Part 6, the last installment

It's the last week

There's lots of finishing up to do...but I know you'll (patiently?) work your way through it.

Time has just flown by (well it feels that way) but I find I'm always saying that, aren't I?

The back of your baubles will look like this

and your fronts will be gently puffed



I've been very busy this week. At this time of year I am generally picking up my pace to finish lingering projects... I know that the next 4 weeks is really my last window of time to get things done before I wind down for the year and for Christmas. I am speeding up my afghan as I really want to get it done...it's the kind of project that, if I put it down for too long, it will collect dust for another year...so I am trying to keep my motivation up. I think my next blanket will have to be colourful grannies so that I won't get bored so easily.

It's also my birthday on thursday so I know that I will most likely not get much practical work done this week. I have started tidying things up so that I can get stuck right back in after the weekend for a good week of WIPs before December arrives.

This year when I bring in the box of Christmas decorations, I'll have a new wallhanging to put up - and so will you!

AQC 2011 Tutor

Next year is only 8 weeks away (what?!) so it's not too early to announce that I am delighted to be a tutor at the AQC in Carlton, Melbourne for 2011.

My workshop on bindings has sold out, however there are still many great classes available. You can check them out here: http://www.aqc.com.au/

These are some of my quilt bindings. I'm looking forward to sharing what I know about this important technique with my class.

Cherry Thieves Table Runner

It's Festival Time Again!

First of all, thank you to Amy for doing this, it's so wonderful to see all those great quilts out there and to hear the stories behind them.

For my entry this time around, I thought of several quilts I have made in the last year... as well as a few WIPs that are nearly done...but I ended up deciding on a 'daily' quilt. A work that I enjoy everyday and get so much pleasure from. Introducing...

Cherry Thieves

Applique - Reds Stash Buster

An accompaniment to my quilt Red Delicious

both designs are based on red things that I love

This quilt is actually a table runner...I think of it as my table quilt.

Cherry Thieves is a complimentary quilt to my earlier work (and BOM) Red Delicious.
Red Delicious proved to be very popular and I had so much fun making it, that when it was finished, I didn't want to stop! I decided to create a few complimentary projects to accent Red Delicious and Cherry Thieves is one of these. Together that make up a lovely 'Red Room' feel.

I have found that Red and White is somehow very tricky to photograph! Although Cherry Thieves is in active use on my table, here I pinned it up and held it outside to try and capture it as best as possible. Anyhow, I always think red and white are a charming combination.



I always say...'quilting is what makes a quilt a quilt' and I really enjoyed free hand quilting this piece on my trusty domestic. Red Delicious and Cherry Thieves both keep in with a folksy feel and I incorporated that in my quilting by swirling in some hearts amongst the feathering.

A great advantage of making smaller quilts and table runners is that you can experiment and let loose... and have something practical to show for it afterwards.

I love designing my own quilts, it's so rewarding to see those sketchbook doodles come to life in something lasting and useful (and hopefully too, beautiful). I didn't think I had a specific 'look', however looking over my applique I notice strong leanings towards naive and folksy elements. They just keep appearing in my work and they feel so natural.

Red Delicious and Cherry Thieves are both based on 'red things that I love' and Cherry Thieves continues this with the two birds thieving cherries between branches. We have a lot of birds where I live and I could watch them for hours. They are both calming and invigorating - what more could I ask for directly outside my studio window?



Thank you for visiting
Link to the festival via my sidebar or here:
http://amyscreativeside.com/2010/10/29/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2010/

Wednesday Part 5

This week we create the applique scene beneath the tree

and stitch down the diamonds.

Just one week left...

A Wish on Tuesday

For some time now, it has been my quilting dream

to own a GO!Fabric Cutter

I won't even go on about all the wonderful things I could do with this machine because it would be a verrrrry loooong poooost. Suffice to say, I really want one and have done for years.

Why am I telling you this? Because the lovely blogger Irish Muses at http://www.thedote.blogspot.com/ is GIVING ONE AWAY!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???

Head over to her great blog and enter this comp yourself.

Missed blocks for sale

Missed a block? No problem...

Missed blocks are now in my shop!

Apologies to those of you who have been waiting for this, I am very busy at the moment and it just kept slipping to the bottom of the list.

click here for quick link http://www.estheraliu.com/shop.php

Part 4

Wednesday, Week 4

Here are the last 4 baubles

They are also my personal favourites

By now you will have mastered the art of applique onto baubles...it gets easier doesnt it? The first week I was using tweesers, by bauble 10- I was flying into my scraps and getting them down in no time at all.

The method is the same as last week. Fabric scraps and getting it all down neatly.

Next Wednesday week we will be increasing our pace just a little ( I can't wait)!

You'll notice I left my faces blank... don't be put off by this. At the time I scanned these images, my sharpie pens were packed away for a workshop. I WILL be drawing the faces in. I won't let last week's squinty milk maiden defeat me.