Something blue....

Last Thursday my Christmas snow globe top was dropped off at Jemima's for quilting. A pretty Lori Holt backing with holly and a teal colour theme to match the front was selected and a great all over quilting design of baubles on a string. They both will work perfectly.

While there I thought I'd pick Veronica's brain for some advise on backgrounds for the ginger jars. She has a great eye for fabric and I've been going there so long she knows my style and she always is such a pro at quilt maths. 

I wanted something a little more in my zone even though I love the Tilda background fabrics in the pattern.  I ended up with a lovely light cream fabric with a stripe, tone on tone. I love it and can't wait to start. while working out the freezer paper for the applique I realised I don't think I want my quilt to be as big as the pattern and it just seems like I am working with giant pieces so I thought I'd shrink it a little to 80%. I feel much happier with the pieces this size.  It's like when you knit most things in 8ply and you then decide to knit in a 14ply. It may not sit right so I've made another adjustment.

Adjustments so far:

• applique jars instead of piecing
• possibly use a variety of ginger jar shapes in the blocks
• reduce size to 80%
• use a different background style.

Saturday afternoon we were invited to dinner at No2 son's house so not needing to cook dinner it was a great opportunity to have a sew. My Kim Diehl project has stalled a little with the pieced blocks but I had two cut out ready so off I went. Well after some sewing, unsewing, recutting due to directional fabric I finally managed one block. I was confident I'd manage the two but it wasn't to be. Managed the last of these blocks on Sunday. Of course it wasn't without drama. The next set of four blocks is just as challenging as far as I'm concerned. All the pieces are sorted for when I feel like taking them on.

thought it might be a good time to revisit my Works in Progress list....

 Works progressed:

• Simple Sampler- pieced blocks to be done. 4 down 9 to go an extra one done!
• Snow globes/stitcheries- 1 block done, two more stitcheries completed and blocks ready to prep.  Top done and at quilters 

Ready to start.

Tilda Ginger jars

Slow works in progress

Tilda cushion applique designs- free patterns to be made into small quilts. Two done, two more to do - no progress

Mini hearts- two new rows done, one needs to be added to the main body.

Here is my latest Hellebore. this is the third year without seeing flowers ... I swore if I didn't get a flower this year it was see ya later. Well she must have been listening. One stem of flowers and it will be enough to  save it's skin.

Happy sewing!

Marina

plodding along

My favourite things blocks are gradually increasing.....

These are the latest blocks I have completed as of a few weeks ago.  The most recent blocks have all been prepped ready to go as have some blocks for two other Red Boots Quilts patterns that I have on the wish list.

Instead of just starting something new I am enjoying prepping something new for when I will want to start them. Only problem is that is how I started the my favourite things blocks.... lol  I had heaps prepped and couldn't resist starting.

I have a list of my works in progress and soon will have one to tick off......

No 3

This comes with a bit of history. A work colleague who took up patchwork after seeing some of my quilts made this gorgeous sew along quilt by Laundry Basket quilts. She is a gun at piecing but hasn't taken to applique. I offered to do the applique borders for her. Who wouldn't love to work with those beautiful blues I ask?

The kit came with glued laser cut pieces that you stick and iron on to the border. Didn't come with a guide for the applique just need to look at the pattern picture. I did my best but the iron on pieces were horrendous to work with. Gumming up the needle and very hard on the fingers. I had done one side and put off continuing as I couldn't bare the  thought of finishing. After a while I got the idea to ask for any scraps from the piecing and to ask if she didn't mind me needle turning instead of the glued pieces.

She gave me the all clear so I got to pulling all the pieces off and unpicking the blanket stitch applique. It was quite a job but I could see the light ahead.

Two borders are complete and now I'm working on this solidly to get it finished for her.

I have sewn the vine on both remaining sides and also the large berries on both.

Now to the leaves!

It didn't come with a deadline but I don't like to dally on others projects. Mind you she has finished another five tops since giving me this one.

Hoping a finish to share soon then it will be back to my list of projects....

Which one to work on?

 Happy days

Marina

bits and bobs

I just don't know where the past few weeks have flown to...
I have been working on a surprise gift which I will show once it's complete as the recipient doesn't visit my blog but I can show that I have been slowly adding to my mini hearts collection.
This is a pic from a few weeks ago they have doubled since this pic was taken quite nicely.

 These little lovelies are from my scrap stash. They are so cute.

On Monday I had a day to myself and decided that I would piece a backing from my blue stash. It's rough looking in this picture but you get the idea. I was in a hurry  to start basting so it was a quick pic.

the backing is for this basket quilt which has been waiting for awhile.

It will be hand quilted as it's not that big and should be manageable.

I also basted another secret project for hand quilting. Think these will keep me distracted for a little bit till I get back to what I need to be working on.lol

happy days
marina

Hello, It's me

Well just channeling my inner Adele there for a minute.
Can't believe it's been so long.... I'm still alive and crafting. All the good intentions haven't made for much blogging. So today I thought it was time to catch up and record my crafting for the past two months.
There have been some starts and some finishes and lots of stuff in between. Some catch ups with crafty friends have helped reignite some sparks, and it's lovely to have such wonderful friends.
Now beware there are a lot of pics.....
No falling asleep now?

two new Caswell blocks...... a third is nearly done which will leave two to do, getting exciting

 made a start on my large clamshells, finding it hard to get enthused but there's no hurry to finish.

I have four completed wreaths for my floral hopscotch quilt and just seem to have lost some of the passion for it, I think it's the fabrics..... so I have decided to rethink the remaining applique blocks and have been looking for something a little simpler to make it an achievable finish. I thought the checkerboard blocks were going to delay this but they were done quick smart at the start, luckily.

I am going to replace the other applique blocks with this North Carolina Tulips block that I found on the net ages ago. Rediscovered it when sorting my room out.

 So need a new camera so that the colours will show properly!

These two have just had the pieces popped on the backgrounds as a trial, I am going with it. I love that it will be simple and still keep that fresh feel and more importantly be a stress free project.

 On the school holidays I managed to finish the last few blue baskets and start and finish all the 9 patch blocks so that I could put this together. I am so happy with it as it uses up some of my Lucy Kemper blues stash. there doesn't seem to be much of a dent made though.... will think about that after I have worked out a backing for it maybe from the same stash. Dare I say it I am getting a little over blues lol

My woollen scraps that were made up into squares for quite awhile got made up into a small crocheted blanket. Lovely and bright!

I suppose a big reason for all this crafting is that I got my sewing room back. A little bittersweet as it meant my Favourite No. 1 son moved out again. It was lovely having him home with us for about 6 months but it is also lovely to have my sewing room back.
A little reshuffling and some new and altered furniture did the trick and I love it. All my treasures where I can see them and more importantly access them. Still a small space but better managed.

I have at last managed to hang a full size quilt on the wall much to hubbie's dismay. But as it's in my room I can get away with it....though it does set a precedent....
I get to show off my baltimore to great effect. It was made to go on that wall.

Well if you're still with me, thanks for hanging around and catching up with my goings on.
I will try to be a better blogger and not just stalk you all and actually comment too.
cheers for now
Marina

counting the blues.....

these two are flimsies

This week the wonderful Nicki of Mrs Sew and Sew finished her first and only blue and white quilt top. I had to confess that I have quite a few blue and white quilts. When I mentally counted them there are 7 then I remembered another one so the total is 8 blue and white quilts. Of course Nicki requested a show and tell so here goes...

Seeing as the sun was shining they got aired on the line.

this is one of the first quilts I made. I do like it but with time it seems a little gawdy. The teacups and pots are appliqued. Hand quilted.

This table topper is my first go at dresden plates, not perfect but still pretty.

I did have quite a big blue and white stash....

this was my first queen bed size quilt. Disappointingly the navy around the outer border has faded . Probably not a super quality fabric

the top row. I remember researching all the different star blocks to add and attempting the different blocks. Some were a little scary.

But wait there's more......

bear paw flimsy

disappearing blue patch flimsy

dutch fabrics (in blue and red)

nursery rhyme stitchery top

Hope you have enjoyed my blue and white show.....

Please tell me I am not the only one to have so many quilts in the same colour range? Perhaps have a quilt show of your own....

Hope you have a great weekend!

Marina

ps I have fixed my mistakes on my Sweet Nostalgia quilting-too a couple of go's I must say and also corrected the border on my Hexie garden. Yippee!

TTS top together too, just needs borders.