Koisan Rock Art

I digitized these embroidery designs a few years back and started stitching them on a whole cloth but never finished it.  That was fortunate as I learned to quilt a few years later and was able to turn it into a small quilt which will do for a birthday present later this year.

Instead of using sasching, I stitched a border between the figures and filled the inside with free motion stitching as shown below on the close-up of the backside.

Heritage Quilt - Block 12

Another block is done and with only 2 remaining, this quilt is steadily creeping towards the end.  My husband can't wait for this one to be finished.  It is his favorite by far.

 



































This one incorporates English Paper Piecing as well as some decorative stitching in addition to the Free Standing Lace designs and a beautiful center medallion.

Tea Cloth Charlotte

My BFF of the last 37 years celebrated her birthday last week and as she just loves handmade items, I decided to embroider the Charlotte Tea Cloth of Embroidered Necessity to co-ordinate with her Mystery Quilt which she is doing in shades of turquoise, grey and white.

It took the best part of a month to embroider two of them as it is very time consuming designs, but well worth all the effort, although I think the cutwork ladders is a bit skimpy. 

I used taffeta stabilised with iron on Vilene and just love the richness the fabric added.  If you want to purchase the design, head on over here.  And whilst you are there, have a look at all their gorgeous designs.

Birthday Presents

This year I started early with our quilting group's birthday presents and have all of them done already.  I used the Bumblebee Mini Mitt design of A Stitch and a Half and just replace the Bumblebee with different motifs from the Time for Tea collection from the same designer.

Now they will each have a handy mitt to use in the kitchen for those hot pot handles.

Mystery Quilt

After or latest clue we were left with 36 each of the following two colorways, combining last month's blocks with Clue 1.

 



They do create a beautiful ensemble when placing 4 of each in a square with the little boat shapes of clue 1 actually forming a stripe.

The next clue is set to be revealed June the 19th which will be the last one before starting to combine the blocks. Will have to wait and see if they will be stitched in this order. 

Prizes won

This year I entered 8 items at the Bloem Show of which 4 won prizes.  I also won a trophy for the most items entered by a quilter.

4th prize

4th prize

The bag below was awarded a 3rd prize

and the block a day quilt got a 2nd place.

And this is the beautiful Christa Gouws trophy for the most items entered.

Alzheimer Sensory Blankets

It's been a few weeks since my last post.  I am busy with various projects all in different stages, some of which are birthday presents, so I am not able to post pictures about them as the birthdays is still upcoming.

I did however finish the two Alzheimer Sensory Blankets our quilting group made (this previous post refers)  Our guild will be donating this on Saturday at our next general meeting.