green

Despite coming from a very enthusiastic quilting family I have rather avoided the whole quilting thing. I had really wanted to be doing something different and my own.

But the quilting bug has finally got me and I have all kinds of plans.

I wanted to start out small. I wanted to make a green quilt for throwing over my shoulders when doing my meditation. It needed to be uber soft and snuggly, with a great drape. I didn't want it too look at all formal - it needed to be a scrap quilt. And very simple.


I used a raft of green fabrics in the stash, including an old favourite sheet.

You may notice it looks rather rough or maybe 'rustic', or possibly even saggy. I went with a different approach than standard wadding and backing. I have a couple of old chenille bedspreads lying about which I haven't used in years. They are so beautiful I can't bear to part with them. I decided to use one to back this little quilt. I held my breath as I cut the chenille - terrified I would regret this waste of a lovely bedspread.


I love the result, even if it is saggy. It feels magnificently cosy.

Though before I embark on a 'real' quilt that would make my mum proud my basting needs to improve an awful lot and I really do need to learn to sew a straight line.

a little greener

photo

Lately I have been thinking more about how I am impacting on the planet. Every so often my energy and commitment to this surges - maybe it is a spring thing.

I have already ticked all the usual boxes - energy saving light globes, shower head, composting, recycling etc, but I know I could do much better. I have signed up for the million women campaign to support a great cause and also to remind me to do the right thing.

I am loving reading a blog about just one ordinary woman's efforts and the big and little things she can do and I am inspired. I have been trying to not buy, to consume less. It isn't easy at all, in fact I am finding it really tough. Buying things feels good, lets face it.

I have bought some great yarn and fabric lately, and received some fantastic swap gifts. For the remainder of 2009, I vow to not buy any new materials - no yarn, no fabric, no buttons, no clothes, nothing.

It is going to hurt, but I hope to finish a whole heap of projects I bought gear for but haven't got around to starting, and get into some more upcycling. Will you join me?

I also want to thank you so much for your encouragement when I was panicing about presenting at the conference. It really did help. I did it. It went well. I could do it again now. And it is going to look great on a CV!