Seaside

Seaside by October Afternoon for Riley Blake came out a few months ago and I really loved the soft look and vintage feel of this line. But I didn't buy because I have still similar shades in my stash.

But time and time again I came back to it and always thought "tis really lovely". So in the end I caved but went the sensible route and bought a layer cake that I sneaked into an order I was doing at fatquatershop anyway (well that was my excuse).

And I am so glad I did cave. When it arrived I got so overexcited that I didn't even took the time to take a photo for a stash note but instead cut the layer cake up quickly in 96 five inch squares. Then I added 24 squares from stash; some American Jane, some Japanese fabric, some Hometown and Pure from Sweetwater and some gingham and a new quilt top was done. Easy peasy !

For the quilt back I had the perfect seaside fabric in my stash that I bought a few months ago; 'the brits are coming', beach huts and bunting!

I added some Kona in complimentary colours and started with what is now my favorite part of making a quilt, the quilting itself! My favorite part used to be to chose and attach the binding because it gives a quilt the right frame. Funny how these things change over time. Has your favorite part in the quilting process changed over time ?

I quilted in straight lines as per usual along the seam lines of the squares but decided when I was finished that more was required so I added diagonal lines until I was happy with the result.

The binding is a stripy number in a sandy/beige colour that compliments the front and contrasts the back thereby adding the all important frame to the quilt.

I really love this quilt and the soft colours, there is something about this fabric collection which is precisely why it came back to me all the time like a boomerang.

The quilt is about 45" x 54" (1.10m x 1.35m) and can be found in my Etsy shop here.

Ready to play

...that is my 'Girls at Play' quilt which I finished over the weekend. I so enjoyed making this quilt that I felt a little sadness when it was done. Normally I am always happy when a quilt is finished because I am then allowed to start a new one but with this one it was different. And that is also the reason why I am making this one into my first pattern which I hopefully will finalize this week and that then can be downloaded from my blog.


On the other hand it is good that the quilt is now done because I have big plans for a number of new quilts and there is the small matter of the ST quilt project that will need tending to and a commission .... no rest for the wicked.

Here it is in all its glory. I officially declare the block in the top left corner my favorite simply because of the great combination of the soft orange with the deep petrol green.

 

The back is pieced with some left over fabrics and also some Riley Blake 'Alphabet Soup'.

For the binding I used Momo 'Its a hoot' in a pinkish red that give the white background a much needed frame.

I quilted with Gueterman Sulky 30 w in colour 1072 in straight lines along the seams.

 And here a close up of the 'Alphabet Sour' - they are so cute.

The quilt is 44" x 58 " which makes it grip size and I do hope it will find a loving owner who adores it as much as I do. The listing can be found in my Etsy shop.

 

 

And we have a winner

This has been the most amazing response to a giveaway I have ever done. I asked you guys to tell me and everybody else your proudest creative achievement of this year and I have been utterly blown away by the fantastic pieces that you made this year.

A lot of you made something that they would necessary not make for themselves but it made somebody else very very happy.
Others, a lot of others actually had first time quilts, clothes  or other things they made.
And again others are proudest about quilts they made for their loved ones.

And then there are some of you that are proudest about the moments they shared with their kids making something together. 

I tried to respond to every comment and made good progress doing so on Monday evening for several hours and on Tuesday but I'm afraid I didn't manage to sent each and everyone of you a little thank you or well done.

One the funniest crafty items I saw was from Michelle Mathews who blogs over at "Little Peanut" She made a Darf Wader costume for her daughter and I swear this is the cutest bad guy costume I have ever seen. Check the post to the picture out here.

Darf Wader by Michelle Mathews of "Little Peanut"

However Random org did not favour Darf Wader but instead Heather A. from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada who finished her first solo quilt this year. Well done Heather  (I think I know the binding you used on this quilt)

Congratulation Heather, a mail is on its way to you and once I have your address I'll sent the goodies out to you.

A thank you on Giveaway day

Sew Mama Sew are hosting their annual giveaway day this week (i.e. not a day but a week) and I decided to use the occasion to thank you my blog readers and followers for your continued support.

Sometime last year in October I think it was when I decided to start a blog and flickr photostream. I already had finished several quilts since April that year and was graving a larger audience to share my creations with and also a community of like minded crafters to bounce of ideas.  It has been a fantastic journey and I learned so much from your comments and suggestions.

And for that I thank you.

I will giveaway this week one Rolie Polie of the delightful and so aptly named  Riley Blake collection 'Delighted' and one banner sheet of the same collection to one lucky reader.

To be eligible for this  giveaway I would like to know from you which project you made this year you are most proud of. That may be the most beautiful item you crafted or perhaps the one that was a challenge or had a special meaning to you. Please include a link in the comment so I can have a look and also don't forget your e-mail address if it is not in your blogger profile.
The giveaway is open as always to everybody, national, internationals and Aliens are all welcome.
The giveaway is open until the 16th.

The project I am most proud of this year is my "Very Berry" quilt simply because it was such an achievement due its enormous size.

Sugar and Spice - part three -

Wasn't it a most marvellous weekend here in the UK and I actually think it was like that on the continent too. The weird thing with this balmy summer weather is that one actually thinks a lovely long evening sitting in the garden is in order  only to see the sun drop down before 7pm to painfully realise we are actually in October. Well it has cooled down considerably already since Tuesday and it feels now more like Autumn.

I was all set to work on my Christmas quilt but I just could not face it when we had close to 30 degrees outside. It just wasn't right. So in between nipping out for little lie downs on the sun longer and picnics with friends I worked hard on the Sugar and Spice quilt. I normally finish one quilt before I start the next. This hasn't quite worked lately which is probably because my job keeps me so busy at the moment that I quite often feel rather frazzled and start projects randomly. Generally not a good thing at all but for once this was actually a blessing because 'Sugar and Spice' was just the right quilt to get stuck into this past weekend.

I do love this fabric and the HSTs are looking great. Hopefully this will be quilted soon but first I am off to Italy for some much needed relaxation.

Oh and I have already found the perfect fabric for the binding but I'm not going to show you just yet.. This quilt is so fresh and bright it just makes you smile. 

But before I say Arrivederci I leave you a few shots of the work in progress.


                                     

Basting this was a breeze as it is only 62 inches square. Piece of cake as they say.

Sugar and Spice - part 2-

Before I report on the progress of  'Sugar and Spice' I wanted to say that I am at the Quiltfestival in Brimingham this Thursday. If any of you are there too and would like to meet up then please let me know. I would love to.

And now to the progress report. After I cut a large number of HSTs I started to think about possible layouts.

First I tried the mosaic block from the Summer Sample Series. But I think the individual HST squares are to big for this and I don't want the quilt to be to large. I only would have 4 mosaic blocks in a row within the size range I have in mind for this quilt which I believe isn't very effective.

On to the next possible layout. I rearranged the squares and ended up with this sort of square in a squares ensemble but again the quilt would have to become large for the patterns to work but I really really like the look of this so....

... I rearranged the blocks a bit more and came up with this which is exactly what I want except that I have to make more HSTs...........big sigh........