New at Eternal Maker

Freshly arrived at Eternal Maker are some great fabric lines including Tula Pink Salt Water - shown rather nicely in the pic with Parson Grey Seven Wonders- they all play so nicely together.  They would make a subtle masculine quilt too. 

Also just arrived is some of the Denyse Schmidt Shelburne Falls range.  I must say I fall for Denyse's ranges each time and I love this one.  I have used the black floral for a dress and I have other prints stored including the aqua/yellow floral in this picture ready for future quilting projects.  As is the way with her ranges, some of these prints are very close to original vintage prints in their design which is what attracts me to them so strongly. I think the deco fans would make a great binding choice or as strips in quilt patterns- I am already thinking of using them in this pattern bought in the Amitie sale, the idea is turning over in my head!  You can buy the fabrics below in a bundle too.

I have mentioned before that I find something unexpected, something new, some treasure every time I delve around Eternal Maker website.  I have been assured that the bricks and mortar shop is the same.  A couple of weeks ago I came across a thread matching service which is ideal when you are planning either a quilt project- they are an Aurifil supplier and stock a huge range of colours and weigths from 50wt- my go to thread for piecing and light looking quilting including the smaller  200m tester size

or 40 weight for more defined machine quilting

and 12 wt for heavier hand or machine stitches. 

For a dress making or bag project- they can provide a matching Gutermann sew all  poly thread. 

I use this for all my dress making, every sewing machine I have ever had has always preferred Gutermann and my mum always used it so that's good enough for me!  They offer a range of sizes including the more economical 250m and 500m so if you are planning a project, send Anna, Rachael and the rest of the Eternal Maker team an email and it can be a one stop purchase for your fabric/thread/pattern/findings

And whilst we are thinking of taking the work out of fabric selection (its a hard life) take a look at their designer bundles and Eternal Maker bundles.  Basic Grey Peanut Butter and Jelly is a great collection and in two colour ways, aqua

and cream/red.

And there is a great fat quarter bundle, Likin' Lichen, put together to showcase a range of designer fabrics that share similar tones and colours and range of scale and line in the prints, a 50s mid centrury modern feel in this bundle.

Enjoy letting someone else do the work!

Drunkard on the Sofa

I had forgotten about my love hate relationship with the quilting process.  When I first start the quilting I am convinced it all looks rubbish and I have ruined a quilt top, I pretty much think it is the end and  then as it progresses I relax and can see the bigger picture, its ok, I think it will work, I like it.  Truth be told, I do not like the actual quilting bit and it does not like me.   

 I like simple lines in quilting but my machine is very small and my arms can't take lots of shoving around of fabric layers, so even a small quilt like this is hard going for me- that's why I usually make small things.  I have designed and made hundreds of quilts in my head but in reality, stacks of fabric wait uncut whilst I work out a quilt as you go method that will work with the fabric and the design until my head hurts!  

As there was linen in some of the edges of this quilt I used a 3 step zig zag to catch any fraying fabric before binding and it worked beautifully- I will use that before I bind anything in the future, better than standard zig zag.

The binding is a Joel Dewberry print, Herringbone from the Modern Meadow range.  I have fancied this as a binding ever since I saw Meg use it on a cushion, it blended in to just the right amount.  Perfect for the sofa.  In a small room I have to apply a bit of caution and avoid too may quilted patchwork items for fear of it looking like this...quilted ceiling anyone?- from 'Prize Country Quilts', a rather wonderful old quilting book.

 In a small room I have to apply a bit of caution and avoid too may quilted patchwork items for fear of it looking like this...quilted ceiling anyone?- from 'Prize Country Quilts', a rather wonderful old quilting book.

The mornings are darker and school is starting to beckon... must make the most of the remaining holiday.  Thinking of those in USA affected by Irene, I have seen some frightening pics of the storm, and thinking of a few other people too.

 x to you all 

Easter

Every Easter I make Simnel cake.  We are not religious but I like family tradition and this is one of ours. I use Nigella Lawson's recipe but instead of a circle of marzipan in the centre, I cube the marzipan, freeze it and add it with the dried fruit.   Lula makes the 12 apostles represented by marzipan balls

and then eats Judas before I toast them under the grill.  It is a delicious lemony fruit cake and the addition of Megan's fancy cinnamon give it an extra kick!  Yummy.

Today, a hotly awaited parcel arrived from USA courtesy of the lovely, helpful Ali ( I am so grateful to her, check out the link, she has a great blog with really good tutes).  The new Denyse Schimdt new DS Quilts fabric line , available exclusively at Joanns USA fabric store chain.

It is a fusion of  her previous Flea Market Fancy/ Katie Jump Rope lines and general feedsack vintage designs.  Totally lovely, I have never had so many FQs at once.  My fav are the last three, far right on the pic above.  You may well be able to find some on Etsy

I am going off at a tangent now, but a great recent find is this make up mineral powder foundation by Lily Lolo.  I found out about it in India Knight's Thrift Book.  The book is a variable read but some of the tips are worth knowing and I found the beauty section incredibly helpful.  She highlights this product in particular and I bought the 'Light' sample set that you see below- includes a baby buki synthetic brush and a set of pale colours to find the perfect shade.

My skin is incredibly reactive, I can't ever wear foundation, I have to use a particular brand of sun block  so I don't get spots etc. etc.  I usually end up with concealer, Dr Hauschka loose powder, Dandelion brightening powder by Benefit  and hope for the best.  I don't like heavy make up, it makes me feel too painted.  The Lily Lolo foundation powder goes on in swirls with the little brush.  It almost feels like you are lightly buffing your face-there is a video to show you how to master the art.  And then magically your skin looks all balanced, even, natural.  I cannot tell you how good this stuff is- even for a pale face like me, I can find the right shade! A full size pot is £12.49- bargain and there is a plethora of sample sizes and other make up if that is your thing.  You can see from the pic that my make up is pretty minimal but believe me without the powder my skin does not look like that! 

That's enough revelation for today, taking that picture was a challenge in more ways than one.

  Reading the comments on the last post made me teary at times, what a lovely, supportive readers I have and some good advice too.  Thankyou and happy Easter x

Wordless Wednesday- Flickr Fabric Swaps

thankyou Crystal, Lisa, Amisha, Pam and Nikki