Monday 29 June 2009

third time's the charm!


Well this is the third quilt I have completed and I am really pleased with how it turned out. All the stages seemed to work a lot more smoothly and I am especially happy with my binding and corners. I still need more practice with hand sewing the back of the binding, but all in all I can see a real improvement.

This quilt is destined for a baby girl in the US as a Mountain Baby Blanket. It is going to be a well travelled quilt - the fabric was won in a US based giveaway, came to the UK, was turned into a quilt and is headed back across the pond to the US once more!

This quilt was not on my list of things to do, but it was a niggle in the back of my head that would not go away - since Rachel first started her appeal for blankets I knew I would want to make one at some point, but I needed to wait until I felt my quilting was good enough for someone other than family to recieve. It is made with love, but also needed to be made well enough to withstand life with a baby!

Sunday 28 June 2009

Sunday



It has been a lovely and warm if somewhat muggy Sunday. The day started well with a solo wander round the local car boot sale. Usually visits include my oldest son who is only interested in finding toy cars and my baby who is only interested in putting things in his mouth! It was a real treat to be able to take my time and have a good rumage through tins and boxes. I bought some old thread, mostly for the lovely wooden spools - they are so pretty. I also found this brooch which at 50p was a real bargin!



I have also made the binding ready to complete my quiltalong quilt. There was also time for ice cream today and sitting in the shade of a friendly tree watching the world go by!


Thursday 18 June 2009

quilt along fun


Just a quick post to share my new quilt top. I am taking part in the Old Red Barn Co. quilt along. I joined a bit late but could not resist! I am trying not to buy fabric at the moment as I already have way too much fabric for way too many projects. This being the case I decided to make a smaller version of the quilt using some fat quarters and scraps I already had. It will be a perfect lap quilt when completed. I am really loving the colours and the simple yet striking pattern. Again I am amazed and so thankful to bloggers out there who give up their time and share their talents so freely to help people like me create something wonderful!

Friday 12 June 2009

job done!



Yay! My quilt is done. It is the first top I ever completed and the second I have quilted. I can already see an improvement in the basting, quilting and binding since my first effort. The block desing is from the paintbox tutorial over at Oh, Fransson!




In fact, both my quilts thus far are Elizabeths designs, and I plan on making another of hers next - there is just something about the form and shape of the blocks and patterns I love.
I still have a huge list of projects to do:

Mixtape botanical pop quilt
Flowery ragedy quilt
Rainbow ragedy quilt
Old Red Barn Co quiltalong quilt
Grey and lilac quilt

Plus many, many more ideas as well as an allotment to weed. I better get doing instead of blogging then!

Monday 1 June 2009

nearly there...


My newest quilt is so close to being finished. I just have to complete the quilting and do the binding. Here is the quilt top - it is not a great photo but you can get the idea - lots of pink, red, purple and turquoise - lovely! It is from a tutorial over at Oh, Fransson!



I have also just finished a dolls quilt and pillowcase for a birthday gift. I am very impressed with myself as the birthday is not until the end of June - usually I am finishing things at the last minute!



I am really pleased to be able to take part in the second half of Spring To Finish hosted by Tallgrass Prairie Studio. The idea was to see how many projects you could complete in May. I didn't manage to complete anything in time for the first deadline so am very glad to have made it this time round.

My completed list is:

The boys orange spot quilt
Lots of taggie blankets
Two dolls quilts
Raggedy hearts and tutorial for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway

Not bad at all considering I have been planting up my allotment and looking after a 6 month old at the same time!

giveaway winners!

What a wonderful few days of blogging happiness! I have loved taking part in this giveaway - both in offering a little something and in having the chance to win! Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment - I have loved reading them all and seeing where in the world you all come from. I have a HUGE list of blogs to go back and explore and enough inspiration to last me for years!

Using Random.org I have come up with the following two winners.


For the two raggedy hearts - Emily




For the taggie blanket - marzy dotes



Congratulations to you both! Please drop me an email with your address so I can send your things out to you!