Christmas Preparations In September

Hi Girls
What a roll up at Patchwork today. After a vigourous discussion regarding our Christmas celebrations, we decided that we don't really wish to roll out the door after eating too much food. Our venue and menu was decided on, we are self catering at the Hall on Friday November 29th.
Ruth and Fay are providing the meat dishes, Patty is bringing a tossed salad and some fruit,  Margaret is bringing some Rice salad and a White Chocolate Cheesecake, Kerry is quiche making and a chocolate slice, Sandra has been nominated for bringing a Potato Salad and Rum Balls, Narelle has been nominated to bring some  beetroot and pineapple and some nibblies for morning tea. Di is bringing the Trifle and dinner rolls, Lyn cause she is the poultry owner has been nominated to bring some stuffed eggs and if Kath can attend, her Christmas Mince Pies will be most  welcome.

Patty and Kassey are holding up the Creative Textiles banner we made for the Mt Perry Annual Art Exhibition.  Glad to hear that three of us actually had entries in the competition. Well done Lyn, Patty and Di.
Catch you next time at Narelle's I hope. Ruth

August Happenings away from Mt Perry

 Tuesday morning August 20th saw some of us leave quite early for a shopping trip en route to the Art Gallery in Brisbane to view the very old quilts on display there. First shop to visit was the Gympie Patchwork Factory. The owner certainly knew how to endear herself, by asking us " tea or coffee" as soon as we walked in the door. She also wished to know where were we from.

 We also found another patchwork shop called Pazzazz in the main street of Gympie  and a dress shop, a gift shop and then it was a short drive down the road to Cooroy. A quick stop at a coffee shop after a visit to Cooroy Drapery had us revived for the next leg of our trip. I have since found out that one of my old school mates owns the High Tea Licious shop in Cooroy serving all home made baked goodies along with a wide selection of teas, so we'll have to book in there next time.

Down the highway, we stopped at The Patchwork Angel at Forest Glen.

 Loading the car by then was starting to get a bit tricky, but we still managed to find space.
We swung east off the Bruce Highway and detoured into Caloundra where we found Brian's Fabrics and Kimz Sewing very close to each other.  Back out onto the highway briefly before we went west and found Morayfield Sewing arriving there half an hour before closing time. We stayed the night in the Spring Hill area wandering down to the night life place of the Valley for dinner in a very busy Chinese Restaurant. They say to judge the food quality by the busy ness factor and they certainly are correct.

 Next morning saw us in the City, lining up again at a Coffee Shop and this was one next door as well. Note the recycled furniture.  We finally made it to the Art Gallery to be amazed at what those people from years ago made. One of my favourites was the hexagon quilt made of army woollen fabric. We visited Gardams Fabrics in Edward St on our walk back to the train station, then we stopped at Stumers Sewing at Strathpine on the way home. So our total of sewing shops was nine. There are actually a few we did not visit so these will have to wait for next trip. That's if you can stand the pace.

Earlier in August the Bundaberg Quilters held their first ever Competitive Quilt Show. Patty and I are both members of Bundy Quilters also. I managed to win the Best Domestic Machine Quilting Award for my quilt "solar system " and feel honoured that this is now a cover photo on their facebook page.

 Patty's sister Denise who has strong links to Mt Perry had to enter her quilts in the Open section and was thrilled to get 2 places for her scrappy quilts.

Here are some more photos of some prize winning quilts.

 

 I made this art quilt for the Mt Perry Fine Arts Competition a few years back and was thrilled to get a 2nd in the Open Art category.

 

 I was also amazed that my Japanese kaleidoscope quilt got 3rd in the machine pieced category.

 

 I liked this sashiko quilt that received first place in the amateur category.  Some of you have been working in this style.

 

I also liked this Applique quilt.

 

 Here is one of the intrepid security guards who looked after the quilts on the Saturday night. I had a great time camping over doing that job with her. I made sure I took a photo of every prize winner. Much easier doing that when there were no quilt show visitors.

 I must also apologise for the lengthy delay in uploading all of these photos. A few IT problems, a few family conferences to attend and the ever present work commitments has caused the problems.

I have managed some sewing and this is the second baby quilt. Now about to get its borders added.

I hope to see you all next Wednesday, Sept 18th at the hall again.

Ruth

Lost and Found?

Found this post lurking in the draft box.  See what the girls got up to in August.

 

(I'll let Ruth add a pic of her quilt in case it's not meant to be viewed yet)

Our August 7th Patchwork Day found some activity happening in the Hall. Ruth has started on another baby quilt in the favourite bright colours of the new Mum to be.

Kerry was busy still working on her Jelly Roll project.

Margaret has sandwiched  hers and was busy pinning and planning her start on the quilting.

We`had a discussion about the re introduction of hall rental fees and our future in the Hall. An extra day will be held on August 28.

Plans are well underway for our trip to Brisbane to see the quilts at the Art Gallery. Please take the time to research the Rajah Quilt before we go. Patty went a few weeks ago and suggested we do this. Other reports I have had about this exhibit are superb. The Shop Hop itinerary is nearly completed. Further details as I have finalised them. Talk soon.  Ruth

2013 Almost A Wrap

I know, I know ... it's only September but we're on the last bend before the home straight so thought I would throw in the remaining dates for this year. 

September - Wednesday 18th in Hall

October -  Wednesday 2nd at Narelle's

October - Wednesday 30th in Hall

November - Looking into changing to Friday 29th if it suits everyone to include a Christmas Break-up Lunch with our Gift Swap.  Could everyone please email Kerry or Narelle to advise if they are able to come on the Friday and their thoughts on venue for Lunch please. Or let Kerry know at next patchwork.

Hope you're all finding some time for sewing or crafting. My Ruffle scarves now number 11 finished, the black one has little grey baubles.

Will try and pop in for a lunchtime visit next time.

Seven Shops Down and A Day to go

Greetings from Brisbane, seven patchwork shops done and dusted, the Quilts at the Art Gallery yet to be seen. Do you think we have had a big day travelling? Or more likely shopping. By all reports the Art Gallery exhibition of antique quilts including the Rajah Quilt  is not to be missed. They are there until September 22nd. We are going Wednesday, and we'll all be back to our normal routines Thursday. See you next week. Kerry, Margaret and Fay.

This and That

THIS

I've been keeping my knitting needles clicking at night.  A second wash cloth and 3 dusters.

and THAT

Here's a few more ideas for our Christmas Swap at the end of the year. Remember your swap gift will consist of 4 small gifts of about $5 each = a total value $20. Eg:  if one gift is only $2 you have extra to spend on another.

Your  4 small gifts should start with each letter of  X M A S. Here are a few ideas.

X   * This can be your unknown "X" factor
         *  Small X Stitch Kit
         *  Something Xciting

M   *  M and M's
         *  Something to Munch on
         *  Measuring tape
         *  Magnetic ?
         *  Material

A     *  Almond Bread
         *  Chocolate coated Almonds
         *  Animal print fabric

S      *  Scissors
         *  Sewing threads
         *  Surprise!
         *  Santa
         *  Something to Sip

I'm sure you've all got more fun ideas. Happy gathering of your goodies.

From Narelle

Patchwork Day July 10 2013

 

 Wow!! Is all I can say about our usual patchwork day on Wednesday July 10th. Nearly all of us attended at some time during the day.
Sandra came along, finally happy with the resolution of her embroidery machine problems. I'm glad to hear she is very happy with the outcome. This happiness was evident in her Show and Tell contributions. Here is a close up of her linen embroidery work.

 Here is the whole item. Sandra alsways did superb hand work (and still does)  and she now is a very accomplished machine embroiderer.

 

She not only uses an embroidery machine but can make lots of quilts also. Here is another curved layer cake project underway. We all helped her sort out the sewing order so no two fabrics touched.

 

 This is her embroidered shaggy horses quilt. A bit difficult to see but each light square has an embroidered horse picture on it. She is not sure which grandchild will soon own this quilt. Maybe it just might end up on her knees instead.

This is another of Sandra's quilts. This one is for her daughter and has been in the making for a while.

Fay brought along her pink curvy one, finished. She has also started the next project for another granddaughter.

 

 Margaret came back from a very stressful time away in NZ and made these two bags to keep her busy during that time. The brown one is actually fabric that looks like leather.

 

 The girls were so impressed with the machine embroidery that they had a mini tutorial on the subject.

 

 Patty popped in for a quick show and tell and brought her rag rug in the making to show us. Come on girls, we all now know how to use up our ugly fabric and macrame string.

 She has also been busy finishing some UFO"s.

Kerry, Lyn and I sat quietly working on our projects. Narelle and Kath spent their work lunch hour calling in to see us.

Upcoming events to remember are

The Bundaberg Quilters Conmpetitive Quilt Show in August.

The textile competition in the Mt Perry Art Exhibition in September

I am currently organising our shopping/ art gallery trip to Brisbane in August. I will post details when I know more.

Next patchwork day is August 7th

 

A reminder about XMAS also.Another hint for X, who/what's got the X Factor!!! I'm sure you can do some square thinking for this one.

Catch you next time, Ruth

Upcoming Event

Quilt Show

First ever competitive quilt show by

Bundaberg Quilters Inc

Saturday August 10^th

Sunday August 11^th2013

Open to public 10am – 4pm

At Family Centre, in the old Showgrounds, Kensington St Bundaberg

Entry by gold coin donation; raffle; morning tea and light lunch will be on sale at reasonable prices

Sponsored by Quilters Shack, Fabric Palette, ABC Beads & Crafts, Teacups Quilts & Niceties, Corbett’s Sewing Centre, Patchwork on Pallas, Professional Quilting Service, Arts Plus, Howard Drapery, Spotlight Bundaberg, Queensland Quilters.

 For further information contact: Ailsa Koloi on 4151 3760

Or    Rosemary Morris on 41548554

Where Is The Sun?

Ok, so the title has nothing to do with the content but I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever see a lovely sunny day to coincide with a day at home.  9.30 and still a heavy fog ... will my washing dry?

To get back on track with some quilting content, this is the quilt I made for my son and his lovely new bride in April this year. Seems these wavey quilts are very popular.

I've also been plugging away at my workshop mystery quilt and have gone with the initial layout.

 

Looks a bit jumbled yet but also looks like there may have been some sun out that day.

Now that the roadworks have finished in town Kath and I may be able to pop up next patchwork day to see what the girls have been up to. 

Happy Stitching for now from Narelle

Sewing Day June 12 2013 Information

 A pleasant day in the Hall, good company, an excellent catch up of all things quilty. Even the vibrations from the rollapak machine doing the road repairs outside were not quite enough to destroy our day.
 Lyn is showing her recently completed wall hanging  She also had us all intrigued by her bookbinding efforts after a workshop in Bundaberg. She even has found the time to design 2 more quilts and has made a start on one after purchasing fabric.

 Sandra was impressed with Fay's curvy quilts from our last day, so decided to visit Fay for a lesson and she is nearly finished this beauty. Amazing what you can achieve with some inspiration and assistance from a friend.

Next patchwork day is July 10th, after the school holidays. Also plan ahead for Christmas. House Rules are
bring along 4 gifts from the letters XMAS to swap. One must be food to share for the day. No more than $5 each in value. You must contribute to receive.  Some suggestions have been M for material,M and M's,  A for applique, apple pie, S for sewing thread, X for Xray film for templates. So start thinking outside the box.
Patty also announced the theme for the Mt Perry Art Exhibition in September is eMotion, lots of ways to interpret this. Check for further details, as she is setting the size rules this week for the brochures.
I also brought along my Mt Perry Quilters Blog Book I had printed. Amazing how many items we have finished. These books can be made to order through the Blog2print website.

A quick snapshot of my recent handiwork. Our house is like a patchwork quilt, bits restored here and there. I am hoping to complete some more of this work soon, then just maybe , we may be able to have a "retreat" sewing on the  restored veranda sometime before Christmas. Does anyone feel like learning how to remove paint? We might be able to sew sooner if you care to climb the ladders with me. You all said you are enjoying House Rules on the television. By the way those windows are earmarked for replacement.
Don't forget the competitive Bundaberg Quilt Show in August, looks like it could be a bit busy for the rest of the year. Catch you in July, Ruth.

Patchwork Day Success

 Wednesday May 15th found us at the Hall for a day of sewing, showing and catch up. Fay has been busy sewing her Mystery Jelly Roll quilt. Definately not what the Mystery Quilt designer had planned but Fay is very happy with this quilt.

 She also had time to make this aboriginal print themed quilt for her husband for his birthday the previous Monday. Amazing what this girl can accomplish amidst taking care of the property, cattle, horses and her family.

 Here Kerry is busy working away on her Jelly Roll Mystery, it certainly looks vastly different to Fay's quilt. Ooops, I forgot to take a photo of the works in progress.

 Fay is busy working on another curvy quilt for a granddaughter who loves Pink. Amazing how the addition of the contrast bias changes the entire quilt.
I think Sandra may have been inspired by this, she is on a scrap busting and WIP mission as she had pieces from years ago with her  in an attempt to jog her memory as to how to proceed. A quick lesson on half square triangles an easy way and we may see some further progress next patchwork day.

Ruth has finished her grandbaby quilt, ready in time for the due date in June.

A date to remember is the Bundaberg Quilters Competitive Quilt Show. Friday night 9 August is the Awards Night, Saturday 10 and 11 August is the show open to the public. If you wish to compete you must be a financial member of the Bundaberg Quilters. Contact Patty or Ruth for further details.
Next patchwork day is Wednesday 12 June. Hope to see you there. 
Ruth

A Pleasant Evening Out in Bundaberg

Fay and I had an evening out in Bundaberg at the Gloria Loughman Trunk Show hosted by the Bundaberg Quilters. She is teaching workshops there this weekend. Unfortunately, neither of us could attend a workshop but just viewing some of her landscape quilts was wonderful. Gloria is an internationally acclaimed quilter, author and teacher and told us quite a few stories about her teaching career.

 

A linear landscape quilt. Her stitching is so neat, and these are art quilts so they will never be washed, just vacuumed to remove the dust.

 A sample of some of her quilts that were on display. I asked for her permission for a photograph of her with her quilts for our blog and she was very happy for me to take them for you. Notice that her clothing is as vibrant as her quilts.

 This large quite was my personal favourite.

She has a new book published called Radiant Landscapes and this is the cover quilt. She also has a Craftsy Class called Linear Landscape Class which you can purchase anytime online. When she was in America filming those classes, she was told to "tone down " her wardrobe for the camera, glad she doesn't do that to her quilts. An evening well spent.  Faye, I did take a few more photoes for you also, and I hope you are enjoying your new books. Whilst, there I was also thrilled to find out that  Karen, a Bundaberg Quilters member enjoys reading our blog, so I hope you do too.
Some of us, are off to a social patchwork day at Childers, next week instead of our usual patchwork day. Mt Perry Show is on next weekend so I hope you are all busy finishing off your entries. Me, I am much too busy with all this socialising to get mine finished. See you all sometime next week, Ruth.