Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Quilts
So here are some of the amazing quilts on display at this years Festival of Quilts in Birmingham, UK.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
It was only fabric!
So I'd like to say that the little sneak peek yesterday was a huge delicious pile of blocks I've been busy working on ready to be sewn into the most wonderful quilt!
Who am I kidding right! (One day a quilt will be accomplished) It was however a gorgeous stack of fabric that are the most wonderful vibrant colours.
I've been meaning to update on my visit to the Festival of Quilts this August in Birmingham so here is a start. This was my little pile of goodies that came home with me:
I didn't go overboard this year (partly as I was also doing a workshop) and stuck to a few things that I had on my list.
Will show you all the awesome quilts tomorrow!
Who am I kidding right! (One day a quilt will be accomplished) It was however a gorgeous stack of fabric that are the most wonderful vibrant colours.
I've been meaning to update on my visit to the Festival of Quilts this August in Birmingham so here is a start. This was my little pile of goodies that came home with me:
I didn't go overboard this year (partly as I was also doing a workshop) and stuck to a few things that I had on my list.
Will show you all the awesome quilts tomorrow!
Monday, September 19, 2011
"Must do better"
Yep that's what it would say on my Blog report card!
Currently not sure where a day or a week is going but its going somewhere and its Autumn Equinox on Friday as well!
I have far too many blog posts stored in my head and photos of what I've been up to that need sharing that my plan is to get around to sharing them this side of Christmas! (Yep Christmas cards and mince pies on the supermarket shelves as well! Argh!)
So here is a little sneak peek of what's to come ......
Currently not sure where a day or a week is going but its going somewhere and its Autumn Equinox on Friday as well!
I have far too many blog posts stored in my head and photos of what I've been up to that need sharing that my plan is to get around to sharing them this side of Christmas! (Yep Christmas cards and mince pies on the supermarket shelves as well! Argh!)
So here is a little sneak peek of what's to come ......
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Blogs I Love!
Summer is sadly and well and truly coming to an end!
The lights are coming on earlier and the leaves are starting to change which means less time out and about and more time being cosy at home ..... and catching up on lots of blog reading!
I have recently discovered some fantastic blogs out there some with more of a Home focus (rather than sewing or quilting) with amazing, gorgeous interiors and decorating ideas and other fantastic blogs all about organisation something true to my heart! So I have updated my "Blogs I Love" links down on the right hand side. They are definitely worth a visit!
A couple of my newbie fav daily reads:
Perfectly Pretty
The lights are coming on earlier and the leaves are starting to change which means less time out and about and more time being cosy at home ..... and catching up on lots of blog reading!
I have recently discovered some fantastic blogs out there some with more of a Home focus (rather than sewing or quilting) with amazing, gorgeous interiors and decorating ideas and other fantastic blogs all about organisation something true to my heart! So I have updated my "Blogs I Love" links down on the right hand side. They are definitely worth a visit!
A couple of my newbie fav daily reads:
Perfectly Pretty
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Gorgeous fabric!
These colours are just so me!!
Oakshott is a new company to me that I discovered after an insert and discount voucher (never one to turn down a discount!!) in my Quilters Guild magazine, and if you have never visited their website go check them out. They have lovely fabric, some great free patterns, lovely kits and also some extra lovely leather bag handles!!
Can't wait to pay them a visit at the Festival of Quilts to spend a few pennies!!
Monday, August 8, 2011
4x5 Modern Quilt Bee
So I've joined another Quilt Bee!!
This one is a bit different .....
What’s in the name? The reason why it’s called the 4x5 Modern Bee is you’ll be swapping 4 times a year with 5 members. At the end of the year you should have 20 unique blocks to make a fabulous quilt! (taken from Flickr)
My fellow members in Hive 2 (I love that we've all been put into hive's!!) have all chosen lovely colour choices and put together some wonderful inspiration mosaics to help come up with fabric and block ideas.
So I pulled all the fabric and spent ages umming and ahhing over which block to choose but finally decided on "Rocky Road to Kansas".
Here is the fabric that I've pulled for each member and an example of the block (which I did not make):
So today there was a bit of this.....
and a bit of that......
and quite a few cups of tea in between to arrive at this sample block!
This one is a bit different .....
About 4x5 modern Quilt Bee
The idea of this Modern Sampler Bee is where each block is constructed using a different pattern and even if two people make the same pattern, it will be made with different fabrics. We want to celebrate the talents and creativity of each other regardless of their experience level.What’s in the name? The reason why it’s called the 4x5 Modern Bee is you’ll be swapping 4 times a year with 5 members. At the end of the year you should have 20 unique blocks to make a fabulous quilt! (taken from Flickr)
My fellow members in Hive 2 (I love that we've all been put into hive's!!) have all chosen lovely colour choices and put together some wonderful inspiration mosaics to help come up with fabric and block ideas.
So I pulled all the fabric and spent ages umming and ahhing over which block to choose but finally decided on "Rocky Road to Kansas".
Here is the fabric that I've pulled for each member and an example of the block (which I did not make):
So today there was a bit of this.....
I just need to make one for each of my hive members now!!
{P.S there is an amazing tutorial for this block at Fresh Lemons Quilts}
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Machine quilting
A while ago I attended a beginners machine quilting class with Ferret from Ferret Fabrications.
All I can say is that I've caught the quilting bug!!
One of my goals this year is to actually make a completed quilt. So far my adventures into quilting have all been about making individual blocks, which hey look great but don't really stretch too far over my lap or keep me warm!!
This class was so much fun. We spent the first part of the day covering the basics of machine quilting such as what type of needles to use. I learnt that you get about 8 hours out of a needle when quilting! I can't even remember the last time I changed the needle on the machine - so lesson well learnt!
We then looked at different types of thread that can be used, marking tools, quilt sandwiches, basting, tacking guns.... there was sooo much! Then it was time to start!
I was a bit afraid looking around the room at everyone's fancy machines that my little Bernina 1010 would not be able to cope, the only part that let me down was playing around with decorative stitches as I only have a handful on this machine, but otherwise my little B did me well.
We were shown and played around with so many great patterns, tried not to quilt to tiny in case you were having to machine quilt a large finished quilt and quilting particular areas to give texture. Here is my sample (play around) piece for the day:
All I can say is that I've caught the quilting bug!!
One of my goals this year is to actually make a completed quilt. So far my adventures into quilting have all been about making individual blocks, which hey look great but don't really stretch too far over my lap or keep me warm!!
This class was so much fun. We spent the first part of the day covering the basics of machine quilting such as what type of needles to use. I learnt that you get about 8 hours out of a needle when quilting! I can't even remember the last time I changed the needle on the machine - so lesson well learnt!
We then looked at different types of thread that can be used, marking tools, quilt sandwiches, basting, tacking guns.... there was sooo much! Then it was time to start!
I was a bit afraid looking around the room at everyone's fancy machines that my little Bernina 1010 would not be able to cope, the only part that let me down was playing around with decorative stitches as I only have a handful on this machine, but otherwise my little B did me well.
We were shown and played around with so many great patterns, tried not to quilt to tiny in case you were having to machine quilt a large finished quilt and quilting particular areas to give texture. Here is my sample (play around) piece for the day:
Friday, August 5, 2011
My Bee month
My month as part of Bee Europa 2011 was June.
I had hoped to plan out a really thoughtful, creative block for everyone to make and get myself organised plenty of time in advance but that never happened!
It doesn't matter though as a jelly roll plus a braid strip tutorial on Moda = outstanding results!!
Here are some of the strips that have been made - shared photos taken from Flickr.
From Berlinquilter:
From lieblingsdecke:
From amelieswhirlygiggles:
From mighty_crumble:
From espritpatch:
From Elisa Bernarda handmade:
I had hoped to plan out a really thoughtful, creative block for everyone to make and get myself organised plenty of time in advance but that never happened!
It doesn't matter though as a jelly roll plus a braid strip tutorial on Moda = outstanding results!!
Here are some of the strips that have been made - shared photos taken from Flickr.
From Berlinquilter:
From lieblingsdecke:
From amelieswhirlygiggles:
From mighty_crumble:
From espritpatch:
From Elisa Bernarda handmade:
Thursday, August 4, 2011
It's nearly here!!
Look what the postie delivered this morning ......
Yep the Festival of Quilts is next week!!
Having only discovered quilting in the past couple of years last year was the first time I attended the FoQ and I was not disappointed!
Can not wait to go this year, although I think my bank balance is already having palpatations!!
Yep the Festival of Quilts is next week!!
Having only discovered quilting in the past couple of years last year was the first time I attended the FoQ and I was not disappointed!
Can not wait to go this year, although I think my bank balance is already having palpatations!!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Challenge
I meant to post these photos ages ago but never got around to it so better later than never!
Having joined my local quilters guild group this year and taking part in their exhibition with my mini quilts I also took part in a fabric challenge. We were all given a piece of fabric (mine was the sewing themed one) and had to produce something with it.
Here's what I came up with:
Notice something about the mini basket though!?
Yep went and put the handles on the wrong side!
If you fancy making your own little cute basket I followed this fab tutorial from Pink Penguin!
Having joined my local quilters guild group this year and taking part in their exhibition with my mini quilts I also took part in a fabric challenge. We were all given a piece of fabric (mine was the sewing themed one) and had to produce something with it.
Here's what I came up with:
Notice something about the mini basket though!?
Yep went and put the handles on the wrong side!
If you fancy making your own little cute basket I followed this fab tutorial from Pink Penguin!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Busy Bee
Today has been a productive day catching up on blocks for one of my bee's - Bee Europa.
I love being part of these bee's as the blocks really challenge me to try new techniques and ideas that otherwise I would not even think about!
Here is May 2011:
Here is July 2011:
I was June so more of that to come later!
I love being part of these bee's as the blocks really challenge me to try new techniques and ideas that otherwise I would not even think about!
Here is May 2011:
Here is July 2011:
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Bargains!
I love TK Maxx!!Emma Bridgewater Home Journal and Photo Album for a complete bargain - couldn't leave the store without them!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Mini quilts
At the end of April (Yes it takes me a while to get round to posting about things!!) I took part in my first ever local quilt group exhibition. I decided to enter the open competition for a journal quilt.
Sadly I did not know what a journal quilt was!
Sadly I did not get placed anywhere but I loved taking part and producing these mini quilts!
Number 1
"Springtime" - the inspiration came from April when we had a lovely spell of weather. The summer in the UK usually arrives for a few weeks at some odd time rather than in the summer!
Number 2
"To Do" - I'm a list maker. I have them everywhere in the kitchen, in the office, next to the bed, on my phone (virtual post it notes are fab!). Sometimes it feels like I write one list to tell me to check the other list!
Thankfully this To Do list is pretty empty - if only!!
Sadly I did not know what a journal quilt was!
Sadly I did not get placed anywhere but I loved taking part and producing these mini quilts!
Number 1
"Springtime" - the inspiration came from April when we had a lovely spell of weather. The summer in the UK usually arrives for a few weeks at some odd time rather than in the summer!
"To Do" - I'm a list maker. I have them everywhere in the kitchen, in the office, next to the bed, on my phone (virtual post it notes are fab!). Sometimes it feels like I write one list to tell me to check the other list!
Thankfully this To Do list is pretty empty - if only!!
Sorry first attempt in a windy garden just made me laugh!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sewing!
Still been trying to keep up to date with my sewing bee "Bee Europa 2011".
Here are the blocks from the last couple of months that I have sent out:
Here are the blocks from the last couple of months that I have sent out:
March 2011
March 2011
April 2011
A couple from Bee Europa 2010 January that I never got around to posting!!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Gorgeous gifts
So after sending away my {Urban}Home goods swap to my secret partner I couldn't wait to receive my own parcel!
So when it did arrive I was overwhelmed!
Thanks goes to my secret partner CookieJCreations for a lovely assortment of items. I had given a few hints about the type of item that I would like to receive and this was spot on and soooo much more!
So when it did arrive I was overwhelmed!
Thanks goes to my secret partner CookieJCreations for a lovely assortment of items. I had given a few hints about the type of item that I would like to receive and this was spot on and soooo much more!
I was so excited opening the parcel I had to capture the moment - it had travelled a long way!
A huge lovely wrapped parcel
I spy gorgeousness!!
A wonderful sewing mat / mug rug which I have hanging up as a mini quilt - it is too lovely to use!
A wonderful assortment of extra goodies!
An amazing sewing machine mat with fab storage pockets!
If all that wasn't enough I also got this fantastic sewing machine cover!!
I was a first timer {Urban} Home goods swapper and will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next round!!
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