Almost Another Quilt

This is my take on the Craftsy Block of the Month 2013 with Laura Nownes

Still a work in progress ~ hope to finish it soon!!

My Latest Quilt

Twelve months later and this little quilt is so close to being finished but I've still got some work to do, namely squaring it and binding.  Anyway I just have to post it here and now, the other will happen later. [I hope]

I learnt how to make this spread by enrolling in  Craftsy Block of the Month 2012.   All up I made twenty blocks and I love the final result.

There is no way I could do the machine stitching, I had to call in the experts for that.

Loving the quilting stitch, it's super cool.  For a quilt made out of scraps it sure did turn out to be expensive. I had the machine stitching done by the professionals and  it was worth every last dollar.  I'd like to give a shout out to ladies at The Sewing Bee Cafe for the beautiful heart machine quilting.

A Crazy Quilt

Machine quilting gives the quilt a bubbly effect

After much huffing and puffing about the effort and constant negative thoughts about how I don't have the time or the patience to make a quilt, last year I finally made a quilt.  In fact, I made one and a half quilts.  This is not my first attempt but compared to what I've produced days gone by this is more like what a quilt should be.  I think!  You see this quilt is as stiff as a board and whilst colourful it lacks the comfort factor, a bit like cold soup.

I never really follow a pattern and have little regard for instructions of any type, [probably because I used to write technical training manuals in my hay-day].  Since I'm not a 'quilter' I decided I really needed to at least watch a couple of videos [absolute preferred way to learn these days] if I were ever going to make a 'real quilt' just like the experts.  

I'm ever so grateful for the videos I've sourced on the Internet and I appreciate the time, skill and energy required to create these masterpieces.  [I appreciate them because I used to make video's on how to use databases ~ OMG so boring how did I ever do it?  I cringe whenever I think about those days], and for this reason I'm addicted to purchasing crafty videos in my quest to learn.

I gave my cardboard crazy quilt to my MIL and she really appreciates it and I know it will one day be re-gifted back to me.  I'm mortified that it's not snugly and smoochy and cozy and warm and as comforting as a bowl of soup, but at least I quashed the negative thoughts and got on with the job and FINISHED IT.

My next adventure into the world of high tech teaching videos is MIXED MEDIA.  I just have to get into the zone [whatever that is?] and create something that gives me a warm glow all over.  It's exciting, can't wait to share. 

Quilting Gone Mad

Since my first attempt at quilting, I've played around with various materials and designs and had heaps of fun exploring the art of quilting.  I'm not very good at reading or following instructions but I did get a couple of books from the library to get me started on my new crafting venture for 2012.  I love to look at the beautiful work created by others to get me inspired and quilting books and magazines are highly addictive and motivating.

I love working with fabric and particularly using strong colour.  I'm determined to make 2012 my year for creativity.

This piece is a work-in-progress, I'm not sure how it will end up, but then that's half the fun. Although this will most likely become a wall hanging.

Rolling Hills

My trouble is I usually have several crafts on the go at once.  Not only am I teaching myself to quilt but I have been doing some embroidery which I plan to incorporate into a quilt of some kind - some how!!

Check List

I recently created a premie blanket which is really basic and seeing I made heaps of blunders I had a great time covering up the mistakes.  That's what I like so much about quilting.  It allows me to explore my true creative side whilst tactfully covering up things that go wrong. It's similar to an artists canvas, if it goes horribly wrong, paint over it and start again. 

Premie Blanket

Am I A Quilter Yet?

I started this quilt about six months ago, but alas I got bored with it in the first week. I think it was because I purchased a pattern for beginners and was frustrated that the pattern had no basic instructions just a few diagrams.  I was totally reliant on the picture on the cover of the pattern to work out the design. Thank goodness the cover was in colour.

The pattern wasn't cheap. The lady in the quilting shop recommended this pattern for beginners and naturally I put my faith in her recommendation.  I was disappointed in the instructions, but maybe I just have high expectations and being too critical.

I've been sick, I needed a distraction and I hate unfinished projects. So out came my earlier attempt which was the centre piece "Confused Butterflies" because that's what they look like to me, they have no idea where they're going.

Eventually I made sense of the quilting concept and even enjoyed the process.  It's not perfect but I don't think the photo reflects my mistakes.

Confused Butterflies

It's hanging on a wall in the least used part of the house for the time being.  I'm all fired up to do another one designed by me.  But first, I'm off to the local library to see what they can offer to a newbie quilter like me in the way of information about the fundamentals of quilting.  I'm sure there will be hundreds of books for the picking.

Wish me luck, because I need it.