New Quilt Project & Books I'm Loving

Since my blog is called pinwheels & things I think it's time for a pinwheel quilt. I love pinwheels  and any HST block, but I so have a great love for pinwheels (and chevrons). Since there are so many variations of the humble pinwheel block, I thought I would make a pinwheel sampler quilt. This idea has just ignited my imagination and I've spent the last week drawing blocks, after blocks. My biggest concern is the colour scheme because it will influence the layout I want. I just had a thought while writing this that I need to pop over to design-seeds to look at palettes. I have even thought of using one or two Kaffe Fassett fabric for sashing, borders etc an using solids for the blocks but I'm just not sure. I absolutely love the design stage of quilting and I won't be able to start this quilt until after I've finished my Maths B  and Chemistry course. It's only 4 weeks away so I am going to thoroughly enjoy playing with this design for a little while.

I regularly look at our council's library's website for quilt books and at the moment I have borrowed the following...

They're all quite lovely with great projects and my list of projects to try is growing very fast! If you haven't read any of the following, I highly recommend them.

I borrowed the Essential Sampler Quilt by Lynne Edwards to see different types of layouts for sampler quilts but unfortunately I've found most to be the same and very simple. I would love to try something different. However, the book has introduced me to a few new blocks I would love to try.

So at the moment it looks as thought I will definitely be spending the next few weeks playing with designs for my Pinwheel Sampler Quilt. I can't wait to start on it.

It's Finished!

I finished the binding today. I'm so happy. I absolutely love it! 

I still need a label but I couldn't wait to see it on my wall. It's above my desk and now I can look at it everyday :-). It will brighten my mood while I study.  Original post here.  I tried orange-peel for the first time for the quilting.  I few squares look a but wonky but I had so much fun quilting it.  I wanted to use green for the binding but it didn't look right.  I tried purple, and no luck.  I eventually chose pink and I'm so glad I did.

I've added this quilt to Megan's link-up at Canoe Ridge Creations for the Festival of Half Square Triangles.  You should check it out to see all the amazing designs.

Trudy's Quilt

Over the weekend I finished quilting two quilts :-)  I'm very happy but I really need quilting practice!  It's hard to get use to the Sweet Sixteen Handi Quilter.  But I suppose 'practice makes perfect'.

So what did I finish quilting?

My little charm square quilt!  I'm so happy with it (except for how the quilting looks on the back of the quilt).  Every time I come down the stairs and see it on the couch, waiting to be bound, I am blown away by the quilting pattern.  It's obviously not perfect because I'm still learning but I do love all the swirls, they're so pretty.  

So, who is Trudy and why is she getting a quilt?  Trudy is my boyfriends mum.  She was totally blown away by the Bali quilt I made for Chris and she keeps sneaking a peek at it so I decided to make one for her.  This quilt was already in the works but it needed a home.  So I asked Chris what colours she loved and he named a few but he did mention light blue pink and reds.  Instantly, I knew this quilt had found a home!  She's seen photos because Chris shows her them every time I give him an update.  She's very excited to get this quilt but unfortunately with exams over the next week and a half it might have to wait a little since my binding pile has reached four!  I'm so pleased.  It's really nice to be so close to finishing.

Also just wanted to share the backing fabric which I love.  I bought it from equilter.com

This quilt still needs a name.  I'm hoping it will come to me while I bind it.

Blog Button

I've made a button for my blog. 

Happy Days :)

Feathery Friend

This little guy visited out porch this morning.  He's a Pale-Faced Rosella. According to mum, they used to eat from our bird feed all the time until the pigeons scared them off.  They usually sit on the power lines across the road at out neighbours house.  He has many parrots in cages in his yard.  I think he used to nurse injured birds and release them back into the wild.  He did, for a while, have a few of these beautiful guys in a cage at the front of his house but I think he's released them.  I think that's why they visit our area, because they had friends across the road!  I have many photos of them sitting on the power lines but it's nice to have a photo up close, and from our house.

Progress

Happy Easter!

I'm excited. This was my first time using my Mum's Sweet Sixteen Handi Quilter. It's a little tough but better than the sewing machine. I don't think I am used to it yet. Definitely need more practice.

Below is a picture of a close-up of the design I used in each square and used a leaf to go from one block to another, diagonally along the quilt. 

It has been a very productive day. I also have the binding on my diary cover and the binding on my little heart wall quilt, which has no name at the moment.

Little treasures

Introducing my beautiful sister Heather and me. She's the light of my life :-)