Linda, Linda, where for art thou?....

Here I am, Dear Reader. A bit brain drained but hopefully wiser for the experience.

 I would not blame you for thinking that I had stopped the "Pursuit" as it's been about a month since my last entry.

The truth be known I don't think I've had a busier time in my life.

In the past month I've been to quilt valuation and judging lectures,

Opera in the market,

the Premier's Gala Dinner for Cultural Diversity week,

Monbulk Community Quilt show for the CFA,

 done the colonoscopy thing (don't have to go back for a while -YAY)

donated at the Blood Bank (and passed out - oops!)

semi finished 2 quilts (they are still waiting for bindings)

got the lad back to school (he's performed extremely well with his swimming- into district)

Started back teaching for the new year

AND

Gone back to school myself!!

All I can think about is

A-ROMS, P-ROMS, DOMS, NSAIDS and LOTRADIOPS

Thank goodness the Lord is pretty much self sufficient and doesn't complain about the meals!

In fact I am very proud to say that he has picked up the slack quite nicely.

(and a bit relieved too)

 Each time I've been out the camera has been on the table at home, wondering why it was not included in the trip or has had operational issues (perhaps that's me and not the camera)

Actually I feel exhausted thinking about it all.

However, in the true spirit of Blogger World I will pull my digit out, and the camera as well and post some pictures for you this evening.

Consider this a brief intermission

New Year's Resolutions......

I've never been a big one for the Resolution thing.

It smacks of broken promises on mass and I find that a bit frightening.

I must confess though that I've fallen for a little something that so far is working very, very well.

Friends were discussing how this year was going to be a BIG year and if we were going to cope we'd have to be super organised.

( I am not super organised by any stretch of the imagination)

The theory that if every job that took about 5 minutes was to be tackled in that moment it would ease the backlog and even make a 30 minute task a 20 minute task. The possibilities appeared to be endless.

I reluctantly agreed to go along with it.

I am happy (and surprised) to report that my kitchen is cleaner, the house more tidy and more sewing has been completed than ever before!

Maybe there's hope for me yet

Oh Dear, Jane, Jane, Jane, Jane..........

Today is the first day of the Dear Jane Exhibition

WOW!

 

A group of us (all Janiacs) went for a visit and were not disappointed.

It's surprising how many "mad" women there are in the world if this was anything to go by.

I've come home with a full memory card on the camera.

The skill range went from "a good, honest quilt" to those that you only read about in 

"The Quilting Masters' Gazette".

Chocolate sashings and borders, small and large cones, applique only,

rainbow setting stones and Jane's School House are just a sampling of  the the Stitchers' 

tweaks to this Historical quilt.

All Red with an interesting border!

Gentle aquas, greens and mauves

A mix of original blocks and Jane blocks for variety

Lovely binding

"Forty shades of grey" - the front

and the back

Jane's School House

Pam Hammer, President of the AQA

(Australian Quilters Association) was resplendent in her "Jane inspired apron"
Congratulations to AQA for putting on an interesting and  successful show.
(P.S. I have so many more photos a shame not to share - stay tuned for more on Dear Jane)

Summer School achievements..........

Summer School is always an enjoyable time. 

The atmosphere is relaxed and we tend to get through a great deal because the class runs for the whole day without interruptions.

This year we had 11 students who learnt my "quilt as you go" techniques with two quilts to choose from; 

Stanford Cabin and Cabin Carnevale.

There's always room for personal creativity within a quilt; after all you're the one who is doing the work.

Kacey has chosen pinks and lights for her "light side" and teals and purples/blacks for the dark.

She hasn't decided on a setting yet but has had a great time thinking about the possibilities!

Log Cabins have so many lay-out choices; there are plenty to choose from.

Last year Pat worked on Stanford Cabin. 

She settled on a bright batiks palette and "robbing Peter to pay Paul" setting. 

Her centres are family photos. Even her borders are "Quilt as you Go"

The wonderful thing is that each quilt made is unique.

Pat's completed masterpiece

the back is interesting too!

Looking forward to seeing her Cabin Carnevale in shades of mauve and cream.

Many thanks to both ladies for sharing their quilts with us

Ballet and Fashion..........

We've been to see The Ballet and Fashion Exhibition at the

National Gallery of Victoria recently.

It highlights the collaboration between designers and The Australian Ballet

Designers include Collette Dinigan, Akira Isagowa and Lacroix 

 I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Colette Dinnigan's signature style

Christian Lacroix

Amazing head gear from Richard Nylon Millinary

These garments were made from garden variety cotton muslin.

Great evening frock if you had the legs to go with it.

 And next door in the general gallery....

An 18th century"Etui"

 Designing costume for theatre isn't just about making a frock but coming up with something that 

conveys a story as well as behaving in a manner that doesn't hinder the performer.
There's quite a science behind it when you think about it.
Consider Curque De Soliel and the things that the performers have to do.
Their costumes have to be light, pliable, floaty and laundered easily.
Silk is "floaty" but not the most practical for the laundry.
(Not my laundry anyway!)

The things you see.....

Over the Christmas break I've spent a fair amount of time in the city - a birthday celebration at Movida, Ballet and Fashion Exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria and  the

National Trust shop at Tasma Terrace, 5 Parliament Place; all worth a visit.
The entrance to Movida is off a lane way renowned for it's graffiti art and there are decorative doors, ornamental gargoyles and fancy pillars everywhere you turn.
There is even an Einstein on a bicycle at the top of one of the buildings opposite the city square.
The person who put it there is cerainly not scared of heights.

Last Friday as I came out of Tasma Terrace I noticed a lady on crutches, with her leg in one of those

moon boots.

My first thought was"That looks like it hurt"

and then

" She's doing very well to navigate the Blue stone paving!.

If the wind blows much harder the poor luv will go A over T".

She hailed the Taxi parked on the other side of the road for a lift to Hawthorn, to which he replied

" I have to make a wage , Lady".

An idiot could see that she would have no hope with public transport but I suppose this fellow was waiting for an executive type fair coming out of the Park Hyatt

(She took down the company's name and number and got a lift home with me)

Tasma Terrace and the National Trust buildings are beautiful and worth a visit. The gift shop has lots of lovely things to buy especially if you need something with an Australian flavour

I am very proud to say that they are now stocking my range of greeting and gift cards along with

Lavish in Balwyn East

and

B Inspired in Maling Rd, Canterbury.

Wednesday Girls and the Dear Jane Exhibition

I am really looking forward to seeing my Wednesday Girls on the 6th of Feb. at

Somerset Patchwork in Mt Waverley. 

They're such a diverse bunch and there's always plenty of laughter.

If you are interested in joining a "sit and sew" group with tutor give the store a call on

03 9807 3399 for details.

Some of the Ladies are "Janiacs" (Yes that was Janiacs) and have entered their work

 into the upcoming Dear Jane Exhibition to be held at the Box Hill Town Hall next week.

A group of us are going on the Friday, to enjoy a feast of quilts made of miniature 4 1/2 " blocks.

It will be Spectacular to say the least!!

I remember ........

For those of you who ask "How long have you been sewing ?" the answer will be

"For as long as I can remember and then some."

 Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if I arrived on 07/01/19... with needle and thread in hand.
I loved cutting anything! In fact, when I was about 3 years old I decided that my doll needed a new dress from of my bed spread material and a hair cut to go with it.
Mum was not impressed.

a repair to some of my handy work

Sewing has always come naturally to me whether at the sewing machine or sewing by hand. My mum tells me that if I was ever unhappy when I was a kid I could be found sitting in her scrap box, in the linen press.
(Not much has changed really)

There were all sorts of treasures in there; cuttings leftover from ball gowns, bits from dresses, pajamas, and shirts, rolled up and tied with a selvedge scrap.

I'm not sure that they were really big enough to be used other than patching a worn through knee or seat but nothing was thrown away.

Fabrics are so tactile. I love to close my eyes and imagine what it looks like before that first glimpse.

The first idea of a velvet that springs to mind is that it is the deepest forest green. 

I remember having a"little coat" when I was 4;

 a hood, big green buttons down the front and dark green velvet trim on the collar, cuffs and pocket flaps, with a heavy satin for lining.

I would rub my cheek against the velvet as we walked to Kinder.    

I wish that I could say that I still have it but sadly, I think it's gone to scrap box heaven
along with a doll sporting a funky, asymmetric hair do .   

I love routine!

It seems to have been a very long time since I have had a regular routine and am starting to feel a bit ratty without one. The lad goes back to school this week, Mr. went back to work last week and very soon I will have the house to myself again.

Don't get me wrong, I love having them around but it's very frustrating when I can't get any of my work done.

Part of the problem there is that "Mums" still aren't thought of as part of the work force.

It is not understood that hours of employment aren't consistent and we are on call 24/7.

Everything else that we do has to fit around this. 

Having said that I would be a very sad person without the men in my life.  

Holiday achievements

I would be happy to say that my "A Stitch in Time- Romanesque" is finished but alas, no.

I reported that I needed to complete 20 little nine patches in total for the setting posts but I've miss-counted

I need 25; the aim is to finish these in the coming week.

Some quiet hand stitching in my "man free" house this week will fit the bill.

Still sewing these......hmmmm

The school holidays can be detrimental for my sewing but we've managed to get other things done that have been on the "to do" list.

We changed the Bedrooms/sewing room around and the lad now has a double bed.

He's very happy about this.
The single bed is now in my work room so this makes life easier for me too.

I've also gained a chest of drawers so all of my rulers, drafting stuff and templates have a real home.

The plan is to keep the top clear (that's the plan) so that I can have a little cutting/work station next to the sewing machine. I like the idea of that. It's a fantastic height!

Being organised makes one feel so much better.

The colour will need to be changed and the stickers won't budge without industrial strength got

 but that is just cosmetic.

Tools of the trade.....

Any skilled industry requires tools of the trade so it's always wise to buy the best you can afford and look after them as it will be an investment that will pay for itself in time.

When I go to a quilt show or market I look for tools to compliment what I do and that my 

local stores may not carry.

It may be a specific ruler or thimble; something that make the task more accurate/easier.

Something that I wish I had much, much earlier in my sewing career is a walking foot.

Walking foot for my Janome - the generic brands look similar to this as well

This machine foot has a mechanism that allows the pressure to be repositioned when sewing layers of fabric of different thickness or fabric with a pile and replaces your normal sewing attachment.

 A small arm rests on the needle clamp screw and as the needle rises and falls the arm causes a pad with teeth to pat the fabric. This stops the fabric from creeping forward unevenly.

Remove the general purpose sewing foot

Attaching the walking foot to

 It is important to fit it correctly before beginning to sew. Tighten screws and take the thread through to the back.

Make sure that the arm of the walking foot rest on the needle clamp screw

 A great tool for velvet or "quilt as you go" patchwork

It's not me after all.........

Mr Google has made some changes and this has effected "Internet Explorer" users 

and how they upload info onto their blogs.

Thanks to an astute Esther Aliu and her blog for solving my problem.

(I love Esther's blog - always has wonderful content) 

It's worth a look; lots of great sewing, recipes etc.

http://estheraliu.blogspot.com.au/

plain worn out!

 

After Christmas, New Year, Birthdays and excessive heat I think we all felt "over it"

Today is a catch up day for taking down  the chrissy decorations and cleaning up so my blogging will have to wait until this afternoon - enjoy the cooler temperature for those who can and stay safe to all

Still can't do it.......

I've signed out, signed in , changed computers done it all again,

looked for answers in help (no help at all)

and now I dom't have any more ideas - not happy JAN!!

Help please..............

I need some assistance re. uploading photos to the blog from my computer.

After clicking on the "upload photo" button the screen for all of that comes up but the "Browse"

for the photos on the computer has disappeared.

The links for uploading from phone, web cam and URL are all there -

not what I need to do! 

Very, Very hot

Every one has sweltered in yesterday's heat; I didn't even bother to take notice of the actual temperature.

We went to the flicks in the afternoon to see Wreckit Ralf and find some relief from the heat.

The air conditioning was working in the shopping centre but not in the theatre.

Spent an uncomfortable hour and a half

wondering if I would've been better off staying at home.

Too hot for sewing  , too hot for the beach and another 40 plus day forecast for Monday.

Sounds like today and tomorrow will be catchup on "house work and jobs" day.

 I'd much rather sew (stating the obvious). I've been eyeing off a few bits of fabric that I bought at Somerset.

(photo goes here but machine wont allow me to upload today!!!!!)

Where there's a will there's a way

They wont necessarily go into the same quilt but we'll see how things go. I only bought 30cm of the stripe because I don't have a project in mind. Shame because it is beautiful.  

URGENT MESSAGE - CANCELLATION

 

I have decided to cancel tomorrow's Seasonal Stitch due to a state wide

Total Fire Ban for Friday 4th of January.
  I apologize for any inconvenience but I feel that it is not worth the risk.

Next week’s Seasonal Stitch will go ahead as planned unless there is another total fire ban

(We may also be able to reschedule for another Friday if there is any interest)

If you were intending to come please leave a comment so that I know that the information has

been received.

A tall story......

Teacher says to child "Johny; why are you late for school? You should have been here 5 minutes ago!"

Johny replies "But Sir, my dog ate my bike seat."

Teacher "I've heard that excuse before; Detention after school"

"But Sir, It's true"

The story is just that, a story. However the fact remains that my dog did eat my bike seat today for goodness knows why 

ex-bike seat

This is Bella. She's a 13 month old English Setter. I understand that she still has some growing to do.

She has an extremely gentle nature unless you're a piece of old wood (black forest antique preferred),

broccoli or bike seats

Happy 20th Anniversary.......



Victorian Majolica cake plate - pineapple pattern -
love the texture!



Victorian Quilters Inc. is having its 20th birthday this year.

 To celebrate the event the guild has set the challenge to its members, past and present to make a quilt,

 no more than 1 metre square using a treasured china plate as inspiration.

A photograph is to accompany the application and the challenge will be judged at

Quilt Show Case in July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre

Go to www.victorianquilters.org for more information 

Post as catch up............

Today I'm cleaning up my photo albums and catching up, my new year's resolution being to

keep on top of things! so.. here we go..

Best of Friends - A Reverse Applique Sampler

I have had the good fortune to be able to send a quilt to Houston this year.

That in itself is quite a thrill and nerve wracking to make sure that it travelled safely and stayed clean and presentable for hanging, as white does not always travel well.

It is great to have reassurance when you can't be there in person.

Many thanks to Margaret (Quilt Station), Jo. and Karen (Somerset) for taking the time to get some snaps of "Best of Friends" hanging by the Red Carpet, insitu. It is very much appreciated.

Thank you all.

Market/Festival Catalogue



At the start of December I was starting to get edgy for the return of said quilt and so, sent an email to request a tracking number.- there are stories of quilts that disappear into thin air. This is something that we all dread. Yes, you could make another one but it's just not the same.

My quilt was safely returned to Australia within 2 days of leaving the USA. Thank you to the

"White Glove" ladies, Quilts.com and Mr Fedex

Home safely - a well travelled quilt

  If you would like any information about  "Best of Friends" or would like to purchase the pattern please contact me via the comments section or email at

info@pinmoneyquilts.com.au

Out with the old and in with the new.........

It has been quite an epic year in our household with lots of highs and lows along the way.

It's hard to believe that 12 months has gone by.

This year has also had some notable events on the calendar.

**We've seen 12/12/12 - not supposed to happen for another 800 years or so

**End of the Mayan Calender -

 many thought that some catastrophe was going to wipe out civilisation as we know it

(very pleased this didn't occur - too much sewing to do)

**We have had 2 months with 5 weekends; Saturday and Sunday

- September and December 

** 1 Blue moon; August 30th

 (second full moon in the month, hence the saying - the first on was on Aug 2nd)

** William and Kate were married

** Harry caught on film in the buff
There will be lots of other things that we've experienced, good and bad but it is exactly that; an experience.
We can treasure memories and learn from mistakes!
I would like to wish all in blogland and beyond a happy, safe and productive 2013 

Some stitching

I've managed to do a bit of stitching over the last day or two with

13 down, 7 to go.

These blocks are 2" finished and will be the posts for my

"A Stitch in Time - Romanesque" quilt.

There are only two main fabrics used in this design.

I've decided to use a large open floral cut into smaller pieces this time around; the idea being
that the fabrics represent the texture and movement of marble.
I've scattered a scrap or two of different fabrics throughout the quilt for artist interest. 

Style?

Recently I've had a discussion with friends about my quilt style and preferences and firmly believed that I haven't developed or settled into a style that I can claim as my own.

While pressing 101 business shirts today (this is when I do my best thinking and problem solving) I realised that there just might be a theme emerging.

It's still about how a fabric reacts; colour versus pattern and maybe that's why it hasn't dawned

on me until now.

Cabin Carnivale

Stanford Cabin

Labyrinth Star

Plain and Fancy - this one is at the quilters. I'll blog it when it comes home

Carpenter's Square

I also have a pineapple cabin quilt that has been cut for a couple of years and waiting patiently for it's turn.

 What do you think?