Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2013 Encore

I am so happy that we are able to enter two quilts into the Blogger's Quilt Festival this time, purely because I didn't have to choose between my two current favourites; making decisions is not coming easily right now.

Yesterday my Liberty Marcelle Medallion, today my Holiday Memories mini quilt.

I apologise to regular viewers, because the reveal and full story of this one are probably fresh in your minds; for first timers, the full story can be found here.

Long story short, I started planning this quilt before our summer holiday to Menorca, and whilst on one beautiful sunny day-trip it all came together.

Using the uber-talented Lu Summers and her beautiful Quilt Improv book as a starting point, I grappled with my inherent fear of solids and all things wonky!

It turned out so perfectly!

The Details:
Pattern - there wasn't one!
Fabrics - Kona solids, hand-printed scraps - Leanne Fanny/The Little House MartinOther scraps inc. Moda crossweaves, RB Chevrons, Sherbet Pips and Architextures
Finished - 26.5" x 20.5"
Pieced and quilted - Aurifil 50wt 2021
Quilting - straight line c. 1/2" apart
Backing - Moda Muslin

So there you go, my Fall entries.  I have already been casting my eye over the entrants so far and I am itching to get off the sofa and back at my machine - so much gorgeous inspiration.

I am not sure if international entrants are eligible for winning the Baby Lock, that would obviously be lovely, and who wouldn't want to win a stonking new machine, but the fun of joining in is what it is all about really, and I am just thankful to be here.

Thank you Amy for hosting this wonderful event once again, and thank you all for your comments - I appreciate every one of them and promise I will reply as soon as I can xxx

Pinch me!

I am so thrilled to tell you that I won the Mini Quilt Viewer's Choice over at Fiona's Holiday Memories Competition; thank you so much to everyone who voted for my mini or for any of the other entries, there were so many lovely winners, Fiona was a wonderful host.

I know, I know, you guys think I win everything - Mr Random and I had a fling a year or so ago but he seems to have moved on to younger, brighter things; this is only my 3rd win this year, and the second was Megan's pattern two days ago.

However, and most excitingly, this is the first time I have ever actually come first for something that I have made.  I have had a couple of runners up placings, but have always been pipped trounced at the post!

So this is a big, humongous, wonderful deal for me.  I am not going to go all Gwynnie on you, but I cannot thank you guys enough.

Mwah!  xxx

A soupçon of random...

I tried and failed again in the random, until I popped to Waitrose for some lunch yesterday...

OMWarhol!

These are not going to get eaten; I may just take colour-combo inspiration from them, and look forward to the day the when kids demand that I finally throw them away before they put me in an old people's home!

And because I am rarely an opportunist, I just want to remind everyone that voting is still open over at Celtic Thistle Stitches until midnight Friday UK time.

If you haven't chosen your favourite Holiday Memories makes yet, please go have a look.

Linking up with the Randomeers today, and tomorrow it will be the turn of FAL Q4. xxx

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

Getting stuff done...

Today was a good day to get stuff done.

By the time we had our Sunday roast for lunch, (yes it is officially winter!), I had cleaned the house, changed, washed and tumbled all the bedding, done all the weekend's ironing and basted my Holiday Memories mini quilt.  Rough with the smooth.

I quilted my mini this afternoon, and will get the binding on in a bit; I am just waiting for a paper-cut to stop bleeding, as the binding, and much of my mini are white, and that's not a good combo!

As promised, a quickie-piccy of yesterday's Eternal Maker haul, minus the wadding...

The multi-coloured bag is a scrap bag of wool felt, with some excellent sized pieces and lovely colours which will be perfect for a bunch of needle books and the like.  I used the Aurifil 40wt for the quilting today, just for a little more definition; 2021 I heart you, no matter what you weigh!

And because I am so kind, as to be honest, I would really really love to win, if you are in the UK, please pop over to my friend Verity's blog, as she has the most amazing birthday giveaway going on right now.

If you do decide to enter, and why the heck wouldn't you? - please mention my name (or I will track you down), thank you.

So that has been my day, but now can we have some sunshine again?  I am done with all this indoor stuff for a bit!

Tuesday tease...

OK I have been engrossed on my Holiday Memories mini quilt again this evening.

I now have two thirds pieced, and am hoping to have the whole top put together tomorrow.  It'll be up to the maximum size (24" x 30") before quilting, which will shrink it down somewhat, and I am still in love with it.

So here's a sneaky peek...

... a little porthole block.

I am so looking forward to tomorrow, I don't think I will be able to sleep!  Bring on the peace and quiet xxx