Frazzled and dazzled

Alsion Bramley's talk this month was called 'Frazzled and Dazzled' and we were definitely dazzled (and she was a bit frazzled as she had come down from Yorkshire, just for the evening!).  Her quilts are nearly all made from silk, and the colours were fabulous.  Here she is in front of one of her amazing quilts.

 

 

This piece is her latest one, called 'York'.  It was so carefully researched that Sylvia was able to point out where she was proposed to and the hotel she stayed in with her husband!

 

 

Just to show that she can use a more realistic palette, Alison brought these two quilts.  Beautiful. 

 

June had been putting a lot of thought (and work) into the raffle - as usual.  This month's theme was a detective one, where people could choose an open or shut case!  Great fun.

 Lots of people had enjoyed making the latest block of the mystery quilt.  They all look so different, and I particularly like Carol's bright yellow house and Elaine's gingerbread house!

Gwyneth and I used the very same brown fabric for our roofs, strange that we did that when our styles are so very different.

 Most people used Andrea's idea of topiary trees, and don't they look gorgeous?

Very good going that 13 people had finished their block and were willing to show and tell.  We're all eager to see the completed quilts!

I'm always trying to finish UFOs, and this one has been around for a long while!  It resulted from some bargain charm packs which were bought at Malvern some years ago.  I enjoyed making the pinwheels, but felt it had rather an 'old lady' feel.  That's why it didn't get finished, until now!  I'm sending it to Ann Hill for her Alzheimer's fundraiser.  If you haven't sent a quilt yet, look here to find out what and where. 

 

Here is another of my UFOs, again from a while back.  I agreed a swap with some Canadian ladies which didn't quite work out how I'd anticipated!  I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that the resultant blocks were very difficult to put together. 

 

Here is a gorgeous child's quilt - I love the bright nine-patches.

 

Ruth had been given some raw silk, which was beautiful, but not in her preferred colours, and not a large amount.  In the end she has made this beautiful bag, with a black velvet top.  She said she's used it all up, which is a good use of something special.

 

Ruth has also been experimenting with some curved rulers which she bought from Creative Grids last year.  Unfortunately they came without instructions, but she managed to get some and produce these lovely items.  Clever.

 

Bunty made a confession - she was actually fibbing when she said she had no more UFOs last meeting, as she discovered this one, hiding in a cupboard!  She's no slouch though, as it's a UFO no longer!  Good use of scalloped borders there.

 

Jan is a star: she produces lots of charity quilts, and is an expert at using scraps.  This one is for Project Linus.  Thanks Jan, it's lovely. 

 

You would never be able to guess who had made this quilt, as it's a very scrappy quilt made by Stephanie, who doesn't do scrappy!  It was a challenge fabric swap which she embraced wholeheartedly, including putting in some Scoobidoo fabric which I got the blame for!  It's for her grandson, and I'm sure he'll love it.

 

She has also been busy knitting with 2-ply wool!  This shawl is so fine that it will go though a wedding ring.  (Not sure if she's tried it yet!)

 

Here is the Jacob's ladder quilt Paula made at the beginners' workshop last October.  Her colours are perfect and the design stunning. 

Liz brought these three quilts which had been made by Jane for Project Linus.  Jane found her scrap box was getting very full, so made lots of Mile a Minute blocks but sorted the colours out, so she ended up with a pile of pink blocks, a pile of blue, green etc. 

She was a t a loss as to where to go from there, but having made several Granny Square quilts, decided to use the blocks for that design.  She chose some 'reads as a solid' fabric from the Linus box, and sewed away.

Result - one empty scrap box and three lovely Linus quilts, which have been beautifully quilted by Liz.  Fabulous!  Thank you Liz and Jane!

Liz had brought along the jelly roll quilt she made at the last meeting - all layered and quilted!  You can see the spiral design she chose which goes perfectly with the bars on the quilt.  What a clever lady.

 

And here is Carole's New York Beauty quilt.  She used calico foundations to piece the points, which have all come out needle sharp - and what delectable colours!  The clever pieced border sets it all off too. 

If you fancy some quilty inspiration before the next meeting, book a ticket for The Journey of Quilts - a talk on the work of Headley Court for recovering servicemen and woman.

It is on Tuesday 12th March at 7.30pm at Jubilee Hall, Market Harborough Congregational Church.
Tickets are £5 including light refreshments and are available from "The Quarter Inch" St. Marys Road, Market Harborough, Sue Sharp 01858433396 or Ruth Wallett 01858 525346.
All proceeds will be divided between the Teenage Cancer Trust and Quilts 4 Injured Servicemen .