Material Obsession

REMEMBER SWAP DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I often talk, think, obsess about time.  How much do I have?...how fast does it go?....how can I get more?ME ME ME ME ME! I need time!  Time to do what I want.

A few months back there was a show on the ABC about a family with an Autistic son.   It was a touching, honest story detailing how their lives were forever changed as they adjusted to live their life.  Their sacrifices prove that love directs all motivation when dealing with our children.   Among the issues of their life was the crush of their time as they care for the special needs of their son.  This story stuck in my mind.  Their challenges are unrelenting and respite care hard to find.  I suddenly had a guilt pang at my selfish need for time when I have so much simply because my children are independent.  I ache for these parents and all the time they can't make to enjoy simple things.   It made me conscious that we all need a break to be ourselves, to do what we love to do and to rest.  So, that is why this Saturday SWAP Day at Material Obsession will be collecting for Autism Awareness.  This organization does what it can to help provide services to families that need help.  We will raise some money from the time we spend with our hands occupied in order to help find a bit of time out for these families that have so much on their  minds.

Mark your calendar and make plans to come visit.  We will have quilts on display from our classes all year, hand made crafts on sale, Cut Loose Morning Tea, Swap items, scrap bags...all under the marquis out the back of the shop!  

The HOT new class list for 2010 is up on the website and can be downloaded so check that out and see Bundle on the day to sign up!!!  We have added lots of new classes including Beginner Classes with our exciting new sampler, Design Classes, Hand Quilting, machine quilting, Liberated Quilting! Machine Skills...  Workshops day and Night! as well as our special guest tutors: Brigitte Giblin, Sue Ross, Brenda Smith, Kim Bradley and Marg Sampson (George).  If you are quick, there are a few new spots in all most of these classes.  

In addition, if you live any distance and can't come we'll have 10 % off all internet sales placed on the weekend...(block of the month programs excepted).  While I think of it, thanks for all of the website orders and Block of the Month sign ups. It is a joy to know what happens around the table at the shop is happening literally all around the world.  I can't always reply personally to comments and emails but I smile in appreciate to every one that I read knowing you enjoy this craft as much as we do!

Speaking of overseas...

 

 Meg sent me this photo update of  her projects.  Meg used to come to MO but moved to Switzerland.  She stays in touch and is growing her quilting skills all the time with keen enthusiasm.  The fabrics in these quilts were among her last purchases while standing in the shop so it is fun to see them working into quilts like Bluebirds and Happiness here!

 

Meg continues to keep her hands busy and is obviously going gangbusters from the look of things!  I miss her cheery presence in the shop but am happy to know she is getting busy from afar!

 

Here is a happy Stashbuster happening before my very eyes! 

 

How about this for a Dolly Quilt treatment!

 

Susan blocked her For the Trees to hang on the wall which really suits this particular project.  
And isn't this a photo to make your heart race with excitement!  Hotter than the weather new Kaffe Fassett.  I asked for stripes to go with the lines and as of the stars have aligned, we got them proving that ask and you shall receive!  They are divine! 

So what's the lesson today?  Don't miss SWAP Day for laughs, excitement, and special deals, special stuff and a chance to give a minute to someone else! Don't be shy, bring your quilt projects along and we'll put them on display!   Saturday 10:00 -3:00pm.  See you there!!!! kathy

 
 
 
  
 
  

This is how it starts in the workshops...a pattern that we love, a pile of fabrics carefully selected to fit...and then this is how it starts to take shape... 

This is a fun new Alexander Henry fabric that almost looks like a cheater cloth with the rambling branches and leaves in almost crayon like lines.  The red is snappy and will make this a cheery quilt for Elaine.  Easy pattern, great fabric choices...BINGO!

 

You have seen this one before but now that it is finished I just had to give it another viewing.  Lee has done an excellent job here with this fund raising school girl/house quilt.  There is a lot of thoughtful consideration in this.  If you have tried the piecing technique for making these dolls you would know that it can be a bit fiddly to get just right, which Lee has done here.   Not only that but she made this dolly quilt into something bigger as well!

 

Speaking of creative destinations for Dolly Quilts, Kelly has created this urban tote bag...
Just do it, that's the lesson.  How great does that bag look!  And in the Ink & Spindle fabrics it will be sturdy enough even for my food shopping load...that is if I ever get to the shops to refill the stocks... 

Francis has used her stock of Moda fabrics to make Stripping Vine from Material Obsession One with this result which is really beautiful as well as a good use of a stash pile!

 

WHAT!!!  Wendy brought this wonderment in last week...what can I say?  It is just so original and fun.  I know how  she made it but if I told you....well you know what would happen!  If you like Wendy's designs it might be fun to do a workshop with her next year.  What you say? How do I sign up?  Come to SWAP day next Saturday 5th December!!!!

Speaking of dates...we had yet another formal to attend this week.  Is it my imagination or are young people just getting more gorgeous every year?  And yes, they are at the shop because all life revolves around a patchwork shop!

 

That's actually the truth.  It is amazing how much life experience there is in the shop between the bolts andchairs! The stories, the sharing, the laughs, songs and whispers of life are all revealed in these walls like a mini novel creating much more than quilts.  As this year starts to feel complete and I start to look back I am overwhelmed by emotion.  Yesterday was Thanksgiving in the States, a holiday I have always loved for the generosity of spirit that it represents.  I could hardly  speak of it on the day for missing my family as they all gathered in their homes to share the feast.  However, I am thankful for them from afar and for all the lovely people here in my own family...and for all  of you who support me in the shop.  I know you might be using me for  my fabric collection but I don't care I love it anyway. Thanks...for giving!  k

 
 

 

  

 

 

wedge delights...

  Make it up as you go along, this is stuff is addicting!  It might be the slightly unpredictable result that draws us in, or drags us away from some of these new techniques.  I like a bit of a surprise result myself so working into the void is always a thrill but it is interesting that some people have an inner voice that requests a specific outcome.  When we do these exercises in classes it is interesting how many different directions and outcomes there are revealed.  Each one teaches us a little bit about ourselves and what we find to be comfortable.  

 

More predictable results can also have an element of surprise.  These wedged circles are super fun to make.  Beryl has just recently discovered the wedge ruler and is off and running making these designs with the aboriginal fabrics and her stash combined.

 

After only a short deliberation this green background was chosen to finish off the setting.   Don't they look amazing!  Each one draws the eye in on a discovery mission.

 

Carolyn brought this into Thinking Outside the Square to show what she had done at AQC a few years back.  Colorific use of wonky cuts...

 

Not everyone was doing wedge circles yesterday.  LIndy as been working on her layout for the Drunkard's Path blocks.  Using the big template makes these sooooo much easier than the little ones and this is looking very pretty with all those gorgeous florals set on white.

 

I think my camera setting must have slipped in the excitement as this is a bit of a blurrrrrrr...Judy had some Liberty Fabric blocks as well as boxes of scraps.  She set off with the wedge ruler to make alternate block circles that certainly add charm to this pack of stars

 

 

By setting it out on the design wall, Judy was able to determine that she needed the half circles to finish off the look of the quilt so back to sewing wedges she went.

Kate on the other hand was done and voila!!

 

These half square triangle stars look fab set with the stripe fabric that ties it all together like magic!  

There were a few hair pulling moments getting the border to fit just right but they do and this quilt

looks just beautiful.  

Then as day rolled into night, these little paper pieced beauties rolled into the class.  Vicki was telling us how much her family is enjoying her new hobby making quilts.  Husband and sons all love having the quilts around.  How nice it must have been for her to realize they were appreciating what she is making!  Little do they know we need so little encouragement to power on producing quilts!

 

Jodie was starting a new project last night that was basically a scrap strippy quilt but then all these fabrics just had to go into the 

pile!  How often does that happen?  Anyway, the pile looks inviting.  Gray is the new black and is such a

nice background color for the other fabrics.

 

These place mats are coming along!  I am thinking I might have to make a set myself...I think I can...

I think I can!

 

And just to send us all off into a starry dream land...Kate is working on her latest Sue Ross quilt for Saturday's 

class.  Strip pieced stars....ah the possibility of combinations!  oops...gotta run. k

   
  

 
 
  
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  

One of our favorite shop tutors is Brigitte Giblin with three classes a month that are always full of inspired, creative quilting activities. Her eye never fails when selecting fabrics for blocks, borders or applique.  The history of her quilts is one full of inventive twists on some of the favorite quilts of the past all done with her special style.  I often find myself wondering how she does it. Which leads me to ask, have you ever fallen in love with a quilt?  Love it so much that you can't stop looking at it while searching and finding more meaning, more detail, more love?  That is how I feel about this version of The Black Family Album quilt by Brigitte.  I am happy to announce that Brigitte will be producing this quilt for Material Obsession as a 2010 block of the month!

That's not all!  We are also offering Brigitte's very popular Tesselations Quilt as a block of the month complete with Brigitte's selections from the Material Obsession Fabric Collection!!!  How EXCITE ME!!!!

  

 

And while we were at it, we found another one of her favorites to be revealed shortly!  These programs will be on offer for 2010 by mail order or to be done in classes, depending on  you.  Email us for more information or to secure yourself a spot in the program! 

Our mail order program is growing fast as we share the special talents being brought into the shop by some leading Australian designers.  It is fantastic fun to be able to offer these programs to anyone, no matter where they are from city to outback property...from down under to somewhere up there!!!!

One that got a bit of a quiet release this year is the Kim McLean Lollipop Trees.  It is a gorgeous quilt and one best taken in small doses!

  

Here is the first block that Vicki has done.  Would you believe this is her first attempt at applique!  Nothing like diving into the deep end and coming up swimming!  Really well done.

Megan has also been doing her block in our Tuesday night sessions, auditioning stem fabric at the moment.  It's great getting to see some of these programs coming to life in classes.  We've packed up the next month and will get it out soon so if you are doing this one, get ready for more fun!  What I love about these mail order programs is they can be done from all corners of the world, just like being here! 

That's all for now folks...gotta get that Sunday run in before the heat of the day sets in...and before those projects on the wall get into my head and stop me from doing anything else today!  I have been on a mad piecing phase this week...just keep cutting and sewing and loving it!!!!! Despite how lazy one gets in the heat!  I have had coffee naps, coma naps and awake naps several times over the last few days. Time to get busy while the gettings good! kathy

It's all happening...

Here we have the results of the November Dolly class! ...and Margaret who joined us from New Zealand for the class!  Margaret has been a member of the materially obsessed since joining us on our first retreat...could it be four years ago!  It was fun to have her in class with her open and happy attitude and  particularly for this activity.  We used two fat quarters from Ink and Spindle to make this little suburban village of cottages and trees.  Although it looks hard it was quite simple and everyone got through it with no problem.  These lovely organic designs are among my favorite from  Ink & Spindle who produce several lovely designs in gorgeous colors. Here is the finished product ready to hang up somewhere.  

 

It would also looked nice stretched over a frame.

 

Liesel got this tree skirt sewn together Tuesday night.  How much does it say Merry Christmas!  

I love these cool up beat colors for Christmas knowing the day will not bring any snow but more likely soaring temperatures that beg Christmas dinner be eaten while standing in the pool!!!! (ps...we have done that!) How cute would it be with Kim's placemat set!  This actually makes me nervous.  I'd love to be making sets of place mats for Christmas with matching tree skirts but instead I am in Christmas rush denial.  The combination of end of school year exams and outings with Christmas prep and planning 2010...well, it's just a bit much for me.

But that isn't enough temptation to throw discipline out the window! Someone also has to be wearing yet another fabulous skirt in MO fabrics...fortunately I still have a sense of decorum or I might have grabbed this one!   Ah yes, the green eyed sign of skirt envy, we know it well in the shop. 

Megan has done an Aboriginal fabric version of Dinozag with the 60 degree ruler.  Peeping out from the behind is the backing with a zig zag inserted, nice touch.  These fabrics are divine any way they are used.  Just got a new shipment in which I'll have to show off when I get a chance.  The graphics and the colors are magnetic.

 

Susanne has pulled this one out of the cupboard for review and to be finished into a hearty picnic rug.  This is a pattern that never lets us down.  No matter what fabrics are picked it is always exciting.

The yesterday we had Designer's Circle.  In this class you can never tell what will happen.  In one corner we had Sue doing Fractured with shot cottons and Kaffe...

Just when she thought it would fracture her mind...this appeared...

Proof that it can and will be done!    

Then in another corner is Robin working her way through the Intuitive Design concepts from Jean Wells book.

It is interesting to follow the progress here.  Robin has decided to follow the advice in the book and start a journal that contains her ideas, notes and photos for the process of this quilt.  It is a great idea.  The journal creates a practical image of what is to come and helps us not to forget what we want to do.  I started one this year and find that it is consolidating my direction while defining my projects.

Turn around for one second and this appears on the wall.  If you listen carefully you might here Deb say that this is not a Material Obsession quilt.  Well, I beg to differ.  This quilt is gorgeous and uses color to create movement while accenting the design of the quilt.  The only non MO aspect might be that it takes a while to make all the bits that fit together so beautifully.

 

One of the special things about this class is that while Vicki sits quietly piecing hexagons...the rest of the group are all busy doing their thing as well.  It's a special time where we all get a chance to share our ideas and inspiration, get involved in other peoples projects and simply talk about quilts.  Debbie just got back from Houston and her comments on the experience were fun to hear...and just as fun were the goodies she brought.  I was the lucky recipient of a cd of the quilts which I will relish and some lovely Dutch fabrics that are not available here in Australia.  Hmm. Planting a seed perhaps?

So it is all systems go.  Lots to see and do and although the year is coming to a rapid end there is still so much to get excited about.  We are looking forward to SWAP Day on December 5th and seeing all the quilts from the classes.  Don't be shy...finished or not bring them along for an airing!  It's only fair to share.  

Who can resist these eyes?  The tail is going madly and as soon as I stand up she will be hounding me for a walk, tripping me as I go for my shoes as she wraps herself around me legs.  I will hardly be able to get my shoes on while she licks my feet.  Honestly...who would think that walking could be so much fun?  Duty calls...kathy

Farewell...

 

A few flowers, a few tasty biscuits and Friday with Sue Cody rolled into gear.  

Beautiful needlework from the year went up on the walls as per usual.

 

Everyone got out their special projects as we pretended it was not just any Friday full of quilting pleasures.

Shortly after lunch it was time, time to say goodbye to Sue who has decided to take a break from teaching.  As I walked into the room and without any warning the tears arrived.  Sue has given us more than just some inspired designs to play with over the years.  We will miss her creative input overall and remember as we go forth the careful construction tips and steady demeanor as she guided us through her patterns sharing her incredible quilting knowledge.  Many of us have grown in her company adding skills to our quilting comfort base...I for one was the source of a few jokes as I was exposed to fussy cutting which is not something I had tuned into going at the speed of light but now have a great appreciation for...go figure!

We wish Sue the best of luck in the next phase of her life which we all know and hope will include many more designs from her to add to her collection of winners...not the least of which was this sweet quilt as you go project...

 

Or the eye for fussy cutting the afore mentioned hexagons...

 

there were so many more quilts on display that I have to admit I was too busy admiring to snap off a photo....sorry.  I thought they were all in the camera...

Then it was time to sit back and relax at the cricket yesterday.  The knees you see below are not magenta from sun burn!  The heat of the sun was disguised by the sea breeze at Queen's Park yesterday.  I have to admit that the forced time out of the four hours at the cricket was a welcomed rest...more than a few minutes to stop and review the last few weeks and to look forward in peace instead of the mad preseason mania of the end of school year and Christmas.  

 

I didn't even stress (for long that is) that Sam, there in the foreground of the photo, was sitting  there because we had relied on Noah to give us the cricket schedule.  Noah happily announced that they were both at the same grounds, at the same time which gave me the morning off!  So thrilled not to have back to back games all day I didn't check myself but spent the morning running with my pup and then humming in my sewing room.  However, after 45 minutes of searching the rather large grounds we realized that  Sam's game was not only  somewhere else...but  had been at 8:30 in the morning!  What a way to get a morning off!

Many moments of quiet life reflection and planning to all of you. kathy
 

Variety is the spice of life

Remember this?  Alex had put all the squares together and then decided to add the layers of sashing.  How great does that look broken up into layers simply by adding sashing!  Tip for the day: Sashing adds great interest.

Jenny brought some of these fabrics in for her first Stash Management class to make these blocks into  quilt with some Marti Michele templates. A no brainer pattern using templates is always a good time to experiment with color options. It became an opportunity for Jenny to use her stash and to audition lots of options for making an exciting quilt.  It doesn't have to be bright, loud or over the top busy.   Second tip for the day:  A multicolored border, particularly if it is from Kaffe Fassett, can add just the color palette reinforcement needed to make a quilt pop! 

 

Theresa has decided to do the ever popular DinoZag with her stash however she got a bit distracted by some new fabrics. Pretty namic start, don't you think?  It is a fun pattern for playing with value, color and big pieces of favorite fabrics.  

 

Love Love!

 

Being incredibly impatient myself, I am more a fan of instant gratification compared to the  "sneak peak" as it imposes on others something I can't manage well myself ...waiting for the full view. However, here is a sneak peak of the first ever Material Obsession Sampler, made by Wendy Wilson for our beginner program next year!  Wendy has used some great blocks, fun fabrics and lots of techniques in a technically modern way to get the beginners started on a quilt that will keep them busy, learning and loving quilting. Well done.

Here we have Megan's first Kim McLean Lollipop Trees blocks from the BOM! 

 

Vicki has never done applique before but has managed really well after just a few tips!  It will be fun to watch these quilts grow into Lollippop Trees!

Kate has been in our Tuesday night group for years bringing in reproduction fabrics and making stunning quilts.  We have pushed her out of her box on a more than a few occasions but it is always nice to see her work!

 

See, not everyone at Material Obsession does mad colors!  More and more reproduction fabrics are slipping into our quilts. Jodi is quilting this  beauty in the Tuesday night class.  Jodi joined our Tuesday night session and then revealed that she had taught hand piecing and traditional patterns in Victoria for years...hmm, interesting...more on that...oh dear, two sneak peaks in one post, I must be loosing it.

So yes, variety is the spice of life...creating a space where anything goes!  Speaking of going...time to get a move on...enjoy.kathy

 

Camera Overload

Rorary cutter...check.  Mat...check.  Fabric...check...engines full steam ahead...

 

Brenda Smith visited on Saturday for the third in a series of her workshops.  The usual suspects turned up and out with some super fun work... 

This was the result of Bronwyn's last class with Brenda and proves that it is hip to be squarish.  

 Looking over Moira's shoulder is always fun. Kate dipped into the French General for her project 

Kate also brought in her finished top from the first workshop using the freehand curve method.  Brenda's class has been great fun so we will be scheduling more dates for next year and looking forward to it!  Never one to stagnate, she has been working on new samples for workshops to inspire...

See what I mean! 

These freeform techniques are taking off all over the place. One lesson from Jean Wells Intuitive Design and look what happened in the Monday workshop!! 

 Massive achievements all around.  We tried another technique from the book this week.  It is all about letting go of expectations and then possibly finding them again but I have to say we are having some kind of fun here!

 

How about these works of art?  Jane has been coming into MO for ages and in an unassuming, quiet way showing us her textile work.  Here we have a teaser sample of some of her work which she will have for sale on SWAP Day, 5th December.  There are a variety of techniques used to create these little beauties...make sure you have a look at them.

 

There's something peaceful (pieceful...ha ha...dad joke!) about them with the soft images and lots of stitches.

 

Here's something fun...Kim is making these for Christmas placemats!  She started sewing them up last night.  What a great idea!  Can't wait to see them finished.

 

Speaking of wedges...Sheena finished this sssstunner last week.  Shot cotton, wedges and ric rac...it is the combination of all the things we have 

loved in 2009!!!!

Gotta dash.  dog and boy waiting to go to the station. By the way, lessons in laundry were the mode of operation on Sunday!  thanks, I got the message....kathy

signs of support

Ok ladies (and gents...)  I came home from work the other day and this sign was on the fridge. I stood there for a second watching the illusion of my wonderful life fade away.  My youngest son Sam had left me a note that indicated he was worried.  Worried that something he should take for granted, a thing like clean clothes when he wants them, was in jeopardy. The irony of the magnet was not lost...tired of waiting for services?

It was one of those moments...you know them I am sure, when you think that perhaps falling in a heap of despair would really help matters.  Instead of giving in to defeat I turned on my heels and got the laundry started thinking, thanks for the reminder.  And that, my many curious friends, is how things get done in my life.  The support of others in so many ways makes it all happen.

Here are a few others that help make things happen.  Grace, Bundle and Sally!  Their contributions in the shop are nothing short of amazing.  They appear to be in control most days despite constant interruptions (caused by me), constant moments of panic (caused by me) and a state of perpetual change  (also caused by me).  I regularly think, where is that? and before I can finish the thought Bundle is handing it to me...or Sally is just pointing to it while doing something else.  It's pretty funny really.  I go home thanking heavens for their involvement in my life and the shop and they must go home thinking...what  a NUT job! 

Anyway, it was Sally's birthday so we had a little party to celebrate with her.  There's more to celebrate with Sally is she is having her fourth baby!!!!  We are all thrilled for her, of course, while imagining another sweet blonde boy that she will capably take in stride!  Happy birthday and Congratulations! 

Time for some quilt photos...How gorgeous are these houses, all in a row reminding us of community spirit.  Fran from Wendy's class made them for her husband.  I think I am brewing a house quilt soon, just quietly.

Now have any of you seen this on the cover of the newest Down Under Quilts?  We showed Wendy a Creative Grid Dresden Plate ruler and about 45 minutes later she returned with this stunner of a quilt which immediately got taken to the magazine for everyone to see!  Fun color combinations, great imagination and lots of well balanced design inspiration!

Check out the November issue of Down Under which features quilts that twist tradition.  It starts with Wendy's and also includes my Kaffe Fanfare which uses an old favorite pattern with new favorite contemporary fabrics, our favorite theme.

On that note, an editor of one of our magazines recently said she doesn't get much feedback from readers.  Have you got any comments on that?  Which magazines do you like to read?  Do you see what you want to see?  Is there something you'd like to see more of?  I am curious so if you drop me an email on this subject I might be able to come up with some sort of prize...I guess that is how it's done.

Now I better go wake up Sam before I forget...just kidding.  He is up and the lunch is made and we are about to walk the dog and him to the station.  Enjoy! kathy

SWAP DAY!

 

Deck the shop with handmade banners...and let the party begin!  It is a Material Obsession tradition that on the first weekend of December we have our swap day...What's to swap you ask?  

Well, lets start swapping the old for the new and take a look at our new class list for 2010 for starters!  On this day we publish our new classes and take bookings for next year.  In addition we make way for the new season by having a sale!  

We also have a few customers with handmade items for sale,

the swap basket, and new this year, the Amy Butler Trunk Show!!! Also new this year we have invited a few special guests to bring along their much desired stashes for sale as well!

SWAP Day is always a celebration of what we have achieved each year and in 2009 there was a lot to celebrate.  Amazingly, we nearly doubled the number of people taking classes from beginners to experienced quilters!  Thanks to all of you for without you, Material Obsession couldn't exist.  In appreciation, we are inviting everyone that made a quilt with us this year in our classes to bring it for SWAP Day so we can enjoy the glory of it all and swap ideas about what can be done with a bit of imagination and sharing of the quilting spirit.  We have organized TWO tents for out back just in case the weather is dodgy...let the show and tell begin!

The Cut Loose Quilters have given me lots of inspiration over the last few years.  Their curiosity and avid need to learn new things have encouraged me to become a better teacher over the last four years.  As their name implies, they are into breaking ground and have initiated the trend to look at things differently and to push the boundaries. This year they are putting on morning tea with the proceeds  going to a local charity in support of respite care for the parents of severely autistic children...

So, there is more info to come but mark your calendars for 5 December 10-3pm and come along to join in the excitement next year, for a bit of idea swapping and FUN!  Kathy