We had to make an unexpected journey the other day and I knew we’d be spending time at airports, so I grabbed my little Grandmother’s Flower Garden hexagons to take along.
I stitched at the airport (both ends of the journey) and I stitched on the plane . . .
I got a few flowers together. And that’s the beauty of this project – no rush, no pressure – just little pieces at a time.
I hope you’re finding time for stitches in your world.
I was reminded by Sue-Anne’s post about her Lynette Anderson Friends For Christmas quilt (which is beautiful, by the way) about the Penguin Quilt I made for our son for his 9th birthday. His class that year was called “The Penguins” (all the classes were named after birds and animals) and we all learned A LOT about penguins, that’s for sure!
He was thrilled with the quilt . . .
When I look at it now, it’s about the most technically INCORRECT bit of sewing I’ve done – I must have stretched the polyester wadding when I was putting it together, because now it’s considerably smaller than the fabric. The only quilting on it is a huge star stitched at the top (our son had a top with stars all over it, which he wore all the time and we called him Star Boy) which you can barely see since the whole thing is so loose and floppy – so nothing really holding it all together. The machine stitching around the applique is way too big for my liking . . . but having said all that, I still like it. It makes me smile thinking back to the time it was made and who it was made for . . . and really, that’s what it’s all about.
So thanks, Sue-Anne for sharing your quilt and prompting me to share mine.
What oldies, but goodies do you have in your world?
When I started becoming interested in antique-style quilts, one of the things that really captured my imagination was the stories behind the quilts. Not just the quilts themselves, but the women (and men and children) who made them. What were their lives like? How did they make such beautiful creations by lamp light? When did they find the time? Who were they made for? Was it a special occasion or absolute need?
All these questions got me thinking about how anyone would know the stories of my quilts when I am gone.
So I decided to make a quilt journal!
I got a couple of folders (fantastic red fabric covered ones) . . . and started documenting!
I’ve got the story of my quilting journey . . .
And I’ve got the details of each of the quilts that I’ve made . . .
I have the usual details – the quilt name, the pattern name, who made it, who quilted it. I also document the block sizes, the fabrics used and when the quilt was made. I have a photo of the quilt and often some fabric samples, too.
Then the story really begins . . . the story of what inspired me – maybe a special occasion . . . maybe an irresistible fabric . . . maybe a weekend quilt retreat . . .
Whatever the story of the quilt, no matter how special or how plain, I’d like the people who use my quilts generations from now to know a little about the quilts . . . and a little about me!
In your world, do you document your creations?
This is a cute little pincushion from Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched . . .
This was a kit that I picked up last year at the craft show at Darling Harbour. It was a bit of fun to make. I hadn’t really worked with the felted woven wool before, but I really liked it. It was, as is says on the pattern, quick and easy!
One of the nice things about projects like this for me is that they are a welcome, achievable break from larger projects that can sometimes seem to take forever to come together.
What little projects have been welcome little interludes in your world?
Our cat, Squeaker, seems to have inbuilt tracking for when a quilt is in progress. It doesn’t matter where she is, if a quilt-in-progress comes out, she comes from where ever she’s been . . .
Even when she was tiny, before she progressed to actual quilts, she made a bee-line for quilting magazines!
It has been said that it’s easy to tell which quilts are finished and which still have some work to be done – look for the one with the cat laying on it!
And I’ve tried giving her her own piece of quilty goodness, but no, she wants whatever I’m working on.
There have been times I’ve had to lock her OUT of the room because she’s driven me nuts when I’ve been trying to lay out a quilt or do some piecing, but when it’s all said and done, I don’t think I’d be without my ‘quilt cat’.
What creatures keep you company on your crafty endeavours?
Laughter is an instant vacation.
-Milton Berle
We decided it was time to move off the Wii and into a REAL bowling alley!
So instead of our usual Monday night dinner and cards, we donned those lovely bowling shoes and took to the lanes . . . I think we should have handed out some awards . . .
Most consistent on the night . . .
Most amazing recovery from near disaster – ball into the gutter with such force that it bounced back out to make a spare!
Most sparkling style – and outfit/ball co-ordination – if you wear 2 colours, choose 2 balls – one in each colour to match your outfit!
Most willing to try moves on the lane as if you were playing the Wii – and surprisingly with some degree of success with the massive back spin!
A good night had by all (even if our scores didn’t quite live up to our Wii reputations.
What do you do for a fun night out with family in your world?
This quilt, I called Tropical Delight, is a Drunkard’s Path block and made in the beautiful Moda Marble Botanicals range of fabrics. There were so many gorgeous colours in the range that I had to use just about all of them. I think the mango coloured one was my favourite . . . or was it the red . . . or the luscious lime green . . .
This was a nice quilt to make. It was also my first go at curved piecing, but the blocks turned out to be quite easy to put together. This is always such a cheery quilt to use and the fabrics give it such interest up close.
What fabrics have you just had to get and what have you done with them?
Check this out . . . it brought a smile to my face – you’ve just got to love the ‘Sound of Music’ . . .
It’s worth watching all the way through – check out the smiles on the faces in the crowd . . . don’t you just love the way that an expected moment can unite us in a moment of joy!
Have a great day!
This little package of love arrived in the mail for me . . .
I ordered myself a necklace from Lisa Leonard and I just love it!
These three really do hold my heartstrings . . . and now I get to wear these hearts around my neck! In their own different ways these three lift me up and make my heart sing. How lucky am I?
Well, I’ve signed up for the next Friday Night Sew-In on the 19th of February over at Handmade by Heidi.
I found the last one to be just the bit of motivation I needed to get stuck in and spend a concentrated amount of time stitching! Anyone else want to join in the fun? Visit Heidi, add your name to the list (last time there were about 150 of us) and get set for a good night in!
It’s been a very busy week in our house with major re-shuffling of work and home stuff, so my little Suedio now has a few additions to be sorted through (I know, I thought I was done with boxes – these contain things that needed to come into the house once some storage was sorted out. But now they’ve been moved from the garage and into my space!!!)
So after all this re-location, I’m a bit weary and in need of one of these . . .
Hope the weekend brings joy to your world.
Welcome to my blog. I'm a wife, mother to 2 great grown-ups (and soon-to-be mother-in-law), living in Canberra, Australia.
My craft interests include patchwork, stitching, scrapbooking and photography.
Please feel free to stop by from time to time, and I'd love it if you'd leave me a message to let me know you've been.
Thanks for stopping in on my world.
