Fleur's place

Happy New Year!

2012-01-18T06:08:00.000-04:00

Christmas and New Year with my family in the Western Cape was wonderful. Now I am trying to get back into the swing of things but this heat wave is not helping. I started stitching the final Red Brolly Christmas stitchery and I have several tops that I want to baste and quilt but that will have to wait for cooler weather. So today I have my stash of ice lollies, lots of blog reading to catch up on and I am looking forward to all the new happenings in blog land.

May you all enjoy good health, peace and happiness in 2012….and quilting!

Hi and welcome to new followers :))

Funky Flowers

2011-12-12T14:06:00.000-04:00

77" square

A quick post to show my quilt. I have been so busy there is hardly any time to blog as I have been trying to finish this quilt - at last it is done and ready to give to someone special ( not mentioning names) ;)).
I'm off on holiday until the 9th of Jan.
Warm wishes for a peaceful and blessed Christmas!

Durban Hosts COP17

2011-12-01T14:10:00.000-04:00

What a violent storm we had on Sunday night with heavy rain that caused flooding and extreme damage to hundreds of homes, several people where killed when their houses collapsed. Not normal weather for this time of year. More than 20,000 delegates from 190 countries have arrived in Durban for COP 17, the 17th session of climate talks. Everyone is trying to catch a glimpse of famous people like Angelina Jolie, Leonardo di Caprio, U2's Bono, Al Gore, Richard Branson and Prince Albert. I'm staying home and avoiding the crowds.
My sewing machine died in the middle of quilting my funky flowers quilt - will have to take it in for a service tomorrow.

Finished these two stitcheries from Red Brolly and Bronwyn has posted the final stitchery on her blog - button on my sidebar.

October/November is fete season. I found this lovely bright bag at our local fete. Its fully lined and perfect for my take along projects like my stitching and knitting.

I couldn't make this for R4.00 = spacious 15x19"

I was given a new knitting pattern- jumpers for aids babies.

Very easy pattern, its knitted all in one and I have 7 ready to go.Families are so poor their babies are sent home wrapped in newspaper.

Books I have read lately..
Bruno Chief of Police - Martin Walker
Fault Lines - Nancy Huston
The French Gardener - Sante Montfiore
The Soul Connection - Anne Jones
La Cucina - Lily Prior
Angels in my Hair - Lorna Byrne

Late Season - Christobel Kent - read by Karen Cass
A Handful of Honey - Annie Hawes - read by Rula Lenska

Stitching...

2011-11-15T05:39:00.000-04:00

Weekend rain and cool weather, perfect for sewing. I have finished my shweshwe top.

I've been stitching a lovely design by Bronwyn from Red Brolly Designs - click on the button in my sidebar for this free pattern

And I made the cutest little thread catcher, just what I needed for those thread tails.

Lisa from Primitive Gatherings shared this lovely project on the Moda Country Fair blog hop.

That time of year again.

2011-10-27T04:45:00.000-03:00

Fireworks, heatwave, snakes, afternoon storms. Diwali, and the fireworks sound louder this year - my poor dogs ears. My neighbour sent over delicious sweetmeats. While talking to my gardener on Monday I felt a light movement on my foot, it was an adder. I just flicked it off, it disappeared among the plants - that's the third snake Ive seen already and its only spring but very hot. Recently, at midday it went completely dark, then lightening, thunder and heavy rain. Suzi, Sasha and I dived under my quilt, sweating and praying. What a terrible storm. I don't like lightening.
I've taken a break from blanket stitching my funky flowers. I wanted to do a bit of piecing and to use the pack of shweshwe squares that I bought more than a year ago. I cut 3 1/2 inch strips and sewed them to the 5" squares in a log cabin style.

each square has a different design

All done - 49 blocks

A loud hoot at the gate. It was the post office van delivering this wonderful package.

Thank you so much Anne!

A gorgeous jelly roll from Anne at Bunny Hill Designs

Puttin On The Ritz

I had such fun on the Moda Country Fair blog hop, I won this gorgeous jelly roll on Anne's giveaway day. My very first jelly roll, so beautiful I love the colours. I love her fabric and designs and I love reading her blog.
Go and take a look at Anne's new fabric line"Ooh La La", its fabulous and her new baby quilt designs are adorable and I just love her new block of the month Merry Merry Snowmen-love red.

Congratulations Elzaan! you have won the My Memories Suite digital software. You are going to love this package. Look out for my email :-))

GIVEAWAY - MY MEMORIES SUITE

2011-10-17T15:55:00.002-03:00

My Memories Suite is a complete digital scrapbooking solution that provides a powerful set of creative tools and multiple sharing options that no other software can offer. Its intuitive workspace and enhanced time-saving features are perfect for a beginner to build an entire album in minutes, or to empower the design pro to build a scrapbook album masterpiece. Downloading the software was super easy.

I have had such fun creating albums of my projects. Here a two pages that I have made using one of the many design templates

Now I am reminded where to find the pattern.

I loved adding the embellishments, such fun.

What a great way to reference my quilts and projects

My Memories suite is so easy to use, the whole family will love it. A fun way to create scrapbook layouts, photobooks, cards, calendars, gifts, and so much more. The software's design tools will help you to build entire albums effortlessly using one of the many installed templates or design your own pages from scratch. A full suite of sharing options turns your scrapbook album into a movie to watch on DVD or view on an IPod. What a wonderful way to keep and share memories! No wonder it is rated the # 1 scrapbooking software.by Amazon and Top Ten Reviews. I absolutely love this software!

Watch this video for everything you need to know about My Memories Suite

Wasn't that wonderful and inspiring! I'd like to create a book of the quilts I have made and I love the idea of a recipe book of favourite family recipes with photos of family get togethers. My family would love that. It will make a lovely gift.

Follow their blog for wonderful tutorials and inspiration.

Like their facebook page for their fabulous friday freebies.

GIVEAWAY

My Memories is giving away the My Memories Suite to a lucky reader plus $10.00 to spend in their store. All you have to do to win, is visit their site, check out their cool stuff, choose your favourite digital kit, come back here and leave a comment telling me your favourite - that simple!

Everyone is welcome to enter - any where in the world.

A winner will be announced on October 26. Good luck!!

My Memories is also offering all readers of my blog a $10.00 off discount coupon when you purchase the My Memories Suite software. Copy and paste this code STMMMS96869 at checkout PLUS they are giving you a further $10.00 off to spend in their store. Enjoy!!

A Little Peek

2011-09-20T04:33:00.006-03:00

Love my GO! Baby.!! The pattern that came with my funky flowers die is 38" square, I wanted to make it bigger so I cut 169 black and white 6.5" squares and sewed them together. Then I backed my fabric pieces for the flowers with fusible web and cut 4 layers at a time, so fast and accurate - love it - 35 flowers with centers in a flash. Incredible!

backed with fusible web

No waste - I used the left over pieces and cut leaves and smaller flowers using my Rose of Sharon die and because they are already fused, they are on hand and ready to use at anytime.
Isn't that wonderful! I wish everyone had a Go! cutter.

Next step is to blanket stitch around all those flowers and then decide on the quilting.

fused into position

79" square (201cm)

Enjoyed some stitching - just have to make up the pillow/cushion

a sewing room sampler

A Jolly Halloween stitchery pillow

measures 7 3/4" square design by Shirley Hudson

These two lovely patterns are free at We Love French Knots - click on the button in my sidebar.

And finally finished the stitching on Noah's Ark.

Noah's Ark design by Lynette Anderson Designs

I'm off to have fun on the Moda Country Fair blog hop.

Trip Around The World

2011-09-08T19:24:00.000-03:00

I love this pattern, so easy, it can be made in a weekend. I made this quilt a few years ago using lovely spring colours, its one of my favourites.

85" square (216cm)

I used Shweshwe fabric here.

Quiltville has a wonderful tutorial.

ARE YOU MAD ABOUT BUTTONS?

2011-08-30T05:15:00.000-03:00

Incomparable Buttons are the most adorable, fabulous and fun ceramic buttons ever! They are all individually handmade and hand painted by an amazing group of South African crafters " The Sunshine Team " -ladies from the local community who have been trained in the art of button making. Their skills have provided them with economic empowerment and has uplifted their families.

The Sunshine Team

Incomparable buttons are fully washable and dry cleanable. This is a first for ceramic buttons. With embellishments becoming more popular, the buttons are fun and inspiring for quilters, knitters, crafters and cross stitchers who are looking to add a unique finishing touch to their project.

To see more of their gorgeous buttons visit their website Incomparable Buttons and follow their blog ButtonMad.

ITS BEEN A WHILE....

2011-08-08T18:16:00.000-03:00

At last this quilt is finished. I started this in 2007, I just had to make the 3D flowers and then quilt it, I can't remember why I hadn't finished it sooner. I'm happy that its done and on my bed. I love the colours, they make my bedroom feel so cosy and warm. The past two weeks have been very cold with snow on the Drakensberg mountains and it rained for a whole week.Too cold to sew, my fingers were frozen so I spent my days snuggled under quilts listening to Rural Bliss by Lou Wakefield and Noah's Ark by Barbara Trapido, did some reading and slept a lot.

88" x 88" ( 224 cm)

Fun playing with my GO! Baby; so excited, no time to iron scraps.

added to my stash

and this

We were at the Pavilion shopping centre on Sunday afternoon, my husband wanted to get something from the music shop. We saw a huge crowd at the book store, well I had to have a nosey. It was Dr Rey - Dr 90210, promoting his skin care products and latest book. I managed to get a photo on my cell phone.

Books I have enjoyed reading;
The Spirit Messenger - Gordon Smith
The Almond Picker - Simonetta Angello Hornby
Divine Guidance - Doreen Virtue
An Angel To Guide Me - Glennyce Eckersley
Cage Of Stars - Jacquelyn Mitchard

I WON.....I WON....

2011-07-23T11:52:00.000-03:00

Logging into my blog on Saturday night to catch up on some reading, Barbara’s post was the first post on my reading list. She was giving away a GO! Baby Cutter. Mine was the 85^thcomment and she picked the winner based on her dog Dottie’s tag. I’m over the moon!!!

Big thanks to Barbara and,Accuquilt for this awesome giveaway.
Barbara Brackman's Material Culture and Civil War Quilts are her two blogs that I absolutely love.
Now, trying to choose 3 dies was the hardest thing. I love so many. So to start my collection I decided on applique dies, that’s because I love applique. Hearts - Funky Flowers – and Rose of Sharon.

With all the excitement I completely forgot to take a photo of the two blocks that I made for Kaaren. Just click on the button at the top of my blog, Allie has a wonderful tutorial for an easy block. It’s not too late, Allie has extended the time/date.

2011-06-30T09:03:00.000-03:00

I love having my son home; we miss him so much when he is away at varsity. He is home on a 6 week break 10 June – 25 July.

I have been cooking and baking – all his favourites, trying to fatten him up. Needless to say not a bit of sewing is being done, enjoying him while I can.

My Raggedy quilt top is done

And I tried the Saral tracing paper – so much easier! Love it!

Its winter here, cold in the evenings and this afghan that I crocheted years ago is my favourite to use while watching TV.

With so much going on while my son is home I have a huge backlog of blog reading to catch up on -so off to do some reading:)

Monkey business...... in my garden

2011-06-02T17:44:00.000-03:00

A troop of vervet monkeys regularly visits my garden. I love watching the cute babies and their playful antics. They're inquisitive and love exploring. The adults constantly groom one another, a sign of affection and respect. They're friendly and intelligent, only spending time where they feel safe and where they can expect to find food.

Our property borders a nature reserve and I’ve gotten used to the noise of monkeys running across the roof, it’s the route they have taken for years, they cross the road to other properties roaming the area searching for food.

Monkeys are actually very good for the garden eating insects that can become pests such as termites, moths, worms, grubs under the bark of trees and many others that the birds can't get to. They also eat fruit from indigenous trees ensuring seed dispersal and many seeds rely on the monkeys digestive system to break down the hard outer cover allowing for easy germination, they brush against flowers assisting with pollination and are natural pruners playing in the trees breaking dead branches.

They are wonderful creatures; I consider them my garden helpers!

Two quilts for Japan

2011-05-16T14:40:00.000-03:00

This is my contribution for Japan's earthquake and tsunami relief. My guild sent members an email saying that they had received a plea for assistance for comfort quilts for those who had lost everything. It's my first time trying the triple rail fence pattern and I love how quick and easy it is. So easy that a top can be made in a day!

This photo taken in the sun - shows the quilting. I did meandering hearts on the yellow fabric and meandering leaves on the green fabric.

On this quilt, I did a simple straight line quilting on the diagonal, it feels so soft.

They have been washed, just have to wrap them and drop them off at Yamaha who have generously offered to deliver them to Naomi Ichikawa ( the editor of Patchwork Quilt Tsushin magazine ) in Tokyo, Japan.

Autumn

2011-05-10T07:46:00.000-03:00

My favourite time of the year, wonderful balmy weather, lazy days, clear blue skies. With Easter and public holidays bunched together we have had a lovely 11 day break. Visiting family and friends, relaxing on the beach, entertaining, lots of braai's and its perfect weather for sewing ( no humidity) so I have been cutting 2.5" strips

and cross cutting

added to my stash

Michele had a giveaway and I received this parcel of Saral transfer paper,

it's an amazing product and I can't wait to try it on my next project. Thanks Michele!

Read all about it here

Monika sent me these wonderful goodies that I won on her giveaway, in celebration of her 8th Wedding Anniversary. Lovely stitching patterns and thread. Thank you Monika!

And these are the books I've enjoyed reading during March and April,

The house at Riverton - Kate Morton

The bright forever - Lee Martin

The Help - Kathryn Stockett

The unbelievable Truth - Gordon Smith

Playing in the Light - Zoe Wicomb

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-04T11:19:00.000-03:00

Been busy....

2011-04-19T03:59:00.000-03:00

Finished my Raggedy blocks - just have to decide on the colour for the sashing and I also have to do a little bit of redwork stitching around some of the blocks.

Still working on this quilt - added the 3D flowers -

Buttonhole stitched around those circles using Isacord (old gold) the background is RJR fabrics Base Essentials back to basics.

I'm off to meet my sister, today is our shopping day;) love Tuesdays!!

TAKE TIME TO.......

2011-03-28T15:36:00.000-03:00

I have been trying for over a week to download photos from my computer to my posts but blogger wouldn't let me and after reading Sew Many Ways post this morning and reading everyones complaints about blogger I realised I'm not the only one with issues. I'm sure blogger was eavesdropping because I tried again this afternoon and hallelujah its working!!

So I have completed all my blocks. I've really enjoyed stitching them and I love the wording, a lovely reminder to make/take time for ourselves.

Long Hot Summer

2011-03-11T03:05:00.000-04:00

Not much happening around here, too hot, mostly reading and eating lots of iced lollies. I love the real fruity ones. I was looking for something quick and easy to make. This cute pattern I had done ages ago was sitting in my UFO pile, I didn't know what to do with it at the time so yesterday I made a pincushion.

Now I have two!

I have a knitting bag permanently next to my chair and while watching TV every night I knit very simple baby blankets using big needles so the blankets are soft. These are for aids babies in our rural hospitals and so I have 5 ready to go.

I'm also working on the quilt in the background, using some of the circles that I posted about here

Books I've read during jan/feb.

Secrets of the people whisperer -Perry Wood
The Gathering - Anne Enright
The clothes on their backs - Linda Grant
The matchmaker of perigord - Julia Stuart
The book of destiny 2012 - Carlos Barrios
The rice mother - Rani Manicka

FEBRUARY CHRISTMAS CLUB

2011-02-27T10:59:00.000-04:00

Allie is encouraging us to make one gift a month. She has great links to gift ideas and tutorials and you might even win a prize :)

I didn't finish January's project on time so this month I have two finishes. I made little wall hangings and instead of french knots I used red seed beads and on the green one I used bright multi coloured seed beads.
These lovely stitchery designs are free from Gail Pan Designs

There is still time to join Allie's " Christmas through the year", just click on the button in my sidebar!

double click on pic for closer view

I used this fabric

DEADLY TWIG

2011-02-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

Around 5pm last night there was a lovely cool gentle breeze, so I decided to walk around the garden. My gardenia shrub had a few dried flower heads, I started pulling off a few when I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye - it was a snake. I turned and ran inside grabbed my camera and shouted to my husband to come see, and to identify it.
We hadn't seen one like it before, it looked like one of the dried branches. He went off to google it and came back quietly telling me to "get inside".
It is a deadly, highly venomous snake, and there is no anti venom if bitten. We phoned the snake removal guy in our area. He arrived with two snake catching gadgets. That's all. So we asked where he was going to put the snake once he had caught it. Oh, he said - he hadn't thought of that and asked for an old pillow case.
He was amazing to watch. He said he had a few calls in our area for spitting cobra's, black and green mambas and now this Twig snake.
He was so pleased with it saying it was a beautiful specimen. It was getting fat on all the birds in our garden and come to think of it my lizard family has disappeared. I was enjoying watching the baby grow. He used to run along the wall eating the ants.

The Lords Prayer - printed on the snake catchers T-shirt

I finally figured how to add text to my photos

baby lizard

A visitor left his skin behind!

I ended up dreaming of snakes. My husband was killing a red snake with a bush knife, and when it was dead he sliced it up with a machete! ugh.

Hi and welcome to my newest followers :)

Wishing for cooler weather

2011-02-08T07:14:00.000-04:00

I have finished the quilting on my Friendship quilt and NYB and can finally put them away. I have two more tops to quilt. I have also stitched 5 blocks of " take time to " BOM - 4 more blocks to go and still have to complete # 6 of Raggedy. It is so hot here, unbearable, humid and sticky. I just don't have the energy to do anything so I am off to cool down under a tree with my foot spa, filled with ice cold water and ice cubes, a tall cool drink and a good book! :)

Happy New Year!

2011-01-10T13:23:00.000-04:00

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2011.
All my plans to finish a few quilts before Christmas fell by the wayside. December was hectic, moving my son to Cape Town. The rain hasn't let up and we have floods in most parts of SA. All our dams are full. Driving to Cape Town in heavy rain and thick mist was nerve wracking, we saw a horrific accident.

I love the Garden Route, the scenery is simply stunning! Famous holiday hot spots are along this route. Noted for the best beach parties and excellent surfing conditions, its always crowded.

Wonderful 3 weeks in Cape Town, perfect sunny weather.Today however, everything is back to normal. My husband is back at work, my gardener is back from holiday and has a lot of gardening to keep him busy. After all the rain we have had, the garden looks like a jungle, so overgrown.

Here are some things I made in November;

Inspired by Blossom's design at Among the Gum Trees

Using my scraps, I made a few mug rugs

and block # 5 of Raggedy

PS: I'm so happy, I have new followers. Hi and welcome!

Busy quilting...

2010-11-27T03:13:00.000-04:00

trying to get some quilts finished before the year is over, so nothing to show except for these photos taken in my garden.

a female lizard above, and below is the colourful male

Spring Rains

2010-11-06T14:14:00.000-03:00

Its been raining a lot lately, much needed after a very dry Winter. Spring, but its hellish hot during the day, by 3pm, heavy thunder storms, they don't last long and its much cooler after a storm. Last night was like a war zone here, Diwali and Guy Fawkes on the same day! can you imagine. I had to tranquilise my dogs. I'm not against celebrations and fireworks
(the pretty ones) just want the big loud bangs to be banned. Every year fireworks cause hundreds of terrified dogs and cats to become injured, lost or killed as they try to escape the noise. We don't buy fireworks and neither does my neighbour, thank God, but my other neighbour owns a blasting company and I am very sure they weren't fireworks he was letting off. No respect or consideration for animals, I was very angry last night - and I am so glad it is pouring with rain tonight.;)
I made two coin purses from this lovely tutorial at Timotei very easy. Finished the stitching on #4 Raggedy and made 3D flowers. Busy working on this quilt that I started in 2007!!
For me, the most difficult part of making a quilt is the quilting.

ITS A START..

2010-10-25T09:07:00.000-03:00

Seeing all the beautiful gifts Jenny made, Jenny of Elefantz - has made me want to start making some too. She made lovely tissue holders and she had a link to the pattern - Polka Dot Pineapple
The first one was so quick and easy to make, I decided to make more. Then I saw a lovely pattern for a cell phone pouch at Blue Moon River and made one to match my tissue holder :-)

Click on pic's for close-up!

2010-10-18T10:45:00.000-03:00

Finished the pin pillow, really enjoyed making it. Also block 3 of Raggedy done.

Bought some fabric for the Raggedy quilt - 1 metre/ 39 inches of each.

Hi and welcome to my newest follower, Cathy.

2010-10-11T06:03:00.000-03:00

Two more Raggedy blocks finished.

and I am nearly finished with the stitching for this pin pillow- a complimentary PDF pattern from Cheryl of Willowberry Designs.

I am enjoying reading this book - 645 pages!

PS; Hi and welcome to my newest follower Mimi.

Lovely surprise!

2010-10-05T16:53:00.000-03:00

September was a stressful month, with a teacher strike forcing schools to shut just weeks before exams - after three and a half weeks the union agreed to suspend the strike. My son, Matthew is in matric/grade 12 and thankfully has now written his prelims/trials. Last week, school holidays, I had an opportunity to visit my daughter in Cape Town as Matthew had an audition at UCT. Had a lovely time, beautiful weather and all too soon it was time to leave. After a bumpy flight, lots of turbulence, arrived home Sunday night with a whopping headache which immediately disappeared when I saw a package with my name on it.:-)

Have you heard of TILDA!

I hadn't until I received an email from Jenny of Elefantz saying I had won on her blog and that she was sending me a Tilda book. I hadn't entered any competitions so was curious. I always read her blog, I love her designs and love seeing what she's up to, but I don't always leave a comment. She had a tutorial for some lovely gifts, she made two beautiful soap sachets and a diary cover out of a vintage embroidered doily which I just loved so I left a comment. In her post Jenny said she had taken all the names of who had left comments on her previous 4 post and my name was drawn - the surprise giveaway was to celebrate her 900 followers!

An even bigger surprise, she sent me 2, two Tilda books!! I was speechless! and also so very grateful. I just love everything about these books. Thank you so much Jenny, I am now a great Tilda fan!

Visit Jenny and enjoy all her amazing designs and delicious recipes HERE

I MADE A YO-YO

2010-09-19T07:41:00.000-03:00

and I am not happy with it so I have decided to make hexies instead. I have seperated the prints from that huge stash of circles and used plain colours, 157 hexies so far, I've also managed to do 2 Raggedy stitcheries. I am going to do all the stitchery blocks first as I haven't decided on the fabric yet!

thats the yo-yo on the left

PS: Hi and welcome to my newest follower Nancy Sue.

Images of Sport Quilt Show - Part 2

2010-08-31T04:50:00.000-03:00

Firstly my purchases, 3 lovely magazines, a shwe-shwe pack - 49 squares, each one different and all in blue and white, 2 cute hangers 4" ( made in Zimbabwe) and a pattern for quick flying geese.

Thats it, hope you enjoyed them all!

PS: Hi and welcome to my latest followers, the group of friends at Neustras Meriendas y Manualidades and Fleurette.

CATZ TALES

2010-08-17T10:14:00.000-03:00

This is the third quilt I made, a BOM. I completed this quilt top in 2006, it was partially quilted in the ditch. I didn't know how to fmq so it was put aside while I worked on another quilt and of course it was forgotten until I saw SewCalGal's post about Pets on quilts Show. I have been busy finishing off the quilt, FMQ oh yes, I tried! I even quilted Christmas trees on the Christmas cat block and little fish on the narrow border. I've also embellished it with lovely cute buttons. there's little mice, fish bones, a bell, a Christmas wreath, Ilove cats button, meow button and a few cat buttons. I did some hand stitching too. Lots of creases from being folded away for almost 4 years!! I am happy that its now finished.

can't seem to get a good photo -taken in the sun

60x78 inches - 153x198cm

click on pic, move cursor around until a circle with a cross in the middle ( zoom in )cursor appears, click again and you will be able to view each block really up close.

I love these little fish bone buttons

PS: Hi and welcome to my newest followers, Monica, Barb, and Sandra.

Wednesday Thrift Find

2010-07-31T11:52:00.000-03:00

I've had flu, it started with hubby, then my son so naturally it ended with me, but I am fine now.

When I saw 3 discoloured shoe boxes on the shelf in the thrift store I was curious to see what was inside and couldn't believe my eyes, I should have bought one box but nooo I bought all 3 for the ridiculous price of R5.00 per box. (One of the boxes is much bigger.) Some dear soul had painstakingly cut them all the same size and such a variety of colours, etc. I wonder what she intended to make with them. After excitedly opening the first box and laying them on my cutting table in stacks of the same, then the second box, the table was now filling up. By the third box I was so overwhelmed that I just couldn't be bothered to separate the different colours, I was just plonking them anywhere I could find a space on the table - no wonder she gave them away!

What am I to do with these!!! there are literally thousands of them!!!

some stacks have 50 of the same and some even more!

A circle quilt........or..........any ideas?!

PS: Hi and welcome to my newest followers Astrid and Elzaan!

Images of Sport Quilt Show

2010-07-18T14:27:00.000-03:00

The Natal Quilters Guild hosted a quilt show with the theme " Images of Sport " to coincide with the Soccer World Cup. The show was held at Highbury in Hillcrest, it was a fun day for all with visiting sports personalities voting for their favourite quilt, lucky draw prizes, interactive quilts for children and dads, sale stalls, refreshments etc. I arrived rather late, headed straight to the sale stalls, bought some lovely goodies then went off to admire the quilts. So many beautiful inspiring quilts, too many to show now but here are a few to enjoy.

click on photo to enlarge

notice the cue stick

TO BE CONTINUED....

PS: Hi and welcome to my newest followers Micki and Chantal

COLOUR in my Winter Garden

2010-07-09T09:35:00.000-03:00

Good luck to The Netherlands and Spain for the World Cup Soccer Final on Sunday.

PS; Hi and welcome to my newest followers, Rachel and Beth.

SWAP

2010-06-29T06:55:00.000-03:00

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

2010-06-22T14:32:00.000-03:00

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

2010-06-16T12:11:00.000-03:00

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 )

2010-06-10T04:00:00.000-03:00

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

2010-06-01T03:40:00.000-03:00

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.

Finally......

2010-05-17T14:41:00.000-03:00

At last top is finally done, now I can shop for backing fabric,batting and thread. I'm thinking of using a varigated thread but not sure if it will look too busy.These blocks are paper pieced so I have the whole of the back to remove, tiny pieces. I will have to use a tweezer for those hard to get bits, not looking forward to that part but yaay, I'm nearly finished. Still have to neaten the edges, could'nt wait to pin it on my design wall and show it with the black sashing, I had to use the sashing because I decided to add the sawtooth border.

Fairy Needle

2010-05-13T15:15:00.000-03:00

This weeks Wednesday thrift find;

The front of the box says - Empisal Fairy Needle and the back - Empisal Fairy Embroidery Machine.
24/6 and under that - price in the Union of South Africa. I wonder if thats 24 shillings and 6 pence!!
5 needles ranging in sizes - small to large. I paid R5.00 for it - less than 1US dollar.

The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910 - 1961
SA declared itself a Republic in 1961... it's very old but in good condition

Any idea how to operate this gadget! Nothing on internet, I've turned it upside down inside out - asked my husband- we cannot fathom it!

Delicious chocolates from my son for Mothers Day. My husband took me out to dinner on Saturday night followed by a movie-The Back-up Plan ( romantic comedy) the guys cooked lunch on Sunday, washed the dishes, offered me tea all day and bought an apple tart for afternoon tea. I had a lovely relaxing day.

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

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T12:18:00.000-03:00

Saw - Tooth Border

2010-05-04T18:16:00.000-03:00

Been busy! I've cut 320 of these, and managed to sew one border - I have 3 more borders to sew.

PS; Hi, to my newest follower, Michelle.

practicing

2010-04-20T09:57:00.000-03:00

and practicing, freemotion stitching. I've been practicing the quilting design on the pullout pattern sheet in this magazine.

Phew.... I think I'll just give up ( for now ) time for a cup of tea instead. Free motion quilting in not easy!

PS: Hi, to my newest follower's Pat, Jackie and Gene.

mid Autumn

2010-04-15T04:43:00.000-03:00

And still in the mid to high 30's

view from my bedroom

click on pic to enlarge

Splashy Fen 2010

2010-04-08T06:02:00.000-03:00

We spent 5 days in the Natal midlands at Spalshy Fen, South Africa's longest running annual music festival. My son's band The Motherboards were first up - thursday night.There are 4 band members, all 17 years old ( he's the drummer)All the top bands are invited to play at Splashy Fen. The Motherboards won the battle of the bands Natal schools competition, one of their prizes was a spot on the main stage at Splashy. www.splashyfen.co.za.My daughter arrived from cape Town - not wanting to miss her brother playing at " Splashy ".We had to take 2 cars, thats how much gear we packed ( everything even the kitchen sink just about ) Its a 3 hour drive from Durban and we arrived at Midday , enough time to pitch our tent and settle in and Matthew to do his soundcheck.We had perfect weather the entire weekend, Ive gotten so brown yay ! The evenings were cold - we had to pack summer and winter clothing , everyone wears gumboots (wellies) because we are in the bush and should it rain like it usually does at this time of year then there's mud everywhere, luckily it just drizzled but not for long. We stayed in the Eco village, they had makeshift showers and they had built a donkey so we had hot water. The toilets were terrible, portaloo's - I hope I never have to use one again. Fantastic bands, we danced a lot and drank gluhwein in the evenings to keep warm. We had a lovely time ( 5 days ) I dont know which is worse packing or unpacking ( I think both) had tons of washing.

Pitching our tent

The Motherboards

Son, Matthew the drummer

Warm clothing in our backpacks and ready to trek up the hill to the main stage

The Smiley's our neighbour's at the eco village and their son Alex the bassist

Happy Easter

2010-03-31T18:42:00.000-03:00

Thrift shop

2010-03-29T10:06:00.000-03:00

Most Wednesdays my sister and I head off to our favourite thrift shop, this week rummaging amongst the books I found this for R1.00

ok thats better, can you see the needle.

There are 5 pages and each page holds 6 colours - there's a stamp on the inside says -made in England patent applied for 30577/33. I'm not taking a chance washing the cover just in case it shrinks. (looks like linen but I'm not sure)

I love this booklet, neat and compact to carry around in my stitching bag. I'm off to wind on the rest of my colours.

PS: Hi, to my newest followers Barb and Mary.

Beauties

2010-03-21T16:45:00.000-03:00

All sashing strips cut

My " beauties" have been completed , trimmed down to 8 inches and arranged in a very pleasing manner on my design wall. They look so pretty as is that I'm having second thoughts about using the sashing. Hmmm.......what to do!

Best I stick to the pattern

PS: Hello to my newest follower, Shannon.

Happy St Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T09:25:00.000-03:00

When Irish eyes are smiling,

Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

luck of the Irish to you all and Go Mbeannai Dia Duit ( May God Bless You)

Neytiri

2010-03-14T17:38:00.000-03:00

Those eyes ....captivating

click on pic to enlarge

A Pieceful Friendship

2010-03-08T05:11:00.000-04:00

I really enjoyed doing the stitcheries in this pattern and so happy the top is completed.Now comes the fun part - deciding how to quilt it.

click on pic for closer look

pattern in this magazine

NQG Open Day

2010-03-06T16:28:00.000-04:00

Today was our quarterly guild meeting ,open day and quilt exhibition.We watched a DVD called Thread Therapy with Dr Bob,president of Superior Threads, really interesting. Our guest speaker was Sue Ackerman. She makes innovative quilts and wearable art and she has won numerous awards locally and internationally.One of her projects was a gorgeous jacket made with used teabags and lace overlayed with organza. ( wish I had taken a photo) So inspired after her talk and seeing a display of all her work.

purchased more fabric

and these lovely magazines-

stitcheries

2010-03-04T07:27:00.000-04:00

Two little Peppa-jo blocks done, nine Hat stand blocks by Vicki Tucek done, a spring sampler by Maria Freitas nearly completed.

Paper piecing

2010-02-23T04:24:00.000-04:00

what would I have done without a little wooden iron and add-a-quarter ruler - these 2 fantastic tools are perfect for paper piecing .I loved using them to make the New York beauty blocks and they're a great addition to my ever growing tool box.

New York Beauty

2010-02-08T03:31:00.000-04:00

Ive signed up for this course with May-Gene Terblanche. Its the first time trying this method - foundation/paper piecing. The first lesson went off well, with a few mumbles and unpicking, eventually got the hang of it. So far have made these arcs and 21 more to go.

We get to use up all our scraps - no rules to fabric selection , nothing must match. Apparently the more the fabrics clash the better the quilt will look in the end.

design wall

2010-02-02T08:09:00.000-04:00

Ive always wanted one and lately its getting too uncomfortable crawling around on the floor.So, I knew the 3 sheets of polystyrene I kept 2 years ago would come in handy one day. I slip covered them with flannel...

ET VOILA !

With some of my Friendship quilt blocks - one more block to go!

PS: Hi, to me newest follower, Nancy.

2012 - We were warned

2010-01-29T11:35:00.000-04:00

A movie based on the Mayan prophecy of end times.Whew, what a roller coaster ride, thankfully humanity prevails ( best seen in theatres to appreciate all those effects). Oh my word, I embarrassed my family because I was screaming, I hope it never happens in real life. Scary stuff

Look what landed in my trees

2010-01-26T15:06:00.000-04:00

Its been very hot these past two days. Sunday morning sat on the verandah to enjoy my cup of tea and was surprised to see these birds - I dont know what they're called as its the first time ive seen them .
We have some unusual looking birds visit our garden lately and I think its because their habitats have been destroyed. Thousands of acres cleared to make way for the new King Shaka airport. Such a shame!

click on pictures to view close up

While I was watching them this guy arrived

dashed inside for my camera ,he wasnt a bit concerned about me being there snapping away and even started showing off, he turned around,stretching his wings and posed like this for ages.

We enjoyed watching them and all the other smaller birds that are here everyday.

It was too hot and humid to do anything so indulged in my favourites

and enjoyed paging through this lovely book

Time to watch Lark rise to Candleford followed by Cranford on BBC entertainment. I love Judi Dench.

Shopping

2010-01-20T16:18:00.000-04:00

Headed off to my favourite shop, Cotton Tales and purchased these lovely fabrics for my friendship quilt.Now I have to get cracking as Ive seen a course advertised that Im itching to do, New York Beauty.

I Won..

2010-01-13T04:40:00.000-04:00

A set of beautiful note cards.Jaqueline's quilts are stunning. I love the bright colours she uses and her amazing designs. Will I ever, in my lifetime make such exquisite quilts.. at least one, SIGH !!!

Meet Jacqueline de Jonge

by Carolyn

Several Quilt Markets ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Jacqueline de Jonge, the amazing designer of the Be Colourful patterns. Her foundation-pieced designs are full of rich, vibrant colors. I caught up with her in Houston at Quilt Market and asked her to be a guest blogger for us. She also gave me some of her patterns and a set of note cards to give away on this blog. Leave a comment telling us your favorite color combinations to work with in a quilt, and I’ll randomly draw 5 names on Tuesday, November 10th around noon. Each winner will receive one of Jacqueline’s patterns or the set of note cards.

Jacqueline de Jonge with her award winning quilt, Listen With Your Eyes

Check out her site and all her wonderful quilts.www.becolourful.com I copied this from Quiltypleasures blog.www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/

Holiday

2010-01-08T16:32:00.000-04:00

Fantastic 3 weeks in Cape Town visiting my daughter and sister for Christmas and New Year.The weather was perfect, hot and sunny everyday.Here are just a few photos. This lovely quilt hangs in the entrance of Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island Museum

These brightly painted houses are in the Malay quarter of Bo-kaap selvage blog also posted a pic of these houses a few days ago

Daughter and Sister

Table mountain and cable station on a clear day

Moi, hubby,daughter and son. Hot sunny day but windy and the water ice cold - Noordhoek beach Atlantic ocean

Victoria and Alfred waterfront

me and Nelson Mandela

Zakumi our mascot for Fifa 2010 world cup soccer(cape town international airport)

2010

2010-01-06T06:17:00.000-04:00

Happy New Year everyone, hope you all had a great time welcoming in 2010, may it hold all the good you hope for .. love joy health peace prosperity quilting ..and more.

christmas cakes

2009-12-13T13:08:00.000-04:00

6 cakes baked , 5 wrapped and ready to go to family and friends.nobody in our family likes marzipan and icing, it ends up in the bin, so for years now Ive used a decoration instead. These sugar decorations were made by my friend Ruby, a sugar artist who's now retired and does this as a hobby .She's so talented.
I made the crochet tablecloth in my early twenties for my Grandmother and when she passed on it was returned to me.I used it to take this photo, its now back in my kist.

2009-12-13T08:23:00.000-04:00

I need a holiday

2009-12-12T16:07:00.000-04:00

run off my feet shopping , baking, cleaning ,wet washing hanging everywhere,we've had 9 days of rain and not a peep from the sun. not enough time for quilting. managed to finish a diary cover, pattern from Among the gum trees. Autumn Myths quilt, basted and ready for quilting - has been sitting in the corner far too long , its huge and thats why its still sitting in the corner.12 stitchery blocks completed, yay at last - for a friendship quilt ( A pieceful friendship) Australian patchwork & quilting Vol 16 no 3. to be completed in 2010. Knitted 4 blankets for the Aids babys and they're off to the hospital.

PS: Hi to me newest follower, Allie.

An exciting global cyber journey

2009-11-23T06:01:00.001-04:00

I love blogging and after visiting so many beautiful blogs decided to create my own.

2009-11-18T05:02:00.000-04:00

welcome..