Getting back to normality - playing with Lego

At last the family matters mentioned a couple of posts ago are a little smoother presently, thank goodness, I can now spend time at the machine!

One of my projects begun quite a while ago is now under the needle once again, I went for a real easy-peasy one, my Lego quilt.

These blocks were randomly placed on the floor, no particular order. The sun was hitting the RH side which changes the colour a little.  Seventeen blocks so far, each to finish at 10" square. I was going with the idea that 4 x 5 blocks would be fine, but now not sure, too small a size for a throw quilt I think. A large Lego bed quilt is not for me, I doubt I would sleep well tucked in with all that colour and movement! Probably better go with 5 x 6 throw size.

Another therapy has been visits down to Cockle Bay beach, just 10 minutes away from home. 

I love to see the effect of the sun glinting on the water, looks like it's snowing.

My suitcase Guild sale, mentioned in my last post, provided me with the means to buy - yes, more fabric - only a little,  and three books!! 

Number 1

You all know that I'm a believer in colour explosion in my quilts, but this book called to me and the quilts pictured can easily be interpreted in more vibrant colours, if needed. Hopefully by the end of year I'll have one to show.

This is from the Quiltmania collection and I've never heard of, but absolutely love, the author's name of Jenny Bear.

Number 2

A stunning book written by a New Zealander - Fleur Woods - how come I have never seen her work before!! It's a New Zealand published book. The cover photo perhaps gives the impression of purely embroidery content, the words on the cover say more,  she has put her stitching to good use with collage in one chapter. The photography, the text, the quality of the heavier paper than normal, even the font is beautiful, her words - magical. Her embroidery is unbelievable.

Just a snapshot below, she loves flowers

and her stitching

Kantha style. If you can possibly find it in your library, or a bookshop nearby and have a peek at the content you will be pleasantly surprised.

Number 3

The book below says it all for me, and many, many thousands of people in New Zealand.

At this point I have read only the introduction, it's going to be one of those books which will be impossible to stop reading once begun. At least for me.

Ooops - the garden photo, almost forgot. A lonesome Zinnia flowering and such an unusual colour

Until next time, happy days, happy reading and happy quilting.

Maureen

A finish - Simply Red Squared - and more

At last I have my small quilt for the prompt with
Ad Hoc Improvisational Quilters finished!

The prompt was Red is a Neutral
and here is my effort

Simply Red Squared

not the best placing job on my design wall but I was so pleased
that I had a finish I just pressed it onto the flannel and took the photo.

Size 33 and1/2" square.

Minimal quilting, beginning with in the ditch around each block, then the

triangles and the four squares made up of triangles.

You might remember I was going to bind with a KF purple on black spot,
in the end I felt it wasn't the best choice and on sorting through
a stack of pretty old fabrics I came across one which I thought
was a better fit - see below along with the bright backing fabric.

The kiwis were calling to me!!

You'll have to click for  a better view of the binding.

I'm thinking that next in line for quilting is a quilt made in 2015!!!!

Those of you having followed me since that time may remember this quilt and

if you want a refresher on the back story, or if you're new

to my blog, here is the link below, enjoy!

The Northern Lights

If you're wondering why there are a few pins around the edge

it's because I had an odd shaped piece of batting left over and

it was easier to lay the quilt top on,

 find the backing, pin and then up on the design wall to photograph.

Basting later in the week.

I think I'll begin with in the ditch quilting between sashing and blocks

and after that, well decisions, decisions! I'm wondering perhaps

minimal hand quilting with a 12 weight thread or perhaps

a perle cotton. Any thoughts?

I'm still plugging away at my Lego blocks and a few squirrels are

trying to make a home in the studio - perhaps soon.

Leaving quilting for a moment we had our Election on Saturday

and thank goodness that we have Jacinda Ardern as our Prime Minister

for another three years, she had a landslide victory, it was amazing.

What a tremendous job she's done for us 5 million Kiwis!

She is a treasure!!!!!

We voted early a week or so ago and what a beautiful day, photos below from

our drive home after visiting the voting station.

I can't close off without a photo from the garden, here's a clivia

blooming beautifully under the native trees.

See you all again soon, keep safe.

Maureen