Wednesday, September 3, 2014

BLOGHOP TIME: See You In September!

It's SPRING! *runs around like a little chickadee in season-warming glee*

Down here in Australia, it's the 1st September, and therefore also the first day of Spring. (Equinoxes, schmeequinoxes. We count the seasons by date, none of your planetary motions and solar proximities biz, thank youp!) And the weather here in Sydney has kindly taken on a lovely spring tinge. It will doubtless rethink this as September progresses, but for the moment, it's all happy and delightful and glowy.

And particularly because I HAS A HOUSE! SO HOUSE! MUCH EXCITE!


My sister and I bought a property together in suburbia. It's a lot smaller than our current residence (which we share with our youngest sister), so it's going to be a bit of a squeeze to get everything in there. And yes, I have a quilting workroom - although I'll be sharing it with my sister, half-half, so it will get rather squeezy in there at times.

Still, it's OUR HOUSE!

With a yard! A flat yard! That I can grow things in! (Since it's spring.) FRUIT TREES.

But you're not reading this blog for that. *coughs*


Madam Samm of SEW We Quilt runs regular bloghops, full of quilters, their links, and their creative outputs, and this one was run over the Northern Hemisphere summer with a fairly simple fiat: create three things, one of them with Riley Blake Designs Gingham. Be as creative as you want!

So, this winter (Southern Hemisphere) I made...uh...quilts. More quilts!

I know, it's not very creative in the 'expanding out of my comfort zone' way, but I haven't really had time to experiment very much in the last few months. I hope I will in the coming months, though!

Batik Bitsa Cushion Covers

I've had the fabric for these for a long time, but never actually got around to putting it all together.

See You In September

The first two cushions are made from off-cuts from the batik quilt which has been sitting on my bed for several years now. Their framing is (unfortunately) some polycotton that I thought would be good enough for making things out of. Note to self: polycotton cannot take the heat (of the iron) and should stay out of the sewing room!

They're small cushions - only 14"-15" - and will probably just lay around on my bed, being co-opted by the cats.

Snowflake Blossom Cushion Covers

The second two are from a pattern that I worked out a couple of years ago, and which I never managed to incorporate into a full-sized quilt - the Snowflake Block.

#snowflakeblock cushion cover #1 done! I like the "winter wind" quilting I did.

Looks pretty spectacular, doesn't it?

Looks even more spectacular with some colourful backdrop:

SeaBreezeMQAL

My sister's comment when she saw them was: "Are they for us?" Namely, were we going to get to keep them (rather than them being farmed out as gifts). Yes, they're for us. :)

Sea Breeze Mini

The Sea Breeze Mini Quilt pattern was developed by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations, and when fellow Australian GnomeAngel asked for volunteers to participate in a bloghop, I figured 'oh, why not' in spite of the fact that work is crazy, house is crazy, and winter is always an exhausting time for me.

Yes, I have a problem with overcommitting.

Many wonderful artists joined in with the bloghop and quilt-along, and if you haven't seen them, I recommend a quick hop over to GnomeAngel's blog and the Sea Breeze MIni QAL to see how it all went!

My day to blog about the #seabreezemqal! It's all choppy seas and storm clouds, but there's clear skies coming, I'm sure!

I'm pretty happy with my resultant mini...even if I have no idea what I'm going to do with it now...

The Gingham Quilt

I know, dreadfully unoriginal name for it!

See You In September

I admit, I didn't read the requirements for this bloghop very well. I completely missed the whole bit about one project having to include RBD Gingham. And than I was horrified: GINGHAM?!?!?

After a few moments and a bit of searching on the intarwebs, I found a little roll of RBD gingham in rainbow colours. And a little imp suggested: "Why not make a gingham quilt out of gingham?"

I can't believe, it's not-gingham!

Part of the due inspiration for this goes to La Madame Samm herself, who painted her room gingham and showed us the process. The idea that gingham could be more than just a fabric weave was something I'd never considered before. (I'm afraid I don't usually spend my days contemplating gingham in all it's monochrome glory.)

I can't believe, it's not-gingham!

I worked out that the gingham pattern was nothing more than an endlessly repeating four-patch with one solid square, one white square, and two half-half squares, where the two half-half squares are always set diagonally from each other in the four-patch. The colours themselves are less important than the value difference between the fabrics.

I can't believe, it's not-gingham!

So rainbow gingham, rainbow prints (rather than solids), and white prints gets you a gingham quilt!

Sunny inside, rainy outside...

I rather like it in the pretty rainbow colours. And in the setting of my new house!

See You In September

So that's my post for the See You In September Bloghop! I hope you go check out some of the other posts from today and all the rest of the blog hop!

Wednesday, September 3

Sew Incredibly Crazy
Bumbleberry Cottage
Thimblemouse and Spouse
In The Boon Docks

Go wander, check out, leave comments, and generally admire the lovely projects (gingham and other) that us fabulous quilting ladies have done!

74 comments:

  1. That rainbow gingham is lovely - really fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I had NO IDEA what to make of it, and then inspiration struck in the form of Madam Samm's gingham walls. :)

      Delete
  2. Wow...have you ever been busy this summer, or er, rather this winter. Love your snowflake blossom cushion covers...great colour and of course, what is not to love about your gingham quilt. Happy settling into your new home as well!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your pillows, mini quilt, and gingham quilt are just beautiful and quite the accomplishment while working and moving! Love the rainbow effect of that quilt! Congratulations on the house, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do tend to be on the busy side of things. It makes life....interesting. And thank you - we're very excited about the house!

      Delete
  4. Love the batik pillows! WooHoo on the house, it looks fantastic :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! It's a nice little house - emphasis on 'nice' and 'little'! We're going to have to get used to living in a much smaller space than we're accustomed to.

      Delete
  5. Heartiest congrats about your new house!!!! Great to see quilt photos already around the house. See you at the Bluegum sometime

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How could I possibly resist taking photos as soon as I got the house? :) And I'm hoping to make it to the Bluegum for at least a couple of hours on Saturday. See you there?

      Delete
  6. Very nice however I think I like the gingham quilt the best. So very colorful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The gingham quilt is very much a surprise favourite of mine, too!

      Delete
  7. Love the projects especially the gingham quilt. Good Luck with your new home it looks really cute. Hugs, Susie x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very coolio! Look the rainbow gingham effect quilt - super!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations on your New Home, that in itself will bring many projects to share. Your quilted Pillow covers are just Beautiful!! Your Gingham Quilt is Gorgeous and sew Happy in all its Gingham Bliss!! Thank~You so much for sharing, and enjoy your Beautiful Spring!!

    Huggs, Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congrats on the HOUSE! It looks very, very nice indeed! I am a bit jealous that you are now going into spring, while we (oh noooooo) are going into autumn...... It is a good thing that you now have that house, because where else were you going to put all those beautiful cushions! The quilt is colourful, bright and just really lovely! Thank you for sharing you winter quilting here!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hooray for the house! I love spring and autumn. I really prefer autumn because I know winter is coming instead of summer. I have very, very achy muscles and keep my house warm but I still do better in winter. You are going to have a great time with your home - it is yours and your sister's. I love your detailed mind. I was a computer programmer for over 30 years. I often get caught up in details. Your gingham quilt is magnificent. I looked quickly at part of your tutorial for the Snowflake Block and want to go back and revisit it. I love the block and would probably have thought more about fusing it. I don't know - just first thought. Of course, you can tell I don't tackle easy, easy projects either. I am hand piecing a Grandmother's Flower Garden with hexies with 1" finished side. My mother made each my brother me one and hand quilted them. Mine was stolen and I had never put it on my bed. Later among my mom's remaining things I had, I found a few flowers and some fabric she obviously meant for flowers, so I have started that project. Now, I'm stamping the fabric using Kathleen Ackley's stamps. I hope to be able to use some of Mom's flowers. I don't know if Mom was failing or if someone else made some of the flowers. Some are not very well done. Your pillows are wonderful. I guess you learned about polycotton, eh? I guess we learn something from each project. Thanks for sharing your wonderful projects and participating in this hop. I'm sure you will enjoy your new home. I hope you do not have as hot a summer as we have here in Oklahoma. It's still hovering around 95 degrees.

    ReplyDelete
  12. congrats for the house....and your gingham quilt is absolutely awesome....love it to bit, your snowflake tut is perfect and your pillows adorable...yes you did a lot over the holidays...gratitude for your hopping along with us

    ReplyDelete
  13. oh ps. I think your home is perfect...I love to go smaller..this looks soooooo filled with love already..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congratulations on the house. How exciting for you! You've done such a nice job on all your projects it's hard to pick a favorite. The gingham quilt is beautiful even if it was an unexpected project for you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congrats on the house! Your projects are all wonderful, and the gingham gingham quilt is really clever too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congratulations on the home where "The Gingham Quilt" get to reside! It is such a great idea to make --gingham out of gingham-- and I just love your other bright-cheery projects!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats on being "chosen" today.... your gingham quilt is so cute and happy! Love the other projects, especially the snowflake pattern. Enjoy your new home!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It agree...your gingham is quite lovely!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely projects! What a great idea for a gingham quilt! It's just lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  20. First of all congratulations on your new house! I love moving into a new house - I'm an organizer at heart so it's an adventure for me. I love the pillows and the snowflake ones made me smile. Your gingham quilt - what a fun thing to make! blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gratz on the new house! Your projects are stunning. Love the snowflake pillows!! Even better they you get to keep them. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fantastic gingham quilt, it looks awesome! And the little snowflake blocks are adorable

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congratulations to you new home, looks great and I wish you happy years there!
    Congratulations to this beautiful Gingham Rainbow Quilt, absoutely lovely!
    Your new cushions are so stunning, especially the snowflakes.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What better than a new home with all those delicious quilts and pillows in it. Love what you did with the gingham!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow what a finish! That gingham quilt is "simply gingham" and I love it! All the projects are wonderful. And lastly and most importantly, congratulations on the house. It looks beautiful and I know you'll be quite comfy there.

    ReplyDelete
  26. How beautiful! All of them!!! Wow! Your gingham quilt is gorgeous!
    Love the house! It has such a sweet cottage look to it! You will certainly have fun planting your trees!

    ReplyDelete
  27. You pulled off the "gingham theme" wonderfully original. Good job!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love your rainbow gingham quilt! Thanks for showing how you made this pretty quilt and for sharing your summer ... :) Pat

    ReplyDelete
  29. Congratulations on the house! Your projects are wonderful and you've been SEW busy and productive. I especially love the gingham rainbow quilt and snowflake cushion covers. They are BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing your creations with us today.

    ReplyDelete
  30. WOW!! A SPECTACULAR Gingham Quilt!!! You did an awesome job figuring out the pattern. It is a keepsake for certain. Your house so reminds me of my childhood home. The little front porch is so charming. I know your sisters and you will be very happy and snug as a bug in a rug. Good for you!
    Blessings
    Gmama Jane

    ReplyDelete
  31. OH MY, the colors are just breath taken, on both pillows, I just love the batiks and the snowflake solids are just great. The gingham quilt is very lovely and like how you set it up.

    ReplyDelete
  32. The snowflake pillow cover is spectacular! Love the colors! ...And your Rainbow Gingham quilt is quite fabulous! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow, Sel, what a terrific collection you've sewn up over the winter!! Bright and beautiful - I especially love your snowflake pillows. But that rainbow gingham quilt - genius! Happy New Home!!! So exciting.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Well, your gingham quilts looks terrific, I like it. And congrats for your new house, looks great! I have been in Australia some years ago with my hubbie for 7 months, I really enjoyed the outback and the beautiful scenery. We only visited Sydney for 2 days, we are more the "anti-suburbian" types... LOL

    ReplyDelete
  35. What great projects! You do beautiful work. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I like the rainbow effect of the gingham quilt. The snowflake pillow is stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congrats on your new house! Love the pillows you made. The gingham quilt is wonderful, I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh! that Gingham Quilt...do die for!!!
    AND...those pillows! So glad you get to keep them for yourselves and that cute little house...
    I am going to be checking back often to see if you ever give us a tour of that ADORABLE HOME OF YOURS!!!!!
    I love it! Happy Spring Girls!

    ReplyDelete
  39. It is all Delightful! Blessings to you in your new home. Make it Cozy :) janita

    ReplyDelete
  40. Cnogratulations on your new home. I really like your quilt. Did you join your strip piece together end to end (into a tube) before you cut your 2 1/2 stripes?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your projects are sew yummy! Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Congratulations and good luck in your new house. I love the gingham quilt, light and bright and different.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Fabulous and creative attention to color/shades in this quilt! I love it!!! Congrats on the house - can't wait to see a picture of the shared sewing room!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Your quilts are simply gorgeous! I especially like the rainbow gingham.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I just love that gingham quilt. All of your projects are lovely.
    Cheers
    maggie

    maggiemine42@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Congratulations on the house purchase! Sweet gingham quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your Rainbow Gingham quilt is brilliant. It and your new home really go well together. Congratulations and thank you sew very much for sharing and hopping. Creative Gingham Bliss...

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi Sel, what a wonderful summer you have had...new house, new quilts new projects! Love, love, love your snowflake pillows and your gingham rainbow quilt is awesome! Thanks for joining the hop! You've inspired me!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Spring...another of my favorite seasons...next to Fall being #1. The rainbow gingham quilt is lovely - just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Your pillows and gingham quilt are beautiful. Congratulations on your new home.

    ReplyDelete
  51. How exciting to have a new home. I just love your gingham quilt and your picture of it in the tree just makes me have goose bumps. Congrats on your top two pic. Well deserved.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Congrats on your new house. It is always exciting and a lot of work to make it your home. Your rainbow gingham quilt is just fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Congratulations on your new home...and the gingham rainbow quilt is just perfect for a new home. You created some spectacular sewing projects this summer. Thanks for sharing and the inspiration!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your gingham quilt is just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  55. I really love your gingham quilt! I would have never bought a rainbow of gingham...and I would have been wrong, you put together a beautiful quilt! Thank you for sharing.

    Nini~

    ReplyDelete
  56. congrats on the house. Congrats also on deciding to keep those lovely pillows for your new home. Love the gingham quilt. Love how you looked at it in it's basic 4 patch concept. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  57. A great big congratulations on your house! And awesome job on the Gingham Quilt, it's very beautiful. I will have to look for the jelly roll of rainbow gingham, I love the idea!
    ~Brandy
    pamperedpettit.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Congrats on the new house. Exciting.
    All your projects look wonderful. I made some Sea Breeze blocks when the sew along started but didn't like one of them so didn't finish. I was gone most of the summer so will have to revisit that project at a later time.
    Your gingham quilt is great!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I love your gingham quilt. Beautiful.Congrats on your new home.

    ReplyDelete
  60. This is a very stunning quilt. Well thought out. kthurn@bektel.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. By the way, this is the first time I've visited your blog but I'll be back. Love the name of your blog. It really is a disease, you know.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Amazing job on the Gingham quilt, beautiful, I also really love your Snowflake cushions.

    ReplyDelete
  63. The quilt project turned out great. The oops worked out for you.

    ReplyDelete
  64. The cushions are wonderful but that gingham quilt is amazing! Well done, you! Congrats on the new house too.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Congratulations on your new house!! I love your gingham quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  66. So creative--Gingham out of gingham. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Your projects are lovely! Thank you for sharing them with us!

    ReplyDelete

I try to answer every comment made, but if I forget to respond to you, I sincerely apologise! Thanks so much for coming by and commenting!