buds of spring

It is always a special moment when I look up and see the new leaf buds.  It happened yesterday quite by surprise.  I looked out the window and suddenly focused on the bright green haze of the Liquid Ambers that signals spring is on the way.  How did that happen?  The winter is not my favorite season and each year as the leaves drop I am reminded with dread. 

I do like the winter sports though.  I enjoy the day long activities that start early with the soccer action often on misty grounds that warm as the sun comes up.

Id

How did it happen that the soccer season is nearly over so quickly...or even more startling is that these boys got so BIG!  One minute they are the youngsters and the next they are bursting out of their skin as they grow before your very eyes. Young men they are now looking at course selections for years 11& 12! 

Another big change in our lives will be the end of school boy rugby next week!  Given that Sam is a soccer fella next week brings the end of Saturday afternoons spent on the St Aloysius rugby grounds pacing the sidelines.  I have loved the excitement of the rugby, the developing fellowship of the boys and the sheer determination with which they play.  It is hard to imagine having a Saturday to do anything but sport. 

I'll have more time to spend afternoons doing things like this...a slow growing project on my wall that entertained me yesterday.  I enjoy a Sunday afternoon with the ABC arts shows.  Always something interesting to occupy the mind.  Yesterday was now exception.  The show featured Herb and Dorothy Vogel, a NYC couple that collected minimalist art for decades and then donated the entire collection to the National Art Gallery.  They compiled nealry 5,000 pieces from a variety of artists and were well known for their keen eye.  It is fascinating to imagine a life filled with collecting art and artists friendships.

Having said that, maybe that is exactly what I do!  I enjoy collecting quiters whose work I admire.  LIke Kim.  She has many skills with her quilts and endless energy for putting together masterpieces.  Although they appear to come together quickly that is not the  motivation. Her quilts are compiled with carefully made decisions and skillful technique.

Marg seems to attract these quilters to class.  Women that aren't afraid to take their time. 
We are madly compiling our 2011 block of the month programs which will start going out next week.  I am doing the sample blocks for Marg's Fly Away with Me.  Already I know I will be hooked on this process.  My block is cut out and carefully wrapped around the tube...just in time for cricket season! The block of the month program is something we are proud of at Material Obsession.  Not everyone can make it into the shop to work with these marvelous quilting tutors.  By packaging up the patterns and their fabric choices we are able to send them all over the world and share the experience these master quilters have accumulated.  If you are participating...don't for a second underestimate the amount of time and care that goes into compiling these programs.  Behind the scenes at the moment is a flurry of acitivity as we compile all the elements and check with the designers that it is exactly what they want.  It is fun seeing the stacks of fabrics turn into bags of blocks.

And it is fun to see winter turning into spring...
Always take the seasons with you..here we had the results of Bari J Ackerman's class in Sisters by Cath, Carolyn, Kim and LIesel.  Sweet! k

 

Comments

[Sarah]

I love the lilac bordered quilt in the sixth picture. What an incredible piece of work! I always come back to your two books and blog for colour inspiration.

Looking forward to the autumn rugby season here in Wales!

[Michelle]

I love the quilts you feature here. Thank you so much for providing today's inspiration!

[jane]

Kath, of course you know why spring is taking you by surprise? Thats because its not really here yet! (and I think you've been away for a couple of weeks...enjoying summer elsewhere...) I guess you noticed that winter is back in sydney this week.
I loved watching the show about Herb & Dorothy also - what an amazing couple - and seeing all those artworks being removed from their apartment! I was doing the ironing tho' - very low key, but perfect for ABC watching

[Sharon]

I love how you are recreating the vintage quilt! You are so fearless with color and prints!

[Coach Outlet Online]

I'm happy I found this blog ! It's very good and thank you for sharing it !