Wednesday's Class

We were a small group today. Some of the ladies were still doing the Mug Rug.

And Feminadina, not sure I have spelt that correctly, was continuing with her Rail Fence Project. She loves Reds!

And I showed the ladies how to make this block (this is actually Fernanda's),

that Angela had made and here is the link where you can find a short video explaining how to make the block. And it comes together so quickly! This is mine using 2 Charm Packs that I got from here.

From a distance it looks like half circles, very clever. All I have to do now is quilt it and bind it together! As you can see from the picture the sun is shining today, with lovely blue skies, which Portugal is known for even in January, but rather chilly today.

Saturday's Class

Yesterday we had 8 ladies turn up to work on various projects, as it was the "Livre" class for the month on Saturday. I must admit I get a bit nervous because I normally don't know what to expect. But after checking with Paula on the Friday, she gave me an idea of what people wanted to work on, so it wasn't too bad, in fact it was a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon with these ladies. Hence the lack of photos!!
We had three new ladies, who started on making a Rail Fence, two are making Table Runners and the third has opened to make placemats.

And these two ladies were using the same fabric up in a different order who hadn't been to class since before Christmas.

We also had two ladies making journal covers and another making a bag. Sorry no photos!

Wednesday Classes

I don't know where the last couple of weeks have gone! We have had our Wednesday classes, but sorry I have not blogged about them, how bad is that. The first Wednesday back was only a morning class and was where people could get on with their own projects that they still hadn't finished (UFO's) or try something new. Gaby wanted to have a go a log cabin's

And Manuela decided she wanted to make a X Block quilt for her grandson.

And here is a close up of the fabric, just love the turtles.

And this last Wednesday the ladies had a go at making Mug Rugs. I have decided to participate in the Mug Rug Swap this month. If you are interested in participating, click on the Swap Banner for more information. We combined it with foundation piecing of a cup and saucer. Here are some of them.

And Madalena after finishing her Mug Rug stayed on for the afternoon class to start this applique, which will eventually go onto to the front of a sewing bag. The kits are available here.

 

That was pretty much what went on the last two Wednesdays!



HAPPY NEW YEAR

I can't beleive that it is already 2011. I must admit that the last two weeks of 2010, I did nothing in quilting, but instead spent quality time with my DH and DD. My DH has been away working in Tanzania for the last 7 months, so I think I had a very good excuse not to be teaching or doing any quilting.
He was very lucky he arrived on the 18th Dec because his connecting flight from London was cancelled on the 17th Dec, due to the bad weather that London Heathrow had to contend with, I could go on .... His suitcase turned up on the 25th Dec!! Which had these fabrics he found in Tanzania.

They will need to be washed as they are a bit stiff and also to check if the dye runs out. Not sure what I shall use them for, bags is one idea. We will see, but it was lovely of him to bring them.

What 2011 has in store I don't know really other than more quilting for sure and it would be lovely if we as a family could be together rather than this distance apart, we currently have. All I can say is thank goodness for Skype and computers which enables us to be able to keep in touch.

All it leaves me to say is Happy New Year and keep on with the quilting.

Wednesday's Class

At class we had Helena showing her X-Block tablerunner and how to use up the excess triangles you get after cutting your X-Block. They will be used in the border.

Teresa had taken a day off work to learn the Cathedral Windows technique and was going to continue with it more at home to make a pillow. She knew that the 3inch squares that she had bought would come in useful one day!

And Madelena was making small purses to give as last minute Christmas presents, but her faithful Elna machine had decided to play naughty at class. It has such a lovely sound when it sews and she has had it for about 20 years, but still going strong.

And this lady (sorry name problem again) was still working on her Bag from a workshop we had done earlier in the year,

but she is only able to visit about twice a year, she also had forgotten how to attach the binding, but we got there. I remember Angela when she was here in Portugal saying to make a block and add the binding around with pins with the various stages, still have it! She also has a tutorial on her blog for attaching binding. Check it out.

Well that was my last workshop for this year before my DH returns home after working almost 7 months in Africa. Sara is so excited to be getting to have her Papá home for the holiday's after all this time, me too.

So I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Feliz Natal and all good things in 2011.

Helen

x

Wednesday's Class

It was a public holiday yesterday, but we had a workshop in the morning as some ladies that work wanted to make Christmas Balls and purses. It was so busy that I had trouble in taking pictures so the only picture I was able to take was this of Teresa's balls that she had done at home after the workshop she had attended.

The 3 ladies making the balls.

The remaining 5 ladies were around the otherside making purses, which I didn't manage to get photos of.

And then........ it was off to lunch to reveal the Row by Row we have been doing for the last couple of months. It was hard to keep the secret and not show any of the work we have been doing these months on my blog!! It started by everyone making their own row of blocks or in Mariya's case applique and she chose to repeat this process through everyone elses rows when it came for her turn to the other ladies. So it will be a reminder to all of us of the lovely work Mariya does in applique and stitchery.

Here is Mariya's

Helena's

 Manuela's

Fernanda's

Irene's which has a handpainted chicken scene by Fernanda

and mine

and finally a group photo of us all! Including I hope our next generation of quilters.

A final note to say that I really enjoyed taking part in the Row by Row and hopefully the ladies did too. I think Paula and I are thinking of doing another in the new year, but slightly on a different theme and over a longer period of time!



Candle Mat Swap

My parcel arrived safely from Cara Wilson who lives in Canada. I was so excited to see the parcel in our mailbox this afternoon, but managed to wait until my DD arrived home from school to open it. I had promised her that I would wait and open it with her, as she loves parcels, who doesn't.

What a lovely surprise was waiting inside the parcel when we opened it.

And it goes so well with the oilcloth we have on our table in the kitchen, couldn't have been more perfect. And guess who has got her eye on the chocolate bar!?

Look at the quilting on these pictures, so lovely.

You can check out her blog here. She designs for Moda Bake Shop, how lucky was I. Thanks ever so much Cara, it is beautiful.

Wednesday's Class

Before class started, Mariya showed us the bag she had made using a set of fat quarters in Japanese Fabrics that the shop had.

And nobody except Mariya is having this bag, isn't that right Mariya?

We then got down to making Christmas Bells using polystyrene balls either round or egg shaped.

And by lunchtime they had mades these.

Madalena stayed on for the afternoon to continue with the balls and we were joined by Helena and Manuela who wanted to make the Xmas Bells.

My DD wants to have a go at making these, so I had better get cutting some fabric for her, as I shall be at the shop again on the 1st December (Public Holiday) for those that due to working in the week are normally unable to come. There will also be the opportunity to make the metal framed purses as well, ideal as a Christmas gift. If you wish to come in the morning only (10.00 - 13.00) contact the shop. Bye for now.

Saturday Christmas Balls

Two posts in one day!
Last Saturday we had three ladies turn up to make Christmas balls. There was a lot of chatting done and no actual balls finished at the end!! Teresa turned up to make a purse and when she finished that she decided she wanted a go at making a christmas ball, using a polystyrene egg! Here is a photo of them working!!

And Gertrudes came in the shop to show me her finished Christmas Tree Skirt. Which came out really lovely and she found a stitch on her sewing machine to use on the scalloped edge. It was really nice, well done Gertrudes.

So this Wednesday, tomorrow, we are making Christmas Balls again for those that couldn't come on Saturday.

Last Wednesday's Classes

A bit behind in putting on last weeks class. Some of the ladies had a go at making 3D christmas bells and took them home to stuff them, this is the part I try and get my DD Sara to help me with!

I hope the ladies remember to bring the finished bells, so we can see them all stuffed. Mariya brought some projects she had been making at home, for herself.

And Amélia had been working on her log cabin blocks at home and brought them in to decide which why they were going to go. And in the end we decided on this format.

In the afternoon a few decided to stay on from the morning group and Gertrudes started quilting her christmas tree skirt.

And Manuela took the opportunity to make the bag with the drawstring which she had missed the other week. And here it is finished.

We had a new lady to the group called Maria Carmo, who started making the Rail Fence tablerunner in christmas fabric and managed to get the quarter inch spot on.

This Wednesday we have a class on Christmas balls. Here are two I have made.