Thursday 29 September 2011

Christmas Tree tags

Today I only had a short time in the sewing room as there were other things (such as groceries) that needed my attention.
Christmas Tree Tags
These double sided Christmas tree tags measure approx 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches and would look great on any christmas tree or as a gift tag.

They are 100% cotton fabric front and back and have peltex in between.  Each one has been satin stitched around the edges.

Well that's all from me today.

Happy Quilting!

Wednesday 28 September 2011

Christmas Cards galore!

Yippee, today I spent the day back in the sewing room.  It seems like ages since I have done any sewing althought it is only 2 weeks.  It time to start thinking about Christmas  and Christmas cards:


7 Cards in one day, I was "smokin" today!

I started on a new roll of fusible web today that I bought online (wonder under) and I had nothing but problems with it.  I've used fusibles for years now and never had any issues until today.  The backing just wouldn't peel away nicely and then it started to bubble the fabric.  Grrr. 

It had better behave tomorrow or I'm throwing it in the bin and heading off to spotlight!

Today I've also been in contact with the British Club who are holding a quilt challenge in November and I have booked a table where I can sell my cards and hand dyed fabric.

See you there!

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Back in Chinatown

Yesterday I was invited to come and help in Chinatown with the "Aunties" (and 1 uncle) from Granny Quilts (see older posts 2008-9).  They were making art pieces for the Singapore International Foundation.


The finished product
They were given black canvas's and embroidered them with thread and beads. 

It was lovely catching up with them again (I got to practice some of my mandarin)  and after we had finished working we were treated to a "high tea".  (my first high tea).  These aunties are so much fun to work with.

A big thank you to Terence, Richard, the Singapore International Foundation and all those that support these elderly in Chinatown.

Today I am off to the ANZA Quilt group and we are meeting at our new venue at the Hollandse club.  What a great place to meet and the food is great!

Hopefully tomorrow I will get back into the sewing room......

Monday 26 September 2011

Blue skies and clean green air!

The last 10 days I have been in Wellington, New Zealand visiting my parents and to celebrate my Dad's birthday.  It was a very busy 10 days but it was wonderful catching up with family and friends.

This is a picture of Mum and Dad's motorhome but what I really want you to see is that BEAUTIFUL clear blue sky!  Oh how I have missed clear blue skies, fresh clean air and hillsides covered in native trees! 
Here is a view from Wellington Harbour taken from the Maungaraki hills.

There was major Rugby world cup fever in New Zealand and rugby was everywhere you went.

I am back in Singapore now and enjoying being back with my own family and the warmer weather.

Somehow though, I will always be a "Wellington Girl" at heart!


Marianne

Saturday 10 September 2011

Dyeing Frenzy Week

This last week I have been busy dyeing fabrics.


I dyed no less than 76 fat quarters (50 x 55cm) and one half meter.  That is a whopping 19.5 meters of fabric!

Colours dyed are:

Muted blue
Muted blue to black
Muted yellow
Muted yellow to black
Muted red
Muted red to black
Muted dark coloured rainbow (12)
Muted light coloured rainbow (12)
2 light blue (these will be painted later to make sky fabric)
2 overdyed previously discharged fabrics
3 direct application purple/pink with salt effect
and one purple/ yellow shibori
Not a bad effort for 3 days work!

I will be listing some of these for sale on my etsy page, or you can email me.

On Wednesday I am flying home for 2 weeks to see my parents.  I am not looking forward to the long flight but I am looking forward to spending some time at home with family and friends.

Not sure if I will have time for any quilting.....will have to see

Happy quilting!


Tuesday 6 September 2011

Dyeing (to have cool air)

I havent been able to work in the sewing room as 5 of our airconditioners broke down last week so yesterday seemed like a great day to do the dyeing that I have been meaning to do since July.

I dyed a set of 12 muted dark rainbow colours as well as 12 muted light rainbow colours.  While preparing the light colours they seemed very disappointing but once they had cured and dried the colours were very nice.
Muted colours light & dark
Also overdyed the two fabrics that Gina and I used the bleach pen on.  One we overdyed red and the other yellow.  The colours really came out well.
Discharged fabric overdyed with red
I also tried a shibori technique on a pale yellow fabric that I had dyed a while back but never really liked the colour of.  The 1/2 meter fabric was folded double lengthwise and a seam sewed down one side to make a tube.  It was then pushed onto a tennis ball container scrunching the fabric up and securing with rubberbands. Purple  dye was added and left to dry.
Shibori (not yet washed and ironed)
It was great experimenting with the colours and different techniques.  I definately think I will do the shibori and the discharge again.


The aircon guys have been and we have cool air again!  Yippee!