Saturday, August 10, 2013

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Swirling Medallion

Well, it is not a ranch, it is a little acreage. I finally was able to set aside the work that pays and the settling in stuff and sew. Here is the quilt top I made this week.

It is the Swirling Medallion pattern from the Quilting Modern book. Although I set out to simply play with this wonderful Briar Rose fabric bundle and learn from my book, it seems that I cannot stick to patterns and I added the extra rounds - the purple and green. And I did not piece the background with a bunch of squares, I cut strips that were long enough to finish the rows.

Swirling Medallion

Yup, two almost the same pictures, but it's cute don't you think, and I have been practicing my photography as my FQR photography teacher Judith advised (Judith - today was a cloudy day even).

I need to decide about the border of the background Kona snow - the pattern calls for one square wide of background all round or maybe I should make this bigger. It is about 42" square right now. I am leaning toward enough to just bring this little quilt to a 50" square.

This morning I drew the winner in my giveway for the $25 Gift Certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. Congratulations to Lisa who blogs at Lisa in Port Hope. Thank you to the Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring the giveaway and to all of you for the great suggestions of what I should buy.

I guess you want to know what I bought. Well I have to tell you first that I had another gift certificate from a friend, and I had the 20% discount code for the Fat Quarter Shop that Fat Quarterly has posted on their blog this week (anyone can use it, just saying, go here to get it).

I tell you all that before I confess that this is what I bought:






Yup, the whole bundles. It was such a hard choice. I also feel compelled to mention that I might have already recently bought some Lush Uptown, Road 15 and Waterfront Park. Total fabric binge this summer, I blame it in part on the fact that I sticking to the diet that Diane suggested - which is working by the way but slowly.

How to use a large spool of thread

I recently bought a huge cone of Aurafil thread from Cindy at Fluffy Sheep Quilting and she brought it and some other large spools (I never buy just one of anything it seems) to the Fat Quarterly retreat for me.

So I thought I would show you how I set it up without fancy hardware - it is too big to fit on the little machine that lives here. The thread sits in a plastic container and threads through a belt hardware piece which I attached to the bottom hook of that artsy beach wood piece that hangs there. And I totally cleaned up my huge mess of threads and bits and tools before I took the photo, my sewing area is seldom this neat.

my gazebo

That is where you can often find me while I am out here, in the gazebo under the walnut tree. The wifi reaches my computer there so I can work or use the computer for fun, knit or nap, and it is shady until about 5 p.m. - so it is a perfect spot. But today is rainy and cloudy so it is fine to be inside sewing and stuff.

Enjoy your weekend!

Best,

Leanne

33 comments:

Lauren Deel said...

Oh wow - I love that quilt top! And am also so jealous of your Nordika purchase... good for you :)

Michelle@factotum-of-arts.com said...

Very cute - love the use of the bright, pretty fabric

Katy Cameron said...

Ooh, fabulous! I think the whole point of that book is to improvise anyway, so you did well :oD

I want your garden retreat!

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

Wow, I'm so jealous of your gorgeous garden spot! Your quilt top is lovely and my fingers are itching to buy both Nordika bundles!

Sarah said...

Love your gazebo chill spot. Beautiful fresh quilt top too. Looks like you have been having fun playing with your Briar Rose.

Pam said...

oh i love your briar rose...now for sure i am using white w mine too xo

Bluebell Ridge Handworks said...

Such fun fabric purchases! I tend to purchase in spurts and then go for a long while without buying any new fabrics. Love your outdoor retreat! Isn't is so nice to just sit outside? I get so tired of being indoors and love to sit out on our deck and do some handwork like stitching or crochet.

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

Lovely quilt top Leanne. I think you've just listed all my lusted after fabrics right there - I don't think I can resist Waterfront Park much longer! Enjoy all your new fabric - I look forward to seeing what you create!

What Comes Next? said...

very pretty quilt top! Gorgeous spot to sit and enjoy the summer, hope the rains pass quickly!

Carla said...

It's so gorgeous! I really like your outdoor space : )

Debbie said...

Your "spot" looks delightful! Love your new quilt - I keep meaning to sew more through that book! Congrats on all the fabric - fun, fun!

CapitolaQuilter said...

You snatched up all the same lines of new release that I've been eyeing - Briar Rose is the only one that I've purchased (so far!) I've wondered how to make the large spool of Aurifil work with my machine, I piece with neutral so the size make sense. Your outdoor space is lovely.

Little Island Quilting said...

Nice roundup post. I bought some Collage too. Isn't it fab!

Nicky said...

Love what you did with the HR! ooh your goodies look good -want to see what you do with them and I think you have enough space for me on that big garden sofa! What an oasis of calm!

Charlotte said...

looks like a little bit of heaven!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt top Leanne. Glad you bought the Briar Rose..........I just love it. Thanks for sharing .............Marie

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Beautiful quilt top! I love those little triangles. Nice haul too! The gazebo looks like a lovely haven :)

Dresden Lane said...

I am curious about the fabric diet your friend Diane suggested.

Heidi Staples said...

This looks so great, Leanne! I love how you put your own spin on it. The gazebo looks heavenly!

MariQuilts said...

Quilt looks fabulous....sounds like you are enjoying yourself.

Catherine said...

What a brilliant idea with the thread, and I love your quilt

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Love the quilt top, and that your 'little' machine is my big machine!

Spontaneous Threads said...

The quilt top is fun and oddly familiar…… I'm glad you said the book you used. Perhaps I should have gotten the book before I tackled my quilt- may have save myself some endless seam ripping and a few choice words! Love the colors and all the concentric rings! Can't wait to see how you quilt it!

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

Lovely quilt top - looks like you are having a delightful time at your island retreat.

Unknown said...

Love the quilt! And your threading for the machine is genius!!! :)

elle said...

Great top. My Nina is not happy about cones. I need to find a way to get her to chew an them nicely as I have a lot of cones. ahem! ;)

Jessica Hadden said...

Such a beautiful quilt top!

pennydog said...

Love it!

Cindy said...

Leanne, that looks like the most amazing, blissful place to sit quietly and forget about work. Your top is just gorgeous. I hadn't heard of that book before, but have had a peek now on Amazon and it looks fab! It's on my list of to-be-ordered goodies. Thanks for the high five Re the Aurifil :) xx

Poppyprint said...

Great make, Leanne. I love your ingenious thread management system, too :)

dutchcomfort said...

Such a beautiful quilt-top! I also fell in love with Nordika and bought some from my Fluffy Sheep Gift certificate!

Sarah said...

I've fallen in love with your acreage! What a beautiful spot. I love the swirling medallion pattern.

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

You have a gorgeous piece of the planet there to relax.
You have done a fab job following the diet and lost more than a "little".
Super cute quilt top too