By Stephie, on Wednesday 13th January, 2010 at 09:16 am
I thought of a few titles for this post: Round in circles, but nearly there; Round and round I go; Done circling… Rubbish all of them. Let’s just say that the ‘fundamentally green’ quilt (as I’m calling it for the moment), is nearly there:
- The hand quilting done: check.
- All basting threads removed: check.
- Binding machined in place: check.
- Hand stitching of binding complete: er no.
- ‘Dedication’ patch for the reverse stitched and sewn into place? Er, another no for that one.
- Washed and dried: definitely not!
But, so, so close that I want to give you a hint at what it will look like – it’s just so exciting that I can’t keep it to myself!
 Unpicked  Seeing stripes? Maybe you are, maybe you're not!  What do you know? It's a circle!  Bringing a bit of zing to your life! The quilt should be completely finished in a couple of days, finally a belated Christmas present can go to its new owner, phew! Hope you can call by again and see it it all it’s green-ness, it’s like a breath of fresh spring air, something I hear quite a few people are longing for!
By Stephie, on Monday 4th January, 2010 at 02:50 am
There are so many blogs out there, especially craft ones, that are like identikit copies of each other – seen one seen ‘em all. I’m getting bored with them, I see so many that are so similar I can’t even remember their names. Needless to say I haven’t bookmarked them and really don’t mind if I never come across them again. Dull as dishwater. It’s worse because not only are they the same boring format, but they’re also jam-packed with stuff made from the same fabric sources/collections. Jelly rolls and charm packs have a lot to bloody answer for. These packs of fabrics were designed for people without the ability/confidence to pick and choose fabrics that go together themselves. All well and good for the beginner I guess, but it makes for a very homogenised plethora of quilts and stuff filling the world. Surely the point of quilt making is that you make something completely unique?
But what do I know?! I guess it makes me determined to make things that are ‘my own’ and couldn’t have been made by anyone else – develop my own style. Easier said than done, but that’s where I’m headed. Which kind of implies that 2010 will be another year of quilt making rather than predominantly art. Well actually I think the quilt making will become part of the art, if I can improve my skill and technique. I think I can use quilt-making in particular to explore more than pattern and design (though i really enjoy that aspect too). I’ll see where the needle takes me…
I hope this post hasn’t sounded like too much of a moan; it wasn’t intended to! It’s more of a burgeoning manifesto for my own development. And I really hope this blog doesn’t look or sound like one of those blogs. But I’m worried now; what if it is? You will tell me won’t you, if you think I’m becoming dull as dishwater too? You will? Thanks, I knew I could rely on you, but I am a sensitive soul, so tell me gently.
By Stephie, on Tuesday 1st December, 2009 at 19:24 pm
 Amy Butler's Daisy Chain fabrics with a dash of Kaffe Fasset - it's gonna be a bright one! The red and white star quilt is well under way with the quilting now, so it’s time to take a break and start something new. And colourful. Oh yeah! This one also has to be finished for Christmas…so what am I doing on the laptop when I should be stitching, stitching, stitching?! Well, life just wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t share it with you – I love to hear from you, so don’t forget to say hi!
By Stephie, on Thursday 26th November, 2009 at 23:41 pm
I’m so happy! Finally, I’m getting back on track – after what, four months off the beaten path?! I do apologise if you’ve missed the odd peep into my creative workspace for a while. I’m hopeless and simply couldn’t get it together on a regular basis when I wasn’t feeling so good. But today’s different. It’s Thursday and this was my creative space today!
 Someone likes the quilt anyway! I was all set up with the quilt on my lap, stitching away and feeling pretty pleased with my progress this afternoon (quilted around 11 stars now, woohoo!). But, someone decided she wasn’t getting enough attention. She wormed herself onto my lap 3 times before I gave in and let her stay – I could tell I wasn’t going to win this one, when Lily’s made up her mind she wants attention, she’ll make sure she gets it come hell or high water. I guess she knows that there’s nothing much nicer than a cat and a quilt on your lap on a wet Thursday afternoon in November!
Hmmm, just thinking that I’m sure Lily’s featured in My Creative Space in the past… I’m certain this isn’t the fist time she’s tried to sabotage my sewing. Maybe she’s trying to tell me she wants her own quilt?
BTW, check out at least 99 other creative spaces over at Kootoyoo’s blog!
By Stephie, on Tuesday 24th November, 2009 at 19:16 pm
Yep, I’ve been thinking a lot about art, but I’ve been quilting, quilting, quilting. The deadline for this one is still the week before Christmas, this year! I can only do it when Kim’s not here of course, so I have to take every opportunity I can to get stitching. So far so good. Still a long way to go, but it’s great when you can see the effect of what you’ve already done. As usual I’ve been quilting by hand, but I decided to use a thread I’ve not used for quilting before, a cotton perle in a christmassy red (Anchor size 12). I thought I’d try it out as I wanted to outline quilt the stars and thought something a bit more decorative would be nice. It lays on the surface well and is pleasant to stitch with, not easily wearing or breaking. Best of all it looks great.
 The starry quilt gets basted and quilted!  Detail of my hand quilting
By Stephie, on Friday 20th November, 2009 at 00:33 am
I’m a wee bit annoyed. Nothing major, just gone up the wrong alley as it were. I started a new quilt project. I hate it. It’s hideous. Nothing like I want it to be. So, from tomorrow I’m going to start again. Here’s a bit of what I’ve done so far – the bit that’s about to go in the bin.
 Inspiration  Assembling fabrics in my sketchbook (bad picture - especially the colours).  Enlarged design - the colours are really awful in this picture! (That green is actually blue...) I started making the top and I suddenly realised that really, it’s not what I want. It’s too literal an interpretation of the original image. It’s too complicated (design wise). It looks like it could be a rug. It’s ugly. Meh. No, what I need to do is to pare it right down, just look at the colours and maybe ONE simple shape. But, this is what creativity is about isn’t it? Trying things out, making decisions, changing your mind, working and reworking until you’re satisfied. I love the process. And the one thing I know I want this quilt to have is a gorgeous hum of colour. The above is nowhere near the mark. Nowhere near.
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I'm running a 28 mile marathon in memory of Josie this February. Come and find out why.
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