Material Obsession

back to routines

 The last day of summer holidays for the kids is always like a time warp. Where did those two months go? Even though I know we spent hours, days even weeks enjoying down time it is always a shock the morning the alarm goes off and I have to get the boys up.  The disbelief that all that lovely summer feeling is evaporating in exchange for rushing mornings and evenings is...well, you all know.  For as long as possible I try to hang onto that reserve of free spirit that summer is and hope that this year the clocks don't fall back and the leaves stay on the trees all winter...all that despite the absolute searing heatwave we have all been experiencing.
Anyway, with routine comes quilt group day.  This year the ladies have put together Liberty Fields for Community Quilts. I must say it looks gorgeous even (if they were making fun of me for having quilted lines of blowing breezes in the original). 
The upside of routines is this...the opportunity to gather together to get jobs done.  Audrey, the very happy looking maker of this quilt, had lots of extra hands to baste this yesterday at the group.  Audrey made it in a technique workshop using fabrics that were "outside her comfort zone".  How gorgeous does it look!!!!
The pattern and the colors work really well, like a smooth routine.  Get all the bits and pieces in the right places, take a deep breath and hope it all works out as we dive into the new year.  Time out.  Gotta go make lunches...walk the dog...go to the shop...all good. kathy
 

sneak preview

It is an exciting time at Material Obsession as we await the arrival of our firstborn book in the US! Due date is 1 March 2009 which is, coincidentally, the shop's fifth birthday (and an un-numbered one for me as well).  This is a new (gorgeous!) cover for book one so don't be confused if you have seen the other cover, the insides are the same!
Preview a gallery of photos from the book at www.melaniefalickbooks.com
Very nice.  While you are there be sure to check out their other creative craft titles.  Lots of blogland characters have come to life in print this year and most recently this website featured:
which looks divine.  I love the look of those leaves and the concept of earth friendly stitching.
Another title that looks like fun is:
Heather Ross has brought some fanciful fabrics to market over the years.  Her fabrics  speak to the collective memory of happy childhood days and I would imagine this book brings them to life today.
Happy browsing this website and we look forward to getting some of these titles and several others in the shop this year.  All good. 
On another note, Happy Australia Day to everyone Down Under!!! Flag waving, bbq'ers, picnics and JJJ top 100 songs...BEGIN!  Enjoy, kathy

A new way to look at things

Watching President Obama take office the other day was certainly a thoughtful experience.  I admire that he speaks to and for everyone including Republicans, Democrats, the Christians, Muslims, Jewish people, and even the non-believers.  All their ideas and rights to happiness are countable and considered. In a day of great splendour, parades and 10 balls he took a moment to thank the organizers of the inauguration and then the waiters in the room most significantly.  LIfe isn't just about the mighty.
 His name is on the lips and minds of many around the world as we wait to see a change in perspective and a new way to look at life.  Hope has a voice.   Speculation about what he will be capable of doing is the thread of many conversations.  I am not worried that he can't perform to expectations, but rather overwhelmed by the spirit of his speech and the idea that it is my responsibility to follow his lead...that we, the people, are the ones that can help him succeed in bringing about a world we want to give to our children. What I heard and loved the most was that he put the responsibility to fix the problems of the world in my hands, the hands of every individual...that his voice is MY voice.  I heard him ask me to look into my heart, to look into the eyes of my neighbors and to try just that much harder to do the right thing.  That single idea has made me smile at people I don't know, and to note with pleasure that they smile back.
The doctrines of which he speaks are not new, just slightly altered in a fast paced world... a world racing to who knows what or why. His words echo the values of my family, the values I was brought up to believe make the world work:  do unto others as you would have them do unto you, everyone is equal, extend your hand and help those in need, lead by example...and these are things that are not always easily accomplished.  What I heard was reinforcement of deep seated beliefs from a man asking me to reach deeply into my own heart and be strong.  He did it in his own words with honesty and conviction and I for one cannot ignore the greatness of that single fact.  Bravery, the forgotten art of life.
As for the fact that he is a Black African American, he didn't get elected because of that and he didn't elect himself!  The people chose him fair and square.  He has earned this in a battle well fought and with the help of many, many people that were willing to stand up and say they believe it can be done and he is the one to do it.    The difference was in the voters, they stood up and gave Civil Rights a huge clap.  And by the way, feel free to think differently to me!
Quilting always reflects the times of the makers.  Today is no different.  We look back at inspirational patterns to find direction and a way forward today.  However, no matter how hard we try we always add a bit of ourselves into the interpretation of the old ideas.  Seeing this concept come to life gives me great pleasure in the shop. Stepanie brought in her version of Pop Stars to show me yesterday and isn't it a beauty!!!  It looks terrific with the spotty stars and light bright, clean colors.  It has its own personality.

Pop Stars is a Spiderweb quilt pattern that has been around for a long time.  It is a perfect example of a pattern that adapts to modern fabrics beautifully.  Perhaps it would traditionally have been made with a single fabric for the stars but it is actually a great way to feature an inspirational fabric and use up a lot of scraps.
Speaking of scraps, our Sheena has been away for a month at the beach.  As scrap is the mother of invention she took only a bag of bits with her, and a few choice new fabrics from the Anna Maria Good Folks range and finished this top!

The tulips have become a bit of a theme as well.  Each time they pop up they take on a personality of their own, one of the maker. 
Looking forward to 2009 and lots of great things.  After all, if one of the first news stories of the year is a plane that lands on water and 154 people walk away, well things can't be that bad.  I was completely gripped by that story.  Never has anyone been so happy to have their feet in the icy waters of the Hudson River as the passengers on that plane!  Anyway, no matter how you look at today I hope you enjoy it. k 

Material Obsession is now open for 2009 business!!!

As if to celebrate, we opened the doors and the trucks pulled up with boxes of new and very exciting fabric...just the kind of material we are all obsessed with using.  This year we are most thrilled to introduce Brandon Mably's first line of fabric. He created it with just the right amount of fanciful African influence using spots and zig zag lines from a technicolor wild kingdom that is mosts inviting to explore.  This line is has what we are all looking for, graphic energy! 
It has arrived with Kaffe Fassett's new range which always deliveres fabulous gardens of delight and designs that make us swoon over to the cutting table.  Both ranges play together on the shelves beautifully!  Come in and have a look and we can explore the possibilities.  If you are unable to come in ring or email me and I'll cut a pack of 25cm strips to send out to you before they are gone! (they aren't up on the website as we have been experiencing a problem there...ugh.)
When we see a range of fabric come into the shop we immediately start planning a few ideas of how to use it which we are happy to share.  Although we had some ideas of our own, Brandon sent this photo of a quilt that will be in Quilt it for Kids, April 21,2009 and was made by Irene Barry.  I thank Irene for letting us preview this great fun project....look out for the magazine coming to a shop near you soon.  You can see Irene used the graphic prints to full advantage to make these fabrics come to life!
The other pattern that I have been working on with this line in mind is Fractured, shown here as Mini Fractured.  This pattern is a new one for 2009 and is nearly complete, super easy and  fun to make. 
Oh dear, it all starts with a bang.  Material Obsession and all of us that make it work look forward to seeing your faces or hearing from you soon.  Keep on quilting...enjoy k

Do the Jig...Saw

Is there anything better than a jigsaw puzzle at holiday time?
 I gave this puzzle to Sam for Christmas.  He and I chatted while we raced to get the flat side pieces together and then he ran out to the pool while I did the remainin1300 pieces in the heat for the last three weeks.  Last night, with only a few pieces to go I headed into the sewing room for the evening thinking I would finish it in the morning.  At toothbrush time Sam was hanging around all full of himself and chatty.   When I walked past the table I saw why.  He had finished the puzzle!  The LAST pieces were all in!   The last piece glory was all HIS and didn't he know it!
That puzzle was a good companion these holidays.  It was always there when I needed a friend offering a bit of mindless relief.  It was there to occupy my mind during seemingly endless hours of cricket. It gave me a great sense of ironic achievement.  I sat for hours with a coffee and wondered how I could "waste" so much time with a few pieces of cardboard.  My mind wandered as my eyes worked... sifting, sorting, organizing thoughts and pieces at the same time.  It's done now in all its glory with no pieces missing! 
The finished puzzle symbolizes the end of the mindless flowing days of summer holidays for me.  Material Obsession opens up on Monday.  I am looking forward to opening the windows and doors of he shop to let in the breeze  and the happy faces of quilters on a mission.  A new year always brings a sense of promise and excitement as we start fresh.  Down time is good has proven to be good for the soul as I can hardly remember the stress of December rushing now.  Go where when?  Whatever!  Be you snow bound or beach bound may it be as rewarding as a finished puzzle! all the best to you. k

Arcadia...

Arcadia, a new line from Moda will be arriving in the shop soon.  To celebrate the arrival of this line I have made this quilt.  Arcadia sings a song of gentle fields, wheat blowing in the wind, bubbling creeks (all this in my head mind you) and the softer side of the environment where birds and soft curvy things reside...perfect for this new Lover's Knot template kit.
 It always amazes me how things just click together.  I had this lovely fabric range and the template on my desk and VOILA! Just for fun I added a few bits of Kaffe and Anna Maria for contrast and because they too were sitting on my desk, not literally of course but bits of their ranges.  
 I very much enjoyed this project as it took me on a bit of a journey back in time.  As a kid I spent more than a few hours a day wandering aimlessly through the woods out behind our house.  We lived in several different communities, luckily all close to wooded areas, fields. creeks, lakes and golf courses for my dad.  Life is more urban these days for a lot of reasons so it was fun to slip back into those days where the song on my lips as I meandered through the day was only for my own ears.  (Not like today when singing only means I am embarrassing my kids!)
The quilt kit is called Bird's Eye View and the pattern is free with any fabric from Arcadia.  Now I know what you are thinking...Don't be afraid of the curves!  Cutting these shapes with the templates assured me that they would fit together.  At first they were going together a bit wrinkly but with only a little bit of of practice and only two pins they came together perfectly and now I have another new skill!!!! 
The template also comes with a smaller version and by coincidence, Kate (our shop bald eagle!) sent me this photo just last night...
The templates are great fun and can be used for lots of different effects. One row would make a great border, a few of the big ones could be a medalion and the little ones the surrounding blocks.  I'll bet you have a few ideas already as well!
Ah, the life breath of possibilities!!!! Another birdy quilt is finished and available.  This one is called For the Birds and it is MUCH easier than it looks.
The Sierra range was one of my favorites last year and one quiet weekend this just flew together...pun intended.  Again, it is made using the Creative Grid Duo Angle ruler which has a 45 and a 60 degree side.  The diamonds are easily and efficiently cut from strips and sewn together. 
And finally, this quilt is ready to be handed over to Noah's friend Daniel.  It was a special moment when Daniel quietly  mentioned he'd like a quilt, a moment that had to be seized. Its made with only three inspiration fabrics that are the border and Kaffe's light blue Target print, the other Kaffe (and I can't remember the name but the brown squares) and the rest was all stash, even the back and the wadding!  The pattern is Liza Prior Lucy's Perkiomen Valley from Kaffe's Quilts in the Sun with a slight variation in block sizes. Don't tell Daniel but this quilt proves I am Amish to the core.
Some people don't like admitting mistakes but I can't stop myself.  I was quilting the border when I realized what was wrong...can you find the mistake?  It was way to late to fix it then.
Anyway, I promised quilt photos and although they are not all new they are all done!  How very excite me! Enjoy. kathy

creative promises

I promised Sam we would do tie-dye for the last three school holidays.  At last, the tie-dye session is complete.  The three muskateers hang at Monster Skate park where tie-dye lives again... that is that is where they are when they aren't ripping up the streets on skateboards, scooters or blades.  They have been talking about these shirts for months and months and finally, FINALLY, we made it happen and don't the shirts look great!  It was surprisingly not messy, very fun to do and needless to say, the boys will look HILARIOUS when they slip into their skinny jeans and these shirts and go out all looking the same. 

And the joyous promise of the greatest creation, a new baby!  Skye Thornton was born 21 December.  Congratulations Michelle and family.  She is absolutely gorgeous and all of us on Tuesday nights are looking forward to meeting her! 

The summer has resumed the sunny weater routine and the neighborhood lives in our pool again. Wet towels, massive sandwhich and fruit sessions and bucket loads of cordial are the go at the moment.  My other big news are my new runners...heaven on earth.  I have had aching feet to the point where I could hardly walk so I splurged on a pair of running shoes with arch support inserts and the difference is AMAZING.  I LOVE the cushion sole which makes running so much more pleasant and my feet are slowly but surely getting better.  Trouble is I don't ever want to take them off which is a problem after a sweaty summer workout!
Quilt photos? Quilt photos?  Anyone have quilt photos?  Lots of plans, nothing to show for it.  This forced relaxation is hard but good for the soul.  The promise of creativity is resting...building steam...in the back seat while other things get done.  Lots of other important things...like a huge jigsaw puzzle...and lunch with friends...Enjoy. k

More Summer Stuff

Here are our 3 muskateers (usually seen in skinny jeans and skateboards) on New Years Eve at the beach celebrating Sam's 13th birthday...running in the sand, rolling on the waves, boarding to shore and just generally working up a mean hunger in the sun and surf and filling up on meat pies with sauce!  This photo has Aussie kids written all over it.

Since returning home from his massive trip to the US of A my big teenager has been like a stone in a sling shot whizzing out the door and then rolling (gathering no moss) from  one activity after another. Ah, those were the days weren't they!  Party, party party then to golf, tennis, cricket, swimming and then bowling and the beach.  He graced us with his presence to celebrate Sam and dad's birthday but, alas, the excitement was just too much for him and he fell asleep on his brother's shoulder on the way home. It is a brief and fun hiatus before the responsibilities of life reappear.  It is fun to see him having fun after so much hard work all year. 
So...all holidays, parties and birthdays are over and I'm thinking if I am very quiet about it I can sneak away...very quietly from the apron strings.  Not much left to do but pack up the tree and decorations and get back to a serious routine of patch working!  There are a few piles of things calling my name around the sewing room today. 
It is always amazing how the stress of the year slips away to reveal some very nice relaxing things about life.  Gotta love summer. Hope to be showing some creations one day soon. enjoy! kathy