Wednesday 28 September 2011

The Good News or The Bad News?

Do you want the good news or the bad news first?

When asked this question, I always plump for the bad news.  Better to get it over and done with.

My Across the Sea quilt (ATSQ) is basted and I`ve started quilting it.  No, no - that`s not the bad news. I went for wavy lines as I thought straight lines might be a little harsh and I don`t have the FMQ foot here as the shop forgot to send it to me with the new machine.  Well this morning I thought the  ATSQ would be my favourite quilt.  I was so happy with it.  However, I`ve given up with it for today.  It`s lying in a dishevelled heap. My wavy lines make it look like some cheap quilt you would find at the local market.  The lines are about 3 inches apart.  Perhaps I need to go denser. 



And the good news?  Well the good news is that I received some goodies in the post. Yes, our postman is back!

First off is this lovely fabric I had ordered and forgotten about.



Loulouthi FQ bundle in the Eleni colourway by Anna Maria Horner.


Prince Charming FQ bundle by Tula Pink in the coral colourway.

But that`s not all. I received my first mug rug and goodies of The Goodie Swap 2011 from lovely Judith in Northern Ireland.


Judith had gone to so much trouble, taking into account favourite colours and incorporating Moroccan inspired shapes in the mug rug, which is so beautifully made.  There`s also a handmade silk brooch with silk from Cambodia and the most amazing camera pin, which Judith asked her daughter to make - knowing I love photography.  I love it - it`s so beautifully made and the detail is incredible!


Oh and what do you think Zaki has his eye on?  Yes, the Gummy Bugs..which Judith sent especially for him and which went down a treat.  Thank you so much Judith!

If a miracle happens, I`ll post a photo of my ATSQ tomorrow and if not I`ll cry.  

Don`t forget to check back tomorrow night for the winner of the Intrepid Thread sponsored giveaway!

20 comments:

Canadian Abroad said...

Annabella, I can't remember who did it but I saw a quilt with long wavy lines quilted on it, only they didn't keep them even for each line, and overlapped the waves some. It looked really cool. Would that work better, a little randomness?

Laurel said...

whenever i'm quilting and it doesn't look right, more quilting ALWAYS helps. seriously! it'll be all right... i like the idea of crisscrossing wavy lines!

Rebecca Lynne said...

Walk away and come back. I agree with the comments above - this quilt has so much intentional sashing space that denser lines is probably best. In fact, I've given up finishing mine on time because I would like to do some serious quilting for mine! Have faith! Not all is lost I think wavy is great but 3" sounds like a lot of space...

Loulouthi? YUM! How could you forget you ordered that? Ha! AMH is my favorite designer hands down!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

What a lovely swap package you have received. Love that camera pin. So thoughtful.
Now for the ATSQAL...mine is lying in a heap too because I just have too many things to finish before sewing summit. But I need to get to it, ASAP.

Rosa said...

Such a beatiful fabrics and wonderful swap package,the camera pin is cool.

Happy quilting!!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Judith is always guaranteed to make you smile - lucky you xx

The quilt will look better in the morning - promise xx

Prof. S (the enchanted bobbin) said...

Don't despair! Experiment with some denser quilting -- and you can *always* unpick, as daunting as that prospect may seem.

When working on this quilt (http://www.flickr.com/photos/48854966@N04/5726981773/in/set-72157624254713256) I had terrible problems with the thread I was using, but I had already quilted about 2 square feet when I threw in the towel (and tossed the thread!). I stuck the quilt in the closet for a month, and then attacked it with the seam ripper. Once all the nasty quilting was removed, it was very satisfying to actually finish it!

You'll feel so good when your beautiful quilt is done, even/especially if the road is a bumpy one :)

And your new fabric stacks are gorgeous!! Have fun.

Deborah in Atlanta said...

I was thinking around the same lines as the 1st comment you received. And I know this is going to be a bit difficult to imagine with your striaght lines already there, but how about something random like the very last photo in this post? Do some long squiggles and then some short squiggles - total randomness. The very last photo.

http://debraspincicdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/susans-smackdown-quilt.html

Ellie said...

Awe, I'm sure it's not as bad as you are thinking. Go back to it tomorrow after a good nights sleep and I'm sure you will feel better about it.
Your new fabric looks absolutely lovely as does your gift package. Lucky you.

linda said...

i think the same go back and look at it in the morning it might look better then !!
love your goodies i cannot remember seeing that mug rug it is beautiful !!lucky you and Zaki :))

leanne can blog said...

Your boy looks so pleased with those gummi bears. Shame your not happy. I know nothing about quilts but I hope some of those above suggestions help!

Sheila said...

Last year I was making quite a simple quilt sample fopr our shop and made a right mess of the quilting - I unpicked the lot but I am sure you can retrieve after a good nights sleep.
Judith is a clever girl!

Unknown said...

Hello Annabella

ohhhhh.... a new fabric stash - who doesn't get excited over that.

I bet you "kissed" the postman to see him :)

x

Loulou

Lynn said...

Oh wow! That camera pin is amazing!

blandina said...

I love the pattern and colours of the mug rug that you received, and the camera pin is incredible!

Anonymous said...

what lovely farbics, recieving forgotton parcels is always fun. Great mug rug too!

Katy Cameron said...

Ooh, enjoy your new stash, and your lovely goodies, love that pin!

As for the quilting, hopefully you're back in your groove this morning and it's all better again with the suggestions from above :o)

Catherine said...

oh thats is such a shame that your are not liking your quilting, after all that hard work? Maybe you have been looking at it for too long? Good luck whichever way you decide to go.
Your goodies look fantastic - another one to cross off my list that won't end up on my doorstep :-(

pasqueflower said...

Hope you find a happy solution to the ATSQ quilting challenge. (I can relate. I have a quilting disaster hiding under my daughter's bed. Loved the top. Hated the quilting--and ripping it out is going to be a very tedious and time-consuming process.)

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I hope you feel better about your quilt tomorrow - I wonder if Susan is thinking about this quilt by Fiona http://poppymakes.blogspot.com/2011/08/little-apples-baby-quilt-complete.html which is fabulous and might be the answer you're looking for...glad the postie's back - did you give him a kiss?!! Gorgeous swap parcel - Judith is so talented!