Take It Further Challenge/January Journal Quilt

It's about time I started with TIFC. I was soooo bad with Sharon's last challenge TAST, that this time, I'm determined to keep up. I decided to stick with the colour way option of the challenge. I started out with a piece of painted vilene, layered with painted organza strips, and then did lots of free motion embroidery to depict grass and flowers in a field. This first photo is up to that step.
The photo below has hand embroidery added, plus bits of roving couched on to look like a flower (don't ask me what flower!!) I haven't finished yet - lots more hand embroidery to be added, and then I need to decide if I'll zap back the organza. I do like to zap - so I probably will succumb!!
I think I will also make this into my January journal quilt for "seasons" and call it "The Disorder of a Spring Garden". Australia/New Zealand Art Quilters Group have a monthly journal quilt project happening, which I also have my name down to do. Don't know if it will be feasible to incorporate both of these challenges/projects each month, but I think it works well for this month.

January and February Journal Quilts '07

I finally managed to create something in my new art/craft room..... It felt really strange at first, and I just sat there!!!! Sitting, sitting....no inspiration, then I grabbed a piece of wool and sat at the embellisher and just went for it. So my first piece to be made in my "new room" was was my February Journal Quilt (a bit late, I know!!). The middle panel of the Feb journal quilt was made on the embellisher, then free motion embroidered. I hand stitched the panel onto painted muslin and then added some cross stitches around the muslin frame. So, not only have I finished my Feb quilt, but also managed to incorporate TAST cross stitch (also a bit late - I know!!)....

I've also added a pic of my January journal quilt. The middle panel is hand painted fabric, with a stencil added and lots of FME. I've also couched a piece of lovely yarn on the inside of the border. AND - I've started on Carol's fabric page for our Fiber Art Friends page swap - I'm really happy with the progress........

February Journal Quilt '07

January Journal Quilt '07

What a day I've had at the AQC!!!

Today my friend Samm and I went to the Australian Quilt Convention in Melbourne. We had a great day!! We caught the train in to save the hassle of parking, grabbed our first coffee of the day and followed all of the other ladies heading in the same direction as us. First place we headed was to Dale's stand "Thread Studio". Oh, we were in heaven!! We didn't really need to go to any other stand after Dale's!! Anyway, here is some of the stuff I bought. Yes, you can Ooooh and Aaaahhh - as it's all just so luscious!!!

Then we went and had a look at all of the 250 journal quilts made by the Australian/New Zealand art quilters group. What a magnificent sight - they looked fantastic - and mine were up there too - how exciting!!!

THEN it was time to go back to Dale's stand to grab my 5 x ATC's for the Make 5, Take 5 Challenge. All of the ATC's were fabulous - here are the ones I chose!! And, guess what, one of them was made by one of my wonderful blog friends, Doreen!!! It's gorgeous!! (It's the green one).....

My Journal Quilts Are On Their Way!!

Last night I posted my 5 journal quilts for the AQC (Australian Quilt Convention) in Melbourne, February 2007. It's all very exciting!!