"out of Asia" challenge

Yes its been a while since my last post.  Life has become quite hectic as we have house full of guests that came to celebrate our daughters high school graduation.

The sewing room has been converted back to a bedroom and our children have all been shuffled around to make room for grandparents. The sewing machine now sits in the hallway but is still usable.

The screen printing course is on hold until the end of the month but I did manage to finish my "Out of Asia" Challenge today (ok only 3 days late!) http://aroundtheworldin20quilts.blogspot.sg/

This quilt is based on the shop houses that are at Boat/Clarke Quay in Singapore.  The shop houses are along the Singapore River.  The are very bright and colourful buildings.

The school where I was teaching  kids sewing classes has closed for the summer holidays and won't reopen until mid August but  I have got some new students from other schools as well.  That is the good thing about all the international schools here having different holidays!

More information about the "kids can sew" programme can be found at:

http://jokamamotextiles.com/kids-sewing-classes

Happy Quilting

Carnival Challenge Finished! - and with time to spare!

Yes it's true!  I have finished a challenge quilt with time to spare!

This is a challenge from the art quilters around the world group and the theme for Feb/March was "Carnival"

This quilt had been up on my design wall half finished for a couple of weeks and I just wasn't getting anywhere.  On Friday a group of my quilting friends from ANZA Quilters got together to do some sewing and their advice (kick up the butt)  was great and enabled me to finally finish the piece - and with time to spare.

"Carnival 2013"

Quilting detail

quilting detail

I know that some people are well organised and plan everything months in advance and that works well for them -  but when it comes to quilting, pressure and deadlines work wonders for me!

These pieces are quite manageable at A4 size and there is a new challenge every two months.  The next challenge for April/May is "Out of Asia"  Hmm think I will have plenty of inspiration living in Singapore!

Don't forget to have a look at all the fabrics at my online store!

Happy Quilting!

Another sneak preview/Arab Street

I had a great start to the day and got sewing early on my latest project - It is really humming along! (you can just spy it on the right hand side!)

Misty, was her usual supportive self

Later my friend Jesse and I headed down to Arab Street to check out some of my favourite shops.  I needed to buy some "bling" for my challenge quilt for the art quilts around the world group.  The theme for this month is "Carnival" and I have already decided what to do and how.  

We had a great time checking out the shops - you know that you go too often when they give your friend a discount due to me being a "regular"!

We also went and ate at my favourite Lebanese restaurant.  Yummy!!!

This week I will also make some more ice dyes as the last batch has flown out the door!  I guess that's a good "problem" to have! 

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Jam Packed day 2

Here is a photo of the fabrics that I dyed yesterday.  Someone mentioned to me a while ago that the last batch of dyed fabrics had less "texture" so this time I made sure that these have more texture.  60 fat quarters in all!

I have also been busy making more fabric postcards.  I have made several with the puppies in sneakers but they are going out the door faster than I can make them!

I have also been making cards for Mothers Day which is just around the corner.  These too are disappearing faster than I can make them.

I guess that is a good problem to have!!!

Here are some of  todays creations:

Yes there are more but seeing my camera is "winging" it's way to Cambodia today I have to make do with taking photos on my phone.

Check out my etsy shop for more:

www.mariannebos.etsy.com

Happy Quilting!