Farmers Wife, Vanuatu Quilts = less UFO's

At last I have managed to grab a moment to say hello and that I am still around.  Easter came and went and I made a big effort to get two quilts done to donate to the appeal for Vanuatu after Cyclone Pam caused such devastation. I found these two in the pile labelled "Quilts to be Quilted" which has now been reduced by 2!!!  Woohoo.
This first one was a sample quilt I made way back when I first began teaching.  Was a scrap quilt class and I am really pleased how lovely it looks now that it is quilted.  I used a lovely variegated King Tut which looked fabulous over all the autumn colours.

The back looked almost as good as the front on this one.

 And I absolutely loved the effect of this freehand border square.  I found this in my latest Angela Walters book and decided to have a go at it.  So easy and fast to do and it didnt actually matter that each block was not exactly the same size as the next one.  Love it.

 It's quite hard to see the patterns on the blocks, but I tried out lots of different types of sashing styles and fillers and tried to give this quilt a bit of a modern look to it.

 The other quilt I did was the complete opposite.  A gorgeous panel quilt that I had made up years ago for the shop and had never gotten around to quilting it.  A delicously bright quilt and I hope it gets given to a young girl.  I used a soft lilac Magnifico thread which looked great.

The back was a soft pale blue, but the late in the day light gives it a deeper look.  This pattern was also a practice of a freehand feather flower also by Angela Walters.  It was super easy to pick up and if I got stuck, a few spirals and hooks soon got be out of the predicament.  Another lovely one to learn as an all over edge to edge that is freehand.

This is a close up of one of the gorgeous panels.  I was almost sad to give this one away it turned out so cute.

Here is a picture that I promosed of the whole of the hexagon quilt.  Wonderful colour choices from Lyn

Wouldn't be complete without the cat would it?  Travis decided I had put this nice warm pile of batting there just for his pleasure.  Had to tell my sister I couldn't start her quilt until the cat has finished his rest!!!

And I have managed to do a little bit of sewing.  Now have 14 of my Farmers Wife blocks done.  I think the slowest part is choosing the fabric and getting them all cut out. Some of these blocks have well over 30 pieces in them.

 Spot the booboo in this one.  Darn it, more reverse stitching.  I have had to be much more careful and accurate with these blocks and that must be a good thing.

Okay, that's it people.  Up to date sort of and I must away.  I shall try and be back a little sooner next time, but we will see what life throws at us next.  Hope you are all well and enjoying those wonderful little moments that constantly amaze you about being alive!

Blessings
Clare

We have a Winner and the Chicky Bag...

Thank you to those who entered the giveaway.  I appreciate you coming to visit and journey with me via this blog.  The winner of those delicious fat quarters is.... Number 3 (drawn from the hat by my dh Kerry) and is "tawa" who has been notified.  Tawa has some precious linen given to her by her grandmother...it was embroidered by an Aunt who was traumatised by the Napier earthquake.  Thank you for sharing Tawa.

There is an interesting connection here, as my favourite (and only piece) of linen from my paternal grandmother was stitched while living in Hawkes Bay.  My father was in the Napier earthquake also and was at school at Napier Boys High.  We always remember Dad telling us that he and the other boys only survived because the timing of the quake was during interval and they were all playing outside in the yard.  Their schoolroom collapsed in on itself.

On patchwork things...I have spent a wonderful weekend stitching in a class run through Delbrook Quilt company and the tutor was Dianne Fussell.  We had a lovely time and were certainly looked after extremely well.  Light, airy and delicious cake and a superb bacon and egg pie with salad among other tasties.  Christine made the cake and Liz the pie and Pat kept us well plied with drinks (no not that kind) and serving us both days..thanks girls.  Met some lovely fellow stitchers too.

Here are some pics of what I am supposed to be turning into a fabulous bag.  Lots of work with your machine which helps to get know all those stitches that usually we just stare at!!

 This is the front and back, but there are top and bottom borders to go onto the ladies panel yet.

 We played with our free motion on zigzag to get the gorgeous looking hair.  I am also quite proud of the satin stitch going around the blue scarf...managed to go right down to 1.3 width.  There is hope!!

Oops the stars a falling off the hat band.  Might have to stitch those again.

Of course you realise that this has added another project to the list of "to be completed" items.  Oh dear, there is not much hope is there.

Well, a little bit tired after two days of stitching so I'm off to have dinner at sister in laws as we are not quite ready to be back here.  We have slept here the last two days and I have to say it is heaven to be back in our own bed (sigh) there is nothing like it, is there?

Tyson has got the right idea, so I shall leave you with him and say thanks for calling and hope to see you again soon.

Blessings
Clare

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