Friday 3 June 2011

A few finishes

My poor neglected blog - lol ! The more I thought to update the busier I seemed to become and my blog suffered. I am going to try my best this next week to get up to date and see how I go. I must admit I have toyed with the idea of finishing blogging - I am into my fifth year now - and just don't seem to have the enthusiasm I once had for it. For now I am going to carry on and have a think about it.

Anyway here is my cross stitch picture all finished.

And here it is after having it professionally framed. I haven't done a lot of cross stitch really so I am beyond thrilled with how it's turned out. This photo looks a bit light - the top one is truer.


It is called Midnight Moggies and was great fun to stitch. You may know I am a cat lover and have 3 real fur babies of my own. I have a spot on the wall lined up for this - just need some bits for fixing as it weighs a lot and is quite big. I think it took the best part of a year on and off but I'm glad I perservered. My last big cross stitch took about 10 years so a definite improvement - lol.


Next up my Mum asked me to make a baby quilt for a neighbour's grand-daughter. With no plan in mind I raided my pink fabrics along with a bit of green and cut some rectangles. Which I turned into this ( or rather 3 of them )




Added some white as the pink was just too MUCH pink ! And hey presto





A shot of my very boring machine quilting - the usual meander and swirly stuff in the sashing. I really enjoyed doing this braid design - grows like mad and before you know it you have a huge long strip. Good fun !






Onto baby quilt number 2. I wanted to use this as I've never had one before.



Bit fiddly cutting all the odd size strips equally but after adding a few of my own fabrics it came out like this.





Awful photo I know - think I need a new camera as mine is old now.


Close-up of some of the cute fabrics. Lollipop by Moda. Really simple straight line quilting on this one. I also discovered when working on this that I far prefer to sew with pre-washed fabric. The first thing I normally do when I buy fabric is wash it but I know many of you don't. Personally I don't really like cutting and sewing the unwashed stuff. Just my preference.




I have a few more things to show but blogger seems to be playing up a little. I'll just show you what I spent a couple of hours doing yesterday.




Removing papers and tacking from a whole quilt that I want to get ready for hand-quilting. Going to piece the backing over the weekend and get going on that next week.






have a nice weekend - we are supposed to have glorious sunshine xx

22 comments:

jovaliquilts said...

You have been busy! There will be some happy babies out your way. :)
I rarely do cross stitch or needlepoint anymore, but I had one that I made many years ago professionally framed, and it does make a difference! Yours looks great.

Anonymous said...

I LIKE THE BRAIDED LOOK, NICE JOB.

Jindi's Cottage said...

Don't Go!!!!!! Stay and play...you don't have to turn up every week, just pop in when you're passing...
Love the Moggies...they are very cute and colourful...is it a Laurel Birch design?
Got to love a good grandmother's braid, your quilt is lovely, the colours are so nice for a little girl...

Isabella said...

You cant stop now after 5 years
love your cross stitch I love cats the baby quilts look great I'm on baby quilts at the moment Grandchildren now having babies :(

Chris H said...

I hope you don't stop blogging!
You are an inspiration to quilters like me!
I love the baby quilt!
And what an awesome cross stitch picture for your wall.
Well done.

Sarah said...

Hey Andrea! I was wondering where you were! Dont give up on your blog, your Aussie relies love seeing what you are up to! You have been a busy gal! Love your crafty eye candy!
You tack your paper piecing? I will give Uncle Len one of the Sewline Glue pens for you.....
x Sarah

Jude said...

I agree with Chris H...don't go.
Wonderful work, as usual, love the baby quilt and the stitching...where did you get the scrap bag from??
Take care
and hope to see you again when you decide to blog again..no hurry.

Jan said...

hooray you are back. I found your blog a month back and spent ages reading the whole blog. It is noce to read a blog from our side of the ocean. Cross stitch looks fab and I love the baby quilts.

Doodlebug Gail said...

Love the cross stitching - gorgeous and the baby quilt is so pretty, good idea for small pieces of scraps. Take care of yourself - my blog is in permanent hibernation, going back to work full time kind of put an end to it but I still read my favourites and you're on that list!

Ali Honey said...

Your Laurel Burch, Midnight Moggies turned out well. ( I really love her art work - such a shame she died so young ).
Making braids is fun isn't it although I found it needed constant pressing.
Your pink baby quilt is really lovely.
I am making another of your bucket bags at the moment. My very first one is wearing out.

sewkalico said...

Great baby quilts! You are amazing how you just rustle them up ;-)
Don't you dare stop blogging!!!

scraphappy said...

Great braided quilt. Just perfect for a little girl. I think we all have ebbs and flows, hopefully you can take a break from blogging without leaving it all together.

Angela said...

It would be such a shame if you stopped blogging. I love seeing the projects you have been working on. Midnight Moggies looks fabulous all finished and framed up!

Lynda said...

Those baby quilts are gorgeous! I've never done a braid, so might just have a go. I too wash fabric as soon as I get it - just put in with the family wash, and it's all done!

Unknown said...

I know what you mean by quit blogging, I did but I did miss you. What I want to do now is maybe a blog a month and limit the blogs that I visit. I love that pink quilt, I might steal the idea as I have to make a quilt for a little girl :) It is a must to wash fabrics before cutting and sewing!

Teresa said...

The braid quilt really made up nice, lucky baby!

Jan said...

Your cats picture is beatiful and I love the final, framed look! THe quilts are great!!!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Your cross stitch is so cute! And I love that pink baby quilt. It is wonderful!

Quilter Kathy said...

Love the baby quilts...especially the pink one!
(BTW...I linked to your QAYG tutorial on my blog today)

Jan said...

Your braided quilt turned out so nice! Great job! I love the cat picture--the colors are wonderful!

Ulla's Quilt World said...

Hi! Greetings from Finland! I LOVE the white and pink -quilt! I like very much the colors! I am happy to see it! Also your Blog is very nice and the works are fantastic!!!

Badger said...

Hi- I do hope you see this comment. Where did you get the cross stitch kit for the Laurel Burch cats?