Handmaiden

Looking Forward and a Little Backward Too

A new year has begun and I am excited about what it brings.

Having transitioned from Singapore last year to be living full time in Melbourne has been great. But still more moves are in sight this year with us having to move houses. But what fun. On the checklist is a dedicated studio/sewing room for me. I cant wait.

But just looking back for the moment I have had fun quilting, sewing and crafting

 

My passion for all things Japanese continued

Some jewellery making too

and of course food, glorious food

I am sure there will be more of all this in 2010.

Happy New Year

Sharon
 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Beautiful Baby Quilt

At last I have finished my first baby quilt. Soon to be on its way to London for my nephew's baby. A Koka square in the middle, backed with an orange fabric and acqua binding and hand quilted with an orange Perle 8 thread.

I downloaded this Speedy Baby Quilt pattern from Quilttaffy

Sharon
 

Just a Minute.......October

Playing along with Jenaveve at August Street with Her Just a Minute meme.

So as my crafting has reduced somewhat what else have I been doing

Watching............Kirstie's Homemade Home, watch it here. I love it. Kirsty transforms a delipated cottage in the English countryside with all things handmade..........forget the rules, rearrange and reuse!!  

Reading.......Steig Larrson's Millenium Trilogy

Cooking........making birthday treats including a delicious Orange Flourless Cake

Loving ...............Body Balance and Spin Classes

Buying .........a green silk crepe dress from Anna Thomas to wear on Cup Day....a real treat!

Making .......a baby quilt

Sharon
 

Diamonds Are Forever

It's been a long journey but finally I have finished my diamond quilt inspired by a Kaffe Fassett pattern and made using my favourite Amy Butler Mid West Modern fabrics. Hand quilted along the diamonds using cream perle 8

You can see more photos here

Now I just want to stand back and look at it

Sharon

Melbourne Craft Diaries - Its a Crafty Wrap

I love how many of you have done a crafty wrap of your year with wonderful mosaics. So I have done my own. My common theme seems to be Amy butler fabric (but I am branching out this year), bags and homewares ...with my first dress in over 30 years.

Plus my jewellery - Silver Soiree and Summer fun

 

Subscribe to HandmaidenDesigns Jewellery

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Visit this group

 

and for another crafty gal check out Kellie at Don't Look Know, the queen of applique. She has launched her pattern range with a Big Top Theatre plus has wonderful tutorials for Art Smocks and Pillows.

and if you are after some more Japanese fabric, Ziguzagu one of my favourite stores has a sale 

 

Sharon

Sew Mama Sew - Create and Celebrate

I have been lucky enough to be featured in this months Create and Celebrate at Sew Mama Sew featuring my Japanese Fan Quilt.

For previous posts on my quilt look here and here

Sharon

Sleepover - Progress

This Sashiko stitching takes some time

Sharon

Sashiko Placemats

I started learning Sashiko stitiching at Kimono House and completed a workshop featuring this Kaleidoscope quilting technique

I made 2 placemats combining 9 blocks

These traditional sashiko placemats were great to make - I have lots of designs to finish

Sharon

Japanese Fan Quilt

I just love my fan quilt that was inspired by Kaffe Fassetts Kaleidoscope of Quilts book. In my inbox today was a wonderful newsletter from Quilt Home  launching a new range of fabrics by Kaffe Fassett.

Happy Quilting

Sharon

Just finished my second quilt

  My first quilt was all hand sewn

A Kimono design - 16 blocks using Japanese cotton I bought from Kimono House.

It took 6 months to make and I got the bug.

So my second quilt was machine patched and hand embroidered and quilted. Based on a traditional fan pattern using Japanese cotton from Kimono House and Kaffe Fassett shot cottons.

I did Sashiko stitching on each block in Herringbone and then quilted the piece continuing the Sashiko theme

I backed it with a beautiful raspberry Japanese cotton and bound it in black.

I am really pleased with it.