Hand Dyed Quilted Cushion

I was pleased to get this cushion finished this week.  It's been sitting in a pile of UFO's so I thought it was about time I did something with it.

I hand dyed the fabric myself, using a method called disperse dying.

It is machine quilted with a touch of hand embroidery.

Quilting detail.

It measures 18" x 18" and is edged with lemon lace and a white satin ruffle.
The back is plain white cotton.
I am selling this cushion.  Details on my Nifty Stitcher Facebook page.

I hope to have 2 more finishes before the week is out and  as always a few more projects brewing in my head!!!
Have a good week :)
Rhianon.

Colourful Cushion

Hi there

This week I finished this cushion, which is a commission for a friend.  The brief was ' bright colours ' and I think this fits the bill.

The block in the center is a design by Jennie Rayment.  It's a great block to make and uses the same principal as Cathedrial Windows.  Click on photo for close up.

I machine quilted it and hand embroidered the name for that personal touch.

I really hope the birthday girl likes it.

Also this week my iron broke - a disaster for any quilter. It happened in the week my girls went back to school and my youngest daughter had a birthday, so there was not much spare cash going.
So I bought the cheapest iron I could find.  £3.99 from Argos!!
What a fantastic buy !!!  It is so light to handle and does the job perfectly.

Little new iron on the left, big broken one on the right.

I will get a bigger, better one eventually but I think I will continue to use this one for pressing my seams.

I've also been busy putting together a baby/toddler quilt and hope to get it quilted this weekend.  Pictures in the next post.

Finally, I've entered my Bird of Paradise into the Quilting bloggers competition this week.   Yes i know its the second week in a row, but it will be the last this year.  It just so happened that it fitted into the theme of this weeks comp.  I am not allowed to win any prizes because I came 3rd last week, so it's just a bit of fun.
  If you would like to vote for my birdy then here is the link
http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/08/26/embroidery-stitchery-quilts/

Again , there are some beautiful quilts to vote for - there are so many talented, creative people out there.
Of course I would appreciate your vote.
Have a great weekend, whatever you are up to and to all my American friends - stay safe and out of the way of hurricane Irene.
Til next time
happy sewing
Rhianon.

I came 3rd !!!

Quick post to let you all know that I came 3rd in the Quilting Bloggers competition.  So I want to say a huge thank you to everyone, especially Paul, the Outnumbered quilter, who made me guest blogger on his blog. I have 4 new followers.   Welcome and I hope you enjoy following my blog.
A new quilty post comng soon.

Vote for me

I've entered this weeks Qulting Bloggers competition.  Please vote for me - if you like my wall hanging.
Thank you.   http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/08/19/vote-now-quilts-with-flowers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+QuiltingGallery+%28Quilting+Gallery%29

Bird Of Paradise - Finished !

The good thing about having lots of projects on the go at once means - lots of finsihes one after the other.

I'm a happy bunny today because I've finished my Bird of Paradise and am so pleased with how it turned out.  All the applique was done by hand as was the embroidery on the bird.

I machine quilted the background and the borders and only machine quilted the birds plumage very lightly.

Close up of machine quilted feathers on 'feathers'

You can see in this photo that I echoed the flower in the background pattern.

Close up of hand embroidery.  Feather stitch using DMC stranded cottons.

Flower detail. Click on photos for extra close ups

I'll be keeping this one for myself for a while.  I feel as if I am making progress with the machine quilting but I still have 'bad' days.  I broke 3 needles making this. Perseverance and patience work wonders!

Today I was working on blocks for an exchange I am taking part in although I can't show you them  - yet.  They are looking good and I hope the ladies like them.
My iron broke  today also - so first on the shopping list tomorrow is a new one.  Just can't quilt without one!
Have a great weekend what ever you are doing.  I plan to sew.
Happy Stitching.

Dragonfly Wall Hanging - Finished !

At last, I've made some great progress with my wall hanging and I guess I could almost call it finished.
It's a very 'busy' piece and it's knowing when to stop.  I think it has enough on it now and it pretty much resembles the picture I had in my head.

I took this on a lovely sunny day but had still to add the little flowers in the bottom right corner. 
Click on photos for extra close ups.

                                            Close up detail of 3D flowers.

I worked some hand embroidery on the flowers and dragonfly.

                                           Close up - bottom left corner.

                                           Top right corner.

                                          Beading on Dragonfly

                                           Hand embroidery and machine quilting detail.

Last to be added, were these little flowers which I made from tiny Suffolk puffs.

  I'm really pleased with how it turned out, in fact my brother and sister have already tried to get me to part with it, but after all that hard work I think I will enjoy it myself for a while.  I will pass it on eventually ( maybe!).
This week I will be working on my Bird of Paradise applique.  It is almost ready for quilting and I can't wait to let you see it.
Have a great week whatever you are up to and thanks for stopping by my blog.
Rhianon.