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Monday 30 September 2013

Holiday Memories...

Before I let Autumn consume me completely, (how did October come round so quickly!?), I am travelling back in time to reminisce about those bright, precious days in the holiday sun.

I love being on holiday, and I really love that even now, the kids wake up and say that they wish they could go back to Menorca again.

There are way fewer arguments, fewer tantrums and fewer stresses when we are away.  We have been so lucky to find somewhere so perfect for all of us, we haven't ruled out yet another return visit!

This year we took a glass-bottom boat trip that was pretty much the highlight of holiday, and that day won't be forgotten any time soon, especially now I have cast my quilty-eye over it!


When we got back home at the end of August, it was only a matter of time before I was plotting for Fiona's competition.  Not only has she gathered an awesome bunch of sponsors, but the idea is genius.  I have been looking at my mini-quilt every day since I finished it, and still get that smiley feeling about being away.  Thank you Fiona!

I wanted to try something new, and Lu's book was just the perfect inspiration I needed; thanks Lu too.  I am really proud that I have created something so far removed from everything I have made before.

It turned out exactly how I pictured it in my head and most importantly, the children could pick out so many of the references unprompted!


I have to admit it, I am thrilled with this mini quilt; all it represents, the fun I had making it as well as the relief of it actually working out.  (Humour me, please!)









I couldn't bring myself to use only solids, but I really had to be strict with myself not to overload on prints, so a select few and some treasures from my scrap bag from Ms Fanny, and I think I have got the balance right.  I realise this won't be to everyone's taste, and you could all just think I have made a right old mess, but to me it really is an extra, special, souvenir. 

Thank you again to Fiona for encouraging me to do something completely different and to break out of my comfort zone.


Honestly, solids, improv and real-life inspiration - who knew I could eh?!

Some important deets:
Measurements:  26.5" x 20.5"
Pieced & quilted - Aurifil 50wt 2021
Kona solids - Simply Solids
Hand-printed scraps - Leanne Fanny/The Little House Martin
Scraps inc. Moda crossweaves, RB Chevrons, Sherbet Pips and Architextures
Backed with Moda Muslin - Eclectic Maker

Make sure you take a look at all the other holiday memories appearing over at Celtic Thistle Stitches too, and if you have turned your holiday memory into a cushion, bag or mini-quilt, don't forget you have until this Friday to link up.
xxx

44 comments:

  1. I absolutely love it! Very creative!

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  2. oh I love this idea and am totally impressed with your quilt - not only is it beautiful, but how you were inspired by the photos - very cool indeed!

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  3. This is so very cool Hadley!

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  4. Amazing! Thanks for showing your inspiration pics - I love how you've interpreted them in fabric. What a lovely way to capture memories for all of you!

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  5. I love it - I love that book too. It is one of my favorite at the moment!!

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  6. It looks fab, well done, and some great sources of inspiration and reference :o)

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  7. I love everything you make, but this might just be my favourite of all. Just gorgeous.

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  8. It's amazing - so clever. I am jealous:-)

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  9. Your quilt really captures the essence of your photos, I totally feel like going on vacation just looking at your quilt! Fabulous!

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  10. Inspired! Love all the different inspirations for your quilt. What a work of art x

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  11. I love it! Thanks for sharing the inspiration photos too, it's great to see why you included each bit :D

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  12. Wow Hadley, it is fantastic! I love it. Solids, improv, bright summer colours, just wonderful.

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  13. Awesome! I absolutely love this!

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  14. This is completely brilliant Hadley - no more to be said!

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  15. Genius! You captured your vacation perfectly -- I adore this little quilt!

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  16. Oh how perfect! love the photo plus block line ups. :) You've put a lot of work into this one!

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  17. This is my favourite quilt that you have made. I love the photo of your daughter with the pink spots and the corresponding porthole in your quilt. It's all fabulous and I hope you win something too :)

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  18. Love it! You can really see the way the quilt represents the photos. I think that you've gotten the balance between prints and solids spot on x

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  19. Love it! You can really see the way the quilt represents the photos. I think that you've gotten the balance between prints and solids spot on x

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  20. fantastic!!!! I love all the side-by-side photos. You are v clever :-D

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  21. I think that's amazing and I'm glad you posted the photos that inspired the sections, I'd have never guessed otherwise but it really makes sense when they are together.

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  22. Great work! The way you used your snapshots to inspire your blocks is so clever. Having the photos side by side really helps explain your quilt - thanks for including them!

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  23. Oh what a stunning post and beautiful story behind the quilt! I am in awe totally!! Each block goes perfectly with each photo, amazing!! I am really inspired and really really really thrilled that you used some tlhm prints in such a lovely way x thank you so much :) x x x x

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  24. What a fabulous quilt, looks totally improv but also represents the photos perfectly! Beautiful! Xxx

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  25. I adore your quilt too and just LOVE this concept. I will be traveling with this in mind on my next vacation for sure. So inspired.

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  26. Love this! It's so inspiring! You really captured your stay in Menorca. When I saw it on Instagram last night, I was curious about the story. So glad to see this post today! Now to climb out of the quilting box i've been in...

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  27. So great to see the inspiration behind the blocks - it's perfect Hadley! Now I want to know where you went in Menorca!

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  28. I love this Hadley - your interpretation, the colours, the whole piece! I hope that you're going to hang it somewhere prominent!

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  29. This is wonderful! I love the way your blocks reflect different photos :)

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  30. Fabulous ....love it!!

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  31. BEautiful. I love how you have translated all of the different photos into blocks.

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  32. Most excellent - I can see it all!

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  33. I just got that book too and it's such an inspiration. I love your quilt and how you have used your holiday memories to inspire the blocks - it's a revelation to see how you can use inspiration for individual pieces like that and make them into a whole. I have only ever thought of using one idea at a time and made a whole quilt using that, so this was an eye opener. I need to set aside some play time, I see!

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  34. Until I saw your inspiration photos, I could not imagine how this represented your holiday. BUt now that I see them side by side I can scream, "Brilliant". You did a wonderful job representing your photos.

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  35. This is gorgeous! I was seriously impressed and then I read the post, I love the side by side pics :)

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  36. Ok, that's pretty damn cool! I love how you've taken your inspiration and really transformed it... Gley va!

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