Nagging thoughts...

Just a thought.  Amy Butler's Ikat style stripe, Reece's shot cottons and Uzbek Patches pattern.  Just a thought.  Just a nagging, repeating, uncontrollable thought.

And speaking of Reece's shot cottons, Pip made this quilt from Kaffe's book Simple Shapes, Spectacular quilts and now I want to make it too. 

It was a day stopper.  She arrived and pulled this quilt out of her bag and we all dropped what we were doing to have an inspection.  I had seen and marvelled at this quilt in the book but hadn't made the leap from nagging thought to actual made up quilt.  Did I say I want to make it now too?

I just love the big bold shapes that are the perfect background for the stitched circles which are a wonderful texture to the background.  The border looks fantastic with the loopy half circles.  The mind then wanders to quilting.  I have a favorite wadding and backing combination that would make this quilt a dream to quilt (when I finally make it!).  Wandering lines of vines, overlapping circles or curves...it is easy to get lost in a sea of ideas.  What I love about a project like this is that the original idea is there for us to love and then to take it to our own place.  To add a bit of ourselves.  To bring to the table what is inside of us.  That is the creative spirit alive and well.  Pip told us the story of how she had her daughter help her with the circles.  The idea of her working with her daughter, passing on the skills that makes us so happy was heartwarming.  Her personal involvement made this quilt what it is.  Thanks for planting the seed of making this quilt!

Our fabulous sale has been keeping us mighty busy fabric buying frenzy this month.  Many, many gorgeous quilts have arrived ready for backing (great deals here!)  Francis has hand pieced this beauty that she did in Brigitte's Giblin's class.  Levan's Hall is the name and glorious is the result.  Francis often uses some of my favorite fabrics and in this quilt it was that divine red.  YUM.  Hand piecing means many moons to complete but it was very exciting to see it in all it's glory and the satisfaction is deeply felt.

Her sister Lynn has also finished a quilt from Brigitte's class.  Backing options were stacked high!  The pretty blue surrounded many treasured stash fabrics and a few...actually when I look more than a few...of my favorites in there as well.  The sashing strip is beautifully fussy cut as well.  That brown really contains the variety of the colours in the hexagons. 
Lynn had also finished this sweet red and white hexagon quilt.  We had a long discussion about quilting.  In fact, we have had many conversations about quilting this week as there are so many quilts being finished at this time of year.  As a result, we are going to put on a quilting workshop.  Quilting is an important part of the process.  For the purposes of the workshop you can bring along a basted quilt or a practice mini quilt (or we can make one up for you).  We'll look at the design of the quilt and lots of options.  We'll talk about technique and tools and whatever else comes up as we get the projects started.  Pop us an email if you are interested in attending and we'll give you the details. 

Speaking of all things hexagons, we have had a few people announce trips and there are a few spots available in Marg's class, you know the one...the one that prompts 100 emails every time I do a post!  Marg can get you started on a project for the summer that will keep your mind and hands busy in the quiet moments.  The class is on a Friday so let me know if you want to experience the magic!  Don't be shy...you'll love it.
Another thing that has been getting the creative juices flowing in the shop are custom quilts.  Requests have been pouring in for kit versions of patterns.  We are happy to make up kits for our patterns with substitions that represent the original choices. 
This may look like a fabric tornado but it is actually the making of a kit.  We finely tune and balance the available options until we get the right mix.  Although it is time consuming it is what I live for.  Each choice is an opportunity to relive the original quilt.  To reach into the dark corners and feel the original choices and in some cases make corrections.  Hindsight is always best.

Wendy has been at it again!  She has now designed this bag called Palm Beach.  It has a fabulous opening so that heaps of things fit into it.  The decorator weight fabrics look dynamic inside and out and those handles are handle worthy!  By the way, Hooterville, the pattern and kit, are available on the website now...at last.  Patterns are $20 and kits are $190.  Fresh deliveries of wool for the kits are on the way as demand wiped us out!  Look out for a workshop for this quilt coming soon.

How is this!  Cath "inspired" by Dinozag pattern, made this homespun delight.  In a short amount of time she quilted it (successfully on a short deadline).  It is often the simplest interpretations that are the best.  I love the changes in the colours.  Method gives way to madness and an original piece is made.  It starts with an idea but Cath has made it hers. Speaking of Cath, it was her birthday yesterday!  We prowled around Balmain and visited the marvy Prue Trollope shop to see Kate and had a nice lunch.  We even bumped into Lyndsay and had a nice chat with an old friend!  No cake though.  Sometimes growingup is tough.

Did you put SWAP DAY on your calendar?  Saturday, 3rd December!  Make it a nagging thought...but I'll remind you again. k

Comments

[cardygirl]

Gypsy kisses is oh so tempting...and a quilting workshop...aargh! Sale day would be fun too...might have to push my diary a bit!

[Gillian]

Is there a pattern for the Palm Beach bag please?

[summerfete]

Wow these quilts are right up my street!

Love the Kaffe one, though not keen on the all over circles, but love the border and the colours!!

[Jules]

yes, is there a pattern for the palm beach bag please?

[Pia Merete Hansen]

Hi I love Hooterville. Is the pattern included in the kit or do you need to buy both the pattern and the kit? Is the different types of decoratives described in the pattern?

[kathie]

Hooterville is amazing!
Gypsy kisses has been on my list of quilts to make for a long time!
I need to get going on that.
Francis's quilt is just sooooo beautiful
great fabric choices...
thanks fro sharing as always, fun to visit MO , unfortunately from afar
Kathie

[Mandy M]

Gorgeous pics! Love the last 2 quilts! Brandie (from ABC) sent me over to have a look.

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[Coach Factory Online]

I read your Coach Factory Onlineand I found it amazing .Your thought process is wonderful. The way you express yourself is awesome.