Gift for a Special Lady

Hello
I've just finished this cushion for my Aunty Jessie. She will be 89 years old on Wednesday. She is my favourite aunty and has not been keeping too well lately so I hope she loves her cushion.

Close up.

I hand quilted the Dresden Plate and machine quilted around the borders.

Remember the goldwork piece I was doing for Billy's work colleague ? Well it's back from the framers.

Billy chose the black frame with the gilt edging and I think it looks great. Just sets it off nicely. Can't wait to hear of Ian's reaction when he gets it. It will be a complete surprise for him.

It was very difficult to get a good photo of this because the high shine made it very reflective.

I've also been making good progress with the Mariner's Compass wall hanging but i'll save those photos for the next post.
Happy sewing
Rhianon.

Little Truckers Quilt

Hello
A quick post today to let you see a little quilt I finsihed.

I used Suzanne McNeils 10 minute block ( you tube). It was good fun and I got the chance to practice my free motion quilting.

I sent it to my friend in Northern Ireland who has a gorgeous little baby boy. One good turn deserves another, right? She loved it.

Today I am hoping to make some progress with the Mariners Compass wall hanging. Here's a sneaky peek at it so far.

Have a lovely Easter weekend everyone.
Until the next time
Happy sewing
Rhianon.

Mariner's Compass and some goldwork.

Hello all.
I've been having a busy week, working on two projects. The first is a Mariner's compass wall hanging which will go in the entrance hall of my husbands workplace. I chose the Mariner's compass block because Billy's company is in the communications/navigation business.

2 done - 3 to go!

The next project - I offered to do as a gift for a colleague of my husband, to commemorate his 22 years in the Royal Marines.

The first dagger I did was not up to scratch - so I had to do it all again.

The blade was not sitting on the handle properly and the only black stranded cotton I could find was this horrible wirey stuff. Nasty!

Second attempt faired much better and I was able to start the goldwork lettering. I will search for some ordinary black stranded cotton this weekend.

Coming on nicely now - once it is done it will be off to the frame shop.
I think a tarnished gold frame will finish it off perfectly.

I will come back with more photos when it is done.
Til the next time, happy sewing everyone.
Rhianon.

Something Different

It's been a busy week for me with not a lot of time to indulge in quilting unfortunately. So today I thought I would post some pictures of my embroidery work.
I saw a great blog on Stash Manicure by Mary Corbet, who is an embroiderer.
It made me want to go and get my threads out.
Here are some of my past efforts.

These fish were embroidered by hand using stranded cottons and were originally intended to be part of a large wall hanging. I took a mad turn one day and cut them up. Now I am thinking of incorporating them into a quilted wall hanging.

I love this cheeky little head on fish.

Clown fish

I'm thinking of using some gorgeous batiks to tie all these fish together - yet another project that is still in my head. One day.....

Next up are some embroidered shorts - they were worked a few years ago, hence the high waist (urghhh!).

The design is loosely based on crewel work.

I hope you have enjoyed my embroidery. After food shopping today I hope to get back in my sewing room and have something quilty to show you the next time.
Until then happy sewing everyone.
Rhianon.

Quilts for Japan.

Hello friends.

The past 2 weeks have gone by so quickly. You know time flies when you're having fun. I've been making 2 quilts to go to Japan for the poor souls who have lost everything. I know there are quilters all over the world who are donating to this worthy cause.
My first quilt is a baby quilt.

Because these quilts are needed in a hurry - I HAD to attempt some free motion quilting. I didn't even have a proper foot for my machine, so I did this one without a foot.

I was pretty pleased with the result. It looks half respectable.

Onto the next quilt - a pretty little girls quilt.

At this point, my machine started to act up. DH took it apart and serviced it for me. Just look at what was underneath the throat plate!

Urrrgghhh!!!! No wonder my machine wasn't running properly! When was the last time you looked under your throat plate????!!!!!

After a jolly good vacuum and a few drops of oil, all is well with my machine and I purchased one of these - a darning foot!! I was so excited when this arrived because then I could really start practicing this free motion quitling!

Here is the second quilt for Japan. this tine I attempted a loopy heart pattern. It was so much fun to do.

Towards the end of the week I got my Dad-in-laws lap quilt finished. It has a mixture of hand and machine quilting. I hope he likes it!

Finally, my quilt group have decided to do 2 group quilts to send to Japan.
We each had to make 4 disappearing 9 patch blocks.( that old favourite)
Here are mine ...

Now I am left to ponder over my next project.....
Until the next time
happy sewing everyone.
Rhianon.x