Roscommon Patchwork and Quilting Classes

I am starting Patchwork and Quilting classes next week for beginners. The cabin is fitted out and all ready to go. I am really looking forward to getting started. The six blocks in the first picture are made from a new ruler by Creative Grids. On Tuesday I will give a demo of this ruler to some members of the Castle Quilters.












This is a before picture taken of the interior of my cabin, well not quite before as the fittings are in place and all that is needed is the clean up.

Céad Mile Fáilte

Well here is the finished piece, I used some shell beads for the finger nails. These I found in my stash of must have purchases. They are for making bracelets, but as you all know that was never going to happen. I also found some lamb buttons,  so I used one for a ring.   

I also discovered that if I slow my machine down a little that I gain more control over the free motion quilting. I really need more practice at this, so there is one for the New Year.

Céad Mile Fáilte

Ok so I know I have left this one to the last minute. But here it is so far. I have used a commercial fabric and once again used my toilet bleach to remove the shape of my hand. As you can see it has left some of the pattern behind. My youngest thinks it freaky so maybe I need to paint over it. I have had a little fun using my horizon to embroider my name and town name along each side. I also tried some free motion on the background. Its not very accurate and needs a little ripping to fix the mess at the bottom right corner. I do like the bubble design of the quilting but I need more practice to master it.

This is for The International Quilt Festival of Ireland  

Seams Sew Simple

............The Chocolate Box..............

  Here is the result of all my hard work over the last two weeks. Cutting, folding and labeling fat quarters. Four lovely boxes of yummy colours. The top one is my favourite as it contains chocolate, coffee and creams. I would love to make something with these but alas other unfinished projects are calling me.

I did manage to make some small blocks using  the wovens. The photo's do not show how the navy also has pink in it, they go together really well. I also like this very simple design, and the quilting will also add to the piece.                                      

--------------The Square Dance Block-----------------

Thanks to Kathy for this lovely idea of folding some fat quarters into stars.

We tied the stars together using some ribbon. Its about a meter long so could be used on another project.

Bring it on 2012

Happy New Year and a big thank you to everyone who has dropped by my blog. I love reading your comments and look forward to making more friends in 2012. The Galway branch of the Irish Patchwork Society has their first meeting on Saturday 14th January and as  chairperson for the next 5 months I am looking  forward to working with the other committee members to organise our meetings and workshops. I have been busy over the last few weeks getting my new shop ready for the first IPS meeting. Cutting fat quarters, folding and labeling them has taken up a lot of my time, but I am enjoying it. 2012 promises to be really challenging year, with good friends and our sewing, bring it on we're ready.

Christmas Table 2011

This year I used a silver table cloth with the black charger plates for each setting and two silver charger plates at each side of the center piece. Using a large fish bowl for the center piece works well with any table setting  as you can use a large candle and surround it with any colour of baubles you like, I used a mix of black and silver glitter baubles. I used some black and silver flowers to make a garland to sit around the base of the fish bowl, and  I also used a black table runner with silver design on it, across the center of the table. Of course no table is complete without the crackers. I also used last years chair covers to complete the look.
Hope you all had a very enjoyable Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

RDS 2011

The Craft Council of Ireland had a wonderful display of work from various artists. The felted sea gulls looked amazing.  There were some other really nice pieces to be seen here as well.

 The Irish Patchwork Society also had a wonderful display of quilts from members. Thanks Kathy for taking my picture with my entry. The theme this year was Branching Out. Congratulations to all the quilters and to the designers on there outfits for the Festival of Quilts, they really looked impressive.

I think these costumes where made by one the colleges. Do you think birds influenced these designers.  I loved the white lacy effect and the ruffles.