the day after

Firstly, thank you for all the birthday wishes. It was hard to come back down to reality but...one does what one has to do...and reality isn't so bad anyway.

The NSW Quilters Guild offers a show and tell session once a month.  Members are invited to go in and show their quilts and tell the story.  Friday it was my turn.  It took a bit of concentration to figure out which quilts to take but in the end it was fun, like picking a dress to wear to a party.  What do I have to say about each quilt?  Many of my quilts are in use either hanging in the shop, keeping someone warm at night or being boxed to go to France so it made me dig deep and make choices.  Fun.  If you aren't a memeber of the guild it is a good time to investigate what is going on locally.  Be in it to win it!

Old and new quilts...seeing the path from near enough to the start to now was a reflection of diversity.  There were no photos when I wasn't mouth open, full speed ahead.

This is my latest "finished" quilt done in Anna Maria Horners flannels and BIG hexagons.  Backed in voile this is my treat to myself for winter!  Snuggle with a capital S. 

Lately I have had a lot to do with the NSW Guild having just done a demo and talk at the last meeting.  I have found it to be an eye opening experience to see and meet all the behind the scenes people working so hard to bring the community together.  It is a vital resource for all of us to have such a wide variety of information, workshops and events organised by volunteers that work hard.  The committee has been evaluating and re-evaluating the experiences on offer and making progressive changes to include more and more quilters.  check it out here  for more details.  The NSW Quilters Guild puts on a fabulous show once a year but it also provides relevant information, activities and challenges througout the year.  Easy to take advantage...just sign up.Thank you for inviting me to show and tell!!!!

 

When it was over we headed back to the shop for more show and tell, this time by Kelly.

It seems like only yesterday that Kelly started this strippy quilt full of hexagon madenes and now here it is getting the final borders.
Hidden in the strips are hours of folding and sewing hexagons while managing a big family.  There are those among us that make us worry just how they do it all.

Hexagons and hand sewing is so much more fun than I used to think.  The process is very rewarding and in the end you have a quilt that doesn't actually require quilting.  Many hexagon tops get "bagged" or just finished with a back due to the weight of the fabric.  Just an idea... 

 The other super fun sewing technique that is taking off is the raw edge applique...at the complete opposite end of the spectrum.  Here is one of the Starter Blocks finished in no time and looking superb.  Thanks for sending in the photo...it is always exciting to see our bom blocks come back finished.  Not only because it means they are getting done but also because they look fantastic! 

 This is the starter block for this month.  It uses the Reece Scannell shot cottons and the Uzbek Patches template in a mini version.  Cath makes these blocks up and they are a treat every month.  The quilting on this one begs a hand to run over it!

 

On the opposite side of the fence from this structure is Out of Line.  In this class we study concepts  "art quilt" style.  Yesterday we reviewed the projects from our Still Life session. 
As you can see, we have a wide variety of styles represented here from Matisse to modern art.  We all agreed that this style of quilt making helps us to exercies our creative impulses.  I admire these gals as it is a tough assignment to dig deep and make something happen.  The task looms ahead like a heavy weight but in the end pushing through that barrier has a benefit.  When we learn to listen to our own decision making process in regard to quilt content we can then add to our traditional quilts as well.  Colour, line, shape, balance...art quilt or traditional it makes a difference in how we think and work with our fabric.

This session was Cityscape...inspired by the look of straight lines and horizons...big cities or small towns give us a world of inspiration.  I set a task for myself to make a sample quilt that used all the free cutting methods I know from random cuts, skinny lines, raw edge applique and curved piecing.  I also wanted to push a few colour boundaries and set out on Saturday afternoon to make samples.  I had so much fun it neded up a  quilt...
It started with an image from Google city skylines and a few shot cottons from Reece.  Forget any other plans I had for the weekend as once started the radio went on and this city got built!  (sing it...you know the words...we built this city on rock & roll!)

Marina got straight to work building her city with stripes and plaids.

Then added a few trees...in another corner Moira was busy doing a bit of wrinkling to create texture.  

There were lots of interesting things going on in all corners.  All different.  All creatively challenging.  More to come on that but mind mending of another nature on the schedule now...thanks again for all the lovley notes and wishes.  As someone said we may only know each other in cyber space but it is better than not knowing each other at all! k

Comments

[kathie]

just love that big hexagon quilt, did you use a template? I love big graphic quilts like that!!!!
ok these city scapes are wonderful, what fun!
always love seeing your posts, so inspiring.
Kathie

[sheila 77]

Another amazing post full of such variety, from the vase of flowers cushion to the Uzbek geometrics. I love the big hexagons too.

[Deborah]

I love the city scape quilt. Fantastic colours. Can't wait to see it up close.
You did have fun on the weekend,

[cardygirl]

Your Guild talk looks fun...open mouth...now that is unusual! Love your flannel quilt...lots of fun. And that strippy hexie....makes me feel like an under achiever...just gorgeous! Wish I was there!

[Juanita]

L-O-V-E your Cityscape quilt! And the giant hexagons are wonderful and I bet a dream to cuddle under! Always so inspiring!

[CissaK]

The best part of spending our sabbatical in Sydney a couple of years back, was to find this great guild. In no time at all I was at home. I hope they keep with the tradition to hang the quilts that are showcased. I am looking forward to see your quilts there. Great projects in progress.

[jane]

Deborah and Juanita stole my words - LOVE LOVE LOVE the city scapes

[Elizabeth E.]

Ah, count me in for someone who loves the cityscapes. My sister just moved to Philadelphia into a row house, and I'm trying to think of a quilt to honor her new home: a cityscape should do the trick. Thanks, again, for the inspiration.

Elizabeth E.
occasionalpiece