And another Caswell block rolls off the (incredibly enthusiastic) production line: Caswell Quilt - Block B1 I don't mind admitting that this isn't one of my favourites so far - it was fine to stitch
I'm just so thrilled to have finished another Caswell block. The glue baste technique I learned from Teresa's blog really makes it so much easier to tackle the more fiddly elements - do try it if you are working on an appliqué project. Caswell Quilt - Block C2 The leaves, the stem and the butterfly were stitched in place using my normal needle turn technique, but the flower and the bird were done with the glue baste method, and I'm so impressed with the speed and accuracy that is achieved. I now understand how Teresa is so prolific ... I'm definitely converted. I do have a couple more pictues to share, but I'll have to leave them for next time, as I'm just about to run Camo to tennis training. Now that school is back, all the other activities are back too. Between Camo and I, there is tennis in some form seven times a week, Camo's tutoring, work and quilt group. All good fun and useful, but it means I'm never sitting still for too long. Chatter soon!
Er is weer een Caswell blok af. Another Caswell block is finished. Deze keer was het een vaas, en ik had nog een klein stukje van een mooi roze met blauw lapje ervoor. This time it was a vase, and I had a small piece of a lovely blue and pink fabric for that. Langzaam begon het wat te lijken.... Slowly it started to look like something..... ...en al gauw kon ik de laatste bloemetjes er op rijgen. ...and soon I could baste the last flowers. Mijn nichtje Hetty in Nederland stuurde een leuke foto van 'Gein de geit' die ze gemaakt had voor vrienden, zo schattig. My cousin Hetty in Holland sent me a photo of a goat 'Gein de Geit' that she had made for friends. It is lovely! Fijne dag! Have a nice day! Jane
Yay, I have finished another Caswell Block. Looks like I've settled into a routine of about one block per week at the moment - and I'm just...
Longarm Quilting Service by award winning quilter, Frances Meredith based in the UK, serving quilters locally in Bristol, the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Herefordshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, South Wales (Cardiff and Newport), Monmouthshire and Gwent. UK Quilt postal service also available.
Another quickie post today, I just wanted to share that I've completed another Caswell block: Caswell Quilt - Block B2 I'm hopeles...
This will be another quickie post tonight, it's getting late here, and I'm really feeling like I need my zzz's. But I just didn't want to wait to share that I finished another Caswell block: Caswell Quilt - Block D4 This was another fun block to stitch, and a big thank you to my sweet friend Norma for the scraps of blue fabric I used in the flower. The fabric will also look lovely in bird feathers etc, and I can't wait to use it again! Interestingly, this block is labelled D4 in the pattern, but in the picture on the cover, the block appears in Row E. It's not a big deal though, if I choose to do so, I can swap the blocks around when I begin constructing the rows, both blocks use the same background fabric and are interchangeable. The next block has some cute birds in the centre, so I'm looking forward to getting started on it. I have also got some changes in mind, so you'll be able to see those when I put my next post together. Chatter soon! xox
Once again, another amazing applique quilt from Sally. Her vision for these appliques and fabric choices are so nice, there are lots of ...
My friend Lynne and I decided to make this quilt together. The plan was to make one block a month but she has been so inspired with the blo...
And here I am again - my addiction is in full force. I've been doing the things that MUST be done - like feeding the family, chores and taking the Christmas decorations down ... but every spare minute I have is spent on tiny appliqué stitches ... Caswell Quilt - Block B5 This is my tenth block now, and I'm loving how they're coming along. It's so much fun looking into my scraps for the perfect piece for each of the elements. I don't necessarily think I always get each fabric combo right, but that's okay, I do love to throw zingers into the mix. My sweet friend Donna in Folsom sent me home last year with some of her scraps, and I've been having fun using those too - have you seen them in so many of the blocks Donna? I think 5 of the red petals are from your stash hon! I've also been enjoying the NZ fabrics I mentioned a little while back, The larger light pink flower is made of one of those, and I just love the little highlights of gold - it really appeals to my bling-loving self. Tonight I have some cutting out to do before I head to bed - I need to get some HST's ready - and another project entirely, a sweet baby has arrived a little early, so I'm going to get busy on a treat for the precious little bundle. Chatter soon! xox
As a newlywed, I was a bit obsessed with keeping my husband happy. To the point that I often denied my own feelings.Husband: “Are you okay?’ Me: “I’m fine.”Husband: “Anything wrong?” Me: “Nope, all is good.”Meanwhile, inside, I would be struggling with anger or hurt. My motto which I adopted when I was young was, “Don’t rock the boat.” I assumed if I didn’t disagree or confront anyone, everyone would stay happy. The problem is this way of being is disingenuous, and it doesn’t build intimacy. In fact, it creates walls between husband and wife. If I have to keep someone cheerful, I can never be totally real.The truth was, my husband wanted to know how I really felt. He wanted honesty and openness. He didn’t want me to only say what I thought he wanted to hear. I think that’s true in most relationships. Certainly, in any healthy relationship.It’d be impossible to take responsibility for someone else’s happiness. I can do everything my husband might want as he wants it done and he can still choose to be unhappy, or he may have underlying depression or anxiety. I have zero control over his responses or mental health.Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fizkes
My friend Lynne and I decided to make this quilt together. The plan was to make one block a month but she has been so inspired with the blo...
Raise your hand if you knew I'd find every spare moment to finish the last Caswell block I've been working on! Sleep is overrated right? Of course it is ... so to that end, here is my last block: Caswell Quilt - Block F3 In my haste to take the picture, I've managed to take a blurry shot and haven't pressed the block well at all - but it's done and I'm just thrilled. I think this may be my favourite block so far. What a wonderful note to end on! My sewing room is still in disarray, and will be for another week, so I can't get busy doing anything else just yet. Also my sewing machine is having a visit at the Bernina health spa, so even if I could find myself a quiet corner, there's not a great deal I can do. Before I go, I'm so happy to be able to share some pictures that my sweet friend Janet took of my Montmellick quilt hanging at the AQC in Melbourne: Now that AQC is finished, my quilt has travelled to Nantes in France with Di Ford-Hall, it'll be displayed in the special exhibit at Pour L'amour Du Fil. I genuinely wish I could be there, but this year it's not to be. I have some lovely friends over there, and they have assured me they'll be sending me lots of pictures, so I'll update you soon. Well, that's it for me today - I have the last items of furniture to move and then it's time to get busy painting. Chatter soon! xox
Mixed-media painting on Paper One of a kind artwork Size : 42 x 29.7 x 0.4cm (unframed) / 30 x 23cm (actual image size) Signed certificate of authenticity Style : Illustrative Subject : Landscapes, sea and sky A very popular local bay shown here at sunset. The glorious colours suggest it could almost be somewhere tropical rather than an often rainy South Wales, UK. Drawn/painted in a mixture of watercolour, coloured pencil and ink on Bristol board. Sold mounted in a good quality mount with backing board but not framed, the mount measures 42 x 29.7cm/ 16.5 x 11.7 inches (A3) so will fit a standard frame. Signed on the reverse and on the mount and supplied with a certificate of authenticity.
As a newlywed, I was a bit obsessed with keeping my husband happy. To the point that I often denied my own feelings.Husband: “Are you okay?’ Me: “I’m fine.”Husband: “Anything wrong?” Me: “Nope, all is good.”Meanwhile, inside, I would be struggling with anger or hurt. My motto which I adopted when I was young was, “Don’t rock the boat.” I assumed if I didn’t disagree or confront anyone, everyone would stay happy. The problem is this way of being is disingenuous, and it doesn’t build intimacy. In fact, it creates walls between husband and wife. If I have to keep someone cheerful, I can never be totally real.The truth was, my husband wanted to know how I really felt. He wanted honesty and openness. He didn’t want me to only say what I thought he wanted to hear. I think that’s true in most relationships. Certainly, in any healthy relationship.It’d be impossible to take responsibility for someone else’s happiness. I can do everything my husband might want as he wants it done and he can still choose to be unhappy, or he may have underlying depression or anxiety. I have zero control over his responses or mental health.Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fizkes
Het wordt ook wel hoog tijd dat ik een blogje schrijf. Wel een beetje lang, dus ga er maar voor zitten! De eerste weken na de verhuizing en het uitpakken van alle dozen, was er niet veel tijd voor applique, maar ik heb toch mijn derde blok van de Elizabeth MacCullough Hervey Baltimore quilt af gemaakt.! It is more than time to write a blog! It is long, so make yourself a nice drink! In the first weeks after our move there was not much time for applique in between unpacking boxes, but I managed to finish the third block of the Elizabeth MacCullough Hervey Baltimore quilt. Het is zo fijn om op het platteland in de bergen te wonen, we kunnen zo de deur uit stappen, en van alles zien. Wij zijn schijnbaar ook bezienswaardig...:) It is lovely to live in the countryside among the mountains, we can go for walks from our doorstep, and see all sorts of things. And have onlookers...:) Soms lopen de schapen op de weg.... Sometimes there is a traffic jam.... of een koe met grote horens en een mooie kuif.... or a cow with long horns and a funky hairdo.... of zwarte Hebridean schapen (vooral als je dan met een pikzwarte vacht naar huis mag!).... or Black Hebridean sheep, (especially when you are allowed to take a jet-black fleece home!).... prachtige vergezichten.... beautiful views.... en mooie herfstkleuren. with lovely colours in autumn. In September gingen we naar Nederland op familie bezoek. De quilt die ik had gemaakt voor mijn nicht Hetty mocht mee om aan haar te geven. Eind Januari begon ik ermee, en tijdens de zomermaanden was ik hem aan het handquilten. In September we went to Holland for family visits. The quilt I had made for my cousin Hetty came with us, so that I could give it to her. I started making it at the end of January and handquilted it all through the summer. In Nederland heb ik ook voor de eerste keer mijn internet vriendin Anne Marieke ontmoet. In Holland I also met, for the first time, my internet friend Anne Marieke. Het was een genot haar prachtige applique te mogen zien... It was such a joy to see her beautiful applique... en de prachtige tuin. Wat was het een fijne dag! and their dreamy garden. What a wonderful day it was! Ondertussen zat ik in een quiltdip, en was sokken aan het breien... In the meantime I had lost my quiltmojo, and was knitting socks... en nog een paar. and another pair. Ook ging ik verder met mijn gehaakte deken - wie weet komt die ooit nog een keer af! And I also carried on with my long-term project, a crocheted blanket. Who knows, I might finish it one day! Soms gaan we een eindje rijden in de bergen... Sometimes we go for a drive in the mountains... en vanuit het raam van mijn werkkamer zie ik de schapen op de weg. and from the window at home we can see the sheep coming along the road. Of we gaan weer wandelen, meer schapen.... Or we go for more walks, more sheep.... en we zien Herdwick schaapjes. and also see Herdwick sheep. De herfstkleuren zijn prachtig geweest, en 's avonds kregen de bergen een prachtige gloed. The autumn colours have been beautiful, and in the evenings the mountains took on a beautiful glow. Kleine spinnetjes waren druk met hun draden in de weilanden... The little spiders were busy weaving threads in the fields... en er waren soms prachtige luchten. and there were some beautiful skies. Toen was er sneeuw op de bergen in November, Then there was snow on the mountains in November, en op een morgen hadden we in ons dorpje ook sneeuw. and one morning our village and surroundings also had snow. Mijn quiltdip begon over te gaan, dus ging ik verder met mijn Caswell blokken. My quiltmojo was coming back, so I carried on with my Caswell blocks. Een paar dagen geleden gingen we even wandelen want er was een mooie lage mist en een zonsondergang laat op de middag. We went for a beautiful walk around our village a few days ago, as there was a low mist and a sunset late in the afternoon. Nog even terug kijken op weg naar huis. One look back on the way home. 's Avonds bij de houtkachel heb ik nog een Caswell blok gemaakt. Inplaats van 30, wil ik 25 blokken hebben, zodat de quilt vierkant wordt. Dus nog maar eentje! In the evenings I finished my latest Caswell block. Instead of making 30 of them, I decided I want a square quilt, so I only need 25 blocks. One more to go! Fijne dagen! Enjoy your day! Jane
Threadbear, patchwork, quilt, reproduction fabric, Castlemaine, Australia,
Galleria di quilt realizzati da Rita Frizzera
Just for fun, I created a collage of the Caswell blocks I've made so far. Because I've made 13 blocks, the program has used a couple of the blocks twice, but I have to tell you, I'm loving how this project is coming along so far! Super fun!! I have had a couple of questions from blog followers this week, and I thought it might be worthwhile to share my answers with everyone. A lovely reader Mary Ann (who I wasn't able to respond to personally) asked about what background fabric I'm using. Of course I'm happy to share. There are two backgrounds, and they're both by French General - the one with the tiny print is from the French General Favourites line. The one that is more plain and has a slight woven look, and I think it's from the Maison de Garance line. The colourway for both the prints is oyster. I love both the fabrics, and this is the third project I've used the woven looking print for. Thank you for asking Mary Ann! :-) Another sweet reader Meryl asked what needles and thread I use. This one is easy - I've used Piecemakers betweens for a long time. For me they're tried and true, and I love that the eye of the needle isn't wider than the shaft. And the thread I've been using is Masterpiece by Superior Threads. While I was in the USA in 2012, I purchased a bobbin donut at the Superior Threads booth, and I have to say it has been one of my most favourite purchases ever! Some of my bobbins are getting low, and I'm going to have to replace my favourite colours soon. May I also just say that I'm not compensated for these recommendations in any way, just a very satisfied customer. I'd also like to say a big Hi to Jenni who commented recently, I'd love to reply personally, but your email address didn't come through to me xox No stitching at all so far for me today, and the day is almost over. I've been out and about with Camo, and this evening has been spent doing guild work. If I'm super lucky I may be able to trace another block before I head to bed, but maybe tomorrow will be the day instead. Chatter soon!
Last week I had two finishes, but because of preparations for Amy's 21st birthday party, I didn't have a chance to share. Here is my late...
Block 5 from Fraktur Quilt therabbitfactory.com
"Songs of Spring," 6-inch blocks by Lori Smith , outer border by me, is hand quilted and bound...just in the nick of time to be my secon...
Center Medallion for Jingle BOM Quilt I sewed the last stuffed berries on the center medallion for my Jingle BOM quilt yesterday. I still need to wash off a couple of stray pencil marks and trim it down to 27" square, but I wanted to get it up on the design wall and take a picture as soon as I got all of the dog fur and sweater fuzzies off with a lint roller. Ta da! The 9 pieced blocks and 9 appliqued blocks for this quilt are already finished, setting triangles cut and ready to go, but I'm planning to deviate from Erin's original design by setting my medallion straight and surrounding it with some pieced borders, so stay tuned for that. Meanwhile, I've gotten distracted by another project under the needle of my sewing machine, some things for Lars's bedroom. I'll get back to Jingle after that detour. I'm linking up to Design Wall Monday at Judy's blog and Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch. Click over to see what everyone else is up to this week!
How to grow your prayer life plus access to download a free prayer journal for Christian women!
An open edition signed fine art print of my original drawing 'Caswell sunset’. The original was a mixed media piece, created using watercolour, coloured pencil and acrylic ink. Printed to order on archival matt epson paper. The print is available in the following sizes: * A5 (148x 210 mm/ 5.8 x 8.3 inches) * A4 (210 x 297 mm/ 8.3 x 11.75 inches) * A3 (297 x 420mm/11.75 x 16.5 inches) This listing is for just the print, it is not framed and does not come with mat/mount. A5 and A4 sizes will be sent in a flat box, wrapped in tissue paper and protected in a biodegradable sleeve with backing board as shown in the second picture with a different print. A3 prints will be protected in a biodegradable sleeve and tissue paper and sent in a reinforced cardboard envelope. Free UK delivery
This morning I put the last few stitches in my next Caswell block. I just had the last two flowers to place, and it was done: Caswell Quilt - Block A4 It appears that I've centred the appliqué poorly on the background fabric, but in reality it's fine - the blame lies with my lack of photography skills and taking the picture off centre - honest! I'm a bit of a lazy appliquér, and to that end I made some changes. I smoothed out the bumps in the larger leaves - for two reasons. The green print fabric for the super big leaves is quite heavy and hard to needle turn, so I didn't want the hassle of the little lumps and bumps, and if I'm honest, I actually prefer the look of neater leaves. I also changed the centre of the two left most flowers - I liked the William Morris print for the centre, so I used that instead of appliqueing the fussy shape in place. Not sure yet which block I'll work on next, but I'm thrilled to have 14 blocks done - I have 16 to go!! Chatter soon :-)
Cross my heart and kiss my elbow - it wasn't terribly long ago that I decided I was going to work on two projects concurrently. Once machine piecing, and one needle-turn appliqué. I love the two projects I selected - Honouring our Quilting Heritage, and the Caswell quilt. Well, as it turns out, I've fallen madly in love with the Caswell quilt, and my brain won't let me work on anything else! Yesterday while I was waiting for Amy, I put the last few stitches in my latest block: Caswell Quilt - Block E2 This was a fun block to work on - I changed a few things here and there, and I'm really happy with how it's come up, A couple of the fabrics have a little hint of gold - they were a sweet gift from one of my hubby's best friends - he travelled to New Zealand, found them somewhere and thought of me. I've been saving them for a special project. Isn't that kind of him? I'm not sure what block I'll work on next - I need to take a few days to catch up - I've fallen a bit behind on chores and I want to get that sorted. When I have a clear mind I'll get some more appliqué prepped and also prepare a much more newsy post. So on that note, I'll sign off with a promise to chatter soon!
As a newlywed, I was a bit obsessed with keeping my husband happy. To the point that I often denied my own feelings.Husband: “Are you okay?’ Me: “I’m fine.”Husband: “Anything wrong?” Me: “Nope, all is good.”Meanwhile, inside, I would be struggling with anger or hurt. My motto which I adopted when I was young was, “Don’t rock the boat.” I assumed if I didn’t disagree or confront anyone, everyone would stay happy. The problem is this way of being is disingenuous, and it doesn’t build intimacy. In fact, it creates walls between husband and wife. If I have to keep someone cheerful, I can never be totally real.The truth was, my husband wanted to know how I really felt. He wanted honesty and openness. He didn’t want me to only say what I thought he wanted to hear. I think that’s true in most relationships. Certainly, in any healthy relationship.It’d be impossible to take responsibility for someone else’s happiness. I can do everything my husband might want as he wants it done and he can still choose to be unhappy, or he may have underlying depression or anxiety. I have zero control over his responses or mental health.Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fizkes
