Decidedly Fishy

I have begun another BOM, albeit a few months late, but somewhere in a new Forum I found, I read there are 15 blocks in this BOM,, and having only missed the first three, I will have a dozen to incorporate into a quilt later in the year, or maybe next year.

 

The cute fish are eye-catching, and allow the imagination to run slightly riotous as to the colours. 

 

This little girl [must be a girl!!  see those lips; made for kissing?!] I have named Coral-lee.  To me it obvious she lives in a coral reef, and the glorious coral colour of her body allows her to blend into her surroundings, should she wish to appear just a wee bit shy.

 

Mmm ... maybe I should have had the ocean lying flatter for the photo take; allow your imagination to wander slightly ... those ocean plants are waving in the tide.

Another Border

In my previous post I mentioned a Medallion quilt that several of us have signed up for in Our Craft Forum ... one lovely member bought too many centres, offered them to those willing to participate in adding borders [we are told each month what to do, though that is a broad instruction leaving a lot of choices open].

 

I was away for February which meant I had the two borders of February to catch up on, and have now completed the March border. 

 

April is just around the corner which means we will have more decisions to make in a few days and our quilts will take on an individual look.

Little things

After spending all of February in the cooler climate of New Zealand, and upon my return catching up with BOM projects I haven't expended much energy on other projects.  To be honest, I have put more effort into outdoor tidying up ... gum trees have leaves that fall, with the slightest zephyr, to the ground adding to the litter that always needs raking up.  I am making progress in that direction!  The bonfire that will be able to be lit in a few weeks is growing ... that is the largest one!  A second smaller one may be added to even yet.

 

Easter is only days away.  I did make a little Easter egg bag,

 and a hen on a nest in which chocolate eggs [large and small ... I did advise the recipient to make sure they ate the large ones as they could hatch out into emus!] and tiny yellow chickens hide under her body. 

 

 I have joined in two different projects in Our Craft Forum; one is a BOM, and another interesting project is a 'mystery medallion quilt'.  Mystery because a generous member donated several centres and each month gives us instructions as to what to do ... we choose within those confines, which are varied and wide.  It is interesting to see how each participant chooses what colour to emphasis, which will make the completed quilt a personal reflection of their interpretation.

Asian Teapot BOM ... completed

Another one down!  Last year I began the Asian teapot BOM, and earlier today put the final stitch into the binding.  I am well pleased with myself for keeping on keeping on with a BOM for the whole year as it is easy enough to lose track or is it 'fall off the wagon'?

 

With great intentions I started off taking a photo of each block ... but did get behind and left the last three to complete all at once, though this was not a problem as stitching the teapots themselves is not a major hurdle.

 

I deviated slightly in the chosen colours, and used a completely different border to suggested; the chosen borders are in keeping with the home where this will find its way to.

It's almost Christmas!

Tomorrow the white-bearded gentleman will race around the world delivering gifts to the good boys and girls; Mum's will stuff the turkey, sometimes with the help of Dad; children will rise early and wrapping paper will carpet the floor.

Somewhere in the midst of all this activity we will remember the reason for the season, and everywhere voices will ring out with Merry Christmas.

 

I wish all my friends a very Happy Christmas, and peace and Happiness for the coming year.

Almost Santa Time

The festive season is fast approaching and I have been busily [a little like Santa's elves] stitching and knitting gifts for family as this year I have almost abandoned the Christmas shopping blitz that leaves the nerves frayed and the purse empty. 

 

A few dishcloths knitted with bamboo cotton yarn ... I am still using two that I made this time last year, they last forever!  And wash like a dishcloth!

 

A piece of fabric offered up in a Forum giveaway recently atracted my attention ... Mmmm, golfing tees.  I had in mind a quilt for an 'almost' family member, and found to my delight there was sufficient to construct a cushion to go with the quilt.  Perhaps it will grace an armchair in the cooler days of winter?

 

And another cushion; yes, I think it could truly be said I like making cushions.  However they can be a useful gift!

In Two's

I have had Internet connection problems, which did have an upside [apart from frustrations] of giving me more time to make things.  Oh yes, the Internet is a distraction from creative activity.

 

The Calico Angels are bliss to construct, and another two to the Angel Family caused no problems.  The best part of making these Calico Angels is the fact that imagination can play a part ... what to make the 'halo' from?  What should the angel carry and how should the wings look?  All these questions come into play to give each angel a distinctive look.

 

While turning pages of the ever growing library of magazines [can one justify owning over a hundred?  Not that I am game to count them as I fear the total is well over 100] I came across a pattern for rather cute pincushions.  Once again the colours and embellishments chosen can add to the varied outcome.  I chose the same fabric and named the pincushion twins, Violet and Viola. 

Don't you just love their prissy mouths?