Good news, it’s the weekend! Which means it must be time for another Bonjour Quilts update. Grab yourself a nice drink, sit back and enjoy a relaxing read.
A New Quilt Underway…
I showed you my next design in last fortnight’s newsletter, and I’m happy to report that I finished drafting the pattern.
It’s awaiting technical editing (to check all the maths and instructions), in the meantime I get to sew up the cover version.
I’m sewing the twin sized quilt and I’d estimate I’m about half way through. It’s coming together well, although I have picked up a couple of mistakes in the pattern myself already. This is why it’s so important to have patterns technically edited – we all make mistakes.
I have some sweet flower blocks coming along:
And some Irish Chain blocks also coming to life:
My main problem, as usual, is trying to think up a name for this one. I even resorted to asking AI if it had any ideas. It did, just none of them were very good (Petal Pusher? Errm, no.) I will keep letting it knock around in my brain a bit longer and see if something pops up.
Around the Interwebs…
A heartfelt article about the journey of a particular Quaker quilt.
Brilliant art works made from the tiniest of recycled goods.
A feel-good story about art changing the destiny of a town in Italy.
Shape, pattern, colour and light. I really loved this 4 minute video about an artist’s inspiring work.
I see that Christmas fabric lines are starting to filter into quilt shops. I really love this super cute Christmas garland panel by Lizzy House.
Colourful embroidery (love the way the frame is incorporated), French knot heaven, a book that explores making clothes from quilts, Reclaimed Quilts.
Reader Quilts…
I always love to see quilts you’ve made from Bonjour Quilts patterns so please keep sending them in! Either email (Kirsty at BonjourQuilts dotcom), or tag me on Facebook or Instagram.
Jennifer sewed up a sweet version of the Colour Explosion baby quilt. You can find the free baby sized quilt tutorial here, or the twin and queen sized quilt pattern in the shop.
And here’s Caroline’s version, which leans more toward bright, saturated colour. It’s so much fun to see one pattern made in two different ways.
Speaking of bright and saturated, I love this yellow version of Diamonds in the Deep sewn by Julie.
This Julie’s gorgeous rainbow Scrap Magnet quilt reminds me of a paint box.
Chez Bonjour
School is back in session for the second half of the year so it’s all drop-offs and sport and music lessons. But there’s been some time to enjoy the sunny winter days here in Queensland, Australia.
Mr Bonjour got back from an international trip with some of his oldest mates to walk along Hadrian’s Wall in the UK. He had a sterling time and only got one blister on his little toe (not bad for a 140km [87 miles] walk in 6 days! The Wall is about 1900 years old and was built by the Roman Empire.
Here’s a shot of a segment of the Wall. There used to be a beautiful, 100+ year old sycamore tree where that little fenced area is in the dip. If you want to feel angry at stupid people doing stupid things, you can read about that here. Grrrr.
In happier news, the youngest child and I paid a visit to a local art instalment.
If you’re on the Sunshine Coast you can find the Rainbrella Project by Sophie Blake in the Yandina Ginger Factory gardens. A very colourful, delightfully whimsical display.
Me doing my best Mary Poppins!
Oh, and check out the wall of Orange Trumpet Flower vines that are flowering around the corner from our house at the moment.
Aren’t they amazing?
This is a vine from South America, which is fast-growing in tropical climates like ours. It’s a bit of a pest (invasive species) in Queensland if it’s not tended to.
But as you can see, when it’s kept in line it puts on quite a show.
I took these photos just as it was starting to turn (flowers browning and dropping) so I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer.
Cats’ Corner…
Our Burmese cats, Lulu (brown) and Tigger (orange) have been doing what they do best. Asking for food and sleeping. Here are some moments captured on (digital) film over the past fortnight.
Have a good weekend!
That’s it from me, dear readers. It’s still harrowing to read the news wherever you are in the world, so I hope you’re able to take some time out this weekend. I think of this newsletter as a way of offering some light respite from all that’s going on (although sorry about that tree article – it made my blood pressure rise and it probably did for you too!). Wishing you all a wonderful weekend with the people you love.
Until next time, happy sewing,
Kirsty x
My sister and I walked parts of Hadrian’s Wall a few years ago. So interesting! (How ‘bout that ancient latrine!) Now I read the stories of felled trees and giant shoes with great interest, and a few tears.
Yes, glad we don’t have to poop like the Romans did!
I live in W. WA, USA and have a trumpet vine. I love it because it gives feasts to the humming birds. But I NEVER would have planted it if I had known how invasive it is !!
But deep in my heart, I love the color too
Thank you for your wonderful newsletter
Thanks Dorothy. We don’t have any native hummingbirds in Australia, which is a shame. I think some were introduced at one stage but I’ve never seen one here. I love seeing the videos of hummingbird feeders in the US.
Your newsletter is something I look forward to. It takes my mind off what is happening in the world and especially in the USA. 😌
It’s pretty rough at the moment, isn’t it? Very hard to stay positive sometimes, but we all need a bit of downtime when things are tough – that’s what I’m hoping to do. Take care and have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you for opening g your doors and sharing your life with us. It feels like we are sitting together enjoying a cuppa and catching up on the weekly news. You are a talented artist and a gifted writer!
ditto. could not have said it better, MJ !!
Aww, thanks Kit! I appreciate that very much.
Thanks MJ, that’s pretty much how I feel when I sit down to write. I imagine I’m updating a friend on everything that’s been going on (although I try not to swear as much as I do in real life!)
What about Canberra Bells?
Very pretty, but it will have trouble growing up the wall I think. But yes, a much better Australian native, to be sure! Great for attracting birdies, too.
Lovely read! I especially enjoyed reading about the Quaker quilt. I was fortunate to see an exhibition of Red Cross quilts which had been sent from Canada to the UK in WW2 but this story was even more amazing. Thank you for sharing.
You’re most welcome, Fiona. I agree it’s a really moving story.