AROUND THE WORLD BLOG HOP

 For those who don't know what this is, every Monday a blogger is invited to share with the blog world a little about themselves by answering  four questions about their craft and then invite two/three of their blogger friends to continue the chain.

Linda from The Road to Oklahoma invited me to participate and I was thrilled.  I met Linda through our mutual involvement in the Gail Pan - Patchwork Loves Embroidery Sew A Long which is currently being run by Martina at Sunshine Quilting.    Not only does Linda do beautiful patchwork and embroidery on her blog, she also puts up recipes for delicious foods. 

Here are the question posed for the Blog Hop:

1)  What am I working on?
2)  How does my work differ from other of its genre?
3)  Why do I write/create what I do?
4)  How does my writing/creating process work?

Wow, at first I thought these questions don't relate to a humble patchwork/embroiderer who just does this for fun, but then I realized that everyone has a story no matter how simple the answers...so here I go:


 1)  What am I working on -

Where do I start.....when I took up sewing again after a ten year break ,  I promised myself to only have two big projects on the go at once.  Of course I can squeeze in the little projects to keep me motivated and here are my main two:-

McKenna Ryan - Bella Garden

McKenna Ryan - Bella Garden - This was my Christmas gift last year and I have almost finished all the applique and will now put on the three border colours.  Still thinking about the quilting, because it is such a detailed picture quilt, I dont think I will need a heavy quilt but I'm still debating.

Option One

Option Two

Heirloom Quilt -  This is a once a month class so this could be a very long quilt to make.  I have posted pictures on my blog of my completed blocks and I am currently working on another block - just have to work out the best layout,




As for the little on-going projects

A) Gail Pan Sew-A-Long -  Always enjoyable to meet other bloggers and joining this SAL has motivated me to finish each project and here's my third and forth  - two lovely embroidered pin cushions and a little tote bag.

                                 
                                                                         



B) Happy Birthday Bunting - Jake is turning one next week so I am rushing to do a Bunting for him for his party. Its a panel so its going together very quickly.

C) Sewing Retreat Gift - Each year for our sewing retreat, we make a mystery gift for another sewer and this year I have just finished this beautiful buckle bag designed by Leesa Chandler.  Hope the lucky lady loves it as much as I do (almost didnt want to give it up)

Bag Front

Bag Back with pocket

D) Christmas Stockings - Still working on my Bucilla Christmas Stocking for Poppy.  Havent done anything for a while but IT WILL be finished for this Christmas.  Once the SAL is over, I will get back to finishing it off and then starting another one for next year.




2)  How does my work differ from others
I suppose everyones work is different in some way even if it is just colour choices.  I am not a designer I simply follow the pattern I like but with my own materials.  I love patterns that combine hand embroidery and patchwork so I am leaning towards that at the moment. 

3)  Why do I write/create what I do?
That's an easy one.... I love it!  I forgot how much I really enjoy making things.  I use to make lots of handmade things when I had little children but then times change and work comes along and my hobbies got forgotten.  Then my first GS Jake came along and I've been making lots of things for him.

Jake - my inspiration

 
I love using my hands to create things and over the years have tried many crafts from paper tole to folk art painting.  I hate being idle so if I'm not stitching, I'm reading or cooking.


4)  How does my writing/creating process work?
For me, its as simple as finding something I like by using pinterest, blogs, google, books and other ideas.  I then source the pattern if I can, and then begin the hunt for material.  I always find the colour matching the hardest part of the process but once this is done, then its full steam ahead.  I like to try new things and I am currently experimenting with Crazy Quilting which will lead me to learn ribbon embroidery - see there's always something new around the corner.

First attempt at Crazy Patchwork

I have invited the following bloggers to carry on the Blog Hop as they have given me so much inspiration with my quilting: -


Mandy from Seams Sew Together who I have known since childhood, to participate in the Blog Hop.  Mandy does beautiful work and she has taken her Long Arm Quilting to another level.  She recently quilted my Briar Rose Quilt Top and turned it into something really special.  Take a look at her blog, its really worth it.

I discovered Linda from Linda Steele Quilts whilst searching Crazy Quilting on the internet.  Lucky for me, Linda is from Melbourne and I attended one of her Free Motion Classes last year.  Its her Crazy Quilt work that is fabulous and she even has her quilts displayed around the world. Take a look at her lovely embroidery and embellishments.

Thanks for listening to me for the past few minutes, its absolutely wonderful meeting so many talented bloggers/quilters over the past year or so.......please stay in touch.

PATCHWORK LOVES EMBROIDERY S.A.L. - Project #3 Pincushions

Wow another fortnight has come and gone and I've been so sew busy.

I'm posting earlier than usual as I am up for the Around The World Blog on Monday and didnt want too many posts at once.

I managed to make my third project for the SAL - two lovely pin cushions.  You can never have too many pin cushions.  Its almost like having one for each room in the house!

Its lovely to see all the different colors people choose for their designs. These were quite simple to whip up and it was nice and quick which I needed, as I have my girls weekend away and was very busy making things for that and Jake's birthday.

Next project will be the little sewing bag.

PATCHWORK LOVES EMBROIDERY S.A.L. - Project #2 Sewing Folder

There is nothing nicer than just sitting down in front of the television with a needle and thread, and Gail Pan's new book makes it even better with so many lovely projects to make.

I still had enough material left over from my first project to make my second and as I loved the colours so much, I thought why not !

The sewing folder is just perfect to transport all of my hand sewing requirements around without losing anything.  I can pop in my trusty glasses, small scissors, threads, needles and now even my embroidery hoop, simply tie it all up and off I go.

Front of Sewing Folder

 

Holds all my goodies

 

 

I did change a few little instructions and I attached the round appliques with satin stitch because I knew my needle turn technique is not that good. 

 

Also, I used bag wadding instead of normal wadding and this has given the folder a really sturdy feel, more like a book and it holds its shape much better. 

 

Just loved the embroidery and cant wait to get onto the next project.

 

See you all soon xxx  

 

 

 

 



 



FNwF

What a welcome relief to the week when I can retreat to my sewing room, put on the repeat of Anzac Girls (episode 4), have a strong coffee and start sewing and planning.

I'm still working on my Heirloom Quilt Blocks with another two in progress.

 - Crazy Patchwork Heart -

Made a crazy patchwork rectangle, traced and cut out a heart shape.  Attached it to my block with 2 types of satin stitch, to get a frilly appearance,   and then decorated it with machine stitches.   Think it needs something else around the heart so I am going to sew a grid pattern on the background.



Crazy Patchwork Heart





















- Satin Heart -

Another heart shape but this time I used twin needles to grid the satin material, traced and cut out the heart shape and satin stitched in onto the block.  It was just too plain for me, so I found some beautiful lace and using my free motion foot, attached it around the heart.  I am debating whether to add another lace piece above the heart but am undecided.......what do you think????

Twin Needle heart

Here are first four blocks of the Heirloom Quilt almost done.  I know what the next two are going to look like so that's half the problem solved all I need to do now is start sewing them.



First Four Heirloom blocks

Thanks to Cheryll for hosting the Friday Night with Friends, now to pop along and check out what everyone else has done Here

PATCHWORK LOVES EMBROIDERY S.A.L. - Project #1 Home Pillow

Its always exciting to start a new project and I'm like a bull at a gate, charging full steam ahead.  Dont worry I will slow down as I usually do but I am determined to finish everything I start for this Sew A Long.

Deciding on which project to begin with, that a hard one.....ummmm let me see, I will do the Home Pillow first:-

I picked up some coordinating material whilst on holidays in Queensland earlier this year and I think it will be perfect.



Finished....Project #1

I especially love the quilting detail that Gail puts on her projects.  I used a candlewicking thread that I had from a previous quilt and it adds the finishing detail.



Embroidery Section

Looking forward to the next project, which for me, will be the Stitch With Love sewing folder.