Update

checking my blog to find I have not posted since 2016.  I will need to go through photos to find what I have completed and update what has been happening in my quilting journey.

Latest finish

I have been working on my UFO's and finished this one in February.  It has been machine quilted and bound in the poppy fabric.   No photo yet, must do that soon before it goes to its recipient.  This is a Mystery Quilt hosted by Darelle Castelow in 2001.  I partly cut it out and then put it away as my Mother was ill and I stayed at home to look after her until she passed away.  I came across it in January and found I had not cut it all out and did not have the sewing instructions.  Darelle lives in another suburb of Melbourne and she kindly found the instructions and mailed them to me.  I had used one of the fabric for something else as we sometimes do, but was able to purchase more in a slightly darker dye lot.  I think that has enhanced the quilt rather than take away from it.   Looking at the quilt now a couple of the Snail Trails are not in the right position.   Never noticed this before taking this photo.

I have also rejoined the Art Quilt group and taken part in my first challenge it was 'Folklore' I used a piece of silk Simon had dyed for me when he was at University a long time ago.  IT is the first time I have cut into it.  A3 size  quilt.

May 2015

Completed 3 quilts for May for family members.   The first is a flannel quilt for Connor the eldest grandson.  I made the top many years ago and had it quilted by Susan Maroney at Hampton or Cranbourne not sure which.    Finally finished stitching down the binding and put a label on it this month.

This quilt top was made by Kim Edwards from South Australia.  I bought the top through the destash group on Facebook.  Kim had the hearts stitched down with Tan thread using a dense zig-zag stitch.  I unpicked the hearts added vslioflex ironed them on then appliqued with a small stitched using variegated blue thread.  I had the ideal backing in my stash,  basted the quilt then machine quilted on my trusty Janome, the attachment bar on the walking foot broke while doing this but found my Elna feet are compatible with the Janome finished the quilting without any hassles.  This one is for Connor's mother Allana, Allan's youngest daughter.

 

The final quilt finished for May is one for Allan's sister Mary.  Mary loves Lorikeets and asked for a quilt with Australian birds and Blue.  This is a variation of the pattern Wild West Quilts an American page I have deleted the correct URL.   The pattern used themed fabrics without cutting them into small pieces.  Mary bought most of the fabrics and paid for the quilting as she was anxious to get the quilt sooner rather than later. (*_*).   (I think she know me well).

I have also cut out all the blocks for 2 quilts for two of the grandsons here in Melbourne, a single bed one the other is a King Single.

February 2015

Time flies by as we age!  Sept since I last updated my blog.  We had a month in Tasmania late December and part of January, it was great catching up with people and we did some touristry things as well.   We returned home on January 22nd and I started quilting.  I nearly finished 2 baby floor quilts for twin girls Ashleigh and Emma, only have the hand sewing on the binding to do.

The parents can choose which one goes to which girl.
My sister in law also requested a quilt when we were in Tasmania.  Mary loves Cockatiels and Australian parrots.  I have made this top for her using the Themed Fabric design from http://www.keepsakequilting.com/workin-the-west-quilt-kit  this was a small quilt 32 x 46" Marys quilt is 66 x 87".  I am pleased how the top has turned out and I know Mary will like it as it incorporates what she asked for Birds and Blue.

I was able to source the fabrics through Little Desert Quilts at Kaniva and Sarah J Home Design in Queensland.  2 fellow Scquilters posted pieces of fabric to me also, unforunately I have lost their names.   Thank you to the ladies who helped with fabric.   I am pleased my quilting Mojo is back, even on hot and humid days like today.  A chilled wine is helping to keep me cool.

W.I.P'S

I am finishing of UFO's.  For every one I complete I can start another quilt.
This photo is of a Mystery Quilt run through the Yahoo Group Scquilters MQ in 2002.  When choosing the fabrics I did not allow enough contrast to enhance the design.  Consequently the top languished for years in a plastic crate.  Bronwyn van't Hof ran a class Finishing UFO's.  All the fabrics I took to replace the one I was not happy with, did not add zing to the top.  Luckily Bronwyn had the exact fabric needed in her stash, so we swapped fabrics.  I have to finish stitching down the binding and add the label to completely finish it.
Here it is, the fabric that was replaced is the dark purple to make the X lines in the quilt.

I had quite a bit of fabric left from this quilt and as most of the pieces were some of my favourites I made another top this week.  A Shattered 9 patch.  2 fabrics are different as there was none left over of the border fabric, I added another 2 different purples the spot and the dark swirl fabric.

I cut 6 X 16 inch squares with 1 1/2 inch strips added plain 3 inch border then pieced 3 inch border and the final border is 4 inches.  May not be the right Fibonacci numbers I was working with limited meterage.

Latest quilt

This quilt was made for daughter's friends 2 year old girl.  It is for her big bed.  Mum chose the fabrics from a quilt spotted in a shop.  Machine pieced by me and machine quilted by Kylie Cannon of Beaumaris.  Also made a normal pillow case and a European pillow case.
It is different to make a quilt to the requirements of another person.  THe pillow cases I made are number 2 and 4 in this picture.

Charity Donation

Each year the Sunflower Foundation holds a big fundraising event.  This year it is a Black Tie Fantasy Ball at Wattle Tree Chalet Melbourne May 17th
The Sunflower Foundation supports disadvantaged girls in Australia and Overseas to help them get an education. http://www.sunflowerfoundation.com.au/ This web page will give you all the details if you would like to attend.

This wall hanging is a design by Miriam Gogarty of Ireland so it is not an original idea of mine.

The sunflowers are made from cotton fabric with multiple layers of organza with beaded centres.