Hello there lovely readers, welcome back to Bonjour Quilts. High-fives all around because it’s once again the weekend. Sit back and read on for all the latest news around these parts.
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What I’m Sewing…
I had drawn up a rough sketch for a quilt in my Quilter’s Planner and I’m still playing around with these blocks.
The aim is to sew something to cover a day bed in our ‘catch all’ room. It’s a small TV/guest bedroom where our 14 year old puts the big stacks of pamphlets he folds into bundles (he has a job delivering catalogues). It’s also where our eldest stays when he’s home from uni. Not the fanciest room in the house, but it still deserves a nice quilt!
We recently grabbed 3 of these large pillows from IKEA – I love the two-tone blue. They match this version of my Stash Knockout quilt, seen below.
They also somewhat match this blue/green version of my The Plus Side quilt, seen below.
Unfortunately, neither quilt is twin size so my current work-around is using them both. But I’d prefer a single quilt, something with a splash of cobalt blue. (I also need to buy another two cushions so that the back of the day bed is completely covered.)
I think this new block might give me the quilt I’m after (tester below). It’s not a black and white photo, I’m just using a monochrome pre-cut bundle that I had on hand.
Around the Interwebs…
Some lovely, bold colour combinations to enjoy in this artist’s Instagram account.
Not quilts, but these pretty art prints definitely give a quilt-like vibe.
How much fun are these mixed-media pieces? I’m eyeing my pretty coloured rubbish differently now! Prefer your embroidery without the extras? These patterns are just lovely.
Are you a contemporary quilter? You might consider entering your work in Quilt National ’25, held in the US state of Ohio.
Off topic, but a good article casting a different perspective on dementia treatment. Stay social, my friends!
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. Here are some oldies but goodies for your inspiration.
I love this navy Diamonds in the Deep quilt sewn by Bia, and photographed in Brazil.
Jean also sewed a Diamonds in the Deep, but added her own borders to great effect (also handy if you need it just that little bit bigger):
I love Janine’s bright and happy Mountainside quilt.
I think it’s time for a Mountainside montage (here’s my original quilt post). This pattern is fast and easy, and has instructions for 5 quilt sizes. It’s also fat quarter friendly, so it’s a great way to put a bundle of coordinated FQs together in a quilt.
Cynthia created this wonderful version, perfect for Halloween/Autumn.
Meredith’s version is giving some nice drama, using the blue side of the colour spectrum.
And speaking of colour families, Gina made two baby-sized Mountainside quilts in two different colours. They look amazing!
I love how the single “mountain peak’ fabric helps tie all the various print fabrics together.
Here’s Kim’s version which shows you can mix different colour values effectively if you’d like to. Very well done (amazing quilting too)!
Cheryl often puts an innovative spin on my patterns and it’s always so fun to see. On more than one occasion she’s taken a pattern in a direction I would never have seen and I’m grateful for her alternate perspectives. Cheryl’s Mountainside quilt uses clever colour blocking to give her quilt a completely different look, and I love it!
If you’d like to try your hand at a Mountainside quilt using your stash or a curated FQ stack, you can find the pattern here in the shop. Get those FQs out of the cupboard and into a beautiful quilt.
And last, but definitely not least, here’s Jill’s When You Wish baby quilt, complete with a great contrasting border. This baby quilt pattern has a free tutorial and can also be made as a throw, queen or king size version.
Chez Bonjour…
It’s the middle of winter, but winter here on the Sunshine Coast in Australia is very mild. We’ve had a run of really lovely days this week, sunny and 20-25℃ (65-75℉). I managed to fit in several coastal walks in our local area:
And I was lucky enough to spy a sea turtle along The Spit (the local name for this rock wall). I love these little guys and whenever I see one I take it as a good omen for the day.
And last night I went to the George Michael Tribute in Brisbane with my little sister (I’m 50, she’s 46, but she’ll always be my little sister!).
It was a fantastic live act and we had brilliant time reliving our best ’80s selves. We danced and sang our hearts out, and will both need a few naps to recover. If you get the chance, they have more shows in Sydney, Adelaide and WA in this week (don’t dawdle). Definitely recommended!
Cats’ Corner
Another week, another intense nap schedule. These cats are not here to mess around and no soft and/or warm surface is safe.
What a life!
Have a great weekend
Have a great weekend, my friends. May it be filled with quilts, cats, sea turtles and a soundtrack of George Michael! Until next time,
Kirsty x
Hi Kristy, thank you for your reply. On a more positive note, my husband and I with our children lived in the Pilbara region of WA (almost on a parallel line going across the map) for 20+ years and I do miss the mild winters – even in “winter” you were able to swim in the ocean or if not swimming you could sit on the shore or one of the boat ramps/jetties and be entertained by the abundant aquatic life.
Your new block reminds me of the broader end of mens neckties, if they were set with the narrow end down they are kites. Either way it will be an interesting quilt when finished.
Winter really is amazing here, makes up for all the hot, humid weather in summer!
Hey Kristy while I always enjoy your quilty content can I say I was brought to tears by the article on dementia. My mother passed in 2013 but was diagnosed with dementia in 2011 unfortunately we had to commit my mother to a nursing home when her paranoia led her to behaviours and making statements regarding harming my father. I can truly empathise with the gentleman eulogising at his mother funeral regarding the mini-deaths of his mother prior to her actual passing. My mother in the latter stages would recognise my husband and call him by name but didn’t recognise me, in her mind I was her mother, my brothers (her sons) were her brothers, her only sibling was a sister whom she did recognise as she did my father who visited her everyday spending most of the day sitting with her. I truly hope they find, if not a cure, a better way of treating dementia that gives people a chance at a better quality of life than is currently the norm.
Oh Deb-Ellen, how hard that must have been for you and your family. Like you, I do hope there are improvements in the treatment of, and living with, dementia. We’re all living longer than ever but I just don’t see the point if I can’t look after myself (for the most part) and participate happily in life. Here’s to increasing healthspan and not just lifespan!
Kristy what beautiful pictures of your area. I grew up in South Alabama 15 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and it’s as beautiful and different from your area! But we are both fortunate to live in such beautiful places! Love your quilting and kitty cats!
Hi Diane, it’s so good that we have the internet, we can ‘travel’ without leaving our house. Enjoy your beautiful corner of the world!
Gorgeous quilts. I’d think oh this is my fave and then the next picture would change my mind. Love the sweet cuddling kitties.
Cute sea turtle.
Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reading along, Carla.
Thanks as always, Kirsty xx Can I just say that Cheryl’s take on your pattern made me think that if I could do something similar for my grandson – he’s well into Minecraft & that’s what sprung to mind when I saw her version xx
Oooh yes, Minecraft’s big at our house, too. That’s a great idea, Arlene!
Thanks so much for the gorgeous photos of where you live! I could deal with that type of winter.
It’s pretty good, Rose, I won’t lie!