Solstice Dream - Finished

Yes it is finished.  The fabulous custom quilting was done by my friend Leeanne of Quiltmekiwi.  She has done a wonderful job, and I hope she had fun creating all the swoops and swirls and feathery flourishes.  She also quilted my sister's version and that will be winging it's way to Brisbane this week with our Mum, ready for her to finish.

After much deliberation I chose  a Brandon Mably print, called Victoria Stripe Hot for the binding.   I was besieged by doubt about my fabric choice as I started hand stitching it down, thinking it too bright, but I am happy with it now it is finished.

Well the binding has been put on, the hanging rods in place and Solstice Dream has now replaced Bird Dance on the wall in my Family room.

Solstice Dream pattern from Kerry Stitch Designs

Edited:  To see pictures of the one made by my sister, check out Leeanne's blog post here,

Online Quilter's Meet & Greet

Hello and welcome to the Online Quilter's Meet & Greet hosted by Benita of Victoriana Quilt Designs.

For those who haven't visited my blog before, my name is Julie and I have been blogging here at JulieLou since 2013.

Originally I started my blog as a way for  my mum and sister who don't live  near me to see my quilting  and other craftwork, both progress and finished projects.  I now blog about the things that make me happy: quilting, EPP, embroidery and applique, my garden, cooking, hiking, reading and my latest foray into making clothes.

I don't think I have a definitive quilting style.  I'm definitely not scared to use colour, and if anything,  I seem to have a phobia about using white in my quilts.  Low volume is fine, white just doesn't seem to happen. Grey is probably my go to neutral. Scrappy quilts of some description are probably my favourite to make.

Scrappy Sampler Quilt

My favourite fabric designer is Anna Maria Horner - I adore her brightly coloured bohemian styled fabrics.  My latest quilt finish and current favourite was made from her fabrics that I had been hoarding in my stash.

AMH Trellis Garden Quilt

Liberty fabrics are also a favourite and have been used in lots of little items like pin cushions and needle cases, as well as a quilt.

Liberty Needlebook

Last year I discovered the joy of wool felt applique and embroidery, Bird Dance was my first project using these materials and I enjoyed it so much I have recently finished Solstice Dream another wool applique hanging.

Bird Dance

I enjoy EPP too, my WIP (which I haven't touched since January) is my Ice Cream Soda Blossoms quilt, which I am still hoping to turn into a finished quilt this year.  I think hexis are my favourite shape to play with though.

There are still lots of quilts I'd like to make, and I have lots of fabric to be used, so there will always be something being created with fabric and thread here at JulieLou.  For stories and pictures on all the quilts I've made, check out my Quilt Gallery here.

To meet some other  inspiring online quilters, click the link below this image

Meet & Greet Here

and if you'd like the chance to win some fabulous prizes click the link below this image.

Enter Here

Thanks for joining me here today.

Solstice Dreaming

Made by Janine

Made by Janine

Made by Janine

Janine's is on the left, mine is on the right.

Seven months and 10 days after I started the first stitch of my Solstice Dreams project, I have finished it.  This was a project that my sister @janinemehrtens who lives in Australia and I were both making.

The pattern was from Kerry Stitch Designs. and was made up of various sized felt blocks featuring wool felt applique and embroidery.

I have shown some of the same blocks we did, but how our own styles and tastes have made them different.  This has been a fun project to do, even if I had a few upsets with incorrectly sized blocks I had to redo.  Both have been packaged up ready to be sent to Leeanne at QuiltmeKiwi to work her quilting magic on them.

Weekending

• The end is in sight on my Solstice Dream project, not that there isn't still a fair bit of work to do on the borders.  I love how it looks with all the blocks pieced together though.

• I have had a pile of interesting books from the library, that I am slowly working my way through.  So far I have read and enjoyed The Cactus by Sarah Haywood and The Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting.

• Scenes from the farm my daughter's archery club is located at.  Lambing season is just starting.  I sat in the car sewing and being entertained by the sheep while she was traipsing through muddy swampy paddocks and climbing up and down hills on the 3D target course.

Have a wonderful week.

Talking Turkey

Finally working on my Solstice Dream project again.

I'm up to the bees on the last block needed to complete the centre panels.  I have to admit I have been a bit hesitant about making these bees.  The stitch used is called Turkey work, or Turkey knots and is actually what is used to make Turkish rugs.   After watching a couple of you tube tutorials, I had a couple of practice attempts and then on to the real things.   Gosh they use up a lot of thread, and make a bit of a mess when it's time to trim them.  The result is a very tactile if somewhat unusual coloured bee.  Only two to go, though I think my hair cutting skills need a little work before I'm totally pleased with them.

Sunday Stitching

Sunday saw me sitting on the sofa in the sun doing some stitching on my final Solstice Dream block. (sorry for all the alliteration there)  Still a little more to go on this block:

•  the remaining leaves still need embellsihing
•  the large gold flower needs an outline stitch of some description 
• the egg shapes have to have special bees on them - not looking forward to making them, though if they turn out properly, they look fabulous.

Fingers crossed blogger is working again properly for me to reply to comments.  I very nearly moved my blog to WordPress over this.

Wishing you all a fabulous week, where ever you are and whatever you are doing.

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**

Things Here Lately

Second attempts 

Third and final attempt - not perfect, but definitely not needing unpicking.

Another Bellbird top has been made, same fabric just a different colour.  I love wearing it, unfortunately  both versions  will  probably be put away till spring now, far to cold in winter in the library I work in, not to wear all the winter woollies.

A surplus of limes from other peoples gardens, and empty baking tins, seemed like a great opportunity to try out a new recipe.  Easy Coconut and Lime cake - I doubled it, and got a very large cake and a loaf size. Very yummy, kept well, stayed moist.

More great reads.  Tapestry was slightly reminiscent of the Outlander series, with time slipping back to Jacobite Scotland,  still a good read though, and it introduced me to a new author, who has written quite a few historical novels.

I finally got brave and tackled the spiral trellis stitch on Block 4 of my Solstice Dream hanging.  I have been putting this stitch off since January!!  After a few unsuccessful attempts, lots of stitches were harmed in the making of these, I have three that I am happy with.

Wishing you all a fabulous week ahead.