Quilting Weekend

Last weekend the Cassilis Quilters had a lovely time at Fairy Floss Stitches house for a weekend of stitching. 

Julie worked on 'Smitten'...

...and 'Preppy the Whale'.

Susan showed us her magnificent quarter inch mini completed...

 ...and worked on hand quilting 'Irish Circles'.

 

Lea showed us her gorgeous fox quilt in Liberty prints.

Cardygirl joined us on Saturday and worked on her 'Whirlygig Quilt'.

Kylie at  Red Raspberry Quilts finished hand quilting her 'Gardener's Journal'.

There were birthdays to celebrate!

What did I work on? 

Well I free motion quilted the weekend away...

Can't wait to wash away the blue lines.

Note: No that is not a stain in the bottom left hand of the quilt. Strange camera malfunction(?).

I also completed the binding on my Tilda Quilt. Will show you next post along with my project from the Wendy Williams workshop I attended.

Enjoy the long weekend.

Free Motion Quilting Workshop

Last Saturday I travelled to Finders Keepers to join in on a free motion quilting workshop conducted by the lovely Jan Foster from Red Shed Quilting. The project is called 'Wibble Wobble Baby Whole Cloth Quilt'.

I learnt so much about batting, needles and thread. 

That was before we turned our machines on.

So I have been practicing everyday to try and improve. It's lots of fun but takes a whole lot of hand, foot and eye coordination. Problem is, I never was very good at sport.

This is what my quilt should look like when I'm finished.

This is what it looks like at the moment.

Hmmm...looks like I have more practicing to do.

Friday Night With Friends and Finish It Up Friday

Today I can finally show you the gift I recently finished for my friend Julie who celebrated her birthday today. So I am linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts. 

This is similar to the table runner I showed you in my last post.

 But...

...this one is much longer. Julie has a beautiful recycled timber table that is big enough for the whole family, the extended family and friends to gather around at the same time. So this table runner measures 77" long.

I really like this backing fabric.

Last night I also joined in with FNWF. I completed a little bit more hand quilting around the centre medallion.

I am over the halfway mark but feel like I have stagnated a bit with this project because I spent a bit of time at my sewing machine instead which has been nice for a change.

I hope you enjoy some time with your families tomorrow during Father's Day.

OPAM Finishes

I it's been SO long since my last post. Life has been fun but busy. Lots of time on the road, fortunately I have had some time to stitch. I have only had one finish to report for OPAM each month since February this year. So, I set myself the goal of doubling that in August. BUT, I actually finished three projects! 

So I'm pretty happy with that.

I made another one of these Christmas table runners as a birthday gift for a friend at work. I've decided that straight line quilting can be very therapeutic.

I made this playmat for my son's friend who has recently become a dad. It draws up into a bag for easy transport.

Toys can be stored inside and it then opens up to make a cosy spot to sit and play.

I used a soft minky fabric on the inside. The blue minky looks a bit pale in these two photos. Much closer to the colour in the top photo.

The third project I finished cannot be shown until next week as it is another birthday gift for someone who might be peeking at this blog. 

So, I will show you next time.

Friday Night Sew In and Finish it up Friday

Yesterday I experienced a first. I have seen light falls of snow on the ground before, BUT, I have never watched it actually falling from the sky! Yesterday on my way to collect DS No. 3 from a music camp, the snow was falling on the mountains just 40 minutes from home.

It was a wonderful experience as I realised that the rain had become icy. Then I realised it was no longer falling, but floating from the sky!

It was SO pretty!

We usually receive one light fall of snow each Winter on the nearby mountains. But I don't usually get the opportunity to see it. I have a strong aversion to cold weather. So, call me a party pooper, but I took these photos from the warmth and comfort of the car.

I have spent more time indoors as a result. Last night I joined in with Friday Night Sew In and continued quilting 'A Legacy From Violet'. You can now see the medallion on my frame. So, I am almost half way!!

Photos by lamp light are not great. But you can see I have started quilting around the centre medallion (still working out what to do there)....

 

...and the borders on either side. Here is a full size photo so you can get an idea of where I am up to.

Finally I have a finish for July. A Hatched and Patched pattern from Anni Downs.

So my OPAM tally stands at a fairly consistent one project each month. Also linking up with Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Hope it is warm where you are.

Tilda Quilt Finish

This quilt that I started last week is now finished.

The soft colours are difficult to capture in the sunlight. The design is a giant log cabin measuring about 87" x 91".

Closer is better.

Tilda design such pretty fabrics.

To update you on my dilema with my Violet quilt. Thank you to everyone who made some suggestions about my colour run problem.

General consensus was to keep going and use lots of colour catchers. I have done this. After all, this quilt is only going to adorn our bed in Summer, not the walls of any quilt show.

So I am linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.

FNWF

I decided it was time to start a new project. After all, I am on holidays. 

This quilt will be a gift for a very sweet person who will turn 21 soon. She has been part of our family for a while now. I feel she definitely deserves a quit.

It is made from Tilda fabrics. They are so pretty, I hope she likes them.

The pattern is a giant log cabin. Last night I added three more rows. 

Ten rows on...ten more to go.

It's another frost again this morning. Think I will say inside and sew until it warms up a little.

Linking up with Friday Night With Friends.