Saturday 13 September 2008
Esther's Occassional Quote for the Day
Thursday 11 September 2008
Wednesday 10 September 2008
WORKSHOP !
http://www.aqc.com.au/melbourne09.php
The Website is now up and running....and I'm one of the tutors!
Visit the site and check it out !
Tuesday 9 September 2008
Much ado about nothing !
Yes, I'm taking things easy and just enjoying the year so far and indulging in a few new things like colour mixing and paper cutting.
Tuesday 2 September 2008
Really Loving Red
Even sitting in a cafe waiting for my coffee .....and my mind wanders round to red ideas...here's a little jotting I got up to whilst waiting to be served...with a little work I might just work that into something.....maybe even more reason to dine out!
Monday 1 September 2008
SEPT 1st
I've been very slack with my blog as I've been so busy sketching and trying out a few new ideas....and experimenting....with paints and pencils....and have nothing to report back yet. I had to stop just to make some order in my area...so that I could keep on going...Predictably, I am back at the challenge where I have decided to use my fabric stash...but keep coming up with quilts that need new fabric, and the stash just keeps increasing as usual.
My BOM sketches which I've been turning into a pattern, 'Red Delicious' have come together really well, and I'm considering doing both a stencil and applique piece....the only problem is, all my reds are the 'wrong' reds and so I really dont think I'm going to be clearing out the red drawer of prints at all !
I found a stash of christmassy prints.....so I'm considering whether I need any new things for the table / wall / sofa / bed this season....I probably do..... after all, can a quilter have too many Christmas Stockings on the ledge????
Wednesday 20 August 2008
Finding out about the Flange
Tuesday 19 August 2008
Monday 18 August 2008
The meaning of excellence??
Sunday 17 August 2008
Nightshade, you're going to HOUSTON!
Otherwise, I've just been busy dabbling in my sewing studio. Trying out a few new techniques and attempting to organise my chaos.
Something that has caught my eye is the new Inktense derwent pencils that have been advertised in quilting magazines lately, has anyone given these a go? I'd love to hear some feedback if you have.
That's all for now, I'm a little distracted as I have several sketches on the go, hopefully I will have something new in the next day or two.
Monday 11 August 2008
UFO goes back in its box
What can I say? cleaning just brings out the inspiration in me and now I have 3 new quilt ideas that I'm furiously sketching and getting down, so I really dont have time for that UFO.
In the meantime, I did finish my blankets of love challenge and my daughter joined me and finished hers as well ('quality time' together....she stressed my sewing machine to its limit!) I'm amazed its still stitching as we went through quite a few needles..... anyway, 2 quilts in 2 says and off they were posted!
I'm not allowed to show any pics of them just yet- the rules wont let me until they have been judged. However after judging I will put them up.
I've been doing a lot of designing and sketching at the moment.... so I've been neglecting my emails and other computing stuff.... of well, sometimes creativity just gets in the way, but who's complaining?
I'M IN LOVE WITH RED, ITS MY FAV COLOUR AT THE MOMENT and thats all I'm revealing for now!
Wednesday 6 August 2008
Just remembered
Yes, I've designed a brand new mystery BOM (I get really inspired when I'm cleaning- anything to distract), and I just had to share
It's called RED DELICIOUS. I'll keep you posted....
Turning chaos in calm
I dare not start on colour coding my fabris stash - thats a 6 month task!
Friday 1 August 2008
I found a UFO
This is a Cheater Panel....it's a baltimore album block and border (I bought 4 panels) just to get the blocks right and I just added two fabrics, green and beige to finish the top. I've never made a panel quilt before, to be honest, I dont know what I was thinking when I started it! But you can never have enough quilts (well, my family is always complaining that for a quilter, we dont have enough quilts (theyre always on show, or touring or somewhere....) so I'm commited to finishing this one. Although - my daughters hate it, they think its really ugly - so it may end up being the PICNIC QUILT!
I've decided that I have to finish some UFO's, its simple, but a good canvas to practice new quilting techniques on.... I have one 'real' baltimore in me, maybe in the next ten years.... I really love well made traditional Baltimore's and I've promised myself that I will do one before I retire from quilting (whenever that is!)
This is a large quilt, its 90 inches. Thats pretty big for a UFO.... it'll give me something to play around with next week as I mostly keep my weekends quilt free.
Yes, another excuse not to clear up my sewing area - it doesnt take much!
Wednesday 30 July 2008
Thank you everyone
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Ah Serendipity......
Luckily enough though, I know the creator of this beautiful quilt and I know she wont mind me publishing this pic...
Dear Grace, just so you know, this is the much admired block!
In particular, the two stars and vine detail make it that extra bit special (as well as your use of pink!)
Yes, this quilt is a winner too:
Excellence in Domestic Machine Quilting - Amateur
Congratualtions Grace!
Monday 28 July 2008
Vic. Showcase 2008
Next to Peony Pride is the Best of Show Winner, congratulations Anthea! Both of us are proud members of the Patchworkers and Quilters Guild of Vic.
I've been Runner up to Best of Show three years in a row now, I'm beginning to think stenciling might be ahead of it's time. Oh well, I quilt for myself, not awards.
Quilting detail
I can proudly announce - that I have conquered quilting circles - I didnt mark a single line and my white than white pristine fabric is happy for it! But there's more good news: I didn't only win 3 rossettes, I also won:
Highly Commended in Australian Machine Quilting Exhibition for MANOR HOUSE (how about that?) I gave Manor House another chance and this time round, it hung obediently and shone in it's place (perfectly placed spotlight), its all the luck of the draw, although sometimes you have to wait a few shows to see your quilting hanging just right...its always worth it in the end...
Exhausted!
Being this years guest artist with 25 quilts from over the last 8 years was a rewarding experience - I spoke to hundreds of people and even had to convince a few that my stencilled quilts were in fact stencilled and not needle turn appliqued! Now thats a compliment!
As well as my exhibit, there were another 4 of my quilts being exhibited - three in the show and one in the Flynn gallery section.
I was busy talking to visitors and enjoying myself so much that I really didnt take that many photos - it's been a busy week with plenty of early starts and late nights, but it was all worth it!
Here's a quick shot from the third day...I was fortunate enough to secure the length of an entire wall to hang my quilts, it was such a thrill to see them all hanging there! Even I cant believe that I did all these quilts in 8 years (maybe I should spend more of my time cleaning, or cooking?....)
Well, 25 quilts dont just hang themselves - I would like to thank Robyn and Val and Desley for helping me so much, it would have taken me days without you!
The 4 of us could take the world by storm if we set out to do some serious interior decorating together! It looks easy, but deciding the where and hows of so many different quilts (I've done plenty of experienting and my styles are diverse!) is no mean feat!
Thank you all so much!
Monday 21 July 2008
The joy of late night Quilting !
Sunday 20 July 2008
Friday 18 July 2008
A sneak preview
When I'm quilting, I pick up a rhythm....and if I stop for any reason (like a well earned coffee!) when I come back, I loes consistency...and I can always see where I left off and started up again. It also means I forget what I was planning to quilt!....so I like to stick it out and let my mind race ahead whilst I quilt!
I hope to be finished next week....well I'l have to be as it is being judged on Wednesday....Yes, a mere 3 days away ( I need a day off on weekends).
ONE DAY I will NOT leave my quilting to the last minute...its a scary thought to imagine what will happen if I dont make it in time....
Sunday 13 July 2008
The Quiet of Quilting
I've made front cover !!
I've made front cover!!! Thank you Vic. Quilter's!
I've been selected as the Guest Artist at this year's Victorian Quilter's Showcase at the Craft & Quilt Fair from 24th July 2007 at the Melb Exhibition Centre, where my quilting journey will be displayed through 24 selected quilts. I'm honored to have been chosen and I can't wait to meet as many of you there as possible!
See you at the show!
....now, back to finishing my latest piece, so you can all see it hanging finished on the day.....
Saturday 12 July 2008
Friday 11 July 2008
How to get off the floor
If, like me, you dont like basting on the floor (my knees wont let me...and I've received several questioning emails on this topic, so I know I'm not alone...), here is how I baste at table level.
This is a technique I've seen on YouTube.
I believe in sharing quilting knowledge, so here goes!
At my local hardware store, I
purchased a 'door frame' which is two straight pieces of wood, and that was the closest
thing I could get - it was long enough and had a smooth polished surface (V. important!). It doesnt warp or distort with age.
My two pieces are 2.10m approx.
I have a high table, its a collapsible trestle table from Officeworks. And I added plumbing tubes to the legs to give it more height.
I iron my quilt top and backing. Then I wind up on each board length one front and one back so they are both wound up. The right side of the fabric is facing inside when wound. I help myself with a bit of masking tape so that it winds perfectly straight. I wind up the whole quilt top. Same with the back. Then I place the back board first on the table. I unwind from the board about half a metre. I then position the batting on top of it. Of top of this, I unwind about half a metre of the quilt top. Now I have a 3 layer sandwhich.
I secure the edge firmly with clips. I smooth out the three layers, pinning as I go, and unwinding a little more each time. The batting is loose between the two boards so I keep this in check as I unwind the boards, constantly smoothing the layers out to ensure they are mathcing. The boards are heavy enough not to more. Then I hand baste the large areas- especially on straight seams, pin some others until the whole quilt is basted, this usally takes about a day for a 80 inch quilt. I know I'm slow, bit I like to baste more than is necessary.
I continue unrolling the quilt and I can do it sitting down because everything is secure on the table.
Today while I was basting away, my dear friend Grace rang me and naturally I was complaining about pricking my fingers with the needles...and she gave me a great tip....use an old toothbrush (pluck the bristles out) sand it into a smooth surface and VOILA this tool is ideal for hand basting! THANK YOU GRACE! This is a valuable tool for me now.....everytime you dig the needle through 3 layers and come up again, you can save your finger tips and pull up the needle easily with a rocking motion.
Visit my ETSY SHOP
Well, the time has finally come. I now have my own Etsy Shop.
I have big and wonderful plans for my shop, selling quilts and stencil items, but for now I'm starting with a Polar Bear family which have been living in a box. I think they deserve to be taken home and loved by someone, so they are the first (and at the moment only) items in my shop....
Visit my shop (via button on the left) for updates, I'm planning on adding to my shop frequently.
Basting the Quilt !
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Last Bits
Finally the last borders!
I had no fabric in my stash that was a near enough colour match.....so I made it myself!
White and red is very hard to match unless you work from exactly the same dye batch....and who can do that?
No, I haven't even thought about how i'm going to quilt this piece...it's going to be a surprise. At the moment, I refuse to go there....simply because I know myself - whatever I plan, I change my mind as soon as I sit down to quilt. All I know is that it will most likely be traditional (well, free hand traditional anyway). I dare not even consider marking that white / white fabric! And here is the last bit. All done. Tomorrow is assembly time.
Monday 7 July 2008
Stencilling away
When I started this quilt, I decided to stay firmly on the 'correct' colour usage track.....before changing my mind and then changing it back again.
Now that I've stencilled the blocks, I've taken a liking to this triadic colour blend. I put the blocks up on my wall and the colours just seem to 'fit' really well....is it just me? or have I discovered the power of the triadic colour merge?
Right now, I'm having a love relationship with this quilt, we're at the honeymoon phase where it looks so new and fresh, its exciting to work on it every day....but I know full well that I may end up changing my mind again...I usually have a love / hate relationship with my quilts and it's usually over what colours or prints I've selected, I'm hoping that as I get more adept at following the rules, these relationship problems will just disappear....
Friday 4 July 2008
Thursday 3 July 2008
Still going
My travelling iron is handy to take around the house as I often move
my quilting into the sunniest room
Tuesday 1 July 2008
It sure is a New Day....Every Day
I was happily suprised to open my latest newsletter from The Quilt Show....and notice that my quilt, PEACE, is shown on the Gallery Tour page!
I was delighted! I love The Quilt Show newsletter....now I REALLY feel like a quilter! Love it...Love it...Love it
Visit The Quilt Show via my side link on the left of this page, or just click the link below...
http://www.thequiltshow.com