To dream to stitch

An Explanation

2012-01-05T17:59:00.000Z

One or two people have asked me why I use my Blogger ID, rather than my Wordpress one, when I am commenting on blogs so I thought that perhaps I had better explain. Much as I love my Wordpress blog and would never dream of going back to Blogger there are two disadvantages.

One is that if I comment using my Wordpress ID, from what I understand, it is not possible to respond to that comment as my email address does not show. That is why I use Blogger, to make it easier for all you lovely people who want to reply to my comments.

The second reason that I keep this blog open is because I can add your blog to my blog list and then I know immediately when you have added a new post to your blog. I can do this on Wordpress but it is a slow process so I just swing by here every day to see what you have been up to.

It is easy enough to follow my Wordpress blog should you want to. Just go here and type your email address into the box on the left that says Email Subscription. That way you will be notified each time I post, hopefully a little more often this year but you still won't be overwhelmed!

Hope you all have a great 2012 whether you subscribe to my blog or not.

Maggi

Goodbye Blogger

2010-10-27T20:55:00.002+01:00

I have finally decided to close down this blog and simply continue with my Wordpress blog. This one will disappear for ever in a couple of weeks time. For those of you who do want to follow me and get my blog updates, you can subscribe. If you don't want my blog posts cluttering up your Inbox I wish you farewell, thank you for your company and hope that you keep on enjoying your creative journey.

Maggi

Lots of bits

2010-10-20T22:26:00.001+01:00

I have a new post on my blog which you can read here

Bag Lady

2010-10-05T22:58:00.000+01:00

I have posted on my other blog is you want to follow the link

Trichomonosis

2010-09-22T17:56:00.000+01:00

Do you have fluffy lethargic greenfinches in your garden? If you do the chances are that they have a disease called Trichomonosis which is caused by a parasite. It has decimated an otherwise healthy population in my garden and apparently is rife across the country. This is a link to the RSPB page which provides information on what happens and what you can do to stop it spreading.

A much shorter post

2010-09-19T19:02:00.000+01:00

is on my other blog here

Catching up

2010-09-14T19:08:00.000+01:00

There is another post on my Wordpress blog. I almost forgot to add the link via this blog but you can always subscribe by email ( see the link on the sidebar of my other blog) which means that you will get an email every time I publish a new post. For those of you who follow me regularly you know that you will, therefore, NOT be inundated with emails. Incidentally have you all come across the way in which Google reader can be customised? It means that you can read any new posts on Blogger blogs that you follow really easily and quickly and you are able to have the comments available too? Thanks to Jackie of Dog Daisy Chains I have whittled down the time I spend looking for new posts by a lot by following this tutorial. I may be preaching to the converted but it is new to me and I like anything that saves me time.

Journal finished and a walk amongst the lions

2010-08-18T19:57:00.000+01:00

A new post on my main blog is here

Brief update

2010-08-05T15:46:00.000+01:00

There is a brief update on my fabric painting class, my Mystery Monday quilt and my thread booklet on my Wordpress blog if you feel like taking a look.

Playing with Paint

2010-07-29T13:22:00.000+01:00

I have added a new post on my Wordpress blog if you care to visit.

Lots of bits

2010-07-19T19:37:00.001+01:00

A new blog post on my proper blog is here, if you would care to pay a visit

Very hot = stay off the computer

2010-07-14T12:57:00.000+01:00

I have just posted on my other blog if you would like to follow the link here

Mystery Monday update

2010-06-21T16:48:00.000+01:00

Mystery Monday update is Here

Postcards and samples.

2010-06-20T17:51:00.000+01:00

Another new post on my other blog if you would like to pay a visit.

An end, beginnings, a camel and sheep

2010-06-18T10:08:00.000+01:00

Intrigued? You will need to go to my Wordpress blog for more.

A lesson learned?

2010-06-11T11:52:00.002+01:00

Jut posted on Wordpress blog

See what you missed.

2010-06-05T18:12:00.000+01:00

A slide show of the open day at Stone Station is now showing here

New quilt and an advert for Stone Station Open Day

2010-06-04T18:42:00.001+01:00

Lots of new things on my other blog. If you would like to take a look go here

Hot and I love it.

2010-05-23T22:05:00.000+01:00

New post at To Dream to Stitch Wordpress blog

Orphans and UFOs

2010-05-03T18:22:00.000+01:00

I have created a new post on my other blog and there is also a tutorial for the Lotus books if anyone is interested.

Maggi

Addictive little books and failed aversion therapy.

2010-04-28T15:12:00.001+01:00

Now showing over in my Wordpress blog if you want to take a look.

Maggi

How time flies

2010-04-25T12:15:00.002+01:00

New post on Wordpress blog

This and that

2010-04-13T22:18:00.002+01:00

New post on my Wordpress blog

Quilts in the Garden Part II

2010-04-11T19:11:00.000+01:00

Now showing on my other blog here

Quilts in the Garden

2010-04-09T22:56:00.000+01:00

I have posted a slideshow of some of the quilts on my other blog. Please follow this link if you would like to take a look To Dream to Stitch

Books and bits

2010-04-04T14:24:00.002+01:00

New post now on my Wordpress blog at http://maggi21.wordpress.com/

I am leaving Blogger

2010-03-31T18:24:00.001+01:00

After the fiasco with Picasa making photos on most blogs invisible earlier in the week I have decided to go over to Wordpress and see how it goes. I am not closing this blog down entirely as I have not yet discovered how to get alerts to your new posts yet so will have to pop back here on a daily basis. My first impressions are that it is much easier to work with, particularly regarding photos, and I like the clean lines.

For the time being I will just put up a link on here each time I create a new post, which will take you straight to it. I have asked for your input though as I am still in two minds.

The new blog is here - same name, different look.

I hope that some of you will pop over and see me but whatever you decide enjoy what you are creating.

Maggi

Eat your hearts out Chris and Kate

2010-03-28T10:34:00.000+01:00

There are certain advantages to finishing work at three o'clock in the morning, not least the fact that there is no traffic on the way home but this morning I discovered a whole new one. When I arrived home I started to watch a programme that I had recorded, while trying to decide whether to go to bed or stay up and watch the Grand Prix. I was about thirty minutes into the programme when the cat started to behave oddly so I looked out of the window thinking that there might be another cat lurking and upsetting him. It wasn't a cat that I saw but two badgers, munching their way through the bird food that was still on the lawn! These creatures are supposed to be easily startled, but not these two. They ignored the fact that there was a very excited female standing peering through the patio door, fully lit, and were completely unfazed when I rushed upstairs to get my camera and opened the bedroom window to take a couple of photos, complete with flash. Unfortunately the quality of the photos is not good and the battery died after the second one but I feel very privileged to have had the company of these nocturnal visitors.

I think that maybe a decent camera should be next on my wish list!

For anyone who is wondering about the title, over here in England we have a regular series of programmes called Autumnwatch and Springwatch during which, amongst other things, they try desperately to present glimpses of badgers with carefully concealed cameras, often to no avail. The presenters are Chris Packham and Kate Humble.

Apologies too to any farmers reading this as I do appreciate that they are not your favourite animals but this was an event that I really wanted to share.

Nothing creative to show at the moment as I have been working on my show quilt and so can't reveal that just yet.

Until next time enjoy whatever you are doing at whatever time of the day or night.

Maggi

Why I love to dye silk

2010-03-20T13:18:00.000Z

It seems to be a long time since the last post and much of my time has been spent dyeing and working. I did several loads of acid dyed silks and viscose wool felt, mainly because I just love dyeing silk for the effects that it creates but also I needed something suitable for an embellisher-made bag swap.

Medium weight habotai

Various silk sheers

Silk tops

And because I was going to be using the embellisher, I threw in some viscose wool felt.

I liked the piece that I made for the bag so much that I came very close to keeping it and turning it into a piece for the wall but I stuck to my original aim and made a bag for Cath. I am glad that I did now as she loves it and so it has gone to a good home

The original fabric

and the bag ...

Just because I had the fabrics out I also made another wrapfolio and a postcard.

This month's Technique of the Month was overpainting fabric with metallic paint. As I had a pretty unprepossessing piece of fabric that had not dyed well, I decided to use that and it certainly improved it although I can't say that I love it.

The same group that is doing the bag swap have also been doing a bookmark and quiltie swap. These are the bookmarks that I received from Jytte, Angela and Marian. Now I can enjoy reading lots of books at once.

This is the quiltie that I made for Joan, again using silk and felt and with the flowers and leaves made from thermogauze

If you have managed to get down this far, can I recommend a beautiful book to you by Virginia Spiegel, 'Wild at the Edges'. This has the most beautiful images and thought provoking and inspiring narrative. For those of you who have been considering that they might have a book in them, this one is self-published by Blurb and I was surprised at the excellent quality. If you want to have a peek inside the book go to Virginia's blog.

Last but not least I managed to win myself some fabric last week from Just Hands On TV, just for being a subscriber. Do check out the site. You can get there by clicking on the logo on my side bar.

I'll try not to take so long before the next posting, so until then, enjoy whatever you are doing.

Maggi

A really mixed bag

2010-03-02T20:20:00.001Z

Another sunny and warm day today. Dare we hope that Spring is finally here? I decided to take the opportunity to drive over to Eccleshall in Staffordshire to visit Gallery@12 to buy some of Angela Smith's jewellery that I had seen on her blog. It is a beautiful gallery with so many lovely things all made by Staffordshire artists, well worth a visit and, if you are a quilter and go on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, Pollyanna Patchwork's shop is directly opposite. I decided to avoid that added temptation! I was not, however, able to resist the temptation to buy a gorgeous matching bracelet and earrings. It was really good to meet Angela also who happened to be working in the shop today. I just love the way that blogland can lead us to new people.

Saturday was another Chris and Barbara class but this time at Stone Station and with Barbara trying to keep us in order on her own. It is a lovely venue, recently refurbished and very light and airy - just don't try talking as the trains go by, or even as they stop. Yes, it is still a working station. The class was Reversible Runners, creating both sides of the block at the same time so they only have to be sewn together with binding afterwards and it is finished. I decided that mine looked better as a square and Barbara also decided that I should make it into a larger piece as a star. "You just need to do another twelve blocks" she said! I have to admit that I do like it and so will get on and do the twelve blocks although it may mean dyeing some more fabrics. Photos of everyone's work is on their blog so do head over and take a look. It was a very small and pleasant group and we all worked so hard that lunch was very short and I even forgot about the biscuits, although there was cake near the end.

The right side

The reverse side

I am currently taking part in a Birthday Club through the Popular Patchwork Forum. There are 24 of us and it involves sending a card and a piece of fabric, designated by the host mum Jan. I got a lovely selection of purple fabrics and some gorgeous cards.

Although it is hard to single out any one card, this one from Kerstin from Germany is awesome.

And another card received today from Jo as part of a Quilting Together one-to-one swap.

I love this, it reminds me of the way that the sun tracks through the sky.

While I was suffering from my cold recently I had a craving for some crisps, not something I normally eat but I think it is the salt thing when you have a cold. Round about the same time I happened across a post by Lynda Monk about crisp packets and decided to give it a try. I can't remember exactly what I did use although I know I got out the Gesso, acrylic paint, writing ink and Lumiere paint. What an amazing result, and yet another way to recycle!

I even managed to find time to make another wrapfolio and a couple of ATCs. Two of these wrapfolios have now gone to good homes.

To those of you who have been wishing me well with my Classical Greek studies, I apologise but I decided yesterday that I am not going to continue. I have been getting excellent grades in the assignments and I understand the language as we are progressing but ... and it is a big but, I simply cannot retain the vocabulary. We are not allowed to use a dictionary in the exam and the vocabulary list that we are going to have to know is huge. It has been causing me quite a lot of stress lately and I always said that if I stopped enjoying my studies then there was no point in going on with them. I don't need the qualification and was just doing it out of interest so having made the decision to withdraw, I still have all the course books and can just plod along at my own pace with no pressure. I did agonise a lot over the decision, feeling of failure etc, but now that it is made I feel a huge sense of relief and can at least devote more time to creativity.

So until the next time, find enjoyment in whatever you are doing.

Maggi

Dyeing and other bits.

2010-02-19T19:26:00.000Z

A very quick post tonight as I need to go and eat soon. Up for work at 5 am tomorrow so I don't like to eat too late.

The dyeing didn't turn out too badly. Certainly I have got plenty to play with for a while.

All dyed in the same container.

Backing for my Trentham entry

There are some people who don't like to cut into hand dyed fabric or don't think that they will work in more traditional settings. I say go for it. and just to show that they can work in traditional blocks I have made up Chris and Barbara's three sampler blocks using the fabric in the top picture and some cream cotton sateen. The patterns are on their website so do take a look - you might even find some classes that you fancy, all come highly recommended

Carrie Nation Block

Clay's Choice block

Old Maid's Puzzle block

While it snowing yesterday (all gone today but more forecast) I made some postcards and ATCs as I had some painted batting left over. I also found a piece that I had done with transfer paints at a workshop at Husqvarna several years ago so that got cut up and made into postcards as well.

I am feeling frustrated as my machine isn't back yet. I think they are waiting until a couple of attachments that I ordered arrive as they know I have a long way to travel. Trouble is I want to get started on the quilting for my Trentham entry and my nice big table does not fit this one. I can see that it's going to be a last minute thing again.

Hope you all have a good weekend and that the snow doesn't create the chaos that it did last time around.

Maggi

TOM a little late

2010-02-17T20:35:00.000Z

I was a bit late finishing the Three Creative Studios Technique of the Month for January, largely because I forgot how long things take to dry in this weather. The technique was painted batting. I have tried several different kinds. This one was cotton/bamboo mix and I used Adirondack sprays on it. As you can see from the photograph it looks pretty unremarkable.

However, it became transformed when I foiled it, added some soya silk, covered it with dyed silk chiffon and quilted it. It is a dream to work with.

Well, I couldn't stop there could I so I made up a mini wrapfolio, and liked it so much that I just had to make another one. Same batting but with gold foil instead of copper. I am missing my machine which is still in Sheffield as it has some gorgeous automatic patterns on it. I can't complain though as this one has done its stuff.

I rather think this could become addictive. I have four more pieces of batting painted and ready to embellish. Thank you Sue, Terri and Vicki for a great site.

I have also done a load of dyeing today, nothing to show as it is all sitting in the garage overnight.

I hope that you are having as much fun as I am at the moment. Don't worry, it won't last as I'm back to work on Saturday.

Maggi

Back home from its travels.

2010-02-14T20:11:00.001Z

Almost a year ago I sent an embellished piece off to Australia for the Connections Challenge that Dale Rollerson of the Thread Studio had organised. It didn't win anything but is well-travelled and has been seen by many people along the way. The other day the piece arrived home with a lovely selection of rayon threads as a thank you for entering. I had forgotten to take a photo of the finished piece before I sent it off so I am now able to show it fully finished.

The Stitching Tree

These are the threads that came with the piece

"I will help you to arrange them"

"Why do you want threads anyway, you got me?"

The threads ...

Things seem to have been quite felty lately. I made some pieces of Nuno felt the other day (a good way to keep warm), dyed them and was also able to throw in some left over pieces of silk which now coordinate nicely. I love the way the different silks produce varying textures.

The felts

The silks

I have some ideas for a project, albeit a small one for the felt but I can't reveal it at the moment as it may well become a swap.

I know that journaling is something that many of you out there do on a regular basis but I am a real procrastinator when it comes to using sketchbooks etc. I tend to launch straight into the stitching and see where it takes me. Myfanwy Hart has set up a blog about journals and so I decided that while my trusty Bernina is having a service (I can't believe that it gave me an actual message telling me to contact my dealer!) I would do something that didn't require too much in the way of stitching. A quick dabble last night produced several pages and some lovely pieces of paper that will come in handy sometime.

In the post from Jan this week was my ATC. It is a beautiful rainbow of pleated sheers.

My order from the Thread Studio, along with some used Shiva sticks also arrived. I didn't take a photo of the latter but they are going to be really useful as none of them are colour that I have already.

And last, but by no means least, just before started this blog post I was browsing through the ones that I follow and discovered hat I had won Jan's giveaway which is a beautiful bag, so thanks again to Jan.

Thank you too to all of your good wishes over my cold. It has now gone thank you.

Nothing more for now so enjoy being creative until next time.

Maggi

ATC swap

2010-02-08T14:27:00.000Z

I have recently joined a small Yahoo group and as a starting point we decided to do an ATC swap. I had forgotten how enjoyable these can be. I decided to use a quilted sampler that I had made ages ago which I had then painted with metallic paint and added a reactive solution. The addition of some beads and some previously worked Tyvek was all that was needed. Not only fun but all recycled.

To Angela

To Jo

From Fiona

I think that this was Fiona's first venture into ATCs and it is really lovely.

You may remember that I started a curved log cabin hanging in a class with Janice Gunner some time ago. That has now finally been finished. I decided that all it needed for the quilting was a curved line around the strips of the blocks and a sort of wavy square spiral pattern in the border. It was all quick to do and is now hanging in my work room. I found it very difficult to photograph and it doesn't show the quilting. Must go back to my camera manual.

That is really all I have managed to do since the last posting owing to work and what, at one time, seemed like a cold but now appears to be more like flu. I have been trying to read blogs but it has been an effort and certainly my ability to comment has been spasmodic. Still, I know that I will recover and it is a minor event compared to what others are suffering at the moment.

Enjoy creating and stay healthy.

Maggi

When it's cold, grey and wet, make felt.

2010-01-25T22:20:00.002Z

Both the pieces are Nuno felt but the blue piece is made with silk organza and the other with silk chiffon.

I made the mistake of using some Lanarte Sumo wool with the chiffon, not realising it was only 50% wool and so I struggled to get it to felt. Have to say that the texture has turned out really well although it doesn't show it in the photo. And all this because I went to a bag making class on Saturday with Chris and Barbara. We made a basic tote first and then should have moved on to a more intricate bag in the afternoon. The trouble was that I spent too much time on the quilting of my tote so didn't get started on the second although I realised that it was an ideal project in which to use felt - hence making a start on the felt today. There are photos of the class and the bags that were made if you follow the link to Chris and Barbara's blog. I have said it before but these classes take you back to the real joy of quilting and are excellent value for money if you live close enough and if you don't live close enough - travel!

This is the tote, together with a padded heart with hare that I made last week from a Tone Finnanger pattern. The assistant in the RSPB shop was most impressed when I used it today and everything except 2 x 12.5kg sacks went into it!

... and close up of the amount of quilting I did.

You may remember the book I purchased recently by Charlotte Ziebarth. I couldn't resist having a play with her techniques and made a cover for a small sketchbook.

Good fun and it also gave me a chance to play with some of the automatic patterns on my machine.

I joined Dale's Holey Moley class before Christmas but seem to have had little time to get anything done. except a piece from one of the layers classes. I have used the technique before but like the results. I used a heat gun on the right hand side of the piece and a soldering iron on the left hand side. There is virtually no difference except that the soldering iron allows for more precise control of the burning and the heat gun is much quicker.

I really should stop enrolling in classes unless I have the time to give them my undivided attention. I also enrolled for Susan Sorrell's Fertile Earth class. I haven't even finished the first lesson yet in which we had to use a vegetable as our source. Mine went from this ...

to this ...

and finally to this, which is still in progress and requires a lot more stitching plus some beads I think ...

Bet you wouldn't have guessed it was celery if I hadn't shown the first photo.

My only other news is that if it snows again I will be able to get up and down my road and my drive. I got so fed up over the last cold spell that I finally decided to exchange by lovely BMW (sob, sob) for an All Wheel Drive car. I was going to show you a photo but it is black and it is dark outside. My window cleaner was most impressed today that I had bought a "Scooby". (I just need the right kind of baseball cap and drug dealer connections to go with it - only joking, honest!) I thought that I might have made the biggest mistake of my life but I love it - it's fast and fun!

Having bored you for long enough I should now go and try to get some actual sewing done.

Enjoy your creativity.

Maggi

Bits and Pieces.

2010-01-09T15:14:00.000Z

I actually managed to get the car out yesterday and go out for some essentials - mainly the cat's fish and fresh veg. Since then it has been snowing off and on again with more forecast for tomorrow and Monday. The one advantage that this weather has had is that it has given me plenty of time to watch the antics of the garden birds who have been arriving in droves and eating me out of house and home. The only time that the blackbirds seem to stop squabbling is when the starlings turn up - perhaps that is down to those very sharp pointy beaks. Apologies for the quality of the photos but I was taking it from inside and it was snowing.

I love the way that this one bird just didn't seem to notice that all the others had been startled by something.

I did some colour and line sketching the other day and decided to experiment by transferring them into stitch. This one was done by using two similar rayon threads through the needle (except for the red) and is something that could possibly be developed further.

It may, however, have to wait a while as this came in the post today ...

I think that I may be in for some serious playtime!

Create well.

Maggi

Well it made me laugh

2010-01-05T21:04:00.002Z

For all those of you out there who are disappearing under ever-increasing depths of snow, I found this on a couple of TQS blogs today. I had had to walk a mile down to the town to do some urgent shopping, (which turned out to be quite heavy), only to discover that the bus was not going to go up our hill for my return journey - it was too slippery! At least I was able to use it to get up the first hill. I then found this cartoon which made me chuckle so I thought that I would share it with you.

The postman made it, the milkman made it but no sign of the bin men and no sign of anyone filling our grit boxes, which ran out last week. I suppose that all the walking will keep me fit.

Nothing much to show on the creative side except a postcard for the PP swap (another reason for going down to the town today). The subject this month is imaginary holidays. I have always wanted to go to Norway and I would also love to spend time studying wolves so what better imaginary holiday than combining the two?

If you are up for a challenge, why not check out Shelagh Folgate's blog. She did a couple last year and although I was only able to join in with the first it was good fun. You have until the beginning of February to sign up.

Have a good time being creative, and if you are likely to be snowed in, make sure that you have plenty of sewing supplies.

Maggi

PS. For those of you who are regular readers I have changed the comments setting to moderation but only because that is a quicker way to respond to those of you who are kind enough to leave comments - nothing more sinister than that.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T12:29:00.000Z

Here' wishing all of you everything that is good in 2010.

I am even keeping up my resolution to blog more regularly, at least when I have something to blog about.

My theme of red kites for the Popular Patchwork Square Dance mini quilts continues. The technique for this month was freeform cutting. As this is something I have done for years I decided that I would include the use of embossed metal pieces and some feathers made form vanishing muslin (which I believe is now called Thermogauze). I was really please with the way they turned out and also with not having to wash away soluble fabric and then dry the piece!

Also finished was the last of my JQs, this time using sheers. Took me a long time to get this one done as it was not my favourite technique.

On the more traditional quilting side I am doing a block of the month called Sampler of Psalms. Block one was the Tree of Life.

... and block two is Birds In The Air

I am not going to buy anything new for this project so hopefully I can finish it with fabrics that have been languishing in my stash for many years.

Deciding that resolutions are usually made to be broken I have decided, like some others of you out there to set myself goals for 2010. One is to do something creative every day and another is to make sure that I do some of my OU work every day. I have been somewhat lax in this lately and now have to try to remember the vocabulary that I have already done. So off to try to do some of both of the above.

Until next time, happy creativity.

Maggi

Happy Christmas

2009-12-21T11:07:00.004Z

I hope that all of you bloggers and your families out there have a lovely Christmas and that 2010 brings you all that you wish for.

It has been a while since I posted and whilst I haven't managed to be truly creative I have managed to get all my Christmas presents made. These beautiful felt hearts are filled with sweets and were made following a pattern that Linda provided. I had to adapt it to half size as I hadn't got any felt big enough but I still think they look lovely.

In a previous post I was making cones to distribute to all of my shift as we are all working on Christmas day. Jackie was interested in seeing them completed so here is just one of them, filled with chocolates and ready to go. It was a little difficult to photograph as they are all wrapped in cellophane.

I've also received some lovely surprises in the post. Thank you so much to both Ros and Angela

From Ros

From Angela

Throughout the year I have been involved in the Popular Patchwork monthly Journal Quilts. I still have one to go but we are now in the 2010 challenge which is called Square Dance and involves making 10" square mini quilts. The first technique was right up my street as it was printing images onto fabric and I got carried away and made 4!! See my obsession with Red Kites surfacing here?

The Popular Patchwork postcard swap has also been in full swing.

Fireworks from Jan

Toys from Jan

Fireworks from me to Irene

Toys from me to Sue

And finally on the PP front, one of the Forum members is currently having treatment for breast cancer so a group of us made blocks all involving flowers and in her favourite colours. The pattern for this block is from a series called Shabby Roses from Jenny.

After trying to clear the drive yesterday, and having it fill up with snow again ten minutes after I came back in I decided that it was time to make a slip cover for this year's diary (yes I do mean 2009!)

Front

Back

... at least that got me going with the free motion quilting again - nice way to practise and to use up some of the fabric strips that were left over after piecing the kaleidoscope quilt.

I don't normally make New Year resolutions but this year I am going to make an exception and try to do a weekly blog post. I have enjoyed reading everyone else's so much over the past year even if I haven't always commented.

I hope that you all have a truly wonderful Christmas whether you are sewing, chilling out, enjoying being with family or even working. See you in 2010

Maggi

Loss of direction

2009-12-02T16:46:00.000Z

I had a lovely surprise in the post today, my PIF gift from Jan. It is a beautiful trapunto quilted bag and postcard. Thanks so much Jan, I really love it. I will be announcing my PIF in the new year.

On a non-creative theme, I do try to shop local but unfortunately my local independent health food shop has been taken over by Holland and Barratt. They have stopped stocking most of the items that I used to buy there in favour of their own brand so I have been forced to travel further afield to Ashbourne. I usually combine a trip there with a visit to replenish supplies at the RSPB shop at Carsington Water which makes it more economical. Yesterday, however, having shopped for the birds and my healthy essentials, I remembered that there is a lovely shop called Equatorial in Ashbourne that I have not visited for some time so, as I had plenty of parking time left, I decided to have a look around. It is one of those shops that only sells Fair Trade ethnic items so I didn't feel too guilty. It was, I should add, the coldest day of the winter so far and as I don't have a warm jacket the temptation to purchase a Nepalese wool jacket was just too great to resist. I think the beautiful patterns also may have had something to do with it.

At least I will be warm (and visible) this winter!

I ought to address the reason for the title of this post I suppose. I feel, at the moment, that I have lost direction in my creative work. I realised that when I decided to try out a Ricky Tims-style kaleidoscope hanging.

This is yet another quilty piece that I have started but is, as yet, unfinished. I have never been one to have loads of UFOs lying around but now they seem to be stacking up. I wonder if this is because I have been leaning towards more pieced items, not something I normally enjoy doing, rather than the art quilts that I do enjoy. It seems like a vicious circle as well because I feel guilty at having unfinished items lying around which prevents me from starting on other designs. Maybe it's just that the days are short and dark. Who knows. I'll be sure to let you know if I get my inspiration back.

Until then I hope that your inspiration is keeping you company.

Maggi

UFOs

2009-11-22T17:43:00.000Z

Studying is taking up most of my time at the moment but I have managed to do some sewing along the way.

As I, and the rest of my shift, will be working over the whole of Christmas I thought it would be a nice idea to make some cones to fill with goodies to eat while we are are at work. They don't photograph too well as they are rather glitzy and obviously have to be sewn up but I think that you will get the idea.

A couple of weeks ago I went on a peg loom weaving workshop at the Threshing Barn. Not only was the workshop good but we had a wonderful home-made lunch in the farmhouse. The piece has yet to be finished but it will be!

And finally I have just got the setting triangles onto the curved pinwheel quilt. It's a little foreshortened in the photo as it is longer than the available space on my design wall. I now have to decide whether the next border should be with whole blocks ...

... or half blocks?

Any opinions will be noted.

I do apologise for not commenting on many of your blogs lately, be assured that I have been reading.

Happy sewing

Maggi

More curves

2009-10-20T22:22:00.001+01:00

I had a lot of fun at Saturday's workshop with Barbara Chainey and Chris Franses but then again that is the joy of their workshops in that learning is made to be a great deal of fun, oh and did I mention the chocolate biscuits! It was a different take on curves than the log cabin, this time creating pinwheel blocks in the morning and then free-cut nine patch blocks in the afternoon. I got all my morning blocks done but had to finish my nine patch blocks as 'homework'. Can't believe how quickly 32 blocks came together. I decided to set my pinwheels on point and add a wonky square border as the start to a full size quilt.

I'm sort of making decisions as I go along so watch this space...

The free-cut nine patches have ended up like this

They are going to be re-cut and re-sewn (what is it about quilters wanting to cut up and re-sew fabric!) and will be used in the quilt although just how I am not sure.

I have got myself organised into doing machining during the day and handwork at nights and, to assist with keeping things together and not placing pins where either the cat or I can sit on them, I made myself a sewing thing to go over the arm of the settee. The pattern is courtesy of Amy and can be found here. She has a lovely blog which is well worth a visit. I decided to be very lazy and just use the fabric as it was rather than piece it.

Very handy as it has pockets on either side as well as the pincushion on top.

My current hand sewing is embroidering the free designs from the Gum tree blog. I have done the first two but they are yet to be added to anything. Yet more UFOs

Very nice little projects for what are becoming quite cold nights. I think that winter may be ushering autumn out. Hopefully I will be able to get some embellished or woven backgrounds done for some hand stitching soon.

I have also been reorganising my workroom which was beginning to look as though a bomb had hit it. I decided to invest in some 'Really Useful Boxes' and now, hopefully I can be a little more tidy and spend less time hunting for things. Having said that I have been searching for a pile of colour catchers that I have hidden away somewhere but can't find which box they are in! This is the 'after' photo. I suppose that I should have taken a 'before' one but I forgot.

Nothing else for now so happy stitching.

Maggi

Congratulations Brawn GP

2009-10-18T22:53:00.000+01:00

If Ferrari can't do it, I can't think of a more deserving person than Ross Brawn

New TV programme

2009-10-15T14:56:00.003+01:00

Talking Threads has just launched on the Country Channel and for those of us who do not have Sky it is also available to watch online. The first programme was silk painting by Jill Kennedy and it is well worth watching. Just follow the link if you want to watch it online.

I have received some lovely things in the mail over the last couple of days, the first of which was some fabric and thread from Dawn Hay in Australia. Dawn is one of the Gum Tree designers and sent a thank-you to a number of people who commented on her giveaway winner. Thank you Dawn, now I will be able to start my Gum Tree Christmas designs. Just look at that beautiful card as well.

My other surprise mailing has also come from Australia and it is my Friendship Bag swap. This was from Rebecca and included some fabric, an Australian magazine and some hand made soap . The soap contains olive, coconut and macademia oils and lavender and palmaress essential oil. It smells absolutely beautiful. Thank you Bec.

A few posts ago I mentioned that I had bought a peg loom from The Threshing Barn. Yesterday I decided to try it out. Not being sure how to start and finish it I did a small piece and then threw it under the embellisher. It has turned out quite well and with some added stitching could be heading for a small notebook wrap.

The result of this was a desire to learn more about the loom and so I duly headed off to the Threshing Barn to book in for a workshop in early November. I defy anyone to go in there and come out empty handed!

I even found these lovely buttons. The ones on the left are from the 1930s and were languishing in a box in a factory when they were found and offered to those of us who cannot resist such things.

The dragonfly button has come in really handy for a mug carrier that I have made using a pattern by Paula Storm. I don't really need to take a mug to the workshops that I attend so it will come in handy for keeping things tidy in my workspace.

A little worrying on the Royal Mail front is that the postcard for the latest Popular Patchwork swap and my first OU assignment, that were both posted on Saturday, do not yet appear to have arrived. The postcard theme was Harvest Festival and as I don't think that Alyson is a blogger I will add it to this post. It is foiled felt with a paper napkin embellished onto it then embroidered by machine hand and with some beads added.

The good news is that my teacup block for the Popular Patchwork 2012 quilt did arrive promptly. The background fabric is some Liberty lawn fabric that I had left over after making a blouse almost 30 years ago. The blouse eventually fell apart after excessive use.

Finally, I really must get around to making something to hang in my workroom window. Every time the window cleaner has been, one of the collared doves decides to do a kamikaze lunge at the window, leaving me with its outline for the next month. It doesn't seem to injure itself but is obviously not learning its lesson. Not the brightest dove in the flock!

Until next time, happy sewing

Maggi

In between the studies

2009-10-09T16:02:00.001+01:00

Today I received the Summertime quilt from my swap partner Meg Haskins in North Carolina. This is Meg's first time in a swap and she chose to do a piece from 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which is, I think my most favourite book of all time. Thank you so much Meg, I love it.

It also came in a beautiful hand-painted hessian bag. The cardinal is the state bird of North Carolina and the Pine is the state tree. I was actually very relieved when the postman knocked on the door this morning, (even though he caught me in disarray, having just stepped out of the shower) as we are having postal problems in the UK at the moment.

I managed to get two more blocks done for the curved log cabin hanging that I mentioned in the last post. This is now another UFO that needs quilting.

If you scrolled down far enough you may have noticed that I have a button for Paula Storm's BOM 'It's a Hoot'. I have just finished the second one of these and decided that I would make small hangings from them. They are simply fused onto Pelmet vilene and edged with satin stitch. A lovely addition to my kitchen. These are lovely little designs that are really handy to sit and do in the evening, or even at work during my break. Paula is one of the 'Among the Gum Trees' designers and if you have not yet checked out their site yet, do pay them a visit, either through the link here or the button on my side bar.

Finally the second pincushion which will be going to my cousin on Sunday for her birthday. Both sides.

The Greek continues apace and my first assignment is due in on the 15th so that is all for now.

Enjoy your sewing wherever you are.

Maggi

Workshop overload.

2009-09-30T21:35:00.012+01:00

I haven't had much time to blog of late as I have had four workshops in the last ten days, plus a friend visiting from France so I could not get to my computer which was in her bedroom. I will try to keep this short and 'photofull'.

I went to a workshop with Ferret 10 days ago and spent the most of the time cutting out tiny skinny triangles to produce this:-

It needs a little more quilting adding to cover the few spots where the background shows through and then the binding added. I like the effect but not a technique I think that I will try again in a hurry.

Last Saturday I went to a workshop with Barbara Chainey and Chris Franses called Walking Round in Circles. What a fun day and the really good thing about this technique is that it is when the circles are sewn together it is finished, no edges to bind etc.. If ever you get chance to attend one of their workshops do go as they are both great teachers. This will eventually be a table runner when I get time to do some more blocks. First of all the wrong side.

And then the right side.

We even got a free template to do the circles with which came in very useful for the cake that was produced in the afternoon - a Wedgewood plate no less. I meant to add a photo of the plate but my camera battery has just gone on charge. I have just added the link to their site and checked it out and the photo of the workshop is on the home page!!

On Monday and Tuesday I had the opportunity to do a couple of workshops with Janice Gunner at my local quilt shop Quiltessential. The first one was curved log cabin. We all managed to finish one block although on person managed two as she had lost her voice and could not chat. The blocks are here together in all their shapes, sizes and colours.

... and this is a picture of my block. I am thinking of making two more and turning it into a wall hanging.

The second workshop was machine quilting so there are no photos as it was all practice and samples. Again Janice is an excellent teacher and I certainly recommend her workshops.

I am currently taking part in a postcard swap with Popular Patchwork. This round is entitled Under the Sea. This is my card from Helen which is of very beautiful Jelly fish.

This is the one that I sent to my partner Irene. The mosaic effect was a technique that I learned in a workshop with Barbara Weeks quite a few years ago.

Finally I will leave you with a Biscornu pincushion that is a project from last month's Stitch magazine. I had intended that it should be a birthday present for my cousin but I liked it so much that I decided to keep it for myself and make her another one as her birthday is not until October 10th. I think I may have had a deprived childhood as I have never had a pincushion before and didn't realise just how useful they were.

I now have lots more sewing to do, many blogs to catch up with and Classical Greek to learn so if you drop by and make a comment it may take me a while to acknowledge it but be assured it will be read.

Happy sewing

Maggi

A near miss

2009-09-17T17:20:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately no photos for this part of the blog as my camera was upstairs so I just had to make do with my binoculars. I had just returned from shopping and was sitting having a coffee when there was a commotion outside in the garden - lots of flapping etc. I am quite used to the fact that a very large wood pigeon, the size of a duck, scatters all the birds when he comes into land, partly because he literally shakes them off the feeder, but this time it was accompanied by frantic alarms from all and sundry. I looked up to see a juvenile male sparrow hawk had just landed. He must have been inexperienced as he missed whatever it was he was aiming for as they all headed for the beech hedge. He spent about 5 minutes walking around the garden trying to look very nonchalant before eventually flying off. I can't help thinking that they are very beautiful, even thought they are so predatory, but that is nature, and this time there was no blood shed anyway so all remains harmonious.

I was also startled as I walked out into the garden the other day to see a huge ladybird just above the hedge. No, it was not one of the foreign species that has apparently invaded our shores, but a little alarming nevertheless, as these ladybirds do not usually fly so low. He did, however,manage to clear a nearby tree and continue on his way.

Until next time, happy sewing

Maggi

New blog site

2009-09-15T10:09:00.000+01:00

A new blog site has been launched which is providing free patterns from Australian designers. It looks like being very interesting so why not head over there and check it out. It is called Among the Gum Trees

Enjoy your browsing

Maggi

Read the instructions!

2009-09-07T19:57:00.000+01:00

And I thought it was only men who embarked on a project without reading the instructions first, or at least without reading them properly. Not so. I am taking part in a bag swap and decided to do the bag that came with a tutorial on the site. My first attempt took quite a long time as appliqued the circles by hand and also hand quilted it. It was meant to be a sort of boxy type bag but I didn't read the bit about making it boxy, hence the second attempt. I like the first one though; it was inspired by my Circles Little Gems so I will keep it as it will be handy to take small supplies to any classes.

This is the one that went wrong

And this is the second attempt which will be going to America once I have searched out some goodies to put into it which won't increase the postage by too much.

I have also finished my JQ for August for Popular Patchwork which was using the bleached piece I posted about before the FOQ. I added some weeping willow leaves made from organza, some of which are wired and just did the minimum of quilting. It is missing a wired leaf at the moment as I just found one on the floor when I was tidying things away so will have to attach it later. Just September's to do now before the October issue comes out.

I have changed my internet service provider and the increase in speed is really noticeable. Perhaps now I will be able to keep up a little better, I certainly need to as my OU starts again on October 3rd and I have four workshops this month with Ferret, Barbara Chainey and two with Janice Gunner.

Thank you to all of you who sent kind wishes about my back - all is now in working order so until next time. Happy sewing.

Maggi

Festival of Quilts photos and a postcard.

2009-08-26T13:01:00.000+01:00

Just a quick blog with some photos before I go to work.

Mother Earth, winner of Art Quilts by Helen Godden of Australia. Black fabric with the image painted in bleach and then beautifully machine quilted.

A selection from the exhibition '20 years in Switzerland, Belgium and Hungary'

Imilchil. Nicole Glorie of Belgium

To burst into bloom - bloom - to wither. Therese Peter of Switzerland

Elegantie. Therese Keppens of Belgium

Seren Fechan. Group quilt by Gwenfai Rees Griffiths and Mandy Parks

Flora's Feathers by Eugenie

Sylvia's bridal sampler - My journey with Sylvia . Anna Ida Rokeness, Norway

From Judy Bowker's exhibition

I also met Angela for the first time. Here she is in alongside of her beautiful Autumn Glow, and it really does glow against that dark background.

There were so many quilts to see and I took loads more photos, far too many to include here.

I also received a postcard from Jan this morning as part of the Popular Patchwork Hearts swap. Her trusty workhorse died on her recently, hence the very original idea. Thanks Jan.

I may be missing for a few days as my current internet connection goes down on the 29th and I don't get my new one until September 1st. Also I have pulled a back muscle which is making sitting at the computer very uncomfortable. I even had to sleep sitting up last night as it was too painful to lie down. I think this could have been down to carrying heavy bags round the FOQ so I only have myself to blame.

Until next time, happy sewing.

Maggi

I didn't win, but ...

2009-08-21T08:38:00.001+01:00

The first time I have ever entered anything. I am so thrilled.

No time for more as I am just off to Birmingham for day 2. Some beautiful work on display there.

Happy sewing from a very happy bunny.

Maggi

Almost Thursday

2009-08-18T19:59:00.000+01:00

I can't believe that the Festival of Quilts is suddenly imminent, at one stage four days of fun in Birmingham seemed an age away. It also seemed like a good idea to do three workshops and two stints on the Little Gems stand. I did try to get the Monday off work but no joy so it will be up at 5 am as usual - with luck it will be quiet and I will be able to drink copious amounts of coffee to keep me awake.

I seem to have managed to fit in quite a lot over the last two weeks. I finished the second of my two 'Circles' Little Gems and also my Quilting Gallery swap.

That's my dose of hand work out of the way so I think it will be back to the machine. Or maybe not. I discovered a wonderful place called The Threshing Barn on Saturday. It is run by a lovely lady who dyes all her own yarns and wool and all other lovely things - she even keeps Wensleydale sheep and alpacas. I was the only one there as there was no workshop on so had a great time filling a basket and then being treated to freshly brewed coffee and a slice of home-made fruit cake - this was my kind of shopping. I actually spent half of the money that I had earmarked for the Festival of Quilts but I think you will agree with me that it was worth it. I also bought a peg loom as I've been looking for ways to create different backgrounds.

The next Popular Patchwork Postcard swap (try saying that when you have had a few!) is now under way, the theme for the first one being 'Hearts' and mine is now winging its way to Israel.

Finally I did find time to try some Shibori type bleaching for a journal quilt. This one was my favourite piece and should get finished after the FOQ.

If you are going to Birmingham over the next few days, have a wonderful time. If not enjoy your stitching.

Maggi

Replacements done.

2009-08-04T16:28:00.000+01:00

I have finally managed to finish the pieces that were stolen in the post and now, having sent them by a tracker service I know that they have arrived. A little more expensive but I feel it is worth it for the peace of mind. Neither is a replica of the original as I couldn't duplicate the fabrics but I like them both anyway.

This is the Spring Blooms swap that went to Valerie in France

and this is the replacement bag for my friend, also in France.

After spending hours at my machine on my Festival of Quilts entry I was really in need of a bit of hand sewing. As usual I appear to be unable to do things in moderation.

My postcard for Kim in the Popular Patchwork 'Gardens' swap

The beginnings of my Quilting Gallery Summertime swap. I have almost finished the applique since this photo was taken.

... and another Little Gem. I now have sore fingers, hand quilters out there will know what I mean, but I have found it so relaxing.

I did have to resort to the machine for July's Journal Quilt in Popular Patchwork which was sunprinting as I didn't want to get too far behind. (I think the proliferation of birds in my garden at the moment is inspiring me)

If any of you who read this are going to the Festival of Quilts on either the Thursday or Saturday, I will be on the Little Gems stand - Thurs 12 - 2 and Saturday 10 - 12 and would love to meet you if you fancy saying hello.

Until then, happy sewing.

Maggi

I've been hacked

2009-07-26T17:43:00.000+01:00

First of all apologies for any of you who have received emails supposed to be from me directing you to a Chinese website. My email has been hacked and my contacts list stolen. I have sent them a very strongly worded email and have removed all my contacts - possibly shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted but at least it will stop it from happening again.

I have been quiet of late as I have been trying to finish my entry for the Festival of Quilts which I am happy to say has now gone off and will hopefully have reached its destination by now. I am not entirely happy with the finished result, mainly because the size constraint meant that I had to add a border that I had not really wanted. Still at least it is finished. I am showing it here with a couple of close ups so that you can see the stitching a little more clearly. The worst part was trying to get it to lie flat as it is so heavily machine quilted but I did get there in the end.

I was not so lucky with my Spring Blooms swap as the quilt I sent to France was, I believe , stolen. All that my partner received was this ...

I have blanked out my partner's address but the torn bit of the envelope, top left is where my sender details were. She just got the empty envelope and a letter of apology from the Royal mail. This is what she should have received.

What is really annoying is that I sent a birthday present to a friend who also lives in France at the same time and that has gone missing as well. If you see the above quilt or this bag on your travels please send it home. What I have just realised is that Ros also has a bag like this but with a different button so please don't jump on her if you see her with hers!

I am busy trying to make another quilt for my swap partner. I did warn her that it would not be started until the end of July. I have actually got the top done so it shouldn't take me too long to finish. Hopefully I should be able to show it in my next post. I have learned that from now on anything I post will be via a service that allows me to track it even if it costs a little more.

I did spend an enjoyable day yesterday at a workshop with Susan Sheldon who is a member of the Living Threads group. They do a regular programme of workshops and so I decided to do something a little different for me and try some goldwork. I doubt that I will ever do it again in such a traditional way but it was really useful for learning about the properties of the various gold threads and I did come away with some ideas on how I might be able to use them in a more contemporary way. In case you can't work it out they are meant to be cherries.

My birds have returned and brought others with them to use both the birdbath and the new feeder that I decided to buy. In fact the feeder had only been in place for twenty minutes before a family of six goldfinch came along. The only problem that I now have is trying to keep pace with how quickly the feeders empty. It is lovely being able to watch them whilst I am having breakfast though. So those of you who told me to be patient were right, thank you.

And finally I could not resist including these two photos that I took just before the hot weather broke, one from my front door and one from the back. They sky was so dramatic and just kept changing by the minute.

Until next time, happy stitching

Maggi

Spring Blooms swap

2009-06-07T09:30:00.000+01:00

The warm spring weather may have disappeared for now but on Friday I received my Spring Blooms swap from Sue in Australia and it is absolutely beautiful, I am so lucky. It has a wonderful array of Sweet Peas and is so beautifully embellished with machine embroidery and quilting. It took her 26 hours to complete and I am not surprised as the stippling is so tiny. I will treasure it and at the moment I am trying to decide where to hang it. I suspect it will go into my work room as I spend most of my time there and so will be able to see it on a daily basis. Thank you Sue, this was certainly a swap worth joining.

I have finally decided to enter a quilt for the Festival of Quilts in August. I had been uncertain about this as the entry form required exact measurements by the 29th of May and although I knew what I wanted to do I hadn't even started it so was thinking I wouldn't bother. It was Angela who persuaded me by telling me to send in the form and then make the quilt to fit the measurements that I had given. Thanks Angela. Here is just a little peek for now. It doesn't have to be there until 31st July so I do know that I can get it finished, unless of course there are any major disasters.

Nothing more for today as I have to go to work shortly. I only have today in the office and then tomorrow I am going out on an attachment with one of our dog units which should be fun. I'm then off until 25th June with only the Neil Young concert in Nottingham to distract me from sewing.

Until next time, thanks for dropping by and happy sewing.

Maggi

PS. Thanks to those of you who told me to be patient and that the birds would come to the bath, so far I have had one blackbird who landed on it and flew straight off again - I live in hope.

A quick update

2009-06-01T12:45:00.001+01:00

In my rush to get the blog done last night I completely forgot that I had not included the postcard that I had received from Angela as a 'prize' for helping her to name her Rhapsody quilt. Many apologies Angela but it is here now. It has beautiful colours and the flower in the bottom corner is made of Tyvek with a beaded centre. Thank you so much.

I have also just been out taking advantage of the glorious weather to take flower photos. This chap was not invited! I didn't realise that he was arriving until I had taken the photo and as it was hard enough getting the flowers to remain still in the wind, there he will remain.

Sunny sewing

Maggi

I won a quilt!

2009-05-31T19:56:00.000+01:00

I had a wonderful surprise last week when I received a telephone call from Ros telling me that I had won the Jacob's Ladder raffle quilt that had been made to raise funds for Viva a Vida, a charity that helps the street children in Brazil. I came over quite emotional as so many people worked on the quilt and it was made by hand and machine quilted. It will certainly be treasured. Although it arrived at my door on Wednesday I had to wait until Thursday to see it as I was out and so the postie took it back to the sorting office where I went post-haste (no pun intended) on Thursday morning. The next two photographs are of some of the ladies who made the blocks (from Ros's blog with her permission) and me with the quilt. Not a brilliant picture of the quilt I am afraid as I had to get the computer to take it for me and I couldn't get far enough away to hold it out fully!

I have managed to get my Spring Blooms quilt finished that I showed in the last post and it is now packaged up waiting to be posted tomorrow. I can't say where it is going to as unlike some swaps we only get the name of the person to whom we are sending our quilt.

Also packaged up are two small bags that I made up this week having seen Patsy Thompson's tutorial on her blog. One is for a friend who is now living in France and whose birthday was on Friday - she's used to me being late. I made is slightly shorter and added a lining but was really pleased with how easily it goes together. I may even make one for myself at some stage.

A couple of years ago I decided to risk putting up some bird feeders (those of you who share your homes with cats know why I considered this to be a risk) and as the last few days have been so hot I thought it was time that I gave the poor things something to drink so I went out and bought a bird bath. Were they grateful - not at all, they haven't been anywhere near it yet. Here it is looking very lonely. I will just have to wait and see how long it takes for them to find it.

Now it just so happens that the route to the garden centre goes past my local quilting shop Quiltessential. Fortunately they were closed when I went but of course when I came back they were open so I couldn't just drive past could I?

Happy sewing

Maggi

Sew busy

2009-05-25T21:34:00.000+01:00

I can't believe that it has been almost three weeks since my last post. I have spent so much time working, sewing, gardening and reading what everyone else has been doing that time has run out before I could sit down and compose anything. I had hoped to be able to take some photos of the bluebells at Calke but when we went they were almost over so we just enjoyed a good walk and took some photos of the lovely old trees they have there and also one I particularly liked of one of the lakes. As you can see, it was a beautiful day.

These are photos of an amazingly textured ancient tree.

I have been working on a piece for my Spring Blooms swap partner. I had an idea of what I was going to do for this swap but then discovered that the one thing she did not want was raw edge applique - back to the drawing board! I decided to try my hand at a paper pieced pattern, not something that I usually do and either the instructions were not clear or I didn't follow them properly. Either way I lost some of the points ( I think I needed Micki here!) and although I can live with it I didn't feel that I could send it as a swap to someone else so back to the drawing board again. This time I drafted a crazy log cabin and appliqued a flower into the centre of each block. Finally finished and ready to go once I have attached the label. It's OK to show it here because we do not know who we will be receiving our quilt from.

This is the Amish Garden that will not be posted out although I can find a place to hang it in my house. It is still a WIP.

Another piece that I have just finished is a hanging that was inspired by the class I did with Beth Wheeler a little while back. It is going to hang over my bed but is also going to Sutton Hoo for their exhibition in October. The photo makes it seem quite a small piece and does not show the scale of it, it is actually 4' x 2'

And finally I have at last made a hanging from some Secret Garden squares that I made some time ago - like several years ago. I wanted some hand work to do in the evening and during my breaks at work so dug them out and sewed them together. The flash has made the colours a bit more washed out than they should be, they have a kind of glow in real life.

Finally Andrea gave me this award recently. I am not going to nominate any one person because it really does belong to all of you who drop by to support my blog. I thank you for all your comments and please accept this award from me.

Thank you for stopping by and reading. I will try not to be so long next time.

Maggi

I've been missing you

2009-05-05T13:40:00.000+01:00

It is over two weeks since my last post and apart from work I have been really missing catching up with everyone's blogs. My internet connection has been very temperamental recently, kept timing me out or refusing to connect. Very frustrating, especially when I had tried to access something. I tried it out each morning to see if it was going to play ball but in the end I gave up and concentrated on sewing. Today it seems to have remembered its manners so let's hope this post actually makes it.

I have been doing another online class with Ellen Lindner. It is called Instant Art Quilts. This is a very different way of working for me and has been quite challenging but I am almost there. I have just got to complete the hand quilting around the accent pieces and then bind it and it will be done. I did some of the quilting earlier but have had to take a break as it is quite tough going as there are several layers in places, fortunately the use of pliers has made it easier.

This month's Popular Patchwork Journal Quilt Challenge was to use a twin needle. I had actually used this technique on my January one but only quilting with straight lines using straight stitch and zig zag. I decided to use this month to try out the stainless steel fabric in a more quilty setting and have to admit that it behaves beautifully. I definitely have ideas about how to use this fabric in another project. As far as I can tell the only downside is that it is not easy to photograph.

Uploading that last pic took two attempts so Broadband is still not entirely recovered. Apologies to those blogger friends that I usually visit regularly but at least I got caught up today.

Happy stitching

Maggi

Limits and Resistance

2009-04-21T22:05:00.000+01:00

As promised last night I have managed to get some reasonable pictures of the piece that I bought. They are not the best I have ever taken as it is mounted on very dark grey perspex so difficult to photograph. It is actually darker than it appears in the pictures. The title of the piece is Limits and Resistance.

This close up shows the detail of some of the stitching.

This is a close up of one of the square on the left hand side. They all have images of a figure stitched on them. A bit blurred I'm afraid.

It is hanging above my new fireplace and is likely to be the last thing I buy for a while as I got the car back today and now it is me that is broke!

Happy stitching

Maggi

Sculpted Surprises

2009-04-20T20:47:00.000+01:00

I had a wonderful day at the Beetroot Tree on Sunday at the workshop. We were working with metal fabric which can be used in so many different ways. There are different weights and types such as copper, pewter and bronze, all of which can be used as they are or burnished with heat to create beautiful surfaces. I decided to use the medium fine stainless steel fabric. As you can see from this photo it doesn't look like anything special.

Until you hold it over a camping gas stove and then the magic starts.

This next picture shows the same fabric with Lutrador, added, stitched and burnt back and with the beginning of the stitching. It will eventually be a small three-petalled vessel but has quite a way to go yet.

The day was mainly spent making samples of different ways the fabrics can be used and then in the afternoon we started on the vessel, hence it did not get finished.

If ever you get the chance to take a workshop at The Beetroot Tree I can recommend it. It is in the heart of the old village of Draycott, converted from an old barn. The surroundings are beautiful and it is a very relaxing place to go - even if you just want to browse, have a coffee or visit one of the many exhibitions that are held there. The lunches, which are included in the workshop fee are excellent, vegetarian which is great for me and other dietary requirements can be catered for. The sun was shining all day and at lunchtime we wandered in the garden which now boasts three chickens who come up to say hello and talk to you - or at least it seemed to me like they were talking!

I was able to pick up the piece of Alysn's work that I had bought from the current exhibition and had said I would show you a photo of it. Unfortunately I have just gone down to do it and it is too dark and the flash does it no favours. I will try again tomorrow in the daylight.

On the downside, my car failed its MOT today so I had to leave it at the garage and get the bus back home. I was really annoyed as the things it has failed on are all related to the many potholes that have appeared in our roads over here since we had the severe weather earlier in the year. I don't think my bank manager is going to be too impressed when he sees how much it is going to cost. I would love to be able to do without a car but it is just not practical so I will just have to cough up when I pick it up tomorrow. Until then I will just enjoy stitching - good job I don't need to buy any new supplies.

Enjoy your creative time.

Maggi

Living Threads Exhibition

2009-04-14T20:03:00.001+01:00

Just a quick post today to remind anyone who is anywhere near to Long Eaton in Derbyshire that the latest Living Threads Exhibition is still going on at Trent College and is an event not to be missed. It is a textile exhibition that takes place every two years and the standard of work has to be seen to be believed. The group started in 1983 and now has around 70 members covering beading, embroidery, feltmaking, knitting, lacemaking, quilting, rugmaking and weaving. It is a stunning exhibition, the only downside being unable to take photos to share with you. It is on daily until Saturday 18th April from 10.00 am - 5.30 (5.00 pm on Saturday) and only costs £2.50 with free parking so do try and see it if you can, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

The new sewing table arrived from Bernina arrived today so tomorrow I intend to make a start on the piece that will hopefully be ready for the Festival of Quilts in August.

I also got my April Journal Quilt done for the Contemporary Group and am quite pleased with the way it has turned out. I decided to do reverse applique then added scrim and some beading. Quite labour intensive for a 12" x 6" piece.

I am also looking forward to Saturday as I have booked to attend a workshop at The Beetroot Tree with Alysn Midgelow-Marsden called Sculpted Surprises which involves creating something three dimensional using a combination of woven metals, machine applique techniques with sheer fabrics, Fibre DK and hand embellishments. Classes with Alysn are always entertaining and extremely enjoyable so hopefully I will have something to show you next week. It will be nice to do a workshop with human contact for a change after all the online classes.

I will now go and catch up with what all of you out there have been doing.

Enjoy your creativity

Maggi

Geta's giveaway received

2009-04-09T09:45:00.000+01:00

I received my little quilt from Geta's giveaway yesterday and am thrilled with it. It is so pretty and it is really good to see her work in the flesh.

I also received a really cute postcard from Kim as part of the Popular Patchwork swap. The theme was 'Family' and the three figures are holding a little quilt which is actually separate from the main body of the card. Thank you Kim.

Popular Patchwork are also doing a monthly Journal Quilt project in which a different technique is used each month. I took out my subscription too late for the January one so had to order the back copy - don't want to end the year with only 11, that would seem like an unfinished project. January's was using Bondaweb.

Not much more done since the last post as I am back at work until Sunday morning and I now have to get on the phone to Bernina to try to sort out the order that they got wrong! I ordered one of the plexiglass sewtables so that I could have a bigger area on which to do my quilting and was thrilled when it also arrived yesterday. Can you imagine my disappointment when I opened it to find that they had sent one that did not fit my machine. It arrived really quickly as well so just hope that I can get it resolved as quickly.

Until next time, happy creativity.

Maggi

PS - have to give credit to Bernina, a three minute phone call and it was all sorted. They are delivering the correct one on Tuesday and collecting the wrong one. Lovely lady at the other end of the phone too.

Quilt show and new fire

2009-04-06T15:45:00.000+01:00

I had a wonderful day out at Trentham visiting Quilts in the Garden on Sunday. It was well worth the visit as there were some wonderful quilts on display although sadly they were not really at their best as the lighting was not good. I did the best that I could with the photos but it was not easy, particularly as it was difficult to get into a good position for a shot as well. The winning bed quilt was by Gwenfai Rees Griffiths, another beautiful example of her hand work, including the Sea Lily blocks from Jenny Beyer's book which were hand pieced using the traditional English method.

I loved the colours that were in Maggie Relph's wall hanging which was made from her sunprint fabric.

This next one is another lovely wall hanging by Annabel Rainbow - it really stood out in the rather dim light.

There was also a small exhibition by a contemporary textile group called Eclectica who meet at the Forge Museum at Redditch which provided some excellent and varied pieces. I can't acknowledge who made the pieces I'm afraid.

I was extremely restrained amongst the traders for a change and only bought two wall hanging patterns from Anja Townrow. I have several others from her but have only ever made one of them - perhaps I will be inspired to do some more now. Having said I was restrained we did also visit the retail village after lunch and I discovered a shop called Weird Fish and treated myself to a new jacket which meant that I had just about spent up before going back to the quilt show. I did need a new jacket whereas I definitely did not need more fabric!

The fireplace is finished. relatively painless because the two young men who were with me for three days were so pleasant and left the place immaculate. Here is the 'before' picture with the old gas fire and the fake marble and MDF surround that I had always hated.

And this is what I have now - the slightly darker marks have now gone, it was just from where they had wiped down the stone and it was still damp. I love it as it makes the room seem warmer even when it is not lit.

I got a wonderful surprise when I was checking my emails on Sunday evening to find that a landscape hanging that I had been doing with the Learningfa Yahoo group was on the home page. First time I have done a landscape and I have to admit that I had to add the three-dimensional butterflies to help out the perspective but I am quite pleased with it.

I'm now back on shifts until Sunday morning so time spent sewing will be greatly reduced but I wish you all, happy stitching.

Maggi

Busy and exciting weekend

2009-03-29T19:26:00.001+01:00

I found out yesterday that I was the winner of a beautiful little quilt by Geta who does the most amazing machine Trapunto work. I am so thrilled and can't wait for it to arrive. Her blog is just full of eye candy so do try to visit is you haven't already.

Friday evening was the Jackson Browne concert which was awesome. He does not appear to have changed at all over the last 40 years and if anything, in my opinion his work has just got better. The photo is very poor I am afraid but the lighting wasn't really conducive to ordinary photography.

Sunday was also a somewhat emotional day with the opening of this year's F1 season in Melbourne. Although I have been a Ferrari fan all my life I was overcome by the success of the Brawn GP team. They have been through such troubled times and until about two weeks ago there was doubt as to whether they would even be in this year's championship. To come away with Ist and 2nd is an amazing achievement. I think Jenson Button's face says it all.

There has also been some sewing done as I managed to get the postcard finished for a swap with Monica in Australia. I think I am fairly safe in putting a photo up here as she is on holiday in Egypt at the moment so will not get to see it in advance. It was a piece of fabric that I had dyed recently which looked just like a flower garden so I couldn't resist it.

I will either get a lot of sewing done over the next few days or none at all as I am having my fireplace ripped out and a new one out in along with a wood burning stove. It is going to take them three days and although I will be relegated to my sewing room or the computer I think there is also going to be the need for numerous cups of tea and biscuits to keep the workforce sweet. I am not looking forward to the upheaval but I am looking forward to the additional warmth next winter. My main living room is North facing and although it is wonderful when we have a heatwave it can be hard to get really warm on very cold nights. I'll do a before and after pic when they have finished. I will still be able to at least keep up with what all my blogging friends are doing which will be a comfort.

Happy creativity to you all.

Maggi

Where does the time go to?

2009-03-23T20:17:00.000Z

I can't believe that it is two weeks since the last post. They say that time goes by faster when you get older and if that is true then I must be reaching my second century. One thing I have been very remiss about is not acknowledging the lovely ATC that I received from Heather and also the shimmering postcard from Monica in Australia. I did acknowledge them personally when they arrived but it is so nice to see what other people are making. Thank you both.

I had a major dyeing session last week after finally making a table for the garage which is where I do all my messy work. I had been looking at an 8' x 4' piece of ply for a long time now and debating how to cut it down to a manageable size. Eventually a friend suggested that I use a jig saw but when I opened the drawer to get it out I found a circular saw so three hours and a lot of heaving large pieces of wood about I had my table - nothing special, just functional. I thought I had better show a picture of the garage after getting it all set up and tidy - it certainly doesn't look like that now. Any Mancunians reading this may well recognise the lady on the back wall.

And this is the result of the new table. I decided that I needed some lighter colours and this should keep me going for a while.

I have done some sewing, quite a lot actually, but they have all been journal quilts to try out different techniques ( I seem to remember they used to be called samples) and I have now decided that I need to do something on a larger scale. I have got several ideas and intend to start developing these soon. One that I did like was my first attempt at discharging. This technique has, I feel, a lot to offer.

Going back to the subject of time going quickly I cannot believe that the Jackson Browne concert is this Friday - I have been looking forward to it for so long and it seems to have arrived out of the blue. It will also make for a nice afternoon in Sheffield as an old school friend and I are meeting up to have a meal first.

And finally, Spring has arrived with a vengeance here and we have just had the most beautiful week. Hope you are all enjoying your gardens and your creativity.

It's not just about flowers.

2009-03-09T12:54:00.000Z

In my last two posts I showed some flower pieces that I had done as a result of Beth Wheeler's Altered Photo Artistry II online course. This has been an excellent course and having done smaller pieces she showed how to create the lovely scaled up versions that she makes. I have done one, again manipulated in Photoshop and have printed it out on fabric ready to to do the stitching onto it. This one is 24" x 11". I am showing it here as it is because if anyone has been thinking about Beth's course the next one starts March 27th. She is an excellent teacher, always ready to answer questions and make suggestions and I would thoroughly recommend one of her courses. If you are not sure and want to know which on might be the most suitable for you you can always contact her and ask her advice.

This next one is only at the experimental stage and has not yet been printed as I am still playing and having so much fun.

Thanks Beth

I am now going to start stitching so hopefully I will be able to post the finished piece eventually.

Be creative.

Maggi

PS. If you do decide to do one of Beth's courses would you please mention my name. Thank you.

This could become addictive

2009-02-28T14:04:00.000Z

This is my second flower piece done using Photoshop. It is from a photo of a clematis in my garden. This one is also going to the Little Gems project.

No update on the chimney sweep yet. I have left a message on his mobile and his landline but he has not got back to me - does anyone know any small undernourished boys!!
Maggi

Parrot tulip

2009-02-26T22:54:00.000Z

Still waiting for the chimney sweep to ring back, guess I'll have to try again tomorrow now. I did finish the parrot tulip piece though so it was not a wasted day.

February JQ

2009-02-26T13:11:00.000Z

I am keeping up to speed with the Journal quilts and finished my February one yesterday. This was the result of a Mystery Quilt that I signed up for in January. Having cut all the pieces and made strips for part two, part three had us sewing half square triangles - they gave us the wrong measurements! I am no longer taking part in this but decided to use some of the strip pieces for the JQ. I overdyed them all in yellow-green but it still didn't look too good so I added some bleach and then did some printing and added some Shiva paints. A few dabs of complementary colour and now I feel quite pleased with it.

I wrote at the start of the year that I was going to get to grips with Photoshop so having finished my colour lessons with Ellen Lindner I have signed up for a class with Beth Wheeler through Quilters Keep Learning. Only two lessons done so far but it is really making things so much clearer. Here is a glimpse of a Parrot tulip that I manipulated and have now started to machine quilt. It is A4 size and so I think it is likely to go to the Little Gems appeal. If any of you out there fancy supporting the Quilters Guild of the British Isles do take a look at the Little Gems project - you don't have to be a member to contribute.

That's all for now as I had better get back to sewing and I am also waiting for a chimney sweep to phone me back. I am having a new fireplace and stove fitted on April 1st - no joke- and have to get my chimney swept first. That should be fun.

Happy sewing. Maggi

Thank you

2009-02-19T14:14:00.000Z

I have a couple of people to say thank you to today for different reasons. Firstly Micki who sent me a beautiful lace bookmark from her giveaway together with an embroidered postcard for a swap we have agreed to do. They will both be treasured and the bookmark will be used a great deal. Thanks Micki, your card will be in the post on Monday.

Secondly Lesley gave me this award last week.

Thank you Lesley. I now have to nominate 3 other Creative blogs, add a link to them here and leave a message on their blog to let them know they have the award. It is not easy choosing only three as all the blogs I follow would qualify but, in the spirit of the award I have chosen:-

Donna - a fibre artist from Canada who creates beautiful pieces and also has recently posted pictures of her new puppy on her blog - he is so cute.

Micki - an America now living in Ireland. She does beautiful embroidered work as well as a host of other hand work.

Sandra - a dyer and quilter from West Yorkshire. Her blog is both colourful and inspirational.

Do visit these blogs and check them out.

Today's blog is short as I am under pressure to get something finished for Saturday. Will post about that when it is finally finished.

Take care to all my readers

Thinking of you in Australia

2009-02-09T13:23:00.000Z

To all Australians who are caught up in the horror of the fires, may you and your loved ones be kept safe.

January JQ

2009-02-03T14:56:00.000Z

I know that it is the start of February but I have finished my January Journal Quilt for the Contemporary Quilt Group at last. The format this year is 6" x 12" which I have found is a really comfortable size to work with. There is no theme we have to work to so my initial thoughts are to explore Photoshop - although that may change. I had a piece of hand dyed fabric that I wanted to use for something and it was just the right size for this project - less than an inch leeway on either side. My Hippeastrum that I showed a bud of in an earlier post had just came out so I decided to play around with that in Photoshop for a while and eventually came up with the placement. The one aspect of this that I agonised over for some time was the quilting. I loved the fabric so much that I didn't want to detract from it so I eventually decided on a complete contrast to the organic feel to the piece and go with straight lines. I am happy with the result fortunately.

This is the Hippeastrum in full bloom - all four flowers were 7" across when fully open.

Like everyone else over here we've had our fair share of snow overnight. I spent two hours clearing the drive this morning ready for going to work on Thursday morning only to discover that more is forecast. Perhaps I should explain that I live in a cul de sac the start of which is a steep hill. My drive is also on a slope. We never get gritted and getting out is as hazardous as getting in as you literally slide down to the junction at the bottom. There have been several occasions when I have had to leave the car somewhere at the bottom. I don't have the option of a day off on Thursday if it is bad so will have to brave the elements at 5.30 am and hope for the best.

This is what I was watching last night and believe it or not there are normally hills beyond the roof in the photo.

Blue Chair and Creative Challenge

2009-01-29T19:55:00.000Z

I decided to join Helen-Suzanne's new blog which requires an immediate response to a title given, no lengthy thought process allowed. The first title we were given was Blue Chair. This has elicited so many varied responses do take a look over there if you have the time. Some have taken the literal approach and some the more conceptual. My response was done in Photoshop and I may well do something with this later in the year. Helen-Suzanne's own blog is also well worth viewing. For anyone who does not know her she is a very talented artist.

The other piece I was doing today was for Shelagh Folgate's Creative Challengers. No one really knows what comes next so it is quite experimental. The stitching should be done with a Tailors Tack foot but not having one of these a kebab stick had to suffice and I only sewed two into the stitching!

One online class that I have really been enjoying over the last three weeks is Ellen Lindner's Adventures in Colour. It has no sewing and is really about developing sound colour theory. Sounds dry I know but far from it. I have done colour theory before and yet Ellen makes it so interesting and also brings out an increased awareness amongst her students. She also does other classes which do involve sewing. Her website is well worth checking out.

That's all for now folks, must go and eat before ER starts.

Feeling fit and ready for sewing.

2009-01-25T16:37:00.000Z

Micki gave me this award last week and I have yet to thank her publicly owing to the fact that I have not felt up to a great deal thanks to this flu. I heartily apologise for this as it is a lovely award as it means that this blog invests in and believes that blogging makes us close. Proximidade translated to English means vicinity or neighborhood. I do believe that there are so many people out there who I feel I have come to know through blogging and feel that I share their journey. There are too many that I follow to be able to select just a few to pass this award on to so all my blogging friends are invited to give themselves this award. The blogging neighbourhood continues to grow which is a wonderful thing. Thanks so much Micki.

I had a lovely surprise last week when I received an email from Katy of Popular Patchwork magazine. I had entered one of their contests and won. I had completely forgotten about it and was delighted as I have never won anything in one of these contests before. My prize was Qilt-O-Grams by Cheryl Malkowski which is on fabric postcards. It is a lovely book and arrived at the same time as a copy of Machine Quilting Unlimited so I was set up for a few hours of happy reading.

I have been having a great time today making silk paper, the second lesson in Dale's Ratty Tatty Paper class. I have made loads of silk paper in the past but one of the method is by using fusible web - no water, no mess, very easy and beautiful light and airy paper which I shall look forward to using.

These are casts made from silk rods

I also discovered that the newspaper that I had used to protect the work surface while I had been spraying had turned a beautiful iridescent colour and the paper towel that I mopped up the excess with is just begging to be used.

I have also managed to keep up with the Friday Block Party and finished the blocks for Weeks 3 and 4. I don't think Rotunda will be reappearing any time soon - too many small pieces. I do like the fact that this block party is really making me work hard to improve my piecing - not something much needed in art quilts. May not be obvious to others but I can see an improvement already.
Rotunda block

Dewy block

I have decided to join the 2009 Journal Challenge organised by the Contemporary Quilt Group of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles. The format is 6" x 12" which is challenging but I thought I would post a little snippet of work in progress.

... and finally, the reason that it sometimes takes me so long to get things done on the computer (or anywhere else for that matter). This is Jack who was actually lying on my arm until I reached for the camera, absolute pest but I love him dearly.

Almost back to normal

2009-01-20T12:21:00.000Z

The flu is beginning to abate although the doctor has signed me off for another seven days. Hopefully I will feel able to do a little more - no housework of course, far too strenuous. Thank you to all those of you who wished me a speedy recovery, your thoughts were much appreciated.

Dale's Ratty Tatty papers started last week and has involved creating pieces using napkins and felt. I haven't managed to do very much but thought I would share what little bit there is.

This is a completed piece with the distressed grid laid over the background and slips added on top of the grid.

This next one is simply a collage made to cheer myself up for not having any energy left to sew. The napkin she came from has little else on it except the border so is limited in its usage.

I have also managed to finish my IFQ January Journal Quilt this morning. I have combined it with the Black and White Challenge and also my determination to get to grips with Photoshop this year. It looks a bit scrappy round the edge because I am not binding them. I intend to write the process on the backs and then make a book out of them. Binding the edges would make them somewhat bulky and so this one is satin stitched but the fabric frays badly - hence the scruffy look!

That's all I can manage for now, as the sun is shining I really ought to go and post my certificate off to work. Almost forgot - a photo of my Hippeastrum which seems to have been growing visibly over the last ten days and is almost ready to burst into flower. I love the anticipation at this stage.

I hate being ill

2009-01-15T16:29:00.000Z

I managed to get the Pay it Forward packages down to the post office yesterday and about half an hour after felt terrible - I have finally succumbed to the dreaded 'flu. I couldn't be staying in bed all day so decided to do something simple which didn't involve using creativity. I have joined the Black and White Quilt Challenge and also the Friday Block Party so decided to combine the two and audition some of the black and white fabrics I have collected. I quite enjoyed some simple piecing which I have not done for a long time and although the points don't always match there is no place for the Quilt Police here.

This block is called Broken Dishes Variation.

and this one is Foot Stool (slightly adapted from the original) - who comes up with these names?

I also like to use samples done in classes as something useful. I recently did a course with Fibre in Form called Textile Surface which resulted in lots of different technique samples. They have been cut up and have made what I think are very effective bookmarks.

Off now to feed the cat and indulge in a hot toddy - unlikely that it will make me better but I will enjoy trying.

And the winners are ...

2009-01-12T15:29:00.000Z

BrinkOf Norway

linmcquilter

Angela

I have also decided to include a fourth person in the true spirit of the Pay it Forward 'rules'. Technically it is supposed to be the first three people who comment but as I bent the rules I feel that I have to include Teri who had sent her comment less than an hour after I posted the blog. Were you waiting with your finger on the button Teri?

If you four ladies would like to email me your snail mail address I will get the fabric sent out to you.

Thank you to all those of you who did not win this time but who expressed a wish for some of the fabric. I would have loved to have sent some out to all of you so will probably have another give away later in the year.

Pay it Forward

2009-01-08T12:10:00.000Z

Well today is the day - if you want some hand dyed fabric pieces please leave a comment on this blog. The idea is supposed to be that it is the first three people who respond but I always think that is a little unfair because of the different time zones so I am going to adapt it slightly and say that you have until midnight GMT on Sunday 11th to add your comment if you would like some fabric and then I will do a draw. The only condition is that you offer the same to others - this is one of those things that actually depletes your stash. It does not have to be fabric that you pay forward just something 'textiley' that you think three other people would like to receive.

***A word of warning - do not leave your personal details on your blog comment.*** I will post the winners on Monday 12th and if you are one of the three I will ask you to email me your snail mail so that I can get them in the post. A quick reminder of some of the fabric on offer.

Pay it Forward tomorrow

2009-01-07T11:47:00.001Z

Happy New Year to everyone. I know I promised the Pay it Forward offer on Jan 2nd but sickness at work has resulted in overtime so I will be doing this blog tomorrow. The first three people who post a comment on tomorrow's blog requesting them will receive a selection of hand dyed fabrics - see blog entry for Dec 22nd for an idea.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-22T15:11:00.000Z

It's been quite a busy time here getting cards and presents done but finally I can relax and do some stitching without deadlines looming. I decided to get my cousin's daughter a subscription to National Geographic for Christmas but as it takes a while to come through I couldn't go over with nothing on Christmas Day so made her a quilted padfolio inside which I will put a note about the real present.

Also for her brother and his partner are the obligatory Thorntons chocolates and fudge in a box.

I really like these boxes, they are quick and easy to make and can be made with almost anything.

The other thing that has kept me busy has been a mammoth dyeing session. I managed to get a good variety of fabric done although unfortunately the velvet was a complete disaster which was a shame as it was the last of my roll. Ah well, not everything works out as planned. After the New Year I will be doing the Pass it Forward blog for anyone who would like some hand dyed fabric so keep viewing. I am on nights on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day so it won't be until January 2nd probably. I must admit that I am not looking forward to New Year's Eve as it is the busiest night of the year for us, the phones ring incessantly, on the up side though it does tend to pass more quickly than the usual shifts. Here is a little preview of some of the fabric that did dye well.

I have taken up the Black and White challenge this year which is to make a quilt in black and white and one colour. I paid a visit to my local quilt shop last week and got myself some lovely fabric as my stash is sadly lacking in black and white. I have been thinking of doing a series of 'daisy quilts' using Photoshop to manipulate the images. That is my other main challenge this year, to become really proficient with Photoshop.

As this is likely to be the last post before Christmas I wish all my blogging friends a very happy Christmas and a peaceful 2009.

Maggi xx

Something to share

2008-12-14T12:51:00.000Z

I have had some lovely arrivals lately that I would like to share with you. Firstly I ordered two of Virginia Spiegel's 'Peace' series works which arrived very promptly and are lovely. I keep finding different things in them. She has a special offer on these until December 31st so do check them out as well as her other work.

I also received some hand painted fabric from Donna as part of a Pay It Forward 'swap. These are lovely and I already have some ideas whizzing around about how to use them.

I will be inviting readers to partake in this at the beginning of the new year when I will be offering some hand dyed silk and velvet once I have had a dyeing session. The following pics are samples of some that I did quite some time ago, just to give you an idea.

I have just noticed that the velvet does not show up too well in the photo so have scanned it as well.

I have also had the result of my OU course, some of you may remember that my stress levels rose at the beginning of October in anticipation of the exam. The stress was worth it as I passed, no Distinction this year but I was not expecting one as I had to miss out on one of the assignments due to illness. Now just have to make the most of the next 9 months until I start the next course in October - Greek Literature in Translation. This course involves learning Ancient Greek!!

I almost forgot to mention, do check out the Charms for Charity Contest link on the right. It does not require anything creative, just a little time cutting up six 5" fabric squares and mailing them to Canada, with the added incentive that you may win some squares back. I sent some off last week and it hasn't even made a dent in my stash!

That's all for now as I have to go and start making Christmas presents so that I can hopefully get them finished before Christmas Eve this year. Will try and post again before Christmas but if not I hope that you all have a happy and stress-free time.

Maggi

An epiphany?

2008-12-10T13:10:00.000Z

I was working on a challenge quilt for TQS when I realised just how much I enjoy working with fabrics. I have been doing so much lately with mixed media which, when used on fabrics, really changes the feel of the fabric and quite frankly does not make them enjoyable to stitch. I also began to feel that my individuality is suppressed when working on some of the techniques in earlier blogs and what I end up creating begins to look so much like everyone else's work. I have decided that from now on I will concentrate upon creating pieces that are primarily fabric. The other techniques that I have acquired will not be wasted as many of them lend themselves to gift making.

The quilt that I have just finished is in memory of my two beautiful cats, Heathcliffe the larger one and Fawzi the little one. They were such good pals and both died in December months. The background is strip pieced and heavily quilted with the window frames and the cats appliqued afterwards. If you look carefully in the bottom right corner you can just see a robin behind Fawzi - he never was a very good hunter, always waited for Cliff to bring things in for him to play with. Cliff was a prolific hunter but never never killed anything except once when he caught a rat - was I grateful that he didn't bring that one in alive!

These are my two boys in real life. Cliff having taken over the old Landrover and Fawzi as a baby.

Having bought some Moonshadow Mists and Ranger Paintsprays for my mixed media work I decided to try them out on fabric to see what sort of effect they would create. They have worked out quite well and apart from making the fabric only slightly stiffer I think it is a good option to use when I don't want to have a dyeing session. The effect of the Moonshadow MIst does not show well on the photos but it gives them a subtle shimmer. I tried it out on both Pima cotton and Kona cotton and was surprised at the difference in intensity. I don't know whether they would wash but as most of my works do not get washed it does not really matter.

Pima cotton

For some reason the server is not responding to the Kona cotton image so I will try to edit that one in later. In the meantime I now have to go to work. Only today and two night shifts and then no more until December 28th so lots of time to play.

Got home from work and blogger has decided to co-operate so can now post the image of the Kona cotton

Kona cotton

Boxes finished

2008-12-01T13:09:00.000Z

The boxes for the presents for this week are at last finished. One is for a very dear friend of 51 years and will contain the brooch that is so her. I did not make the brooch, it was bough at Chatsworth Country Fair back in August and I am afraid to say that I lost the maker's card. She is from derbyshire and makes the most beautiful felted jackets.

The other one is for a 50 year old male who I have known since he was 14 - now I do feel old. I am going to fill it with Thorntons chocolates, not very imaginative I know but what do you get men as presents. He is having a 'beer and skittles' party on Saturday at a local pub which is great as I really don't like parties very much. I used pre cut Grungeboard letters and shapes for the tops and the sides and quite like the effect. Next time I would use some stitching but I was pushed for time with these.

My priority for now is getting my Christmas cards made. I normally end up posting at the last minute but am determined to be more organised this year. Thank you to those of you who commented on the quilts in the previous blog. I am going to live with them for a month and then make a decision.

2008-11-28T12:07:00.000Z

I seem to have had little time for blogging lately although I have had time to catch up on what everyone else has been doing. I received an award from Micki for which I am very grateful and have decided to put it on the side bar of this blog. Thanks Micki, do go and visit her site, she does some lovely felting and quilting.

I have to pass this on so I am going to include, Donna who has just started blogging again but does some beautiful work. Carol-Anne who does the most exquisite embroidery. Geta whose shadow quilting has to be seen to be believed and she also has the cutest new kitten. Kathryn She does food which is mouthwatering. And finally Pippa who is so good at sharing the outcomes of her classes, inspiring others to take part. There is also another site that I have found thanks to Cheryl which may be of interest to quilters, it is called Quilter Blogs.I have not had time to really check it out but what I have seen looks real quality.

So what have I been doing of late apart from working? I have managed to have some disasters and some results that I am quite pleased with. I'll leave the disasters until last. I have managed to finish the little wigwam book from Maggie Grey's lessons and liked the result so much that I am in the process of making a couple of boxes with it. Hopefully they will get finished today. They will be housing presents that I have to deliver next Thursday and Saturday, weather permitting so I'll post them later.

The other interesting piece came as a result of an accident. I have enrolled for Textured Surface, an online class from Fibre in-Form and as the class was almost finished simply read through the notes - which, incidentally, are excellent. Right at the end came a paragraph on using MM metal effect paint and rust/patina activator. I had completely forgotten that I had a set of these lurking in the garage so decided to try them out on some quilting samples that I had done a while ago. I painted the samples with white emulsion first and then applied the paint and activator. It reacted far more than I remembered it doing previously but a wash of black ink and some Treasure Gold integrated it more. I now have two sample pieces which show some interesting texture and a piece that I have made into a book - I want to do a series of work on my garden so I might use it for that.

A word of warning - I had to stitch around the book by hand. I tried it on my machine and it just shredded the thread. So if you want to machine stitch - do it first!

I have started to add texture to the Hawk design that I am embroidering for my Sumptuous Surfaces course. It took me a long time to get going but in the end I decided to use one stitch and build up the layers in threads of varying weights. I have a long way to go yet but at least its on the way.

And finally to the disaster. Any of you who have been following this blog may remember that I did a couple of journal quilts a while back and was waiting to decide on the quilting before I finished them. Well I guess that I should not have bothered. I am reasonably happy with the first one but the second has far too much going on for my taste and is heading for the scrap bag. I remember Ricky Tims once saying that the quilting design should be planned as you go along and not left until the quilt is finished. I should have listened to him I think.

ATC swap book

2008-11-17T20:12:00.000Z

I have finally finished the little book that I am using to house all the ATCs received in the swap from Dale's class. It is only approx. 6" x 6" so is very easy to handle. Each card has its own page and I have added the name of the maker and where they are from. The photo was taken before I had added the information. I love it and it is a great reminder of a really friendly group of people. I have made a cord to fasten it with but have not attached it yet - too busy looking at it.

I also had a lovely post card from Miriam in Dublin on Friday for our Fabricard swap.

Back at work now for the next six days hopefully things will be quiet (that is tempting fate) and I can do some sewing when i get home or before I go depending on the shift.

Medecins Sans Frontieres

2008-11-14T12:40:00.000Z

Nothing from me today, just from Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Condition: Critical

Hundreds of thousands of people are on the run, fleeing a war that rages in eastern Congo, in the provinces of North and South Kivu. They are frightened. Many are sick or wounded. Others have been harassed or raped, or have had everything they own stolen. The people of the Kivus are in a critical condition. The destiny of everyone in this region is shaped by the war. The story of their struggle to survive needs to be told.

Starting November 20, 2008, MSF will help the people of the Kivus speak out through this web site.

Follow the link to the website if you want to watch a very short video.

Work in progress

2008-11-13T13:52:00.000Z

Finally have managed to get time to do some more work on the book cover from Maggie Grey's online FREE lessons. The photographs have not turned out too well as it is grey and miserable here and even with the lights on the flash insists on coming out to play. At least they give an idea of progress so far. I still have the inside of the cover to paint and the pages to do but all that involves going out to the garage - no way that is going to happen today.

They are not quite as textured as they should be as the gesso I used was Windsor and Newton which is apparently not as thick as Daler Rowney - ah well it is worth giving everything a try as all have their own little quirks. At least it is a reference point for any further items.

I also decided that all the ATCs that I received from members of the Embellish, Stitch and Enrich group are going to be kept in a book as I don't have the space to keep them out on display otherwise. Another experiment from Textile Translations is going to be turned into the cover. This is the basic cover which still needs to have some stitching on it and then be assembled. Again problems with the flash.

I'm not sure where the time has gone this week. I do not seem to have stopped and yet can't see what I have achieved - there must be something there.

I had to go into work on Tuesday night to cover Derby's cup game against Leeds, fortunately no trouble at the match but then we were all kept on for an extra couple of hours on standby as a fifteen year old boy had just been fatally shot. This is not the centre of a big city, it is an area of Derby and, although there have been some gun issues lately, this is the first time that this has happened. Somehow, with the gang culture as it is, it was bound to happen eventually, just hope that there is not a backlash against it. What a waste of a young life though. I was listening to the radio this morning and various agencies were saying that there is just not enough for young people to do these days. What has happened where, as a society, our young people always have to have 'entertainment' provided for them and cannot develop an interest in things for themselves?

Right enough, I shall get off my soapbox now and go do some sewing that does not involve going out in the rain.

Paper cast stamps

2008-11-05T14:21:00.000Z

I finally tore myself away from the new sewing machine yesterday and went into the garage which is set up for all my 'wet' work - no car allowed in here. I have joined in the free lessons that come with Maggie Greys new book, Textile Translations and although I have yet to start the first lesson proper I have been playing with the techniques. One is to make paper cast stamps and advises using water soluble paper. I had not got any to hand but did have the two layers of paper napkin left over from embellishing the top patterned layer for ATCs so decided to us them. They worked really well so now I don't have to worry about how to recycle the left-over layers.

I also had a session creating painted backgrounds for Sharon's Studio Journals course which involved a watercolour wash and cling film.

We also had to do one with salt to create additional texture. I have used salt before when dyeing silk and cotton but I must admit I was dissapointed with the effects on paper.

Finally I have also enrolled on Sharon's Sumptuous Surfaces course which is designing for hand stitching. As we cannot post images on the Forum for that course because of a glitch I will add a couple of ideas that I had. I wanted to keep the image simple so that the embroidered surface would be the focus so decided on an outline drawing of a hawk in flight that I had done many years ago. Here are some of the images that I created in a Paint program. One thing I do like is the movement they suggest.

I have an idea for the actual design but have not started stitching it yet. I did do some experimental stitching on scrim whilst watching last night's election but although there are some useful patterns that may be used in another project, they are not for this one.

Now to go and see if the gesso is dry. The only disadvantage of working in the garage is that I am paranoid about leaving electrical equipment on if I am not there, so the heater only goes on when I am in there working which means at this time of the year things don't dry as quickly as I would like.

Unexpected award

2008-11-02T14:28:00.000Z

I got this award from Robin. I was thrilled as blogging is a fairly new experience for me. I have linked it back to her so do check out her site as she does some beautiful work. I now I have to link it to four followers of my blog and one from overseas. Hope I can manage to do that without too many headaches.

I find the work done on all these blogs so interesting and varied. It is great to be able to share our passion with people from all over the world, one really positive aspect of the internet I guess.

Having been given the award by Robin it has made me realise that it is a while since I put pen to paper so to speak. I have been so busy doing the things that I enjoy that I don't seem to have spent too much time at the computer. I'm still 'running in' the new machine so decided to make a quick quilted wall hanging inspired by a project from Kathleen Guerrier in Quilt WOW which is the sister online magazine to WOW, both excellent value for money online magazine. I had several pieces of Japanese fabric that I wanted to do something with, other than stroke, and also some Laurel Burch cat fabric so I thought 'what if ...?' - as we do. This is not really my sort of thing but it was fun and enabled me to get to grips with the machine. I find it quite cheerful so am now looking for somewhere to hang it.

The group who were doing Dales embellishing class have been doing an ATC exchange since the class finished. I have received some beautiful cards so far and what continues to amaze me is how a group of people who are taking the same class can come up with ideas that are so different. I am old enough to remember the days when a class was supposed to replicate what the teacher had prepared - how things have moved on and for the better. Couldn't resist putting them all together just to give you a taste of the variety.

Working small seems to have been the order of the day for me lately. I have also become involved in ATC trades in a group called Fabric ATCs One to One. I turned some old C & G samples into ATCs for the Recycle challenge, the images have not turned out well as they were a bit too fat to scan well and also the camera did not seem to do them justice.

The next one trade is for something felted so I decided to revisit a lesson from the embellisher course. It involved embellishing paper napkins onto foiled felt and I wasn't happy with it at the time but I then found some gorgeous napkins - how gorgeous are these!

They worked really well when embellished and the colours have turned out to be nicely muted, with a bit of embellishment, acrylic wax, to stop them from falling apart and a touch of Treasure Gold, I am really pleased with them.

I am really trying to make the most of my time off now that I am doing a job share so I have also enrolled in two online classes at Joggles with Sharon Boggon both are design based which is something I feel that I need more guidance with. I have also enrolled in the FREE online lessons with Maggie Grey which are directly linked to her new book Textile Translations: mixed media. The book is awesome, and having printed off the first lesson, I can't wait to get started.

Finally, before finishing today's ramblings I have eventually got my copy of Photoshop CS3 installed - yes I decided to splash out get the full version. I had been struggling with 'layers' on my copy of Photoshop Elements but the other day finally got to grips with it. Just in time to do something for a postcard swap with the theme of Antarctica. I have real concerns about the effect that climate change is having in this region and I just love Emperor penguins so I was delighted with the way the fading images of the penguin worked.

So much for blogging for today, I now have to go and get myself and the cat settled for what is the final Grand Prix of the season. Today's will decide the championship and if I say that I am (and always have been) 'tifosi' then you will know that I am not rooting for Lewis.

Go the Prancing Horse!

Surprise swap

2008-10-19T10:20:00.000+01:00

I recently made a postcard for a fellow TQS member who then said she would swap with me. I was expecting a postcard but in the mail on Saturday morning came a beautiful surprise.

Have been making postcards of late mainly as a way of learning what my new sewing machine can do. Here is the one that I sent to Diane, the fellow TQS member.

No more Romans

2008-10-14T15:40:00.000+01:00

No the header is not a racist comment, it simply means that my course - 'Culture, Identity and Power in the Roman Empire' is now over except for waiting for the result in December. I think the exam went OK but will just have to wait and see. It has given me some ideas for some textile work, however, but will give it a couple of weeks before starting on that and just go back to playing for a while, particularly as the new machine is now up and running.

I haven't been entirely lazy since the exam, immediately after I had to get a card and a gift box made for my cousin's birthday. I made my first foray into fabric postcards for the card and used Sue Bleiweiss' design from Fibre & Stitch for the box to house a lovely felted brooch that I bought at Chatsworth back in September. Both went down well.

Dale's course has now ended and we are about to embark upon an ATC swap between members of the group (another first for me) so I have also been making some of these ready. I wasn't sure whether they had to be embellished ones so I also chopped up a sample piece that I did at a workshop called 'Fossil Evidence' with Alysn at The Beetroot Tree a few years ago. Quite enjoyed doing these as they are quick!

I decided also that it was time to do some more quilting. In view of the fact that I am not fully familiar with the machine yet I thought some journal quilts would be a good idea - less to discard if things go wrong. I had some lovely hand dyed fabric that was so reminiscent of a tree in the garden that has just turned into its autumn brilliance and I also had loads of fabric that was pre bonded with Bondaweb from a workshop I did with Barbara Weeks about eight years ago (nothing is ever wasted is it?) so have just played around this morning. I think there is going to be some stamping and, of course, quilting but a the moment they are sitting on my design wall while I wait for them to talk to me. Just a preview although they are in progress of course.

Well it has taken me a few days to get back into the swing of things but I have at least enjoyed reading what so many of you have been doing over the last few weeks. Hopefully I can be a bit more active from now on. I like this time of the year - shorter days mean less time for gardening and more time for creativity

Back to the study

2008-09-18T19:29:00.000+01:00

The last couple of weeks have been quite busy with the run up towards the end of Dale's course, a visit to the dentist (fortunately no treatment needed) and a trip to the NEC to the Knitting and Stitching Show. The latter was very good with exhibits from familiar names like Ruth Issett, Leslie Morgan, Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn. It is always good to see work that has looked so impressive in books and magazines 'in the flesh' - never disappointing. C June Barnes had a stand there and the colours of her work were even more vibrant than in her book. No pictures I am afraid as I forgot to take my camera. I did an hours workshop with Jean Draper on producing bold lacy pieces using hand stitching on water soluble fabric with the base being a sticky soluble fabric. There was not time to finish it on the day but it is one of the many things that I will get finished. I also bought a new sewing machine for which I am eagerly awaiting delivery, suffice it to say that my machine quilting stitches will hopefully be even once it arrives.

In between finishing the embellishing course I have also completely reorganised the work space in the house and garage. All the wet work, burning etc will now be done completely in the garage which has been rearranged for that purpose. I even moved a large bookcase from my 'studio', across the landing to the spare bedroom which has left me space to put up a design wall. It is actually a piece of fleece attached to a length of dowel with safety pins but it works perfectly.

I did move away from the actual challenges on the embellishing course but only because I tried some different things that I wanted to take further. Having decided that felt although beautiful to stitch into for hand work, was becoming a little repetitive I decided to embellish a jute scrim and Arctic wool gauze between dyed silk chiffon, machine embroidered it using soluble over the edges and then shaped it over a pudding basin. I added acrylic matt varnish to give it body and it took ages to dry. I did not like the finished result so have cut out some of the fulness and added some embellished leaves. It still needed something else so I manipulated a copy of part of the bowl in Photoshop and made some paper beads. I used Atelier gloss varnish on them as it has a more matte finish than PVA but unfortunately less stiffness so one or two were squashed a little by the cat - he just could not resist that they were threaded onto the gimp that I was couching onto the bowl and thought it would be a good idea to keep them under control by lying on them - and I just thought he was lying quietly at my feet, I should have known better. I was quite please with the result although there are things I would do differently in future, but that's part of experimentation isn't it?

Another piece that I was quite taken with for its potential was a background of painted Abaca tissue embellished onto felt. Onto this I applied some Lutrador that had been embellished onto scrim and zapped and some metal shim leaves. I had had a trip to the local charity shop in the morning and had picked up some chiffon scarves as my stock was running low. I used a black one with an unusual striped design at the end, embellished part of it and then zapped it. It didn't zap - what do they say about trying things before using them!! The thing is that it looked totally nylon. I had to cut away the part that was not embellished as the heat gun was starting to destroy the Lutrador pieces but the end result, I think, gives the impression of tree bark so with plenty of hand stitching I can see this becoming a finished piece.

Stitching and blogging is now going to be put on the back burner until Oct. 7th which is the date for my OU exam. Since sending in my last assignment I have not even thought about the Roman Empire but time for creativity is over and now onto some hard work. My final assignment came back today and was my best grade so far so at least that has motivated me to get going again.

Further embellishing

2008-09-09T12:52:00.000+01:00

Now that I have finally finished my last assignment for my OU course I can get back to doing things that I enjoy. I have been keeping up with Dale's course but things have not been working too well - too many other things going on perhaps. The last two samples on the previous blog worked out better than I expected and with further stitching etc. could be quite effective. So to the latest...

This was jute scrim and silk chiffon embellished onto Arctic wool gauze. Quite a nice surface initially but then I had the idea of embellishing some Tyvek onto the back and zapping it. I'm not sure whether the effect will show here but the texture it created on the chiffon was really three-dimensional. Lots of ideas of how to use it are beginning.

We had to knit up some yarn, cut it up and embellish it onto felt. I suddenly realised that I had not actually got any ordinary knitting wool so had to use some Colinette Giotto which is a rayon and cotton mix. Fortunately it did work and I found some lovely feathery samples of what I think is viscose from my shade card and added those. Bit more glitzy than I would normally go for but I can see its uses.

This really was an accident. I had knitted up some heavy spun silk yarn and then embellished it. When I had finished it it reminded me of one of those sea creatures - are they tube worms or something? I added some wire around the top so that I could manipulate it, sewed it together in a tube and gave it a coiled wire tongue! Imagination is a wonderful thing.

These last two photos are actually of a piece I did before the course started but it did not work out quite as expected so as this was the first exercise for Lesson Five I decided to revisit it. It is wool circles embellished onto Kunin felt with some wool yarn randomly between. It was then zapped and some Treasure Gold added. What I had done wrong initially was to try to zap it from the front which does actually cause the wool to begin to smoulder! Following Dale's instructions I re-zapped it from the back and it worked much better. At least I will know for next time. First pic is from the bak and the second from the front. I think I prefer it from the back as it is less in-your-face.

It is now still very wet outside so I am going to try some more things from Lesson Five - without feeling guilty that I should be doing something else. (Housework is a non-starter and the cat is asleep)

Photos only

2008-09-04T16:58:00.001+01:00

Just finished nights and had to upload the photos for the embellisher course so thought I would add them here as well save returning to them later.

Lesson three begins

2008-08-27T17:06:00.000+01:00

I had not intended to do any embellishing today as I wanted to get on with my OU, however, even receiving the previous assignment back this morning did not stop me procrastinating. I only have tomorrow left before work begins again so really I should be more disciplined, particularly as this is the final one before the exam and so there are no extensions allowed.

I should have gone with what I intended as the embellishing was not a success anyway. I put the woven piece onto pelmet vilene because I wanted to machine stitch, intending to use the soldering iron to cut away any excess for a distressed look and lo and behold it didn't work - I only bought this one at the FOQ as well and have only used it briefly once to try it out. Changed the fuse, checked it all out but nothing so had to resort to cutting away the area which wasn't what I had intended. Added to the fact that I did not like the colourway, pretty much a wasted day I guess. That'll teach me!

Quilty interlude

2008-08-26T19:03:00.000+01:00

I decided to take a break from embellishing and do some quilting which I have to admit is my first love. I had tried out a rose image on Photoshop and then decided to print it onto three different fabrics, organza, cotton and linen. I liked the effect but didn't just want them to sit around as 'try-outs' so, having been watching The Quilt Show I decided to use Jean Wells method of making them into mini quilts and then attaching them to a larger quilt. The whole thing is only 20.5" x 9.5" but it has at least made something out of them. And I like the colours although they are not what I usually use. The background quilt was made from a piece of Laura Wasilowski's hand dyed fabric that I had left over from doing a workshop with her in 2000/2001 and was just the right colour for this. It is now hanging in my studio which is incidentally a fancy name for a spare bedroom, although it has long since relinquished that use!

2008-08-24T19:39:00.000+01:00

I have even finished the second challenge piece for the second lesson. I decided to turn it into a little hanging that will go on to my notice board to remind me that I should be sewing and not surfing. I don't think I am allowed to show the original that the inspiration came from. Suffice it to say that it was Sonnenbrandung by Ton Schulten. The piece here is very loosely in the style of Ton Schulten. I had been wanting to try out his style for a long time but as I am very much a quilter I have been reluctant to try what Ineke Berlyn does so exceedingly well. This challenge gave me the chance to try it at last, albeit in a different medium. The beads are made from a print out of the original painting.

Hopefully a good win

2008-08-24T18:08:00.000+01:00

It seems that I must now wait in suspense for the outcome of the stewards enquiry at the Grand Prix - don't know why they couldn't have imposed the penalty (or not) there and then. I did do the painting on the challenge piece that I had threatened to and I think I prefer it like this.
I painted it with a neutral emulsion then when dry added black Parker ink and finally some Treasure Gold. Could do far more with this than how it was before.

More embellishing

2008-08-24T13:48:00.000+01:00

Managed to get the first challenge piece finished. Its inspiration was an aerial photo of desolation Canyon in America. Distorted it in Photoshop using polar co-ordinates and then changed the colours. Created a felt base then added some painted tissue, tyvek and lutrador. A bit of heat and also soldering, and stitching and then finished. I'm not entirely happy with it and might go and do some painting on it once the Grand Prix has finished.