I have a little of this and that to show you today. A little of my work, and some fun projects recently made by Eva. For those of you who may be new to my blog, Eva is an international friend and quilter. We met through my blog, and we have become good friends through our emails back and forth, as well as through our love of quilting. We both enjoy working on this and that during our quilting time, working on one type of quilting, maybe improv and then moving to another project, like bag making. Sometimes we combine the two! Those of you who have been part of the past Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) SALs may remember Eva’s quilts that she made. While Eva does not have her own blog, I happily share some of her work here from time to time. You can see her SAHRR quilts here, here and here.
I forgot to share my challenge quilt for The Endeavourers, which was revealed on August 1st. We are a group of art quilters who challenge each other with quarterly themes throughout the year. The theme for the challenge was “effervescence”. It was more challenging than I expected! Here is my little finished quilt.
To read the details in the making of this little quilt, you can go to The Endeavourers site and see all of the challenge quilts for that theme by scrolling through the feed. My fellow challenge quilters are a talented group, and I always enjoy seeing what each one of us comes up with for the theme. I will say that the goal of my piece was to experiment with using different inks, threads and buttons to show effervesence. It was fun, and of course, now I can think of other things I should’ve added!
Meanwhile, Eva has been busy with this and that, and making a few cute bags to gift to friends. First up is this bag, made for a friend who likes bees. This was a free block pattern from The Inquiring Quilter and Eva said it was a fun bag to make.
Here’s a close up of that fabric – look at those cute bees!
Next, she made a little zippy pouch for a friend, to remind her of Australia.
Does that design make you think of Ayers Rock? That was Eva’s plan, and I think she made it work! How cool is that?!
Don’t you think Eva used great fabrics – I love all the vibrant color!
Lastly, Eva made this bag for a friend.
Such soft, pretty colors, and such a great glam shot, too, with the lovely flowers in the photo! Here is the back of the bag:
And look at Eva’s fantastic quilting! She choose a neat design and used colored thread. Very cool! Eva has a new Janome sewing machine, and she has been enjoying getting to know what it can do.
The love of fabric and thread is universal for quilters, and thanks to technology, isn’t it amazing that we can share our work with one another, quilt on a project together, and get to know one another? I’m so thankful that my blog connected not only Eva and me, but also connected me with all of you. I am so grateful for each one of you who pop in, read my blog and leave me a comment. It makes my day when we share a little of this and that with each other!
This week I hope to finish up the memory quilts, so I can get back to my other projects. One is quilted, the other is basted, so the end is near! On an impulse, I ordered fabric to make new living room curtains?!?! It will be an easy (I hope) project, but may well end up being a what was I thinking project. Time will tell. My big excitement for the week – a quilting friend is coming for a sew day this week – squee! I can’t wait!
Happy Monday, friends! Stitch on!
Wendy
I immediately saw bubbles in your effervescence quilt. It’s a lovely, sparkly piece.
Thank you for sharing this and that — I took value this on-line connection. Who knows, maybe one day I will taste a chocolate dilly with you!
Eva, your bags are gorgeous. You are so kind to make these special gifts for friends.
Mariss, yes.. isnt that amazing… around the world… hope you have not a cold winter. You know I am a fan of your Kawandi project!! There is a full box of african prints, may be this will be an idea in the future to use them!
Hello Eva. Nice to hear from you. Those African prints will make a lovely, vibrant kawandi. I am enjoying sleeping under my kawandi now that it is at last finished.
I must say I am looking forward to the end of winter. There are some signs of spring. Enjoy your autumn 🍂🍁
Effervescence is wonderful! Love the buttons and their placement. Eva’s bags are gorgeous, the colors and fabrics are beautiful. What kind of Janome did she get? The quilting looks great. Have fun with your sewing friend! I assume it is someone other than Wilbs. 😉
Hi Linda, thanks for your nice words. Its a Janome Memory Craft 9480 QC, but not have worked with all features. Stepp by stepp we became good friends. It was a long journey to say yes to Janome.
The big SAHRR 2025 will be quilted on her, not by hand … hope it will work well. Checked your blog, the wedding quilt so sooo wonderfull.
Hi Wendy! Are your memory quilts made with tshirts? If so, how did you quilt it? I’m working on one now & not sure how to quilt it. I’m also quilting on my regular sewing machine.
Eva made some awesome bags! I feel like I’ve made a few really good friends through quilting and blogging.
Hi Sarah, yes .. it is so much funtobe on Wendys blog. I am so gratefull that she is doing this extra work.
If you like, you can ask her about my email adress.
Nice bags Eva! I agree it is so nice that we have made good friends via the internet;) Perhaps I get to see your yellow project in person. I giggled at Linda’s comment -someone other than Wilbs for your sew day, LOL.
Hi Vicky, my friend who got the bag has no chance to travel such far. But the pattern you can get for free. If you have bee related friends as well…. Wendy mentioned the webpage.
I think a bee house in a fabric of more colour could be nice as well.
Wendy, your Effervescence quilt is spot on! I love the way you added the buttons and the stitched circles. At first I thought the drawn circles were part of the fabric, but did you add those also? It’s such a fun piece! Great to see Eva’s bags, too – they are really neat. Eva, I hope you’re liking your new sewing machine – that is always an exciting purchase!
Hi Diann, thanks! Yes I love her. Not doing much, I should check more what she can, but in my rare free time I like to sit outside in my rare free time and do some needlework or prep hexagon for another project.
Love the things you show on your blog. Greetings eva
Oh Eva, you’ve grown into such a rich stitcher – creatively skilled to bring forth those visions in your mind onto the fabric….Your Ayres Rock, rocks! 😉
And Wendy – I cherish our bits of exchange about the “This and That” of life. ❤️
Laura! Love to see your kind comment. Thank you. The new machines possibilities mustbe tested. After each stiching … it needs a good cleaning. So intensive using stiches… dont forget the cleaning.
Yes, it makes soooo mich fun to doodle with this loops!
And there are much more pouches to make!! The Rock.. rocks now with a 16 year old girl, who went to Australia as a school exchange. She was impressed when she got it one day before her flight for this and that, we girls have always in our bags. Yeeees, drumroll for Wendy for her this and that blog!!
I am so grateful for the connection that blogs have provided for us all, too! I think your mini quilt captures Effervescence well, and it’s a treat to get to see Eva’s bags. 🙂
Hi Yvonne, how is the summer for you? See your super projects on your page!
Thank you for your lovely comment!
Sweet little projects! Nice of you to share Eva’s work 🙂
Hallo Tierney, thank you for your comment. Yes, it means the world for that Wendy post them. I love and read your travel information. No real chance to see with my own eyes but know some other spots from the past. 35 years ago… the brief information about „Towards 2050“ on your blog is special and I hope a lot of quilters read it. You do right to travel!! Great great pictures! Carhedge!! And the quilters quilt!!! Just wonderfull!
Thanks so much Eva! 🙂
“Isn’t it amazing that we can share our work with one another, quilt on a project together, and get to know one another?” You know the answer… Yes!
Hi Helen, thank you for your comment. Get to know.. I visired your blog and love that you grow your vegetables and that you have henn and egg! My friend in Michigan cant grow veggetables, no time,but I tell her all the time, build a house for henns and have your own eggs. Healthy and cheap. Henn eat all the leftover from kitchen. What a dream a little house in the green and some chicken…. And time for quilting!
Or you.. time to paint.
Wendy, I love your interpretation of Effervescence. It is right on the nose. Eva, your bags are lovely and feature some wonderful fabric. I’ve only made simple tote bags but hope to make some cool bags like yours someday!
Your mini take on effervescence is perfect! So fun to see all of Eva’s beautiful bags, too. I love this connection and you sharing her quilts!