Retro rose quilt border

I've been quilting on my sewing machine today.  I used a sort of spiral effect to enhance the roses. I then decided to use a dark green thread to add around the border, using a leaf design, to complement the flowers.

leaf -edge border

the pattern complements the roses

Tomorrow I am going to the local flea market. Hope I find some sewing goodies !

Retro Roses

Here is a piece in progress. It's been pinned together and I'm ready to start quilting. I think this one will be hand and machine quilted. I love the old-fashioned feel to these squares of fabric I have cut.

Retro rose fabric

ready to quilt

I have added white borders around the squares, I'm possibly going to add strips of rose fabric, and embroideries, to the borders when the quilting is done. 

Birdcage quilt

Here are some photos of  a quilt I recently completed. I am quite pleased with the way it turned out. I was going to add rick-rack  to it, but decided I preferred it without. I like the way it has two looks to it, with the other side mainly covered in birds and birdcages fabric. The colours complement the blocks on the front.

front of quilt

birdcage fabric

I started to hand quilt certain areas, then because I love the soft effect, and also I love to quilt, I ended up completing the rest of the quilt by hand.

reverse of quilt

completed front and back

working out block designs

I used  a design wall to help work out fabric arrangements of  this quilt. Sometimes I just make things up as I go along !

We spent a couple of days camping by Ullswater in The Lake District. I took these photos early evening, I love the subdued tones to the light, and of course the breathtaking views. Our camper van was just behind me, that's how close we were to the water. 

view across the lake

early evening

remains of old pier

Will start working next on finishing border of a quilt made up of darker rose patterned fabrics. Think I will machine quilt this one, or I could hand quilt roses on it!

Surprises in the garden

Spent most of the day in the back garden, trimming all the ivy that grows up the sides of the fence alongside where  eventually my shed is going to be. To my delight I found a bird's nest tucked into the fence trellis.

first surprise in the garden

isn't this beautiful ?

Further down the fence whilst cutting back more ivy, I saw a glint of blood red, and carefully lifting the leaves I  discovered  this beautiful rose. The petals look as though they are made of candle wax, the colour is a rich scarlet.

the petals are like wax

I still have more ivy to clear, I will post if I find any more treasures!

Seaside Themes

Here are some pictures of beach huts at Filey.  The blocks of  blues, creams, sand, greys and and greens giving images for a block design. I quite like the idea of making a quilt involving stripes of fabric, I would consider making it out of up cycled cotton shirts, leaving buttons and button holes scattered about like finds on the beach..

 I can see the quilt in a beach hut just waiting to wrap around your shoulders !

I like the blue hut

Another quilt in progress is a mixture of lines, and groupings as clusters of mussel shells, seaweed etc along with other bits and pieces washed up, which I have made into a sort of log cabin patchwork effect.

Below are some photos that suggest a quilt made of larger blocks with a linear effect with fabric and stitches 

Above photos also include a small kite/balloon display !

Back to the sewing board !

Sewing box find

vintage craft fair

Where does the time go ? Lots of piecing  of quilt tops together but must make a move on assembling the actual quilts.Went to a vintage and craft fair, and found a wooden concertina style sewing box underneath the stall just waiting to be discovered. Have lined it with pretty green paper, it just needs a couple of missing screws adding, and a little wooden handle. It came complete with lots of old buttons and some threads which I have been able to salvage. I do love a good find !

sewing box as I found it

Another useful find for my sewing bits and pieces was this small set of little drawers, great for spools, buttons and all the, odd things I seem to collect.

found in second hand shop on Anglesey

old letter press for storage

sea glass for my collection

 love to walk along the beaches collecting sea glass and shells.

Another 'find' to store seashells and glass

Back to some quilting. Happy hunting for the things you like to collect !

New birdcage quilt

love the birdcage fabric 

borders from material used on the pieced front

I pieced together the front of my latest quilt, and also made up the backing to it. Most of the back is a lovely birdcage fabric, with borders including fabric from the front. Still got to add the batting. I will blend a mixture of quilting by hand and machine. A two for one quilt ! 

front and back