Finishes in 2014 Q4

I'm linking this to Katy's blog, The Littlest thistle, for the finish along.

Back in October I knew that the last quarter of the year would be very busy in the other parts of my life, so I said I would finish only three items (see that post). Well, I did! Just not the three I mentioned there!

Finished:

table mats

Tulpen op Tafel (Tulips on the Table)

Not finished:

Almost there ... but, "a miss is as good as a mile":

Toadstool House

This is a project that's going on to the next quarter, and this thing really must be finished by the end of March.

Congratulations to everyone who met the targets and "Better luck next time" to everyone who didn't!
My best wishes to Katy for a speedy recovery and my thanks for hosting this year and helping me to set deadlines.

Best wishes everyone for health, happiness and creativity in 2015.

Happy Sewing

Marly.

Finished: Tulpen op Tafel - Tulips on the table

This is my second finish for the 2014 Q4 Finish Along. My projected finishes are listed here.

Pattern: Merel van Looi, Birdblocks, Amsterdam.
size: 16" x 17¼"

The background is stack and slash using 4 different prints, the tulips and leaves are appliqué and are set off  by a single row of hand quilting around the pieces. The background is machine quilted in straight lines using the walking foot.

detail
(Sorry about the strange colour; this was this evening in artificial light;
the other photo is more the true colour)

Randomly cutting the pile of fabric and then mixing the pieces was a new technique for me, at least one I'd only read about. I also used "Wash-Away Appliqué Sheets" for the first time. I dislike cutting the fabric to remove freezer paper, so this was the lazy girl's handy solution. Moreover, the tulip stems are so thin that there's more fabric turned under than there is on top so this was definitely the best medium for strengthening the appliqué fabric. I can see myself using this more often! (Especially as I still have 24½ sheets of the stuff!)

I'm linking up to 

so nip over there to see what else has been finished this week.

Happy sewing

Marly.

Finish Along Q4

Each quarter Katy at The Littlest Thistle hosts a finish along for all types of craft projects.

Last quarter I failed to reach my target, so this time I hope it's more within my reach.




My projected finishes for the fourth quarter of 2014 are:

1. Toadstool house

This appliqué panel to practise using the appliquick tools was on my lists for the last two quarters so it must definitely be finished this quarter. I took it on holiday with me in September but firstly couldn't work out how to make the windows and secondly left the appliquick tools at home! With the windows the appliqué will be finished, then it needs borders and quilting and maybe some embroidery.

2. Mats for bedside tables

These now have borders to make the mats up to size, so I need to layer, quilt and add the binding. They should be finished this week!! (Ever hopeful!)

3. Tulips on the Table

This photo was taken in Portugal when I had just finished the appliqué. Since returning home I have layered but can't go any further until I have white hand quilting thread. This just needs quilting and binding, both of which will be partly hand and partly machine.


I also have other WIPs but no hope of finishing them this quarter. I hope this is a more realistic list than the last two quarters!

I'm linking up to The Littlest Thistle so head over there to see what others hope to achieve this quarter.

Good luck with all the finishes everyone!

Happy sewing

Marly.

What I'm working on this week (week 38)

I shall be away from my computer for a few weeks, but have scheduled a few posts for during my absence. I shall also try to post via mobile Blogger from my iPad, but I haven't tested that successfully yet. 
I know that I shall have infrequent access to the Internet, so I may not be able to respond to your comments very quickly.


This will be very short, I'm afraid, I haven't got the hang of using the iPad Blogger app.

Remember these?

One orange flower made at 30 000 feet and now resting on some rather drought affected Cana leaves.

There are now two more orange flowers and some other colours. I am surprised how quickly they are coming together in odd moments.

I also managed to finish the appliqué on the Tulips on the Table. This was a kit I bought from Birdblocks Quilt Shop in Amsterdam earlier this year. The quilting will be one of my first projects to pick up when I return home.

Happy Sewing

Marly.

Essential sewing supplies for a trip!

I shall be away from my computer for a few weeks, but have scheduled a few posts for during my absence. I shall also try to post via mobile Blogger from my iPad, but I haven't tested that successfully yet. 
I know that I shall have infrequent access to the Internet, so I may not be able to respond to your comments very quickly.

Making the decision what was essential was difficult. More difficult was, "Have I got enough?" Hmm, I hope so!

Here is a list of the stuff I packed and will be using over the next few weeks.

1.  Tools

It's a good job I took photos; it was only after I took a photo of this that I realised I didn't have all the Aurifil 50 thread I would need.

Handy book! ...

... opened up with tools

2  Projects

a.  Tulips on the table

Tulips on the table

The background fabric has been made by stack and slash (a first for me) and the appliqué pieces have been prepared. Quilting will have to wait until I'm home.

b  Toadstool House

Toadstool House.

with fabric for the windows and skeins of  DMC embroidery cotton for embellishing. (Now I see I need to pack my embroidery hoop as well) This will get a border and be quilted when I return.

c.  Grandmother's Garden

The rest of the hexagons

   

Just in case that's not enough, I've got this too:

Sony Reader: with the hinge on the right
and the opening on the left!
Interestingly cross cultural!

and with about 20 books installed.

I should manage to be separated from my Bernies for a few weeks.

Happy Sewing

Marly

Finish Along Q3: proposed finishes.

Once again I'm participating in the Finish Along hosted by Katy at The Littlest Thistle.

If you need help setting targets for finishing your handwork projects maybe this is for you too.

I have six projects for this quarter, including two left from last quarter:

1. Cardigan

I haven't touched it since I put it away after taking a photo of it three months ago.

2. Toadstool house

Toadstool House in July

I have done some work on it,

Toadstool house in April

 




 but hit a problem with the reverse appliqué for the windows.

fabric prepared for
the reverse appliqué

I can't see how I'm going to do it because the window panes are so small. My solution is not to do reverse appliqué at all but to tack the curtains in place on the outside of the house, and then appliqué them using a wide satin stitch which will serve as window frame. Only that's not the pattern, and not my reason for doing this: I want to improve my appliqué, and learn to use the appliquick tools. Can anyone point me to a tutorial on reverse appliqué that will solve this issue - the small space, and the right angles I have to work with?



I have added two more projects:

Cushion cover no. 1: centre

3. Three 16" square cushions
for the living room. I started one last weekend, but I need to buy dark blue solid for a narrow border, and white solid for the outer border and the back of the cushion. I also need to find a fabric suitable for backing the quilting. Does anyone have any ideas what I can use for this?

Cushion covers 2 and 3 are at the sketch stage.



4. Tulip mini

This is a kit for a doll's quilt I bought at a quilt show a few months ago. I haven't started it yet, but I don't think it will take long. It's part of the  Cat or Dolly Quilt Club from Birdblocks Quilt Shop in Amsterdam. (In the link scroll down past all the dolls and cats story and you'll see photos of some of the quilts). I'm just doing the one, even though I love them all, but I didn't want to commit to one a month. I shall use it as a wall hanging.

Further I have to do some serious practice on FMQ, and continue with my EPP and appliquéd medallion quilt, but that will certainly not be finished this quarter (or this year!).

Happy sewing

Marly.