Going around in circles ...

I am going around in circles and loving it!

The plan was to be separate clusters of circle on each section of the quilt but I have thrown that idea into the bin and am just going to keep going as I am and have a ripple effect of circles from the centre of the quilt.

I feel a little cheeky even calling this a "quilt".
There is nothing tricky here - not that I can even do the tricky stuff.
No intricate piecing.
No clever quilting techniques.
No ditch stitching.

Just 3 strips of fabric and (wonky) running stitch going around and around and around.

I love it.

I also love that in the evenings, when the kids have gone to bed, it is almost therapeutic.

Like yoga on the couch without any awkward stretching.

Have you any "Couch Yoga" activities ?

Cheers
Jenny

Lost & Found

LOST!

Bloggy Mojo

Been missing since Christmas.

If found please return to Jenny at Ohjoh.

Found!

Found at Amitie with the help of Lucy & Meg and my little girl - the beginnings of a new quilt.

Hope you've all found yours and are chugging along happily through the new year.

Cheers

Jenny

Quilt Number 5 - finished just in time

Quilt number 5 has had a baptism of fire.

I finished the binding just before the spots hit.
Miss Spotty and her quilt have spent most of the last week together - snuggled on the couch, lying on the carpet, or just being dragged around the house sharing the joys of chicken pox.

When I can separate them I will continue with the hand stitching ... one day ... maybe ...

I've Ditched It

Ditch stitching done.

Not as tricky as I thought (isn't that always the way). It's not perfect but its Ok.

A bit more to go and then some binding ... hmmm ... and maybe some hand quilting to tart it up....

Cheers

Jenny

PS. Nth QLD sun is FABULOUS!!!! Then you come home to 11 degrees. Aahh well. Now saving pennys for next year ....

Quilt No.5 update

Here it is and I think we are going to be friends.

I feel good when I look at it.

I feel not so good when I think about ditch stitching it.

Yep, I'm the ditch stitching virgin.

Deborah Louie told me it is easy (at the machine quilting course) and it was on the really small sample piece. Her tips and instructions were awesome but...

But looking at this big quilt I'm feeling a little anxious. I've been thinking about stitching it for over a week.

Maybe I'll just stick with the hand quilting...no I will machine it ... no I'll hand stitch ... no, I'll machine it ...

I know, I need to "just do it" and stop thinking about it.

Maybe tomorrow ....

Hmmmm ...not quite right ....

It started as an idea - a vision,
followed by a drawing,
followed by a pile of fabric,
followed by a pile of rectangles
which were layed out on the carpet...
then switched around & swapped ...
then dragged the Mr in for some feedback...
switched some more, cut some more,
stood and stared, bit my bottom lip and frowned.
Why doesn't it look like my vision ?
I think the purple has to go?
Maybe it needs some plain ?
I've packed it up and put it away.
I don't think we're friends yet.
Bummer.

The Beginnings of Quilt No. 5

Goings on....

Just a quick update on a few things on the go:

Am moving on with the nephew's cot quilt. Tried some machine quilting - disaster! So unpicked all of it and am sticking with the hand quilting. I may present it to him at his 21st birthday....

Finished sister's skirt just in time - she went to Sydney for a great wedding and said skirt is now covered in red wine - apparently it was a big night.

My skirt almost done but it was a terrible fit as I didn't factor in the stretchy nature of the fabric - der! So like any sensible woman, I've thrown it back in it's bag and have sent it to "time out" for misbehaving.

The lovely Kate for The Loaf & Lounge in Camperdown (pop in if you're down that way!!) has ordered some more aprons. Thanks Kate!

Part of me is saying YAY! and part of me is saying "... oh good god not them again ...". Today is "Suck it up Princess & get on with it!" Day. So the first 10 are cut out and ready to go.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Jenny

Remember the red quilt ??

It's still coming together.

Almost there.

Even tried a bit of machine quilting this time with my newly purchased walking foot - what a clever person to have invented that!

Quilting purests may "tut-tut" the mixing of hand and machine quilting - are there rules for this stuff? I'm still making it up as I go along. (might even do a class this year .....)

Have to finish it soon as I have a plan for the next one....will keep you posted!

Quilt number 1 DONE!

I've stitched the last stitch and handed it over to my little man. He loves it - phew! I'm a little sad to see it go.
It's been fun.
Quilt 1 and I have been a couch couple since February. We've laughed, cried and stayed up late. We've grown close.

We've bonded. I think I miss you, Quilt 1.

Amitie had a sale on Friday and I met Quilt 2.

I was searching for something green and came home with this.

I hope we'll be friends.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers

Jenny

The great quilt update - Almost there!!!

What a fabulous morning.
I spent the morning with the talented Andi (of Patchandi) who helped with the binding on THE quilt (yep, basically I had no idea and mentioned that I was making it up as I went along and she wisely put a stop to that!)

I have never seen so many beautiful quilts in one place as there is at Andi's house. One very talented chick! And for those that follow Andi - the kitchen is nicer than the pics!

And she's a screaming fast sewer (hence the really blurry photo below .... or it may have just been my appalling photographic skills????). I was faffing about (and talking too much) as the clock was ticking and my youngest was about to be stranded at Occasional Care when Andi got the show on the road and had that sewing machine smoking! And now it's all attached, waiting to be hand sewn and then it will be done. I can hardly believe it!?!?!?

Thanks Andi - you're a star, a treasure and a very clever custard! Hope you like your little apron thank you.

A great quilt update

It's been a while so thought I might show you where I'm at.

Sooooo many tiny stitches .... although probably not tiny by real quilter's standards - more of large and clumsy type of stitching.

The Roald Dahl/Quentin Blake row has a few less pics than originally intended (I bit off more than I could chew so dropped it down a few). You will need to use your imagination but my no. 1 son loves them (phew!).

The decapitated pheasant is politely waiting for it's head. Should arrive sometime soon.

The back is a mish mash of stitches - we like to use the term "abstract art".

And its very wrinkly - lucky we like that look ...um ... that was the effect I was kind of aiming for ....

SO, if I keep trucking along it may even make it to his bed before the end of winter...maybe...

Hope you're all well and happily creating !

Jenny

Great Quilt Update 2

Ok, it's getting a little out of hand. I'm avoiding aprons and skirts because I'm rushing off to handquilt instead. Usually I sew at night when the helpers are asleep but I've been sitting on the couch doing lots of little stitches instead.

Yes it is fun but I'm going to have some hell nights ahead of me before the next market....'sigh'.

The Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake collection ... a bit ambitious for a first quilt but my little boy is happy and tells me that he can make out George so that's good enough for me.

If you use your imagination you may be able to make out George walking up the stairs with his marvelous medicine, the car that Danny drove and (the almost finished) Caravan that Danny and his Dad lived in from "Danny The Champion Of The World".

There'a Mr Fox and a peach on their way too when I get around to them.

Cheers

Jenny

PS The working through the stash thing had a little Amitie setback .... very nice fabric though...and I really did need it ... and I will use it ... and I won't be going back for ages...well not tomorrow anyway....

Great Quilt Update - 1

Well, I love it!
There it's said, it's out there .... should I be terrified ?
I should be! Instead of making aprons and kids skirts for the next market I'm sneaking off to hand quilt instead. I am so going to have some ugly late nights before market day ....

BUT in the mean time my son and I are having a lovely time playing with ideas to whack on the quilt. He now wants to add some favourite Roald Dahl characters which has me tracing Quentin Blake illustrations ..... is this getting out of hand ?

All really clever quilters please turn away now as I don't want to offend with my rough house stitching and "let's just make it up as we go along" approach.

He may get it before Christmas ......

Quilting tips from a beginner....

When hand-quilting, don't try and watch a DVD with subtitles at the same time.

Despite some unpicking it seems to be coming along nicely. I think this is what they're supposed to look like .......

Loving it but such a long way to go...

Quilting - I said it would never happen......

I've always said that I don't quilt. I don't quite get it or the obsession with it.

Wiser women than me just gave a knowing smile and said "not yet....", "you will...."


AND I HAVE!!!


The urge has been there for some time. I've looked at the quilts in my local fabric haven (or is that heaven ??) Amitie - yes I am lucky aren't I - and am in awe of their skill.


So I jumped in head first on Saturday. Jenny at Amitie was divine and helped with fabrics and heaps of tips as I have no idea what I'm doing. She's so patient!

It's all cut & stitched together with the help of Kiddie no. 1 - it's for his bed. And we loved doing it.

Now to start the hand quilting and I'm feeling very nervous..... have I chosen the right colours? Can I do it properly? Will I finish it before he gets his drivers license ?


Any advice from super quilters would be greatly appreciated.


Watch this space for the great quilt update ...