New TV programme

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

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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 ...

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

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.

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