photography 101

Last year I spent a bit of time exploring my options for taking a good "quilty pic". I don't do those minimal quilt photos, like you sometimes see, with lots of white wall and the quilt. I guess my photos so far have been more 'lifestyle' ones, working with what I have around here, everyday ordinary things.

And I've had lots of fun faffing about with my camera, some ideas worked . . . others didn't. Here's a wee photo selection of how my skills have progressed, or not! First up, on the bed . . .

and a wee collage of progress pics . . .

and then back to the quilt,
which found its way out onto the stairs  . . .

Sometimes I include the 'quilt swirl' or the 'quilt fold' too . . .

and then I go off outside,
on the gate . . .

 on the lawn . . .

and of course, on the washing line . . .

and somewhere amongst my pics I like to have a close up of the quilting . . .

oh, and then we're up on the front deck . . .

and last, but not least, my quilt found Mr d. my faithful quilt holder,
for a full frontal . . . {wink wink} of the quilt of course . . .

I certainly have my preferred locations around here, but a lot depends on the actual quilt, and the weather too! I know everyone loves those close ups - of fabrics used & of the individual blocks, the quilting, the backing used, and the binding. And that all essential final pic of the whole quilt is a must!

I'm enjoying having a go at combining my quilting with photography. I still have lots to learn . . . and maybe a few 'more modern' shots  will sneak in soon. Love to hear where you take your quilt photos and which blogs you recommend for eye catching photos.

Linking up this finished scrappy 'tripping around the world garden' quilt
with Cynthia for 'oh scrap' here 

. . . until next time, Linda

aunt Bet's quilt revisited

This week, in an attempt to ease that feeling of WiP overwhelm, I brought some pieces of a quilt out and left them all spread out on the spare chair ... and I fell in love with it again!

When my “lights” scrap bin was overflowing late last year, I decided to make another 'aunt Bet's' quilt. I like how Jo's pattern has that informal improv look, great for combining colours & fabrics, and still has a somewhat scrappy eclectic look that I love. And, even for an experienced quilter, it’s just nice to sit back, follow a pattern and simply sew once in a while.
I added a lovely new piece into the original mix, Anna Maria's 'front walk' in soft peachy beige, repeating it several times to help link up the colours over the quilt.

 Linking up this weekend with Wendy for the 'peacock party' here

Until next time, Linda

finishing some unfinished projects: making a start

I've decided to set aside a couple of months to relook at what I've already got underway here in the sewing room, and hopefully finish some unfinished projects or, at least, move a couple just a bit further along.

First up this week is my 2nd attempt at these 'wagon wheel' blocks, see back here. Leave something up on the design wall for long enough around here, and it's bound to take a different turn! After a couple of weeks looking at my initial starting for this project, I've changed things around a little, just enough to help things gel a bit better.

I'm still using all the centres that I'd cut out, and the eclectic variety of cottons for the arcs, but I've decided to use just the one floral fabric for my backgrounds. Here's a wee peep . . .

- "Marseille" in Hot Pink Mum by Robyn Pandolph

and then there were four up on the design wall . . .

I seem to have done a complete 360 with these wagon wheel blocks. 

I was going for 'interesting rather than pretty' 

but now {wink wink} they are certainly more 'pretty than interesting'! 

- whatever works, right?

Linking up with Cynthia here & Wendy over here this weekend
and with Kelly here too

Until next time, Linda

summertime reading

It's 2020 

and it's the summer holidays here in NZ 

. . . lots of time for reading & relaxing.

First up, I've been revisiting some patchwork books I have here on the bookshelf and 'The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking' by Jane Brocket caught my eye today.

  

This book is mainly about quilt inspiration, where to find it & how to use it. The quilts all really do capture the essence of a summer's day. And while simple in design, the way the fabrics are combined make for unique and visually pleasing quilts.

I made the 'ice cream' version of one of Jane's quilts years ago, lots of sandy and watery-blue fabrics with splashes of pink to stop it looking washed out.

I'm currently reading ‘The Dinner List’ by Rebecca Serle, it's a unique read, a romance with a little magic.

"At one point or another, we’ve all been asked to name five people, living or dead, with whom we’d like to have dinner. Why do we choose the people we do? And what if that dinner was to actually happen? These are the questions Rebecca Serle contends within her utterly captivating novel, The Dinner List, a story imbued with delightful magical realism.

When Sabrina arrives at her thirtieth birthday dinner she finds at the table not just her best friend, but also three significant people from her past, and well, Audrey Hepburn. As the appetizers are served, wine poured, and dinner table conversation begins, it becomes clear that there’s a reason these six people have been gathered together.
Delicious but never indulgent, sweet with just the right amount of bitter, The Dinner List is a romance for our times. Bon appétit."

And this last book is for those who enjoy a bit of a gripping & erie read . . . and, I must say, it has been keeping me up at nights,  'Good Girl, Bad Girl' by Michael Robotham. 

“Haunting … Robotham expertly raises the tension as the action hurtles toward the devastating climax"

- don't want to spoil things, but I'm hoping there's a sequel!

 happy reading

and Happy New Year to you all

Linda

favourite quilt finish 2010 to 2019

About this time each year I like to post my favourite finish but, since this is the end of a decade, why not change it up? So I'm joining in with Laurie @laurie3.14 over on instagram, for a little bit of fun reflecting back and chosing a favourite quilt between 2010 and 2019.

And I thought I'd share my pick here with you too. This is my #favoritequiltfinish2010to2019 - my "broken china mosaic" quilt. I know many of you will have seen this quilt from earlier posts, but it's a real favourite of mine now . . . smashed plates & shards of broken crockery . . . {wink wink} grandma's dinner set never looked so good . . . 

The Emperors Wheel pattern caught my eye some time ago, it's one of Chris Jurd's paper pieced beauties, using foundation paper piecing for the New York Beauty blocks.

I used an assortment of AMH fabrics, mainly the softer pastel ones, a little Amy B., a couple of oriental fabrics, along with a selection of low volume fabrics and a Martha Negley Seasons Collection Winter Fabric in Cream for the border. I was really trying to achieve a quiet contrast without it looking too out of control! My finished quilt measures 150cms x 130cms.

Here's a few progress photos . . . 

In the pattern, the centre wheel called for a focus fabric, it sets the tone for the quilt and is a good way to feature a larger print. I substituted this with a little bit of improv broderie perse instead.  

I initially machine quilted all over the quilt, a combination of straight line in-the-ditch and 1/4" outline, nothing fancy just enough to secure the layers without distracting from the scrappy feel of the quilt.

 And then I spent a bit of time adding in some big stitch hand quilting embellishments
including adding these french knots to my broderie perse flower centre . . .

It's a favourite quilt of mine for a few reasons - I loved playing with the centre and making it different to the pattern. It's a quilt that I spent quite a bit of time on, first with chosing a nice mix of fabrics, and the paper piecing took a while as I wasn't that experienced with it. And it's a quilt I machine quilted myself, and added in the extra hand quilting details, making it very special.

Anyone can join in by making a new post showing your favourite quilt finish and using #favoritequiltfinish2010to2019