Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Catching up..





  I am making slow progress with Lori's Quiltalong:  Midnight Stars. Two blocks are finished and 2 need the outer sections added. All the small units have been prepared, they just need to be sewn together. I have had second thoughts over the background fabric I had chosen, so its back to the drawing board for that one!                                                       The completed blocks measure only 5 1/2 inches (unfinished). I challenged myself to make these blocks by machine, so there has been a bit of frog stitching to get them to line up properly!  I am much more used to hand sewing tiny pieces of fabric.  Some of the fabric I used in these blocks was left over from the Morrell Quilt......hmm...... still need to prepare all those triangles for the border on that one!

 One day last week I was surprised by a pink package at the door. My dear friend Ranette sent me a beautifully stitched wool pin cushion, note paper and card and seam ripper. The handle of the seam ripper was hand turned by the husband of a quilter Ranette knows! The card Ranette sent also has a great quilt design on it. Thank you Ranette!

While I was in Canberra I worked on the stitchery for this Tail Feathers block. I finished the borders yesterday. The next block is well on its way.
 I have finished 3 more blocks from Barbara Brackman's Civil War  Quilt blocks. (the wobbly stars might get stitched again!!!) I still have one more to make to catch up.


 I have also been busy preparing all the papers and fabric ready to make the little quilt pattern I won from Jeanneke. It will be all hand made using English Paper Piecing. (see previous post for a photo).
I have worked on the Folk Art Fantasy wall hanging too, and I only have the vase to do now.
Lots of projects, but only a little progress on each.



Close ups of flowers from my garden. The flower below is an agapanthus. I don't know what the other 2 are.
Does anyone know?? The top one is a bulb. The plant has thin, strappy leaves and is about 25 cm (10 inches) tall. It has bloomed amongst my spring flowering bulbs.
The last flower is from a bush that is about 150 cm (5 ft) tall.



Thinking of all my fellow Australians who have recently endured hardship due to weather extremes. In both Queensland and Victoria there have been floods, cyclones in Queensland and on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia there have been bush fires.
Stay safe everyone.

I am using a new version of Blogger for the first time.....there are a few changes to get used to.

15 comments:

  1. I love your blocks - that first photo really caught my eye - love the colors.
    I am still thinking of making the Tail Feathers or at least some of the stitchery and combine with patchwork.
    Karen
    http://karensquilting.com/blog/

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  2. Your midnight stars blocks look wonderful! So does your tailfethers block! Those birdies are so cute! :0)

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  3. Hi Miriam! I just love the fabrics you are using for Midnight Stars! Good choice!

    I wouldn't remake your Seven Sisters block, mine is wobbly too and I'm leaving it :)

    I'm so glad you like your gifts and you are very welcome!

    The Tailfeather's block is cute and I might have to give in and make that quilt one of these days.

    LOVE the flower pictures and I needed them. It's totally white outside of my window right now...devoid of any color, yes more snow...sigh...the only good thing is that I am home, yeah!

    I'm so sorry to hear of more bad things going on in Australia...what an awful year for weather! Take care.

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  4. I really like the background fabric you used in the stars, were you using a different one for the small units? I also think the wonky stars block looks great....they may no be perfect but suit the "feel" of the block IMHO.

    Crispy

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  5. Oh, such beautiful things you have been working on. I really like those star blocks. I am not sure if I would have the patience to work on such small blocks.
    Love your bird stitchery.
    And always great to see the flowers that grow in your country. Beautiful.
    Thanks for coming by my blog. Sorry it took me so long to reply but I always love hearing from you.

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  6. Oh my goodness, all kinds of lovely in your post today!!
    I love the colors you chose for Midnight Stars. Keep going and it will be done before you know it.

    I adore seeing your beautiful flowers. There isn't one here to be seen at all!

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  7. WOW! WOW! WOW!

    Everything here is wonderful!!!! You are making me want to make it all.

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  8. Your blocks are beautiful. I see you are doing the civil war blocks too? Your photos of the flowers are lovely too

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  9. I can't wait to see your version of Lori's quilt. I had so much fun and it's fun to see everyone else's. Your colors are beautiful, as always!

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  10. Miriam,
    The Midnight Stars are so pretty along with the Tail Feathers and your other projects! You have been very busy :)
    The flowers from your garden are gorgeous ...I can't wait for Spring here!
    I wondered about you and all the floods in Australia.
    We are expecting more snow again tonight and tomorrow :(
    Take care and Hugs,
    Donna

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  11. Oh, I do love those little pieced stars -- they're so dainty and precise and beautiful! Looks like you have lots of fun stuff in the works. All those little moments add up to some good projects.

    And whatever you did to your blogger is fantastic -- from the looks of it, I'll be able to read you from my main computer -- which means I can take you out of my "problem" category LOL!

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  12. Your blocks are all wonderful. I love the colours for the midnight stars. What a nice gift Ranette made for you.

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  13. fun post - I love the CW blocks and your Midnight Stars is wonderful - different colors and just great.
    Oooohh the flowers look so pretty, I can practically smell them.

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  14. I enjoy visiting your blog and seeing all your pictures. I am still a bit behind in my Civil War blocks but slowly, slowly. Thank goodness this week's one is not complicated.
    Your little birds are very cute and beautifully framed.
    And very thoughtful and useful items in your gift package.

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  15. I see the short break you took recharged your batteries! That Tail Feathers is just the cutest thing, and your flowers are so beautiful.

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