Waiting In The Wings

Monday, February 15, 2021

A rainy day in Alert Level 3 in Auckland!

 Community case of the Covid variant UK has
put Auckland into Level 3, the race is on to track down other contacts
and we have a number of rules to follow to try and knock this
on the head.

The only positive side to being told to stay home as an oldie and medically comprised
is that there are no distractions, it's raining and I can sit and quilt!

I have been plodding along with my string blocks for 
the 
AHIQ String Tulip QAL


and have only placed three up on the wall foe the moment,
I was impatient to see the effect! I've also taken out the papers and sewn
the top two blocks together. I have enough for two sides now and will
get a move on to finish up the remainder.

In between the string blocks I have a stack of fabrics waiting to be
added to their respective stash baskets,

however  because I have a number of quilts on my project list which need 2 and 1/2 squares/strips
I'm going to haul out my electric cutter and cut two strips of each fabric, in fact I intend to slowly cut through as many of my KF Collective fabrics as possible.
I love working with these fabrics when cut down.

Changing the subject slightly I found yesterday a special
piece of Indian, I guess you say embroidery, but when I bought this years
ago from a shop specialising in ethnic pieces I was told this was made using pieces of old
trappings from elephant covers used on special occasions.
I had 'lost' it  a few years, couldn't remember where it was but a certain four legged
member of the household had obviously scrambled up on my baskets and 
 knocked it down the back of the stacks.

Here's the piece - 18"square


and below a close up of the centre


and another small section


click to enlarge these.

Below is the reverse of the piece.


All from me right now, on to more string blocks.


Maureen





13 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

What an interesting piece! So textural - and the back story is good reading. Hooray for those cheerful string blocks.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Glad you have the time to sew right now. I got Shot 1 of the Pfizer vaccine on Friday with no ill effects. Part 2 on March 5, and then I want to get out and live. I have 2 whole blocks done of the strings.

O'Quilts said...

Oh My Maureen...Covid sends us all crazy...Love the Indian. I have a few of those too...and of course your organized sewing room...chin up...we carry on xo

Debbie said...

I am beginning to think this virus thing is here to stay so we will sew on and on. Your strings are looking good....I have manage about 2 blocks so far. I do need to get back to it. The embroidered piece is amazing for the texture and design. Stay safe.

Linda said...

Your string blocks are coming along beautifully. As always your Kaffe fabrics make my mouth water. The colours are stunning. Good luck with sewing through your short lockdown. A fact of life for us here in the UK!

Louise said...

Your strings are looking great! And that elephant topper piece is so interesting. Will you hang it up to display it? Naughty kitty for knocking it out of sight! :)

MissPat said...

Your string blocks are very colorful and bright. And your embroidery piece is very interesting. Have you a plan for it? Odd to see NZ clamp down quickly since apparently Covid fatigue has convinced everyone in the US to just ignore the new variants. I suspect we're going to see some form of Covid rear it's ugly head on a regular basis. No rain here, we are expecting 6 to 12" of snow by tomorrow afternoon.
Pat

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Your string blocks are beautiful. Wise to cut 2 strips off each Kaffe fabric. The embroidery piece is so interesting. I wouldn't have been able to resist that one either.

Kaja said...

I wish we had responded as fast as you do in NZ. Instead we let things get really bad and then end up locked down for weeks/months. Your string blocks are enough to lift anyone's spirits, so I hope the enforced break gives you plenty of time to move this project on.

Ann said...

I wish we'd had a rational response to Covid in the US. It's a worldwide pandemic and working together is the only way to overcome it.
Your strings are gorgeous! I need to pull some brighter colors. Good idea to cut some of your fabric for other projects, too, while it's out.
And your embroidery is so unique. Wonderful to look at. Thanks for sharing.

FlourishingPalms said...

Your string blocks are bright and happy, just the way I like to make quilts too! It's gonna be great. Sorry to know about COVID rearing it's ugly head again. It just won't die! But it's making us die, literally and figuratively - for all the staying at home we're doing. I am SO looking forward to getting the vaccine, and then will take off to visit family. I haven't seen two of our grandsons for more than a year! Keep making the most of your quality time at home.

gayle said...

That embroidered piece is fascinating! Thanks for the glimpse of the back, too!
Love your bright happy string blocks! I'm still teetering on the brink of starting the tulips quilt, but I think I need a break from strings at the moment...

QuiltGranma said...

Your string blocks just SPARKLE with color!