Quilting in chaos

Working on, on wednesday

2012-01-11T08:19:00.000-08:00

I have completed the quilt top I started sewing up yesterday. It is going to be a quilt for a soldier and is made from only 3 shirts. I had to be really careful how I cut them but managed it with only one long skinny piece that needed joining. I have 3 pockets left which I will include in the pieced backing.

I am happy because I make a contribution to the cause, Big Tick, I had set myself a challenge of making a Heros quilt so another Tick, and I get to keep the buttons, Tick.

Stupid me! I have just realised that if I put blocks of shirt pockets into a pieced backing and then quilt it I am going to render the pockets useless cos they will be stitched up. What a Muppet, sigh, back to the drawing board.

Did I tell you I love buttons? Look at this blog of loveliness http://bonkersaboutbuttons1.blogspot.com/ I spent hours looking at lovely images just immersed in love of buttons.

Make yourself a cuppa and enjoy.

Till next time

Liz

Don't look! you too may be smitten and will have to follow a path to your fabrics

2012-01-10T00:04:00.000-08:00

Or worse still have to visit your LQS.
Blog browsing the other day and I saw this beauty, here http://sewitupbaby.blogspot.com/ a really lovely blog with lots of colourful inspiration.

So I followed Carla's link to a tutorial here http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/09/fancy-folded-star-pot-holder.html
I found my little collection of Oakshot fabrics, I pressed, I cut, I pressed again, I measured and layered, I pinned, I marked, I positioned, I sewed, I folded and I turned this muddle....

Into this .......
I love it, but now have no idea what to do with it. I shall keep it and admire it and lovingly stroke it for now before deciding its fate.

Happy sewing

Liz

All hearts quilt

2011-12-03T00:32:00.000-08:00

It's done, bound and delivered and raffle tickets will be available at Blooms garden center this weekend. Interesting to work with stretch fabric in places and a lot of embelishment, there were lessons learnt too about over quilting or perhaps over tension.
One more quilt to quilt, loaded and SID done already, then I think I need to get serious about christmas shopping Bleugh :-(

Happy quilting

Liz

Wordless Wednesday or WIP on Wednesday? Whatever!

2011-11-23T12:21:00.000-08:00

A charity quilt, a baby quilt and a quilt for Doreen

2011-11-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

I put spiky flowers all over this quilt which is going to Africa.

I have completed a brushed cotton quilt (which looks a bit odd in this light) for the baby of my dental nurse who was one of my students many years ago.

This is what Doreen gave me last month, it is a UFO from her stash.

I am not sure why she did not fall in love with this and complete it and I think there must be more fabric somewhere but I suspect it may be unfinnished because it is a bit busy. I thought it needed some consistancy in the sashing and stars. I think this picture is a bit dark but the stars stand out nicely. I do hope she likes what I have done for her.

Till next time

Liz

7 X 24 = 168

2011-11-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

I have been busy, just not busy blogging. My friend is raising money to go to Africa with the girl guides so I have been busy helping. She acquired 7 advent calenders panels which I made up and gift bags and shopping bags. Here is just a small sample.

My family think I am bonkers!

2011-11-17T05:55:00.000-08:00

Well they may have a point. I have been saving loo rolls, a harmless activity you may think and I do have a good reason. When generous people donate fat quarters and I spend what feels like ages pressing and folding, rolling, arranging and pinning then you end up with a lovely raffle prise that my friend Muriel is admiring.

The show was well attended and everyone enjoyed the quilts, sales table and cake. I showed Master Chaos union jack quilt but faied to get a picture. Doh!

Till next time,

Liz

A Quilty kind of week

2011-09-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday evening Lutterworth Piecemakers enjoyed a talk / discussion with Barbara Weeks and the following day we had a workshop. I have done a bit of felting before, this was the mornings activity, but not really done any silk painting and this was covered in the afternoon. I love it when a tutor goes round a room admiring students work and then stands in front of you and Hmmm's.

I probably should have gone home after lunch, or perhaps even before because it was me who put the chairs and tables outside to enjoy the warm weather and then the sun went in!

I just don't get painting, the more paint I put on the more dilute the red paint looked , then she said dark colours were achieved by drying and layering paint. I had already mentally given up by then. I still went home reasonably pleased with my little bit of felt but mostly the joy was the company of the other ladies, you know who you are. X

On Friday I went to Weedon to St Peters Church to a quilt show with Jane where she tried out her new camera. I have to say lighting in this church is not brilliant but it is a pretty and clearly very old church. I don't think the middle of the quilt is the best place for a quilt label but the quilts were nicely displayed over the pews. We had to stop off for a little retail therapy in two shops on the way home and thank you Jane for help choosing the purple, it looks great.

In case you can't recognise her this is Mary Maine, she was speaker at Rocheberrie Schoolhouse Quilters on Saturday and this is the quilt which made me do a double take, the quilting lines are on the diagional and it has a distorting effect on the piecing, very clever. She was a very good speaker but for me the best bit was when she introduced her last piece which I had seen at festival, it was of ladies at a quilt show she said she had taken pictures at a previous show to use and one of the ladies that made it into Marys work was our own Mo who was in the room. Very funny I do hope Mo was pleased.

I was able to return most of the block swaps and got lots of signatures for the group quilt and I really enjoyed a chat and a giggle with Sylvia and Chris and Marie and Jan.

The next event, I think, will be Lutterworth Piecemakers Exhibition. I have no idea what to show if at all but I will be helping out on both afternoons so I hope to see lots of visitors.

Till next time Liz X

I got to get me one of these

2011-09-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.lulu.com/product/calendar/qsmasbc/17164277
I think I will be ordering one of these, when I tried to explain to someone today she said
"Do you mean a quilters version of the calender girls?" Exactly!
And the profits go to support a family who have a member with a brain tumour, a win, win situation.

Lost the plot, made a list, lost that too.

2011-08-23T01:31:00.000-07:00

I really need to tidy up but having made a start (and more of a mess) then I find things I like the look of and get distracted and start working on something else.

Ahhhh STOP.

Make a list, prioritise, get a grip, breathe, loose my list and give up.

Not called quilting in chaos for no good reason.

I could show the blocks I made from my jelly roll but I pressed them when I did the ironing early Sunday morning and now they have vanished, they will turn up eventually with ... Have just had an idea ..... no not there. Oh well they will turn up eventually.

So what do you do when you are feeling swamped... pick blackberries in the rain. No? Well that is what I did this morning, now I have to decide what to do with them but first I have to clear up in the kitchen.

I need another project like I need a hole in the head but....

2011-08-19T04:25:00.000-07:00

This fabric is scrummy

and it was talking to me and demanding my attention. I normally have a really hard time using yellow but no such problem here. It is too cute.

I have just had another delivery of swap blocks, thank you Carole nice to see you if only briefly. I really should be sighning mine but cute fabric is shouting louder.

Liz

Block swap

2011-07-23T03:14:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy sewing but not much patchwork, I have made several dresses to take away on holiday but I have made all my blocks for Rocheberie block swap they are not yet signed but here are a couple of possible arrangements I was playing with this morning. This is the most odvious one. It would make a nice wall hanging at 24 x 30 inches or a bit bigger with borders.Or how about making a frame for something else? This is my favourite arrangement of blocks but it will depend on how blocks are signed as to whether this will work or not and how I expect it to be viewed, it may not be a wall hanging at this arrangement. It now measures 36 inches square.Or how about this as a frame, it is square so could take a mariners compass in the center and have lots of borders added.

I will have to wait to see them all before making a decision.

Gaynor wins the prize for getting her blocks to me first and June the first in the post so thank you both. Please remember if you are posting to remove the word "Lower" from my address that you were given I hope I phoned or left messages for you all.

Have a good summer

Liz

Thank you Nic and Lynda your blocks are added to the box. 5 in 16 to go.

Thank you Jacqiue andPauline your blocks were waiting for me when I got back from holiday.

But I still can't decide how to sign mine.

Kathleen Laural Sage

2011-06-22T01:01:00.000-07:00

Lutterworth Piecemakers had a visit from Kathleen Laural Sage this month, which was interesting because I had bought a copy of Stitch magazine which I do not normally do, because there had been a project by her. I met her at a show many years ago and loved her work, bought a kit, had a go but my machine hated it (feelings were mutual and I have a better machine now) I did not sew for quite some time.
I have tried and failed to find that piece of work but found some organza and had bought some more, so had plenty to play with.

Kathleen makes a sandwich of soluble stabilizer, organza snippets layered, a top layer of organza and a layer of soluble stabilizer with the design drawn onto.

I found the soluble stabilizer behaves like cling film and wants to stick to the machine bed and the free motion foot. I found this frustrating and pinned an additional layer of organza underneath and found everything moved more easily.

Next time I will also try to put the stabilizer with the design on underneath the top layer of organza and leave out the other bottom layer of stabilizer then the clinging stabilizer will be encased.

On Saturday evening I attended the memorial concert for my Dad which was organised by my Uncle Edward. I was not looking forward to this event as I suspected it would be very emotional and it was, but it was a great night full of fabulous music he would have loved and to a church packed full of people, many of them his friends. A very generous audience gave over £1200 in his memory to be divided between 3 ccancer charities.

On the night I asked if I could say a few words to tell people about the 'boob' project. I stood up infront of a full house including all my family and the Minister and said

"Can I show you my boobs?
"I don't suppose that has been said in Church before"

After that I really don't know what I said I was terrified but I think I said about the blog I came across and getting in touch with Nina Lise, that I was making a boob for the people I loved and what was special about each boob and inviting other people to do the same. I had a couple of people enquire about them which is what it is all about.
Thank you to everyone who took part and to those who attended and gave so generously. There have been several suggestions that this should become an annual event so watch this space.

Till next time

Liz

Do you want to see my boobs? I have 5 so far!

2011-06-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

What were you expecting?
Did you miss this post? http://makeaboob.blogspot.com/
Nina Lise in Norway is making a collection of textile pieces the size of a CD she is hoping to collect 1000 for an exhibition to raise awareness of breast cancer. I thought at the very least I should make one for everyone I have loved whose life has been touched by this cancer.
So far I have made 5 boobs.
The one in the center is for my Dad, it is made from his shirt fabric and is folded fabric, sort of origami, which he enjoyed. Dad was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 so if a man you are close to has any changes in the nipple area please get him to the doctor. At that time 300 men a year were being diagnosed. Intersting fact is that a man has the same number of cells in that area just not the hormones to make them grow. Well I thought it was interesting.
The funky one with bra fabric is for my cousin who was daignosed in her early 20's, she went to the doctor with a lump and was told not to be silly, girls of her age don't get breast cancer and was sent away without being examined. Today she is fit and well and although I see her rarely I think of her with great affection.
The paisly one above is for her Mother, my Dads cousin and my Godmother. She was diagnosed at about the same time as my Dad but her treatment was not a long term success and she too is loved and missed.
The pink silk one is for the wife of a friend who passed away earlier this year, she was a well known potter and artist so I hope she would have liked the texture.
The brown silk one was the one I made first but now I don't like it as much as I did and the women remaining I wish to honour deserve something I am happy with and is my best work.
I will be posting these and more to Nina Lise before the end of July I think, so if you would like to add to my collection I would be happy to post together or her address can be found on her blog.
till next time
Liz

A catch up on last week

2011-06-10T22:16:00.000-07:00

Here is the photo I took of the Union Jack quilt that I took to the park on National Quilting Day You can see the band stand in the distance and my bike propped up on the bench. I had a lovely time sewing in threads in the sunshine and I will do it again next year.

Here it is a bit closer up but perspective or camera angle or something makes it look a bit shorter and fatter somehow, I don't understand. I quilted vermichelli in the blue and red areas and left the white without quilting. I would probably do straight line quilting down the stripes if I could load it again. It will go on a table at the back of church for concert thet my uncle is organising next weekend and then my son can have it.

If anyone is in Rugby on 18th June and would like to support local cancer charities the Geoff Old memorial concert is at St Andrews Church at 7.30

On Tuesday I drove to the other side of Basingstoke to meet up with other longarm quilters. I had a lovely day and came home with some new tools to play with. A longer stitch in the ditch ruler, a couple of clamshell rulers and some sashiko rulers, I have a quilt on the frame at the moment and several more to do but I am looking forward to having time to play with these.

On Thursday I met up with some friends at the Bramble Patch for their exhibition. We enjoyed looking at the quilts very much.

The first quilt I saw I said"Ooh that is striking I like that."

"Good."said Mo "Thats mine." well Mo, you got my vote.

We enjoyed the coffee, scone with cream and jam, lots of chatting and laughing and the sandwich bag competition. There were lots of entries, hand bag style ones, foodie ones and a clever one made from food wrappers. I wish I had taken my camera out of my bag and taken a photo but I forgot. They spent ages trying to guess which one was mine and I am rubbish at lying, I would be totally pants at poker.

Then Mo came back to Rugby to play with my Millie I think she was quite smitten and would like one if she had the room but as I reminded her, her son cooks her tea for her sometimes but the millie sadly won't.

Ladies, I had a really nice day, thank you for your company.

Till next time

Liz

DON'T GO THERE....

2011-06-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

unless you have made a cup of coffee and have plenty of time to kill
http://www.quiltershomemag.com/content_downloads/WEBposse.pdf
You have been warned!

I found this link on the website of Leah Day and was pleased at how many I already followed but perhaps even more pleased to find new sites to explore.

I shall be visiting the Bramble Patch exhibition with Jane, Rebecca and meeting Mo there today so I have another quilty day this week.
Back later
Liz

Happy national quilting day!

2011-06-04T02:35:00.000-07:00

To bind on the longarm or not bind on the longarm, that is the question!

This has been my secret project. Can you tell what it is yet?

Young Master Chaos turned 14 this week and this is a gift for him. It is a little difficult to hide a project once it is loaded. I saw a photo on Flickr Brit Quilt group and wanted to make one.

I wish I could say it was simple to get it right, it wasn't, but it is right enough.

The Union Jack is significant in our family because last year when my Dad was in Myton hospice they were preparing for their summer fete and had put up the flag, but upside down. Dad was having a good day and had to rectify the situation. A sudden surge of energy had him climb on the table to try to sort it out luckly the nurses called for the groundsmen to assist.

Anyhow I shall be in the park this afternoon from 2 pm to celebrate National Quilting Day hand stitching the binding if anyone would like to join me it would be great to have some company.

Till next time

Liz

National quilting day and boobs

2011-05-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

My secret project is fighting me so I am looking for a distraction and look what I found!

http://makeaboob.blogspot.com/search/label/about

Would anyone like to have a boob making session with me? Who doesn't know someone affected by breast cancer?

I lost my Gran when I was 16, My Dad, in 2001 was one of about 300 men a year diagnosed with breast cancer at about the same time as my Godmother, sadly she did not recover as my Dad did so this cause and raising of awareness is very dear to my heart.

It is national quilting day on the 4th June, if and it is a big IF the weather is fine would anyone like to have a meet up in the park, say 2pm or Blooms coffee shop if the weather is wet. It would be an opportunity to look at my Dear Jane blocks again. Who am I kidding, ice cream in the park or tea and cake at Blooms amd chatting to other quilters.

Unfortunately I need to go shopping (I hate shopping) for a new bigger handbag as I need to make room for these

I have known for some time I needed them but have been putting it off. Now I realise what I have been missing and why headaches have become a feature of my life.

Mr Chaos and Maser Chaos number 1 literally cried with laughter at the thought of me being the sort of old lady that has her glasses round her neck, dangling on a string and spends all morning looking for them. I failed to see the funny side especially when I could not find them at bed time and they were on the top of my head!

Till next time

Liz

Holly's quilt

2011-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

A very colourful quilt pieced by my friend Holly, I SID round the blocks, stipple quilted the purple border and sashing and put a flower in the pieced blocks.

I hope she likes it !

Well I am glad to say she collected it last night and does like it, I can breathe a huge sigh of relief and eat all the chocolates she bought me. Thank you Holly.

I was persuaded by my family some time ago to try Google Chrome, I usually use Explorer, and have had a right game signing in to blogger today, while reading some help pages they mentioned chrome and fire fox. It seems if you have signed in with one of these, blogger wont let you go back to whatever you usually use. I don't know if that makes any sense to anyone with more technical know how than me I only know that it has taken me an age to log on today and I was only able to do it through Chrome.
Till next time

Liz

Lutterworth Piecemakers workshop and Malvern Show

2011-05-20T02:25:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my group trying out their free motion quilting skills. I volounteered to do this a few months ago without realising of course how busy I would be with the Japan quilts. Perhaps just as well as I didn't have too much time to get too nervous.

Workshops are a really difficult thing to plan when you don't know how many ladies will be there, what their level of experience is, how long activities will take but mostly what they expect of you.

I was joined by Gill, Jane, Rosemary, Paula and Margaret. In the photo we are joined by Chris and Dorothy.A shot from the other end of the room shows other groups busy too! I hope I didn't bombard them with too much information they certainly didn't have much time to chat. I spoke about machine set up, which can be a bit of trial and error, needles, thread, helpful gagets, batting choice, especially on a bigger project with an example of a poor choice which resulted in difficulty with quilting and a stiff quilt and a good choice which was easier to quilt and is lovely and snuggly, even density of quilting across a quilt. My ladies were lovely and hopefully went away with a few ideas as well as a bit more confidence to give it a go and practice.

My last picture shows what I came back with from my visit to Malvern quilt show, thread nets that I wanted to try out on troublesome thread, a chalk marker for my friend, a chalk pounce for me, a cutting board which swivels which was reduced quite a lot, but if it does not work well I have the ability (Mr Chaos ) to get it sorted out, some fabric samples which are great for little projects like bag making, some other fabric to complete a baby quilt, fabric in the paper bag is for a secret project, and some thread, well quite a bit of thread actually. I will let you know if Wonderfil is wonderful, it certainly looks it compared to another thread.

I had a really lovely day at Malvern, I met Trish on the coach and chatted all the way there, having found a person to take all my quilts for Japan from me( thank you Stitch Witch they were getting heavy!) I then was free to enjoy looking at lovely quilts and shop for quilting goodies. Sadly while we were permitted to photograph quilts we are not permitted to upload them to any web sites so I wont be able to share my favourites with you.

I hope to share my secret project with you soon.

Till next time Liz

Today I shall be cleaning the house it has been sadly neglected the last few weeks and I need to rediscover the surfaces that lie beneath the dust and carpets that are hidden bya layer of threads. I have already done the dining room, damp dusted, hoovered and everything. One down several more to go.

The last of the Quilts for Japan

2011-05-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

There are few benefits of waking up at 2 am with a sore throat and runny nose but blogging about all the quilty activity in my life this week is one of them (seeing a beautiful almost full moon is another, I am trying to be positive)
This is Gaynors quilt she dropped it off saying just meander it so I SID to stabalise and meandered round the flowers in the white blocks which actually was a bit tricky because the petals are quite small, then I thought about changing thread colour and meandering with blue in the blue blocks but decided to make a flame flower instead.

I hope Gayner and the recipient will both be pleased.

Flame flower in the blue blocks.
Quite a tight meander in the white flower blocks.
I took all the quilts out to photograph them all together including one from Sue then got home and found the green and yellow one sitting on the sofa Grrrr. Never mind I may not have a photo of all the Rugby donations together but I am happy with our contribution, Thank you Jane, Muriel, Sue and Gayner. The quilts will be delivered to Malvern later today.
The next post will be all about free motion quilting at Lutterworth last night and Malvern quilt show, I have not been before but everyone I have spoken to says I am in for a good day providing I can stay awake.

Till next time Liz

Jane's quilts are done!

2011-05-16T03:27:00.000-07:00

I am quite pleased with how this quilt quilted. I love Jane's colour and fabric choices.

Is this my favourite block?

Or this?

Lastly an oriental sampler quilt. Did you know I love red?

I feathered this pineapple block

and made petals of this star. I hope both Jane and the recipients like what I have done.

One more quilt to finish before Thursday and our visit to Malvern and prep for taking a session at Lutterworth quilters on Wednesday evening. Aghhh, Good job I am busy or I would really be having the colly wobbles about doing this.

Till next time X

A bit of catching up to do

2011-05-11T01:26:00.000-07:00

I went to Rocheberrie quilters on Saturday and had a really nice day, as usual, but was berrated for being a bad blogger (guilty as charged) so I had better show those who are interested what I have been up to. Here is the quilt that I took from our last meeting. The block with small triangles is probably the one I am most happy with in terms of quilting but I had no idea where to gift it too as it didn't seem to be a quilt for Linus or quite right for Quilts for Heros. but sadly for the people of Japan they have become the latest in need of our help. My husbands interest in Koi keeping has taken him to their country on two occasions so it is a cause near to our hearts.

Having completed this I was asking a friend where I could find more tops to finish as I don't have a stash of UFO's and the next thing I know she has a clear out and I have 4 more to complete. Thank you Jane. A shopping trip for batting and backing with my friend Muriel lead to Muriel donating the backing fabric. Thank you ladies what a great team we make.

Here is a lovely kaleidoscope quilt. I quilted flowers in the patterned parts but they don't show up well but the feathered border does. I bought a lovely dark green thread but my machine kept shredding the thread which was very frustrating.

Next up was this row by row quilt and a picture of my favourite block in terms of quilting which was the flower, quilting round the applique at the top was a challenge and just when I thought I was getting the hang of it I vered off a bit.

I am doing the binding on another and loaded what I thought would be the last one and another friend gave me a pretty blue and white quilt with flowers appliqued on, Thank you Gaynor. I have to get them all done by next wednesday because I will be going to Malvern and dropping them off there, so if I am a bit quiet and not blogging you know what I will be doing.

I have also started my Dear Jane quilt I was feeling a bit under the weather and these little blocks are perfect for just doing a bit at a time.

I have also completed my ciggy quilt top (at long last and after a bit of a performance with setting triangles) it caused quite a bit of interest at Rocheberrie and I only really took it to show Jane who got me into the block swap, I promised to post pictures but I will have to wait till next time.
I will try not to leave it so long till next time

Liz

Rocheberrie Mystery Quilt

2011-03-21T02:03:00.000-07:00

I had this on the machine from I think Tuesday to Thursday afternoon
and I learned that I am not a lover of SID on the diagonal! and some of it had to come out, I dithered over exactly how to quilt in the blue triangles and had intended to leave the bright ones but when all else was done they poofed up so I nailed them down with spaghetti. I need to find another more efficient way to do the piano key quilting in the borders 'cos I spent ages dealing with thread ends.
I found hotel quality duvet covers in Dunelm in the sale at half price and used one side as a backing, it is lovely and soft and I will look out for these again, I almost like the back as much as the front.
June brought this to group to show and tell.
It was made by a friend who did not fall in love with patchwork and does not want it. It was offered to anyone who wanted to quilt it. I snapped it up thinking it would be good practice but not really sure what I would do with it then. It is not really a quilt for a hero nor is it a Linus quilt but I had a thought that I would like to send it to Japan for the appeal.
One question to BQL and an English collecting point is discovered, Midsommer Quilting in Bath well done to you I will put in a call later today just to check this information is correct.
If anyone else has a top they have been storing for a while and would be happy for me to complete it for you and donate I would love to hear from you, especially if you have backing and batting.
They don't yet have the infrastructure to deal with donations but they have put in a date of the beginning of May so no great rush.

I have a little something on the go that must be finnished before this can be loaded so I will go and get on.
Till next time Liz

Finish on a Friday and Rocheberrie quilt ready to load

2011-03-11T02:06:00.000-08:00

This was started a couple of years ago as a sew along with Amanda Jean http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ but the quilting left me stumped, not because I didn't know what I wanted, quite the reverse I just could not manhandle it under my domestic machine. I had also made the mistake of using an unidentified chalk to mark and then it would not brush off so my love for it slightly waned. It became my first long arm project and although it is very far from satisfactory it has been good to complete it. I have tested a corner and I think most of the chalk will wash off but I have learned my lesson. It is very difficult to photograph quilting! This shows a bit of the stipple in the cream areas and an open feather border.

This is next up on the machine, after a thread trim and trimming borders session. I am now rethinking how I press seams after sewing a couple of quilts with triangles lately.

I am not sure how to quilt this, I would have feathered the spiral in the solid triangles but the fabric choices don't say feathers to me at all, so I am a bit stumped. I will SID as best I can (much harder I find on the long arm than DM) and hope that something speaks to me soon as I would like to take it to Rocheberrie next Saturday and I have a couple of bag ideas in my head for the challenge but not done yet!

Time to stop blogging and get sewing I think.

Till next time

Liz

Threads and patches day out

2011-03-04T01:07:00.000-08:00

What do you do when you have a great day out at Threads and Patches on Tuesday with lots of lovely ladies and are given a kit for a japanese inspired bag?
Well I had mine made by Wednesday before breakfast.
We were treated to a day of demonstrations, mini projects and tools and I particularly enjoyed the fabric painting in the afternoon. Drinks on arrival with home made cake lunch was light and
the welcome was warm unfortunately the venue was not and I would go there again but wear more layers. There was of course the shopping, I bought a ruler that had been demonstrated and a bundle of batics for a dalia quilt it has been on my to do list for a while and a charm pack for a project which may or may not come about. I could also have bought a roll of novelty fabrics which would have been great for I spy or linus quilts never mind, next time.

I of course used the fabric for the lining on the outside because there is no yellow in the tulip print, I am not a fan of the yellow provided but needed a bit for another project. I put an extra bit of green fabric round the opening because I thought the green was a bit bottom heavy but it has made the opening even more dense with fabric and more difficult to close.
It does make a pretty little gift bag and I may have to make more with japanese inspired fabrics.
This is what is on the machine at the moment. This was a christmas quilt I made ages ago, part quilted and then put away because I was so frustrated with it. I have just put it on to practice on. I am actually finding it quite difficult to think of different quilt patterns for each of the star blocks. I am not particularly happy with it but hopefully will be able to look back on it and see improvement.

In the other room I am really enjoying putting these blocks together. What I find really interesting is that the naked eye will not see blocks that are too similar together but when viewed as a photograph they jump out at you. Good job I can have some time to rearrange them.

I have had a flitty week, I am unable to settle to anything. I think I need to write a list and prioritise that may help me focus. Some nicer weather may help too.

Snow drops and my forcythia are now in flower so spring is just arround the corner.

Happy sewing

Liz

Dual image

2011-02-27T20:28:00.000-08:00

The last meeting at Lutterworth piecemakers took the form of mini workshops and I chose one run by Ruth. It was very popular and she was kept very busy. It is a bondaweb and satin stitch technique but being careful with cutting out means you also get the reverse image which I don't have a photo of at the moment. They made pretty little samples, I thought of binding mine and making costers but my family would not bother to use them and I wanted a little across the body bag for a few bits, keys, phone, tissues and lipsalve when I go out for a brisk walk so that is what I made. I have intended to get back into the habit of brisk walks but it hasn't yet happened, perhaps this purse will help. Thank you Ruth I really enjoyed the session.

This is the other little project I have been working on. It was started so long ago that the magazine where I first saw it is long gone so I am unable to credit the designer but there was a whole series of these floral blocks. I completed mine and posted it just in time for the BQL skinny challenge swap. Hopefully some one will like it but if not I would be quite happy to keep it.

The flowers were made by bonding two red fabrics together and cutting the flower shapes out. They are held in place with french knots. I quilted an repeated image in the blank space to make it look like there were more leaves and flowers and I quilted a swirl in the border which does not show up at all.

This is only about 35 X 45cm ish so not necessary to put it on the big machine, I have something else going on in there but no photo at the moment, perhaps next time. I have bought an extended base and a couple of pantographs from another APQS owner who is upgrading to a computer guided system and will no longer need these things. I am thrilled because she quoted a very reasonable price and I saved the cost and hassle of importing and mucking about with customs. We had a very nice chat in her lovely conservatory and I got to see her thread collection and some of her quilts on her walls. Thanks Angie and I hope you enjoy a great holiday.

Hopefully next post will be about a completed christmas quilt comming off the long arm and a mystery quilt going on, although I have no clue about quilt designs for this one. I wanted to put on feathers but the fabric choice and colours just doesn't seem right so I may have to think on. I may post a picture of the top and see what you think.

Till next time Liz

Someone had fun

2011-02-17T03:55:00.000-08:00

Look what I found on the APQS forum this morning I thought you all might like a look.
Someone had fun putting this film clip together

http://www.nfb.ca/film/courtepointe_fr/

Enjoy Liz

A BIG purchase and a lot of thread later

2011-02-16T02:06:00.000-08:00

In December I had a very large delivery, actually in seven parts. I tracked them from Des Moines to the edge of American air space then they vanished into thin air till they landed at Heathrow then they vanished again emerging in Nuneaton of all places.

Delivery man "What exactly is a professional quilting system?"

Me "A big sewing machine!"

When I explained about the bulk of a layered quilt and the size of the average sewing machine throat he absolutely got it! Great guy.

It took some time to unpack to boxes, read the inch thick set up manual and 3 hours later ..........Ta da

This is my new machine (before the bars were put on) that has completely taken over my sewing room. My DSM is homeless for the time being untill I get sorted.

I love it. These are the first practice pieces that are fit to be seen.
A floral all over pattern which I might make into a bag.

A bit of meander, Vermachelli whatever you like to call it, I quite like it, my first quilt may be a soldier quilt done with this.
Another design I quite like, mussel shell or 1-2 -3 filler

I am off to load another practice quilt and play some more.

Bye for now.

Liz

Rocheberie schoolhouse quilters - mystery quilt day

2011-01-23T08:49:00.000-08:00

I wish I had taken a photograph of the nine patch blocks I started out the day with, before slicing them in quarters as if to do disappearing nine patch but then sewing across diagonally with another square and ending up with triangles. We were asked to make 'butterflies' with them but somehow on the library floor my butterflies flew away and I was left with a snail.

When I got home I made another couple of blocks with the remainder of the patterned fabric and made an arrangement which left me with straight edges and a spiral on the diagonal instead of a spiral on the straight and needing triangles to fill in the gaps.

I am not sure which I prefer?

I think maybe the second, but I would like to find another blue fabric for borders as I have none of this left.

I still find the most tedius part is arranging blocks. I think I have got it laid out so no two colours are together but somehow when your back is turned they have moved!

I really enjoy my days at Rocheberie and would like to thank the members of the committee for all their hard work in arranging things for us.

I am looking forward to the next one to see the variety of completed quilts from this session.

Till next time

Liz

Inspiration - where do you find it?

2011-01-03T01:09:00.000-08:00

I have been looking for inspiration, something to set me off with a plan for a challenge.
I thought it would be colour that would be the starting point, or a fabric, a word, a theme, but maybe not.
This caught my eye, I was immediately drawn to the shapes, it is interesting to me, perhaps because some of the shapes could be interpreted into continuous line quilting? I don't yet know but I had to share.
http://www.zentangle.com/about-what-is--1.php

Actually I am chuffed I seem to have managed to post the link.
Enjoy browsing Liz

Happy New Year! is it?

2011-01-02T04:20:00.000-08:00

New Years Day we had enjoyed the firework display put on by some of our neighbours and loved the many many chinese lanterns that floated over our house before going to bed.
When I woke up at about 8.30 the following morning I was a bit suprised to find the back door locked, but wide open and it was not untill much later I went in the sitting room to discover the TV was missing that I realised the back door being open was not just a oversight on our part but a bigger problem. I went and woke Mr Chaos and we then discovered the Land Rover had been taken too.
When two lots of police have been and told us no finger prints mean probably a professional job, Landy stolen to order probably for a ram raid job, the TV was just a bonus for them, we also discovered damage to the front door but unsucessful entry, and footprints in the garden where the car was parked was the only thing for identification .
Happy New Year! ........ not so much!
But I have to focus on the fact nobody was hurt, burglars came, took what they wanted and left hopefully never to return so..... moving on to quilty things.
This is what I have done this morning. I have unfortunately been awake since 2am mythering probably, so I have had plenty of time to complete these 40 blocks. I have made them from charm squares that were a gift from Rocheberie quilters last christmas and the plain fabric is a beautiful quality sheet which was from my Dads house, it shows no sign of wear and may even have been a wedding gift.
I just plonked them on the kitchen table to photograph them, they are not arranged at all. I am going to have to ask if there are any more of the charm packs available because I really want to make this quite a bit bigger. It needs a narrow cream border followed by a coloured one and then a wider cream one to finish. I see myself quilting simply in the small triangles and a feather in the larger one.
I have a sewing day at Rocheberie to prepare for and a challenge for BQL to plan so plenty to keep me busy. Till next time Liz

Last Post

2010-12-19T23:18:00.000-08:00

This is the last post with pictures from my old camera, father christmas came early with this little beauty, as my husband said I will have some exciting pictures to take soon.

This is my last post as a lady with long hair. My ponytail will be making it's way to a wigmaker in Banbury.

I have been thinking of doing this for some time now obviously prompted by my dad's hair loss after just one dose of chemo, the night before I was having last minute nerves about doing it but when out shopping saw a relatively young woman in a wheelchair totally without hair. Whoever she is I wish her all the best and I admire her strength tremendously. It made my decision to go ahead really easy. I posted on Facebook about what I planned to do and several friends have been prompted to do the same, so well done them.

Just a quick post but quilt related post next time. Liz

Woven Ribbons

2010-08-26T23:02:00.000-07:00

This is the quilt that is on our bed now. Actually it is the photo from the web because I don't seem to have a photo in my files.
I had a belated birthday gift from Dad, it is a kit from Jinny Beyer. 150 different fabrics a border print and some black (actually mine has a different fabric border I think) during half term I sat with him and did all the cutting out and labeling, my organised file with poly pockets was bulging!
I was going through a faze of waking up very early in the mornings so not wishing to wake the whole house, I sewed.
Although those pieces are only something like 4 x 1 inch when sewn, they did come together relatively quickly. I have only quickly quilted in the ditch but may go back and do more at a later date.
I was able to sit and stitch the binding down when Dad was in Myton Hospice so he was able to see it completed, as did the nurses who all commented on it and the quilt he had taken in with him. I think I will be making a quilt for them to raffle at christmas.
Do you have lists of things you would like to do, sort of personal challenges, quilt patterns or tecqunique to try? I do, I wanted to move away from my usual plain border, well I have done that now. I would not be in a huge hurry to do it again, it was tricky and it is not perfect but given the circumstances it will do.
I have always wanted to do a feathered star and I eventually found a pattern and made it up and don't know what to do with it now but I will show it next time.

Hoping that my grotty cold and the rotten weather will both be gone soon.
Till next time Liz X

Quilts for Dexter and Sylvia

2010-08-24T03:47:00.000-07:00

A friend got in touch and announced she was to be a Granny, her daughter was expecting twins. Could I help her make a couple of quilts? I didn't have to think too long about it I was glad to help.
We mulled over a few ideas before she decided to do a couple of Bramble Patch kits. Of course being Lynn she wanted to make them a bit different so we had to adapt a bit. I made one and she did the other with a bit of direction.
I quilted the quilt for Dexter with all over stipple which was a bit tricky as the print on the fabrics were so busy but I am pleased with the result, especially as Kate (the Mum ) did not believe I had done it freemotion, She said I must have that stitch on my machine because it was too even. I will take that as a compliment.
Lynn quilted hers for Sylvia with a wave pattern which took some time to get a shape she was happy with as she is a scientist.
The fabrics are all brushed cotton and I am sure will keep them toasty in the comming months and I hope will be a comfort for years.
They are visiting this weekend and if I am lucky I might get a cuddle.
There is another quilt to tell you about but that will have to wait for another day.
Happy quilting Liz X

Long time no blog

2010-08-24T03:34:00.000-07:00

I have been absent for what seems like a very long time.
My Dad was dignosed with cancer of the stomach in March (his third totally unrelated cancer) and sadly died at the beginning of this month. Caring for him took much of my time. I miss him but cannot be sorry that his suffering is now over. Love you Dad X

Secret project BQL challenge, a Koi Quilt

2010-02-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

I have been busy but unable to blog about this not so little quilt. I found the center panel and some co-ordinating fabrics at my local quilt shop and had to have it as it features koi and Mr Chaos is a serious Koi keeper, but they didn't have the border fabric but after quite a lot of phoning round I eventually got hold of some.

I made it as a gift for my hisband and to display at the East Midlands Koi Club Winter Show. Yes they really do bag up enormous fish and transport them in containers to an event and place them in a vat for judging and display for the weekend. We came home with 5 rosettes and 3 trophies, as I said he is pretty serious.

The BQL challenge for February was to make a quilt to exhibit but it didn't stipulate it had to be a quilt show, so I made and showed in the same month.

I hadn't told Mr Chaos that I had made it and managed to get it on display in the conference center without him knowing, much to the amusement of his friends. It was Saturday morning when I was passing and he was stood near it talking to a friend.

Mr Chaos "Hey Liz have you seen this?"

Me " Yes Dear."

Mr Chaos Long pause for thought and then a big grin.

"Is it Yours?"

Me "No Dear it is yours!" I got a big hug and a kiss. It was great fun but I doubt I could decieve him in the same way again.

He was the last to know but thank goodness he likes it.
Soon there will be a completed Linus quilt to show Till next time Liz X

A cot quilt finished

2010-02-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

When I took this really really poor photo I had not yet done the binding but I promise it is done and the quilt has now gone to a new home. I wish I could take better pictures with my camera the colours are not at all like that and it is really disapointing. For quilting I have done a meandering stitch all over which I am quite pleased with and will use again, possibly on a Quilt for a Hero I have offered to quilt for a friend who has pieced a top but doesn't want to tackle the quilting, Hello Mo if you are reading.

I have also been asked to quilt another friends quilt for her as she has wrinkle on the back problems, although if I was smarter I would help her achieve a better finish for herself, so I shall have to ponder on that one for a while.

BQL challenge this month is a quilt to exhibit which I shall not be doing again so I shall quilt for other people instead.

I heard we are now half way through winter so I am looking forward to better weather soon. Till next time Liz X

A quilt for a Hero

2010-01-28T01:19:00.000-08:00

This is my BQL January challenge completed. What ever the rights and wrongs of the political situation a fact remains that there are men and women being wounded every day and their lives will never be the same again. I can do very little about that, but I can quilt.

This is a quilt made from old shirt fabric donated by members of Rugby Model Engineering Society. Easy piecing from 3 x 6 1/2 inch strips just like last months quilt for Katy, I did however, when it came to trimming this quilt have a vague recollection of having starched the strips before I started the other one and it certainly would have helped stabalise these recycled fabrics. A donated backing and wadding meant I was unable to complete it in a conventional way but overall I am quite happy with it, I hope it will be enjoyed by whoever it is given to.

I have also been working on a couple of Christmas projects which has confused a couple of ladies at my quilt group, am I well organised and well ahead of the game or very much too late! Only I know the answer :-) Pictures when they are done but no promises as to when that will be!

Till next time Liz

Christmas has passed, back to normal? not quite!

2010-01-06T09:23:00.000-08:00

Before I put the christmas things away I thought I will share them with you. The long wall hanging was made after a workshop at Lutterworth piecemakers, the christmas tree of triangles I made last year, the little christmas tree of yo yo's was made for me by my friend Holly and the cushion was from my BQL secret santa swap.

I am planning to make a quilt for hero's this month, it is the challenge from BQL. I had a pattern in mind yesterday but the shirt I wanted to use for background did not yeald quite enough fabric so I have changed my plan to do a stacked coin quilt instead. All I will need to buy will be backing, sashing and batting as the gentlemen from the model engineering club I belong to have been generous with old shirts.

I thought I would invite any of my friends to come and do a bit of sewing with me and this design is ideal as it will not show any differences in seam allowance.

The snow has bought some disruption to my plans for this week as school has sent the children home at lunch time today so who knows when they will be back, and after minor surgery to his sholder Mr Chaos will also be at home this week.

Say safe till next time, Liz

A Quilt for Ossian, a quilt for Katy and the last BQL challenge

2009-12-30T08:31:00.000-08:00

My friend Laura now lives in Wales and last week had a baby boy they have called Ossian. They wanted something in green for their baby as they did not know the sex of the baby. I found this lovely fabric at Kisco which has some lovely sayings on it that I thought they would apreciate. My son did a good job of holding it for photographing but the camera has made it look more blue than in realityI quilted eash block with an outline of the character a frog, a snail, a flower, with connecting hearts and swirls. It is more of a floor qiult for a drooling babe than a cot quilt but I am glad to hear they like it.

I have some fabric left over and will make a Linus quilt and donate with a tribute to Laura, Stan and Ossian on the back

A quilt for Katy.

This is a quilt I made for my step daughter Katy for christmas who having unwrapped it put it to one side and didn't even open it up and look at it. My husband was a bit bothered that she failed to apreciate the gift, but I was not offended, it was not given with any expectation. That was not the spirit it was given in. I was pleased with the quilt, it went together well and I was happy to have made quite a good job of it. I liked the colour and quilted it very simply and would make another in a heartbeat. I used leftovers to make this little quilt the last challenge from BQL this year.

I am hoping to complete a quilt soon it is another that has been waiting for quilting for a long time I will start 2010 with no major project to complete!

Hope you all had a good christmas and have a happy new year Liz

Not quilty but a cause for celebration

2009-10-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

I promise you will never have to see my feet again but I needed proof that I have done it.
When I got on the scales and I weighed 13st 13 3/4lbs I was a bit horrified and decided I did not want to be 14 st and had to do something about it.
I did do something (mostly not eat fattening foods between meals and use a small plate at tea time) and today here is the proof I have lost 3 stone. Yay When I started I could not have seen 3 st as an achievable weight loss goal (and I am usually really poor at sticking to diets) but first half a stone then stone by stone it goes. I am still only just inside "normal" weight for my height so I think 10st 10lbs will be the next goal by christmas.
On the fabric side of life I have made myself a dress this week from some fabric I bought on e-bay. I like t-shirt dresses at the moment, with plenty of stretch, I have given away almost all my clothes because they are too big and I dont have a lot of money to replace them so t-shirt dresses are a good solution. I would love to find a good dressmaker locally who could help me with fitting I would like to make some flattering trousers but I can't see the back and Hubby really won't do!
I am off to the model engineering exhibition today so I will have a good day, hope you do to Liz

Piecemakers show and a happy man

2009-10-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

This is what I have been working on for the last few weeks. It is a birthday gift for my son who happened to come home for the weekend. He asked if I had finally finnished his quilt (as he often does) and was very supprised when I said I had, but not so pleased when he asked if he could see it and was told it was hanging in a quilt exhibition. He had to wait till the following day to see it. Thankfully he thought it was worth the wait.

I can't tell you how over the moon I was that some people had chosen it as their favorite quilt in the show. It is now living in Nottingham.

I was also pleased (and a little relieved) that the bag I had made for the raffle had some tickets in by the time I left on Saturday lunchtime. I wonder who liked it enough to buy a ticket and who has won it. I will be looking out for it. I might have to make another one.

I had made some fabric flower pins for the sales table, someone who bought one said thay had to undo it to see how it was made. How silly, I would have shown them first if they had asked and have since taken a worksheet to them. I was asked and might offer to do a demonstration at the AGM next meeting. Till next time Liz

Last weekend I was busy

2009-10-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

Who is driving that loco, hiding behind all that steam?

Who is that hiding behind that drivers hat and underneath all those layers?

Honestly it is me, although my own father only recognised me by my boots! I did my driver training at Rainsbrook Valley Railway last weekend. Thank you Ed. It was a really cold day. I am glad I did it but will have to wait for next year now for the next part as sections of the track are due to be replaced soon.

Next weekend will be fun too! Till then Liz X

What a difference a needle makes

2009-09-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

At the weekend I went to a quilt show and met the lovely ladies from Asding. We had a chat (as you do) and I was saying how I was enjoying a little quilting project and about how fab their quilting gloves are but I was having some bearding problems.

You need a topstitch needle she said. She was right. Will my photos do justice to the problem?

Here is an autumnal coloured quilt with quilted leavesHere is the center of the quilt back with significant bearding.Here is a photo of the back of the border, look no bearding.

Thankyou ladies from Asding for excellent advice and Topstitch needles.

I hope to have this quilt quilted in time for our quilt show in a couple of weeks time. It is a belated gift for my son's birthday. I am not going to admit how belated, but in a way I am glad because I know I have made a better job of it now than I would have done then. Thats my excuse and I will be sticking to it.

Quilt blog inspiration

2009-09-27T01:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a tip from someone on BQL I have been inspired to quilt by Leah Day. She has a blog and a challenge to create a new free motion quilt design every day for a year. Not only that but she shows a short film of herself doing it.
I have a quilt that has been thrown over my wall for ages, I could not decide exactly how to quilt it. I had an idea based on the fabric colours of autumn leaves but I could not quite get it together and make a start. This lady gave me the kick I needed and the results I am quite pleased with. I hope to show you soon but in the mean time please look at
freemotionquilting.blogspot.com

fabric flowers

2009-09-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

I was asked at the weekend if I had given up blogging and it looked like it, but my mother told me if you have nothing good to say then say nothing. As I have not been very productive and have nothing I am pleased with to show, then I have nothing to blog about.

Saturday was spent at Rocheberrie Quilters and as usual there was plenty of inspiration. I took these flowers to make into broches and several people said they liked them so I thought I would try to photograph (with a new to me camera) and post about them. I made some a while ago and had to make a couple more to remind myself how they were done.

I bought a bag of buttons on Saturday and used some of them for flower centers. My sister says I have a bit of a button fettish which I deny but find it difficult to pass a bag without having a good look. Buying or even better being given old buttons makes me happy. I am smiling just thinking about them. Is there a club for people like me? My name is Liz I am a button addict.

Till next time, be patient Liz

Two things I am pleased with!

2009-07-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

I am perhaps sad but I had to photograph this because I wasn't sure I believed it. Here is the proof that I have indeed now lost exactly two stones in weight. I have waited a long time to see 11 something. Only half a stone to go and I will nolonger be `overweight`.

Now quilty things. I made this bag because my husband is a koi keeper and we were going to the koi show in Newark. I found this fabric ages ago and finally found a use for it. The pattern is from a magazine the latest one with loads of bag patterns but I have lent it to a friend so can't tell you whch one. It is shown in neutral checks, but I altered it anyway by making the opening wider. I really like it and although it is not pieced it has got lots of free motion quilting round the fish and following the water pattern. It made a great swimming kit bag yesterday.

Pesky zips just for Sarah

2009-06-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

I recently did a demo at a quilt group and have been contacted for help so I hope that as a picture is worth a thousand words these four pictures....
well lets see....

If you were not there then I should explain that at Dunelm Mill fabric shop they sell zip by the meter and separate zips but they can be difficult to put together unless you know one very simple trick.

I have used black teeth strip and cream zip just for contrast.

Cut away the teeth for a short distance. That is it that is the trick.

Thread teeth into zip on one side.

Just tuck the teeth of the otherside into the zip.

On a surface hold down both the fabric tabs and use your other hand to pull the zip. Ta Da

Hopefully you are now smiling at how simple that is.

Best wishes Liz X

June challenge

2009-06-07T23:04:00.001-07:00

June's challenge for BQL was super quick and easy, I chose batiqe fabric which I love but my camera always make look paler than reality. I quite like the idea of making cushions for my sofa now but using silks in shades of cream and brown. Mmmm shopping today I think. Bigger seam allowance I think might be advisable. I am thinking/typing outloud.

It has been a busy month with a couple of birthdays (that I can't show you because I didn't have time to take photos) and a fab trip to a great private railway near Tamworth this was a particularly interesting little engine.

And how about this for a great maintanance vehicle. Yes they really have put bogies on a Landy. And here is the team that made it all happen. Thank you all, we had a great day.

I don't normally post about other aspects of my life but now you know because of my family I am also into trains and Land Rovers.

Till next time

Liz

Dying to try this again and May challenge

2009-05-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

I spent a great day on Thursday with Muriel and Chris. I took a big piece of white fabric with me but look what I came home with, a rainbow of gorgeousness, is that even a word?

Both of them were quite suprised when I said I was patient enough to leave them over night before rinsing out (I was awake at 6am threw the reds in only to find that my washing machine decided to leak eek! new door seal on its way.) but I am very happy with the results, ridiculously happy infact. I keep rearranging them and stroking them. The greens are unusual but not quite as they appear on my screen. I have no idea if I will be able to use them, they are too precious but I am sure I will be doing it again soon.
I have a bit of a list of patterns I would like to do, New York Beauty, feathered star and Dear Jane.
Where do I start?
Still pondering....... till next time, Liz

This is my May challenge. I am not sure why I did not fancy the word 'May' that was suggested and why I thought 'Love' would be better but I did. I fancied lettering that reminded me of hippies I have no idea why or if this style fits the bill but I quite liked it. There are 3 hearts and swirly quilting. I went to the quilt museum in York and Mr chaos bought me Phillipa Naylors fab book. The colours she uses really make you want to say wow and she uses trapunto to very great effect. I would like to do more.

BQL challenge and a quilt sent to Australia

2009-05-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here is my challenge quilt for last month made at the last minute as my origional did not work out as I had hoped. Here it looks a little pale, in real life it is better.

My second son posed for me last year at Carrisbrook Castle on the Isle of White. The fabrics were a christmas gift from Lutterworth piecemakers, a selection I would not have chosen myself but are just right for this, so thank you to the committee.

This is a quilt I made from a jelly roll given by Rocheberrie quilters at christmas. I quite liked the block, the sashing I felt was a bit too wide but used it to do some free motion quilting, meandering style which I had not done before. At the time I was doing it I was not too impressed but once I had done it and looked I could not see the areas I thought were poor.

This is another BQL challenge. It should have been 9 paper pieced bags but my printed died and the design did not really appeal so I made just 4 bags but mine are 3D so I can hide items in them but I can only think of chocolate items that will fit. I have a Bramble Patch bag similar to this one and my son has a P.E. kit bag like this, I made a cover for my camera out of another fabric and I am looking for something to hang from my copy of my Radley bag. I bound the quilt with a different colour on each side which is something I may do again.

I wonder what the next challenge will be?

Till next time Liz

Stitcheries and Bento Box

2009-02-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

This is what I do when I am waiting at the station for my husband to come home, I sit in the car and stitch, now that Noah is done I found another generous designer to give us a block of the month. These are by Gail Pan Designs and I love them. I am now looking forward to March.

This is what I have been doing when I should have been quilting my stars quilt. I can't make a decision about quilting designs so I started another.

This was a jelly roll of batiks from fabric freedom. There was a thread on BQL about Bento box and I just had to do one. I wanted to play with colour but played safe with complimentary colours for the main blocks and had half a roll of strips that didn't have a pair so I put them together for the border I have a bit of this left and will probably make a bag. I used all of the fabrics in the roll and bought 1.3m for the border and my quilt measures 62" square. At the moment I have only quilted in the ditch and have to decide whether to leave it at that or do some more.

I have bought an ink pad to complete the stamping on my siggy blocks and have now made all 60 and got them squared up and trimmed so another session or two and they should be completed. In plenty of time too! till next time Liz X

Jennie Rayment

2009-02-21T00:22:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday evening Jennie came to Lutterworth Piecemakers to give a talk about her quiltmaking style and life as a traveller and teacher. If you have ever met Jennie you will understand that she is quite a character and has a unique sense of humour that had everyone laughing till there sides ached.

On Thursday I spent a lovely the day at a workshop with Jennie. I did manage to keep up the pace and complete all 9 blocks despite

a.not having picked up a sheet of requirements when I booked the day and

b.going home and printing off the wrong set of instructions and staying up till 1am cutting out the wrong blocks. Lucky I was there early and my mistake was realised when Chris turned up with her blocks that were bigger, B*gger. Jennie took over and had the required blocks cut out in about 3 minutes, (from memory no cutting list) amazing lady.

Anyhow so now I have fiddled, twiddled manipulated and generally had fun and produced this. Don't ask what I will do with it.

Ciggy blocks are comming on, although due to some poor pressing I have had to undo a few because when it came to trimming I found they were not square. Interesting as they were early ones and mostly one fabric. Igave it a good dose of spray starch which should mean no repeat of that problem.

My Bento block quilt is getting it's borders soon but because it was a make it up as you go along not a planned quilt I need to find a little bit for the corners. I might get this done when my guys go shooting this afternoon.

Tonight I hope to get tickets to see my Dad on stage, Rugby Operatic society is performing Orpeus in the Underworld and my sister is playing in the pit.

Chuffed

2009-02-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

I am pleased because I have managed to upload the picture of Noah's Ark to the Lynette Anderson group page on flickr. I did it all by myself after several failed attempts. I had to find out about geotagging and do that before it would upload, and now its done. Sad I know to be so pleased , but I had to tell someone and now it's bed time. Goodnight.

Noah's Ark

2009-02-16T00:32:00.000-08:00

Noah's ark is now put together with a set of rainbow coloured batiks and some patterned batiks I bought ages ago. I am now looking forward to the last set of instructions to finish it off although I can enjoy it just being pinned up on my little pin board. I have done some more ciggy blocks in blue and white orientals and only have 8 more to sew then signatures for all 60. I do have an idea for how to do this and need to buy a special pen.
I have also been playing with a batik jelly roll and bento block.

The strips were nowhere near 2 1/2 inches so required a lot of trimming which at first made me a bit narked but I soon came to view this pile as another excuse to play. I have to think of a border for this now. As it is half term I may not have so much time this week but I have thursday with Jennie Rayment which should be fun I will post the results of our workshop.

Till then Liz

B.Q.L.quilt some signature quilt blocks and jelly roll blocks

2009-02-03T03:26:00.000-08:00

I have completed the BQL February challenge, just got to upload it to the site. It is foundation pieced onto starched fabric with red and oriental fabrics as it is not only Valentines day but our wedding anniversary too this month. I think that although paper foundation piecing is tedious to pick bits of paper off, it is easier to fold accurately.
I had tried to use a metalic thread to quilt but the thread kept breaking. I think I have read about a needle for metalic threads, I will have to investigate. I used lots of fancy stitches to quilt although they don't show in my pictures, you know the ones your machine has that you never use. I have done some signature blocks (but not trimmed them yet, I thought I would leave that till last) also from oriental fabrics, but I need to shop for more fabric before I can make anymore blocks.

These blocks are made from the jelly roll we were given for christmas at Rocheberie I need to make two more blocks then think about sashing and borders, another shopping trip needed as I have not got a fabric stach to speak of, I keep using it up.

Lutterworth piecemakers block is also done but I have not photographed it yet.

Lynette Anderson has just relesed her last Noah's Ark block so you know how I will be spending this snowy day.

Till next time, Liz

Siggy swap

2009-01-22T07:35:00.000-08:00

I have been persuaded by a post by Jane to join in a signature swap http://cootiebug2.blogspot.com/2009/01/international-siggy-swap-sign-up-starts.html

I will look forward to receiving quilty mail instead of bills.

There is the small problem of the deadline to get my signature blocks done but there will be a maximum of 60 participants so that should be achievable, shouldn't it?

Hoping I have not taken on too much.

LIZ

Crazy Mom Quilts

2009-01-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

I have had lots of good comments and interest regarding the vinyl pouches and I am going to see if I can do a link to Amanda Jean's site http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ I think that worked.

Thank you http://janeweston.blogspot.com/ for the blogging instructions but how do you get just the name to appear not the whole blog address? Always more questions than answers.

I read with interest that Amanda Jean is planning another quilt along. I will be among her followers for sure. I must however, complete the quilting on the star quilt I made last year first before starting another project. I have been working on it this week and am nearer to making a decision, I think.

I went to Dunelm today and found a quilting idea to explore, a sort of whole cloth with the floral design just left blank and the background closely quilted to make the design stand out. I should have taken a photo. I may have to pop back tomorrow.
Good night Liz

Gail Pan Designs

2009-01-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

Has anybody else found this lovely site, Gail Pan Designs. On offer is a lovely redwork stitchery that I am working on and hope to show you soon. It should be finished for next christmas. LOL

And as promised the project I was working on yesterday is done.

This is my bag to take to quilt related events, groups, shops etc.Here is my matching note book and pouch to keep in it. (Back view)Here is the front view of the note book and vinyl fronted pouch with pen and pencil, it will soon have polo mints and kleenex added. I have a very small binding on the pouch as I was running out of fabric but I am really pleased with them all and hope it will contribute to being better organised this year. Another thank you to Amanda Jean for the idea.

The free motion quilting I am quite pleased with and was done following a tutorial I found on U tube something to the effect if you can count to three you can FMQ just make a tear drop shape then another a bit bigger and then another one. So simple even I can do it, although I have to confess this is not my first try I think this is possibly the 5th.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Rocheberie tomorrow perhaps another posting to show more swag and projects. Till then, take care, Liz

Fabric baskets from Pink Penguin and BQL challenge

2009-01-15T02:15:00.001-08:00

I made these baskets after seeing a tutorial on Pink Penguins blog. I bought a little bundle of fabric from a trader at Rochberieages ago, I cant now remember who, and I kept getting it out and looking at it and loving it but had no clue what to do with it untill this tutorial. The size is just right for the four threads for my overlocker. Thank you so much for a great idea and a fab tutorial.

This is all the swag that I came home with last Rochberie meeting, everyone attending was given a jelly roll which I plan to use to do borders on my Noahs Ark stitcheries (the last part of which is available next month and I can't wait) I was given not just one but two kits to make fabric shopping bags for one of our regular ladies who runs a charity shop, and a friend brought lots of ribbons and zips she no longer wanted which I snapped up in a jiffy. I came home on quite a high, am I easily pleased or totally sad? I really thought christmas had come early for me. Here we are and it is Rochberie again this weekend both bags are made as well as another half dozen left over from a Scout fund raiser before christmas, some zips used in pouches and a plan for the jelly roll.

I have just completed my January challenge for BQL and uploaded the picture to the web site. It has wonky circles fmq all over the background, the circles are left plain and I think I almost prefer the back of this little quilt.

I hope all my text has come out with this post unlike the previous one.

Hopefully a little project will be completed soon and I can show you how I am going to try to be better organised this year. I am ever an optomist.

Till next time Liz

Long time no blog

2008-12-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

Lots of gifts made for friends and family these are the back followed by the front of vinyl pouches from a tutorial by Amanda Jean I don't know how to put in a link but her blog is fab called crazy mom quilts. I filled these with all sorts of goodies, the horses were for a friends daughter who likes horses, the sweetie hearts for another friends daughter, the planes for my husband who has his private pilots licience, camping for my scouting son and the golf for my other son who has a part time job at a cyber golf cafe in Nottingham where he is at uni.

I made four of these gift bags after a demonstration at one of the quilt groups I attend I think it was Rocheberie. I put chocolate boxes in them for friends
These were covered note books for children of friends who invited us to spend New Years Eve with them, we had a lovely time so thank you Robert and Louise. I also made a bag for my Dad and one for his friend Sue. They both belong to a local music group and thought a bag with a musical theme would be good for them but I havent got a photo of them.

Craft and cake

2008-11-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

My sister can't bake a cake at home, my 4 year old nephew talks about mummy's flat cake. I can't work out where she goes wrong so she came round and we baked together. I had come to the conclusion that maybe over beating was the problem but this looks good and tasted good too. She is off home to try another in her oven.

She then moved upstairs to make a case for some of her music (she plays flute and sings) and needed a small folder for one of the groups. I had made a few of these from a tutorial by crazy mom quilts and she wanted to have a go. The fabric on the other side is pink on pink sheet music, a remnant from the Bramble Patch and the inside is a coordinating glittery pink. I think she has done a fab job especially as vinyl is not the easiest to use.

I think craft and cake is a combination that will become a regular feature in our calendar.
I have made a start on Noah's penguins nothing to show yet though.

Happy quilting Liz

The first quilt

2008-11-09T22:36:00.000-08:00

This quilt was the start I think, not the first to be completed, but I saw this at The Bramble Patch in Weedon and wanted to do it.

This quilt was the next I think. I bought a bunch of 2.5 inch strips from a show from an irish company something seed or something shed I cant remember but I cut them all in half widthways and made this. I thought at the time it was log cabin but have been told it isn't quite right, but hey you live and learn and I like it. This photo does not do it justice the colour is much better than the photo suggests.

A rotten cold woke me up, I didn't really want to get up at 5.30 to blow my nose but once up can't go back to sleep so I have done the ironing, yey! but didn't think doing the hoovering would go down too well with Mr Chaos even though it is swarf that he has trodden in from the workshop that I am looking at. I have been able to blog guilt free. Just time for one more cup of tea before the circus that is getting my family up and out in the morning starts.

Happy quilting Liz

Star quilt

2008-11-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

For some time I have been working on this star quilt along that Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts has had on her blog. I had not done stars before and I really enjoyed it, so thank you very much Amanda Jean. It is quite big, so big infact, that I could not get far enough away with my camera to take a photo of all of it. My camera was on the cealing where I could not see the screen. This was the best of the three photos I took. Can you imagine the ones I discarded? When I go to group on Tuesday I will see if I can get a better picture.

I have now got it layered and pin basted and can't decide how to quilt it. The question is not machine or hand, the answer to that is most definately machine, but what design? I am just not sure.

I had called this my christmas quilt as it is all in a variety reds and cream fabric many of which have gold in them although none of them are actually christmas fabric. Last week I thought of giving it to my dad for his forthcomming birthday but by the look on the face of Mr Chaos I think I had better think again for a birthday gift.

When I made my first quilt I didn't think my family would be in the least bit interested, infact my elder son said "Don't bother making one of those for me!" Quite clear I thought, that I was wasting my time but within a year when the same son was to celebrate his 21st birthday he told me I could make one for him. That was nice of him wasnt it.

We have three quilts of mine in the house and every day without fail, I have to fold at least one of them and put it away. I like the fact that they are used and I think they are apprecaited.

Will they become for my children part of an abiding memory of home and of me?

It is 8 years today since my Mother passed away and I make no excuse for being reflective especially as it also coincides with rememberance day but I will go before becoming too sad. I am going to start the next Noah block, Lynette has given us penguins this month thank you Lynette

Happy quilting

Liz

Noah's Ark Dove

2008-10-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

This is the dove from month 1 of the Noah's Ark BOM. I had to wait till I had daylight before I could photograph it and not have just flash obliterating the image. I really like this and might do a few for christmas cards.

These are to be a pair of cushion covers when I get round to finnishing them. The pattern was origionally from a magazine but was a wall hanging. I used silk on silk but used clover bias tape which I think has shrunk a little, perhaps my iron was a little hot. They will look lovely (I hope )on the chocolate coloured sofa, one day!

Hoping that the sleety rain will soon pass over Rugby, Regards Liz

Lynette Anderson Noah's Ark

2008-10-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is the one I completed this morning. I have also done the first one which was a dove but it would not photograph well. I have found these completely addictive, they should have been block of the month but have only recently found them. I think I have done them all in about two weeks (very little housework done do I have my priorities right?)
I am now going to have to wait for next month for the next block number 9 which means it wont be complete till February. I have yet to decide on fabrics to join them.

Mr Noah but no Mrs Noah and a cat.

This was fun too.

I love these elephants.

Kangaroo a really quick to do stitchery for month 4.

Are these cows cute? I love them.

2008-10-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

I shall be pleased if this post is sucessful with a photo and text visible.

This is a quilt for my niece, 9 patch blocks alternated with applique hearts.It is a rare opportunity to use some girly colours however, I am dissapointed with the lack of colour contrast, I wish it was only my poor photography but even in real life it looks a bit wishywashy. I am not sure now how to quilt this. I used varigated thread to applique but it blends better than I had predicted. Still it is what was asked for so hopefully she will be happy with it.

2008-10-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

I have been a reader of other peoples blogs for a while now but never thought I would have anything to blog about (and this may yet be proven to be correct) but recently I have enjoyed doing a star block of the month at Crazy Mom Quilts and now Noah's Ark block of the month with Lynette Anderson and have enjoyed looking at the work of other people and now feel I should learn how to join in the fun.

I have yet to learn how to upload pictures of my work or provide links to these lovely blogs but I know someone will show me how.

Thankyou for visiting, Liz