Quilt Review 2010

 I've grouped my Journal Quilts for the year by theme rather than month. I did start off with a painted sample for my honesty quilt but  decided not to include it but  to have something that united all the pieces: indigo and/or a blue and black Japanese fabric which I also used as binding.
Only one JQ (February snow in Llangollen) uses acrylics:with exception of  'Rich as Honesty'  this year has featured a return to improvisational piecing and wonderful fabrics

But what an exception! 'Rich as Honesty' was unfinished business, making the quilt that I wanted 'Lunaria '  to be. I think it's my best yet and was recognized as such by receiving 'Highly Commended' award at Festival of Quilts.
Making 'Tunisian Door' for 'Under African Skies' exhibition at the Quilt Museum was the trigger to reconnecting with African and indigo  fabrics  and exploring their use in new ways.

Of all  my quilts this year this JQ from March 'Indigo seas' is my favourite - it's simplicity , showcasing some wonderful fabrics in a painterly way expresses the most the direction I want to take.
I'm currently setting up a website for my artwork - another new direction for the new year.

Thanks for all your comments, I wish  you all a wonderful 2011. 

Scrap Journal Quilts

By the skin of my teeth (what a strange expression!) I managed to finish my 2010 Journal Quilts before the deadline! I'd made 2 scrap quilts from tiny 'crumbs' of fabric leftover from various projects (mainly the Tunisian Door) and quilted one by machine and one by hand with quite different effects. I like the density of the machine quilted one - it really adds texture and enjoyed the process of hand quilting even if it did take much longer.  While in theory can fit hand stitching in an odd half hour, it doesn't work out like that but had a good session today watching the Incredibles and Upstairs Downstairs ( I'm sure the Marsala helped - left over from the Tiramisu)
Wonder what next years Journal Quilt Challenge will be - been making them since 2003, sometimes 2 sets per year so next year will be my 11th set for 2011!!

Boxing Day Walk

 Today (Boxing day), we wrapped up warmly and made our traditional walk along the canal to the Fox Stop (a CAMRA  pub in Hanwell).

 Still a lot of frozen slippy snow on the tow path but the worse part was crossing this steep bridge which was like an ice rink and involved holding on with 2 hands and shuffling sideways along the edge. Hope it's not so bad for our New Year excursion!

 Worth it for the interesting views - I loved the difference in the reflections in the ice and water.  We felt we deserved our pints of beer and the warm friendly atmosphere - even met up with someone I hadn't seen in years.

Tho' part of the point of the walk was to work off some of the excesses of the day before - this piece of ham  was ginormous but we've been making some  inroads into it. Ian has never cooked such a large hunk of meat before.

Christmas Greetings

 Still in jim-jams at 12.30 - one of the joys of the Christmas. Ian and I did stockings for each other this year: mine contained books, choccies, a couple of Bailey's miniatures and numerous art and sewing supplies. Ian's contained books, left-handed scissors, seeds, choccies, wind-up caterpillar and a Wallace and Gromit Wensleydale.  Kept it in work fridge until yesterday to keep secret, I thought it might be kidnapped. I also made him printed bunting for his bookshelves -more photos when it's in place

We had the first of our seasonal bizarre breakfasts: bucks fizz and coffee (love the combine effect!), crumpets with brandy bitter and 'devils on horseback' (dates wrapped in bacon). Tomorrow it will be leftovers from todays lunch - glazed ham and tiramisu!! What odd traditions do you have?
Whatever you're doing, hope you're having  a wonderful time.

New Toy for Christmas

It was worth taking a days leave today - I've just unpacked my new Pfaff GrandQuilter which arrived a  few minutes ago from Sewing Machine World. I got a  good trade-in  for my Bernina Virtuosa 160 and as the remainder of the price is just about paid for by bonus of selling a quilt, using Helen's 'Girl Maths' it's free!!
I've still got my Bernina Activa 125 which has as many fancy stitches as I need and is a good size for workshops so not too many regrets at handing over the 160 which had a lot of functions I barely used. It also occurred to me that this was free too as I bought it about 12 year ago with Norwich Union.  'windfall shares'.

Now off for some lunch and to read the manual. Looking forward to putting  it through its paces over the Christmas period (I'm off  24th Dec to 3 January, 3 days of which I'll be on my own as Ian will be working)

A Pair of Gloves

When we out at the Farmers Market on Saturday, I managed to lose one of my red gloves (only had them a couple of weeks). Ian said he'd treat me to a new pair from BHS which was nearby  and as they didn't have any red ones left, chose a nice purple pair. Only to find when  I put them on later on that the 'pair' consisted of 2 left hand ones!! Still looking on the bright side , I could have ended up with 3 right hands. I often used to wear odd earrings so wearing odd gloves won't be too much of a departure and at least they're the same style. The bonus is I'll be able to distinguish left from right, something I've very bad at. Blame being near ambidextrous -they said so on R4 so must be true!

Sudden Snow

Only just made it to the Farmers Market in time to collect our Xmas goodies order (ham, venison, etc) -the guys from Food Fore Thought were packing up! Blame the sudden snow that started at 10 and didn't let up, we had to get off the bus halfway there and walk the rest. After completing our shopping , refueling at Costas, look what was waiting for us at the end of our road - this huge snowman!! So distracted Ian nearly got knocked down by a reversing van.

 As our road is blocked off at the end, there's a great community feel to it ( had a street party for Children in Need that raised over £600) and loads of people were already out clearing the road, sledging and building a series of smaller snowmen along the pavement.

Just time to put the mulled wine on before Sue and Peter ventured round.