Stitching just because

After the last few months of production line quilt assembling, I had accumulated quite a few ideas in my head of quilts I'd like to make and this was the first one to become a reality.

Earlier in the year I purchased a Triangler ruler and the accompanying book.

Perverse as it may sound, I was attracted to them because I didn't have half of quilty blog land telling me I needed them. I'd also seen the book (which is more of a booklet) and liked the variety of kaleidoscope patterns you could create with the ruler, all from piecing it in rows.

And in truth, the booklet should be a book. There is so much information crammed into just 20 pages and ideas to experiment with and try out that I actually don't know why more people aren't singing this booklet's praises. I think it's money well worth spent.

I chose to kick off my use of the ruler with the cover quilt, which is called Cosmos.

I knew I wanted to go scrappier than the original version and I knew I wanted to use as many of my Anna Maria Horner fabrics and I knew I wanted it to be bright and cheerful and that was my starting point.

And I've loved piecing it. Granted there are quite a few points you need to match up and a fair bit of cutting if you go for a decently large size (approx 70" x 76" in this case) but it was worth it. I cut and pieced 25 kaleidoscope coloured shapes and it was great to showcase so many different fabrics.

The pattern suggested using white as a background but I decided instead to use three AMH fabrics (different colours, same print) for the background just to keep the eyes even more interested. I also used two different complimentary fabrics for the star points where the pattern has you using one.

I love it.
I really love it.

It's just so completely happy and fun and random and makes me realise why I love quilting so very much.

And I've missed that feeling these past few months.

linking up to Finish It Up Friday

I feel I'm back :-)

Soy Amado No. 50

Did we really get to 50 so quickly.

I guess we did.

That's an amazing one thousand blocks I've sewn together. If you'd told me six months ago I wouldn't have believed you.

Technically that means I've reached my goal BUT (!) I still have a few more blocks here to sew into a couple of quilts, plus I know of a box in transit from Canada with 100 blocks in so I'll still carry on till I've got these out the way.

Now for No. 50, I  asked The Photographer to get the cruise ship in with the quilt as I thought it would make for an interesting shot and this is what I discovered when I uploaded the images to the computer.

Possibly not completely what I had in mind.

No. 50 is all about pinks and purples and the other pig whose mate appears in No. 47. A female pig no less with a rather fetching white bow in her hair.

And we're levitating quite nicely too.

Note the clouds - we've had a little rain but not enough.

As you can perhaps see, there are some beautiful quilting skills going on with this one.

Soy Amado No. 50

And as promised, a little look back at the last six months.

Wow!



And what did I learn from the last six months?

• That it is far easier and much less hassle to turn the other cheek and not do anything 
• But so much more rewarding if you do something

• That you don't need the latest and designated 'must have' fabric to make great quilts
• Whatever you have to hand is just as good and far more personal

• That help doesn't always come from where you think it will come 
• But it will come and from people and places you didn't even know existed before 

• Not everyone will understand the concept of 12  1/2" (and some people won't understand the concept of quilted quilt blocks either!)
• But I became very adept at fudging up to a quarter of an inch more or less

• That if I ever do something like this again I really do need to mix up my footwear some more

Soy Amado No.49

Now if you come on holiday here and hire a car, you'll get one with an 'H' on to denote it's a hire car.

So, if you've got a reluctant quilt holder upper with you, they are well versed in spotting cars with an 'H' on them. They will continue to hold said quilt up while helpfully adding 'It's OK, it's only holidaymakers...I'll never see them again.'

So if quilt holding upping necessitates standing in the middle of the road to get a good shot and you spot a car with an 'H' on coming towards you...

...it really is no cause for alarm because by the law of averages you're never going to see them again.

Yes, I know, the hearts are upside down.

Soy Amado No. 48

On the way back from the recycling we pass a boat yard and I thought it would make a good backdrop for No.48 so along with dried up paint tins and stuff we don't need any more I popped the quilt in the car for an impromptu photo shoot.

As you do.

Totally normal behaviour.

And there are lots of warehouses opposite with really good colours for backdrops against quilts.

I expect that was forefront of mind when they were choosing the colours.

A real smorgasbord of blocks and colours.

Coming together to make no. 48

Linking up to Finish It Up Friday

Soy Amado No. 47

A windy No. 47

Would you look at that pig.

I LOVE the pig.

Keep an eye out for that pig.

It's female soul mate is set to make an appearance in another quilt.

Ok, so not the best picture of the back but you get the idea.

That's the trouble with taking out less than willing participants who try to shirk their promises and instead get me to hold the quilts up so they can take the photos.

She doesn't know I saw a text to a friend who was asking what she was up to.

'Out with mum AGAIN, holding up a quilt. LOL'

Clearly quilt holding upping is not being taken seriously.