Lockdown Day 12

Another 12 hour shift at work today, so again, I won't be writing lots.

I thought I'd scan through my photos and maybe look for a UFO. And I found the perfect one.

This is in my 2015 photo folder, so um, yes, at least five years old (blush), probably older. This photo is taken hanging up on my wood stack from when I lived on a 10 acre lifestyle block, which was before I lived on a boat, which was before I lived here, and we've been in this house for two years now...

I called it creme brûlée. Not sure why, I think the classic colours and style maybe? It's made of a bunch of fabrics that I had been hoarding, and they happened to work well with each other. 

It's constructed of simple snowball blocks with corner stones in the sashing, which makes a nice secondary pattern of faux churndash blocks.

I still really like it. And it's still a flimsy! I did have it with a long-armer friend of mine, but she had to return it due to health issues. I have the backing and the batting, so now I'm looking at quilting it myself. But I'm completely blank on quilting ideas. I'll have to put it back on the to-do pile while I doodle some ideas.

Suggestions welcomed!

Podcast Episode 6 - Hand dyes and History

Shownotes for Episode 6 of The Slightly Mad Quilt Lady Podcast.  

In this episode I goof up and tell you it's Episode 5, give you an update on myself, what I've been working on quiltywise, a book review, and a short synopsis of the history of quilting in New Zealand.

The photos below are of my ombre hand dyes.  The first set are of the two navy pieces.  The fabric on the left is PFD Kaufman Kona Cotton.  The fabric on the right is PFD P & B Muslin.  And the fabrics were layered together and dyed in exactly the same process at exactly the same time.  There isn't much difference, although the Kona is slightly darker overall with a very slight yellower overtone.

The next photos are of the warm black dye.  The fabric on the left is the General Products Cotton Sheeting that I often use because it takes paint really nicely.  But it's interesting to note how lighter in colour it is from the fabric on the right, which is PFD Kaufman Patina Cotton Poplin.  However, the poplin is very light weight and it sucked up that dye so fast it's given it horizontal striations.  Again, both fabrics were layered together and dyed at exactly the same time with the same process.

The poplin.

The sheeting.

Ok, selfie time.  Here is the linen blouse I was talking about.  As soon as I put it on I realised that my plan to perhaps wear it belted is not happening because that will cover the wicking line.

My kids took this one of the back for me.  I was hamming it up as daughter was getting annoyed that I wasn't doing the proper 'model' poses.  Ug, she watches too many girlie cartoons.

So let me know whether you think this technique is a keeper or whether I should chop it up for a quilt!

And here's your next vote.  Above is The Big Blue and White Quilt.  Below is Creme Brûlée.  Which one should I baste and quilt next?

Links that I talk about on my podcast:

Jaye from Artquiltmaker blog and her podcast with Sandy about Graduation.

Book, 'The Visual Guide to Working in a Series' by Elizabeth Barton  (Elizabeth's Blog here)

Radio New Zealand Podcasts - The Social History of the Wool Blankets
                                                - Quilting (Quilt Symposium 2009)

Book, 'Warm Heritage' by Pamela Fitz Gerald

You can listen here on Podbean.

Or subscribe to my podcast on iTunes here.

And ..... May the Fourth be with you!

School holidays are upon us once more.

I used to want to camouflage myself and hide, like this frog I found on the choko vine, but the kids are pretty good these days, they seem to be able to harmoniously play Lego (best toy ever) together for hours - touch wood!

In fact, I've already been able to cross off a few things that were on my holiday to-do list.  The 4 inch wide border is on my Creme Brulee quilt top and it is perfect - just what it needed.  Now it needs backing and basting and quilting...whole 'nother story.

And my resolution to finish two things in my WIP pile before I start another project really seems to be working for me.  I pulled out this little wall hanging I had been making as a sample of my positive/negative applique blocks and finished it off.

I had quilted with a design I liked, but had quilted right over the motifs, which I didn't like.  And I had unpicked most of it too, so all it needed was a little more unpicking and then a machine binding (so quick!) and some little hanging corners.  Another thing out of the WIP's and into the finished pile.

*Edited to add:  Must give credit where credit is due!  I think I saw this first on Raewyn's blog lovetostitch  www.stitchingfarmgirl.blogspot.co.nz  It needs a nice small dowel, the chunky stick I used is a bit thick and will distort the wallhanging a bit.


Easy!

I've also spent time in the garden and pulled out the finished tomatoes, planted lettuces and leeks and have been revamping a couple of flower pots.  I've chopped down and stump-swabbed tobacco weed (horrible stuff) and rejoiced in the rain we've finally been getting after one of the worst country-wide summer droughts we've ever seen.

So now I'm off to polish my halo and empty the dishwasher.

I thought it was finished

but the quilt top has decided it's not.  It tells me it wants a border.  And I had one.  In fact, the whole quilt was built around some fabrics I bought, including a striped deep rose pink that I thought would be perfect for the border.  Well, it's not perfect, it's terrible.  It's all wrong.  

Has that happened to you?

And of course, no other fabric in my (rather too extensive) stash is right either.  I actually think it needs a border of the brown/grey that makes up the corner-stones in the sashing - the centre of the faux churn dash block.  Which, of course, I have none left of.  Luckily I'm pretty sure I know where I got it from.

Now here's a question for you:
What do you put in your water when you cook a corned beef?  It seems this is quite a traditional thing.  Preferences passed down from parent to child.  I put in a chopped onion, some whole cloves, a bit of golden syrup and bay leaves.  I'd love to know what your preferred flavours are.

What's on the design wall (floor)?

I'm determined to write a blog post tonight.  It's been awhile.  No excuses.  I got immersed in some novels, which takes my attention away from anything else until they're read (The Green Rider series by Kristin Britain if you're curious).  And I've been doing a locum stint for the past two weeks for a local self-employed midwife (glad it's over and I didn't even have to catch any babies, 24/7 on-call is a major stress).  I've also been working away on my two Taupo Symposium exhibition entries.  They're done and sent off and I know they've received them because my credit card bill shows the entry fee already!  Last, but not least, I was printing up fabric for my handprinted fabric swap: III - all sent off by the deadline and I've received one fat quarter in the mail already - thanks Holly!

Then we've had Easter weekend.  The kids get Good Friday off, right through to the Tuesday (tomorrow).  We've had a visit from the three little girl cousins and there were only a few meltdowns, mostly they are old enough for harmonious interaction.

So this morning I was left at a loose end.  No major projects with deadlines, my two kids and one cousin playing happily.  I rummaged around and came up with my Creme Brulee quilt, and when I laid it out on my design wall floor, I realised I'd forgotten I had all the rows together and I just needed to work on the sashing.  Yay!  

Wild Puss thought he'd add his influence to decision on the final layout.  Why do cats always want to sit on whatever it is you're working on?  And they don't listen to you when you tell them to get off either.  

And then the little *^&%# came charging out from under the table, pounced on the middle of the blocks and skidded them into a mess!

I have the evidence, Cat!  You can't pull that innocent, I-didn't-do-it expression on me!

I thought I'd have the whole top put together today, but unfortunately the little darlings (humans, not cats) demanded some attention and entertainment.  And being their Mother I gave in.

So Happy Easter to you all.