#DSTTchallenge revealed...

I am not sure why I have been slacking on this reveal, I am normally rather quick off the mark to toot my own trumpet!  Sorry.

So back at the beginning of the month when I read about the Dear Stella/Timeless Treasures 'modern traditional' challenge, I had one idea in mind, an old fashioned block in modern fabrics, (I can see you all nodding off already!), but I just couldn't get enthused about that.

I went back to basics; in fact I went back to the V&A collection of quilts (online) that had got me so excited about fabrics and sewing and all the things that I now obsess over; I trawled for something to get me going, and one quilt immediately did that...

This was made between 1740 and 1800 and look how modern it looks; it was love at first sight!  None of those brown basket type blocks I immediately think of as traditional.

I decided to recreate this in my DS/TT fabrics along with the quilting, which you can see a bit clearer if you look at the link.  Rotary cut, machine sewn, and purely decorative, a far cry from the original, but using only stash fabrics, I have, I hope, combined the best of what both eras have to offer.

So I cut and randomly stitched rather a lot of tiny pieces from 1.25" strips, using some of my Dear Stella Hadley fabrics, (what else!?), half a dozen different Sketch prints, some How to Make A Pillowcase text and more.

To me, the current love of low volume, text prints and pops of colour is not a long way from what was being sewn in the 18th century!

As per the rules, this quilt is entirely made of Dear Stella and Timeless Treasures fabrics and measures up at 20" square...

... and I even used an almost brown Hadley print for the backing as a further nod to the traditional roots of this mini-quilt...

This was entirely pieced and quilted in Aurifil (50wt 2021), another icon of the modern age of quilting.

I took a batch of photos to try and show off the quilt and the quilting as best as I could...

... and then I had fun with the garden centre models...

I really enjoyed researching and making this, which after all is what it is all about; yep the prizes are amazing, but I think I veered off at such a tangent that I can kiss those goodbye!

This mini-quilt really makes me happy in a way that piecing a non-brown basket block ever could; I call that a success!

I hope you have enjoyed my little foray into trying to be a little bit more meaningful in my stitching, but don't worry, I won't do it too often xxx

I spy my little 'i'...

A long time ago, August 2012 to be more precise, I responded to a request for help on a collaborative quilt by Mister Thomas Knauer.

I duly made my secret block, along with 120 other folks, sent them to the US of A, and that was that, until now...

Now if you are not a follower of Thomas' blog, you may still know his fabrics, currently his new book is hopping about blogland, and he is even residing over this side of the pond; if you are in the Cambridge area - check this out!

Thomas is, let's say, a wordy chap.  He has opinions, lots of opinions.  I don't think I have ever disagreed with his point of view; sometimes I don't understand it, but mostly, and I am going to be honest here, I don't have enough hours in my day, sorry Thomas!  But if you have taken a Look inside on Amazon, or seen any of the blog hop reviews and photos, you will have to agree that he designs and makes amazing and beautiful quilts.

So digressing already; it was a lovely surprise to see his new blog header and photos from the book where my long forgotten block could be seen...

Did anyone else contribute to this quilt?  I think it is rather fab to play a teeny tiny part in something bigger, and its always fun to play 'i' spy...

Sum of Interrelations Quilt - Thomas Knauer & friends

(Column 1, 5th up).

I've neither been asked to, nor paid, not even in kind/fabric nor books to post this, I am just bigging-up my little part, and why shouldn't I!? xxx

Duet!

A nice quiet evening of binding yesterday, means that both the Sizzix quilts are now complete. 

In the five minutes between dashing round Tesco on the way home from work just in case, and heading out on the school run, I managed a rather unglamorous photoshoot...

I think they look pretty cool together, and they will hopefully win approval from the Sizzix-buying public en France...

I just need to put labels on the backs and then mail them off, then my January commitments will be mightily reduced.  Phew!

Both quilts measure 48"x 60"; they were pieced and quilted with Aurifil 50, using Klona White and Jade for backing, and crossweaves of unknown origin; all cut with Sizzix quilting dies.

-x-

Well we are bracing ourselves for snow, which will either be fantastic (for the kids, mostly) or a complete disappointment, but I have the #scrappytripalong to look forward to, so. bring. it. on!

Wonderful Wednesday!

What with all the pre-Christmas performances, lurgies and school holidays, I have not had a scheduled day off, home alone, in ages.  Today was so great!

OK, so I had to clean, tidy, change the bedding and dust all those places that have been home to cards and decorations for the last month, but I ploughed through all that, on a mission to get to my sewing machine - I love a good 'carrot'!

First up, the last 6 #scrappytripalong blocks.  I got as far as finishing all the unpicking last night, then settled for rubbish on the telly.

So all 36 blocks are now complete...

This is not the final layout.  I left them laid out on the lounge floor for most of the day, swapping blocks about now and then; it never really looked any different, I just tried to make sure no touching blocks had the same dominant fabric and called it a day.  I have a couple of must dos to get done before I can get this finished.

The first must dos are quilts for Sizzix heading for a show in France in February, I believe.  Using specified dies, I got free reign on what to make, and today, quilt one was basted, lightly quilted and has now reached this stage...

Hopefully I am going to have my first finish of the year to show you tomorrow as I am already halfway round.  I did ponder just machine finishing the binding, but that's no fun!

I trust you are all feeling the mid-week love too xxx

Achoo!

I've got a horrible, horrible cold!

Why, when I have a few days off, time to do stuff, and stuff to do, I end up feeling like cr@p!?

Yesterday I took a quick stroll round the Village Day celebrations; dear son managed to win some sweets on a couple of tombolas, so he came away happy, and the fact we were only there for an hour in the wind and arctic temperatures made me happy too.

Excuse me, please may I borrow a hankie?

When we got home I worked on the twin quilts, to try to beat the lurgy that was taking grip, as I need to hand them over when my Mum and Dad come down next weekend.

Basting and quilting these little babies was so quick and easy.  I managed to frankenstein enough wadding for both, without having to cut into the nice big piece reserved for my Retro Flowers, spray baste them and get one quilted and ready for binding in about 2 hours.

I am going to bind in Kona Ash, supplies of which are winging their way from Fluffy Sheep Quilting as we speak, so some more lovely hand sewing to look forward to.

I have no progress on my Spring Carnival to show, but I do have another project from my pile! 

Ripping off Laura's idea to embroider her FQ Retreat goody bag, as soon as Aneela sent me her Belle embroidery pattern, I knew what I wanted to do.

So I've made a start...

For scale, this is a 10" hoop.

I finally had to stop last night when I could no longer focus through my streaming eyes, and nose!

I am hoping therefore to have a few finishes to show you shortly; talking of which, I need to check out my FAL-Q2 list, there's less than a week to go!

It's Fabric Friday!

Well this week I have received a few squidgy packages, some I shopped for and others were gifts and I am over the moon with them all!

Firstly some long awaited yardage of Summersville from Brenda at Pink Castle - I did have plans, then I changed my plans, now I think I will wait until I have finished off a few other things first... probably!

With specific plans, I ordered the backing for the twin quilts.  You know when you just order with your fingers-crossed and hope that the online photo really is what you will receive, and when it arrives you are so totally thrilled that the plan came together?  Well these Essential Stripes from Seamstar so perfectly match the Reunion colours, and were on offer too, so I did a little happy dance when I ripped off the lovely tissue paper!

I also ordered 1/2m of Domestic Bliss to assist in making my Spring Carnival cushion - I know I won't need it for ages, but why pay two lots of postage and not take advantage of 10% off?

And then onto real treats...

A generous benefactor, who may have a lovely online shop in Galway, sent me an amazing sample pack of the full Mama Said Sew line to play with!!!  It's so gorgeous, I thought I was really going to have to think long and hard about what to make, but Lynne's ET Phone Home block is obviously a strong contender.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

And finally today - the mail to end all mail!

I got home to find that 'popping a few bits of Denyse Schmidt fabric in the post' actually meant 'sending a dream parcel of wonderful fabric that will make you giddy'!

My lovely friend Deborah, you may know her as Simply Miss Luella, spotted my persistent moaning around blogland about how we are so hard-done-by in the UK having neither Joann's nor Spotlight to satisfy our DS cravings and so she asked (asked!!!) if she could send me some.  Guess what I said!

I also received a smashing parcel from the one and only Terri - I asked if she could pick me up some DS fabric on her recent trip, (having found out where she was); and she also enclosed was a beautifully wrapped birthday present which I will, (if my resolve remains strong), save for Tuesday, and show you all then...

I have already gushed my thanks by email - but I need to say it again, online quilting friends are the most generous wonderful group of ladies and gents anywhere.

Now I am going to sit back and let my long weekend begin - I am not back to work until next Thursday, which is probably for the best, as I think I need to go and clear some space for all these new additions! xxx

Sunny Sewing!

At last the sun shone, and I stayed in doors sewing!

Back in March I chopped up most of my Reunion layer cake into 5" charms, and added in a few other prints, then duly popped the lot in a box and chose to forget about them.  Now these were to be destined for a friends' twin boys due 'in the Summer'; well despite evidence bringing into doubt the existence of such a thing as 'Summer', time and babies wait for no-one, so today was the day to get on with it, as those chaps could come any time.

I was originally going to sew up a pair of simple patchwork quilts, but I had to go and make life a little more complicated; I am glad I did.

I sewed up 4-patch squares, then turned these into HSTs.  The squares though have one corner cut off in the process; however after the initial realisation and bit of swearing, I actually like the look it gives.

Since taking the pictures this afternoon, I have added strips of Kona Ash and more Reunion to turn them into 36"x 44" tops.

I was going to back with fleece blankets, but I have gone off that idea now, so will be doing a quick bit of pondering before finishing these off.

Hope those boys don't put in an appearance too soon x

Camp Quilting - Brit Bee Style...

Well I sewed like a trouper, without the swearing, and got Terri's Brit Bee blocks made last night.

Our orders were 8-or-more-pointed stars, so I had to make her a mini 'constellation' block didn't I! 

Terri provided some pale pink and yellow fabrics, to go against the green background, and I supplemented hers with some of my own to avoid too much repetition; I swapped the layout a little and I love how this has turned out...

The second block was to be red.  Now I don't do red very often, and really didn't have enough of the right tone to match Terri's chosen fabrics.  So with a quick flick through my Fat Quarterly 'Shape Workshop for Quilters - Star chapter', I was away using just Terri's Wizard of Oz themed prints... Star Within A Star...

Isn't this the campest block ever!?

So there you go, I can't believe a whole year of Brit Bee blocks are now done and dusted...

13 quilts, which are now quite frankly the cherries on top of our friendship, including the extra special Project 51; and all set to go again after we get to meet for the first time at FQ Retreat... Perfect x

New skills or tricks I've learnt...

OK, 'skills' might be too strong a word, but my Friday night sewing was rather a success.

• Determined to make the best job I can for the Brit Quilt Swap, and with all those teeny pieces, I needed the most consistent seams allowances of my life.  Hence a smashing blue strip of masking tape on my machine, which although almost flat, actually gives a really good 'edge' to butt the fabric up against - bonus.

• I chain-pieced each row and didn't get in a tangle!   I'd only tried this once before and had got fed up after about 4 pieces and chopped them apart and carried on as usual.  On these small squares it was perfect for keeping track, and by the end I had mastered the optimum spacing between the blocks.

• I don't know how I would have coped without the layout photo!  I had to keep checking back which way the tiny squares went together and will need it for the next stage for sure - how did we function before digital photography?

• I seem to have mastered my iron!  It has scorched, soaked and generally been the bane of my life until last night, when it steamed, flattened and generally made my seams as crisp as they could be - what a difference, and about bloody time!

• ... and finally the weight of a couple of Argos catalogues straight after pressing each row, just for a few minutes, works a treat to get everything as flat as possible.

So now I have 9 piles of ten 2.5" squares ready to be joined.  Hope my partner is as excited about seeing how this all turns out as I am; dear son has already put in an order for Skull v.2.

My family and other animals...

Today we went to down on the farm!  It was a real bonus to be able to take the family out to have fun and be able to looks at quilts, eat cake and buy lovely things! 

The majority of the quilts and activities were in a huge barn, but there were plenty of things to look at outside including a treasure hunt, a walk through the bluebell woods and alpacas!

 

Cakes on quilts - it doesn't get much better than this!!

 

Bet you can't spot the cement mixer!

Feeling brave... the pony, not the girls!

I got to have a quick chat with Mandy, whose union jack quilt pattern is sitting in my 'to do' pile awaiting the perfect fabric, and she signed a copy of her new book for me too.

The quilts were predominantly traditional in style and colour, not the 'modern bright stuff' that Mandy described mine as, but I have committed some ideas to memory and film!  It's always good to see things that perhaps I wouldn't ever make, but still inspire me to do more.

Oh did I mention the shopping?  Only 4 FQs, two Hideaway, an Amy Butler Soul Blossoms and a mystery, does anyone recognise the second one down?

If you get the chance tomorrow I definitely recommend it!  Thank you Mandy and your team for organising such a lovely day out.