Thank you Helen Hayes

you are truly amazing and every time I look at my quilt I am in awe.

What am I talking about you say? Well yesterday I picked up my DNQTTT quilt from Helen Hayes of Noah's quilting. The quilt is large and I'm sure that Helen spent many many long hours on her feet working on this quilt. I think she said she used nearly 5,000 metres (maybe yards?) of thread. Helen's work is absolutely stunning and I couldn't be happier. This quilt is special to me, since it is my first "original" design - which means I reproduced an old quilt all by myself!

Unfortunately though, it's very hard to photograph because we chose the thread to match the background so closely. Nevertheless, I have a few photos, and when it is on the wall I will try to get some more. It's so big (90 x 108 inches approx.) that I can't get a good whole quilt photo.

Anyway, here it is - what do you think?

This is part of the centre.

A close up of the quilting.


Part of the side section.


I have only uploaded a few photos to the blog so it didn't take too much time to load. But if you click on the Flickr link on the sidebar you can see more.

So I have two quilts now that will be ready for the show in October. Phew!!

I have had a very "take it easy" kind of weekend. To be honest - traveling knocks me around, and after this busy couple of weeks I was aching. Ended up not taking any sewing - which was fine, since I had zero minutes to do it anyway.

So on to the last applique border for Phebe. Not sure if I will finish in time - we'll see.

I'm looking forward to spending a few quiet weeks catching up with blogging, sewing and family (not necessarily in that order).

Ciao for now,

Deb

Remember me?

Well hello everyone, I hope you haven't forgotten me. I am missing you heaps - so I thought I'd drop by just to tell you what's been happening. I won't say "I've been so busy" because by now you know I always am - and so many of you are the same. Trying to juggle so many things; work, family and various different interests. If only we had more time - I wish I could survive on less sleep!

It certainly has been a very busy semester one way or another. But my exam is now done and a team of markers is busy doing what a marking team does! I've also had a rather hectic out of hours life - social functions, school responsibilities, performances (my darling NOD in Alice in Wonderland - she had various roles including tweedledum. The tweedley pair were show stoppers, so funny), photo shoots for Quilts in the barn, presentations.........so all enjoyable but not much time for sewing left over. And the next couple of weeks is also busy. I will be giving some talks (I recently won a teaching award so I get to be a guest speaker as a reward - I'd prefer cash - what's going on there?) I fly to Malaysia next week for a ridiculously short amount of time, then I fly to Sydney for a couple of days at the National curriculum forum. Better pack some sewing. And I will miss my SSS meeting - DISASTER!!! Darling sisters if you're around my area or Parkville - do come for coffee - I miss you, large sob.

OK - enough of that - I suppose you want to see some pictures, do you? I'm just going to tootle around in my room and see what I can find - must be something in here to photo for you. Well I have some things - but not much of my work. I'm about half way through Phebe's third border - looks the same as the other two which you have seen. But I have also been pootling around with the twinkly little stars, which will be the next frames. I have completed 24/80 and have half completed 8 more. Lots of cutting done, so that should speed things up. Whilst cutting the 75 zillion fabrics I'm using, I noticed how many of them are Judie Rothermel fabrics. Isn't she great? How much do we owe her for her great fabric designs? Here's a photo


I have done a bit of knitting and have nearly finished my Noro jumper - a bit more of a sleeve to go is all. The yarn is quite coarse and I'm a sensitive flower so I hope I can wear it! Love the colours though.


The last delivery of GTASB arrived about a month ago - and I haven't touched it.


In fact I haven't touched the months before either. So I was in it right to the last hurdle! But I'm so intent on getting Phebe done for the show, I have dropped everything else. But soon as the applique is done I will be back in there!

And just because you've waited sooooo patiently - here are the last of my AQC photos - the Kim MacLean ones. I'm sure you've seen most of these already though. That's OK - you might like to see them again.

This is a beautiful quilt. I think Kim made another version all in Kaffe's fabrics - but I prefer this one.

A lovely floral basket quilt.

Another of my favourites and I was so gald to be able to see it in the flesh. I have a version in process (lots cut, nothing sewn) on a chocolate brown background.

This one was a surprise - I love the layout and the fabrics were gorgeous. Love the freshness of the blue and white.

I had a great time at the AQC - meeting up with Lizzie and Nat and.........I have met Lizzie on a couple of occasions now and she seems like an old friend. So enthusiastic and generous with her time. It occurred to me at the time (and again now) what a great group of women quilters are. I have e-met so many wonderful women through this blog and really met some others through quilting, it is truly amazing.

I hope to have some more progress to show you soon. I'm certainly enjoying peeking at yours. Happy days,
Deb

I've been framed

The Phebe quilt is based on a central medallion surrounded by a number of frames. While I have been appliqueing I have also been constructing some of these frames. Three of them are attached now.


I love watching the progress of quilts. The way each addition changes the look of the piece is amazing. I am well into the second applique frame, but it will be some time before it is all finished. In the meantime I will be working on the stars which make up the next two frames.

There is a definite chill in the air in Melbourne so of course I went to my wardrobe to pull out some woollies - and to be honest - some were looking a bit shabby. You know - that place "can't quite wear this to work but it's still OK for home"? So I felt the need to get out the old knitting needles. Decided on some glorious Noro Kureyon yarn. This took only a few hours,


but I have to say my hands ache after a night of knitting. Phooey to the aging process, I say!

We had an "almost" fabulous day yesterday - SSS day and it was Di's turn to be invaded by the group. It is always so wonderful to go to Di's place in the hills. She has a beautiful property, she's an amazing cook and hostess and of course I don't need to tell you about her sewing. But just after we arrived, poor Di developed a terrible migraine - and went to lie down, leaving her fabulous partner Brian to attend to us - and of course we helped ourselves to the delicious lunch that she had made. We hoped that she would reappear, but alas she didn't. Still it was great to catch up wth her for a few minutes, and the rest of the gang. Meghan looking fabulous after her trip to Europe which I'm sure she will tell you about over at SSS.

The bell is beeping on my oven so I must dash. I'll finish with some more photos from AQC as promised. A couple of traditional quilts, lovely workwomanship


and a couple of contemporary ones

the second one is by Sue Cody who teaches in Sydney - I loved this quilt.

Hope all is well in you world,

Kisses, Deb

Another quilt show (PART 1)

Good morning dear friends. I have been trying to get some photos of the AQC up since last weekend but alas have had no time. By now you will have probably seen many of these quilts at other sites, oh well, hopefully something new will appear here.

If you are not from Melbourne, the show is held at the old Exhibition buildings - truly beautiful building surrounded by lovely gardens. I didn't think to take a photo, but luckily Sue -Anne did - go have a look here.

I will post the photos in installments - otherwise the post will be huge. So today a few of my favourites.

My absolute favourite was a version of the Wickersham quilt. When I first saw the pattern, I didn't really like it but this version is fab! I think the sashing makes all the difference, don't you agree?

I absolutely love the clear colours in this quilt - and of course the geometry appeals to my maths brain.
Here are a couple of close ups.




The white dots are wool felt blanket stitched on - genius!



These two close ups are of quilts that were featured in Quiltmania a few months ago. I really like them - one reminds me of Christmas decorations.


I didn't think to take bigger photos sonce I already had them in the mag - sorry - thoughtless of me.

This one is a very nice reproduction of a quilt in Anette Gero's book The Fabric of Society.

A close second favourite was this one

Not your traditional quilt - quite medeaval - the background is like a brick arch. I took a close up of the machine quilting because it was like a mosaic.


So much talent out there!

Not the best photos - but the lighting was bad at the show with lots of natural light coming through the windows behind the quilts - made it hard to photograph.

I will have some more photos to show soon.

In the meantime I'm working on the second applique border for Phebe (and nothing else). A photo of the first one over at SSS.

I hope you enjoy some of the work that our talented Aussies are producing. Have a lovely weekend.

Deb

Quilt show photos

Well hi everyone - I hope you're all well and getting some quality stitching time. After thinking about starting an MM block - I had a change of heart and decided to get going on Phebe's applique borders. Nearly finished number one so I will show you next post. In the meantime I have some photos from Essendon quilter's show for you. For our non Aussie friends - we don't have too many antique quilts, so our shows are mostly new quilts.

This is Kerry's quilt - and here is a close up

I took a photo of her tag

so you could see that this is the first SSS quilt we made.

I think this quilt (below) won a prize at the show

Some of you will recognise it as Homage to Sallie Anne - a Primarily Patchwork design.

A lovely simple quilt in Pennsylvania Dutch colours



Some nice thirties style quilts on show. I like the fresh colours of these.


This is a small oak leaf and reel


A couple of quilts designed by Robyn Falloon



I liked these repro quilts

And these ones just looked good to me


The AQC is coming up this weekend. This is one of the big Melbourne annual quilt shows - I'll try to get some photos of that one too.

Back to Phebe................take care.

Deb

Phebe Ta-Dah!

Got there quicker than expected. How often does that ever happen! Hope you like her.

Post Easter Post

Hello everyone - whether or not you celebrate Easter, I hope you had a fabulous break with plenty of time to spend with family and your favourite sewing project.

Easter is the holiday I love the most - no, not because of the chocolate - but because the weather in Melbourne is so glorious at this time of the year. And also because it is a long enough break to do something without being too long. The Uni shuts Friday through Tuesday and the kids are on holidays from school. I took an extra days leave on Thursday - and made the road trip to sewing at Clare's accompanied by my darling daughter and two of her friends. It was a lively ride! We had a great day - thanks Clare, I really needed you all.

NOS took off camping with his mates - the rest of us plus another of NOD's friends took off to Apollo Bay for a few days. A lovely seaside town - very relaxing. Of course I always pack plenty of sewing when I go away - and actually do - none. When will I learn?

Nevertheless, here is a little progress to show


these are the last of the GTASB for March. The April pack arrived


and very exciting, has the making up instructions, so when I have finished these blocks I will start putting together the top and then I guess the borders will come in May. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed this project, I will be glad to finish it since I have many jobs to do before the exhibition.

I am putting the last couple of pieces on my Phebe centre - finally found the last bits of fabric to do the job - believe me I auditioned many! In the meantime I have been getting some of the other frames done - like this one

I love the pink in this. It's from Windham - called New Nation.

After this is all together I will start the applique borders. But to tell you the truth - I'm missing my MM project, so I think I will do a block of that first.

And since I haven't talked flowers for some time - here are some snaps


a new hibiscus I just planted


a rose I put in a year ago - it's a beauty - repeat flowering - very prolific -called Many Happy Returns.

Another new plant - a Delbard rose, gorgeous old fashioned shape and yellow colour.


And finally a book I bought. I love bulbs and this is a major reference on the subject - superb photos. It is written for the USA but I can deal with not having an Australian climate map in there - I have plenty already - so it shouldn't be a problem.

I hope you enjoy the lovely weather if you are in Melbourne. I promise to have Phebe up on the weekend.

Take care and happy gardening,

Deb