Sewing by the Sea

Finished! Orca Bay all sewn up.

2012-01-31T23:03:00.000+11:00

Here it is - Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay mystery quilt all finished. Not sure if I will stay with the name, but will give it some serious thought.

Just the top done at this stage - I need to get some backing and batting and will be taking it to a quilter from my Monday night group - Regent St Stitchers - to get it quilted. At our Christmas meeting I won a voucher for machine quilting from one of the girls that belong to our group.

My DS3 (Warwick who is 6.3") is holding it up for me, and as you can see (or not see his feet/hands!) it is quite large, although not as big as Bonnie made it. I left off two rows on the side and two from along the bottom. Hence I have a few blocks left over and think I will put them into a charity quilt - the colours and blocks will work well for a teenager's quilt - unfortunately they don't seem to get as many quilts as they do for babies and young kids.

I will definitely be making another of Bonnie's mysteries - really enjoyed it (although a sewing marathon); her chatter along with her instructions are very easy to read and understand, together with plenty of pics with each step.

Now to get back to my UFOs and other projects. Ho Hum....

Step 7 completed!!

2012-01-24T14:03:00.000+11:00

The end is nigh!

Last night I completed Step 7 of Bonnie's Orca Mystery quilt. You know all those black and neutral triangle groups I sewed in Step 6? They are now all joined up to something else. Two of them were sewn onto the red string triangles to make a flying geese block and one onto a larger neutral triangle. No hint was given as to where they will be going in the quilt.

But this is the last of the major sewing exercises.

Not many large blocks, but as you can see from this photo there is actually only 5 different types of blocks that will make up this quilt. Albeit piles of the things.

-28 6" Ohio blocks with neutral backgrounds

-28 6" Ohio blocks with black backgrounds.

-128 red string triangles with black wings sewn into a flying geese block..

-100 neutral triangles sewn onto black wings.

-72 3.5" inch blue string blocks

That is one huge lot of cutting and sewing. By the way I have already used 1 and 1/2 reels of 500m of thread (and I haven't sewn the blocks together yet, or put on a border!!!

This morning (while it is very hot in my part of Aus (34C - 92F) I decided to print off Part 8 and to place these blocks on my design wall - in Bonnie's order of course. All pieces are sewn in rows - no more blocks are put together, BUT it looks fantastic! A bit red, but there is so much movement and I can already see different patterns emerging. AND I like my choice of using blue in the middle of the neutral Ohio stars instead of red! One problem I'm having though - it is too big for my wall!

Sorry, I'm not going to show you until it's completed. Have fun guessing what you think it might look like!!

Don't forget to come back and see it completed.

...Joy

Mystery Steps 5 & 6

2012-01-20T17:39:00.001+11:00

Step 5 - Remember the 350 half-square triangles in Step 3 that were sewn into little aquares- well they come into play with Step 5. I had to cut another 700 (yes 700) more black 1/2 square triangles and these are to be placed either side of those little blocks. When joined they make these black and neutral slightly larger triangles:

Still no idea how these are going to be used (I hope I'm not adding any more little ones to them!!!)

Step 6 - More fabric cutting - this time squares - 2-1/2" - 112 black and 112 neutral and for the red 56. When I came to cut the red I realised I was running short and might not be able to get 56 out of what I had left unless I used 'red-looking' fabric, but I thought this would not work as some of those fabrics were slightly on the orange side. Had a look at the blues used in the string squares earlier and had some of those, enough to do half.

Reading the second page of this step I discovered that we would be joining these with the hour-glass blocks to make Ohio Stars - half with neutral backgrounds and half with black backgrounds. I played with the blue and red squares and some of the hour-glass blocks and decided that the blue could go in the neutral blocks and the red in the black. Here you see one of the neutral ones finished with a red one about to be sewn. I'm happy with this. I think it works.

At long last, starting to see some blocks coming together.....

On to Step 7 and 8 over the weekend - well maybe Sunday - have my Guild meeting tomorrow (Saturday).

Ok - now to Steps 3 & 4

2012-01-14T13:44:00.000+11:00

After a short break over Christmas and the New Year AND emergency Nanna duties I am finally back home and have completed Steps and 4 of the mystery quilt - Orca. This is Bonnie's name for the quilt - have still to make up mind what I will call it (could be 'my mojo gone mad').

Step 3 consisted of making 350 pairs (that's right 350) of half-square traingle units sewn to make a 2" finished square. This is the pile after being 'dog-eared' and pressed (Bonnie likes you to trim them off...) Oh well, definitely going to need new blades for my cutters when this is finished......

Step 4 was a tad easier cutting wise, but still a sewing marathon.

At long last we are going to use our reds, but first we had to cut (that word again!!!) 64 x 5.5" foundation paper squares. The sewing marathon - that is sewing our red strips or crumbs, onto these papers to make the string blocks. When this stitching was completed, then trim the blocks back to the 5.5" and then slice in half. My finished pile of string triangles:

This quilt is certainly an interesting mystery - haven't yet seen any hint of where all these gazzilion piles are going.

But onward we go - focus on completing all instructions and I will have a beautiful quilt.

Focus. Focus. Focus.

2012-01-06T16:08:00.000+11:00

Already I fee the need to evaluate my day and FOCUS. I chose that word for my mantra for this year and now I want it to work for me. Oh my, if I can't focus now what am I going to be like at the end of the year????

Early last year I decided to get my stash in some sort of order, especially my offcuts (scraps) as they were multiplying at a rapid rate. My larger pieces are sort of OK - they are all in a cupboard relatively safe, but these other little beauties were getting out of control. I have always followed Bonnie Hunter's blog and site - Quiltville - there is a link in the right hand side bar and also here and decided to loosely follow her way of organising these wayward bits and pieces.

I purchased a set of 3 large tubs that stack on top of one another like a mini filing cabinet. You can access each one without having to take the top one down. THEN I set to work and did the sorting and cutting and actually filled them - one with dark strips/strings; one with light; and the other with specifically cut 2.5" strips. I filled 4 smaller tubs with other strips and squares. They fit nicely in the space between the cupboard and the shelving where my TV and other stuff are located.

Now for the focus part of this epistle - When Bonnie announced her new Mystery Quilt - a light in my brain went off - I can do it - I have now got my scrap bins sorted. Downloaded Step 1 - sorted my colours, (I decided to use the same as Bonnie suggested) cut into the black and neutral strips - 1.5" wide; got out my rotary cutter to start cutting - woo - 'cut 448 pairs of neutral & black quarter square triangles' - that's right 448 pairs, ie 448 neutral AND 448 black!

Ok, I tell myself, this is Step 1, let's get it over with - the going will be easier after this!! Once cut they are then sewn in pairs (Bonnie then says to TRIM THE DOG EARS - on 448 pairs......) They are then joined to make 224 hour glass units. This is them before the trimming...

On to Step 2 - We are now going to sew strings - easy peasy..... BUT we need to sew 72 x 3.5" foundation squares! The 3.5" squares, ironed and trimmed.

This quilt better be worth it in the end......

Of course before I was able to get on with Step 3 etc - along came Christmas and New Year. This is why I need to FOCUS. Bonnie has now posted the final step of this mystery and I need to get on with it. So far I have resisted the temptation to look at the later postings - I'm afraid there might be more of these gazillion little pieces. Tonight I will download Step 4 and work on it tomorrow - I sort of have a free day (if I don't go and do anything else...) Focus, Focus - complete Step 4.

Wish me luck..

A New Year and a New Word

2012-01-01T21:56:00.000+11:00

If you remember last year around this time I wrote about choosing a word for the year. I first heard about this on the ArtQuilt Yahoo group I belong to. The idea is to choose a word that you might find helpful in your journey for the year. It is very helpful to have this word printed on a card/s and put in various places where you will find it or see it - just to remind you. No stress involved - just a reminder.

It could be something very simple or complex - last year I chose 'Relax'. I found I needed to learn not to worry about things I had no control over and not to get anxious about the things I did have control over. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't - but it did help in my day-to-day activities. Some of you know my mother's health wasn't the very best this past year and I learnt that this was one of the things I had no control over. But I did have control over how I handled it and to get other family members to help.

This year I am choosing ' FOCUS'. I'm one of those people who wander off in a tangent at times. Like going into the laundry to put some washing in the machine - start sorting it and realise I left some articles in the bedroom, go to get them and see I left a coffee cup on the bedside table, pick up said cup to take to kitchen and notice the rubbish bin needs emptying, take the bin outside and see.......... you know the story! In an hour's time I realise I haven't turned the washing machine on! So FOCUS, it is for this year.

What is your word for the year?

I've been surfing again......

2011-12-30T10:02:00.001+11:00

and came across another fantastic blog - Linda Kemshall's. Linda is half of Linda and Laura Kemshall, Design Matters. I first came across this mother and daughter team while watching and reading Quilting Arts magazine and TV shows. They hail from England and work with a large variety of techniques. Their latest purchase is a huge printing machine that actually prints direct onto fabric by the yard!! How cool is that?

Anyway I suggest if you love art, design, techniques, colour, pattern, quilting, mixed media, etc, then go and have a look at their blog. I'm very tempted to sign up for an on-line course or their Design Matters TV shows - may have to use some of the $ I found in my Christmas stocking.

I have also put it in my reading list in the right hand column. Enjoy.

My Christmas gift to myself

2011-12-18T18:48:00.001+11:00

Ever since my boys were quite young (when they were believers of Father Christmas!!) I have bought myself a gift to put under the tree. One year DS1 was very upset because Father Christmas hadn't bought me a present and he said 'but you are a very good mum!!!

This year is no exception - 'except' that I spent a tad more than I usually do. This is what I bought myself! I have always wanted one and while at a retreat a few months ago one of the other retreatees mentioned that she was going to advertise her Treadle Machine. As I know this person and know she would have looked after it I jumped right in and said I would be interested.

I got my DS3, whose car is bigger than mine, to go with me and naturally loved it from the first look. Now it is in my house. But the question is 'How do I wrap it and put it under the tree!'

Pss. I hope no-one is listening, but a week or so ago I did spend a bit more - I purchased two vintage quilt tops, but I'll show these at a later date - have to work out how to photograph them without taking them outside in the bright sunlight. One is circa 1870-90 and the other is circa early 1900s. Can't wait to show you these, I love them.

Ricky Timms is coming to Australia

2011-12-14T13:17:00.001+11:00

Quilter, Singer, Musician, Writer, TV Star is coming to Australia in September 2012. The Australian Machine Quilters Assoc is having a one-day seminar at their Quilt Festival in Adelaide and if you want to attend you need to go over to their website here, and get the details. I'm going to register - just love his work and also have some CDs of his show with Alex Anderson. Anyone want to join me - maybe share a room???

I won!!!!

2011-12-12T09:59:00.000+11:00

Ocassionally when I see a give-away on someone's blog and if it is something I would like I enter. Once or twice over the years I have won something. This time over at Dye Candy, Chris was giving away a copy of one of the latest Jennifer Chiaverini's books - The Wedding Quilt. I have all the others up to this one and had it on my Christmas Wish List. I just received an email from Chris to say I WON!!! How good is that! Please go over and look at her blog - she has some fantastic things there, especially love her jewellery and of course her dyed fabrics.

My apology

2011-12-11T17:44:00.000+11:00

if I have made it harder for you to comment on my blog. BUT, I have had to put in an extra step - I will be viewing postings before allowing them to be published.

Reason being over the last couple of weeks I have had some spam postings come in and luckily I have been able to delete them before they were up for too long. I have a spam checker but these guys/gals are clever, so for the near future you will see a message that says I need to approve before posting goes public.

Again, my apologies but it is a necessary step that I have to take - don't want any of my readers to be caught up in the 'net' as well.

Link for lovers of the history of quilting

2011-12-09T12:19:00.001+11:00

Doing some surfing the other day (as one does when one should be sewing!!!) and came across this fantastic site - The Quilt Index. It's a resource and reference tool that gleans its information from very large and varied resources, such as museums, private collections, etc. The information on this site is mind-boggling. They have a blog also and you can read it here. When checking out the blog scroll down to a posting on 1 Dec 2011 and have a look at the Embroidered Quilt by The Ilingelihle Women’s Project, in South Africa. Absolutely stunning.

Some of the quilts on this site are not old, but are significant in that they are reflective in their interpretation of life in different counties and societies today.

I will definitely be checking this site regularly.

A very successful Exhibition

2011-12-07T21:19:00.000+11:00

was held recently. My local Guild - Geelong Patchwork & Quilter's Guild held their bi-annual exhibition a couple of weekends ago in the Antrium area of Deakin University's Waterfront Campus in Geelong. Held over 3 days, Friday through to Sunday, many visitors passed through the doors and enjoyed some beautiful quilts.

The stunning entrance.

I spent a couple of hours working on the Members Trading Table - Jan is here folding some of the quilts we had for sale.

We also had a small display of Textiles from Croatia organised by one of our members who has ties to the local Croatian community - some stunning embroidery and the colours, so clear and bright.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a specific quilt on display - I have only been a member for about 18 months and one of the rules is that you must have a 4" wide hanging pocket on the back of your quilt. I usually only make a smaller pocket to suit how I'm going to hang my quilts at home. I will be better prepared next time!

Here are a couple of quilts made by two friends of mine - this first one is by Sophia, absolutely stunning. All reverse applique AND she won 1st Prize for First Time Entrant back in July at the big Quilt Exhibition by our state organisation Victorian Quilters. All blue and white - completely hand done.

This beautiful quilt Jenni from Jacaranda made - a lovely version of Dear Hannah.

And this last one was made by a group of us in the Art Play group at Guild - we are a fairly new group and playing with Art quilting. Sixteen of us contributed a 12x12 inch square made of any type of construction we wanted, but it had to be based on the world 'circles'. We then joined the squares with metal rings. We also won 1st Prize in our State guild's show in July in the Art Quilt Group Section. My contribution is the pinkish quilt second from the right in the second row. I felted mine onto a felt background which I had stamped and painted and then added some pearl flat buttons and hand stitching.

And finally, this is my little quilt all by itself, before it was incorporated into the big one.

The pink has come out slightly brighter than it really was.

Hope you enjoyed this little show.

Battings tested

2011-12-05T07:00:00.002+11:00

A fellow quilter here in Aust, Linda Steele, has written an excellent article on the comparison on quilting with different battings. You can read about it on her blog here with some surprising results especially with the thread that she used for the examples. I generally use a cotton batting, but will now think of changing to a wool/poly mix. Thanks Linda for taking the time to do this.

New Blog and a give-away

2011-11-25T10:15:00.001+11:00

My friend Sharon from Two-Bits Patches has started a new blog and is having a give-away. If you click here it will take you to her blog. Sharon has an on-line business mainly dealing with I-Spy type materials and has some great packs and other stuff that she has available. Please go and have a look at her site.

A blog for lovers of textiles

2011-11-21T10:58:00.001+11:00

I haven't posted for a while - have been busy with family stuff - but I could let this one go by without letting you know - I have found a great blog for those who love doing textiles. You may already know about it - has been going for some time. Liz Kettle whose blog it is, is part of the team that have the website Textile Evolution - she also has a give-away going at present - so if you are 'biting at the bit' to get there here it is - click here - hope you like it as much as I do.

I'll be back soon,
Take care...Joy

Memories of New York

2011-11-01T16:27:00.000+11:00

I have just recently completed this little quilt in honour of my two visits to New York City (in 1999 and this year). One of my most favourite places in the world to visit (haven't been to many, but love New York...) I wanted to put something on my lounge room wall to remember this vibrant city. Don't know if I will ever get back there. Maybe one day.

I called it 'Postcard from New York.

Daisy Chains...

2011-10-01T21:05:00.000+10:00

I used to love making these when I was a kid. This is a delightful little park a block away from granddaughter's house. Unfortunately there weren't many daisies with long enough stems to make a long chain.

Picking the daisies.

Making the first slit.

Starting the chain.

Out of the archives...

2011-09-10T22:54:00.000+10:00

come a couple of small wallhangings.

This one I made for Warwick (DS3) who loves his fishing. The idea was dictated by the material I found for the sky. You just see the fish (a button) which is near the end of the fishing line. It is the 'one that got away!!!'

This delightful little quilt is 'Winston' - who is not little (a Ridgeback), loves his bones and kennel and now lives in Metung, near Lakes Entrance in Victoria. A big, softy, and loveable dog.

Mystery no more

2011-09-03T18:29:00.001+10:00

The blocks of the mystery quilt I was doing are now all sewn together with borders. This was such as easy one to do I am thinking of doing another (wont be a mystery!!) in some batiks I have, or maybe I may use some Japanese fabric I have,......or........??? Who knows what I will use - got to still make it a mystery!! The quilt top will now go in my basket of tops waiting to be quilted.

I am one of those quilters who has a lot of tops, not many quilted or finished, but this year I am getting through some of them. Some just need the binding - isn't it the way you get so far and then onto something else. This year I decided (all by myself.....) to not purchase any more fabric, only what I absolutely require to finish an already started project. So far I have been good. Next year - will wait and see.

One completed star block

2011-08-13T19:42:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I cut some white triangles to put around my star blocks. Sewing the 'Y' seams wasn't too hard at all. It's just the stopping and starting each seam that is a bother. But I will keep going as I like what I see and having already sorted out more reds and blues from my stash to make a quilt (I think...) The templates I sized from EQ6 all work together. A bonus as I didn't want to draw them myself.

I love stars

2011-08-10T00:33:00.001+10:00

Many of my quilts are based on stars of some type. I love them. I have been fiddling around with EQ6 lately and managed to work out how to draw up a 6 pointed star. These are 5 that I have sewn up. I still have to add the set-in pieces to make them into a hexagon shaped block. Not looking forward to that - I might like stars but not sewing set-in pieces. This will test my maths skills and if EQ6 turns out a good block.

A project for a quiet day I think.

While I'm on the subject..

2011-08-06T17:19:00.000+10:00

of winning.

Many years ago ( I entered two of my large embroidery works in the local Geelong Art & Agricultural Show.

They are shown here - the Roses won 1st Prize in 'Surface Embroidery' and the Iris's received 2nd in the same category.

Both these works hang on the wall above my bed. I'm very proud of them as they were also my own design which I took off a couple of photos in a gardening book.

The best news.......

2011-07-31T16:25:00.001+10:00

This weekend is the Melbourne Quilt & Craft Show at Jeff's Shed (Exhibition Centre). I'm a member of my local Geelong Quilt Guild and also a little offshoot Art Play Group. We only got together earlier this year to learn and try out new ideas in the Art Quilt area. One of our group Lyn. thought it would be good to do a joint project and submit it for entry at the Show. We did and not only was it accepted to be hung WE WON FIRST PRIZE in the Group Quilt Section. How good is that!!! I'm stoked!!

We made 12x12 inch quilts to the theme of 'circles'. Mine is second from the right in the second row (bright pink background). I used felt as the base and printed and discharged random circles then felted spirals and added some hand stitching and pearl buttons.

They were joined by using metal rings to continue the theme of circles and was named 'Circle Fabrication'. I must thank Jenni S of Jacaranda blog for these photos as I was not able to get to the show myself. Her quilt is the first one in the second row.

Playing with the blocks

2011-07-26T21:27:00.001+10:00

Yesterday I finished sewing the blocks for the mystery quilt I'm doing. Today I started to play with them on my design wall. Don't know what you think, but I'm quite pleased with how they turned out. Just need to find the right orientation for the blocks. This is one way, but there is another which I'm going with - you will have to wait and see when I've sewn them together.

Next Mystery Steps

2011-07-24T19:13:00.001+10:00

Step 5 is where the shorter of the strips are sewn to one side of the blocks and then joined in rows. I will then be sewing the longer strips in beween four of the blocks, thus making one quite large block. With the very cold weather we're having here in Victoria I'm hoping to finish it off this weekend.

Step 6 is putting these large blocks together - borders and binding is your own choice. Once I have them together will post the final stage before I decide on what to do for borders.

Whoo Hoo - I'm back

2011-07-20T21:05:00.001+10:00

on line, that is.
Have been having heaps of problems with Blogger. Hopefully all is well again.

In the meantime I have been busy, busy, busy. I'm participating in a Mystery Quilt through my Monday night group. It is from the Bedford Mystery series. This series of mystery quilts began in South Aust by a couple of quilters as a means of raising money for a local charity. It is also the first Mystery quilt I've done and am enjoying it heaps.

Unfortunately, in my haste to get started I didn't take early photographs of the first three steps - there are 6 in all. Step 1 was the selection of fabrics - I chose to do mine in 'country colours' - safe.... Step 2 was to make 4-patch blocks and strips with 1/2 sq triangle on the end. These blocks are some of the ones finished up to Step 3.

This next photo is Step 4. These strips are the same construction as part of Steps 1-3, but are longer. Hopefully the latter bits will be finished very soon.

A bit hard to see on my 'design wall' as I have used a cream for the light colour material and my design wall is made from a cream flannel sheet.

In the meantime I have also finished some ATCs that are due to be posted very soon.

More historical stuff

2011-07-03T17:31:00.003+10:00

I'm still going through my old photos of quilts that I have made in the past.

This first one is a small Baltimore quilt (the squares are 6" square). I made this in a class at The German Quilthouse in Geelong, Vic (unfortunately it has been closed for some time now).

A pity you can't see the dimensional work, but there is a ruched flower, padded little rose buds, and free-form flowers used in the borders.

The whole quilt measures 36" x 36".

The next quilt (as you can see) is a kid's quilt. I made it for my boss when his son Benjamin was born 6 years ago.

I used pre-printed alphabet squares and stitched the animals, then added different size pieces of bright materials to the squares to add interest.

This last one is very special. It is a signature quilt of my son's wedding. I first did the applique and stitching and then we got the guests at the wedding to sign it. It is finished to fit their dining table as a runner.

Hope you are enjoying my reminiscing as much as I am.

Meeting my favourite princesses...

2011-06-16T21:29:00.051+10:00

As you know my family and I went to Disneyland and the US last month. We had the most fabulous time. It is a magical place to visit. I would have enjoyed it even with my granddaughter.

She met all the princesses as well as Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Goofy, and a number of other Disney characters.

Two of her favourites are Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and of course Snow White. When she met Aurora, we were having lunch in Ariel's Grotto and she was wearing her 'Aurora' dress.

It was truly a magical happy 3 days. The rest of the time we went to Chicago, Boston and New York. I will post some snippets about this part of our trip over the next couple of weeks.

Hello

2011-06-13T12:11:00.070+10:00

As mentioned in my previous post way back in April, I have been busy with family stuff. Hopefully I think it has all been resolved, except that I now have DS3 (Warwick) living back home - not just his 'stuff' but him as well. Having spread myself out over the past few years in my little house, I now have to 'compact' a lot of stuff (that word again!!). But this exercise has been good in one way - I have had to make strong decisions about what is really worth keeping and what is not.

At the same time I have found some photos of stuff I have made over the years and given away as gifts etc.

Decided to scan these onto the computer so they wont get lost in the future. Here are some - the first one is an old photo of me and my very first quilt, a scrappy pyramid.

The second one a basket wallhanging.

And the third is a sampler made in country style colours and material. The original pattern came from Marti Michell.

I'm also learning to navigate myself around the new look Blogger.

So much has changed since I last posted.

Oops, I've forgotten to change the aspect of the last photo. You will have to turn your head to look at it properly...sorry about that.

Stuff etc - I'm sort of still here....accumulating stuff...

2011-04-28T22:54:00.000+10:00

My apologies for neglecting my blog. I have been busy with family stuff. Hopefully most stuff has now settled down a bit. My mum's unit has now been sold and was settled last week so all the sorting/cleaning etc is finished. I still have quite a few boxes of stuff in my house that need to find a good home. DS2 returned from 5 years in Qld (Noosa) and bought all his stuff, even though he is sharing a house with a couple of mates, says his stuff wont fit there! Then DS3 whose house has just been sold - please mum, can I store some of my stuff at your place until I get new digs!

Amongst all this stuff happening, I had a wonderful 5 days in Kiama last month at the annual Scquilters Retreat - 120+ other quilters from around Oz invaded the small coastal town just below Sydney. In Melbourne we had the annual Australasian Quilter's Convention and Show and I masqueraded as an Angel for 2 days - the first doing White Glove duty in the Show area answering questions, showing the backs of quilts and making sure no-one bought in food or drink. The second day was working as a Tutor's Angel with Gloria Loughman, an Australian Landscape Quilt Artist. Both days were fantastic and I will definitely do it again.

After all of this, next week I'm off on holiday - flying to the US with DS1, DDIL and granddaughter. We're going to NY, Chicago and Boston AND Disneyland!!!!! Can't wait to experience this with a 4 yo who firmly believes the 'real Cinderella and the real Snow White' live there. Not the pretend ones! The real ones!

Hope to post again before I leave as there has been lots of other things happening around here. I have even finished a couple more UFOs, but still have to take the photos.

Take care,
Joy

Another PhD completed

2011-02-05T17:13:00.002+11:00

Would you believe this quilt was first started in 2002 with a block exchange between our little Tuesday night group of eight girls. When we did this exchange we had only been quilting for a couple of months, so everyone was a beginner. The idea of the exchange was to learn new techniques - each month one of us chose a block that we liked and gave out instructions for making the block with some suggestions of colour etc. Most were pieced, but I chose an applique as I particularly wanted to learn this technique. The cups/mugs symbolised our many cups of coffee/tea that was consumed while we had our little gatherings.

It was a few years later I came across the patterns for the teapots in the first round of corners and the coffee mugs in the final round corners and also incorporated the words. Unfortunately, they are a tad bit hard to read in the photo because of the light thread I used. But they say:

"If you are cold tea will warm you,
If you are hot it will cool you,
If you are depressed it will cheer you,
If you are excited it will calm you."

Now onto my next PhD (Project half done)....

What Sharon won...

2011-01-31T11:09:00.000+11:00

These are the Fat Qtrs that I sent to Sharon after my blog giveaway. I wanted to make sure she had received them before posting a picture.

I contacted Sharon when her name was pulled out to ask if she wanted any particular colour or style. She told me she was collecting some autumn materials for The Farmer's Wife quilt. This is what I chose. Sharon was thrilled with them.

Australia Day

2011-01-26T14:18:00.000+11:00

Let's celebrate today with the same guts and determination our forebears did when they arrived in this harsh, but beautiful land. Throw a lamb chop on the barbie!!!

In Dorothy McKellar's iconic poem she says - 'I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of rugged mountain ranges and droughts and flooding rains'. Droughts and flooding rains couldn't be more true when it was written than the past couple of month's events. Most of Australia has been in a drought for 5-10 years or more and especially where I live, we have had Stage 4 Water Restrictions for the past 5 years - that means: no washing or hosing windows; cars; lawns; etc. Garden beds can only be watered by 'hand only' and then on certain days of the week and only for 2 hours.

Over the past 6 months or so most of Australia has had more rain than our dams and rivers can handle so hence the devastating floods in the Eastern half Australia.

You ask - 'with droughts, floods, bush fires, some of the most poisonous spiders and snakes in the world, sharks and stingers in your oceans - what is it like to live in Australia?'

Bloody beautiful! We have a strong feeling of mateship that comes from some of the above situations/disasters. We dig-in and help our neighbours. I believe we are tolerant and accepting of all people and we welcome newcomers to this land with open arms. It is because of these newcomers (I don't like the word immigrant) that we have a wonderful multi-cultural society and all that brings to a country.

I wouldn't live anywhere else.

...Joy

First ATC for 2011

2011-01-25T17:16:00.001+11:00

I can now show you my first ATC made for the International Birthday Swap organised by Kate North in the UK. Sheila (who was the first recipient) has now received it and has posted photos to her album in the group's page.

For this particular one I used some water soluble and stitched a grid over it. Then I laid down some ribbons and stitched them down then kept adding more stitches and bits and pieces and finally washed the soluble away. I had to wash a couple of times as the stitched piece was quite stiff. Finally I cut it into 4 ATC sizes and for Sheila's I attached it to a piece of black velvet and then added some embellishment and finally edged it. Not sure how I will finish off the other three - would like to make them look different for each person. You can see here the one edged with green is Sheila's.

Unfortunately, I wont be able to post pics here until after they have been received.

Congrats Sharon

2011-01-15T01:12:00.000+11:00

Sharon, you were the winner of the Fat Qtrs. Congratulations. DS3 said everyone's comments were good and honest. So we put the names in a hat and out came Sharon's. I will be in touch with you very soon.
Thanks everyone for playing along. Not a lot of players, but I thought it was a fun thing to do that I will do this again. Maybe on a significant visitor number - ie 4,000 - my stats show 3,500 or perhaps a significant date on the calendar! I will put my thinking cap on and let you know in a few days what I come up with. This is a great way to reduce my stash, which is getting too big for the cupboard I am using.

I have tried other means of reducing it but to no avail. A couple of retreats I went to last year they had Fat Qtr raffles where you take along some of your collection and for each piece you receive a ticket and throughout the retreat at various times they draw a number and the winner gets a bundle of Fat Qtrs - well each time I won a bundle it was more than what I had actually taken along!!! My stash increased instead of being reduced.

I really love all my material but there is a lot which I will never ever use as my tastes and my quilting is going in a different direction than when I first started. It's all good quality material I don't like seeing it sitting there looking very sad that it is not being used.

Thanks again everyone,

Take care,
Joy

How much do you spend on your hobby? And a surprise giveaway.....

2011-01-08T13:59:00.000+11:00

I came across this interesting link about how much quilters in the US spend on their hobby. It has been quoted that some spend $500US a month - wow even with our dollar at parity with the US$ and knowing the difference in their prices per yd as compared with our prices per mtr that is still a lot of money.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/aug/02/focus-quiltmaking-sew-big/

My question is - How Much Do You Spend? And Where, local shop, web, quilt shows? You have to be truthful and as you know it is only 350 days to next Christmas Santa is still watching..... The best original and truthful answer, judged by my DS3 will receive 6 fat quarters from my stash. But you must leave your email addy so I can contact you. You have until next Saturday 15 January 2011 at 5.00pm (EST in Australia)

...Joy

A give-away on 3Creative Studios blog

2011-01-04T10:31:00.001+11:00

If like me you are fan of this blog and also the girl's website you must go over and see what they are doing for the year. It looks exciting. This week they are having a fantastic give-away (3 in fact) of some of their fabulous stuff and all you have to do is comment on their blog here to be in the running. I get a second chance of winning by posting their link here. But of course if too many of you go and post a comment that means my chances are less. Boo Hoo.......

Sign of the times??

2011-01-03T12:49:00.001+11:00

DS3 Warwick and DGD Jorja playing with games on iphones........Jorja has her father's, that's his feet you can see. By the way, she can see through her hair......

A word 2011.....instead of a resolution

2010-12-30T22:18:00.001+11:00

How many of you out there make resolutions for the coming year, but find for some reason or other that you fail to follow them - you know what I mean - loose ? kls; get fit; remember ALL your friends birthdays; finish X number of UFOs; only work from your stash etc etc. We all start out with good intentions, I do, but life happens.

After reading a couple of blogs and comments on the QuiltArt list on Yahoo, some very inventive people are choosing a word for the year - ie - Inspire; Change; Learn; Persevere; Believe; Balance. So if resolutions don't work for you, how about trying a word. Make some signs using this word and place them in strategic places like near your computer screen; on your message board; in your diary; etc to remind you how/where to focus.

My word for 2011 is Relax. I need to learn to relax and not worry about things I don't have any control over; I need to relax when trying new directions for my quilting and not be concerned if it isn't going where I want it to; I need to learn to relax when working on my art quilts - they are not meant to be 'perfect' but to go with the flow.

What word would you choose for 2011? Would love to hear your ideas.

To read more about choosing a word pop over to Linda Matthews blog and see what she has written. If you leave a comment there she will also incorporate your word in a small gift during the year.

Take care and have a happy New Year's and make 2011 the best you can.
..Joy

A delightful parcel came today

2010-12-22T11:04:00.001+11:00

from my Angel - No.19.

The on-line group Scquilters which I belong to have an annual retreat and next year it is being held in Kiama, NSW. One of the many activities in connection with the retreats is the Angel/Mortal swap. It isn't compulsory to join, but if you do then you are an 'Angel' to someone and an 'Angel' is appointed to you. The idea is that as an Angel you send a parcel in December and then in each of the next 3 months to your mortal, trying very hard not to give away who you are. At the same time you are receiving little parcels from your Angel. This is what came today from my Angel who is known only to me as No.19. Isn't it lovely - a cute little purse, embroidery scissors, handy note book, cross-stitched book mark to go with the book and a beautiful glass bell to add to my Chrissy decorations.

I would love to show you what I sent my mortal but if I did and she looked at my blog then the secret would be out. All will be revealed on the Sat night of the retreat. It is a lot of fun because all the time you are trying very hard not to reveal yourself, but at the same time trying to work out who your own angel is. Some people get up to some very very devious ways and means to hide themselves or work out who their own angel is. ps I have a few clues but not revealing anything here..........

I had forgotten about this one..

2010-12-16T15:47:00.001+11:00

When searching through all my photo files on the computer looking for a specific photo of a specific quilt I came across this little one. I had forgotten I made it. Duh. It is a little 12"x10" quilt made for one the challenges for a little art group I used to belong to. I have forgotten exactly what the theme was but looking at my notes (which I have kept with the quilt - wasn't that clever of me!!) it had to do with links or linking.

My background was a piece of furnishing material which is quite heavily stitched with different threads and gives it lovely texture. I then overprinted with a simple edged square stamp (you can see one in the middle with the star button). I then added three triangles in four blocks around the centre star to represent my three boys, and the fact that we had moved 4 times in our lives. I couched some copper wire joining the triangles with each other and then towards the centre star which is the hub and centre of our world - our home. I couched some woollen thread for the border and used a wooden toggle to hang it with.

On the left of the little quitlet are symbols representing where we have lived - in the hills just outside Melbourne with very very tall gum tress and then we came to Anglesea and the sea.

I thought this little quilt was lost when I had to pack up my sewing room towards the end of last year, for the painters to come in. By the way, I still haven't found what I was looking for.....maybe it is in that 'safe place' we all have.!!

Bye for now, take care,

Joy

A little bit of experimentation--

2010-12-05T21:35:00.001+11:00

This weekend I did a little bit of experimentation. I have dabbled a bit here and there with different surface elements and backgrounds for some time, but today decided to get the paints out. In this first photo I originally started the painting in the top half when I spent some time with my friend Jeann. Today I decided I needed to finish this piece, so added more yellow, then red and then purple. I used acrylic paints mixed with a small dab of textile medium. Quite like the way the colours have turned out, not sure what will happen next, but am thinking of using it as a background for a collage using sheers and tissue papers etc.

The following is what the experimentation was all about. Reading through some of my many many books I found an article on 'sun printing'. Today was the perfect day - plenty of Aussie sun, but not too hot as to dry the paint too quickly and little or no wind. In this first photo you can see how I placed the leaves and anchored them down with small stones - they need to be as flat as possible so that they take more precisely.

The second shot is how it turned out. The right side of the material I dampened first and then splashed over some acrylic paint diluted with medium. The same mixture of paint was used on the left side, but I didn't dampen it before painting. You can see the difference in the two backgrounds. The dampened side is more even and lighter than the left. Not sure which one I like best. Should have used the same type of leaves on both sides then I could compare them better. I'm learning and enjoying the process.

Again not sure what will happen with this piece, but I'm thinking of cutting it in half and doing some free-motion stitching on one half and maybe collaging with the other half. When it has dried completely and cured I may even add some more colour and definition to the leaves.

The whole process didn't take a lot of my time, just waiting for the sun to do it's bit.

Take care and enjoy the upcoming festivities.

Another UFO finished (not quilty!!)

2010-11-19T23:06:00.001+11:00

Today I received a phone call from the picture framers that my cross stitch of 'Little Women' was finished. I have been working on this for quite some time - like 3 years!!! When I retrieved it from the 'UFO' bin all I had to do was the backstitching. While I had some time sitting down with my foot up (doctor's orders!!) I finished the stitching then took it to the framers. I think they did a fabulous job and love the shape of the mat surrounding the stitching.

My UFO/WIPs are still overhanging the sides of the tub.

On the top you can see my hexagon quilt - I'm about 3/4 of the way through hand quilting this - I'm quilting around every hexagon. Stupid I know.

Tomorrow I'm off to my local guild - Geelong Quilting Guild for our November meeting - another chance to do some hand sewing on a UFO. Slowly but surely I'm making my way through that tub.

Till next time, take care,

Joy

Another one past the finishing line!!

2010-11-12T16:50:00.001+11:00

At long last I've just managed to finish another UFO. This rather large (Queen size+) is for DS1 and DIL. I called it 'Bali Seas' - you have probably guessed it is made entirely from Bali Batiks and I have used mainly blues, with a touch of 'sea-greens' and darker 'reedy greens' to represent, naturally the ocean. Both Cam and Sam love the sea and Bali.

The squares measure 10" and there is 10x12 squares. Because of the size and also the design I decided not to put on a border, but did a wider binding. The quilting itself is fairly simple as I didn't want to take away from the materials and pattern, so have crossed-hatched each square and then stitched ovals on the outside edge of each square and also I needed to be able to put it under my domestic machine. With much folding and refolding I managed to do it.

??

2010-11-02T11:58:00.000+11:00

Well, after some time being absent I'm now back. A couple of family traumas; 2 weekends away on retreats; and then a stupid debilitating allergy to deal with. Fingers crossed, all is now OK.

I finally got around to taking pics of the last of the ATCs that I received from the International Swap - so here they are:

This very pretty one is from Joy S in Australia. Some beautiful stitching and glitter.

This next one is from Beate in Germany with it's cute little heart and lovely lace edging.

This very pretty green card is from Margeeth in The Netherlands. Margeeth has used some tissue and painted effects on her card.

The lovely daisy card is from Jo in the UK. Jo has used raw applique technique on this card.

The delicious looking icecream is from Kelly H in Minnesota, USA. Kelly has used hand dyed fabric with metallic thread in the stitching. Yummy.

The next card is from Susana in Spain - lots of lovely threads have been used on this card.

Another card from Australia - from Andrea H in Tasmania. Have a look at the absolutely beautiful scenery of the area in Tassie where she lives. Stunning. Her card is felted with woollen materials, ribbon, and scrim.

The last one is from Leah (colorfulartgirl.blogspot.com) in the US. It is one of her 'Fortune Cookie' series, freemotioned stitched and put onto card stock.

Friends in Print

2010-09-14T20:48:00.001+10:00

Some time back I told you all about the friends I met on my trip to the US last year who have a quilting shop in Queensland and that Frances has had some of quilts featured in Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine.

Well this month they are both featured - Frances with her beautiful quilt called A Summer Place and Peter has an article on the 'shed' he built in their backyard for their quilting - yes, I said 'their'. Both Peter and Frances run the Cairns Craft Centre and he is a hands-on male - he also enjoys designing and making quilts.

The shed is some shed - a tad bit bigger than your average garden shed!!!

If you can't get a copy of the mag here is a link the France's blog where she writes and shows the quilt. Congratulations to them both.

Fab blog on Threads

2010-09-04T12:26:00.001+10:00

In my quiet moments in the wee small hours when sleep is beyond me I often sit here at the computer and 'surf'. Last night I came across what I think is a fabulous blog on threads. Everything you want to know is there - what thread to use for what project; how it is made; how to use different threads etc etc. The latest posting is about using threads in the bobbin - great tutorial. The blog is called Practical Thread Magic and you can click on here to see it or go to my side-bar and click on there. If you go through the archives - and a warning here - you need lots of time(!) there is heaps and heaps of information.

This is one blog I'm definitely keeping an eye on.

At last some more ATCs to show you

2010-08-29T22:52:00.001+10:00

Well after my little break I'm back to show you more ATCs that I've received.

This first one is from Pauline B in Leongatha, Vic. Unfortunately the colours are not very true it is a more deeper purple. Pauline has used a variety of techniques (I think) on her ATC. She didn't say, but I'm guessing some felting, mixed media in the background and free-motion on the top and couching.

This next one is from Pauline C in the UK. Pauline has used some beautiful colours in her felting background and embellished it with crystals.

This next ATC is from Marja M in The Netherlands. Marja has used mixed media collage technques in her card. Her painted flower embellishment is beautiful.

This beautiful envelope and card came from Doreen G in Canberra, ACT. Doreen has free motioned her background and added embellishments. I adore the tiny dragon fly.

The next card is from Cindy in Chester VA, USA. Cindy has used a very pretty lime green background and she has free motioned and added sequins, beads and a lace flower.

This card is from Sheila S in the UK. Sheila has made a pieced background, added machine stitching wire and beads. Sheila and I have exchanged many cards, both ATCs and Postcards over the past couple of years and I always enjoy receiving her cards.

This cheeky card is from Kathy D, in Laurel, MD, USA. I love the way Kathy has depicted the ocean and the fun loving times one can have by the sea.

The last card for this posting is from another Aussie, Penny C in Victor Harbour in SA. Penny made her with card layers, FMQ, burnt background, metal cut outs and beads. The card she sent with it is a Gelatin Print.

This international group that swaps birthday ATCs is so talented, I'm in awe of them. Kate North in the UK who started the exchanges doesn't ask for any particular technique or put rules on us - just that we do our best to post our cards to the birthday person in the month of the birthday. If the cards arrive early or on time that's good, but not a requirement, only that we try and if we are going to be late then we post a message to group, so that the recipient knows it is coming.

You can read more about Kate's work on her blog here. Please go and have a look and maybe join in with us next year.

Till next posting of the final cards, take care and we will talk again soon.

If you've been wondering...

2010-08-18T00:09:00.000+10:00

where I've been. My apologies. Have had some computer problems - all fixed now (I hope). Went on a quilting camp/retreat, then spent a couple more days with a friend 'playing' with mixed media stuff. Great time. Also had family commitments, plus I had a really heavy dose of the flu.

All is well now.

This weekend is my granddaughter Jorja's 4th birthday, so hopefully between now and then will get some things done and get myself into gear.

I will have some more pics of the rest of the ATCs that are still coming in to my mail box. Also hopefully have some pics of the camp to share with you. The weather is not great here for taking photos - I like to take photos of texiles etc outside as the light is much better.

Have a good week and will be talking again very soon,
Joy

The next 6 ATCs

2010-07-29T10:19:00.000+10:00

Here are the next 6 ATCs to arrive in my mailboax - I love them all.

The first one is from Anne in the UK - the technique she has used is organza bonded onto a felt background, cutback and then stitched. The amazing card she sent with it is, in her words "a bit of encaustic arwork'!!! At bit - it is amazing work, the first of this type I have seen. Thank you so much Anne.

This photo of the card sent from Julie in California doesn't do her work the justice it should - it is a beautifully pieced 8-point star which is small enough to fit on the size of an ATC!

This next one is from Maria Clara in Spain - a delicate dragonfly made from fine tuille and beaded on a delicately dyed/painted lace background. Much better in real life.

This next one came from Kathy in the UK which is applique, hand and machine embroidery, and she included some beautiful pieces of silk and tuille with it which will go into my 'play box'. Can't wait to do something with this beautiful fabric.

Diana from NZ included a postcard with hers. I love this idea as you can see the different places in the world where your swap partners come from. It is something I have always done when sending an ATC or Postcard to another country and have always had positive feedback from it. The ATC Diana sent is hand-dyed silk background with a piece of Paua shell and NZ stamp collaged on. Lovely card Diana.

Finally for this post the lovely birthday cake complete with candles, which looksis good enough to eat, came from Montse, another lady from Spain.

That's all folks for today, there are more to photograph and put up very soon. I just love being part of this international swap. The cards are so diverse with both style and technique and there is no huge demand of one's time to have the cards for each month ready and sent in time for the birthday girl as long as you get the cards in the mail in the month of the birthday and let the list know when you have posted them. If some arrive before your birthday you have to try and not open till the day (a very hard thing to do -:) )but your birthday can last a whole month! It's great going to the letterbox and finding a little envelope instead of those horrible window-faced ones which mean a bill, ugh, hate those things.

Have a good week, be happy, create something, take care.....Joy

International mail

2010-07-26T18:52:00.000+10:00

I had a birthday last week and every day for the past fortnight I have been receiving ATCs from all around the world as part of Kate North's International Birthday ATC swap. Every single one that has arrived is beautiful and so many different techniques. I will try and post 6 photos a day so as not to make it too big of a posting!

This first one is from Kate herself and is a beautiful butterfly cut out in relief and is 3-dimensional. She has also added stitching and beads.

This next one is from Carol in Wales - painted pelmet vilene -

This one was received from Marina in Spain - not sure how she did her background,but it looks like painted and then enamelled and the ribbon stitched flowers are on canvas. She also included a couple of crazy stitched hearts..

This card is from Anna in the UK - Anna has made long thin materials beads and put them on a metallic background

This ATC came from Simone in The Netherlands and Simone did a Transfer dyeing and stitched card.

And finally this one came from Gemma, also in Spain and she has hand stitched on a piece of printed silk

Enjoy and I will put some more up very soon. Have a good week and take care

...Joy

A small finish from Houston

2010-07-03T13:23:00.001+10:00

One of the highlights of my trip to the USA and Houston last year was meeting with Pokey Bolton of Quilting Arts fame and to be lucky enough to attend one of the Quilt-It Univeristy workshops. The one I was able to get into was with Lesley Riley who developed the TAP product for using images in your quilts.
Here I am looking pleased with myself.

It was fascinating process and very easy. The images come out so clear. In our little kit we all received an image to use and some quotations along with the transfer paper, very clear instructions to use later, and iron-on webbing.

She had a humungous case of materials from which we could choose our background and any other bits we thought we might like to use. In the workshop we managed to just finish doing the transfer and the iron-on bit. The rest of the finishing was left to us to do later. I had left mine as I wasn't sure as to how to finish it. BUT I have been playing with a needle felting machine and having great time with it, that I want to needle felt anything that comes across my sewing table!!!

I got my little project out and did some free-motion stitching on the background thinking I might add some applique, but that felting machine was beckoning - so I searched my scraps of wool, found some I liked and felted some flowers onto the stitching.

Did some round ones, long ones and a couple of leaves. Rather like how it was looking, so rather than over do it I backed and edged my little quilt. For those interested it measures 10"x8.5".

Now onto more PHD's. (I don't have UFOs!!!)

Felting & Postcards

2010-06-26T14:28:00.001+10:00

This month's challenge from the Stitchin Fingers Postcard group was a swap for a felted postcard. Lucky me my partner for this swap was Sheila in Scotland. I have swapped with Sheila a number of times and have always been thrilled with what she sends and she is always on time or early.......If any of you have been in swaps before you know how frustrating and annoying it is to always be waiting for yours to arrive - sadly on the odd occasion there has been nothing. I don't mind getting an email or notice to say it is coming, but will be late because of family commitments, health, work etc. What I don't understand is why someone would commit to a swap and then 'drop out of sight' and you don't even know if what you sent has arrived safely.

Anyway, enough of 'standing on the soap box' Sheila has once again sent me a lovely piece of her work. Here is what she sent - she said she used both wet & dry felting. I love her colours. Thanks again Sheila.

I can now also post a photo of the card I sent to her - as it arrived safely in her letterbox yesterday. This is my first 'official' attempt at needle felting. I have borrowed a machine from a friend who is letting me play with it. It is great fun! What I did with this little card is I used a piece of green silk and partially embellished it to the backing (pelmet vilene) to use as my background.

As you can see from the photo I left parts untouched and I rather like the idea of how the silk has pleated or gathered - I think it adds an extra dimension.

Then I stitched down a piece of lace ribbon and over that I embellished some flowers, using multi-dyed scraps of wool. I then used some ordinary knitting wool and embellished it down for grass. Finally finishing off with some beading.

Somehow I don't think this little machine is going back! She is wanting to sell it - I can see a new home for it very clearly and I know exactly where it is going to go.......

Have a great week, till next I write, take care

Joy

Tesselations

2010-06-23T11:23:00.001+10:00

I don't know about any of you, but I have always been interested in doing a tesselation quilt. But have been put off starting one because it looked so complicated.

BUT one of the blogs I follow - Kay Sorensen of Quilts + Colour, has posted part 1 of a tutorial on designing your own tesselations. It looks soooooo easy - if you click here it will take you to her posting. You can also get to her blog by clicking on the link in the right-hand column. It is a great blog to read.

Can't wait till she posts the next part. I will put up a post when she does.

Till then, take care, Joy

Ah the pleasures of shopping in Chapel St

2010-06-16T16:53:00.000+10:00

For the past week I have been in Melbourne cat and house sitting (in that order!!!) for my son, dauther-in-law and granddaughter while they are having a holiday. Mostly when I go up to the big city I'm usually busy babysitting Jorja (I'm nearly 4 Nanna!!), but this time they were only home for a day before they took off. The first couple of days I did some work in their garden (they are definitely not gardners....) It's not a big garden, but does get weeds and has bushes that need trimming. With Mr Jingles (the cat - who by the way is a 'she') we managed to get a fair bit done, so I decided that as a reward I would firstly go to the Prahran Market - a very cosmopolitan venue and treat myself to some of their wonderful sauces and treats to take home.

The market is in the middle of the famous Prahan shopping strip - Chapel Street - and one can't go to the market without strolling along the strip, window-shopping and stopping for a Latte and a slice of continental, very chic.

Of course, you can't go 'window shopping' without buying something - like this absolutely beautiful soft leather, denim-look bag. Isn't it wonderful - not too big but it can put a lot of stuff inside.

I did manage to do a little hand sewing while away, but now that I'm back home need to get back to my UFOs. Will post more pics when I have a couple more finished.

Till then, take care

I'm so pleased with myself......

2010-06-04T23:16:00.001+10:00

as today I picked up from the framer's a cross-stitch that I have been working on for 12 months. I finished the stitching a couple of weeks ago, cleaned, pressed and took it to the framers. When he bought it out - I thought wow I am thrilled at how it looks in the frame. Can't wait to get it up on my wall - it will probably go in the lounge room. I used 3 different sepia/brown colours for the stitching as I wanted to create an 'olde world' look and used a combination of full and half cross stitches for depth and texture.

Cross stitching was one of the first crafts I learnt along with crochet and I have always loved doing it. I find it very relaxing to do, even though you are counting threads and stitches all the time. In the coming months I will put up some of my other work to show you.

Now that this is finished and framed I am itching to get out another chart I have of a bouquet of Australian wildflowers which is stitched on black linen.

Another productive weekend

2010-06-01T22:50:00.001+10:00

The fifth weekend of the month (when it happens) is usually pretty busy for me. This last one was no exception. Saturday was the get-together of the Geelong Scquilters. We usually meet at The Blanket Box in Geelong, but this weekend we went to Pentland Patchwork in Bacchus Marsh, for me about 1.5 hours drive. A really lovely day with a bunch of lovely ladies.

Then on Sunday I drove to Hoppers Crossing (about 1.3/4 hrs this time) for the Blue Willow Cottage I-Spy Charity Quilt sewing day. These little quilts are donated to the Cancer Ward at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. The girls at Blue Willow have been organising this day each year for some time now. The Regent St girls (who I belong to) sew I-Spy quilts for them during the year, but some of us also go and join in the sewing bee. It's great fun - no pressure; good lunch provided; they even bring around your coffee/tea for you instead of making it yourself!

These are some of the quilts that were produced or in the process of being sewn. It's like a production line - someone is cutting; someone is ironing; some of us sew the blocks together; put on the borders; some do the quilting; and of course someone is sewing on the bindings.

In this photo afternoon tea is being brought around to us.

This photo shows LeeAllan, Dallas, and shy Sharon with her head down, busily sewing and some more of the quilts around the walls.

I'm afraid I forgot to take my camera with me to the Scquilters get-together, so no photos to show you. Will tie a piece of string around my finger to remember next time (???)

Have a good week, till next time,

Joy

A UFO hits the dust!!!

2010-05-24T11:24:00.001+10:00

Well, am I pleased with myself this weekend. One UFO completed (or I really should say 2 UFOs, but I don't count the second - why - because I have had a piece of white damask for quite some time - years actually! - that I wanted to hem and use as a table cloth for special occasions(?). Hence no photo - only a white table cloth.

Now for the one that is counted and completed - a small quilt that I will use as the centre piece on my dining table. This one started off as a 'something to do while on tour last year' - Michelle Marvig who was one of our tour guides gave us all two small projects to do. One was a small square of fabric with a drawn pattern and some varigated threads to do a stitchery. At our 'farewell dinner' on the last night of the tour she had divided the finished squares into 2 parcels and drew out a couple of names - one was mine - I got my stitching back plus 5 others.

I ummed and aahed for a while about what to do with these squares - put in as part of a large quilt, do a small quilt, make a wall hanging. You know the drill - whill this work? or that? In the end it was the colours
of the thread that made it easy to choose.

They were in autumn shades and as my house has lots of those colours and my dining table is bare, except for a vase that I like to keep there - the penny dropped - why not make a centre piece for the table. Another easy choice was the fabrics - have a lot of those colours. This is the end result - I like it. Nothing fancy or over the top, very traditional - which I like also.

I hope the girls whose names are one the squares like it too.

Now to get back to the rest of my UFO's, including the other project we had on the tour - a small hexagon pincushion.

Hand Sewing - long term project

2010-05-16T19:34:00.001+10:00

Yesterday I went to the Geelong Quilting Guild's Annual Quilt-In. A great day with over 200 people there and some even came down from Melbourne by bus. I'm not a member of the guild, but hope to join very soon.

Of course when one goes to something like this you have to take some hand sewing with you. I have been working on a stitchery quilt for some time now, but was getting a tad tired of working the stitcheries - don't get me wrong - I love the embroideries just wanting to do something else.

This is one of those hand sewn quilts that I have wanted to do for some time now. Not sure what the pattern is actually called - I have seen it as 'Japanese Daisies' and a few other names. Anyway, a very simple, yet striking quilt and one that you can take-along with you to meetings; waiting in Dr's rooms; etc etc.

The basic steps are you start with squares of fabric - I am using Japanese type fabrics (atfer all I did say I have known it as Japanese Daisies!!); then the same size squares of batting; (I am using 3" squares) and finally circles cut larger than the squares. To make it easier I am using an old CD disc for the template. You gather around the edge of the circles and draw the thread in which you then iron down.

You place a square of fabric on top of a square of batting, then place this on the underside of the gathered and pressed circle. Then one by one you fold over the edges of the circle and can either slip-stitch down, blanket stitch it down, or as I am doing use a contrasting thread (mine is gold) and quilt it down.

Once all the squares are sewn you then join them together with a slip stitch - the same as when you sew hexagons together. And finally the quilt is done - already backed and quilted - no edging needed.

Not sure how long this will take me - I'm not worried, but will post my progress from time to time.

A beautiful parcel...

2010-05-10T18:34:00.001+10:00

was delivered by the postie to me today. I sent a reply to a posting on Frances Leate's blog Quilting Owl a couple of weeks ago and won this fantastic parcel. I thought it was only going to be the 'bag kit' but she has generously included other items. As you can see there is a pattern of one of her quilts; a Halloween pattern from Thimbleberries with a piece of halloween material; and three pieces of Fossel Fern fabrics - all of which I love and will make good use of.

The bag is one of Frances' latest patterns and features aboriginal material and there is also a magnetic closure which is included. Thanks again Frances, I will have fun making this bag.

Don't forget any of you reading this to go have a look at her blog and see some more of her work and what they are doing at The Cairns Craft Centre.

More from the Garment District of NY...

2010-04-28T23:28:00.000+10:00

Seeing as there is some interest in what we saw and where we went on this fabulous tour of the 'Garment District' of New York, I thought you might like to see more photos of this particular warehouse.

One of the others girls took this photo of Jenny contemplating what she wanted to purchase.

Check out these buttons - there was more on the other side of the aisle!!!!! Boxes of buttons, not little containers.

And then of course there were the trims - you name it, they had it. There was a whole wall of them.

It was very hard not to go overboard, but I had to keep in mind that this was at the beginning of our trip and we still had 3 weeks to go with Houston at the end, so I was very 'practical' and only purchased that one piece of material in the posting below. I also actually found it hard to decide on anything (??) there was sooooo much. We went to a couple of other warehouses as well, not quite as big as this one, a little different also, but just as interesting very very tempting.

A New York purchase...

2010-04-15T20:31:00.001+10:00

While in NY last year one of the many places we went to was the Garment District in downtown New York. A truly interesting and fabulous area of the city. Not as many warehouses or designer studios as would have been there, say 20 years ago, but still lot of interesting little nooks and crannies. In one building with a ride in an 'interesting' old lift, we ventured into a huge warehouse full of bolts and bolts of materials.

Most of the girls bought cottons and dressmaking stuff etc, but I went rumaging in a renmant bin and came across this absolutely beautiful piece of material. It is two panels of black and white printed silk and yes, you can see the signature - it is by Ralph Lauren!!!! I paid $8 US for the piece.

My problem - what do I actually make with it?

Originally when I purchased it I was going to make an outfit for my son's wedding in Palm Cove (Nth Qld), but when we got back I didn't have the time to make anything. Summer has now gone and we are heading for winter - of course there is always next summer! If anyone has a brilliant idea of what to do with this please put forward your suggestions.

The actual size of this piece of stunning material is 2m x 2m with 2 square panels (one of which you see here and 3 smaller panels which go down one side.

Missing Quilt

2010-04-06T21:01:00.000+10:00

A fellow Scquilter from Tasmania has just posted some devastating news - a very special quilt of hers that was hanging in an exhibition in Tasmania has been stolen. Naturally everyone who was involved in the exhibition are very upset. If you click here it will take you to her website which has the lost quilt on the front page. You can also read the full story as well. So please, please anyone out there who has seen this quilt or knows anything, no matter how small could you let her know via the link.

We all know how precious our quilts are and how much time we put into them to have one disappear like this is, to put it midly (in Australian language!) bloody awful!! Thank you in anticipation....Joy

Famous friend

2010-04-02T18:55:00.001+11:00

A friend and fellow blogger Frances Leate of Quilting Owl has had another beautiful quilt published in Australian Patchwork & Quilting magazine, Vol.19 No.1 - it is not in the shops yet - I got mine as a subscriber. The quilt designed by Frances is called Hampton Court and is on page 36. Frances and her husband Peter own the Cairns Craft Centre in Cairns, North Queensland.
A beautiful quilt Frances.

A revamp....

2010-03-30T01:17:00.000+11:00

of my blog. As if I haven't enough things to do - I have to go and revamp the blog. Thought it was looking a tad tired. Had a look at the new Blogger bits and pieces, followed some directions, made a few mistakes and had to go back and correct, but think I have now finished. I like the background - just a pity you can't see the whole picture of the ocean - looks fabulous, but of course the blog itself has to go on top. Made the columns a bit wider and have been able to put a frame around the photos - I think it makes them clearer - what do you think?
Anyway, have had my play for the day (actually it is am at the moment, so think I should go and get my beauty sleep!). If you are reading this please let me know if you like what I have done or prefer me to go back the 'old ways' of the previous settings....
Thanks, Joy

Finished siggie quilt

2010-03-24T17:05:00.001+11:00

I'm a member of the Australian quilting on-line group called Southern Cross Quilters (or Scquilters for short) and they have a retreat each year, held in a different part of the country. Last yeat (about this time) it was in Adelaide and I was supposed to go. Long story. Anyway, one of the activities they have for us is a 'siggie square' swap. Those that want to go make as many as needed - last year it was approx 70-80 (last year I don't remember back that far....). A dear friend Lee-Allan went and she got as many squares for me as she could, also had each person put their name and address on an envelope, so I could send mine back to them. A lot of work for Lee-Allan and much appreciated by me. Well, after putting them together in a reasonable way and quilting it I managed to finish the binding yesterday - Yay!!! Here is the finished result:

Sorry about the angle of the image, but I don't have a bigger wall to put it on and I have to take the photo from an angle in the doorway of the spare room. Anyway I'm happy with the results.

What the Postman delivered today -

2010-03-11T00:03:00.001+11:00

was two parcels - one with my long awaited copy of the awe-inspring book '500 Art Quilts' and the other the first issue of 'Down Under Textiles' - a newly locally published textile magazine. Both have been on order for a little while and I was beginning to wonder if they had forgotten me..... Have heard others had received theirs a couple of weeks ago, but mine were still coming. Happy now - the only question I have is which one will I read first???

My International outgoing mail...

2010-03-02T21:59:00.001+11:00

I can now post a pic of two cards that I recently sent overseas. Have just heard they have arrived at their destinations.

The first one here is a postcard sent to Liz in Kansas USA, for the StitchinFingers FPC group birthday swap. I used a piece of Indian woven cotton for the background and added some beads and stitching. A similar one was sent to Susan in Lancashire, UK. Sorry Gina, if you're reading this, for your birthday next month, I will have something different for you.

This ATC is also for a Stitchin Fingers 1-1 swap for the month of February - subject was Black and White with one other colour. I chose to do a stylised applique tulip and used the 'other colour' for the edging. Unfortunately the edging is a lot brighter than it shows here - I used an embroidery thread for the stitching. It went to Hopscotch in North Wales, UK.

I am also participating in an International Block Swap on Facebook. It is a centralised swap and there is approx 100 of us in this swap, being co-ordinated by Ruth in Canada. Today I posted 102 blocks to her. The rules for the squares was - 6.5 in finished; white on white for the main piece and batiks for the corners. The more variety the better. This is a sampling of 4 squares that are in my parcel winging their way across the big pond between us and Canada.

My local Aussie PO has been really pleased to see me lately - all my mail has been international - have to keep the posties of the world in employment! I do love getting mail from these swaps, it sure beats the 'window-faced' envelopes which usually have bills in them.

Found - a great textile art blog

2010-02-25T10:16:00.001+11:00

While surfing around the net (as one does when one has nothing else to do!!) I came across this fabulous blog - In Good Company - they are a group of 4 textile artists who are very generous with their knowledge. They have subscribers who each month are given a small package of 'play material' with instructions on how to use this material, some samples of what can be achieved etc. All the information and 'eye-candy' is posted on their blog for others like myself (and you) to enjoy. I have also put a link in the right-hand column so I can keep up to date with what they are doing. Fabulous stuff.

The posting on gelatine printing is something I just have to do.......... just got to go and buy some gelatine.

Another Sewing Room pic

2010-02-19T12:33:00.000+11:00

I forgot to put this one up - it is my Thimble collection. The 'shelving' is an old printer's tray I picked up in a garage sale many years ago. Still in original condition, and the only thing I have done is to rub a little oil into it. You can see that some of the dividers are missing. A great display for small things like thimbles and bits and pieces like my father's old Cribbage board and some old silk threads.

Slightly organised sewing room

2010-02-16T20:24:00.000+11:00

I have made a few comments here and elsewhere about my efforts with tidying up my sewing room, so here are a couple of shots - the first one is the inside of a free-standing linen press I purchased at a local Bunnings hardware store.

I liked the idea of slatted doors so the air would circulate, but still keep out the sunlight. I keep my fat quarters in here. Some are sorted by colour and the others are sorted by 'style/pattern'.

You can see on the top I have folders with all my patterns that I have collected from mags etc. I keep them in plastic sleeves and have them sorted by subject - applique; foundation piecing; christmas; important information; etc etc.

Here are my scrap bins - sorted in strips and squares starting with 2" and ranging up to 5".

Then come my books - I have a couple of places where I have these - behind my sewing table I keep my magazines; and I have two others shelving units where I keep my other books - usually on the top couple of shelves with notions etc on the lower shelves.

Not a lot of knick-knacks around as I don't have the space, but I do have good windows which aren't shown here (that's because I haven't put the blinds back up yet....)

Valentine's Day soon

2010-02-08T13:25:00.010+11:00

Valentine's Day is nearly upon us. Do you have a special someone to share it with? Me - afraid not.

But I am in a group called StitchinFingers (link on right hand side of blog) which is having a Valentine's Day swap of Artist Postcards.

We are making two - one for our 'known' swap partner and for our 'secret' swap partner. My secret one came today - Isn't it gorgeous. Not too secret either - Gina signed it!!!!

The following one came from my 'known' swap partner -

Leslie in the UK with a beautiful ribbon embroided rose.

I think it is now OK to put up a pic of the two I sent away - they should be arriving at their destinations very soon.

Leslie in the UK and my secret one to Kathy in the USA.

I made the hearts from Angelina Fibres and silk paper which I made myself in a workshop last year.

This group also has a birthday PC swap and various monthly ATC swaps which I am participating in and when I'm finished and mailed them will post a pic here. If I post too early it may not be a surpirse when they arrive!!!! Some of them read this blog.

Lancaster & Amish

2010-02-06T18:15:00.005+11:00

While on tour last year to the USA we stayed in Lancaster for 4 days. One day the group went to the Lancaster Meseum which has the 'Esprit' collection of Amish quilts from the area. This collection has toured the world (including coming here to Australia) and is very unique.

At the museum there was also a collection of Indian Woolen wallhangings - the colours were stunning.

Unfortunately the photos of the Amish quilts are not very good for posting here as the quilts were all under glass the the resolution is not very good.

Of course you can't go to Lancaster without visiting Intercourse and Bird-In-Hand.

Beautiful countryside, so green, especially for us Ozzies who are still in drought conditions and for most of the country our grass is growing 'brown'.

And the never-ending display of pumpkins! There were everywhere - even on the fences as this photo shows.

I'm back

2010-01-13T11:01:00.009+11:00

I'm back in blogland - wow, what a busy last couple of months. Christmas. New Year. Stinking hot weather. We have had days of 35/40C (95/104F) and even some up to 45C (110F). That's hot, but here in my part of Australia that is summer.

You know the drill - when you live by yourself and have now retired everyone thinks you have 'time on your hands'. That was 2009 and end of a decade. The year 2010, the start of the next decade, is my year - for me; for saying no some of the time; to enjoy my retirement more doing what I want; for finishing some (at least I didn't say all!!) projects that have been sitting around for a long time; etc etc. I'm not brave enough to put up a list of these, plus a list of what I want to do, ie start to do. I feel if I do this it will be so overwhelming I might crawl in a hole and hide!! Just looking at my tubs is enough.

On this subject of finishing projects - I did make a New Year's resolution, which I should be able to keep - I'm not going to start a new project until I finish an old one (regardless of the size of the unfinished one, it could just be a bookmark rather than a full quilt) but hopefully it will keep me on track then I wont feel guilty about starting some else!!!

One the major things I wanted to do is sort out my sewing room - I know everyone wants to do this and how many times do we do it? But is for real, cull, sort, list, put back.....(did I say put back!!,) put back what? what I have culled - no, hopefully I can be strong and only put back what I really want to keep.

I can now say, it is done.

A good thing that is already happening is a few of my friends are now starting blogs. One in particular is Frances Leate, up in Cairns, (northern Aust). Frances designs quilts and with her husband Peter, they run the 'Cairns Craft Centre' a quilt/sewing/embroidery etc shop. You can see Frances' blog here. She has had designs in APQ and there is one hers in the next issue that is due out soon.

I have now sorted my photos of my trip to Houston last year and will put some more up over the next week or so with notes of what we did.

Another thing I've done since Christmas is get some pics of my early projects, quilts, needlework etc and will gradually put them up here also for you to see. So check back every week or so and see what I have been doing in the past.

That's all for now, folks! Will get those photos up soon. I think I'm now a bit more organised.

Till next time,

A correction from me

2009-12-31T19:40:00.003+11:00

Helen, who has made a comment on my blog in the previous post has kindly pointed out that the two sites I referred to are from two different people. The free motion site is from Leah Day
and the paper-pieced patterns are from Kim Noblin. My apologies to the two girls concerned. thank Helen for pointing this out to me.

Two great blogs for quilting

2009-12-20T14:46:00.002+11:00

While searching through the myriad of pages and blogs on the web (as one does) looking for some inspiration to free motion quilting patterns for a small wall hanging I'm making, I came across two fabulous sites run by the same person. One site is for free motion quilting and the other is for paper piecing blocks. She even has little video tutorials on how to stitch the patterns - very easy to follow. The information on these sites is free, but if you are using some of her designs please make sure you acknowledge on your blog or website - just a courtesy thing, but I think necessary. As I can't find a way to put two links into the same message, you can get to the sites by using my sidebar on the right, under Blogs I Read - I will definitely be keeping an eye on these.
I haven't decided yet which pattern I will use on my little quilt, but when I do will let you know.
Talking about letting you know things - I've been a bit slack in updating bits about my trip - with everything that has been going on here in the last couple of weeks, I apologse - just haven't had the time. Also while the painters were in I couldn't get to the computer or my sewing machine, and yes, I did have withdrawal symptoms that week! With Christmas in a few days and family coming I will get on to it after Boxing Day.
In the meantime I wish everyone a very happy, peaceful Christmas and New Year spent with love ones.

More freebies for Christmas

2009-12-12T16:16:00.003+11:00

Don't you love giveaways? I do. Here is another one for you to look at - Judi at Green Fairy Quilting has a Moda Jelly Roll and a Layer Cake up for grabs. Just leave a message on her blog and you're in the running.
Actually I'd rather you didn't - then there is less people in the draw and I might have a better chance! But read her blog anyway - it is great with lots of patterns and eye candy.

Christmas is not far away

2009-11-29T13:18:00.004+11:00

I'm a follower of Where Women Create on Facebook and Jo's blog. If, like me you like to check out what other women are creating and how they fit into their lives. Check out Jo Packham's sites as there is heaps of information and inspiration. Presently she has a competition going for the '12 Days of Christmas' and all you have to do is visit her blog and leave a message on any particular day or all 12 days if you wish. You can get to the particular link by clicking on the 'Christmas is coming' logo you see in the right-hand column on this page.

The Wedding

2009-11-26T20:38:00.005+11:00

A couple of shots of the happy couple. Exchanging of rings and on the beach.

The weather was very kind to us. Not too hot.

It rained heavily the night before and first thing in the morning but was clear by mid afternoon.

It was a little overcast, but being in north Queensland, was still quite bright and warm.

Note - neither bride of groom are wearing shoes! After all it was casual!

Give-away

2009-11-20T22:35:00.004+11:00

Doesn't everyone love a freebie. Came across this site while looking at another. SewCalGal has a great giveaway on her site, you could go and register a comment, but that would mean less chances for me to win. He! He! He! But a great site to visit anyway.

Fabric arrived from Beth

2009-11-20T21:44:00.004+11:00

I know it has been some time since I last wrote, but with painters in the house and carpet people coming next week, also travelling to Palm Cove (north Qld) for my DS3's wedding, life has been a bit hectic.

Not to say I can't find my sewing machine under all the boxes etc. I think having tradesmen in is worse than actually moving house! Every room looks just like these photos. All cupboards, bookshelves etc had to be packed up and moved to the centre of the room so the painters could just throw over the cover sheets and go to work.

The carpet guys want it all off the floor!!! Unfortunately it can't go back onto the shelves etc as all furniture has to be moved out of the room. Hopefully they will be able to work on one room at a time. Just means moving boxes around, I guess that is what God gave us muscles for?????

But today I got a lovely surprise - the pack of FQ from Beth Ferrier arrived in the mail.

Aren't they lovely - now to think of something to make with them.

Thank you Beth for the choice of fabrics.

I Won some fabric from Beth Ferrier

2009-11-03T18:16:00.003+11:00

How exciting is this - I just received an email from Beth Ferrier of Applewood Farm fame who told me I had won a parcel of fat quarters from her!!! My comment on her blog was picked out.
I am so excited just had to write here and let you all know.

Will get back to updating notes from my trip very shortly. When the parcel arrives (probably about 14 or so days from the US) will post a pic of what I won. Yippee. As if I didn;'t have enough fabric, but this is special.....

If you have a chance go and visit her blog and her website - both are great places to visit.

From NY to Lancaster

2009-11-01T10:27:00.013+11:00

We left New York on Tuesday morning and travelled by coach through the most beautiful, green and lush countryside on our way to Lancaster and the Amish and Mennomite communities.

It was very strange leaving such a vibrant, busy city and only a couple of hours later to find ourselves in an entirely different environment.

Our first stop was Burkholders, just outside of Lancaster and of course we helped their economy! Here are some of us (Rosemary in front) lining up to pay for our purchases.

Burkholders is quite a large shop with a huge class room and a large display of quilts on the walls and around all areas of the shop and one wall complete with gadgets etc.

We stayed at the Marriott, a fairly new hotel in Lancaster city for 4 nights and travelled by coach during the day to various Amish communities - Intercourse (passing by Virgintown/Maidenville!!!) and Bird-In-Hand.

While in Lancaster we visited one of Lancaster's museums which has a large collection of quilts and also on display was a collection of Native Indian woven wool wallhangings. The colours in this collection were beautiful, strong reds and browns. This is just a small number.

Unfortunately the antique quilts were all encased in glass and when taking photos they show a lot of reflection and wont post very well.

So if you want to see what I took you will just have visit me!!!!!!

New York - Part 2 (b)

2009-10-29T10:36:00.003+11:00

It had been arranged for us to visit an exhibition of quilts held in the Williams Club. This was partly organised in conjunction with The City Quilter which we had previously visited.

The quilts were all made by quilters living and/or working in the New York area and were displayed in various rooms of the club. Vary diverse works.

Quite a few versions of Dear Jane as you can see here. Some quite contemporary ones, large and small. It was quite exciting to see our first exhibition on our trip and the standard of work by 'every day quilters' not just the professional ones or award winning quilts. For me, I thought they were all deserving of an award - much different to my standard!!!!

After 4 days in New York, seeing the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, and a couple of us even did an underground rail trip (Yvonne and myself tried our best to get back from Staten Island via train - caught the wrong one - ended up going through the Bronx area, but eventually got back) Sorry Yvonne, it was a long walk from Times Square back to the hotel!!!!! We then boarded the coach and headed to Lancaster - Amish country.

Stay turned for more.......

New York - part 2 (a)

2009-10-29T10:08:00.003+11:00

After seeing Jersey Boys on Broadway we went to dinner at the Olive Grove, an Italian restaurant about 2 blocks away.

They serve the most delicious cocktails - this was called a 'Mango & Passionfruit' daiquiri.

Very potent, and as you can see by the comparison with the glass of water, not small!! (Note - I only had one)

After dinner we walked the length of Broadway (almost) - what a fantastic sight - so much to see - there were as you can guess so many lights and billboards, also many street vendors and entertainers.

Very, very vibrant atmosphere. Loved everything about it.

Unfortunately I had a photo of me with Elmo but it didn't come out very well - flash wasn't turned on (duh!!)

The next day we went on a walking tour of the 'garment district' of New York.

Fascinating stuff - there is this magnificent bronze sculpture of a man at an old treadle sewing machine and also along one footpath many plaques denoting the various designers that have worked in the area.

We were lucky to be able to go into some warehouses and purchase material off the shelves (mainly dressmaking stuff etc).

New York - part 1

2009-10-25T16:56:00.002+11:00

We stayed at the Raddison on Lexington. Our first venture into a quilting shop was The City Quilter in New York.

A smallish shop going by the standards of others we went into later in the trip - but about the same size as some of ours in Oz. Heaps of fabric, books and notions that we don't see very much of here. They have their own range of specialist NY fabric - taxis, city skylines, etc and of course I had to buy some! I think just about everyone did.

I know what you're going to say - show us - I will as soon as I my visitors have gone and everyone has seen the goodies. I will then properly unpack the cases - note cases! Sue and myself had to purchase extra - we were very close to the weight limit of 23kgs. But one can have 2 cases with 23 kgs - so that is what we did! Cheaper than paying for excess baggage.......

This was the start of our mission to 'help the US economy situation'.

Our bus driver also took us for a tour of the city highlights. Love the traffic and the pedestrians - lost count of how many we missed!!!! They take no notice of traffic lights.

Getting back to our hotel I looked out our window (our room was on the 8th floor) and saw this very interesting sight. Don't know how it got there, but the car was gone the next day. If I didn't take this photo you would have said I dreamt it!

Wanderer's return

2009-10-23T20:50:00.002+11:00

Hi everyone,
I'm back. What a fantastic trip. Apologies for not posting while away but we were only able to get limited computer access, and family were expecting updates - had to get my priorities right!

I am still getting over jet-lag. It is taking a bit longer than I thought. All up we had 28 hours flying time from Houston-Denver-LA-Sydney, then to Melbourne, with approx 2 hrs at each airport transit lounge, so the full journey to get home was 35 hours. Long, long time to not have a proper sleep, plus the fact that when we left it was Sunday and arrived on Tuesday - Monday was non-existent!!!! It is that infernal 'date-line' we cross when flying over the Pacific. Was thinking about asking someone to move it to the other side of the world - say the Atlantic!!!!

Apart from all of that it was absolutely fantastic. Great people in the tour group, the loveliest of tour guides - Michelle Maher from Travelrite and Michelle Marvig who was so helpful with any questions we had about our purchases. There were many many boxes of goodies sent home and some of us (me included) bought an extra case to bring home, once we worked it out that it was cheaper to do this than post the boxes. On the flights we were allowed 2 cases with 23k in each and as most of us went with one, when the weight was getting very close to the limit before we even arrived in Houston the way to go was to get another case. I can tell you, it didn't take long to fill.

I purchased two small Amish quilts (wallhangings) which I am thrilled with.

As soon as I get my photos sorted out I will post some pics and more little stories as the days go by. I managed to fill 2 x 2gb sim cards in my camera. Not sure how many times I had to charge the batteries!!!!!

Afraid it is getting close to that time of night when I am starting to flag, so need to make a warm drink and off to bed with one of the books/mags I bought.

2009-09-20T23:02:00.004+10:00

Today I finished my ATCs that I will be taking with me to swap at Houston on the Quilting Arts wall.
I made 8, hope that will be enough and they are all basically the same design, just with a slight variation of the boomerang and shape of the wattle tree. I decided on the wattle as it is our floral emblem and the boomerang being aboriginal. For the background I used a rich blue silk material for the sky and I cut up a serviette for the earth! It was the only thing I had that was a good representation of our red earth. Trouble is I now have 5 instead of 6. Anyone know what I should do with them???

Freebies

2009-09-18T22:50:00.002+10:00

Don't we all love a freebie? I came across this blog while doing a search for something entirely different. There are heaps and heaps of links to freebies - patterns, hints, how to's etc etc. Please check it out (no brown paper bags here, just love the site). I have also put a link in my reading list also. I plan to make the fabric bowl that is listed. Very easy instructions and templates included.

Gathering info for Houston

2009-09-16T12:26:00.002+10:00

I have been spending some time contacting different crafters/shops who I have dealt with or just like their blogs, etc to see who will be exhibiting at Houston Quilt Festival. I thought this was the easiest way as when I downloaded the Festival catalogue (83 pages!!!) my mind went into 'overload'. There is so much information I'm not sure how we can get around the whole festival and see everything, even though we will be there for 3 days.

Interestingly, quite a few wont be there - cost is too high for some, which I fully understand as our shows here in Oz tend to be very expensive for the exhibitors as well. But there are still a few that myself and friends want to check out. I'm compiling a list of names, what they're doing (if a demonstration etc) and type of things they have. Sue has a list of some other shops to visit as well.

With the information and what has been arranged by the tour company plus our own info we should be well and truly capable of helping the economy of our friends in the US!!!

On my return, depending on how big it turns out, I will post this info and any other info on what we see at Houston for future reference if any of you out there go in the future.

I'm not sure if I will be posting to the blog while away - will depend on computer access.

Two and a bit weeks to go......... have nearly finished my ATCs for Quilting Arts trading wall. When finished will put up a pic.

Postcard for Heloisa

2009-09-10T22:25:00.001+10:00

I had fun making this postcard. I used the techniques I learnt in an on-line course with Two Creative Studios. The background was painted first with white household emulsion paint, then moulding paste was spread over thinly and I attached some pieces of lace and cords, then when it was dry I painted with watercolour paints, finishing off when some bronze rubbings. Finally finished with some stitching. I am sending this to Heloisa in Brazil as part of the Stitching Fingers Birthday Swap. This is the last one for a couple of months as we don't have anyone with a birthday now until (I think) January. I hope Heloisa likes it.

I enjoyed making this so much I am going to try a few other techniques - this size is great as one can experiment with lots of ideas and they don't cost too much.

2009-09-01T21:01:00.002+10:00

Received this postcard from Cindy in the US today. Another one of the swaps organised through Stitchin Fingers.
Cindy has stenciled the background. I love her choice of colours.

Until I get the ATCs completed that I'm taking with me when I go to Houston, I'm not joining any more swaps. I'm going to miss swapping for a month or so, but hey, it's not the end of the world and my trip is coming up - getting very close now - only 4 weeks to go till I leave.
I'll still post here and show what I've made and also hopefully will clear up some small sewing things I have started. Then when I get back, it will be 'all systems go' again and I will be back in the swapping once more.

In a fortnight I've booked in to do a dyeing workshop with Dijanne Cevaal which should be a lot of fun.

Postcards made for

2009-08-26T10:32:00.005+10:00

I've just finished another 2 postcards - well one I actually finished a couple of days ago, but I didn't want to put up a pic of it until I mailed it. The daisy card is for Dakotah (USA) as part of our swap with Stitchinfingers. The background is painted and the petals of the flower are felt which I free-motion stitched down and then added a button with some beads. The stem and leaves are free-motioned stitched - stem in zig-zag, I hope she likes it.

The other one is for my brother who is celebrating his 60th birthday this weekend. One of his loves is fishing, so I came up with this idea of the fish going for the cake instead of the worm! Nothing fancy on this one, just some free-motion quilting and simple applique, with some stitching on the bottom for the sea-grass. I am posting it to him even though he is having a bar-be-que on Saturday.

Postcard received

2009-08-19T21:19:00.002+10:00

I received this lovely postcard from Dakotah (USA) today. We are both in the Stitchinfingers group and this one is for the July/August swap. I love her colours and the stitching is very interesting. Not sure what you call the blue flowers but they look great don't they? I am getting quite a large collection now. Will have to try and make a collage like I did with the ATCs and post a pic of all that I have received this year. It's amazing that these little works of art travel from one side of the world to the other (literally in this case!!! right across that big pond in the middle.)

Jade ATC for Stitchinfingers

2009-08-15T15:55:00.005+10:00

Mailed off on Thursday this ATC to Christine in the UK for the 'Jade+2' swap on Stitchinfingers. It is part of a monthly swap we have. We put our names on the list and Gina (bless her!) sorts us out and makes sure we send and receive from different people and if possible someone in a different country. We only have to make one to send so it doesn't become too onerous if we have other things happening in our lives. I hope Christine likes it. The colour jade doesn't show up as well as I would have liked, but it is jade. The background is offcuts from sari silk strips - as you can see some have frayed, but I like the effect. The two other colours are silver and blue.

Using old laces etc

2009-08-12T23:36:00.003+10:00

These postcards are made from an old piece of lace which I painted with dye to achieve the different looks. I made them up as one piece of fabric then I cut four pieces from the fabric and then edged them. The background is a multi-coloured piece of silk fabric which I fused to pelmet vilene to stiffen. I rather like the way they turned out. Kind of a triptych, but there are four instead of three!

A hint - I use a 'window' template the size of the postcard (6x4) or an ATC (2.5x3.5) to audition the part I wish to cut out. You get quite a different perspective when looking at it through the template. Just move it around until you see where you would like to cut.

2009-08-12T22:51:00.002+10:00

I have been making postcards as well as ATCs lately for swapping. These little items are very addictive and I find that my other sewing is getting neglected. This is the postcard I recently sent to Dakotah in the USA - have just heard from her that she loves it. I didn't post earlier as I wanted it to be a surprise. It is one of a few that I made while doing an online course in altering fabric. I painted the base with white household paint, then scraped on some moulding paste through a stencil. When dry I then painted with water colour and dabbed on gold and bronze paint. The little rose is fabric and cov ered with a little moulding pase and then painted. A small amount of stitching was added.

Finally finished the ATCs for swapping at Retreat

2009-07-29T19:56:00.005+10:00

Late this afternoon I finished off the 14 ATCs that I am taking to a retreat this weekend. I made them using the selvages which have been cut off from lots of material. If you want to know more about sewing with these little bits of scraps check the Selvage Blog in the right hand column. I love using them, you gets lots of interesting little bits, some with writing. With these ones I added some embellishments, beads, stitching and small tiles. Hope the girls I'm swapping with will like them. This pic is just a few - they are all much of a muchness with a little bit of variety.

Yippee - I'm going.....

2009-07-29T13:15:00.002+10:00

Just received two phone calls - one from the tour company and one from a fellow Scquilter - Sue - she has decided to do this tour. Had been thinking about it for some time and saw my plea on the Scquilter's message board, rang the company and booked. Michelle from Travelrite confirmed Sue's booking - how lucky is that - not only am I now going but sharing with someone I know and get on well with!!! I think I will go and get myself a Tatts ticket (lotto for those who live o/seas.). Feeling very lucky today.

I haven't felt like sewing since I got the awful news, but now I am ready to get back to the little ATCs I am making to take with me this weekend. I'm off on a little retreat for 3 days with a group of lovely ladies from the Willows Quilting Group - we go every year to the same place in Bacchus Marsh (which is about a 2hr drive from here) and sew, talk, sew, laugh, sew, eat what someone else has prepared and sew. Usually about 25 or so go, but am told this year there is a couple more. Hopefully they will allow me take some photos and put up on the blog (I might sneek some in...).

Back to my sewing machine, a very happy Joy