Wednesday, December 20, 2006

A foggy old day

Today was a foggy dank dark dismal day - the sort of day that turns cobwebs into crystal necklaces strung amongst the bushes as if by magic. The sort of day that once you've walked the children to school and back makes you wonder why you bothered to wash and blow dry your hair - especially if it's prone to crinkling like mine. The fog didn't lift at all today and it was quite chilly, becoming even more so this evening as you can see from the ice that's accumulated on the car aerial on the short round trip to the supermarket for the heavy non-perishable Christmas foodstuffs - the fruit and veg will mean another visit at the weekend :o(

Today was also the last day of term for both the kids and I which this year feels a little close to the wire although I do believe some counties aren't breaking for Christmas until Friday - now that is leaving things a bit late.

The cold dampness today also came as quite a shock for a lot of the garden plants - I have an early spring clematis in full bloom - it's about to get a rude awakening I think

This morning before I went to work at 10.30 the stitching bug still had a serious hold on me and having virtually finished all the Christmas sewing I decided that, having been in the house over 15 months, it was time I made some cushion covers for my lounge to match the aqua, sand and cream decor rather than the scruffy ancient red and dark green ones that matched the old house.

I've never been a great fan of piecing, always preferring applique but I've really enjoyed the flying geese I've made in certain Christmas presents so set to and stitched my first cushion front. And that was all before heading off to work.

When we returned this evening I decided I'd quite like some texture so merrily sandwiched it and stitched away thoughout the evening between more boring tasks like fixing tea and a romantic trip for two without the kids with DH to, of all places, the supermarket!!!

I've never tried a feather design before or for that matter any micro-stippling but I just decided to leave the coloured sections unquilted and puffy and to stitch away on the cream areas. The feather was totally freehand and isn't totally even but I'm delighted with the result and with a quick back and some fasteners it will be able to replace the first of those tatty red and green numbers.

15 comments:

Hedgehog said...

Wow! Those feathers look great!

Anonymous said...

Feathers looks brilliant on all kinds of blocks! Yours looks great :-)

quiltpixie said...

your quilting is wonderful!

dot said...

great job on the quilting. I would be proud to have feathers that look like that.

Fiona said...

Cool feathers!

Ali Honey said...

Oh Well Done!
Love the web your orb web spider spun you.
Season's Greetings from Alison in NZ.

Tonya Ricucci said...

your quilting is beautiful as always. Love that spider web pic.

Clare said...

Beautiful quilting as always. I hate those dank dark foggy days. From what I can gather it ain't shifting either and the UK has ground to a halt. On our way tomorrow morning - hope it has lifted by the time we land Sat a.m. Have a briliant Xmas and New Year and I'll catch up with you in 2007.

Libby said...

Wow -- free-hand feathers, they look awesome. I really need to attempt branching out with my free-motion quilting. You've inspired me.

Helen in the UK said...

The quilting looks wonderful - I've always admired feathers but haven't been brave enough to try yet :)

Judy said...

I think the feathers are super!! Great job and hard to tell it's your first try at free hand feathers! Good show!

ForestJane said...

That looks super!

I wouldn't be at all ashamed of the feathers you've quilted there. :)

And your spiderweb reminds me of Charlotte's Web... lol

Quilts And Pieces said...

Your feathers look wonderful! And that spider web is amazing. Unbelievable how something so beautiful can be made by something so creepy and crawly!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Forgot to say Merry Christmas Anne!

Doodlebug Gail said...

Gorgeous feathers Anne! That's next on my list of things to try with my quilting.

Boy oh boy, wasn't that fog just awful. We arrived at Heathrow early on Thursday morning to absolute chaos. Thankfully we caught a coach down here to Bournemouth - this cold, damp air is so different to Canada and my sister keeps on talking about the 'pathetic Canadians'. LOL Your spider web photo's are exactly the same as we have on the deck here at my sister's house.

Happy Christmas.