Jelly Girl

Here is a quilt I made, that is in the process of being hand quilted. I say "process" but the reality is she has been curled up in a bag for quite a while getting crushed!

The pattern I used is called "Jelly Girl" by Fig Tree Quilts, and the Jelly Roll used is Moda "Spring Magic" by April Cornell.  Never thought I was a floral fanatic, but it is starting to become obvious in the quilts I make. The border I chose is by Lakehouse Dry Goods "Doll Dresses Pearl Rose Trellis".

I bought the backing (shown here on far left) at a separate stage, orginally destined for another quilt.  It surprised me to discover later that it is also a Lakehouse Dry Goods fabric, called "Ticking Stripe Petal".  Now all those creases really should shame me into pulling this quilt out of its hiding place to finish it, don't you think?

I decided to hand quilt using a Perle 8 in a variegated pinks/orange/yellow.  It is really nice to work with. Hopefully I can show you the finished product in the near future!! :)

Japanese Linen Fabric

Thought I would show you some lovely materials.
The first I cannot even take ownership for; I bought it on behalf of my Mum the other day, she saw it in a local patchwork shop and couldn't live without it.

I know it is a cotton/linen blend, and I am sure through surfing the internet that it is a Japanese Fabric, but surprisingly it does not have a printed selvedge with the company name and colours on it.  Strange?! If anyone can tell me where it comes from, I would love to know.

But this is the part I love the most - it is double sided! Fantastic! Being a slightly heavier weight, imagine the possibilities for sewing with a reversible fabric. . .

The material below I did purchase myself on Etsy.

I too have an interest in natural and printed linen, and thought even a fat quarter of this could make up something pretty.  I know it is a also a linen/cotton blend and printed in Japan but its origins I am not sure of either.

Japan really has it worked out for beautiful materials, don't they?!

Needle-Felted Blue Wren

The other day Brett's Auntie was hospitalised due to a car accident and will be in there for quite a long time.  I began thinking about a gift I could make to cheer her up.  I remember my time in hospital having two little babies was quite stifling and dull, and I was there during an exciting time!!
Taking inspiration from Laurie Sharp's book "Wool Pets", I decided to craft a blue wren.  I know when I catch a glimpse of those rare little creatures they brighten my day.
Below I have taken pics of the process so you can see how he came together.

My materials, all the tools you need for needle felting

 

The body parts ready to be felted together.

I used a picture of a Blue Wren for reference.  Not exact, but close!

The eyes are ready to be sewn in (two seed beads), to give my wren some character

So there you have him! I threaded some ribbon through his body so Rosie can hang him somewhere and he can brighten the room for her.  He was fun to make; needle felting is a meditative sport, very relaxing.