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