2013 - A Year in Review Part 2

Happy New Year!

 

I had planned for 2014 to start with slightly more calm than the beginning of December.  But that was not meant to be.  Hey ho, at least there won't be a dull moment!

 

So anyway, that's why it's taken so long to finish my review of 2013.  Thank you to everyone for your kind comments about all my makes of last year.  Now I want to share some of the event highlights, of which there were many.

 

The year started with the most wonderful gift a quilting girl could ask for, from my wonderful husband.  I am truly grateful and I have used my Bernina nearly every day.  (Thank you too Chrissie, for all you help and advice with choosing it).

 

 

Shortly after the arrival of my wonderful sewing machine, I attended a two day screen printing and portholes workshop with Lucie Summers here in Jersey.  Thank you  Sue for inviting me, I had such a ball.

 

 

Next on the agenda was a day trip to London for the Kaffe Fassett A Life in Colour Exhibition.  Here's one of my favourite quilts, and I really want to have a go at this design, isn't it just gorgeous.   

In July it was another trip to London, this time for the Fat Quarterly Retreat.  That was just 3 days of awesomeness.  I met SO many wonderful people, learnt new skills, drank cocktails, bought far too much fabric, went to Liberty for the second time in 2 months and made loads of new friends.  (Can't wait to do it all again in 2014!!) 

 

 

This trip was swiftly followed by the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham.  Oh my goodness, it was fantastic, and I even got to meet one of my quilting hero's, Tula Pink.

 

I'm pleased to say I also managed to have a holiday with the family; we went to France and had a wonderful week of sun, swimming and sightseeing. 

 
So could my year get any better?  It certainly did.  My wonderful, dear friend Julie, who has been my blogging/emailing friend for over two years, came to visit me, all the way from Australia.  It meant to much to me to finally meet her, and the 4 days that she was here went far too fast.  I can't wait for the day that we meet again.

 

 

The year ended well too.  I ran a little parent and child craft class at my house as part of a Promises Auction at my daughters school, and had such fun teaching new skills to Christie and mum Cleo. 

 





 

And finally I had a chance to relax for Christmas in a gorgeous cottage in Wales with the family before 2014 began. (Will blog soon about the Tula Pink needlepoint that I started, I love it!)

 

It really was a great year for me and I have thoroughly enjoyed looking back and reliving all the special moments.  I hope you had a happy year too and I hope that 2014 brings you happiness and all you wish for too.

Sarah x

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

 

My Dream Machine

I can hardly believe it's a week since I posted.  So much has happened, not to mention a radical change in the weather.  From glorious Spring we have been plunged into the depths of winter once more, and us little Channel Islands have even been making headline news and breaking all kinds of records with the amount of snow we've had over the last few days.  Here is my daughter in our garden this lunchtime helping daddy clear our car.

 

 

It's been snowing continuously for over 24 hours and while it does finally appear to have stopped, I think it's going to be around for some time yet, and it's another snow day for my daughter tomorrow.  I'll have to get my thinking cap on for more indoor activities.  (We've already made cupcakes, made pizza, been shape hunting, made paintings, done puzzles...)

 

Anyhow, onto other, very exciting news...I have a new sewing machine!  (You can tell I didn't take that picture this week).

 

 

 

It is no less than the Bernina 550QE and although I chose it, I didn't know I was getting it so soon; my husband surprised me and ordered it in time for Mother's Day.  I can't tell you how grateful I am to him, it's such a wonderful and generous gift.

 

 

 

And I all I can say is, it sews like a dream. 

 

It has more features and functions than I know what to do with, and I can't wait to try them all out.

After studying the manual for hours, stroking all the accessories and watching the instructional DVD, I overcame my trepidation and took the plunge.   So far I have made some bunting for an order, tested out the alphabet stitches, and marvelled at the ease in which I could change the feet, stitch type, the length, everything. 

 

I am loving the knee lever that allows you to work hands free, and it just quietly hums, almost purrs, as you work.  I also love the rhythmic and controlled stitching and winding a bobbin is a breeze and done in seconds. 

It also comes with many accessories; feet, extension table, threads, bobbins, you name it.  And look at this gorgeous case to keep all those bits and bobs safe. 

 

The major feature that comes with this machine is what's called the Bernina Stitch Regulator (BSR) which ensures absoloute consistency in stitch length when FMQ. 

 

 

 

I have it on excellent authority from my dear quilting friend ChrissieD (who has an excellent blog which you simply must check out) that the BSR is amazing and life changing in equal measure, and an absoloute must have. So I can't wait to give it a go. 

 

Sewing has never been so much fun :-)

 

Sarah x