Cow Paddocks Patchwork

Upcoming Visits

While you can always go onto the Teaching Schedule in the side bar to see where I am next and what classes are booked, I thought I would give you a little reminder/update of what's happening!

I am off to the Kenniff Country Quilters in Mitchell for the weekend of the 18th & 19th of July conducting a Portrait/Rose Art Quilt workshop. Can't wait to visit these ladies who have been visitors to both of our open days!

August is the Convergence Workshop for the Roma Ladies on the 22nd & 23rd of August and here there may be a couple of ring-ins from a neighbouring group there too!

I love workshops and continually get a thrill out of the huge variety of work that is achieved starting from the same technique!

Til then - keep stitchin!

Postage Rates

Just thought I would mention to you all that if you are requiring anything to be posted - that we only charge actual costs - that is the price of the envelope/box and the postage charge.We DO NOT charge extra packing/handling etc.

And if we can fit it in a pre-paid envelope - the small one is approx $5.80 (I just have to check when I go to the post office today as someone said these have both gone up slightly) BUT you can fit 500g in them. The next size is approx $9.80 BUT you can fit 3KG - that is a lot of material!!!!!!!!!! So it is alot better value for money!

A layer cake cannot fit in the pre-paid however I have sent some lately in a box and it still works out around the $10 and you can pretty much fill the box for that money! When you compare it to one and  a half bags of the 2kg of flour at the shop - that is alot of weight in goodies!

Dont Forget -Postage on individual's orders $200 or over is FREE!!!!!

Sweet Treat Bag

 

Here is the gorgeous sweet treat bag that I made in time for the open day. These were in those cute little boxed set of 2 mini sweet rolls. Well if you have a little look the standard sweet rolls sitting behind this cute bag are the 4 ranges we have in stock at the moment and they range in price from $40-$45 each depending upon what we were charged for them with the aussie dollar etc.

Now you can get 4 - yes FOUR of these bags out of just ONE sweet roll!!!!! They make great cosmetic bags, pressies, sewing bags etc etc. The range I used was Oh Cherry Oh and shown from Left to Right is Wildflower Serenade II - very country, Spring Magic - very fresh, Aviary - Shabby Chic & of course Oh Cherry Oh - very bright and cheery/cherry!!!!

The Moda website now has the instructions for this bag as a downloadable project, so when you call to purchase I can email you the project sheet. These are so much fun and great for youngsters to try too!

Show N Tell

This week we had a little impromptu Clover Club as a catch up as school hols and a few other things altered our normal meeting day - I will have to do a catch up from other clover club show n tell's for you but here is a scrappy quilt from Karen.

 

Here too is a great Cake Bake quilt from Neitta (yes there have been a few of these made with this pattern) - they are just so quick! This was made using the Moda Oh Cherry Oh Range.

 

Aren't they yummy!

Til next time - keep stitchin!

Christmas in July - or just getting organised?

Yes I am trying to get a little organised for Christmas this year - and just arrived is this gorgeous Christmas range from Moda - Frosted Memories. I chose this one as it hasn't got those over the top snow filled pictures with the bright green. This one is a really lovely creams through to beige and greens and reds - very traditional and yet the greens are more an eucalypt green. There are a few snow flakes - but it really is a lovely lovely range. We have it in Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes and a couple of yardages.

This would make a great tablecloth or utilise for christmas presents! Being pre-cut makes life so much easier too! Plus many of the fabrics aren't overly "Christmassy" by themselves so could be incorporated into any projects!

 

These are $21/m for the yardage and $68 for JR & LC.

You could utilise a section of a layer cake/jelly roll quilt for your tablecloth pattern - or a table runner!

Backings have Arrived!

Yes the courier has been again and the Clover Club girls had the pleasure of being here when quite a large consignment of goodies arrived. So they were given the lovely job of opening boxes to see what had arrived - as we are never quite sure! They seemed very excited to be part of it all but didn't want to keep the little windowed envelopes that came with the goodies - no sense of adventure at all!!!

So here are a few photos of the new flannel backings that have arrived - they are 280cm wide so make very good value at only $27/m. I am still searching for a pink flannel - but have yet to find one but at  the moment the cream, blue and country bottle green fits most requirements.

 

We also have back in stock the wonderful backings I generally like to keep. These too are 280cm wide and are 100% cotton. The pattern on them makes them wonderful to use on any quilt both those for males or females of any ages. We are getting a few more colours in stock, with more to come over the next few weeks. There are 2 greens and now 2 blues plus our other standard stock colours of beige on cream, dark beige on beige and dusty pink. These are $25/m. These are really good value for money backings of a lovely quality.

 

 

Plus we have a couple of brighter mottle backings 240cm wide in pink and purple! at only $20/m

 

And also new into stock is this gorgeous Moda Aviary Backing in pink tonal  - 240cm wide and $27/m and is super yummy! More moda backings to come!

 

We all know at times it is difficult to source backings, so if you have a project nearly finished give me a call and I can put some aside for you to ensure you aren't caught short!

I'm In Injune In June!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I've been waiting a long time to be able to put the pun in!

Another great trip to Injune to the wonderful ladies of the Injune Ck Patchworkers. I must admit I think I may have had a few hesitant particpants initially in  this workshop with a concern as to  just how difficult it may be - BUT they all went away smiling at the end with some really amazing results! AND NOW they believe me that it's not as hard as it looks!!!!!

Having been to Injune now a few times, I always know they we are in for a full on and fun weekend. They are a keen and dedicated group but we can always be guaranteed of a few belly laughs. They too are there early to get started (except for a couple maybe - we won't mention names) Ha! Ha! but they stay quite late to just get "that last bit" completed.

Telling tales out of school though - I seriously think you miss out on too much if you leave there early on Saturday afternoons as they put together such yummy Saturday night tea - we had pumpkin soup, braised beef, quiches, pizzas, bread rolls etc etc - (Oh and a little wine too!) With everyone pitching in through the weekend the choices of scrumptious morning and arvo teas was endless!!!!

A huge thankyou also to Fiona & Clayton and Mia who always put me up for the weekend (or put up with me- whichever works!!!!!!!!!!!) They make me feel so right at home and I'm always in a bed with a beautiful patchwork quilt on it!!!!!!

 The group even had a couple of ring-ins for the workshop from a neighbouring group who also got into the swing of things!

Here area  few photos, I'm sorry I don't have more close ups - so ladies please send me some more snaps to add to the collection. AND Thankyou for another fun and enjoyable weekend.

 

Robyn's that will be made into a large cushion cover using gorgeous batik fabrics

 

Fay's "wave" that she turned into a cot quilt - and she was able to use fabrics from her stash too!

  

Sue's "country wave" quilt

 

Jill's Warm & Wavy

I also had the pleasure in attending the groups Quilt Show being displayed in the newly built Information Centre - if you are in the area - please call in - it is amazing!

Here are a few sneak peaks!

 

 

And you can't get a more country quilt show then the quilts being hung on steel portable panels!!! - Now that's inventive!

I must also mention about our quilting Mantra -

Don't ask a quilter to mend - it's like asking Picasso to paint the shed!

Well here is a photo - and I'm not going to mention names! Of a shirt owned by a patchworker's son. Now if you look closely you will notice that where there is a slight tear in need of some repair - however  he has very cleverly fixed it himself with the use of zip ties!!!!!!!!!!! Now that is one for the boys! Mum however I think was a little off put by the fact that she found these while washing said shirt and that she had not had the chance to mend it before darling son did the job himself!

Never mind - he is learning fast - he will make a quilter a great husband one day!

 

So here are the girls that made the weekend such a great one!

Back Row L to R - Joan, Fay, Muffy, Robyn, Wendy, Sue, Jill (hiding) &  Narelle

Front Row L to R - Me, Siobhan, Fiona, Debra, Joan & Debbie.

We also had the lovely company of the local scrapbook group plus some other patchwork members who were able to pop in and say hello for a couple of minutes - Heather, Leanne & Vicki.

Must really really go now. Keep stitchin!!!!!

Another Week

Yes another week goes by here at "Toomba" and we think it may have forgotten how to rain again already! Our oats could do with another little drink but even though the weather bureau predict 80-90% chance of rain - we get nothing!

So the waiting game again! We have been busy like usual- just  like everybody these days, a couple of workshops away leaving on Friday and coming home Monday plus packing and unpacking takes a big chunk out of the week - But I love it!

Kids have been doing the school thing but now are home with the flu, Jeff has been carting some hay to have in the shed for the next lot of weaning and I have been inbetween doing the fun house jobs!

This week is Condamine Sports training, tuckshop Wednesday, Clover Club Thursday, End of Term activities and saugsage sizzle at School Friday. Then a working bee and the big fundraiser our Athletics Carnival on Saturday, Kids to the optometrist, visiting Cathy, car service, grocery shopping, looking at another horse, baking for the school things etc - and that is all between now and Tuesday!

Pete has his new plane finally home at "Trinidad", Mum & Dad are mustering all this week and selling off all their sheep as they are tired of the continual dog problem and we are gearing up for the hols!

OK must go and start another post and get out and get the washing, water the garden and start tea!

Theodore Adventure!

On the weekend of the 13th I made my way over the Great Divide to the friendly country town of Theodore. This being my first visit tothe area for many many years I did the touristy thing and ducked in to Isla Gorge on the way for a little peak. It is really amazing the treasures that some many districts hold, and you really do need to stop and take the time to see all that they have.

So here are some photos of my trip!

The Theodore ladies are - (like all quilters) just an amazing bunch of ladies with different backgrounds but with a truly inspiring hobby that they all share! I was made sooooo welcome by them and I was made feel right at home. As with all of my workshops I really strive to provide a relaxed and fun atmosphere for all participants and this was easy with this wonderful group of ladies.

We were treated to exceptional presentation at the dinner table for our lunches - especially on Sunday with place tags, fresh floral arrangements, candelabra etc etc which was so secretly arranged by a mischevious few. I think however this may become a tradition by the ladies for the delight of the Mrs Bucket (Bouquet) of the group!!!!!! Yes they all have an amazing sense of humour and the intended recipient takes it all in good grace!

The Sunday Lunch also had quite an interesting dinner topic with quite an "international" feel. (I promised no divulging too much!) And as with all good quilters - they are all amazing cooks too! so we were spoilt for choice with yummy dishes.

The ladies ended up with a myriad of different quilts although all made with either jelly rolls or jelly rolls and layer cakes AND most had their blocks completed and sewn together for the top by the end of the second day!

They have sent out the challenge though - they were arriving at the hall by 7.30am on those chilly mornings and sewing til dark! That's dedication!

So thankyou again to my lovely Theodore hosts, I had a great time and hope to catch up with you again soon!

Isla Gorge

 

Chris, Diana, Gay, Lyn, Vale, Lorna

 

Marilyn, Jill & Robyn

Now I don't seem to have  a photo but our other terrific sewers were Arlie, Rebel, Jan, Donela & Adele!

Arlie & Rebel were very keen particpants travelling all the way from Moonie!

Aren't there quilts just beautiful - and with the pre-cuts they come together so quilckly!

So ladies if you have any more photos you would like to send me to add to my album please do!

All The Wave

I am just about all blogged out with all of these posts tonight. But I thought I would share with you a sneak peak of my newest workshop - All the Wave. This is a technique based 2 day workshop and the Injune ladies are the first Workshop Guinea Pigs to try it!

This is of my wallhanging version, still yet to be binded and quilted! This technique is using the Wave Ruler and opens up a myriad of options! We will be doing both a wallhanging & quilt version in this workshop.

And I am practising what I preach and have gone totally out of my comfort zone for a change and used yellow and orange - I NEVER use yellow and orange, and with a little thought into colour theory and checking with the colour wheel I have gone out for some serious "Zing".

So here it is!

 

sorry that the photo seems to come out a little blury - yes you may need sunglasses!!! I told you it had Zing!

Other Workshop Info

Please note also that the Portrait Workshop has been withdrawn from my classes. I will however be replacing it with a class called Raw Edge Pictorial that includes a version of the technique used in producing Mr Mundell but will utilise a couple of different aspects. There will be a choice of 2 pictures to make during this 2 day class one of which is the Dame Elizabeth Rose from my garden.

Don't forget to refer to the teaching schedule on the side bar for info on classes that are being held over the next few months.

Til Then

Keep Stitchin in Udder Chaos