Fabric Painting

We're back from Edinburgh, which was absolutely amazing by the way, anyone who hasn't been to the Edinburgh Festival (Fringe) should be smacked over the head and forever banned from eating chocolate ever again.

Anyway, after a very busy few weeks I am now back to working on my quilts and other projects and I have just finished this little wall hanging and I am very happy with it.

When I was working on my blocks for the quilt-as-you-go-quilt I saw this one and and thought, 'no, this is way too cute to go into that quilt' and I decided to use the block for a wall hanging.

As you can see I absolutely love straight line quilting (maybe because that is all I can do reasonably well by hand, no I do like the effect too, besides, I might get a sewing machine next week, joint b-day pressie from Monkey and his family).



I am now trying to figure out how to actually hang it on the wall.

the back:




Hope you like this one.

Love, Nadine

Festival of Quilts (II)

Today I would like to show you a quilter's work I was very impressed with at the Festival of quilts. Pauline Burbidge makes the most amazing quilts, both art quilts and utility quilts that are absolutely stunning and unique. Check out her work on her website www.paulineburbidge-quilts.com




I also bought one of her books, but check out the Quiltline book online. amazing. http://www.blurb.com/books/855746



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Give Away on Lucy & Norman's Blog

Oh, I am all giddy, look at this BJUUUUU...TEE...FULLL fabric on Lucy and Norman. I really should not tell you about it, as that decreases my chance, oh well, let's just hope that I WILL WIN and not you ;)!



It is my birthday next week after all.

So fingers crossed.

Love, Nadine

Festival of Quilts (I)

I have decided to upload several posts to the blog as I can't possibly fit everything into one, I just have too many pictures and the iPhone app crashed several times as I tried to put this together. ARGH.

SO this first one is all about Kaffe Fassett and Amy Butler and the amazing quilts I finally saw in person after admiring them in Kaffe's books.

Here are a few from "Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilts":

And this one, the "Mexican Party Quilt", is from his new book "Quilts en Provence" which he sold and signed yesterday as well.

Amy Butler was lovely by the way, very friendly and approachable. She put a personalised signature in every book too. And in the background you can see some of her beautiful quilts.

And here is Kaffe Fassett. I managed to catch him while he was signing his books and asked him to sign mine as well. I believe he was only there for an hour in the morning and one in the afternoon, so yay, lucky me.

And these are the books I took home, signed copies by Amy and Kaffe. Hurrah.





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Scottie's Dad

I finally got around to making a dad for my little wobbly Scottie. Looks like they are getting on very well.




Love, Nadine

oh, no where do you think you're going?



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Bridges Quilt finished

Finally, a finished quilt, hurrah! Or let's say ANOTHER quilt finished. I am getting there. Soon I'll have all projects finished and can start cutting into new fabric. Yay. Can't wait.

This quilt was lots of fun to make. It really was an ad hoc project I started to use up some cut offs, and as usual, it turned out much better than expected.

The top is called Amy's Bridges and the back is called Fassett Bridges.

I decided to use straight line quilting, my favorite anyway.

The problem with having two sided quilts and hand quilting them, hand sewing everything in fact, is that the quilting on the back never looks absolutely right.

Maybe I am too much of a perfectionist and the appeal of handmade items are those quirky imperfections (???)
Would love to hear your thoughts on that, quilters and friends.

I just don't know how to deal with that once I decide to sell some quilts. Will have to give it a proper think.

close ups:











And the back: Fassett Bridges



close ups, quilting on the back









Hope you like it.

Love, Nadine

Bar Lane Studios

We are so lucky to live in a vibrant city with so many like-minded people who are interested in arts and crafts, who organize get-togethers, workshops and exhibitions. No I am not talking about London, or Edinburgh. Our own York seems to be a hub for all sorts of creative people, who work in different arts and crafts and design, digital and traditional. I feel lucky to live here.

... and now even luckier. With the opening of Bar Lane Studios York's creative people get a new outlet and space for exchanging ideas and sharing their work, a space which is not led by commercial interests but instead is publicly funded and as a social enterprise it has the public's interests at heart.

How exciting to be a part of that. (and may I just add that there are 2 of my own paintings that can be seen in these pictures taken in the café) - no I am not bragging, am just so excited to see them in the gallery next to so many extraordinary pieces of art. Yes, I am a big fan of group shows, more so than solo shows. The more variety the better, if you ask me.

So pack your loved ones and go have a coffee in the café, or take a look at the exhibitions that are hosted in the main gallery, or even better, sign up for a workshop or an art course. There is lots on offer (jewellery making, painting, drawing and even digital art).

And if you really want to be creative, you could rent one of the artist studios or workspaces.

So if there is something you always wanted to explore or you had this interest in art but you never quite knew what to do with it, this is the chance to try it out.

Might see you all there.

Love, Nadine

Strips and Charms

Today I'll show you another older quilt.

Yes, I remember, I have taken the PROCESS PLEDGE and I really should show you what I am working on (quite a few different projects actually), but as usual I keep forgetting to take pictures. So for now it will have to be old pictures.

This quilt top was made entirely out of 2,5 " strips and is fairly large, large enough for a double bed.

And the back is another charm quilt using up unwanted charm squares.

... and the 3 WINNERS are

I used an online random number generator, I didn't know how to embed it so I decided to just use a screenshot.

The winners are commenters number 7, 9 and 1.

So Emma, Marjorie and Lisa, could you please send me your addresses by email to nadinesaupe@yahoo.com and I'll post your fabric in the next few days.

Congrats to the winners and don't despair to the others, I think I'll do this again. It's an easy way to "use" fabric scraps without letting them hold me back.

Oh, and in the future those scraps might include some Tanya Whelan, Denyse Schmidt or Patty Young. So, patience Ladies, and just keep checking back.

Love, Nadine