Monday 29 September 2014

Time Flies....when you are busy

Time sure does fly past when you are busy - or should I say swamped!  But that is a good thing!

The last couple of months have been hectic with the kids sewing classes both after school and during the summer holidays.  July was frantically busy with parents looking for activities for the  kids at the end of the school holiday season.  I met some really lovely families and had a great time teaching!

Ella's camo skirt

Lara's Owl Pj's
We have also been busy making more commissioned t-shirt quilts and even got to self deliver one in Sydney while visiting my daughter who is studying there!
Jamie's t-shirt quilt
The ANZA Quilters in Singapore went to meet up with the  MANZA Quilters in Kuala Lumpur for a few days at the beginning of September and we had a fantastic time!  We did a jelly roll race quilt, fabric postcards and fabric baskets.
Jelly Roll quilts

Fabric postcards
Fabric Baskets
Thanks ladies for a great couple of days! We hope you will come down and visit us in Singapore soon!

Tomorrow I will be at the Scandinavian Fair which is being held at the Danish Seamans Church.  This is a beautiful building in Mount Faber here in Singapore.  My husband and I would often walk past this church and I am looking forward to spending the day there.


Lastly, my daughter has made a brand new website for me and it looks fantastic!  All my fabrics are now on there ready to go out the door.  Now to find some time to do some dyeing as well.....

Check it out at:
www.jokamamotextiles.com

Well thats all from me folks!  till next time....





Tuesday 29 July 2014

T-shirt quilts and Kids sewing classes

June was great being on holiday in Holland, visiting family and seeing the sights.  But now its back in Singapore and back to work!

July was a busy month teaching kids sewing.  A lot of my regular students are still away on holidays so it was great to meet some new students that were able to take lessons during the day. Here are some of the things my students have made. (photos posted with permission)

Alexa's baby hat

 Georgia's (age 7) first Jelly Roll Quilt

Millie's (aged 8) Wrap around circle skirt

I have also been busy making more t-shirt quilts for  customers:


Not quite sewn together yet, but hopefully will be finished this week.




Sunday 1 June 2014

Art Quilts around the world challenge -Bollywood

Bollywood.....this makes me think of bright bold colours, lots of gold and bling, Indian movies,  Incredible India and the  brightly coloured decorations of the temple elephants.

Appu the elephant was used as a symbol of the Asian games that was held in India and has the meaning (among many) of little boy.  My elephant is called Appu and he all blinged up and  off to Bollywood!

Made using my own hand dyed fabrics, stamped using traditional indian wood blocks, Fused and machine appliqué and machine quilted on peltex.

This was a fun project to do and am looking forward to seeing everyone else's interpretation as well.  

Marianne

Saturday 24 May 2014

Back to it (the blogging)

Yes I know that this blog has been sporadic of late - but that doesn't mean I have been sitting idle - quite the opposite!  Lets see if I can give you a quick run down....

At the end of last year a friend Jessie and I decided to hit some of the Christmas fairs here in Singapore.  We made lovely baby bib and burp cloth sets, onesies, camera straps and stunning lace christmas ornaments.

It was an interesting experiment and although we didn't make lots of money at the fairs (table prices are pretty up there) we met lots of interesting people and made lots of great contacts.

I have also been busy with kids sewing classes this last year and since moving house in April have been able to hold group classes at my home.  There is a waiting list for classes so that's always a good sign. Its great to see the kids finish a project and I find it very rewarding.
Next month will be a quiet month for lessons as many schools are starting holidays and that means a holiday for me too!  Yeah

The Art quilts around the world challenge quilts have also been keeping me busy.  I have only missed one challenge so far (was in the middle of shifting house) and always love seeing the work of other quilt artists and how they interpret a challenge.

Clockwise from top left: Opposites Attract, Art Nouveau, Macro, Out of Asia and A Road Less Travelled.

We hosted a fabric party in March (at the old house) with lots of beautiful fabrics from Robert Kaufman, Art Gallery Fabrics, Kaffe Fassett, Carolyn Friedlander, Anne Keele and many more (at the best prices in Singapore!) It was great to meet so many of the quilters from the various groups around Singapore.



Now my friend Jessie and I are busy making t-shirt quilts for students graduating from High school.
Here is my first customers finished quilt
Most students manage to accumulate an abundance of t-shirts throughout high school and this is a great way to keep those treasured memories and it  makes a great quilt to take to university.  This is a great idea for all those beer shirts/ company shirts that our husbands tend to stockpile as well.

Drop me an email if you are interested in either fabric, t-shirt quilts or sewing lessons.

Next month will be a great opportunity to rest and then straight back into teaching and t-shirt quilts in July.

Thanks for stopping by and see you soon!

Marianne