Design and Composition

Saturday 21st August, dashed away from the messy house, two puppies and 2 kids to spend a day learning about design and composition with Leonie Malherbe. Was a fantastic course, where we chose a still-life, from 3 options, andtranslated it into a small piece - taking note of line, composition, colour, and some other things i haven't memorised! was really stepping out of the box for me, and although it took me a LOONNNGGGGG time to get going, I finally did. It is not finished, but will take some WIP pics and post them soon.

second quartique submission

the challenge 2 months ago was make a traditional block, then cut it up.....welllll. i started on monday! with 6 sleeps to go, i am pushing the limits. Made my traditional block, cut it, added bits and now planning a very different to usual finishing....still need to quilt it....HELP! will post finished pics here Saturday as hoping to finish by then!

my tiny step into "art quilting"

i joined some friends and together we have a little group called quartechique (quilt-art-technique) with the aim to explore a new technique every 2 months, and t play with art quilts...i have been quilting for about 6 and a bit years and have for a long time wanted to step away from "traditional" quilts - but how? With a little help from my friends!

this is our first challenge - Revolution. Revolution is only a revolution if it affects you in some way. the freedom to create a quilt, with raw edges, and not your normal binding, is change for me!

my quilt is still a WIP, as i need to complete the binding and sew on the half circles...also toying with idea of adding some beading...

the base quilt is fun and easy, for anyone who is interested it goes like this:
1. decide block size and double up plus add for seam allowance and trimming (ie. want 6 inch blocks, make block 12 inches plus 1/2 inch seams and 1 inch trim then cut blocks no less than 13 1/2 inches.
2. cut circles, i used dinner, side plates, and cups and saucers - cd's also great templates.
3. stitch first circle onto centre of block - make stitch width smaller than usual, stitch a few mm's in.
4. cut excess fabric from back - you can re-use to make another circle
5. on some blocks add two circles, some, three etc - whatever takes your fancy, cutting back excess fabric away each time.
6. cut block into 4 squares
7. mix and match squares
8. sew back together

the flying geese were paper pieced, using a flexicurve drawing, and then hand stitched onto the quilt, AFTER main quilting.

there you have it!

new puppies...cleaning poo instead of sewing...

ella mae turns 7

we had a fabulous day today celebrating my eldests seventh birthday. we opened presents, had blueberry muffin for breakfast, fetched birthday cake, and ella got her sweet little hamster settled into her new home! birthday cake was eaten, grand parents came around, as well as an old friend of ellas - luke and his sister aimee, and my good friend, michelle. No quilting got done, but took some fab pics for a new scrapbook page!

martha's quilt

i made this from Moda charm pack for my niece in the UK. I hope she likes it.

okay, lets see....

...not sure whether i am going to have the time to do this blogging thing, other bloggers tell me it takes over!! with the little ones demanding so much of my time, i barely get a chance to sew or scrap anymore...but am so inspired by other blogs, i want to be able to add my little bit, so here goes! watch this space!!