Kokaquilts

Thursday, 6 April 2017

random bits & pieces

A few random bits & pieces today and an update

First up, I'm wondering how I can use up my last few lovely scraps of 'outback wife' fabrics
I loved reading the design stories about these fabrics, like this one here about Elaine
- follow the link to check out more.

This week I received some happy mail 'Quilts for life made with love' by Judy Newman

It's my new favourite book,

the quilts in it are very pretty and very scrappy, just what I love

And here's a recent fabric I've added to my stash, Bari J. Abloome Fusion

- I love its vintage look

Yesterday I ended up sorting threads - a long overdue task - instead of sewing
after a little Evie had lots of fun tipping my whole container out

And it must be about time for an update on my hexi WiP . . .

Glenys gave me some of her pretty doilies & vintage linens to add to my hexis

#friendsarewonderful

I decided to use the lace / crochet edgings too, some of these are really pretty

36 hexis can now be ticked off the list, slowly stitching but I'm in no hurry
For earlier details & inspiration source see back here

Linking up with Lorna for 'let's bee social' here at sewfreshquilts

and with Kelly for 'needle and thread Thursday' here at myquiltinfatuation

Happy Sewing,

Linda

Saturday, 1 April 2017

a new linky party

Hello, hello

Julie from JulieLou and I decided that we needed a regular mid-week link up to share WiPS and finishes.

So we have created Sew, Stitch, Snap SHARE - basically sew and stitch each week, snap a photo or three, and share it to our link which we will co-host on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. You can write as much or as little about your project as you like, or simply let your photos do the talking.

We both differ in our quilting styles however we both love writing and reading blogs, and don't want them to disappear for the quicker more instant options of showing photos off.

Julie loves colour, bold prints and EPP. She also likes to do a lot of hand quilting and is currently dabbling in felt applique and embroidery . . . as well as cooking and baking mouthwatering food. Check out her blog if you haven't already.

And my style is . . . well, lots of colour too, with a nod to traditional and vintage design. I'm always looking for ways to use up my precious scrappy pieces, I tend to jump from one project to another, and I love an eclectic mix of modern, florals, vintage and plaids.

We hope that you will take the time to pop back on Wednesday 12 April, read some new posts, make some new blog friends - and linkup what ever you have sewn or stitched during the week, snap a photo, and share to our linky.

In the meantime, I'm still slowly working through the colour placement on this new quilt,

Kaffe's 'Ebay on Point' from his Caravan of Quilts book . . .

I have reshuffled quite a few fabrics around over the week,

and I've been busy sewing lots of HST's

While individual fabrics are pretty, I think the focus with this is on the columns of colour and achieving some contrast. And yes, it is scrappy, however I'm finding that repetition is certainly the key to providing some balance here. I also think the odd unpredictable piece thrown in is quirky and wonderful too.

I now have quite a bit of it up on my design wall, and I think I am ready to start putting some of it together. Not an easy task though, as I have to stand up on my sewing chair and take one diagonal row down at a time, it'll be a bit of a workout I guess. Just hope I keep things in the right order for sewing. Let the piecing begin . . .

How about you, any sewing plans this weekend?

See you back here or over at Julie's on Wednesday 12 April to share a little quilty love.

Sunday, 26 March 2017

still sewing scraps #2

Heaps happening around here
and so exciting, planning something new with Julie from julielou
. . . pop back Saturday April 1st to hear all about it

Meantime, here is one quilt top I've just finished and a new project I am loving so far.

I have a couple of gift quilts to make
so I started this weekend with these slightly wonky improv blocks . . .

I have made something like this a couple of times before (see here and here ) but I wanted more of a colourful happy mix focused around my latest purchase, 1/2 metre of Amy Butler's 'Double Fault Floral' in this stunning colour called Cherry, part of her latest 'Splendor' Collection. I just love the colours and that interesting pattern . . . Linking up with Beth for 'main crush Monday' here at cookingupquilts

I made a couple of 10" trial blocks and it all just started to grow from there.

It's been a while since I've used solids in my quilts, they called for some careful pressing.

There is a great post on pressing seams here if you are like me and need a little reminder.

I rotated the quilt a few times, just to check it looked balanced from every angle - a little trick I picked up recently from Kaja at sewslowly.

Well this sure brightens up a dull day.

I thought I'd have a go with quilting wavy lines to really add some texture to those -ve space bits. And then bind with a tried & true b & w stripe, yes? Sharing my improv effort with Kaja and Ann over here for this months Ad Hoc Improv Quilter

And up on my design wall this week . . .

my new scrappy WiP "ebay on point"

- a Kaffe pattern that has always always appealed to me, from his Caravan of Quilts book

It's great to be using so many of these fabrics from my scrap basket. The pattern is simple, however I'm finding to get that all important 'contrast' thing-y happening, I am having to juggle bits & pieces around until it's just right. And I'm really trying hard "not to analyze the fabric for its beautiful design but rather, consider each only for its colour."

It's taking me awhile, and thank goodness for the design wall, just wish I had heaps of squares all precut, ready to stick up there, reject, replace . . .

. . . which leads me nicely onto . . . scrap sorting

I've also been busy cutting up extra scrap squares, I guess it's a tidy-as-I-go effort too
- a novel approach for me,
but I'll let you know how it does go.

Linking up with Cynthia here for 'oh scrap'

Friday, 24 March 2017

my friday favourite #11

Happy Friday
It's been a bit colder these last few nights - time for another quilt on the bed

I pulled out this quilt today. Some of you will have seen it before
however, I thought I'd share with you just why it's a favourite of mine

It's one I bought as a quilt top at a show many years ago and was pieced by Juliet Taylor
It was a well constructed and colourful quilt top, a version of Kaffe's 'Fonthill Quilt'.

I had it quilted by Annette de Raat and then added the binding

Here's a few close-up pics, there's so much to look at.

Like that lovely 'cheddar' yellow for starters . . .

the different blue fabric combos . . .

and the little 'pops' of minty green . . .

this unexpected softer pretty yellow print . . .

all those small 2" HST piecing in the centre panel . . .

and the assorted traditional pinks & purples . . .

Yep, it may be old fashioned but I do love it

hmm-m-m- it's quite a bright feature in the bedroom, hope mr D can cope :)

How about you,

do you have an old-ish quilt that you can't bear to part with too?

Thursday, 23 March 2017

still sewing scraps

Sewing from my scrap baskets today . . .

A simple quilt with lots of surprises to explore . . .

Hm-m-m- doesn't seem to matter how many scraps I try to use up . . .

. . . there's always more
. . . you too?

Linking up with Lorna for 'lets bee social' here at sewfreshquilts

Sunday, 19 March 2017

quilts across the ranges

I spent the morning at the 'Quilts Across The Ranges' quilt show today,
the Western Quilters Circle Annual Quilt Show here in Auckland NZ.

It's always nice to see what others are making
and so great to catch up with quilters I hadn't seen for a while . . .

Play Time by Pat Green

Kaffe History by Sue Annandale

Eyes by Sue Hagan

A challenge from "all things Patchwork" just to use the one fabric

and a second version in a different colour scheme, using a Kaffe cabbage fabric . . .