Some BOM updates

A slow week for sewing since I had many evening commitments and a trip to Sydney called at short notice. I did manage to "complete" the second block of Funky Feathers.....well the birds are still eyeless and I have yet to decide if I will add the animals that sit at the bottom of the urn.

The other project I'm working on, Sue Spargo's BOM, is still giving me great pleasure. Here is Block 5 ready for embellishing.

At this time of the year I start to think about what I would like to finish by the end of the year. This year although my list may be long, I think I will end up with a big fat zero! Oh well the best apart about plans is that they can easily be changed. Maybe my finish list for next year will be LONG.

Have a great week,

Ciao,

Deb

A Bad Case of Spargosis!

I think this is the correct term for this addiction. I tell you, once you get going you just can't stop.  Here is Block 4 all done.

And a close up of the centre detail. Such fun.

I have also made some progress on Block 2 of Funky Feathers.  I'm not quite sure why the pansy is bigger than the bird. But hey, this isn't reality right?

Now today I made a BIG mistake.  I thought maybe, perhaps I could clean up my sewing room a bit - WRONG - too much stuff to do anything with really so I just made much more mess. Oh Dear.  But I did find this old quilt.

Pretty isn't it?  I made this top in 2000, can you believe it, when I spent the year in Sydney.  I took a class with Brigitte Giblin, and used only little bits and pieces that I had with me (most of my stash had been left in Melbourne) and a few more pieces that I bought there.  Needless to say it has been languishing in the cupboard since then, so time to get it quilted.

Some close ups of all the lovely blocks.

All the little blocks are hand pieced or appliqued. I put it together by machine.   I thought it was so hard back then but it looks very simple to me now.

I was looking for some other old projects but couldn't find them - they must be here somewhere! Perhaps they have disintegrated!  Might need to do some serious digging.

In the meantime, happy sewing or whatever else you might be doing.

Ciao,

Deb

My Recent Jaunt

to Sydney gave me an opportunity to visit Material Obsession for the first time. The store has a fantastic collection of fabrics in many different styles. I'm sure anyone who visits will find something that they just can't live without!

If I had been in the "start a new project" state of mind, I would have come away with a suitcase full. But as I have so many things taking up my headspace, I opted for two purchases in kit form.

The first is a version of Amy Butler's Barcelona skirt. I haven't sewn any garments for such a long time now I was a bit nervous. But this is a very straightforward pattern, and I'm very happy with the result. I'll certainly be making more of these!

would have been a better photo if I was wearing it, but noone is here so that would be TOUGH.

The second purchase is a kit containing Kaffe fabrics to make an ottoman. This was NOD's choice and she promised me that she would helpt to make it. Needless to say it is still in the packet. Hmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder how long it will stay there?

It was a delight to meet Kathy. She is so enthusiastic and helpful, wish she was closer!

My sewing this week has been to make some more headway with the Imperial Blooms BOM and to tackle Block 2 of Funky Feathers.

This is Block 3 of Imperial Blooms completed.

Love the centre stitching.

And this is Block 4 ready for embroidery.

Yesterday we had an SSS meeting which was absolutely delightful as always. We missed a couple of the gals including Di who is currently in Holland teaching I think. Message to Petra

"Please send her back soon, we miss her".

I think Kerry will be putting up a post at SSS shortly.

That's it. Feels like some substantial progress made this week.


Now my garden needs some attention and the sun is shining. Life's tough no?

Joy to all,

Deb

Imperial Blooms Update

A beautiful afternoon in Melbourne is much appreciated after some rather chilly days this week. Can't wait for some more warm weather. Just dropping by quickly today to show you some progress in this BOM.

I almost finished Block 2 awhile back, but ran out of threads for the bullion knots, so had to wait for some more to arrive. It's all done now!

I love the stitching on the stem and around the centre.

I have been working on this project quite a bit over the last couple of weeks. I thought I should get a reasonable amount finished before the 2012 Blocks started to arrive!

Here are the ingredients of the last Block

I wonder what the border will be like?

I hope you are having a beautiful day also.

Cheers

Deb

A late progress report

Hi there - Happy belated October. I have been in and out a bit the last couple of weeks, and the beginning of October has flown by.

I took these photos a two weeks ago and didn't get a chance to upload them.

The first is the first block of the funky feathers BOM. I have to put the eyes on these poor sightless birds! I decided to leave the kangaroo and emu off the bottom, I may put them on eventually, not sure.

I decided I would try to pick up the pace on the Sue Spargo BOM since I just signed up for the 2012 one.

The above photo was prestitching. Just a couple more stitches to go and it will be done!

My NOD and I have just spent a few days in Sydney at the end of school holidays. Great fun to have some one on one time with her.

More soonish.

Hope you are all well and enjoying your stitching.

Hugs

Deb

Inspiration

in book form. I just love these books, two new ones that came a couple of weeks ago.

History repeated is relatively new and it is THE BEST book of pieced quilts that I have ever seen. Quite a few projects in there that I will make. If you haven't got it, trust me , you need it.

What have I been doing? Well working on block 2 of Imperial Blooms

applique done ready for embellishment.

Doing the motherly thing - a warm woolly for NOS who spends too much time out in the cold elements.

Although he is skinny as a rake he is very tall - so knitting a jumper takes a lot longer than it use to due to the length!

And finally, some more photos from the recent Quilts in the Barn.

Linda and Bev both made versions of this quilt. I just love it.

A wall of little quilts - I'm sure Kathie would have swooned!

A real beauty made by our Meghan.

Gorgeous use of border fabrics.

I understand this will be in Jo's new book. It was a lovely exhibition, all the quilts were made predominantly from Jo Morton fabrics and they were just stunning. Thanks to Linda and her team of tireless quilt enthusiasts for arranging such an INSPIRATIONAL show.

PS. On a previous post I showed some photos from a show, and wasn't sure of the makers. I was contacted by one who said this about her quilt:

It is completely hand quilted at 19stitches to the inch. It took year of work and I was absolutely thrilled to win the three ribbons. It was also a thrill to come onto your website and see you had shown it! Thank you! The red border was reverse appliqued and took F O R E V E R !

Regards,

Meredith Nye

Thanks for contacting me Meredith. Your quilt is lovely and worthy of another look!

Two Quilt Events in One Day

Saturday - what a great day. Glorious early spring weather and two quilt events to go to. Can't ask for more than that!

First up let me show you my early progress on the Funky birds.

Lots of bright colours and interesting shapes. I plan to change a few things, but let's see how it goes.

I also got the next Sue Spargo BOM in the mail.

Can't believe we are already up to block 8 - and you know when I say "we" I actually don't mean me! Looks like another fun block to do.

Now - first quilt event was Essendon Quilters Quilt-in. One of our Sisters, Kerry, is past president of the Essendon group so I went along for the day. I have to say it was a wonderful day. Everyone was very friendly and made me feel very welcome. A lovely morning tea spread too! Guest speaker was Susan Smith of Patchwork on Stoneleigh, now sadly closed. She had so many beautiful quilts to show. I took some photos but was on an angle so you don't get the full frontal.

The Nurses Quilt

Civil War III

Civil War II (I think)

Dorothy Dumpling (Great name huh?)



Stevie's Garden

Not sure

Little Sparrow

St. Neot Band Sampler

It sure was a nice visit.

After lunch I headed off to Quilts in the Barn, to meet the lovely Jo Morton. The Barn looked splendid as always, with many of Jo's quilts on display. These were supplemented by quilts made by Linda and her friend Bev. Gorgeous use of fabrics - a real treat.

The colours Jo uses are beautiful and rich, the designs very geometric.

Lots of little quilts - and who is that gorgeous woman lurking on the left?


Don't these little quilts look great?


This one will be from Jo's new book.

I have some few more photos to post, but in the meantime, if anyone has any of the fabric that makes up the bird body I would be happy to buy some from you. I believe it is quilt old from P & B textiles, Pilgrim/Roy collection.


Happy days,

Deb

Six out of nine ain't bad!

Well finally some progress to show you on Sallie Ann.

I have finally finished 6 of the 9 panels and joined them together. Because the applique design is continuous, some of the pieces are applied after joining. This takes longer than you would think, since there is quite a bit of bulk to hold whilst stitching. Anyway, here she is.


I'm really happy with the way it's going, but have decided to put it, not quite on the backburner, but slightly off the boil.

So what will I be working on? Well chipping away at a few things. Thing One will be the Sue Spargo BOM. Block 7 arrived a couple of weeks ago.

It is really fun to work on. Of course I'm still only up to Block 2 so I would like to catch up a bit.

Kate over at Empty Field inspired my choice of Thing Two. Kate calls this Mad Little Birds

but it's actual name is Come Fly With Me. I think I'm going to call it Funky Feathered Friends. It is a BOM available through Material Obsession. It is gorgeous and bright - just right for chasing the last of Melbourne's gloomy winter away.

Hope to have some more progress to show you shortly. Hope all is well where you are.

Oh, and if you are in Melbourne or somewhere reasonably close, Quilts in the Barn 2011 is upon us. Details can be found here. I hope to be there sometime Saturday afternoon.

Cheers,

Deb