Quilting my bargello.....

I finally got to sit down in front of the machine on the weekend (and today), and have loved every minute!  I have been having a lot of fun quilting my bargello quilt (remember that??) with an all over free motion.  I can completely lose myself when I free motion quilt.. I just get in a groove and off I go... lose track of time (as daughter #2 impatiently waiting to be picked up from work will confirm! ...oops).  But fun I had, which after all, IS the main aim of the game!

Here is a close up of my little 'wiggly jig' that I did.. just a big doodle really.. and as usual I got in the groove of it by practising on paper first, just to get an idea of 'where' I would go. 

I used a specialised thread, something which I have not really had a lot of success with before.  It was 'wonderfil' and I placed in both the top and in the bobbin.  It was perfectly variegated in the colours of my quilt.  The only problem was it came off the spool too easily whilst sewing, therefore knotting up often.  Liisa had told me a tip to help with this was to pop the spool in a cup on the table, this helped a little but not entirely.  My cup accidentally fell over at one stage, and with it 'accidentally' finding me a solution!  A cup on the side, who would have thought? But it worked! 

So tonight? Binding!  I will do a little tutorial on this as I have been asked to show my preferred method. So pop back in a day or so to take a look at this.

Oh, and my little Elsie has been sewing up a storm recently... although I must teach her NOT to cut into the middle of my fat 1/4's when she needs a little scrap (eeeek!).  I let her have the use of my machine as I believe experimentation is the best teacher... But.... what I am most intrigued about is her technique... The chair has gone, which I understand as she often stands up to sew, but now the foot pedal has turned up on the top of the table, and I have no idea how she can possibly operate the machine!

Squeezes,
Michelle xx

This Goes With That....

I have to admit to being just a tad surprised at how long since my last post...
There has, as usual, been just a tad going on, and I think since finishing a number of projects around mid year, I have been thoroughly enjoying (ok.. maybe slightly 'obsessed') with 'This Goes with That'.  It is a block of the month project, designed by Sue Daley (of Busyfingers) being an 'English Paper Piecing' Hexagon Project. 

English Paper Piecing Hexagons was in fact the first ever 'patchwork' project I did when I was 15, taught as an end of year elective at school.  I became obsessed then too, and used to go down to the local fabric shop (no quilt shops in Adelaide back then) and spend my pocket money on a few snippets of coordinating fabrics.

I have done a couple more similiar projects over the years, but am absolutely in love with this one.  It is highly addictive and a lot of fun.  I have chosen to do my project in civil war fabrics, and maybe this is part of the reason why I am having so much fun also, as it completely different to what I normally work with.  It has lead to me looking into the history of such fabrics, and therefore the women sewing them at the time. Do you know that the women used their quilts in the civil war era as vehicles of political propaganda? They used to embroider little messages to the men on the front line... I love it!

So here are a couple of pics of my work so far.  I have chosen to join my hexies with triangles, but there are other options.  I just like to separate them so can be seen more clearly (and damn it! ..if I've gone to the trouble to make them, I want them seen!!).  The project runs for 8 months, and each month you get 2 hexie patterns, with the template, papers and thread to match.  At The Quilters Corner, we have two colour ways available, civil war and bright florals.  Please note however, that I have used mainly my own collection of fabrics as I started well before the shop :)

 

Enjoy your week,

Squeezes, Michelle xx

 

 

Beginners

This term I have the pleasure of my eldest daughter Jen (on the right) and her lovely friend Anne coming along to the beginners course that I teach at The Quilters Corner.  It is a lovely opportunity for Jen to see more about what I do, learn an AMAZING craft all while spending time with her 'bestie' (which is a little more limited these days as they are at different uni's).

Jen is a complete and utter 'studyaholic', so I was very keen for her to try her hand at a hobby which, with a bit of luck, may also offer another outlet for her brain.  And quilting, offers that smart little brain, an opportunity to relax and unwind ..... its TRUE... science even backs it up!  (mmmm... might have to find some data on that and post it...)

So! Jen and Anne have chosen completely different fabrics.  Jen has gone for her usual bright, bold and cheery fabrics, while Anne had something completely different in mind.  Anne took a gap year from uni last year, and had the privilege of working/teaching in a school in Malawi, Africa.  She brought home some amazing fabrics which she wanted to work around.  This is the girls with their 'Rail Fence' block and don't they look fabulous?
I will bring you more photos of their work as the eight weeks progress.

Have a great weekend everyone.  I'm off to the school fete (Prince of Peace Lutheran College) this Saturday, always loads of fun, then head off to Adelaide early Sunday morning.  I'll just be there for a couple of days helping Mum and Dad pack up the house after 31 years as they prepare to move into a smaller home in a retirement village in the Adelaide Hills.  Apparently after 20 years, its time for ME to store my OWN wedding dress!! (how rude!) I also have the top layer of my wedding cake there somewhere, not sure if I want to disturb that though... all sorts of science experiments may be lurking.

Squeezes, Michelle xxx

Funny little finds.....

Isn't this what you find on your sewing machine every day?? 

The things I find 'set up' around our house constantly make me smile, and unfortunately a little sad.  I absolutely dread the day when I don't find them anymore.  Elsie has always been able to play so happily by herself.  She has this whole little world happening in her imagination and you often see her lips moving while she is playing out a little 'scene' in her head.  I just love it. On Friday she turns 7, and although she is beside herself with excitement, I wish she would stop growing.  Oh sure, some parts of life will be easier, but it will also be a lot less innocent.  So here's to you Mr Potato Head, long may you adorn my sewing machine! 
                                                                   

As for the beanie bears in stilettos, one can only wonder.....

have a great week,
squeezes Michelle xx

p.s. visited the graphic designer yesterday about getting my 'BOM' applique patterns drawn professionally in preparation for sale, very exciting...

Thankyou for your support...

Last weekend I ran the 10km event at the Gold Coast.  It wasn't my fastest time, but it was the first time I did it without injuries, making it my most enjoyable by far. 

This year was also made special as I ran as part of the 'MND and me' team, a foundation set up by a friend of ours in support of Motor Neurone Disease.  Scott is amazing man, with a young family, who has being diagnosed with this hideous disease.  Average life expectancy is 27 months, there is no cure or treatment and your mind is completely in tact while every part of your body is slowly paralysed.  Scott and his wife Sarah have done amazing things.  They have set up this foundation not only to raise money for research but to offer grants to families with MND.  This allows them to do such things as modify their homes so their loved ones can remain with the family as long as possible.  It gives them back some dignity. 

I would like to make mention of another special person, my friend Kath pictured with me.  Kath in an incredibly generous and compassionate person, and once she found out that I was running for MND, she wanted to join the cause too. Kath hadn't even met Scott, but was moved by his story and took to fundraising for him.  Thankyou Kath, you're a gem!

So, the team raised an amazing $58000 and I raised $1338.  Part of this was from a raffle I ran at the shop, for the little quilt 'A walk in the woods'.  Maree was thrilled to win this and picked up the little parcel yesterday.  Congratulations Maree!

I'm so lucky to 'work' where I do.  Everyone has been so supportive.  Once Liisa emailed about the raffle, lots of customers popped in asking for their ticket, and wishing me well.  Since the weekend so many people  have asked how the run went. I feel very blessed to be surrounded in such a lovely community of people... quilters I might add, what more could a girl ask for?

A humble thankyou,
Michelle xx

Deadlines.....

Deadlines are my friend!  Its true, I have to admit it.  They make me stressed and 'a little' harder (note I'm honest, and said hardER) to live with, but they do make me get things done.  I was having my quilts professionally photographed on the weekend so needed the 3 quilts in progress to be done.  And done they were!!  With a whole 16 hours to spare.... applause please, I think that's a record!

The first was "A walk in the woods", which I showed you last post.  Next was "Lemon Peel", a new design (well an old design actually but with my new take on it), using perle thread applique.  I really enjoyed making this quilt, it was great fun and gave me my handwork to do in front of the tv, while playing with a new technique (win win!).  I'm actually teaching this quilt next term at the shop if you are local and interested (or interested and local if you prefer.....ok... too much coffee....).

Next.... well..... I don't have the full photo.... just a photo of the photographer photographing...  but my new, very own design, applique quilt!!  I will post more photos as soon as I have them.

Phewwww......what a weekend! 
Hope you enjoyed yours, we had the most glorious weather here Brisbane.
Michelle xx

A walk in the woods......

Last week I had another little play with a charm pack.  I made the exact same design I have made before, but instead of appliqueing a tree, I added toadstools to fit in with the theme of my fabric.  Quite pleased I was with the result! 

Its a great size for little ones, a cot, or perfect size for hosting a 'book club meeting with your teddies' (especially if you are 6 years old, and it is a rainy long weekend).  For anyone super keen, we have exact kits available at The Quilters Corner.

Have a great week,
Michelle xx