Sunday 29 May 2011

Sunday WiP

Boy am I getting stuff done!

After Family Trees, I deliberated about trying to baste one of the outstanding projects, but spending hours on my knees didn't seem like a good idea.

So I dragged my niece's quilt out of the cupboard and made a start.

A lot of ripping while I decided what to do.

Eventually I came up with tying the centre and then quilting the borders.



A few bumps there, but that pink polka dot fabric is very thin.




More soon.

Friday 27 May 2011

Problems with Comments

I understand there is a problem with commenting.

I use Google Chrome and haven't had any problems.  However, if you use IE8 or Firefox you can read how to get round the problem here, which is the Blogger Help Forum.

Clare

Thursday 26 May 2011

Family Trees

Hand quilting finished.

Family Trees
I wish I had put a white border round the Seminole blocks.

I also think white binding.  I was going to do a pale pink one, but it will be too close to the other colours.

Right.  On to the next project.

More soon.

Tuesday 24 May 2011

A New Addition to the Family

She's over 20 years old.  She's in really good condition and she's just perfect!


This is the first machine I've owned where I can adjust the needle.  Cool!


Her feed dogs drop and she came with the special foot.


I ought to mention that I can use a machine.  It's just that the machine(s) are upstairs.  MSR (My Sewing Room) is laid out so I have to get up and walk to the cutting table and ironing board. Not such a good idea at the moment!

I think I'll just practise FMQ until the plaster cast comes off.

More soon.

Monday 23 May 2011

Oh My!

 I really don't believe it!  Quilting friends really are the bestest.

Copyright





The little yellow van drew up outside our house again this morning and dropped off yet another USPS envelope.






Wow!

Look at these!


The photo makes them look a bit wishy washy, but they really are gorgeous.

All the way from Alameda in California.  Isn't Laura just lovely!

She also threw in a packet of these.

 

Believe it or not, they are called France.  I'm going to plant them in my window boxes as soon as possible as I didn't get any Geraniums this year.  In fact, I might even buy another couple of packets.  Never thought of planting Nasturtiums in window boxes instead of Geraniums.  Perhaps I'll set a trend!

As you can imagine, I haven't been doing much this last week.  In fact, life is incredibly boring and I'm getting thoroughly fed up.

This is really and truly saving my life

Family Trees
and I'm nearly finished.

I reckon I've about about 2 days of sewing left and then I'll start on the next one.

I'm really missing my sewing machine and can't wait for the dratted plaster to come off (5 weeks and counting) before I can sew sew sew.

In the meantime, I'll just have to "Just Keep on Quilting" [smile].

More soon.

Tuesday 17 May 2011

Bloggers' Quilt Festival - Spring 2011

I haven't entered a quilt in the Bloggers' Quilt Festival for ages -not since its inception a few years ago.

Not that many quilts have been finished that are still in the house, but my all time favourite so far and the one which made me feel like a proper quilter is this one.

Haunted Houses
made this for Tonya's House, Home Pantry class. I have a very funny feeling that I started it in the class before, but anyway, it took ages and ages - I think about 2 years.

This is the first quilt that I finally felt happy with, that I quilted in the way I wanted to and went the way I wanted it to. I wasn't influenced by anyone (apart from Ton LOL) and I love it to bits.

The quilting is a huge spider web.  I started in the centre and worked outwards.  It's a bit wonky and some of the stitches are huge because I had to jump lots of seams.

It now hangs in a dark corner where it doesn't get any light as the sun is so strong it bleaches everything.  But I pass it about 6 times a day and every time I go past I say "Hi".

Monday 16 May 2011

Sewing up a Storm

Unfortunately it's not piecing, which I love doing and could quite happily do all day, every day.

Instead it's hand quilting.

Family Trees is nearing completion.


It's a long haul though.  Changing threads doesn't help matters much either! I've got about 10 needles threaded with different colours.

Also, it doesn't help when one of the needles falls to the floor and you tread on it! Right into the big toe of my left foot, which just happens to be The Foot!

Weather gorgeous, just right for gardening, but we won't go into that at the moment Thank You Very Much.    I just hope the vegetable bed will wait for another 6 weeks. I know the sowing of the haricot vert beans won't wait much longer.

More soon.

Saturday 14 May 2011

In Which Clare Pays a Visit to the Urgence

What was the day and date yesterday?

Got up had cuppa. Went outside to inspect plants and plan the day. Walked down the porch steps. Didn't see lump of concrete at the bottom. Turned ankle. Fell a*** over t** and heard ankle crack!

The Old One, comme d'hab, was a bit slow up on the uptake, but we got into Urgence at about 12.30. Yup - broken! Up to the knee in plaster for 6 weeks. It can't be too bad a break as just plaster and not pinned and one of those light casts too. We were in there for 1 1/2 hours from start to finish, might have been less. Seen immediately. Dr spoke perfect English and a perfect gentleman! On the other hand, the guy who did the plaster was drop dead gorgeous. I just sat there and gawped.



Home with enough anti blood clotting stuff to fill a pharmacie and another X-Ray in 3 weeks.

In the meantime, I've got enough quilting projects to keep me occupied. I reckon by the end of the 6 weeks I should have 2 quilts finished and if I run out of projects I can always pick up Ab Fab.



I just hope The Old One doesn't run over the plants when he mows, can water the plants and cook!

At least it's summer and I can wear shorts!

I've joined the Liberated Quilter's Online Round Robin. The first task is to make up the centre block.

I have decided to use an orphan block which I received in the big box of goodies a couple of weeks ago.



You all know what a sucker I am for blue and white.

I'll be interested to see what Nancie and June come up with for the next round.

More soon.

Thursday 5 May 2011

Fabric Fairies Pay a Visit

When we got back from our visit to the UK there was a huge box waiting for me and an envelope.

These were in the envelope.


Gorgeous Japanese fabrics.  Love the French ones.

And now for the Big Box.


Gorgeous pot holder - isn't it sweet.


Lots and lots of orphan blocks


and lots of black and white which is my current fad.

I've learnt that with 4 kittens in the house it's best to get everything bagged before it gets shredded!  My sewing room is in complete chaos.  As soon as I put everything up higher, the little monsters are up there before I can blink! This morning my collection of batik scraps - tiny little bits for starting the log cabins off - were on the floor!  Everything is covered in cat hair and there is dried cat food everywhere!

How come they can open doors, but their Mum can't.

This lot arrived before we left for the UK.  I was speechless!


Got to love those blues.


Not a good photo - sorry.  Had to get everything bagged up quick!

Not much else to show.  Sorry.  Too much happening here at the moment and can't settle down to anything.

I'm hoping 2 kittens are going tomorrow and another one on Monday.  Perhaps after then I can get my head together and finish the log cabins.  I've got a list a mile long.

I look like my Mum
Right - time to clean the litter tray and then to mow the lawn.

More soon.

Sunday 1 May 2011

Kitten Call

Take a long hard look.

They're going to new homes next week (I hope).