Finished at Long Last

Lyle will be thrilled that I finally finished his quilt, he has been harrassing me for ever about it! I couldn't get a good photo of it as it is windy outside and dark inside, but I want to give it to him tomorrow, so this is it.

Charm Square Blocks

I made those cute charm square blocks into little cushions. I love these Bliss fabrics, I wish I had bought more of it.

Blue Pineapples

I made this quilt top ages ago from a free pattern at Quiltville. It's a bit bigger than what I enjoy quilting - I hate quilting anything bigger than small lap size and this is almost single size. So I have been putting off finishing it. But I have an ambition to clear my cupboard of half finished projects so I finally quilted this one. In the ditch for the blocks and a big chunky stipple on the outer order.

Strawberry Lemonade Quilt

I spent yesterday quilting my Strawberry Lemonade quilt. I didn't do the best job but it is nice to have another one finished.

I've stocked up on batting so I am hoping to get to some quilt tops which have been sitting in the cupboard for months if not years over, over the next few weeks.

Charming from Country Threads

There is a really interesting charm pack fabric design in this month's issue of Country Threads, by Tracy Wilson. You basically sew a square of 16 (4 x 4) squares together, cut off a strip from each side then mix the strips up and sew them back on. Tracy cut off a 3" strip, but being me (who hates following a pattern and normally just looks at a photo and then launches straight into it, working it out in my head and doing my own thing - I guess I have always had a problem with authority and being told what to do!) I cut off a 2 1/2" strip. What a quick and easy idea. I had a pack of Bliss charm squares so made 2 blocks, sadly not enough for a quilt, but I think I might make a bag or cushions from them. This is such a quick and easy idea. And with the right fabrics it could be really effective.

I wasn't really sure about the overall look of the quilt in Country Threads - even though I love the fabric range it was made in. Maybe because the sashings were the dark brown and I am a pastel girl! Actually, I like it on the cover (above) which is lighter, but the photo in the magazine makes it look very murky. I was intrigued by the idea, but the look of the quilt didn't really inspire me. But Sylvia, a very talented member of the quilting group I am in mentioned she found it interesting too so I put my misgivings aside and am glad I did.

New Blog Comp

Carin at Conceived Without Regard for Reason or Reality is having a comp to celebrate her 150th post! Drop by and leave a post on her blog for a chance to win a prize!

Strawberry Lemonade Lap Quilt

I've been playing with some charm squares and a jelly roll from the Strawberry Lemonade range to make this simple lap quilt. These fabrics are so bright and cheerful! I made a BIG mistake in one of my blocks but to fix it would have required a LOT of unpicking which drives me insane, so I decided to keep going and hope it isn't too noticeable. Well, it is noticeable (but I tried to hide it in this pic - it is the centre block at the top, one of the middle triangles is the wrong way around). So I'll have to keep this quilt myself. The fabrics made me think of summer picnics so it might become my new picnic rug.

Waratah Quilters Quilt Show

I visited the Waratah Quilters quilt show at Dundas, NSW, on Sunday. Someone I know through work is a member of this group and although we don't know each other well, she knew I was interested in patchwork so gave me a call to let me know it was on. As I was out and about on Sunday with my friend Lyle and partner Jeremy, we decided to pop in.

I was just snapping away and forgot to write down the quilters who made these quilts, so apologies for not crediting the talented women in this group individually. The above, of course, is an Anni Downs design.

This one was great. Just the beauty of a simple repeated block in 1930s prints. It was huge too - king sized I would estimate - and one of the most technically perfect in the show!

This is a lap sized one by Anita Brown. A really quick and simple design, but I thought the colours were so effective. She had hand quilted this one.

Lyle was in raptures over all of the Asian designed quilts - he just couldn't pick a favourite. But this is one!

I think just about everyone did a colourwash heart in the early 90s, but this one was amazing for it's use of just black and white. The fabrics were adorable.

Above are some bits of pieces - place mats, pillows, bags you name it!

What an amazing use of shades of blue in this one.

Bugs in Jars!

How cute is this cat quilt. I can imagine a little girl would love this one.

Waratah Quilters Quilt Show Part 2

I'm a sucker for Dresden Plates and pretty colours.

This one was my favourite in the show - a gorgeous Drunkards Path in a colourwash layout. The blocks were quite small too. This was made by Amanda Daly who had several exquisite quilts on display. Hers weren't eligible for prizes though. I guess because she is a professional quilter? I noticed some of the labels on her quilts said they had features in Down Under Quilts etc.

This feathered star is another of Amanda Daly's. It was so small and intricate.

How is this for effective! Lots of large, autumny flying geese in blocks on 8, going in alternate directions. This quilt was huge! (That's my friend Lyle admiring it).

More from the Waratah Quilt Show

Lyle loved this double sized Japanese quilt. The red blocks are three dimensional with a perfectly centred Asian motif in each. It showcases a great collection of Japanese fabrics. It is not quite finished - like my own Asian quilt I am making for Lyle, it is still awaiting its binding.

This miniature Cathedral Windows was only about 12" square! This one was by Amanda Daly. How tiny the little squares and stitches are.

I really liked this one - I love traditional blocks repeated. So effective. The colours come together really cutely too.

This was another of my favourites, a really simple, beautiful scrappy quilt.

I think this was Jeremy's favourites - an amazing queen or king sized colourwash. Some of the squares were tiny four-patches with the sunflower motif fussy cut. The maker must surely have an amazing eye to do this on such a large scale! I take my metaphorical hat off to her.

And my last photo is of this little Yin-Yang wall quilt which Lyle loved. It was very small and very detailed. Another one by Amands Daly.

Pincushions Galore

Inspired by all the gorgeous pin cushions posted by everyone lately I played around a little on the weekend and made these. The square was a simple one of my own design. The gorgeous hearts are from a free pattern at The Fat Quarter Shop. I'll be making more of these, they are so cute and fun and easy.

I planned to have a quiet day sewing on Sunday but got rushed off to some trash and treasure markets by a friend instead, then cajoled into making a big roast dinner for him and my partner J. So there was the day gone. Never mind, we had a fun day anyway.