This week we celebrated the first official Material Obsession staff sew-in and it was a raging success. We shut the door to the shop and headed to the kitchen to watch Cath make a tasty Thai curry, ate it up and then hit a variety of projects from hexagons, to applique to clam shells, quilting bindina and more. I am not sure that there was a lot of sewing done at the end of the night but we all left the shop satisfied at having had a chance to engage in discussions about life and quilty stuff. Is there anything better than chatting with those that share your interests? It was also a chance for us to discuss a very exciting project that we are planning. Oh, oh dear, I hate secrets and am fearful that I may not be able to keep it under wraps. When I know something exciting it circles around in my head bursting at the back of my lips to be told! Ugh. I hate teasing but this is me taming the secret beast!
The first day of SPRING!!!! (changing the topic) We pulled out the Polly Pratt dresses for a viewing in the mild air. As fate and kismet style would have it, they were next to the voiles and I couldn't help but think how nice they would be made up in these fabrics...We offer that as a service and this is the perfect time to start planning the spring wardrobe!
Then the linens caught my eye as they just scream elegance...yes screaming and elegant behaviour go together don't you know!
I finally managed to connect the dots and take the photo of Dan Bennett's latest arrivals. These fabrics are very tempting in the fussy cutter department. Great lines, dots and colours all add up to just what we need for applique and particularly hexagons!!!
The designs are original and spring from his paintings... a theme that grows on me daily. I love the connection of being motivated to create by images from other disciplines like painting...scultpure or any other art. I can't stop thinking about Margaret Olley and how she said the best subjects for art are right in front on our eyes...oh dear...another exciting project is brewing there too!
Although Dan lives in England, his designs look to be inspired in the same heavenly spaces as the Aboriginals of Australia. The dots add dimension and the lines offer endless combinations of graphic integrity that make our eye wonder from one spot to another. They fascinate my eye with layers of design integrity and I can't wait to get at them which reminds me of something I can share here...
We have come up with a little promo for spring. Buy any template from our exciting range and we'll throw in a pattern ($20 value)for free. Templates in a single shape or a block set are a great stimulation to the stash. We have a stimulating variety and have used many of them in patterns. Many of them are up in the template section of the website and many of them are in our hands at the moment!
I can sense that there are a lot of us listening to the world economic news and thinking about not buying new fabrics, as tempting as they are. Aren't we all a bit wary. So, if you are planning on spending a lot of time working your stash this is a great opportunity to invest in something new that will give you a lift. We have lots of exciting shapes to play with and the patterns mean it is a bit of a no brainer. Accurately cut and then sew perfectly! Not sure about them...ask us! I love showing people how to use them so don't be shy.
Here we have a sweet spring moment...sleeping twins visiting our gal Sally at the shop. It was delicious to see them, so quiet, so well behaved all the while knowing that there must be times when these two cause absolute bedlam! However, they must have sensed the need to be calm while moms chated about the benefits of four kids!!!
It was Brigitte's one day hexagon workshop and although I pushed to see one finished at the end of the day that wasn't the case...however, there were lots of great starts...
Sally came up from Canberra and although I ran around her like a headless chook for much of the day we did have a few minutes to chat quietly about the changes in our lives which is a rare opportunity now that she lives away. All day I had a warm sense of comfort knowing she was within our walls bringing that special thing that she brings...herself. I was happy in my heart that she could escape the routine (as rewarding as that is!) of four boys and spend a day doing girly things with us! It felt normal and good.
The combinations of scrap fabrics were like tiny memories on the tables. Many we have seen before and are but small gatherings of bits and pieces.
From Liberty to reproductions, it was all there mixed in with a variety of background options.
It was all happening and driving me crazy as I really want to make this quilt now...particularly the morning after surrounded by fabric scraps everywhere in my sewing room!
At the end of the day it was time for sweet goodbye's and a WACKY BACK to finish off the project!
(HOT selling specially priced backs with a variety of looks at 5m for $55!!!)
Sally packed up and headed home but I don't think this is the last time we will see her escape to MO land. I am reminded in saying this that if you are visiting in Sydney from anywhere in the world and would like to attend a class just let us know. We have had lots of visitors lately attending classes on a one off basis. We love to meet you and can usually make space for one more!
Anyway, it was a fun day as spring sprung and things were hopping around the shop. (view from one very professional shop keeper while lying on the floor...)I will admit that I was a bit dreary upon returning from wonderland. However, there was a moment last week when I heard some lively chatter over a stack of fabric and I realised just how lovely it is in the shop. We have a more realistic routine with less running around for the next month or so and the ease of the days is offering up a new reward...time to think. Here's me with my thinking face on...caught in the moment by a watchful friend realising that this doesn't happen often...that is thinking with mouth shut!
I even had time to make up an apron with some linen and voile for myself. It has been lovely to hang around and make up kits with customers...to chat with the MO team and to generally enjoy the home away from home that the shop is for us.Evidence of creativity is everywhere but like the greedy sorts we are, we just can't help but plan for more!
now it is late and I am on the hot foot out of here because even though I am not packing a bag to travel at the minute...oh. correction...I am packing to head out back to shoot quilts. How does one forget that? I have been told that I must just go with the flow on this trip and not to interfer too much with the photographer. hmm, not sure we've met even though we've been married 22 years. Yikes. Now I really am in a hurry. see you soon! k
Ahhhh, what a lovely blog post to read. Fabrics are yummy, twins are adorable and the final quilt in your pensive photo...was fabulous!
Posted by: Anna | Friday, 02 September 2011 at 12:44 PM
I just love your posts, Kathy. What a blessing for you all to have such a great working environment. The creative energy at MO must be wicked good!
Posted by: Andie | Friday, 02 September 2011 at 10:12 PM
Love your blog. Do you sell a template set for the hexagon quilt the class is making?
Richmond, VA USA
Posted by: JoAnne | Saturday, 03 September 2011 at 07:04 AM