MY SOUL IS FED BY NEEDLE AND THREAD
....ohh and pencils and paper

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Ode To The Wandering Clamshells

Good morning lovely people. Today my post is 100% self indulgent. So if you choose to scroll on by that's fine....lots of pics.
I took some time out from my hand quilting to sew the binding on my Clamshells quilt. I have decided to call it "Wandering Clamshells" because almost all of it was stitched whilst we wandered this beautiful country of ours in our caravan.
I was in Victoria and was shown a beautiful completed clamshell quilt made by a lady called Karen......I was smitten! I couldn't get it out of my mind.
A very nice friend took me to a gorgeous shop in Ballarat and I bought the papers and a French General charm pack to begin.
I have stitched them in the bush, the red dust, tropical climes, beaches and friends stitching days.....from Ballarat to Broken Hill, Lightning Ridge to Darwin, Kakadu, Roma, Emerald, Winton, Cloncurry, The Isa, Karumba, Atherton, Cairns, Mossman, Woodgate and Brunswick Heads to name just a few!


 And they grew and grew.....


Finally I had a flimsy and borders went on.
I then sent it off to my friend FIONA to have it quilted and it came home looking gorgeous! I got the binding done...
And stitched it down......I love it!
Fiona's beautiful work......I couldn't be more pleased!


The other lovely thing about this quilt is I have fabric  I have purchased here and there from all over Australia.....some lovely indigenous fabrics from Alice Springs and Darwin.....
Fabric gifts from a friend from New Zealand.
And lots of beautiful contributions  from generous friends and many, many of my stash favourites......loads of French General and other Reproduction fabrics! I am astounded at the variety of fabrics in this quilt and I know it would hardly make a dent in all the quilting fabrics out there!
I used a vintage doiley from a friend for the label.

 So Wandering Clamshells is FINISHED!
Very happy Stitcher.
I am going to need another 'caravanning' quilt project now lol! I shall have to put my thinking cap on!
I am a little late but I hope all the Mums out there enjoyed their special day. I was very spoilt with visits, flowers, chokkies, cakes and a voucher for MORE books.......
Ok now that the humble clamshell has been duly honoured it's back to my hand quilting.
Stay well, take care.
Namaste and blessings Michelle xxx

27 comments:

  1. Hi Michelle what a lovely post of your clamshell journey. We sure did have fun in at Gail's patchwork emporium and Karen's quilt was stunning ,lol I remember you loved the corner where the japenses fabrics were,such a fun day we had. It was interesting reading all the places you had been that you worked on it hmm you might've inspired me to start one,I love the borders you choose Michelle well done on your beautiful finish namaste and blessing my friend xx

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  2. How wonderful Michelle. It seems only recently you started that quilt ... gosh those months fly by!! I love the entire story behind this beautiful quilt - your doiley label is just perfect.

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  3. Such a delightful post. Your quilt is stunning! I love it when quilts have a story. Your label is a great idea. You shall be wrapped in memories.xx

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  4. If your quilt could talk what stories it would tell of your adventures. Fiona did your quilt proud.

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  5. P.S I too love to use vintage doilies as labels.

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  6. Its been lovely following with you on this journey Michelle, watching it grow. Such a lovely variety of fabric and Fiona has done a beautiful job. Congratulations. xx

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  7. I enjoyed your post of the clamshell. Its so gorgeous and the quilting so beautiful. So nice to read about all the fabrics from everywhere en everyone. Love it. You have really bean spoiled on mothers day.

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  8. A magnificent effort Michelle, and just in time for Winter too. The clamshell quilt is also a memory quilt, and you will love looking at it. The quilting is beautiful too, matches the theme really well. Looks like you had a nice Mother's Day - we did too, with a zoom catch up with all the family. xxx

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  9. What a lovely memory quilt, Michelle! And a little spoiling on Mother's Day - what more could any woman want?

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  10. Such a gorgeous memory quilt and quilted beautifully by Fiona...
    Pleased you had a lovely Mother's Day as I did.

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  11. Oh well done you. It is perfect. I thought of a caravaning project "Lucy Boston"....just a thought.
    Thanks for sharing.x

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  12. Michelle maravillosa colcha llena de recuerdos y preciosas telas.
    esos pasteles se ven deliciosos

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  13. You have done a magnificent job honoring your wonderful quilt and quilting done by your friend.Take Care

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  14. It's a beautiful quilt and full of wonderful memories for you. Stitching while traveling around your country, using fabrics purchased on your travels, and those gifted by friends. It's a real memory quilt full of thoughts of happy times.

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  15. Congratulations on a fabulous finish. There will be many happy memories in there.

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  16. It is a beautiful quilt and should be honoured Michelle, I really enjoyed reading and seeing how it came about. Fiona's quilting is gorgeous. A very special quilt indeed.

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  17. It's beautiful! And thanks for sharing the story behind it. What great memories you'll think of whenever you're wrapped up in it.

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  18. As well as a gorgeous quilt, you have a pile of wonderful memories. That makes it doubly special!

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  19. What a wonderful accomplishment!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comments on my posts. Cheers x

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  20. Just stunning! What a wonderful reminder of all your travels and friends who have contributed fabrics. Fiona did a lovely job on the quilting.

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  21. A super post and such a beautiful quilt, no wonder you are pleased.... gorgeous. Glad you had a good Mum's day....

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  22. Oh, my goodness--I am new to your blog (I am in the US, in Kansas) and thrilled to have found it! Your Wandering Clamshells is just stunning--and I love that it has traveled so much with you. I am inspired :-)). Thank you! Mary

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    1. Thank you so much Mary and welcome to my blog. Look forward to you popping in again. I have had to reply here as you are coming up as a no-reply blogger....Cheers x

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  23. Lovely post Michelle and I am sorry I am so behind in visiting!! Wow, what adventures your Clamshells have had - such a beautiful finish.

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  24. Such special memories from this quilt.... Hope you are all snuggled up under it in the cold weather.....

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