Friday 10 January 2014

What's A Girl To Do?...

What's a girl to do with fabric bought for a purpose, but not used after all??
(You might want to go make a cuppa, I have a lot to share... don't say I didn't warn you!)

Last year I bought some fabrics with an intention in mind, but for various reasons didn't end up using it...

This is definitely not fabric I would use for myself, but I felt I could not just toss it out, surely there would eventually be a use? Indeed I did come up with what I think is a darn brilliant use for it...
A QUILTY PROJECT!
I have been admiring a tutorial on P.S. I Quilt for a while now... & working on the theory that 'if the fabric is cut small enough I might learn to love it', I decided to go ahead & make the Postage Stamp Quilt.
I had a lot of work to do before the sewing could start - no jelly rolls for me - cutting a zillion 2½inch strips from the fabrics & also cutting the same amount of white too. (actually only about 44 strips of each).
Now I understand the comments & warnings from other bloggers that this sort of project can be addictive... I got a lot done in a short time...
Lots of lovely strips
Ready to sew the strip sets
Now that the strip sets have been cut into 2½inch pieces, I am ready to start sewing the blocks together... all 48 of them... I really want to get the whole top pieced together before my work days begin at the end of the month.

What's your forecast - will the 'not my style' fabrics turn out pretty after all?
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During the Festive Season I have continued work on my 'Redwork Noel' - I am now back to the stage of where I struck disaster on my previous working of it...














I also started working on this 'Jolly Santa' pre-print from The Birdhouse... great for stitching in the car or evenings away from home... he's going to become a wall-hanging for our house...

 (Was your cuppa good?!)



 As for what 2014 holds for me... good things, new things, maybe some not-so-good...
Late last year I posted about my overwhelming Overload... while I am not joining any 'stash busting' movement or making any grand declaration I know I will not keep, I have committed to do most of my sewing & creating from my Overload... Give my fabrics, patterns, kits & stitcheries their opportunity to provide the enjoyment they are supposed to give... & REALLY enjoy the process of making it happen! I will not be counting finishes or making lists of how many UFOs I have... I'm going to follow my heart & work on what I want, & progress it according to my own wishes.

The 'not-so-good' is that my job at school is coming to an end soon - the uniform shop is being outsourced & I will no longer be needed at school. While I am sad about this, it does give me thought to seek another job, who knows where just yet... so that could be a 'new thing'...

I am excited for what 2014 will be for me... lots to look forward to...

26 comments:

Cardygirl said...

Good luck with the year ahead. I think it will be a pretty quilt, good use of the fabric!

Lin said...

Those fabrics are gorgeous! right up my street.I am looking forward to seeing how your project with them turns out. Good luck with the job hunt. xx

Kate said...

That quilt looks like a lot of work, Anthea, but I do like all those colours with the white. Enjoy being between jobs.

Helen said...

I think you are going to be very pleasantly surprised with the quilt it will look great. Good luck with your new venture in the coming weeks.

Michelle Ridgway said...

I think your quilt is lovely and fresh looking. Well done. Hope something great is on the horizon for you work wise.

sunny said...

I predict your quilt will be beautiful! Are you only using those fabrics, or are you making it scrappy? I'm not nearly as brave as you, much as I'd like to have a postage stamp someday.

Jeanette said...

the postage stamp quilt is looking good. Love the redwork. Anthea you are a lady after my own heart. I've made a similar decision to you & hopefully i'll be able to stick to it this year. Hugs,xx

marina said...

sounds like some changes ahead for you, not all change is bad though.
the fabric does look better in smaller doses and with the white it looks lovely and fresh too.
lovely to have 'caught up' with your Noel cross stitch.
Happy stitching!

Anonymous said...

i always say Anthea when one door closes another door will open,good luck on your new journey and this postage quilt is going to look so nice and love your stitchery projects too.xx

KERYN B said...

I'm sure your quilt will be beautiful. How annoying with the red thread when you have done so much work on it. Good luck with the year and what it holds - You are such a lovely person only goods things will come your way.

Susan said...

I think those fabrics are going to be ok, they look good with the white. Good attitude to start the year, our stitching is meant to be fun. I was in a similar job situation in 2013....it's certainly a challenging experience....

Fiona said...

I just love the look of the up and coming postage stamp quilt...

All the best with those changes.... I'm sure there are great things around the corner for you..

Hugz

Cath said...

personaly, I love those fabrics so anything you make appeals to me and I do LOVE the postage stamp quilt you have chosen.
Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

Unknown said...

I like the colours and look forward to seeing the finished quilt. Change can be a good thing Anthea. Sharyn :)

Carin@Ullhärvan said...

I think the quilt will be nice and bright!
I wish the year will be a good one for you!

Wendy said...

I can hardly wait to see how this turns out...I love the fabric by the way...so very lovely...I have a postage stamp quilt in progress as well...very scrappy though...

barb's creations said...

I hope something workwise turns up for you soon and is just what you're looking for. Well done on deciding to use up what you've got, I'm planning to do something very similar this year and try and work through my stash and patterns as well :) Barb.

Marilyn said...

I also like the look of your postage stamp quilt. They are lovely fabrics and with the freshness of the white it will be lovely. All the best with your changing work circumstances this year, and enjoy your stitching in the way that works best for you.

Raewyn said...

I think your postage stamp quilt will look good - an excellent use of those fabrics! I echo your sentiments regarding your 'creating attitude' this year. I like to keep motivated by joining 'things' but need to be able to work in a way that I enjoy :-) PS love your Santa stitchery and how frustrating with the DMC on your beautiful cross-stitch.

Maria said...

What a great idea way to use your unwanted fabrics... I started a Postage Stamp Quilt over three years ago and it is still in the box. Sadly my is only 1/12" . Far to hard.....

Kaylee said...

The quilt top is looking amazing so far Anthea, you chose a great pattern for that fabric, mixed with the white looks awesome. I hope you get it finished within your time frame. I started back at work on Monday so didn't get as much sewing done as I would have liked but I did finish a quilt top for an Aussie Hero and have sandwiched it together awaiting some quilting which I am HOPING to start tomorrow.

Jeneta said...

I think it will be a beautiful quilt! Postage stamp quilts seem to make any fabric look great!

Katherine said...

Those fabrics will be perfect for a postage stamp quilt! Love the look of the strips already. Great stitching too and yes time to make things simple and less complicated. Enjoy your stitching wether they are new or UFO's

Leanne said...

Such pretty fabrics Anthea, sometimes its fun to sew with fabrics we normally wouldn't use, the end result will be stunning. I so look foreward to watching your progress on this lovely quilt.

retdairyqueen said...

I think the not so you fabric will make something beautiful

Susan said...

Good Luck with the job hunt...I LOVE your postage stamp quilt - maybe not your usual choice but just up my alley...

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