Need to find more time….

With being busy at work and trying to do some quilting and all the other things that come along with a busy lifestyle, I have been a very neglectful of my blog of late. During this time, I have attempted to finished a number of quilt tops, which I was informed by someone (perhaps a family member), that had to be finished before starting any more quilts. So I finished about two and have almost finished another two tops. This only means that I can start work on a new quilt.

 

Last year, I had attended a workshop at WhateverWhereever, where I started on a quilt called Jugs and Broken Dishes. As I am so desperate to start another quilt, I set to work finishing the top of this quilt.  As with all quilts, I like to lay them on bed to make sure that I have them looking right. You know what I mean, so that same fabric isn’t next together or similar colours don’t sit next to each other. This can be a challenge for me, as I sometimes have unwanted help from my two dogs who just love laying on the quilt, whether it be finished or not.  This time it was not my two dogs helping but the friendly ginger cat.  The other advantage of laying the quilt out on bed it allows me to understand the finished size of the quilt. I grew up in a metric time and although I can convert metric to imperial measurements I do find it hard to picture the finished size of quilt.

Jugs and Broken Dishes

The next quilt I was determined to finish was a quilt that I was doing as a test project. That was my first and it turned out to be quit big. I added the two boarders and now I have another quilt top finished. The quilt was called Parade by The Aqua Umbrella. It has turned out very well and now just needs to be quilted and binded to finish it. I found the Dresden plate a challenge, especially trying to make it sit properly but once completed, it looked very nice.

Paradise Quilt

Oh, I don’t know if you remember the Jelly Roll Sampler quilt I was doing a while ago. I used Persimmon by Basic Grunge in the jelly roll and the pattern was from Pam Lintott. Just loved it and it now has a lime border and grey sash around it. Yes another top done.

Sampler Jelly Roll Quilt

I completed another quilt too, this for a friend who was having their first baby. I used a range called Meadow – which came in a pink and blue range. Perfect for a baby wouldn’t you say. I used two layer cakes which gave me enough for two baby quilts out of the fabric. The second quilt will go to colleague at work who is also having her first baby. I love making quilts and giving them to new mothers as they are appreciated and are continually used. Another friend I gave a baby quilt to said that her quilt comes up beautifully once it has been washed after her babies have played on it, ate on it or been sick on it. That makes me very happy to know that a quilt is loved and is being used.

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As I have gotten a number of quilts finished, I am therefore allowed to start another quilt. So what am I doing…..Yes I have decided to start on the Moda Modern Building Block. I have already completed block 1 and block 2. These are the very large blocks – measuring 36 inches square. I have invested in starch which I find helps me to keep the fabric flat and easy to cut.  The fabric range is from Bella Solids but I have seen some blocks done in other ranges and they look lovely

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I have also been very lucky this few weeks. I entered my one of my daughters into a competition and well we SHE won a quilt kit. I don’t know if you have seen this one before but it is by Minick and Simpson and it is called Austin Bluebird. It is very lovely. The quilt came in a kit and I must say it will be a lovely quilt when I start it.

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Oh well must be off and do a bit more quilting now

Donna

Goodbye 2014 and Hello 2015

Wow what a year I’ve had. I have attending classes, meet lovely people, shared ideas, gained knowledge and shared my creations. I only hope that 2015 will be just as fulfilling.

 

In December I put my sewing machine away and replace it with the Christmas decorations and tree. Presents are shared not only to people that I know but to strangers. This year I was involved in an #aussiechristmasswap on instragram. This was my first swap and I was very nervous. The rules were something made, something brought and something baked. I gave a hexagon bag, a wall hanging, a quilted Christmas ball, chocolate coated licories, Christmas rock candy and homemade shortbread biscuits. In return, I received chocolates, a table runner pot holder and a quilted Christmas decoration. It was so fun that I hope it will happen again next year.

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My Christmas gift

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The Christmas gift I sent

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The Christmas gift I sent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year I have achieved a number of things:-

  • Completed my son’s jelly roll race quilt;
  • Learnt how to free motion quilt and completed it successfully;
  • Completed a baby’s quilt;
  • Completed 2 hexagon bags;
  • Created a number of quilted Christmas balls;
  • Created and completed a Christmas wall hanging.
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Christmas Ball

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Baby blanket featuring Meadow Friends – boy and girl sides showed

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Son’s Jelly Roll Race Blanket – with two helpers

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the making of the Christmas present for the #aussiechristmasswap

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Parade quilt testing for the aqua umbrella

As like other quilters, I have projects to finish, and so I have started to get them organised. I have pinned two quilts and hope will have them completed next year. I have a number of quilts that I’m itching to start and complete. I hope to share them with you during the year. I’d also like share some of the tricks that I’ve learnt and I hope you share yours with me.

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pinning down a quilt with a little help

I hope your bobbins remain full, your needles are sharp, and your creations bring to others the happiness that you wish them to have. Please have a happy new year.

 

another month goes by…

It has been over a month since I have spoken to you.  I’ve been busy with work but have found sometime to do quilting.  I have been working on some projects and been doing some pattern testing.  I have never tested a pattern before and I found it very challenging.  It made me release how much work is put into designing a pattern.  The pattern was lovely and I  was very happy with what I have done so far.  The range I used was Fancy and consisted of pineapples and a Dresden Plate.  It took me several goes to get the Dresden plate right.  The pattern was Parade by Valarie Rigney.

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It seems to be the time to also pull out the baby patterns and make some more baby quilts.   My youngest has started to make a baby’s quilt for a friend and I have 2 that need to be done.  This is again another one which is a boy colour on one side and a girl colour on the other side.  The range is Storytime Rhyme, and the design is again Through the looking glass.

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