What's in a Name? Podcast Episode 12

Here's a new podcast episode for you.  I give a bit of an update on what I'm working on, discuss the importance of names and muse about changing my blog and podcast name and then give a little run down on what I hope is coming up for the podcast.

Here's a picture of the 12 x 12 purple challenge quilt I talk about.  It's in it's ugly duckling basted stage.  Hopefully once it's quilted it will look a whole lot better.

And thank you all so much for making my children feel world famous with all your comments about their Lego sewing machine!

Purple 12 x 12 Finished

I've named my purple 12 x 12 challenge entry 'Cerego' as reference to it being my first piece finished since moving onto our boat.  The deadline for these quilts isn't until November 20th, so I think I may start another one.

I'm feeling a little down that I won't be entering anything into the Symposium exhibition this time around.  It's ok, I consciously decided to give myself absolutely no pressure so I could cope with the moving and settling in process, but it's still a bit of a regret.  Stitching and sending off a couple of purple quilts may go some way to soothing my feelings.  These challenge quilts are not juried, so all are displayed, and they make a fabulous colourful display.

You also don't have to be a member of Aotearoa Quilters to enter (although I'd encourage you to join, I think it's important we support our national guild).  And there is a $300 prize sponsored by Quiltmania and several other prizes sponsored by Wrights Fabric.  Does that get you interested?  Click here for more details.  I'd love to see your quilt hanging next to mine!

The Comfort of Stitching

And the title comes with a great big nod to Lee-Ann Newton (read about her quilt 'The Comfort of Stitch' here).  And she is so right.  The comfort stitching can give, the distraction, the joy and the friendship.

I've finally cracked my fabrics and done a bit of sewing, and it feels SO good.  Yes, I had been doing a little bit here and there, but most of that was off the boat at friends or work, and it was nothing I had to think about.  The sewing that I'm talking about was creative designing and sewing.  The emotionally soothing and brain nourishing work that feeds my soul.

Aotearoa Quilters have issued another 12 x 12 Colour Challenge.  This time it is purple (previously they have run red and blue challenges).  I opened up my hand dyed fabrics and began to pull purple's.   I felt like using the improv skills I learnt with Gwen Marston at the last NZ Symposium, so I just began to cut (without a ruler, gasp!) and piece.  I was soon absorbed be the process, the intricacies of inserting little flickers of interest, the auditioning of strips, the thinking about whether the design was working or not.

Here's as far as I have got.  It's approaching the correct size, although I'll face it, rather than bind it, and I need to remember that more than a quarter of an inch is taken up by that process (ask me how I know).

It's a different sort of quilt for me, but I'm ok with that, because I'm in a different place, working within a different frame of reference.  For example (and a touch of real life) here's my working space:

Yep, a mini, portable design wall, cutting mat and ironing pad on the dining table, fighting for space with the lego and toy helicopter.

But these compromises go hand in hand with the benefits of the life we've chosen to live.  Like the sunrise while I walk the dog.  Hmm, I just noticed that there are plenty of similar colours in my quiltlet and this photo - the benefits of working in a intuitive way?

And my son being able to jump in his new birthday present any time he likes and go for a paddle.

Thanks to Shelly who left me a wonderful comment about how she spent her first years of childhood on a boat and wouldn't have changed it for the world.  Thank you so much to everyone who has left me supportive comments or sent me lovely emails.  I really appreciate it and they all make me smile. We're getting there!

I'll leave you with this photo of my son's tenth birthday party.  I think it sums up the slightly chaotic but wonderful party that was had on a rainy day in a boat!

12 x 12 Purple Challenge

The Colour Purple 12" x 12" - Colour Purple Entries close 21 November 2014 Purple will be the colour of our next 12x12 Challenge. This will be open to everyone - you do not have to be a member of Aotearoa Quilters, so tell your friends - get them involved.  You have plenty of time and these small quilts are very achievable.  Get a group together for inspiration, motivation and some new ideas - have some fun along the way. Prizes: $300 for the winner and three merits of $100 each. Conditions of entry and entry form can be found here. Entry fee will be $15 for members and $25 for non-members.   Join Aotearoa Quilters now to get the member benefits.