Monday 29 April 2013

Chenille Scarf

Yummy, yummy blue fabrics.  Two batiks and two blue floral prints. Normally I'm not a 'loud' fabric person, but there was something in these prints with the flower centres that I just really needed to buy them at the time.

I spent some time flicking through magazines to try and figure out something that would allow me to use the nice big print of the water lily to it's advantage, with no real thought in mind of what I even wanted to achieve.  Then, as I was about to give up hope and put the fabrics away again, I found an article in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of McCalls Quilting Magazine about how to make a chenille scarf.  Perfect.  I had enough fabric, in fact, more than enough, which is just as well because the first scarf I didn't read my tape measure properly and so it's about 30in too short.  I realised my error when I wrapped it around my neck after completing it.  Sheesh.  That one's now  a neck warmer which requires a pin to hold it in place. 

Then, I had to make a second one the correct length.  It's perfect.  Very soft and very warm.  There might be a few more of these in the future. 


I gifted this one to a friend (who looks gorgeous in blue) for her birthday.

Monday 22 April 2013

More Bow Ties

The Bow Ties quilt top is completed.  Very happy.  The backing and binding fabrics are currently in the wash and shortly I'll be cutting the wadding.

My apologies for the angle of the quilt in the photo, I was having a very hard time with the wind, which had been absent until I wanted to take my photos - sheesh...

These 4in blocks are so incredibly addictive to make.  Try to stop at just one or two, it is impossible.  I found myself going through my 5in squares to try as many colour and print possibilities as I could.  Each tie was "wow" when I completed the block.
I have a good idea of how I want to quilt this quilt, so once again I am keen to strike while the iron is hot and keep the momentum going. Note to self - write down the quilting ideas before they get forgotten!

Monday 15 April 2013

Pretty In Pink

Pretty In Pink - was the name of a favourite teenage movie way back in the 1980's (hmm.... age showing... not good....).  The movie was all about growing up and learning some life lessons during those awkward teenage years.  It's hard to believe that a lovely teenage girl we know is almost an adult.  Her mum asked me to bake a cake and to assist with the surprise of her significant birthday, there is no way I was going to say no....  Not completely sure my hubby agreed as he very obligingly cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen, including the glitter which went everywhere... oops....

Pink 'pearl' candles, purple glitter over white icing and some stunning flowers over the top of a luscious chocolate cake.... heaven....



To say that our friend was overcome when seeing the cake would be an understatement.  It's not often that she is speechless - but I succeeded!  It was a wonderful moment for her to realise that her Mum had planned some really nice things for her.  I always feel it's a great privilege to be part of an important event in another's life.

Monday 8 April 2013

Bow Ties - an intro

A few years ago, when I was working in the 'rat race', catching public transport and wearing suits - I would always look at mens ties.  Especially their Bow Ties.  I love Bow Ties.  Somehow the wearing of a Bow Tie allowed a man's personality to show through, even though it was being constrained by holiding down a serious responsible role as a Stockbroker, Banker or Engineer.  The bow ties worn by these men were often very flamboyant, against the dark grey/black/pinstriping of their suits.  It is these city men who inspired me to make a Bow Tie quilt.

Of the 327 blocks I have made so far, I pulled a random sample of 16 out of the box so that I could play around with the layout.
Layout 1 - Straight Set

Layout 2 - Octagonal Centres
 
Layout 3 - Interesting...
Of course there are many more layout options with the blocks on point and/or sashing in between them.  I have an idea of where I want to head with this quilt - so I'm off to lay out all of the blocks to see if my idea will work.  I'm quitely confident that it will.

And.... if there are blocks that I don't like in the quilt, I can make more.  There are another 200+ fabric squares in the box from when I was collecting interesting "tie" fabrics.  The ones I don't use will end up on the back of the quilt so they won't be wasted.  The extra fabric squares will probably end up as part of the backing too.

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Progress - slowly, slowly....

.. is what has been happening over the past 6 weeks while I have been absent from Blog posting. 

I have totally revamped an 8yr old UFO and it is now partially quilted instead of being a pile of cut up fabric squares in a shoebox.  All I did was change the background, then I fell back in love with fabric squares and used a new (to me) pattern from the Moda Bakeshop and my mojo came back.  The large central pinwheel panel of the quilt is from the Moda pattern and the border is my own design as I wanted to make the quilt larger. 

Pin basted and more quilting to do.  Binding is made!

Then, I took out a jelly roll and a large piece of calico with 'bubbles' on it and got very busy making a quilt top for a Christmas Challenge and that is ready for sandwiching.  I already have a quilting plan in mind and am keen to "strike while the iron is hot" and begin the quilting tomorrow.  While the outer border is my own design so that I could use up the bulk of the jelly roll, I need to contact the magazine where the large central star pattern was published to ensure that I can hang the quilt at a couple of exhibitions.  Then there will be a full quilt photo for you to see.  Meanwhile, I will show you a snippet...


There is more to come next week.......  stay tuned.... my mojo has returned! :)