Moore Patchwork & Quilting

Fly Away

In July/August, we are going on a holiday to the UK.  It's a very long plane flight from paradise to the UK and I think I will need quite a few things to keep myself amused.  I know I will need to take some stitching so thought it would also be nice to take the stitching in a new project bag.

A little while go I bought some fat quarters from Anni Downs fabric range Love to Garden and it's just been waiting for the right project.

My favourite print is the pink/purple flower fabric and I'm going to team it with the green and purple print as well as the light tan floral. 

I'm making a pouch similar to my Cottage Threads in size at least.  I find that it's a perfect size for carrying a stitchery project. I'm also going to make a needlecase with a pocket inside to hold my thread cutter (no scissors on planes).

I will definitely have some stitchery, maybe some ric-rac braid (still undecided), twisted cord and a button. I'm calling the new design Fly Away in honour of my long plane flight!

Until next time

Lyn

The Rosie Project

I recently read this delightful book - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

I had this on my 'must-read' book for a couple of months after hearing an interview with the author on Radio National Books and Arts Daily. At the time I thought it sounded like a fun book to read and I was right.

It's the story of a Genetics Professor Don Tillman and his quest to find a wife.  Don has probably got Asperger Syndrome although this has not been diagnosed and he is very structured in his approach to life which results in him preparing a huge questionnaire to help him select a suitable partner. But of course, things don't go to plan and he gets involved with someone who is completely unsuitable.  His wife project is set aside while he persues another project with Rosie. That's where things get really interesting for Don.

I really enjoyed it.  It was like watching a romantic-comedy movie - there's no deep thinking involved but you can just enjoy the journey.  There were quite a few 'laugh out loud' moments like the cocktail party, cleaning the bathroom and of course the reference to 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Overall, it was a lot of fun.

Until next time

Lyn

 

 

 

 

Left Over Blocks Quilt and Sweet Pea Doll Quilt

My Left Over Blocks quilt is finished!

I'm so glad that I pulled those left over blocks from my stash and decided to turn them into a quilt. It really was a quick little project and I'm delighted that it turned out so well.

I've also managed to use up all of the Vintage Modern and Ruby ranges that were in my stash. The finished size of the quilt is 31" x 31".

For a while now, I've been thinking about starting a 'gift cupboard' in my studio so that I'm always prepared ahead of time for Christmas and birthdays. The idea is that I will make things throughout the year instead of rushing around at the last minute or not having the time to make something.

This little quilt will be the first 'gift' that will be put away in my cupboard. In fact, I've already decided who to give it to.

Sweet Pea Doll Quilt....

This month's little quilt from Kathleen Tracy is a little quilt called Sweet Pea. The colours used by Kathleen are pink, blue, cream and tan.

It uses predominantly 1.5" squares so my ample supply of 2.5" squares came in very handy. I had almost enough 2.5" squares that I cut down into 1.5" squares and only had to add some tan squares.

I'm going to use the blue fabric in the front corner and the cream fabric behind it for the half-square triangle blocks.

The finished size of the quilt is 18" square.

I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Until next time

Lyn

 

 

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Left Over Blocks Quilt

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Left Over Blocks Quilt

I made good progress on my Left Over Blocks Quilt over the weekend..

In fact it's all pieced, backed, quilted and the binding attached!

For the borders, I had just enough border fabric left over from my Love Is... quilt.

The narrow border is 1" wide when finished, and the outside border is 2.5" wide when finished.

I had some left over pieces from a layer cake which were pieced together for the backing. For the quilting I did my usual machine stipple quilting.

I had just enough of the pink from the inner border for the binding as well. It was touch and go but I ended up with a couple of inches left. It just needs to be hand stitched to the wrong side now.

It's a dull day here in Paradise and I came down with an awful cold yesterday so I'm not feeling much like doing anything.  I just noticed that Sense and Sensibility (the one with Hugh Grant) is on tv this afternoon so I think I might plomp myself down on the couch and get this binding done. Sounds like a good cure for a cold.

Until next time

Lyn

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A is for Apple

Another little Alphabet Girl is finished!

A is for Apple stitched on beige Aida. Just as cute as the others. I seemed to stitch this one more quickly and I think it's because I haven't had any other stitching to do.

I'm becoming a bit selective with the Aida I'm using for each of my girls.  I have cut all the Aida for the whole alphabet into the required sizes. I then drew up a plan for a quilt layout and on the plan I'm recording what colour Aida I've stitched each alphabet girl on.  This way I can make sure that the coloured Aida is spread out evenly across the quilt.  I didn't want to end up with all of the pink (for example) bunched together. Hopefully it will be a fail proof system.

For my next little girl, I've chosen C for Cat stitched on a blue Aida.

Family Blessings....

Another stitchery on my Family Blessings  quilt (see sidebar for details) is Patience.

Patience is something I seem to have in short supply. But the Bible says that patience is a characteristic of love - the unconditional love that God has for us.

One of my favourite stories in the Bible is of the prodigal son. The father stands watching and waiting for the son's return and when he sees him from a distance he runs with his arms open wide. That's what God does for us. He is waiting with open arms to pour out his love and grace on us.

He won't come into our life uninvited but waits until we ask him in. And when we turn away, he waits for us to come back and never gives up.

I stitched the flower pot sitting on the box of seeds to remind myself that it takes time for a seed to turn into a flower and that I should be patient with myself (and others) just as God is patient with me!

Until next time

Lyn

 

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P is for Patches

Left Over Blocks Quilt

When I'm working on a quilt project, I usually make some 'left over' blocks especially if it's a quilt I'm designing myself. Some of the blocks are 'samples' to test the fabric choice and practice the block construction. Other blocks are 'extras' so I have more choice when it comes to piecing it. I sometimes use the 'leftovers' for other projects and other times I piece them together for backings. 

When I made my Love Is... quilt,  the 'left overs' were put into a drawer and left there until recently when I rediscovered them.

I was surprised at how many blocks I had. There were three Log Cabin blocks; two Shoo Fly blocks; and four Four Patch blocks.

Tucked away with the blocks, was some of the left over fabric from the quilt.

There were some charm squares;  some of the border fabric; and smaller bits and pieces as well. I worked out that if I made a couple of extra blocks I would have enough for a small quilt.

Any fabric that's left, will be pieced to make the backing.  I'm excited about putting these beautiful fabrics to use instead of wasting away.  Maybe I should check my studio drawers more often?

Until next time

Lyn

New Fabric

I dropped into Peppermint Stitches the other day and just inside the front door was a display of Tilda fabrics.

I couldn't seem to take my eyes off them! They are so lovely.  I walked around the shop looking at all the beautiful fabric they have on display but I kept turning back to the Tilda fabric.

They had a pack of fat eighths and I decided I just had to get them. 

I've been thinking about making a quilt for myself for sometime and these fabrics would be perfect.  I'm not sure about a design yet, but the quilt will live on the couch in my studio. Perfect for cuddling under on the rare cold paradise day or when I'm having a 'hiding under the covers' day.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Fabric Club...

The other new fabric that has come my way lately, is my latest fabric club instalment from Threadbear quilters.

As usual they are a nice mix of fabrics. I especially like the two fabrics in front (the blue print and the small stripe floral print).

All lovely fabrics.

Until next time

Lyn

 

 

 

Garter Yoke Baby Cardi

I finished another little baby knit last week.  This one is the Garter Yoke Baby Cardi.

When I started it, I wasn't 100% confident that I would get it out of one ball of Patons Big Baby 8 ply despite checking my tension and the yardage requirement listed in the pattern. But, as it turned out I had at least 2 metres left!

I've made mine for a boy and added some buttons with little trucks on them.

This pattern was so nice to knit and I think it's a winner. It was easy to follow and turned out well. Will definitely make it again.

Knitting UFO...

After finishing the baby cardi I thought I might turn my attention to some knitting for myself.

I've had this cardigan in my cupboard for a while.  The pattern is Bellevue and I'm making the short sleeve version. It's knit from the bottom up and I was up to the underarm.  The sleeves are knit separately and then the stitches are picked up at the yoke. It's then knit in one piece.  I finished the sleeves this week and am now up to the neck.  I'm a bit concerned that it might be too big/long.  Hopefully it will be okay. Paradise weather is perfect for a short sleeve jumper at present.

Challenges...

I've had a really challenging week this week and feel like I've had the wind knocked out of me!  I downloaded a nice book to read and intend to spend some time out this weekend trying to 'regroup'. Hopefully next week will be better.

Until next time

Lyn

 

 

Burial Rites

 

Last weekend, I not only finished my Hearts project but I also finished reading Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.  The story is set in Iceland in 1828-1830 and is the story of Agnes who was the last person to be executed there. Because of lack of facilities for housing criminals, Agnes is sent to live with a local family to await the impending execution. The story centres on her relationship with the family she is staying with as well as the young priest who is appointed as her spiritual advisor. The mother of the house - Margaret - is suffering from a lung condition which is very common at the time because of the harshness of the environment and the inadequacies of the living conditions. She is suspicious of Agnes and does little to hide her contempt for her but there is a pivotal moment when the two women are sharing a late night and Agnes comments that they are "two dying women". They are both casualities of their environment and this draws them together. Agnes arrived at the farm in a state of degradation but she changes the attitude of the community and she goes to her execution with dignity.

From the outset it was obvious that there was not going to be a happy ending and there is an emotional charge hanging over the story as it heads towards its inevitable conclusion.  I was spellbound and felt like I was holding my breath waiting for it to happen and when I reached the end of the book I burst into tears! I absolutely loved it and was surprised to read that it is Hannah Kent's first novel. I look forward to seeing what she does next.

 

Until next time

Lyn

(I'm having trouble loading photos onto my blog which is why it's a bit out of place!)

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Hearts

I had a very productive weekend - finished both the small quilt and the novel (will tell you about that next time).

Once I had finished the quilting, it was then a matter of choosing the binding. I narrowed it down to two fabrics - a reddish pink and a red.

The red is also from Judie Rothermal range - I can't remember which one - but it looked a bit too bright with the other fabrics so I opted for the reddish pink.

The finished size of the quilt is 16" x 16" - which should just fit nicely on Mum's new cupboard.  I think she will be surprised and pleased to receive it.

The pattern is available in both printed and pdf formats on my website and pdf format in my Etsy shop.

 

Until next time

Lyn

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Hearts