29 April 2013

Me and My Sister

Last August my beautiful sister was diagnosed with Breast Cancer; now that she has completed her treatment and gotten the all clear, I thought I would show the quilt I made for her. I wanted something fun and happy, to see her through all the rough days, we live 600 miles apart and don't see each other very often.
I bought a Jelly Roll of 'Dilly Dimple' by Me and My Sister, and chose a quick 'Hugs & Kisses' pattern, Ice cream for the back and I was really pleased how it turned out; it is a fun quilt and even the fabric name made me smile :D I machine quilted it with variegated thread, the quilting could be a lot better, and normally I prefer to hand quilt, but I wanted to have this done quickly to take to her before she went into hospital.  She loved it, and it did cheer her up, we laughed through a lot of the tough times.












24 April 2013

Never go fabric shopping when you are hungry :)

A quick trip into town this morning to look for possible background fabrics, found me outside our local hobby craft; I don't normally shop there, as they are more of a craft store and have a very limited selection, however I did see they had a sale on - who doesn't love a bargain?!

I was feeling a bit hungry as I had just been on a 2 hour walk with Jasper...

Chocolate anyone...
 or a nice pastry...
 While I was trying to decide if either would work, I had to go and have a coffee and a large piece of cake! eventually I decided at £3 a metre to get both :D I then remembered that I hadn't shown my 'Box of Chocolates' quilt before...

 Fussy cut chocolates...
 Funky cups of coffee...

 and chocolate muffins on the back!

I think trying to diet for the summer was a really baaad idea!! I seem to have become obsessed with food :D

23 April 2013

Cherry Pie Background

Yesterday I loaded my cutter with a new blade and spent a couple of hours cutting all the pie wedges for the re-named 'Strawberry Tarts & Cherry Pies' quilt (thanks for the suggestion Fiona!) as I was cutting I remembered a sale fabric I bought a few years ago to make a summer table cloth (it never got made!) I think it will be perfect for the backing...
My problem is what to use for the pie backgrounds, I did originally intend to use a plain cream, but wonder now if it is too insipid?
I really like the quilt Frances made with the Navy Background, so I pulled a piece of Black Moda marbles fabric, but maybe my pies are too soft and the black too strong?
I don't have enough of any one fabric...
I could combine two or even three...
I think maybe I need to look for a marbled biscuit kind of colour, like pastry?
What do you think? If it were your quilt what would you do?

22 April 2013

Cherry Pie

We have a couple of short trips away planned for this summer, a holiday and various family visits. Some of my family will also spend part of their summer here with us, and as it is apparently frowned upon to spend several hours in your sewing room when your mother is visiting!! I need a portable project that I can carry around with me, on holiday and out into the garden, something requiring minimal equipment and easy to stitch while chatting. I decided upon English Paper Piecing after being inspired by all of May Britt's projects and her workshop with Sue Daly. I have purchased a couple of Sue's starter packs at various quilt shops over the years, but have never actually done anything with them :) I have however done lots of EPP in the past and am a huge fan of how easy and portable it is, and the fact that you can get away with being a little less than accurate in the cutting out stage :)
These starter packs include an acrylic template as well as pre-cut papers, so the patches can be rotary cut. The clear templates are also great for fussy cutting.
I decided to start with Pies & Tarts. The next problem was fabrics, what colours to chose? I like the original in all different colours, but as my red fabric drawer is getting difficult to close :) I decided to use some of these.
I had some cream/red fabrics that were intended for a different project that was abandoned, so I pulled those too. I have never made a two colour quilt, but I like this combination of cream/red. I think the fact that I can still use loads of different fabrics will stop me getting bored :D
A quick check to make sure I am happy with the fabric combinations...
I just need to cut a few hundred more wedges and I will be set for summer :D  I only need a needle, thimble, some scissors and thread and I have the perfect take along project.

Project Notes:
Quilt Name: Cherry Pie
Quilt Size: probably 49" x 63"
Block Size: 7"
No. of Blocks: 63 pies and 48 tarts
Method: English Paper Piecing using a 'playing with papers' pack from Sue Daly

19 April 2013

SDW Sampler SAL Week 25

After a break of nearly three weeks, I managed a couple of hours on the SDW Sampler, I am always amazed at how long it takes to do each small section and I always grossly overestimate how much I think I will achieve each time I sit down to stitch! I am really enjoying working this piece and the wonderful support offered by my fellow SAL-ers! I have finally started on the Alphabet Band...
Before scrolling down, I took a photo of the piece so far...
Band one detail... still haven't decided if I will complete the Blackwork Band or change it!
Band two...
and finally Band three...
I think I am just over the half-way point! This is a massive sampler and larger than anything I have ever stitched before, I am so looking forward to finishing it and seeing it hanging on the wall :D

18 April 2013

We have a winner....



Jane in Wales!

Congratulations Jane! I have emailed you for your address.

Jasper was too busy guarding fabric to do the draw, so we had to rely on the good old number generator. Thank you to everyone who entered and for all your lovely comments :D


11 April 2013

GIVEAWAY!!!!

To celebrate Spring finally Springing! I thought it was high time we had a little Giveaway! We have...
A copy of the Book 'Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts'
A kit to make a Sashiko Book Bag
Some warm summer threads and needles
And finally two cross-stitch charts to stitch a needle book, pin keeper and scissors case

To enter please leave a comment below, I am happy to send worldwide :D

If he can stop thinking about the sausage he had for lunch long enough, Jasper will make the draw next week. Good Luck!!

10 April 2013

There are lots of things I should be doing ...

I have spent the last two afternoons in my little sewing room, playing with fabrics and making a right mess stitching the first block of Butterfly Garden.
I am really enjoying working with these lovely Spring colours. To the lemons, pinks, lilacs, and greens I had originally pulled...
I decided to add some blues...
and while rummaging, I came across this perfect fabric...
The first Block went together really quickly, I have decided to machine buttonhole stitch the applique, which goes a lot faster than needleturn :D
It is such a fun quilt, there is some lovely little embroidery detail...
And lots of opportunity for fussy cutting...
I decided to replace the embroidered butterflies with some applique...
Planning ahead, I don't think I will quilt this one, I am sure it will work as a pretty summer coverlet for the spare room.