Well here is the evidence of progress I made while away on Quilt Retreat with the NOTYQ Guild last weekend. 8 blocks and quite a bit of needle turn applique, not to mention 4 other partially completed blocks (not shown).
Since my return I have done a little applique every evening, but most of my time has been taken up with 2 sick kids – back to motherhood duties!
Here is a little picture of the joy that is a whole weekend of nothing but sewing, eating and chatting. That is my little station on the table, (there were 6 of us on our table – 3 with machines and 3 hand-sewing). You can see more of the venue here.
There was a little nature spotting amongst the sewing – this cute little fellow is a Superb Fairy Wren. He stands out quite a bit more than his female counterpart, who is a much-harder-to-spot brown.
I have moved onto working on the teapot in my applique – here is my handle and here is my spout! I really love my needle turn applique, and have recently found 2 websites that celebrate the same technique. Glorious Applique is a blog started recently, dedicated to the work of people making up the applique designs of Kim McLean. I have never made any of her design (preferring to make up my own) but I love her work, and the skill of the appliquers following her patterns.
Speaking of skill, the other blogger is a designer and appliquer of amazing skill and complexity. Her name is Sandra Leichner, and her appliques are amazing. You can see some of her winning quilts here. I have started following her blog which shows each step of her current work in detail – so many applique pieces, and so much detail.
It gives me hope that one day I will be able to write patterns for some of my more complex designs (like my fairy, above or my shark, below).
The sick child on the couch is calling me, so back to nursing duties. Have you done any applique lately?
Your applique is looking wonderful.
Hope the kids feel better soon (so you can get back to some more stitching. hehehe)
Andi 🙂
Claire
As a lover of and believer in fairies, I am besotted with your new friend. Just hope that she doesn’t cause too much mischief in your household.
Barbara
PS As I am fairly new to all things fabric and applique I was most intrigued by your mini ironing board. Great colour too.
Beautiful fairy and shark!
Tis a pity we cannot retreat back there when we need timeout. Your applique is lovely and I hope you enjoyed the weekend.A number of people came past and complemented you on your blocks in your absence. It was good to be back there and I am already looking forward to the next time.
Is there a pattern and directions available for the Shark Quilt