Tuesday 18 June 2013

The dark and the light

Some progress to show on two quilts - a light and a dark. So nice to alternate working between them at the moment.
Here is "the dark" - my Star Bouquet:
It is about 3/4 of the way done and the stars are still such a joy to make. Here are a few newer additions up close:



And " the light" is my Carolina Lily quilt. Two borders are on and am working on the last two. The borders have been a pleasure to applique down. 
Leaf placement is fairly flexible/random - suits me fine. On the original quilt it is quite irregular ie, not the same placement in any one area - which is fun. So I am adopting a "near enough is good enough" attitude to matching this - as long as the overall look is the same.

Here is a stunning flower to complement this quilt. A couple of weekends ago we went for a family picnic in the Wollongong area and had a rainforest bushwalk. This plant was growing, self-seeded,  as a weed by the roadside  - so stunning don't you think!  Brugmansia I'm thinking. 
Flowers about 10 inches across

Last but not least I must comment on the Sydney Quilt Show - went to see it last weekend. I haven't been for years as it is a bit of an expedition from here but will make more of an effort from now on.

It was so impressive - 580 quilts in every size and style! I cannot show photos as haven't permission (sorry) but the well deserved ribbon winners can be viewed here - just tab through the pages

Apart from these be-ribboned wonders there were many without ribbons that, for me, were equally stunning. The sort that are "stop-me-in-my-tracks-because-this-is-just-my-sort-of-quilt" quilts! I felt very humble after seeing that lot I can tell you ...and so thrilled to be able to view them all - thanks to these quilters for sharing and inspiring.

22 comments:

  1. I love both projects and they look fabulous. I love how the ombre blue star looks.
    Glad you enjoyed the show, me too. There were some fabulous quilts there, the reproduction, the pieced ones and some of the art ones have got my juices flowing and my fingers itching to stitch.

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  2. Thank you too for sharing and inspiring! Your borders look fabulous! I like applique where placement is a bit flexible too :0) Your stars are wonderful - so much interest added with fussy cutting the diamonds!

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  3. Wonderful work.
    The star quilt is amazing.
    Grit

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  4. I can't believe how fast you work! It was only yesterday that you started on the Carolina Lily!! The borders are beautiful! I love the stars too!

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  5. Your borders are incredible. Love that you are able to feel relaxed about the leaf placement! I agree with you about working on a dark and a light quilt at the same time. It doesn't happen very often for me, but when it does I just love the contrast.:)

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  6. I'd love to see some of your amazing quilts in the Quilt Show one year. I thought there were 400 quilts, but I can well believe there were 580. That big flower is beautiful I think it is a Brugmansia , I've heard them called Angels Trumpets too.

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  7. Love the stars and you are working well towards finishing your quilt top.

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  8. Both your quilts are coming along beautifully.....they are both so different. I think the quilts are the best part of the craf show too, they give so much inspiration.

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  9. What delightful quilts and you are making such good progress. Glad the Quilt Show was such a treat for the eyes.

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  10. Both quilts look fantastic.

    Greetings, Manuela

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  11. Both quilts Re amazing. I can't believe how fast you work. Putting the star quilt together seems like challenging piecing.

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  12. Beautiful projects! Your fussy cutting is wonderful. Any tips to share?

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  13. If either of these quilts need a home, let me know. I love them both. Every time I see your star quilt I am more inspired to try one!

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  14. Gorgeous quilts! I *love* the fussy-cut stars!!

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  15. geweldig de lily en de sterren prachtig.
    christine

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  16. You are using the English Paper piecing method for both your stars and the Carolina Lily, do you find this method easier than point to point piecing? I have only used this method for hexagons. Thanks for your visit and encouraging remark son my Whig Rose block. Cheers, Rowena

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  17. I really love the stars in your quilt, they remind me somewhat of life; sometimes dark and sometimes light.

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  18. A good quilt show is so inspiring. WIsh you could share photos. The winner quilts are stunning! As are yours! Love how that border is coming along.

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  19. How nice to have two completely different projects to be working on. Did you get some inspiration for your next quilt at the show? It looks like it was amazing!!

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  20. Love your star blocks with the hexies, a great way to join them up, I used more diamonds and now in a joining dilemma! The Carolina Lily is beautiful.

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  21. Just found your blog via one from USA. So many beautiful pieces you are working on. I live in the Wollongong area. Did you visit Minnamurra for your picnic? I loved the quilt show this year. So many wonderful quilts.

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  22. I just started my first epp project, and have fallen in love. I had tried it before and didn't like the way the stitching showed, but this time I am using the ladder stitch. I am doing hexies but look forward to do something like your star bouquet. I need to keep my eyes open for some wonderful fabrics for the stars.

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