PATCHAOURI - Blog

"Double , double toil and trouble"

31/10/2021

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Song of the Witches. Macbeth - William Shakespeare

Seam rippers, blunt needles, tangled threads and empty bobbins.
Trick or Treat!

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Inspiration and progression.

15/10/2021

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From
inspiration point
to
the
original
quilt
block.

88 blocks later - the quilt !

Quilt for a friend who is passionate about books - Nonie

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Easter Thursday..

29/4/2021

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Easter has come and although our traditions are being stifled by the pandemic we can still celebrate the meaning wherever we are . I usually decorate the house and have people coming and going , overseas visitors come and stay and in general it is an active time of year. This year I haven’t bothered with the decorations or the cooking as such ...However, I came across a box in my sewing den...sewers understand...you know those boxes with bits and pieces...underneath were 4 unfinished chickens. Why did I not finish these a decade ago? ....I can find fault in anything and had decided these were the duds of the batch.

The chickens were based on a gift from dear friends who had gone on one of those distant holidays ...remember that pre covid life ...an upcycled brown patchwork ( log cabin style) Cuban chicken which seemed to be stuffed with socks ...I named mine Flaouna chooks, as they reminded me of the sometimes triangular cheese pastries we Cypriots have only at Easter ( most are square nowadays)..Another year, I made an unstuffed baby chooks version to hang and decorate lampades ( Easter candles we take to midnight service on Easter Saturday) for all my friends...I finished and stuffed my newly found chicken family in no time and they have cheered up the house and brought some Easter spirit ...duds no more!...# lesson to be learnt.

Flaounes ...Cypriot food safari

Hit the link above to watch the clip and get a recipe!
Happy Easter , Kali Anastasi to all...and stay safe!
Maro...

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Frozen Shoulder , bucket hats and lockdown.

7/3/2021

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I thought I could keep myself busy by happily sewing and quilting during this long lockdown but my shoulder thought differently . It froze up and with it so did all my sewing projects that required a sewing machine. I had to resort to other methods of creation!

I began by knitting the famous oversized JW Anderson "Harry Styles sweater" but I quicky understood ( by the pain in my arm) that any future projects had to be smaller. So with some online help I started crocheting up a few bucket hats from my stash of left over yarn and gifted them to loved ones for Christmas.

All the recipients were very polite and did not comment on my beginner mistakes which made me very happy indeed!

click for pattern.

My shoulder is now in the defrosting stage so I'll still be in crochet mode for a while longer.
I just finished a basket / bag that is pictured above . This was perfect project since I seem to have amassed a lot of scrappy leftover yarn over the years and I love that I am using it all up with this "yarn eating" project. Admittedly I need to make several more projects like this in order to make a dent in my stash but the process is so enjoyable and soothing that I may take up this challenge - Lets see......
Nonie P.S. If you want to try making these - Click on photos with links for patterns

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Fidget Quilts

1/3/2021

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Fidget quilts are made for people with Dementia/Alzheimers...they are also called sensory quilts and can also be used to help autism. I made two experimental lap size fidget quilts for two beautiful and special ladies in Australia a couple or so years ago. They can be made specifically for someone by incorporating activities they enjoyed in the past or movements and sounds that they seem to enjoy in their new world. Pockets to put important items, zips, napkins, a place for special photographs, different textures even textiles or additions that make different sounds when scrunched or shaken, key ring holders and loops to tie things to or just fidget with and ease anxiety. Anything with any meaning can be added...any fabrics can be used even fabrics if possible with meaning, to jolt a special memory. What is important is that these brought pleasure and smiles to both.
Maro.

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Festive Wishes

24/12/2019

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Ho Ho Ho ...the silly season is well and truly upon us.
Patchaouri wishes you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2020 !!

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Diamond Burst and prophecies!

26/11/2019

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'Now and again I get back onto the straight and narrow path of traditional patchwork. This requires sticking to the rules so let me tell you this quilt was an exercise of strength and discipline for me in more ways than one.
My biggest challenge was to give a "fresh modern country vintage" look to a classic Diamond Burst pattern while also trying to use up my old stash and simultaneously not buy new fabric. FYI my stash is made up of two types of materials. Firstly fabrics that I don't remember what I saw in them when I got them and secondly fabrics that for some reason (not logical or reasonable) I am saving for some super project in the future that never seems to come.
Anyway with obstacles like these I embarked on my new quilting adventure. Needless to say I did not manage to stick to my self made rules and ended up buying this fabulous black and grey fabric that I used as a background filler.
As fate would have it the day I gave this quilt to my daughter she got engaged which proves my choice of a diamond pattern was prophetic and that everything happens for a reason! - Nonie

Hexagonal Diamond Burst block quilt with a classic Baptist fan quilting pattern.

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Blue "Kool Katz " for Misty!

7/9/2019

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I had a lot of fun making this whimsical "Kool Katz Kwilt" for Misty. True to myself I didn't manage to stick to the original pattern but I'm really pleased with the way the variation turned out and am purring with 'blue cat' happiness ! I love the playful tessellating tails that give the feeling of cats cuddling up together in a bunch of four but yet still respecting their cool independent nature !
This quilt combines a pieced cat block and a snail trail block giving it a unique look. The negative space is in light grey fabric and was enhanced by a 'cat scratch" quilting pattern.

The quilt has reached its new home in Indiana and is on the couch - where all cats ultimately end up !
BTW - Can you find the hiding kitty ? - Nonie

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Welcome girls!

3/6/2019

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As any quilter will tell you everybody needs a quilt of their own. So with the arrival of these three sweeties it was time to make some new quilts for them to cuddle and enjoy for many years to come !

Welcome girls !
- Nonie

Ophelia

Bold and bright colors to explore.
Traditional 36-patch block pattern with a baby yellow sashing and a funky wave quilting design.

Katerina

Lots of multicolored crosses placed in a gradient color scheme. Simple pieced stripes in the back give this quilt added interest.

Erasmia

Contemporary subdued crib quilt with triangle pattern done in pastel colors and a light grey border . Little birdies on the back keep this baby company.