Friday 26 December 2014

Country Geese


Tonight we ate dinner at our dining room table (a luxury we missed in our old, small house), quickly ironed my finished quilt in my new studio (it's really way too big to be called merely a "sewing room"), and walked down Cucumber Lane, our new address, to the Lucerne fields for photos in the evening light. 


We have had a wonderful, relaxed Christmas. With everything new enough to feel like we're really on holidays, but with all our stuff here too, to make it feel like home. We've got our first, real Christmas tree since we got married, and we've been eating locally grown cherries, bought from the side of the road, from an old farmer who enjoys a chat. We've been listening nostalgically to Amy Grant Christmas albums from the '80s, drinking coffee, watching movies, sitting out on the front verandah over looking the view. I haven't done any baking (which suits me just fine!), but I have been sewing.



This flying geese quilt was made from all the leftover half square triangles from my last quilt. I cut a lot of triangles! I blame it entirely on the Accuquilt Go cutter I have. It's been perfect for turning all my funny shaped scraps into usable shapes. And apparently it's so easy (therapuetic maybe?), that I just kept cutting away till I had this many.
I really enjoyed making this quilt. Partly because I loved the colours together, so quiet, happy satisfaction kept me company throughout my sewing, rather than constant doubt or reassessing. The simple, repetitive pattern allows for some lines to be lost where colour or value is similar, and it doesn't detract from the overall effect. I was constantly careful with the Nine Patch Dash to create as much contrast as the prints allowed. But I didn't even worry about that here.


I also love the light and space in my new sewing room. In my last house, while my sewing room was big enough, I sat awkwardly in a corner. I didn't even really think about it until moving here and sitting along a long, white wall which feels so open and spacious. The window near my machine overlooks our large front yard which is full of trees, with mountains in the background.

 Ahhh. Can you tell I feel like I've taken a deep breath? I think we all have. We are so thankful. And my mind is abuzz with ideas and colour. I can't wait to show them off here in these beautiful fields.


27 comments:

  1. It looks magnificent! The colours are amazing, especially set against your rich rural landscapes - love it!

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  2. Gorgeous Country Geese! Such a fine finish! Glad to hear you and the family are enjoying your new home in the country. And you are happy in the new sewing studio! Looking forward to seeing what wonderful creations the New Year will bring. 2015 is going to be awesome!

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  3. Oh my, oh my! Yes, you sound wonderful. And you LOOK wonderful (because clearly your quilt is a reflection of you, my dear). Gorgeous, gorgeous colors! You're making me summer-sick =) But I'll hold off for spring instead!

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  4. This a beauty of a quilt! I love Flying Geese and the range of fabrics just wonderful.

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  5. Jodi this quilt... I just. .. its just... oh my xxxx

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  6. Absolutely gorgeous! And such beautiful pictures to look at when its SO COLD here!

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  7. I absolutely love this quilt. The colours are so beautiful, rich, happy. Love it, love it, love it

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  8. Your quilt is gorgeous ! I love the colours and to think it's made from leftovers :) The scenery in your photos remind me so much if my Grandparents dairy farm in Northern Victoria where as kids we spent school holidays with our cousins. My Grammy would have seven of us at a time and these are my fondest childhood memories. Your children are going to love growing up in your new home. Best wishes to you and family for the New Year.

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  9. This is sooo stunning. I loved your nine patch dash quilt too and now all my quilts need aqua backgrounds:)

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  10. What a beautiful quilt!
    Can we please, please see photos of your new sewing room?
    And I would love to hear more about your new life, work, and so on.

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  11. Gorgeous quilt. I love the happy colours. In fact, I am a bit jealous...

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  12. I hope you are keeping this! It's so gorgeous and I love the blue backgrounds.

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  13. Gorgeous quilt! And the surrounding areas are just as gorgeous! A girl can breathe in the country.

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  14. Jodi, I love everything about this post! You sound so completely happy, and it makes me happy to hear it. And yes, I grew up listening to that Amy Grant Christmas album. Good times... :)

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  15. it's absolutely gorgeous!!! (and i've been listening to amy grant, too!!)

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  16. I absolutely love the colors in your quilt! It's gorgeous!

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  17. Wow! Love the quilt, love the views, love the way you write! This Aussie is your new follower!

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  18. Very pretty quilt! Love the scrappiness of it with the calming blue background :)

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  19. Wow! Gorgeous, gorgeous quilt, and so is the other one you linked. I can't take my eyes off it. You truly have a gift with colours...

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  20. Such a beautiful, rich quilt. Congrats on your move!

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  21. The colors in this quilt are so magnificant that like Dominique, I can't take my eyes off it!

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  22. OK, I have stalked this quilt so many times that I cut out a bunch of squares and am making one for myself. I hope you understand. It is just so fabulous!

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  23. This quilt is so beautiful. I just love it. I might have to make one myself. 😊 what size are your blocks?

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  24. This is just spectacular!

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I so love your comments! I read all of them and reply when I can. If you don't hear back, I'm lost under a mound of scraps or outside jumping on the trampoline with the kids. Jodi. xx