The calendar flipped to June this weekend which means the first day of winter!!! as well as the 2013 NSW Quilt Guild Show at Darling Harbor and less than a month until we head off to the USA for a whilrwind of activities. It is just over a week until the quilt show. This year is a big one...my sources reveal that there are over 400 quilts on exhibition this year. That might mean one day of simply quilt viewing and one day of doing the rest of the show.
Make note and don' t miss our MASTER CLASS!!!! Wendy and I have put together a fun project for the Master Class full of creative tips so put that on your schedule (please!). Visit our booth E28 and sign up for Adding Layers...working fabric, tools and design into your quilts to be held at 10am every day of the show.
We'll have lots of fun things on display so be sure to look for us.
I enjoyed seeing how happy Helena was with her quilt. This was a special program full of information on using colorful fabrics and understanding our motivation in the process. The inner panel was designed by Victoria Findlay Wolfe and adds to the story of using symbolism in our quilts to tell stories.
The block of the month program is something we are really proud of producing. The designs apply the best choice fabric selections from the shop, any new technique or template we like and lots and lots of imagination...our favourite element. This year we will be introducing at least 3 new programs while offering a few practiced favorites!
We release the programs at the quilt show and will then offer images on line to those of you far away so that everyone can get in on the game. I might also brag that even with the thousands of packages that we send to nearly every corner of the world there was only one mistaken delivery this year and it happened in the last month! Not one package went missing which is a fact worthy of the word "Amazing!"
Last week I got a visit in my sewing room from Martina, Oscar's girlfriend. A few years ago for Christmas I gave this non sewing college student a Hexagon starter pack with little to no hope of seeing it ever get done. Much to my pleasant surprise she arrived stating that she would like to finish the cushion now. We spent a few evenings working out the finishing details and now, VOILA!
One gorgeous Hexagon starter kit cushion finished by one happy chick! I am so teary just looking at her smiling at the accomplishment. I am so excited by this that we will be doing more hexagon starter kits!!! Come see us for colourful scrap bags complete with all the materials needed to get started with hexagons for that someone in your life that you would like to introduce to quilting with only the most remote chance of interest. I never thought this day would come!
After my slow teaching start to the year it is exciting to see quilts coming together in classes. In Stash
Sarah wanted to try using some different colours from what she normally used and here she has a great start.
One of my themes this year is to constantly engage the imagination in the quilting process in hopes of tapping into our individual spirit and ability to tell stories. We were talking about this while Maree was thinking of making Garden Party. The background is comprised of the sky, the bushy level and the earth. It was a thrill to see that Maree had taken the idea of the sky and added in the clouds. It is worth rejoicing when one idea has a layer added to it like that!
Jenny was working up a border with the 60 degree strip ruler for the quilt she started with Victoria in the 15 Minutes of Play workshops.
The made fabric squares are surrounded by Marcia Derse (one of my favourite designers) which adds a bit of earthy quality to the brighter fabrics. Then, that dynomite paisley Kaffe recoloured this year...my my my.
There is a lot of exciting energy in this quilt and it all started with scrap fabric, a few tools and lots of forward thinking.
and next up for Jenny...red hexagons!
Marie has made up my Fairlawn quilt from Making Quilts. She has the Material Obsession 2 book as well so when she ran out of fabric and couldn't finish the last block she filled in with a bit of something else! This was the first quilt that I made with the 45 degree strip ruler and since then I am totally hooked as it makes seemingly endless blocks come together with ease!
Pam is stretching her imagination on a few levels. Elements of this quilt are very traditional and others are very modern. It is a learning process selecting fabrics and patterns but how fun it is to see it all coming together now.
And in another corner, Anne has been working hard on a block I love. We found this leafing throug a book of antique quilts and although it looks simple, it took hours of drafting, finding templates and piecing while discovering paths and stumbling blocks. She stuck too the plan and in the end had the block together! Is there a quilt here? We'll see!
It is hard to sit still at the moment as there are so many things on the go. Last week most afternoons John and I slipped away to special spots around Sydney to shoot quilts for our next book. Yes, the patterns are all edited beautifully by Allison at C&T. She has an incredible mind for seeing a clear path through the details and I loved learning more about what I do with her help.
Many years ago I fell in love with this guy watching him take photos. There is something about watching someone loose themselves a process they know so well that I find intriguing. It is a great source of pride for me that John has done all the photography for both the Material Obsession books and my two latest books. It is satisfying to be involved in the process although in someone's mind I might just be a complication! There are moments as I lug heavy quilts around cliffs that I wonder what I am doing. It is hard work that sometimes needs a quick assessment and sometimes a bit more patience than I was born with but we get there in the end. We are nearly done now and just in time for the big quilt show push!!!
No rest for the weary...pushing ahead. k
Can't wait to see the new quilts! I have just completed my Fractured quilt and deciding which one to make next from Making Quilts.
Posted by: Sheila Christensen | Monday, 03 June 2013 at 08:08 AM
Didn't realize that a new book is in the works. As one of your most avid fans....now the drooling is already beginning. Can't wait to see what is coming. Carrolyn in Newport
Posted by: Quilter501 | Monday, 03 June 2013 at 09:24 AM
I'm exhausted just reading how much you have got done since Easter. Can't wait to see that book and might have to get into my hexagons! See you at the show!
Posted by: Bronwyn U | Monday, 03 June 2013 at 10:46 AM
As always many paths to absorb... but first Happy News... a new book... super super super....
quick question on the red made fabric hexies.... what is the size... I like the red and want to give it a try...
Posted by: Susan | Monday, 03 June 2013 at 01:03 PM
A totally joyful post. Thankyou for inducing smiles!
Posted by: Salley | Monday, 03 June 2013 at 06:03 PM
What a great post...I am counting the sleeps until DH! Hopefully I will get into the master class too!
Posted by: Cardygirl | Monday, 03 June 2013 at 06:10 PM
So excited about your new book! John's photos are always amazing and such a complement to your quilts.
Well see you at Darling Harbour! Yes I'm flying up Tuesday night and heading to the show for the whole day on Wednesday before flying back that night. I'm so excited! Will hopefully be able to sign up for your master class!
Posted by: Michelle | Monday, 03 June 2013 at 10:50 PM
So excited about your new book. No doubt, it will be inspiring in every way, just like all of the others. Such a treat to get to share it all with John, too.
Best wishes for an awesome quilt show!
Posted by: Juanita | Wednesday, 05 June 2013 at 12:16 PM
your blog is always so inspiring! Thank you for sharing so much and so often.
Posted by: Kelley | Sunday, 16 June 2013 at 08:42 AM