Bordering on insanity!

Here is my progress on the border of my applique quilt using the pattern Friendship's Garden by Blackbird Designs ie Alma Allen and Cherie Ralston.

There is something quite therapeutic about hand sewing I find - you have to slow down and take it gently, listening to a good story on Radio 4 (the American Senator by Thackeray).... cup of tea at hand.  Ahhhhhh!

I am sort of committed to finishing this top off this month - at least that was my target on the UFO domination 2011 group .  Fat chance you say of finishing it now??  Well I do like a challenge but I have only completed one side and two corners so it looks a long way off.

Also best not to step on your cream coloured quilt in an early morning sortie dressed in you pyjamas and wellie boots....I have to applique on this bit!

I got too distracted this month by the Across the Sea QAL and spin off projects - did I need to start a hallowe'en themed lapquilt???  Well yes apparently! 

Also the Delft Dreams and Polo Fruity Hexagon quilts both got more attention than my applique quilt. 

Now I am also panicking slightly about the first swap I have entered - scary new territory!  And I have so much school uniform labelling to do - two off to a new school!

Will it all happen this week? - probably not but I find a deadline sure helps me focus so  - bring it on - insanity or success?

   

Garden Borders of the Friendship variety...

I have at last found time to cut up the fabric for my applique border background - a bit boring I know - just marbled cream fabric but it is what goes on it that is the interesting bit I hope.  I have run out of the cream with gold dot which I used  for the squares but hope it will not be too obvious - or I will just have to do some French knots or something!


I have sewn the borders onto the quilt as per instructions so this will not be a take along project but I guess it needs to be attached to get accurate placement.  This is a BIG quilt and I haven't even layered it up yet!  The other third is on the other side of the banister!

I have pinned on the green swags and stars on one side to get an idea of how it will look. 

The next thing is to baste down those pieces so I can stitch away without pins!  


Wish me luck with my re-acquaintance with applique! 






And just because she is beautiful......and keeps me company when I am sewing...here is miss Saffy!

A gift for Canadian Abroad and the FoQ!

I made a little present for Susan as we were both going to the Festival of Quilts on the same day.  A souvenir if you like!


What do I know about Susan well she is a Canadian Abroad, she likes bright colours when tempered by white or grey and she likes cotton perle quilting.


So this very kitschy item is what I came up with....hope it makes her laugh!

It even has a bit of tartan to represent my Scottish roots!

And here is the face behind Canadian Abroad (and me)

and the personality behind the face is all that she seems to be on her blog and more - so friendly, so enthusiastic and so happy to be getting the Baby Go!   I felt I'd known her for years...

 I had such a great but exhausting day at the FoQ and am going to take it easy today - feet up, cup of tea and gloat over my buys....

First up the hexagon book from Marti Michell - she was there with husband Richard! - plus a small hexagon set of templates which will give me inspiration I hope for my hexie projects.  Also the sashing stars set so you can expect more exciting sashing from now on...

Some of the much blogged about Aurofil thread - variegated 40weight for some  hand quilting - thought I'd give it a try!

Some lovely fabric for my hexie quilt - the latest one!  Mainly bought from Doughty's and Quilt Essentials - must look those up on-line!

Yellows for my plaid string sashing - ok might have got that wrong a bit but what doesn't fit here will go in the hexie quilt I'm sure!

And I tested out the really lovely Mandy from Simply Solids on her knowledge of her products and she passed A*!  Here are Azure, Bubblegum, Bright Pink, Pomegranate and Tomato.  More little houses in the making - see the pink Shirley??? 

Some fabrics for baby quilts....! No not for me but for friends....!  The cars are from father/daughter team Il etait une fois..! who do digital printing of fabric similar to Spoonflower and will also print up your own designs!

This one from Chichester based The Eternal Maker was totally off-plan but hey one day I may get lost in Paris and how useful will this fabric be then???

How did I stay so focused? (believe me this is good for me!) Because of this little card reminding me what I needed not what I wanted .....all my fabrics from my projects stapled on so I could match them up!   It was useful - I will do this again...

So back to feet up, cup of tea and two important jobs - editing the other photos from the show!  You'll get to see them ...worry ye not! And some serious stroking of fabric, looking at the fabric, loving the fabric....maybe even some sewing!

Friendship's Garden getting friendlier..

I did not manage to get so much sewing done today - dreadful I know!


I was shopping for my daughter's new school uniform, which we had to buy from the on-site school shop!  We still have games/PE kit to buy and school shirts but we made a big dent in the long list of stuff.  We will get more next week.  


My sewing will soon be about labels, shifting buttons for a better fit and shortening sleeves as my girl is petite!






The sewing I did do was on the Friendship's Garden quilt.  Thanks people for all your lovely comments yesterday - your support is so appreciated and helps me get to the next stage - as you can see here...

I am falling in love with this quilt again which of course is good for motivation. I am sure I will feel extra pleased when this one is completed because the pattern is lovely, it is my oldest UFO so that in itself is cathartic, restarting it reminds me of the fun I had when I first did it and because it is for our double bed.  What better way to celebrate 24 years of marriage on 5 September 2011 if I can finish this in time!??  Well I am sure we can think of a few but I am trying to be realistic here!

I was thinking about quilting it in cotton perle (addicted or what?) - would it suit the style do you think? 


In the wreaths I would like to add the names of my children and their birthdates as a genealogical record.  And also add our wedding day - that way it will be hard to forget even in my dotage!


If you have any other suggestions as to quilting please let me know!


Nicky






Edit:  Diane kindly pointed out that the book is not available at Amazon but it is still possible to get it here


https://www.pickledishstore.com/ProductDetail.php?PID=931

Applique blocks trimmed and....?

Late night conversations can lead to action in the morning!  Liz from Quilterie prodded motivated me into getting out my applique quilt - a UFO from 2005 - and I have now trimmed all the blocks!  






Not only that I have also sashed and joined one row together!

Not only that I have sashed and joined another row together!

I have added a slim contrast border around my blocks to frame them, get a better balance of colour, make them slightly bigger so my 2" HSTs will fit and just because I love green!  


Then I have added the HST sashing, lots of which I had already waiting for me lying in the box, either sewn or cut out, so not all this is today's work!

Still got one row - the top row - to put together and more HST sashing between the rows.  One step at a time....!




Big thanks to Liz but also Sue, Lori, Marina and Mary for earlier comments trying to get me motivated on this one - it has worked!   Keep up the good work girls!


Nicky


measurements
finished block size 20.5" square




 pattern
 Alma Allen and Cherie Ralston's book Friendship's Garden, which you can still buy here!

previous posts
http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/05/applique-quilt-post-no1.html
http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/05/applique-quilt-post-no-2.html
http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/05/applique-quilt-post-no-3.html

Empty spools finished!

I just did what Susan said!  I quilted and bound it.  The binding is a pale solid blue from stash which looks nice and quiet and fits in well with the blue print.


All in all one peaceful reflective little quilt that doesn't want to shout about itself!  I loved doing those scrappy spools - great fun!

One little quilt quickly done!  I am liking it now though I have to admit it wasn't love at first sight.


Good practice for the workshop I will be going on in October though I might forget how to do them by then.  




Nicky



Edit: Just linked this post to Quiltstory Fabric Tuesday see my sidebar for their button!  






measurements 
block size 6" finished
quilt size 32" finished


fabrics
Lily and Will 
Kona AshJohn Louden pastel polka dotJinny Beyer Palette for backing
blue solid from stash for binding

Scrappy spools block taken from 
Great Scrap-bag Quilts by Jan Halgrimson

quilting 
Big stitch in cream cotton perle
previous posts
http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/07/hexagons-hexalong-hexathon.html
http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/07/empty-spools-update.html

Basket quilt finished!

As you will know from a recent post I have been dithering pondering about how to quilt this basket quilt - well those days are over and here it is in all it's glory....

The back is also pieced and although I tried to centre it I seem to have missed that target by a smidge.  As smidges are quite small I am trying not to worry about a little wonkiness here and there....between friends!

I have so far kept to just outlining my baskets in cotton perle and the border has the opposite - in-lining if you like!??

I was considering further decorative quilting on the background but for now at least I have decided against this to let the fabrics speak for themselves without distraction.  This quilt was made in tribute to the lovely fabrics so I have to defer to them...

The binding is two similar fabrics - one large scale, the other small scale flowers

My label is embroidered on the front in back stitch but not all the way though as this is a double sided quilt and I didn't want to end up with an unsightly mess on the other side

I am pleased with the outcome of this little quilt. It is a showcase for fabrics I love and it does that job pretty well I think.  I also love the simple quilting - I'm hoping you agree that it doesn't really need anything more.  My embroidered label is up front and visible in a contrasting thread - not so sure I want my stitching that visible but hey 'tis done and I'm not so bothered I want to unpick it and redo it.

So another UFO completed - that makes 3 (or 4 if you count the galaxy quilt as two quilts in one) and 9 to go I think...oooh that's a challenge!




Nicky

Fred the Blog Dog is finished!

Well here he is and as I really like him I thought he could join me on my blog so he is Fred the Blog Dog with all embellishments complete....

I have drafted out a pattern for a squirrel and a pig - so I will try my hand at both in due course but now I think it is time for a change.

So back to UFOs, Farmer's Wife blocks and the plaid string quilt.............unless something else comes along of course!

Nicky

Fred the Dog!

I loved making Cyril so much that I had to get started on Fred...


Here he is almost finished - didn't quite make the deadline....but my concentration goes after about midnight...and my hubby gets grumpy!

 Kept with the same shirting background and added plaids, checks and stripes, bigger buttons and a bit of burgundy stitchery for a bit more butchness!

Not enough embellishment yet and no binding but these will hopefully get finished off today.

Do you like him?  Or am I barking mad?


Here are Fred and Cyril - they are good friends already

There is a cat to come...but I think I will leave that till later.  And I thought I should devise my own pattern - a pig perhaps or a red squirrel???


Well I'll give it a go anyway and if you don't see it you will know my efforts have been disastrous....


I have been enjoying this country style with plaids and am launching myself into yet another country project - a string plaid quilt along with Juliekquilts...oh dear when will my poor UFOs get finished...?


But hey plaids rule!


Nicky

Shopping!

We all like a bit of shopping don't we?

Well I visited my local fabric shop yesterday and bought a few bits and pieces.

I met the owner there and cheekily gave her some feedback on some of her products.  They have just started stocking lovely trimmings from VV Rouleaux and Liberty and such and I have added to my collection on every visit as you can see here.

Yesterday's trimmings

The growing collection....

So I gave my hearty approbation of these but turning to her knitting wool asked if she would stock something a bit more interesting than the acrylic yarn she curently has.  I suggested Debbie Bliss Cashmerino as I like to knit and crochet with those yarns in lovely colours.  She explained that her customers seem to ask for this type of yarn (?) - it is cheaper and washable, I know - and hasn't the room in this shop to stock more wool but is trying to find bigger premises.  Perhaps some improvement in the offing...?






They also stock some quilting fabrics among the dress, upholstery and every  other variety of fabric they carry.  They have a very few pre-cuts and otherwise sell off the bolt but do not cut fat quarters.  They also stock some fat quarter bundles in the oddest selection but nicely tied up with ribbon.  I have now found out that they buy them in - which I am glad about as I would seriously doubt their judgement if they admitted to putting them together themselves.  My problem is that I ask every birthday and Christmas for fabric that the children have chosen but they will go for these odd assortments and I end up with something that just doesn't go together and hence cannot make anything with.   It is frustrating as the object for me was to make something out of the fabrics they had chosen ..anyway I have given my feedback and she has taken my email so I will wait to see what - if anything - happens!    End of rant!!


I'd rather end up with these lovelies

I went to the bookshop as well and bought this little book. 

I have another by the same author which set me off making yards of bunting.  She has been featured on TV with Kirstie Allsopp making a quilted stocking for Christmas and runs courses in several local quilt shops - but I haven't been on one.... yet!?


I am all set to do some little stitcheries inspired by this book and many blog sites, espcially with some of the lovely cotton perle thread I have been buying, possibly in lieu of quilting, but I have yet to choose my project.


Ooh I am planning and scheming and objects of great loveliness are dancing in my head - whether they will get started or will be as lovely when/if I get around to making them is of course another matter...


In the meantime notice something different about Cyril?

Here's a close up

Just couldn't resist one more tiny embellishment...






Nicky