Wednesday 23 May 2012

Wednesday update...

I spent most of the past week in Sweden at my Mum's place being spoiled rotten and enjoying the good things life has to offer: Homemade bread, good food, wine, and great company. It’s been a busy week quiltwise even though I didn’t bring my sewing machine up there. I started two new projects and picked up another to finish.

I finished the first block for Bee Europa last week. I forgot to take pictures in the midst of the chaoes but luckily Cara posted pictures on Flickr so here's the block - it’s wrinkly after spending time in an envelope across the Nordsee. Doesn't Cara take lovely pictures?


I added a little surprise to Cara. Now that she has her package I can show you the pincushion I made for her. It's a miniature of the block and all made from the cut-offs. Isn’t the polka dot button too cute for words?
 
(Pictures courtesy of Pink Stitches)

My latest project is hand quilting. I thought I was long over hand quilting but it’s really addictive and for a while I've missed having a project when watching TV or when we are reading stories for the kids. I'm no good with idle hands.
I started making giant flower hexies with some shabby chick fabrics. Not sure where this is going (! Why do I always do this) but I’ll probably make more over the next weeks and months. The fabric is not my favorite to be honest – I don’t go ohhh or ahh over it - but it is fun and summery…. and cheap :) Life can’t always be so serious.


My mom and I had a small compitiotion going this week - she had worked on some smaller hexies all winter and she was mighty feed up making them. So we worked on making some borders and now her quilt looks fantastic. I proclaimed myselft much smarter making bigger hexies but I think now she's laughing of me . Her project now looks stunning... and mine not so much.

Start of the week:

 

My Moms quilt by the end of the week (bad mobile quality - sorry):

When I was in Sweden last time my sweet 8 year old niece and I started a new project after she successfully made a doll quilt almost by herself last autumn (Do take a moment too see the concentration she has... I'm amazed by her)

She pieced the heart herself (and had a blast designing it on the design wall). Adding the borders was too big a mouthful for her though– she’s only 8 - so I brought it home to finish it up for her. I just need to add the binding and it will be ready to ship back to Sweden later this week. I'm so proud of her and  I think she will treasure this quilt as much as she does her doll quilt.

Freja's heart quilt :


My other new project is the Thomas Knauer fabric win. It arrived yesterday and I’ve cut it and are now getting started on the donation quilt to Bumble Beans. I think it will be a fantastic quilt with all the happy colors.

Peww.... that was a long update, wasn't it? If there any life left in you after this be sure to head over to Lee's:

 WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

13 comments:

  1. I didn't know your mother lives in Sweden. So you speak Swedish as well? Frejas heart is cute (I don't like hexies and I'm not going to start lying)

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  2. Oh I wish I were in this Bee Europa... I missed the admission :-( But maybe I'm next time in. You've done a great block!
    And the heart from Freja is just stunning (she is really 8?)!

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  3. Oh, hexies--J'adore!! Your mum's quilt is beautiful--lovely colours, but I like your bigger ones too. :-) Also, your bee makes are lovely, and your niece's heart quilt is so pretty too. A creative family you are, no? :-) Wonderful!

    Hazle
    suntred02 at aol.com

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  4. Adorable pincushion and I do love your giant heart. :o)

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  5. Great projects, love the pin cushion and block, so cute! Good for you with all that hand quilting, I start projects like that with the best of intentions, and they always sort of fall by the way side, far before completion :-)

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  6. l.o.v.e. your pincushion!

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  7. Great bee block and pincushion, but I simply adore your niece's heart quilt! She will be an amazing quilter some day! Your Mom's quilt is simply fantastic. What a talented family.

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  8. I love the giant hexagons! What a great idea!

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  9. So happy that quilting crosses generations in your family! Now you must tell your mom and niece that there is a wacky woman in Texas who loves their quilts! : ) Does your mom have her own blog? She should! The block and pincushion for Cara are so pretty. Thanks for sharing everything.

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  10. The pin cushion is so cute. It looks like you have been busy.

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  11. The pin cushion is lovely. That button really makes it.

    Hey, since you mentioned Sweden.... Do you have any recommendations on quilty/crafty places to visit?

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  12. That pincushion is so sweet! And so is your nieces quilt. I can't believe she is only 8!

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