Material Obsession

express yourself!

Where's Beryl?  Some people express themselves in earth tones, some in clean brights.  Some with lots of embellishment, some simple.  I notice more and more frequently that we dress in a similar manner to how we quilt.  In the case of this silly photo, Beryl was admiring Grace's quilt and being the happy camper that she is agreed to pose for the photo as she obviously blended right in.  As for the quilt, Grace has used the owl panels from Saffron Craig to make a stand out quilt.  We eventually found Beryl before the panic set in.

Speaking of loosing someone, look OUT Boston because Nikki is coming your way! Nikki will be 

spending the next few months in Cambridge, MA wearing at least one of the new skirts she has made recently.   Nikki, as shown here, is from horizontal format land.  Despite my obvious technical problem, doesn't that skirt look great!  We have had a massive rush on skirt making this year which has been fantastic fun.  Nearly every day someone comes in proudly sporting a skirt they have made.

We examine zippers and ric rac hems and fabric lining options.  It is true that we are wearing the art and loving it.  The Amy Butler Barcelona pattern has a lining that means we can apply a bit of what we have learned about combining fabrics to make fun surprises.

Connie has a lot of grandchildren and for the last six years she has been making quilts for them between holidays to exotic places.  It might appear that wander lust is taking over as Connie has just decided to make cushions instead.  I am sure they will be just as loved, particularly when they look like this Dresden flower.  

I can't type.  I love looking at this quilt.  I love the homespuns.  I love the Aboriginal fabric.  I love the blending and the contrast.  It's not complicated but it is engaging.  Wendy brings something interesting in every week for the Friday class.  We have been going a bit MAD with the Aboriginal fabrics.  They work beautifully with homespun as seen here and just as beautifully with the Reece Scanelle shot cottons.  

Wendy also made this one using a combination of spots and stripes with some of the more graphic fabrics from the Kaffe Fassett collection.  We fell in love with these fabrics when they came in and now as I see projects coming in using them I am falling in love again.

There is no end to what can be done with the grid rulers.  They are super easy to use and the results are always fun.  Heather has just started doing Wendy's class and this particular flower will soon grow on a pale pieced background.  

After the thrill of Friday night formal I needed a boost on Saturday morning so I headed into the shop.

It was show and tell time with the Sue Ross group.  Perhaps I shouldn't have taken this photo in front of the window but it looks so beautiful with the light shining through.  I think it is safe to say that Judy struggled just a bit when selecting her fabrics for this block.  It has a few rules but when anything goes I think we tend to get a bit muddled.  However, no pain no gain and the reverse are usually true.  This quilt is stunning and we were all impressed.  Here it is again without the back light.

This pattern has been a popular one this year.  Stephanie has gotten hers nearly together and added a bit of applique and sashing.  Different colors, nice effect as well.

And here is another one of Stephaie's quitls on display with a block some of you will reckognize!

Speaking of the Sue Ross BOM, so many of you have gotten the news that the program is full. I am sorry to disappoint but since there are so many looking to join we will be working to put another batch together in the future and we are making a list of contacts so you'll hear from us.  Having said that, we have other equally exciting programs in the works so stay tuned!  

I didn't hang around long enough on Saturday to see how far Elizabeth had gotten with her version but it was off to a good start....oops, just noticed this one is different!  I'll have to find out more here.  

When I had snapped off some photos and absorbed some inspirational energy I headed home to find a new batch of boys sprawled on the lounge for the two football games on Saturday.  It was like having a herd of cows graze through my kitchen by the end of the day.  After dinner for 10 unexpected guests I felt as though I had achieved something and fell into bed.  

I'll leave you with this absolutely stunning spiderweb. How cool is it that those triangles and diamonds read the way they do!!!!! Judy mad this one as well and I have to say it is spectacular.  Sraps are the best!  The erratic combination of anything gives us that unexpected wowser component.  The back was spectaular as well.

I am fully out of time as I can hear spoons hitting bowls and really, if I hang around here on the computer it will be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches....again.  I would like to think that I will catch a bit of fun banter this morning but am sure that the conversation will exist only of grunts.  Why can't everyone wake up chatty like me?  k

boys and girls

We live in a boy house.   Rugby, cricket, grunts, and food rule the roost. There are sports clothes soaking in the laundry, hanging over chairs and shoes scattered everywhere at any given moment.  Over the years I have realized that some of the nice female treats have fallen by the wayside.  Fortunately, my work counter balances that effect but I find myself sometimes tilting my head in wonder while listening to stories of woman's lives that involve some of the softer things in life. 

Last week, while away I got a call from John.  I worried at first by the tone of his voice but then he whispered down the line, "Kath, there's a girl in the house!"  WHAT!  I tried to stay calm as the long distance alarm bells went off.  Quite frankly, I was not prepared for this news!!!! This new development in the boys life, that of girls, is causing me to slip away mentally on a regular occassion.  I can't help but think about what it would be like to be dating one of my sons.  What do the girls see?  Do my boys know how to properly behave?   Have I done my job here and  made them aware of what women expect from them????  Yikes.  Time will tell I guess but we are now at a new development stage with eyes wide open and a gag handy at all times so I don't say something stupid.

On top of that, it's formal season.  I woke up with a start the other day remembering that a young lady might like flowers for the formal.  (not DANCE mom!  you always use the wrong words...)  

Floranectar, a lovely local flower shop, is on my way to work so I popped in and got the royal corsage treatment.  It was fun and I could tell I was in good  hands...with someone  who understood what a gal would like!  

The wrist corsge was a very pretty arrangement that smelled like heaven.  I wanted to hang around in the flower shop chatting pretty things and was mulling over how much fun it might be to work color and design with flowers but we had a tight schedule for the evening.

 Noah arrived home all calm and unhurried but I fixed that with enough panic for everyone.  While he was having a quick shower we got Oscar to polish his shoes, a job he loves sharing with all of you.

Again, I slip away mentally thinking back to formals in my day. Waiting for that special guy to approach me in the high school hall and ask me to the dance...or less formally to ring on the phone while we were having dinner so everyone in the family could hear my response.  Long dresses, curlers, giggles, mom's borrowed shoes...it was all so excitingly girly.  We thought ahead, planned and anticipated.  Today, as many of you know, the invitations might be on myspace or even worse a text message over the phone.  It seems so much easier now albeit a bit less romantic.

 No matter how the invitation went out for this date it was happening in a big hurry.  We had to get across town for pick up and then get to the "befores" in rush hour traffic.  Shoes and tie done in the car while calling for the address...ahem...as well as phoning in job references.  No last minute detail left unturned at the last minute.  

We finally arrived at her house for the photo.  She was calm, cool, collected and simply gorgeous!  The contrast was startling for me but I don't think Noah noticed my reaction.  (flowers left in car by the way!)  Is there anything better than a young lady with manners and grace  under pressure?  Back in the car and traffic to the before party...

Where have all these lovely young women been keeping themselves I wondered? I am locked out of the social life of boys and not happy about it at all. Why do I only get to share the sidelines and not the chat lines??? I listened to talk of spray tans and hairdressers as if it was another language!  Short skirts, makeup, legs and higher than high heels surrounded me!  How DOWDY can one feel?? Can they really be only sweet 16!  Meet the boys...

and the girls...

my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

 I realized I simply do not get out enough.  I drove home in a whirring state of manic reflection...home to the safety of my needles and pins...home to my standard comfy chair to quilt to not dance but rather quilt the night away. I was hoping they had a fun night of twinkling lights on the harbor cruise. Although I knew the details would not be shared I was hoping them a  night of dancing and smiling and laughing and sharing the excitement of life...the joy of discovering themselves and how much they have grown up.  The thrill of holding hands and well, maybe a kiss. Life is long, I always say.  The opportunities for fun are varied.  I love the quilting life, as you all know, but sometimes these days my boys are reminding me of a different kind of fun.  One of anticipating the shiney happy road ahead for boys and girls, young men and ladies.  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.

A room with a view...

The perfect view only slightly distorted by a bit of Kate's applique project! Early last Friday morning Carolyn, Kate and I packed the car with quilts and a few precious projects and headed  up to the Newcastle area  for the Novocastrian Quilters 25ht birthday party!  Here are past and present presidents gathered to cut the delicious cake.  

Nearly 80 wonderful quilters gathered to celebrate 25 years of gathering to make thousands of quilts and just as many friends.  The room was full of chatter as the group gathered for bubbly and lunch.  On display was the result of their challenge quilt this year which was perhaps a mini picture of the personality of the group.   Three pieces of fabric and a block and the results were unique and as varied as the number of entries.  Each quilt individual and each gorgeous.  I was pleased to not be the judge! Ordinarily, preparing a "speech" might seem like a daunting task but each time I thought of standing in front of a room full of quilters I felt at home.  They, like me, know what a joy it is to wake up and want to do something exciting.

I was lucky to have my friends with me.  These little trips away do wonders to add layers on friendships as we sat and chatted.  This is Carolyn's favorite chair.  It's next to the window and well worn from years and years of sitting, stitching and looking out the window.  

  

 

On the way home Kate spotted this gorgeous scene.  The horse had just given birth.  We watched from the side of the road as it took a few first tentative steps.  Living urban life styles these moments are rare. I had to wonder how such a marvelous moment could go seemingly undetected but then noticed the crowd of interested spectators.
My spectacular flowers made it home and add some life to home and a pretty reminder.

How gorgeous is this fabric when rolled out on the table.  Lately, and particularly with some of the Kaffe and Phillip Jacob fabrics I have been thinking that rolled up on bolts there is no justice done to these gorgeous fabrics.

 I am experiencing some technical difficulties here this morning.  Perhaps due to rushing...thank you to the Novocastrian Quitlers for inviting us to participate in the celebration! Kathy

Slices of life

This the new fabric table filled with huggable treats.  Its the spot where we drop the new things hoping to have a nice long look before they...well, you know...vanish.  The life span of a bolt of fabric is like watching the $5 notes in the cash register come and go.  Some days there are stacks of them and then all of a sudden, no change at all!  It'd be nice to have fabric on a drip so that it is always there to help us through the day.  Most people think of me as working in bright fabrics full of color but if the truth be known (and it does get out like a good story) I am that first fabric.  I can hardly type for staring at it!

The weeks just fly by full of special moments of fabric delivery, classes, alarm clocks and dashes here and there.  You know the feeling...wake up Monday and all of a sudden!!! it's nearly the weekend. Things that once seemed far off are near or even gone!  This stack of quilts is patiently waiting for the weekend.  I am off to Newcastle to participate in the Novacastrian Quiltters 25th birthday celebration! We are sneaking in a day of sewing on the way so this weekend starts in 24hrs!  I wonder if I am taking enough quilts...just kidding.  More is best.  

The husband can't understand why I need to leave a day early but he just can't read the menacing stack of quilts behind my as I type this.  Bindings, quilting, basting, applique...all these things take time.  I am my own worst enemy finding distractions in everyone and thing around me. For example, what about this!

Vicki made this on the weekend.  It's like raindrops on a window with all those colors running down fracturing something magnificent out of view.  Vicki told us that she had made it while slightly under the weather from the previous nights excess.  Hmm.

Suzanne is working on this through the looking class creation which is coming together really well.  One would think that 3 year old twins would prevent Suzanne from accomplishing much but she does get it happening, as seen here.  You'd think she spent all her day smiling and admiring those two cute kids and they weren't on the GO all the time.  These two women are proof that normal excuses are not interfering with our quilting progress!  Would could slow you down more than a hangover or twins???

 Maybe the BOM!!!  Jill was working hers out in class the other day. 

We had a few laughs but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.  The best tip for this block is set out all your pieces first.  That way there is no confusion.  I have a hard time reading through directions.  I get bored straight away and want to skip to the next step.  However, I am learning that method eliminates madness.  I am trying to teach myself to read and think instead of use my favorite bull at a gate method.

However, sometimes there is a place for just cut and sew and that started with this pile,

 and is now one of the things to be basted this weekend!  This is me learning to be suspenseful instead of excitedly bursting forth with any little progress I make.  

Now for a public service announcement.  It was my gorgeous brother Chris's birthday on the 15th.  Happy birthday if you read this!  He and his family recently experienced a local tragedy.  Haley and Connor (the twins) have a friend named Ben Goss who was in a car accident and is now in a spinal unit having broken his neck.  It's the kind of injury all parents dread.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Ben and those that love him in this time of need and reflection.  The beautiful thing about it is how a community comes together in a situation like this.  Within a few short weeks Chris, his wife Daphne, Connor and Haley as well as their town and some Boston celebrities banded together and put on an event that raised over $27,000 for Ben.  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bengoss 

Haley wrote this song “Be Strong”  for Ben and their band played it at the event.

The Cranks

I'm just another kid on the bus
He was always there just another one of us
And he's on that plane today
Tell me how did things ever get this way

It won't be long, you'll be back to where you belong
It won't be long, you'll be back to where you belong
It won't be long, you'll be back to where you belong
It won't be long, you'll be back to where you belong

C'mon, C'mon

So you're not just another kid on the bus
Facing so much more than any one of us
And as I sit here today
I've only got one thing to say

Stay strong, be strong, come back to where you belong
Stay strong, be strong, come back to where you belong
Stay strong, be strong, come back to where you belong
Stay strong, be strong, come back to where you belong

On the field or down the street
His stick in hand defies defeat
I say pull thru that's what she said
We'll get this thought inside your head
See you in her photography
This noise is no commodity
We won’t seclude a righteous dude
We’re here for you, its what we do
So take a day or take a year
The playbook says to have no fear
You play attack We'll take the rear
and when you return we'll be right here

When you return we'll be right here
When you return we'll be right here

We can only hope that time heals all and that we never forget the power of community to bring a bit of happiness when it all looks so bleak.  Time flies.  It's good to go slow and note the good things...to put our time and efforts where our heart is.  Good work is just that. kathy 

Diversity!

Sometimes we buy a book on impulse and leaf through it and then, well, never go back to it again.  When it comes to fabulous duo of Freddy Moran and Gwen Marston that is never the case.  These two do it right every time by producing a book full of fun ideas that can be mixed and matched to make quilts as individual as they or YOU are yourself.

Faye has gotten to the point now where she has worked through the people, houses and trees in the book and yesterday she turned to the parts department of book one and started cutting an array of shapes for the side borders in this quilt.

Rosalind is already quilting her version of this quilt having made her way through the parts department. Her daughter anxiously awaits this quilt and has already identified the princess cloth version of herself in the quilt.

It never ceases to amaze me how individual these little Collaborative quilts become as they evolve before the makers eyes.  Often, they are a bit more work than anticipated but never less fun. 

Another book getting ruffled pages at the moment is the new one by Jean Wells.

Last week in Cut Loose we all got our our copies, turned to lesson one and got busy with some scraps.  As you can see, the results are as varied as the women that made them.  A few simple exercises in this book reinforce a lot of the interesting new techniques available today.

Diversity is the key to life at the moment.  From Collaborative work to intuitive and then around the block to applique.  My friend/sister-in-law, Gai just got this Lollipop Trees quilt back from the quilters.  Pictured here with the lovely Will, .  How gorgeous does it (they) look!  This one goes to Grace as she completes her HSC year of study.  You go girl!!!  If you knew Will you're smiling at the stoic pose!  How mature they get when they turn 7,  (hey happy birthday dude!)  This quilt was a big adventure for Gai as it is her first real applique project! If you can believe that!  Iit is fantastic to see it finished despite a full family life.

The next two projects swinging in from left of centre are Sheena's and Cath's from the Brenda Smith workshop a weekend ago.

Both made from scraps.both scream their maker's names and both are made using handy tips and techniques that Brenda has up her sleeve.  There is one more session in this round of Brenda Smith workshops.  If you are interested in signing up email or ring us to put your name on the list.

Now Kelle was away in traveling in Europe but has gotten over jet lag and the re-entry process and is now progressing her Sue Cody quilt.  It's soft and pretty and will be a long lasting family treasure.  

At the same time as the applique progresses this was happening in the next room.  Francis has pulled this out of the stack to make a few additions.  Stumbling blocks are often an opportunity for creative solutions.  Francis looked a this quilt and wasn't happy after a lot of piecing.  After reviewing the options, she has decided to applique some flowers onto the stripes.  The roundness of the shapes breaks up the stripes and is a good solution to the problem that Francis had with the project.

This past season I have dodged the flu bullet so many times I nearly thought I was a super human.  However, when it got me I went down like a lead balloon and completely lost this past weekend.  I spent hours in bed with swirling ideas in my head surrounded by the frustration of mounting laundry and the need to go to the grocery store...not to mention loosing my sewing time, and what happened on The Bill Saturday night?  What happened at the dance on Friday night?  How did the Athletics go?  Where is everyone? What amazed me most was that on Sunday when I still  couldn't lift my head off the pillow, my teenage boys, when all the sport and dates were over...well they loved lying on the couch doing NOTHING but watching rugby.  This is their life I thought in amazement.  How strange to be so full of life and to love nothing more than a bit of sport on the television.  I did get to see some sport and have a bit of a fly on the wall action to their banter.  That and the only good thing about being down and out is getting up again to hit the floor running!

One last thing! Do you have a stack of quilts that you have made over the winter?  If you do why not book into Kim Bradley's class on Saturday and machine quilt finished projects under her supervision. Her classes have been great for getting people started but if you haven't practiced enough or would prefer to get going while she watches, we still have a couple spots available on Saturday from 10-3:00pm.  She is happy to help you get started on your project and that is enough time to well and truly get one on the way....what a GREAT idea!!!!  If you are curious about it give me a ring in the shop and we can talk about it.  Off and running...kathy

Shop Envy

I appreciate pretty.  I can't do it very well but I know it when I see it and I saw it  yesterday at My Place in Bowral.http://www.myplacebowral.com.au  Our visit was like falling into a pillow of all things nice and womanly. 

It is the home of all things Amy Butler and Moda with a lovely selection of retro homewares as well as jewelry, lampshades and fabrics.  

Of special note on a day like this is how many of us are turning up in our hand made skirts.  Check out Sara, dashing out of camera distance wearing her Brandon Mably/Kaffe Stripe skirt!!!  Shop envy, 

skirt envy, it was all just too beautiful!

 Thank you to Lynn and Sara and all the lovely quilters that came for a look at the quilts and a chat.  The time flew by with barely a second to stop and browse the goodies on hand! But we did manage to steal a few seconds to get a bit closer to spring.  

What a lovely place to spend a day!  

  I must say that it was a most delight filed day as we talked quilts and quilting and then had lunch before heading back to Sydney.  

It's hard not to imagine how lovely life would be in a town like Bowral.  Particularly if you like divine shops with quirky art, books and the rest.  It would appear that coffee is an important life source as it is available everywhere.  The ride down past the rolling hills of the Southern Highlands was a wonderland of Wattle and fields.  I just wish I had remembered to set my alarm so I could have done my hair for the day.  OOps. 

This week has been jam packed with goodies.  We had Stash Management on Tuesday and Debra had finished her Fractured quilt!  How EXCITE ME!

This is a perfect stash buster of a quilt as anything and everything that contrasts goes into it. There is another one growing too...

Alex has just joined the group.  She brought along this quilt in progress.

That was then, this is now...

as we sampled a few sashing options.  It is great fun to examine boundaries and to see what different fabrics will do to blocks.  There are sooo many options.

Debra has a long list of things to do.  It wasn't enough that she completed one quilt between classes.  She also brought in this antique quilt top.

And then started putting together blocks from the pattern which we were all loving...

There were a few setting options here as well. 

Tuesday night Rachael showed us how she has been re-inspired to work on these clamshells.  She started them a while back but when she was the Reece Scannel shot cottons her mind started going a mile a minute.  These are going to sit beautifully on the shot cottons!!!!  There are a few sets of different colors and a shot cotton to match each one.  

Rachael  on my right, Meegan on my left and both of them working paper piecing projects.  These little bits of Liberty are like little precious gems sparkling in the light.

 It's been a big week full of classes and a fun outing.  I have to say I am a little bit tired this morning.  I am sure that the energy bug will hit in a minute...Yesterday, while I was otherwise occupied, the Hunters Hill Quilters celebrated their birthday.  It is a tradition of sorts every September that we celebrate.  This year we indulged in a Wagga competition.  Each member was given a piece of wool and a mission to make a Wagga that will be sold at our show next year.  The renown Annette Gero judged the show yesterday and I am anxious to hear how it all went.  Here is my entry which is made from wool scraps gathered around the place as well as a few choice bits of Cloth from my stash.

I used a flannel sheet as wadding and an old sheet on the back and appliqued the bits on top with kitchen string.  The quilting is in a random Baptist Fan.  It was actually a lot more work than it's simplicity would indicate.  Anyway, if you like waggas we will  have heaps for sale as I think there were about 50 waggas made for the competition and they'll all be available at the show next August.

Gotta wagga out of here.  Thanks again to My Place for having me yesterday!  kathy

Life is a High Jump

Saturday started here, where the appropriate questions is how high can you jump.  From here the day took a creative high jump to Brenda Smith's class.

As you can see, they are all getting busy and hardly noticed my arrival.

The walls were loading up with Scrap Heaven designs as they all tried to eat up their stashes.  I hear and it all the time, "I sew and sew and sew and still I find scraps!!!!  Why do scrap quilts still leave scraps?

Straight lines and curved lines appearing here in one of my favorite pallets and with several fabrics that I may have a few scraps of as well!

How much do our scraps identify us for who we are?  I wonder if I walked into this room and they all stood back if I could pick whose pile was whose? It  might be an idea to swap scrap piles...put the bar up a notch into that uncomfortable zone!

This batch is is a dead give away!  We all get to know each other so well in the comfortable surroundings of what we love to do.  Laughter and sharing of stories is as much a part of this adventure in pieces as the actual piecing.  I was happy to see this face in the room.

Meeting some people remains in the mind's eye over time.  When I married and moved to Australia, I left behind everyone and all things familiar and started a new life.  The enormity of what I had chosen to do with my life still reveals itself 20 years later.  I was happy in my new life but without the surrounds of my family, friends and career I was more than a bit lost and lonely.  One day I invited a gal to my house for coffee simply because I heard her American accent while standing in line at the bank!  Things turned when I took young Oscar to the Dolphin Street Playgroup in Coogee.  Here I was surrounded by moms and kids in a creative environment.  Near to the university and hospital, the group was filled with "new" Australians and we all had something in common.  It was a great place to make a mess, play music, and to gather where there was always something on for young and old.

Early on I was approached by an unassuming character who said she heard that I sewed.  (still unsure where she heard that as at the time I struggled with straight seam curtains!)  From that minute a long lasting friendship was born as we sewed, silk screened, painted and made paper through the years of managing young children.  Bronwyn's kids were a few years older but her kitchen soon became a hang out and her sewing room a place of massive inspiration (perhaps due to the stacks of projects around the room with so much potential!)   I learned a lot from Bronwyn and listened with interest to the challenges she had with her kids and particularly her kids messy rooms.  I think of that every time I step over sport clothes and pillows.  

The most special moment was when she gave me a quilt that she and Lucy had made for Noah when he was born. I held it in my hands and was overcome, simply overwhelmed by the thought they she and her daughter had sat together and chosen the fabrics and sewed them all together. The next day I was at her house, rifling through her trunks of fabric begging to be taught to quilt.  That's the story.  It's one of kindness and beginnings that have lasted the test of time.  Bronwyn may be sick of this story but it is one of my favorites and I am forever grateful for our meeting as I remember the first minute we met like it was yesterday.

New heights were achieved in lots of directions,

Weekends roll into Mondays.  Gears shift and we move into classes, mail outs and more. Last month we did Kaffe's Log Cabin for a dolly quilt and eager Michele got so excited she went home and started a big quilt.

Using the Marti Michele Log Cabin ruler makes making these blocks a simple feat.  They can then be arranged any way you like but we are liking this way at the moment.  The ruler has to measurements for strips so it is easy to make small strips for one side and larger strips for the other, creating almost a circular pattern amongst the blocks.  There are lots of options for block assembly now that this gorgeous quilt is underway.  Michele also latched onto the Wagga story earlier this year and went away last weekend to get a jump on this project.

Ok, the simple structure of a wagga means immediate satisfaction.  Made from wool suiting samples with highlights of color and texture this is already a success.  But wait, there's more...

These bits of wool felt were purchased from Purl Soho.  Michele plans on first quilting this wagga and then adding bits and pieces of applique onto the top of the quilt over the years according to her memories of her Australian life.  Michele is here "temporarily" from Boulder, Colorado.  A woman of substance, Michele is gathering quilting momentum as she inhales every bit of quilting knowledge she can.  Two great projects on the list and always a smile on her face.

This is a photo of Grace overseeing the final stages of a first quilt being bound after three lessons and only a month.  The quilt is stunningly put together in a mixtures of textures and colors and is enormous!  What a great start to quilting!  

And finally, as thought move over to breadrolls and tuna fish and the sound of cereal bowls clinking...her is Sheena's Lava Lamps.  (tipped over as I haven't gotten a handle on turning photos around yet!)  Great 

use of the tumbler template!

So, no matter how high the bar is set, a can do attitude, and a surge of energy will get you over to the next height!  Enjoy the flight. kathy

Stepping Out...

Planning ahead doesn't feel like my best attribute.  I tend to find myself at the last minute before an upcoming event or activity planning everything  and worse case scenario, as I run out the door gathering whatever is needed.  This mode of operation works well for making lunches or  dinner, sporting events and even parent teacher interviews  but sometimes... occasionally, things need a bit of advance planning.  

Next Thursday the 10th of September we are road tripping to Bowral for a visit to My Place. I have long wanted to visit this divine shop and Lynn has asked if I'd bring down some quilts from Material Obsession one and two and sign a few books while I am there. My boys keep me sober by regularly asking the question, "Who would want YOUR autograph?!"  If the answer is nobody we'll have a nice chatty day at My Place!  Everyone knows I love a good chat so if you are in the neighborhood and want to come in to say hi, talk things quilty and get a book signed or even bring in a quilt you have made from the book or that was inspired by the book, well that would be very exciting for me.  

My Place was opened recently by the former owner of Berrima Patchwork and it is the home of all things Amy Butler and Moda, and Moda Home.  So, in an effort to really plan ahead I have gotten out my three new skirts made from the Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt pattern.

I haven't made skirts since flunking out of girl scouts so it is a great pleasure to have found this gorgeous pattern that can easily be personalized to reflect my love of fabrics.  Please note the vintage Liberty Wool with the morning glories on it. I have saved that fabric for about 4 years and had it pinned to my dressmakers dummy for the last 18 months. (figured out why they called it a dummy when it didn't help me make the skirt!!!)  Also, while we are noting fun stuff....the giant ric rac on the bottom of the Echino skirt version.  This little trick is wonderbar for those that don't like doing hems because they are too much in a hurry to wear the skirt in five minutes!!!  I WANT it NOW!  

And finally, the apron version...mmmmm, special going out apron.  I was intending to wear it over jeans but it didn't look quite right so I made the linen skirt to go underneath.  Very nice now!  Now I just have to wait until the last minute to decide which one to wear to Bowral.  If you have used this pattern to make a skirt wear it on the day and we can do a mini fashion parade.  (I am cracking up at the thought!)

By the way, only look at the skirts and not the mess behind it as I am not buried in my sewing room at the moment so I haven't cleaned up this week!  Actually I have but you don't need to know that is how it looks after a tidy up...oops.

While we are talking about outing things, places and people here is the Divine Miss B-B-Babidge holding her gorgeous Tulips Dolly Quilt he designed for September!  Cath is the queen of mini and now, as you can see by the WIP behind her, the new found queen of free cut drunkard's path blocks!!!!  Cath was recently freed from the tedium of carefully cut curves by Brenda Smith, nd now has a new love of cutting freeform and isn't it FAB!

Brenda is returning to MO this Saturday to bring more freeform swipes of the rotary to the table.  I can't wait to see what results.

Sheena brought her curved piecing quilt from the last Brenda Smith class very cleverly named something I can't for the life of  me remember what at the moment...ah yes Babba Ganoush...remembered it but not sure about the spelling.  Anyway, I love this quilt.

And here is something I created earlier...Oscar and his friend Harry.  They are sporting the overalls they bought in Spain or France at the markets!  It's Thursday evening and they are  on their way to "Super Heros" theme night at the local.  Who are they you might ask?  Mario Brothers of course!

By the way, don't look at the mess around them in this area of the sewing room either.  Geez, if I'd known you all were coming over I'd have cleaned up a bit.  Ha. Kathy

Ok, the new camera in hand I headed out on the fist day of spring full of high expectations.  I think I might need a focus lesson however the Japonica photo stays.

Appropriately, it was Tulip day in the Dolly class.  These gals are the first off the rank each month in making the dolly quilts.  They get the benefit of working in a group but they also proof the pattern for us each month.  We celebrated Spring with dolly made by Cath Babidge, Tulips.  It features "making fabric" from which we cut tulip shapes out.  As you can see, it made everyone very happy!  I thought I had stumped this group and they'd be busy all day but they made great progress.

There were other dolly quilts on show from the last two months.  We have worked with the Marti Michelle ruler and also foundation piecing. Each month is a different technique which is first practiced small and then can be used to make other quilts. Anne is using the log cabin ruler and the Arcadia line to make this pattern into a larger quilt but it was late last night and I missed the shot to share.  Suffice to say, it is looking gorgeous.  This block, when combined with others makes a great big circle shape...I'll try to catch it next week!

ok, I also need practice on some other aspects of this new camera...but aren't the colors sharp!

Last night Meegan showed us her birds which fit nicely into the spring theme!  Aren't they tweet! (sorry dad joke for Father's Day!)

Some projects are just monstrous in scope llike  Michelle's Morpeth Stars. It won't be long now but it is at that awkward assembly stage and poor MIchelle was isolated in the other room while we all had a chat.

Jodie has taken an empty seat in our Tuesday evening group and here is a sample of her work.  What do you think of this one Kathie!  Just your colors...

We go on a bit about personal expression in quilts and doing what you like and not worrying about seams or perfection but this quilt is very nicely put together and a joy to examine as a result.  

And BIG NEWS!!!!

Material Obsession now carries Reece Scanell shot cottons and aren't we the lucky ones!!!!!!!!  These glorious pre washed, pre shrunk and  color safe fabrics are the RAGE at the moment.  Reece has worked for a long time to get the fabric just right. It comes in precut 1/2 metre pieces and the range is up to 100 different colors!  We are finding ourselves standing by the boxes and just pulling out divine combinations and mixing them up with all the other gorgeous fabrics in house at the moment.

They turn beautifully for applique and machine quilt with a shimmer!  Of course an easy option is to blend them  with Kaffe and Brandon but also are looking like good options with reproductions and other fun stuff.  For example...

...these aboriginal prints.  I have been thinking that I'd like to wall paper the ceiling in my bedroom with some of these so I can wake up and stare at them.  The designs are mesmerizing and the colors an awake dream.  

Such wonderful variety and scope. Hanging out to get my itchy fingers on this stuff! kathy