tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91487798795132337442024-03-15T07:17:02.820+00:00blu-shedlu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.comBlogger751125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-51272415069646862142014-11-01T14:32:00.004+00:002014-11-01T14:32:27.957+00:00see ya!i'm pretty sure nobody reads this blog anymore, as i've neglected it so much over the past year. but for those of you hanging in there following me, i thought it only right and proper i let you know that i've decided to stop blogging here for the foreseeable future. my plan is to have my own website with space for a newsy blog on it, but i'm quite good at saying i'm going to do stuff and not doing it, as i'm sue you're aware. but anyway, for those of you who do pop on here from time to time to see what i'm up to, i want to say a massive thank you for being there. i started this blog when the boys were teeny and next year the eldest will be a teenager, so it's a sad decision. i'm not disappearing altogether though, i'm still around on twitter and instagram as @lusummers. so see you later, folks. and heartfelt thanks for listening to me warbling on these past 7(!) years. lu xlu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com88tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-87950522481920153692014-04-29T18:27:00.002+01:002014-04-29T18:27:56.328+01:00grow......so last week's assignment was wall art & i was very enthusiastic about this assignment because it was basically mixed media collage based (although it could be collaged digitally too) i spent one day working tirelessly on my piece, layers and layers and layers of paint & papers...ripping stuff off and changing it up constantly. we were given a few parameters in which to work - i was given the colours yellow & green and we had to include at least one word & a floral icon.<br />
<br />
i took the day off on thursday because it was my birthday but i took a quick pic of it on my phone so i could keep looking at it during the day with fresh eyes, and i *hated* it. so i came home, made another, more graphic piece then couldn't decide which one i preferred...so i put it to the vote on social media (thank you if you commented on FB, IG or twitter!) & would you believe the vote was even?! one thing i did with the new piece was add a pop of pink - so i looked at the 'old' collage and decided to keep working on it, adding pops of bright pink. and so the one i submitted is the original piece with a few additions - a lesson learnt i think, but i wouldn't have got there without making the second piece. i was thrilled when it was chosen amongst some very beautiful pieces in this week's review by lilla as a good example of low volume contrast. result!<br />
<br />
this week is all about collections...but i'm being honest, until i know what the main assignment is tomorrow, i'm having a few days off to think and contemplate...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alDj7Aqf_vA/U1_gkVc079I/AAAAAAAAEJk/H75AYcWx2fQ/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alDj7Aqf_vA/U1_gkVc079I/AAAAAAAAEJk/H75AYcWx2fQ/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">original piece - i liked it, but it wasn't quite there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I71gKu1xNxU/U1_gcRpSkvI/AAAAAAAAEJU/uzfizgm_ifg/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I71gKu1xNxU/U1_gcRpSkvI/AAAAAAAAEJU/uzfizgm_ifg/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new piece, much busier & more graphic - see that little pink flower?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iae0MaBsXQ/U1_gjgV4ysI/AAAAAAAAEJc/Of122t5OUk8/s1600/IMG_0441.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iae0MaBsXQ/U1_gjgV4ysI/AAAAAAAAEJc/Of122t5OUk8/s1600/IMG_0441.PNG" height="313" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">improved original, so pleased with it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-6622074218214542612014-04-21T11:58:00.000+01:002014-04-21T12:00:56.977+01:00half way......phew! i promised to post more often didn't i? erm, that didn't happen, sorry. well, i'm halfway through the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/lillarogers.com/">'make art that sells'</a> online course and it's been a whirlwind.<br />
<br />
i don't want to write a saccharine oh-my-god-it's-amazing type blog post, i want to write something honest because actually, a lot of it hasn't been amazing, but that's because of my own hangups, not because of the course. (it's ok, i promise i won't say the phrase 'an amazing journey' a la the Xfactor.)<br />
<br />
my biggest hurdle has been the talent in the class. the range of abilities is broad, from students who are just so out of this world talented, i can't believe they haven't got an agent of their own and raking it in, to more beginner types. although we're encouraged to work in any media, i'd say at least 80% of students are VERY proficient in digital design and my own self taught photoshop knowledge looks pretty damn pathetic i can tell you. but because this was meant to stretch me, i decided to do the first assignment, bolt fabric, completely digitally from drawing with my wacom tablet to colouring which rather threw me at the deep end.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiHpI4i_UZw/U1Tz8jhQnlI/AAAAAAAAEIo/KH7nq3vFNWw/s1600/LUCIE_SUMMERS_LACUCINA_3A_WK1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiHpI4i_UZw/U1Tz8jhQnlI/AAAAAAAAEIo/KH7nq3vFNWw/s1600/LUCIE_SUMMERS_LACUCINA_3A_WK1.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
the brief was 'tropical fruit and vintage pyrex'. i was so pleased with this when i was finished, but looking at it harshly, i can see it falls down in a million ways. i struggled with colour (for flip's sake - tropical fruit = summer! what was i thinking?!) i wan't exactly tropical in my choice of fruit, & my pyrex icons don't really stand out, and i should have worked harder on my co-ordinates. i struggled more than i thought i would with this because i felt pressure being 'a fabric person' - but i mainly struggled because i wouldn't personally use fabric with fruit and kitchenalia on it in my quilts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snGuvTOpb_w/U1T191ybU1I/AAAAAAAAEI0/nELSmjNv2Rs/s1600/LUCIE_SUMMERS_SUCCULENTS_3A_WK2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snGuvTOpb_w/U1T191ybU1I/AAAAAAAAEI0/nELSmjNv2Rs/s1600/LUCIE_SUMMERS_SUCCULENTS_3A_WK2.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
anyway...the following week was home decor, and plate design using succulents as a design source. i MUCH preferred this assignment and worked hours and hours on this. i scanned in my drawings and coloured them digitally. i created these with myself in mind - would i buy these? yes. whenever i see this image, it makes me happy. i'm not going to lie, i was gutted when this didn't get chosen for review by lilla herself - every week, lilla selects students work to talk about. there's lots of emphasis on her not necessarily choosing the best work to review, but let's face it, that's what everyone wants, even if nobody admits it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7tLPSnHHFw/U1T29o6qWQI/AAAAAAAAEI8/ethWTqCgpms/s1600/LUCIE_SUMMERS_FOX&CROW_3A_WK3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7tLPSnHHFw/U1T29o6qWQI/AAAAAAAAEI8/ethWTqCgpms/s1600/LUCIE_SUMMERS_FOX&CROW_3A_WK3.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
this week was children's book week, a book cover or page spread based on the aesop fable 'the fox & the crow' and i submitted this on saturday. i was absolutely petrified about this assignment. i don't draw animals, much less cutesy characters with bundles of personality. BUT i surprised myself by enjoying every single brushstroke. i know it's not good enough for review, but i'm absolutely fine with that - because of this assignment, i've discovered i much prefer getting my hands dirty and actually, although a bit of photoshop knowledge is helpful, i'm not at all interested in creating digitally from start to finish.<br />
<br />
this week i'm a little bit excited because it's wall art week and it's less about working digitally and more about collage and mixed media, much more in my comfort zone, plus the boys are back to school on wednesday so more time! oh yes!<br />
<br />
so there you are, my hectic three weeks fitting in the boys on easter hols with hours of work, what a juggling act, what an amazing journey.....oh shit, sorry.lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-81761955281023682882014-03-28T08:44:00.001+00:002014-03-28T08:48:22.552+00:00out of my comfort zone...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i'm going to pretend that i've been a faithful & dutiful blogger & that it hasn't been months since my last post...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
i've been toying with getting back into design 'properly' - you might remember years ago i designed stuff for other people - some food packaging, a book cover & some stationery before designing for moda. i enjoyed these experiences immensely - taking direction (however loosely) from someone else who has a 'proper job' (ie an art director) was daunting, but equally rewarding when the final pieces were finished. so in order for me to stick my toes back in the water, i thought i'd better brush up on some skillz and take an online course. from monday i will be a student on the lilla roger's <a href="http://lillarogers.com/lrss/">'make art that sells'</a> (MATS) course and i'm bloody bricking it, not least because it's an intensive 5 week course & the boys are off school for easter for 3 of those weeks. way to go with planning, lu, you idiot. it's to push me out of my comfort zone & designing for all kinds of markets, from bolt fabric (well, yeah, ok, looking forward to that one) and children's books (ekk!) the second part is in october and i've signed up for that too. oh, & i'm writing my second book. (which is why i've been awol - been starting to play around with ideas & researching. as well as procrastinating & eating cake.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
anyway, i will be blogging a bit more regularly if i've time, with images, if not lots of words. but that's OK because i'm pretty sure most of you would rather i shut up now & then anyway. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
i leave you with a collage i made the day i signed up for MATS. i won't lie, i didn't exactly push myself out of my comfort zone here, but slowly, slowly, catchy monkey, yes?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="400" scrolling="no" src="//instagram.com/p/jekJHwF75E/embed/" width="300"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div class="base-card-body" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395916914880_4062" style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 27px; padding-right: 27px; padding-top: 6px; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div class="base-card-clear" style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="card-footer" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1395916914880_3982" style="background-color: white; padding-bottom: 50px; padding-left: 27px; padding-right: 27px; padding-top: 6px;">
</div>
lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com92tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-4160760437559942552014-02-25T13:34:00.000+00:002014-02-25T13:34:03.264+00:00fat quarters......are now up <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/180627505/bridges-hand-printed-fat-quarters?ref=shop_home_active_1">in the shop</a> - these are completely unique, black & white pieces i printed last summer. there are only 5 of them left, so get 'em while they're hot :)<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
available right <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/180627505/bridges-hand-printed-fat-quarters?ref=shop_home_active_1">here!</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwa40ytoNH8/UwybTUzJM_I/AAAAAAAAEH4/uvmOZ-vnf_k/s1600/b&w1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwa40ytoNH8/UwybTUzJM_I/AAAAAAAAEH4/uvmOZ-vnf_k/s1600/b&w1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFtwHVrpGPQ/UwybVlCx09I/AAAAAAAAEIA/h7DLaGVPP7E/s1600/b&w2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFtwHVrpGPQ/UwybVlCx09I/AAAAAAAAEIA/h7DLaGVPP7E/s1600/b&w2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp5AG26_nSs/UwybYur0r7I/AAAAAAAAEIM/6sD93kthPCk/s1600/b&w3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp5AG26_nSs/UwybYur0r7I/AAAAAAAAEIM/6sD93kthPCk/s1600/b&w3.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3EqDgMAX-OQ/UwybYTxID8I/AAAAAAAAEII/_nbtX3h-yFQ/s1600/b&w4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3EqDgMAX-OQ/UwybYTxID8I/AAAAAAAAEII/_nbtX3h-yFQ/s1600/b&w4.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BvdgVIVbNU/UwybZ6SvsRI/AAAAAAAAEIY/IweImoogoTg/s1600/b&w5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_BvdgVIVbNU/UwybZ6SvsRI/AAAAAAAAEIY/IweImoogoTg/s1600/b&w5.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-75119923336760157172014-01-30T18:21:00.001+00:002014-01-30T18:23:04.693+00:00winners!<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">big congrats to my two winners…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">first up, the winner of a signed book & mini quilt is <a href="http://ratsasbigascats.blogspot.co.uk/">penny from the rats as big as cats blog</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">who said:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"H<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">ow exciting! I'd love a Lu Summers original. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Our tradition is putting up the tree to an 2010 CassetteBoy Christmas Mix, it has all the Christmas songs you could want jam packed into 20 mins." </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">and the winner of the second little quilt is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3C/span%3E%3C/font%3Ehttp://helenquilts.blogspot.co.uk">helen from helen quilts</a> who said:</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 18px;">I'd love a chance to win a copy of the book and/or one of your beautiful minis! I have a large tub of strings that could do with some new inspiration so they could become quilts.</span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Not many traditions in the household, but we do always watch "It's a wonderful life" on xmas eve :)"</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">congratulations ladies, and thank you to all of you for entering!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-23108486653657749882014-01-29T10:23:00.000+00:002014-01-29T10:23:22.389+00:00sew mama sew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_CBa9hVJCc/UtrppU97cfI/AAAAAAAAEHo/yG5pd3eWrYU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.32.11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_CBa9hVJCc/UtrppU97cfI/AAAAAAAAEHo/yG5pd3eWrYU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.32.11.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
PHEW! it's the last day of the blog hop today and it's the turn of <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/">sew mama sew</a> on the blog hop and to say i'm excited to have this massively popular quilting blog involved is a huge understatement. there's a little treat in store for you in the form of a little tutorial i created just in time for valentine's day. so <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/">hop on over and check it out!</a><br />
<br />
i'm honoured to have had so many amazing people taking part in my first blog hop in so many brilliant ways - i've enjoyed being interviewed, reading the reviews and best of all, i've loved it when bloggers have actually delved into the book and given it a go - especially those who openly admit to being uncomfortable with bending the quilting rules! i hope you've enjoyed hopping around the blogsphere with me, and i'd like to say a MASSIVE thank you to both the bloggers and you lovely lot for joining in. stay tuned for the winners of the giveaway later on!lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-65692412720011139852014-01-28T08:00:00.000+00:002014-01-28T08:00:13.631+00:00i'm a ginger monkey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKLQn_k6ymM/UtrmuHuNTuI/AAAAAAAAEHc/TydrY9ucCag/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.31.43.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKLQn_k6ymM/UtrmuHuNTuI/AAAAAAAAEHc/TydrY9ucCag/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.31.43.png" height="72" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
well. what can i say about <a href="http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.co.uk/">katy of i'm a ginger monkey?</a> she's one of the nicest people i've ever met for starters. kind hearted, funny, daft as a brush & a tattooed, tall & skinny freak of nature. i luffs her very much & she's the only girl i've ever shared a bed with (numerous times.) FYI, she's a very neat & tidy sleeper and she snores like a little hamster. <a href="http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.co.uk/">she'd better say something nice about my book today on the blog hop</a> otherwise i'll be pretty damn grumpy.lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-74843244056891414432014-01-27T08:00:00.000+00:002014-01-27T10:27:19.467+00:00don't call me betsygo on over to visit <a href="http://www.dontcallmebetsy.com/">elizabeth</a> for today's blog hop visit. elizabeth's the creator of amazing quilt patterns and has <a href="http://dontcallmebetsy.bigcartel.com/product/becoming-a-confident-quilter-lessons-and-techniques-plus-14-quilt-patterns-by-elizabeth-dackson">book out called 'how to become a confident quilter'.</a>lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-29091609218526137132014-01-24T08:00:00.000+00:002014-01-24T08:53:04.424+00:00handmade by alissa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1bnWKoKa5o/Utrf3gSPppI/AAAAAAAAEHM/_K7HOcHZ3t8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.30.41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1bnWKoKa5o/Utrf3gSPppI/AAAAAAAAEHM/_K7HOcHZ3t8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.30.41.png" height="68" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
ekk! today i'm nervous because the next stop on the blog hop is <a href="http://www.handmadebyalissa.com/">alissa haight carlton,</a> author herself of amazing quilting books…i'm scared and excited to find out what she makes of the book!lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-43502340097851732902014-01-23T08:00:00.000+00:002014-01-23T12:02:32.480+00:00gen x quilters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFpnqytyEq8/UtrdbzVKlyI/AAAAAAAAEHA/NMW9dsTJve4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.29.48.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFpnqytyEq8/UtrdbzVKlyI/AAAAAAAAEHA/NMW9dsTJve4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.29.48.png" height="76" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
it's <a href="http://www.genxquilters.com/">annemarie</a> at <a hef="http://www.genxquilters.com" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9148779879513233744">gen x quilters</a> turn on the blog hop, so hop on over and check it out!lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-52938561616064996952014-01-22T08:00:00.000+00:002014-01-22T09:28:56.515+00:00crazy mom quilts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiA8IjYVaKo/UtrcaWEW-kI/AAAAAAAAEG4/zCbvUW_pVo4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.28.59.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiA8IjYVaKo/UtrcaWEW-kI/AAAAAAAAEG4/zCbvUW_pVo4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.28.59.png" height="75" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
say hello to <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.co.uk">amanda jean at crazy mom quilts</a> today, i'm really looking forward to her turn on the blog hop!lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-67993099009832939022014-01-21T09:00:00.000+00:002014-01-21T13:39:50.068+00:00fresh lemons quilts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NexVFYeOdNw/UtrajZeJB5I/AAAAAAAAEGs/q8HqFSrlm4Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.28.05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NexVFYeOdNw/UtrajZeJB5I/AAAAAAAAEGs/q8HqFSrlm4Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.28.05.png" height="38" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
today's the turn of <a href="http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/">faith from fresh lemons quilts</a> (or in my head she's always faithfreshlemon) so hop on over and check it out! faith has co-written an amazing looking book (i'm yet to see it in real life) called <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vintage-Quilt-Revival-Designs-Classic/dp/1620330547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390076096&sr=8-1&keywords=vintage+revival">vintage quilt revival</a> & i can't wait to get my mitts on it :)lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-1263180071375444452014-01-20T08:57:00.001+00:002014-01-20T08:57:23.849+00:00freshly pieced<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLEh4AByf-4/UtrYfM9SaDI/AAAAAAAAEGg/xvXpb2oYYOQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.27.28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLEh4AByf-4/UtrYfM9SaDI/AAAAAAAAEGg/xvXpb2oYYOQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-18+at+19.27.28.png" height="85" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
hop on over to see <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/">lee over at freshly pieced</a> today to see her take on quilt improv! lee has co-written a new book called <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vintage-Quilt-Revival-Designs-Classic/dp/1620330547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390076096&sr=8-1&keywords=vintage+revival">vintage quilt revival</a> which is due out in the UK on 28th february. if you've enjoyed this blog hop, you might like to check out the one for <a href="http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=3359">vintage quilt revival too :)</a>lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-23348676435113609472014-01-17T08:23:00.002+00:002014-01-17T08:23:54.713+00:00happy zombie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-BHaP2PgP0/UtjocmT32jI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/wV5B0qfSeqI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-17+at+08.15.47.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-BHaP2PgP0/UtjocmT32jI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/wV5B0qfSeqI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-17+at+08.15.47.png" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
go and visit <a href="http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/">the very talented monica</a> of happy zombie today, for it is her turn on the blog hop. i'll be forever grateful to monica because she sent me such a lovely email when all the <a href="http://blu-shed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/copy-cats.html">copying thingumy</a> happened a while back. thank you happy zombie!lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-77902579493097261552014-01-16T07:30:00.002+00:002014-01-16T07:37:28.683+00:00cut to pieces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf1kOvMPfAg/Us5i_30HkcI/AAAAAAAAEFE/_MyeIAx0wU8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+08.46.35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf1kOvMPfAg/Us5i_30HkcI/AAAAAAAAEFE/_MyeIAx0wU8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+08.46.35.png" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
today's the turn of the lovely <a href="http://cuttopieces.blogspot.co.uk/">angela of cut to pieces</a> on the bloghop. i noticed she has <a href="http://cuttopieces.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/set-in-circle-tutorial.html">a tutorial on set-in circles,</a> which look amazing. i am interested to see if she mentions the portholes technique, even though the two methods give slightly different results.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-88963574490817103872014-01-15T16:00:00.002+00:002014-01-15T17:57:57.408+00:00pssst...<s>by the way, i've got 5 scrap bags up in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/84137401/handprinted-scrap-bundle?ref=shop_home_active_1">etsy shop</a> these will be the last for a while as i've almost exhausted my basket of bits :)</s> all sold!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7D4rm9aU7cM/UtawmbIYC1I/AAAAAAAAEGA/99hrdo_pPmU/s1600/il_570xN.395693772_ppos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7D4rm9aU7cM/UtawmbIYC1I/AAAAAAAAEGA/99hrdo_pPmU/s320/il_570xN.395693772_ppos.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grab one while you can!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-69169347906997614382014-01-15T14:36:00.000+00:002014-01-15T14:49:27.177+00:00portholes...if i had a £1 every time i had an email/message/comment over the years asking me how to make portholes, i'd be ohhhhh, about £10 richer. and i would have written a tutorial ages ago<br />
for this blog but i'm lazy. then F&W asked me to write 'quilt improv' & i had to write the tutorial anyway. so i thought as a reward for hopping around the <a href="http://blu-shed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/a-big-ol-book-blog-hop.html">blogsphere</a> just because i asked you to, i thought you'd like to see the tutorial from the book. because i'm lazy & working my scanner is a lot quicker & easier than doing the tute all over again. i hope all 10 of you enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIynRqRC1v8/Utaca_C9YvI/AAAAAAAAEFU/uqJn85f1vjQ/s1600/ph1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIynRqRC1v8/Utaca_C9YvI/AAAAAAAAEFU/uqJn85f1vjQ/s400/ph1.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4pqZMR-SV0/UtafcYjdUDI/AAAAAAAAEF0/8XC-n55UXSg/s1600/portholes7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P4pqZMR-SV0/UtafcYjdUDI/AAAAAAAAEF0/8XC-n55UXSg/s320/portholes7.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
note: this is the super basic version of portholes - you can make any shape & any size, even layer them up if you like. use your imagination, there's TONS of scope for amazing things here.<br />
<br />
click on the picture to make it bigger. sorry the quality is not amazing, i had to up the contrast so it was readable, but it makes the page a little mucky. & clearly my scanner glass needs cleaning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1TdmIaKUnw/UtafAsERebI/AAAAAAAAEFg/bWZjyU17LkQ/s1600/layeredporthole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1TdmIaKUnw/UtafAsERebI/AAAAAAAAEFg/bWZjyU17LkQ/s320/layeredporthole.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">layered porthole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCUNE9PLX_M/UtafRaKZUII/AAAAAAAAEFo/xHFWcCZmCQQ/s1600/flower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCUNE9PLX_M/UtafRaKZUII/AAAAAAAAEFo/xHFWcCZmCQQ/s320/flower1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flowers & leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-46626667893654050642014-01-14T07:34:00.000+00:002014-01-15T07:22:07.738+00:00lily's quilts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9eNQXG_JDU/Us5g2Xwa9BI/AAAAAAAAEE4/eAb0n3c6eRQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+08.41.28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j9eNQXG_JDU/Us5g2Xwa9BI/AAAAAAAAEE4/eAb0n3c6eRQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+08.41.28.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
i'm pretty sure you all know <a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.co.uk/">lynne from lily's quilts?</a> in blogland she's hugely well known, kind and generous with her knowledge and a massively prolific quiltmaker. in real life, she's completely bonkers. i know that improv probably scares the life out of her, so <a href="http://lilysquilts.blogspot.co.uk/">i'd love to see what she says about the book today.</a><br />
<br />
{yes! I am daft - I posted this yesterday for about half an hour before realising lynne's turn is today, sorry if any of you hopped to her blog!}lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-71730016069178615302014-01-13T19:49:00.000+00:002014-01-13T19:49:11.575+00:00sew justine sew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R5MSMGw4cH8/Us5dogEPSHI/AAAAAAAAEEY/iuoqp3RAL5I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+08.24.24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="73" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R5MSMGw4cH8/Us5dogEPSHI/AAAAAAAAEEY/iuoqp3RAL5I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+08.24.24.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">it's my mate justine's turn on the blog hop today, i'm dying to find out what nice things she's written about me (i'm joking, i'm telling you - if she doesn't like this book, she'll say it how it is - she's a straight talking northerner!) <a href="http://sewjustinesew.blogspot.co.uk/">go & see what she makes of all this improv malarkey right HERE.</a></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-46241440747493634422014-01-09T08:23:00.000+00:002014-01-10T15:00:11.272+00:00very kerry berry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iuC1uiZ-kVc/Us5cKgcWuBI/AAAAAAAAEEM/G29LSQZyAEw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+08.20.50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iuC1uiZ-kVc/Us5cKgcWuBI/AAAAAAAAEEM/G29LSQZyAEw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-09+at+08.20.50.png" height="115" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://verykerryberry.blogspot.co.uk/">kerry at very kerry berry</a> interviewed me for her turn on the blog hop, so <a href="http://verykerryberry.blogspot.co.uk/">go & see what i yap on about over here.</a>lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-40886823052314681802014-01-09T08:09:00.000+00:002014-01-09T08:09:04.650+00:00sew take a hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZE-J08IJ9s/UsVXkXCo9RI/AAAAAAAAEDs/zq3-aiY2C2E/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-02+at+12.09.24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZE-J08IJ9s/UsVXkXCo9RI/AAAAAAAAEDs/zq3-aiY2C2E/s320/Screen+shot+2014-01-02+at+12.09.24.png" height="109" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
epp! so thrilled that <a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/">penny from sew take a hike</a> is today's bloghop visit! <a href="http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/">go and see what she has to say about the book :)</a>lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-20373749495392829942014-01-08T06:54:00.001+00:002014-01-08T06:54:24.204+00:00blueberry park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bCwbbo8RHBs/UsVVlaIenOI/AAAAAAAAEDg/1mmU5zW_mzU/s1600/july+13+blog+header+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bCwbbo8RHBs/UsVVlaIenOI/AAAAAAAAEDg/1mmU5zW_mzU/s400/july+13+blog+header+.jpg" height="100" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
today's visit is to <a href="http://blueberry-park.blogspot.co.uk/">karen at blueberry park.</a> on her instagram account over the last few days, karen's been showing sneak peaks of a beautiful improv piece and I'm excited to see it finished!lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-6138940866293697192014-01-06T08:14:00.000+00:002014-01-06T08:14:02.514+00:00diary of a quilter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQCDZQwL4z0/UsVUm3yM95I/AAAAAAAAEDY/OTLJNVGaGK4/s1600/Header1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQCDZQwL4z0/UsVUm3yM95I/AAAAAAAAEDY/OTLJNVGaGK4/s640/Header1.png" height="121" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
today's the day for the *wonderful* <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/">amy over at diary of a quilter</a> on the quilt improv blog hop. go and <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/">check out her post!</a>lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9148779879513233744.post-81394792575060315882014-01-03T12:21:00.000+00:002014-01-03T12:24:37.706+00:00first post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yAfazF15Wtw/UsapmYLA4pI/AAAAAAAAED8/PU7CpeFp2Bk/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yAfazF15Wtw/UsapmYLA4pI/AAAAAAAAED8/PU7CpeFp2Bk/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
christmas & new year is a funny time. i like the break from getting up early & the school run, the close of after school activities & helping with homework. i like the fact that sam is less busy so we can make time for family things. after spending good times with family over christmas, we usually dislike the 'nothingness' of the week after, so this year sam & i decided to fill that wee with fun stuff. so we've been to manchester & taken arthur to see his heros play at manchester city for the first time. we've been to ipswich to see frank's heros play in the pouring rain (not for the first time, ipswich is obviously nice & close!) {non-UKers - i'm talking about football but i'm sorry, i can't bring myself to call it the 's' word!} we went to the cinema to watch the secret life of walter mitty - i was worried the boys wouldn't enjoy this, but they loved it. we've been out for lunches & dinners & laughed & snuggled & watched movies in front of the fire. & for the first time EVER, i've enjoyed that crappy week between christmas & new year. i hope that it's a taste of things to come for 2014.<br />
<br />
the image above was a happy find on new years day - i found it whilst thumbing through a 1936 edition<br />
of 'whitaker's almanack' that i rescued from the skip after sam's gran died. the verse inside is rather sweet:<br />
<br />
The old year has passed with its pleasure and pain,<br />
A new year is coming to start a new reign.<br />
So in the first moments, a wish i will speed,<br />
May health, wealth and happiness, be yours indeed.<br />
<br />
happy new year to you & yours, folks!lu summershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02508535035340842000noreply@blogger.com7