DQS7 received

from the lovely mommymae......I just love how the colours in the quilt echo the colours I choose for my garden. I actually added this one to my fav's on Flickr, I commented on many, but really only fav'd a few. So........I was very, very, happy, when I opened the parcel. Jenny also included a bundle of stunning scraps, all my fav colours. I've promised some wonky cabin blocks will come out of them. Absolutley sure about that.

I've also received my Friendship Bag Swap bag (or should I say bags!!!). But haven't managed to take a good enough photo yet. Also in the mail came a fabric trade from the US. My very first piece of Munki Munki. It's oh so new to me. I think it's a clothing line, that has Heather Ross designs on it. Anyhow, I am now the proud owner of a pyjama leg! But...it is a bright red, teetering on orange background, with a lost, 3 eyed, Martian family on it. Some are on the mobile, some are looking at space maps and some are looking rather confused. Rohan, over my shoulder, saw a block made with the fabric and asked if I could get some. I commented on the photo about what Rohan had said, and she offered a swap! Love this crafty community.

Anyhow, the long and the short of it is.....I need to take some more photo's.
Be back in a day or so.
Cheerio for now
X Mandy

DQS7 posted

Here is my finished Doll Quilt for Swap #7.

A close up of the quilting, I finally decided on.
I tried free motion, liked what I did, but decided on something simpler.
I used a 1/4" masking tape, but could have probably got by without it.

oOo

My local 'Falls art fest' is approaching again soon, 23rd to 25th October 2009. There is a web site this year, so pop over here and take a look. I've decided to do some pencil cases and small bags. Even though all my large bags went last year, I don't realistically have the time. I also thought about button hair slides, just not too sure how to attach the self covered button to the hair grip. I should finish off a couple of small quilt tops I've had hanging around, now that I have my free-motion foot. Yes I will, it's so daft to not finish them.


Enough computer time for today
Cheerio for now,
X Mandy

DQS7 Top Finished

Now ALL I have to do is quilt it! I've decided to hand quilt on the orange solid only, Therefore hoping the small triangles and center with plump up!! Although I also might follow a few of the fruit lines in the center as well. Not sure. And I've decided to follow the star shape, in ever increasing circles. Well that's the plan in my head, will have to see if it's achievable.

Also been doing a bit of this. The blocks are sewn into 7 rows, I now have to finalize their arrangement. I did have them numbered, but have noticed that a couple of the same block ,are too close to each other. Not a big deal, just that my eye goes to them instantly every time I look at it. I'm liking the colours together, I'm liking it a lot actually. But I'll probably offer it for sale at my children's School 'Falls Art Fest' in October.



Back into the garden for me now, it's too nice to be inside today.
X Mandy

Quick DQS7 update

Currently measuring just shy of 12 1/2 ", I've another row around to do. Then I'll have to decide whether to do a few thin borders or not. I don't want it to get too big!!! It is after all meant to be a dolls quilt. Hmmm, will have to wait and see. If anyone out there has any ideas about the quilting for this little baby, I'd be mightily glad to hear them. My only thought so far, is to hand quilt, somehow. Hmmm, more thought needed. Oh, you know what, this is a heap of fun!!

ok, cheerio then
X Mandy

Kiddies Quilt & DQS7

She's off! Winging her was to B____n, as we speak.

Making this quilt was a real roller coaster ride for me. There were many firsts while making it. My first wedge piecing, first applique, first _____ on a quilt, first pieced back, AND first free motion quilting. Well, actually, no, second free motion quilting. Because my first real free motion quilting, which was supposed to be just a practice piece, I turned into a mini doll quilt. And gave to a good friends little girl. I seemingly have to make something out of everything. Here's a picture of it.




Which reminds me of another first, oh alright, second on the Kiddies Quilt, multi pieced binding. Not really very difficult, but look at those corners, I think I need to work on mitred corners a bit more.
So...... the roller coaster. Remembering, this is the first Quilt I have made for a swap. My first Quilt Swap. Somewhere in the middle of making it, too late to start over, I got worried. I forgot who the quilt was for, a 3 year old, and started to worry that it didn't stack up. I saw numerous imperfections, and couldn't continue. Needless to say, I got over it and stopped worrying, and finished a quilt I am proud of, even it's wonkiness. Because I made it with my heart, it is the best I could do and totally with this small person in mind. And I think every true crafts person can recognise that in other peoples work. It was a lesson I had to learn, and it has stood me in good stead for DQS7. My confidence has soared, and I think my new DQS work reflects that. It's not that I don't care what my partners think, it's because if I can make it to my satisfaction, then I have done my best. My Dad always said to me during school, "do the best you can". It's all we can ask of each other and ourselves.

I have chosen a prominent colour (orange) from my partners web spaces and from then on totally self-indulged myself. Pink, orange and red with a small bit of green. If you'd asked me a month ago if I would put those colours in one piece of work. I'd have said no, instantly. But, here they are in all their glory. They do make me smile.





Anywho, back to my 50th post winners bag. Oh yes, I've not forgotten, I just had to start DQS, I was itching to see those fabrics together.

Cheerio for now
X Mandy

DQS7

Favs for DQS7
Originally uploaded by mandalin18

My inspiration mosaic for DQS7

A lot of us in DQS7 are creating these mosaic's (using fd's Flickr Toys). It gives our secret partner some clues as to what colours and shapes we love in a quilt. I guess it's a mood board.
I've created links to all photo's listed. If you love one of these pictures (how can you not?) go visit these people on Flickr, let them know.

1. quilt (finished), 2. broken star, 3. Log Cabin Quilt Top, 4. IMG_1346, 5. Sew Connected 2- July take 1, 6. Kaffe Fassett circles, 7. Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 016, 8. Kaffe Fassett Wheel of Fortune, 9. hexagons, 10. Dutch Pinwheels Quilt, 11. DQS 6??? shall we sew??, 12. Ripple, 13. Pet Hate, 14. Quilt 5, 15. green kaleidoscope quilt, 16. Kaffe Fassett Morning Garden Quilt

Sunday Stash #8

Michelle D'Amore - Bleeker Street

Wondering if I can use them in the Doll Quilt Swap #7

Hope so

Cheerio for now
X Mandy