Autumn Leaf Machine Applique

Well, I gathered up enough nerves, got stuck in and have now made a start to doing the autumn leaf applique by machine.  Here are the first couple.  Looks OK-ish - I hope - (and hope it does not unraffle when it is washed!!)?  The outline of the leaf on the left in the top picture will be on the inside of the quilt top (obviously?) - the leaf is on the other side.

Back to more sewing!

Warm regards

The Assessment and The Result

Although I have slowly been making progress with my large quilt (with the emphasis on slowly), I was not too happy with this situation!  Why?  Well, it is like this ....

I am a bit of a control freak and perfectionist when I do things.  When I am not too sure of what needs to be done or how it is done, I often slow down with my progress and just read and read and read up on how it must be done, until I am satisfied that I understand.  Quilting most certainly falls into this category!  It is close to reading from a knitting or sewing pattern (when working from a pattern) but not everything is given to you - you are often left with putting your own preference into place.  My log cabin quilt is actually fairly easy to make BUT because I am swimming in deeper water (my first project on my own with very limited quilting knowledge), I often hesitate to just go with the flow!  It feels like I procrastinate and look for other things to keep myself busy with instead of just doing it - like now!  Blogging instead of sewing!

I like things to look right and when it does not feel right to me, I know it will not look right.  Does this make sense?  It is not that I underestimate my abilities because I know I can sew, I know I can follow a pattern, and I know I can do it, just .......

I know, one cannot learn without making mistakes - the problem is, I always advise my kids to learn from the mistakes from others and I am looking for those mistakes and how they then got it right.  Gosh, this sounds heavy involved - even I am getting confused now!

Best I go and switch on the sewing machine and start stitching - follow my ideas, so to speak - and then find out what my mistakes were.  They say that no quilt can be perfect!  Phew, thank goodness for that.

Back to sewing ....... at least I have all the leaves glued onto the fabric.  Now just for the machine applique.

I can do it ........

Warm regards

The Autumn Leaf 'Foundation'

Have now marked the centres of each block onto which the autumn leaves have to be appliqued onto.  Found out, to my dismay, that my one marking pen had died on me and, luckily, I had, for some unknown reason at the time, purchased a white marking pencil which came to good use this morning!

Lying in bed last night, thinking of ways to save marking off the centre of each leaf, I came up with the idea of stacking each type and pulling a cotton thread through the stack, then pull off each leaf as I need it.  This way the leaves will not go missing and the needle hole will mark the centre!  I am looking forward to finishing these blocks - another step closer to putting the top together.

This is a quick view of what each block will look like upon completion (minus the free-motion sewing onto each leaf).

BUT, before I get going with this, I came across this beautiful view out my back door.  We live against a gentle slope of a hillside and our property backs onto pure naked bush, trees and, well, forest!  Since moving into our house, I have heard Kookaburra cries come from the forest - and seen some.  There was a nesting pair who had a baby and I watched over many days how they would fly up to feed this little one.  Too far for a decent photo at the time.  Baby has now grown and I am sure that this must he him visiting this morning.  These are my favourite birds.  See for yourself!

Warm regards

Easter Saturday

Time waits for no man!  So, to prevent time becoming history that cannot be changed, I have worked hard to get things moving forward with my quilt, besides doing lots of other little things.

On Good Friday, I took my dog for a walk then for a wash at the Dog Wash (at one of the car wash places - great invention this bath!), did some washing of laundry (just the most important lots like undies, etc), did only one meal for us (my DH knows where the kitchen is and there is nothing wrong with his arms and hands!), ironed all the traced off leaves onto the material - then cut out each and every piece of material leaf, ready to iron onto the fabric square and start my applique.  Packed things away just after 1 am - satisfied!

Autumn Leaves

And this will be the centre panel of my new quilt

Got up early this morning, let my puppy in - he turns one year today!  Got back into bed for a short cuddle with him and DH (once I am up, I struggle to lie around in bed when there is so much to do and time moves on).  Eventually I could take it no longer and got up, had breakfast (alone as usual), cleaned the kitchen, re-organised the electric wiring behind the microwave (plug board keeps moving around), watered my indoor plants, banged in a nail to hang up a picture, fed the pets and quickly organised facebook and my blogs.

Now - hopefully, I can sneak off to my sewing room!

Blessed Easter for any Christian passing through!

Warm regards

Easter

I cannot believe that it is Easter already!  Feels like only last week when we were celebrating the New Year!

With four days off, I think need to try and get some things on my 'To Do' list ticked off.  These are only some of the things I have lined up:

• Paint the Study (going to be shades of green to match the blinds)
• Level the grass area in the front.  This will involve planting stay poles, then putting knocking the sides onto these, line this with thick plastic and fill it with good soil.  Will see about this job!!
• Finish the leaf applique and sew the side panels onto the centre block
• Finish my 'Mother of Mine' wall quilt for my Mum
• Catch up on ironing
• Take Paxton for some decent walks
• Scan some more magazines for the library of our quilting group
• Try to relax

And I have how many days off I said?

Friday, 9 April, I will try my hand at golf (going with a group from work)!  I do not suppose having played hockey will count for anything towards my handicap?  No?  OK, thought not.

Blessed wishes for a peaceful Easter with loved ones, discovering the true meaning behind all the chocolate eggs, fluffy rabbits and other delectable treats!

Warm regards