MILLYPENNY

 The biennial Hands Across the Border exhibition took place at the An Tain Arts Centre, Dundalk from the exhibition from the 31st August to the 4th September.  The Hands Across the Border exhibition is run jointly by the Irish Patchwork Society and the Northern Ireland Patchwork Guild.  I managed to get a piece done for this exhibit (was working up to the wire to get this quilt finished in time!).  The theme of this years exhibit was "Hanging Together Again" so I used men's shirts (three of my Dad's old shirts actually) to make most of my piece. It's based on a small laneway in Ennis called Friary Bow. Ennis is full of these old laneways, a lot of these laneways and bow-ways were temporarily closed this year to get a makeover (tiling, better signage of the laneways etc.). This laneway is full of interesting colours and shapes, great contrast with the turquoise storefront than can be seen from the arch.  I used acrylic paints and markers to alter the fabrics in my

 I'm currently doing a 6-week Fabric Portrait Class with Luke Haynes.  For the 2nd class, we were sent a template of Elvis Presley to make. We were advised to use solid fabrics for his portraits (I'd already done a Dolly Parton portrait using patterned fabric) so thought I'd follow the rules a little bit this time and use some solid fabrics.  After completing it, I think I still prefer using patterned fabric, I think it adds a bit more interest and texture to the piece (But it does depend on what scale of fabrics are used - need to use small scale prints here)  Have had the portrait applique ready for a few weeks while deciding on what background to use. Finally decided the other night to go for high contrast - had a look through all my yellow fat quarters and cut out 5 1/2 inch squares to use for the background.  Now to finish off quilting the background and then adding the applique section. 

Oops, I knew I had neglected my blog but didn't realise that it was so long since I last posted (July 2020).  Anyways 2020 and 2021 have not been normal years for anyone, so I'm going to try and post a bit more regularly. Thanks to Covid, there has been no sewing meet-ups or workshops apart from online ones. I saw that Luke Haynes was running an online Portrait class last month and signed up. A few days before the workshop, all the participants were emailed the pattern (which was a portrait of Dolly Parton!) I really enjoyed this workshop, with lots of information provided. Luke Haynes uses glue to affix his fabric pieces but I used the old reliable bondaweb! The technique itself is fairly labour intensive, each section has to be cut out of the paper pattern and then cut out of the fabric - so not a fast process but the results are great. You had to use four fabrics for this portrait - dark going to light. I used a dark green solid and the rest of the fabrics were 1980 flower p

Thought I would have loads of time to be posting during lock-down but it hasn't worked out like that. Have been going into work since this whole crisis started (but just 2 or 3 days a week since May as the aviation industry has been badly affected by Covid-19). I have been working away on lots of different projects, but they're all mostly long-term projects so nothing has been finished yet. Like the quilt below, I have it all basted but no time yet to quilt it.  One project that I have been making progress on is a string quilt (to use up some of my fabric scraps), have this one nearly done just a few more blocks to make! As well as working on all different projects, I have also been spending lots of time working in my sketchbooks and journals - a great way to pass the time and work on new ideas for future projects.

I'm a member of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles - previously an International member as Region 17 used to just cover Northern Ireland. At the last AGM, this was changed so Region 17 now covers all of Ireland. The Quilters Guild are celebrating 40 years in existence this year, and wanted all branches etc. to host a party. So, Region 17 had their own party last week in Margaret McCrory's house in Co. Down. There was lots of cake and numerous rounds of tea and coffee.     There was a good turnout for the meeting, 6 of us came from the South, and the rest from all over Northern Ireland. We had all agreed to bring two quilts for show and tell, some members brought their first quilt, so it was lovely hearing the stories related to the quilts. As well as the food, we also got through some guild/business related matters and I'm now on the committee of Region 17.

Two weeks ago I went to the Loughrea Medieval Festival, the festival has been running for a good few years but it was the 1st time I'd gone to it. Have to say, I really enjoyed the day, the weather was glorious and picked up loads of interesting facts and tid-bits at the fair. One woman was demonstrating bobbin lace and had folders full of samples and notes showing how it was constructed. There was lots of people (mostly men) dressed in Medieval armour, having sword-fights etc. but there was also stands with straw-weaving, wood-carving etc. straw weaving    There was a blacksmith from Mountshannon I think who was making copper keychains with children (who had a steam-punk bicycle and other interesting objects).  steam punk milk  churn steam-punk bicycle One stand had a woman showing natural dyed yarns, so she had used lichens, onions and nettles to create some lovely subtle shades.