trash or treasure

I decided to do a bit of a spring clean today,

starting with that overflowing basket under my sewing table

I dumped everything out onto the floor

you know, just to check first if there was anything I really, really wanted ...

... and just about all of it ended up being rescued!

- oh my goodness, I was looking for a bit of this ages ago!

- and I can't chuck out these squares of AMH

- or these vintage-y bits either

hm-m-m- well that didn't go so well... guess I still have a lot of sewing to do!

How do you cope with sorting out your scraps? Are you ruthless?
Or are you like me, and imagine all sorts of possibilities?

Linking up with Kelly for 'needle and thread Thursday' here

little and lots

Is it spring yet?

I'm so over all this rain... and wind... and so looking forward to a spot of warmer weather

I've been busy this past week or so doing little bits on lots of different WiPs, enjoying all the variety and all the different processes involved - but as a result, my sewing room looks like a whirlwind has been through here too! Anyway, here's a few photos of my messy 'creative' week!

First up, 'scrappy trips' I want to keep going with this and make it up to a good size, so four more blocks have been added to the pile and I've cut more strips ready for the next few blocks...

Then onto my Gypsy Wife. There's some serious scrappy-ness happening with this WiP too! It's been a while since I added to this and I did have a little panic moment when I thought I'd used up one of my grey vertical strip fabrics. But I found the missing piece {insert happy face} and have made some good progress on section 6.

Here it is hanging very precariously up on the 'design door'- just hope that strong westerly wind doesn't blow it all off before I get a chance now to sew it together ...

fingerpress-as-I-go!

And, slowly but surely, the pickle dishes are happening. This is more traditional than some of my WiPs, but they do say variety is the spice of life! I'm getting into the habit of making a matching pair each time I start sewing...

I'm using Kaffe Fassett's "Pickle Dish" pattern from his book, Quilt Romance There are many, many versions of this, Kaffe's one is great and all machine pieced.

- hey, it does all work! 

- two blocks down
I'll keep you posted on progress!

What are you working on this week?

Linking up with Cynthia this week for 'oh scrap'  here
and for 'moving forward' over here at emsscrapbag
and for 'fabric Tuesday' here at quiltstory

a bit more #51

Oh, and there's a bit of a discussion happening about blogs and blogging
posted by Cindy from hyacinthquiltdesigns {follow the link to see}

  - interesting reading!

planning stages

I seem to be stuck on tradition just lately!
For example, this week I've got side-tracked looking at 'pickle dish' and 'double wedding ring' quilts
Both have been on my 'to-do' list forever!
There are many variations, here's a few lovely versions I found on Pinterest...

I want to make something similar using a pattern from Kaffe's book Quilt Romance...

The fabric range I'm using is called 'my stash'
collected over a few years...

The method is a combination of foundation piecing & curved piecing...

... and the timeframe is slow and steady!

hm-m-m- 7 outta 72, only 65 to go

I think I can, I think I can!

Linking up with Cynthia for 'oh scrap' over here at 'quiltingismorefunthanhousework'

my friday favourites #4

Taking a look back over the past week or so
what has really caught my eye is colour, lots & lots of colour!

like last night's sunset...

and for a bit more colour explosion of the Kaffe kind...

Have you spotted his latest book Kaffe Fassetts 'Bold Blooms'
"A stunning guide and vibrant pattern collection of 25 new patchwork and needlepoint projects,
from renowned colour expert and quilt and fabric designer Kaffe Fassett."

The book will be released shortly in September

I've ordered my copy J

and there's more...
a riot of colour is happening right now at the Festival of Quilts  in Birmingham

linda from koshka2quilts was very excited to catch Kaffe's tour of his Gallery.

The collection of quilts comprised quilts and quilt tops that Kaffe has purchased over the years,

some which had been the inspiration for new quilts which are in his new book Bold Blooms.

... like for example this old 'Handkerchief' quilt which is one of my all time favourites

... and then Kaffe's version

more pics of Linda's favourite quilts in Kaffe's tour are on her latest post - check them out here

I believe the Festival was huge!
For lots of photos pop on over to Lucy's from charmaboutyou
and there's more here too #festivalofquilts2016 

and... if you are up for a spot of colourful retail therapy,
Cheryl's latest Kaffe fabrics are in stock now at allthingspatchwork

- some great new wide Kaffe backings, 108" wide

- and more new Kaffe fabrics in store, the colours are luscious!

...and finally, I guess like me, you are finding lots happening over on Instagram these days

Linda from sewquiltdesigns regularly posts photos, follow the link #sewquiltdesigns for a little peep

 - I just love all that Kaffe colour in her projects!

{other quilter's photos printed with permission}

what are you loving this week?

old & new

I'm loving my latest WiP!

It's made from a repeat daisy block and it's been a wonderful way to use some of my favourite stash fabrics

Yesterday I decided I needed to stick with it and get the quilt top finished...

I've used an assorted scrappy mix of colour and fabrics, old and new...

These traditional blocks are set on point and sashed to add a bit of movement & interest
And the setting triangles -  well, let's just say it's been years since I made a design decision using calico,
but that's what I went with because that's what I had enough of, and quilting will add some texture I'm sure.
It's all looking very a la Jen Kingwell to me, kind of appealing & vintage-y!

... et voilà, one 'daisy days' quilt top

... hm-m- and maybe a striped floral or b&w stripe for binding?

All ready now for basting and quilting

- enjoy the photos!

{and you can see here and here for more details of this quilt}

Linking up with Lorna for 'show & tell' here at sewfreshquilts
and with Kelly for 'needle & thread Thursday' over here

daisy days {some progress}

Remember my daisy day quilt...

... the one I started way way back *sigh* in May 2015
using Meredithe's templates

It's been one of those WiP's that I've found nice to just pop back & forth on 

- I get inspired, I sew, I take a break, I get inspired, I sew, etc.

A great scrappy combination of some of my favourite florals and assorted low volume fabrics

{And I found an amazing tutorial for piecing those y-seams over here}

Well, these blocks are finally making it into a quilt top this week!

More pics soon

Linking up this week with Cynthia for 'oh scrap' here
'moving it forward' over here at em' s scrapbag
and with 'Scraptastic Tuesday' here at mrsssewandsow

my friday favourites #3

It's Friday again!
No sewing happening around here this week, mr D & I have run away for a midwinter beach break!
I know, I know it's freezing here in NZ and just a bit bleak...

... but there's lots of walking & café coffees happening, and catching up with friends. And even though internet access fluctuates down here, I can always find a few interesting things hidden away in blogland... and increasingly more these days on Instagram too it seems! Anyhow, as I'm exploring improv at the moment, that was my starting point this week...

... and I spotted a great way to dip your toes into some fearless cutting up processes,
this 'crosscut' quiltalong run by Debbie from A Quilter's Table, see here for tutorial details.

Heather from Monday Modern is playing along too and she was happy for me to share her progress
Using a bundle of grey neutrals, a few shots of purple & green solid
and a 'piece, cut, re-piece' technique, Heather went from this...

to this...

but wait, there's more...

- I'm loving the greys & the 'pop' of lime green together!

... knowing Heather, I somehow suspect there is still more to come!

here's the link to Heather's ig posts if you are interested to see just where all this ends up!

... and lots of book reading happening this week at the beach
Sherri Lynn Wood's book The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters
explores this improv approach even further- it's all about 'creating, quilting & living courageously'

Sophie from lunalovequilts has been working her way through the 'scores' from this book with impressive results,
pop on over to see!

... and a new-to-me book which I ordered from the library
'Minimal Quiltmaking' by Gwen Marston

check out lots of examples of the minimal theme over on Instagram here- very inspiring!

- take home message 'you are more likely to make a memorable quilt by taking some risks'

...  and to finish, something completely different!

While unpacking a few essentials, look what someone {aka mr D} had also popped into the chillibin
 - this new chocolate by Whittaker's
- perfect for a winter's wild evening all rugged up watching old movies at the bach!

what are you loving this week?