Crochet Passion

Happy New Year to everyone, after a really hot Christmas & New Year there is finally some rain happening outside in West Australia. I know Queensland has had some terrible rain and flooding and my thoughts are with those that have lost so much.
During these hot and sticky days I have been sitting under the Air Conditioner hooking away to my hearts content and loving it.
I learnt to Crochet a few months ago and have not stopped since. I love the relaxed peaceful feeling I get from it. I don't have to concentrate too much like I do with my Applique and quilting.

Below are my first attempts at some Granny Squares.

I am hopefully getting the tension right a bit now, I guess lots more practice is the key.

I have also been making this blanket from Debbi Bliss Baby Cashmerino, it is so lovley to work with.
This blanket is going to be for the end of my bed. Ime loving this and try and do a couple of rounds every night.

Hopefully I can put up soon 2 finished blankets before winter.

Here's to Happy Hooking

Shell

Creative Weekend

Well I managed to get some projects finished and some continued over the weekend. Was enjoy
the creative passion that I felt completing something.
I made this Block Keeper and loved the way the fabrics turned out. I can now keep all my blocks safely away from the Cat's who think it is nice to take up residence on top of them.

I also managed to start number 7 of my Baltimore Blocks.

This are my completed blocks so far, I do have some others that are near complete and just need finishing touches.

Nice to see my progress so far hopefully I can have all 9 blocks complete before I start the borders.

Until next time.

Michelle

New Zealand buying spree

Hello Bloggers,
It's been a while since I have posted as I have been on holiday in New Zealand having a glorious time.
We toured all around the north island and while I was there I mapped out where all the quilting shops were and managed to get to 3 of them.
I have purchased all Kiwiana fabric to make 2 or 3 quilts I have in mind. My husband is a Maori so I would like to make him some quilts to put in his games room to remind him of his homeland.
You will see that the patterns that I have purchased are of the native flora ferns that are everywhere  and the traditional weaving that they do with the flax.

I also purchased a large amount of Kiwinana fabric which I am going to use for the above patterns and another Maori design I have in mind for my husband relating the tribe his ancestors come from.

I am really looking forward to starting these quilts as I have so many ideas in my head.

I also went to the Museum in Auckland and came across this beautiful blanket that had been drawn on by a tribe. All I could see was a quilt pattern, and could not resit taking photo's of it for maybe another project that I could work from this design. Their were so many idea's that I got from the Museam for quilts and I was so inspired by the time I left. Looks like I am going to be busy.

Hexagon Delight

Oh Dear, I've started another project when I am meant to be working on my Baltimore and other unfinished projects. But I could not resit, I love doing hexagon's as they are so easy to do and great to take while travelling in the car or in front of the TV. I am using up a large stash of Reproduction Fabric that I have, to make a single bed size quilt. Becoming very addictive and everything else is taking a back seat for now.

Been stiching till early hours, but never tire from it.
Looking forward to posting some progress with these hexagons during the week.

More Antique Quilts from my collection

Thought I would share some more of my Antique Quilts with you that I have stashed around the house.

The following quilt is a Flying Geese quilt. The interesting thing about this quilt is that the batting between the quilt appears to be another old quilt that they have covered with this quilt. There is no quilting to the top of the quilt but it is still a stunning quilt. At the moment my Dog "slippers" has the luxury of having this as a quilt for him to lay on in our bedroom at night. I know, your probably thinking why am I letting my dog sleep on an antique quilt, well my thinking is if it's lasted this long and it is a very old quilt then I am sure my dog laying on it is not going to hurt it too much, besides he is only on it for a little while before he jumps up on the bed with us.

The following is a quilt top only, "Princess Feather". The applique feathers have been hand pieced and the blocks by machine. I am not sure of the age of the quilt but when I brought it I was told it was late 19th Century.  I am not sure as the blocks have been very nicely machine pieced which is making it hard to date. I would like to have the top quilted eventually, but there is a rather small rust patch on the quilt that I have not been able to get out.

This quilt is one of my favourites, It's a medallion quilt in Amish Colours. This looks stunning on a wall or a bed. Again I am not sure of the date of the quilt but the hand quilting on this quilt is beautiful and so delicate. All blocks have been hand pieced. A lot of love has gone into this quilt. If only the quilts could talk and tell us there history.

This is my blue & White Antique quilt which was dated 1920's when I brought it. The hand quilting in this quilt is beautiful. Such a lovely warm quilt and I have even had this one in the washing machine a few times as my 3 cat's love sleeping on top of it. It washes up beautifully. There is some fraying starting along the edges of the quilt, but this does not deter from the timeless classic that looks good everywhere I place it.

I apologise about the photography but my camera is not the best. Maybe I should invest in a better one as this camera does not do these quilts justice.

Start of a new quilt

Well I could not resit, I have started a new quilt when I should be finishing off my others. But I have had this block in my stash for ages that I appliqued ages ago and have now decided to put a boarder around it and start adding other interesting boarders to compliment the centre.

Now to get my stash or fabric out and start planning some boarders around the block. Want it to look pretty and say soft and muted.
This is all started when I decided this Morning that I need a new sewing machine as my Janome 8000 is getting a bit tired and thought it was time I upgraded. Well I ended up buying the Janome Quilters Companion and absolutely loved it and so wanted to start using it straight away so thought I'd better get some old quilts out to piece.
Off to do some more...until next time!

Antique Quilts

Over the years I have collected quiet a few Antique Quilts that I would like to share with you.

The First one is the Red and White hand pieced & hand quilted quilt that I have hanging on my wall in my family room. I love this quilt so much as it looks stunning on the wall.

The next quilt is made from lots of vintage fabric and is a leaf design. All hand pieced and hand quilted.
I love the Naivity of this quilt. Some of the fabric is very worn which makes we feel that the quilt was very much loved and well used.

This quilt is made from satin. Very unusal. There are hand embroidered blocks of baskets. The whole quilt has been hand quilted and I imagine the satin would have been quiet a challenge to quilt.