Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A Little Modesty....puh leeze!

Home from our ultimate chillax on Hornby Island. For the first time in 8 years we stayed a full two weeks and can I just say: I could have stayed on for a third with no questions asked!

Considering the dismal weather lead-up to our vacation, we completely lucked out and had 13 out of 14 beach days. We are all golden and smiling. On that one windy, grey day my family took the kites out to take advantage of low tide (maximum beach for running around) and I stayed home with Agatha. We had a nice time together.

Agatha On Vacation
Agatha (gifted to me last year by my SIL, this machine was bought new by my MIL with some of her wedding money in the 50's)

I managed to piece the top of a sewing machine cover I'm making for my secret partner in the For The Love of Solids Swap on flickr. I thought I'd take a few fun photos in the orchard of our rented holiday house. The homeowner is a sculptor and this reclining nude luxuriates in the dappled shade of the apple trees.

sculpture in the orchard

Her outstretched arm was just crying out for a quilt to drape over, don't you think?

Holiday piecing by Poppyprint

Holiday piecing by Poppyprint

My fellow swappers thought the photos were quite fun. With the carefully draped quilt top, the flickr censors didn't come after me, either. Phew. Some of you will recognize the layout as the machine cover pattern in Malka's book Fresh Sewing. Berene and I used this same design for our Kona Solids challenge quilt for the VMQG in the spring. I used about 2/3 of a Kona solids charm pack and navy sashing for this one. Although I'm not really into obvious rainbows, my partner likes them and I am really happy with the transition of colours diagonally across the piece. Darnitall if I'm not out of navy for binding. I'm thinking it's really the only colour that will work here....what are your thoughts?

I'm off to the shop to retrieve my Pfaff so I can get this all quilted up for my partner. I've totally missed the international deadline (tomorrow) so will have to drive over the border next week and get my package into the USPS for 'domestic' delivery!

22 comments:

Sana Saroti said...

I am dreaming of a machine like this (I'm sewing on a little tiny cildren's Singer - I think I've outgrown it but so far it worked great for me). Your quilt top has beautiful colors and I find it very funny that you've to cross the border in order to drop of that package ;-)

Laura said...

I love your quilt top.

paulette said...

Your quilt top is STUNNING!! The colours are wonderful!! I REALLY must stop posing for these artists!! Sheesh!
P

Krista said...

I think this is so beautiful! Your partner is going to go nuts when she receives it :)

I'm really, really glad you're back home. I've missed chatting with you!

PinkGranny said...

It all looks nice. I remember the quilt challenge. I think Agatha is like a faithful friend to you. She does nice work.

9patchnurse said...

I recognized the design because I just checked that book out of the library and I want to make a cover like that for my machine. I love your solids and, yes, I'm sorry to tell you that I agree you need navy for the binding. Hope you can get some.

Holly said...

Sounds like a lovely vacation! The sewing machine cover is gorgeous and it's fun to see the same design as your Kona challenge quilt in a different colour scheme! Good luck finishing this off and I hope you get to do some fabric shopping while you're across the border!

Amy Friend said...

I've missed you too! I think it is pretty funny that you are going to drive your package across the border :) Your partner is lucky...and I fear that navy would look best...

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Love love love, and navy is the way to go for sure! The model was begging 'quilt me'!!

Dianne said...

How handy to have a nude in the yard to drape your art on!!! That is one lovely sewing machine cover to be! I wonder who the lucky person is?Hmmmm..could the US be the destination???? She is going to love it of that I am sure. I have to side with AMY and say Navy for the binding. Welcome Home,we missed you!!

felicity said...

WHAT? I thought the international deadline was the 1st?? ACK!

Katie B said...

Welcome home! These photos make me smile. Excellent quilt!

Live a Colorful Life said...

I'm jealous of two whole weeks! The photos are wonderful. She looks much better with that gorgeous quilt top draped over her. It really is spectacular. Yes, navy...

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Sounds like just a devine and decadent vacation...good for you!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Lol, however lovely her natural complextion is, she looks even better with a little colour draped over her shoulder.
Welcome back to the everydays, it's good to have you back!

Tammy said...

I haven't been to Hornby Island, but I just checked out some online photos. Looks beautiful. The last couple weeks here have been great weather wise. You really lucked out. I'm in the states just across the border, 40 min. from Vancouver. I'm going to need to take a trip to Hornby!

Leanne said...

I am pretty sure you are wrong on the shipping window and you can skip the drive to the border. Wonderful that you have two weeks on Hornby Island!

Michelle said...

She definitely needed a quilt to wrap up in!

ayumills said...

I LOVE this quilt top so much! It has a very happy feel to it! The nude lady must have been sad when you took the quilt away from her!

Kristen said...

Really great quilt and photo shoot!

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Wow I missed this one, it's wonderful - and those photos are genius!

pinksuedeshoe said...

Sigh, I am in love with your featherweight. I wish my grandma had one that she handed down to me!