Catch up!

I've been away from my Blog so long, I can't remember if I have shared some of these photo's! I don't think I have, but my apologies if I repeated myself.


This is the DQS8 quilt that I sent to my partner, The Sometimes Crafter. I really enjoyed using the grey to highlight some of my fave big floral prints. And the variegated grey DMC thread was perfect for some simple running stitches. I wanted to try and emphasize the weave effect of the floral fabrics. I was pretty pleased with the outcome!


This one also has some running stitches! More along the Sashiko line though. The Sashiko panels are also my own work. The cushion size panel comes from Japan, it has pre-printed lines to follow. I found the hand sewing to be very relaxing. But decided to cut up the panel to make this Wall Hanging. The indigo fabrics are from my first Jelly Roll purchase. I just couldn't resist all those different Indigo 2 1/2' strips. I really enjoyed making this one, I gave it to a good friend for her Birthday.


This is a tiny Coin quilt! I sent this along as part of a fabric swap. Ack! I can't remember which one!


Ahhhh, this one is quite recent. I called it 'Amy Butler Sorbet', I am sure all these colours could be found at a Gelato bar. It went to Melanie, and was a DQS Angel quilt. Poor Melanie waited a long time to get her quilt. I hope this made up for it. Me and my monochromatic prints, I do so love them!


Look!!! I've finally pieced another big quilt, I've even quilted it, just trying to decide if I've quilted it enough though. Each pinwheel is about 18", yes huge! It is a ORBC quilt-along quilt. I'm really quite pleased I've started to use some of my yardage. I've definitely got over my 'cutting fabric' hesitation! 'The Old Red Barn Co.' Flickr group is like a second home to me, along with the 'Doll Quilt Swap' group and the 'Mini QT Swap' group.

I've found I have more conversations with people in these three groups. It feels so good to talk to like minded quilting/fabric peeps. I don't really get to chat to people, about my obsession, in my daily life.


I've got more to share, more Bee blocks, a Mini QT Swap quilt (sent and received). Plus some adorable 3 1/2 " blocks from 2 swaps. Oh and DQS9 sign ups are happening again. I love swaps!


Cheerio for now
x Mandy

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

Last of the blocks for the Quilt-Along

Woo hoo

blocks E & F finished!

I love them

It did concern me at times, that the Large Rose print wouldn't work well with these blocks. But in the end, after trying to get as much colour contrast as I could (without not seeing the print!), I'm happy with the balance.
Tomorrow it's time to cut out the sashing, and to lay the blocks out on my bed to see the overall pattern. I will lay them out as Elizabeth did and take photo's, I find I can make placement decisions quicker, and easier, if I take photo's. Plus we'll be able to go to bed tomorrow night, ha!
The green solid that the blocks are on, is the smaller backing piece. The larger backing piece will be a cool grey, several shades darker than the grey of the blocks. I've a thread that is almost exactly it's colour, and was wondering if that would look okay for the quilting. The sashing for the front is a darkish aqua and the binding is a light aqua. If any one has any idea's on a good thread colour choice, I'd be very happy to hear it. This will be my first time at stipple quilting. I'm pretty nervous, but determined. I can't afford to get the quilting done professionally, and it's part of the Quilt-along to do, and therefore also learn stipple quilting from Elizabeth. And believe me I do want to learn, I just want to do a good job. Because I have so enjoyed this experience, I love this fabric and I want the best possible outcome to show that. Don't we always though.

Elizabeth has really done an excellent tutorial, minute detail has gone into every step she has posted. She has encountered a little finger wagging along the way, which has astounded, and completely baffled me. Her philosophy is, do it the way it works for you! At the beginning of her first Quilt-along post she says, "Before we start, I want to be clear that I do not consider my techniques to be the one right way to quilt. I'm just explaining what works for me, as developed through years of trial and error". Gee, it makes me so cross when people that give their expertise freely, like Elizabeth, are not fully appreciated.

Anyhoo, that's the end of my diatribe. Lastly, take a look at the flickr group for the 'Mod Sampler' quilt, every person has stamped their own personality on this pattern, the different fabric colour and pattern combinations are really fascinating!

Cheerio for now people

My fabric choice for the Oh, Fransson quilt-along

Here are my 12 fat quarters

Here they are on the sashing

And this picture shows the binding colour (r)

The moment I set eyes upon this fabric online, AVA ROSE by Tanya Whelan, I knew I had to have some. I couldn't wait for one of the 3 fabric/patchwork shops closest to me to get some, so I purchased a pack of 15 fat quarters from Hancocks of Paducah in the US. My local 3 shops STILL do not carry this gorgeous range. Ho hum. What more can I say.

Okay, back to cutting. I want to get the blocks cut before Elizabeth's next post, which hopefully will be about assembling the blocks. Yippee!!!!!!