Reported missing?!?

Well folks, it is officially 277 days since I posted anything. So where have I been. Definitely NOT missing just very busy and life and work overtook me. We have had spring - a welcome to warmer weather and preparation for vegetable gardening. We have had summer - lots of gardening and an odd holiday. We have had autumn - lots of harvesting, picking, freezing, cooking and preserving all that we have grown. What bumper crops this year. Fantastic! Freezers are heaving. But what about the sewing and crafting? Well also lots achieved. Photos to come, but I sew almost everyday.

Hearts Quilt

During 2015 there was a great project in British Patchwork and Quilting called Heart Song

and it was a sampler quilt based on hearts and music fabrics.  It was originally in Black white and red, but I am adapting it using my favourite purple, black and white.

Here is progress on one of the blocks - well my interpretation of it - and as I didn't have templates for all of them, I had to guess and do some things my way. But surely that is what quilting is about isn't it? I was auditioning the fabric to go behind the heart - chose the one on the right in the end.  I found it so useful to takes photos with either my phone or iPad and then look closely to see the tones.  My iPad allows you to turn your photo into either monochrome or tonal.  So useful. Hope you like the tip?
I will show you the finished heart and some more blocks soon.
Thanks for visiting
Elaine xx

UFO or WIP?

What do you call yours - 'Unfinished Objects' or 'Work in Progress'? I have only seriously been involved in patchwork and quilting for less than a year now, but already I have a stack of half finished projects. I see beautiful fabrics and patterns and think 'I could make that for my Mom/daugher-in-law/grand-daughter etc. ' and then get stuck in.
I am fairly organised (being encouraged by other quilters' New Year resolutions has helped) and have everything in individual plastic bags stored in a large plastic crate. But I still keep starting new things.
These are a few things I have in my box.

These lovely Makower UK dog themed fabrics (purchased from Empress Mills with advice from their lovely Sales Team) inspired a large King sized bed quilt for our bedroom. We are dog lovers! So it seemed perfect.  Neither too feminine nor too masculine.

i am planning to Quilt As You Go with this quilt - my first - so decided (Again!) on a square in square patter. I am using Klona Cotton in Greys from Empress MIlls for the block borders. Backing each block with batik backing fabrics in  two shades of beautiful variegated Browns from Lady Sew and Sew.

I love my paper crafting, most especially my Gelli Plates, and thought I would try fabric paints on calico and here is what I got. Will try for some better photos as I progress with this.

Thanks for visiting again.

Elaine xx

Cold Summer 2015

What has happened to our weather?  It was so cold last year during the summer that I made a large lap rug and lined it with warming fleece so that my mum could sit out in the garden and keep her legs and feet warm. 

Here is my first layout attempt.  I used square in square blocks as a speedy method of completing this.

This was my third quilt and I was pleased with how it turned out.

It was much used in the garden last year and has been a blessing this winter too. Hope you like it.
Elaine xx