I love Star Quilts

I absolutely love Star Quilts!  There is just something about them that makes me happy!  Perhaps it is the association with Stars in the sky….they are always watching over us!  My very good friend lost her Father recently and I chose to make her a Giant Star quilt so that she could be wrapped up in love and know that her Dad will always be watching over her!!  I chose the Giant Star Quilt  tutorial by Jeni Baker @ In Color Order!  Thank you Jeni for a wonderful tutorial and pattern!

 I chose a beige linen back ground with red and black text fabrics and a few red, navy and black and white spots!  The color pallet fits very well with my friend’s sense of style and taste!  The fabrics were from my stash !

The quilt was long arm quilted with swirling hearts in the background fabric and lines in the star points.  I love this pic because it shows up  the quilting really well.

I absolutely love this backing fabric!  It is so soft and definitely nice to cuddle up in!  The backing fabric is Spring Carnival Cotton Candy by Max New!

For the binding, I chose a navy and white spot!  It worked beautifully with the linen fabric!  I think it is hard to beat a spot fabric for binding!  The quilt finished 60″ square which is a lovely size and it is now residing in my friends home in New Zealand.  I loved making this quilt it was so nice to be able to give it to her and at very sad time!  I have no doubt it will wrap her up in love for many years to come.

I am supporting the linky parties Lets Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts,  NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation, Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict ,  TGIFF @ Quilt Matters and Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts!

As always,  many thanks for stopping by and wherever you are in the world have a fabulous weekend…………….Marie x

Scrappy Trip Along!

Hi everyone,  I trust this post  finds you all well and enjoying the things in life that make you happy.  I have been busy sewing my blocks for the Scrappy Trip Along Swap hosted by Julie @ 627handworks !  Swaps are a great way to improve your sewing skills!  This swap has certainly provided me with the opportunity to use fabric choices and colour combinations  that I would not normally use.  It has also helped improve my sewing accuracy.  I am really happy with the outcomes.  Just hope my swap buddies are happy with their blocks!!!  Following is a pic of the block and the criteria supplied by my swap buddies!

Block 1 Bright & Happy!

Block 2  Colours of the Rainbow!

Block 3 Orange, Navy, Turquoise/Aqua

( added a little grey & mixed strip to balance out)

Block 4 Solids only!! ( first time working completely with solids)

Block 5 ( no colour choice specified)

This swap has certainly provided me with learning opportunities!  The lessons I have learnt are as follows:

• Be prepared to test out the block first!  This allows you to check 1/4inch seams,  seam alignment  and ensure the block size is accurate!  With this particular block a very very scant quarter inch is required and pin pin pin to match up seams!
• Make a concerted effort to match the participant requirements!
• Sew to the very best of your ability and give a block that you would be happy to receive!
• Enjoy the block arriving at your door step and love the fabrics that are not in your stash!
• Every swap is an opportunity to improve our skills and make new friends!

I am linking up this post with Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story, WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced and NTT Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation!  Stop by these wonderful sites and check out all the projects!

As always thank you so much for stopping by and wherever you are in the world have a fabulous day!

Happy sewing ……………..Marie xxx

As the New Year Begins…………….

This is my first post for the  New Year and I would like to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year, may it be filled with fun, love, laughter and the good health to enjoy it!  It is holiday time here in Australia and things are relatively quiet.  I have been sewing a little bit of this and that and my love of the needle and thread has not waivered!   I am delighted to share my first finish of 2014 – Winding Ways!  The binding is finally on!!  I can now tick this of the Quarter 4 2013 Finish – A – Long hosted  by Leanne @ She Can Quilt!   I originally posted about my quarter 4 projects here!

This quilt has been a long time in the making!  I have been hand piecing on and off for the better part of 2.5 years.   The quilt was long arm quilted with circles just before the holidays commenced and it has been patiently waiting the binding.   I always find sewing bindings a struggle.  I will certainly be trying to perfect my skill on sewing bindings by machine in 2014.  It is my only finish from my  Work in Progress (WIP) projects for quarter 4 2013.

I love the backing fabric on this quilt!  It is  a French text print and I think it works very well with the red gingham check !

One final pic of the binding.  It is hard to go past a striped binding.  There is just something wonderful about red and white quilts.  I don’t normally work with two colours.  I usually prefer scrappy quilts, however, in this instance it is very effective!

Leanne I would like to say a huge thank you for all your efforts in co-ordinating this QAL.  It is an enormous amount of work and it has been lovely looking at all the projects and tutorials for 2013!  You have done an amazing job!!!  I will certainly continue to participate in the 2014 Quilt A Long which is being hosted this year by Katy @ The Littlest Thistle!  It is a great way to focus on those projects that need to be finished throughout the year.

I am linking up with Leanne @ She Can Quilt to register my finish.  I am also linking up with WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced,    NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation, Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict ,  TGIFF @ Quilt Matters and Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts!

As always,  thank you for stopping by and may your week be filled with lots of sewing………………………Marie xxx