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What a week!

Last week I was honored to be a tutor at Quilt Encounter 2009

Thank you to the organisers and of course students - the days just flew by in the company of such talented quilters. I really appreciate the love and support that shone throughout the encounter. The end of day get together of tutors and meeting new people was a definite highlight and reminded me again just how rewarding sharing quilting techniques can be. I cant wait to see some more examples of stenciling shining through in upcoming showcases...stenciled blocks: I know you're out there....

Now I'm finally home and finishing off my quilt (more pics early next week)

Vic Showcase (Jeffs Shed) is around the corner - doors open Thursday morning

Do come and say hello, I will be there everyday milling about

Cherry Blossom

Block 9: Cherry Blossom

Block 9 is now available. For those of you who have been experiencing trouble with Scribd.com (or just don't like using it), have you considered joining the Esther Aliu BOM Yahoo Group? It's free to join and you have access to the available blocks easily once you are a member. It's also a great place to discuss ideas, techniques, and post pics of your fabulous finished blocks (my favourite bit!)

Unpeeling the Stencil

Unpeeling the stencil!

Yes, it all turned out just right

I love peeling back and revealing

It's seeing your design fleshed out for the first time

and you never really know how

it will turn out until this moment

I don't do 'drafts' so I love the unvealing

Phew!

Busy Working

Stenciling has begun and I am hard at work

I like to build up a flow and finish an entire piece in one sitting

and it looks like I wouldnt be able to walk away anyway,

as my cat has an intent look in her eyes,

which is following the tip of my brush

"honestly I am not planning anything!'

Stencil Day!

Today is stencil day. This is always such a fun and exciting part of designing - getting it down. Even my cat can sense something interesting is happening as she's given up her spot by the heating duct to see what I am up to!

I finalised my design and centre panel stencil yesterday. It's moving quickly and taking on it's own shape- but still no name has come to me. Oh well...

I have prepared the fabric and am just about ready to start. This is a picture of the stencil being arranged on the fabric. I can't wait to see the result. This is the part of stenciling I like the most - total control over your design and of course the anticipation as you start working with your brush...

Found!

This year is apparently a yellow year, so it's fitting that I have found inspiration in my stash....yellow and grey.

Just perfect for the sketch I have in mind. I was thinking all yesterday, and was torn between applique or stenciling for this quilt and I even dug out some great greys to applique with...but as I spent more time working on the design, it was just so obvious that it had to be a stencil quilt! The yellow is a beautiful rich butter tone in silk linen, and I am excited with what will come of it. I also can't believe how good stash busting still feels...and what treasures can be found tucked away and forgotten.

I am inspired and ready to stencil. This quilt is taking shape quite quickly so I will keep you posted...

Morning Inspirations

It's nice to have some sunshine to work with in the morning. I've been busy designing my latest quilt - as yet still unnamed. I do consider that quilt names are important and sometimes I know the title right away, and other times, like my latest design I think I'm going to have to decide only when I've seen it finished on the wall! What is it? Well, it's still a sketch, but it's one of those quilts that seem to be in a hurry - I'll be working on it right away until it's finished.

This is what my designing morning looks like: a bit of a mess! Just leafing through ideas and finding ways to link new ideas to existing fabrics. Whenever I see a fabric I love in a shop, I am just so sure that I will be using it in a hurry - and you know what happens - it's so predictable. It sits on my shelf! Well I'm still commited to stash busting, so I'm going to work through my stash today and FIND and DIG OUT some serious inspiration!