Kaleidoscope Quilt Top

Firstly can I just say a big 'thank you' to everyone who gave me creative and constructive feedback yesterday on my Hexie Dilemma.

You have given me lots to think about & I'm going to take some time out pondering (oh no! now I sound like Susan!) on what the next step should be.

When I was away last week I was able to complete 2 quilt tops.  Today I'll show you one which has been long overdue the Don't Call Me Betsy QAL deadline!

Yes, there are 3 random pink blocks in amongst the green ones!

I don't think there is one point in this whole quilt that matches up (which is why I'm not showing any close-ups!)!

I discovered half way through that my downloaded template wasn't symmetrical, coupled with 'under pressure' (aka 'That'll do rightly!') sewing, and accuracy was well and truly compromised.

However, life is too short to be worrying about such things when they are about learning a new pattern and what to do differently next time.

This quilt will be for my youngest daughter and she's really pleased with it so far.  (Quilt currently measures 62" x 72").

I'm slowly but surely updating all the rubbishy early works that my kids received from me, when I was a fledgling quilter!

One day I might even let you see them (but only when I'm feeling especially brave & secure in myself!!).

To finish, a little bit of crochet.

I haven't a 'baldy notion' what this is going to be (bit like the hexies!).  It's only 13" x 10" so it has the potential to become a cushion front (one day!).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Steaming Ahead!

Today was (almost) bliss!

The sun was shining, and all 3 children were out of the house at the same time, for at least 2 hours!

I am fairly well caught up with work projects (starting my Beginner's group on a new project tomorrow) so thought I would treat myself to some of the many 'fun' projects I have on the go!

Firstly, I started quilting Crazy Daughter Quilt ..............

Going for diagonal lines through each block.  Not sure what I'll do in sashing yet.

......... but then ran out of chalk and thread!  

Despite eating into my precious free time to take a wasted trip to my LQS (they didn't have the thread colours I needed!), I was undetered, ordered some thread online, and hastily returned to my sewing room to start on something else.

The something else was my very neglected Kaleidoscope quilt.

I chain pieced like a demon and just to make sure the half blocks will align in the middle, I completed a block to reassure myself.

There's a heck of a lot of sewing stages to this wee gem, which is playing havoc with my indecisive creative mind, meaning I'm constantly changing designs the more I see this evolve.  

(More on that later when I finally decide on what this thing is going to look like.)

Finally, I went bin hoaking!

Just into my recycling bin to find some glossy/magazine type paper to use for my hexie papers.  I was taught to use slightly thicker/better quality paper as templates, and they are much easier to sew around.

So, cut, cut, cut, cut and I made lots of papers to stash in my vintage tin.  

When I was cutting a folded over leaflet, I had a bit of a eureka moment!

(This doesn't happen to my slow brain v.often so please humour me!)  

Let me demonstrate with this piece of A4 paper folded in half lengthways:

The fold is at the bottom, look closely at those little triangles in between the hexies.

After cutting out the hexie shapes, I noticed some other shapes appearing in between the hexies, and it turns out, when you open them out, they make great kite shaped papers. 

These can then be sewn up in fabric, to make a lovely addition to the hexies.

The design possibilities are endless!

I'm sure lots of you have already discovered this & have probably been making them since before you were weaned!  But I thought it was pretty cool.  

I don't have sophisticated design software to cleverly magic up shapes and designs, so I tend to arrive at these things 'old time'!  I would like to incorporate them someway into a hexie designed project, but it might be a bit of a stretch for my inept mathematical mind!  

Maybe I'll have another eureka moment this time next year!

Have a great weekend!

Dreadfully behind!

I have been extremely busy this week designing and making projects for my next program of classes, starting in September, as well as preparing for new classes this week, as well as trying to keep 3 bored kids happy without feeling like a really selfish, guilty mum (actually I think Guilt just comes with the Placenta)!

Next week I hope to do a series of posts on the new projects that I'll be teaching, with some pics of course (oh but that means I'll have to get them all made -eeek!).

Anyway, I didn't wanted you to think I've been spending all my time sunbathing in this glorious, grey summer we've been having!!

Tomorrow night is the start of the Beach Huts Cushion class:

This is a great wee project to introduce folks to Foundation Piecing (one of my favs!).

Despite our cold, drab weather, I'm hoping this sunny project will make us all feel brighter!

So because of all this hard work, I'm ridiculously behind in my Kaleidoscope Quilt (a QAL being hosted by Don't Call Me Betsy) and I haven't even picked out fabrics for the recent Hex-A-Long (hand sewn hexies). 

Here's as far as I've got with my Kaleidoscope quilt:

I'm doing my usual 'changing the design as I go along' thing, seeing what it looks like as I go.  I just need a bit more 'go'!

On Sunday I try not to do work stuff, and if I get any free time, I'll try and work on other WIPs.  

So I got Crazy Daughter Quilt basted.  I used basting spray for the first time, following the instructions of my LQS to do it over the ironing board, bit by bit, ironing it down as I go.  

This technique pretty much worked, but as with doing anything with large quilts, it took a chunk of effort and time. The effectiveness of it will be tested by the quilting - whenever I get round to it!

So that's it for now.

Sorry if this has been a bit moany!  I'm tired and need a holiday (or just some rays would do!)

A Cracker of a Day!

Today was one of the warmest, sunniest days we've had so far this year.

Not only was it the Wimbledon Men's final (commisserations Rafa!), but it was a true summers day.

Having fun in the sun!  With a sprinkler!!

I got my sewing machine back from the shop yesterday, but didn't get near it until today.  

Who would have thought that a teeny clump of lint could cause such a noise (and I do clean my machine regularly Mr Sewing Machine Fix It Man, honest I do!).

I'm way behind in the Kaleidoscope QAL being hosted by the lovely Elizabeth of Don't Call Me Betsy.  It's lovely seeing everyone's designs coming together over on flickr, and I haven't posted a single photo there yet!

At least I've chosen my fabrics.  This is the stash I'm going to eat into to.

I'm sure I won't need all of these but I like to keep my options open!

Today I made some headway in the cutting, lots and lots of cutting.  120 triangles, 240 kaliedoscope sections!

And I've also finally got a design sorted.  This will be a quilt for my youngest, who is passionate about the colour green, but I'm sneaking in some pink there too!  Hope she doesn't mind.

I hope to start piecing soon and then I'll show you some pics.

I have also been sewing more on my lounge cushions (12 fronts and backs = 6 cushions) but will show you pics when I've completed them.

The wadding is ordered for Crazy Daughter Quilt, the blocks have been sourced for Miss July's Brit Bee Blocks and I have a tonne of teaching notes to write for up coming classes.  

All this with my 3 children off school and looking to yours truly to start chanting 'Let Me Entertain You!'!  Don't hold your breath!

Anyone fancy being my P.A?  I could really do with one!!

Kaleidoscope Quilt Along

There have been several Quilt Alongs advertised recently in Blogland, which I've been very tempted to join.

I tried being strict with myself by saying 'Judith, you have plenty on the go already at the moment, be sensible!"

Well my 'sense' lasted about a week and I have completely caved!

After reading my friend, Leanne's, post today, my resolve folded and I signed up to the Don't Call Me Betsy Kaleidoscope QAL!

I know, I know ..................... but it's such a lovely pattern, and I was inspired by Jo's recent take on this pattern in the Brit Quilt Swap, that I couldn't resist any longer!

Jo's mini kaleidoscope quilt!  Love this!

As always there is a Flickr group already up and running, with fun discussion threads and lots of pics of yummy fabrics folks are picking out for their quilts.

If you've never joined a QAL before, I would highly recomment it.  It's great fun getting to know other quilters/bloggers around the world, sharing ideas, encouraging one another and generally having a laugh at life and all its imperfections.

There's still time to join if you're interested.  Just click here to find out more.

Now down to the business side of things - what fabrics will I choose?

I'm going for the lap quilt size and was hoping to use my gorgeous stash of charm squares:

I won these from Lesly at Pickle Dish!

But at 5" each, they're not quite big enough for all the shapes that make up the Kaleidoscope block.  As these fabrics are too yummy to cut into and waste, I might just make a simple quilt out of them, and keep them intact.

So, it looks like I'm going to get a chance to use my winnings from Jo sooner than I thought!

Kind of appropriate too, as Jo was the one who ignited my passion for this pattern!  Thanks again Jo!