Time for a New Project

It has taken me a long time to settle on the design for my new project using a layer cake of Simple Abundance that I got from Busy Thimbles last year.

Check this post for the original design idea. While I liked Late Bloomer, I wasn't completely sold on the idea. Can't really tell you why - it just didn't feel right in the end. I would like to make up Late Bloomer, just in different fabrics.

Then Rachel (p.s.iquilt) held a pinwheel quilt along using this fabric and I do like a pinwheel but I still wasn't convinced. It wasn't until I saw these blocks on Sister's Choice Quilts that I knew I had found the inspiration for my design. Nicole is using a Schnibbles design by Carrie Nelson. She makes a phenomenal number of beautiful quilts.

Image courtesy of Sister's Choice Quilts

I have chosen Scrap Baskets from Kim Brackett's book Scrap Basket Surprises. I knew then it would be just right.

Here are my first blocks

Kim's designs are for 2 1/2 inch strips but I was confident that I could use the layer cake. Some of the pale fabrics wont's be suitable so I will substitute with a little yardage.

These blocks make up well and Kim's instructions are clear, easy to understand and well illustrated. There are lots of terrific designs in Kim's book.

A message for the APQ Blog Buddies Swap members: The July draw will be happening soon and this month there will be three people drawn. Just wanted to give you plenty of notice.

Happy Stitching...Ann

Show and Tell No #1

Whilst the computer was out of action I finished up a couple of quilts. This one is my first effort at *modern* quilting.

The fabric is a honey bun of Soire'e by Lila Tueller for Moda.

It was impossible to use up all the fabric and even though I made a pieced backing I still have some strips leftover!

To balance all those angles I decided to quilt a loopy meander all over it and I just had to use a spotty backing fabric and stripe binding!

I really enjoyed making this quilt which measures 36 x 52 inches and to make my day, it was accepted into the Fresh Modern Quilts Gallery on Flickr.

Happy Stitching...Ann

Sydney Quilt Show 2010

Busy Thimbles Stand

The Show was fantastic! Lots of lovely quilts and plenty of shop stands. Busy Thimbles had a fantastic display and lots of new release fabrics. Their BOMs are incredibly popular - 4 of the ladies I went to the show with are doing at least one!

I rather fancy Park Avenue and Luna Notte - both ranges by 3 Sisters for Moda.

Busy Thimbles are once again involved in Quit Aid for 2010 and their block and finished quilt design are delightful. This year's design is pretty and girly.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures because my camera is on a fishing holiday in Queensland but there are plenty of images on the NSW Quilt Guild's website.

The prize winning quilts were amazing! One of my favourites was an amateur entry - a large quilt beautifully machine quilted on a domestic sewing machine.

A Caterpillar's Dream by Rose Lewis

Not only was the detailed applique stunning but Rose had intricately quilted the piece, including trapunto butterflies, birds and insects.

Well deserving of a prize. There were quite a few antique quilt tops that had been quilted in modern times on show. I really liked these.

The crowds were incredible - so many people! Trying to get to the stalls was a feat in itself. Of course, there were so many things to look at that I found it quite overwhelming.

I predict that the felt Santa decorations on the Homespun stand will be very popular this year. The pattern is in the 7 August issue.

Other really good stands were Hatched and Patched, Catharina's Country Collection and Giggle Buttons. I did manage to pick up a pincushion pattern for my Pincushion Pass swap partner.

After all that eye candy I'm inspired to start my next quilt!

Happy Stitching....Ann !

A Word to the Wise

If you haven't backed up your files lately or updated virus definitions then I recommend that you do.

I'd been talking about buying an external hard drive but hadn't got around to it. Then it happened - a catastrophic failure of the pc hardware. Luckily, I managed to retrieve all my files - this time.

I may not be so lucky next time. So I have a new pc, modem, virus protection and external hard drive.

Lesson learned.

Now I have some catching up to do. I imagine there has been a lot going on while I have been out of action.

I'm off to the Sydney Quilt Show this weekend but won't have much in the way of spending money after having to buy the new pc.

Probably a good thing really.....

Ann

There's Nothing New Under the Sun

I have my partner for the Pincushion Pass and I really want to make something nice for her.

After mooching about Flickr I have discovered that if you can think of it - someone has made it into a pincushion. If you doubt my claim then just type Pincushion into the search button - there are 6897 images of them.

Go on, I dare you to look through them all! I wimped out after page 180.

Perhaps I should wait until the Sydney Quilt Show in a couple of weeks in case I see kit or pattern.