Start Of A New Project

Last weekend I made my third trip to Sydney in four weekends! It has been a very busy month. I would not usually travel to Sydney that many times in a year! However that is just how the month has been.

 The most recent trip was to see Bruce Springsteen in concert. I had bought tickets for my husband as a Christmas gift. What a fantastic performance!! 

We had a chance to catch up with DS No.1 and bring several items he forgot to take back with him to uni. It was lovely to have dinner with him to celebrate his birthday. Can't believe I am old enough to be the mother of a 20 year old. Now that he is no longer a teenager, maybe he won't be so forgetful (I wish).

While away, I got to visit Material Obsession for the first time.

WOW!

The quilts were so inspirational. Lots of hand quilting, LOADS of colour and some darker quilts with felt, wool and appliqué that I also really liked. Not to mention all of the gorgeous fabric. It was a bit overwhelming.

 I just HAD to buy something!!! But what and where to start?

 I tend to stick to quite traditional, safe options (which I do really like). But a trip to this store really makes you think outside the square and want to experiment a bit.

So, I bought this first for some guidance and inspiration for future projects.

Eventually I decided on these flannels and some 2 and 1/2 inch hexagon papers for EPP. These will be added to my collection of flannel scraps I have acquired over the years. I have always wanted to make a quilt out of my flannel scraps. Still looks like a safe option doesn't it.

As for the design....well that's where I am going to think outside of the square. I am going to try and make that up. Haven't designed anything before, but it's only scraps, so what's the harm? I was inspired by a quilt in the store that used these large hexagons with flannels. Not sure how it will turn out, but you won't know if you don't try. I'm thinking quilting with large stitches in perle 8 thread etc. appliquéd with a few different borders maybe....

So, last night I made a start.

So far I have cut out a few of each of the my darker flannels as well as some from my friend Julie's collection so I can have a bit of a play. Have a few ideas floating around in my head. Will be a nice portable project when I visit my new nephew during the Easter weekend. Can't wait to meet him.