31 December 2005
How about a second entry, to make up for the time I was gone? Firstly and foremostly, I finished my Christmas quilt, just in time for. . . um, the new year.
Click on the image to enlarge, or click here to see it on the bed. I brought all the pieces to America and used my mom's nice machine to sew the remaining 3/4 of the top together and then finished it off. Projects like this require an extended period of ridiculous concentration, I find -- if I put it down, I'm not likely to pick it up again.
The finished size is 80"x80" (or just over two metres in both length and width), which is perfect for wrapping around yourself without any bits of skin being exposed to the surrounding air. It would also be a nice bedspread size for a twin-size bed, I think, but it just barely covers the top of our (UK-size) king bed. I didn't put in any batting, as I've been tricked into using horrible overly fluffy stuff before (and had to even things out by under fluffing?), but I backed it in a soft green flannel, so it's 'cuddly' without being hot.
I spent an hour today with the above. When my desk is clean and clear (not often), I like to gather all the home magazines sitting around and cut out the good bits. It keeps them from piling up and has produced a book with all my favourite ideas -- like a Country Living magazine distilled down just for me.
This is as close as I get to scrap booking, and it's really not very close at all (for instance -- there are no stickers and a complete lack of paper borders and frames). I briefly flirted with scrapbooking in high school, but I've found sewing and painting and creating my own textiles (felting!) to be much more satisfying.
The rose-printed envelope in the corner of the picture has nothing to do with my idea book, but I carved that stamp this morning and wanted to sneak it into the picture. I recieved a pleasingly large selection of Speedball block printing inks (and Mastercarve blocks) for Christmas and remembered to bring back my other printing supplies from America, so I think I'll be doing a lot more of this. It did take a surprisingly long time to ink and stamp that entire envelope. I wonder who it's for?
Your quilt is beautiful. A feast for the eyes. You did an excellent job.
I had the same experience with high loft batting this year. It was terrible.
I used Hobbs Heirloom Premium cotton batting in 7 other quilts and it is great to work with.
posted by A.J. at December 31, 2005 04:53 PM
I do the same thing with all my home magazines! My 'scrapbooks' (also devoid of stickers etc) are some of my most important tools for creating.
posted by Claire at December 31, 2005 09:32 PM
Nice posts Anna. I am glad the birds are back and I am sure they will fatten up nicely in a day or so. I bet they missed you!
The quilt looks great on the bed. Excellent job!
Happy New Year!!
posted by momma at January 1, 2006 12:20 AM
Happy new year! Your quilt looks perfect. Love your choice in colours.
xx
posted by Camilla Engman at January 2, 2006 07:21 PM
i love that quilt!!
Also: i do something similar with magazines, go through them and sort interesting pictures by color for later use. usually in decopague.
posted by Rachel at January 2, 2006 09:22 PM
Lovely quilt !
It looks beautiful.
posted by lyn at January 5, 2006 02:10 PM
That quilt's gorgeous!
Out of interest, where do you buy your fabric from? I have SUCH a hard time finding nice cottons like that here in Bristol x_x
posted by Catherine at January 9, 2006 03:35 PM