Friday 29 July 2011

Vic Quilters Showcase 2011


For the last 2 days I have been at  theVic Quilter's Showcase, enjoying the show. I am in a bit of a post production slump...quilting non stop for a week has left me feeling exhausted! Luckily there were so many great quilts to see at the show that I soon felt revived.

Hearts Desire is hanging in a dark spot (this is almost unavoidable at quilt shows) due to the building and lighting set up. So photo's arent really working. I will try again tomorrow.

I might be a bit biased, but Hearts Desire is sitting very nicely and is flat. And of course, I think it's beautiful.

Thank you to everyone for all your warm and kind comments on my last quilting post - it's so nice to get feedback. Sometimes in blogland it can feel like you are talking to yourself!

Thank you also to all the ladies who have approached me at the show, its always so nice to meet new faces and catch up with old friends too.

I quilt for the love of it. But there's no denying that an award every now and then is very nice too.

Hearts Desire
Mainly Applique - Professional
Runner Up

And of course I must mention Desley, who also reads this blog - as her quilt won Best of Show. Congratulations Desley! You got a Bernina (speaking of my Hearts Desire...who wouldnt love to win a new Bernina???!) Visit her blog to see it yourself. I do have a photo, but I took it sideways and blogger wont allow me to post it the right way up and ...urgh computers.... I refuse to post a picure of a Best of Show Quilt sideways!!

PS
I will post some pictures from the show as soon as I get permission from the quilt owners

Wednesday 27 July 2011

WOW: Chain Yarn Scarf

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays


This is chain yarn. A friend of mine kindly thought of me when trying some out herself. This is the first time I have come across it and I have to say – I am hooked! You chain on 6 rows and simply knit into every chain every inch. When it is wound it looks like thick yarn and when you start knitting you pull the yarn out and knit into the chain. It’s intriguing and I love the cascading (and effortless effect).


The yarn is from www.katia.eu, (manufacturer’s site) and I haven’t found an online store which stocks it yet. I would love to buy this yarn online, so if anyone knows where I can find it, please let me know as I would love to get it in a cotton or wool blend.


Yes, I know….I’ve started another WIP!



Tuesday 26 July 2011

Hearts Desire: Quilting Finished


Hearts Desire is quilted!

It’s pouring with rain here so my DD and I waited with baited breath by the window until a few moments of respite opened up. Then we ran out, placed a cloth on the decking, wheeled out the quilt frame and finally got Hearts Desire hanging in just minutes... and starting taking pics straight away.
I didn’t manage to take as many as I’d like because of weather conditions…but I here are a few I did get in before we had to run inside again.The top pic looks a little too yellow, that's down to strange lighting conditions outside.
The quilting is subtle, I wanted to enhance the applique rather than showcase the quilting in this quilt. My initial thought was to quilt less….but I do love really quilting a quilt so that wasn’t really an option. It is heavily quilted – my usual style! That’s just the way I like it.
Hearts Desire is all about sentiment, double meanings and richness of detail. Those of you who are making it yourselves know, just how much time and commitment each block demands.
Much work, much patience, much perseverance.
The motifs used throughout the design are traditional and invoke feelings of nostalgia and beauty. When I first designed Hearts Desire, I spoke of an ‘old town folk’ feel, a traditional, inspiring place.



Abundant foliage symbolizing growth, renewal and perseverance

A bird, symbolizing birdsong, morning and spring

Hearts with open centers symbolizing life’s difficulties and disappointments

Flowers and buds symbolizing starting and blooming

Details such as thorns symbolizing beauty after difficulty

Richness of detail and a delight in fabrics throughout the quilt– symbolizing hope and the need we quilters have to create works of beauty.


Details: The binding is on. The pattern finished at 83 inches for the quilt top and after quilting it went down to 79 inches.


It will be hanging at Victorian Showcase in Melbourne from Thursday to Sunday. I will be there Thurs, Fri, Sat.


Monday 25 July 2011

Yes, Still Quilting ...

Quilting the leaves:
I finally finished stitching veins on all the leaves last night

This morning I sketched my idea for quilting the border
And now all I have to do is actually quilt it.
Today is my deadline.
Wish me luck!

Friday 22 July 2011

Quick Quilting Update


 The house is filled with the sounds of a busy machine.....


Not nearly there, but persevering...


This is my idea for the corner baskets,
I just sketch over the pattern and keep it in eye sight as I quilt



 Getting there...


And now I must get back...
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