Mixing it up

I've spent hours playing with Maggie Pearl blocks in the very bright colours shown in previous posts -could not create a layout which I liked. Blocks based on the colours mentioned in previous posts just didn't work together and also I realised I actually had underestimated and would need another five blocks.

Just couldn't face going back to cutting and sewing more, then I remembered I had a few blocks, made as I stitched my first Maggie Pearl, in my 'spare parts' box which were quite off the wall for that particular version, however I pulled them out and mixed them with my new ones.

First layout - excuse the rough placement, I hadn't straightened or pinned at this stage but

not happy with the left top block and the pink one below so switched out the pink

still should play some more but to be honest I just want to finish and start on my next project!! I could switch the two  blocks  bottom row and see how that looks, a task for after dinner and then re-assess the placement of blocks tomorrow morning.

I have the fabric and pattern to make a waistcoat for my little great-granddaughter - I say little, she is 18 months old and a pretty good height for her age, she is a sweetie, her daddy (our daughter's husband) measures 6' 9" and our daughter is 5' 9" so we're guessing she's going to be shooting up pretty quickly, better get busy at the machine!

This is the waistcoat pattern - the yellow frills will not be on the one I make!

I had bought a yard of Hootie Owl plus the same of Family Tree  - both Tula Pink - a few days before I came across the pattern, I'll use Family Tree on the front instead of strip piecing

and

I have a small sewing studio but a large overflowing collection of fabrics, (as you all know) and presently taking time to re-organise my storage system, in doing so I came across a luscious 2yard piece of KF fabric, actually probably a PJ design and isn't it amazing that we suddenly find the perfect piece for a future quilt, I intend it to definitely be the border and probably used a little within the body of the quilt which will be chosen from one of the three books mentioned in this post.

You may remember years ago books on Blended Quilts by Sharon Evans Yenter and Marsha McCloskey, I fell in love with most of the quilts in these books!

Time will be spent now looking through these books for a design - difficult because I could make them all!!!

Words from David Bowie which appealed to me years ago and is pinned on my notice board

"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring" perfect!

Bye for now

Maureen

Yay - back at the machine

Yes, what a pleasure to be back with colour and fabric again. I've followed orders and  worked for no more than one hour at the computer or sewing machine before taking a good break., no heavy lifting allowed either. Cortisone shot helped but I do have what is known as a 'frozen shoulder' so range of movement is a problem, they tell me this can last up to three years after going through various stages - can't wait!!

Still, here are the remaining 15 blocks for Maggie Pearl, I showed a range of light and dark orange last post.

So Yellow first 

Now Green

Last up is Red 

I'm thrilled I was able to finish them all up, next will be the time consuming task of reaching a pleasing arrangement, that will probably be during the next week.

Another longed for task was on the menu over the past couple of weeks, one of the bookcases in my bedroom was years old and actually made of MDF (don't ask me what this means). There was shop in the city - Furniture for Flats - many, many years ago and they produced affordable  - read cheap - basic items of furniture, I bought two of the book cases.

The colours have changed over the years, the latest was a very soft, soft green but I was longing for  brighter colour around the house. Husband likes subdued, I love bright and bold so I bought a rich green paint, help from husband to take books of shelves and I found using my right hand only worked well with the paintbrush one shelf at a time and then the sides so it wasn't a quick fix, two weeks wasn't bad to complete this.

Not the best photo but you can see the bright green, I love it!! There's going to be more colour popping up, I can't deal with painting walls so help will be needed with this part of the revamp. Hanging on the side of the shelves is a seahorse decoration found in a hardware store, fell for it because I love seahorses

the wooden dowel pieces and shells reach way up to the top.

I think my time is up now but here's a bright red Hibiscus which is a good match for the red blocks.

Fingers crossed I continue to make progress, another hour later tonight to read blog posts.

See you soon

Maureen

Quilting Friends

 Updating - hibiscus slightly rain damaged but one I am especially fond of, a good way to begin my day.

I have been neglecting blog reading and also writing blogs myself, most of you know my history very well by now!! I seem to be always having something go wrong in addition to my constant medical problems.

Paragraph below bypass by all means, I just had to get this off my chest and although we are mostly scattered throughout the world I feel I know a lot of you as friends and have been following your blogs for many, many years with great pleasure.

Recalling the fall I had at the end of October last year - torn tendons left shoulder this time, right was three years ago. Not too bad but gradually over the months became worse, my patchwork fell away mostly as did responding to your blog posts. Two months ago I had a corstisone shot into what is called the subacromial bursa to try and stop the pain and inflammation. Hasn't worked and I'm now in a lot of pain with very limited use of shoulder. Ultrasound scan yesterday - the stenographer was horrified at the how the damage had progressed. Protective tissues - bursae - which protect the tendons muscles and bones etc from rubbing together are doubled in size, inflamed  and shoulder full of fluid going down into the biceps and even affecting my arm and hand, in fact the result of this is incredibly painful. Today another ultrasound guided shot directly into the bursa to try and reduce the size and the fluid currently within my shoulder,  if it does not the only remedy will probably be surgery.

I won't be in my little sewing haven for quite some time I suspect, I will be reading blogs but probably will have difficulty typing - as I am today but figured I may as well do this if possible even though it's taken me a heck of a long time!

Maggie Pearl I have been able to m make  another four blocks since my last post so here are the oranges beginning to merge into the yellows to come

excuse the rough placement of the blocks.

Well, best make a move now so husband can drive me to have this procedure - please keep fingers crossed for me that this will work magic and I will be able to power through my quilting and fondling fabrics as I used to do.

Wishing you all well and hoping that you have not suffered damage with the storms and tornadoes we have seen on our TV screens. Stay safe and happy quilting.

Maureen

Maggie Pearl colours - see my feathered visitor!

Last post I had three blocks for Maggie Pearl all sewn up, I've since cut another 15 sets, only two more to cut tomorrow.

Having always been impressed by the great organisational skills of quiltdivajulie I decided to follow her example!! Saves time  by clipping the block pieces together and avoids the odd strip or two disappearing onto the floor - thank you Julie.

I mentioned a feathered visitor in my post title - we have these gorgeous birds below visiting our trees outside the lounge and my bedroom windows to open the long seed pods of the China Doll trees, it's a delight to both see and hear the parrots twittering away together in small groups.

You know that I enjoy taking photos of the flowers in my garden, two nights ago I decided to try taking a couple at night - I was pleasantly surprised at the result.

Day Lily

Zinnia

A very brief post I know, my shoulder is still a problem but I'm booked for an ultrasound guided cortisone shot in a few days time, the first one wasn't carried out using ultrasound and may not have quite hit the spot, better luck this time hopefully.

Until next time - take care and enjoy playing with fabrics!

Oranges and Lemons

My last post showed a little progress With Sailing the Seven Seas and I also showed photos of strips, some cut full length, others only 9" long. I decided to deal with the full length strips first, the brightly coloured ones already cut ages ago into 2 and 1/2" width. 

I pondered for some time on which way to go, decision made to make another Maggie Pearl quilt. Only a little cutting was needed which was a bonus as my arm isn't playing ball at the moment when having to exert any pressure on a ruler.

Here's the first Maggie Pearl made 2 years ago (still just a top)

and here are the first three blocks of Oranges and Lemons (Maggie Pearl 2).

I need twenty blocks in total. Here are the three above shown together below

of course until I have the twenty complete I won't be doing any arranging but I needed to see if these three colours played well together.

Lots to keep me happily 'slow' stitching at the machine for some time, but then I spotted two quilt patterns on Free Spirit site using the new release of KFCollective fabrics - which I had previously discounted in a earlier post as being too large - mmm, yummy looking in strips and large lozenge shapes. One word here - SUCCUMBED!

Here are the two patterns, I'm in love with the colouration and design although these shots below are not showing quite true, the fabrics are brighter than they seem here.

My Accuquilt cutter will be in play certainly for the first one with the 2 and 1/2" strips and the squares. The last one calls for 6" by 10" rectangles, the ruler will be needed here. Haven't a clue as to when I'll be making a start with these two.

Signing off now, early evening meal tonight so back in a few days with more progress - I hope!

Happy Stitching

Maureen

Back at the machine at last!!

 Yes, a number of the medium size Flying Geese blocks sewn up and on the wall, left hand side.

Still needing to stitch them into a row when I've sewn the remainder on Monday. I'm enjoying making this quilt but have to admit I'm dreading the smaller size Geese. 

I had a very successful sale at the Guild meeting Saturday last, I was surprised to see that the large baskets of Tilda and Tula Pink were totally emptied (still have my reduced stash, certainly not intended clearing all these fabrics), whilst the KF Collective fabrics I had culled were barely touched. Remarks were made by the quilters that the patterns had become too large, especially the new range coming out around now. I have to admit that I am in agreement, I haven't ordered any.

Sorting through fabrics stacked in boxes on a high shelf whilst tidying the mess of my sewing room I found  the strips below

which I bought some time ago, I loved the bright zingy colour mix. Also came across

this mix of orange strips, could /should I look at making these two finds into a simple strippy something!

On the other hand I found I had two boxes of 9 and 1/2" strips, 2 and 1/2" wide

one box has lots of different pinks, the other mixed colours.

Two patterns in Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkinson have always appealed to me, the first quilt is Candy Coated but needs strips between 11" and 8" long, the second one is Sunday Morning which again requires a few strips to be 11" but I think I can just play around with the sizing. I haven't noted their blog titles as they are listed as Not Secure but you could do easily find them.

Another book by Jane Brocket - The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking - has two quilts, different colourways of her Beach Hut design, made using four strips sewn unto a square block and placed horizontally, the next one vertically, I think a mix of the strips in the two containers above would work well with this design. Jane doesn't seem to have a blog currently.

I could go really simple and  just sew the strips together in long panels with a long fabric strip separating the rows, that 's if Julie at https://quiltdivajulie.blogspot.com) doesn't mind as she is currently making a beautiful quilt - Shirts and Such -using strips. I'll ask her.

All from me for now, leaving you with possibly the last photo of a bloom from one of my hibiscus

Happy Quilting

Maureen