Merelyn Pearce Does Margaret Preston

This post doesn't need much text. Just enjoy the photos!  For those of you who don't know, Margaret Preston was an Australian artist in the 1920's (I think that early) and beyond who mainly worked with woodblock prints, so that her art would be more affordable for the average homemaker. Some of her designs were even published in women's magazines so they could be pulled out and framed. Fancy that! She specialised in Australian native flowers and birds, and I have long been an admirer of her beautiful work. Merelyn Pearce has made a fantastic job of turning these prints into beautiful quilts. I can't describe to you how tiny her appliqued pieces are! Just amazing.  Anyway, enjoy.  Apologies for the not perfect photos. There were so many people milling around, I had to go FAST.

Wow, what an eyeful!

Only other news I have is that I have booked in for a Sue Spargo workshop later this year.  How exciting.

Hugs

Deb

It's been such a long time

Doesn't life get busy?  And there is not enough time to do everything. For me it has meant that I have been too overcommitted to think about sewing much, so nothing to show you on the blog. In fact the only sewing I have been doing up to the last couple of weeks has been on my treasured third Saturday of the Month with the SSS. Without them I think I would have imploded!  But things seem to have settled at least for now, and I am trying to get my mojo back.

I have had a problem with my foot, and ended up having a biopsy a couple of weeks ago (which luckily was all fine). However it meant that I spent a weekend not being able to walk much and had a hankering to do some knitting.

This is a Kaffe Fassett pattern. Not too difficult to knit, but the yarn is fine so it grows slowly.  I love the way he uses colour, have done for 30 years!  I will show you when it's done.

Nothing to show you of quilting interest (that I have done), but I have finished panel 7 of Homage to Sallie Ann and started on 8 (of a total of 9) so the end is near.  In the meantime, to keep me motivated - or at least to kick start my interest again, I have been to a couple of shows.  One was the local Essendon quilters show a couple of weeks ago.   A bit of retail therapy cheered me up no end, and a few lovely quilts.

I've always loved the Whig Rose pattern, and this was a really fine version.

 

A lovely quilt by one of our sisters. Nice job Kerry (hope you're feeling well).

Some hexagon madness, which I loved particularly for the fine quilting.

This one appealed to my love of red and the colour saturated Kaffe fabrics.

I liked that this had its main detail in the border rather than the centre!

And this one just appealed

I shall post some photos from AQC shortly, lovely quilts if you can get there tomorrow.

So that's my toe dipped in the water..........I have missed all my blogging friends, and as usual have been lurking to see the gorgeous things you have been making but haven't had time or headspace to leave comments.

A special thank you to Lisa from Stray Threads, who sent me some beautiful fabric, and I thought I had said thanks, but apparently only in my head rather than in the real world!  That about sums it up!

Happy days,

Deb

What the?

It doesn't seem possible to me that it has been getting on for three months since I last posted.   Don't get me wrong, it is quite possible that I could let things lapse for that long, I am intrinsically quite slack, but it just doesn't seem so long ago.  Is that linked to age?  You know, when you are a kid, everything takes F*O*R*E*V*E*R, but as we age, time seems to move in F*A*S*T*F*O*R*W*A*R*D mode.  In fact I thought I was doing quite well.  I knew a busy period was coming, but then it got busier, which meant that works of interest to my blogging friends got put aside, in fact my creative output slowed to zero. And then life got busier still. A conference in New Zealand was quickly followed by a meeting in Malaysia (in the few days before Christmas). This all on top of two visits from collaborators, and my normal job of course.  On the family front, my lovely daughter's 16th birthday and Christmas at my house. A visit from MOTH'S sister and husband (who live in the UK) as their mum moved into a nursing home. And oh yes, many new projects at work and plans for 2012.  In between Christmas and New Year saw various happy social functions, and then after the New Year, the family crew headed off to WA for a few days R&R.  Then there wass my darling boy's 20th birthday, a trip to Sydneywith at least two more coming in the next couple of weeks.  What am I?  A FLIGHT ATTENDANT/EVENTS COORDINATOR?  Far out man!

Not that any of these things are onerous in themselves, I adore my crew, love to socialise and even though I may complain endlessly about the full-on-ness of my job, I actually like it and as my dear sister Meghan reminded me, at least I am doing something of value and making a difference.  Nevertheless it has been a fully hectic period and I fear that I have lost the ability to switch off and slow down.

In a moment of deep darkness, I thought "Wouldn't it be good to be able to see into the future?", you know, like reading the last few pages of a novel so you can find out what's going to happen.  So I decided to approach this scientifically; yes, I consulted my horoscope!

So while other star signs contemplated a year full of romantic fulfillment,  prosperity, good health and happiness, here is what I can look forward to:

Sorry, how can I work like a dog when I'm in FOETAL POSITION!???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So far the horoscope is delivering on its "work like a dog" prediction. I expect similar action from the "reap the rewards" part, otherwise I will be asking for a refund on 2012!

It goes without saying then, that I have nothing beautiful to show, except for the two buddies at the top,  taken on Christmas morning.

There should be an SSS post going up shortly, since we had our first Saturday meeting for the year yesterday. It was so inspiring to the girls, we had a lovely day, thanks Meghan, I don't know what I would do without you all.

So belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.  I have been sustained by your inspiration and beautiful works, I truly appreciate your talents and your willingness to share.

Not sure what my goals are for the year. A combination of new and old might be just the ticket.

And oh, if you have a look in the latest Quiltmania (no 87) you might see some people you know!

Cheers,

Deb

Some BOM updates

A slow week for sewing since I had many evening commitments and a trip to Sydney called at short notice. I did manage to "complete" the second block of Funky Feathers.....well the birds are still eyeless and I have yet to decide if I will add the animals that sit at the bottom of the urn.

The other project I'm working on, Sue Spargo's BOM, is still giving me great pleasure. Here is Block 5 ready for embellishing.

At this time of the year I start to think about what I would like to finish by the end of the year. This year although my list may be long, I think I will end up with a big fat zero! Oh well the best apart about plans is that they can easily be changed. Maybe my finish list for next year will be LONG.

Have a great week,

Ciao,

Deb

A Bad Case of Spargosis!

I think this is the correct term for this addiction. I tell you, once you get going you just can't stop.  Here is Block 4 all done.

And a close up of the centre detail. Such fun.

I have also made some progress on Block 2 of Funky Feathers.  I'm not quite sure why the pansy is bigger than the bird. But hey, this isn't reality right?

Now today I made a BIG mistake.  I thought maybe, perhaps I could clean up my sewing room a bit - WRONG - too much stuff to do anything with really so I just made much more mess. Oh Dear.  But I did find this old quilt.

Pretty isn't it?  I made this top in 2000, can you believe it, when I spent the year in Sydney.  I took a class with Brigitte Giblin, and used only little bits and pieces that I had with me (most of my stash had been left in Melbourne) and a few more pieces that I bought there.  Needless to say it has been languishing in the cupboard since then, so time to get it quilted.

Some close ups of all the lovely blocks.

All the little blocks are hand pieced or appliqued. I put it together by machine.   I thought it was so hard back then but it looks very simple to me now.

I was looking for some other old projects but couldn't find them - they must be here somewhere! Perhaps they have disintegrated!  Might need to do some serious digging.

In the meantime, happy sewing or whatever else you might be doing.

Ciao,

Deb

My Recent Jaunt

to Sydney gave me an opportunity to visit Material Obsession for the first time. The store has a fantastic collection of fabrics in many different styles. I'm sure anyone who visits will find something that they just can't live without!

If I had been in the "start a new project" state of mind, I would have come away with a suitcase full. But as I have so many things taking up my headspace, I opted for two purchases in kit form.

The first is a version of Amy Butler's Barcelona skirt. I haven't sewn any garments for such a long time now I was a bit nervous. But this is a very straightforward pattern, and I'm very happy with the result. I'll certainly be making more of these!

would have been a better photo if I was wearing it, but noone is here so that would be TOUGH.

The second purchase is a kit containing Kaffe fabrics to make an ottoman. This was NOD's choice and she promised me that she would helpt to make it. Needless to say it is still in the packet. Hmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder how long it will stay there?

It was a delight to meet Kathy. She is so enthusiastic and helpful, wish she was closer!

My sewing this week has been to make some more headway with the Imperial Blooms BOM and to tackle Block 2 of Funky Feathers.

This is Block 3 of Imperial Blooms completed.

Love the centre stitching.

And this is Block 4 ready for embroidery.

Yesterday we had an SSS meeting which was absolutely delightful as always. We missed a couple of the gals including Di who is currently in Holland teaching I think. Message to Petra

"Please send her back soon, we miss her".

I think Kerry will be putting up a post at SSS shortly.

That's it. Feels like some substantial progress made this week.


Now my garden needs some attention and the sun is shining. Life's tough no?

Joy to all,

Deb

Imperial Blooms Update

A beautiful afternoon in Melbourne is much appreciated after some rather chilly days this week. Can't wait for some more warm weather. Just dropping by quickly today to show you some progress in this BOM.

I almost finished Block 2 awhile back, but ran out of threads for the bullion knots, so had to wait for some more to arrive. It's all done now!

I love the stitching on the stem and around the centre.

I have been working on this project quite a bit over the last couple of weeks. I thought I should get a reasonable amount finished before the 2012 Blocks started to arrive!

Here are the ingredients of the last Block

I wonder what the border will be like?

I hope you are having a beautiful day also.

Cheers

Deb

A late progress report

Hi there - Happy belated October. I have been in and out a bit the last couple of weeks, and the beginning of October has flown by.

I took these photos a two weeks ago and didn't get a chance to upload them.

The first is the first block of the funky feathers BOM. I have to put the eyes on these poor sightless birds! I decided to leave the kangaroo and emu off the bottom, I may put them on eventually, not sure.

I decided I would try to pick up the pace on the Sue Spargo BOM since I just signed up for the 2012 one.

The above photo was prestitching. Just a couple more stitches to go and it will be done!

My NOD and I have just spent a few days in Sydney at the end of school holidays. Great fun to have some one on one time with her.

More soonish.

Hope you are all well and enjoying your stitching.

Hugs

Deb