Noah and Matilda block and one more Jane Pizar block

Well, I have been trying to keep up with my Noah and Matilda blocks, but there have been some other (quilting) distractions this month! Lol
So, on the final day of March I have 3 blocks completed....

I've saved the best block for last! :)  Today I chose the  fabrics and started preparing the pieces. I will be doing some broderie perse on this block.

Jane Pizar continues be be a joy to work on. Here is my next block.

These blocks will be 9 inches finished. I love the chance to fussy cut and incorporate many fabrics.



Joyful stitching everyone!

A Busy week...

Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend a 2 day workshop with Margaret Sampson George at Linda's
Last June Linda a held a similar weekend with Marg and I started Jane Pizar. This year Marg brought with her lots more ideas for new quilts, but wanted to continue on with Jane Pizar. Marg has drafted some patterns for the surrounding blocks and I made a start.

Instead of piecing all the elements in the centre of the circle, I just pieced the star and appliqued it to the background. I also appliqued the narrow brown print circle.
Jane Pizar has a huge variety of fabrics and this block contains fabrics as different as one from Bonnie and Camille's latest collection April Showers and a small piece from the Clarissa White Alford Collection for the Shelburne Museum by RJR.

Last night I made a start piecing my 2nd block.

I bought these 2 packs of hexies as inspiration for me to make one of Mrag's other quilts, one day.

More photos from the weekend here and  here.

 

This week I also made a little pin cushion for my sister. I used Liberty fabrics.

I found the free pattern here.




Today I went back to Linda's with about 25 other ladies to look at antique quilts and blocks....and some quilts and blocks inspired by antique quilts. Sharon and I both brought our CCCQ blocks and we spread them all out together.

My blocks on the right and Sharon's on the left.



And from the other end of the table...Sharon's blocks on the right and mine on the left..

 Now for a little bit of nature.

Alpacas at Linda's.

Notice the little baby black alpaca bottom centre! :)

Birdlife on a walk near home..

A lovely walk along Balnarring beach on Monday. You might be able to just see Phillip Island on the horizon.

 Lastly, something from my garden.

Have a great weekend everyone! :)

A little note to say thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last post. Much appreciated!! :)
I tried to reply to everyone. Thank you Sally and Tina; I couldn't reply directly to you because you are "no reply-commenters".

Mountmellic block 1 finished.

This year Quiltmania magazine is publishing a Mystery Quilt, designed by Di Ford, called Mountmellic. 

I have completed the centre medallion using all French General fabrics.

Swooning Southern Belles signed, sealed and delivered......and lots more

Lots of photos!!!

Swooning Southern Belles has been finished for a while now, but recently we went for a road trip to deliver her to her new owner.

My MIL loves her new quilt!!! My MIL was a trained tailor,so I was a little nervous about making a quilt for her, knowing the piecing would have to be perfect! (or as good as I could get it!) I'm glad to say, after some inspection, my stitching passed! It is great to know that someone who realises all the time, effort and love that has gone into this quilt, she really appreciates and values it.

Next are a few photos from the trip. (plenty of fabric and stitching too)

The devastation of a bushfire along the highway near Morwell, Victoria.

The day we went through this area the air was quite clear. For almost 4 weeks the fire continued to burn, out of control, in an open-cut brown coal mine. The whole area was covered in smoke and ash. It was so bad people with respiratory problems, children and the elderly were encouraged to move, temporarily, from the area.

In contrast, this is the view along the road in far East Gippsland, Victoria, not too far from the border with New South Wales.

Tree ferns and tall gums.

Narooma, on the south coast of New South Wales.

A seal resting on a rock

 Moving on to the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.

Now back to fabric and sewing!!!

Here are 3 delicious fabrics I found at Somerset last week. These are Dutch Heritage Gujarat by Petra Prins and Nel Kooiman. The left-most fabric is a wonderful border fabric, then 2 prints of different scales.

I have finished block 19,  of CCCQ.

While we were away I was also lucky enough to win the monthly door prize at Magic Patch Quilting in Tyabb. Quiltmania magazine and 3 fat quarters.

Lastly, some happy mail!!! A new pattern and fabric to make it.

I saw a quilt like this at Quilts in the Barn last year and I have been looking for the pattern ever since! This one I found online, through a newsletter from Mary Koval's shop, Mary Koval Antique Quilts in USA. I believe Di Ford also had a hand in designing this quilt. :)

The first block of Mountmellic is coming along. Photos soon.

Have a great week everyone! Tomorrow I am going to Castlemaine to see the inaugural quilt show organised by the Castlemaine Applique Group. (lots of details on Threadbear blog)

I've made a start on lots more applique

In a previous post I showed a photo of the French General fabrics I selected to use on Mountmellic, Di Ford's mystery quilt in Quiltmania. I finally made a start! All the flowers and leaves for the broderie perse have been chosen and I have started appliquing them down. The fabric I used is a chintz-like print from La Belle Fleur. It has been lightly tea dyed to match the background as closely as possible.

I also chose to receive the BOM fabrics from Threadbear. I will make the quilt up in these fabrics as well, but (at the moment!) I plan to just make the centre block from my French General fabric collection. It has been fun to sort through fabrics, just restricting myself to French General fabrics, and make choices for all the parts of this block.
Part 2 has been released already, so I need to get a wriggle on! Lol

I have also made a start on block 19 of CCCQ

This one won't take too long.

I've also started selecting fabrics for 3 of the next 4 Noah and Matilda blocks.

The 4th block is much more intricate and will require more fabrics. It even has some embroidery!! :)

Photos and news from in interstate holiday in my next post.

There is also quite a bit of secret creating going on here. :)