Anchors Away

I've been working like a Trojan this last week to get my Anchors Away quilt top finished.  And it is! 

 

It has been very much a 'design as you go' quilt, which is SO unlike me, as normally I have a vision for how the final quilt will look right at the start, and I will plan on paper or the computer first.  But I quite liked this way of designing each section as I went along, and watching it slowly grow. 

 

And after all that piecing, do you think I was content to use just one fabric for the back??  I don't think so!! 

 

This is what I came up with. 

 

 

Yes that's a further 72 x 2 inch squares!!! 

But I am really pleased with how they offset these gorgeous world map prints.  All the fabrics are from the Out to Sea collection by Sarah Jane, and I just love them.   

I've already basted this baby and I can't wait to quilt it.  Although I am a *little* nervous; it will be the first time I've actually quilted on my brand new Bernina (which you can read about here).

I'm going for wavy line quilting, to echo the sea.  Wish me luck and I can't wait to show you the finished quilt soon. 

I've also added some new photos to my 'gallery' tab, I'd love it if you'd take a look. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. 

Linking up with:

 

 Sarah x

 

PS  Have you heard about the fabulous quilt exhibition at Brooklyn Museum, New York?  I so wish I was that side of the pond right now.  But if like me, you can't get yourself to NY right now, then why not check out this wonderful blog madebychrissied where Chrissie gives you a virtual tour of the two fantastic rooms, jam packed with quilts from times gone by.  And while you're there, take a look at Chrissie's work too, it's stunning and she's an inspiration.  x

 

Im in!

...The Harbour Gallery that is.  And I'm so excited.  If you missed my previous post, then the long and the short of it is a display of my quilts have gone on sale at a beautiful little gallery called The Harbour Gallery in St Aubin, Jersey, and it's the most beautiful place.  Here is the view just outside it.

 

And up on the first floor in the textiles area is me! 

 

I am surrounded by a wealth of talent.  Just to the right in the above picture is a little workroom of a lady called Helene and the Elf, her knitting is just amazing.  And my neighbours opposite me are the beautiful Jersey Oak, who produce wonderful bespoke solid oak furniture.  

 

 

And my neighbours to my left are the stunning Loving Chair Company.  As you can see all their chairs are individual, unique and fabulous. 

 

 

My display is also just a stones throw away from the recently refurbished Cameo Café.  I shall certainly be stopping for a cup of tea next time I visit!

 

 

 

Downstairs is equally beautiful and a wealth of talent.  Here is Gallery 1.

 

And look at all these wonderful art supplies.

 

It really is a little gem of a place and I am so proud to be a very small part of it.  Do take a look at The Harbour Gallery Facebook page, and if you are local or in the area, check to see what workshops are running that week.  They do all kinds; sewing, felting, knitting, crewelwork, you name it. 

 

As well as moving in to the Gallery this weekend, I have also had several midnight sewing sessions.  I've been working on my Anchors Away Quilt that previously looked like this. 

 

 

I decided to add some flying geese, and I used this fantastic tutorial that my blogging friend Susan shared a few months ago.  (It was one of those moments where I'd been musing over making some geese, then all of a sudden there was the tutorial, waiting for me to use!  It really is brilliant; 4 flying geese in 1 go, and no wastage.  Genius. )

 

Anyway, here they are, all 34 of them!

 

And here's the quilt top so far.  Can you believe I've run out of white, I was about 2 inches short.  Damn!

 

More borders to be added!

 

And look at this map for the back, it's going to be must as much fun as the front. 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading this mammoth of a post.  I hope you are having a good week. 

Linking up with:

 

Sarah x

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm at the Gallery

I am so excited to announce that I am going to have a display of my quilts at The Harbour Gallery in St Aubin, Jersey, Channel Islands.

It's a wonderful place, filled to the brim with artwork, photography, ceramics, hand made gifts, furniture, art and textile supplies, and as of this weekend, ekk, my quilts!   

As you walk in you are greeted with a huge choice of work to admire

 Here are a few photos of my display, which is currently brightening up my kitchen ;-)

It's going to be on the left hand side as you walk up the stairs of the first floor, so I thought it would be a good idea to paint the logo on the side to make it stand out.  Let's just say I won't be swapping needle and thread for paints and a paintbrush again in a hurry!

I wanted to have some smaller items available as well at the quilts, and I have lots of ideas for new products in the future too.

Of course I have put my postcards on display, and I hope people will take one and get in touch with me again.

Here's my Vintage India Quilt, that was awarded a Silver in the Channel Islands Eisteddfod. 

And here's my Walk in the Woods Quilt.

I thought these chickens would make my display bright, cheerful and most of all fun!

And here's my Happy Drawing Quilt and French General Quilt which I have decided to name 'Times gone By'. 

I can't wait to share more of my experiences of the Harbour Gallery.  I'll try and take a few photos on Saturday and show you around some more.  It really is a wonderful, eclectic mix of talent.  Oh and did I mention there's a café??!  I am sure to be popping in there every time I visit.  ;-)



If you like my display and my work, then I would love it if you would 'like' my facebook page.  It would be great to get up to 200 likers.  But don't feel you have to, only if you want to!  And just in case you're interested, here's the link to the Harbour Gallery facebook page too.  If you ever come to Jersey it's definitely worth dropping by.  

And now that my display's finished, I can catch my breath and make a start on some new quilts. Which after all, is my favourite thing to do. 

Sarah x

Back in the Loop

It's been a funny few weeks this Easter holidays.  I've been coming and going all over the place, and sewing has mainly been of the late night midnight variety and blogging has hardly happened at all.  But with my daughter back at pre-school as of today, it frees me up a bit  to get back in the loop and catching up on all that's going down in blog-land. 

I wanted to share with you an amazing little trip that I had last week.  Back in January I entered a competition, and I was lucky enough to win 2 free flights to Geneva. 

So last week, my friend Suzy and I hopped on the plane, and then a train and arrived in a beautiful town called Lucern.

Yes our plane was this small!

Of course a 3 hour train journey was the perfect opportunity for a little bit of EPP while admiring the views of the mountains.

I won't bore you with the zillion photos of mountains that I have on my laptop, but I can't resist sharing just a few of the best ones with you. 

The town of Lucern is just so historic and beautiful, even if it was a it grey and rainy when we set out for the day.

We went on a 2 hour boat trip, and after sipping hot chocolates for an hour and admiring the view through the glass, it brightened up enough to get out on the deck and really admire the scenery.

On Lake Lucern

We spent the afternoon wandering around, and had a little trip on the tourist train - typical tourists! And Lucern is also famous for it's 'Dying Lion' carved into the rocks.  

So sad!

Lucerne by night is, if possible, even more magical.

Here's a picture of the inside of the bridge, isn't it stunning. 

On our way home the following day we were lucky enough to have just a few hours in Geneva as well, and we were even greeted with some proper sunshine. 

The famous Jet d'Eau on Lake Geneva

But quilting was never far from my mind.  Check out the flooring in our hotel dining room.  I'm thinking EPP block inspiration :-)

(Please excuse the bad photograph, I am sure all the businessmen in the hotel having their breakfast were wondering why there was a girl taking pictures of the floor, so I had to be quick!!) 

And of course I was able to carry on with my hexies on the journey back.  

Can you spy the knitting pattern and wool in the background - Suzy's travel project.  It really was crafty corner!  

It was a fantastic trip and we had such a great time.  I can't recommend it enough.  I hope you had a good Easter break.  What did you get up to? 

Sarah x



Crafty Magazine - Issue 1

If you’re reading this blog then you are more than likely to be a quilter like me, but the chances are you have dipped your creative toe into other pastimes as well, somewhere along the line.  I for one have stitched many a cross stich, sewn aprons, designed cards, made scrapbooks, you name it.  So imagine my delight when I was asked to review issue 1 of the latest magazine to hit the shelves, Crafty.

 

 

Crafty stands out from the rest quite literally – it has done away with the glossy cover, opting instead for a matt finish, and it immediately makes the statement ‘I am different’ and ‘Pick me’ from the shelves.  Well I am glad I did.  The style of the magazine is simple, unfussy and packed full of projects that even a beginner could have a stab at.  The free gift of a piece of Calico may seem uninspiring, until you turn to p.8-11 where there is a host of different ideas for its use.  Personally, I can’t wait to make my own buttons to jazz up an otherwise very ordinary denim jacket.  

 

 

And embroidering a little message and framing it in an embroidery hoop is a simple yet novel idea that is sure to capture the imagination of even the newest of sewers. 

 

 

There is very much a vintage/retro theme to Crafty with a big emphasis on upcycling and customising items that you may have already.  Their motto says it all; ‘Why buy when you can DIY’. Customising your own Converse trainers is just so cool!

 

And I especially love the chairs covered with vintage tea towels on p.42-45. 

 

As a quilter I am particularly drawn to the gorgeous tote bag tutorial that features on p.53; the fabrics are beautiful and the tote is oh-so practical. 

 

One craft I’ve never tried is crochet, but the upcycled owls on p.60-63 are cute enough to make me think I’d like to give it try.      

 

 

And Crafty doesn’t shy away from issues that other glossy craft magazines may prefer to ignore.  There’s an interesting and informative piece about a company called ‘Graffiti Life’ who have turned Graffiti into a positive art form and work on commissions ranging from Nike, Microsoft and the Metropolian Police. 

 

 

And an interview with stitcher and author Jodie Rackley tackles the sensitive issue of copyright theft and how to protect your designs.

 

For those of us looking to make a living from our love of craft, there’s a very informative interview with the author of MaterialWorld: The Modern Craft Bible, Perri Lewis.       

 

And to prove that crafts aren’t just for girls, manbroiderer Mr X Stitch has a monthly column providing a much needed male perspective and the low down on all things Cross Stitchy.

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Crafty magazine.  I felt that it was written with me in mind.  That is to say, a young, modern crafter, looking for a fresh approach to what can sometimes be thought of as an older generation’s game.  Well it’s official.  Craft is cool.  And Crafty proves it. 

 

Linking up with:

 

Sarah x