Thursday, March 28, 2013

My First Magazine Ad!

"Handmade" magazine, by Express Publications, Vol 31 No 4, page 79.


This was booked about 3 months ago, so it's terrific to finally see it in print!


Sunday, March 24, 2013

Summer is fading...

This is my 1930's project, made from charm squares and fat quarters collected over the years. I decided to try a four-patch pattern called "Confetti", from a library book I read. (I'll look up the title later).

The original had white sashing, but I opted tor a fresh lemon shade. This is the quilt top, partly laid out. Eventually, it will be turned on point, with setting triangles.  Yesterday was spent laying out each individual row, to ensure there was no clashing.

I'm really happy with it!

Monday, March 11, 2013

"We're having a Heat Wave... a Tropical Heat Wave"

Today was another 37 degree day (Celsius) here in Sunny Melbourne, and by tomorrow (Tuesday 12th March) they are predicting 9 consecutive days over 30 degrees, a record not reached since the mid-1860's.  Unbelievable!  Unpalatable!  Unbearable!

The night-time temperature barely dips below the high 20's, so no-one is getting ANY sleep!

Despite my best intentions, it's been so difficult to just sit down and sew. However, I had a few "Bee Bold, Bee Brave, Bee Helpful" bee blocks to finish (courtesy of the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild), so here they are:

Catherine's Garden Fence - quite striking, easy to do, and no matching of seams or points! Hyacinth Quilt Designs  http://hyacinthquiltdesigns.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/garden-fence.html


MJ's Raw Edge Circles - based on this tutorial :  http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/12/ra ... orial.html

Bronwyn's  "+'s & x's": inspired by  http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/11/nou ... quilt.html 

Caroline's Wonky House - Wonky Town  - She asked us to "create" our own designs.... this took me Ages!


 Sally's Chevron Squares from Fresh Lemons Modern Quilts Kaleidoscopic Kites (http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1016) (The colour photo was a nice touch Sal, and helped).


Lorraine's block - actually, this is my favourite - and the quilt it makes is gorgeous!  (Kitchen Windows, by Elizabeth Hartman)  Here is a link to  Sew Shells Blog showing all the blocks sewn together - I love the way the grey borders make terrific off-set sashing, when alternate blocks are turned 90 degrees.



Well, even apart from the hot, humid, uncomfortable weather,  it's been challenging to work with unfamiliar patterns and colour-schemes, and of course using other people's fabrics means taking much more much time and care. However, I think it was worth it... I did an "okay" job, and definitely extended my piecing skills.  Thanks, MMQG ladies!