Threads, Threads and more Threads

The Kaleidoscope quilt top came down off the design wall and was all stitched together this week.  I decided this was another quilt destined to be quilted on the frame.  

Lots of thoughts about the quilting but as you all know the more you think the harder is is to decide.  I had a plain black cotton backing (another bad choice) and I set to and cut the wadding I loaded it all up on the frame, chose the thread colour (gold) and ...............my mind just blanked!  Now at this stage I should of course have walked away and left it for another day but I didn't and needless to say the session was not successful nor did it have a happy ending.  Just look at all these threads on the floor.  

I spent more time unpicking last night than I did sewing what a disaster!

Never mind today is another day and I have just tried again and for the last hour or so this is what I have achieved.  Feeling much happier meantime.  This quilt may not be seen again when it is removed from the frame but it is a learning curve and we all need to practise our FMQ.

The Quilting is not that noticeable on the busy pattern of the kaleidoscopes but it certainly shows on the back!

The HST baby quilt is progressing  too and should be ready for hand stitching the binding later in the week all being well.

I hope you all have had a productive week and not had as much unpicking to do as I had.  I do not like using a seam ripper.

Whirligigs Finished

I didn't think I had achieved very much since my last post but when I sat down to think about it I have done quite well.

This week we managed a little road trip, its not often we manage a weekday outing but the weather has been so nice this week Thursday was set aside for a trip out.  Normally we head to the borders, Peebles, Melrose and down that way however we decided to go north to Perthshire.  When the boys were small we were lucky enough to have the use of my parents static caravan, which was situated on the side of Loch Tay at Kenmore.  We all loved it, long walks along the beeches - a long avenue of trees by the side of the river, fishing for minnows and as they got older in true fly fishing style the  first fish was caught, climbing Drummond Hill equipped with binoculars, camera and of course the walking sticks.  Great memories were made during those long summer holidays and it was good to remember them last week.  Things of course move on and changes have been made to the area - its still beautiful though!  

An added bonus is Karelia House, situated off the main routes this is a little gem of a quilting and craft shop.  Fabrics and notions, wool and accessories, sewing machines and threads all to encourage you to buy. The ladies are lovely and very attentive chatty and happy to offer advice.  The gentlemen or non crafty travelling companions can enjoy a coffee, read the newspaper or just enjoy the ambience of the cafe, while of course purchases are made by the crafter.  The lunch menu is enjoyable too offering home made soups, sandwiches and cakes.  Of course I bought some fabrics!  It would have been rude not to - just some more pastels for the babies.

I think this little trip encouraged me to get on with my sewing - five projects have been worked on this week, some only a little stitch or a trim but five is the count.

Number one is Whirligigs, now complete other than the label.  This is a first on two counts for me.  I have finally mastered the art of foundation piecing YIPPEE!!  and this was the first 'real' full sized quilt I have successfully freemotion quilted on my frame.

2nd -  crazy patches I am making at class

3rd  - a little baby quilt I FMQ on my frame, again a first as I thought I would see if putting a fleece backing on the frame would work, no real reason why it shouldn't other than perhaps tension issues but - It did!

4th  - the kaleidoscope blocks on the design wall

and 5th some HSTs for another baby quilt

I am surprised with my achievements this week and I am now looking forward to continuing with my ongoing projects.  It is funny what encourages you to sew isn't it? 

Is This Our Summer?

I hope not!  once again I have been a bit negligent in blogging.  Please may I be excused - we have been on holiday to sunnier lands.  Im now back though but playing catch up again.

I did visit the Knitting and Stitching Show last week in Edinburgh and thoroughly enjoyed my day out while hubby was playing golf.  Lots of different traders selling their wares, I didn't buy a lot but it was fun to browse.

Project Linus had a very small stand at the show and hopefully they will have managed to spread the word and more donations of quilts will be made for disadvantaged children in the area.  I took along four more quilts as my contribution.  I hope they will make someone in need of a hug happy.

I have now made a start to the binding on my Whirlygig quilt so hopefully I will manage a proper photo next time.

Enjoy the sunshine while you can.  Lots of gardening to be done at the moment and all the lush new growth is appearing on our acers.  Im off out again with our coffee to enjoy sitting in our newly spring cleaned summerhouse!  Enjoy your week