Hazel

More writing: yesterday I had another idea for my SOC, Mike (at this rate he'll be nabbing the POC spot! Maybe that's what he's got his eyes on. Hmm... lol!) Where was I? Oh yes, writing. I got out another 1500+ words, mostly outline and dialogue but I broke out into descriptive work where the idea was 'live' in my head--well, it makes sense to me! lol

And now more picspam. Here is the 99% completed commission that I shall commit to the hands of sundry postal services tomorrow.

I call it 99% finished b/c the block with the padded hand quilted saddle requires a name, as in, X's Horses, where X is the name of the commissioner, withheld for privacy. It doesn't show but the log cabin blocks were stitched in the ditch, all the horses were hand outline quilted and other strips had feature hand quilting.

The back. Yes, those are words FM quilted on that strip. They say 'oats carrots oats'.


Oh yes. Tomorrow. Ugh, now we're on BST. So did not want to get up this morning.

Also on the 'and more' theme. More baking. Despite the Banana-and-walnut loaf cake, and Spiced Apple (and calva!) crumble I made y/day, today I made star shaped triple chocolate muffins. Want?

'Instant Sunshine'.
Machine pieced and hand quilted. 16" by 40"
Fabric: Moda's Party Paisley charm pack with a little extra yardage for feature fabric/backing, and binding.
Quilting thread: 16/2 Oliver Twists 'over the top'. Colour: sunset.

Full view


( 3 more images and a bit of waffle )

to wind up the moon, or, bits and pieces I'd forgotten about until I got the camera out.

This is a small hex mat that goes with the 'Winter' wallhanging. 4.25" on a side.


The current hand quilting WIP: 'Instant Sunshine'. In the same layout as 'Winter', the quilting on this one is my own hand drawn design based on the solar designs of the North American native peoples, to reflect the title.


I'm still going with the second Blue Frog sock. The last couple of days, Mike has been in my head a lot and so I spent a good deal of time profiling his character, deciding who he was, who he's becoming and what influences have made him so. Beside the profiling, I managed nearly 1K words on a couple of scenes (one of which was promisingly naughty!) and unearthed a bit more plot to go with the previous 700+ words I'd outlined previously. *iz happi*

I like to mark the passing seasons with appropriate decorations and so here are two currently on display in the sitting room. A real wintry day, this, especially for amateur photographers, hence the lights.

( Two seasonal wallhangings )

'Winter'
A wallhanging that can also double as a table runner. Made from a charm pack plus a little extra yardage for a feature fabric, backing and binding, it goes together very quickly. I didn't realise it at the time, but those charm packs aren't accurate cuts, hence the compounded errors that crept in. [heads desk] I was more watchful making up 'Instant Sunshine', which used the same format but different fabrics.

Anyway,
'Winter' is from the fabric line of the same name by Minick and Simpson for Moda. 16" by 40". Free-motion quilted lines of a holly leaf and three berries.


The feature fabric background I free-motion quilted in small bubbles to make the poinsettia flowers 'pop' forward.


Not the best day for photography and some colour compensation has been attempted. The colours are much richer and clearer in life than they appear here.

'Seven Secrets'.
Completely by hand: pieced, quilted and bound off.
Fabric is Cowboy Rose by Moda.
For an idea of scale, the gingham squares are 2".



Here's a close-up to show details of the quilting. And the pencil guide lines for my quilting. *heads desk* Do they ever come out?? I made a conscious effort to keep my stitches small and this quiltlet pleases me, although I doubt it would win prizes. *shrugs*

This is a quick make - a hex 'kaleidoscope' mat. 11.5" from point to point. It really was only a couple of hours from start to finish. The face. (Click on the pic to view larger)


The reverse. I have a considerable stash of snowflakes. *blushes*


And now for the sunset sort of picspam. I took this last night from my bedroom window. Yes, it really did look like that. I know there's a lot of dust in the atmosphere because it was all over the windows and car this morning but where it's come from, I have no idea. I adore the effect it produces, though. :)

Fabric: 4.5 inch squares hand-picked from a nine inch stack of the things (leftovers from when I used to make baby/toddler 'I Spy' quilts)
Batting: Special heat-reflective, with needled mylar.
Thread: Aurifil.
Designs: two are reversible. Of these two, one is identical. The third has squares on one side and print backing.

( if you have shades prepare to don them now. )

Made as a little pressie, I know it's only a 'hot handle holder' but it's also the smallest pieces I've worked with evar. I used 'Thermolam' in place of my usual wadding and was pleasantly surprised at how easily it needled.

The block is 'Brigid's Cross', reduced from 12" to 6". I made and sent it as a surprise along with a packet of Oliver Twists '2 of a kind' threads in the giftees favourite plumy colours.

( front and the reverse of potholder )

Another 'finished object'. :) And the giftee liketh! :D

The scarf is longer than this (there's a fair bit out of sight over the recipient’s back) but this gives a general impression.
Yarn: Rowan Biggy print.
Beads: Mill Hill Pebble in black. (05081)

( nièr coumme d'la tathe )