Friday 19 October 2012

Mountain Trail

 
When Lori from Humble Quilts decided to hold a quiltalong for the gorgeous Mountain Trail quilt I thought I would join in. Lori took the pattern from an antique quilt and did it in a miniature form. There is a lot of cutting out and it was done in stages with gaps for the preparation, this week I finally got around to doing all the assembling of the blocks. What was even more of a challenge was the fact that every single piece came from the scrap boxes. Yes, I am still in that mode and surprising what you can get out of those pieces. All the red pieces are leftovers from the hexagon quilt top. Some of the scraps were again salvaged shamelessly from the bags given to me for the doggy pillows. See what you are throwing away my friends and no, you cannot have them back and no, it hasn't even made a dent in the pile. The plain cream border was cut from yardage in my stash and I cannot for the life of me remember what I bought it for. This quilt top measures roughly 23" x 26" with the borders. If you want to make your own version then head over to Lori's blog and you will find the instructions there. Thank you Lori for a fabulous little project.
 
 
 
 
I am indulging in a little knitting, making a small blanket from a kit I bought at Creative Crafts at Westpoint a few weeks ago. The blocks are roughly 7" square and I need to make 12 in total. So far  I have two. The kit came from www.lakesidecrafts.co.uk although it isn't on the web site but you can email them if it is something you would like.

 



I even made a bit of progress on this wavy blanket this week but before you get too excited it was only 2 rows and It took me ages to remember how I did it and had to do a bit of unpicking at first. This week it has been quite chilly and so I think it may be a good project to keep me warm as I crochet.



A few weeks ago we stayed at a lovely B&B in Eccleshall, Staffordshire and opposite was a lovely little flower shop all decorated with pumpkins.




This week has also seen me start with a new addiction but one that is also going to get me into serious sewing trouble. I found this app on my iphone which is a game but as I was searching for patchwork things I thought I was downloading something totally different.  The creative juices were starting to flow and  it has sparked off some ideas. The game is called Through The Glass and you have to put tiny, different shaped pieces of the puzzle into place and you are pitched against an opponent who you can see at the side doing the same. I am extremely slow but have got to level 2, yay! It gets harder. The exciting thing is that the shapes are exactly the same as for the Rose Star block as in the previous post. Look what possibilities it opens up. I am itching to make this into a quilt. How about a challenge Barbara?!! You already have the template and a few pieces started.!! Anyone else up for it?

 
 
A funny thing happened to me at Westpoint the other week. I was at a stand and paying for some fabric when this lady standing near to me suddenly asked " Are you Stitcherydo?" Phew ! Fame and recognition. Will I need to go out in disguise? It was a lovely lady who said that she followed my blog via Dotty Dolly. I think she said that she was named Linda, so Hello Linda. Hope I have that right. Please let me know.
 
Happy Stitching.
 
Shirley.

18 comments:

  1. I love your version of Mountain Trails!! Nice job using yoru scraps too, although I know these little ones dont use much.
    Love the wavy knitting!!

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  2. Your crochet stitches are beautiful! And your little quilt is so sweet.

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  3. Fame at last Shirley, you'll be wearing dark glasse next! I love the pink round the quilt, it really sets it off. Joan

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  4. Lovely Mountain Trails quilt--but yikes, those pieces look small! (nice way to use up some scraps though) A snuggly bit of crocheting sounds perfect for these cooler days. It must be tough being so famous--the paparazzi can't be far behind! ;)

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  5. Love your knitted log cabins ... they are so cool. And your little scrappy quilt has turned out beautifully.

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  6. gorgeous mini, all those little pieces!
    the knitted blocks look fantastic as does the crochet. Will definitely be a good cold weather project. The little puzzle looks interesting. gee you are a celebrity recognised in the street.It's lovely Linda said hello.

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  7. I love your version of Mountain Trails Shirley...Great job of using your scraps up too,
    Love the knitted logcabin...such a great idea..
    Enjoy your fame...
    Julia ♥

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  8. LOVE that you used scraps for the little quilt. Charming!
    I don't knit and crochet any more though I do love them when they mimik quilt blocks.
    Funny what can inspire us to make a quilt!

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  9. You are a classic Shirley. The quilting paparazzi will be after you next with a long range lens! Your mountain trail looks lovely. I love it when you post random photos of places you've been. That flower shop looks gorgeous. xx

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  10. Your Mountain trail is great....
    I might make it one day.
    I love your wavy crochet , it's going to be beautiful.
    The knitted log cabin blocks look cool...knitting and I do not get along though.

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  11. I've done each of Lori's quiltalongs till now, but I've been too busy with other things for this one. Hopefully I'll start it soon.

    You're not the only one to pull usable fabric from the scraps for doggie pillows. I've already made one giveaway quilt from my "garbage," and I have a lot sorted and ready to go for more projects. One lady's trash is another's treasure.

    How great to be recognized! You'll be asked for an autograph next :)

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  12. Of course you are famous Shirley! Look at the exquisite work you produce? And knitting and crochet too? Are there any limits to your talents? ;-)

    Your game reminds me of a kaleidescope I had when I was little. I've just been pulled back in time 37 years!

    Have a beautiful, creative week talented lady.

    Stephanie

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  13. Your version of the Mountain trail is the best I've seen so far. Its resourceful of you to use those scraps. At least they won't go to waste.
    cheap business cards

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  14. Deep in making more and more Antique Rose blocks, but that app. looks like a great basis for a challenge. Does that mean I need to get a new phone? Wonder how much further you will make those scraps stretch??

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  15. If there was a medal for multi-tasking it would be awarded to you for sure. Love the mini quilt and so impressed you made it from scraps. Lovely knitting blocks too as for the crochet.... you're making me wish I was better at it.

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  16. I love seeing the results of scrap projects. Your Mountain Trail quilt looks fabulous. You have some nice little projects on the go. Hope you are not wasting too much time on that app.

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  17. I already say that, I love your work, all your work. XXX

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  18. Shirley, you've made a lovely mountain trail quilt!! I've really enjoyed this fun quilt-a-long and seeing everyone's take on it! oh and btw i also love your knitted log cabin blocks..they're very sweet :))
    cheer...Marian

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