Nearly half way there

Thirty one blocks done.
The pattern from the arrangement of log cabins is starting to show more definitely.

It's getting big and hard to take a picture of.
I had to stand on the arm of the lounge to take this. When all the blocks are together it won't even fit on my two tables. :)

I need to design the applique for the middle and buy the backing stabiliser soon because I want to start putting more blocks together (which I really can't do until I've finished the applique. But that might have to wait until pay day which isn't until the end of the month.

It's fun to see it coming together though.
Jennidee

Coming together

Twenty two blocks done and forty two to go.
The middle is now showing some of the pattern.

The all white blocks in the corners aren't in the real place. I just put them there to show the pattern coming together.

Yesterday I bought all the blues I need and I've started cutting into strips.
I can't wait to see the next rows come together.
Jennidee

Simple Beginnings

This block

Is the first of 64 that will go into this year's show quilt.
I have never made a log cabin quilt and decided it was time to try.
I've made 4 of the 64 blocks now, in a quite involved pattern that I've mapped out on grid paper.

I have very few funds at the moment, so I asked for the cream and white fat quarters for Christmas (I went and bought them myself of course :) ).

I'm scratching around for enough purples of the right shade to make up the rest of the purple blocks, and then I'm making blue and pink blocks as well to form the pattern on the quilt.

I will have to wait until next pay day until I can buy some blues that fit in with the tones I've picked ... so it will be a few weeks before I can start those blocks. But in the mean time I'll be doing some of the all white and cream blocks that make up part of the borders.

I've never completed a quilt this way. I usually start in the middle and keep building outwards until the top is done. So it will be interesting for me to work in this way.

I'm sure I'll have the top done by the March deadline of entries for Sydney Quilt Show.

OK, now I'm off to do some sewing but I though tit was WELL PAST time for me to post.
Jennidee

Christmas is just around the corner! And it's challenge time!

And the next Patchwork and stitching issue with my angel doll in it is all Christmas themes;

You can just see my little angel next to the Christmas tree on the left.

I also have a small quilt project in the issue.

 

It has Suffolk puffs (or Yo-yos) as the berries.

And this seems like a perfect time to announce my upcoming challenge!

The Suffolk Puff Challenge.

You will have to make something with Suffolk puff (yo-yos) in it and send in a photo.
There will be a prize for the best entry, the best use of puffs, and a viewers choice. I'll announce the prizes.
The item can be any size.
To enter you do need to be a follower. There is also a small entry fee ... I'd like you to send me 5 Suffolk puffs in different sizes, because I saw this amazing quilt with loads and loads of puffs all over it like flowers and I'd love you to help me make it. I'll see if I can dig up a photo of it. It's in one of my LARGE collection of magazines.

The challenge will end on the 31st of January 2014. That gives you loads of time to make something.
More info soon - but get your thinking caps on, and please spread the work!
Jennidee

On the Cover Again

I'm delighted to for my project to be featured on the cover of Patchwork and Stitching Vol 14 No. 2

And here is the wonderful styling they produced to photograph the quilt.

I love the way the projects are presented in magazines. You could use these as inspirations for decorating your home. It's not that obvious in the photo, but I quilted this one using an all over meander (or stipple) design. I haven't used that design in a while now ... interesting how we change!

 Once again, thankyou for following this blog. And with a few new followers on board, I'm curious to know how you found me. Would you please leave a comment below so I can find out?

Thanks,
Happy creating
 Jennidee

OOps 22nd Feb already?

I've been a bad little blogger haven't I?

Well I received a magazine in the post today which features two of my patchwork designs and my profile. Talk about a lovely slap on the wrist. With my blog details published, I decided I'd better get my finger out. The magazine isn't out until the 1st of March, so I'd better not show you any of the articles until then, but I can show you the pattern I had in World of Cross Stitching last month.

Here's the Front cover with a picture of my design (so proud ... squeal).

And here is the article inside (with my ugly mug in the corner).

I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to scan. I've just been so busy with the project deadlines looming fast and furious at the moment.

I'll scan in the profile and the two project pictures when the magazine hits the news agents.

Until then, I'm making lots of hexagons for a Peacock in Grandmother's garden ... but you won't get to see that until later in the year!

Jennidee

50 followers, thankyou

Hi everyone, and hello to my new follower. Thankyou so much for joining me.

Today I'm working on a braid panel quilt for the Aussie Hero quilt program. i'e just about finished the first panel.

 When I saw the braid quilt at Not So Fancy Nancy
 http://craftywench.typepad.com/knittingwench/2008/11/almost-a-finished-heather-bailey-quilt.html
I just knew I had to make one too. Mine isn't goign to be all braided though.

I didn't have a pattern or anything so I just made it up as I went along. As a result, my braid is probably much skinnier.

Mike says he thinks it's too flowery for a male soldier, so I hope there is a female soldier who has requested a quilt too. I was going for green and gold (the sahing will be a golden yellow) and these were the fabrics I had.

I'm not sure I'll have enough of these fabrics for two more panels, so I may have to rethink the green and gold theme, or go buy some more fabric. Who am I kidding? Of course I'm goign to go and buy more fabric. LOL

See you agian soon
jennidee

The Future of Tapestry Moon

Hi there, and sorry for being away for such a long time. I've been sorting out some things which were important for me to continue as a desinger.

I have picked up some casual work at a local after hours child care place. It's only a few hours at the moment, but there is promise of more to come and it's just what I was after really. It means that I will have some regular money coming in to keep finances comfortable, but I'll still have plenty of time to design and create new projects.

The cross stitch magazine I design for is using my designs at a terrific rate, which means I stitch regularly to keep up ... exactly what I need. But it's not enough of an income. And as cross stitching doesn't require many skills, there is no room for teaching workshops in that area.

Luckily for me, one of my other interests is applique and patchwork. I'm gaining more success selling patterns to magazines and I hope very shortly to start producing patterns for sale in shops, online and to spark interest in workshops. An online shop will also be set up for my cross stitch patterns.

The bad news was that the magazine I was producing bead patterns for has folded. I will be winding up that part of my business as a result. So if you are a following me as a beader, I appologise. Beading will only be a rare hobby for me from now on.

The last two weeks has been school holidays here in NSW, Australia, which always means lots of disruptions for me running around with the kids and their busy social schedules. My husband has also been working from home to give hime a break from travel. It's lovely to have them all home, but it does also mean I have a LOT less computer time. And of course that means less time to update blogger, less time to search for inspiration and less time to use my designing programs. But hey! I started knitting a cardigan for myself, and designers have to have holidays and outside hobbies too right. :)

I have had a few patterns come out in magazines that I havent' shared with you yet, due to the reduced computer time. But that means great piccies next entry, so don't forget to come back and check in a few days.

Thanks for all your support,
Jennidee

September Progress

It's Spring!!!!
I bought some violas and potted them in a lovely glazed pot I have, plus a hanging basket that has been sitting sadly empty for at least 8 months. They look lovely and inspired me to weed the garden, water the lawn and check on the worm farm. I just love Spring and the blooms are really inspiring to me.

The little violas with their sweet, colourful faces are bound to inspire a cross stitch card or two.

Speaking of cross stitch cards, there is a local lady who goes to the market in my home town and sells bookmarks and cards that she has cross stitched. She has been doing it for years. In fact I once comissioned her to do a green dragon card for my son's first birthday and he is now 15. I am going to ask her to stitch some of my designs for the magazines as I just don't have time to stitch all the ideas I have. I'll still choose some of my favourites to stitch.

I haven't touched 'Sun' in a week. Instead I've been working on needle turn applique mini quilts. I'm hoping the Patchwork magazine will pick them up.

This afternoon I posted off some projects to Express Publications; 'Moonlight Fairy', 'Moonlight' (the beaded box) and a fairy done in needle turn applique that I've called 'Sparkle'. Fingers crossed, they will go in three different magazines. Eventually I hope to be submitting successfully to four different Australian magazines and three overseas magazines. If all goes well, that should keep the cheques coming in enough to call myself a professional designer.

I'll keep you updated here of course.

Motivation slump

I haven't been motivated lately to stitch because I've been so darn tired from work (teaching). If I'm too tired i know i'll make mistakes counting, and then that's it, I don't want to stitch. This year cannot be over fast enough.

Anna, my daughter has also been zapping a lot of my energy with this sudden urge to learn patchwork. Yesterday we started a full size 'sleeping bag' quilt for her. I'm loving it. And I even got out a colour wash quilt I started about 18 months ago to work on myself.

It's just not cross stitching and that's making me feel .... withdrawal. LOL

I think today I'll pick up 'sun' for a few hours. My husband will be using the large tables in our 'playroom' where I usually sew to play table top games with a friend. So I won't be able to patchwork. And that's the perfect push towards that little silver needle and all those lovely coloured threads.

Thankyou so very much to everyone who commented. It makes me feel like people are reading along. XXXX OOOO hugs and kisses