Stash Reduction

Finally managed to finish a couple of stash reduction quilts. Two tops down and about 20 to go. I'm not counting the tops until the pile is somewhat depleted.

I know compared to some I don't have a lot of UFO's or WIP's but I do like to see my projects completed.This quilt measures 80x63", machined pieced & stipple quilted with cotton batting.

Some of the fabrics I've used are over 10 years old.

A close-up of the blocks.













A smaller quilt, this one only measures 51x59"

Again made completely from the stash,machined pieced and quilted, cotton batting.












A close-up of the blocks.

Return of Stone Soup

Stone Soup has returned home, all 15 pieces of it. I couldn't resist taking a photo, don't mind the white name tag/placement pieces. I will remove them before assembling the quilt.

Thanks to Kathryn for the challenge and for being brave enough to cut up all the quilts.

A Work in Progress - Bargello

Ever since I began quilting I've been fascinated by Bargello Quilts. I love the colour and the movement.

There is now enough of  my current project to show what I have been working on.

This is the first half of the quilt top, the second part will be brighter, more of the orange and yellow.

It is coming along slowly,. I'm also working on other projects at the same time of course. Two challenges, 'Doors or Doorways' for the AW20Q and the 'Four Elements' with the Challenging Ourselves.

The Elements project is nearly completed but I've drawn a blank about the Doors. I don't think that I have ever looked at so many doors, gates, entrances and exits in all my life. I'm sure something will surface eventually.

Yesterday a friend and I went on a shopping expedition. Had a lovely day out and visited six different quilt shops. Not a lot of purchases but a great day out. I bought a few black and white fat quarters, some thread and some  fabric to use as backing on one of my quilts.

Cold winter day today, I have soup on the stove and the fire going in the family room. Time to uncover my sewing machine and finish off some postcards and work on my 'Elements' quiltlets.

Stone Soup Challenge Revealed

Today is the reveal for the latest challenge from the AW20Q group. This is a 2 part challenge, firstly we were sent a still life photo to interpret into a 20 x 15" quilt.  The completed tops were to be sent to Kathryn and she will cut them into 15 pieces and then return a selection of pieces to each participant. The second part of the challenge to be completed by the end of October (I think) is to re-constitute the pieces of the different quilts. 

We will then each have a very original artwork, similar but not the same as anyone else.

This challenge wasn't as easy as it sounds and I had a lot of trouble initially. I was very pleased to get the top finished and in the mail.

A huge Sigh of Relief....

I have some good news,  the tumour I had removed last week was benign.  The Drs suspected it was but as you know there are always those little niggling doubts especially when the surgeon wanted it removed as soon as possible.

I haven't really been feeling up to sewing, haven't been able to concentrate. I have been doing a little knitting and will post some pictures when I find where I put the camera for safe keeping.

Another Challenge Completed.

Sometimes I don't think I have enough to do and I like a little extra quilting to occupy my day. With this in mind I joined the new group Challenge Ourselves. May 15th is the unveiling of our first group challenge, 'Hidden Treasures.'

I like to think of bulbs as hidden treasures. I love all types of bulbs, each year they emerge to fill the garden with their bright colours and perfumes.

I photographed a bulb and used the picture as the basis for this first challenge.

This is my interpretation of the daffodil bulb, it was drawn free hand. I have used free motion quilting and satin stitch.

The back ground is pieced from various creams and light browns.

The quilt measure 15.5 x 18 inches (approx 39 x 46 cm).

All cotton fabrics with cotton wadding.

March Challenge - Flora

Today was the unveiling of our first  AQAW  challenge for this year, the subject was 'Flora.'

I decided to use the 'discharge dying' method for this challenge.  A single piece of black home spun was cut, dyed, stamped and used for the front of the quilt and the binding.

I picked some different sized leaves from the ficifolia  tree (flowering gum)  in our garden and made stencils from freezer paper.

Using a spray bottle and bleach solution I discharge dyed  around the leaf templates. The pieces on the bottom left and right hand side were pleated, tied with string and then dropped into the left over bleach solution. 

The leaves have been outlined in gold thread.

The circle shapes are stamped in gold fabric paint using a gum nut as a stamp.