Contemporary Quilt Group Journal Quilt

I was about to say that I can't remember where I got the idea from for my March Journal Quilt but I've just remembered that it was from the bathroom at our holiday cabin in Yorkshire last month! The loo rolls were stored in a metal canister with square holes cut out of it and that made me start thinking about reverse applique. I knew I had some velvet at home and have been wanting to do something with it for a while so I decided to work with velvet, sheers and nets.

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My first step was to play with the 12"x6" format in my workbook. I had already chosen my favourite turquoise and blues colour scheme so it wasn't much of a step to decide on a sea scheme!

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I started out looking at the simple cut out squares idea but that didn't inspire me a great deal so I then played about with the movement of waves and how I would arrange the areas to be cut through. You will see by my notes that I took some inspiration from Nellie's Needles but in the end I didn't actually use her freezer paper method for applying the design, preferring to work freestyle this time. Nellie's site is wonderful, full of colour and inspiration, go and have a look but, be warned, you could be there a while! Nellie is so generous with her knowledge and expertise. Thank you Nellie!

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A few years ago I did some work with exploring the movement of the sea and this sketch below finally helped me to sort out how I wanted the sewn lines to go.

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I decided on the arrangement of my layers and pinned and tacked everything together (no photo, sorry) ready for stitching. Earlier this week I made a practice sample and tried out the stitching and cutting through and then yesterday I grasped the nettle and started on the main piece. The cutting through was very hard on the hands, I have to say.

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This is not finished and the colour is way off, it should look much more green but I can't get the computer to give me the colours I need. Grrr! The next step, hopefully today, is to add some wave shaped stitching to secure some of the frayed edges. I won't be too fussy as I don't want it to look too tidy. Then, maybe, a few beads here and there to catch the light.

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All of this planned activity today depends on me having the energy to do it. I'm still in my PJs feeling sorry for myself as my lovely DH, who I have been married to 3 years today (Yay!!!) has generously shared his cold with me and I'm sneezing and sniffing for Britain! We're having a special dinner tonight to celebrate (his favourite, lamb shanks!) It will be all my own work - well I shall open the carton and pop it beautifully in the oven. Delia Smith I am not! A bottle of wine and probably a hot toddy to finish off - job done! Just hope I don't cough all night ;o)

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If I get my quilt finished I'll pop back later and show you. I have to keep in front on this project as April is going to be busy with a visit from my mummy!

PS Blogger is being a bit weird today, every time I try and correct any spelling errors it keeps eating my letters! OO-ER!