House Challenges

 

Quilt groups are a great place to exchange ideas, confer over tea the lovely small details of life and to challenge each other to try new things with a little help.  The Hunters Hill Christmas Holiday Challenge 2009 was to make a 12 1/2" block with a building feature.  We were given some fabric and some references as a guide to make the block in during our 5 week break.  Usually, the brown bag gets buried under a pile of stuff as prioritizing  voluntary projects can be difficult.  However this year, making a wonky house block seemed just perfect considering our living conditions in the wonky house under the trees so I got stuck into making one.  A house that can be anything or anything and still be a home.

Ta Da!  A house that John didn't build!  One of the signs that the year is about to start rushing past is the re-opening of the quilt group.  Tomorrow we gather around the tables to talk turkey and share our challenge blocks.  I can say now and know that when I look at the blocks that come in they will all amaze me.  It is hard to imagine now how different they all will be.  How much time they will have invested in their individually built houses.  The detail, the imagination, the care that goes into these challenges will boggle the mind.  Can't wait to see them all and hear the appreciation.  That's the best part, the fact that they will all be different and all be appreciated.

Here's something interesting to see, a short one night only opportunity to see some Hungarian Blue-Dye Quilts.  I have had the chance to learn a few things about Hungarian quilters over the last few days.  For instance, quilting is relatively new in Hungary so their new and enthusiastic quilters have made up their own styles.  They have looked to their own folk art traditions and created quilts as they think they should be...no rules per say but rather original takes on tradition...something we love to do!!!! 

What's interesting to note while flipping through this brochure is how snippets

 of other folk art connections slip in. For example,  applique, although truly Hungarian in its design, 

has a hint of Hawaii in it... 

From Dear Jane to samplers they look familiar but different.  These quilts are made with the traditional Hungarian Blue-Dye fabrics.  

Brought to us in Australia by Anna Dolanyi, the maker of this quilt.  

The Blue-Dye quilts from Hungary are here for a one night only exhibition 22 January, for free, in Glendenning, 31 Glendenning Rd from 5:00pm - 9:00pm (M7 Power St Exit) 

 

And on the work in progress house we call home ... in case you are interested, it RAINED into

 in my new kitchen while I was cooking dinner tonight.  

However, I have to say, I have found the most beautiful quiet spots in our home 

that I have run by so many times without noticing.

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Here for example is my new favorite spot which I found in desperation while searching for a quiet, tidy spot to read. It is only a few feet away from my other favorite spot which I can recommend, the kitchen breakfast table on the verandah. This morning as I got the coffee on the boil I couldn't wipe the smile off my face which was funny in itself. I guess it takes being stripped of all obvious creature comforts to see everything in a new light. How funny is happy that it just sneaks up at the most inappropriate times.  Its the last thing I expected...to live in total confusion and find complete relaxation.  I give up and in that there is great release.  OOps...what has happened to quilt photos?????  I'm sure absolutely sure there are some coming up soon...or maybe not....whatever. Absolute insanity has taken control. k

 
 

 
  

 

 

Comments

[Juanita]

Love your block! I remember my mom cooking dinner one time with an umbrella in one hand because of a leaking roof. What memories you'll have, what blessings they are!

[Brenda]

Thanks for the information about Hungarian Blue Dye Quilts. I'm 1/4 Hungarian (although it's kind of a long story) but had never heard about this genre of quilts.

[Kimbo]

The Hungarian Quilt thing looks good - I'm going to make an effort to go! Also, very keen to hear more about the red cart you see in the corner of the last photo.....