SWAP

I was excited to participate in an International fat quarter swap organised by  Bree and on Friday I received a package from my swap partner Rachel in Indiana USA. This is my first swap and it really was such fun. Rachel sent me this gorgeous fabric and in my favourite colours. Thank you so much Rachel and thanks to Bree for hosting this wonderful swap.                                       

Perfecting the Quilting Stitch

Pat sent me this beautiful book all the way from America. She was giving away a couple of books and we had to leave a comment saying which book we would choose if we won. I chose" Perfecting the Quilting Stitch. "   I've always wanted to learn how to hand quilt so I was thrilled to win this wonderful book. I have enjoyed reading it and there are exercises to do at the back of the book. By the time one gets to the exercise part of the book, you know what types of materials and tools to use, how to work with a quilting design and how to execute the quilting stitch. Now its no use just reading, one has to put the information into practice, so here is an example of my first attempt at hand quilting, the stitches are not perfect but they will improve.I really appreciate and am grateful for this book as I realise that postage is so expensive especially to this part of the world. Thank you so much Pat, I love this book. www.artfullyooglebloops.blogspot.com

The book says - doing the exercises will make your fingers remember, which will help your mind remember.

 

 

Checked Mania

I wanted to try free motion quilting on a quilt. Pulled out all my magazines, made a cup of tea and sat in the sun paging through them. So many lovely patterns I want to try.I found this pattern and raided my stash for  checks and stripes. The pattern is so easy and quick to piece, just two simple blocks.                                                                                                                                                                            

                      

The pattern is from Country Threads magazine

 

 Here is my quilt!

 

and a close up of the quilting

the finished size is 65in x 81in  (167cm x 207cm)

 

 I think this will be my picnic quilt

KE NAKO ( IT IS TIME )

For the worlds biggest soccer extravaganza hosted by South Africa for the first time. Kick off to the 2010 World Cup Soccer is just a day away. Soccer fever has gripped our nation with bright flags of all the countries everywhere, houses, cars, buildings, all decorated and even roofs are brightly painted. Fridays have been declared "soccer friday" and  every week thousands dress up in their national soccer shirts in support of  Bafana Bafana, our South African team.Vuvuzelas blaring and everyone doing the Diski dance. Have you learnt to diski?!

                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                

Moses Mabhida Stadium Durban       

                                                                            

West Street Durban                                                                                                    

Makaraba hats  

 

                                

                                                                                                     

 Diski dancing                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

      Vuvuzelas                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                           

                                                                            

          VIVA SOUTH AFRICA VIVA                                                                  

                                                                 

Guild meeting

Problem with computer now sorted, lots of reading to catch up on. Hope I have'nt missed out on any exciting happenings in blogland.
Saturdays guild meeting was very interesting, we had 3 speakers and the topic was " tell me more".
Moira Ryder spoke about String and Hawaiian quilts, Ann Oberholzer spoke about the Amish people and their quilts and Marline Turner about the Dear Jane quilt she made.picture below

 click on all pic's for closer view

 This quilt won viewers choice at the March meeting

more quilts copied from the newsletter

not too clear -taken with my cell phone

ttt

PS:Hi and welcome to my newest follower, Birgitte.