Thursday, May 01, 2008

Glada Vappen and Happy May Day!

It's been quiet here, because I was in southern Europe for a couple of days. Well, southern is a relative term. I was in Estonia, where the leaves are out and it reached 23C! Beautiful weather here in Vaasa now, too, but still waiting for the green. Caught up with friends in Tallinn and Tartu, soaked up the sun, took in some German theater (playing again May 8th for anyone in the neighborhood), enjoyed an evening outdoor sing-along as part of the student days, and even found a little time for quilt-related tourism.

Wandering around Tallinn's old town on Saturday afternoon, we stumbled upon this quilt studio. I bought their book (below). Lots of log cabins on display and a huge workbench with piles and piles of fabric neatly stored underneath, including lots of retro fabrics. (Amazing how that word works in so many languages.)

I finished up my Doll Quilt III swap quilt on the way down on Friday. It will be in the mail tomorrow after the holiday. I'm pretty sure the recipient isn't a regular reader of this blog, so here are the final photos, including a detail shot of some of the quilting. Great chance to practice more free-motion quilting. I noticed that Janey made a similar one (maybe inspired by the same magazine?) for Kate for the Four Seasons Swap. Once again, it's so cool to see similar quilts in very different colors/layouts!

Then I also stopped in IKEA in Helsinki on my way home! These are decorator weight fabrics - destined to be bags, I think. Can you cut and weigh your own fabric at all IKEAs now? It was kind of fun, but I don't think I'd like doing it all day. Makes me appreciate the women who cut my fabric at Mardens during my once-a-year shopping spree!

7 comments:

jovaliquilts said...

I love that little quilt in the Ene & Anni sign. So simple, but really carries a punch!

Not all the photos would load on my computer this morning, so I can't comment on your finished quilt, but congratulations on the finish!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love how your quilt came out. I always love seeing the variation of the same pattern done by more than one person.

Clare said...

I love that quilt. As Cheri says, so simple and yet it pops!

Nearest IKEA to us is Bordeuax so can't help you on the question - wish I could *vbg*.

Unknown said...

You have been busy traveling. I haven´t bought any fabric recently at Ikea.

Tonya Ricucci said...

ooh, your holiday sounds fun. Your little quilt came out soo wonderfully. I love that stripey binding along the top. Hope you have spring green soon!

Kate North said...

Yep, same magazine, i'm sure - she sent me the magazine as well, so you never know, perhaps I'll do one someday!

We can cut and weigh our own fabrics in our Ikea, so perhaps it's an Ikea-wide phenomenon...

Libby said...

An outdoor sing-a-long - what fun *s*