Inspiration Islands.

March 21, 2015 by ladybirdee

At the New Zealand Quilt Symposium in January 2015, I had the privilege of listening to a lunchtime lecture by Sheena Norquay from the United Kingdom. Sheena’s talk was for 45 minutes, and it was inspiring. I could have listened for another hour at least as her photos (80 or more) and the information imparted was fascinating. The lecture was titled ” Quilts and the Orkney Influence“.

From symposium catalogue it says

” the lecture shows how the landscape, seas, skies and wildlife of the Orkney Islands, where Sheena was born, has influenced her work. Sheena finds Orkney’s colour palette and special quality of light very inspiring, as well as its rich Viking heritage; in particular, Norse myths and legends which she often incorporates into her pictorial quilts”.

The talk gave me an insight into how living in such a remote location can influence your quilting – both in design of a quilt and the quilting designs. It made me think about the Australian and New Zealand landscapes and the colour choices I would make.

I must admit I had never heard of Sheena Norquay until at the shop, I came across some of her thread selections. We have in stock her Autumn Selection in Ne 50 (Kit Art box 1300m) and small box (200m) plus her Seascape Selection in 1300m and 200m boxes.

Recently we ordered another thread box “Linen and Lace” – a mixture of linen threads, floss, Lana wool and cotton mako Ne 12. I am very tempted to buy it for myself! (email us if you want more information about this collection)

Very very nice colours inside!

When the Symposium catalogue arrived, I noticed that Sheena was one of the tutors, and I had hoped that I could do a class with her when I put in my preferences for tutor selection. Sadly I couldn’t get into a class (but was very happy with the tutors I did learn from!) and I did get to see some of her work close up though (sorry about the photo – it was hard to stand back far enough to take a distance photo – plus the two quilts were long and narrow).

The tutors exhibition had this wonderful piece of work on display – the detail in the quilting is amazing. I want to run my hand over the stones – they look so realistic. The colours merge from one piece to the other.

and another (just lower down on the same quilt). Look at the little birds.

Thank you Sheena for your inspiring words and making me research the islands you love so much.

Gathering in the Barn

March 7, 2015 by knitsnquilts

Last month I treated myself to a day at the Gathering in the Barn held at Linda Collin’s barn in Wonga Park, home of the Quilts in the Barn exhibitions held annually. Leonie Bateman of The Quilted Crow was the presenter for the day. http://thequiltedcrow.danemcoweb.com/

When we arrived our first task was to find our seats, meet friends old and new, and indulge in the yummy morning tea.

As you can see, the barn was decorated with many of Leonie’s quilts and treasures and she had her pop-up shop there as well, so there was plenty of visual feasting too! Leonie’s specialty is using felted wool applique.

Leonie’s quilt “Betsy”, 54″ square.

At each place on the table were our gifts for the day, four new patterns designed by Leonie, and a kit wrapped up and temptingly labelled “no peeking”.

I’ve already peeked!!

Four new designs.

The kit we received is called “Cornflower Blue – Doorstop” and includes the pattern and materials required to make this cute little doorstop. The background fabric is hanky linen, with felted wool applique. Leonie provided Aurifil Cotton Mako 28 on each table for the blanket stitch.

Leonie’s Cornflower Blue Doorstop.

Before very long all participants were busily and happily engaged in the creative process. The felted wool and Aurifil thread are both beautiful to use and the stitching process is very soothing! I decided I preferred a thicker thread for the embellishment at the top of the flower. This was easy: I just chose Cotton Mako 12 weight in the same colour.

My doorstop underway.

Leonie’s technique involves the use of a water soluable gluestick to hold the components in place and then stapling (yes stapling!!) them until stitching is complete. The felted wool is not marked at all by this. However I am quite happy to use a few tacking stitches and this works well too. (I don’t have a very big stapler).

The day went very quickly and by home time I had completed all the blanket stitching. At home it did not take me long to assemble the doorstop.

Joining the doorstop components.

I enjoyed myself so much I immediately set out to make 2 more doorstops as gifts. This time I used wool felt rather than felted wool. It has a firmer feel but works very well too. As an alternative thread, you could use Aurifil Lana (wool/acrylic) for the blanket stitching.