Material Obsession

happy holiday!

It might look as though I am on a holiday taking happy snaps of the lovely view in some exotic location.  Truth be told, no!  Simply running to save my car from a parking ticket after a morning at the boys' school. On a spring day there is no better spot than any spot on Sydney harbor.  I had to stop in my tracks and take a moment to admire the sparkle and not for one second take it for granted.  Its the end of a busy term in the shop.  We all stop and rest during the school holidays...take a breather.

 Moira brought in some of the work that she did in Kim Bradley's Machine Quilting class a few Saturdays back.  In one session she produced all these samples and walked away with a new appreciation of what can be done on the machine to alleviate the pressure of the stack of quilt tops.  

Kim teaches from a very creative perspective.  Her patterns might take practice to perfect but are achievable, even on a first attempt!  The format of this class has always been to explore possibilities while learning technique.  Big  news is that if you have taken this class and need Kim to help while you attempt to start on a quilt let us know and we'll book you in and she'll help get you started.  I know for myself there is a little tiny level of fear that if I machine quilt something I'll spoil it.  Having Kim help us get started could get us over the first hurdle.

Here we have an other view, three practice pieces that Moira did from Jean Wells fabulous book, Intuitive Color and design.  We are really having fun with the techniques which are fun to explore. Curved piecing and other seemingly random cuts are all explained. Next to Moira's quilts, Kerrin has made a cot quilt for an undetermined boy or girl.  The border is that lovely Phillip Jacobs bird that we are loving.  Half square triangles are always an interesting effect.

We also got a look at Amanda's penguins.  Amanda brought this pattern into class which is all applique.  Not sure who the designer is but it is a clever use of fabric to create a design.  Amanda is making a series of quilts for her kids and each one has a personality of its own which is fun to see.

Ok, get ready for this because the next photo is the back of Marg's quilt.

And this is the front of Marg's quilt in Sue Ross's class.  Lets just stop for a second and think about that!  

Flip it over and over and over because there is not end to the delight of having gone the extra mile.  Think of how many scrap fabrics were used...or was that created.  Again the endless circle of delight.  Make a scrap, use a scrap, make a scrap....it just falls into line with the length of that piece of string!

Then this month we had the September dolly quilt results.  Tulips was designed by Cath Babbidge, the famous queen of all things mini.  The dolly quilters "made" fabric with scraps and then cut the tulips out to applique in rows, perfect for spring!

 

Lyndsay worked a bit further on hers and added a few techniques used in other dolly quilts from this year. 

 She made a flying geese border and did some stems with leaves and a bit of Jean Wells curved piecing too! 

Hmm. A new camera does not a photographer make as some of these photos have turned out a bit blurry...I'll have to work on that.

Anne also used a technique for the previous dolly quilts and finished this log cabin quilt this week which got everyone talking and pointing as you can see.  It is a trick of the eye that this log cabin block comes out in circles!

Michelle has flown from the dolly nest as well and made this with the flying geese ruler...
It's either a maxi dolly quilt or a mini Dinozag and either way it will make a lovely gift for a new baby!  It is very exciting to see all the learned techniques coming back in bigger quilts.  That is, after all the purpose of the dolly quilt program.  There are so many things to learn and so many wonderful tools to make every step easier to manage.

The Tuesday night workshop has been busy as well. This week we were amazed to see a series of Kaleido-ruler or spider web quilts.  All made with the same basic shape but all looking unique.

Kim has had this one made with Japanese fabrics and our favorite linen.  The linen is a beautiful background to so many fabrics.  This quilt is huge and nearly completed.  It weighs a ton but will make a nice warm bed quilt soon.

Liesel has has also used the linen only in our new favorite color which is the mole.  It gives the clean brights a nice soft landing.  This quilt is also HUGE and perfectly put together. 

AND, (but wait, there's more!) Kate has been quilting her Iceland quilt which is, you guessed it, HUGE... 

How about that!  Three quilts based on the same shape with three completely different effects.

But while we were all Kaleido nutting it out in the other room, Suzannah was busy on the floor with her circles and Michelle was in her corner powering away on Morpeth Stars.  So much activity!!!!!! It is hard to keep up with them all. 

Megan also had some show and tell.  She put this top together using the 60 degree ruler instead of the 45 and as a result it has sharper points.  It's a great use of large print fabrics. 

 Megan also made this quilt from American Patchwork and Quilting.  Mommy and baby birds all in a row!  Megan found the perfect fabric for the sashing and border strips.
That was a busy couple of days.  It is hard not to be enthusiastic about it all when everyone is doing so many fun projects.  There is no limit.  

And for some BIG news if you are still with me after all that...some of you have noticed the slow release of our NEW, EASY, MANAGEABLE WEBSITE.  We'll formally announce it soon as we are just checking to make sure it all works properly.  Have a look and let me know what you think.  We'll soon be sending out our newsy newsletter as well. 

It's a public holiday today.  Nice.  Slept in a bit and am planning to hang in my pj's until I get pulled away.  
Enjoy. kathy

Progress report

I have often heard the expression, "red sky at morning, sailors take warning," but have never seen one quite like this one today!

It's an ominous, spooky feeling and although the wind is blowing it's not too hard yet and it isn't cold or wet but one can't help but wonder what the day will  bring. 

On Saturday, speaking of surprises, I was presented with this quilt at the end of  my presentation.  It has been made by some of the Novocastrian Quilters.  When I opened it, the lovely ladies that made it and know me well yelled out, "DOUBLE SHOT Coffee!".  Yes, I am now known for the way I take my coffee which is very strong! It was a thrill to think they had made this for me and will surely always bring a smile when I see it!

Judy started this quilt in last months TOTS class primarily to use up some of her stash with a few stash stimulator fabrics.  It represents a new spring palette which, also surprisingly has a bit of peach accented by aqua and plum.  Peachy pink was never my color but I have to say that I love it now as a value down from my current love of orange which may be where that comes from.  It often happens that adding that current fabric into the  mix turns out interesting results.

Despite our hand sewing only weekend away, Kate has made great progress getting this quilt together.  The blocks all balance really well and that sashing fabric...absolutely perfect for tying the whole quilt up.  Kate played with corners and borders all day but it won't be long before this stunner is done.

Going the extra mile here, Lindy declared that she is finishing UFO projects and then presented this finished quilt.  A few weeks back it was already finished but after a bit of discussion Lindy decided that since she still had fabric to make it bigger anshe would and here is the result.  Using the wedge shape she was able to carry the angle of the fans out into the border making it look intended.

Lindy also brought this finished top in which was started in the Kaffe Fassett workshop two years ago! We have seen more than a few of these Snowballs come back recently.  Two years must be a good time for revisiting unfinished projects and seeing them in a new light. I am drawn to this one like a favorite memory of country living.

This is also one of Lindy's finished projects.  It has an organic feel of a different kind with strong, color rich graphics complimented by a bit of soft colorlessness!  Having declared that she was on a finish projects run, Lindy picked up a new tool, Drunkard's Path template and started a new project stating the whole time, "I am just playing!"  

The thing about playing here is that when you use a template to cut out the shapes it is easy to play around with different settings.  They'll all fit together when sewn so it is a great way to reveal a new design.

The day turned into the night class after a short coffee nap!  Anne is a relatively new quilter having come for her first lesson only last year.  She brought in her Sue Ross BOM 2 last night and impressed us all with her skill.  Every point perfect! I have to say I was most impressed by her efforts and obvious progress over the last year. 

Then she brought out her two projects that have grown from her participation in the Dolly Quilt program.  First the Log Cabin ruler from Kaffe Log Cabin in July turned into this...

and then Tanglewood in April turned into this beautiful quilt made with Liberty fabrics. It was all oohs and ahhs for Anne last night who I am afraid can no longer be thought of as the new quilter in the group.  Quietly and with an unassuming nature, Anne has turned into a beautiful quilter shrouded in modesty about her work which speaks for itself.

We welcomed Kate back last night from her travels to Russia, Germany, Iceland and the USA. It was fun to hear a bit about the trip and to show her what we have been up to since she left over two months ago.  Last night was an unusual evening.  Aside from the excitement of Kate's return we all spent the night quilting.   Regularly we gather and the noise level is high, the chat non stop and the variety of activities vast.  I will leave you with some images over the shoulder last night and hope that the sailors warning is not as predicted..

...and a progress report on the sky...

any sailors out there, beware. kathy
ps just went out for the trip to the train station and found the car coated in a fine red dust that must have blown in over night.  Mystery solved.

The end of the photos

So here they are in London eating...yep, not my imagination, Subway!  Oscar, Wally (Steven by birth) and Harry...lads on a mission of fun.  The only news I have had of Oscar was an email stating that London is the coolest place he has ever been and that he really liked the "hectic marching by the guys in the red coats..."  Ah, the joy of education.  Since this scene they have traveled to Dublin to visit the Guiness Brewery and they are now somewhere in Amsterdam.  On to Paris for a touch of what I would imagine will be..."hectic racing of guys on bikes" and then spain where I hope they don't meet up with any hectic bulls...oh to be young and free.

I am at the end of my stored photos since Oscar has my camera.  Here are the last few little beauties...

Judith from Hunters Hill quilters has organized her end of the table to do his lovely applique quilt as a fund raiser for the Hunters Hill High School.  It's a little bit Baltimore and so much more.  I am sure the raffle tickets will go fast for this after June, Robin, Iris and Jenny get their hands quilting on it.  It is so much fun to see these ideas become quilts. 

Nikki  had a play with the wedge ruler and came up with a  subtle quilt.  Quiet and understated but drawing you in to the soft, pretty feel.

Don't know how I missed Nikki's quilt or these little eye poppers by Wendy Williams.

 More playing with the 18 degree ruler only this time squaring up the blocks.  Funky mind blowing fun they are.

And that my friends is it for me for a few days.  I am off quietly for the weekend to a dreamy place... to enjoy the southern coast, drink coffee, chat, sleep late, run on the beach and generally turn off my weary brain. Good things come to those that wait.  k

ps here's a beatiful thing my dear friend Anne in NYC sent me recently which is gorgeous to watch http://www.vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

Stash Managed...term 2 wrap up

It's the end of term 2 and it shows with the number of fabulous projects that have been finished this past week. In Stash Management, Lindy has finished her Antique Rose Star top.  The all over print background fabric gives a slightly modern twist to her beautiful hand pieced blocks and was a terrific find. The red inner border helps bring out the red points in all the stars for perfect harmony.  Lindy's next project is Brigitte Giblin's Tesselation kit.

Paper templates are fun and easy.  We like to refer to them as Slow Burners, projects that can be packed up and taken anywhere.  They brew in the background and suddenly, they are done!  Sometime Lindy also found the initiative to make this stunner for her friend. 

Gil brought a lot of different pieces of this quilt to the first class and was wondering how to put them all together.  She has consistently made progress here by setting the medallion and then working out the borders and by learning a lot of new techniques along the way created a lovely soft quilt in blues.

 Gils project for next term is traveling to Europe and the US so have a nice trip!

Judy got that buggy border by Jane Sassaman on and I can say that this top is basted and being quilted already!  It's a very exciting looking quilt that got lots of inspection by admiring fans at quilt group last week while on the basting table.  No dust on Judy, here is her next project revving up the creative engine.

 The name of the class is Stash Management and although there are a few sashings, borders and background thrown in, the majority of these quilts are made from the home stash...with a bit of stimulation. I am not saying that some of these stashes weren't created recently but the fact is there is a real joy in combining what we have with tweaks of new things and by really looking at what we are doing. Judy played around with the Kaleido ruler and had made heaps of these blocks.  They look great and use up scraps really well.  The red isolates the blocks while the hot new Kaffe stripe adds zing to the sashing...

 I know I showed this before but since it is part of the class and part of the finished top theme I thought I'd give it another go.  Notice the use again of fabric (Brandon Mably's fab graphic zig zag color boosting winner!)  This quilt has a celestial quality to it.  Those stars really sparkle in all their bits.  Kate learned a lot here.  Strip piecing is fun and creates a wonderful result but there are tricks to the trade.  It's a thrill to work with quilters that will step off the beaten track and try working without patterns...using their imagination and acquiring skills all the time.

 What else do we have stored up in the photo file you ask?  Hopefully a lot as number oneson took my camera with him to London on the weekend!!!!  We discussed the need for a camera quite regularly but  he didn't sound interested until we were packing up Friday night. Ok, take it, I'll make do.  A concept one reserves for our last minute thinkers.  Honestly, I then had to stomp my feet to get him to put something besides rugby shorts in his back pack.  Read the motherly sigh here.  Where, I asked, do you think you will be wearing these in Paris??????  We do our best and then, WHAM...they are a finished product with lots of quirks.  I wish I had a photo of his face, full of doubt and confusion as to what I could be talking about in regard to traveling in very short white sport shorts.  His identity was in crisis fully facing my own identity crisis.  Thankfully, his grandmother won't be over there to see him in his sporty gear at the Louvre!  If you are and you see him, ask where his pants are please! Enjoy taking chances creatively...kathy

Tabula "Fulla"

Sue Spargo applique workshop project. Done...tick.  Bag with spotty elephant done as well!  Sue has given us a lot of fun ideas to play with this season but that is just the beginning of the tabula fulla!  On Wednesday we celebrated our Judges Commendation for our Cut Loose quilt, For the Love of Gee's Bend!   Then we moved on to new projects and challenges...as we do!  A big hit at the show were the Bargain Bundles.  Each person got a bundle and a challenge to make something with it. Cath did this in just a few short days.  It's DinoZag...goes Amish...

Just sit and stare at that for a while...I do.  Just loving the way solids are working at the moment.  The simplicity is startlingly wonderful.  

Once it was up on the wall Cath decided to change the yellow to black and maybe add a plaid somewhere...

A previous challenge was about each of us doing our own tree of life.  Cheryl has started here after brewing the concept and changing it from the wheels of life..

What is happening here is a veritable churning of ideas and experience...it all comes together so beautifully with just a bit of consideration.  Each  month we gather for a chat and show and tell and then something wonderful appears the next month.  

Sheena has been working on her tree of life using the cut up method.  I don't know what you call it but doesn't it just work a treat here!!!  We are loving this tree thing.  It started with a whisper of an idea and now can't you just hear the silent footsteps through the woods?!  I love the moodiness and growth in stages as well as the filtered light effects.  Oh, yea, I can go on but what appeals is the fact that we are all traveling on the journey here.  Quilts aren't just photos, they are experiences.

Here is Cath's germinating tree.  It is a fine line we walk when doing the discussions about these quilts.  I thought they were the seeds of the trees but Cath's intention was that they were the leaves...so where does that take us?  One has to wonder about that darned chicken and the egg idea...or what is beyond the universe.  STOP.

Back to reality.  Here's a real tree.  Propped up in it's new position.  I can't help but wonder if it will take to the new spot and grow big and strong again as a transplanted life form.  Are it's roots tingling in search of nourishment or is it in a tree coma?  waiting for spring...energy and life blood.  One can only hope. k

Tabula Rosa

Tabula Rosa... blank slate... is a concept that has stuck in my mind since a psychology class at university.  The idea of no idea, having no experience and starting life with a clean, clear fresh blank mind void of knowledge gained by experience always intrigues me.    Here is my blank slate...tabula rosa if you will.  I took the day off yesterday and stayed home with this in mind.  Yes, there are emails and kits to cut...plans to make...things to do but down time is important too so I stood before my blank wall and smiled happily to myself wondering what the day would bring to fruition.  

Two things appeal to me at this opportunistic junction of time and desire.  One is a quick and easy design to get the dust out and the other is a more complicated, slow brewing, evolving project.  So, while the day was fresh I got out the large Drunkard's Path template, cut and sewed these blocks using my new Curved Seam Presser Foot.  The fabrics are from the new Kokka range 

and some Anna Griffin texture prints I have been admiring as they walk out the door.  For immediate satisfaction I need look no further!  My other fascination is a secondary pattern which is just beginning to appear here interrupting the ribbon flow...more later.  

On to the next thing...

A lovely friend gave me an assortment of reproduction wedges she had cut and decided not to use.  I thought they would be nice to play with when opportunity ran so I got them out and found that they are absolutely gorgeous with my favorite bird fabric...More on that later too as my head was literally swimming with ideas.  How elegant is that bird!

It was hard not to be stimulated after this week of classes.  Everyone is full steam ahead and great work is being done with great enthusiasm.  On Tuesday night everyone was quite considerate of my exhaustion and got down to steady work.  Hands were busy everywhere...

Vicki, our newest member of Tuesday night is happily quilting away and participating in the group...

Suzanne is designing her own applique quilt based on the paintings of Gustov Klimt.  

Suzanne is trying all kinds of applique techniques with a brave determination that we all admire!

Meegan is resting on her laurels after finishing two big projects for the Craft and Quilt show!  Selecting binding on this Liberty log cabin quilt was the task at hand...

and in the end I think she chose this Kaffe paisley stripe as it had great punch.

Wednesday turned out to be a big day of creative fun as well.  Francis has her Chook Yard together.  It is a little bigger than the original.  I was walking the dog a while back and passed a back yard with chooks running around freely in the middle of my neighborhood.  It was a fascinating discovery and not unlike looking at this happy combination of color darting all over the space!  The pattern is available in this month's Quilters Companion and more chook fabric is on it's way!!!!

Susan found the red butterflies to border her quilt which has been evolving in Stash Management.  The birds have sweet personality and are surrounded by color.

Time is up for me this morning as my coffee is finished the boys are in the shower or kitchen and the day calls for action.  

My mind is warmed up now and thinking that If we are born with a blank slate and all of our ideas is based on experience and perception...imagination is what makes the possibilities!!!!   The concept of sharing these ideas is one of great responsibility.  It is a pleasure to see bits and pieces transformed into people's projects.  Ownership of ideas is really not possible once we put them out there to be interpreted by another's input.  As I look back through this post I see quilts inspired by artists, nature and other peoples' quilts.  We are all gathering experience and perception and making it our own.  What a cause for celebration!  

off to make creative lunches...k

Sweet dreams of strips and sashing

Some days things just click.  Susan came to class on Monday and wanted to make a quilt using the new and super gorgeous flannels.  We sat down and drew up a quick star made with half square triangles. Then Amanda came in and put this up on the wall as something she was working on.  It was EXACTLY the pattern we had just drawn up only smaller.     How great does this star look!  The cabbage fabric in the middle in real life almost jumps out of the star.  

Amanda had prepared some strips which are used here in the border to great effect set against the dark red from the star points.  The richness of the red makes the colors of the star just jump.  

Ok, imagine you are in the room here...we have the start of the enlarged 1/2 Square triangle star with a plaid centre and the start of Moira's DinoZag, one of our new and most fun patterns.  These giant zig zags are a quick fantastic result and a great way to display the latest and greatest favorite fabrics...or your favorite ones from your stash.  

Here we have more strips Moira has sewn together AND THEN cut into and cross cut to make stems.  Moira is making little birds and a variety of different blocks to add to this. There is something pleasing about dull greys and steel with ochre and plum.  Yum.

Strip piecing and sashing is a bit of a theme a the moment.  We have been doing a lot of string or strip piecing in the classes.  Further to that, last month the DVD with Quitler's Companion featured Judy Hooworth talking about using color.  Part of the dvd was about how she effectively uses sashing to create secondary patterns that make her quilts very special.  It was fascinating viewing and has inspired me to consider sashing more often. 

I needed something light and mindless to ease my mind last weekend so I turned up the music, got these bits and pieces of stored up stuff out of the many boxes and bags and put it all together.  It is now in one piece and has served as a study in one hundred colors plus black and white.  We talk a lot about Gwen Marston and Freddy Moran and their book Collaborative Quilting.   It is a great place to look when you want to jump in and get something done...when life is just, well, interupted.

As the old saying goes...sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't!  When you don't it's a great opportunity to do a hand pieced quilt, one we fondly refer to as a slow burner. Take one tiny template, cut out over 70 pieces per block and stand back for a good look.   Lindy has been hand piecing these blocks for a long time.  She recently selected the setting fabric, a design and got to work getting the top together.  

This is a most pleasing result!  The stars are really well balanced, the setting fabric sets them off in splendor and the use of the red points is very nice point of continuity so there is a bit of order, but not too much. 

Once that mission was accomplished we checked out some borders for Judy.  Fortunately, Jane Sassaman is now in the house!!! ( and selling fast!)  They are creepy and they're crawly but don't they look exciting here as a border for this quilt!

Then add a little electric blue...

Judy was originally going to piece triangles for this border but decided she wasn't really interested in the piecing.  Ok, I push a little bit but this is her quilt so we started looking at dynamic options instead of piecing a border.  After only a few suggestions Judy chose this border which didn't BUG me at all!!! hahahaha, dad joke there.

Now Laurel has been working on these little beauties.  The blocks are coming together beautifully and since it was sashing day we tried a bit of strip scrap as an idea for her for the sashing.  Amazing how glorious a lot of color is between these fresh blocks.  When too much color is never enough!

We all have them, lots of bits and pieces and particularly when we are cutting lots of colors for blocks.  Keep them sorted by warm or cool and pull them out when you need a quick fix.  Looking forward to seeing what Laurel does next with these blocks.

Sometimes, working out the sashing can take a few experimental examples...Sashing is again the theme to see what we can work out here. Kate has made these stars that really shimmer with color.  She has set them with some handy Anna Maria Horner.  This was the first example.  Then we threw in Brandon Mably's dynamic piece and decided that the warmth of the oranges would work nicely sewn in here.

It's been an exciting week full of thrills and squeals of delight as we use the design wall to bring people's ideas to life before our eyes.  And last night, only minutes before I dropped my tired head onto a pillow, Kate got her blocks up on the wall.  Now really, can you imagine the dreams I had last night after these spectacular projects all day!??  Sweet dreams to all of you.. kathy.  

Dollies, socks and flowers

 

Slow burners...those projects that brew and develop while life happens all around us.  How fun is it to find a whole bunch of blocks are done, one seam at a time.  It is mindless and vastly entertaining at the same time.  Michelle brought these to the dolly class last month wondering how to lay them out.  The options are endless but once again, aided by the handy design wall she sort of decided on this layout which presents the fun opportunity for filling in the white space either with something grand...or not.  We will see what happens...in time.

Susan brought her version of the Ode to Susan McCord dolly quilt all made up into a knitting bag! 

This one got a very special treatment and was machine quilted which I have to say adds terrific texture. 

After a bit of show and tell and discussion about last month's quilt we were promptly onto this month and heaps of progress was made.  These wedge ruler rows are a handy trick for borders, sashing or used big could make a great looking quilt.

Michelle is smiling because she got her whole top done in class!  See, you don't have to have a dolly to love these quick projects. I am particularly happy to see these gals bringing in projects using techniques they have acquired.  Building a skill base means you don't have to feel guilty not doing the laundry...too much fun stuff to try out!
On a completely different note, Lyndsay from Cut Loose has brought in a basket of fabulous hand knit socks.!  I was lucky enough to get a pair of these for a birthday two winters ago and I have to say I couldn't live without them anymore.  Warm as toast and comfy enough to sleep in they keep my chilly toes warm every night!  They are $50 and selling fast.

They come in little sock monkey sizes as well and brightly colored so they are easy to find in a hurry!

The Hunters Hill raffle quilt is coming along as well.  We have all the flowers in place now and will baste it to get the quilting done soon.  Maree brought in her version of Garden Party done on a background of her husband's shirts.  It looks FANTASTIC!
Have a look at the quilting.  She cross hatched most of the background but made space for big organic shaped leaves.  The colors are bursting off the background and each flower needs to be picked for the special vase display...

It is a real garden of delight and a great way to use up scraps of colorful fabrics!

Last week we welcomed Susan Powell and her lovely husband Tom to the shop.  They had a few strong coffees while browsing as they had literally just stepped off the plane, dropped bags at a hotel and come straight to us!  Way to travel in style! We spent the morning looking at quilts and fabrics and then headed off to Hunters Hill Quilters.  Tom was a great sport!  He chatted amongst the ladies and not once did he appear bored while we loaded Susan up with fabric and MO 1 & 2 for reading on the rest of her trip.  After an exciting morning they headed off to the ferry.  Blue skies prevailed that day and as they set off I imagined what could only be a lovely trip across the harbor.  Enjoy your visit and thanks for popping into the shop!
Still more quilty photos to come for your viewing but now it's time to make breakfast!  Get that day rolling and see what we can see!!! Enjoy, kathy

Pushing boundaries...

Schzammmmmm!!! This star jumps into your head and is set on the most fun fabric... Debbie made this in the Designers Circle class and it is huge as well as delightfully adventurous. It is great fun to see these super traditional patterns done in contemporary colors. It can take a brave heart and some hand holding to get there but well worth the effort!
We've been watch Frida grow for months now and I hear that the sashing is now in place.  It's a quilt that tells a story and looks good at the same time.  Robin has put a lot of personality into this quilt which is one of my favorite themes these days.  Make it yours!
Deborah's stars are coming along now too.  She started with some stash fabrics and a loosely defined direction but things are coming together now and a few ideas have been cemented.  Spots for points, semi solid backgrounds, focus fabrics for centers.  As soon as a direction is identified a new one appears...like what happens if we put this red patterned fabric for a background?  Oh, yeah, that works too.
We are on a bit of roll with zig zags at the momentt.  Sue started this a while ago and may have considered it to be finished but it is now getting a giant zig zag border as well!  Wow how great those lines are!  I love this pattern. No zig zags here...Vicki is working circles on circles...on dots!  The vibrant colors work beautifully and the shapes accent the graphics on the flowers really nicely.  It will be fun to see the next step of this one too!

And now for a different twist on Stash Eater!  Try it in Japanese...oh yeah, it works! 
Sheena brought in her Sue Spargo piece and I think it looks fantastic framed like this!  Gives it a real sense of development with Sheena's usual flair.
The detail is wonderful.  These tops are coming in all the time.  My camera is so full of stuff that it just died yesterday so there is more to come from the Arcadian Quilters Show at Swanes last weekend and more...more...more.  kathy

Sue Cody's Insight

Oh how lucky we are today.  The fabric options abound with the glory of color and design that can be used in soooo many ways.  Sue Cody was teaching in the shop yesterday which is always a lesson in consideration.  Last year Sue introduced the Tree of Life and her is yet another fabulous example of the quilt done by Suzanne.  Watching these projects come to life from a pile of "what do you think about these combos" is a fascinating experience.  It looks like Sue's quilt and yet it has a life of it's own, brought on by the creator's interpretation of the original.

Sitting across the table from Suzanne is Margaret, in the same class making these divine hexagon blocks.



Sue does a great job of guiding the girls into these blocks.  A few weeks ago there were some stunned looks as people packed up their bags with tiny papers and a selection of fabric.  Clever inspection and cutting has produced these engaging blocks which are most pleasing to regard.
I know this is a bit of a tease post as Sue's patterns aren't available unless you take the class.  Tutor classes offer a look into an experienced quilters style that can then become a part of your own. There is so much to learn while we are doing so much! Everyone in the class is doing gorgeous projects...even Kelly who comes all the way from Melbourne once a month to experience and learn!!!
In another corner of the room Kim is making Sue's latest design. Again, Kim is making this her own quilt by her fabric choices.  The work is beautiful and draws the eye for closer inspection. (please  note use of someone's fabric fabric yet again!!)
  It is commonly assumed that our shop is full of bright fabrics BUT used in the right proportion the colorful options in the shop create works with great sophistication like this one.  Sue's original colors are quite different, more Middle Eastern spice colors like tumeric or saffron as this is a Suzanni (ok,that is a phonetic spelling of the style because, well, I'm a BAD speller) inspired project.
Point is, with an open mind the possibilities are endless.  At first we liked these modern fabrics for the big things they did and how easy they were to cut up for borders, alternate blocks and fillers.  However, upon closer inspection and with a traditional feel, we see more detail, more color, more excitement.  A fear wells up inside of me during Sue's classes.  It is so fascinating to look at what you can do but it's not for the time challenged such as myself at the moment.  This is a brewing concept.
Thank you to all of you who have been buying our book.  It's lovely sharing the journey of obsession with you!!!  I am off to the first round of winter sports today...oh the wonder of it all.  have a great weekend, kathy