Happy 2012!!

Happy New Year Everyone.

Here's hoping all those new years resolutions are kept past the end of the week !!

I thought I'd post some of the presents that I completed for Christmas, since everyone has their gifts now.

The first one is Mum's table runner.  I have only quilted in the ditch so far, but I have told her when my FMQ improves I will do some detailing.  The binding wasn't the best.  This is only the 2nd thing I have bound, and I know how to perfect if for next time.

Mum loved it and it has pride of place on her dining table.  Even if I wrapped it still with 4 pins and the needle as I still hadn't finished the hand sewing before she arrived on Xmas Day.  With her arrival only 10 mins away, I couldn't risk not having it wrapped. Funny to see her hand sewing her own present whilst I finished lunch.

The next one is a travel/make-up bag I made for my teacher Michelle Marvig, who sadly closed her shop and finished her classes in December.  It is made from the fabric she designed and is laminate!!.  Turned out so well I made one for myself.  Michelle said she could even use it to carry around some handsewing.

The third one is a little gift I made for my friend Carolynne, who is going to quilt my quilt on her long arm machine for me.  I know she doesn't like my choices of bright colours so I made her a nice Burgandy Pear Pin Cushion (pattern by Heather Bailey).  I love it so I will definately be making some bright ones for me.  There is also an apple one.... I am envisioning a fabric fruit bowl full of bright fabric fruit pin cushions !!!

So yesterday I finished all the components for my World Traveller quilt (the backing, cut the batting, photocopied the picture)  and headed over to Carolynne's place to pass it  over to her wonderful capable hands to quilt.  We went over the design and picked out how she is going to quilt it.  Whatever she chooses to do will be perfect.  Now I just need to be patient !!

So if you have been reading my blog you know that I have taken a pledge to do the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge (see button on left).  The first challenge was posted and it is a leaf design. 
Last year I did a few classes of FMQ with Debra Louie, so  I got out my practice sandwiches and started to have a go.  I used the BSR function, because I couldn't quite get the stitches right without it.  Anyway practice, practice, practice.  Here are some shots of my practice

I also follow Leah Day's Blog and today she is also starting a  "Free Motion Quilting Project 2012". It seems like it will be fun to follow along.  But the best part was hee words. "Shut Up and Quilt"  LOL  It made me think... You have to start on something soon.... So I searched through my stuff and found a project I made at least 15 years ago... I had done some hand quilting on it, but I thought... Just quilt it!
So I did some stippling.  I am really happy with the outcome.  Here she is

Any way seize the day and the quilt.  I am going to get out the Tail Feathers Quilt and have a play.

Happy Sewing

Caz