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

Splendid Sampler - Blocks 1 & 2

Two blocks down - Ninety eight to go..........

Block one is four squares with snowballed outer corners. I used 'Heat and Bond' to apply the heart and chain stitched the border using the alternate green to each corner colour.

Now Block 2 was a completely different kettle of fish! So many small pieces and half square triangles to match up.  I am reasonably pleased with the outcome and now just have to embroider the feelers this evening (I always try to have some hand sewing for the dark evenings - do you?)

Neither are perfect, but they are completed and, in the big picture, hopefully my little 'errors' won't show too much.

Hope you like.

Elaine xx

Splendid Sampler Quilt - Block saver completed!

Well, I have started my journey by making the bonus block and inserting it into my Block Saver. I didn't even know what one of those was before I started this. Many others joining the challenge didn't either so I don't feel quite so stupid.

Here is my block.  Not the neatest, I know, but finished and some lessons learned.  If I press my seams to the 'dark side' (Star Wars again?) rather than pressing the seam open, I get better and sharper points when sewing the blocks together.  

I altered my Block Saver by adding two extra pieces of wadding as I fear I will not always be able to complete two blocks a week! 

Very pleased with the finished result - I like the fabrics! Always a good thing don't you think? The first block is released tomorrow, can't wait now I am all prepared.

Thanks for visiting

Elaine x

91 today.

It's my mum's 91st birthday today. That is 33215 days. Wow - what an achievement. Here is the card I made for her.  I cut the two half circle ends on the Scan N Cut using Centura Pearl card and a Tattered Lace design. This was mounted onto a hand cut matt silver base which I had embossed and an easel stand, attached to the back, gave space for a greeting. The Tattered Lace sentiment was cut on the SNC using a lightweight silver paper stock from Create & Craft. Purple Stickles cover some numbers from my stash and the lilac ribbon was also purchased from C&C yonks ago!

For Mum's present I made laundry bags (inspired by Debbie Shore) for her to carry her washing down the stairs.  She is very independent and the laundry basket is getting a bit bulky.  The appliqué garments and washing line were free motioned quilted.  Sorry about the creases, but I forgot to take photos before they were wrapped. 

Thanks for looking

Elaine x

Star Wars

Well 2015 was certainly full of Star Wars hype wasn't it?
In May I started a wall hanging for my eldest son who is a huge fan. It turned out to be a marathon make and I didn't manage it for his birthday in July and so it became a Christmas present.

Yes, it's Darth Vader.
I drew inspiration from the many images available on Google and Pinterest and downsized the pattern so that each square was 1" in size.  I had black velvet in my sewing stash for most of his face.  The highlights were made from some vintage grey striped wool suiting and I used vintage silk for the blue background. What a combination - it was a nightmare to keep all the squares in shape, but after many hours of heavy machine embroidery, it came out good.
Eldest son loves it - it hangs in his office at work.
Hope you like it too?
Elaine xx

My First Post

Hello friends!
Well I have finally taken the plunge and started my own blog. I hope that this will satisfy my creative needs and encourage others to try crafting of all types.
I have "crafted" in some form or other since I was about 3 years old.  My grandmother was a seamstress and I was allowed to string buttons on a thick thread and then make necklaces, bracelets and lots of other things, before my mum would cut it all apart and I'd start again.
I was well ahead of the other pupils in the sewing class at school and had learned knitting and crochet by then too.  I loved drawing and painting. I made theatres and puppets allowing me to perform pantomimes for my family.  Card, paper, paint, wool, thread, fabric - I loved it all. Still do!
My reason for starting this blog is that I am joining in with the Splendid Sampler Quilt challenge which will consist of 100 quilt blocks, using all sorts of different techniques and made over the next year.  I asked myself what could be a better time to set up a blog and follow this through as well as sharing my other makes? So here we are. These are the fabrics I have chosen from my stash.

It is my mum's 91st birthday later this month so there will be stuff for that as well!
I look forward to sharing my love of crafts with you all.
Elaine