Joyce’s Quilting Quandary

The theme for this week was our Wedding Anniversary. We were married on 9th May, 1970. This year was the 38th celebration. I decided that I would use a ” Joyce” version of the Double Wedding Ring Block, a block which I love.  I have included 19 for the week number and 38. It is interesting how much of a number which you can delete and still read the number and understand it. It was interesting to tuck them under the ring. The wedding ring pieces were machined together and then appliquéd onto the block. I did some of the quilting in red because I wanted to emphasise the red aspect a little more. I almost missed putting the red in the corner of the block. I was thinking over the design as I was going to bed ( as one does! ) and realised that I had forgotten the red. It was quite simple to do a little chop and add on.

I had a bit of a hitch this week. I had designed and made the block and then lost it! I made another one, and then, of course, I found the first one! If I had done the ironing a little sooner I would not have had to repeat the block! It was in the ironing basket! I used the bias strips which I have been using on the “60″ quilt. I also had to make a 1/4″ bias strip 10 metres long to  go on the raffle quilt for the Begonia Quilters. I hand sewed the bias strips on and then quilted using Sashiko thread which I plan to use on the “60″ quilt.  The thread is lovely to use, has a lovely feel/grip as you pull it through the fabric. It took me a couple of huge tangles before I sorted the hanks out! Had a glass of champagne included in the design, but eliminated it. I will have to include one soon.

This week  there was a great deal of socialising with different groups of friends. Helen and Bernadette ( nieghbours I grew up with ) on Tuesday, new quilting group ( Begonia Quilters ) I have joined on Wednesday, friends from Loreto College on Thursday ( Marguirta birthday celebration for one of them) and a different set of Loreto friends on Friday, including one who we hadn’t seen for fourteen years. I wanted to convey that these groups are separate but go together to make up me! Much talking and laughing and reminiscing. Friday was Anzac Day, 25th April, a most important day of the year for  Australians, especially for families with links to the Army . I turned the corner onto part of the rising  sun badge, the badge which our soldiers wear. I was really happy with the way that the spotted fabrics worked. This pattern would make a lovely quilt for a little girl.

We are having beautiful Autumn days, calm, sunny, warm. Alas, no rain which we really need , but still lovely days. The leaves of the deciduous trees in our garden are turning and because of the hot dry summer, the colours are wonderful! I collected a pin-oak leaf, a claret ash leaf and one from the oriental grape vine. I wanted a dark background for the balance of the quilt so it was a little difficult to make the leaves visible. I hand quilted around the leaves- a very soothing occupation. On the red corner I couched yellow and gold threads to make a brilliant sun because we have been having wonderful sunsets due to the fuel reduction burning.