Deadlines

can be a wonderful motivator to finish things. I haven't produced much for a while, except works in progress. Since two of those WIPs were for birthdays, both within a month or so of each other, I decided it was time. Both quilts were begun on my retreat last March, so were well overdue for a finish,

This one was for my son-in-law who has his birthday just before Christmas. It is a Bonnie Hunter pattern (I love her stuff!) which she calls 'Strip Twist'. Lots of fun and pretty easy to make.

The other quilt was for my son, who said "You already made me a quilt!" That was many years ago, so I told him, "It's time for another one!" The basis for this was the disappearing nine patch block and I used Japanese themed fabrics as my son has an interest in Japanese culture. The extra strips and the borders were to make the quilt big enough for his bed. I love the backing fabric too.

I am happy to have these finished, hoping the sense of accomplishment will transfer to new projects, I have one or two small things in the works, but I will save those for another time!

Droughtbreaker

It seems the creating drought has broken.. all it took was a few days away at my favourite retreat - Stacey's at the Gap. The weather even cooperated by being drizzly and damp, perfect sewing weather!

My main project was a quilt for my son.. the last one I gave him is now thirteen years old. Although, when I told him I was making it he said, "But you already made me one".

I chose most of the fabrics when I visited the Australian Quilt Convention, a year or so ago, and decided simple was best (my son is very down to earth) and went with a disappearing nine patch.
This is the original block..

And here it is, sliced, diced and reassembled..

Borders still to come. I also made a start on a quilt for my son-in-law. Apparently his old one has been almost worn to tatters. This is a scrappy one from Bonnie Hunter - Strip Twist.

On my way back down the range, I stopped to have a closer look at the cairn commemorating the discovery of the Gap by Alan Cunningham in 1827. When you drive towards the range you wonder how on earth he spotted it, let alone found his way to it!

The nicest thing about the retreat (apart from finding my sewjo)... the constant sound of bell-birds, broken occasionally by the crack of whip birds... magic!

Oh dear..

...it can't be December already! Who stole November? I want them to return it as soon as possible because there aren't enough days left before Christmas to do the stuff I planned.

Ok.. I would need more time than November, maybe October too! These are the perils of procrastination, my chief talent these days. I need to take this advice..

One event I do remember from November was the craft fair held at Wolston House, and I'm pleased to say that the quilt featured in my last post was won by our newest (and youngest) volunteer who purchased her ticket before even viewing the quilt. She was very thrilled!

The weather held (it was very overcast on the day) and a lovely time was had by all. I spent some time demonstrating on our treadle sewing machine, but most of the time I swanned around in my 1912 outfit, twirling my parasol to great effect.

Don't you love the 1880s tricycle for two. We were lucky to have a whole lot of bicycles, tricycles and Penny Farthings on display, and their owners love to dress up too!

Here's hoping I manage one or two Christmas projects in the countdown, but let me tell you a little secret... I'm not holding my breath!

Sharing...

...finally! This is the quilt I have been working on to raffle this year for Wolston House.

In actual fact, it would be nowhere near finished if not for my sister, who pushed really hard and worked with me to get it done. It was a fun project because we did it together.

The block we used is a four-patch square in a square, and we sort of made up the rest as we went along! It was made from fabrics we already had, which is always satisfying. Here's hoping it raises a nice sum.

Too boring to blog about...

that is how I have felt during the time I have been gone (but not forgotten I hope) from this blog. It's not true really, but some things in my life recently have been difficult for me to deal with (mostly because they are out of my control), so I have withdrawn into my little shell (my star sign is Cancer). There has been a lot of this happening..

And quite a bit of this...

A fair bit of heritage stuff... (yes, that's me! In Edwardian costume no less!)

A certain amount of socialising... but, very little crafting. The sewing on the treadle is the beginnings of another quilt for raffling. I am being ably assisted by my sister (she is shaming me into it) so hopefully I will have something to share soon.

A touch of nostalgia

They say you can never go back and I must admit it has been a very long time since I spent any time at the Sunshine Coast where I lived for a few years as a child. Recently I was there for a few days  attending a niece's wedding at Maroochydore... what can I say; the wedding was wonderful, the weather was fabulous and I got to spend a bit of time marvelling at how much the place had changed.

Until I set foot on Maroochydore beach and looked north. This view looks just as I remember from childhood (I wasn't close enough to see bathing suits. I'm pretty sure they've changed a lot since I was a kid!).

The view to the south is a bit different, with lots of high rise apartments at Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headlands. Even so, it is still a very beautiful part of the world. Makes me wonder why I haven't taken the time to visit sooner.

On the crafting front, I have finished the top of my Dancing Nine Patch. It is off being quilted and then there will be the rush job of binding before it is raffled off on November 23. 

Nothing like a deadline!

A day out

On Wednesday I went with my sister to the "Quilts" exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery. Most of the exhibit came from the Victoria & Albert museum and the pieces date from around 1700 to 1940. They are amazing. All the early ones were completely handmade of course, and represent thousands of hours of work. The tiny piecing and the even tinier hand quilted stitches are totally mind boggling.
Photos are not allowed so I had to make do with a couple of postcards.. this is a close up of one.

This is a crib sized quilt and some of those pieces are very tiny. I find it incredible that the colours are still so vibrant. Of course I had to buy some souvenirs and this is my haul. I was very restrained.

We had a lovely lunch in the QAG cafe which included a glass of bubbly and that's my excuse for not taking a picture, which is a bit sad since it was beautifully presented on the plate.

We also visited a display of work by the late Ruth Stonely, a pioneer of quilting in Brisbane from the late 1980s until 2007. Very inspiring. 

A lovely day out and a very worthwhile exhibit.

On Show

Our local show was held over the weekend and I went along on Saturday, mainly to check out my quilt and other crafts.

Not a very good picture I'm afraid, and sad to say, I didn't get a prize either. There wasn't a lot of quilts entered and although most of them were nice, the champion quilt was a standout. 

The photography section was excellent as were the flower displays.. the orchids were divine!

And it wouldn't be a show without one of these.. now would it.

Oh... and as you can see... the weather was perfect!

At last

It has been a long time coming but at last it's done. Isn't it amazing how a quilt changes ever so slightly as each step is complete. I am very pleased with how it turned out and I hope Selina is too.

The pretty backing.

A close up!

Almost there!

The quilt top I finished piecing on retreat has come back from the quilters and is well on the way to its final finish.

Nice scrappy binding cut and pressed.

Stitching down...

..and hemming!

Then .. the label.

This quilt has been a while in the making. Fabric purchase by Selina -  mmm... let me see... let's just say it was a while ago. Cutting and stitching (both of us) a few years back. Final assembly - me - just recently. 

I think we may celebrate its end by entering it in the local show. Deadline... 2 weeks. 

I can do that!!!

On retreat

A while back I mentioned that I had booked into a quilting retreat in an effort to get back on track with some crafting. Last weekend was 'it' and I have to say I had a lovely time. I even managed to get some work done!
This quilt top had been languishing for sometime, only lacking borders. It turned out nicely I think and now is ready to be sent off for machine quilting.

I then made a start on this Anni Downs pattern and made quite a bit of progress since I hadn't done any cutting beforehand.

The retreat was held here, at Cunningham's Gap not far from home, and this is the cottage I stayed in. Rather apt I think. The weather was a bit drizzly and cool, but the bell birds didn't stop all weekend. Good weather to be inside crafting anyway! 

They have regular retreats so I think I may be booking in again, later in the year.

Some plans at last..

I have been thinking for a while that I need a bit of a boost to get me back on the crafting trail, so today I bit the bullet and booked myself in for a weekend retreat. Some friends have been talking about this place for a while, so, in March I will be toddling off to Stacey's at Cunningham's Gap (a bit over half an hour's drive away) for a big dose of crafting.
I have a project in mind. This pattern by Anni Downs has been on my mind ever since I saw it ages ago in Homespun magazine and I even bought fabric for it. Hopefully I can get the top done in the weekend if I can get some of the cutting for applique done beforehand

I also have this quilt, almost complete except for the borders. My daughter and I began it as a joint project and it needs so little done to finish the top.

I am really looking forward to the break.

Day 24 - Blogtoberfest

As promised, some more quilts. These two are my kind of quilts because of the stories attached. The women who made them are part of a quilt study group run by Queensland Quilters.

The arcs of this Double Wedding Ring quilt were bought in the US. They are genuine depression-era  fabrics and have been finally put into a quilt by the maker.

The hexagon quilt has a similar story, although in its case, the top had been completed and just needed backing and quilting. Apparently there was some minor repair needed.

Both women have hand quilted their quilts. I think their stories make these rather special.

A quilt show

Last Sunday my sister and I attended a quilt show at the small town of Rosewood, not far from Ipswich. It was showcasing the talents of the Rosewood Craft & Quilting group and they hold one every two years. My sister and I have been going for years, as much for the yummy morning teas and country hospitality as the craft. Here is a small sample of the show.
Here is one for all those hexie flower makers. My sister has been looking for ideas to assemble some hexagons she's had on the go for a while and was very taken with this layout.

I love quilts with a dark background... although I think my eyes would have trouble without very bright light as well as a magnifier!Strips and flying geese- what's not to like in this simple quilt.
This one captures the spirit of the group I think. They also had displays of other lovely craft.

Can't wait for the next show.

Just in time

Extended deadlines are not good for procrastinators like me. A while back I shared the beginnings of a quilt being made for my youngest sister's 50th birthday. At the time we thought the party was going to be on June 25th and things were speeding along well (particularly with the sister who was joining blocks and quilting).
My final task was the binding and label, which is not a lot, but the party was postponed until this coming weekend so, of course, my stitching kept pace and it was finally completed last weekend.Not quite as bad as the one where I finished the binding in the motel the night before the party!

We are pretty happy with how it turned out, particularly as no fabric was bought especially for it. Our stashes are only slightly diminished I might add.

An update

I have been spending some time this last week working on my share of the blocks for my sister's quilt, so I thought I would share before I deliver them to the other sister so she can make her share. I am pleased with how they have turned out. We are trying to use fabrics we already have, in country tones as the recipient is a real country girl.

Also a lovely surprise when I arrived home this afternoon- my giveaway gift from Melody was in the letterbox. Thank you Melody - it's beautiful. I'll have to think of a special project to use such a generous chunk of fabric.