Saturday, December 19, 2009

New things




These two pics are the result of a tutorial from Lurline in Perth who had a dresden ruler especially made for her project. I used my little 4" long ruler to create a longer version out of freezer paper and used that as my template. The proper ruler would be so much easier but weren't they fun to make. One is the French General range out at the moment and I used a layer cake with heaps left over. The other is gorgeous scraps of thirties
On a completely different subject it's too late for this Xmas but I found a website selling just the right thing for those men who have everything. It's here and it's the perfect gift! I have two on the way from Canada to put aside for significant male birthdays coming up this year. Check it out. Another interesting gift is here - not just for guys and so reasonably priced. Might have to order a bulk lot. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think. It's so hard to find interesting and unusual gifts.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

New shop on the block

Want to see a sneak preview of our raffle quilt for next year's quilt show. I'm sure the girls won't mind - it is in the process of being quilted by the lovely Suzie Anderson of Leura Quilting who will do a magnificent job as always. It's a Karen Cunningham design called Bluebell - some of you lucky ones probably have one on your bed at the moment. So for those who can't get into a class with Karen who is so popular there are waiting lists all over the place here is your chance to have one yourself. Anzac weekend next year but don't worry I'll keep you posted. (I love saying that!)

Take some time to have a look at a new on-line shop that just happens to be selling a kit for my Mariners Garden quilt here. Kellie and Caroline from the new Quilt Street have put together a great collection of fabric and kits with some really good specials on at the moment. They are also the exclusive Australian stockists for a range of Jewish themed fabric from the US picked up on their whirlwind trip to Houston last year. Well done girls - keep up the good work.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Who's a lucky girl then

How about that! There's my quilt on the cover of BCC - what great photos they produce. It's a scrap thousand pyramids quilts just right for hand-piecing over the summer hols. Hand quilted with number 8 thread - how quick and easy is that.

This is the first of my order of three quilt history books to arrive from Amazon. What a delight it is. Every time the courier walks down the path with a mystery bag/box it feels like Xmas - maybe it is! Full of quilts and the stories behind them it will be consumed over several weeks and lots of cups of tea.
Another real surprise is the mention of my Mariners Garden quilt pattern on the blog of Penny The Dedicated Appliquist.
Go and have a look at her fantastic site all about applique with a bit of her life thrown in. It's a treat to read. Thanks Penny for mentioning me, I am thrilled. The pattern is available from my SEWnSELL shop and the button's on the side bar.
Penny also put me on to the three new quilt history books available from Amazon at a really good price. If you're interested just scroll back thru a couple of her posts and you'll find it.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

How's this for a new look with my Mariners centre. Kate has added machine applique to four corners and it looks superb. There are so many variations where I wish I had done that and this is one of them.

Janelle from Bathurst is on the home straight with her Ludlow Beauties quilt. Pretty colours and great fabric choices.

Another version of my Fancy Dancing from Jenny. This is a good scrap buster using all those pretty floral fabrics we tend to hang on to. Just add another floral border and you have a double bed quilt. Well done - makes me want to start another one now!
With all this disgusting hot weather I've been in the air-con doing some of my own sewing. A red, white and blue 30's number with a scalloped border and a hexagon medallion to use up all the leftovers from previous quilts. Some pics later when they're nearer completion.
I have also found some embroidered centres for those wedding ring pieces I bought in Houston - more of them later.
I've ordered three new quilt history books from Amazon after reading this. How exciting - two don't come out til next year but that's ok - something to look forward to after Xmas.
The teaching year is coming to a close with Xmas parties being organised all over the place. Some new venues for me next year involving a bit of travelling - I'll keep you posted (so to speak!)


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Emperors Wheel


Have you seen the latest issue of Aust Patchwork and Quilting? Among other things there's a profile on me and my Emperors Wheel quilt. The photo of me is about 6 years old (how funny) and the interview was conducted via email when we were in Canada earlier this year. Didn't turn out too badly tho I'd had a couple of wines as I was writing! The magazine's photography is first class as always.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Workshop

Another Mariners centre but this time much smaller. These smiling faces are my weekend class at Quiltsmith in the city with their Mariners medallion centres. Lots of hard work and decision making later they were well on the way to making their own version - some will be way different from the original but that's a good thing. Each quilter's design choices were coming to the fore.

This arrived on Friday in the mail from the US - even better in real life. Aren't they beautiful and it will make a stunning back for something I haven't even thought about yet but like I always say - buy it when you see it and it will come in handy later.

Helen in my Friday class has used the wavy ruler to cut sashing for her quilt-as-you-go project for her grandson. Wish I'd thought of that! Click on the pic to see the lovely log cabin centres.
Another quilt show meeting is coming up and we are ready to take pics of the raffle quilt in preparation for lots of publicity in our local quilt magazines. Keep your eyes out for it.


Thursday, October 29, 2009

DUQ magazine

This is the next issue of Down Under Quilts with the article about new quilts from old patterns and featuring our raffle quilt. Look for it in the newsagents early November.

Various


What do you think Bernina would think of
this classic image! Lyn hadn't cleaned her
machine since buying it and there was
quite a bit of gunk in the bobbin area.
Typical male solution - get some
machinery on the job - it worked a treat
I can tell you.



Last year in Houston I bought some uncompleted double wedding ring/pickle dish arcs in 40's fabrics. They were so wonky with no two arcs the same size so I redrew the block in EQ and made a new arc template. I recut the arcs to be all the same and am in the process of piecing them with a yellow spot centre. Haven't decided on the colour for larger joining piece yet but it is fun working with all these lovely vintage prints.
Check out Martha's blog here to see some pieces almost the same and a different way of piecing them.


Keep an eye out for the next issue of Down Under Quilts which will be featuring the raffle quilt we made for this year's
Springwood Quilt Show. It's in an article on new ways with old designs and this is the quilt.

Have a look at Deborah (the editor's) blog here for more info.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Quilt camp

Things are hotting up for our annual "teaching camp" at Winbourne at Mulgoa, 30th Oct to 1st Nov. Ann and I hold two workshops on Saturday with something new each year - this is our 5th I think and Sunday's free to sew whatever. Lots of fun and laughter and time away from the everyday. I'll have some pics later of the fun and games.

Busy girls





































Just had my Sunday class at Berrima
Patchwork and the girls have been very busy while I was away as you can see from the pics. How many different versions have I seen of the Mariners quilt and yet every one is beautiful.
The same class is continuing next month with my Quilt-as-you-go Noodle Box quilt (ring the store if you're interested) then a whole new year starts in February with classes every third weekend of the month ie. Saturday and Sunday. I will be sleeping over!
Click on the pic and check out the applique on the red and white Mariners - it is superb! I'm pretty sure it will be entered in next year's Sydney Quilt Show - if not I'll be asking questions!
I've picked up some classes at Ribbons and Rainbows in Blackheath, one of the longest running patchwork shops in NSW. Every Tuesday morning for the moment - maybe more later.
Call in if you are in the Mountains - it's a beautiful shop , jam-packed with all sorts of goodies. My friend Nerida is the manager and has been like a new broom to the place.




Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Catching up

Lots of pics today from classes before the big holiday. This is Ann's Mariners combination - Mariners Garden with a Mariners Madness border! This is the 1st one I've seen using both patterns. Well done Ann - why didn't I think of that?
I start back to classes tomorrow - it's been a long break and my head's not really with it yet.
I'm sure I will just pick up where I left off.

This is Carol's NYB quilt for her grand-daughter. I think she was a bit out of her comfort zone with this but she's persevered and I think it looks just right for a young lady.
I especially love the Kaffe border fabric. I wonder did Carol actually buy this one. It is perfect.


Caroline in my Friday class has been working on these blocks for quite a while and collecting fabric for the quilt for an even longer time.
Aren't they stunning. It's not til you can have a vertical look at some projects that you get the full impact. And of course when you stick with something for so long often you get sick of looking at it!
I think they are fantastic.


These guys are from my Berrima class - don't they look great.
Same pattern, so many different looks. The girls have done a wonderful amount of homework and I'm off to Berrima this Sunday to see them all again - they'll probably be finished the whole quilt by now having missed the September class.
PLEASE click on the SEWnSELL button on the left to take you to my on-line shop!!
I'm selling quilts that have been teaching samples and are now excess to my requirements and will have lots of patterns on there shortly.
Leave me a comment as to how you think it looks.


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Overseas

One of the "quilty" things I did while in the UK was visit the neighbouring farm to where we were staying in Cornwall. Our host Mary (black skirt in the pic) told me that Jo next door was involved in quilting and would I like to come over and have a look. Yes please! Jo has the most wonderful set up of a shop, classroom and cafe attached to her century old farmhouse. Hubby ploughs the fields while Jo immerses herself in patchwork and quilting. As you can see there is a bored husbands seat outside and the shop is jam-packed with goodies. I managed to spend a bit! We had tea and cake in the cafe - thanks Jo - and looked in on a cushion making class. What a perfect set up tho Jo is flat out covering all bases and even has special events in a marquee out the back. What a busy girl she is. Kaffe Fassett has been to visit and Jo has been featured on a BBC program. Have a look at her website here.
I happened to find two quilt shows while I was there, both pretty small but very friendly. The quilts were lovely and when I mentioned Australia everyone said "we'd love to go but it's so far!" Just do it I said.
I didn't buy much fabric as the prices in Canada and the UK weren't much cheaper than here and the fabric was all the same anyway. Pays to shop at home I think.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Home again

Finally home after a wonderful trip. More details over the next few posts but I had to get this one up. In the latest issue of Down Under Quilts you'll find Jan Urquhart's EQ column with a query from Chris J. about how to draw this block from an old quilt - that's me!
She very kindly answered my query by writing a whole column on it - how kind she is - thanks Jan. The pic is of wrapping paper I bought and I'd love to make the same pattern but where to begin. EQ was the answer, now all I have to do is start sewing.


Thursday, August 20, 2009

Happy day


She finally made it! My daughter was married last Saturday at a lovely venue surrounded by lots of family and friends. It was a beautiful day for everyone - the bride looked radiant and survived the nerves to have a wonderful reception. Just like a family party actually!

Haven't really looked at the 9 cds of photos but I thought this one was lovely.

We are off overseas on Monday for 6 weeks to Canada and the UK - maybe I'll find some patchwork shops? Hope to add to the blog by email but if I don't I'll be back in October - bye for now.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Quilting

I've had an email from Belinda Betts of Eucalypt Quilting in Orange who is quilting one of my Bathurst student's quilts. Could she put it on her website as "quilt of the month"? Sure can I said! Have a look at her wonderful work (under Photo Gallery) and click on the pics for a close-up. What a beautiful job she has done. Thanks Belinda for the publicity.
23 deg predicted for Saturday and the wedding - we are now excited!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

NEWS

What do you think of the new sidebar? Wouldn't you just love it in real fabric! It was a free download from this site - thank you Megan. Check it out if you'd like a new look for your blog. They have free buttons and all sorts of goodies and they're really easy to download. I'm not the best at http's etc. so I need all the help I can get.
Further to the current issue of Homespun with the Texas Wheel quilt featured there is an "interview" with me on their blog this week! How flattering of them to think people would be interested.



After much deliberation I decided to put just this border on my hexagon star and do lots of quilting in the background areas. The colour suits perfectly I think and is a lovely frame for the star which really didn't need any fussiness around it. It's been added to the pile of tops waiting to be quilted hanging over the stair railing. They make great insulation and stop the fire's warmth disappearing upstairs!

This is my hexagon sampler, done by hand at our Tuesday night group meetings. The blocks were drawn up in EQ5 and were a pleasure to sew. The yummy border I saw at Houston last year and then managed to find it at Hancocks for $4.98 per yard! You can click on the pic to see a closeup. The toile came from Zooks at Intercourse for something like $5 a yard - it's not fair is it that we pay so much for fabric out here!
Exciting times for me at the moment - wedding this weekend, leaving for 6 weeks O/S 10 days after that AND I'm starting an on-line shop! The good folks at SEWN have opened SEWnSELL for all sorts of crafty people to be able to sell their wares. I am in the process of loading my store with patterns and actual quilts that have become "surplus to requirements". It is an exciting venture for me and I'll keep you posted.


Sunday, August 2, 2009

Inspiration


Check out the latest issue of Australian Homespun (No 75) for my Texas Wheel quilt. I collected SEVERAL reproduction fabrics on the Houston trip last year and made this using SOME of them. Do you think the corner applique looks like Rudolph!!

My Tuesday night handwork has resulted in this gem with lots of fussy cutting around the outside edge. But I am really stuck as to what to do on it next. I've looked at lots of old hexagon quilts and am still not inspired. Maybe it should just sit and brew for a while?
I drove to Bathurst yesterday for a busy class with machine quilting, new york beauties and mariners all happening at the same time. It really makes the day go quickly!


This is Petah's finished quilt with a peeper strip and even mitred corners. She was very excited with the end result and it will certainly warm up those cold Orange winter nights.






Susan from my Friday class has made this wallhanging using mainly Jinny Beyer fabrics, Doesn't it look like a leadlight window.
And Sue has expanded the Noodle Box pattern to make a full size quilt for her son (?). She even draughted her own border templates to get the required size - well done.
The Quilters Guild Friday showcase is on this Friday - Jennifer Corkish is the featured quilter. I don't have a class on so guess where I'm going? 10am at the Pitt St office if anyone's interested.
I was booked for a 2 day class at Quiltsmith this coming weekend but it failed to materialise for whatever reason so we'll be busy speed cleaning for all the visitors on the wedding weekend. How wonderful it will be to catch up with people I haven't seen for years! Wish us well with the weather - it's been glorious the last week - I even dragged myself away from the machine to do some gardening!




Wednesday, July 22, 2009

These are some of the Princess feathers the girls have done for our group challenge. Aren't they fantastic! We had a Xmas in July night this week for the unveiling. Some stuck rigidly to the rules while others did their own thing.
Some are already quilted while others are still WIPs. It will be great to see them all together at our next Springwood HS quilt show. I'll put some more in the next post.

A group of us got together today to make a start on the raffle quilt for the 2010 show which is the Bluebell quilt designed by Karen Cunningham, one of our local quilters. We had a fun day fussy cutting and covering paper diamonds and hexagons with lots of yummy food to keep us going.
Several of us were given a bag of papers and fabrics to take home and come back in 3 weeks time with a completed section and we hope to have the top finished and ready for quilting by October. Lets hope so.






Monday, July 13, 2009

Lots of goodies


A pic of Petah's NYB quilt at the Bathurst class on Sunday. She's a huge Kaffe fan as you can see and is doing a great job on maybe her 2nd quilt? She travels from Orange each month to do this class and is such a happy girl.
Our Tuesday night sewing group has thrown out a challenge to make a Princess feather block for a Xmas in July meeting. Here is Lisa's version to be the centre of a larger quilt. It's beautiful isn't it. I have seen a few of the others and it will be great to see them all unveiled next week. I chose not to participate and maybe I should have!
Lots of pics today. At a recent Springwood class it was show and tell all round from the students who'd been really busy doing homework. Wanda's tablerunner is superb - another version of quilt-as-you-go and her 1st attempt at free-motion quilting. It was more beautiful in the flesh.
Dianne has made her own version of the NYB quilt and her colour combinations and piecing are excellent. The border is her own design foundation pieced - is there any other way? She was a winner at this years Darling harbour show with her 1st SQS entry! How's that for a hard act to follow next year.
The Club night at Hobbysew last week was very interesting with lots of instore specials and a wonderful show and tell from myself and a lot of the audience. All the staff are so enthusiastic and helpful and the shop is overflowing with goodies. There's always something new and the fabric prices are amazing.
I've got 2 weeks without my regular midweek classes at home so hopefully can get some sewing done. I'm really looking forward to my 1st class at Berrima this Sunday - wish me luck!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Trunk show and more




What great weather to be inside sewing (or planning a new quilt).Thursday night I'm the guest tutor at Hobbysew at Kings Park for their first Club Night. I'll have a trunk show of my quilts and a short talk on my favourite techniques etc. Come along if you're able - 7-9pm at the shop. There'll be supper and everything!


Helen in my Friday class has been so busy with a quilt for her niece(?) from a collection of oriental fabrics she has. Isn't it beautiful and her sewing is so exact - well done that girl. Does that sound like her friend Susan?

Off to my Bathurst class this Sunday - now that will be cold. Lucky Anni has the heater on for us. I'm allowed to take the new car for the day - the first time I drove it I came home with a cracked windscreen. You can imagine the reception! Never mind - it's only a car.

Things are really hotting up for my daughter's wedding in 6 weeks. I've been mother-of-the-bride shopping which is not an easy task for me. I can do casual but dressy is quite difficult.
It will be a fantastic day for all the family - lots of relos and friends. We're just hoping for good weather as the ceremony is outside.
Do you like the star quilt? I've been playing with EQ5 a have come up with some amazing designs by dropping blocks into an eight-pointed star. Stay tuned for more.
I've had a steady number of lookers from Australia and the world - please leave me a comment so I can return the favour.