Wednesday 16 April 2014

A Good Book.........

I have a fairly extensive library when it comes to quilting books.
Another of my favourites is
Jinny Beyer's Quilter's Album of Blocks and Borders
 
 
I prefer to draft from scratch rather than using the design software. I feel that I understand how a block should look as well as how it goes together if I draft manually.
Jinny's book contains over 750 geometric designs and each block is sketched in black and white.
It also gives an insight into the possibilities of fussy cutting.



Tuesday 15 April 2014

Hmmmm......

I don't have a huge amount of time for the computer but I persist and learn in the process.
You may have noticed that the format for the last post changed and as much as it's not a big deal I do like it to all look uniform; I'm a bit of a perfectionist that way.
I have just realized that all of the writing has gone in as caption and that's why the content is on a white background.
- I think -
Time will tell.

And another thing
If someone can tell me why the colour of the "preview" bar keeps changing I would very much appreciate it.

5500 Quilt Block Designs....

This beautiful books has over 400 pages of colour pictures and information on patchwork blocks. The chapters are broken up into circles and curves, geometric drafting and gridded draft patterns

Much loved and used - indispensable in my library

Oh those 3" squares.......

I've put in a solid effort on the memory quilt and half of the blocks are pretty much done.
The quilt pattern has 2 types of block, alternating; a 16 patch in medium and dark values and a "Lattice" or "Cross" block in light.
 

Chain piecing saves on thread and speeds up the process a fair bit.

The names have come from the book "5500 Quilt Block Designs" by Maggie Malone

The 16 patches are in halves until I see what they are going to look like when they sit next to their lighter mates

Idle hands............

Last year I didn't do a great deal of sewing.
With all of the study going on the last thing that I felt I needed was mess in the house. We don't have a great deal of room as it is.
I missed it sooo much.
I would buy a little and play a lot and then pack it all away again.
 I think I drove everyone in the household a bit crazy; I wasn't happy not being able to sew the way I have all my life.
In the end I picked up a counted cross stitch project that I purchased at the Sydney quilt show a couple of years ago.
It is a challenge to my eye sight but it fits the bill.
Easy to pick up, pack up and I can zone out when I stitch.
It's a beautiful piece based on Quaker heritage in red and faun hues.
I'm about half way through and am looking forward to having it on our wall.


Half way there

 As far as the counting of threads goes I must say that I am getting better
 (just typed batter! - ironic)
with practice.
However, I've decided that before I start the next one I will make a greater effort at the prep stage
 and include a few more grid guidelines with cotton instead of the usual
 one horizontal and one vertical

I love the monochromatic colour scheme of these - "less is more"
 

 
Cover page of the Cross stitch
 

Aren't I lucky.....

My dear friend Shirley dropped in for a quick coffee last week.
We've been like ships in the night, travel for both of us, study and a new job for me.
2 hours later I waved goodbye to Shirley having become the proud owner of a
Liberty Mouse, Tape Measure and a fine glass nail file.
 

Too cute to put pins in

A Special Quilt.........

I've been asked to make a memory quilt from shirtings.
 The past few days have seen the rotary cutter and board get a fair bit of use and I'm now ready to sew.
Organising and doing the prep for this type of project takes just as much time as the actual production.
The collection of shirts was sorted;
Light, Medium and Dark values, and other special pieces that should be included.
 
The pile is now reduced to
240 large light squares,
167 smaller floral squares,
480 small dark squares
and
960 small mix of light, medium and dark.
I hope to make a backing out of the leftover shirt backs.
 
All stacked up and ready to go

Vale Peter Gregory Cook........

Yesterday I learnt of the sudden and unexpected death of
our good mate and accountant Peter Cook.
Our condolences and sincerest wishes go out to Peter's family.
When Peter came to visit us we would always sit and chat about the places that we had travelled to over the past year, the reds that we had enjoyed and our dogs.
Rest in Peace, Peter.

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Something in the air...............

Burning off and fuel reduction is in progress in Victoria at the moment.
The smell of smoke permeates my washing on the clothesline and it is very unsettling even though there's no danger to us in the metropolitan area.
I feel for those who have experienced bush fires.
 My whine over the matter may seem petty but hopefully the assault on the senses may remind those of us who don't live in the country that the threat of fire is always there 

Monday 7 April 2014

Amelie.......

"Amelie"
 is the name of this year's Showcase Raffle Quilt .
It's a gorgeous quilt designed and made by three very talented ladies;
 Margaret Mew,
Irene Blanck and Jennifer Murray.
If you would like the chance to become the proud owner of this quilt
Victorian Quilters Inc. has raffle tickets for sale at $2.00 each.
This is a bargain investment considering the quilt has been valued at
the princely sum of
$11,000.
If you wish to be in the running tickets can be purchased at the
Australasian Quilt Convention or you can email an enquiry to
 
 
The raffle is to drawn on Sunday, 29th of June at 4.30pm,
Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank, Melbourne.


Australasian Quilt Convention

This year is the 10th year of the Australasian Quilt Convention
 to be held in Melbourne from April 10th to 13th.
The convention features local, national and international quilting experts as well as lots of
 retail and learning opportunities.
The  Best of Australia quilts will be on display along with memorable works from the last 10 years the show and a selection of pieces from the private collection of convention organisers
Gary Fitz-Roy and Judy Newman.
Very much worth the trip into the 
Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens
here in Melbourne. 
 
 

And then there were two..............

 
About half way through the year we had a visit from "Mr Fox".
He made a meal of Beth, took chunks out of Denise who stayed to protect and Lil
 - well -
 she bailed and left the others to deal with it.
(Lil is the only one who still naturally has her fighting spurs)
So, picture this -
3.45am on a very frosty morning, 3 people strolling around a back yard looking for
leftover chooks to re-house.
I did expect Big Denise to die from shock so had planned to offload Lil when this happened however Denise is such a trouper that she recovered exceptionally well and so Lil is still with us too.
Beth , a Buff Sussex - very gentle personality.
 


Friday 4 April 2014

Doesn't time Fly..........

You'll all be forgiven to think that I've lost interest, disappeared into the ether or both.
This, however is not the case.
Last year I went back to school you see.
A very scary thing for someone who hasn't studied for nearly 30 years.
Having risen to the challenge I'm pleased to say that I now have a Diploma and have qualified as a
(DRUM ROLL) 
Remedial Massage Therapist.
 
 
I am at the Elgar Rd Chiropractic Centre with Dr Alex Baxter, Chiropractor, on Thursdays and Saturdays
and have a Mobile service as well.
Over the next few posts I promise to catch you up on the year of missing in action and look forward to being a regular Blogger once again


 

Thank you.....

Thank you to all the blog readers out there and especially those of you who take the time to place a comment or two.
You remind me that there are people out in
internet world and also prompt me to be a better, more regular blogger. 
Cheers.