Winding Ways in Blue & White

I've been wanting to make a Winding Ways quilt for a few years but was daunted by the prospect of matching all of those points. Well, now it's done and dusted. Really like the way that using the two colours makes the circles pop out in different places all over the quilt. But I think this is the only one I'll ever make.

Just a little cot quilt.
Dels' finished design.

Michelle Hill Designed "William Morris"

Always wanted to do this type of quilt.  Spent 6 months  at the end of last year doing this hand applique number. I've had a break from it all this year but I think I'm ready to and re-enthused to get into a couple of projects I've been planning. Just have to tidy up my studio first.  Think it might take a couple of days. lol.

Recycled Christmas Wreath

Rose to the challenge of creating a Christmas decoration from recycled materials. The old local yellow pages phone book needed somewhere to go and this is it. The red centre is an old onion bag with a used gift ribbon.  I didn't realize that it was going to be so big but at 18inches it looks good on the front door.  So what does one do with this after Christmas? I guess it gets put into the recycle bin.

Quilt for Centaur Community 20 Years

When I was asked to sew a memory quilt for the 20 year celebration of the Centaur Retirement Community, I didn't know what to expect but I soon found the project rather exciting.  Creating a design to best tell a story with the variety of shapes and sizes of the old photographs and newspaper clippings was quite challenging.  I found designing the quilt to look balanced, with all those shapes that had different stories to tell over the years, took days of day-dreaming and planning.  Needing to use the colours of the RSL Care logo added another challenge but they did help to give the layout a clear definition between commemorative, memorial, publicity and happy snaps. Altogether, I'm pleased with the result and I hope the residents of the Centaur Retirement Community are also.

My Quilting Bone is Working Again

Yes Bern, I'm back on line !
I've spent the last few months exercising my quilting bone and I've almost worn it out.  I've completed 4 quilts and am now in the process of doing the hand applique on another.  The first 3 were done to use up what was left of my 'oriental reds'.  I'm done with that phase and I needed to move on. Forgot to take a photo of the first one before I donated it away though, but here are the snaps of the rest.

"Hong Kong Markets":  Just strip pieced the small bits. It looks plain but the quilting makes it.  It's single bed size and there's also a matching cushion which looks better than the quilt.

"Natty Noshi":  I've been wanting to do a noshi for a few years and had intended to do it in the traditional style and colours with the Japanese fabrics.  As you can see it took on a life of its' own and then it grew some more when it decided to have a border with hexagons here and there.  Leftover pieces and spare hexies went onto the back.  What was being made to hang on the wall is now too big to fit.  I'll just have to spread it on top of all the others that are stacked on the spare bed.  LOL !

Since I also have a whole shelf of Japanese fabrics still waiting to be loved, I suppose I really haven't any reason not to follow my original intention and I could even use a pattern this time.  I might do the next noshi by needleturn, it always looks nicely 3D.  mmmm.

"Cottage Garden":  Did these blocks at our machine embroidery group sessions because they weren't too time consuming.  This cottage look isn't the usual thing that I do but I've fallen in love with it.  It feels snuggly and warm.  I'll need that when I get reeeally old.  I might just make a couple more with this look.  It reminds me of an eider down quilt my mother had.
Well I need to get to work now on the newsletter that I do so the next post will have to wait until next week.

Caloundra Quilt Show

Well, all the feedback indicated that the Quilt Show was a success, so now I can relax and get back into some more doodling.  It was the first show that I'd worked on and I found it very exciting to do.  Luckily I'd asked for photos of quilts with the entry forms so it was much easier to look at a little bit of colour co-ordination once the size matching had been done.  It meant there would be no need to have to move things around on the hanging day because of clashing colours or designs.  Being a beginner myself, it was really good on set-up day to work alongside group members experienced with these matters.  A couple of small hickups were fixed really quickly, really well and without fuss.  My project helper Cathie G makes a great partner to work with -  couldn't have done it without her.

Already I've made a list of reminders for the next show in 2013, little things to tweak and little things to keep in mind for improvement.  Hope I get asked to do it again  -  just loved it.

       Viewer's Choice Winner
      Wendy Clancy's  Candle Wicking
       "Taupe Beauty"