I've been working on the Lotus applique design and it has taken some time to get things right in terms of size and proportion. I think things would go faster if I was a trained artist but I'm not. So here is what I have so far.

I will now start working on making my applique patterns, first working on the leaves, then the seed pod, then the Lotus buds and finally the actual flowers. This may not be the final arrangement since one I have the actual applique pieces done in the different fabrics I may decide to move a few things around or perhaps realize I may need to add something else or even take something out.

Then what I plan on doing for the diamond background area is quilting in a continuation of the Lotus pond with leaves, buds, seed pods and a flower or two. Here are some pictures of what Lotus ponds look like.

For the border quilting I'm thinking of coming up with a stylized Lotus flower design, hopefully it will work. 

So time to start working on creating the actual applique patterns.

Tranquil Garden - Part 2

I finally have finished the background for the Tranquil Garden wall hanging. Here is what it looks like at the moment.

I was hoping to just use what I had in my stash for this project but I didn't have anything suitable for the outer border of which there was enough yardage. Most of what I had were FQs or slightly larger pieces and I needed more like a yard so that I had enough for the borders plus the binding. So last week I made a trip out to one of the few quilt shops that is left in Toronto Sew Sisters. I found a nice dark blue and teal Kaufman batik and it sets off the diamonds very nicely. So many quilt shops have closed in our city that now I have a major trip across the city if I want to get something. I do have to give Sew Sisters two thumbs up for having a pretty decent selection of batiks and the price was right at $10.98 a meter. You can check them out at:  http://www.sew-sisters.com/

Here is a close up of my piecing of the of diamonds. I'm very pleased with how the intersections came together and all I can say is that you have to have patience and you have to pin your rows together when you are joining everything.

Now I'm back working on the designs for the Lotus flowers, buds, seed pod and leaves. I've got some done but still more to develop and audition before I make my final decisions on which ones will make the final cut for the wall hanging. Enjoy your week.

Balcony Visitor

I had an interesting visitor come to our balcony this afternoon. It was a bird of prey. I'm not sure if it was a hawk or a falcon but either way he was quite spectacular. He sat there for quite some time surveying the area for pigeons before finally taking off to catch his lunch.

Jordie eventually noticed something sitting on the balcony but he wasn't quite sure what this was. It certainly wasn't the normal pigeon or crow. He went and sat on the chair near the window and stared but didn't make his normal chattering noises that he makes for the regular birds.

2013 New Years Goals

I hope everyone has had a pleasant New Years Day.  As in previous years I went out with friends last night to a lovely French restaurant to ring in the New Year. It was a great time catching up with good friends and a most enjoyable meal. Today has been a quiet laid back kind of day. I did some work on my Tranquil Garden wall hanging and also took some time to relax.

I've done my review of projects that I would like to get done this year, and here is the list. As always it will be interesting to see what gets completed, what doesn't and what new projects come along.

I also listed my UFOs that have no commitments at this time for completion and this list I only added one new project from 2011 so that's not too bad. I think as quilters it seems that everyone has the never ending supply of UFOs.

Jan: Finish Tranquil Garden wall hanging
Mar: Sawtooth Cats paper pieced quilt - new project, this is a pattern from City Quilter.  Here is the link and just scroll down about 3/4 of the way down: http://www.citystitcher.com/quilts.php
May: Finish Tranquil Moments lap quilt.  This is the one I started on my last trip to Hawaii.
Summer: work on my reverse applique Sea Turtles quilt
Fall: Finish Falling Splendor quilt

UFOs that are outstanding: I wonder if any of these will come off the plate this year
Hawaiian orchid pillow – hand quilting
Small Wall Hanging (that was to go into a silent auction) – quilting done, need to finish beading and sew binding
Lone Star - project just started
"In full Bloom - Poppy" from Elaine Quehl's workshop - add borders and quilt

I'm certain that there will be other new projects that will come up during the year that aren't planned at the moment so this year I'm trying to leave enough space for those project to happen and then I don't have to put others on hold. I'm not planning on any seminars or classes this year but that also could change if I see something that really sounds unique or interesting.

Happy New Year everyone.