Monday 22 November 2021

on the design wall

I've been waiting so patiently for Jen Kingwell’s most recent book "Quilt Recipes" to arrive. Postal deliveries are fluctuating here in NZ at present but my book finally turned up last week.



And you won't be at all surprised to know that 
I fell down a rabbit hole this weekend, and started a new project 










I've been faffing about having fun sorting my fabrics for the #daylesfordquilt. It's a kind of chose your own adventure type of pattern.
What's not to love? A simple pattern where the fabrics do all the work!
I'm focusing on a minimal colour palette, beginning with a lovely scrappy coupling of peach & blues in gorgeous gradients of colour. 

So far I haven't got much further than the initial "fold & squint" part of the planning process.
More to come,
Linda


Thursday 11 November 2021

vintage blooms

Well, that was fun!
Super happy with this pretty + pink colour story! 
using a very pretty bundle of vintage blooms, "Posy" FQ's by Annabel Wrigley.
I chose an old favourite of mine, the "bear paw" block, 
loving this scrappy spin on a classic block.
{and I'm using the free pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop, follow link here}. 
Finished quilt top measures 56" x 54"
Linking up with Kelly for NNT here


















Until next time, Linda



Saturday 6 November 2021

it's the weekend!

Yes, it's the weekend.
And I've got a few quilty progress photos to share,
plus two book recommendations and pics from lockdown life in my kitchen.

On the design wall: I've made up three more blocks for my "Bear Paw" quilt today, have a little peep...







and a group photo or two ...




On the bookshelf: Well, I almost resorted to reading a few of MrD's Lee Child books, but then my Book Depository order showed up.  "Apples Never Fall" by Liane Moriarty is her latest novel that looks at marriage, siblings, and how the people we love the most can hurt us the deepest. I enjoyed this one.

The Delaney family love one another dearly- it’s just that sometimes they want to murder each other . . . If your mother was missing, would you tell the police? Even if the most obvious suspect was your father?

This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings. Two of the Delaney children think their father is innocent, two are not so sure—but as the two sides square off against each other in perhaps their biggest match ever, all of the Delaneys will start to reexamine their shared family history in a very new light.


And my other recent read was "Hostage" by Clare Mackintosh, a claustrophobic thriller set over twenty hours on one airplane flight, with heart-stopping tension.

You can save hundreds of lives. Or the one that matters most. 
"Hostage" takes us on board the inaugural nonstop flight from London to Sydney. Mina is trying to focus on her job as a flight attendant, not the problems of her five-year-old daughter back home, or the fissures in her marriage. But the plane has barely taken off when Mina receives a chilling note from an anonymous passenger, someone intent on ensuring the plane never reaches its destination. Someone who needs Mina's assistance and who knows exactly how to make her comply.

It's twenty hours to landing. A lot can happen in twenty hours... and it certainly does! I could. Not. Put. It. Down. 

In the kitchen: I've been expanding my culinary repertoire while in Lockdown. Friday evening's experiment was Hot Sour Soup & Dumplings. I'll definitely make this one again! 



And dinner tonight is a repeat of Jamie Oliver's roast chicken, 'cos it was such a success last time. If I find a recipe that works I add it to my favourites.  
It's nothing like nana's, but so very yummy - Spinach & lentils with a little creme fraiche on the bottom of my platter, sliced roasted chicken & bits of crispy bacon next, then topped with spoonfuls of mushrooms mixed in with a squished up roasted garlic bulb ... and the best part, all made in the one roasting pan. 


It was Johnny's 4th birthday yesterday too, lovely to spend time with our small family bubble out in the garden. A Spiderman cake was requested. Underneath all the red icing web, was an orange cake - dairy free -  made by my daughter, and tasted delish...


Enjoy your Sunday, Linda


Wednesday 3 November 2021

scrappy spin on a classic block







I've been super keen to try out this pink & orange colour story, using a very pretty bundle of "Posy" FQ's by Annabel Wrigley as my launching point. It's got a real Spring-y floral retro vibe to it, loving these vintage blooms! Sometimes I do jump in with a designer bundle, just to enjoy a new palette I wouldn't think to put together myself.
I'm adding in co-ordinating solids and a random blue check, along with lots of low volume background fabrics too. 

I chose an old favourite of mine, the "bear paw" block, {and I'm using the free PDF measurements from the Fat Quarter Shop, follow link here}. 
There seem to be be a few bear paw quilts in the making just now, check out the recent variations at the sugar bear QAL,  oh, and Rita from redpepperquilts has a super one here. My colour combo was totally inspired by Mary at sewmaryhappy over on IG. 

I'm faffing about just a little with the four centre squares to make it a bit more scrappy, ðŸ¤ž I've worked out the maths okay! And I'm mixing all my low volumes up as I sew too, including those for the sashing strips. 










I think you can see where I am heading with this.
They are big blocks so maybe I'll only need nine or perhaps 12. We'll see.
Loving this scrappy spin on a classic block.

Until next time, Linda



Monday 1 November 2021

another blogiversary



November is my nine-year blogiversary of kokaquilts, gosh it's hard to believe that I haven't run out of things to say yet! I don't usually remember my blogiversary, I think the last time was back in Nov 2018. 

But, well, 9 years and 752 posts later, it's a fair bit of time spent blogging, yes? And so today seemed like a good time to remember why I started blogging and what I've learnt along the way.


Like many of you, I started my blog simply to keep track of what I'd made, before I gave it away, and to share pictures of my work with others passionate about sewing too. 
I enjoy checking out other patchwork blogs with my early morning coffee, especially ones with beautiful pictures. I love all the inspiration, humour, and tempting designs out there! And don't get me started on all the yummy fabric choices, oh my, I'd need a whole post just to chat about that!



And here's a few things I've learnt along the way …

Keep it real - I decided way back to sew things I want to make, focusing on what makes me happy, not just the latest QAL. I love the scrappy look and enjoy lots of colour. I start a lot of things, zapping back & forth a lot from one to the other, and somehow, do manage to finish a few things too. 




Never stop learning - This year I've tried a few different things, explored new ideas and really pushed my photography skills. Still plenty of learning to do... I plan to focus on doing more my own machine quilting, I've yet to make an all-solids quilt, and I still can't seem to get a handle on improv ðŸ˜Ÿ 



Find like minded people - One of the very special things about a quilting blog is that I get to "met" & connect with people all over the world. There are names I recognise of people who’ve been visiting and commenting on my posts for years, and I’m very touched that these people have popped back for more, time and time again. 

Thank you all for stopping by every couple of weeks to see what's new here at kokaquilts.



Stick to your priorities - I can see how easily blogging {and other social platforms} can absolutely take over your life if you let it. I write a post when I can, no deadlines, no pressures. Family, health & happiness come first.


Lighten up - if you're not having fun, what's the point? 
… Now where's that glass of sav?







So I'd love to hear your thoughts on why you blog too. 
And which are some of your favourite blogs this year?

Happy Monday
{or Sunday depending on where your home is}
Linda