Zigzag Quilt

Yesterday when I relaxed on the sofa, I was reading some APQ's (Australian Patchwork & Quilting). I know I have read these magazines many times, but there are not always I remember all the quilts, or not even noticed all of them. I came across a quilt that is strip-pieced on a diamond-shaped foundation (quilter's muslin), and by choosing fabrics by tonal value - from very dark to white - it gives the quilt a zigzag effect. It took me some time to figure out how the foundation was done, but when I "got it" I got so excited that I made 10 blocks last night! It's perfect for using up scraps. The strips don't have to be the same width - I've used 1", 1,5" and 2" strips - the variation of strip width gives interest. I can't wait putting it together, but still I have about 30 blocks to do.

What a mess!!!

For days & weeks I've intended organizing my "cave" (sewing room), but as usual I've been busy doing other things that have been more tempting. Yesterday morning I decided to dive into it! As you can see on the photos there were plastic bags with fabrics and fabrics in the sofa and on the floor. It really looked like a mess! DH is near to pass out every time he's scanning the room and stash-cupboard - and the question is always the same; "what the heck are you going to do with all the fabrics?! It'll take you years using it all!!!" I wonder if he never remembers my answer; "oh, you know, for a quilter it is very important having a variety of fabrics, like colors, fabrics that match..." etc... He just shakes his head and leaves the room! :)) I know he supports my crafting bug though... It's just that he has to say something - I believe! :))

Half of the sofa was covered with bags of fabrics, some magazines, knitting yarn and the extension table for the sewing machine (above).

Even on the floor and on the top of the sewing chest there were a mess (below).

I spent the entire day organizing the fabrics, mainly on colors or collections. There were even fabrics I had forgotten I have!

Here's the result! The stash-cupboard is filled to the brim with fabrics (above) and what I didn't have space for is stored on top of the sewing chest. Not that bad - huh?! :) Well, I have to confess there is left a tiny heap with fabrics on the floor, which is blue fabrics for the Colorado Star blocks I'm working on. That's allowed - isn't it?! You may ask if I did the sewing chest too? The answer is NO - not this time! I know I one day have to do that one too, but not today! :) It's going to be interesting to see what I discover there! :))


As you may understand I haven't done much sewing the last days. I've basted the place mats and the small tablecloths, but I'm waiting for some quilting threads I ordered the other day - so that job is stuck at the moment. I'll see what I'll make next....

NNC Bookmark Exchange 2009

Another exchange done. This time it was a secret partner bookmark exchange, and the organizer was Zarina from NNC. Since it was a secret partner exchange I had no idea who my partner was, which made it more fun. It took some time before I received the parcel due to some postal problems, but it was sorted out. Not even at the Post Office I could guess who my partner was, because my address was printed and there were no sender's name on the envelope. I was so curious I could die!!! :) I rushed home - open the parcel - and my partner was Anna from Malaysia! Here are the two lovely cross-stitched bookmarks she made for me:

This one has my name...

...and this one has lovely flowers shaped as hearts.

Anna was so kind to send some stash too; lovely flowers and red- and green silk ribbons. Thank you so very, very much Anna! I love the bookmarks! Since this is the first bookmark exchange I've joined - I'll treasure the bookmarks even more! :)

My secret partner was Paul. When I signed up for the exchange I already had in mind what kind of bookmarks I wanted to make. It was ages since I had done Hardanger and thought that would be a good idea. Here are the two bookmarks I made. The other one is appliqued.

I really enjoyed the secret partner exchange - and would love to join again. Thanks so much to NNC and Zarina for organizing the exchange!