Sunday, August 9, 2009

Tiffin for Two

On Friday I went to the Canberra Quilters' exhibition and saw it for the first time as a non-exhibitor. It was a fantastic show. The winning (judged) quilt was made by a girl who lives in Tokyo, and I thought it was spectacular - red, hand quilted, hand pieced, hand appliqued, and gorgeous. It was very deserving of best of show, in my opinion (although I know there are some who don't agree with me, and that's fine. We don't all have to agree). I really wish I could show you the photo of the quilt, but I'm not allowed to blog it. Hopefully the website will be updated soon with photos of the winning quilts. If you have Friday's Canberra Times, there is a photo in there too.

Last night we had the annual Southern Cross Quilters' dinner. The company is always lovely and it's good to laugh and share with quilters that we often only see once a year at exhibition time. So on arriving back home, I was inspired (it may have been the beer) to lay my hexagon quilt-in-progress out on the spare bed, to check for length and to also see how much further I had to go.

Quilt at midnight

Seems that I have progressed further than I thought, so now I'm fired up to finish it off. I still have the bottom half to finish, and about 15 half-hexagons to insert into the top and bottom, to keep the edges straight. I still haven't worked out what to do with the sides, but they may stay pointy.

Quilt the next morning

This photo was taken this morning, after a deep sleep filled with dreams of odd shaped quilts and corners and piecing papers and pricked fingers. (Again, it may have been the beer, rather than the excitement before bedtime over seeing my quilt so close to being a completed top that caused such vivid dreams!)

I want to finish the top by my 40th birthday in late September. That will give me at least 9 months to hand quilt the monster. If I can do it, it will be the perfect birthday present to myself.

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A blog I only recently discovered is Attic24. Have you seen it? It's filled with crochet and bright colours and flowers and life in a northern English village. It is a very happy blog. Did I mention the crochet? I love, love, LOVE a beautiful crochet blog!

So the other day, Lucy posted her recipe for Cranberry and Pecan Tiffin. I was having a Project Runway Australia viewing session this afternoon with my friend who is also a massive Attic24 fan, so I made Lucy's tiffin, but I used dried cherries instead of cranberries.

Cherry and pecan triffin

Verdict? Delicious!

16 comments:

  1. yum - they look fantastic. And I am loving my box for socks btw.

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  2. Your quilt looks amazing so far, I am envious of your quilting ability - me, I'm not so fond of the sewing, but one day I might give a machine quilt a go.

    Off to check out attic24 - I don't read many crochet blogs, so that will be very cool.

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  3. Your quilt looks great - much better than my hexagons. The tiffin looks delish too

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  4. You can do it! You are so close to finishing the top, and then you can hand stitch away of a night time until your birthday and if not your birthay then Christmas.

    What are you thiking of backing it with? Something plain or a repro 30's print? I'm interested because I don't know what I will eventually do for my hexagon quilts back and I can't wait to see yours! :)

    PS, I love Lucys blog and they look yummy. I am getting closer to finishing the ripple crochet throw I am making using her pattern.

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  5. ooo dried cherries in the tiffin, now I'm gonna HAVE to try that....glad it went down well, and many thanks for your lovely words about The Attic xxxxxxxx
    lucexxxxxxxxxx
    ps your quilt is absolutely breathtaking, LOVE it! ;o)

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  6. The tiffin looks delish!

    That quilt is just gorgeous Michelle, I can't wait to see it finished. I have every faith that you'll get it done on time!

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  7. That quilt is sensational. Totally inspiring. Can't wait to see it finished.

    I love Attic 24.

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  8. I like the pointy edges of the quilt and thanks to you I'm now searching the pantry for biccies and weighing the butter in my fridge. Tiffin for lunch - yum!

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  9. Your quilt looks beautiful Michelle. Love all those nice colored hexagons and I love the old fashioned style bed too. Perfect match together arent they. Have fun quilting!

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  10. yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
    I'm thinking about bringing something in for our work meeting tomorrow - its now a toss up between cupcakes and TIFFIN!
    ps I LOVE your quilt!

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  11. What a beautiful quilt...simply lovely!

    I've just found your blog, I'll be back soon!xx

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  12. *gasp*
    That quilt is simply amazing.

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  13. Oh my. That looks TOO YUMMY.

    Your quilt is utterly stunning, you are one talented lady (but we knew that already ;)!

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  14. Your quilt is gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing the photo and also thanks for the link to the recipe. Those looks so delicious.

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  15. oh wow your quilt is amazing!! i love it. cant wait to see it complete now too : )

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