Cow Paddocks Patchwork

Rose Quilt Class Photos

Here is a photo of the rose quilt at a better angle than other posts and sewn both directions. It constantly amazes me the difference it looks from a distance or through a digital camera. But when you then crop the picture is brings it back to it's more detailed pixel form.

It amazes me that the computer picks up such detail of colour change in the rose.

And now more importantly is the first photo that I have been sent from one of my students who attended the Mitchell Rose/Portrait class. Congratulations Jane! Jane said she has some of the sewing done but has a bit more to go just yet - but she has all the pieces down now. I was really pleased when I designed this one for her and couldn't wait to see how it turned out.

 

Roma workshop!!

Well another wonderful weekend workshop - this time it was the first time for me teaching at Roma! While I had visited prior with the shop and had met many of the ladies (some of whom had tagged on to other workshops in nearby towns) this was a wonderful way to get to know them all better.

Thankyou to Debra and family for having me and to all the wonderful ladies who made the weekend such a great one. It never ceases to amaze me that with a little guidance and encouragement what participants can achieve. AND to have so many varied and amazing quilts from the one workshop.

So here they are for you to enjoy!

Barb's with some glorious blue flowers.

Charlene's oriental version

Debra's  - who has made another 3 the same to make a beautiful larger quilt.

Elizabeth's with the cute pansies as her feature

Jill's classic orchid design

Marcelle's vibrant butterfly quilt -  I'm sure her grandaughter will just love it!

Maibry's funky design with gorgeous purples, pinks & greens 

Meridy's "arty" interpretation - isn't it eye catching?

Pat's "so chic" rose design

Peg's striking Ghinko leaf and only using 2 colours in this one.

Peg's "I want to use up the circle print" quilt - and didn't it work out well!

Congratulations ladies - you all did so well and the photo's I'm afraid just don't do them justice. Even with my new toy - a new camera! - so hopefully I will be able to provide you all with some really detailed close up shots in the future!

Mitchell Workshop with the Kenniff Country Quilters

 Another wonderful workshop - this was the first time I had made the visit to Mitchell conducting a workshop and taking the shop with me and the ladies made me feel really welcome. We have been fortunate in the past for the lovely Keniff Country Quilters to attend both of our Open days located here at "Toomba" and in Dulacca so it was lovely to catch up with them individually rather than only having time for a hello on the other days.

Unfortunately I contracted a tummy sickness and so was not feeling the best on Saturday but was still able to do the workshop but was fine and back to my usual mad self on Sunday!!!

As an added treat I was staying with some really wonderful old friends Steven & Lynette who own the Mitchell Post Office. While we keep in touch here and there through the year it was wonderful to spend some time with them and catch up on everything that has been happening in our lives.

We definately had a huge variety of pictures for our Portrait section of the class from a Kelpie Dog, a Giraffe, daughters, ancestors etc etc. Plus a variety of coloured roses. The amount of pieces to stick did not allow the works to be completed within the 2 days but many were able to get a slight insight to what will be!  So ladies I can't wait to see them when they are finished - now what time frame did we give you that we joked about???????????????? The Mitchell girls had a couple of ring-ins from Bollon direction that spent the weekend in Mitchell and it was wonderful to have them too!

Here are a few photos of the weekend.

 

This is Jane's Kelpie dog. Looks like a little way to go yet - BUT Jane emailed me on  around the Tuesday and said she had it three quarters finished!

 

This is Jane's friend Narelle, who also used the same pattern. Isn't amazing that you can see already the different looks that can be achieved with different choices of colour.

 

Robyn working hard on getting her squares down.

 

I have given you a few sneak peaks of charts and pictures but here is my rose prior to sewing. It is quiet large at present and this is quite a close up shot. It will shrink by approximately half an inch per square. And there are approximately...... sorry can't tell you - you would die of fright!!!!! But it does shrink considerably!

 

Thora's rose which is going to look gorgeous with a black background and lovely soft pastel pinks and purples.

 

The ladies hard and work - and trying to hide from the Camera! We can still see you Robyn, Jody, Jane, Kathy and others that did hide just a little too well. Thankyou also to Narelle's friend Katie and Avis for being the all important tea ladies for the weekend!

Now if the ladies are really good I hope to have some photos of some near completed - (or completed!!!!!!) quilts to put on here for you.

Projects & Workshop Photo Update

Hi all,

just thought I would let you know that I have updated the list of workshop & project photos in the sidebar. So if you click on that you will see some of the photos of workshop results including some of my student's work.

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!!!!!

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

Aren't We Lucky!!!!!!!

Just thought I would share with you my excitement - we have had an exceptionally good week this week.

Our Craft In The Country Open Day,

 RAIN RAIN RAIN - 332 POINTS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD, AND  

  Little H gained first place in sewing at the Miles Show in the Junior Section for her little Quilt of Love that I showed you a few weeks ago AND

 Little L gained first place for his felt bag in the Any other Craft at the Miles Show and he gained Champion Boy in Craft under 12!  AND

 I too had a great day at the show winning quite a few prizes in the Patchwork & Craft section but I had 2 prizes I was really excited about - the first  was winning the Dark Fruit Cake  with my Great Great Grandmother's recipe which has been (to my knowledge) unbeaten in the shows when either my mother or myself has entered it - I bet our ancestor would not have thought we would be still making her recipe and winning prizes with it - mind you it is not a cheap cake to make - we think she liked her brandy as it allows for over 3 cups in 2 cakes!!!!!!!!!! So now this means I am eligible to make a cake to enter in the Regional finals which is in Charleville next year! AND

I was fortunate in winning the Grand Champion Exhibit of the Miles Show of Pavilion Exhibits with my Textile Art Landscape (pictured below) So it was lovely surprise and the award was presented at the official opening.

 

The landscape consists of my own dyed fabrics, sponging, bobbin work, burning, colouring with pen, free motion embroidery etc etc - lots of fun! It was framed by the lovely ladies Anne Nixon & her daughter Kylie Bourne from Drillham/Miles.

Now DH is in the process of starting to plant oats and we have a little mob of cattle out on the road (which in itself is a full time job) to give their paddock a break as unfortunately it doesn't rain grass!

Hannaford Worskhop!!!!!!!!!

Well I have arrived home after another tremendous weekend conducting a twisted bargello and mystery nine patch workshop for the Hannaford Patchwork Group. Yet again another wonderful group of ladies with a great deal of talent and growing enthusiasm for new techniques and ideas.

Firstly a big thankyou to all the ladies for kindly asking me to come down and hold the workshop and a special thankyou to Kay for billetting me and providing super yummy goodies and also to Gwen who shared my sustenance responsibilities.

For those of you who do not know where Hannaford is - it is located (and please forgive me if this isn't 100% accurate) south of Dulacca approximately 160km roughly. Hannaford has been and still is a very strong community which is based upon broadacre grain farming and beef cattle production. So basically it is a primary production area where you are driving along then all of a sudden a school, sports grounds & hall with a post office just pops up! And that is Hannaford. Each year they have a wonderful open Gymkana and sports day with stalls, food and much much more. They are having a deb ball this year and an ACA affiliated Campdraft later in the year also. The school at present has 13 children and is a  one teacher/Principal school. Here are a few photos. Unfortunately like us all they are experiencing the dry but there is dry feed in the paddocks at least.

   

They are fortunate to have a strong group and were able to "poach" a couple of ladies from a bit further down the road too - near Moonie and one from Goondiwindi - Hello Girls!!!!!!!

So it was a lovely weekend catching up with old friends and making new ones! The wonderful world of quilting!

The twisted Bargello was never going to be an easy class but the ladies took it on with enthusiasm and as you will see from the photos are heading in the right direction and we could start to see already just how great their creations are going to look!

 

We have Gwen, Gill, Amy, Marie, Bobbie, Arlie, Jenny, Karen, Heather with Kay & Sonia sitting. Unfortunately Kay had already left so she missed the photo opportunity. We worked into the later part of the afternoon on Saturday  and some arrived at 7am Sunday morning to start again! Sonia was only able to partake on Sunday but was able to put together enough blocks for more than half her quilt top!!!

I was very well looked after and I must rave about the pancakes with maple syrup on Sunday Morning!!!!!- Thanks K. (yeah I know I'm spoilt!) So it really was a great weekend - so if there are any groups thinking about having a workshop of any kind - just do it! It doesn't matter what it is - having a workshop is a great way to rebuild confidence and enthusiasm in a group and have a really great social outing at the same time!

Til next time - Keep stitchin in udder chaos!!!

KICK ARTS - CRAFT IN CHINCHILLA

Yes it is on again the Kick Arts programme over the past couple of years has been a huge success when their workshops were dance and singing. So this time the emphasis is on Craft!

It will be held in Chinchilla on the weekend of the 18th & 19th of April and is open to anyone and I have been lucky enough to be chosen as the tutor for the weekend! So we will be endeavouring to cater for all ages and all levels of experience.

The draft timetable is as follows -

Saturday

These workshops will follow each other and have around a 2 hour duration. Kits are available or requirements lists will be provided upon booking. The classes will be held at the Chinchilla High School Home Economics Building. For further info contact Samantha Martin at the Chinchilla office of Dalby Regional Council.

A workshop for the young or young at heart with button necklaces and "colouring in" a calico bag.

Introduction to Patchwork - for all ages

Making a Waterbottle cooler

Wine Slipper/Coaster

Colourque/Stitchery project

Sunday

We will run a full day programme with the choice of making either a handbag or "softie" toy.

Once I have things confirmed I will post further details. But if you are interested please contact either myself or Samantha to put your name down! It is sure to be a great weekend.