Ramble on....

When you are a blogger sometimes funny things happen that would never happen if you were not a blogger.  One thing that I never get used to is not seeing one of my good friends for a while and when I do I tell them a story (because I am a story teller) and they say, "I know, I know, I read your blog."  Disaster.  Sometimes the same thing happens with people I don't even know.  Weird.  It is so easy to sit here and tell you everything without a care...rambling on and on.

Anyway, I choose to start this story here!  Liesel, our gorgeous, mild mannered, kind and super smart shop manager brought this quilt in last night for quilting.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  I had no idea she was making one of my patterns and quite frankly I was honored.  Liesel is a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l quilter.  Long before she graced us on a daily basis she used to bring in her quilts and we would  fold them up and put them away for quilting but unbeknownst (is that really a word?) to Liesel when she was gone I would often get them back out and have a look at the perfect sewing job, perfect pressing, and the lovely way she manages her colour.  I often refer to this as the curly / hair straight syndrome...we always want what we don't have.  I can't do precision without a labotomy.  Anyway, not only did she do the Red Centre pattern (and I assume not even from one of the many blog tutorials I have seen for this pattern) but she did it b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-l-y.  Nice job.

Naugty but nice...sneak peak of Twist it again...coming soon to a BOM just for you!  Ok, we are getting a large number of emails about the block of the month.  We have had a slight technical set back in that my web manager husband spent some time in hospital recently (he is getting better daily btw) and then our computer hard drive melted into itself taking with it all our recent work.  Yes, the dreaded experience we all fear.  Last backed up a few months ago...UGH.  So we are a tiny bit behind and running as fast as we can.  If you have emailed interest in the bom's you are on the list.  We are taking deposits now and the link will be working soon.  DON'T PANIC.  Although it would appear we are out of control we are NOT.  All good.  Sometimes life gets in the way of work.  Anyway, how about that block!  more to be revealed soonish.

I popped in for one of the Saturday Sue Ross classes last week and found everyone busy at work making dynomite quilts.  This pattern is the rage at the moment and this version with the French General stripe works a treat. 

Great minds working in tandem here to come up with just the right fabrics to finish off this version that is playing around with that irresistable mustard colour that is so hot right now.

Isn't this a clever idea?  Carolyn, carrying twins and lots of blocks has them hanging on a skirt hanger.  She is about to finish her Twisted Tradition BOM but with the babies due any minute...well...this could take a while. Here she is working an antique rose block and enjoying what might be the last few hours of peace and quiet.  Twins are fun, my dad is one and brother has twins as well so she has lots of fun ahead but the next few months might be a tad testing for patchwork achievement.  Perhaps that is not always the priority for everyone?

There were lots of fabrics being auditioned, lots of helpful reviews taking place and generally a few laughs around the room which is always a boost on a Saturday, particularly one usually spent on the sidelines hoping teeth don't get knocked out...by the way, go the BLUE's last night in the State of Origin rugby match.  We finally had a few smiles around here!

Here is one of my recent stories.  The other day I was on my way to work to prepare for the Quilt show coming up next week.  It was a holiday so I checked the bus schedule and headed off.  I was dashing as per usual and carrying a lot of stuff like my laptop which is sort of heavy and a quilt and a lot of papers.  Anway, got to the bus stop and noted the time.  The website hadn't updated to holiday status and maybe because on such a dull day everyone with any brains was staying home and in bed which I suddenly wished I was doing.  Then I looked at my ticket and it was out of rides.  Weird I thought because I had just purchased a new one.  Bugger....must have thrown out the new one and kept the old one.  This bussing to and from work takes some organising I thought and decided to just go buy a new ticket since I had a 40 minute wait.  I got the new ticket all the while wonderig what the heck happened to the ticket I had bought just last week and cursing my loosing it somehow.  I must slow down and think more I decided.  Then all of a sudden I had an urge to put my hand in my jeans pocket and...well, there it was!  My ticket that I had already taken out for the bus and put in my handy pocket. Now I have two tickets but still 30 minutes until the bus so I decided to go for a bit of a walk.

This is  my favorite place to walk my dog.  I love that tree over the lane.  I often stop and have a look up under that big branch.  It looks protective & sheltering hanging there.  It is a nice line to the space.  The road beckons before me.  I had my camera (as well as the comuter and the quilts and papers) with me so I took a photo.  Then I decided there might be other things to snap so I started looking.

I found a puddle the shape of Australia.

Leaves just hanging in mid air.  Must be some kind of massive spider web.
A cactus tree which might look normal in Arizona but in suburban Sydney...What the?

This isn't the best photo but it is a good idea for a quilt.

Evidence of days gone by.

I am fascinated by fences and gates.  They always make me wonder about the craftsmen that made them with a seemingly endless supply of designs.  A lot like us and our quilts really.
A couple of chooks or is that a photo of the chain link fence?
and a ladder going nowhere but to the sky which then completely opened up and rained on me.  By this time I was well away from the bus stop shelter so it was a bit of a soggy day.  Despite the bad weather we have packed up some delightful goodies for the show.  Every single corner, cupboard, shelf and space in the shop is loaded with treats for next week.  V. exciting. 

I am thinking that maybe a little less story telling and I might not always be so busy!  Rambling on.. k

Comments

[Colette Lee]

Hi Kathy,
Don't stop!!! I love reading your blog and seeing what is goin on in your neck of the woods! I am so inspired by what you share, whether it is quilts, color or your perspective on life! Hope to someday be in Australia and visit Material Obsession and see it all in real life!!
Thanks again for taking the time to share!
Colette Lee

[Leanne]

Hi Kathy,
I LOVE reading your ramblings. I enjoy seeing what all your clever ladies are up to and I get alot of inspiration from it. I too have 3 boys so I can relate to your stories about them. And I can't wait til the Sydney show. See you there. I'll be the stalker out front of your stall. Ha ha

[Heleen Webb]

Kathy, love all the inspiration! funny the things you see when you start looking :) I've been trying to send you an email re instructions, but your mailbox is full. hope you get this before the weekend...
Heleen

[Dolores @ A Labour of Love]

Is that Bushells sign near the Cooks River because I drove right past one of those today? It's been exposed by a building that has been demolished next door!

[cath b]

heleen, kathy gave me one of your little purses as a gift after her visit to wellington...BEAUTIFUL. if she hasn't read this by tomorrow i'll get her to fix the mailbox

[cardygirl]

Always great to see what you are up to. I also find it weird that people know what I am up to because they lurk on my blog. I was at a class this week & another lady walked in a nd said..."you are Cardygirl"...I felt like I had been outed...really weird! Love all the fun inspiration happening down there...I will be at DH next week & will drop by.

[Mary Jo]

I love reading about what is going on at MO as well as seeing the wonderful fabrics your students use. Is a pattern available for the quilt made with the French General stripe? How about the English inspired appliqué quilt? I wish I lived near your shop!
Can I get on the wait list for Fly Away with Me BOM and make a final decision when you set the price?

[jordan shoes]

I love your blog so much, and there are just some differences with others'. Hope there will be more wonderful things in your blog. Happy every day!

[barbara]

gosh...i thought i left a message but i see it didn't post...
a friend and i love that spinning circle pinwheel quilt...
can you tell me the name of it and where we can find the pattern?
if we only lived closer we would just dash over...and play at your shop...thanks...bb in atlanta georgia usa

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