Saturday, November 24, 2007

Scatterday Challenge - T

This week's Scatterday Challenge post is brought to you by the letter T and the categories Clothing, Purple and Hot Things.
For Clothing, I give you Thongs. Now, this is one of those words that means something different depending on the country of the speaker. But, in keeping with my on-going attempts to keep my Scatterday Challenges rated G but not too boring, I've decided to go with the Australian version, which is footwear, instead of the American version, which is underwear.

For Purple, I give you a Tile Mosaic from outside the local post office.

And, for Hot Things, I give you my small bottle of Tabasco sauce as I've just finished off the large one. The bottle of beer is just for comparison and, even though it is considered a breakfast food in some places, certainly not for consumption. G rating, remember?

Next week is brought to you by the letter M and the categories Textures, Weapons and Hobby.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

'The Uncommon Quilter' by Jeanne Williamson

If you believe that quilts have to be planned out in detail and each and every one an heirloom, then this book isn't for you.

Jeanne made a quilt a week for 7 years from almost everything you could think of. This book shows some of her quilts grouped into Plastic, Paper, Surface Design and Fibre.

This book is like a quilter's playground. Jeanne encourages you to make quilts in a very quick and relaxed way. Some of her quilts took a couple of hours; some took a couple of days. But when you are aiming for a quilt a week, you can't agonise over things ... just do it! She included examples of a couple of techniques that were so simple and accessible that you want to give it a go.

For me, this book suffers a bit from bad editing. But the ideas and variety of quilts more than make up for that.

Now, where do I find some orange construction fencing ...

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Scatterday Challenge - H

This very tardy Scatterday Challenge is brought to you by the letter 'H' and the categories Human, Soft and Toys.
For Human, I give you a photo of HRH. I have it on very good authority that she is human, but since she's hit puberty and started high school, I am beginning to have my doubts.

For Soft, I give you my all time favourite gum in the whole world, Hubba Bubba. It doesn't taste that good, but smells just divine.

And for Toy, I give you our beloved Henry. For more information about Henry, check out HRH's blog.

And my next rather tardy Scatterday Challenge post will be brought to you by the letter T and the categories Clothing, Purple and Hot Things.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Joie de Vivre -- My Houston Journal Quilt

Journal quilts have been very popular in recent years and this was the last year they were going to be exhibited at the 2007 International Quilt Festival in Houston so I decided to give it a go.

First, I made my quilt sandwich with two layers of felt instead of batting, and started laying out some wool fibres. This was definitely a false start. Let me try again.
Now, this shows more promise.
Time to audition silk tops for the centre and it was a real Goldilocks dilemma. This one was too blue ...
... and this one was too pale ...
... and this one was too green ...
... but this one was just right.
Next, I started to add threads and novelty yarns.
Some closeup shots
Instead of using Solvy, I used one of the hot water bags that hospitals use to sterilise laundry. I cut it open and it fit perfectly over the top. And then the machine quilting started. First I did the green/blue section.
Then the purple star section.
But when I dunked it into a sink of hot water to dissolve the plastic on the top and pulled it out, I had a heart attack. The water had turned blue! Solvy doesn't do that. But it was OK because the colour was just in the water and didn't transfer to the quilt.
And here is the finished journal quilt.
And a closeup of one corner.
I don't have a photo of it actually hanging in Houston with the rest of the Journal Quilts yet, but I'll post it when I get it.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

MGQuilts -- The Web Site

It has finally happened!

I am happy to announce that I now have my very own web site at http://www.mgquilts.com.au

I think that my web site designer, Brenda Smith of Serendipity Designs, has done a spectacular job. It is still a work-in-progress, but please have a look. I'd really like your feedback.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Scatterday Challenge - O

This very tardy Scatterday Challenge place holder is brought to you by the letter 'O' and the categories Breakfast, Shiny and Little Things.

For Breakfast, we have Toohey's Old. Come on, like you never had the t-shirt 'Beer. It's not just for breakfast.'

For Shiny, we have an Orange Reflective Vest. I didn't want to be a perve and take a photo of some construction worker (OK, I really did) so settled for a duck in an orange reflective vest.

And for Little Things, we have Opal Beads. The top string is boulder opal which I'd never heard of before but couldn't go past. I love these beads but they are the most expensive beads that I have ever bought ... EVER ... and I already know the quilt I have to make to put them on.

For next week, which will be here before I know it, we have Human, Soft and Toy, brought to you by the Letter H.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Scatterday Challenge - A

This very tardy Scatterday Challenge is brought to you by the letter A - Round Things, Vegetables and Something You Like The Smell Of.
For Round Things, I give you, er, well, let's just say Budgie Smugglers to keep my blog's family friendly status intact. If you are old enough to know what the 'A' would have stood for, then I don't really need to spell it out for you.

For Vegetables, I give you some beautiful Aubergines from a ridiculously early trip to the Sydney veg markets.

And, finally, for Something You Like The Smell Of, I give you an Asian Market. These places are a veritable garden of aromas and scents which can be enjoyed by those of us who don't actually cook the stuff, but eat Asian food all the time.

Next week, the letter 'O' and the categories Breakfast, Shiny and Little Things.