Changes

Hello all, welcome to another week.

It is with sad hearts that after much deliberation and discussion, Linda @Kokaquilts and I have decided to stop hosting Sew, Stitch, Snap, Share,  our fortnightly linky party.

Lifestyle changes, time constraints, and a drop in numbers linking up have all contributed towards this decision.  Over the past year we have been hosting this, we have been continually amazed and inspired by the creative quilters and stitchers who have linked up each fortnight,  and would like to thank you all for sharing your work with us and other readers.

I am still going to keep blogging, there is something to be said for sitting at my computer, with a hot cup of tea or glass of wine (dependent on the time of day) and reading through my list of favourite blogs.  I liken them to online magazine articles, always lots of lovely photos, little personal anecdotes and more details on beautiful creations and the stories behind them than Instagram has to offer. I think you get to know the writer through blogs.

In saying that, I can now be found on Instagram @julielou41 too, however more detailed info on any quilty/sewing type photos is always on the blog.

Again, thank you all for supporting Linda and I with Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE, over the past year.

Happy sewing and blogging.

Julie

** Comments have  been turned off on this post**

Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE

Welcome to another Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE.

Winter has well and truly hit New Zealand now, so I am finding it quite pleasant to snuggle under Miss B's Sea Glass Sampler quilt and slowly stitch away in the evenings.  I guess it all works towards a finish and a really special quilt, but it feels like quite a daunting task ahead of me still.  Even though it's not all quilted, it is at a point where I can probably bind it, which would make it slightly less unwieldy to handle and stop the raw edges from fraying more due to all the handling.

Lately Auckland Libraries have been getting lots of new quilting and sewing books in, I regularly peruse the online catalogue and request ones I am interested in before committing to buying them.  It feels like Christmas some mornings, when I arrive at work to a lovely pile of requests that have arrived for me. These books have been interesting browsing , I am particularly liking Flossie Teacakes English Paper Piecing book, and feel that this may need to be added to my collection.

Now it's your turn to share, it doesn't matter if it's embroidery, a quilt, applique or epp, or some other stitched or sewn project,  It can be a start, a finish or just a wip. Photos only or as many words as you like. All we ask is that you follow these guidelines when linking up:

• Link up any post from the past week that features  a sewing or stitching project you have been working on.

• Somewhere in your post, please link to this one.

• Also please take the time to read and comment on some of the other linked posts, it is always nice to know that people are reading what you have written, and we are trying to encourage people to keep blogging and reading blogs.

Thanks for joining me for this  Sew, Stitch, Snap SHARE

Works in Progress

Miss B asked me when her quilt was going to be finished.  Thought I'd better pull it out and do some more quilting on it. Luckily it's been cold in the evenings, so it's quite pleasant to be snuggled under it stitching away.

Another finished block for my Solstice Dream, just a little bit more stitching and applique to do on the big centre block, then they can be all stitched together.

Linking up to Kokaquilts for another Sew, Stitch, Snap SHARE.

**Apologies to anyone who wants to comment and can't on my blog, or who I don't reply to.  Blogger appears to have made changes so that only Google accounts can comment, and for some reason comments are now not appearing in my emails - I am sure a lot of you are experiencing the same problems**

Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE

Welcome to Sew, Stitch,Snap, SHARE.

Share what you're working on and be inspired by what other people are creating too.

Lately it's been all about about sewing clothes here -  however, I'm still working away (albeit slowly) on my WIPS.

Currently I'm working on the final block for my Solstice Dream wall hanging.  This is a big block, 12.5" square.  I do find it a little unwieldy to sew compared with the smaller 6.5" blocks. There is lots of colour, and interesting details and challenging stitches in this block.

I still need to complete the trellis circle stitches on block 4 too.  Guess I can't really keep those freezer paper circles on it forever.  Once all blocks are completed and sewn together, there are borders to be added and more applique work to go on those too.

Now it's your turn to share, it doesn't matter if it's embroidery, a quilt, applique or epp, or some other stitched or sewn project,  It can be a start, a finish or just a wip. Photos only or as many words as you like. All we ask is that you follow these guidelines when linking up:

• Link up any post from the past week that features  a sewing or stitching project you have been working on.

• Somewhere in your post, please link to this one.

• Also please take the time to read and comment on some of the other linked posts, it is always nice to know that people are reading what you have written, and we are trying to encourage people to keep blogging and reading blogs.

Thanks for joining me for this  Sew, Stitch, Snap SHARE

Liberty & Linen Pillows

Invariably when one starts to tidy up their sewing room, there is a usually a new project started or an old WIP finished.  In my case it was a finish, I came across the Liberty and linen quilted pillow tops I started back in November, rather than faffing around installing zips, I used the fabric intended for the binding of Miss B's Sea Glass sampler quilt, and made two simple envelope backs.   So quick to do, so simple - why did I wait so long. These are now residing on my bed, mine's the pretty Liberty one, The Scout's is more masculine, well as masculine as it can be with glittery linen.



Linking up to Sew, Stitch, Snap, Share at with Linda at KokaQuilts.

Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE

Welcome to Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE.

Firstly a little bit of news about changes to this fortnightly link up, before we get into the fun show and tell.

Linda and I have decided to take turns hosting this link up.  Rather than both hosting it on the same day, we are going to alternate, beginning Wednesday 2 May with Linda hosting the first one.   This takes some of the pressure off us to continually be creating, and lets us be able focus a little more on family, work and life in general. Who ever hosts the link up will now comment on your link too.

We hope that you will continue to join us both, we love seeing what you have been sewing, and are continually amazed and inspired by the differing styles and talents you all have.

So what have I been up to over the past two weeks.

• We've had a cold wintry blast arrive, so I have been enjoying sitting under the sea glass sampler quilt, stitching away - this time a kantha inspired panel. I'm not sure whether I like it, maybe  my stitches are too big, or I need some more rows in the gaps. I keep looking at kantha quilts for inspiration.  However, I think this quilt will have an amazing texture to it, when it is finally finished.

• Yes more blocks for my Solstice Dream Wall hanging - I've only 1 x 6.5" block and 1 x 12.5" block to go before I can piece them together - then it's onto the borders.

• Clothing sewing - this was a test run of the Kyoto tee, I haven't hemmed the sleeves or bottom of it, but I  now know the size is correct for me, and I polished up my frill making, attaching and neckband skills before I attempt the good version.

The one on the right, is the correctly sized block

Now it's your turn to share, it doesn't matter if it's embroidery, a quilt, applique or epp, or some other stitched or sewn project,  It can be a start, a finish or just a wip. Photos only or as many words as you like. All we ask is that you follow these guidelines when linking up:

• Link up any post from the past week that features  a sewing or stitching project you have been working on.

• Somewhere in your post, please link to this one.

• Also please take the time to read and comment on some of the other linked posts, it is always nice to know that people are reading what you have written, and we are trying to encourage people to keep blogging and reading blogs.

Thanks for joining us, and we look forward to seeing you all link up at Kokaquilts next fortnight.

Julie and Linda

Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE

The last couple of weeks have seen me flitting between hand quilting the Seaglass Sampler quilt under the somewhat watchful  and never helpful (needles and thread are great toys) gaze of Meeka.  I still have  a lot to do on this, I think my want to finish date of April 30 was overly optimistic.  Still working away on the blocks of my Solstice Dream Quilt.  Another 6.5" block done.  Hopefully in the next link up, I can share a photo of my sister's version of this.

Now it's your turn to share, it doesn't matter if it's embroidery, a quilt, applique or epp, or some other stitched or sewn project,  It can be a start, a finish or just a wip. Photos only or as many words as you like. All we ask is that you follow these guidelines when linking up:

• Link up any post from the past week that features  a sewing or stitching project you have been working on.

• Somewhere in your post, please link to this one.

• Also please take the time to read and comment on some of the other linked posts, it is always nice to know that people are reading what you have written, and we are trying to encourage people to keep blogging and reading blogs.

Thanks for joining us

Julie and Linda

Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE

Not much from me this week, I'm afraid.  We have been having lovely mild autumn days, so I have been spending my free time in the garden, planting vegetables seedlings , cutting back overgrown plants, and generally getting the garden ready for winter.  When I have been sewing it has been more blocks for my Solstice Dream project - I hope you're not sick of them yet.  Lots of colour and fun stitches to play and create with though. I do like the little lady bird.

Now it's your turn to share, it doesn't matter if it's embroidery, a quilt, applique or epp, or some other stitched or sewn project,  It can be a start, a finish or just a wip.  All we ask is that you follow these guidelines when linking up:

• Link up any post from the past week that features  a sewing or stitching project you have been working on.

• Somewhere in your post, please link to this one.

• Also please take the time to read and comment on some of the other linked posts, it is always nice to know that people are reading what you have written, and we are trying to encourage people to keep blogging and reading blogs.

Thanks for joining us

Julie and Linda

Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE

It has been all about hand quilting with a little bit of colourful frippery thrown in  over the past couple of weeks.

• This cute little dilly bag was made very quickly, using a pattern from Broderie - available here.  Some beautiful Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry and Margot Elena fabrics, have all combined wonderfully together. It's not a big bag, but I am sure it will be useful for travelling with small craft projects, such as hexis or a little crochet.  I could also see a few made up in Christmas fabrics for reusuable gift bags.

• I loved playing with this fabric and the opportunities it gave me, for adding a little pizazz to the hand quilting on my sea glass sampler quilt.  Luckily I have used it a few times on the quilt, so there will be a consistency to the quilting throughout the quilt.

Now it's your turn to share, it doesn't matter if it's embroidery, a quilt, applique or epp, or some other stitched or sewn project,  It can be a start, a finish or just a wip.  All we ask is that you follow these guidelines when linking up:

• Link up any post from the past week that features  a sewing or stitching project you have been working on.

• Somewhere in your post, please link to this one.

• Also please take the time to read and comment on some of the other linked posts, it is always nice to know that people are reading what you have written, and we are trying to encourage people to keep blogging and reading blogs.

Thanks for joining us

Julie and Linda