My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The same but different

I received a sweet comment from my sister-in-law the other day, which has prompted me to pull up my socks and write a post. Her and my brother have just been over to New Zealand for a visit, and our family had a belated Christmas (see *here*) together.
I hadn't finished their present then but when I saw them a few days later I had;  - here is the comment -
You can post a photo of MY Christmas present now too!!!!!!!! Because mine is gorgeous so you should show it off!
(Thank you Sandie).  So here is the picture!
Yes, you may recognise it, I have shown a VERY similar one recently, however, the quilting on this one is different :-)
I was inspired by a book I have called "Quilting Makes the Quilt" where the author, Lee Cleland, makes 5 identical quilts and quilts each one very differently, amazing the differences between them all. (She did this 5 times!). Anyway, I decided to do my two identical quilts sort of differently, a nice little challenge for myself.
Both had pebbles in the white hexagons, and the actual hexie flowers
were mostly untouched .
I went a bit fancy in the corners of this one.
This was the first one, I gave this to my sister and her hubby.
While my sister-in-law was here we were able to compare the applique project we are both working on, the Quiltmania mystery.
It was so cool to see Sandie's - I was going to take photos of them side by side but mine looked quite insipid next to hers!!
We've both only done the first two blocks but it is a nice feeling to be stitching this alongside each other.
Raewyn's block 1
Raewyn's block 2
Sandie's block 1.
Sandie is using Kaffe Fasset fabrics - can you tell :-)
Sandie's block 2
Photo not in focus but I love that she has chosen to use
the little buttons on her boys.
What a difference the fabric makes, huh?!

Our summer is whizzing by, we have had plenty of visitors lately and all the holiday makers have been enjoying the sunshine. While we are worrying that our farm is rapidly drying out, there are diverse and perverse weather situations happening all over the world. In particular, I have been really disturbed to see the severe drought situation in parts of Australia. The world has shrunk due to blogging and it hurts to see fellow bloggers hurting so much. I have had a feeling of helplessness here in New Zealand but I was pleased to see a link on facebook which directed me to Buy A Bale... a donation (easily made through PayPal or Visa) buys feed (bales of hay) for stock, or other needs. Just imagine, even if we all just bought one bale of hay, the difference we could make.

I'm feeling a little caught up now, I wouldn't have thought I would go for 3 weeks between posts but oh well, I made it back :-).
Happy stitching everyone,
Have a Great Day,
Raewyn.

27 comments:

  1. Always nice when your gifts are appreciated
    Gorgeous

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  2. Love your kiwi hexies and your quilting is amazing!!!! Great to hear you had a family catch up...have visited the Buy a Bale myself, a great idea!

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  3. Magnificent quilting, it's beautiful. Love your new blocks too, so much great detail.

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  4. love your hexie quilt, the quilting is spectacular. I love that you have left the main flowers plain. Well done to you and Sandie on your sunbonnet blocks. they are both gorgeous!
    hope you will show follow up progress shots.

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  5. Your quilting is exceptional! I love seeing more than one version of the same thing and I must say, I would never have dreamed of using Kafe fabric for Sunbonnet Sue-style blocks, but they do look awesome! I will be praying for rain for Australia and you in NZ. Then there is the bad flooding in GB. Is it too much to ask just for everyone to get the right amount of rain?

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  6. Raewyn, the little quilt is wonderful...love your hexies and the quilting. I really enjoyed seeing both versions of the sun bonnet sue blocks...both are yummy!

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  7. A beautiful hexie quilt you quilted for your SIL.
    Both Sun Bonnet Sues are lovely.

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  8. Oh my! Your quilting is outstanding. Your gift becomes so dramatic with that concentrated stitching. Well done!
    Love the little Sunbonnet Sue blocks, seeing how different they are with the different fabrics. Looks like the kids are out for the day, getting into as much trouble as they can. Cute!

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  9. First of all, blog when the spirit strikes!! Sometimes I only have one post in a whole month. Secondly, your sister's quilt is just gorgeous! I'm sure she feels it was well worth the wait. Lastly, all those little stitcheries make my head swim. The are absolutely adorable. I wish I could do such nice applique.

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  10. How nice to have a quilting sister-in-law! The hexagon quilts are so lovely, very nice quilting.
    And the blocks of Reiko Kato are so nice done by both of you, what a difference in fabric and colors!
    Have a nice day, Cisca

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  11. Your two little hexie quilts take my breath away! What amazing quilting! I am so impressed!
    Then those cute mystery blocks make me want to giggle. : ) How very fun--can't wait to see more. I find it so interesting to see the different flavor the fabric choices create.
    I am glad you posted again--I had started to wonder if all was well.

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  12. Stunning quilting!! On both wee quilts, lovely gifts.
    The sunbonnets are very cute, the same but different alright!

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  13. what fun to see your quilting and all the kids blocks such fun fabrics.

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  14. Amazing what a difference the quilting makes! What a gorgeous gift to give. And I love the blocks you and your sil are doing - so cute!

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  15. Gorgeous hexie quilts Raewyn - love how you have quilted them. Your new sunbonnet blocks are just gorgeous - I love them both but think perhaps I am more of a muted colour girl than the bright ones. I have always adored sunbonnets & remember them as Hollie Hobby. Happy week to you x0x

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  16. Your mini quilt is gorgeous, you quilting is amazing! Lots of detail. Love your sunbonnet blocks, fun seeing the difference colour makes.

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  17. Amazing quilting Raewyn - I have that book too, and it is very inspirational. Your little people look very depression era... while your sister in law's look like children of the 70's - flower power and tie dye. Will be fun to see how they both turn out.

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  18. good to see you back and with such lovely pieces. Your SIL must be delighted with her Xmas present and the quilting on it is amazing. I personally prefer your applique, such delicate colours mind you the other one is very cheerful so both get my vote.
    Weather all over the world seems to be haywire, here in Leeds we have had a very mild winter, lots of rain over the past week but not nearly so much as further south. The food produce is going to be greatly affected I fear come the summer, shortages of veg etc is sure to follow due to the water lying on the surface for so many weeks.

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  19. Your beautiful quilting certainly makes the hexie quilts shine .....Lovely work :)

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  20. I have missed your crafting blogging... Of course I just loved looking at your quilting and so fun seeing the different but same blocks...both sets are amazing ..
    Hugz

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  21. Your quilting is fabulous! I imagine it is even more difficult to get all that detail on a small quilt. Both your mysteries are beautiful! So fun you can share quilting with your SIL.

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  22. Welcome back sometimes we get caught up with life! Just love that quilt mania mystery, I have some of the blocks but adding another UFO wasn't an option this year. Love those Hexie quilts your quilting is fabulous. Happy stitching

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  23. Wow Raewyn - the quilting for your SIL is Stunning! What a gorgeous gift, well done...

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  24. Hello Raewyn,
    You and your sister-in-law are both amazing. Oh, I could learn so much from the two of you. I love your quilt patterns in the white space of your hexie quilt. So pretty . . . you are certainly a talented gal.
    Happy quilting.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  25. what a wonderful gift Raewyn its gorgeous,and its so interesting seeing the difference in the blocks that you and your sister are doing,well done on such lovely work.xx

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  26. Your hexie quilt is amazing , your quilting really does look wonderful . Love both versions of the sun bonnet blocks , color does make a difference .

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  27. it's great seeing both colourways..........

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