Some progress on my designed sampler today, this time using a white gutterman cotton.  I used a cream on the bobbin, at furst, but changed it to white halfway through as the cream showed through  in center of the circular wreath.

I had to sort the tension out a bit too. 

Four small lady-bugs are included :)

Its been a learning curve...and learnt lots on what NOT to do!

 

The main drawn sections of the design are quilted, and I am off to bed and will work out the freehand filler designs tomorrow when I have time.

Another quilting sample - with monofilament.

One is my owndesign...the ladybug sitting on a nest of feathers...I like to quilt a lady-bug in each quilt I make...my signature.

The sample is a practise of course, and apart from the one design - its all freehand.

I did work on a UFO (foundation pieced years ago)I found in the cupboard...just as well its  a practise...I am not really that happy with it, but it was great to practise on...used monofilamont on this.

Couldn't manage a photo tonight - need sleep...will put it up tomorrow..if I can.

I did actually complete around another border and small sqaure on a POTC block - so I havn't forgotten them.

I had four hours late today waiting in the car for Andrea to do her ballet...but it got dark and I couldn't do much! I always have sewing with me, just in case.

I have another sample ready to do tomorrow..designed some feathers...and there is plenty to space to freehand. 

Yesterday after receiving and avidly reading my new book on quilting from Diane Gaudynsky, I tried a couple of different things.

If I get even partway as good as Diane...I will be more than happy

My quilting is VERY shaky!

The photo on the right was me playing with hexagons..trying to work out how to quilt my POTC's.  Tis the fabric I thought I may use for the backing...but not too sure now.. Havn't machine quilted for a time now, and I REALLY do need the practise. The larger square on the right was also a possiblity for the backing...but not now.  I tried a couple of differnet threads on it, but am still not happy.The lighter thread was better I thought.

Next week I am going to purchase some monfilament thread..to see what that is like and do some more samples. and get some finer needles if I can.

I will complete a couple of my spare POTC's to play on, when I am more confident what I may be doing.

Have found some UFO's that are ready to quilt - so may play some more today...then back to the POTC's

I am in the process of re-arranging my studio. 
I am  getting 2 new design boards to cover and increase my design wall as I am out of space with my POTCs and don't wish to take them off the wall
.
The shelves are going from there...lots of shfting things...and the new design boards will go next to the original one nearer to the window

You can see some of the progress of my sewing the blocks together.
The top row is complete, and I am sewing the block borders first and will then join and complete the 2nd row.


As you can see - it all looks a bit of a mess!

One of the blocks is missing as that's the one I am working on now.

The loom will go from here ...hopefully...and I can arrange tables to suit my machines for sewing under the two windows. There are two unfinished quilts hanging on the front of the loom.
It still looks messy!
My cutting table is in the foreground and covered with things to move.

These are the fabrics I got solely for my POTC Blocks...I have since sorted and put into my OTHER room with my main fabric stash!

This is my stash after I had it all sorted..

I have the full fabric collectiof the Jinny Beyer Pallette

The fabric on the shelf abover the wadding is what I have transfered of my POTC collection and next to that is my delicious fabric I received from Kathy ..of Kathy's Quilts in Maryland

It was washed - all 15 yards of it, with the help of my friend Liz , and Andrea.

This is what hides behind the other side of the 'mirror room' cupboard.

My other crafts which I do only periodically
Beading, Weaving ,Spinning, Dying wool, and sewing ballet costumes.
Would you believe this is a spare bedroom?

This has taken WAY too much time.. I have found it was difficult for me to work out how to get these bits in the order I wanted...and I havn't even shown you the shelves with all my books on.

Next  time...maybe.

I am now off to do some more sewing.

Andrea and her God Mother Liz

At Liz's suggestion...Andrea designed the skirt she wanted and Liz very kindly sorted out the design from the sketch, cut it out, sewed it together and brought the skirt down for her.
 It looked great and fitted really well!

Liz, her Dh and FIL stayed with us for the weekend

All the 'Lizard' family and Andrea played canasta and Boggle most of the the time.

It was a great weekend

Vegetables fresh from our garden tonight.
They made a wonderful meal

2nd extra POTC..#78 and the LAST ONE!!!

1st Extra POTC #78

In both these blocks - the central hexagons are all cut the same , but placed differently...amazing how different they looked.

I have used these blocks to replace some of my earlier ones, which I didnt really like.

I am now relieved to say that these are really the last ones.

I have enjoyed making all of them, and am amazed at how fast they really go together.

Now to tackel the whole quilt.

#16 of 16  

POTC # 76

I will put up the fabrics later...I am not sure of these, but need to check my stash

#15 of 16

POTC # 75

I may put up the fabrics later...I need to get some sleep...soon

Well, I have now finished all my POTC blocks, and put a new lot of felt on my design wall and re-arranged all the blocks again...tidied the top of my cutting table - cleared my sewing table and labeled and sorted all my boxes. 

 I need to do that occasionally as I am unable to find the table sometimes. 

 However I have put all the fabric aside...and will now concentrate on sewing everything together...

Have also got one of my sewing machines serviced and ready to  hopefully do some samples of machine quilting...if  I need a break from the POTC quilt.

I am also looking forward to receiving my new Jinny Beyer book Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns, which I was able to get here in Australia.

.

#14 of 16

POTC # 73.....maybe its # 74 - I am losing track!

Center hexagon fabrics are by Peggy Toole

Next four hexagons are Empress Bouquet  by Peggy Toole for Kaufman.

Outer hexagons are again batik.

Only a few to go!!

This is as far as I will go with this for the moment with my Farmers Delight,  as I cant work out which fabric to use as the surrounding background.

I just needed a break...now I will get on again with my last 3 POTC Blocks...and sewing the quilt together..

The weather continues to be hot and humid.

A change from my POTC blocks.

My first Farmers Delight block - have a few more of the larger triangles to complete.

This block is from the new Inklingo Dresdon Plate collection.

Will post a photo when I have completed it. but not decided on a background, so it will stay as a circle for a bit, while I get back to my last 3 POTC's this week.

Also the first one of my Le Moyne Star blocks using one of my fabrics from the swap last year.

Hope to get some more of these done soon, between the POTC's as they don't seem to take very long. and its been good to do something different.

These blocks are from the Inklingo Free Le Moyne Star collection.

Andrea learning to applique today...her own design.

#13 of 16.  POTC # 73

Central fabric is an amber toning of Empress Bouquet by Peggy Toole for Kaufman

Next four hexagons are, I think, by Quilting Treasures .

The remainder are batik.

3 more to go!!!!

#12 of 16.   POTC # 72

Central fabric is Florentine ll by Peggy Toole for Kaufman

Next four hexagons are florentine medalian by Peggy Toole for Kaufman

Remaining hexagon are batik

Freshly cut from our garden tonight.

Now I need a recipe for Pumpkin soup!

POTC # 70

#11 0f the last 16

5 more to go!

Central hexagons are again by Peggy Toole for Kaufman and the remainder are batik.

Thought this may be of interest ...this is how I have my planned blocks ready to sew...they are all in order. 

I iron them onto Reynolds Freezer Paper...I just pick the hexagons from the center.

They are quite portable as I just roll them up if I want to take them with me.

I use Jenkins freezer paper to iron my fabric on to print my Inklingo . This paper is firmer than the Reynolds.

Easier on my printer.

POTC # 69

I have 6 more to go to make up the 72 blocks that I need, so this one is #9 of the final 16!

I discarded 3 of my first  blocks. 

So the total number of POTC blocks I will have made will be 76.

The fabric for the 8 central hexagons is Florentine ll by Peggy Toole for Robert Kaufman.
The remainder are batik.

POTC # 68

#9 of the last 16

Center fabric is Peggy Toole for Kaufman, then batik, Fossil Fern and more Peggy Toole.

I have been busy printing out the hexagons and cutting them out, ready to sew on more of the cream borders to the blocks...also been looking at the new Inklingo Dresdon Plate collection...and planning.

My turn for a sleep in tomorrow...

Andrea's Toy Poodle Sophie, on a quilt, machine pieced by Andrea about a year or so ago, and still waiting to be hand quilted. One of her UFO's

Gifts made late last night.

No sewing today!

Here is the last of the small squares.

Needed a total of 9 - not 8.

Now these at least are finished.

Now to tackle the last 8 POTC's.

8 more squares - #70 - 78

I have another 8 to go.!

Also POTC #67 (8 of extra 16)

Central and outer hexagons are Florentine by Peggy Toole for Kaufman. The darker ones are

Reminisence for Quilting Treasures and then of course is the batik.

I have 8 more POTC and the remaining small squares cut and ready to go.

Andrea with her English Piecing, while listening to Eragon for the third time.

#7 of 16 POTC # 66

Central fabric Fusions. Next four hexagons Tuscan Wildflowers.

Both fabrics by Peggy Toole for Kaufman

Next fabric is Batik

The dark mauve is Fossil fern

Latest block completed today #6 of 16 POTC # 65

Front and back

Central hexagons are Florentine by Peggy Toole for Kaufman

remainder are batik.

We have read lots about frogs, and they apparently bask in the warmth of the day to keep themselves from hibernating, as they are cold blooded creatures. They disappear in the late afternoon and must go hunting for their meals then.

As you can see we are quite fasinated by them..and hope to get more tadpoes later from the Frog Farm where we got our current 'batch' of frogs last year - as tadpoles.

Teeny One, Our latest frog.....who is still a bit shy! Here is Frogette also basking in the shade

Below is Wee Bit basking in the shade in the middle of the pond...he is now the biggest.

Some more on our frogs...yes we have more!

Froddo has escaped into the wild...but we catch up with him at times while 'frog hunting' when it gets dark.

We still have Wee bit, who has become a lot larger...though not as big as Froddo has become..and is not such a Wee Bit any more!

A while ago Frogette appeared...followed a couple of days ago by Teeny one, who is still very shy of us.

POTC # 64

#5 of 16 - POTC #64

Fabrics are Reminisense and batik

Slowly slowly...11 to go!

Havn't yet counted how many more little joining squares to go.

Showing the back.. for you Cathi I just love your blocks!

c

Some new fabric which arrived yesterday.

I am itching to get to it...and not just for POTC blocks which I have a few more to do yet .

I guess it will also lend itself to the 1.5" POTC collection Orange peel???

Dresdon Plate ???

All the fabric is by Peggy Toole for Kaufman

#4 of the Further 16 POTC blocks

Central fabrics are by Peggy Toole for Kaufman

Burgundy is batik fabric and the green is another of my mysteries.

Slow going after my Cataract surgery!

#3 of 16 - POTC #62

Central hexagon fabric is from Reminisence, then Batilk and the outer hexagons are Florentine striped fabric by Peggy Toole for Kaufman.

Here is the second Block of the further 16 I will need for the King Size Quilt.

I am still working along the first row with the cream border hexagons, but I am adding the blocks I am now making as I go.

I need to do this as they are going to be a bit different I think, so they need to be re-arranged as I go.

In the meantime I am also sewing on the borders of all the currently completed blocks - very slowly!

It was all going well till I realised some of the cream pattern hexagons had been printed on the wrong side of the fabric. I have had to unpick quite a few hexagons. I only noticed the problem when I used my Ott light...however I have at last sorted that out.

SO - after that bit of a set back ...I am continuing...with a bit of everything

This block is made using Florentine byPeggy Toole for Kaufman - both Medallion and striped and brown batik.

I have called this block The Aviary Gate , as I am currently listening to the audio book fo this name.

As I sew...its of Sultans, Hareems..and full of mystery... I am sure the story will come back to me as I look at the block.

This is the back of block #60

To really see how the backs of the blocks SHOULD look - visit Cathi Godwins blog - she is so neat with it.

2.04am - I am off to sleep! Forecast for tomorrow - Catastrophic!

More heat and strong winds.

POTC # 60 - Ist of a further 16 and that means a lot of small squares too I guess.

Tiger for punishment...but have to get a bit done before I go off for my cataract surgery on Wednesday week...not much sewing after that for a bit!

Today I have had a people free day and night , so I have made the most of that.

This block is made with Peggy Toole fabric for Robert Kaufman, and with batik

My design board as from tonight..Early morning now actually...
I have completed a row, and begun on the next. I have sewn 3 together at the top

and begun the next row.

I will not sew it completely together yet as I will need to place all the new blocks when they are done

I am now just sewing borders together...and the small and larger squares between the blocks.

On the left hand side of the design board you can see where I have begun to design some more blocks ( a total of 16 I think- and these look larger as they are not yet sewn togehter)

I have decided to go ahead wth the King size quilt!

Found this stranger in our garden tonight.

Thought he was lovely so took a photo for Andrea to see when she gets home tomorrow with her little brother Patrick. We will have a name game for him then.

We think Froddo has ecscaped, but Wee-Bit is there by the pond...hiding from the heat.

2010

Happy New year to one and all.

I hope it will be a year of good health and happiness...and lots of completed quilting projects too