Friday 6 May 2016

pin cushions, Alfie

I am taking part in a 3 month pin cushion swap and have received my first one from Janne in Norway
So thrilled with this,  it has little pockets on all 4 sides and the peacock fabric is wonderful,  even better I managed to buy some the other day to add to my stash.



This is the one I made and sent to Yanicka in Canada,  she has let me know it arrived safe and sound.



I have made my disappearing nine patch into a small quilt  24" square as I was trying some new wadding my local shop has not sold before so Sue asked me to try some out for her.  It quilted well and washed with little shrinkage so have ordered a roll for myself.



Catherine gave me back a large piece of stitchery a few weeks ago,  it was a piece I did for my city and guilds part 2   had forgotten I had  a sort of patchwork piece as I was doing the embroidery course,    It was made as a large fire screen to hid a hideous gas fire in a previous home,   now out of the frame as the frame was battered about, have it as a fire screen once again until I decide what to do with it, maybe remove it from the backing,  it is laced on and add wadding and do some more quilting. The fabric was all dyed by myself   well sponged with paint and then salt sprinkled onto it.  have just fond the paperwork and it appears the inspiration came from doors and balconies in Malta.  The  hand quilting was done with coton a broder    forgot I had used that seem to think there is a stash of it somewhere so might use it again for hand quilting.



Think maybe I will try and find photos of the other pieces I made and share them too,  no digital camera in those days!  some pieces I still have so can rephoto but one is in Australia and one I did when my granddaughter was born.  Oh yes Alison my sister is coming over in august   will get her to photo the 25th wedding anniversay sampler I did for her   that is if she kept it!

Alfie came for two days a few  days ago,  think he was happy here looking very content on the kitchen window sill in the sunshine.



Have made 10 more blocks in the stars and pinwheels QAL I have been doing with Susan of Dessertsky blog.  Now have 22 made and more cut out and have added to hers from books etc, maybe when completed I will get 2 quilts out of them,  using up scraps so very random.


25 comments:

Nana said...

As usual your posts are filled with wonderful little and bigger things but always colourful and nice.

Nana

Anita said...

Lots of lovely things you are displaying on your blog. Alfie is just adorable!

The Inside Stori said...

The pin cusion exchange looks like such fun! Equally fun was to see so much of your beautiful work!

Maria said...

Lovely pincushions, both given and received! Your blocks for the QAL look wonderful...very clever use of scrap fabrics. The large stitchery is magnificent and the fact that you hand dyed fabrics for it is extra special. What a beautiful and contented cat! Lol

Suztats said...

Alfie looks very comfy on the windowsill, soaking up the warm sun. Love the pin cushions and all your colourful creations. You've been busy.

Lady Locust said...

Oh what fun. I too like the peacock fabric. Your fire screen is amazing - I would probably have it hanging on a wall! It's beautiful.

Boud said...

Always a treat to see your work. I wonder if Alfie's coat suggests any design ideas??

Cattinka said...

Always busy as a bee!
Have a nice weekend
KATRIN W.

Stitching Lady said...

Much to admire again. Alfie, oh how peaceful he is looking. He is beautiful. Both pin cushions are very nic, the Norwegian one is interesting and yours has beautiful colours.

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

The blocks are great, looking good!

Jillian said...

I really like the QAL1 random one - it's looking great. Pincushions are fun - no wonder you bought some peacock fabric, it looks beautiful. Best of all I admire your screen - great pattern. Hope you find a good use for it.

Rebecca in AK said...

Love both of the pincushions! Great idea having little pockets on the side. Beautiful 'fire screen'. Alfie certainly made himself right at home!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I'd like to see more of those pieces! I love both the pincushion you sent and the one you received. Will you use the pockets to hold needle packets? I love your new blocks, even better than the first ones. I especially like the half star where you used the orange and gray points. A striking version of the pattern.

Angie in SoCal said...

What nice blocks, needlework, and pincushions. It's so nice to get things in the mail.

Anita said...

Beautiful quilts as always! the hand-dyed fabric looks fabulous and your hand quilting is so neat,well done!

Jane said...

It's always interesting looking back at old projects. Love your new pin cushion, sounds like a fun swap

PaulaB quilts said...

You have a fascinating past in needlework, taking City and Guilds classes, embroidery, etc. The fire screen is so elegant with the salt dyed fabric and the ancient motifs. Please do finish it to show it off. You QAL blocks are so colorful. You have an innate sense of contrast which shows so well in those blocks. You are full of surprises, my friend. Happy Mother's Day.

Turid said...

So great pincushions. Janne made a pincushion for me last round, and I love it with the pockets.

Pippas quilts said...

What a lovely thing to be involved with.

Sarah said...

Nice pin cushions. I'm sure your was well received. You have so much going on how do you find the time? Alfie looks one contented cat!

Séverine said...

All your work is beautiful, the pincushions are great.

Sarah said...

I had forgotten what a beautiful cat Alfie is.
Lucky for him that you have cat sized window sills...not so in my 1892 house.

Deepa said...

Beautiful,especially the stars and pinwheels.The color combinations are lovely. Give Alfie hugs from us :)

Celtic Thistle said...

So many techniques in that firescreen Margaret, I would love to read about more of your C & G projects :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work, your pin cushion is lovely! The fire screen is a little gem, I would love to see other things that you have done. Alfie looks very happy and contented!