Unblocked

I have had an interesting week.

I started out with the intention of commencing my first exhibition quilt. I had the inspiration, the colours, the theme, the style. Everything except the design! I played and played and cursed and fretted. Maybe I can't do this, maybe it will all be a disaster , maybe I am a failure..........

So I  sought the advice of a good friend whose opinion and advice I value (aren't I lucky to have Jenny Bowker as a friend?). She told me to stop thinking about it and do something else. What! I thought - my studio is full of stuff and good intentions and more stuff - there must be something I can do!

So I grabbed a pile of fabrics that I found by accident in one of my multitude of drawers and discovered an interesting collection of painted and stamped fabrics. Actually I found two sets but the one above grabbed my attention first.


I then realised that with the addition of some recent bits and pieces including some of my new wools and metallic painted fabrics and other goodies I had the makings of something interesting.

So for two days I cut and slashed and sewed and quilted and have come up with this!

I quilted it with Wonderfil Spaghetti  which I bought a while ago as I loved the colour range. They are 12 weight and can be stitched from the top - needed the 110/16 topstitch needle. 

I really like it and it has given me a whole lot of ideas for other projects including using the other pile of discovered fabrics.

 

But it does need a few beads I think....

Time to Sew

Not gone - just playing. We are not really big on Christmas but I have been having a wonderful time just being home and able to sew for hours and hours.

I am working on a few different things that aren't quite ready for general consumption but here is a little piece I have done.

I think it might be a cushion - what do you think?

Quilting Practice

I have (like hundreds of others) been following the 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs blog. Leah Day has been blogging for 105 days now and doing a really great job inspiring me (and many others) to just give it a try.

I have also bought her downloadable pdf and video (even though they are all available on the web) as I think it is important to give something back for her dedication and generosity. They are on special now too but only a few copies left I believe.

Anyway - here are some of my samples. I have prepared a pile of squares and start each sewing day with a new one. Certainly gets me in the right frame of mind.

And the top image? It is one of my latest City & Guild exercises - highlighting quilting with Shiva stick and leaf stencil.

Quilting Practice

I think I have finally got the hang of quilting on my Bernina 820. I have done this little piece and am very pleased with it. I think it has a definite underwater feel to it and would love you to suggest a name for it.

It is only 12in x 12in and used a single piece of hand painted silk which I purchased at an Opportunity Shop for a couple of dollars for a two metre piece. A bargain I think. It was quilted with a selection of Japanese threads which I purchased in Tasmania a few months ago and didn't have one breakage. Yay!!

Here is a detail shot.

Of course it will probably need a bead or two of course.

SAQA Auction

I am a member of SAQA - Studio Art Quilts Association - and each year they have a Benefit Auction of 12in quilts.
This years quilts have just been posted on their website and it is certainly worth looking at them as it represents an incredible range of work.

I didn't, unfortunately, submit one but it would be a great opportunity to buy some amazing art.

The image above is some of my latest piece which hopefully will be finished in time for a deadline next week. I am getting used to the Bernina 820 which I have to admit is getting used to me now.

Bobbin Work

I have been playing around with bobbin work as I really enjoy the effect. This was another exercise from Patsy Thompsons free downloads and I used Wonderfil Sizzle thread. This is an 8wt metallic which is threaded on the bobbin and then sewn upside down.
Still struggling a bit with tension but everytime I use the machine I get a bit better.