Sunday 30 March 2014

Under the Wire

Slipping another post into March before it's too late.

March has been another busy month as all my classes have come to the end of their sessions. It's also the month when I reveal my plan for next session and hope that it appeals enough to encourage my students back to me in the Autumn. (I know it's not the coffee!!)
So this is what I have been beavering away on since the New Year - my Modern Sampler.


I love the way the sun is shining through it in this shot - the reflection of the "whirly gig" clothes line makes me smile.
When I plan a new project I have quite a few different considerations to make - all my classes are a mix of experience so I need something to suit all. I like to include different techniques. I like to teach QAYG so plan my quilt in sections if possible. I like to offer a bit of flexibility and scope for personalisation. I think I have covered all the bases with this sampler. Some blocks are easy but with tweaking can be more challenging. Some are constructed in different ways. They are all a standard 12" so easy for students to substitute their favourites as alternatives. I am also hoping to encourage this quilt as a stashbuster with the main outlay being the background fabric and I am hoping some of my ladies might be brave enough to go for a dark, or even a patterned background - watch this space.
Modern Sampler has been received very well resulting in extremely brisk booking for next session. I have only 3 spaces left over 4 classes. And I promised better coffee!!



Thursday 13 March 2014

Bag Ladies

Not quite finished, just the lining to insert but I couldn't resist sharing. I feel like I have had a multiple birth experience, minus the pain.


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My apologies to those ladies whose bags have not been captured yet but final photoshoot will be at my open Day on 27th April. Can't wait.

Thursday 6 March 2014

Couldn't Wait............

.............to share the first glimpse of some of the Overnighters. My clever class this morning pretty much all had their bags to the stage of making the lining and internal zipped pocket, achieved despite my rather duff instructions - sorry ladies.

Looking pretty fabulous aren't they............I shared the secret of my firm bottom today so next time they will all be looking even more fabulous, if that is at all possible.

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Where Do I Start?

Well, I'll just follow on from my last post - I did mean to do the end of February thing but the days are flying past and technical issues have conspired against me too.

So I finished up my orphan quilt, orphan in as much as all but the four corner blocks were really old and ignored stuff, lingering in drawers. I put it all together and tried to cheer it up and in the end, you know, I was pleased to have made something from nothing. I posted it off yesterday so hopefully it will eventually bring a little comfort to someone..........


And I also sent off a few single blocks to Alison, in case you are not aware of her cause, have a look here
The first two blocks, once again, were just loitering in my drawers, so to speak, and the last  one, just a bit of machine embroidery on a solid background. 
If any one in my classes has such orphans lying about and you want to help - all you need to do is layer up and quilt the block and let me have them to pass on. Just be sure they finish up at 12 1/2 " to make things easier for Alison to QAYG.


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I have been working like a dervish to complete next session's project which will be a quilt - all should be done in time to reveal in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile as this session draws to a close my "Bag Ladies" are producing wonderful results with their "Overnighters" - I am so excited because I think tomorrow's class will actually have theirs joined up and looking like - a bag! I will be sure to snap away and hope to share some pics with you.

A certain little someone in my life will be 2 next week - hard to believe - she had a play kitchen at Christmas, so every good cook needs an apron & hat, yes??

I made this from a tea towel but followed this great pattern. The neck strap is elasticated and the tie closes with Velcro, enabling the wee one to put it on and tie it herself, so clever.

The chef's hat, another great internet find, is being modelled here, by Mickey, who at 30yrs old, is feeling a bit put out. Mickey is doing rather well, having lived in the attic for many years. He has a box in his back into which cassettes are placed (if you don't know what a cassette is - Google it!!) After all this time he still talks and tells stories, with eyes rolling & mouth moving. He will however, now always be known as "Hotdog".

I am Queen Bee this month in the Bee a Brit Stingy Bee - I think my fellow Bees are a bit amused at my request. Still on an Ava theme, one of my longer term projects is to make 20 wee quilts for an Ikea dollies' bed. I have about 8 done and will share them with you another time. I thought it would be fun to ask the Bees to make me some blocks to make another two quilts and decided on these........

A little Bright Hopes block - this involves partial seaming, and I have asked for absolutely any fabrics but with a white centre.


And in aquas and pink, most appropriately, a Wee Granny!






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