Craft Hour

Still on Target!

Snuck in a ‘crafty’ hour in the sewing room to get up to date with Clue 5 of the ‘En Provence’ mystery quilt. I also took the opportunity to listen to the QuiltCam that I missed the other day too!

Bonnie had been very kind and made it quick and easy this week and, as I am only doing half the units, that meant just 32 half square triangles to cut and sew. Dark purples and neutrals for this clue – I hope we get to use more of the light mauves, as I seem to have a lot more of those.

Now I have a nice long chain of them, ready to be snipped and pressed another day. Bonnie was chatting about how she cannot bear to cut the last piece off from her machine and always has to leave something under the needle. I’m afraid I am just the same now – see how I always have a couple of ‘project specific’ crumb strips on the go to use as leaders and enders.  (Visit Quiltville Monday link up to see everyone else’s blog pictures of their progress so far). 

I wonder how we will use the yellows and greens.

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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One Day Rush!

Still on Target

I’ve been up in the loft all day, trying out the Westalee Rulers I bought at Festival of Quilts in August, whilst keeping an eye out for Clue 4 of Bonnie Hunter’s latest mystery quilt ‘En Provence’, as I wanted to get on with it before the busy few weeks coming up. 

As soon as I saw that the instructions were out, I broke off and got stuck in. Here are my 40 finished Tri-Rec units (half the number required for the full size version) made from the dark purples and the neutrals – all scrappy – plus one spare neutral triangle because I miscounted again! (Visit LINK UP  from Monday to see everyone else’s blog pictures. It is such fun to see all the different fabrics other people have chosen.)

Back to those rulers; It’s the first chance I’ve had to practice with them on something not too precious, as I’ve been working on pieces for other people and things for the craft fair these past few months. They worked quite well but I had difficulty with the ‘spinning’ ones that  are pinned to the quilt. The pin underneath keeps catching on the bed of the machine and gets stuck.The first attempt below was very wobbly even after I unpicked it three times. 

The second attempt was actually not too bad. But I am sure there is an easier way of doing it, so I’ve posted my problems on Facebook to a group of beginner long-armers and already have had some helpful suggestions! Practice makes perfect.

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet
PS: Just got some lovely new fabrics which I've added to my store:
Pumpkin Pie by Edyta Sitar (Laundry Basket Quilts) and 'Darling Little Dickens' by Lydia Nelson of Dreamy Quilts.

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Purple Haze

Clue 3 finished!

Bonnie Hunter’s latest mystery quilt ‘En Provence’ is coming along nicely, although I am not sure I will be so on top of it over the Christmas period – I may have withdrawal symptoms by NewYear. This week I got to play with all those lovely purples and mauves I picked up last week. The instructions were to make 168 four patches, like the neutrals in week 1. But I am aiming for a smaller quilt so I made 84 (plus a few spares where I miscounted –again!) This is the first time I’ve done a mystery quilt and it is such fun wondering how it will all come together.  (Visit http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-3.html from Monday, to see the latest linkup on Bonnie's website, for pictures of other people’s progress from participants all over the world.)

Also this week, I said goodbye to my ‘Scrappy Stars’ quilt that I exhibited at Festival of Quilts in 2015. Much as I enjoyed making it, I have nowhere to display it in my house, as it is 7ft x 8ft and the wrong colours for my bedroom. Yes- by that I mean it is not pink!

I sold it on ebay. Although you never get the price you think it is worth (given the cost of fabric, 60 hours of machine quilting and countless hours piecing that border), it seems like it has found a good home. 

The buyer tells me “It is to go into a collection of mainly old quilts that exists to educate and inspire” and she asked for a short resumé about me and the quilt. So I am very happy about that. 

And now I have room to make something else!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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Ask and you shall receive!

Studio Quilters to the Rescue!

Having dived into Bonnie Hunter’s latest mystery quilt ‘En Provence’ last week, without reading the introduction first, I realised I didn’t have all the colours I needed in my stash – surprisingly! 

I was a bit light on mauves and purples - not a colour I tend to collect – and I didn’t have the ‘key constant colour’ magenta either. I pondered all week, whether to substitute a few pinks and blues, of which I have plenty, to achieve more of a spring flower palette, rather than follow Bonnie’s original lavender inspiration.

Then I sent out a request to the lovely ladies at Studio Quilters, to search through their stash for suitable yardage they would be willing to swap with me - and of course they came up trumps!

Not only did Gloria come up with the perfect magenta in sufficient quantity , but there were mauves and purples aplenty. 

Thank you Ladies – now I am spoilt for choice! 

By the end of our session today I had pieced the 50 ‘triangle in square’ units required by the instructions in ‘Clue 2’ issued on Friday (I am going to make half the number of units to produce a smaller quilt). Great practice with the brilliant Tri Recs rulers too.

 So I am up to date!

 (Visit http://quiltville.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/mystery-monday-link-up-part-2.html to see the latest linkup on Bonnie's website, for pictures of other people’s progress from participants all over the world.)

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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Mystery 'En Provence'

One for Luck!

Stumbled across Bonnie Hunter’s latest mystery quilt ‘En Provence’ launch on Friday and decided to jump in and do this one. (Visit Quiltville's Blog
 if you'd like to see the latest update.)

The first ‘clue’ had me take the rotary cutter to my sizeable stash of neutrals and actually cut some 2 inch strips!! It’s not often I do that!

I’ve just finished piecing 221 four patches made from a variety of creams and whites, tonals and prints. All the seams are spinning in the same direction as per Bonnie’s instructions (those that didn’t got unpicked and done again).

No matter how many times you count your little piles, you always seem to end up one short. So you make another one right at the end and then find the two halves you dropped under the table. 

Oh well I'm sure I'll find a use for it.

I’m looking forward to the next clue now. Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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Craft Fair Update

Great day for NSPCC

The weather held off after all, with only a little rain this morning and no sign of damage overnight from the forecast winds.
We got off to a busy start on our Studio Quilters’ stall at Allum Hall and quickly started to move some gifts. There didn't seem to be as many seller tables this year, and perhaps not so many shoppers, but they all seemed willing to spend for a good cause. We had a lot of interest in what we do and the things we have made. Our new hand decorated calico bags, at only £3, were flying off the table!

Our traditional cushion raffle was more popular than ever, but then there were some lovely prizes. We probably raised over £100 on that alone and we sold a few separately too. (My friend Karen won the one I wanted!!!)

My Scrappy Storm at Sea/Snail Trail variation was snapped up by Ellen (who was on the workshop where I started it). She clearly had her heart set on it! 

Still thinking of my next project - perhaps I should start something now for NEXT Christmas .........

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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All in a Good Cause

Best Dressed Stall

Not much sewing to show for the past two weeks, but just helped to set up Studio Quilters’ stall at Allum Hall in Borehamwood, ready for the NSPCC Christmas Fair tomorrow.

As usual we have a very impressive and colourful display. 

We hope to do well with our traditional cushion raffle. A choice of nine cushions with a pocket for raffle tickets to win the one of your choice. 

There are several more cushions for individual sale too, as well some lovely quilts, calico bags and a host of Christmas decorations and hand crafted bits and bobs. Should be fun!

Meanwhile, thinking of my next project...........

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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Duxford Divas!

Ok, this time I spent some money!

First ever visit to the Quilt show at Duxford yesterday, with pal Susan. I’m not even going to attempt to justify buying fabric – I just deserve it!

Blue, white and Silver for NEXT Christmas and ‘Blue Barn’ prints – just because!

Then again, it has been a very productive week and I’m well ahead of my self-imposed schedule. The ‘Four in One’ quilt (five if you count the applique strips) is finished. Thanks to Lynne for her inspiration and advice on how to join two quilts together from the inside out.

 It took me a whole day hand sewing and made my fingers sore, but I did it! 

The front is a combination of Edyta Sitar’s Flower Box blocks and Shooting Stars (using her templates with folded inserts). I mainly used fabric from Edyta’s Sticks and Stones Collection mixed with some lovely charm squares from French General’s Josephine collection and fat quarters from Alice’s Scrap Bag by Barbara Brackman and other selected prints. Added to these were some carefully chosen scraps with a deliberate accent of blue to add a flash. 

The back (centre strip) is my attempt at eight pointed stars with inset 2 inch ‘broken dishes blocks’ with very tricky ‘Y’ seams, inspired by Edyta’s ‘Common Bride’ quilt.

The outer strips came from my ‘leaders and enders ‘ stash of little four patches, set in squares on point – love how they look! 

After all that was done, I cracked on with the Christmas fabric blocks from Anne’s Connecting Threads workshop. I quilted both table runners side by side on the frame together with one of the cushion panels in between, but couldn’t quite fit the second one in at the bottom so had to do that one separately. I’m pleased to have used up some odds and ends of re-cycled Christmas fabrics and they will hopefully make some cash for the NSPCC. Just a few more sore fingers hand finishing all the bindings and they will be done.

Then I can move on to the next project – Hmm! I have a couple of ideas!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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Surprise!!

The Best Kept Secret! 

The ladies of the Studio Quilters were sworn to secrecy over the surprise party for our lovely Val last night. We did our bit and kept her out of the way at our monthly meeting. Then we all shared in her surprise moment as she walked in to see her family and friends who came to wish her a Happy Birthday.

Now I can show a picture of the little gift I made for her – a scissor keeper, inspired by a picture I saw on Pinterest.

Yesterday I made more progress with the Christmas table runners and added the side borders, having spent a most unproductive evening ('til 2am) last Wednesday adding and unpicking the pointed sections at each end. (Measure twice, cut once!) Next to quilt and bind them, then make up one or two cushions in time for the Craft Fair.

Today I handed over the Liberty quilt and think that it was appreciated.

Now I am well into side 2 of my ‘Four in One’ quilt which I plan to prioritise this week. I’ll keep you posted!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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Pin Free Piecing

 

Lovely day with the ladies at Elstree.

We don’t do red, green and gold Christmas in our house – if anything it is blue, white and silver – and I always leave it too late in the year to think about making something for the festive season. So when Connecting Threads quilting group (in Elstree) scheduled a workshop to make a Christmas quilt this month, I thought I might get one done this year! But when I dug down into ‘deep stash’ I came across a red and green bundle of fat quarters from Hobbycraft and I thought I should use them after all and make something for the NSPCC sale at Allum Hall (Borehamwood) on 20^th November.

We ladies spent a relaxing but productive day, under the able guidance of our own Anne Sykes, piecing a very attractive block of red and green triangles with a cream strip in the centre – no pins – they just came together beautifully. 

Some girls even got as far as layering, quilting and binding on the day! But we all had a lovely display by the end of the workshop. 

I carried on when I got home and completed all the blocks. Now I’ve decided to make them into two table runners and at least one cushion – so I’d better get cracking.

Since then I’ve quilted one side of my ‘Four in One’ quilt. I'm having another go at a lovely swirl and feather design that the amazing Judi Madsen demonstrates on Youtube and I think I'm getting better at it! Check back for a progress report soon.

Tomorrow I have another session with the ladies from U3A in Mill Hill and hope I won’t baffle them so much this time. Then I get to help Karen with her new machine  - Yay!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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Oh What A Good Girl Am I!

Ally Pally Debut!

My first visit to the Knitting and Stitching show at Ally Pally with newbie patchworker friend, Karen. She was totally blown away with all the goodies on offer and I was REMARKABLY restrained! Can you believe I spent less than £10?! – Two little wire hangers for mini quilts and NO FABRIC!

Karen, on the other hand, was a girl on a mission. There was no way she was leaving without ordering a brand new machine. She struck a shrewd deal on a brand new model Brother machine (with even more stitches than mine – sorry Viv!) and the quilting kit and a creative sewing kit thrown in for free! Unfortunately, she will have to wait until midweek for it to be delivered. I’m just as excited as she is and can’t wait to help her get to grips with it.

This week I have finished the Liberty Lawn quilt. You know how you just can’t stop until it’s done sometimes? I spent about 20 hours or more on it and did go for flower motifs in the plain areas.

I’ve had the cutest little furry friend for company this week.    Phoebe!

I felt guilty leaving her today, but she made a little nest on my big quilty bag, so she was quite comfy!

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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On a Roll!

Making good progress!

So, I decided to finish a few things before putting the Liberty Quilt on the frame, as it is going to tie me up for a while. 

Here is the hexagon quilt all done and ready for binding. This was a joint project made by the lovely ladies of Studio Quilters. The quilting just flowed over it – so much fun to do!

As I was on a roll, I quickly quilted the two ‘Convergence’ panels and made them in to this double-sided cushion (sealed all round because I’m still scared of zips!)

Yesterday I made a start on the lovely Liberty quilt. It was bigger than I thought and took a while to prepare and load up. I’ve spent about 9 hours stabilising it before starting on the intricate detail. When I reached the bottom I noticed that one of the applique panels is pieced in a different direction to the others. I wondered what to do and then decided that this was an interesting ‘design choice’ and adds to the charm of the quilt! 

I’m now working on a small curly leaf filler around the raw edge appliquéd leaves, while I decide what pattern will work best in the other open spaces.

I’m thinking flowers – not feathers – to compliment the pretty Liberty florals.

Earlier this week, I helped (or rather baffled) some beginner patch-workers from Mill Hill U3A with an introduction to Half Square Triangles ! And I’ve even dabbled with some decoupage to 'pretty up' my sewing room.

Happy Quilting Everyone!

Janet

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