Gifted Gorgeousness - May

Our Internet has been erratic this past month and the telephone company seem to be no closer to solving the problem, whatever the problem is. This will be a short post as I wish to get it up while I can.

First up is a quilted throw that I started back in late November. I followed Jenny Doan's tutorial (Missouri Star Quilt Co) on how to make this Double Friendship Star quilt. The recipient received it last month and was delighted with it. I admit I was pleased with it too.

Double Friendship Star - Missouri Star Quilt Co

Front

Double Friendship Star - Missouri Star Quilt Co

Label and close up of quilted star

Double Friendship Star - Missouri Star Quilt Co

Back

My other item of Gifted Gorgeousness is my long delayed start to Tea with Honey. This is a Travelling Pattern which Jo has passed on to me. After debating which colour fabric to use as I had no Light Sand Cashel linen I settled on Flax. Then I discovered that Light Sand is also know as Latte! I'm glad that I'm happy with Flax as I would hate to restart this project. Oh, I've just noticed that I've missed some stitching in the green border. I must fill that in first thing later today.

Tea with Honey - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Flax Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

If you are not familiar with Gifted Gorgeousness which is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, you can find the full details of how it operates here.

Gifted Gorgeousness - May 2019

Where has the past month gone? It seems no time since my last Gifted Gorgeousness post. Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching where we display the crafted gifts we have made, used or received. Full details about how it works and how you can join in can be found here.

The hand quilting on Holly's baby quilt is about half done. It will be now be put away for a couple of weeks as I won't be around to work on it.

Holly's baby quilt

Fabric: 'TAO' Modele Depose, 'Black Tie' Oasis Fabrics

design 60-137, teal fabric with orange/white stripe

My main focus recently has been stitching this Good Luck card for my sister and our mum's dog, Sonny. They took part in the dog World Agility Open Championships at Ermelo (Netherlands) earlier this month in the N. Ireland team. She and Sonny didn't win any prizes but they managed to reach one final which I thought was good given that this was their first time in an international competition.

Poodle on dog walk frame - design worked from a scanned photograph

Fabric: 32ct Jobelan Sunlit Pool, The Crafty Kitten

Threads: DMC- 318, 3799, 3787, 931, 927, 612, 677,

738, 728, 402, 950, 841

Gifted Gorgeousness - April 2019

It's time for my monthly Gifted Gorgeousness(GG) report. If you are not familiar with GG, it is an opportunity to share our gifted craft items that we make and receive. It is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and full details of how it works can be found here.

Since I haven't posted regularly over the past month, I feel that I have quite a few things to share with you. So here I go!

First up is my Friendly Stitcher's Stitcher's Day exchange. My partner for this exchange was Martina.
She sent me this beautiful biscornu, threads and a tape measure.

Stitcher's Day exchange received from Martina, Friendly Stitchers

I stitched a needlecase for DJ but forgot to take a photograph. However you can see it here in DJ's April Gifted Gorgeousness blog post. It's at the end.

I finished Just Nan's Snowflowers. It is a gift for one of my mother's friends. I couldn't find a suitable custom-made frame so I laced it to this canvas frame and covered the back with the fabric the easel is standing on. My mother is very happy with it, so I hope her friend will be too.

Snowflowers - Just Nan

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Exotic Orchid Belfast linen

Threads and embellishments: Recommended DMC threads 

and Just Nan embellishment pack

I finished the Llama baby quilt that I was working on and it is now with its new owner.

Simon's baby quilt

Fabric: Llama 801, Atacama 801 and Inca 801 by Indigo Fabrics

supplemented with navy and white fabrics

I've started my next baby quilt which is for Holly. Each of the blocks have been stitched and I now need to stitch the rows together. These colours are quite vibrant so I think I will choose something for the binding which will tone it down.

Holly's baby quilt

Fabric: 'TAO' Modele Depose, 'Black Tie' Oasis Fabrics

design 60-137, teal fabric with orange/white stripe

Before starting the quilt, I did some tester blocks which I also used as an opportunity to try applique with fusible webbing. I made these blocks into a cushion cover top and when it is completed I'll gift it to my sister.

Selection of fabrics in stash

Finally, a quick reminder of the gifts I sent and received in Needlecraft Haven's Easter Exchange.

Needlecraft Haven Easter exchange from Julie

My gifts for Astrid

That's everything for this month. Until next time, enjoy your crafting.

Gifted Gorgeousness - May

I'm just back in time from an extended holiday to post my May Gifted Gorgeousness update. At the beginning of April I posted about a baby quilt which was ready for hand quilting. It's finished and it is now in its new home in Canada. 

Fabric: Moda Big Sky, Bears-Teal and Mustard; Makower Linea Zinc;
Makower linen texture Sunflower; Makower Essentials Tiny Dots light cream;
unknown brown/grey fabric and Makower Linea Ebony for backing

I enjoyed making this quilt a lot and I love how the colours complement each other. Once again, thank you Rita Norton for the inspiration. So great was my enjoyment, I've already decided on the design and fabric for my next quilt. Details on what I'm making will follow in a later post when I'm ready to start that project.

If you are unfamiliar with Gifted Gorgeousness, the idea is that you post about your stitching/crafting which is either a gift or made from items you have been gifted. It is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and full details of how it works and how to join in can be found here.

Ready for quilting

Recently, in our wider family, a baby boy was born. This was just the excuse I needed to make a quilt. Originally I planned to make a scrappy design but when I saw this finish from Rita Norton, there was no going back.

So after converting my dimensions from inches to centimetres, here is my quilt (or play mat) based on Rita's design ready for the quilting to commence. The finished size will be 100cm x 120cm. I just love those bears.

Fabric: Moda Big Sky, Bears-Teal and Mustard; Makower Linea Zinc;

Makower linen texture Sunflower; Makower Essentials Tiny Dots light cream;

unknown brown/grey fabric and

Makower Linea Ebony for backing

Gifted Gorgeousness - May

It's time for Gifted Gorgeousness again. This is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. Each month on (around) the 15th, we post about a project that we are stitching which uses anything that has been gifted to us or which we intend to give as a gift. If you'd like to sign up, you can find out more about it, here.

I haven't touched Halloweenies during this past month but I managed to progress some patchwork. As a result I have a finish and a WIP to show.

I finally finished the doll's quilt last week and it is now with its new owner. Her dolls love it, she tells me :)
It was definitely a learning experience on this small quilt as I made a few errors such as making my binding too narrow. Oh well, live and learn.

Over the past couple of years I have received fabric in exchanges with Mouse (Tales of a stitching mouse) and Deb (no blog). I am using them to make a dilly bag (a small bag) for myself. Is there another name for this style of bag? I can only think of dilly bag. Please let me know as I am interested in that type of thing.
I like my mix of red and whites. All being well, it will be finished for the next update.

Pour l'Amour du Fil - Nantes

On the 20th April, I was in Nantes for the Pour L'Amour du Fil exhibition. It was my first time and I was looking forward to seeing the work of international quilting designers, as well as doing some shopping.
The exhibition did not disappoint. I got to meet the lovely Judy Newman who signed her new book for me.

I had a great time. It truly was an international exhibition - exhibitors, retailers and attendees. If you ever think you would like to go, I'd definitely recommend it. Nantes city was lovely and it made a great weekend break.
What follows are some photos of the work I saw displayed.

Pendle Hill - Di Ford Hall
I'd love to make this

Embroidered Friendship postcards

Haven't got the designer's name

Miniature hexagon quilt finally finished

I feel as though I have taken forever to complete this miniature quilt but it is now finally finished. I am pleased with the end result even though I can find fault with my work. My next task is to find a suitable wall hanger for it.

Design: Josette, found in Magic Patch hors serie, no.91, 
'15 quilts miniatures'
Fabric, Moda charm pack  'Icicle kisses'

A short update

I'm pleased to say that I achieved my goal from last week, that is, to get my hexagon quilt to the 'sandwich' stage.

Here it is! The dark red fabric with the deep cream pattern is the backing fabric and will also be the binding.

I want to start quilting the rosettes ... now. Maybe I'll take it on holiday with me next week. We are self-catering, so there is a chance that I might be able to do something in the evenings? That's probably wishful thinking.

Design: Josette found in Magic Patch hors serie, no. 91,

'15 quilts miniatures'

Fabric: Moda charm pack 'Icicle Kisses'

I've started stitching "The Perambulating Poinsettia" that I won in Christine's of The Alchymyst's Study give-away. I plan to finish it by the end of the month so that it can continue its travels via a give-away here. I took lots of photos but I found it very hard to capture the true colours of my fabric and thread. This is the best I could manage.

Little House Needleworks - Potted Poinsettia
Fabric: 28ct Cashel Flax linen
Threads: Atalie - Les 4 Saisons, Carmen and Desert

Happy May Day

In our local town, there is a flower show held every May day. Since I am not always here when it is held, I made sure to be there today. The sun was shining and though there was a cold breeze blowing, there was a good turnout of people. For a change, in addition to an update on my hexagon quilt, I thought I would share some of the photos I took at the flower market. I hasten to add that I am not the gardener in our household. I enjoy looking at flowers but everything else to do with them I leave to my husband.

First up is one of the stalls selling lily of the valley (muguet). These are traditionally sold on the 1st of May here as symbols of springtime and good luck.

Lily of the valley

A selection of the plants available to buy as well as some metal garden ornaments.

A selection of hens, birds, wind chimes and other garden ornaments

Finally, the latest progress on my miniature hexagon quilt. I'm almost halfway through stitching the rows together (the bottom left section). I hope to finish this part of the project and add the batting and backing by next weekend. After that I will be putting it aside for a while as I have two wedding samplers (both in the same design) and a house warming gift to stitch before the end of the July. I have stitched both the designs for these before so I know it is achievable within my timeframe.

Design: Josette found in Magic Patch hors serie, no. 91,

'15 quilts miniatures'

Fabric: Moda charm pack 'Icicle Kisses'

My latest toy and miniature quilt update

I love visiting family but it is nice to get home and back to your own bed. It also means that I can pick up on my stitching and quilting. Even though I take a small project with me when I'm away from home, I find that I rarely have time to take it out and do any work on it. I know that this will happen but I take something anyway as I like to know that I have something with me, in case I have some free time.

For ages, I wanted some way of being able to look at my charts when stitching rather than having to keep lifting them up and down from the cushion beside me. I read that some stitchers found a music stand helpful so when I saw one for sale in a charity shop, I bought it to try it out.
I'm so glad I did. It is easy to read my chart without having to put my stitching down. I wish I had got one sooner. I like that it doesn't take up much space and I am able to adjust the angle of the lectern that holds the chart.

My music stand for holding charts and diagrams

This photo of my miniature hexagon quilt is a little out of date as I have now started to stitch the rows together. I'm looking forward to getting to the quilting stage. There are errors in that each hexagon is not exactly the same size but I have learnt lessons from this project that will be helpful in future projects. It is very soothing stitching this by hand.

Design: Josette found in Magic Patch hors serie, no. 91,

'15 quilts miniatures'

Fabric: Moda charm pack 'Icicle Kisses'

Busy, busy, busy ...

I think I've fallen into the trap of trying to do too many things at once and making little progress on any of them!

Since I had little opportunity for stitching last year, I seem to have been trying to make up for lost time, particularly in regard to sewing exchanges. I've had three on the go at once - perhaps not one of my better ideas. I posted two of my exchange items at the beginning of this week. One is a Spring themed item for my Needlecraft Haven partner and the other is a Stitcher's Day item for my Friendly Stitchers's partner. I will post pictures when the items have been received. I'm also doing an Easter exchange and I've started stitching an Easter card and Easter shaped ornament for my Needlecraft Haven partner. I have until the beginning of April to complete that.

In the meantime I am making progress on pieces for myself. First up, Just Nan's Patience Sampler - I've only stitched one and a half rows since I last showed it. Hopefully I will be able to get a better photo next time.

Just Nan Patience as at 18 March 2014

I've made quite abit of progress on my quilt. I finished machine stitching the green/yellow squares and still have to finish machine piecing the red/yellow/burnt yellow squares. However, I got enough done to do a provisional layout to see what it will look like when finished (see below). What I have learnt from this design is that trying to get points right, is enough to make you want to pull your hair out! While not 100% perfect, they are almost there.

My Animal Farm Quilt - taster layout

I'm ready to sew

After cutting 463 pieces, it's time to get the sewing machine out and start joining the pieces together on this quilt top. Hurrah! Given that the animal panels have been my inspiration, I'm thinking of calling this quilt 'My Animal Farm'. With all those triangles, getting the points right will be important. As a relative novice, I found a useful tutorial on making practically perfect pinpoints by Anjeanette Klinder. It can be found in her blog, here . I wonder how much sewing I will have completed by next Saturday.

463 pieces of fabric waiting to be stitched

My next big quilting project

I went into town yesterday and bought material to go with a 2 metre animal motif fabric that I got last year in a remnant sale. I'm looking forward to starting this in my patchwork group. When finished, it will be a quilt for a single bed. It will keep me busy for the next few months.

Single bed quilt material

Housework neglected for some finishes

Housework took a back seat this week (not that I needed much encouragement) as I was determined to finish the cot quilt that I have worked on for the past year. In addition, I also needed to stitch a scented sachet for an exchange at my local sewing group last Thursday. I've had a month to do it but for some reason it got squeezed into the final two days. Sound familiar? Here are my photos of the finished items. Unfortunately they are not as good as I would like as the lighting is too dull to get a decent photograph.

Design taken from 'Romance' by Emma Coutancier, Burda Patchwork, No.32, Autumn 2012

Design is 'Petit Bouquet' taken from 'Minatures au point de croix' by Françoise Prax

Now I have two exchange pieces to stitch as well as continue to work on Just Nan's Patience Sampler. With doing so much stitching in January, it's very likely that February will be a quiet month craftwise.

Nearly finished!

Last year I joined my local Patchwork group and started working on my first quilting project. Last night, I started to stitch the border. Once I've completed that, it will be finished. I'm very pleased with how this looks even though my hand quilting has room for improvement. This picture shows the quilt pre-basting.