A New Quilt In The Window............
When you drive past the shop next time, you will see a new
quilt in the window. It is a new Rickety Stitches pattern called
'Floral Essence'.
She has used a new panel from a Moda range, cut it up, added
borders, and voila, a beautiful new quilt. It is 58 inches square,
and it has been made using the quilt-as-you-go technique, but
of course you could piece the whole top, and then quilt it.
We have the pattern, and the kit available from the shop, and my
pic doesn't really do the quilt justice, it is very striking.
I don't know why it took me so long to change the window, maybe I
was waiting for just the right quilt.
Watch the blog over the next week or so for some of her other
new patterns. She has been busy over the Christmas break.
DOWN IN THE GARDEN...................................
Leanne's House new BOM has finally arrived. We are not doing
it as a BOM, but are selling it as a pattern set.
We are offering it at a really good price, so if you are interested, give
us a ring at the shop. I will take some close-up pics over the weekend
of some of the individual blocks.
Enjoy your weekend,
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
Another Lovely Sunday..........
It's terrible, but Sunday is beginning to be my most favourite
day of the week. I sleep in, lounge around in my pj's, and then
get visited by my children, and grand-children. What more
could I want in life?
Maybe a little bit of stitching, but that wasn't to be today, because
we had to photograph some quilts that we are making up into kits.
'SOPHIE AND FRIENDS' is a babies quilt, and has a sweet pink
toile as it's feature fabric.
Lynne stitched cute little four patches, and then set them on point.
We will have the kits and pattern in the shop as soon as Greg has
the laminated pics done, hopefully in the next few days.
While we were hanging the quilt to take the pic, I had to move
some of my Raggedys, and seeing we had our cameras out, of
course I couldn't resist showing you one more of my collections.
The little one at the front is my newest raggedy, I received her
from Tracey for my birthday in January. I think part of the attraction
of raggedys, is that they are red and blue, which has always been one
of my favourite colour combinations.
And of course Raggedy Ann, has to have a friend, Andy.
I did this painted stitchery about ten years ago, and it still hangs
on a wall in my kitchen.
This pair of raggedys was made for me by Tracey years ago.
They are very cute, and sit about six inches high, and last for
tonight, is a green raggedy. Once again it was made by Tracey.
You just have to ignore the dust, but as my mother used to say,
'Better dust on the furniture, than dust on the mind'.
Like a lot of us, I have culled my doll collection over the last couple
of years, and have mainly kept my raggedys, and my golly dolls.
A Little Bit of Show and Tell..............
Annie attended Lynne's baby quilt class last term, and brought her
finished quilt into the shop to show us.
She used the pinks from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern range.
Well done Annie. Annie doesn't really need to do Lynne's
classes, but she just enjoys them, because they are always
fun, and therapeutic. And isn't that what quilting is meant to be.
This term she is doing Lynne's 'Come Sail With Me' class.
On Saturday, Lynne and I drew up a Ballet Bear, to make a little
girl's version of the quilt, in raspberry and tangerine collurs.
We will probably be repeating this class next term, because it
is great for beginners. Lynne gets you to baste, and machine
quilt the quilt in the class, and then shows you how to bind. She
always likes all her students to go home with a 99% completed quilt.
Alma's Briar Rose Quilt......................
Alma has had the acrylic template set, and pattern for this quilt for
quite a while, and last year she finally decided to make it.
It has turned out beautifully. She handpieced the diamonds at
our Wednesday Morning Friendship Group, and I think she machined
the sashing strips.
And last pic for the night Shirley D's first quilt. She bought the
'Petals and Patches' pattern 'In Mum's Kitchen' last year, and I have
been guiding her through the making of it.
On Friday night we basted it, and now she is handquilting it.
I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend, as I did.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
day of the week. I sleep in, lounge around in my pj's, and then
get visited by my children, and grand-children. What more
could I want in life?
Maybe a little bit of stitching, but that wasn't to be today, because
we had to photograph some quilts that we are making up into kits.
'SOPHIE AND FRIENDS' is a babies quilt, and has a sweet pink
toile as it's feature fabric.
Lynne stitched cute little four patches, and then set them on point.
We will have the kits and pattern in the shop as soon as Greg has
the laminated pics done, hopefully in the next few days.
While we were hanging the quilt to take the pic, I had to move
some of my Raggedys, and seeing we had our cameras out, of
course I couldn't resist showing you one more of my collections.
The little one at the front is my newest raggedy, I received her
from Tracey for my birthday in January. I think part of the attraction
of raggedys, is that they are red and blue, which has always been one
of my favourite colour combinations.
And of course Raggedy Ann, has to have a friend, Andy.
I did this painted stitchery about ten years ago, and it still hangs
on a wall in my kitchen.
This pair of raggedys was made for me by Tracey years ago.
They are very cute, and sit about six inches high, and last for
tonight, is a green raggedy. Once again it was made by Tracey.
You just have to ignore the dust, but as my mother used to say,
'Better dust on the furniture, than dust on the mind'.
Like a lot of us, I have culled my doll collection over the last couple
of years, and have mainly kept my raggedys, and my golly dolls.
A Little Bit of Show and Tell..............
Annie attended Lynne's baby quilt class last term, and brought her
finished quilt into the shop to show us.
She used the pinks from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern range.
Well done Annie. Annie doesn't really need to do Lynne's
classes, but she just enjoys them, because they are always
fun, and therapeutic. And isn't that what quilting is meant to be.
This term she is doing Lynne's 'Come Sail With Me' class.
On Saturday, Lynne and I drew up a Ballet Bear, to make a little
girl's version of the quilt, in raspberry and tangerine collurs.
We will probably be repeating this class next term, because it
is great for beginners. Lynne gets you to baste, and machine
quilt the quilt in the class, and then shows you how to bind. She
always likes all her students to go home with a 99% completed quilt.
Alma's Briar Rose Quilt......................
Alma has had the acrylic template set, and pattern for this quilt for
quite a while, and last year she finally decided to make it.
It has turned out beautifully. She handpieced the diamonds at
our Wednesday Morning Friendship Group, and I think she machined
the sashing strips.
And last pic for the night Shirley D's first quilt. She bought the
'Petals and Patches' pattern 'In Mum's Kitchen' last year, and I have
been guiding her through the making of it.
On Friday night we basted it, and now she is handquilting it.
I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend, as I did.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
Blogging At The Shop............
I am feeling a little bit guilty, I am sitting down, and blogging
while Cassy is looking after customers in the shop. I have
finally got my wireless internet working at the shop, so I have
no excuses for not blogging!
Her youngest son Noah has started school, so she is going
to help me out in the shop for the next term or so. It has
been great, I have been going home, and instead of sitt-
ing down and going to sleep, I have had the energy to do
a few things around the house, and occasionally even a little
bit of sewing.
NEW FABRIC ARRIVALS..................
A modern retro range arrived early this week, called 'Wild Thyme"
I have also been playing with it. and mixing it with our retro zoo fabric.
Nothing more enjoyable than playing eith new fabric as it arrives, and
mixing it with fabrics you already have!
I have just cut these fabrics up to make a baby quilt. It is laid out and ready
to sew. Hopefully on the week-end I will get time. I have used our really
simple 'Vintage In Pink ' pattern.
A LITTLE BIT OF SHOW AND TELL..............
Lovely May, came into the shop to buy the border for another of her
'Pathways' quilts. Some of you might remember that she is making
one for each of her grandchildren. I think she said she is on to her
fifth one.
JO'S KAFFE WEDDING QUILT.................
Jo had a lovely a surprise last year, when she heard that her son was getting
married, and of course that meant that she had to make a quilt. She let her
son and future daughter-in-law look at her quilting books, and they chose
a Kaffe Fassett pattern.
She is handquilting it at our Monday afternoon stitching group. It is a very
large quilt, nearly 90" square. Don't the fabrics just glow.
My first post done at the shop. Now to publish it, hopefully it works.
If you can read this, it has.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
while Cassy is looking after customers in the shop. I have
finally got my wireless internet working at the shop, so I have
no excuses for not blogging!
Her youngest son Noah has started school, so she is going
to help me out in the shop for the next term or so. It has
been great, I have been going home, and instead of sitt-
ing down and going to sleep, I have had the energy to do
a few things around the house, and occasionally even a little
bit of sewing.
NEW FABRIC ARRIVALS..................
A modern retro range arrived early this week, called 'Wild Thyme"
I have also been playing with it. and mixing it with our retro zoo fabric.
Nothing more enjoyable than playing eith new fabric as it arrives, and
mixing it with fabrics you already have!
I have just cut these fabrics up to make a baby quilt. It is laid out and ready
to sew. Hopefully on the week-end I will get time. I have used our really
simple 'Vintage In Pink ' pattern.
A LITTLE BIT OF SHOW AND TELL..............
Lovely May, came into the shop to buy the border for another of her
'Pathways' quilts. Some of you might remember that she is making
one for each of her grandchildren. I think she said she is on to her
fifth one.
JO'S KAFFE WEDDING QUILT.................
Jo had a lovely a surprise last year, when she heard that her son was getting
married, and of course that meant that she had to make a quilt. She let her
son and future daughter-in-law look at her quilting books, and they chose
a Kaffe Fassett pattern.
She is handquilting it at our Monday afternoon stitching group. It is a very
large quilt, nearly 90" square. Don't the fabrics just glow.
My first post done at the shop. Now to publish it, hopefully it works.
If you can read this, it has.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
Some More Class Samples...........
Better late than never. Sorry I have been so long in posting some more pics
of the class samples.
Laurene is teaching a beginner's machine class on a Thursday night. The quilt
is called 'Noughts and Crosses', and is basically a two colour quilt.
I don't seem to be able to get my indent function to work, but
I am going to keep going, so at least I can get a post done!
I will just have my type all over the place. Any way back to
Laurene's class. It is a great beginner's class, with lots of
practice rotary cutting, and accurate machine piecing.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
Julie Fenn's Applique Quilt....................
Julie is teaching her 'Twilight Clematis' quilt this term.
It has a pieced background, somewhat like a lattice, with a pot
of clematis appliqued over the surface. The clematis flowers are
dimensional, and there are three different flowers. A really beautiful
quilt, and Julie is teaching it over three Thursday mornings, and it is
a mixture of machine piecing, and hand applique.
Only a short blog tonight, because I am trying out my new USB modem
stick, which means I can go wireless sometimes. I can take my lap-
top to the shop, and if I am quiet may be do some blogging.
Anyway, that is the theory, we will see how it plays out in reality!
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
MOONSHINE'S QUILT-AS-YOU-G0 BOOK.............
Monica Poole's new book has finally hit the shops.
It has patterns for five of her quilts, as well as some pages of inspiration.
The advantage of quilt-as-you-go is that you don't have to try and fit
a large quilt under your machine, but quilt small sections at a time.
We had also been waiting for Monica's new bag pattern 'Spice of
Life'.
Her samples look lovely in the French General fabrics 'Rouenneries'.
It is always nice to see quilts in the shop, that are just a little bit
different, and this afternoon we saw a quilt made in aboriginal fabrics.
My photo doesn't do it justice, it was really stunning. Often we hear
quilters say they don't know how to use these fabrics. Maybe this quilt
will give them a bit of inspiration, and I have to apologize to the quilter
who brought it in, because I have forgotten her name.
We have about twenty aboriginal fabrics in the shop, and are gradually
building up our range.
First Term Newsletter has been emailed out, and my DH is about to
post it on the website, and over the weekend I will be posting pics of
class samples on the blog.
Also our Back To School SALE begins on Monday 1st Feb., and
finishes on Saturday 6th Feb. at 4pm.
20% of all fabrics, wadding, books and patterns, as well as our
$5 per metre extra special table .
Look forward to seeing you
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
Old Primrose Inn............
I have had some pics of the last Blackbird Designs range of fabric
on the camera for ages, but I kept forgetting to put them on the
blog. It is called 'Old Primrose Inn', and we have about
20 bolts from the range.
on the camera for ages, but I kept forgetting to put them on the
blog. It is called 'Old Primrose Inn', and we have about
20 bolts from the range.
We still have a few layer cakes in stock as well.
The fabrics have a real mellow glow about them.
And for those Blackbird fabrics lovers out there, we have ordered the
complete range of 'Garden Party' which will be in the shop Feb/March.
Rural Jardin.................
Layer Cakes of the next range of fabrics from 'French General'
have also arrived.
It includes similar colours to 'Rouenneries', but adds some
beautiful blues to the range.
Something to look forward to, and I think the bolts should be arriving in
February.
Little House............
A sweet little pink range, advertised as a baby range, but
I think it has a much wider appeal than that.
Very Shabby.
I am enjoying my lap top sooooo much, my DH is setting the
newsletter as I am blogging, no fighting over the computer anymore.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
Happy Austraia Day...............
I hope everyone had a great holiday today, for Australia Day.Once again , the weather has been perfect, and to make it more
perfect, it was my birthday. It is lovely to have a holiday on your
birthday every year!
I was meant to be finishing the Newsletter for the shop, but instead
had a leisurely day listening to music, and waiting for the family to
arrive for a birthday dinner.
Lynne dropped into the shop yesterday, to give me my birthday present,
and as I was opening the box, she told me not to get too excited by what
was inside. It was a shoe box, and I thought alright she has got me a
new pair of shoes. Most people who know me will know that I really could
do with a new pair, so that wouldn't be so bad. But when I took the lid off
box, I couldn't contain myself.
She had found me two tea cosy dolls, which she knows I love, and
they are getting harder, and harder to find. How is it that friends manage
to find you just the right gift?
This little green girl is going to find a home sitting on one of my shelves
in my dining room. She is very delicate, the doll body is very fragile
and wont take much handling, but I am sure she will be very happy with
my other two green doll tea cosies.
Here is a close up of her in her new home.
She even has her very own yellow and orange hand bag.
I haven't found the perfect home for the pink cosy, but I am working
on it.
Her body isn't nearly as fragile, and I could actually use her to keep the tea
in the pot warm.
I also received a special embroidered runner from Jeanette, who
is in one of our stitching groups on a Wednesday night.
Rosina, Jeanette's sister. who passed away nearly a year ago,
bought a set of pre printed embroidery panels, and over the year
Jeanette has been stitching them. I feel very privileged to have
received one of them for my birthday. Every time I see it I will
remember Rosina. Rosina was also a member of the Wednesday
night group.
My son, Tim, also surprised me. He turned up with a beautiful bunch
of cream roses. Tim always remembers me with a present, but I have
never received flowers from him before.
I just love fresh flowers.
in the pot warm.
I also received a special embroidered runner from Jeanette, who
is in one of our stitching groups on a Wednesday night.
Rosina, Jeanette's sister. who passed away nearly a year ago,
bought a set of pre printed embroidery panels, and over the year
Jeanette has been stitching them. I feel very privileged to have
received one of them for my birthday. Every time I see it I will
remember Rosina. Rosina was also a member of the Wednesday
night group.
My son, Tim, also surprised me. He turned up with a beautiful bunch
of cream roses. Tim always remembers me with a present, but I have
never received flowers from him before.
I just love fresh flowers.
Cassy and the boys returned from Phillip Island in time for dinner,
so I have to say I couldn't have had a nicer birdhday.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
What A Beautiful Sunday............
What a glorious day, the weather is just perfect, and you can't help
but feel good. As usual, we had our Sunday morning sleep in,
then it was off to Cassy's house to feed their animals. They have
gone to Phillip Island for six days, so Greg and I have been entrusted
with looking after the pets.
They have acquired a new little dog, Chi Chi, who will be a companion
for Jake, and I thought they were so cute together, I would get a pic of
them. Well, that was not an easy thing to do, they were on the move
all the time, and wouldn't stay put for the camera, so this was the best
I could come up with
They get on very well together, and even though they have their own
kennels, Chi Chi often sleeps in the kennel with Jake.
Last time we had to mind their animals, we managed to lose one
of their cats, so we are being extra diligent this time!
When we arrived home we did a little bit of gardening, nothing too
strenuous,just pulling out a few weeds, It always amazes me how
everything in the garden looks so lovely when the sun is shining.
I planted a few hardy gazanias in my wheelbarrow over the Christmas
break, and they are beginning to flower.
These will give a bit of colour to the front garden, without needing
much watering.
Our plumbago in the back garden also seems to thrive on the hot
weather, without any extra watering. It is a mass of colour.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Barb M who often helps out in the shop on sale days, had a special
birthday yesterday. She thought she was going to get away with
out us knowing, but we found out, and would like to wish her a very
Happy Birthday, and we hope she had a lovely day with her family.
Barb M was the maker of the beautiful 'Grandmother's Star' Quilt
that I posted on the blog recently.
Lynne's Baby Coin Quilt.............................
Lynne was finishing handstitching the binding on this quilt
at our stitching group last Tuesday night.
She wasn't quite sure about the fabric combination when we picked them out,
but now the quilt is quilted and bound, she is very happy with how it
has turned out.
It is going to be a beginner's class in second term, and as well as
learning the basics of cutting and stitching, she will get the class to
baste and machine quilt their quilt. What a great introduction to
patchwork and quilting.
First Term's Newsletter...................
I am working on it at the moment, so you should receive your copy
in the next few days, and we will then have printed copies in the
shop. First term is only eight weeks long, so it is going to pass
very quickly.
NEW BOOK ARRIVALS.....................................
WE have a few copies of a new jelly roll quilt book on our shelves.
It has patterns for twelve quilts made from jelly rolls, and each pattern is
shown in two different colour ways.
Redwork Quilt Books..................
We have had these books in the shop before, but when Robyn G
brought some blocks she had stitched from them into the
shop to show us, I knew that I had to re-order it.
Robyn stitched her blocks in blue, and they are just beautiful.
They made me want to start a new project, but I was strong, and decided
that I had better finish some stitcheries that I have already begun.
Well that had better be all for today, and I will get back to working on
the newsletter.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
but feel good. As usual, we had our Sunday morning sleep in,
then it was off to Cassy's house to feed their animals. They have
gone to Phillip Island for six days, so Greg and I have been entrusted
with looking after the pets.
They have acquired a new little dog, Chi Chi, who will be a companion
for Jake, and I thought they were so cute together, I would get a pic of
them. Well, that was not an easy thing to do, they were on the move
all the time, and wouldn't stay put for the camera, so this was the best
I could come up with
They get on very well together, and even though they have their own
kennels, Chi Chi often sleeps in the kennel with Jake.
Last time we had to mind their animals, we managed to lose one
of their cats, so we are being extra diligent this time!
When we arrived home we did a little bit of gardening, nothing too
strenuous,just pulling out a few weeds, It always amazes me how
everything in the garden looks so lovely when the sun is shining.
I planted a few hardy gazanias in my wheelbarrow over the Christmas
break, and they are beginning to flower.
These will give a bit of colour to the front garden, without needing
much watering.
Our plumbago in the back garden also seems to thrive on the hot
weather, without any extra watering. It is a mass of colour.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Barb M who often helps out in the shop on sale days, had a special
birthday yesterday. She thought she was going to get away with
out us knowing, but we found out, and would like to wish her a very
Happy Birthday, and we hope she had a lovely day with her family.
Barb M was the maker of the beautiful 'Grandmother's Star' Quilt
that I posted on the blog recently.
Lynne's Baby Coin Quilt.............................
Lynne was finishing handstitching the binding on this quilt
at our stitching group last Tuesday night.
She wasn't quite sure about the fabric combination when we picked them out,
but now the quilt is quilted and bound, she is very happy with how it
has turned out.
It is going to be a beginner's class in second term, and as well as
learning the basics of cutting and stitching, she will get the class to
baste and machine quilt their quilt. What a great introduction to
patchwork and quilting.
First Term's Newsletter...................
I am working on it at the moment, so you should receive your copy
in the next few days, and we will then have printed copies in the
shop. First term is only eight weeks long, so it is going to pass
very quickly.
NEW BOOK ARRIVALS.....................................
WE have a few copies of a new jelly roll quilt book on our shelves.
It has patterns for twelve quilts made from jelly rolls, and each pattern is
shown in two different colour ways.
Redwork Quilt Books..................
We have had these books in the shop before, but when Robyn G
brought some blocks she had stitched from them into the
shop to show us, I knew that I had to re-order it.
Robyn stitched her blocks in blue, and they are just beautiful.
They made me want to start a new project, but I was strong, and decided
that I had better finish some stitcheries that I have already begun.
Well that had better be all for today, and I will get back to working on
the newsletter.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
Waiting for My Stitching Group to Arrive..........
I'm on the computer, and Lynne is stitching a binding as we wait for the
others in our stitching group. It is at my place tonight, so I thought I would
take the opportunity to post something on the blog. A little anti-social, but
If I don't do it while I am in the mood, it probably won't happen.
I thought that I had better put the pics of 'The Pennock Family Album"
that I promised.
others in our stitching group. It is at my place tonight, so I thought I would
take the opportunity to post something on the blog. A little anti-social, but
If I don't do it while I am in the mood, it probably won't happen.
I thought that I had better put the pics of 'The Pennock Family Album"
that I promised.
This is a printed panel of the quilt that the fabric range is based on.
And a lovely selection of prints, that have been taken from the original quilt.
It is a Windham fabric, and I went to their site to see if they have a free pattern for
range, and they do. It is a sampler, using some blocks from the quilt. Their
site has lots of free reproduction patterns. So it is worth a look from time to time.
Well, it never rains, but it pours. What should arrive today but the new
Judie Rothermel range of fabrics to commemorate the 150th anniversary of
the Civil War. It is a really big range, consisting of fifty fabrics, many of
which have been in previous ranges. I found quite a few favourites of mine.
The flash has brought them up a little bit stronger in colour, than they
actually are. They have a much more dusty appearance in real life,
and I am sure those Civil War fans out there will recognize some of them.
I have always loved these pinks, so it is great that they are available again.
I told you it was a big range. It will be interesting to see if my DH notices
them when he is sweeping the shop tomorrow. Sometimes I can manage to
slip in new fabrics without him realizing!
And lastly, purples and browny greens.
So with the Pennock Collection, and Judie's Civil War fabrics we have added about
85 fabrics to our stock, so lots of new stuff to look at.
And I have just the pattern that they would look lovely in, 'Grandmothers Star'.
Here is a pic of Barb M's beautiful quilt, that is almost completed.
We have the acrylic template set for this quilt in the the shop, and it is
quite nice to handpiece.
The Girls have arrived, so I had better get off the computer, and start
stitching.
Until Next Post
Ann-Maree
