Paris Metro a finished top and the makings of a new project

Another visit from me, it's so frustrating not being able to post regularly as I did in the "old days", hopefully things will be back to normal shortly.

I'm so happy with Paris Metro and definitely will make another one, so the top is finished and simple quilting will be my choice when I come around to it.

You can see I've made mine same length as the pattern but not as wide, there are 11 strips 4" wide finished.

I enjoy seeing how snippets peek out as two fabrics merge

the edge of the KF poppy petal on the LH fabric meets up with the outline of part of the design right next to it.

You might recall these fabrics from my last post

they're so full of colour and detail and suggested to me that a simple block was needed, so the four trial blocks below are the result and no, the straggle threads from the fabric haven't been trimmed yet.

Next step was to try and find the fabric to make 1" finished strips between the blocks and another for a small centre square - the first fabric try out below was a KF - Grandiose as strips with a Tula Pink fabric as the tiny square, perhaps not enough distinction between the strips and the blocks,  

perhaps something lighter, so second mock up

thinking this could be too light!! The blocks will measure 8" when  sewn and probably be 6 across by 8 down - still no decision on that as yet, however I'd be interested to hear your views on which setting fabric would work the best, or if neither fit the bill!

On another different subject - the night sky, moon and stars - when I was a youngster my dad would point out and name all the constellations and the phases of the moon in the night sky, I guess that came about from his time as a gunner on the the shipping convoys during WW2 but as he never mentioned his time in the war I really wouldn't know, like thousands of others he was unable to speak about his experiences. However, I still head out onto the deck at night and check out the moon and stars,  at 10.30pm a few nights ago I sat out  with a hot cup of tea and there was total silence, no cars, no people - perfect for me -  just the chirruping of insects. I can't bear the thought of all the hardware making visits up to the moon.

Speaking about the night sky I digress a little - a book bought quite a number of years ago leapt into my hand from one of my bookshelves, the gardens pictured inside are unbelievable, all photographed in the dark.

Looking at the colour plates I knew I had to have a go, lots of learning to do but I did take a shot of a hibiscus the other night, this flower is an incredibly bright, almost too bright, orange in daylight.

Tomorrow I visit the hospital for a day or so for a cardiac catheterisation - they need to check the state of my bicuspid aortic valve and see whether it could be replaced if it worsens. I'll have to wait until the artery entry point heals fully before sewing or using the computer.

At times like the above I find sunset and sunrise such a relaxing sight, this sunset was two days ago

and that's all from me for the monent, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!

Enjoy fondling your fabrics

Maureen

"Normality is a paved road. It's comfortable to walk

but no flowers grow on it"

Vincent Van Gogh

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

Slow going - BB1 and Guild sale

Time has been limited for working with BB1. I had the centre piece but struggled with working on the style of border suggested by Audrey, other quilters taking part obviously didn't because they are producing  exciting pieces. I freely admit I'm finding this way of working a little difficult.

First border was needed, suggestions of two or more fabrics could be used, applique on said border relating to the centre design. I tried auditioning going with two different fabrics but similar colour scheme, no good.

My centre applique piece is quite formal in style and square, possibly the problem is within so re-thinking was needed, and I came up with this, corners  then a border. No applique you will notice!

The fabric is from the Vintage KF Collective range - Lichen, I'm really happy with this now and
actually would love to leave this piece just as it is, hand quilting and bind it!

My tardiness with BB has been due in part to sorting through older fabrics and books for my Suitcase Sale at our Quilt Guild this coming Saturday. Each month one member may have one or two trestle tables to lay out fabrics, books or any other quilting related product which they would like to sell. I definitely need two tables.

Books - 71

Fabrics - take a guess

Batik quarters, half yards and yardage, same with cotton fabrics. "Pot Luck"  bags with assortments of less than quarters and odd shaped pieces, bags of scraps and more. The green cardboard boxes have had to be taped up to stop the bottom giving way. 

The clear rectangular boxes are 20" x 12" and a depth of 6", I have three all ready and two more to pack.
A sort through of my Hoffmans has not happened due to time restraints, same with my solids. The large blue sack hold the remaining contents of the original huge black sack holding my mixed pieces, after spending hours on the sorting I decided that was the end, I had used up my energy and stuffed the remaining pieces/strips altogether. Smaller boxes of notions are still in the sewing room. 

Thankfully in the midst of all the sorting out I received a package of - yes, you've guessed - more new KF fabric, three colourways of Philip Jacob's Garden Party design. above. A  few more new designs came along for the ride.

NO KF Collective fabrics are in my sale, no chance, they are not leaving my little quilting studio.

Apologies for a not very exciting post today, things will be better next week when I have recovered!!

Maureen