Early signs of Spring are showing. The plum (satsuma), apple (bramely, boskoop, peasgood), and peach (black boy) are in bud. As the weather has improved, I have spent more time in the garden.
I did the unglamorous tasks of weeding, trimming fruit trees and vines, and clearing out the green house. Also the more enjoyable task of planning what I will plant. I checked out my seed supply, and worked out what I needed to purchase.
A quick trip to the local garden centre, and I had almost all of what was on my list. I purchased some asparagus, pea seeds (climbing), thornless blackberry, terracotta pot feet, garden ornament, two gorgeously fragrant boronia's, and a seedling tray. What they didn't have was a variety of raspberry I was looking for, and logan berries. The garden centre are going to follow up with their supplier to see if they can get those berries in. I've also asked them to look for tayberries, and worcesterberries.
I've planted out strawberries into their planter. On the bottom 2 levels I've planted Pajaro. On the top level I've planted Supreme. I hope they go well. This is the first time I've tried them.
A few weeks ago I started a seedling tray - planting rhubarb and tomato seeds. This week I've got a lot more on my list to sow; chives, parsley, basil, broccoli, cabbage, beetroot, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, silver beet, and swede. I also need to prepare my garden beds and plant some seeds directly; peas, onion, radish, spinach, spring onion, and carrots.
I'm also putting in a herb garden. I already have chives, thyme and oregano. I will transplant these into their new location. I hope to have good uptake of the seeds (chives, parsley, and basil). A friend gave me some cuttings from her garden. The cuttings include; sage, rosemary, marjoram, basil, and garlic (bulbs). That will complete the herb garden.
When there is a bit more activity in the garden, I will put up some photos.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Mariners Compass update
Seems like a long time since I have shared an update on this project.
My original challenge was to work out how to approach the hand quilting. What designs to use; my own or commercial? What colours of hand quilting thread to use; same as fabric, or contrast? In the end I decided that I wanted the piecing to be the focal point, and not the quilting. But I also wanted little details in the quilting to add some interest, and surprise when discovered. Yes - a challenge to plan for.
So this is the progress I have made.
There is a lot of stitching that you can't see, as it has been done "in the ditch".
I was surprised at how heavy some of the intersection points were - so I had to do the "stabbing" stitch. As a result the back doesn't look as good as I would have liked. On the other hand, that is the beauty of items created by hand. It's all about the love that goes into them :)
My original challenge was to work out how to approach the hand quilting. What designs to use; my own or commercial? What colours of hand quilting thread to use; same as fabric, or contrast? In the end I decided that I wanted the piecing to be the focal point, and not the quilting. But I also wanted little details in the quilting to add some interest, and surprise when discovered. Yes - a challenge to plan for.
So this is the progress I have made.
There is a lot of stitching that you can't see, as it has been done "in the ditch".
I was surprised at how heavy some of the intersection points were - so I had to do the "stabbing" stitch. As a result the back doesn't look as good as I would have liked. On the other hand, that is the beauty of items created by hand. It's all about the love that goes into them :)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Keirunga Quilters Exhibition 2010 - Part 1
Yesterday a friend and I went to the Keirunga Quilters Exhibition, which was held in the Hawke's Bay (New Zealand). It's an annual exhibition - small yet perfectly formed. I just love this exhibition - it feels so "real" to me. Just love love love it...
Now I must mention that a good proportion of these quilts are hand quilted. Yes - hand quilting is alive and well in New Zealand. Why? Because it just feels so darn good! :)
A friend of ours couldn't make it due to other commitments, so we agreed to take photos (if we were allowed). Thankfully we were.
It's just such a shame that the quilting doesn't show well in the photos I have taken.
Anyway, let's take a peak inside :)
Hope you enjoyed these photos. I'll update the rest of them later in the week.
Now I must mention that a good proportion of these quilts are hand quilted. Yes - hand quilting is alive and well in New Zealand. Why? Because it just feels so darn good! :)
A friend of ours couldn't make it due to other commitments, so we agreed to take photos (if we were allowed). Thankfully we were.
It's just such a shame that the quilting doesn't show well in the photos I have taken.
Anyway, let's take a peak inside :)
Hope you enjoyed these photos. I'll update the rest of them later in the week.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Basting
I have been wanting to try elements of Sharon Schamber's method of basting. This afternoon I decided to give it a go.
If you are interested in finding out more about Sharons method, please check out her 2 U-tube videos.
The slats of wood were given to me by a friend. I was so excited to receive them. Who would have thought a person could be so thrilled about wood! :) The fabric was rolled onto the slats. The batting was loose. For this project I am using Matilda's Own 70/30 (cotton/poly blend). The basting will be completed on my dining room table.
I started by unrolling the backing layer first, making sure the fabric was flat. Next came the batting, then the top layer.
The basting was done with a herringbone stitch. I placed a cutting mat underneath so that my needle didn't scratch the surface of the table.
Here's a quick look at the back.
I'm quite impressed at how quickly (and painlessly) this is going. No sore back, shoulders, knees or bottom :) Just a few more hours and this stage will be finished.
Next will be the fun part - the hand quilting.
If you are interested in finding out more about Sharons method, please check out her 2 U-tube videos.
The slats of wood were given to me by a friend. I was so excited to receive them. Who would have thought a person could be so thrilled about wood! :) The fabric was rolled onto the slats. The batting was loose. For this project I am using Matilda's Own 70/30 (cotton/poly blend). The basting will be completed on my dining room table.
I started by unrolling the backing layer first, making sure the fabric was flat. Next came the batting, then the top layer.
The basting was done with a herringbone stitch. I placed a cutting mat underneath so that my needle didn't scratch the surface of the table.
Here's a quick look at the back.
I'm quite impressed at how quickly (and painlessly) this is going. No sore back, shoulders, knees or bottom :) Just a few more hours and this stage will be finished.
Next will be the fun part - the hand quilting.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
It's a flimsy
I've been spending my time working on Mum's quilt. The quilt top (flimsy) is now complete.
It took over 4 hours to remove the paper - from the paper pieced sections. I couldn't believe how much of a mess it would make taking all those pieces of paper out.
I drafted about 8 potential border designs to use. After going back to the remaining fabric I matched the amount of fabric left with the designs. This was the only design that I had enough fabric for. It isn't what I would have preferred, but "done is done".
The binding is all prepared and ready to attach when I get to that stage. It is the mid greeny-blue fabric.
In July I'll purchase the batting and backing fabric. In the meantime I'll be thinking about quilting designs to use. It will be a challenge. I want to enhance rather than overwhelm the overall design.
The quilt top is a fraction smaller than I would have liked. I hope it doesn't shrink much after the quilting is completed. The quilt was designed to be a bed topper, or to go over the back of the couch.
It took over 4 hours to remove the paper - from the paper pieced sections. I couldn't believe how much of a mess it would make taking all those pieces of paper out.
I drafted about 8 potential border designs to use. After going back to the remaining fabric I matched the amount of fabric left with the designs. This was the only design that I had enough fabric for. It isn't what I would have preferred, but "done is done".
The binding is all prepared and ready to attach when I get to that stage. It is the mid greeny-blue fabric.
In July I'll purchase the batting and backing fabric. In the meantime I'll be thinking about quilting designs to use. It will be a challenge. I want to enhance rather than overwhelm the overall design.
The quilt top is a fraction smaller than I would have liked. I hope it doesn't shrink much after the quilting is completed. The quilt was designed to be a bed topper, or to go over the back of the couch.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Stunning hand quilting
Every now and again you get the opportunity to see exquisite examples of hand quilting. Take a look at Barbara Chainey's work (image below). Aren't those stitches amazing. The consistency is something I aspire to achieve.
Barbara is an author, and one of her books is regarded as a hand quilter staple. I've just ordered The Essential Quilter. Hopefully that will give me all the information I need to achieve results as good has hers.
Barbara is an author, and one of her books is regarded as a hand quilter staple. I've just ordered The Essential Quilter. Hopefully that will give me all the information I need to achieve results as good has hers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
