Brit came to teach Nicola and I hand quilting. This was something I remember thinking that I might like to do when I retired but on watching Nic quilt, had decided quilting would drive me crazy (cutting little pieces, ironing, precision stitching, having to be exact/precise..). Nicola has always professed to hate the hand work involved, so I was surprised she was interested and she was surprised that I was interested and Brit was just excited at being able to teach and pick "happy colours".
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Brit had bought a couple of examples of hand quilted spreads. What a lot of work! Of course Rasta had to also inspect them.
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Ready to roll - Nic bought her sewing machine and Ott light, then there's the ironing board and iron, hoops (we didn't end up using them) and various paraphernalia. In the white bags; our kits. I hadn't really thought it through but we first had to create the pillow top, to quilt. This meant sewing little bits together, Oh my. I immediately had to make a trip to the bathroom.
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With Nic's amazing machine and under Brit's gentle tutelage I was able to sew these little squares together and on to the white centre. Then sandwich with batting and backing. Then mark the lines and choose the thread.
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Then on to the part I was looking forward to. Nicola and I both found it relaxing and rewarding, and the "happy colours" helped too.
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That evening we toasted Nicola's retirement, in champagne.
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The next day we finished the last of the hand quilting and Nicola finished the sewing on both her and my cushions.
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Neither one of us like to get our pictures taken so, of course, we goof around.
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My cushion, in its new home, in the sunroom.
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The first day it was crazy blizzard and blowing snow but the second was beautiful and Brit took the opportunity to take
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a couple of photos with her phone.
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We talked quilting, rug hooking, combination pieces and knitting and now I have so many projects.
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I deconstructed a floral rug that I had started on decades ago and knew I would never finish. Made these 3 little mats. They are now for sale in the gallery; Tea for Two.
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Meanwhile Cigi was working on her own art project. Photo from Daycare. |
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Still more lake ice to reflect the sunset.
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