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.

BABIES BY AMY BRADLEY

Pattern: Babies by Amy Bradley  http://www.amybradleydesigns.com/baqupa.html
Material:  Scraps for applique, Timeless Treasures by Amy Bradley for Sashing and Border.

I am very  pleased to finally have the quilt that started all my sewing exploits, FINISHED!!

Well before Jake (GS) was even thought of, I started a patchwork quilt class at Kates in the hope that one day I might have a grandchild and lucky for me, I now do.

Now this sewing craze has totally obsessed me, and I find myself hunting material stores and surfing the net for ideas and patterns, I absolutely love it.  Not to mention all the lovely and talented bloggers who I am meeting along the way.
 

Finished at last

Kate opted to teach us the Quilt-As-You-Go method and what a terrific idea for my first large quilt.  I was able to practice my free motion skills on the smaller blocks without having a heavy weight dragging me down.  Once all the blocks were appliqued and embellished, it was just a matter of sewing on the sashings, border and then binding.

BABY IN PRAM - My favourite block - I did paisley free motion on the background.

 

BABY IN CAR - This one has what I call 'Lollipops' in the background because they reminded me of Stop Signs and I thought that was appropriate.

 

 BABY IN BOAT - The quilting on the background really stands out on the plain fabric.

 

 BABY IN PUSHER - This free motion was a variation on stippling with flowers thrown in.

 

 BABY IN WAGON - Loved the brickwork on the background, it really suited the fabric colours

 

 BABY IN SWING - Free motion on this one was a continuous spiral .

 

Completed.  Sashing, Border and Bound in a bright yellow to complement it all.

 

 

 

SAL - Patchwork Loves Embroidery, Gail Pan

Last week I ordered Patchwork Loves Embroidery by Gail Pan from The Book Depository.  I was so excited when it arrived I could hardly wait to start something.

 

Then I checked Gail's blog, and guess what........ there is a Sew A Long for this very book !!! 

 

Martina from Sunshine-quilting is hosting the SAL and as I already have the book, I decided it will be fun to join the other ladies and meet new friends.


If you choose 1 project for each linkup, you will have made 5 projects from this lovely book.

 

It runs from 1st September and ends 31st October so there's plenty of time to make what you can.  Its totally up to you, but if you're anything like me, you'll want to make everything!!

I've picked out some material and threads for my first project, which is going to be the Home Pillow.
 

My selection of fabrics and my first project selection



 

BELLA GARDEN - BLOCK THREE

Its been a while since I have done any work on my Bella Garden Quilt, there's been so much else to keep me busy, but its back on now.

I've almost completed the applique features, just a little stitching to do and it will be complete.  Those dreaded wisteria flowers took forever but they were worth it.

I've decided to change my quilt from the original a little, and omit the bird pictures on the top and bottom.  I feel it would just be too big to do anything with so I will add a couple of borders and then think about the quilting.  Not really sure how to quilt this, the material is so vibrant it wont need very much at all.  If anyone has any suggestions or examples, please let me know.

If you have missed Block one its here and Block two here

Mr Frog

Lily flower

Finished Applique 

HEIRLOOM CREAM ON CREAM - BLOCK TWO

Our second block class for the Heirloom Cream on Cream and we created what I call, a Peep Block.

We edged white print-on-print material with lace and piping, then folded and sewed to create a square with the center four pieces opening up to reveal a secret surprise.      I chose to do a candlewick lattice heart in the center but there were others with pieces of lace or embroidery, whatever your fancy.  Lace cut-outs were then sewn out from the centre square to fill the block out.

Full Block with Peep closed

Peep Open to reveal heart

Block three coming up and its a Crazy Patchwork piece.....stay tuned for the pics

HEIRLOOM CREAM ON CREAM - BLOCK ONE

Last Christmas I upgraded my Brother machine to a 1500D which has 100's of beautiful stitches. Thing is, I didn't think I would be using half of the stitches available.

Then along came Kate (my talented Sewing instructor) with an Heirloom Class especially for using all the features on your sewing machine.  Each week she teaches us either a new stitch or shows us a new foot to use to get the most out of our machine.



Full Fan Block

Here is the first completed block,




Using a cream print curtain fabric as the block base, I placed a crimped
material piece in the shape of a fan across the middle of the block.  A white straight sided lace was edged on the inner curve.

Lace radiated from the corner to the fan piece and then a decorative stitch in the fawn thread, was stitched between each row of lace.  This was fun, chosing which stitch to use, I tried a lot of them and decided that this one looked best.


















A heavy lace was placed on the outer fan edge and this was clipped between the pattern so that it laid flat. I then had to free motion on the lace to attach it to the block. Finally another decorative stitch coming out from the heavy lace to appear as tear drops on the edge.







We are working towards 9 blocks which can be used as either a quilt or individual cushions, whatever you choose, but the emphasis is on learning new techniques.

The colour scheme is Cream on Cream and I am using two shades of fawn embroidery thread plus lots of beautiful laces.

Can't wait to see the next block we are sewing and what wonderful stitches I find on my machine.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SWAP

My gifts arrived weeks ago and it has taken all my strength to keep from opening them,  so when the 25th arrived, I rushed home from work, all excited,  to open my presents that were waiting for me.

For my first ever swap, I received wonderful gifts from O'faigh at Oldbury Cottage.

I debated on which present to open first and I went for the smallest first.  What a lovely surprise when I opened a beautifully embroidered redwork needle holder.   

 

Which one next.... another small package grabbed my attention and was pleasantly surprised to find a playful ivy garland with gorgeous buttons separating each leaf. 

 

Two presents left so I decided the big one next..... A exquisite table top/mini quilt adorned with matching buttons to the garland. 

 

Last but not least..... A unique wooden peg nativity ornament.

 

Big thank you's to both Cheryl at Gone Stitchin' for organising the swap and also to O'faigh for my wonderful presents.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SWAP - MY GIFTS

My first Swap - Christmas in July hosted by Gone Stitchin.  I had no idea what the level of expertise was required and I am really hoping that my receiver likes my gifts.  I loved being part of the swap and can't wait to see what surprises await me on 25th July.  

We had to hand make three (3) items and we could choose selections from the word Christmas.  I chose the letter T - tree, I - inspirational words and S - stocking.

Pattern : Craftsy - Swirled Christmas Tree. Very easy applique pattern using scraps of material.    I did a simple stipple on the back ground, edged and backed with green and with a simple sleeve, made a wall hanging.

 

Next item was another wall hanging but this one is suitable for everyday use.  From a pattern by Hugs N kisses, an 8" wide redwork embroidery with prairie points.

Lastly, 4 felt appliqued stockings for hanging on the tree or around the house.  They can hold little surprises and are about 4" high finished in blanket stitch.

 

BUCILLA STOCKINGS

What a terrific idea these felt Christmas Stockings are.  Everything that you need is included in the kit and all pieces of felt are printed with the pattern to embroider on or sequin over.  I had so much fun doing the first one, that I am well on the way with my second.  

Here's the first one completely finished.........



First Stocking.......This one's for me!!

Close up of details

My second stocking is for Poppy and I am hoping this will be finished by Christmas.
 

Each night while the family are watching TV, I am sitting cutting, threading sequins and embroidering away, stuffing away where necessary as my stocking takes shape.  There are always little add on's, like  kittens, teddy bears or toys to bring it to life.  This one even has lights to be added to illuminate the stocking.

 

Santa looks so peaceful :)

Plenty of surprises in the bag

Sure each stocking takes a time, but little by little it builds up into a 3 dimensional story and will be a family heirloom for future generations.  I am looking around for more designs for the other members of the family and I think I will be busy for the next few months or even years!!