Free Motion Friday

I knew I would have trouble keeping up with my Express Your Love quilt project but I am ok with that. I had always planned it to be a year long exercise that I would progress on as I could (or probably more realistically, when I felt in the mood).

Here is my progress to date.

So far I have only managed the McTavishing but I have a 10 day break over Easter.  Amongst the jobs that have to be done around the house I plan to work on this some more and hopefully I will be finished the suns rays by the time I go back to work.  I am happy with it except for the colour.  I was going for golden rays but they look a bit ickey brown.  This is the thread colour I chose but it hasn't translated to fabric as brightly as I had hoped.

I have been busy on other projects and recently I finished my impromptu Retro Red quilt.

I quilted it with an all over geometric design which I broke up with a section of wavy lines and circles.

Can't really say why I added this except that it felt right at the time so I just went with it!

This week I finished my Soldiers Wife quilt.

Another all over quilted design except for the setting triangles where I quilted free form feathers. This was my first attempt at feathers on a quilt and I am really happy with the result.  Since taking these pictures I have finished the binding and the quilt is waiting to be hung on my sewing room wall.

I am linking up with Free Motion Quilting Project Free Motion Friday linky party so go over and have a look  at the amazing work that is on display.

Sue

Woohooo Wednesday

Oh my gosh, has it really been 6 weeks since I last posted?

I manage to find the time to read hundreds of blogs each week but I never seem to make the time to write on my own blog.  I really have to get better at that.

I spend countless hours pouring over everyone's blogs and I just love to see what everyone is doing.  I am constantly amazed and uplifted as I drool over the wonderful masterpieces people are working on.  The downside to that is that I sometimes feel a bit insignificant.  I mean who on earth wants to read about my little projects when there are such talented people out there in blogland producing incredible and far more interesting works of art?

I know that sounds very self depreciating but I did create this blog to document my quilty journey and share my experiences.  And right now, here, today this is what I am experiencing.  I need inspiration and I need it fast!

Despite my flat mood, I have a couple of finishes to share.

This impromptu quilt now lives on my bed.  I love its simplicity and I love the contrast between the red and white.  I got brave and quilted it myself with a geometric design all over.  For no reason whatsoever I decided to break up the geometric quilting with some flowing lines and circles.  No rhyme or reason as to why I did this.  It just felt right at the time so I went with it!

I also finished my "Soldiers Wife" quilt.  I pulled the border off and after all the to-ing and fro-ing, I decided no sashings and no border. I am really happy with that decision.  I used what was the border fabric on the back of the quilt with a few of the left over blocks.

Again I did an all over quilting design but added some feathers to the setting triangles.  This was my first attempt at free form feathers on a 'real' quilt and although they are far from perfect, I love them.  I just have to finish putting the binding on and then it will be ready to hang on my sewing room wall.

Ok, in the 10 minutes it has taken me to write this I am feeling somewhat better.  I have a couple of finishes under my belt - gotta be happy with that right?  Only 7 flimsy's left to tackle!  But what I think I need is a new project.  Nothing lifts one's spirits like a new project.  So that is what I am going to do.  I have a few folders overflowing with ideas and pictures of the 'one day I want to make' quilts.  I am going to pour over them and start something fresh, new and exciting.

Watch this space!  In the mean time, head over to Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday to be inspired by quilters from around the world.

Sue