12x12 Thread Play

This is my 12x12 Thread Play Challenge.

Needleturn Applique

Last Saturday I spent the day finishing my needleturn applique

started in a WQC workshop.

I am not sure what I will do with it but was really pleased

with how it turned out.  It makes all the difference being 

shown how to do it properly.  Thanks to Tracey Roberts.

Thread Painting

The next 12x12 Challenge at WQC is Thread Painting.

I decided to have another look at the Nancy Prince videos 

on the The Quilt Show.

This is called "Solitary Tree".

I decided to practice thread painting with this.

I have made my 12x12 challenge but can't post it here until

after our WQC meeting at the end of November.

I can't believe I have made one before the deadline.

Crib Critters

The latest Dream Girls project is this cute Crib quilt.

I bought the kitset which was all precut and made it

for a friend who is due to have a baby any day now.

Wendy from Quilters Dream designed this cute quilt in

2 colour ways using the Go Cutter for the cute critters.

  The other pack was in pinks and very cute but as I don't know what sex the 

baby is decided to go for this colour option.  The batiks are just beautiful.

It is all completed ready.

Needleturn Applique

The WQC workshop this month was needle turn applique

with Tracey Roberts.

It was a great day with a great instructor and good company.

One flower completed on my block.

Tracey showed us all the techniques we needed to make the block

she designed to teach this class.

I had a great day and learnt so much about thread, needles, fabric, 

scissors and marking tools.  I have attempted needleturn applique before

and struggled with it but was able to complete my first flower

at home, even after drinking a couple of glasses of wine.
Check out the Western Quilters Circle blog.

Weekend activites

After a lot of procrastination, I did start quilting my mystery quilt.

I started in the middle and went out one side.  I discovered I can't quilt in a 

straight line but it doesn't matter as I am trying to do all over quilting.

Some of my leaves are a bit wonky but so far I am pleased with my effort.

I was determined to finish something while on leave

 so I  abandoned my mystery quilt to complete my

"Posy Basket"

Free Motion quilting

I have bought the backing and batting for my mystery quilt.

I have read several books on free motion quilting

and 

I have pinned the quilt ready for quilting.

I have even practiced some free motion quilting.

Now I have to get brave and start the quilting.

Posy Basket so far

I completed my Posy Basket top for WQC meeting

Tuesday night.
I forgot to do the circle in the central flower so will have to do that before

quilting it.  Here are the photos displayed in a digital scrapbook

using My Memories Software

Elegance

The WQC 12x12 challenge this month is elegance.

This is a doily that Nanna Halberg made.  It has been used and 

is precious to me so even though it is stained, I decided to preserve it

and use it for this challenge.  I have added some brooches.  A couple of

them came from my other grandmother; Nana Mawson.

This 12x12 challenge is in memory of my 2 grandmothers.

My Memories Suite

Check out My Memories Suite

Do you have digital photos that need displaying?

Go to this site to check out this great software.  You could win a 

copy of the software simply by commenting on my blog.  See below for how to enter.

Here is part of the album I created using the scrapbook software.

Hamilton Quilt and Craft Show, 8th Sep 2011

All you need to do is check out the My Memories Suite and then comment

on my blog with your favourite digital paper pack.  

Borders on

I went to Dream girls on Friday and most of the mystery quilts were revealed.

One was even quilted and others were at various stages.

It was fun seeing them all and amazing how different the same pattern 

can look in different sizes and colour combinations.

Here is mine with the borders on.  I am really pleased with the border fabric.

It wasn't in the sale but it was perfect for the quilt so had to have it.

Now to decide if I am up to quilting this one myself and if so how to quilt it.

It looks like it should have an all over design. 

What do others think?

Mystery Quilt unveiled

On my days off I finished all 13 blocks to complete my mystery quilt

 I love it.  Thanks Wendy for designing such a beautiful quilt.

And my piecing is pretty good too.

Mystery Quilt

The mystery quilt is coming along now.  I started making block 2 today.

Block 2

A few of the blocks laid together.  It is beautiful and I love it.

Fire Challenge

The Latest WQC 12x12 Challenge was "Fire"

Here is mine.  Check out the others at WQC or Netty blogs.

A Sewing day with my nieces

In the school holidays, Ashleigh and Maddy came to do some sewing with me.

This time we did hand sewing.  We made felt pin cushions using a pattern

 designed Wendy Oswin from Quilters Dream.

Here is Maddy with hers.  They came with their own felt.  I always like to see different peoples colour combinations.  Both were really good. 

WQC UFO day

We had another UFO day last Saturday and I worked

on my mystery quilt.

I really enjoy these days as you can spread out, don't have 

to make tea and coffee and meals for the family

and you get to talk to like minded people.

Here is the first block of my mystery quilt completed.

I can't wait until next month when the next block is revealed.

Chook Pincushion

I made this pin cushion from a free pattern on the internet. 

 I didn't have any red felt and saw an Anzac poppy on the table

so used that.  There wasn't a pattern for the wattle, beak

and comb.

Latest Projects

I have several projects on the go and this is what I have been

working on recently.

I have been keeping up to date with the blocks for the 

mystery quilt I am doing through Dream Girls

at Quilters Dream.

While in Palmerston North, I fell in love with this block of the month

from The Cloth Shop
"A Kittens Tale" designed by Lynette Anderson
 This is a great project as it has applique, piecing and stitchery.

Mum's Quilt

It was Mum's 75th birthday on the 28th May.

I had a quilt top I had made from a jellyroll I bought from

Grandmother's Garden and Mum had admired it.

So I decided I would finish it for her birthday.

Here it is completed.  "My Home Town"

 Jake giving a helping paw!

Tote and Gloat

Annette and I went to Feilding to stay with Liz.

We went to Tote and Gloat which is held annually

by the Rose City Quilters.

I made my Nursery Rhyme block for the Raffle Challenge.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

I talked Annette in to making a block too.

Here are all the blocks.

The blocks were then voted for and

Annette won with her block "Higgledy Piggedly"

Liz told me to bring some quilts down so I did.  I didn't realise

I would be part of the Show.

Here is Liz's and my Fairy "Halberg Challenge" hung together.

Liz set this Halberg Challenge.

This years Hoffman Challenge was on display and here 

a couple of them.

Hobby Sack

The first project of the year from Dream Girls was a 

Hobby Sack.

I finally made it at Easter and it is wonderful for

carrying projects and keeping everything tidy.

The other side.  I bought the kitset which had everything

needed to make this cute bag.