Quilt for Charity

I am a hand quilter! I really enjoy that....However this was a quilt in a rush, as I am about to miss the deadline to submit for a charity drive. The Desi Quilters are scheduled to make 50 quilts for a charity and hand it over to the charity on Sunday which gave me very little time!

I actually enjoyed the experience. Its fun and quick....and finally used my Bernina to do a little more than just sew straight lines....Fiddled with the machine and got to know her a little better, experimented with some FMQ, which is something I am scared of....so all in all its been a great experience!
Valuable lessons were learnt as well....I find I only want to use Indian hand-loom cotton fabrics or block printed cottons. The challenge here is that most of these fabrics are of different weights, and some quite fine. I find that if the fabric is washed and then starched, ironed and then cut...it works, not easy, as it still shifts around, especially while quilting, but  it still works. Much easier to quilt it by hand, as there is much more control....but will continue the experiment!

Nikhil's quilt WIP continued

Here it is....the top of Nikhil's quilt is finally ready. I am glad I have chosen the printed fabric for the borders....the green leaves go well with the theme of jungle animals. Since the majority of the work has been hand done, I will do the quilting by hand as well I think. Still not totally comfortable with FMQ on the machine, but hopefully will gain confidence as I practice! I posted the picture on my 2 quilting FB pages asking for suggestions on how to quilt, and have got lots of ideas....so the next post about Nikhil's quilt should have a picture of it completed!

An angel for Christmas!

A very Christmas to all of you who check out my blog from time to time and leave comments....I really enjoy the connection!  Have a wonderful 2014!
I was looking for something special to make for Naeeda's in laws who are Portuguese. We are spending Christmas with them in the Algarve and so I wanted something appropriate ! I have been crocheting a lot so was looking for something that could be crocheted. I came across this pattern on the net and it was just right. I loved making it.....the instructions were really clear. I learnt a new technique for stiffening the crochet with sugar syrup!!! Since there won't be a problem with ants in Portugal, it's worked fine. I will have to look at some other method for stiffening at home!!

The Morgados loved it....and it looks really beautiful on their highly polished piano top! 

It's Christmas today, and seems the right day to post this picture! The Morgados are all here, the whole extended family, aunts and uncles, cousins and children. Some have come from as far away as Macau! Naeeda's in laws have a beautiful rambling home in the Algarve and it is open house now....there is a beautiful Christmas tree, and candles every where. The angel fits in very well! A fire burns in the grate all day, and it is warm and welcoming! We are all sitting around the fire place just now after having had the most amazing Christmas lunch, of every kind of meat, much to Viveck's delight! The kids are all playing with their gifts, and we are enjoying this wonderful feeling of being together. Language doesn't seem to be a problem, as we seem to be able to communicate affection with such ease!

It's strange not to be with all my girls together, today and I do miss being with them. The first time since they were born, that we are not all together for Christmas! But there is next year! This was important for David and Naeeda!

Sam the dog for Sarah

What is it about 20 odd year old young women who seem to delight in getting little toys. Sarah is Nafisa's friend from her design school, and a very competent designer herself. She saw Nafisa's little dog and immediately wanted one....so here it is Sarah! The pattern is from the net and thanks needs to go to the creator Michelle Wilcox from www.crochettoday.com!

 

A 'Taggy' for Nikhil

I heard about 'Taggies' for the first time when Sufi was little. Never actually managed to make one for the little girl. Then I saw a friend of Sufi's hanging on to hers, especially at bed time. So I thought of getting one done for Nikhil for Christmas. Actually its quite a clever concept, and so appropriate for a little one trying to put everything into his mouth. I hope Nikhil likes his one and it keeps him comforted! I found patterns on the net, but decided I would make it bigger and withy many more tags!

 

Hobbes for Nafisa!

Nafisa gave me this pattern a couple of years ago! Finally it got made for her 29 th birthday a few days ago! The way she squealed and jumped around when she got it, made me smile and feel happy that I had hit a winner for a birthday present! I wonder if kids ever actually grow upon the eyes of their parents! Possibly never, which in a way is a good thing,but the also a bad thing, as one never stops worrying that their lives will be good, they will be safe and happy, and most of all contented! A tall order I guess!
Anyway here is Nafisa and her Hobbes!

The pattern if free from the net. I need to find the name of the creator and not only acknowledge her here, but also thank her! It was really easy and well written!

Nikhil's Quilt....almost done!

I have one block left to make...thinking maybe it should be bees. The rest  have come out well, and I am so excited, so am sharing them here. Its been some experience, trying to use fabrics that are not the same weight....but complete fun! Viveck has kept me focused in that I don't make boring animals, but ones with character!!!! If Nikhil will be anything like his sister Sufi, he too will have an amazing imagination, and will appreciate the characters as he grows, and possibly build stories around them too!!!!

 Not sure why this peacock has uploaded on its side!

Close ups of some of the details. I think I like hand applique so much as there is so much scope for creativity and using one's imagination!

Finally couldn't resist laying out all the blocks!!!!