gemini stitches: November 2013

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Down Under Doll Quilt Swap

A couple of swap items are now ticked off my "to do" list!

This is the mini made for the DUDQS using the Scrappy Sprouts tutorial by Tracey at Tracey Jay quilts.

I chose to make it even scrappier by using different coloured fabrics on each side and it ends up just over 17 x 20".

Also done is the Christmas Table runner for the same swap which finished at 16 x 48". I echo quilted this and bound it in a red and white stripe that reminded me of peppermint candy canes.

Just need to add in a few little extras before I mail these off early next week.

Linking to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory. Kirsten.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

X factor pillow swap: X and + pillow

Last week I showed you the beautiful pillow I received from Brooke (Pitter Putter Stitch) in the X factor pillow swap, so now I thought that I would share more on the pillow I made now that it has reached it's new home at Pam's place.

This round had a Low Volume theme and at first I thought that I would not have enough LV fabrics to make a pillow from...

Then I decided to sew some X and + blocks which was also the bee block I chose for my round of the Simply Solids Bee earlier this year.

I made 4 blocks which finished at 10" each using a tutorial from Ariane quilts, with some linen to make the "+" part of the block as I really like the texture the linen adds. Then I just did some simple straight line/echo quilting.

For the back I used a cute dotty bird print and the pillow was finished off with a grey stripey binding ending up at 20" square.

I have participated in all 7 rounds of this fab swap and have recieved such a wonderful variety of pillows from the following lovely ladies: Low Volume pillow from Brooke (Pitter PutterStitch), Cocktail Party pillow from Rachel(woodenspoon),Broken chain pillow from Cottilello, Hexie pillow from Amy (AmySewVT), Fractured Jet Lag pillow from Stephanie (spontaneous threads), Squares pillow from Leanne @shecanquilt,Circle squared pillow - Lisa (incorgiable2). (PS: the Scottie dog and owl aren't from the X factor swap but are up there to keep an eye on the pillows to make sure the kids don't throw them on the floor, as they are not usually lined up this neatly).

And these are the pillows I have sent off in return. The next theme is "Log cabin and Text" and is not due until 25th January 2014 so there is plenty of time to get sewing if you would like to join in.

Linking to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory.
Kirsten.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

WiP Wednesday

After making these HST for the Christmas table runner swap a few weeks ago, I have finally finished trimming them and have them all laid out ready to sew together.

I was going to mix up the HST randomly but now I think it looks better in separate red and green chevrons.

And I have finished quilting the "Sprouts" mini for the DUDQS too - just need to decide the binding...

Linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.
Kirsten.

Brown paper packages tied up with strings...

These are definitely a few of my favourite things!! Firstly there was a package from Cat containing a colourful Starburst Spools mini.

Cat used a pattern by Charise creates and it is just amazing. I really love the different fabrics she has used for each piece and many of them have special meaning - such as the word "green" (my favourite colour), some Denyse Schmidt prints and the kitty for Simba:)

And now this little beauty from the X factor pillow swap has turned up on my doorstep.

Brooke @PitterPutter Stitch made this beautiful pillow for the 7th round of the X-factor pillow swap which had a Low volume theme. I really love how she has pieced this and the curvy quilting on the yarn dyed linen looks amazing!

I need to go and buy another 20 inch pillow form to put this one in so that I can add it to my pillow collection. I have really enjoyed being a part of this swap - the next theme is "Log cabin and Text" and is not due until 25th January 2014 so there is plenty of time to get sewing if you would like to join in.

Kirsten.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

WIP Wednesday

I have been making some progress on the mini quilt for my DUDQS partner.

These blocks are made using the Scrappy Sprouts tutorial by Tracey at Tracey Jay quilts. Instead of the LV background Tracey used, I am using some of my stash of tone on tone fabrics as I think the sprouts show up nicely with the pale background.

I really need to get a move on this as some of the other DUDQS minis have already been mailed and received, and I still have to finish off the Xmas table runner for the swap too!

Linking to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Kirsten.

Winners of the Giant Chevron pattern!

It is time to announce the two winners of the Giant Chevron pattern giveaway from Jess at The Elven Garden.

The Giant Chevron pattern giveaway winners are...

Joanne

I love this pattern and can easily see myself making it in lots of different sizes. It is wonderful!!

NOVEMBER 12, 2013 AT 6:23 AM

Heather D.

I pinned your giveaway on Pinterest.

NOVEMBER 10, 2013 AT 5:56 AM

Congratulations to both of the winners above - I will pass your details onto Jess shortly so she can get in touch with you about the patterns!

And if you didn't win you can still get your Giant Chevron pattern from Craftsy and Etsy.

Thanks again to Jess for the giveaway, her fabulous pattern and for letting me test it!
Kirsten.

Monday, November 11, 2013

QAYG Chicopee bag

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Denyse Schmidts fabrics and and Chicopee is one of my favourites, so I decided to use some of these colourful prints to make another Noodlehead Sidekick tote bag.

I started with a QAYG panel and was going to make it large enough to use on both sides...

But then, I remembered how much I liked the downsized Anna Maria Horner feather that I made for the Mouthy Stitches tote swap last year, so made one to fit the panel for the larger size of the Sidekick tote pattern to use on the other side of the bag.

I teamed the Chicopee with some a very dark grey, almost black denim which sets off the vibrant prints perfectly.

The Sidekick tote has a recessed zip closure and I added in a patchwork pocket on the inside, as well as a zippered pocket.

I bought the pieces of hardware to finish off this bag recently at a Brisbane craft show - I have left the adjustable strap quite long so that I can use the tote as a shoulder bag, or as a messenger style bag.

Linking to the Purse Palooza hosted by Sara of Sew Sweetness.

And also with the 4th quarter FAL with Leanne @ She Can Quilt.

Kirsten.

For the Boys - A Coastal Cruiser cushion!

Firstly, a big thanks to Amy and Madame Samm for bringing us another great blog hop! It is my day today to post for the "For the Boys " blog hop so I thought I would share a pillow that I made last week using the free "Coastal Cruiser" pattern from Tula Pink.

I haven't really done much applique but this is a fairly easy design to do and all of the pieces are marked clearly on the pattern - you can really change the look of the Combi just by using different fabrics!

I used some denim for the bottom half of the pillow front - you only need a piece about 20 x 10" for the pillow so this would be a great way to use an old pair of jeans! I just did dense straight line quilting on the front of the pillow and then used a navy and white spot for the envelope back.

And these are a few other items I have made for the guys in my family - links to each project are below the mosaic:

1. Kindle cover 2. Zesty Ziggy quilt 3. Gift card holders

4. Dad's gadget poouches 5. "Rolling Through" pillow 6. Architextures quilt

Thank you to Madame Samm and Amy for heading up this wonderful hop. You can check out the rest of today's participants here.

November 11^th

Selina Quilts

In The Boon Docks
Gemini Stitches (you are here!)

Secretly Stitching

Also, please note that Amy has added more bloggers and days to the Hop which now runs to November 15th.

Linking to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory.
Kirsten.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Testing! Testing!

A little while ago, the lovely Jess from the Elven Garden put out a call for pattern testers for her Giant Chevron design, and I happily volunteered.

Around about this time, someone I used to work with had a baby girl (on my daughters 18th birthday), so it only seemed fitting that I make her a quilt.

I mainly used a charm pack of Riley Blake Farm Fresh, along with a few other coordinating prints to make the baby sized version.

The new baby's middle name is Rose so I have used a gingham print with rosebuds for the back.

This pattern came together very quickly and easily and is quite adaptable for making different sized quilts just by using bigger or smaller squares for the HST, so I decided to make another one...

This time a more boyish version using some cute elephant prints in orange and aqua that I showed back here. I have called this one the "Baby Elephant Walk" quilt after one of my favourite songs as a child.

I quilted both of these the same way - echo quilting along the chevrons, then used my Hera marker to mark lines about one inch apart in the solid background.

The Giant Chevron Quilt pattern is both a layer cake and charm pack friendly pattern and is available from Craftsy and Etsy.

*ETA: Comments for giveaway closed at 29 and winners announced here*

~~Jess is kindly letting me give away 2 copies of the pattern to 2 lucky winners! You each have 2 chances to win (please leave a separate comment for each entry):~~

~~1. Leave a comment on this post - maybe tell me what size you would make and which fabrics you would like to use to make a Giant Chevron quilt.~~

~~2. Share this giveaway - facebook, IG, Pin, Tweet blog - and leave another comment.~~

~~If you are a "No Reply" blogger please leave your email in your comments.~~
~~The winners will be chosen by random.org and announced on Wednesday November 13th.~~

*ETA: Comments for giveaway closed at 29 and winners announced here*

Then head on over to Jess' pattern release post to see the other beautiful versions of the quilt.

Good Luck! And a huge thank you to Jess for letting me test her Giant Chevron pattern!
Linking to Fabric Tuesday at Quiltstory.
Kirsten.

Friday, November 8, 2013

For The Boys blog hop!

With Christmas only weeks away, if you are looking for some great ideas for the boys (both young and old) in your life, check out the For the Boys Blog Hop! It has already begun but runs for another week so there is still plenty of time.