Snow Dyeing

Here are the pictures of the fabrics that I dyed a few days ago using the snow dyeing technique. I enjoyed playing with the snow.

I love these dyed fabrics. I think it needs to be a special project to make me cut these fabrics up!

Not sure about the green fabric.

More pictures tomorrow.

A Snow Monster

I have created a 'Snow Monter'! Baby Girl thought that snow dyeing sounded interesting and decided to join in the fun. Baby Girl does not to things on a small scale. Our garden is now a colourful wonderland and our neighbours think we are both 'cuckoo'!

Winter Solstice

I have been having fun watching the chaos that the snow has caused on our road! I live half way up a long hill. The road leads to the beach. Living so close to the beach usually means we do not suffer with snow or icy problems. I have been watching traffic past our house and then less than two minutes later, reversing back up the hill after the drivers discover that the road is too icy to use. We have not had any buses come up pass the house in over a week. No post deliveries for that time too.

So what can a quilter do when she cannot go out shopping for new supplies? Snow dye! There has been so much talk about the subject on the Contemporary Quilt Special Interest Group of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles

The fabric is soaked in soda solution for about thirty minutes. Then placed in trays and covered with snow.

The dyes solutions are then pour onto the snow. Leave for about twenty fours hours.

Come back tomorrow to see the results.

International Challenges

Is there any quilters or textile artist that would like to take part in a International Challenge next year?

1. One a month or every three months.
2. Each member take turn to choose the theme and or size.
3. Pictures and/or statement to be uploaded to a blog or yahoo group.
4. Life can get busy or hectic at times, so challenges can be missed or submit late. But each member must partake at least two challenges a year.
5. Members keep all their own work but can swap with other members if both parties consent.
6. Any member can post to the blog and/or yahoo group.
7. All members can suggest a name for the group.

I will try to get a sign up either at the end of this blog post or on the sidebar. If there is no link or sign up, please leave a comment.

A White Christmas?

We woke to find it had snowed overnight! Banjo loves the snow. He loves to roll around in the snow.

Also, Baby Girl got all excited to see the snow too.

Silence

I know that I have not blogged for some time now but I am preparing to go on my travels again next week. This time, I am not going with quilting friends to a quilt show. I am going with Mr Daisychain. If I can connect to the internet and have any thing interesting to report, I will.

Now I am off to prepare and pack!

1. Get the suitcases out of the attic.
2. Find the padlocks and keys for the suitcases.
3. Security mark the cameras, notebook and phones.
4. Wash and iron clothes.
5. Check first aid kit.
6. Check tickets, passports and visa again.
7. Collect local currency.

Angelina

Angelina has been away staying with friends at a local quilt show.
It was her first sleep over away from home. She was a bit nervous leaving behind her family but it did not last long once she met up with her two friends.
Bronwyn and Rose are sisters. They are lovely girls with a real sparkle in their eyes! They came to stay here with Angelina for a few days after the quilt show. The house was filled with the sound of giggling girls.
There will be more of the tales of Angelina over the next few months.

Who's wants to make a BAG? Part Six

Now trim away the excess wadding. Make sure that both quilted pieces are the same measurement. My measurements were 16 by 18 inches. Write down your measurements as you will need in part eight!

Then on both bottom corners measure and mark with a pen a 1 1/2 inch square. Cut out the square with scissors on the marked pen line.

It should look like the above photo. Repeat with the second piece of work.

I am planning to publish the next part in a few days time. See you soon.

Once upon a time...

I have not written much lately about my quilting life on this blog due to a number of reasons, but I will not bore you with the details! I have managed to enter a quilt into the Festival of Quilts show 2010. This is my quilt called 'Once upon a Time...'.

It is 17 by 24 inches. All the fabrics are hand dyed. It is machine pieced and machine quilted. I love to machine quilt using rayon threads.

I left making the quilt until the last minute. That is not an uncommon practice for me. Big mistake and never again were words that I muttered as I was sewing on the hanging sleeve.

It is not a pretty or exciting quilt but I just managed the deadline, which is a huge achievement for me.

I was hoping to travel to the FoQ to see my quilt hanging but with a recurring back injury I did not to risk any further damage to my health. Come back in November to see why I turn down a chance to visit the biggest Quilt Show in Great Britain!!!!

Congratulations!

My Baby Girl got her A level results today. I am so proud of Baby Girl as she achieved an A in Art and B in Art Textiles. BG never studied art at GCSE level just went straight in at A level. Congratulations Baby Girl!

More wedding photos

Wedding

Our niece got married today at St Mary's Church in Kent. Congratulations to Lisa and James. We wish you a long and happy marriage.

Plym Piecemaker's Quilt Show

Red Work Quilt make by Shiela awarded best in show.

Hearts and Flowers Quilt

I am making slow progress with this new quilt. I cannot find inspiration to finish this project. There are now six quilters involved in this project. We have all played with the original pattern. It is amazing to see how each quilt looks at first glance the same but when you study them more closely that you spot the differences.

These two photos show two more blocks that I have completed. I have chosen to use fusible web as it is quicker and easier to use than needle turning applique. I would normally needle turn but life is too hectic at the moment.

Now just another twenty three blocks to go.....

Who's wants to make a BAG? Part Five

Remember the 4 1/2 inch strips that you cut in part two, well, you will need them now. Measure across the middle of your quilted blocks to find the accurate measurement for the next stage. My blocks measured 16 1/2 inches. From both Fabrics (A&B) cut two rectangles. They will be 4 1/2 by 16 1/2 inches or whatever your block measures. Pin Fabric A rectangles to the top of your blocks. Sew the strips in place using a quarter inch seam allowance. I always sew using my quarter inch foot, just remember to increase the stitch length because you are piecing onto wadding.

Repeat with Fabric B. Then press.

Happy Birthday!

Round Robins

I have finally finished another Plym Piecemaker's Round Robin row. This row is for Sue's quilt. Sue's theme is 'Butterflies and Flowers'. I have completed nine blocks. Why? Instead of thirty blocks in the bag, there was thirty one. So I have rounded the number of blocks to forty. Sue, I hope you like the blocks. The butterflies are my own design. I will be using them in a future quilt that I will share with you all soon.

Who's wants to make a BAG? Part Four

Baste the two strip rectangle onto your wadding, as shown. I use 505 spray to baste. It is important to leave about five inches spare at the top and bottom. DO NOT add a backing fabric. Quilt as desired. Yes, you can quilt without a backing fabric. I quilted a quarter inch from the seam on all strips without stopping. I continue stitching on the wadding until I reached the next seam as shown on the photo below.

When you have finished quilting, press to set the stitches.

I have crop the photo above so you can see the continuous quilting. I have left my five inches both above and below the strips for the next part.

I will not leave it so long to post the next part. I am sorry that I have not posted sooner but life has been very busy here recently. See you soon.

Katipatch Sister Block Exchange

The four pattern fabrics were chosen for this year's Katipatch Sister Block Swap. This is the third year that I have taken part in the exchange. I love this challenge and look forward to it every year.

These are the blocks that I had made and I hope my fellow sister swappers like them. If you would like to join us on the next exchange, please contact Katipatch.

www.katipatch.co.nz

New Quilt

I have finally started my Hearts and Flowers Quilt. My fellow quilters are further along with their quilts than I am. This is my first block. This is a simple pieced patched block. The next two blocks in the pattern are applique blocks. I am not sure what technique I will be using in the next few blocks. The pattern suggest using fusible webbing but I love needle turned applique. I also like the idea of using a different applique method for each new block. I am not in a hurry to get this quilt finished so I am taking my time in making any decision.

Who's wants to make a BAG? Part Three

We will not be using the 4 1/2 inch strips until Part Five. Please leave in a safe place.

You will be using only Fabric A and B 2 1/2 inch strips today.

Cut these strips again into 10 1/2 rectangles. You need eight rectangles from each fabric.

Sew eight rectangles together using alternative fabrics. Repeat.

Press the seams open. Yes, I said open. See you all again in a few days time. So come back soon.

P.S. I will be uploading pictures of those quilters following the tutorial and making the bag soon. So keep sending me your pictures. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions. Thanks.

Who wants to make a Bag? Part Two

Cutting

Fabric A

Cut three 2 1/2 inch strips

Cut two 4 1/2 inch strips

Fabric B

Cut three 2 1/2 inch strips

Cut one 4 1/2 inch strips

This is a picture of my chosen fabrics. The light blue is Fabric A and the dark blue is Fabric B. I will publish the next part in the next few days. Please leave a comment on how you are getting on.

Deborah

Oriental Pineapple Chicken

4 Chicken Breasts

2oz Plain Four

Tin of Pineapple Chunks

2 tbs Lemon Juice

2 tbs Soya Sauce

2 tbs Soft Brown Sugar

Knob of Butter

1) Heat the oven at Gas Mark 4.

2) Heat a flying pan and add a large knob of butter.

3) Sieved the flour and add a pinch of salt and pepper.

4) Coat the chicken breasts in the flour.

5) Fry the chicken until brown.

6) Place the chicken in a heatproof dish.

7) Drain the pineapple chunks and save the juice.

8) Mix the pineapple juice with soya sauce and lemon juice.

9) Pour the mixture over the chicken.

10) Cook the chicken in the oven until tender. Around 30 - 40 minutes.

11) When ready to serve. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the pineapple chunks and place under a hot grill until brown.

12) Serve with rice.

Who wants to make a BAG?

Who wants to make a Bag - Part One

Ingredients

I will be using only two fabrics.

Fabric A - 1/2m

Fabric B - 1/2m

Cotton Wadding

Lining Fabric - 1/2m

Part Two will be publish in a few days. See you soon.

Thank You Maureen.

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Maureen from Oakura, Taranaki NZ for the beautiful gift that I received as part of the Fionamarie Christmas Swap 2009.
I will always use this wonderful bag thinking of Maureen and New Zealand. I just love it! Thank you once again Maureen for this wonderful treasured bag.
Deborah

New Quilt

Three quilting friends and I have started a new project for this year- an applique quilt. We are meeting on a weekly basis to encourage, help and complete our blocks. It will be interesting to see how the same quilt pattern will change using different fabrics, techniques and style.

I am stash busting, I am not buying anything new for this quilt. Unlike my friends who have had a wonderful time shopping for fabrics and embellishments!!!! I spent Friday afternoon selecting my fabrics, using only what I had in the sewing room. I have washed and ironed the chosen selection. Now I am ready to start my first three blocks.

The photo below shows the fabrics that I will use in my new quilt called Hearts and Flowers. This project is essentially a scrap quilt.

Maureen's Bag

I recently took part in Fionamarie Christmas Swap 2009. My swap partner is called Maureen from New Zealand. This is the bag I made as my gift for Maureen. I had a wonderful e-mail from Maureen thanking me for her new library book bag.

Stash Bust and Clutter

Another thought. If I do not use my fabric stash, I am wasting money. If I never use the notions, rulers and craft stuff that I have bought over the years and never used yet, I am wasting even more money.

I cannot keep adding to my clutter! Now if I want to go to a quilting event or exhibition, I will have to leave my purse and cards at home. I wonder how much money I could save?

Fabric Busting

This year I am going to try very hard not to buy any fabric, notions or craft items. This is a big statement! Anyone who knows me well, will tell you that this is impossible for me to achieve. I never buy fat quarters just metres, not one or two but five or more. I am not speaking about the bolts I get for my business called Daisychain but my personal stash. I am going to keep a record on the side tool bar.

I have a lot of clutter that is getting in the way of my creative soul. I do not need to buy any 'stuff' as I have too much in my sewing room, the guest bedroom and every other room in the house.

This part of the project and word for the year.

My Word for 2010

My word for this year is 'Clutter'. I have clutter in all areas of my life. I need to declutter my clutter!
The Sewing Room
The Daisychain Studio
My commitments
My House
My Possessions
And any other baggage weighing down on my creative soul so I can focus on producing a new portfolio of work. There are many things I would very much like to achieve but time, space and inspiration are passing me by too quickly. I am going to try and set aside three fifteen minute sessions a day to play. It is not important whether the time is spent drafting and designing my new pattern range or catching up with sewing projects. The important thing is to discipline myself to set aside the time.
Ready steady go....