Just sayin'

Now I just need to take my own advice!

Finished

I've been absent from the blogosphere for a while; no real reason, just laziness I guess. Some may wonder (although probably not) if I finished the quilt I was working on. Last week I posted pictures with my cat, Bella, 'helping' me to finish. And here it is...

... all set to go to a new home after it is raffled off on Sunday to raise funds for my favourite historic property, Wolston House. We are having our annual Christmas Craft Day, so I am also attempting to make some stuff for the craft stall. Attempt is the key word as I have become rather dithery about deciding what to make. So far I have made these fabric coasters and have half-started other things; but I keep changing my mind!

Tuesday treasures

Joining in with Melody today for a "Pet's Special"!

Just love my little 'helper'; definitely couldn't work without her!

Does this have your seal of approval Bella?

Guarding the fabric is a very tiring job isn't it?

Don't forget to pop over to Melody's blog to see who else is sharing today.

In progress

On the way with the Crayon Box, about six blocks under construction...

... and one of my helpers has already completed four blocks.

I'm happy!
On a totally unrelated topic, I attended the annual National Trust Heritage Awards last Friday night. It is held at the beautifully restored Old Government House on the QUT Campus and one of the awards was given for the newly restored Governor's Library.

The award for the best overall project was of course given to the restoration of Brisbane City Hall which is a magnificent achievement and one the people of Brisbane should be very proud of.

I was there recently for a tour and it is a great outing. The Museum of Brisbane is there too and of course, who could pass up a chance to eat at the iconic Shingle Inn!

A country quilt show

Okay, Rosewood isn't really country, more rural I suppose. After all it's only a twenty minute drive from where I live. However, I really love going to the Rosewood Quilters bi-annual show; the quilts may not be as professional as those in a big city show but in many ways they have lots more to offer. Most are made to use, in the maker's own home or as a gift for a loved one.. and I think it shows.

It was on last weekend and this year I had to go alone. I usually have my sister with me but she happens to be cruising the Mediterranean at the moment (not in the least jealous of course) and obviously wasn't available!

The ladies in the group are most welcoming and I am thinking of joining them. I like the fact that they don't just do patchwork and quilting but other crafts as well, which suits me as I find it hard to settle to just one thing.

Anyway on to the quilts. This year I didn't think there were any really outstanding ones so it was hard to pick some to photograph... I liked so many. This one in brown tones was probably my favourite.

I thought this one striking for its bold colour.

This one is simple but I liked the quilting.

A close up of the quilting.

I admire those who take time with the quilting part as I have to confess it's not my thing. I do like the piecing part though and usually do simple quilting or send it off to the professionals.

Another two years to the next show and who knows... next time there could be something of mine on show!

Crayon Box

I have finally decided on the quilt I am making as a fundraiser for Wolston House. I dithered about this for a while as I am hoping to get some of the other volunteers to participate and most are not experienced patch- workers. Even though they have sewing skills, they lack confidence. The pattern I chose (from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville free patterns) is Crayon Box and I think it will be perfect as it doesn't require precise seam matching.

It is a scrappy quilt (Bonnie's specialty) and I have started slicing and dicing fabric. Stay tuned for progress!

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.