I'm trying out the gloves I've seen recommended on a few blogs recently; Ansell hyflex from the supermarket. They're great, although with a lot of stopping and starting in this quilting design, they're not the easiest when snipping threads. But they are saving my hands, arms and shoulders a lot of strain; well worth a few dollars! This quilt is about 3/4 quilted and going well apart from some irritating stitch-skipping as I reverse back up the first plume of each feather. And yes, I have a fresh topstitch needle, and just cleaned out the bobbin area.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Traction
I'm trying out the gloves I've seen recommended on a few blogs recently; Ansell hyflex from the supermarket. They're great, although with a lot of stopping and starting in this quilting design, they're not the easiest when snipping threads. But they are saving my hands, arms and shoulders a lot of strain; well worth a few dollars! This quilt is about 3/4 quilted and going well apart from some irritating stitch-skipping as I reverse back up the first plume of each feather. And yes, I have a fresh topstitch needle, and just cleaned out the bobbin area.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Preparation
Today I prepared two quilts for quilting. I finished the tops, cut into my roll of batting, layered and pinned them ready to go tomorrow.
The top one is finally using the leftover blocks from another quilt after a mishap here when I made the alternate blocks the wrong size. It's destined for my cousin's daughter, who's likely to arrive on Thursday.
The second one is for a friend's baby girl who is already a few weeks old and is a variation on my Breaking Surf.
Both quilts are likely to be quilted almost the same as their predecessors; the first because I can't see another sensible option, and the second because I can't wait to try those feathers again; I hope they work as well as they did the first time!
The top one is finally using the leftover blocks from another quilt after a mishap here when I made the alternate blocks the wrong size. It's destined for my cousin's daughter, who's likely to arrive on Thursday.
The second one is for a friend's baby girl who is already a few weeks old and is a variation on my Breaking Surf.
Both quilts are likely to be quilted almost the same as their predecessors; the first because I can't see another sensible option, and the second because I can't wait to try those feathers again; I hope they work as well as they did the first time!Monday, 27 July 2009
Appreciation
Thank you to Margaret, Adds and Anita for helping me ot find the fabric! Margaret and Adds both pointed me to the very site I'd linked to - and they were right! I'd assumed that N/A in the information meant the fabric wasn't available, but it seems that it meant that some of the information about the fabric (the designer) wasn't available. I now have lot of lilac and some pink, green and aqua on the way, and, with many thanks to Anita, a link for the navy as well. Anita even managed to pick up some lilac in her searches for me!
Thank you my blogging friends!
Thank you my blogging friends!
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Desperation
I would desperately love to get my hands on more of this fabric:
It is Leaves from the Luminosity range by Red Rooster, and is probably 3-4 years old. I've almost used all of mine, and would love a little or a lot - I'd happily buy 5 metres of it! You can see more of the range here. It's the lilac I really want, but I'd also like to get my hands on some of the pink, and there was also a navy blue I'd like more of.
It is Leaves from the Luminosity range by Red Rooster, and is probably 3-4 years old. I've almost used all of mine, and would love a little or a lot - I'd happily buy 5 metres of it! You can see more of the range here. It's the lilac I really want, but I'd also like to get my hands on some of the pink, and there was also a navy blue I'd like more of. UPDATE - Found, thank you!
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Rotation
I love this block, although it's a little tedious to piece. I have 2 more full rotations of pieces to add to each of the 16 blocks.
I'm almost repeating this quilt for another friend's baby, because as well as loving the design, I really enjoyed quilting the feathers in the waves, and wanted to do more. This quilt has black and white feature centre squarea, and will be also bound in the black and white, and will have a little pale greeny-yellow as well, just to make it a bit different.
I'm almost repeating this quilt for another friend's baby, because as well as loving the design, I really enjoyed quilting the feathers in the waves, and wanted to do more. This quilt has black and white feature centre squarea, and will be also bound in the black and white, and will have a little pale greeny-yellow as well, just to make it a bit different.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Transformation
Simon took James to the Boat Show yesterday. Whenever there's facepainting on offer, james chooses the same thing - a PINK Butterfly, please!!!
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Sunday Stash
30m of Matilda's Own wool/cotton batting (bought at wholesale price, saving me about 40%) and will hopefully last over a year. It's very tightly rolled, and rather heavy.Investigation
Eleanor was quite fascinated with a millipede she saw on the study floor the other day. James has recently taken to collecting a 'mummy' and a 'baby' (both the same size) as pets and putting them in a plastic container, then giving them a drink (and unwittingly drowning them in the process). After a little encouragement, she decided to pat it...
...but was rather horrified when this resulted in it curling into a tight spiral!
It didn't take long until she was peering intently again, waiting for it to uncoil.
...but was rather horrified when this resulted in it curling into a tight spiral!
It didn't take long until she was peering intently again, waiting for it to uncoil.
Inundation
Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration, but...
As you may have noticed in some of my quilt photos, we have a creek running through the front garden. In summer it doesn't actually flow, though it trickles along most of the rest of the year.
But we've had a lot of rain recently, and it's rushing along nicely, making a wonderful sound.
Usually the water is a couple of metres below the bridge. But when Simon went to look when he got home late the other night, it was about a metre higher than usual. By the time we went out the next morning it as much lower again.
I didn't spend much time taking the photos; being more concerened about James' and Eleanor's safety!
If it wasn't so cool, and a somewhat risky environment for James and Eleanor, it would be lovely to spend more time out there, listening.
As you may have noticed in some of my quilt photos, we have a creek running through the front garden. In summer it doesn't actually flow, though it trickles along most of the rest of the year.
But we've had a lot of rain recently, and it's rushing along nicely, making a wonderful sound.
Usually the water is a couple of metres below the bridge. But when Simon went to look when he got home late the other night, it was about a metre higher than usual. By the time we went out the next morning it as much lower again.
I didn't spend much time taking the photos; being more concerened about James' and Eleanor's safety!
If it wasn't so cool, and a somewhat risky environment for James and Eleanor, it would be lovely to spend more time out there, listening.
Relaxation
Last Saturday we went to Simon's parents' for breakfast with the family. Far too early for me, but we had a great day! The baby on my lap below is my youngest niece, her 2-year-old sister ducked away before the photos.
James terrorised his aunt who'd be out partying until 3am (quilting until 3am may leave me tired, but at least not hung-over!)
Then we went down to a bookstore at Glenelg so James and Eleanor could meet Spot. You might be able to see, Eleanor took her little Spot along to meet him, too!
Then we wandered down Jetty Road and let James and Eleanor run around and play near Moseley Square.
We should have family days more often!
James terrorised his aunt who'd be out partying until 3am (quilting until 3am may leave me tired, but at least not hung-over!)
Then we went down to a bookstore at Glenelg so James and Eleanor could meet Spot. You might be able to see, Eleanor took her little Spot along to meet him, too!
Then we wandered down Jetty Road and let James and Eleanor run around and play near Moseley Square.
We should have family days more often!Contribution
Here is my first Inchie quilt. I've named it Inch by Inch and it's my contribution to the ALQS3 Art Quilt Swap.
The actual quilt is 21in wide and 18in high, with a total height of 26.5in. Click on any photo to see more detail.
The quilt top is made of black, chocolate and cream velvet and cream satin, and backed with chocolate quilters' cotton. I faced rather than bound it to keep the front simple. The chocolate is easier to see in person
The 25 inchies are made from quilters' fabrics, edged with rayon satin-stitch, quilted and then embellished with a selection of seed and bugle beads, crystals, ribbon, jewellery findings, feature beads and two hand-made tassels.
The inchies are attached using permanent glue (and the hanging ones by beading thread) but although the whole thing is technically washable, it probably would be best not to!
It's very simply quilted, because experimentation on a scrap of the cream velvet showed FMQ was likely to end in a mess - and probably tears! And because it's hard to see anyway!
Here are a few close-ups:
This fabric has a little blue in it, so I used some subtle pale blue beads:
This fabric resulted in some great inchies:
The embellishment on this is a flattened bead-cap with a small round bead:
The actual quilt is 21in wide and 18in high, with a total height of 26.5in. Click on any photo to see more detail.
The quilt top is made of black, chocolate and cream velvet and cream satin, and backed with chocolate quilters' cotton. I faced rather than bound it to keep the front simple. The chocolate is easier to see in person
The 25 inchies are made from quilters' fabrics, edged with rayon satin-stitch, quilted and then embellished with a selection of seed and bugle beads, crystals, ribbon, jewellery findings, feature beads and two hand-made tassels.
The inchies are attached using permanent glue (and the hanging ones by beading thread) but although the whole thing is technically washable, it probably would be best not to!
It's very simply quilted, because experimentation on a scrap of the cream velvet showed FMQ was likely to end in a mess - and probably tears! And because it's hard to see anyway!
Here are a few close-ups: 
This fabric has a little blue in it, so I used some subtle pale blue beads:
This fabric resulted in some great inchies:
The embellishment on this is a flattened bead-cap with a small round bead:
Friday, 17 July 2009
Proliferation
Last night's single, unembellished Inchie became, after an enjoyable shopping trip for extra fabric, beads, ribbons, threads, crystals..... a set of 25 complete Inchies.
I'm getting better at them, although they're a long way from perfect. Below are some of my favourites.
Click on any of the photos for a closer look.
I left one unembellished, because I like it so much as it is. I have also made the velvet quilt they will go on, although it still requires more quilting. And naturally, I have little balls of velvety fluff over everything!
I'm getting better at them, although they're a long way from perfect. Below are some of my favourites.
Click on any of the photos for a closer look.
I left one unembellished, because I like it so much as it is. I have also made the velvet quilt they will go on, although it still requires more quilting. And naturally, I have little balls of velvety fluff over everything!Thursday, 16 July 2009
Miniaturisation
My very first Inchie - prior to embellishment tomorrow. It doesn't look much, does it?! I need to find all my beads and long-disused embroidery threads and see what I can come up with. I have another 24 lined-up ready, but need to get some more rayon threads to edge them in the right colours.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Inspiration
A little while ago I won Inchie Art from the inspirational Nadine at DreamWeaver's Quilts. 
And just look at the perfect quilt she made me! This piece of art is embellished with 1in square 'quilts' (Inchies). Each one is individually embellished and unique, and is absolutely perfect.
Aren't they amazing?
They're all so well designed, I can't choose a favourite, but I am especially partial to these plummy ones.
Nadine has just had her Inchie Quilts book published...
... and I've already got myself an autographed copy.
You can get yourself a copy from Nadine's Studio, along with all the necessary ingredients to make your very own inchies. The instructions are really simple, and it's full of beautiful quilts and ideas.
Thank you Nadine!
And just look at the perfect quilt she made me! This piece of art is embellished with 1in square 'quilts' (Inchies). Each one is individually embellished and unique, and is absolutely perfect.
Aren't they amazing?
They're all so well designed, I can't choose a favourite, but I am especially partial to these plummy ones.
Nadine has just had her Inchie Quilts book published...
... and I've already got myself an autographed copy.
You can get yourself a copy from Nadine's Studio, along with all the necessary ingredients to make your very own inchies. The instructions are really simple, and it's full of beautiful quilts and ideas.Thank you Nadine!
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Overestimation
I promised to knit James and Eleanor new scarves this winter. But after the knitting shop way overestimated the yarn required for each (4 balls, when 1 was plenty) I decided to make them matching scarves for their 2 favourite toys each, and had a go at matching hats - my first attempt at anything shaped.
Here's Eleanor with her hat, scarf, and 2 teddy scarves; I'm pretty proud of my efforts, and she seems pretty pleased, too!
James has to wait, because I'm redoing his hat, which turned out a bit big.
Here's Eleanor with her hat, scarf, and 2 teddy scarves; I'm pretty proud of my efforts, and she seems pretty pleased, too!
James has to wait, because I'm redoing his hat, which turned out a bit big.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Photocomposition
I finished off the quilting job tonight and returned it to its owner. I blogged some of the quilting here. I was very pressed for time, so only took some quick photos; no time to try and stick this mammoth to the wall with double-sided tape! Even on a step-ladder, with the camera at full arm's stretch up and out, I couldn't get it all in straight; this quilt is big! This is the straightest photo; taken from the side:
And the right way up:
More detail of the centre:
A close-up of the central heart feather:
And one of it hanging from our wall-unit
And the right way up:
More detail of the centre:
A close-up of the central heart feather:
And one of it hanging from our wall-unit
What I earned from this job is going towards buying a roll of batting. I use Matilda's Own wool/cotton , and often find it's out of stock at my LQS. When I was at a discount quilt shop the other week, I asked if she had any, and she said no, but checked for me the price of a roll, in case I was interested. She'll supply it at cost, which means 30m of 240cm wide batting at less than 2/3 the usual price. It'll take a lot of space, but should keep me going for a while!
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Sunday Stash
This week's incoming:
More beach prints with the boy's quilt in mind...
Potentials for the girl's quilt... 
And the obligatory 'just because' slecetion to fill the envelope:
Stash = 1.208km - and plenty due in this week, too!
More beach prints with the boy's quilt in mind...
Potentials for the girl's quilt... 
And the obligatory 'just because' slecetion to fill the envelope:
Stash = 1.208km - and plenty due in this week, too!Celebration
Today we had Eleanor's 2nd birthday party. Here she is in her new dress and jewels:
The slide was intended to keep her hair out of her eyes, but lasted all of about 3 minutes!
The dress looks very dark and heavy and too old in the photos, but it is actually a soft, light, slightly shimmery stretch-velvet - she kept stroking it and saying. "nice and soft". It came with a large pale pink satin bow and diamante trim which I unpicked last night.
I tok a few quick snaps as soon as she was dressed. I'll have to wait for other peoples' photos for more, I didn't get behind the camera much! Self-portrait:
James on Eleanor's new climbing frame - finally replacing his which was smashed when the tree fell late last year!
Eleanor's cake - much simpler than last year's quilt cake; a lady bird pretty much straight out of the AWW Party Animals cake book:
Simon's parents got her a scooter like James'. I think it was the biggest hit. Until now she's used James' scooter on occasion, and mostly walks astride it. But with one of her own and some time after the guests loeft tonight, she's proud of herself for figuring out how to actually scoot. It might be very slowly so far -but it's a lot more fun than walking the thing around!
The slide was intended to keep her hair out of her eyes, but lasted all of about 3 minutes!
The dress looks very dark and heavy and too old in the photos, but it is actually a soft, light, slightly shimmery stretch-velvet - she kept stroking it and saying. "nice and soft". It came with a large pale pink satin bow and diamante trim which I unpicked last night.
I tok a few quick snaps as soon as she was dressed. I'll have to wait for other peoples' photos for more, I didn't get behind the camera much! Self-portrait:
James on Eleanor's new climbing frame - finally replacing his which was smashed when the tree fell late last year!
Eleanor's cake - much simpler than last year's quilt cake; a lady bird pretty much straight out of the AWW Party Animals cake book:
Simon's parents got her a scooter like James'. I think it was the biggest hit. Until now she's used James' scooter on occasion, and mostly walks astride it. But with one of her own and some time after the guests loeft tonight, she's proud of herself for figuring out how to actually scoot. It might be very slowly so far -but it's a lot more fun than walking the thing around!
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