Been Busy..

 For quite some time I had a big ball of t-shirt yarn and wanted to do something with it.

I did some research online and came up with a technique that's basically crochet with a very thick needle (size 10).

So I made this basket.

I made this quilt top which is going to be donated

And finally, I had made this bargello type quilt top quite sometime ago but forgot about it; it has now been donated.

Exhibition Quilts

Last Weekend my guild put on an exhibition of member's work.

These are the quilts I entered.

This is a single size bed and very simple to put together; used some of my favourite scraps.

This quilt is another one I made using a ton of scraps; it was so much fun making it and was able to use tiny scraps as little as 1.5 inch. The pattern came from one of Bonnie Hunter's books.

And this is a small size quilt that was made by hand. The background and binding are batiks (which I love) and just some random stitches to embellish.

A quilt for my very special friend overseas...

 I have a very special friend whom I have known for over 50 years.

Unfortunately for me, she lives in Canada so it's not easy to see her regularly due to distance. But we are still very close friends and keep in regular contact so when she got some challenging health issues I immediately decided to make her a quilt.

                                          

It's my own design and I just let my heart guide me...

The center medallion is made with a combination of cotton and wool .

I embroidered meaningful words ...

And a label..

And here it is gracing her favourite couch ...

Another little slow stitching basket

 What can I say?

I love making these little baskets out of special pieces of fabrics with some embroidery along the way. No planning, just letting the needle and the threads guide me...

I gifted it to my friend who lives overseas.

25 Years ago....

I recently was staying at the holiday house of one of my relatives overseas.
The room I was staying in,  had the bed made up with a quilt I made over 25 years ago.
Those were the days when I had less leisure time (full time work) and yet I made this quilt all by hand pieced (english paper piecing) and hand quilted.

It was kept in pristine condition.

Modern Quilt

 I had made this top a while back and finally quilt it on my long arm.

Lots off scrap fabrics.

Stars !!!!

 I made another gift quilt top for my guild using batiks, solids and Aboriginal fabrics. 

On June 5th this year I took a holiday and one of my destinations was Amsterdam. 

 I absolutely loved that city and the many other places I visited for a few days.

Being a quilter a visit to a quilt shop is a must, so I went to Petra Prins Patchwork and Quilting shops. It comprises of 2 adjoined shops with slightly different styles but totally beautiful.

I was lucky enough to meet Petra Prins and she kindly agreed to have her photo taken with me.

A 'bit' of shopping took place and I came out on a high from such beautiful fabrics and store. 

Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair

 Last weekend I attended the Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair.  This is a yearly event that brings a lot of crafts under one roof as well as over 150 quilts on display.

I have been a quilter for over 20 years but this year at the last minute I was encouraged to display some of my quilts to be judged under the banner of Victorian Quilters Inc. I entered 2 quilts quite different from one another.

This quilt (Kim Diehl pattern) is made from wool and cotton, using machine and hand applique. I quilted on my long arm.

 

I was lucky enough to get a ribbon "Highly commended first time entrant"

The other quilt that I submitted was all machined pieced and quilted. 

Basket with Embroidery

 

Making these bags/baskets with fabric scraps, beads and some decorative appliques made from cotton and wool is so fun. Once I start stitching a panel, my imagination takes over and I can't stop.

Even the inside is made from scraps decorated with machine decorative stitches

My garden is now 'waking up' as Spring has began...