Winners are Grinners

And I am grinning........

A couple of weeks ago I entered a prize draw on Maggie Grey's Workshop on the Web Facebook page.  A few days later I received an email telling me I had won one of the prizes - a book by Elizabeth Barton!

Yesterday the book arrived in the mail (all the way from England).  I am absolutely thrilled with it.  At first I wasn't sure if I could use this particular book.  But after looking through it last night there are heaps of ideas and exercises in the book that I could relate to and put into some of my quilts.  Even though a lot of the photos etc are a tad 'arty' the actual ideas and the way of looking at things around you, relate to all types of art and craft whether you are a traditional crafter or an free form artist.

If you would like to know more about Maggie and her Workshop on the Web click here.  

Winning Parcel

In a previous post (30 January 2013) I wrote how excited I was about winning a prize on Chris Jurd's blog.  Here it it is - my postie delivered it the other day.

A copy of the latest Australian Quilters Companion mag together with a copy of Chris' DVD in which she explains and shows you how to do New York Beauty blocks.  I have already watched the DVD and now I can't wait until I start a block - am going to do the pattern she has in the magazine - you can see a copy of it on the cover the DVD.  But first I must finish a couple of UFOs that are on my sewing table.

Quilters Companion is one of my fav Aussie magazines and this particular DVD by Chris is very easy to watch and she has some great tips for you.  If you are thinking of some reading and a bit of watching the box then mosey on down to your nearest newsagent and grab yourself a copy.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

The best news.......

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.

A beautiful parcel...

 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.