Material Obsession

To do DA!

It is the time of year when I feel obliged to apologize in advance.  It is a time of manic planning when the little things like dinner can be squeezed in...when binding a quilt is done while the water boils...when one wakes up thinking YES... a bit of ric rac may just cover that booboo!... the time of year when the little hole in the  skin on the finger never really heals, when you wake up and the hands are cramped in position and when the to do list is tooo long.   It is the time of  year when I apologize in advance if I yawn or snap while sharing time with you.  Sadly, my kids don't read the blog (partially out of fear of finding them pictured in their undies or some other equally compromising position).

However, the TO DO pile is shrinking.  Only, and I mean ONLY six quilts to be quilted in the next 10 weeks.  However, the pile Sarah and I just assembled for photography, well it's huge!

There is a bit of a sense of achievement when we can actually see things that have been finished.  It all happens so quickly in the end.  Add quilt the border, add the binding and Voila! it's done.  I am purposefully clearing all the design wall spaces in my room so as to eliminate the desire to start or even think about the brewing pot called NEXT!!!!!
Last night my Tuesday girls were doing a bit of finishing as well.  Kim has done this cute little number in record speed.

And Megan has gone from wild use of color to a quieter, more value related scrap project.

Sarah is off to Portland this morning to accompany Damian on an exciting business adventure.  What I love is that his adventure allows "us" to get a look into what is coming NEXT in the way of fabric.  What I don't love is that Sarah will be cavorting and laughing with the likes of Brandon and Kaffe, Anna Maria and the rest.  I catch myself feeling like a naughty child...trying to think of something I can do while the cat is away...hmmm.  Just keep finishing up things I guess.  There is satisfaction in finishing,  in actualizing the idea.  Right now is time to finish up here.  Hope to see you soon to keep me up! all the best, kathy

Good For a Laugh

Ok, I'm going nutty this week trying to get ready to go to Portland for Spring Market on Wednesday morning. I haven't done anything but stress like the proverbial chicken with no head for a week, and my kids leave tomorrow for a week with their Nanna and Pop in Blackbutt (hi Dorothy!), so I thought we should have a little fun tonight before they went to bed. I have no pics of pretty quilts for you tonight, just this:-

It's amazing what 45 uninterrupted minutes of absolute silliness and mad giggles can do for everyone's mood. I love my boys. :) s

BIG WEEK!!!!!

I'm hugging my coffee this morning and hoping that it does the trick that I love it for because it's been a BIG week.  I know that the new Material Obsession book rivals my birthday for attention seeking behavior blogs and the Keri Anne tv show, well that was something too but really, the big thing was the start of the rugby season.  They ran onto the field last Saturday with high hopes. My boys play a lot of backyard rugby with some boys that go to the opposing school so reputations were at stake.  I decided about half way through the game that if I am to last this season I need a flip top lid on my head to let the pressure out.  Not that I am focused on MY sacrifice that includes endless feeding frenzies, protein poweders and 5:30am starts to get him to the gym or the mere fact that I have spent 17 1/2 years raising this beautiful boy but REALLY...do I have to watch him get pulverized by a pack of friends and foes?  I have never been a sports fan so instead of following the moves I simply concentrate on whether or not they all get up and walk away scrum after scrum. During the game I watched and comforted my friends through a minor neck injury, then a knee to the head and then it was Oscar writhing in pain.  So, although he is madder than a wet hen I am relieved because due to his shoulder injury brought on in his mad attempt to get the game winning try...HE IS OUT for the next few weeks!  Both other children in the family reported wins with only a black eye to show for the effort.
Now, the best thing about going on tv, hands down was the hair and makeup.  They sit you down and it's ok if you close your eyes (marveling quietly behind closed lids about the skill it takes to get three lunches made so early in the morning with having forgotten to buy the bread...not one but two days in a row).  When I opened my eyes, well, HELLO!  Don't believe I know that doll face!  They put this plastic feeling base on my skin and girls, when I say I nearly cried when I washed it off (the next day!) I am not exaggerating.    Florence and I usually pass for sisters so Sheena took this photo as before and after.... I wasn't the only one "feeling purty".  Sarah is not a make up chick.  She rarely even has lippy on (shock horror for a gal that's going on nearly four decades of the stuff!)  When they got done making some minor changes she looked a million bucks! Being on tv is fun but I think the segment on us should have been way longer as we have so much to say and I really had a hard time not interupting Keri Ann. (sort of just kidding), some people just can't talk fast enough.
Yesterday was another media event of sorts with a photo shoot for the North Shore Times for the Hunters HIll Quilt Show.  We are have the two raffle quilts,  one traditional and one modern.  Tickets available in the shop.  Make sure you put the show on your calendar because  there are some absolute stunners  being finished up for this show.

AND, if that's not enough, the Color and Design class started back up on Tuesday.  Some of the gals are returning after a few week break with some fab work for show and tell, my favorite part of the class. Susan has been working on this deconstruction piece.  There is some crazy piecing in here.  Her next step was to cut up one of the side borders to rejoin in another shape.  Very fun to watch develop.
Karly has also been preparing for this class with a Kaffe project.  It takes a while to get it up on the wall as it is BIG but viewing it like this and taking some time to adjust is a great exercise.

And Sarah's Monday class also returned after a few weeks away to produce some great work as well...

Pari Chat is doing Fanciful Flowers and Elke is doing her Kaffe thing...
So, now lies, it's been a big week.  I am off now to make lunches which will be made easier by a trip to the grocery store last night.  Enjoy the weekend and happy sewing! kathy

Pages and Pages

Without going over board on the book excitement, look at the pics of the windows of Pages and Pages bookshop in Mosman! How very posh! The owners have asked me to let you all know that they have it available online at their webshop for puchase now. Thanks so much to Jon and Kate for setting it all up.

While we're on the subject of US again, we thought you might like to know that we are on Mornings with Kerry-Anne tomorrow morning between 9am and 11am. This will only help those of you in Australia, however we'll see if we can sort out a link to the segment off their website afterwards for anyone who would like to laugh at us trying to be on telly. :) Sarah

THANKS!!

Thank you thank you thank you so much to all of you who have responded so enthusiastically to the release of our book. Kathy and I have been overwhelmed with the congratulations and good wishes - and the volume of purchases! It really is a thrill for us to realize how many of you are interested in our little shop and the quilty things we fiddle with.
On that note, a blanket response to the millions of questions we have had regarding how to purchase the book from all over the world. If you are in Australia or New Zealand, you will find it available from Dymocks or Angus and Robertson, and from many local bookshops including Pages and Pages in Mosman, who have been kind enough to display one of the quilts in their shop.
If you are in the USA, the book will not be out there until September. If you are in the UK and Europe, the book is already available but we are not exactly sure from what retailers (try www.amazon.co.uk), I am attempting to find out so I can let you know. The book is being published in French by Quiltmania magazine and should be available from their website shortly.
If you can't get one or find one, or you want a signed copy, you can order it from us! You can do this at the moment by emailing us your details or calling the shop. Soon (soon I promise!!) our new online shop will be open and the book will obviously be available by secure purchase from there.
Any other questions or queries don't hesitate to contact us and we will try to sort you out! And thanks again for wanting one in the first place.
I'm ending this post with a picture of my new 10 week old nephew, Olivier, and his big sister Siena. I was privilaged to be godmother at his christening on Saturday in Brisbane. It was wonderful to see my husband's twin brother and his little family so happy together. We don't get to see them alot as they are in Brisbane and we are here, and life is busy for everyone, but spending the day with my nieces and nephew, and seeing my boys playing with their cousins will make memories for when they are all grown up. The amazing thing going through my mind was that when the little bundle I was hold grows up to be the size my Charlie is now, Charlie will be nearly 21!!! If that didn't make my head spin, nothing will.
I am a baby nut though, I can't get enough of them. There is nothing so beautiful as a baby to make you remember all the special and heart stopping elements in the world. Maybe that's the reason Olivier spent about 5 hours either asleep or gurgling on his Aunty Sair's lap over the weekend......

Sue Cody's Insight

Oh how lucky we are today.  The fabric options abound with the glory of color and design that can be used in soooo many ways.  Sue Cody was teaching in the shop yesterday which is always a lesson in consideration.  Last year Sue introduced the Tree of Life and her is yet another fabulous example of the quilt done by Suzanne.  Watching these projects come to life from a pile of "what do you think about these combos" is a fascinating experience.  It looks like Sue's quilt and yet it has a life of it's own, brought on by the creator's interpretation of the original.

Sitting across the table from Suzanne is Margaret, in the same class making these divine hexagon blocks.



Sue does a great job of guiding the girls into these blocks.  A few weeks ago there were some stunned looks as people packed up their bags with tiny papers and a selection of fabric.  Clever inspection and cutting has produced these engaging blocks which are most pleasing to regard.
I know this is a bit of a tease post as Sue's patterns aren't available unless you take the class.  Tutor classes offer a look into an experienced quilters style that can then become a part of your own. There is so much to learn while we are doing so much! Everyone in the class is doing gorgeous projects...even Kelly who comes all the way from Melbourne once a month to experience and learn!!!
In another corner of the room Kim is making Sue's latest design. Again, Kim is making this her own quilt by her fabric choices.  The work is beautiful and draws the eye for closer inspection. (please  note use of someone's fabric fabric yet again!!)
  It is commonly assumed that our shop is full of bright fabrics BUT used in the right proportion the colorful options in the shop create works with great sophistication like this one.  Sue's original colors are quite different, more Middle Eastern spice colors like tumeric or saffron as this is a Suzanni (ok,that is a phonetic spelling of the style because, well, I'm a BAD speller) inspired project.
Point is, with an open mind the possibilities are endless.  At first we liked these modern fabrics for the big things they did and how easy they were to cut up for borders, alternate blocks and fillers.  However, upon closer inspection and with a traditional feel, we see more detail, more color, more excitement.  A fear wells up inside of me during Sue's classes.  It is so fascinating to look at what you can do but it's not for the time challenged such as myself at the moment.  This is a brewing concept.
Thank you to all of you who have been buying our book.  It's lovely sharing the journey of obsession with you!!!  I am off to the first round of winter sports today...oh the wonder of it all.  have a great weekend, kathy

Thrill Daze

It's one hot minute after another at MO these days.  I don't even know were to begin with the telling of the  last 24 hours.  However, I'll start with the return of my Tuesday night gals after the school holidays as they have been busy finishing off a few projects...Starring role goes to this!
Is it a techno color dream coat?  NO! Its Rachael in her absolutely gorgeously colorful and enormous quilt!  We figure the binding on this quilt might take a few nights!  Imagine sleeping under that glorious cover! 
And then inspired by some examples of the Creative Grid 18 degree wedge ruler, Meegan did this scrappy stunner AND used our favorite border fabric...

This is a most satisfying way to use up scraps!!!
We had a few laughs last night which is probably why my photos are bit on the blurry side.  There was a lot going on, (so much that I felt a bit like Jeff Goldblum's character in The Big Chill) as I moved from room to room checking on the progress of the projects.  There are a few surprises brewing that I will be bringing to you soon but for now...just Suzanna who has returned from hiatus while raising twins.  It's no wonder she ended up sitting on the floor to quilt her monkey version of Barry's Tank. How does anyone look so good when there's a matching set of toddlers at home?
I got home last night blurry eyed and dropped into bed.  Fortunately it was a good sleep because today it happened.  It started with the orange shirted man... and then....the trolley...
and then, I just had to ring Sarah because it was unpacking book time...at last.
We carefully unpacked them and put them on their temporary new home...that is until they find someone new to love them...is it you?
Thanks for all the complimentary comments about finding them around the shops and we sincerely hope that anyone that chooses this book enjoys making the material obsession their own.  For those of you overseas, the book is out in Great Britain, France and New Zealand now and will be out in the US later this year!  Enjoy! all the best, kathy

It's a Sighting!!

Urzula has just sent us this very exciting picture of our book on sale in a real live book shop in New Zealand!! How absolutely incredible. It really is just a phenomenon to me that we have - a. written a book b. had someone publish it c. have actual printed copies in our hands and most of all d. someone wants to buy one! This is something that amazes me every day.

Urzula thanks so much for sending it to us, and anyone who has an exciting sighting of the book, please feel free to send us a pic, we promise we will be excited every single time.
Speaking of sightings, we are still to sight the book in our shop, but we are assured that they will arrive any day now. There is a very schmicky silver book stand waiting to receive them as soon as they are there, and don't worry, we'll let you know right away!
In the mean time, I have some dolly quilts to share with you. Donna from Canada is the first Dolly Quilter to send me a pic of dolly quilts on the wall, so I have decided to award her a little prize for her efforts. Watch out in your next package for that Donna!

Fo those of you out there still wanting in on the Dolly action, you can still join in the fun. If you haven't seen the Aril Dolly, it looks like this:

Margaret in New Zealand has been busy with MO projects as well. Here is her March Dolly Quilt, looking lovely for her first go at hand applique!

She has also just finished a small Snowball quilt that she started in the workshops we had with Kaffe Fassett last year. I love the border fabric she's used, I think it highlights the quilt perfectly. Well done Margaret.

When I got home from the shop this afternoon there was a box waiting for me with some more of Sue Spargo's latest books inside. We sold out of the last lot so quickly I had to order more right after they arrived! We now have all of Sue's books in stock, they are $35 each and available for order.

In the absence of our book we will have to content ourselves with Sue's at the moment, which isn't such a bad thing! Enjoy...... Sarah

Miracle Post

It's quiet, oh so quiet.  You must be sick of the last post because I am.  I have searched the house for my camera this morning to do a new post and found it...in a bag on the floor at the shop, which is by the way, where I am NOT!  What to do when desperately searching for topics...drum fingers, drink coffee and review photo files. 
Then I found a photo of this new toy.  It's a Creative Grid Drunkard's Path ruler which means this traditional shape can be cut in strips...multiple strips in one go...with accuracy.  I have been playing around with it and having a spot of fun lately.  The size is cute and the shape, when cut out can be used to make great all over repeat patterns or borders. 

One of the fun ways to use this shape is as a border for a center feature.  In the monkey photo the colors make it suitable for a kids room but done in more traditional fabrics or even in contemporary fabrics this border treatment could be very effective.  It has a circus feel done in the spots and the monkey...well you gotta love him!

One of the things I like about using rulers is sometimes you can come up with something just a bit different to do with them.  In the case of the drunkard's path I tried cutting them on the fold and set them like this.

The pieces can be sewn bymachine or by hand however, get ready to use some pins either way.  Again, the use of a  design wall makes this  even more fun.  Cut out the shapes and play around until you find one you find an effect that you like. I love the idea of this setting but will have to table it for later.  These half moons take more concentration than I have at the moment.  Given half a chance I'll start listing the number of quilts that have to be patterned up, quilted and even pieced by the end of next month.  I know lists are boring but they are functional and comforting at the same time.  Rattling them off gives one a sense of achievement, or possibly fear.

Here's another handy ruler trick that everyone is loving.  When cross cutting strips using rulers there is always an awkward cut at the start.  To avoid this, simply line up a second ruler with the awkward angle cut on the left side (or right if you are left handed) of the ruler.  Move the 60 degree ruler away and cut along the edge of the second ruler.  By doing this we avoid moving the fabric strip to do the second cut and ensure a better result. I laughed out loud when I learned this from Marti Michelle last year. How many times have we tried to cut this angle from the top toward us hoping not to move the ruler or cut into a thigh!

Now.  Very important considerations.  This week signals the end of school holidays.  Classes are back on and more importantly, we are awaiting delivery of....THE BOOK.  Sarah rang the other day from a book shop where one was already spotted!!! HOW EXCITE ME.  I thought maybe we'd see a photo of this exciting experience here this morning but I am sure that will come. 
This week brings the month of May and that means the Hunters Hill Quilt Show is on as well.  Final tickets for the opening night (29th May at the Hunters Hill Town Hall, 7:30pm) are selling fast as are the raffl tickets for the TWO quilts.  We still have a few in the shop so let us now.This year's show promises to be one NOT to be missed.
Put on your runners, get the laundry and chores done because quilting season is upon us and there are sooooo many fun things to do! Have a great week. kathy

Boys Toys

Our family is going through the inevitable experience of selling the family home after 40 years of collecting items to make it a memory museum.  It is an emotional experience but I have to say, with the help of some well organized family members, (you know who you are!) it can be fun. 
My father-in-law was an avid collector of beautiful things.  He loved fine wine and had a proper cellar down under the house filled with the best. (labels peeling and some corked over the years but still fun on a Sunday afternoon.)  His jazz music collection included over 3,000 cd's!  He had selected choice paintings by Boyds, Perceval and Tucker and other soon to be famous Australian artists and most importantly, a collection of cars, still in their boxes. When my husband and his four brothers were young and had a day off school they got the special opportunity to play with some coveted toys..or so the story goes.  I guess that is how one manages five boys who all want to play with the same things.
Last Sunday we got out all the special items to clear the space in preparation for selling the house.  Amongst the treasured items were the cars.  We laid them out and the boys drew names from a hat for turns.  There was a lot of pacing going on and one brother was quoted to have said he had virtually waited all his life for this day!

There were lots of laughs as everyone present managed to control their emotional attachment to  things and to divide up the lot.  I have to say that among the treasures I collected on the day were items that remind me of gatherings at my in-laws house.  A special platter from Christmas day, the fruit bowl that was always full of oranges and bananas, silver coffee service that signaled the end of Easter celebrations...bowls and crockery that symbolize gatherings of family.  I will look at these items and remember the best of times for a long time.
Perhaps this day gave be a bit of focus to finish a back burning project that is now affectionately referred to as BOYS TOYS. 

Those of us with boys know there is just too much pink going on in the quilting world!!
And speaking of boys...how about this rain? 

Needles to say all work on the retaining wall is at a standstill and so are all the activities planned for the week.  This weather must have been planned by Hollywood as there is not much on the agenda but movies for most of the kids this school break.  I am waiting to find out if my youngest champ can go to soccer camp today but considering we woke up to rain pattering on the roof yet again today it seems doubtful, except for this outside my window from my chair...

So, fingers crossed the camp is on!  If any of you are wondering, the New Zealand Rugby tour finished with one win and two losses...one major defeat to a massive front line and rain and one with grumbles about how they should have won but....  However, all in all I think it was a fun experience for all.  They gathered here on Sunday night to rehash the games but since then there has been one sleepy guy on the couch.
And in the raindrops and roses category...Rumor has it that there is a girl's toy out there....Sarah rang last night to say that our book has been spotted on line!  We are expecting our baby book any day soon and will have it in the shop for you.  If you would like to pre-order a copy just let us know...ohhhh excite us!
If you are not looking for boys activities today I hope you enjoy a rainy day at the sewing machine or quilting in front of a movie at home...all good.  kathy