Finally Finished!

Firstly, sorry that it has been so long since my last post.  I have just been so busy lately, what with classes starting and trying to get things finished up.  I have finally finished my Country Sampler quilt, you'll be glad to know.  I was able to take a few photos of it in the garden today, as it wasn't raining. 

Country Sampler Quilt

This is the quilt that I'm teaching at the minute in St Peter's Parish Centre, Culmore here in Derry.  I designed it myself and to be honest it has driven me a bit crazy at times.   

Nine Patch, Flying Geese, Irish Chain

There is quite a variety of blocks on the quilt, fifteen different ones in all.  I used fabric from my stash to make it so it saved a trip to the quilt shop.  

Border & Blocks

I machine quilted the centre of the quilt in the ditch.  It took quite a while as I wanted to be able to see all the individual blocks on the back and I was very pleased with the effect.  As the backing fabric is cream, it was difficult to photograph  as the quilting lines didn't show up very well. 

By the way, I used my EQ6 software to help design the quilt.  I would recommend it to anyone.  It was the first time that I had used the custom setting but I got the hang of it and learned some new things.  I like EQ so much that I got the EQ7 Update recently. 

Must go now as it's late.

Talk soon.
Sandra

New Blocks

I have been meaning to post these new blocks since Monday and at last here they are.

Nine Patch

Whirlwind

Half Square Triangles

Brown & Gold Churn Dash

Blue Churn Dash

Assembled Section

I don't know a lot about cameras, so I'm trying to learn.  Taking photographs indoors at night doesn't work well, so I try and take them either near the window or outside during the day. 

My camera is showing some blurring on the left side of some photos and I don't know why.  So I think I will borrow Alan's camera to go to The Festival of Quilts next week.  I got my programme in the post yesterday, so the show seems really close now.  Can't wait!!!

We all headed to the beach this week and had a great day.  We went to Buncrana in Donegal.  We had a lovely day, it was even warm enough for the kids to go in the water.

Buncrana

The water was very calm.

Lough Swilly

Rocky Outcrop

Time for a picnic.

Charlie enjoyed himself too.

After our picnic we headed off to Mamore Gap for a drive.  It's a long time since we were there and because the weather was so good, the views were amazing.

Looking back at Lough Swilly

On top of Mamore Gap

Going down through the gap

Fantastic views

I live in a very beautiful country but sometimes it takes a trip like this to remind me just how beautiful it is.

Hopefully I'll be able to post photos of my finished bag soon.  My friends and I always make a new one for going to The Festival of Quilts.

See you soon.
Sandra

New Quilt Design

I will be teaching a new class in September, so I designed a new quilt.  I'm calling it a Country Sampler and I used EQ6 software for the design process.  I love using this and I also learned some new parts this time round.  It was how to align the blocks on a custom quilt, it makes life so much easier.  I also found that if I magnify the worktable, I can be much more accurate. 

I have photographed some of the blocks that I have made so far. 

Ohio Star

  

This gets added to some nine patches and sashing.

Flying Geese

Half Square Triangles

I'll keep you posted on my progress.  By the way, do any of you use EQ6 to design or do you use another method?  I'd be very interested to know.

I'm very excited at the minute.  It's only three weeks tomorrow until I go to Festival of Quilts.  This will be my third year and I can't wait.  It's amazing!!!

Bye for now.

Sandra