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.

Black and White Quilts

At the beginning of March 2008 I decided to make a black and white hexagon quilt. It has taken me 2 years to complete. It took ages to decide what colour to use as a background, finally decide on the yellow/mustard colour and I'm pleased I did.

The quilt is hand pieced, machined quilted and measures 74.5 x 63 inches (189 x 160 cm).

The second quilt in the B & W series is this QAYG (quilt as you go). The pattern is by  Monica Poole I do like her designs, the instructions were clear and easy to follow (even if I did change them slightly).

I used bright fat quarters to piece the backing.

The completed quilt measures 60 x 80  inches (152 x 203 cm).

This quilt and the next one are my current projects (along with the quilt from the previous post).  All 3 are in need of borders. 

I have a red, white, black and grey stripe for the borders on this quilt. I bought the fabric for another B & W quilt (haven't taken a picture of that one yet) then decided the red was the wrong colour.






My challenge quilt that is due at the end of the month is completed but you will have to wait until the 31 March before I can post a picture. The challenge was 'Flora' not flowers. I wonder what everyone has come up with this time???

Failed Resolutions

On January 1st I made a New Years resolution, I was going to make a blog entry every week.  As you can see I've failed miserably. Life just seems to throw  a spanner in the works.

I have been busy quilting and will post some pictures shortly of the quilts I've finished this year. Until then I will show you the quilt hanging on my design wall at present.

Below is the original fabric that I used.

We had a massive hail storm recently and I couldn't believe the size of the hail stones, fortunately we didn't suffer any damage to the house or cars but the garden took a beating.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Wishing all my friends a safe and happy 2010,
may the coming year bring you much love and laughter.

Latest Challenge - Mandala

Our latest challenge from Art Quilts Around theWorld was to make a Mandala. Still being in my black and white mood and because all my B&W fabrics were easily accessible I decided to use them again. I did start another mandala but wasn't happy with the design or colour.


This is my completed design, very simple but I am pleased with it.

Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wishing you all a safe and Happy Christmas/Holiday Season and all the very best for the New Year!

Where the Earth Meets the Sea

The past couple of months have been a little hectic for me. My father passed away, my husband has been unwell and has had a trip to the hospital. Daughter 1 has recently moved house and is now in the Northern Territory for 5 weeks holiday, our youngest daughter has moved all her things home (including the cat) and has now gone overseas for 3 months. Middle daughter is planning on moving house at the end of this month. We already have her cat, I'm just hoping that no more furniture comes home or our house might just burst at the seams.

"Where the Earth Meets the Sea" was the title of our recently finished challenge with Art Quilts Around the World .

I'm having trouble uploading the pictures, will try again later or you can see them and the other quilts on the above link.I've managed to upload these 2 photos, I've given up counting how many time I've attempted to do this.


I've called my quilt Earth/Sea, blues for the ocean, then cream/tan for the sand and finally the browns and greens represent the earth. The glass beads are different shapes and sizes and follow the colours of the fabrics.