Workshop Dijanna Cevaal

Today I did a workshop at the Quilterspalet in The Hague. It was very special. The teacher was Dijanna Cevaal (born in Holland) and living since her 10th birthday in Australia. She is a Textile Artist. Her quilts are very famous, she dyes and prints her own fabrics, what makes them unique.

The technique we learned today is called: Tifaifai. It’s based on Polynesian quilts and free-machine applique. First we designed our own pattern (not ease but great results), and ironed it on the top. After that we start working on our sewing machine, to sew the applications by free-machine quilting. And unbelievable, end of the day I had finished my top.

I think the day was fantastic!! Thank you for teaching Dijanne. Thank you Evy and Petra for organizing this day. In my webalbum (see right in the corner) you can see all the pictures I made this day.

If you want to know more about Dijanne Cevaal, you can read her blog: http://origidij.blogspot.com/2006/12/i-have-updated-my-picturetrail-site.html

Marne

On Thursday and Friday Marne (USA) visited me. I only know her from the quiltgroup on the internet so it was very exciting. At 10.30 a.m. she arrived by train, after lunch, of course we had to visit a quilshop, so we went to Evy (Quilterspalet) for a chat and a cup of tea, and buy some (not americain) fabrics. Lucky for us Evy just received fabrics from Denmark. In the afternoon Jacqueline and her daughter were visting us too. Jacqueline knows her also from internetquiltgroup, we had a lovely time and dinner was a great succes.

On friday we went to Amsterdam to visit "De Haag en Wagenmaker" and "Birdblocks". The "Haan en Wagenmaker" is a very special shop with beautyfull reproductions of old dutch fabrics. I think we spend at least an hour over there. I have made a little quilt with fabrics from their shop, and the lady in the shop asked me to send some pictures when it's finished. And of course I also had to buy fabrics for a quilt. Yesterday evening Marne learned me how to use the patterns in the fabrics to create new patterns in squares. I think she's really expierenced, I wish she could stay longer and learn me all the trics and techniques she knows. Quilting in the USA has a long tradition, there are stores with fabrics, we even can't image, and the magazines they have. Marne brought me six different magazines, so lots of inspirations. I think when I go to the USA I have to take one empty suitecase with me, and fill it up with fabrics, magazines and books.

"My quiltshop"

Today I was at my quiltshop (of course it isn't mine, it's from Evy), but I like coming there looking for fabrics, a chat with Evy, cup of tea, dog cookies and some advice (at least once a week). Today I learned something new about my sewingmachine, and YES now it's fully prepared for my workshop on sunday. Thanks Evy.

At the moment I'm in the mood of finishing projects, so monday evening I sandwiched my "home and garden" quilt. I'll quilt in the weekend of 7th March when I'm going with Jacqueline to the Castle Slangenburgh.

Tomorrow Marne (USA) is coming. I know her from the "Exchange forum". Looking forward to see her, and of course if there is time we are going to visit my quiltshop (Quilterspalet).

Sophie's quilt

Today I finished Sophie's quilt. I started this quilt in june 2006 and finished it today on the 17th februar. The signie (naamlapje) was a last minute job. Sophie, my niece 2 years old, liked it very much. The quilt is 100% cotton, and completely handmade. So time to start a new project.

Log cabin part 7

Lucky me that Jacqueline is living not far away from our summerhouse. I didn't bring my cutting-equipment with me this weekend, so I used her. Maybe it's a good idea to remove our summerhouse to her backyard :).

Log cabin, part 6

I'm still vey enthousiastic about the logcabin, last tuesday was our 3th lesson. As you can see we all choose different colours. It was hard work the last weeks because we had to finish 8 blocks. Unfortunetaly Julie didn't join our group anymore, she is left-handed, and had a lot of problems with cutting the fabrics. This evening we learned how to finish our top with the eight blocks we made, but I decided to make the quilt a little larger, so I have still 8 blocks to go. We also had to choose a new colour for the triangles. Our teacher likes bright and exciting coulours to complete the quilt, I don't. But lucky Evy (of the shop Quilterspalet) saved me and we found a beautyfull fabric that matches very good, and also matches my taste.

Springtime

Today it wil be 13C, so time to get some fresh air. As you can see the first little flowers "sneeuwklokjes" are coming up around our summerhouse.

Logcabin part 5, homework done

This morning I finished my fourth pine-apple block, so homework is done. It was hard work the last weeks we had to finish six blocks before the 12th februar. I even took my sewing machine to our summerhouse.

I miss my quiltbee

Tomorrow we have definitely sold our house, and all the papers will be signed. It feels strange, but it's good.

Living in The Hague is fantastic. No more trains to catch, no more three hours travelling, no more delays, just a 5-minute walk to my work. But I miss my quiltbee in Putten, last tuesday they had their quiltbee, but I couldn't join them. When I read Helen's blog about the bee, I wish I could be there. But The Hague - Putten is just too far, with all the traffic it would be a 2-hour drive. So I spend the evening with cutting fabrics for my logcabin and making a little gift for my collegue who has become father of a beautyfull daughter called Lena.

Log cabin part 4

Pineapple as Hospitality Symbol

The Log Cabin quilt pattern has been a long standing favorite over the years due to the simplicity of the design as well as its versatility. In many of the old quilts the center square was red. This was to symbolize the hearth of the home.The overall effect of the log cabin quilt is achieved by the use of light and dark fabrics and how they are arranged. Pine-apple block: The design begins with a center square which is pieced into a larger square by adding triangles and stripes in rounds .

In larger, well-to-do homes, the dining room doors were kept closed to heighten visitors' suspense about the table being readied on the other side. At the appointed moment, and with the maximum amount of pomp and drama, the doors were flung open to reveal the evening's main event. Visitors confronted with pineapple-topped food displays felt particularly honored by a hostess who obviously spared no expense to ensure her guests' dining pleasure.

So you see the Pine-apple block has a real history. I finished my first one, it's much more work than the other ones. It took me two evenings of preparation and finishing. Still three to go.

But it was fun, so I'm thinking about a two-couloured quilt with pine-apple blocks. Of course I will finish first this one. I have enough WIP's and UFO's.