Monday 28 October 2013

some tweaking...

I said TWEAKING NOT TWERKING!!!
Rest assured there will be no Miley Cyrus impersonations on this blog, I shudder when I recall that performance. eeewww
I have been playing around with the centre block of my Swan Lake after getting someone's honest opinion of my quilt which interrupted my happy dancing like someone bumping the needle across a record while it is being played. Ok, Ok I know I am showing my age but that's what it was like.
Rest assured it wasn't some blogging troll that passed this harsh judgement but my very own DH who said the centre block didn't look very good, didn't even see past the block to pass a more positive comment on the rest of the quilt, well maybe I didn't give  him the chance as I just wrapped up my flimsy and withdrew in silence.

(Play melancholic music now)
Now before anyone puts out a vendetta on my hub, he only really reinforced the doubts I already had but had hoped wouldn't bother me anymore. I was too enraptured with my dollies and hexie flowers.
So..... back to the drawing board..
I thought I would put together a possible replacement centre and put it out there.
I will also seek input from the learned ladies at quilting group on Saturday.
Here goes, you don't have to be gentle in your opinions I have had it from the champion of heartbreaking honest opinion givers.
The hexie flowers will be a bit more varied but it just gives an idea of a possible layout.


If I think of another combination I will definitely share it.
Till then here is a lovely quote sent to me by the lovely Bev (of Kainga Happenings)

"There will be obstacles,

There will be doubts,
There will be mistakes,
but if you work hard,
There will be no limit."


Now put that music back on I am going back to my dancing!


there now I feel better!
have a lovely week!
Marina

Sunday 27 October 2013

Are you ready for this?

January 2012 I started on this very long term project.
No goals as to when it would be finished, just a self imposed condition that it be worked on regularly.
There were times when I had a Dr Phil "what were you thinking?" moments but believe it or not......
Here it is with still a little bit of work to be done but the worst is over.
Be prepared I am going to bore everyone with photos of this for quite awhile. Bare with me I know you all understand

Drum Roll..................


how the border will go around the centre

dollies dancing on the grass
 Just a little more work to do. The thicker border needs to be appliqued around the centre block and the thinner binding along the mitred seams. Four squares to go in the corners and the little yo yo baskets to be added and it will be totally finished.
Didn't make it to Gj's so I decided to use the fabric I had. The thincker panel pattern wasn't quite long enough to fit along one side so I have joined all the panels into one long strip which means there will be joins but if it looks ok I won't replace it.
It's not perfect but with hindsight there are somethings I would have probably done a little more carefully knowing now the consequences of not being as pedantic as I should be.
But it's done now and I can live with it quite happily.
Thanks to everyone who has been supportive and offered encouragement and urged me on when I doubted myself! Thanks to the Academy and my parents and.......... only joking.
I'm off to do some happy dancing!
cheers
Marina

Friday 25 October 2013

Be Prepared....

Remember that boy scout motto,
It seems that preparations are the focus here at the moment.
 Swan Lake border four finished! Four borders prepared by marking the mitred corners ready to sew.
Hexies prepared for some more stepping stones around my novelty hexies.
 some more little houses stamped and cut ready for some on the go stitching
 Three new houses did get made on the weekend. I am still playing around with putting them together trying to find a way that they will sit neatly.
Some wool applique prepared for stitching too.
See that jumbo stapler in the pic, if you are doing wool applique on a larger scale this stapler is the way to go. I was lucky to borrow one from work after a disappointing ebay attempt to buy one. When the girls from the quilted crow explained how it was so helpful I didn't imagine how much easier it would be. It makes stabilizing the wool pieces easy peasy and much less fiddly. This project is ready to go now too.
Other than these not much else has been happening on the crafting front. Hub is out for the day tomorrow so I will have the day to myself and Swan Lake and I are going to have some quality time together!
A trip to GJ's may be in order as I need some fabric for the borders and centre panel of Swan Lake too.
Woo Hoo..

Happy stitching!

Marina

Friday 18 October 2013

christmas stitching

I have been quite slack when it has come to christmas stitching this year.
Now that we are into the final stretch I thought I better get a wriggle on.
Not long to go now on my Chistmas cross stitching...... just a 'J' and the top border and it is ready to go


another little cross stitchery. Still need to decide how this will come together
then these three little sneak peaks
they may be secret gifts or they may just be gifts. Haven't decided yet.
But I am enjoying making them.
a woolly santa for something different

I love this pretty little angel....


This weekend I hope to get back to Swan Lake and finish off the remaining flowers that need appliqueing.
Hopefully I can get it done and if mum is free she can help me get it together.
There will be some happy dancing if that happens. Mum may even join in!
Have a safe and stitchy weekend!
Marina




Tuesday 8 October 2013

been keeping busy....

Life around here has been taking up a lot of my time.  My blog has been a bit neglected and there has been limited blog visiting.
There has been some crafting happening which is good. So.... instead of lots of little updates you will get them all in one hooly, dooly, picture show.
Are you ready?
 Here is an update on my Swan Lake..... since the photo I have progressed further to include the hexies on the fourth border, half of which have been sewn down. I have also sewn the appliqued hearts on the three completed borders which go in between the bottom row of hexies and the dollies.
Sooooo Happy with the progress on this baby. I just had to put the top 'together' to encourage me and yep it worked.  My goal is to have the top together by the end of the year.
Definitely achievable!

Next finish was my sister in law's quilt. The top got done on Grand Final Day and it has gone to the quilters to be completed.  The pattern had another border but when she saw it she loved it as it was so who am I to argue? It's done.


The progress on these two has allowed me to start something new! I bought this stamp from Janneake, who started the building houses from scraps craze. She has  produced a stamp and I thought the process would make it easier for me to have a go. If you want to see some amazing quilts made from scrappy houses just click here. They are so inspiring.
Another bloggy friend has also made a scrappy houses quilt you can pop over to Maria's blog to have a look at it in this post. (Maria's wonderful novelty hexies inspired me to start my own novelty flower garden.)

 I have really been wanting to make at least some houses. Worst case scenario I would make some pincushions but I am enthused enough to make a mini hanging. Mind you I don't think there will be a big quilt of these happening! They are about 3 1/2 inches and so nifty to stitch.
Here are my little houses so far...

I have also finished off the cross stitching for a needlecase. The pattern was a birthday gift from my friend Els in the Netherlands. It is in a lovely blue and taupe colour thread. The photo doesn't quite do the colours justice but they are lovely. Next step to get the needlecase together!

So that's it for the crafting I have been occupying my spare time with.
I did have a lovely visit to NOTYQ show on Saturday and caught up briefly with Mel and Christine who were busy as bees doing their quilt show duties. I got to have a cuppa with Liz and Rosalie and some other lovely friends of Liz. Also got to meet Karen from Mrs Martin's quilt shop, so lovely to meet at last.
After the show I scooted to Bluegum quilters to catch up with Elyte and Robin and the other lovely ladies there. Phew did I sleep well that night.
Elyte, Robyn and Annie visited during last week to have a crafty catch up. Not a stitch was sewn but we shared lunch and lots of laughs. No pics either, what terrible bloggers. When the girls left my no 3 son said 'boy did you guys laugh enough?'
my reply is there is never enough laughing! It's cheaper than therapy and medications...



Happy stitching!

marina....x

Time is flying....

 Seems like my blog has become a little neglected again, this doesn't mean a lack of crafting though. Progress has been achieved on most...