Monday 3 May 2010
AQC Melbourne 2010
New EQ7 coming soon!
Well...I hope so. I have EQ6 and I have gone through periods of trying to teach myself the basics, because if I managed to master it ...it would make my life -so much easier-. With the new EQ7 being launched soon...I think its time that I took some serious lessons and came to terms with using this great software.
Thursday 22 April 2010
In The Pink is launched
Computers, urggh!
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Just a little clarification…
I’ve been receiving emails and queries about my last post title: April Is The Cruelest Month…and have been told that it’s a little over dramatic and off putting. So I thought I would share with you exactly what I meant when I wrote this as a heading.
The Waste Land is a very well know poem by TS Eliot and “April is the cruelest month’ is the famous first line of this poem. When I used this title, I was using it tongue in cheek.
Working with computers definitely feels to me like a waste land all of my own. I found cross referencing this poem a welcome respite from the hours of wrangling and attempting to get work out of my hated machine (my ‘computer’). As a child in school in Europe, I was forced to memorize m-a-n-y poems…and sometimes certain lines strike you during moments in life.
As for my hate / hate relationship with my computer…things are on the mend… I am moving into the ‘breeding lilacs out of the dead land’ part now.
from Wikipedia ;
The Waste Land[A] is a 434 line[B] modernist poem by T. S. Eliot published in 1922. It has been called "one of the most important poems of the 20th century."[1]
APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.
On another note:
It's a week to go until AQC. I will be there every day, hoping you meet some of you. Please do come up and say hello. I am especially looking forward to catching up with those of you making the Civil War Bride Quilt... (err, I'm still in the beginning stages...)
Sunday 18 April 2010
April is the cruelest month....
OK, I might be exaggerating a little, but April appears to be conspiring against me and my new BOM, In The Pink.
My computer suffered a glitch and I have been off- line for a week. Apologies, apologies...I'm as eager to send ITP out into the world as I hope some of you are to receive it.
Fear not all eager BOM makers, In The Pink is finished and ready to be launched in the next 48 hours. The files are written up and ready.
So hang in there, it's coming! (and so is my DD...who's in charge of the computer). I only design the BOMs....
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Distractions, lovely distractions!
How can I get any work done around here?
Did my indoor cat get out when I left the back door open?
We searched and we called and we did a quick look around our yard (we have a neighborhood bruiser who likes to beat up all the neighbor’s cats. He frequently harasses our cat through the window). We called, we used food, we tapped things….and then we found her sheepishly sitting in my DH’s seat, too lazy to respond. She likes to think that SHE is the head of the house and sits in my husband’s seat whenever he is not around! (she’s not brave enough to do it when he is).
Then it rained lightly (the weather is all over the place at the moment – very hot, sudden change, cool in the morning, warm afternoons) and it looked as if a rainbow was in our garden, all the rain drops hanging off the tree leaves were illuminated in a beautiful glow.
Then I decided to go and see how my DD’s cherry tomatoes and silver beet were coping with the weird weather, and marveled that they have grown at least 3 inches overnight.
Then the birds started singing like crazy because our local street cat who we call “R” was up to no good on the fence line. I went out to save some nests from destruction and R mewed and bellowed and complained how hard his life was.
All he wanted was a cuddle and a scratch. He is a good cat really; he just needs more love and attention. I don’t think his owners take enough notice of him.
Ok…back to work. For anyone who’s still interested, the next BOM will be launched April 18th
Monday 29 March 2010
It's Easter
I love Easter and I love birds. As we have entered the Easter season, I’ve been thinking about how important it is to stop and enjoy the beauty and wonder of creation more.
I have a morning ritual involving a cup of coffee, a window and a tenacious birdy. Finally I have managed to snap a shot (it’s a bit blurry) of the morning ritual unfolding.
You can see how tall the conifer is, it dwarfs nearby roof houses and each morning a bird comes along and tries to perch on the topper most branch.
I love this moment. Every day I watch on with baited breath. And always there are some not so brave bird spectators that come to a nearby roof and jealousy watch. It’s a great moment when the birdy finally manages to get some balance. Often he will sway wildly in the wind on that little branch. I’m amazed it hasn’t snapped. I hope it never does.
I'm back at home and un-packed after 2 great workshops this past week....what a week it's been. Both workshops were warm and inviting and as for the students...well I couldnt have asked for a nicer group of ladies. Teaching is so enjoyable! Thank you !
Not only did I get to spend three days non stop doing what I love, but I also met an incredible inspiration of mine:
Kathy of Material Obsession!
Yes, after reading her books...and drooling over her stunning designs...I met her in the flesh! And she's so much more than I could have ever guessed. Also, my DD has been on at me to make a Dresden Quilt...and now I see a Desden quilt in the horizon, but rather than a traditional affair it will be inspired by Kathy's Garden Party. Do go and have a look yourself!
Kathy, your work rocks!
www.materialobsession.typepad.com/material_obsession
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Early Starts, busy March!
Monday 22 March 2010
Red Delicious takes it's first prize
Congratulations to: Laurie Schoenebeck, North Wisconsin, USA
Third place ribbon in the Appliqué Wall Quilt-Quilted on Home Sewing Machine Category
I do believe that this is the first Red Delicious quilt to have won an award…and I am so happy to know about it!
Thanks so much Laurie for sharing this!
Tuesday 9 March 2010
and the winners are...
Table Runner Contest Winners are Here! Thanks to all the talented TQS members who entered our recent Table Runner Contest. There were so many beautiful pieces; it was very difficult to select the winners!
Based on your nominees for the top six entries, ARJJ chose the top three winners. All three are shown here. A big round of applause goes out to the winners for their outstanding work.
Watch this space: We'll soon be sharing the patterns for the top three winners with our TQS Star members, so you can create a winning table runner of your own...and be sure to keep an eye out for our next contest, coming in May. Once again we'll be offering a monetary prize to the top three winners.
Mine!! 2nd Place: Tulip Delight by EstherAliu
3rd Place: Round Robin by Bridget473
How great are these table runners?
Very happy to be placed 2nd.
Ok, I am actually Very Busy working, so back to it!
Sunday 7 March 2010
Paducah!
Thursday 4 March 2010
The end is in sight!
Finally the end is in sight!
Whenever I 'plan' something, I can be sure that my idea will be diverted into something else. I had some pretty strong ideas for the next BOM...and no matter what I do...or how I work it, the same design elements continue appearing, demanding to be the centre focus. What is this insisting design? Where is the BOM?? All will be revealed soon.
At the moment I'm finishing up and playing around with details to make sure everything is just where it's supposed to be.
I've been somewhat preoccupied in finishing this stash busting bed BOM quilt these last few weeks. I've gone through my fabric piles, I've been designing and re-designing and pinning blocks on any available wall.
My DD's (who are both all grown up and perfectly capable of moving out and running their own homes) left me this nice postcard on the fridge earlier this week. I thought I'd share it with you as I'm sure many quilters can relate.
More soon....
Sunday 28 February 2010
Totally Delighted!
Monday 22 February 2010
Mess means progress
Having a whole sewing room to myself isn’t enough, I branch out into the kitchen too. Well, I want to be where the action is.
When my DD’s are really annoyed with my creativity nests, they swoop the whole lot into empty washing baskets and put them back into my studio. But these creative spaces are necessary; you never know when certainty will strike!
Meanwhile, my cat cooled off in a box beneath the air con. It's a bit cooler today which is good luck because we are cake baking my DH's birthday cake - which is tomorrow. My DD's now have a tradition of baking a Meringue / Pavlova for my DH's birthday every year, and every year its a different recipe. Hopefully this year's will end up being the best.
Sunday 21 February 2010
Freudian Slips
Pretty much any time is sew time in my household. I think I need to get some housework done.
Thursday 18 February 2010
Where's the new BOM?
Sunday 14 February 2010
Giving and Receiving: My Thoughts
If we would all share our time and knowledge freely with each other, how great a place would the world be? I know we all have to make a living, but if we all stopped and decided to give something (whatever we can – I believe we are all blessed in some way to benefit others) it would make life so much more rewarding.
It might ‘only’ be a smile…or an apple (!) or a recipe (I have used many of those!) whatever it is, it makes a difference.
The other day I was taken aback by a stranger’s kindness. Then I was shocked that this deserved a comment. It seems that we are living in a consumerist – selfish- time where any act of kindness and generosity is so extraordinary that it feels like an exception rather than a daily reality. That’s a really sad place to be.
Monday 1 February 2010
Red Delicious Cushion...putting it together
The fronts are done and now its time to assemble your Red Delicious cushion. If you have a different way of sewing a cushion together, go ahead and use it.
I started quilting by outlining all shapes with red thread
I wanted a modern feel for this quilt front. I quilted curve spheres - almost like repeating goblets and filled them with feathers. In between the curves, I filled the area with straight stitching. All the straight stitching area appears 'white' in the photo but actually every inch is quilted!
When quilting is finished, trim edges.
* Do measure the front of your cushion before you cut so that your measurements actually match your cushion front!
On the small rectangle, fold lengthwise in half. Fold towards the zip - raw edge outside. Draw a line 1 1/2 inch away from fold and attach edge of the zip to the line you have drawn (I've drawn the line so that when you turn onto the right side, the line is straight.)
Friday 22 January 2010
Introducing Red Room's newest arrival....cushions!
Blossom and Apple-icious are now launched.
I have gone with a flower theme again (no suprises there...) and for those of you who like something more understated, apple-icious has a more contemporary feel. Now your Red Room is adorned with a wall quilt, a table runner and cushions. Not bad for what was once a red stash!
Next week I will adding a guide to making up the cushion, right here on my blog.
I know you're all going to do wonderful things with this newest block... I can't wait to see!
If you're not a member of the Red Delicious Yahoo Group, you can access this pattern via Scribd.com (both links on left side bar) or by double clicking on the title above.
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Red Room Cushion coming along
Otherwise, I've been reading through the notes on Red Delicious Cake and when I next bake a cake (Feb most likely) I will again get my DD's to make RVC this time with the suggested cream cheese frosting and report back.
As usual, I've discovered more fabric than I even knew I had. I pulled out some mermaid and unicorn prints which I thought were so sweet that I felt like they belonged in a girly bed quilt - immediately! ...and they did, 10 years ago when my youngest DD was 9! How time flies....and a fitting reminder to keep me on my stash busting mission. It is hard, but pulling out ten year old projects is proof that with fabric, out of sight is out of mind - and you can't possibly keep the mountain of fabric I have in sight.
Thursday 14 January 2010
Red Velvet Cake
This is a close up of one of my roses....that tear on the lefthand side of the rose is where my cat had a nibble and I had to sacrifice the petal. Someone referred to her as a hooligan the last time she tucked into my plants and I wholeheartedly agree! I couldnt think of a better term myself!
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 large eggs
Wednesday 13 January 2010
January Relief
It's been scorching hot - too hot to quilt, too hot to sew...even too hot to design or go online. I've been spending my days in front of the air con catching up on my reading list.
Finally - my DH and I have no holiday commitments - the children are all grown up and arent we pleased! We are spending January as we like, and after our morning coffee we sometimes just decide to take off for a day or two. It's been so nice. My DD's of course always want to know where we are! I think this is hilarious.
Today has been mild - such a relief and I've been progressing with my BOM design.
Also, last week it was 35th wedding anniversary. My DD made an american cake - a Red Velvet cake. It's a chocolate cake which is red - except it doesnt taste at all chocolately - I can't tell you what it tastes like...it's almost undescribable and I think thats the allure of it. Also, apparently the 'real' Red Velvet recipe is something of a mystery - there are so many variations and none list the elusive 'secret ingredient'. So if anyone out there can advise - please do.
It's a beautiful looking cake and the texture is moist ...but when you eat it, you can feel that something is 'missing'....but can't put your finger on what exactly.
I am more traditional myself and actually requested a chocolate walnut torte - but anyhow, like always, no one took any notice. Maybe being away at the time meant that my influence was diluted - I have to admit that I love to hang around and offer 'suggestions' whenever any baking goes on in my kitchen! Much to the displeasure of of DD's.
Friday 8 January 2010
BOM 2 progress
Moments like these, I really wish someone would just send me some fresh fabric design prints to work with… and take all the hassle of ‘finding’ the right fabric away for me.
I feel like I’ve seen everything! (stash fatigue) and I work better and faster when the details are taken care of.
I’ve been going through my stash – again- I found some great blue / green / yellows which are screaming to be made into an oceanic hues quilt…and then I found the black and white stash box and remembered that monochromatic quilt I’ve been meaning to get around to making and that is somewhere on my To Do list…but nothing was really jelling with the design I have created for the next BOM. Dilemma!
I really thought I had reached the point where I would have to purchase something new and fresh today…when I stumbled across these prints, which really speak to me and fit in with the design. I had no idea I would veer towards these pinks, but it all looks like it will work (at this stage).
Tuesday 5 January 2010
Hello 2010!
Welcome 2010!
For those of you who follow my blog, thank you for joining me as I explore my ideas and thoughts online - it's great to hear from you and know that you're out there.
I was amazed to return to my computer this past week for the first time in 2010 and notice that I have had over 200'000 visitors. That's a big deal for someone who types as slowly as I do!
I still remember my first post (and some of the things I havent got around to doing yet from that same week!) and I've got a lot of ideas and lists to get through this year, and I hope to share my progress through these items online...and I'm so glad that you're joining me in the journey.
It's been nice to have a week off over Christmas and New Year to relax my mind somewhat and have some creative downtime - it always re-focuses my ideas (Ok, any excuse!). I've been through my fabric stash again and I'm feeling enthused. I found some great crochet patterns I've been meaning to get around to and I'm sorry that it's too hot to handle yarn right now because I have a serious handwork 'craving' which I'm re-directing into my UFO box.
There's lots to say and do - but I'll start with sharing my dining table with you - it's covered with ideas and measurements as I fine tune the next Mystery BOM design.
When my children were in school, I used to refer to the 'two' calendars running through our lives - 'term dates' and the 'ordinary' year. Now, I still have two 'calendars' : my creative year and it's cycles and the 'ordinary' year.
Well, my creative year has definitely started!