Christmas Cards Hand Made.

I know it's a bit early but I was just looking at the new stuff I bought on holiday, and you know how it is when one thing leads to another. I never plan my cards, I just get all my stuff together and see what happens. Each of the designs are different. I never seem to have two of everything anyway. 

Pencil Drawings

I had a very relaxing holiday in Florida this year and even got to see a real live turtle at Turtle Beach in Sarasota. Did some pencil drawing as well. Need more practice on the lizards. The bugs are a cheat, used a stencil I bought at Jo-Ann's. Good way to practice shading.

Judge's Comments

I received my quilt back from the Festival of Quilts Birmingham. I was really pleased with the judge's comments. "Nicely Balanced Piece with good use of Colour and Great texture." and "Great Colours and use of stitch." Sadly I did not get to see it at the Festival this year.

IPS National Exhibition

 Members of the Western Branch of the IPS travelled to Dublin to visit the National Exhibition, which took place in the Botanical Gardens. On arrival we had to top up on the tea and coffee, and who could resist all these wonderful pastries.

Here is Ester Kiely's beautiful Quilt.

I loved the colours in these two pieces.

It was very obvious that the quilts had been hung with great care and attention. I loved the combination with my own quilt Poppy Love. The butterfly above was fabulous.

Caution: Sun glasses needed for this one

Following Laura Kemshall's DMTV show I got out my hand dyed fabric and gave it a go. This first Photo shows the four different pieces I used. These were all dyed on the same day using the same dye lots, so it was easy to get a good colour combination.

I cut the pieces into 4.5" x 1.5" rectangles. Sorted them into piles of matching colours and then sewed four pieces together to make 4.5 inch squares. Now the fun begins, I lay them out on the floor and try to find a nice composition. Getting all the kids involved as well. Best to walk away and come back for a fresh look. Not sure if I stitched them back in the right order or not. Rail Fence is a good way to practice your 1/4" seams.

This is the finished piece. Its hard to judge where to place the pieces. I see some now that I could have placed differently but I'm not fond of the ripper so I may leave well alone. 

Drawings, chocolates and birds

I've drawn these pictures after watching the latest video on Linda Kemshall's "Design Matters TV".  I'm not very good at drawing and they make it look so easy. I've used water colour paper and water colour pencils for these. I guess I'll just have to keep practicing. By the way, its a weed I picked from a hedge along my road. It's about to burst another leaf, or a least it was until I picked it. I cheated with the pear, it is from a picture rather than the real thing

 And now for something completely different. Very low fat had made sweeties. I am making these for my chocolate quilt which I hope to have ready for the International Quilt Festival of Ireland next year. I used a  Clover Round Large Yo-Yo Maker  for these beauties and then decorated  them after stuffing.

Clover Round Large Yo-Yo Maker




Here is my latest Bird. He is made from my hand dyed fabrics. Great way to use up scraps. I put some berries  in his beak for added interest.

Disney Pinnocchio Quilt

Ok I know its been a while, so I'll show you what I have up to. Here is a Disney panel I bought at a lovely Quilt shop called Queen Ann's Lace. They are based in Kissimmee, so be sure to look them up if you are going to Florida for a holiday. I added the dark blue stars between each panel and I will add a nice red border before quilting.