I have been sewing, some!

Fresh Modern Bee block for Lynne of Lily's Quilts.

Plus a little pressie for her from the left over scraps.

Some Scrap Vomit blocks for Katy of I'm a ginger monkey, she gave me some Far Far Away II in exchange, too easy! Shhhh, there's a little pressie in the works for her. I love making stuff for pals. I must get back to another, not so little, pressie I'm making too.

Playing around with an idea for my Scrap Vomit quilt, please excuse the disgusting ironing board cover. I'm quite taken with the idea of a black outer diamond, black & white middle diamond and single colour centre cross. Yup, there are two black squares there that should be red, I was just quickly snapping to catch my idea before it flew away. The outers and other block will be utterly and totally scrappy.

Totally lovin this block! I've been wanting to try it for a while. It's the block I'm going to be making for my hive buddies in the 2nd quarter of the 3 x 6 bee on Flickr. They are also the colours I've asked for. The idea was to receive little Spring parcels over the Winter!

I first saw this block in a pic from the Tokyo 2011 Quilt Show on Flickr. I loved it then and thought I'd like to try and replicate it, my way of course! Then, can you believe, Amy from Badskirt had had the same thought. She'd decided to ask her Bee members to make it for her, and posted pics of how to construct it. If that wasn't exciting enough for me, a quilt along group has also started up. My first test block is a little wonky, but I had to have a go. I'm thinking of trying to make the block bigger too, cause I'm a slow sewer that likes fast results!!


This is how I decided to use my Sherbet Pips charm pack. This way I only lose a 1/2" strip off one side of the charm. Another block I've been eyeing off for a while, the Whirligig! I have to say, I really like the results so far. I'll put a aqua border on and pink binding.

And yet another idea I've been wanting to try. I might ask my bee pals to make me some words in July, cute huh!

Lastly, this is my idea for my partner in the Down Under DollQuilt Swap. I've just gathered together a few recent faves from Flickr. I'll be using my Sandy Klop fabric.

Okay, that's yer lot!

Thanks for visiting.

x Mandy

my list of WIP quilt shame....

I do not have a quilt in my home that I have finished!! There, it's out!

True, my ORBC big pinwheels quilt just requires binding, and I will finish that before my Mum arrives, so it can go on her bed while she's here. But the rest on the list over on the right, are ALL uncompleted!!

So, this is what I've decided to do to remedy it. The 1st 6 months of next year I am going to concentrate on getting them finished. I WILL not be starting a new top until from Jan 1 throught to July 1 2011, oh, except for Dee's ORBC quilt-along, I can't miss a quilt-along by a flickr mate. Plus, it was originally going to start this year. BUT, that's the only one. I cannot truly call myself a quilter, until I have done more quilting!! I want to quilt them, I want quilts I have made scattered throughout my home...

Join me if you'd like, I know I'm not the only one with quilt tops hanging around, I'm just the one with the most!!!

Some photo's of the quilts in waiting....











Cheerio for now,
x Mandy

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

Old Red Barn quilt-along update

Don't they look pretty fluttering in the breeze.

A little closer

Being protected by, my ever faithful, Ruby.

I had started to cut the strips into the 12 1/2" squares, when I thought I should take a photo! I think I ended up with 14 sets of 6 sewn strips. And I am getting 3 x 12 1/2" squares from each sewn strip. Phew, so how many squares am I getting, no it's not a trick question, just talking out loud so to speak. Hummm, 42, yup 42 x 12 1/2" squares. BIG quilt, now how many across and how many down. Tape measure time, need to measure my bed. Opps, that'll be a tomorrow job, it's occupied, I large, and 1 small lump! Oh well, I'll content myself with just cutting the squares.

Cheerio for now
X Mandy

p.s. the other US parcel arrived, OMGosh, OMGosh, OMGosh! Alexander Henry, Phillip Jacobs, Heather Bailey & Kaffe Fassett. But I've tucked away so well, I can't find it! Falling about laughing here! I'm such a dingbat sometimes.

9 Patch quilt-along

So........this is where I'm at.

22 finished 9 patches.

and I have no more mauve fabric!!!

Add Blue? Green? Both?

and what shades?
I'm two days ahead, I can ponder and rummage.
And perhaps give some time to my swaps.



SWAPS

• x3 12.5" hourglass blocks to send in June. The same block and gang as the Show & Tell. The following months will only be x2. August I'll only have one to send, but I'll receive x14. This is my 1st block swap and I'm kinda nervous about sending out to such experienced swappers. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. And with that in mind............
  

• x1 25" x 25" (min) Kids Quilt to send in July. Oh boy, talk about being nervous about sending blocks, I've put my hand up for a quilt too. It's good, it's all good, you need challenges in life. It's a secret swap, which is soooo exciting. We each supplied our childrens age and gender and what kind of things they were into. I love having guidelines, it makes it a bit easier for a novice like me. I've bought the fabric, designed the quilt, and started cutting, I hope I bought enough!

I've also signed up for a swap with Maree from 'On My Verandah', it's a Paper Bag Swap, intriguing eh! Go over and check it out, it's also a secret swap, with a little bit (or a lot) of stitching. Partners won't be assigned until the end of the month. It's a little bit different to other swaps, which made it so very appealing to me.

Okay, it's like this - You fill a paper bag with:

1: 1 Fat 1/4 of Plain Fabric for a Stitchery..eg: Linen.Homespun.

2: 1 Fat 1/4 of Patterned Fabric.

3: 1 Skein of Embroidery Thread.

4: Ribbon or Ric Rac...any amount.

5: Buttons...any amount.

6: 1 Chocolate Bar...for Medicinal Purposes.

You can make what ever you want, but you have to use a bit of everything in the bag. The maker keeps what they don't use. I really like this swap, it will be so interesting you see what everyone makes.

Cheerio for now,
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

second Quilt-along update

This is my final selection for the Quilt-along. I took out the lovely scrolly pink and supplemented it with a dot, the white on pink. I was also a little worried about it being a print with such a heavy directional pattern. I think the other dot evened out the blocks, I now have 6 large sized prints, 2 medium and 4 dots (2 white background and 2 coloured). These make me happy.



All carded and ready for sewing. I must say that these cards have been invaluable in keeping everything under control, block wise. I shall definitely use this system again, in fact I think you need to if your cutting out the whole quilt before a stitch is sewn. Especially a sampler quilt.

3 B blocks & 3 A blocks

the other 3 B blocks & 3 A blocks

Block C has just been blogged so I'm off to do that one. Take a look at the flickr quilt-along pool, I'm finding it fascinating to see everybody's fabric choices. The discussions are quite lively too!

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!!!!!!

quilt-along with Oh, Fransson!

This should be A LOT of fun. I love the visual simplicity of Elizabeth's quilts. She has a great eye for colour. Join in, I'm sure there will be a Flickr group to show off our creations. It's always fascinating to see somebody else's take on a pattern. But, we have to wait until Tuesday. What do you say Jane, shall we do this together? Especially since I bought 3m of white muslin today!