right.

On a sad note, our cat Icicle has gone missing. She's been gone for 48 hours now and DD is just breaking her heart. We thought she may just be trapped in some one's garage, but she still hasn't turned up. Fingers crossed that when people get their cars out to go back to work tomorrow after the holiday weekend, she will come home.

Something a bit different.

2008-03-10T19:22:00.005Z

I've been a quilter for about 8 years now ( is it really that long? ) but I have never been into embroidery. I like the embroidered and embellished look on quilts, but I don't have any idea about how to achieve it.
Last summer in Ireland we visited the ancient monuments at Newgrange and Knowth. The whole time I was there a quilt formed in my head. This quilt will be wholecloth, using fancy fibres and stitches to form the intricate carvings found on the stones. I can picture the texture and effects so clearly in my head. Trouble is, I don't know how to start. So I booked a class with James Hunting at my local quilt shop. We didn't have a project to do, but James was very inspiring, and has taught the woman who could only do running stitch and blanket stitch how to do these ...

James supplied us with fabric sketchbooks containing a variety of fabric types to try out different threads and techniques. I have discovered that I really don't like sheer fabrics. It must be the quilter in me, but I prefer to stitch on a substantial fabric with a thicker thread, I just could not cope with those fine thin things!

I've done a lot of classes lately, very indulgent of me, but this is the last for a while. Now I have to go off and finish some of them off! Back to quilting tomorrow!

It's a top at least!

2008-03-04T17:37:00.003Z

A bit of a rubbish photo, as the wind kept ruffling the quilt - but here is the Crayon Box top. I'm so glad that this is one step nearer to being complete. I'm debating how I can quilt it ( and in a reasonable length of time!). I think I'll get the local Long Arm Quilter to baste it for me and then machine quilt it. I found some lovely King Tut variegated thread the other week, which I think would do nicely. I know it's a bit lazy getting it basted, but I really hate that part of the quilting process, so by someone else doing it for me, I can get on with the things I do like!

Bronwen has already laid claim to this quilt! She likes the bright colours and the good size of it. I can picture her cuddled up in it already!

Indulgence

2008-03-02T21:25:00.002Z

I've had a lovely weekend. Yesterday Cardiff Quilters hosted the annual Doughty's Roadshow. They bring all of their fabrics to sell and we provide the space and bodies to help with the setting up etc. Being in a room full of fabrics, at very good prices, was just too tempting. I wasn't too naughty, just got a few more light FQs for my scrap quilting, wadding for some of the tops I have kicking around here and a very nice bundle of fabrics ( sort of natural stone-colours with a couple of focus fabrics ). I have no idea what I'm going to do with the letter, but a friend bought the same bundle so I think we will challenge each other to use them up. Our Young Quilter's challenge. She has a good idea for this, and will need to get going now she has her fabrics all ready.

Today is Mothering Sunday here in the UK. I had a nice lie in reading my book, with breakfast in bed supplied by Bronwen. Niall tends to sleep in himself on Sundays, so I didn't see him until much later.

This afternoon I have indulged myself with sewing ( while watching Jane Eyre on my little dvd player). I have finished the Crayon box top, made 2 more blocks for the Katherine Guerrier quilt from last weekends class an continued with putting the 4-patch blocks together. I've run out of 4.5 inch squares now, so need to do a bit more cutting out before I can finish that top. I had hoped to do some sandwiching as well, but that one didn't happen.
Sadly the light was gone by the time I was finished, so I cant post photos tonight, but I will later in the week. Maybe I'll have accomplished even more by then!

Saturday catch-up

2008-02-25T17:46:00.005Z

This is the card DD Bronwen made at the Young Quilters class on Saturday.
It was quite a challenging project. The basket is pieced over papers and then appliqued down onto the background.
The flowers were then supposed to be made from Suffolk Puffs (which would have looked lovely) but we ran out of time, so the girls used some funky foam flowers and sparkly bits to decorate the basket with.
I'm not sure who is going to get this card, but it's Mother's day next weekend, so maybe she will give it to Granny

Despite being busy with the Young Quilters, I did manage a little bit of retail therapy as well.
There was a stall selling these thread carousels, among other goodies. I just couldn't resist! I already have my threads stored in a rack mounted on the wall, but I think this will be handy for keeping in the sitting room when I'm hand quilting ( I make it sound like I do a lot of hand quilting don't I? LOL!)

And finally...
look what arrived in the post. I ordered these patterns last week from Lisa Boyer in Hawaii, they came in double quick time. The patterns are lovely and Lisa had included a surprise - some Hawaiian charms. They are certainly what I need to brighten up a dismal grey day here in Wales. Thank you Lisa!

When I've finished something up around here, I'm going to make one or two of those wacky Tiki heads. They look like lots of fun!

Scrap Quilting

2008-02-24T20:32:00.005Z

We had a great day in Swansea today at the Katherine Guerrier workshop today. The venue was great and the company friendly - what more can you ask for?
I had some issues with one of the blocks - that's the polite way of saying that I did it wrong - several tines! But, other than that, I had a great time. I managed 2 complete 12 inch blocks, plus another 3 of the mini blocks that make this quilt sparkle. These are everyone's blocks together - we made a quilt's worth between us. My blocks are the 3rd down on the left, and 3rd down on the right.
This week I plan to get a whole load more of the light/dark squares cut for the half square triangles and then I can carry on. Apparently 9 blocks plus a border will make a reasonable sized quilt. I should be able to manage that.

I'm looking forward to a more productive week this week!
At least it has started well.

Oops!

2008-02-23T22:48:00.002Z

Oh dear - what a week!
The new project I am working on has resulted in long, very busy days at work, so stitching has taken a seat right at the back. I don't like this much, and usually find a bit of quilting very therapeutic when things get tough, but this week it just hasn't been possible.
This weekend has been completely different though. Today was the Region 12 of the Quilter's Guild Area Day. I was teaching a Young Quilter's workshop this morning and in the afternoon Katherine Guerrier was the speaker - fabulous quilts! I don't have many Young Quilter's, but there are a couple of regulars, and a new girl joined us today. I hope that she enjoyed the spring cards we made and comes next time.
Sadly I forgot my camera, and so didn't get any photos of the cards the girls made, but I'll try to get a picture of Bronwen's card for you.

I've just spent the evening sorting some more scraps ready for a class tomorrow with Katherine Guerrier. I definitely won't be forgetting the camera!

Cat update

2008-02-15T17:56:00.002Z

A couple of people have asked about Icicle, our new cat.
She is getting on very well in her new home. She really is the ideal cat for us, quite playful ( but not too mad!) and very affectionate. She doesnt 'talk' though. I've never met a cat before who doesnt 'miaow'.

She's been out in the garden this week, marching about and letting the other cats in the neighbourhood know that she's here.

At last - some progress!

2008-02-15T17:44:00.004Z

I had a day off work today, it's half term, so the children are off from school, and I was able to enjoy a bit of time with them. There was a bit of running around with DS, up and down to the stables, as he was riding this afternoon (again! That makes 4 times this week - so far!) and I took DD out for lunch while Niall was riding.
But I have also managed to squeeze in some time in my own room, working on putting together these 2 quilts.

The photos are a bit rubbish, as the light was going, and I've got on a bit further after I took these.

This crayon box quilt is so very nearly done, I'm having to be careful, this is the stage when I always make stupid mistakes and end up unpicking a stack of seams.
I just have 1 more strip to put on, and the sashing on one of the outside edges.

This Surprising 4-patch needs 2 more rows and the borders. I had hoped to finish this one as I will be taking a class tomorrow with the lady who taught this class, and I thought it would be nice to take it along with me. Never mind, I will probably see her next weekend at the Guild area day.

When work interferes with quilting...

2008-02-11T21:59:00.000Z

I didn't leave work until 7pm tonight, so I haven't set foot inside my little room to work on that Crayon Box top. I've just had my tea, a bath, and spent a little time checking some blogs before be time.
I found one new to me, Lisa Boyer, the author of the Dorky Home-made quilt books. I just love those books, they really tickle me. So, I shall be checking this one out on a regular basis.
Just thought I'd share.

I'll be home at a more normal time tomorrow, so I should get some more done to my quilt - or at leats be able to document it's progress more thoroughly.

Busy weekend

2008-02-10T22:14:00.000Z

Well, this weekend has been pretty good. I didnt have any prior committments, apart from taking DS ( the Rock God ) to a music exam - he thinks he did OK, so fingers crossed.
The rest of the weekend has been spent watching the rugby ( and trying not to get carried away with Wales' second win!) and stitching.
The crayon box blocks are all done and 2 of the 4 rows have been joined together. I need to cut some more sashing pieces now, and then I can get this top finished.
I've got a long day at work tomorrow, so I probably wont be able to get much done after work, but I will be off on Wednesday and Friday. Stitching time later then!
Hopefully I should be able to post some photos later this week, especially if I can get my crayon box top finished.

Wow - another lovely pressie in the post!

2008-02-06T16:59:00.000Z

My Four Seasons swap quilt is here!
Look at this lovely litle chap, isn't he gorgeous? This beautiful quilt is from Elke in Austria.

He certainly makes me feel chilly.

And a close up.

I have been admiring these stitcheries on quite a few blogs recently, but have never tried this technique myself, so it is really nice to have a quilt that I would not have made for myself.

Something exciting in the post today!

2008-02-05T17:24:00.000Z

I do love to get surprises in the mail!
Last year I joined my first ever round robin. I've always loved seeing the results of other Round Robins, both on the internet and in magazines, but they have made me nervous. It seems like a big investment in something so risky. So last year I joined a mini round robin. We had to send in 6 inch block, and then 3 other people put borders onto it. This also meant that each of us only had to make borders for 3 other small quilts.
I had completely forgotten all about this swap, especially as the 3rd block for me to add a border to never arrived at my house, until this morning.

Look what has come home!
Isn't it lovely? The photo isn't great, it was already getting dark when I got home from work, but the colours are just so rich - exactly my sort of thing!

I had originally thought about turning this into a cushion, but now I'm thinking it might look nice on the wall! Perhaps I'll machine quilt it first and then see what it says to me!

Four Seasons Swap

2008-02-04T22:39:00.000Z

Sorry I have not been able to get on here over the last few days, life getting in the way of quilting once more! Ho Hum!

I finally sent my little Winter quilt on it's way. I do hope the recipient likes it - I've sort of gone off it now. I dont know what it is, something I just cant put my finger on, but I'm disappointed in it!
This, of course, makes it very stressful waiting for it to cross the globe, worrying that she will see the same whatever it is and be disappointed too!

What do you think?

2008-01-30T21:12:00.000Z

I have done my Winter 4 Seasons swap quilt - talk about last minute!
Here is a sneaky peek, until I can get the whole thing photographed.

Hopefully I can get it in the post and on it's way by the end of the week.

I had a nice bit of post this week. I know I'm supposed to be using up my stash, but I couldn't resist, and I don't have fabrics like this in my stash! These are Japanese Daiwabo fat eighths from the Antique Angel bi-monthly club. I already have the perfect quilt to use these for, so my aim is that I can get the pack cut up and start piecing the blocks as I go along. Famous last words huh?
But they are just soooo lovely.

Great day yesterday!

2008-01-27T19:17:00.001Z

Yesterday I have a lovely indulgent day full of great quilts! I went to a workshop with Ineke Berlyn at Busy Bees in Newport.
We did the Pieced Landscapes class, which was great fun. I have often admired landscape quilts, but haven't yet had a go. I didn't manage to finish the centre of my piece yesterday. I always find classes quite intense, and by the last hour I was starting to make mistakes, so I stopped. I've carried on a bit today though, and have got this far....

I still need to put on the borders and some little houses and trees, but at least I can see the beginnings here.
Gina from Quilting in the Valleys was also attending the class. It's nice to meet a fellow blogger - some of my flesh-and-blood friends think I'm a bit odd messing about in quilty cyber-space! Gina's quilt was looking lovely, I'm sure she'll post pictures of it soon.

I'm going to head back to my little room for now with Hamish MacBeth to try and get my 4 Seasons quilt finished - talk about last minute! This little quilt has a long way to go and I need to get it in the post this week.

Baby steps

2008-01-23T17:47:00.000Z

I haven't been able to devote much more than small periods of time to playing in my little room, but I am making progress. The blocks for the Crayon Box quilt are almost done, and I'm ready to start putting the sashing strips on. I do like the way this quilt is turning out, it's certainly bright!

I'm really hoping that I can get all of the blocks done before the weekend, when I will be distracted by a class.

I have a new little helper, not too sure how safe she would be with a rotary cutter though! LOL!

Getting some stitching done at last!

2008-01-22T22:18:00.000Z

At last I seem to have got over all of the goings-on round here and the funk that have kept me out of my little sanctuary lately.
I haven't managed anything major yet that's worthy of photographs, but I have done some more scrap cutting and worked on the blocks currently in progress. I have just finished another 3 Crayon Box blocks, and the final 6 are in progress. Hopefully I should get these done tomorrow, then I can get going on the sashing.

As well as cutting-and-stitching, I have been trying to pull fabrics together for some classes I have coming up. I need plains for a landscape class with Ineke Berlyn, scraps for a class with Katherine Guerrier and 6 fat quarters for a class with Judi Mendelssohn - all in the next 5 weeks! I don't normally take so many classes at once, but it just so happened that these were all not to be missed opportunities that have come up. Perhaps I had better book some time with the local long arm quilter. I have had a king sized quilt quilted by her, but I have also used her for basting smaller tops for me. Sandwiching and basting are my least favourite quilting tasks and I am more than happy to pay to have this chore done for me!

Vacancy has been filled

2008-01-20T11:46:00.000Z

The vacancy in this house for Official Quilt Tester has now been filled!

This is Icicle, she is 3 years old. We picked her up yesterday from the Cat Protection rescue centre, and already she is marching about like she owns the place!
She has also found a wonderful place, full of soft fabrics, to sleep in - aka Mum's Sewing Room! LOL!

As you can see, she is a very pretty girl, and Bronnie is completely besotted already, fortunately the feeling seems to be mutual!

Four Seasons Quilt

2008-01-16T20:05:00.000Z

I have my little winter quilt all mapped out and ready to go.
These are the fabrics I bought at Busy Bees on Friday last week - I think that they're very frosty. I hope that the recipient will like the quilt.

I still haven't managed to get to the sewing machine yet this week what with working late, DD's school parents evening etc. Tomorrow I will be back to finishing work at the normal time ( ready for school getting out) so I have high hopes of achieving something. I was chatting with a friend who is currently working on a little top using big stitch quilting. I'm determined to have a go at this myself, it would be a good project to do while watching television in the evening. I have some nice sherbet coloured Perle thread with which I can quilt the confetti quilt from a few months back. It will be nice to get a completion so early in the year!

Saturday catch-up

2008-01-12T17:41:00.000Z

There has still been no quilty stuff going on round here lately. I'm getting quite twitchy now - I really need to get into my little room and make something. I managed to iron some fqs ready for cutting up last night to finish of the blocks for my crayon box quilt, but that's as far as it goes.

After a hectic and stressful week at work, I took a little trip to my local quilt shop on my way home yesterday. I had to pay the balance on a workshop I'm taking at the end of the month with Ineke Berlyn. While I was there, I picked up some fabrics for my Four Seasons swap quilt. As usual, I've changed my mind about what I'm doing several times, but I have fixed on one idea now and am raring to go. I've missed the light today as we've been out, but Ill post a piccie of the fabrics tomorrow morning.

We've been out for much of the day today, first off was a visit to the Cat Protection rescue centre where we have chosen a new member of the family. Her name is Icicle a lovely friendly tabby and we hope that she will come to live with us next weekend. Bronnie is beside herself with excitement, its just as well she's gone to a sleepover and the girls will occupy her for the evening.
We finished off the day with a trip to town once we'd dropped Bronnie off at her friends, it's her birthday on Friday so we needed to get some gifts for her. It being so close to Christmas, she doesn't really want anything in particular, but we got some books and a dvd, and I think I'll take her for a little clothes shopping trip next weekend, she'll enjoy that.

Goals for 2008

2008-01-04T22:11:00.000Z

I have quite a few ufos kicking around here, to be honest I'm a bit scared to count them! But I have listed the ones that I really want to work on for the time being. I have a quilt that only needs the binding stitched on - it has been in that state for over a month, so hopefully now that I've fessed up to it this one will get finished quick sharpish!

I look forward to moving some of these projects into a 'Completed in 2008' list on the sidebar. Wouldn't that be great?

Sudoku Quilt

2008-01-04T19:47:00.000Z

Bronnie and I are are getting on very well with the Sudoku quilt ( better, in fact, than these photos would indicate!)
These are the fabrics Bron chose, they are very sweet. She has got her heart set on some 'numbers' fabric for the border though - so that everyone will know the quilt is a puzzle. Who can argue with child logic!

We've only got 2 blocks left to stitch together, but here are the first 3 blocks so you get the idea.

I was planning to use some of the leftovers to make a mini version for myself, but I couldn't get 9 squares out of a couple of the fabrics, so I've just added the scrap squares to my leaders/enders box. I need to replenish this a bit, as I've stitched a lot of 4-patch blocks while I've been working on the Sudoku. But first I need to clear the cutting table of all of the junk that's been piled onto it over the holidays!

It's the final post of the year..

2007-12-31T21:43:00.000Z

... and at least there have been quilty goings-on in this house again! I have been poorly with the dreaded lurgy since Christmas day and so haven't really felt up to very much at all.
Today DD, Bronnie and I have had the fabric and sewing machine out once more. The Stashbusters group are doing a Sudoku New Year quilt and , as Bronnie is a big fan of these puzzles, she was very keen to have a go. I had a packet of 30s fat quarters that I got from the Fat Quarter Shop sale, which Bronnie really liked. So we now have the puzzle completed, all the pieces cut and the first 2 blocks pieced already. Hopefully we should be able to get the top done between us by Saturday when we'll be off to the local quilt group.
As well as Bronnie's quilt, I have also been cutting into some more of those fabrics from my stash busting box. I have 2 more blocks cut out for the Planet Patchwork BOM. I'm really behind on this one, but it seemed like a good way to use up scraps when I started.

I hope that you all have a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T22:06:00.000Z

Well, like many of us, Christmas preparations caught up on me, and I haven't sewn a stitch in almost 2 weeks! I don't have withdrawal symptoms just yet, but I'm looking forward to a bit of playtime at the end of the week.
For now, I have done all the wrapping, set the table and am now relaxing before the Santa bit.
Enjoy DD Bronnie's gingerbread house - she had a ball this afternoon decorating it!

Have a very merry Christmas!

Teresa

Stashbusting progress...

2007-12-10T21:35:00.000Z

...
When I think about it, I've managed to quite a bit of stash this week. I have cut into 18 of the fat quarters in my box. From these I have cut a 10 inch square, which will be used for a pieced quilt backing, a stack of strips for the Crayon box blocks and some small squares from the remainder for leader/ender 4-patch blocks. There's still a bit of each of those FQs left, but I'm sure that I can find something to do with them.
I've got another 5 blocks for the Crayon box quilt and need about 5 more. I don't want it to be a bed quilt, a snuggly throw size will be OK for me.
We've got quite a busy week this week, with school concerts etc, but I hope that I can continue with this good start.

Oh and I nearly forgot the most important bit...

I didn't buy any fabric! I even went to my guild's Christmas party where there was a lovely quilt shop in attendance, the jelly rolls etc were all very tempting, but I resisted!

Still cutting, but a bit of stitching sneaked in!

2007-12-08T15:53:00.000Z

I'm still cutting out pieces from my fat quarters box, I feel like I've done loads, but the box doesn't look any different. Perhaps the fabric is breeding in there - a new form of life that is known only to quilters! LOL!

I got a bit fed up with all of this cutting and nothing to show for it, so I have sneaked in a bit of stitching in-between times.
These blocks are from the Crayon box pattern on the Quiltville site. I had one completed already, and a few more in progress, but I've now got these and a (very) small stack of 4-patch leader/ender blocks. It feels good to be stitching after all that cutting. I've got a few more centre squares need to be done and then I can get going for real putting these blocks together

The weather is absolutely atrocious here, very windy and lots of heavy rain. We went out when it cleared a little to the medieval market at Caerphilly castle, which was a nice break in a dull day. But I did feel for the poor people there, i don't think they had many visitors on such a nasty day.

Still cutting......

2007-12-05T22:36:00.000Z

I have been in and out of the house for the last few days and incredibly busy at work, so I have just been cutting out. I find it quite relaxing when I'm just cutting pieces like my strips/squares. I now have quite a decent pile of strips for the Crayon box blocks, although I will definitely need to cut more, and a goodly number of squares for a leader/ender project.
I'm ready to do some stitching now, although I have another dozen fat quarters ready for more cutting, so I think I'll do that tomorrow evening after I take Bronwen for her riding lesson

Monday and it's time to check in

2007-12-03T20:25:00.000Z

I've not had a very quilty time in the last week. I managed to fall off the horse when I went riding last Wednesday, and ended up very stiff and sore for a few days. Silly me caught my heel on the saddle trying to dismount and ended up flat on my back beside my mount. Chess just looked at me with a puzzled look on his face!
This meant that I really haven't had much inclination to do any sewing ( haven't really been able to physically either).
Although I did have a nice time at the Cardiff Quilters Christmas party on Saturday. We had a couple of traders, but I resisted the fabrics despite the lady having some very nice rolls of Daiwabo fabrics. I did come home with the new Kaffe Fassett book though ( well I had been given a refund from a class that was cancelled so it was like it was free!). After lunch we had a lovely speaker, Bobby Britnell (her website is here). She brought along some lovely artworks, both quilts and drawings/paintings. I had seen some of them before at various Six exhibitions, but its always nice to re-acquaint oneself with great quilts. I particularly liked the daisy and bookcase quilts, and some little box frames filled with embellished squares that reminded me of the inchies I have seen on Kates blog. Perhaps after Christmas I'll have a go at making some.
Anyway, now that my back and neck are feeling much better, I have been cutting int some of the fat quarters in my challenge box. I've only started on about half a dozen so far, but from each of them I have cut a 10.5 inch square and some 2.5 inch strips. The squares I will piece to make a backing for a scrappy lap quilt, and the strips will go into further Crayon Box blocks.
When I've got a reasonable amount cut, I'll start piecing again. For now, I'll just have to make do with 'unsewing' the quilting I did on my Christmas table runner ( the decorative stitching I wanted to use just isn't working out, so it all needs to be unpicked again!)

Just for you Andrea!

2007-11-27T18:36:00.001Z

Andrea wanted to see the fat quarters that I plan to use in my little stash busting exercise, so Andrea, Here they are!

These are the fat quarters that I have sorted out for my stash busting efforts. I haven't counted them all, but there are quite a few.

I've had a think about what I'm going to do first. I need a backing for my Strip Twist lap quilt and I think scrappy will work well, so I'm going to cut a 10 inch square from each of the fat quarters. This should yield enough for a lap quilt backing. I love scrappy pieced backs, I have another quilt on the go which uses fat quarters pieced whole for the back and it looks great

Stash Reduction

2007-11-25T22:09:00.000Z

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I am the Fat Quarter Queen! And by this title, I am not referring to my substantial behind! LOL! When I started quilting I quickly developed an addiction to these little bits of sunshine, and now I have loads and loads and loads of them. At the time they seemed like a fairly cheap way of acquiring a nice palette of fabrics, and indeed they are. But how many times have I looked at a lovely quilt in a magazine or book and found that I just don't have the quantity of fabric specified in the requirements. So I'd go out and get some more!
Judy Laquidara at Sunshine Quilts is running a stash-reducing challenge. I've made a sort of half-hearted attempt at trying to reduce my stash for some time now, but lets be honest, I haven't really used up too much fabric. I have a lap quilt top made using one of Bonnie H's Quiltville patterns, Strip Twist and a few other blocks of another design made, but that's about it. I will join this challenge and see if I can use up some of this fabric.
I have sorted a large pile of fq's into a box, and will attempt to use these up before I start on another project. I don't know yet what I'm going to make with them, scrap quilts are a possibility, but also bags might happen too.

Not so restful Sunday..

2007-11-25T21:26:00.000Z

I had great hopes today of getting the binding done on my Indian Hatchets quilt. I say had, but you have probably already guessed what happened here, it just didn't get done!
Instead I have spent the day trying to impose some sort of order in the mess that is my sewing room. This little room is only 6 feet by 9, but it is all mine, and it gets into a right state sometimes. A whole load of stuff turned up in my sort-out session that isn't even mine, I think that some people in this house ( who shall remain nameless ) use this space as a dumping ground. Never mind, all is now looking much better. I still need to clear off the cutting table, which is going to have to wait until tomorrow as my back is really complaining. We don't have anything on tomorrow after school, so I should be able to get this last little bit done and get my binding made. I do hope so, as I have another quilt that needs the quilting finished and I'd like to get to it while I'm on a roll!

Just so that this entry isn't another one that is picture-less I have added a photo of my little Button picture all framed and up on the wall. I still haven't got Bronnie interested in finishing hers off yet, but I'm glad that mine is done at least. I did have great ideas about making some more of these for Christmas presents, but we'll see...