BOM 23 - Sweet Caress

The free BOM for this month is a hand pieced gem. It was one of my early ones of moving into combining circles with different outers. Although I pieced the whole of this block I know that many others are choosing to appliqué the circle over the top of the otherwise completed block. We all have our own preferred methods.

Are We There Yet?

Well another free motion quilting exercise finished and very cute too ! This was another block that appeared in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, volume 9 I think. It was called I Should Have Flown South by it always reminds me of that line we have heard so many times when starting out on a trip with our children Are We There Yet?

I enlarged it by 140% and so rather than a 12in block it is now 18in ..well there abouts. Perfect for a pram quilt I think.

Something Old continues

Well have now finished the second round on my reproduction quilt but not too keen on it. I wanted to use a large range of colours, not only for the flowers but also for the floaters. I have been trying out my Photoshop skills hoping to see what other floater options would look like. I only wish it was just a quick to sew on as it is to photoshop. It took me three days to add this border and I know it will take me another week at least to unpick it, change the floaters and resew it on...phooey! I hate frog stitching

original - mixed colour floaters

with mustard floaters

with white floaters

What option do you think looks best?

Gertie

Well it is time for me to bite the bullet and start to work on my free motion quilting. A few weeks ago I did a class in needle turn machine appliqué. The class was to be a vase of flowers, which as beautiful as they were, was something that I knew I would never finish so I decided to make Gertie instead.

Gertie is by Sue Marsh from Whistlepig Creek productions and was the perfect design for the exercise. I had been wanting to try needle turn machine appliqué for a while and had seen a demonstration by Paula Storm on preparing templates using freezer paper. Put the two ideas together and viola... Gertie was born

Dreambird

As much as I know this will surprise many of you I thought I would show you what I have been doing lately...knitting. This is a shawl for my son's girlfriend, Khanam. Isn't it glorious. 

The design is called Dreambird and is available on Ravelry and it will again surprise you but it's not as hard as it looks. Admittedly I did have to restart the project four times when I became lost but after I discovered page 16 all was set. So what was on page 16 well only the basic directions, like K40 or knit to the end or cast on 15 stitches. There was nothing more. that was the thing in the first few pages there were all of these explanations as to why I was doing something and I kept forgetting where I was up to and having to unpick and start again.....page 16 was the lifesaver.

Oh another thing you see all those beautiful colours in the feathers? They all come from one ball. The brand is Noro and I just love the change in the colours. The background fabric is a linen and silk that a friend of mine had spun. Together they come up beautifully.  Well must return to the knitting as PJ returns home in a fortnight and I need to have it finished by then so I can send it over for her Xmas. They live int he UK.

Something Old and Something New

OK so I'm still playing with hexagons, even though it is about time I put my mind back onto the wedding quilt. But you have to admit it is cute isn't it? 

The hexagons for this are actually elongated hexagons and each side is only 1/4in. An elongated hexagon has two angles that are 90 degrees and the other angles are by my calculations 135 degrees.

I suppose I should have put a coin or something else beside it for reference ... next time I promise but if you can take my word for it this section is a bit under 6in high and 4 1/2in wide. Next instalment next weekend.

I saw this quilt in a museum. The original had been used to cover a tractor until it was rescued and repaired. Looks good so far. Oh the original was a lot bigger but again I want a take anywhere project and even when this whole quilt is finished I doubt it will be much bigger than an A3 sheet of paper.

Something Old and Something New

OK so I'm still playing with hexagons, even though it is about time I put my mind back onto the wedding quilt. But you have to admit it is cute isn't it? 

The hexagons for this are actually elongated hexagons and each side is only 1/4in. An elongated hexagon has two angles that are 90 degrees and the other angles are by my calculations 135 degrees.

I suppose I should have put a coin or something else beside it for reference ... next time I promise but if you can take my word for it this section is a bit under 6in high and 4 1/2in wide. Next instalment next weekend.

I saw this quilt in a museum. The original had been used to cover a tractor until it was rescued and repaired. Looks good so far. Oh the original was a lot bigger but again I want a take anywhere project and even when this whole quilt is finished I doubt it will be much bigger than an A3 sheet of paper.

500 Traditional Quilts

Well I know you haven't seen it yet but Lark publications is about to release the latest book in their 500 series and you guessed it, it's all about traditional quilts. Don't we all just love traditional quilts. This book is an absolute feast for quilt lovers with beautiful photos of 500 quilts.

I couldn't believe it .. mind you the one downside is that there are so many other wonderful quilts that I just would love to make. Would be wonderful to see them in real life wouldn't it.

Collection 22 - Where Did That Name Come From?

Collection 22	The Future Awaits doesn't the design remind you of those science fiction movies where people go into a trim travel machine and then they spin off to somewhere else .. or perhaps it reminds you of the spotless nurses uniforms?	C22 The Future Awaits
Ribbons of Peace what a peaceful coloured block. If only the world could be so peaceful and enjoy the ribbons of children playing in the parks and laughing.	C22 Ribbons of Peace	Nuclear Free  amazing how so many of this month's blocks have a theme of fear of the future.
C22 Isobel's Flight	Isobel was the first person I designed and wrote a pattern for. She had liked one of my other patterns and wanted to modify it. When I suggested this one she jumped at it. I should find a photo of her quilt and upload it.	C22 Nuclear Free
Rhonda is a dear friend. Full of life and laughter she was always the life of the party and of course she loved spots. This fabric came from her stash.	C22 Rhonda Loves Spots	When touring Alaska  we tried our hand at gold panning but alas were so successful we had to return to our day jobs as they say :)
C22 WorkingTogether	Working Together was the melding of two designs. I think it may have looked more dramatic if I had used two colours for the design but didn't want that in this quilt.	C22 Looking for Gems

BOM 22- Nuclear Free

WOW I can't believe there are people still going with this. Although I enjoyed making Raconteur my application came and went. It took me six years to make and whenever I sewed it I must admit I loved it, but my interest did fluctuate at times. I can remember one time I made two or three blocks a day, every day for a few weeks. Then I came to my senses and resumed a sensible schedule...of making lots of different quilts at the one time :)

Well here is the BOM for September, Nuclear Free. The name is obvious from the nuclear symbol. I always found it odd as we drive to Sydney there is a sign up saying nuclear free zone. I wonder if the people there are also against the radiation therapy used for cancer etc. There are negative sides and positive sides to most things.

Canberra Quilt Show

Woo hoo! Two red ribbons plus a viewers choice at the recent Canberra Quilt Show. 

 Exploring Stitches was second in Mixed Media, while Post Scripts was second in Tiny Treasures and also winner of Viewers' Choice for the Small Quilts section. Great day all round.


If you have time to surf here is a link to all of the winners there are some real beauties there. I particularly liked second place in the bed quilts professional. What is your favourite?

Colouring In - what a wonderful pastime

I was talking with Chris who is just about to begin her Raconteur journey....nothing in particular and lots about this and that. You all know how conversations have a tendency to wander. Keeps ones interest, or checks if they are paying attention :0

Anyway whilst typing up a response I had a thought.... perhaps Chris can quilt. I know that is a skill I'm lacking in and it does affect my designs at times. Well I picked up the idea that perhaps Chris could do more than a mean walking foot and so decided to try out an alternative border plan.

Rather than framing each collection in the same colour/fabric if the separate bands took in both sides of the outer border strip it would allow someone with some quilting skills a wider strip to work with. I did a quick colouring of the layout sketch for king size layout and the theory looks good. Wonder what it would be like in real life. Ah so many ideas and so little time.

Festival of Quilts UK

Well guess what? At the UK Festival of Quilts last week Raconteur was lucky enough to win Viewer's Choice for Thursday!! Woohoo! Can you see the smile on my face? I have heard this is the biggest show in the UK and Europe and after looking at the photos of the winning entries I can honestly say had I realised how big a competition it is I would never have had the confidence to enter..but I'm glad I did.
Here is the organiser's facebook page, but for some real eye candy here Fiona's photos, she even has a photo of THE quilt. The photo above is just one of the many that I liked. One day I will go the the FofQ.....as soon as I win lotto.

Oh for anyone wanting the link to my website for Raconteur here it is

BOM 21 - Through the Lattice

Collection 21

One of my experiments with non-hexagon blocks. some variations worked better with the change than others but this is one that I did like. Several blocks from this experiment are still in my pile of oughts..probably never to be used.

Carol loves Florals

Collection 51	Another collection completed. I have to choose Colours of Age as my favourite in this collection. I just adore how the purple stands out against the roses. Can't say if it is my favourite because of the colours or the fact that I love roses.	C51 When I am King
C51 Colours of Age	C51 Amethyst	C51 Pretty Maid
C51 Star Within	C51 Rising Mist	C51 Tail Spin

BOM 19 - Place d'Italie

Collection 19

This is an interesting block with its mixture of small and large pieces. I had planned to have six of the smaller triangles in the inner section but somehow misplaced them and as I didn't have any spare blue fabric with me changed the block so that I could sew that night.

Revising Tutorials

As it has been a while since some of the tutorials were posted I thought this would be a good time to write a quick summary with links for people who have joined recently.

If you are new here, or even if you have been here a while but didn't know, at times people have sent in suggestions to help others. Here is a round up with links to previous posts.

Foundation Piecing -
How to plus a couple of simple beginners level blocks here

English Paper Piecing
I have only ever used EPP with 1/4in hexagons and didn't use it for Raconteur but Carol swears by it. She was the one who asked for the templates and if not for her request then there would have been no EPP templates.
Sue Daley has made a series of youtube videos about EPP. These appear good but I found that one needed more patience than I had to use this because of the size of the pieces. The video demonstrates with large pieces.
I have personally found that if you want to use glue with such small pieces then Roxannes glue is the best because of the fine applicator
This post talks about a site by flossie cakes and the wealth of information there
Post about a new product for EPP. I haven't tried this product yet but Sue Daley is well respected in Australia and is know as the queen of EPP. here

Applique
Applique is a method I have never enjoyed. You will be surprised to find that I have pieced many blocks which others may do using appliqué. This post provides a list of links to various appliqué sites.

Photographing Your Blocks
just a few suggestions on how to take photos of your blocks to make it easier form to photoshop and upload them. Btw if you want a copy of your cropped photo just ask me when you send it in and I will happily send it back to you. here

Carol & Collection 58

Collection 58	Well Carol has definitely been steaming away whilst I have been overseas. Collection 58 .... almost to the end. Then we will have the fun of seeing how she combines them. I joined the blocks so that the colours complemented each other with no preconception beforehand. This is a sampler for her to join as she wishes. Can't wait!	C58 Smiling in Red
Smiling in Red and Celtic Gem I recognise both of those fabrics. Would check to see where they were in Raconteur but it is amazing how hard it can be to track down a particular fabric in that quilt.	C58 Celtic Gem	Stripes would have to be my favourite, every wonky ones
C58 A New Kingdom	Garden Party would you believe me if I told you that there are seven different fabrics in each triangle ... and the triangle is less than 2in high! A New Kingdom was designed in the middle of the night... no wonder it has so many tiny pieces. No one in their right mind would 'plan' on that many pieces!	C58 Garden Party

UK National Quilt Championships

Well I received a fantastic email this morning ...... read below....


 

Hi Cinzia

 I’m not quite sure how to start this! So here goes:

Katy has left a message with your son via the phone number on your Sandown Quilt Entry form for T 02 ‘The Raconteur’s Quilt’.The message is as follows:

Your quilt has won awards in these categories –

Sampler award
Pieced award
Theme category winner
Overall Runner Up

I’m sure she said that you are currently out of the country, but we thought you’d like to know at the earliest possible moment – well done! If you have someone who you would like to nominate to collect your trophies and rosettes at the awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon at 2.30 pm – and they are able to attend, let me know and I’ll make the necessary arrangements.

I know it’s a bit late in the evening, now, but I’ll be in the office from 0730 in the morning.

On behalf of all of us at Grosvenor, can I offer our congratulations on your success. Without quilt entries there wouldn’t be a competition, so thank you for entering your quilt – dare I say ‘your mum would be proud’.

Well done, speak soon

Sue


My son will be surprised when he finds out. I'm not sure when that will be as he only switches his phone when he KNOWS that he will be receiving a call :) Definitely not one of the young who feels he must stay connected.

Getting Closer

Collection 55	Well what do you think of the great range of colours in this collection. Carol is almost at the end and then the fun begins deciding which blocks will go together. She is definitely looking forward to seeing which colours go with which. .. Me too!	C55 Sneezing
C55 Fifty & Loving It	C55 Fields Lay Fallow	C55 Over the Headland

C55 Inspirations

C55 Peacock Pride

C55 Friday Night Flowers