Work on Wed 1st May

Have had 4 days off so have been making slow but steady progress quilting my FMN.
Ditch stitched all the blocks including the block trim. Decided just to echo stitch around the frames to give mitered corners similar to a wooden picture frame.

With 2 blocks done I was happy but there had been some unpicking as I came to terms with maneuvering the bulk of fabric around, this has got less with practice thank goodness.
I measured my frame width before I started and after stitching a sample discovered that by offsetting my needle as far as possible, my walking foot gave me an almost perfect guide for 5 rows of stitching

I marked my mitered corner with chalk and started at the outside. For 1st 3 rows the outer edge of my walking foot guides me. The last two rows I use the inner edge as I know that is straight and an uneveness shows more against a straight edge. My DH has always said the eye can only take in so much at one time.
Now with 8 Blocks stitched I am  thrilled with how the Blocks themselves are popping out of the fabric.

The middle 2 that I was so worried  about  were the easiest of the lot, the even spread of fabric around me  was a pleasure to work with LOL
Don't think I will be edge stitching all my applique but will just look at each block and see where some stitching will enhance the overall lift.

Many thanks to everyone that voted for my Lilies Wall hanging, I came 3rd  in the viewers choice and I was so thrilled with there being 67 wonderful entries.
It is like being able to visit a gallery of quilts based on a theme so once again I am putting up an entry this week - The theme is applique and possibly the only theme this year that will allow me to show my Oriental Expressions, so here is a detailed preview for those who are new visiting my blog,
Apologies to those who may have seen this before.

Held up by 3 girls from my quilting group it is 77 x 78 inches and once our bedroom is redecorated it will take pride of place on our bed - but not to sleep under LOL
This is probably the most difficult quilt I have attempted. Although the applique is relatively simple there were so many different elements, foundation piecing the great wall around the center, 33 different fabrics all charm squares from Trademe, and working out how to do my calligraphy blocks - not part of the original pattern by Yvonne Morris  over 3 issues of APQ magazine. I tried reverse applique but my gold satin fabric shredded at the edges so I went back to traditional raw edge applique.
The blocks read clockwise from top left Happiness, Peace, Dream, Love, what more can anyone want!!!
The block backgrounds are all fairy frost fabric's, the burgundy borders are Satin and also Burgundy Satin with a black/gold mesh overlay for the sashes.

The fans are backed with gold satin and hang free from the sides of the quilt.

The Kimono's are fabric Origami and this took several practice folds to get right

the Blue border fabric is an oriental brocade of my mother's and this fabric is what inspired me to make the quilt.

Again I give huge thanks to John Neilsen for his outstanding custom quilting for me.

I would love you to vote for me - not for me to win - just to show you like my work.

Work on Wed 24th April

Another couple of weeks since I last  posted, how they are flying by.
I worked 8 days out of  9 but have just had 5 days off so my Forget Me Not got bundled to the side of my work table while I quilted my Pomegranate wall hanging, it's no longer a WIP

I am so happy with the result as I am really only confident with in the ditch and straight line quilting.
Think this half way to free motion might be the answer for my blue FMN sashings as the flowers are also very individual.
I sewed on my binding this morning, with straight joining seams I had a three inch overlap at the end, Yeah.
Now to hand stitch it down, my thumbs hate this part.

Visited  quiltinggallery.com this morning and this week's show and tell is wall hangings, I thought great and  put up my Adrienne Walker design Wild Lilies from a few years ago.
Please visit the site and vote for me if you would like to.

Thought afterwards, stupid girl - why not show Esther's Pomegranate, too late now for me but Bunny you might like to step in and show another Esther design.

No quilting this afternoon, I have been relaxing instead and treating myself to some much needed nail care as my DH came home with this beautiful pack for me yesterday.

He got cornered in Glenfield mall in Auckland, the salesperson used it on him and he was impressed by the results.
As it was buy one get one free I now have two packs. My nails have never looked as good in years.
I am not a nail polish person but have strong nails that grow long very rapidly.
It says it contains mineral product from the Dead Sea, all I know is my ridges have gone and they now shine like they have a coat of clear nail polish.
Back at work tomorrow afternoon, Anzac day here so we open at 1pm, wonder if they will notice my beautiful nails.
Till next time,
Cheers Jenny

Work on Wed 10th April

Hi Everyone,
Easter has come and gone and I had so much fun watching the voting at quilting gallery, for Bunny and myself to both end up at the top just says how great Esther's designs are.
Go back to work tomorrow for 4 days but have spent much of the last 3 starting the quilting of my Blue Forget Me Not

This is the largest I have attempted, I thought my work table was huge but soon discovered it wasn't big enough to prep on, but now that I am stitching it is great 

My free motion is not great , in fact it is awful so am not really sure what I am going to do. To date I have ditch stitched all the inner frame edges and this morning have stitched most of the outer frame edges, center 2 done in this photo.

Practice has improved my rolling of the quilt through the machine throat.

More of my Aunt's fabric has become my backing.

I have made some sandwich's to practice free motion on as I have stippled before, but not on anything this size. I am wondering  about stippling the sashings but around the flowers not over them.

For the frames I am thinking of straight lines that either give the corners a mitered effect or a cross hatched square in each corner, I like the idea of an medallion in each corner but that might be beyond me.

Also maybe nothing would be better as they are becoming puffed frames and I might be better to stipple the block backgrounds.

Please if you comment, give me your suggestions because right now I am a total beginner and a little confused as to what step next.

Cheers everyone Jenny

Work on Wed 27th March

Haven't posted for a couple of weeks as every spare minute has been spent working on my Forget me Not quilts. Have posted so many photo's to the group that only one I am showing  here is my blue quilt top finished.

I love the layout Esther designed and it did make putting the top together so easy
But today I am not sewing!!!!
I was, but 4 lots of unpicking of the same part of my next sashing across bottom of my Retro quilt  has seen me say give it away for the day.
Has been my sunflower block frame, fabric is cotton polyester and it moves so easily. doesn't show in this photo but the stripe  is quite pronounced and it kept moving and was in my face every time, but finally I am happy. 
However I went and bought batting  ready to quilt and have now discovered I could have bought it cheaper elsewhere, plus I missed the courier delivering my new (second hand) mobile phone while I was out. so it's not my day.

Decided to clean  out the spare room wardrobe as still have lots of quilting bits in there.
I found this.

My first ever attempt at machine applique -a table runner - never finished - and no wonder, here is the closeup. I thought at the time I will never master this technique!!!

It just proves that you have to start somewhere, and practice is all it takes, but a good machine does help
This was an old borrowed machine in 2006 - and I broke it !!!
Next up was this unfinished piece.

Fantail on Pohutokawa

About 2009/10 when I started stitching then padding my applique before putting it on my background.

This might now get finished as I still have pattern for a Tui to match.

And delving deeper in the wardrobe, this I think is where my talent, if that is what it is, comes from.

A 36 x 36 luncheon cloth hand embroidered by my Aunt, Tatted edge by my grandmother.
They tried to teach me both skills - I was a D-  grade student LOL

My Aunt's unused dress fabric's are my sashings and borders  for Forget me Not so guess this is a tribute to her and her talent. My Mum still has the work which my Aunt won first prize for New Zealand  Hand Embroidery with c1960. Mine one day!!!

This is the reverse of her work, and I think awesome describes it best.

My Grandmother also embroidered, but she also painted. Some originals but loved mainly coloring the black and white photo's of the day. I found this treasure in the wardrobe as well. A Damask linen tablecloth which she has hand painted the border of..
Well I can't hold a needle to handstitch  but I hope they both are happy with how I am finally able to follow their footsteps, They must have laughed secretly at my embroidery attempts.
Cheers everyone, Jenny

Late Post for WOW 6th March

Thursday here but think Esther's link might still be open, hope so anyway.
Has been a busy week as Steve kept bringing me produce from the garden so have been making pickles  and relishes so it doesn't go to waste.

Not a huge quantity as I use a hot pot not a preserving pan, but there is only the 2 of us and we've already given some away.
My crowning glory was my first attempt at Grape Jelly from green grapes. After I had mushed and boiled them and let them strain overnight I had this horrible grey/green cloudy juice and thought throw it out, we can never eat that, but I carried on and WOW

Beautifully clear, apart from the lemon zest I couldn't resist adding, not in the recipe only lemon juice and such a pretty golden colour. There was lots of scum that I diligently skimmed and it has set beautifully and tastes delicious!!!

Have finished my Pomegranate quilt top, need my next days off to quilt it and add beads to the open flower center. Had just enough fabric to cut all my leaves as each half  had to be cut from opposing swirls in the fabric.

And yesterday and today has been Esther's miniature wall hanging Easter Blessings.
It is a lovely pattern, thanks so much Esther.
I was going to enlarge the pattern but then thought I have never made a miniature so why not start now.

The heart's are the first applique as I got so carried away with my leaf stitch I also used it for my buds, but double stitched them, out and then back which has made them nice and plump, couldn't resist adding extra petals to the bottom left as so much fun. Then experimented and reduced my stitch width and stitched 6 slightly overlapping petals for my flowers.
The details of this leaf stitch are under my photo on Esther's Yahoo BOM group.

Finally, much to my delight my prize for Heart's Desire turned up in the mail on Tuesday.
4 fat quarters of handdyed fabric from pale blue to purple.

Thanks so much Michele at quiltinggallery.com they are lovely.

That's it for this week time to go back to Easter Blessings.
Cheer's Everyone
Jenny

WOW on Wed 13th Feb

What a week, think I am still coming down to earth after Heart's Desire - My Christchurch Commerative Quilt  winning The Show and Tell at quilting gallery .com.
See my sidebar to visit the site and join in the fun, as there are some amazing quilts to view and vote for each week. Enter your quilts, you could be as surprised as me.
I was so happy just to be 3rd in the viewers choice but for a guest judge to give me all her points, just blew me away.
Thankyou everyone that voted for me, and thankyou Esther for such a beautiful design.
I am now starting to realise how much more I have learnt being part of Esther's BOM Group.
have not put up another photo as you must be tired of it by now.

Made Pickled Red Cabbage this morning, Not sure if we will even like it but Steve wanted to grow some and we now have a surplus, so will be giving some away to workmates as well.

Am off to Pahia with Steve this afternoon, we are taking a truck load of furniture to help stage the house he has been renovating as first open home is this Saturday. Several of my quilts going as well as need something for the walls!

Last for this week, I have made a start on Esther's wall hanging Pomegranate.

Colours not quite true as the leaves do have a lot more burgundy/red in them and the background is the same as my Cherry Thieves Table Runner, which is going to Pahia this afternoon.
This a stash busting exercise - almost- as my stash is not great, but these are nearly all early fabrics from before I fell in love with Batiks. I cut a piece from the fabric I bought for Cherry thieves for the vase centre, and think I have enough to use as a border, I didn't use it to bind the runner as I wanted it for this.
The pomegranate itself will be interesting as still looking at my fabrics, I may just have to buy something!!!
Have a great week everyone.

WOW 6th Feb

Waitangi Day in NZ, a public Holiday to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, between the Maori and the European settlers. Goverment is still settling issues with various Iwi over over land, water and air rights.
We are having a laid back day as I don't have to work and the sun is shining after several drizzly days bringing much needed rain.
Yesterday I finished stitching my binding onto Cherry Thieves table runner.

I have only edge stitched around the applique as I love the texture of the vines on my background fabric, plus my freemotion is terrible. may add some beads yet to the flower centers.
It is square, it's my pinning that wasn't LOL
Have started mug mats this morning to match, reduced the bird pattern for some and used the corner flower for others.

While relaxing in bed with coffee and old copies of APQ magazines theother rainy morning I found this pattern  in Vol 19 No 3 Pomegranate  by  Esther Aliu

First in a traditional  motif inspired Vase Series - Esther, is there a series?
Must be from the time of  Red Delicious. I think I have found an accompniant for my table runner, and I also started this, this morning.

If you voted for Snowdrops on quiltinggallery.com last week, thankyou.
There were some fantastic winter themed entries which you should go and see. I got to double digits in voting so was very happy!!!

This weeks theme is Commemorative Quilts so I just had to enter Hearts Desire - my Christchurch Quilt.

An unfinished quilt, which is always still on my mind, and the 2nd anniversary of the ChCh earthquake on Feb 22nd 2011 which claimed the lives of 185 people, is not far away.
For those of you that don't know why this still remains unfinished, after all my dreams to raffle it internationally and donate the proceeds to the rebuild, we COULD NOT get past red tape.
Steve talked with every possible Govt agency, but to run an  international online raffle from NZ  is seemingly impossible, hence I felt I could not ask anyone to donate their custom quilting time.
For any Raffle "or game of chance" the only payment formats allowed in NZ are cash or eftpos.
A Credit Card payment is illegal!!!
One Day!!!!
Cheers everyone, enjoy your Wednesday.
Jenny