Amanda's Patch

Odd

2011-12-10T22:36:00.005+11:00

I don't want to spend too much time with my head down sewing these days...I might miss something.

Firstly the goanna on the roof and yes he/she after taking a walk on the roof (frequently of late) does walk down the brick wall head first. These photos are of the smaller of the two goannas who have made themselves at home in and around our home. We have taken to keeping our doors firmly closed.

Then the hailstorm last Sunday, a very chilly day for December...

...and the photo of the wallaby (taken through my kitchen window) this lovely creature who has also lived in and around our bush garden for years, has taken a liking to our geraniums...yum!

We haven't any pets but are delighted to have so many visits from native animals.
At this rate I'll never finish my quilt.

Fibonacci Workshop

2011-10-11T17:34:00.004+11:00

Are you a member of The Quilters' Guild of NSW ?

Why not join me for my 2 day designing quilts with Fibonacci workshop to be held on Monday and Tuesday 24th and 25th October at the Epping creative centre.

Learn about the easy number sequence I use in most of my designs. Start designing your own quilts, or if inspiration is in short supply you could tackle the quilt photographed, or one of my other quilts, or perhaps just use one of them as a jumping off point.

I'm led to believe there are only 3 spaces left

Katoomba in July

2011-07-26T20:52:00.004+10:00

The Country Pickin's retreat at CMS in Katoomba was wonderful.
Magnificent views over the 3 sisters, Lyre birds, great food, interesting projects and of course the best of company.

It's taken me a couple of days to recover, perhaps I'm not as young as I used to be.

During our 2 hour lunch breaks everyone found something worthwhile to do, some chose to have a nap, a trip down in the scenic railway to the valley floor, a shopping trip to Katoomba, or just a stroll along the cliff top to admire the view.

Log fires kept us warm and the slight chill in the air outside felt good.

We've booked again for the same weekend next year...looking forward to it already.

I'm off to Tamworth to teach another workshop next weekend, must remember to pack my winter woolies again.

Weekend Retreat Katoomba

2011-07-03T22:11:00.003+10:00

With the quilt show over (wasn't it great) it's now time to turn my full attention to helping Robyen at Country Pickin's at the Corner to organise the first of what I'm sure will be many annual Christmas in July quilting retreats.

5 teachers including yours truley will brave the cold mountain air, fill our cars with supplies and head off for a weekend with magnificent views over the three sisters, slow combustion fires to keep us warm, all meals cooked for us including a Christmas in July dinner which along with the many delightful Christmas theme projects will warm our hearts.

There will be extra long lunch breaks so that we can take a walk along the cliff top, or ride the scenic railway to the valley floor. Shopping, or taking a nap might be on the agenda for the less adventurous.

Still a couple of vacancies in workshops including Tita Leach - beautiful Santa Sack, Katrina Hadjimichael - foundation pieced quilt, Vaness Thomas - reindeer and bear, and Margaret Cormack - stained glass table runner. My class is officially full but I could be pursuaded to take just a couple more.

Let Robyen or myself know if you'd like to join us.

The Seven Deadly Sins

2011-05-02T16:40:00.004+10:00

I didn't have time to go to the AQC in Melbourne this year. I usually manage to find time to fly down there even if just for the day, but my teaching schedule, my husbands 60th birthday and Easter all made sure that I wouldn't be able to get there this year.

I was represented though by my entry in the themed challenge "The Seven Deadly Sins" My entry was based on the sin of "Greed" and how this sin underpinned the Global Financial Crisis. The quilt was made in layers with the map of the world going down first and covered with white netting to give it a misty, distance look and the crashing dollars, city etc over the top. All raw edge appliqued and extensively free machine quilted. The man at the bottom sweeping up the reduced value $'s is a silhouette taken from a photo I took of my long suffering husband with a broom, he was endlessly patient with me while I took pics from every angle.

I'm looking forward to seeing the other 30 quilts in the exhibition alongside The Quilters' Guild of NSW quilt show in Darling Harbour from June 22nd - 26th. Go to the guild's web site for more information - there's a link a the bottom of this page.

Forster

2011-03-19T22:09:00.005+11:00

Last weekend I spent an very engaging couple of days teaching my Fibonacci workshop to the ladies of the Seaside Heritage Quilt group and enjoying the tranquility of Forster / Tuncurry.
Thanks ladies

My tidy inner self

2011-03-04T22:23:00.006+11:00

On the inside I am a perfectionist, very ordered, neat and tidy.
This might come as a surprise to a casual observer, after all my house is nearly always messy, I often spend needless hours looking for something that I neglected to put away in its place and my newly organised studio turned into a disaster area so quickly that I didn't even have time to take photos of the perfection.
I give so much time to reading books on de-cluttering and wandering around my local storage shop looking for solutions and I give due attention to the process of de-cluttering. I guess I should be given full points for effort but the results are mostly hard to see.

I was very impressed with this made to measure pin cushion (not mine of course, I mostly keep my pins on the floor), well done Josh.
(Lorraine are you impressed).

Enter a quilt

2011-02-24T22:22:00.002+11:00

Entries for The Quilter's Guild of NSW annual show to be held at Darling Harbour from 22nd - 26th June close on Friday 11th March. I hope everyone is hard at work putting the finishing touches to their latest masterpiece.

I'm particularly interested in promoting the Junior sections and there are some very talented young people out there in quilt land, so don't be shy and enter your wonderful quilts in this magnificent show.

Precious moments

2011-02-12T21:20:00.004+11:00

The photo is of my grandson Saxon being introduced to my very frail mother.
With very poor sight and general health and after yet another stroke, she is now bed ridden in a nursing home. Nenny finds it very difficult to communicate and is finding life extremely difficult.
The time they spent together was very rewarding for all of us, Saxon was content to lay in her arms and Nenny was engaged in life, the difference in her was amazing to see.
The oldest and youngest members of our family - precious moments indeed.

A year in review

2011-01-02T18:43:00.005+11:00

2010 was a wonderful year, some of the highlights in my life were -

The birth of my first male grandchild, Saxon.

Meeting many wonderful quilters as I traveled around teaching workshops

The publication of some of my original quilt designs and the launch of my new range of patterns

Some wins and successes with my quilts in various quilt shows and challenges

Knowing that one of my quilts traveled with the My Place exhibition to France and other quilts were exhibited in Japan and New Zealand

Visiting Norfolk Island (I could easily live there)

Finding time in my hectic life to indulge in occasional long lunches with friends

Discovering some really healthy lifestyle options

Gaining my teacher accreditation with The Quilters' Guild of NSW

Having my Waratah give me one magnificent bloom

Adding pearl cous cous and pomegranate salad to my list of great things to make and eat

Finishing a heap of quilts and starting many more. . .

. . . and finally in the last few days of 2010 - the complete overhaul of my Studio from the ground up. It's only 3.5m square, so I had to plan everything very carefully. Just a few more finishing touches and it will be ready for a few photos and an unveiling on the blog.

I love the idea of a new year, a new beginning, so many plans for 2011 and so much to look forward to.

Happy New Year

Christmas

2010-12-28T08:02:00.004+11:00

My Friday morning class - A wonderful group of women who have been sewing with me for years, more socialising than sewing, they refer to themselves as the "Special" class.

The challenge this Christmas was to make a pin cushion for a swap.
I made the little cicada in the centre, actually I had to make three until I came up with one that looked remotely like a cicada. I'm a quilter and not used to making fiddly little things unless they are quilts.
I received the lovely pink and green pin cushion with the button in the middle.

My husband often laughingly asks me "when are you going to get a real job". I am very for fortunate to be able to turn my passion for quilting into my work. Thank you to all of the ladies (and Josh) who make this possible. I love every minute.

Do all good things have to come to an end?

2010-12-06T23:00:00.007+11:00

John and I have decided that our last gig playing in our Bush band was to be our last.
It's more John's decision than mine, though I'm not unhappy about it. It has been wonderful but the time is right to stop now.
After more than 15 years we have got to the stage where there is no magic left and we are also getting a bit too old to be up playing 'till after midnight then doing the roadie thing, packing up and trying to stay awake on the often long drive home.

I fondly remember leading bush walking groups up hill and down dale all through the nineties and early noughties, the troops and I used to joke about how we'd ever manage to climb Mt. Solitary on our walking frames when we all grew too old to make it up there without them.
The walks came to an abrupt end when the leisure learning centre I worked for closed its doors. Initially I missed the walks, but there is always something waiting to fill the void. It was at this stage in my life that I decided to teach more quilting classes and enjoy having more time for my own quilting enjoyment.

This got me to thinking about quilting...will I ever find the time is right to put down my needle. Not a chance in the world!. Working with fabric is at the heart of my very existence, it's what I do, it's part of me.

Fibonacci number sequence

2010-11-27T18:50:00.003+11:00

This is one of the quilts I designed using the Fibonacci Number Sequence and the Golden Rectangle.

I've just finished teaching my Fibonacci workshop to a very nice and enthusiastic group of ladies at Logans.

We were so engrosed in what we were doing I forgot to take photos. Some of the ladies elected to make a small version of this quilt and others designed their own - they are all going to be great quilts.

Did you know that if you add Fibonacci to your patchwork tool box, this simple number sequence - 1 2 3 5 8 13 etc can make a big difference to your ability to plan quilts that have good proportion and balance. It's not the be all and end of quilt design but it's another great tool to put into your patchwork tool box.

Let me know if you'd like to join or organise a workshop for next year.

Baby Quilt in Down Under

2010-10-28T18:42:00.003+11:00

The pattern for my baby quilt made from 30's style fabrics is in issue 144 of Down Under Quilts - due out very soon.

Did you know you can request a free digital subscription for DUQ by visiting their website and signing up? See the link for Creative Living Media at the very bottom of my blog page.

Other projects in this issue include a bright quilt by Cinzia White, a Japanese-inspired quilt by Nerida Richmond Benson, a bright and funky quilt by Robyn Gosby and the cover quilt designed by Vicki Hines.
The next issue is also jam-packed with prize-winning quilts from six exhibitions around the world and Australia.

Organically Grown

2010-10-20T21:57:00.004+11:00

I arrived back from my Qld. holiday yesterday and after reading dozens of e.mails and phone messages and a pile of snail mail, I turned my attention to finding out who had won the Quilters' Guild of NSW annual challenge, as I wasn't able to make it to the AGM. I had an entry in and so had a couple of my students.

I haven't heard anything official yet, but the guild's blog tells me I took first prize! Great! Wow! How good is that?

Do you know that flat feeling of arriving home from holiday after having a great time, reality hits hard and you know that you really should do something useful, but can't get motivated. This was the lift I needed while I decided whether or not to unpack my suitcase and tackle the mountain of washing.

I'm looking forward to seeing the other quilts in the challenge and congratulations Josh for your judges commendation with "Shake your Tail Feathers", you are off to a flying start.

Telopea

2010-09-26T17:51:00.005+10:00

Voila!

Jo and I worked together through two different community service organisations for years and years. When I left to pursue my full time quilting / teaching pathway, Jo gave me this beautiful Waratah. The gift was just perfect as we had worked for the past 6 years at Telopea which is the other name for Waratah. My fingers are not at all green so I worried about the fate of this wonderful plant.

Nearly two years later I am the proud owner of this most magnificent bloom. My life is also blooming and I have plenty of teaching work, many wonderful friendships have developed along the way and if I ignore household chores and other time wasters I also have time for my own quilting pleasure and for smelling the Roses...and the Waratahs.

Thanks Jo for the wonderful years and thanks John for watering it so lovingly all this time.

Down Under

2010-08-23T22:26:00.003+10:00

I used to be a really regular contributor to Down Under Quilts magazine but due to family issues I had very little time last year and didn't get around to submitting any of the my quilt patterns for publication.

I've just received my e.mail copy of the August issue and my project "Midnight Jewels" is on page 44. It's a wall hanging and of course it's a bit 3 dimensional.

The October issue will contain another of my projects - a cot quilt. I made this quilt long before our next grandbaby was even concieved (in anticipation of the long awaited addition to our family). The whole family now eagerly awaiting our newest grandson's birth in December. This is the first time we have know the sex before the birth, at first it felt a bit like opening Christmas presents before Christmas and I wasn't at all sure that I really wanted to know, but now it feels right.

Queanbeyan

2010-08-15T21:59:00.012+10:00

I spent the weekend running a mostly 3D workshop for the Queanbeyan Quilters.

It was a bit fresh and breezy outside but wonderfully warm in the hall.

Many thanks to all the ladies for a great weekend.

All of the quilts look spectacular. Everyone worked energetically and enthusiastically, most even did some homework on Saturday evening which is way above and beyond the call of duty and no one complained (too much) about the hand basting, (the chocolate probably helped).

I love to get away and visit quilt groups and this weekend was no exception, good country hospitality - thanks especially to Helen for making me so welcome in her home.

Tick

2010-07-28T22:32:00.003+10:00

Managed to tick off a few items from my to do list over the past few weeks.

Finished a landscape for a class I'm teaching - tick.

Finished writing a couple of patterns that I started months ago, they are proof read and ready to go - tick.

Caught up with paperwork (a bit), now I only have to tackle my tax ugh!

Helped my frail 90 year old mum move into a nursing home, and sorted out the huge amount of paper work and organisation that this entailed, now she will get the care she needs and I will have more peace of mind... it's all good - tick

Gave myself a few days off to enable me to get over my bout of lurgy, feeling much better for it - tick

Cleaned out the wardrobe and threw heaps of stuff out. Oh yes that felt good! - tick

Made a rhubarb upside down cake... need to do things like this more often - tick

So now that I've ticked a few jobs off. I only have 36 U.F.O's and a page or two of miscellaneous items and the list looks managable, but then there are a few things I need to add to it!

My new grandbaby, due at Christmas is a boy, that's really novel in our family, so a blue baby quilt is the number one addition to the list.

I've acknlowledged that my gym membership has lately just become gym tax as I haven't had the time or inclination to go, so next week......

I'll dust off the brand new, but as yet unused overlocker I bought on the spur of the moment a few months ago and learn how to use it creatively

I loved making the bags for the Down Under Quilt challenge so much I've designed some other bags for my classes and bought the silk to make them with (started already - see photo).

then there's ..........................

Got to go now, if I tick a few more off before the weekend I might even have time for a sleep in on Sunday.

Textile Art Fun

2010-06-28T21:35:00.007+10:00

I'm Recovering today from my one day whirlwind trip to Brisbane for the Textile Art Festival. I had a really great time and will certainly go again next year. We all agreed that it had been well worth the trip, but I can honestly say I've never felt more tired and pleased to arrive home at the end of what was a really long day.

I was up at 3am after only managing about 2 hours of actual sleep time, (I must have been too worried about sleeping through the alarm to actually sleep), picked up a couple of friends on the way to airport for our 6.30am flight and didn't arrive home until 11pm after dropping everyone off following the long train, plane, bus, car trip home.

Reality really hit for all of us at around 4.30pm when the show closed, at this stage it would have been great to be home without the trouble of getting there. I got through it with a bit of a cat nap at the airport and again on the plane. I was too tired to even look at my wonderful purchases last night, so after a quick look tonight and a bit of planning it's off to bed for an early night.

The photos are of the bags I made for the Down Under Quilts Embellish a Bag Challenge. The challenge was to make a bag to certain specifications using the handles supplied. The bags were on display at the festival and looked great.

What a great show

2010-06-22T21:17:00.004+10:00

I was proud to have been awarded a judges commendation for both of my entries in the Quilters' Guild of NSW annual show at Darling Harbour last week.

Dragonfly Dance has now been added to my workshop list and is one of a series of quilts featuring dragonflys, butterflies and lizards. I've been experimenting with positive negative designs for a year or two now and love them.

The Lizard of Oz is a further exploration of my fascination for reptiles and the colours of Australia. It was designed with the Fibonacci Number Sequence as a design aid and it will also soon be on my workshop list as one of the quilts offered when Fibonacci is requested as the main workshop topic.

I had a wonderful time at the show, buying heaps of felted wool for a future project and a pile of other miscellaneous goodies.

I had to hold back just a little so that I can buy more stuff next Sunday at the Textile Art Festival in Brisbane.

Multi tasking at its best

2010-06-06T19:50:00.002+10:00

Hey, I'm a woman so of course I can multi task, but managing to combine mundane daily tasks is not really multi tasking at its best.

This is multi tasking to be proud of.

I play keyboard in our Aussie dance band "The Currawong Bush Band" Last night we played for one of the regular Bush Dances organised by the Bush Music Club, an organisation we've been a significant part of for years. I love playing, but always take something quilt related with me. Last night I had a copy of one of my favourite magazines "Quilting Arts" sitting on my music stand alongside my music. There are always a few minutes here and there inbetween pumping out the music. No one can see the magazine sitting there and if anyone was really looking I'm sure they would just assume I was studying music in the breaks between dances (not as obvious as sitting there piecing blocks).

I also had a copy of the new Aussie magazine "Embellish" with me and by the way eagerly awaiting the second issue of the other new Aussie magazine "Down Under Textiles". I love them both, have you seen them yet?

Never let a chance go by!

Accreditation finally

2010-05-31T15:29:00.006+10:00

I've been an active member of The Quilters' Guild of NSW for years and teaching patchwork and quilting and in particular my own designs and my passion for Fibonacci for around 15 years. I've even been the coordinator for the teacher accreditation program for 3 years but only just got around to becoming an accredited teacher myself.

So now it's official. Accredited Teacher - Special Techniques

Do you belong to the NSW Quilters' Guild? If not, now is a good time to join, membership fees are $55 are are due at the end of June. Why not join at the quilt show at Darling Harbour 16th - 20th June. Held at the Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour. You are going aren't you? I spend at least 3 days there, any less and I wouldn't get through it all.

There are many benefits to being a member of the guild. Meet some lovely people, borrow from a large library, attend workshops, regular meetings and weekends away, have your quilts valued, enter challenges, help with community quilts, receive a quarterly magazine "The Template" full of interesting stuff and you'll be eligible to enter a quilt or two in next years show... I'm sure there are even more benefits. Find out for yourself.

Typical behaviour

2010-05-25T15:20:00.004+10:00

I quite often buy things on impulse, my husband is the same. We are not unhappy about this tendancy, but sometime a bit of planning would go a long way.

A while ago we were out shopping for a coffee table for the family room. We couldn't find one we liked, so on impulse we bought a very beautiful and very large octagonal table for our patio instead

It seemed like a good thing to do at the time. It fits beautifully into our patio and looks stunning. We love how it comfortably seats 8 and we can squeeze even more in if we need to, but it's really far too big for four and it's so wide we often have to rely heavily on the lazy susan my son in law built for us just to be able to share the nibblies. The seating plan is always an issue, as sitting four of us equally spaced around it (my husbands preference) makes us all feel too far apart and sitting on one side (my preference) does seem a bit unbalanced. If we had given it even a bit of thought we would probably have chosen something more versatile.
Of course it's not really a problem and it's easy to fix - just invite more people.

I bought an embellisher machine at the Quilt Show last June, it was about 4.30pm on the last day and I hadn't even looked at one before, let alone actually tried it out. I just walked past the stall and bought it. No pre-planning, no thought - just impulse.

It sat in it's box until last December, then it actually made it out of the box and onto the bench in my studio. I finally got around to plugging it in and trying it out a couple of weeks ago after spending a fortune on supplies while at AQC.

It's a bit like the patio table, maybe a bit more thought was needed. I'll try it again but I must say I'm not hooked yet - Must try some other raw materials and see if that makes a difference.

I like the spontaneous and impulsive side of me, it makes life more interesting and I need to come up with creative solutions more often.

AQC in a day !

2010-05-02T17:57:00.000+10:00

Once Upon a Time. My entry in the AQC Remember challenge

The fruits of my shopping spree at AQC

I had an amazingly full and rewarding day at AQC in Melbourne. I flew down to Melbourne on the 7.15am flight and back on the 7.15pm.

I know it probably makes more sense to go for the weekend but it always seems just so much more adventurous when we do it in a day.

Joined by 5 friends, we got out of bed at around 4am and arrived home very tired indeed at around 10.30pm. We did battle with the Melbourne trams, saw some really great quilt exhibitions, shopped until we dropped, ever mindful of the 7kg cabin baggage limit and the need to avoid sharp objects, we bumped into people we knew and chatted with some we met over lunch, we even road tested the newly available HQ16, and yes I really do want one of these!

My entry in the AQC Remember challenge was there. I remember bedtime stories and had great fun arranging scenes from Little Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland and other childhood favourites in my entry titled "Once Upon a Time". I loved the winning entry and the other 31 quilts in the exhibition.

A good day was had by all, though I slept fo 12 hours straight on Saturday night.

I have just a few short weeks to rebuild my strength for my one day wonder trip to the Textile Art Festival in Brisbane!

Simple Pleasures

2010-04-28T23:13:00.001+10:00

I've been doing a bit of shopping therapy at Edo Arts again. I just love buying antique Japanese textiles and planning new projects to make use of my purchases.

They were a bit musty so I gave them the Shannon Lush treatment and misted them with a spray bottled filled with a few drops of oil of cloves mixed with water. Watching them swinging on the line in the gentle April sun made me feel very content with life. I even felt motivated to give some of my quilt stash a bit on an airing as well.

Don't you just love this time of the year? No more oppressive hot weather.

I feel so thankful for the simple pleasures in life -
Beautiful fabrics
My family and wonderful bushland home
Time to spend quilting
Lazy lunches in the autumn sun
Friends who love to share my passion - Fabric

Masquerade

2010-04-11T19:03:00.000+10:00

We were are at a friends 60th birthday party last night and I thought the time was just right to update my photo. That's me without the beard!

Hubby also looks pretty dashing.

Amanda I don't make bags Daly

2010-03-29T09:33:00.000+11:00

I've had a couple of weeks to settle into learning to say no, so now it's time to start a new challenge or two.
I love challenges and enter many of them each year. One of next challenges off the starting block for me will be a real challenge. Those who know me will know that "I don't make bags" is my middle name.
I now own a set of bag handles for the Down Under Quilts, Embellish a Bag challenge and as it's not due until mid May there is still plenty of time. Having plenty of time fits in nicely with my new lifestyle which is all about not trying to stuff 26 hours of living into every 24 hour day.
I'll be embellishing the bag by hand while I'm in Canberra enjoying the National Folk Festival and eagerly awaiting my visit from the Easter Bunny.

Learning to say no

2010-03-14T20:07:00.000+11:00

I've given myself another little pep talk. It's long overdue really.

As usual I've taken on too much and I'm wondering why I feel so overwhelmed and perhaps why I feel a bit used and unappreciated.

As usual I leave most things until the last possible minute and pass this off by saying that I work better under pressure. I volunteer to help even when I know I really don't have nearly enough to time. I try to do it all and every now and then I have to stop, give myself a stern talking to and do a stock take of my life and my pressures and responsibilities and what's really important in life. If I'm not careful I'll forget what roses look like, let alone having time to smell them.

O.K. so enough is enough. I've wiped a couple of major items off my "To Do" list and I'm feeling better already. Yes I do have "To Do" list(s) and I even have a list to keep track of my lists. I definately fall into the Enneargram type one personaility box.

Someone told me recently that we can't do everything at once, but we can do something thing at once. At the moment I'm writing this blog entry, then I'll choose something else to do and stop trying to do it all at once. That something will probably be to sit down with pencil and paper (and diary) and make a new "To Do" list, a realistic one this time and promise myself that I'll try to stop acting like a kid in a lolly shop.

Australasian Quilt Convention

2010-03-05T22:05:00.001+11:00

I've booked my flight to Melbourne for Saturday 1st May to visit the Australian Quilt Convention. A small group of energetic and enthusiastic souls will be joining me for this one day wonder. I've always really enjoyed this annual event and I always eventually recover from getting up at 4am and arriving back home completely exhausted around 10pm with a large bag full of purchases and a digital camera full of inspiring quilt images that I'll be able to enjoy again one quiet day in the future. I suppose I should arrange to go for a couple of days and take more time to enjoy the experience but somehow it seems more adventurous to make it a day trip.

I've entered a quilt in the challenge with the theme "Remember" and I've just received confirmation that my quilt has been accepted as a finalist, so fingers crossed that it will be displayed with many others this year.

I'm also making plans to visit the Textile Art Festival in Brisbane again this year. Another day trip sure to leave me inspired.

Slow Death by Rubber Duck

2010-02-23T22:01:00.000+11:00

My determination to increase my health and fitness continues.

I've always been an all or nothing kind of gal, so amongst other things I have decided to investigate organic fruit and vegetables suppliers, free range meat / chicken suppliers and stop buying processed foods.

I've been reading Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie's book "Slow Death by Rubber Duck" It makes interesting if rather scary reading. My kitchen is now also a non-stick cookware free zone. I've always been worried about plastics in the microwave and have used glass for cooking / reheating / defrosting etc., but now I've also decided to store all food in glass instead of plastic.

I haven't decided how I'll make the change to less toxic hair and skin care products but I'm working on it.

I've always washed my patchwork fabrics before using, mostly to get rid of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process and secondly of course to take care of shrinkage and colour runs. I'm a bit asthmatic and have a sensitive skin, so I don't want to inhale any chemicals when I'm pressing fabric or absorb them through my skin while sewing. Reading the rubber duck book has only served to strengthened my resolve to wash before use.

Is all of this over the top? My attitude is that any changes I make to my lifestyle won't do any harm and might do a lot of good. I'll try to not become obsessed and just make a few easy to manage changes. I feel better already.

My advice - Read the book.

That certain age

2010-02-01T12:10:00.000+11:00

I had what my mother would call "a funny turn" on New Years Eve, I thought I was having a heart attack. I didn't get much sympathy from hubby or friends. I just got a glass of cold water and a chair out on the balcony, while I was convinced I was breathing my last and needed an ambulance. When I recovered the general gist of the comments from those present amounted to "well that was a good way to get attention!"

To cut a long story short, Robyn, my doctor was more concerned and supportive and I saw a Cardiologist today and had a stress test. The good news is that my heart is in pretty good shape, so the "Funny Turn" remains a mystery.

All of this has had an effect on me. I had started to feel old and worried that I wouldn't live long enough to use up my stash, or to explore all of the creative ideas in my head, so in the past month I've really cleaned up my act. I now go to the gym for an aquafit class every day and walk every evening. I've cleaned up my diet and have started to lose the extra weight I've been in denial about.

I've had every ultrasound and blood test know to man in the last few weeks and have even brought myself up to date with visits to the Dentist, Skin Cancer Clinic, Breast Screen, and Optometrist. I've felt a bit like a car going over the pits for a thorough mechanical check up. The result is that I'm now reassured I haven't been too absorbed in my creative pursuits at the expense of my health and that my goal of living a healthy, active and creative life to 100 years plus, is back on track and I'll be able to use up my fabric/thread stash after all.

Now enough of all of this, it's time to go back to messing around with fabric and if I work hard I'll make the deadline for the Australian Quilt Convention annual challenge. It's still very much a work in progress as you can plainly see and I've only got 9 days, but I always did work better under pressure.

Something occured to me today - I've reached that certain age. Yes, I'm on the down hill run to 60 and it's certainly time to get serious about my health, but it's more than that. It's the age when Doctors start to look like kids, I'll swear the cardio man I saw today hasn't yet had his 21st birthday! I guess he must have been late 20's or early 30's to be practising as a cardiologist, but he did look so young. It's definately a sign of my reaching "that certain age". Bless him for being so nice and reassuring to such an old lady.

Norfolk Island

2010-01-17T13:39:00.000+11:00

After a quick visit to the gym this morning for my aquafit class, I'm now busy ignoring a suitcase that needs to be unpacked and eagerly sorting through the 400 or more photos I've taken over the past week and going over the wonderful memories in my mind. Norfolk Island was sunny, breezy, relaxing and a real change from the hot Sydney weather and hectic life I live.

There were trees with brilliant orange flowers (orange has always been my favourite colour), water birds, rich history with plenty of ruins of the old penal settlement, beautiful scenery, giant Norfolk Island Pine trees and not a single Gum Tree anywhere.

The food was great, though I think my bathroom scales are malfunctioning, I simply can't have gained that much weight in a week, not with all the walking we did. In many ways it is like stepping back in time to a simpler slower way of life.

The most fascinating experience was watching the fortnightly supply ship being unloaded, there is no harbour so the ship anchors quite a way out and small boats are towed out to collect the supplies, this whole process takes a couple of days and much skill from the workers. The islanders rely on the supply ship for just about everything and supplies can be quite low just before each shipment. The supplies we witnessed were all quite nondescript, however there are photos all over the island of cars, trucks and buses being unloaded in the same way onto two small boats lashed together!!! The close up photo of the boat near the penal settlement is very similar to the ones used today.
The only vegetables allowed to be brought in are Potatoes, Garlic and Ginger, everything else is grown on the island and I've been spoilt, the taste was just fantastic, (mental note - learn how to grow organic fruit and vegies).

Animals have right of way on the Island, the cows, ducks, chooks etc all seem to know this and wander everywhere. The Islanders have their own language and all this adds to the amazing charm of this wonderful friendly place. We got so used to waving to every car we passed (a Norfolk custom) that we found ourselves doing it over here. No one has waved back yet!

I even managed to purchase some fabric from a textile artist. Photos to follow in the next few days.

Aquarium

2010-01-05T23:02:00.000+11:00

John and I went to the Aquarium in Darling Harbour a couple of days ago. It was probably an insane thing to do during the holiday period. It was very, very crowded but we had a great day. I took heaps of photos with mixed success and hopefully there is something useful in there for my intended ocean quilt. We showed great interest in all of the fish, but the one in the top photo is the only one who showed the least bit of interest in us.

I love the Water Dragon, those of you who know me well will know that I have a bit of a fascination for reptiles, that is as long as they stay outside.
My daughter phoned just before Christmas to say that she had arrived home from work to the news that there had been a Green Tree snake in the kitchen, it was last seen darting under the dishwasher !!! Apparently the children's nanny was extremely spooked and the kids wouldn't sleep in their beds for a day or two, but there have been no more sightings, so presumably it went out the way it came in. I'm led to believe her husband has been detailed to search out the entry point and destroy it.
John and I have a Diamond Python who lives in our roof, but that's on the outside of the house - a completely different kettle of fish.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T19:32:00.000+11:00

I love the idea of a new year, a new beginning, a chance to make a list of my priorities for the new year which I see as an empty page waiting to be filled. I have many items on my list, too many to mention, however the top 3 are -

Walk EVERY day not just when I get around to it.

Do something creative everyday. If time is short, then just planning something creative or making sketches in one of my many journals and sketch pads will suffice.

Do lunch - regularly.

When I'm not messing around with fabric, I manage to make time for my other hobby. I play keyboard in our traditional Aussie dance band.
My husband John along with Don, Sam and Bob share this passion with me, together we make up the CURRAWONG BUSH BAND.
For New Year's eve this year we again played for the Monaro Folk Society at the Yarralumla Woolshed in Canberra. The woolshed has an interesting and distinguished history and is just magnificent, the photos could never do it justice, it's huge and yes, it still smells of sheep. There is a resident possum in the ladies loo, though it was a bit camera shy this year and by the time I'd found my camera he had disappeared.

New Sewing Machine for Sale

2009-12-14T11:01:00.000+11:00

A while ago, I won a Singer Quantam 9940 sewing machine and as I already own two great machines I have no need or space for this one.

Although it's brand new and still in the box, I'm selling it for the second hand price of $800, this is around half the RRP.

This clever machine is ready willing and able to do the following -
12 professional buttonholes
3 styles of alphabet in upper and lower case
Quilt applique and heirloom stitches

It's a computerised machine with 393 stitch programmes, a large easy to read screen and a walking foot.

It really needs a good home with someone to love and care for it. If you are interested, phone me on 02 9654 9463 or e.mail patchwork@tpg.com.au

What tickles your fancy

2009-11-29T21:32:00.000+11:00

This is the quilt I designed for the Quilters' Guild of N.S.W. annual challenge.

The theme was "What Tickles Your Fancy"

Initially I really struggled with the theme, I really felt that the entries should be humourous and bring a smile to face of the viewers. I do have a vivid imagination and must say that plenty of things tickle my fancy but sometimes I think I'm probably the only one who is tickled and perhaps the images from my imagination would leave many viewers wondering what the quilt was trying to say.

When a friend returned from Singapore with tales of having visited a fish pedicure boutique, the thought of it really tickled my fancy. I instantly knew that I would depict the fish pedicure as my entry.

Apparently this kind of beauty treatment is becoming quite popular in many overseas countries. Sherry explained through so much laughter it just about reduced me to tears, that she had summoned the necessary courage to immerse her feet in a large pool of water containing dozens of tiny fish. The fish had nibbled away at her dead skin and apparently had a real feast. Sherry says she is sure she saw several fish floating belly up in the water, too full to move! In my mind I also imagined glamourous fish painting toe nails down in the depths of the pool.

I know I could never ever subject myself to this kind of pedicure but the thought of it really tickles my fancy.

View all of the entries in the challenge by visiting the guild's blog. See the link at the bottom of this page.

I love the the upturned ducks and friend Julie's, John West's Rejection Island Resort.

New photo

2009-11-05T22:30:00.000+11:00

It really is time for me to have a new photo taken. The one on the blog is years old.
I really hate having my photo taken but I really can't explain why.

I'm always the one behind the camera, not in front of it. If I suddenly became a missing person, my family would be hard pressed to come up with a photo to show the police. They would probably find one of me in the back row of a group, slightly blurry and probably with my eyes closed.

John's workmates mentioned that I'm never in any of the holiday photos. We generally go camping and I spend the whole time having a bad hair day due to lack of hair washing and styling facilities. I wear hats and beanies and I even wear a miners light on my head at night so that I can sew and trust me this is a REALLY GOOD look. No wonder I duck for cover whenever there is a camera about.

On the inside I'm still around 39 years old, I'm at least 6 inches taller and a few kilos lighter. I like living in this fantasy world, so perhaps I just haven't found a photographer who can adequately portray my interal image of myself yet.

I don't think I'm particularly shy, perhaps I'm just a control freak. I'm an oldest child and ... (I think I'd better leave my thoughts on birth place in family for another day).

It's a strange thing, whenever photos are shared around with family or friends most people seem to be able to find fault with their own appearance or facial expressions in the photos being viewed, too many chins, a dorky look or tummy not held in properly... the list goes on, yet no one else can see what the problem is. Do we all have unrealistic expectations of the camera.

Must give in and let someone take a photo of me soon, though I might need a sedative first.

Time to buy a 2010 calendar

2009-11-01T18:30:00.000+11:00

It's that time of the year.
November 1st and Christmas is just a few short sleeps away.

More importantly, the end of the year is approaching and you'll soon need a 2010 calendar.

The calendar in our house is really the family management centre. If it's not on the calendar it's just not going to happen.

I'd like to suggest a couple of very good Australian quilt calendars. See photos of the detail in the quilts I've contributed to these calendars above.

The Quilters' Guild of N.S.W. has again produced a very attractive calendar. My quilt titled "Flannel Flowers" is Miss September and there are many other fabulous quilts to inspire you throughout the year.

The Down Under Quilts calendar features my quilt titled "The Rhythm of Lifes Many Phases" on the front cover. How good is that? There are 12 other unique quilts to view as the months go by. It's not overly large, I find the compact size just right for hanging on the wall and transporting around the house.

I've already filled in many of next years engagements on our copy and I'll be giving copies of the calendar out like lollies to friends and relies for Christmas.

Click on the web site link (see the bottom of this blog page) to The Quilters' guild of N.S.W. for their calendar or Creative Living Media to order a copy of the Down Under Quilts calendar.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

2009-10-25T17:08:00.000+11:00

I recently spent a couple of days teaching at a quilting retreat in Wisemans Ferry. It was a very relaxing couple of days with a with a really nice group of ladies completing my "Don't Worry, Be Happy quilt". It's a quilt as you go, no worries sort of quilt and this beautiful Water Dragon lives in the grounds of the retreat near the waterfall. He/she looks and behaves as if he also has no worries. Isn't he magnificent.

Start them young

2009-10-06T22:31:00.001+11:00

I completely failed in my attempts to interst my own daughters (now in their 30's) in quilting but I decided that my grandaughter Tegan who is now 7 is just the right age and with a bit of dedicated help from me (Amar, short for Grandma) I'm sure she will become an accomplished and creative quilter.
We started with a couple of fairy panels, one for Tegan and one for her little sister Olivia and we are now moving on to a bag.
Tegan and I visited Country Pickins today, partly so that Tegan could choose her own fabric and partly so that she could see where Amar teaches. She was impressed by the sheer size of the place but completely overwhelmed by the amount of fabric to choose from. We eventually settled on pink (no great surprise there). Thanks to the school holidays we have a date to start the bag.

Missed the dust storm

2009-09-26T17:36:00.001+10:00

We managed to get away for our first camping trip in two years. Spent a week communing with nature and roughing it a bit at Coolah Tops and Goulburn River National Parks. Fortunately we missed the dust storm by a few days.

Some of our family and friends worry that we rough it a bit too much, so I took a few photos of our 4 star camping accommodation.
The photos are of the bedroom, the kitchen and what I laughingly call the activities corner in our tent. we have camp stretchers with really thick air mattresses, doonas rather than sleeping bags and a hot water bottle. I even have a chair and some carpet for the bedroom floor.
We do have to use pit toilets (or worse still a shovel) and 3inches of water in the bottom a bucket instead of a shower, the only good news is that the water is hot, but its still a lot better than my first ever camping trip.
I met John just before I was 40 and as he had always been a keen camper he decided that it would be really good if I enjoyed it too. He was probably a bit optimistic to think I'd enjoy the Warrambungles in early July with just a small 2 man tent that I had to crawl into, a very thin air mattress and a sleeping bag that wasn't really up to the task. I didn't really enjoy that first experience but I could see that camping could probably be fun with better equipment, It took a few trips to the camping shop and a bit of experimentation and imagination and I've been a keen camper ever since.

I always manage to do a lot of hand sewing while we are camping, I took this photo with one hand while sewing in front of the fire with the other.

We always try to go to quiet campsites far away from people with just the wildlife for company. We weren't disappointed this time all except 2 of the nights we spent alone in the campsites.
There was heaps of wild life including kangaroos and wallabies, a wombat who seemed to be both deaf and blind and oblivious to the fact that we were there, a tiny little lizard and a cow who just stood in the river all day (it was quite hot). You'll have to look carefully to see the tiny lizard. It was about 2in from nose to tip of tail.

Jemby Rinjah

2009-08-20T20:12:00.000+10:00

Last weekend John and I spent a very pleasant few days in the Blue Mountains. We asked about the meaning of the the name of the Eco Lodge we stayed at and apparently it means "Beautiful Big Colourful Bird". We didn't see any big colourful birds but plenty of smaller birds and this magnificent creature.

The Blue Mountains have a very special place in my heart. In my younger / fitter days I used to lead bushwalking groups. Twice weekly I would lead a dozen or so trusting souls into the bush. We climbed mountains, descended into beautiful valleys communed with nature and explored every corner of the the Bush in the Sydney area.

Visiting the mountains brought a lot of my treasured memories back with great clarity. A very dear lady who has recently passed away, wrote this poem for me when she left the group to move to her central coast retirement dream home and I know this was written from the heart.

Just a few words of thank you
for all the work you've done.

The places you have taken us
through wind and rain and sun.

You've had us climbing mountains
we never thought we could.

You've guided us down tracks
we didn't think we should.

You have taken us through forests
and across the mountain streams.

You have shown us such splendour
and where the Waratahs grow.

Wild flowers in abundance
with names we didn't know.

You have shown us the wild life,
nature at its best
.
The panoramic vistas,
north, south east and west.

You have given us strong bonding,
stay back and help your mate.

Care and understanding,
adventures to relate.

You have brought us home exhausted,
aching from head to toe.

We survived the snakes and leeches,
how? We'll never know!

And so our fearless leader,
I say thank you my dear friend.

You always keep us moving with
"It's just around the bend"

Pat Brookes.

My Place Exhibition

2009-08-17T17:21:00.001+10:00

The My Place quilt exhibition curated by Dijanne Cevaal will soon be on display in Victoria, at Craftfest in Melbourne from 8th - 11th October and in a newly created gallery space at the Colac Entertainment Cenre, Cnr Gellibrand and Rae Sts, Colac from 30th October to 1st November. This is a brand new exhibition space and the My Place quilt exhibition will be the first to use the venue.
My quilt "Blue Gum Creek" is part of this wonderful exhibition, see a close up photo of a small section of my quilt above.
I recently travelled to the Textile Art Festival in Brisbane in order to see "Blue Gum Creek" hanging with the other 89 fabulous 50cm square quilts and I was very impressed, a very worthwhile trip.
The exhibition has so far travelled to South Africa and New Zealand and in 2010 will be exhibited in France.
All of the quilts can be viewed on line at www.myplacequilts.com There is a link at the bottom of this page.
I'm told that Down Under Quilts will feature some of the quilts in their next issue.

Discharge dyeing

2009-08-11T12:44:00.000+10:00

I must say I'd rather fill up my washing line with newly discharged fabric than washing any day. I recently got together with some friends for some play time.

Julie changed some very very ordinary grey fabric into the masterpiece shown in the top photo. Great fun

Decluttering progress

2009-06-13T20:49:00.000+10:00

After a lot of time and hardwork, and numerous trips to my favourite hardware shop and storage shop and my workroom is starting to take shape.

I've labelled everything, including the pens and pencils. I've even sorted out my pin dishes (though I'm sure Lorraine will think I could take the pin sorting a step further!)

The photos below show the wardrobe doors (door handles removed) and covered with flannel to provide a design wall and the storage space within the wardrobe.
The design wall isn't new and needs to be replaced with new flannel and a less unsightly method of holding it in place than the packing tape currently being used.
I have drawn a 2in grid on the flannel and will do this again when I replace it. The grid really helps with lining up the blocks etc.

The room is looking good. I've hung different quilts on the walls and added a few favourite photos.
My books are in a logical order and I've culled my old magazines. I now only keep DUQ and Quilting Arts.
All fabrics that are at least 1m in length are stored on bolts on the shelves and the smaller pieces are now stored in the new wire baskets under all of the benches.
All of my started projects are in separate plastic boxes under the sewing machine table and tucked into corners here and there. I really must cull these soon. If I count up all of the works in progress - everything from the quilt tops waiting to be quilted down to projects that are still in the very early stages, I have more than 30 of them. I'm an enthusiastic starter but not a particularly effective finisher of quilts.

My work room is quite small and it's still a work in progess but almost worthy of being called a studio.

Decluttering

2009-05-07T22:31:00.000+10:00

I've been flat out for months now, becoming far more involved in the lives of family members and their problems than has been good for me. Consequently I've had precious little time to spend quilting. Blogging has also suffered and I haven't been a particularly happy or healthy camper.

The problems I've been helping others to face won't be going away any time soon, so I've been taking stock of my life and with the aid of Peter Walsh, author of a couple of books I've been reading whenever I managed to have 10 minutes for myself. "Does this clutter make my butt look fat" and "Enough Already" have helped me to put things into perspective just a little and I'm now decluttering both my house and my inner self.

In an effort to take control of my life, I've started to declutter our house, I'm in the process of throwing away all sorts of junk that I've accumulated over the years and in an effort to declutter my emotions, I'm busily engaged in handing problems back to the people who actually own them. It's very liberating, I should have done it years ago.

Of course I can still be involved and caring but not totally consumed by the seemingly insurmountable problems facing my some of my relies. I've started to get more sleep, I feel more relaxed and as soon as I declutter my work room and make it into a really efficient and workable space I'll be able to get back to my sewing machine.

One of Peter Walsh's suggested strategies for anyone who might think they are just too busy to declutter, is to throw something out every day. Literally every time you walk in through the door, find something you don't use and throw it out. It you don't know it to be useful or belive it to be beautiful, you just don't need it in your life.

I feel so much better now that I've started on my decluttering path. If your life could do with a little decluttering - read the books.

One less frog in the world

2009-01-25T20:53:00.000+11:00

Those who know me well will know that I quite like snakes, which is a good thing because we live on 5 acres of bushland. We have a diamond Python who spends much of his/her time in the roof, though I wouldn't mind betting he's not up there at the moment. (Tin Roof / Very Hot). We have a bag full of Python skins to show the grandkids and loan out for show and tell at school etc. (Check out the older post in this blog for my reptile posts).

I must admit to feeling a bit spooked at the moment though. A couple of days ago I saw something lurch off the roof or perhaps a pot plant up high, on close inspection it was a Green Tree Snake in hot pursuit of a tiny little frog.

It didn't take him long to devour the poor little frog right in front of us on the patio,(did I tell you I also just love frogs), so this was quite devastating for me.

As soon as the frog had given up all hope of escape, the snake moved with lightening speed into the bush.

Yesterday I dispatched dear husband to Bunnings to buy a magnetic catch for the screen door as it often springs open after closing. I would much prefer the snake searched outside for it's prey!

I suppost I live my life in denial. I love animals but hate the thought of them eating each other.

It's probably the same as my not being a vegetatian because I enjoy eating meat, but only if it doesn't actually look like an animal. This leaves out whole fish, most seafood and anything on a spit that even resembles the animal it really is.

Need doesn't really come into it

2009-01-22T15:51:00.000+11:00

I've been taking advantage of some fabric sales this holiday. I don't really need the fabric but with the hot weather I haven't really felt like doing a lot of sewing and this is my way of getting a fabric fix.

A lot of my students ask me how much of each fabric I buy. Well how long is a piece of string? Firstly, these days I only buy good quality fabrics. I'll happily snap up a bargain but only if it is a genuine sale and not cheap, inferior fabric in the first place. If I'm not shopping for a specific project, but just browsing around for interesting and beautiful fabrics for my stash, how much to buy is really no more complicated than deciding on how much I like it, then how much I can justify to myself.

A fat quarter is a good idea if I just want the fabric but have no idea what I'll do with it (perhaps deep down I know already that I probably won't ever do anything with it, other than stroke it and play with it now and then). I often buy fat quarters at shows just because they are there. I usually try to keep a record of where I bought it from just in case I need more later, however my filing system isn't what it should be.

I've been known to buy the whole bolt if I really like it and think that I'll use it extensively. Realistically though, I usually only make small-medium sized quilts so anything from 1m to 3m usually satisfies me. Of course the backing for a large bed quilt can take up to 9 metres and I always use good quality fabrics for the back as well as the front of the quilt. I also like to cut borders in once piece from the length of the fabric, so if I think I'll be using the fabric for a border I'll buy 3m.

I only have to ask myself two questions about fabric.

1. Do I really like it?

2. Can my budget allow for it?

If I get two yes answers I buy it. Need really doesn't come into it.

New camera and Happy New Year

2009-01-18T22:33:00.000+11:00

I asked Santa for a new camera for Christmas and I must have been good all year because he gave me one.

We have a perfectly good camera with 12 x zoom and lots of really good features but I didn't ever read the book and in any case it is very bulky and won't fit into my handbag.

My new, compact camera is really good, it's got a larger screen, is really compact and I've taken some great photos - so many that I'm currently re charging the battery for the umpteenth time. I'll share them next time I blog. I don't really know how to to load them onto the computer I'm using tonight. I would either have to read the book or ask my husband for advice and ... anyway I think I'll wait until tomorrow.

I like to use my own lap top. It always feels very indulgent when I connect to the internet from the comfort of my lounge in front of the T.V. with my feet up.

I intend to post to this blog more frequently this year and post the interesting photos I know I will take.

I really love the start of a new year. I'm always so motivated and full of ideas. I write them all down and truely feel as if I can achieve just about anything.

This year I've started out by resigning my daytime job as a community development worker so that I can spend more time doing what I really like... quilting. I've been going to the gym everyday and have already spent time just doing nothing at all. A pretty good start really.

Under One Sun

2008-12-20T14:55:00.000+11:00

Here is a photo of my entry in the Quilters' Guild of NSW annual challenge. The theme was Coast and Country. It's raw edge applique (currently my favourite technique).
It received second place - Great.

Workroom Mess

2008-09-24T19:00:00.000+10:00

When you are working on a quilt are you tidy or messy.

These days I only clean up my work room when I've finished a project.

It's not that I like working in a mess but I'm a bit driven and just keep churning through the work and I feel completely incapable of cleaning anything up 'till I've finished.

I know some quilters who I suspect put every reel of thread away in it's correct place and fold every piece of fabric and put it away as soon as it has been used. perhaps their scissors are always in the same place and threads are put into a container instead of the floor.

I have multiple unpickers, scissors and other pieces of equipment but towards the end of a project I'm hard pressed to anything. Much of my equipment and most of the threads and bits and pieces end up in piles on the benches or buried on the floor along with paper work, reels of thread, fabric and miscellaneous items. It can be quite annoying if I can't find what I want but that's just the way it is.

I'm in the process of cleaning up as I write. A clean photo to follow when I've finished.

2.20am

2008-09-23T22:13:00.000+10:00

Do you like a challenge? Do you work better under pressure?

I know I do, I think I purposely leave it until the last possible minute to start a quilt for a challenge, thriving on the pressure... It doesn't really make sense does it?

I finished my challenge quilt for the Quilters'Guild of NSW challenge at 2.20am this morning. It was all finished with the binding, hanging sleeve and label all in place by midnight, but it really needed a little something else to finish it off. Two hours and twenty minutes later I was finally satisfied. I'll post a photo of it after the guild's AGM and the unveiling of all of the challenge quilts.

After just five hours sleep I delivered it personally to the guild office in the city. I met a friend (a first time challenge participant) and we made a day of it, travelling on the River Cat and enjoying a walk through the city and around the Opera House before travelling home.

Pity I left the car lights on all day. Waiting for the NRMA to arrive to start my car was a bit of a downer at the end of the day.

Looking forward to a good nights sleep tonight and a few days break before I head into the next last minute challenge.

Hidden delight

2008-09-14T21:08:00.000+10:00

When I'm on holiday in Qld I always make a point of visiting this quaint little shop. It just keeps getting better and better.
On my last visit I discovered that they have now expanded into the old bakery across the road. You'll need to ask Trevor to arrange to open this new shop for you.
Howard's Drapery is one of the few shops in Howard (a few kms north of Hervey Bay).

The patchwork fabric at the back of the store (and now also across the road in the old bakery) is your reward for picking your way through the very crowded shop, its full of just about everything imaginable. The first time I visited I left without ever reaching the fabric, so don't give up, push your way to the very back of the shop and find the little room off to the right.

The service is friendly but make sure you have plenty of time to spare.
It just goes to prove you can't judge a book by its cover

Backyard beach

2008-08-24T21:51:00.000+10:00

Recently we visited relatives in Qld. Their backyard is the beach at Zilzie, just south of Yippoon.

I Took these photos on one of my many walks.

I've always loved looking at the designs crabs make on the beach.

The Sun bird hovering above the flower was taken in their garden.

We had a very relaxing holiday.

Stitches and Craft Show

2008-08-24T21:46:00.000+10:00

Visited the stitches and craft show and caught up with some friends I hadn't seen for a while.

The Down Under Quilts calendar challenge was on display. My quilt "Colours of Australia - Simply Magic" is the September quilt.

I think I know what I'll be giving to family and friends for Christmas this year.

My Place

2008-08-24T21:16:00.000+10:00

I've been checking out the new web site set up by Brenda Smith to showcase the MY PLACE quilt touring exhibition and I just love it. I keep going back for just another quick look. Check it out for yourself. www.myplacequilts.com

I was really excited to hear that my quilt "Blue Gum Creek" had been selected for inclusion in the exhibition. 30 quilts have been selected from each of the following countries Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The exhibition will tour for 2 years to the host countries and Europe.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of the quilts at the Australiasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne next February.

Retreat at Lower Portland

2008-05-21T20:52:00.000+10:00

It was a great setting for a quilting retreat. A very rustic B & B in Lower Portland. Last weekend I taught one of my favourite workshops to a wonderful group of ladies. The view from my room and the workshop room is shown in the photo. The food was really good and so was the company. Must keep this venue in mind for future workshops.

Very tranquil.

I took the photo of the spiders web early in the morning.
Just beautiful.

Hard at work, these ladies put in a 14-16 hour day.

Some of the works in progress are on the walls

We'll be back

2008-01-20T13:03:00.000+11:00

We boarded the plane home from New Zealand saying yes... we'll be back.
12 days simply wasn't enough to see the whole of the South Island, but we did manage a quick look around Christchurch and down to Akaroa ...absolutely beautiful. Across to the West Coast on the Tranz Alpine railway ... a great experience. Fox Glacier was amazingly good, take a look at the close up photo below. Mount Cook was breath taking viewed over Lake Matheson with brilliant reflections. I knew I'd love Queenstown and I wasn't disappointed and finally Te Anau and a cruise on Milford Sound, a place I've wanted to visit all my life. Milford Sound was awesome the only dissappointment was that even though I had spare memory cards and spare batteries for my camera ... just in case. These items failed to make it into my bag and of course the batteries ran out after just 5 photos of this very special place!
Snow on the mountain tops in the middle of summer ...COOL.
We are already planning our next visit.

I must have had a good time as I didn't even miss patchwork, though I did manage to visit a patchwork shop in Queenstown.

More about what makes me happy

2007-12-05T15:12:00.000+11:00

Spending time with my daughters. Last evening we celebrated daughter Bec's 31st birthday and now looking forward to going along with the newly weds to see the house they have chosen to build.
Spending time with my grandkids - Later this afternoon I'll be going to their Pre-school Christmas concert. I don't know how involved the 18month old will be but I'm pretty sure the 5 year old will get right into it.
Spending time at home - Even if the roof is leaking in 3 places, the bedroom is in the midst of being painted and we have turned to lounge room into a make shift bedroom until the new bed arrives in a couple of weeks.
Holidays - Looking forward to spending a couple of weeks in New Zealand with my husband very soon.
Rain, Red wine and Dark Chocolate - what more can I say.

Liquorice Allsorts

2007-11-18T21:39:00.000+11:00

I made this miniature (12inch square) quilt early last year for the NSW Quilters' Guild mini marvels challenge. It came first in the innovative category. I really enjoy making miniatures, this one has tiny cathedral windows and other 3D bits.

The end of an era

2007-11-10T22:39:00.000+11:00

Last Sunday our 15 year old water bed sprung it's last leak. It's had plenty of chances, we've been through 2 heaters and 3 bladders.

I've always been very attached to the water bed. I really like a bed that welcomes me in to it rather than reluctantly allowing me to lie on top of it.

John and I decided it was time to look at other options, so we spent the day lying around on various beds in various bed shops, asking all of the appropriate questions and taking the whole thing very seriously. We finally decided on a bed filled with air chambers rather than the usual springs. We spent an hour or so in a large well known store finding out what our sleep number is. It turns out that my number is 30 and John's is 35. We watched with great interest as the sales person showed us on the computer screen that our pressure spots (shown as big red and orange lumpy bits ... all a bit confronting really) dissappeared as the bed yielded to our resting bodies. It's also quite interesting that after a while it seems quite natural to be lying on a bed in the middle of a busy shop with interested onlookers passing by the end of the bed.

This bed that I'm so taken with will allow us to dial up our individual number and the air pump will do the rest. The only problem is that it won't arrive for another 6 weeks, so meanwhile we are alternating between a thin foam mattress and an air bed. We're not really sure which of the two is the most uncomfortable. If we survive the 6 weeks the bed will sooth our tense muscles as we lower the air pressure down to our individual numbers. Sounds gimmicky but the price tag tells me it's probably a serious bed.

Our water bed era is over, it made me think of other phases of my life that seemed so terribly important at the time but eventually everything seems to run its course. There was the 10 years or so that I led groups on bushwalks 3 times a week, I never really saw the end to this really enjoyable part of my life coming, but eventually my body let me down a little and I let go of this passion. There was the pottery era, I even had my own wheel and kiln but when the kiln died so did my interest. Then there was the macrame era and the folk art era, both lasted for 5 or 6 years. The fitness instructor era that lasted for 18 years. My mandolin playing which lasted for around 10 years before giving way to playing the piano for the bush band that I still enjoy being a part of. I think the only exception to this will be quilting. I can't see me ever getting over the quilting obsession.

Lazy day

2007-10-28T13:05:00.000+11:00

At the moment I'm taking a little time to reflect on my usual hectic life schedule. As a rule even if I'm not feeling too well, I still feel the need to continue the pace and be productive every day and I don't really know why.

I'm toying with the idea of giving myself a complete day off, that is a day off from everything. If I'm going to go through with this idea, I'd better start soon as I've already started the washing, striped the bed and cleaned up after last nights BBQ with friends and of course this started me on a major clean up of the kitchen, even the bits that could have waited. I think I'm my own worst enemy. The only positive thing I've done so far today is to sleep in until mid day. . . after a couple of minutes just gazing into space I've come up with a plan. It involves work or should I call it quilting. Sounds good, but arguably not a complete day off.

The Snake and the Frog

2007-10-25T22:47:00.000+10:00

Over the weekend we spotted one of the Diamond Pythons who thinks of our property as his home. He was taking a drink in the bird bath. He is quite used to having us around and takes not notice as I poke a camera in his face to record his life.

When he had finished he or she (can't tell) crossed the lawn and the patio and proceeded to climb back up onto the roof. Judging by how many snake skins we find up there he really likes to be on, or in our roof.

We followed his every move and took photos as he got a leg up (so to speak) on one of John's favorite pot plants then scaled the brick wall until he managed to get a foot hold (well you know what I mean) on the fork in the down pipe then up and over the guttering. Just as I took the final photo of him dissappearing onto the roof a frog who for some completely unkown reason was on the roof, decided it was a good idea to jump off and aim for my shoulder to break his fall. He looked a little stunned as he sat there on the grass. I stopped taking photos of the snake and turned my attention to the frog ! I love living in the bush.

Here he is drinking from the bird bath

Up and over

. . . and here's the Frog !

Chrysalis

2007-10-22T21:14:00.001+10:00

I am a member of the N.S.W. Quilters' Guild. This year their annual challenge theme was - Looking Forward, Looking Back. I entered and was thrilled to be announced the winner with my entry - Chrysalis.
My interpretation of the theme is the life cycle of a butterfly with the Chrysalis being the stage where in my imagination the butterfly has time to reflect on its past life as a caterpillar and anticipate a more rewarding life as a butterfly.
The quilt is machine raw edge appliqued and machine quilted. The Chrysalis is heavily embellished with organza, angelina fibres and foils.
Even my husband who often thinks my quilts are just quilts! gave this quilt his tick of approval.
View the other quilts in the challenge by going to the guild's web site www.quiltersguildnsw.com

The Grampians

2007-09-12T22:51:00.000+10:00

I've been making a quilt during our yearly camping holidays since late last century. It's just a simple hexagon quilt in really bright fabrics. I collect fabrics while I'm on holiday whenever I can. I even managed to buy a couple of fat quarters in Tiboburra in far West NSW which was really surprising as at the time there was only one general store.

So far the quilt has travelled to national parks all over Qld., N.S.W., S.A. & Vic. We have just returned from a camping trip to The Grampians in Victoria. I didn't manage to get a lot of quilting done but decided it's time to start including the quilt in the holiday photos. Here it is watching the billy boil. I've also included a scenic shot looking down on the town of Halls Gap.

The Grampians are well worth a trip, if camping isn't your thing there is plenty of accomodation in Halls Gap. The bush fires (Jan 2006) really took their toll but the scenery is still magnificent.
Great bushwalks.

Time at last to blog

2007-08-05T21:50:00.001+10:00

Life has been so hectic lately, I've been unable to find even a few minutes to blog. The wedding was beautiful, I had an absolute ball and my daughter and son in law tell me the day was way over and above any of their expectations. A memorable day for everyone. A last minute change of plan saw this mother of the bride wearing an outfit with a velvet patchwork effect jacket and yes I wore high heel pointy toe shoes and ended up feeling happy with them. No photos yet . . . but soon I hope.

The wedding was in the middle of the NSW Quilter's Guild show, but I was able to fit in a full day visit on the Wednesday and followed this up with another vist on the Sunday. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I just loved the best of show quilt.

I've also been busy preparing to present a weekend workshop to around 40 people. I've just returned home from it and although it was very hectic, it was really rewarding. The large group of enthusiastic quilters are in the photo. Thank you ladies, it was a memorable experience.

June Bride

2007-06-05T21:50:00.000+10:00

Good news - My youngest daughter's wedding is now very close and I have finally found an outfit to wear. Those who know me won't be surprised to hear that it is brown (but beautiful). For someone who is so passionate about colour in quilts I really do wear a lot of brown.
Not such good news - I'm just horrified with the thought of having to wear pointed toe shoes. I've had a look around and really pointy toes are the just about the only ones available. I wore them the first time round when I was a young girl and don't want to go there again. I don't think my size 9 1/2 C fitting feet are going to like being stuffed into shoes like these, they are built for comfort these days.
Good news - I have finally managed to reduce my working hours to a manageable level, so I'll have more time for quilting, going the gym or for a walk, catching up with friends, posting to my blog and even doing nothing at all from time to time (now there's a novel idea).
More good news - My newly organised sewing room is working so well. I've been quite productive over the past few weeks. I named my latest quilt Spring Fever, it has my usual 3 dimensional blocks and I made it with my usual quilt as you go method. No lumps or ridges, if you have only ever made quilt as you go quilts using a method that produces lumps and ridges, do yourself a favour and learn a better method. It really does take the strain out of quilting.

Happiness is

2007-05-05T22:30:00.000+10:00

I started thinking today about what makes me happy, content and at peace with the world. Here are just a couple of the thoughts I had. More to come later.
I'm a bit obsessed with the process of making lists. It brings order to my often hectic life and makes me feel more in control. I have a list of quilts I've made with different columns for the ones I have entered in challenges or shows, any successes I've had with these quilts along with lists of quilts I have as works in progress and ideas for future quilts, upcoming challenges etc. I also have a complete list of all the quilts I've made. I update it often.
I love Jacaranda, Wattle and Flame trees and play games with myself during the Jacaranda season. As I drive around Sydney I honestly believe that I won't have to travel for more than 10 seconds without being able to see another Jacaranda tree either beside me or off the side in the distance. I love to reflect on the story a friend told me. When she was a little girl her father used to tell her that fairies live in Jacaranda flowers and you can actually see their legs and feet sticking out from inside the flowers (take a look for yourself, it's true), I now tell my grandaughter the same story.
I have a very small Jacaranda tree growing in my garden. It was given to me by a very dear friend several years ago. Pat is now in a nursing home after suffering a very debilitating illness which has left her so mentally confused she doesn't recognise me anymore. Pat has also become quite agressive which isn't at all like the friend I once had. The tree is very precious, it has been very slow to grow and still hasn't flowered but I'm sure it will one day.
I love working with fabric. I could ramble on about this for ages but suffice to say that I'm never really happier than when I'm quilting or even just sorting my stash and planning new projects. My newly organised sewing room ... (it really is just soooo good, I probably should call it a studio), is an absolute delight. I'll tidy it up a bit tomorrow and take a photo to show you.
Being with my daughter and her beautiful girls Oliva and Tegan brings me a tremendous feeling of contentment. Seeing the bond they have and marvelling at what a great mother Sarah has turned out to be is a very emotional experience.
I really love being at home and if I didn't enjoy being with people so much I'd probably become a hermit.
I'm a bit of a chocaholic as well.

Fabric avalanche

2007-04-22T09:44:00.000+10:00

If the quilter who dies with the most fabric wins, then I'm a winner. I finally decided it's time to organise my stash onto shelves that actually will actually accomodate a bolt of fabric, after yet another avalanche of precariously balanced bolts.
After looking around for ages and only finding shelves with a fixed centre shelf and far too wide for a fabric bolt anyway, I decided to seek advice. The first person I spoke to was my daughter. Bec believes that if you really want something you should float it - out there - in the universe and the universe will come up with a solution, so I did ... float it that is.
The very next person I spoke to re advice on where to find shelves, told me she has a friend who used to sell patchwork fabric and now needs to sell her custom made shelves. This lady lives just a short drive from my house, the shelves fitted perfectly in my room and best of all they fitted with less than an inch to spareinto the back of our station wagon if we just needed to push the front seats forward a touch... thanks Bec for the daughterly advice.
I'll post a photo of my newly organised sewing room soon.

Miniature quilts

2007-03-04T21:58:00.000+11:00

I was so inspired by the postage stamp sized quilts that I decided to give it a go. I had varying degrees of success and in the end decided to make a miniature quilt with 1inch blocks instead. I was very proud of my 1inch square Snail Trail blocks. See one of them in the photo. I've entered the quilt in the nsw quild show, it represents a beach scene. I've called it Rock Pools, Surf and Sand. It still needs a bit more beading and finishing off. I'll photograph it properly later and post it to the blog.
This little quilt was therapy for me during my recent drawn out dental mayhem and madness.

Wasting good quilting time at the dentist

2007-02-14T19:43:00.000+11:00

I broke one of my teeth a few days ago, it cracked along the gumline and the dentist and I agreed that it wasn
t able to be saved. When the dentist tried to take it out there was really nothing to hang on to. I thought for a moment she was going to climb onto my chest to assist her in her effort to tug the thing out. Eventually she did get most of it out but I have to go back again so that she can cut my gum open to retrieve the last little bit. Oh goodie! Meanwhile thank heavens for Nurofen Plus.

German blog addresses

2007-02-14T19:38:00.000+11:00

I'm still learning to drive this thing (blog) I did post the german blogsite address links but they didn't appear. Here they are - ullas-art.blogspot.com - birgitskaleidoskop.blogspot.com - ankesgarten.blogspot.com I'm sorry I couldn't enter them as direct links.
Must find out how to do this properly.

Postage stamp sized quilts

2007-02-11T22:00:00.000+11:00

I've spent a couple of days enjoying looking at a few German blogs. These links were sent to me by a very helpful lady I met at the Friday Showcase last week.
I hope you also enjoy looking at these delighful little treasures and feel as inspired as I do to give it a go. Have I told you I thrive on challenges?
The blogs are written in German but the photos make visiting the blogs worthwhile.

The wonder of nature

2007-02-11T21:41:00.000+11:00

I've just finished my entry in the Bunbury International Quilt Challenge. The theme is the wonder of nature. I think the true wonder of nature is its Diversity. So I've named my quilt Diversity and feel quite pleased with it. Here are a couple of photos of the detail. Of course there is a little 3D stuff included.

Friday Showcase

2007-02-02T22:30:00.000+11:00

I had the pleasure of showing some of my quilts to a group of quilters at the NSW Quilters' Guild today at the Friday Showcase. What a fantastic group of ladies. I only wish I had more time to devote to being an active member of the guild. Following this mornings showcase, a selection of my quilts will hang in the guild's office for the next month...feels good.

One of the ladies at the showcase told me about a web site she has found promoting the idea of postage stamp sized version of the ATC's. Sounds challenging but fun. As soon as she sends to web address to me I'll check it out and pass it on to you.

I have asked my employer if I may job share my position at the neighbourhood centre by May this year, reducing my hours from 30 to 15. As much as I really enjoy the work I can't keep this pace up much longer. If my employer decides to say no to this proposal I've decided to retire from work and devote my time and energies to teaching patchwork and persuing my own patchwork quilting interests...the second option looks really inviting.

ATC's

2007-01-28T19:09:00.000+11:00

I'm a fairly recent convert to ATC's. I just love making them, they fit in with my tight time schedule and I can make many of them by hand.
I'm rather taken with the idea of giving them away as what is known in ATC circles as a random act of kindness (RAK) rather than an organised trade. If I receive any in return that will be the icing on the cake.
The one at the top is a painted nappy liner embellished with tyvek and beads. Embellishment is rapidly becoming an obsession. Some of the others were made from orphan blocks or interesting bits of fabric left over from my arty experimentation.

Updated my website today

2007-01-28T19:04:00.000+11:00

I've have completed an update of my website and my husband John uploaded it for me today. I'm so grateful that he is far from I.T. challenged. I'm also grateful that blogging is so much easier than dabbling with websites.

Found the wedding dress

2007-01-26T14:47:00.000+11:00

My daughter has finally made a decision on her wedding dress and she looks just stunning. Can't wait for THE DAY.
I'm starting to go off the idea of Burgundy paint - perhaps a deep turquoise / blue.

Burgundy paint for the bedroom

2007-01-20T15:01:00.000+11:00

I've finally decided on a colour for the feature wall in my bedroom. It will be a deep burgundy. After it's painted I'll start on a new quilt for the bed. Something more contemporary than the rather boring 15 year old quilt we currently use.
I'm not a great painter and I think my husband is a little worried about the whole process as my attitude to painting is - why put on two or three coats if one really thick one will suffice. I can't really use a roller as it is a bagwashed wall and the roller would probably cause paint to spray everywhere. I've found that if you hold the paint tin really close to the wall it's possible to load heaps of paint onto your brush with minimal mess and work it in to all the knobbly bits on the bagwashed wall . . . I will use a drop cloth ... Hmmm. I don't know how I'll manage the bit of wall behind the water bed - perhaps just leave it. Photos of before and after to follow.

Our favourite visitor

2007-01-19T22:07:00.000+11:00

We haven't any pets. Our old cat went to where the old cats go a few months ago. He was a Siamese with heaps of personality. We didn't live in a bushy area when we got him, so he did live a rather restricted life after we moved here. We value Aussie wildlife too much to let him out and destroy it.
We now have far more natural animal visitors than before. The photo is of a lizard who has set up home very close to the house and tolerates us humans rather well. He often sits in the bird bath or just hangs around in the shade at the back of the house, blending in very well with the bushrock. The photo is of him sitting next to the birdbath that John has dug out of a rock ledge just opposite our front patio. He's quite comfortable with us walking around very close to him.
I'd love to create a quilt using him as the focal point. I'm just waiting for the right inspiration and of course the time to do it properly. I have to focus on my new years resolution (to work less hours this year and have more time for me).

100 days of rain

2007-01-16T21:39:00.000+11:00

This is my current favourite.
I made it for DUQ Quilt Indulgence PFAFF challenge and it won 1st prize.
It now lives permanently in my hallway.
The challenge was to create a quilt with the theme 100. I made it with raw edge applique and used Fibonacci number sequencing for most of the proportions. It's called - 100 Days of Rain.
I'm really obsessed about our lack of rain lately.
My wish is for 100 days of rain during 2007. It is so dry at our place, even the rabbits have deserted us.

Colour My World

2007-01-14T22:55:00.000+11:00

I finally discovered that the photo was too big, so I continued on my steep I.T. learning curve and learnt how to resize photos. Thanks go to my long suffering husband John.

This quilt is named - Colour in my world.
I made it for 2005 Bunbury challenge and it received 2nd place. The theme was - Colour my world. We were supplied with 3 small pieces of fabric which had to be used, these fabrics were almost completely black and white, though one of them had a little soft green on it. It is raw edge appliqued - machine pieced, appliqued and quilted, with 3D leaves. I also used Fibonacci number sequencing for some of the proportion.

Wedding dress shopping

2007-01-14T22:16:00.000+11:00

I spent today helping my youngest daughter to choose a wedding dress. We had a wonderful, if exhausting day. We didn't actually buy a dress but now have a short list and plans to do it all again next week. I really don't know how helpful I was. Every time Rebecca tried on a dress I was convinced that she should buy it. She looked absolutely fantastic in everything. The last one we tried actually brought me close to tears. The wedding is just a few short months away so a decision will need to be made soon.

I've been working hard on my next challenge quilt and getting everything ready for the start of my patchwork classes in February. I'm still also trying to find time to paint my bedroom. I'd like a really strong colour as a feature wall. I don't usually have trouble choosing fabric for a quilt but paint for a wall ... that's another story.

I've tried to post a photo of one of my favorite quilts, so that you can start to see some of my work but I think I'm doing something wrong. I'll try again tomorrow.

Found a new template

2007-01-05T14:12:00.001+11:00

Sorted out the photo thingy, then I spent some time finding a better blog template. I like this one. I'm comfortable with warm neutrals. That's not to say I don't like other colours. I spent the morning sorting out my sewing room and it's full of every imaginable colour.
I love January, I get to do all the stuff I don't have time to do any other time during the year.
My new years resolution this year - To reduce the amount of hours I work (at the day job, not the patchwork teaching). I need to leave a little time for me, to be able to just potter now and then.

Learning to add photos

2007-01-05T13:36:00.000+11:00

Learning to add photos today.

First posting

2007-01-05T12:06:00.000+11:00

I'm just so I.T. challenged, I can't believe I've actually been able to start a blog. I'm still unsure about where to go from here.