Hello Dear Friends

I have been taking some photos to show you but haven't had a chance to upload them. So this will be a bit of the past and a bit of the present.

You may recall that a few weeks ago, some visitors from the northern hemisphere were in town. By now you have probably heard many of the stories, but I have a few photos to share.

Mary and Joe Koval were in town, and Linda (from Quilts in the Barn) hosted an evening with Mary. It was absolutely delightful. Linda is a fabulous hostess, and invited her quilting friends from various different places. I enjoyed the evening immensely. Mary is so knowledgeable and interesting o talk to. And of course being able to touch these antique quilts was amazing. Remember we don't get to see so many of these here in Australia.

Here are some photos of Mary with some beautiful antique quilts.


One of our favourites, and certainly one to pay homage to.


This was my favourite, the fabrics are gorgeous and it was in such good nick.


Starting to delve into the red and green quilts.



This could be the answer to "How long is a piece of string" but I don't think it was!


We were happy to hear that Mary was very impressed with the standard of our Aussie quilts. In particular that we spent a long time making intricate pieces.

Yesterday we had a quilt show in Melbourne and I was impressed by quite a few quilts. Here are some, more will follow.

This first one is by our friend and machine quilter extrordinaire, Helen Hayes.


Each hexagon centre is made from an old embroidered doily which Helen collected from family, friends and op shops. Looked fabuous.

Not sure who all of these quilts were made by, but their makes are certainly to be congratulated.


This Baltimore is a beauty. Love the border.


That's it for now. I'm still toiling on Panel 6 of Sallie Ann, so nothing to show that you haven't already seen.

Happy quilting,

Deb

Burn Notice

A long semester over and I never want one like that again. This past week has seen work and home return to normal and I am starting to feel a little rejuvenated and I am regaining some energy to think about what I would *like* to do rather than what I *have* to do or *haven't* yet done.

So these photos are a little old now - I took them a few weeks ago but didn't get a chance to upload.

First one is of my completed Block 1 of Imperial Blooms.

It turned out much better than I anticipated and the stitchery was great fun. Here's a close up.

So pretty. I have started Block 2 but nothing too exciting yet.

I also finished Block 5 of Sallie Ann - here it is so you can see the design coming together.

You can see the oval wreath forming. Can't wait to get that sixth panel in!

We had some very special visitors last week, Petra and Nel from Den Haan & Wagenmakers, Carol and Ghys from Quiltmania and Mary and Joe Koval the very well known antique quilt and fabric experts - it's true - can you believe it? More on that next time.

I'm off to have a Harry Potter marathon in preparation for the final movie - tragic I know - but so much fun.

Big Hugs to all,

Deb

The Best Laid Plans

often go astray don't they? My tale of woe involves the upcoming long weekend and my plans for spending it in the garden. You see I haven't had that much time lately, and my garden needs a bit of TLC. Topped off with the fact that I have just had some new garden beds dug out, the weather looked fabulous (probably for the last time until the Spring arrives) and I had some herbs looking for a home. So mid morning Saturday, dressed in my gardening gear I head out to make a start and BAM! CRUNCH! OOOOOOUUUUUCHHHHH! and down I went like the proverbial sack of spuds. Such a small divet, such a loud series of grinding crunches, and a spectacular swan dive into the grass.

Luckily the ankle (or is that a cankle) isn't broken, just badly sprained. Blew up into a black and blue, swollen blanc mangey type affair, that has had me hobbling around like a complete geriatric with a side helping of idiot. But mostly, reclining on the couch with said cankle elevated. Have a WAH!! how much self pity can you stand?

Well I was sure grumpy at my thwarted plans and lack of fresh air and exercise that I am deeply craving. What's a girl to do?? But wait....what's that you say? There are 105 UFO"S in your sewing room... so there are...why don't I do some sewing!!????!!! And of course that's what I did..as much as I could since I can't stand much and I can't get up and down off the ground much. It's amazing how much of that you actually do when you're sewing isn't it?

So to the output. I decided to spend some time with Sue Spargo.

This one has been waiting for some quiet time so I could get going. And I have to say I am enjoying it more and more. I now know how to do coral stitch and couching. And the threads are beautiful, silk, seagrass and lovely hand dyed cottons.

I also spent some time putting the next border on Phebe - here is a bit.

Doesn't look like much progress I know, but believe me there is quite a bit of work in the dogtooth border.

I am just appliqueing over the joins in the next Sallie Ann piece. Five panels now done, only four to go.

And oh yes - a little retail therapy.


This is a fat quarter pack of Grace form 3 sisters. I plan to make this with it. The colous are so gorgeous. I think I may need to buy some yardage too.

Perfect NO? This is a pattern from McCalls magazine. I do love a Christmas quilt.

So as you see, not a completely wasted long weekend, and I guess the gardening can wait.

Cheers,

Deb

Let there be light

at the end of the tunnel! Boy has it been a long and tiring semester. But it's almost over (if you count 980 exam scripts to assess as almost over) an then I will have some head space.

In the meantime, I have been going very slowly, with a slight meandering into the knitting territory as it has been quite cold here.

Thanks to all those who gave me words of support for my Sue Spargo piece. I haven't been able to answer your emails, but I have read and taken them on board so much that I have not pulled it out and statred again.

So - this week the next installment of the BOM arrived

isn't it gorgeous? I'm really starting to chomp at the bit on this one. It is quite fun. I've done a little more on Block one. Not much, but the embroidery is FUN.

And I have been working on my lollipop trees. Block 3 finished

and Block 4 ready to go



I love the colours in this one. I do have a passion for red!

That's it for now. Hope to be around a bit more over the coming months. Tonight my goal is to finish Sallie Ann block 5. Wish me luck - and happy stitching to you all.

Deb

Advice needed please!

Hello dear friends. Just popping in to show you some progress on my Imperial Blooms (Sue Spargo) BOM - I know some of you are keen to see it.

I have completed the applique section and ready to tackle the embroidery. Not quite sure how that will go - not much of an embroiderer actually.


It's easy to do the wool applique since no turning is required - but I'm not sure if I'm doing it well/correctly. Here is a close up.


Does that look OK to you who may be quite experienced at this? Because the needle is thick and the threads in the fabric are to, sometimes the stitching almost frays the edges (does that make sense?) and it looks a bit rough to me. I'm hoping that the embroidery will disguise that a bit.

Any advice will be appreciated. Hope all is well with y'all.

Back soon.

Deb

Missing!

Well almost. Have been in and out so much lately I have barely had enough time to pick up a needle. But since it is the last day in April, I thought I would drop in and say hello just for fun.

We have just returned from 7 days at Byron Bay - took the whole family up to Bluesfest (a five day music festival). This was my first time and I have to tell you it won't be my last! It was a musical delight, made better by seeing some acts I didn't know who turned out to be stunning!

I confess to being a Bob Dylan disciple - have been for nearly all my life, so seeing him was amazing (not the first time for me but it was for my kids), Elvis Costello who I also love was great too. But it was the others like Mavis Staples and Buffy St.Marie who you would have to say are no spring chickens, that blew me away. I also heard some Aussie talent - Wolfmother (I love them too), Washington was good and the RocKwiz live show all made the event really enjoyable.

And I send out my Congrats to the organisers - an extremely well run festival in terms of catering, facilities etc. It was fabulous!

Of course I took plenty of sewing to do - but wasn't at the cabin for many minutes, so did none!

What I can show you is my second completed block for Kim's Lollipop trees.


I'm well into the third block now - will show you shortly. It's so relaxing to sew - really enjoying it.

And block 4 of Imperial Blooms arrived


It will be so much fun when I really get going on it - but it' not happening now.

Not much else to tell for now, but a couple of things are in the air. More on that later.

Until next time,
Happy sewing,
Deb

Very jealous

of those of you who were able to attend the exhibition of red and white quilts - it appeared to be absolutely amazing. Thank you to all those who posted photos. It was very much appreciated.

I am looking forward to attending one of our large annual quilt shows next weekend. Although not as spectacular as the red and white exhibiton, it is usually very enjoyable and inspiring.

In fact, last year one of my favourite quilts was a version of the Wickersham quilt. To my amazement, the lovely Sue-Anne from Buddy & Me remembered that I was after the book when she found out that one had become available! So thanks Sue-Anne. I am now the proud owner of

This quilt is a project which is now towards the top of the list!


Still working away at my current projects. Nearly done with Block 2 of Lollipop trees

and enjoying it. It is easy sewing and the colours are pure happiness.

I wasn't going to post about Sallie Ann until I'd finished panel 4 - but it's so close I couldn't resist

You can really see the curve starting to - well - curve. I'm going to have a short break from it now to finish aforementioned lollipop block 2.

Hope to have some Quilt show photos for you next time.

Until then, happy sewing,

Deb

I saw a documentary this week

where the claim was made that a messy workspace is the sign of a creative mind. I offer this photo as evidence that I have a very creative mind.


My office at work is actually just as bad! It's amazing that I can find anything but actually I can do it better than if I tidy up. So this is now going to be by mantra when anyone comments on my apparent shambolic existence - I have a very creative mind!

The last few weeks I have been working exclusively on Sallie Ann - trying to finish the first corner block. Nearly there

I really love the way it's coming together. It's a soft and pretty piece and surprisingly relaxing to work on, since all the colour choices are made in the centre.

As a consequence my Imperial blooms project hasn't developed much. The third month's materials arrived, but I haven't even finished month one.


I'm sure I will get into it when the weather cools off. A bit humid in Melbourne to be handling wool.

Oh - and some inspiration. You may have already seen this book in blogland


so many gorgeous vintage style crochet projects suitable for teenage girls and their middle aged mothers.

Movie Review: Me and my girl went to see "Griff the Invisible" last night. I'm not sure you will be able to find it if you live outside of Australia, but if you can it is well worth it. It is very quirky, original, Australian humour, about a couple of 20 somethings who live in their own make believe worlds. Great acting and production and a lovely message about accepting people for who they are. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tomorrow I'm off to the footy with my boy, and Monday I am videoing some of the band's last night at the Evelyn where they have been playing for quite some time. So not much sewing will be happening.

Hope you are all having a great weekend - relaxing, enjoying family and remembering that there is life outside work.

Big Hugs,

Deb

Not very much progress

to show you today. Just little bits of this


trying to finish the third panel, but it's busy time here so not much head space for sewing. Hopefully I will finish it this week so i can move to a corner block which will be a bit more interesting to sew.

And little bits of that


again not much. I pick this up when I haven't got any pieces for Sallie Ann prepped and ready to go. Gives me a great colour hit which is always welcome.

Also a bit more of this


Just over half way there - I'm looking forward to getting on to the final star borders. You can also see a sneak peek of what I am planning in the background.


And finally a bit of this


Block 2 arrived this week with the threads that I forgot to order for block 1. So I have started block 1


It is very different than the applique I am used to. I hope it's going OK.

Hopefully the little bits of this and that will add up to something substantial in the not too distant future.

Happy sewing

Deb

Happiness is

the return of the prodigal son. We had a slightly nervous wait at the airport. The plane was delayed for over an hour due to thunderstorms right over the airport, at the tail end of cyclone Yasi. I can't tell you what a great feeling it was when Louis finally ran through the customs door. Here he is with his new love

He is even making some reasonable sounds with it - can play some Beatles (Ravi Shankar period) songs. We have had a fabulous weekend listening to stories of his adventures and impressions of life in a country very different to his own. He had a fabulous time but is also very happy to be home. He can't stop smiling. Really excited about his new course. What a fabulous time of life with the world opening up before him.

Managed to get some sewing in - here is panel two of Sallie Ann finished.

The next panel is exactly the same - so I don't know what I'm going to show you while I finish it. Will have to raid my UFO stash!

Also the post arrived with the first installment of the new Sue Spargo BOM.

It's very beautiful. I have been wanting to try something of hers for awhile now, bot I'm not really an embellisher, so this will be a challenge. Haven't started yet because I forgot to order the wool thread.

That's it - Phebe's dogtooth borders are calling me.

Have a great week - I know I'm going to.

Deb

My thoughts today

are with our Queensland friends who are today nervously awaiting the arrival of a category 5 cyclone. Although there will inevitably be great destruction of property I sincerely hope that the residents remain safe. Good luck.