Richard hits the local newspaper

While talking to Richard this morning on google chat he nonchalantly mentioned that there was an article about him in the local paper.  Me being the mum of course immediately went out and bought a copy of the paper.  Paul being more the talkative person continued chatting to him and discovered that it could be viewed online.  Mind you one advantage I had over Paul was that I discovered that Richard was also on the front page!  Isn't he cute!

His article was even popular enough that he reached number 3 in the most popular stories for the day.... and I have the print out to prove it.  Yes I am very proud of him and I agree with the person who left the comment on the site that he was handsome!

Cutting long lengths using two rulers

	Placing the two rulers side by side, slide them so that they pass through the corner points of the square as shown.
Using the rotary cutter carefully cut along the diagonal until you have passed the halfway point
	With your right hand hold the smaller ruler in place as you slide the long ruler beside it until it passes the upper corner.
Discard the smaller right hand ruler and complete the diagonal cut through the top corner.

Paducah Show

Well the winners have been announced for Paducah and boy are there some beauties. You could spend an eternity looking over some of those beauties. Mariya Waters won with her beautiful Renaissance Revival which has to be seen in real life to be believed. The photos don't do justice to it.

Also heard that Nicole Bridges and Lisa Walton won third prize for wall quilts which is also great.

On a sad note... well for people who are not into applique.. it again appears as though there is no chance of winning a major prize at Paducah if you prefer piecing rather than applique... ahhh such is life!

2010 SCQ Retreat

Well I was the first!!! First one to sign up to follow blog for next year's Scquilter's retreat.  

It will be at Bathurst which is only next door to Orange, where I grew up.  

First opportunity in years for me to go back and check up a friend... I would say or two but there you have it... I only have one friend.  Well only one left in Orange anyhow and it will be great to see him again.  I could warn him but then again he might leave.  Hmmm might this suggest something about my circle of 'friends'?

How to cut large squares

OK have had a few friends ask me how to cut large squares if you don't have a massive square ruler. Now this method is not the best if you need absolute accuracy.... but when in patchwork have we needed absolute accuracy :)

This is actually the second cut but I can't find a photo of the first cut.  As the principle is the same you can follow from this. Place your ruler onto your fabric near the edge, lining up the edge of the ruler with one of the line markings on the mat. Hold the ruler down firmly and while pressing down cut away from yourself.  For a more accurate cut, and to lessen the chance of the ruler slipping,move your hand along the ruler when making long cuts.  Only cut 6-8 inches before moving your hand along the ruler.

If you have a large enough mat, for the fabric to lie completely on it, then turn the mat so that the cut edge now lies along the side closest to your body.  If your mat is smaller, then simply turn the fabric lining up the cut edge with one of the marked lines on the mat. Line up the cut edge of the fabric with one of the lines on your ruler.  Slide the ruler so that the edge is near the edge of the fabric and lies along one of the marked lines on your mat.  Taking care cut away the excess fabric. Rotate the fabric and mat again. and repeat the above steps.

My VERY first quilt

While cleaning out some things today I came across a photo of the very first quilt I ever made. I didn't even think we had any photos of this. Admittedly the focus of the picture was PJ but you can still see what a classy quilt it was :-)

Beaten by three of a kind

Yes I know the terminology is all about poker but that is just what it seems like these days. Richard just received notice that Harvard has offered him a Knox scholarship. This will pay his tuition, health and provide him with enough money to cover living costs for two years after which if he has maintained his marks he will receive some other funding. Just can't believe it.

I'm glad I don't have to choose. He loved what Johns Hopkins offered and now will need to find out exactly what Harvard are offering in in the line of studies. should be interesting.

Confused Wells

Quilt Campus has picked up one of my quilts for an online class.  They think that students would enjoy making Confused Wells as it uses scraps.... hey most of my quilts these days use scrap... I have so much of it I can't seem to get around to using 'good' fabric as they say.

Luckily I taught it to the Gerringong quilters last week and so was able to take lots of pictures to show each step.  I wasn't in the mood to make another one at present as I have so many half finished quilts.. again!

Pachyderms Proceed

Isn't it amazing how different a quilt can look with a change of colours.  Diana started out with all oranges and yellows and then decided to throw in a dash of green.  completely different from my purples.  In real life looks WOW!

all of the combinations are quite different but unfortunately this is the only combination that looked good in the photos.  Another combination is autumn colours which I love and one person is using civil reproductions.  I really enjoy seeing how the different choices turn out.

And I raise your two pairs

Well I can't believe it! Richard arrived home absolutely ecstatic over Hopkins... well apart from the presence of security huts every ten metres and the continual whine of the ambulance siren arriving every three minutes at the hospital across the road from the student quarters.

He thinks their program is superb and he has also been nominated for a Sommer scholarship which would allow him to work with various government departments while studying. They have also offered him a joint Ph D with the department of Mental Health and the people who he would be working with were extremely friendly.

He shared a room with a young man from Ireland and they hit is off really well and he figures that he could happily share with him. It appears as though the student accommodation isn't too crash hot but there is plenty on offer in Baltimore, although it is very rough in the areas around the medical centre where most students live.... definitely not the better part of town.

at least he is now basing his decision on more relevant factors such as courses and opportunities rather than available sports and accommodation.

Pachyderms on Parade

Well had a good class today at Cheryl's shop.  there were three people doing my Pachyderms quilt, one starting on Strawberries and Cream and another who wanted to do the Green Scrap.  I was quite surprised that no one got lost in the middle of all the different instructions going around.

They all seemed happy with what they managed to finish on the day.  One of the students also suggested that I introduce a finishing class every few months as she said that most of the students would like a day when they have completed all of the blocks to actually put them together with me so I will think about that.

Johns Hopkins

Well Richard has been offered a scholarship to Johns Hopkins Uni in the US.  It is unfortunately in Baltimore which it appears is the crime centre of the US.  While searching on the web for some more information Paul found a site that stated that Baltimore managed to top the states for every type of crime except for two... sexual assault and police corruption.  Unfortunately it was found in followup investigations that those figures had been doctored so as to lower the recorded levels.  Hey number 1 for all crimes is pretty impressive.

On the other side they filmed Hairspray there!  One needs to appeal to pop culture.

They are flying him over to check out the place before he makes a decision.  Probably because they figure with a reputation like that they need to input some information to sway prospective students their way.  Richard said the topic of their first session is 'Baltimore... it's not that bad!' Bit of a worry if you ask me.

Sorry no can do - Raconteur

Hi everyone,

I have spent several hours most days for the past month trying to convert my hand drawn designs to computer ones and am unable to do it.  Ben, the fellow who was helping me, has also finally called it a day as for some reason the program we were using just doesn't like my computer.  

It takes me two or three hours minimum to draw a hexagon but as soon as I save it the whole thing is covered with lines all over the top.  Although when I print the lines disappear the downfall of this is that I can't save as I go and so if I make an error everything is back to square one.  Also I am unable to save it to the blog without the lines... figured it is better to enjoy myself sewing rather than struggling with the computer!

So I must say sorry to those of you who were waiting to try some of these designs.  Hopefully I can get the whole thing published when it is finished.

See Jane Run

WOW!  Have been trawling and just came across some fantastic fabrics .. this one here is Andalucia Earth Moorish Tile.  Couldn't you do some interesting things with it.. just look at all of the reflections and rotations... plus the colours.

If I wasn't on a no buy challenge I could definitely give this one a try.

The blog where I found it,  laniejane also has a competition going and the winner receives a bunch of the fabrics... what a great way to promote the fabric and the blog... check it out... entry is free.

BOM links

One of the yahoo groups which I belong to has just uploaded a file which lists many BOM sites.... one day... I hope!  but thought it was worth at least bookmarking it so that I could find it when the time is right as they say.

At present I am ironing...isn't it obvious?  Ah the joys of family life!

Clean Sewing Room

Well my sewing room is now clean.. admittedly the hall outside of it is a traffic hazard and a half but the room is clean.... that never worked with my mum and after tomorrow won't work here either but it has taken the better part of today to reach that level that I just had to gloat.

Decided to make a pin cushion yesterday and it looks like it may actually be working... will upload a photo tomorrow when I am hopefully finished.  The design is the oriental one on Luixin's web site but I have changed it so as to make it using regular piecing rather than english paper piecing and it makes it a rather quick project.

Will also upload a couple of photos but alas my card reader is at present nowhere to be found and I have given up looking... I bet it is in Richard's room:-)

Fibre Art Techniques

Eiloren has many free tutorials on techniques similar to those found in Quilting Arts.  Plus a great site and interesting blog to go with it.

Progress on NYR

Oh I don't believe it.  One week has almost passed and my 2009 goals have barely been thought about.

Let's see

1) 15 mins cutting scraps - no can do.  All of my scraps are still packed away and will only be unpacked later in the week - acceptable excuse

2) scrooge quilts - see number 1 plus no access to machine

3) one finish per month - still plenty of time

4) finish UFO before starting new project - nothing new started so OK

5) try one new free motion stitch - see number 2

6) write up patterns - Success did that one

7) quilt write up - success also although it is written up on a site with no public access at this stage.

so in summary 4/7 is not bad 

NYR

I would love to say that I thought of these myself but no that would be a lie. However I feel these are modified goals that I can achieve.

So for 2009 my goals are
1) 15 minutes at least once a week cutting scraps into usable pieces.
2) one hour a week working on scrooge quilts
3) at least one finish a month
4) finish one existing project before each one I start
5) expand my horizons -try at least one new style of free-motion quilting
6) refine my sewing 'business' -- one hour per week to be spent writing up my patterns for publication
7) one quilt write up per week on my blog

New Toy

Well Richard has decided to upgrade his DSLR and as he couldn't sell his old one on ebay Paul decided he would buy it for me.  Boy have I forgotten how to use these cameras, but I am looking forward to playing with it since it gives so much better pictures than the old point and clicks.  That being said though I think I am limited, at least for the time being, to landscapes ... since people quickly become frustrated because of the time it takes me to set up.  I suppose that was the reason I gave up on them years ago... the kids were aging just in the time it took me to focus!

Hopefully I have a chance tomorrow to go out and try a few of the features..... mind you PJ has said I will also need to learn how to use his software ... I don't know where they think I am going to find the time.

Raconteur - patterns

Well I have had several people requesting the patterns for my raconteur quilt blocks and as they won't all be finished until late next year I am planning to upload some until I finish them, and then hopefully organise publishing them. This will give everyone an idea at how much fun it will be to make

Every fortnight, hopefully starting February, I will upload the pattern for a new mini hexagon. This will be available for free download for one month after which it will be removed. After I have finished uploading the total block (one block = seven hexagons = seven fortnights) the pattern will be available for purchase if you missed any of the hexagons.

Not sure if you want to make it? Give it a go! It costs nothing to try and you will be amazed at how addictive these cute quilt blocks are.

Why won't it start sooner... because Ben, the young fellow who is drawing the patterns up initially and then teaching me how to do it myself, is on holidays and I have no idea when he is coming back. Plus I know I will be flat out with xmas etc

Paris

Paris is fantastic.  PJ met us at the airport and then escorted us to our motel and then we walked everywhere... Pantheon, Notre Dame, Champ de Lyse, Louver, Seine and the Arc de Triomphe, plus many more I can't remember.

The wide boulevards are superb as you can walk along this and  never feel crowded no matter how many people are about.

We spent eight days in Paris and saw most of the major tourist sites - here is a photo of me with the Seine in the background.

It was the most relaxing place, particularly in the morning as nothing opened before ten.  Paul and I were out every morning by 8 and had it to ourselves.  We then checked out whatever we wanted for the day and then wandered home.  As our hotel was in the 5th arrondissement it was a walkable distance to everywhere,we probably walked about 10kms each day, which helped to counter the baguettes and cakes we ate daily.

Kuala Lumpar -October 4th - 5th

Well today is the start of our holiday.  With only 80 odd people  on our plane I was able to nab a whole middle section to myself and so slept well.  This meant that when we landed in Malaysia I felt alive and well, with no jet lag. Paul didn't sleep so well but was still able to get up and go.

It is rather interesting wandering around.  I am amazed at all of the Islam mosques and Hindu temples,  there was even a small one behind one of the stalls in Chinatown.

Our hotel, Hotel Malay is right in the centre of Chinatown and so we check out the stalls every time we go out.

Breakfast is definitely interesting - a wide selection of dishes but they are all curry based ... actually all meals are curry based here, I suppose like we would expect of Indian food.  

This is a photo of a temple which was just around the corner from our hotel.  Check out all of the intricately carved statues.

A Touch of Magic

I'm still not certain that this will be the name of the quilt but for the time being it will do.  This quilt was started last year in my cleaning up phase where I decided that come what may I was going to clear out all of my scraps, well at least those smaller than a sheet of A4 paper.  

At this stage I have made five quilts but unfortunately the scraps seem to grow overnight or at least whenever I turn around.  I have in my basket enough scraps to make a decent size portion of yet another quilt.  Oh well that is for another day.

Three different blocks make the quilt; log cabin for the stars, pineapple for the background and fiddlesticks for the 'odd' blocks.  I am quilting it as QAYG and have so far finished one out of four sections.  Hope to finish by xmas.

Stitch Unpicker Holder

Well my wood man has made me a great little tool. This wood block holds my stitch unpicker at the perfect angle. I can now string piece together a long line of blocks and then snip them apart quickly and easily. wonderful invention.

The fellow thinks I am mad and can't see for the life of him who would use one of these blocks so he is not going to mass produce them.... even though I have already found three other sales for him! Probably thinks we are all mad:-)

I even have two holes to cater for different unpickers.

He is quite a handy fellow to know and has made me some ruler holders and a large spool holder also... and he was significantly cheaper than the shops for both of those items.

Bubble Too

.

Finally finished Laura's quilt top.  Will need to see if I can get it quilted while I'm overseas ... hopefully the wedding isn't too soon!

This is another in my scrooge series... really should think of another name for the series as I can see some people taking offense. Funny I was at a course a few weeks ago and some of the questions which we had to ask ourselves were - what was irritating us in our lives, had there ever been a time when this didn't irritate us and what was different about that time and now.

Well the only things that are irritating me are the number of quilt projects which I have in various stages;
When wasn't I distracted by so many projects - when I first began quilting;
What was different - financial situation... as I said at that stage we were too poor for me to buy something and not use it....
So solution to my UFOs and WIPs is POVERTY! 

Not the expected response but definitely true.

These scrooge quilts are great fun!

show and tell

Great blog where anyone can send in photos of their quilts with links back to their own blog.

Poor Man, Beggar Man

Well I have finally uploaded my two denim quilts. After seeing Doris' denim quilts I thought they looked good and so decided to give it a try. I have a series of three items made out of denim

Rich Man is a handbag made from a gorgeous pair of jeans. I will upload a photo some day soon. I used one of PJ's old satin pyjama bottoms for the lining and have a selection of old silk ties that I use instead of a belt and change over to add variety of colour to the bag.

Poor Man is the log cabin quilt which came second.  This one featured in Down Under Quilts recently.  It used mainly the long pieces from the legs and the large pocket sections.

Lastly is Beggar Man and this was made from what was left after the other two items had taken the 'cream' of the material.  To me it is by far the best and has so much character, by the time I started on this quilt I had worked out to incorporate all of the different shaped pockets, tabs and bits and pieces.... even have a couple of secret pocket sections which are perfect for a child to hide something in.

I was amazed at the weight of these quilts and when it came to quilting had to leave out the wadding or it would have taken a strongman to lift either of them:-)

Bubble and Squeak

Well another Scrooge quilt top finished... this one will be for my brother, Serge, for his wedding... here's hoping he doesn't get married too soon as I still need to finish the other one for Laura... and then get them quilted!

I don't know if they will like them but I definitely enjoy making them.  Very liberating and free as there are few decisions that need to be made and as it is so busy everything seems to go together.

If you look closely at the detail on the right you will see that there is no set rule for anything. Just cut the fabric and sew it in. All of this was made with leftover scraps from other quilts. Hopefully by the time I finish Laura's my scraps will be no more. It is hard to believe that this is the fourth quilt I have made like this since the beginning of the year.

Watermarks on Web Pages

 Christine Abela from all crafts on the web  has put up a tutorial on her web page with step by step instructions for adding a watermark to web pages.  The software she uses free and she provides the addy for it also.  I don't know if it works for Macs but will hopefully get around to finding out soon.

The Stitching Room

Wonderful instructions for this gorgeous little thread holder can be found on the Stitching Room.  

I haven't had time yet to check it but properly but looks a good place to spend some time.

SewPrimKris

Instructions for a top needle case can be found at SewPrimKris.

Need to check it out further when I have some time.

Raconteur

Another of my mini hexagons.  I haven't been doing many of these lately although I have cut many more.  

Will get back into it in a few weeks ... perhaps after I clean my sewing room ... and finish painting the laundry... which I am avoiding right now  .. I have another half an hour before I need to start on the second coat .... not my favourite way to spend a Sunday .. but at least once it is finished I am free for another eight years.

I can't remember what I named this block but will update the info when I check back

Cucumber Sandwiches

Strange name for a quilt I know but whenI was a child I had always considered it strange that people would meet for afternoon tea and have cucumber sandwiches... that this was what the 'better' people did.  Strange what young children think?

Anyway this is a block from my new stitchery quilt.  The designs come from my quilt 'Raconteur' which I am still in the process of making ... and probably will be for a year or two as it is now up to 436 different blocks.... oh for some forward planning rather than my  usual whimsical this seems like a good idea planning.

Anyway I think there will be either eight  different blocks in 'Cucumber Sandwiches' ... although I have already drawn up seven of these I have also started doing another different set on osnaburg so I don't know when anything will be finished... oh for an attention span longer than two weeks.

I did a mental count of WIPs and can count more than twenty at present.  I hate to think how many I actually have since this was only counting what I can remember without bothering to look for them.

Where have I been?

Wow it is weeks since I have written here.  What have I been doing?  Well a lot of nothing ... I have a clean house including having washed the blinds and have cleaned out SOME of Richard's bomb site.  

I have been sewing lots but finished nothing.  I have so many projects on the go and so desperately want to finish them but just haven't got there yet.  

I have started doing hexagon stitcheries.  Saw a really interesting one by Nikki Tervo but figured that I could design my own based on the Raconteur quilt.  As I already have over 400 designs figured I would use some of them.  

Did a couple on muslin with soft pastel type colours and they looked really cute until I saw a stitchery done on osnaburg.  Previously I hadn't been too keen on it but this time it seemed to have a bit of class to it and of course the green eyes of jealousy wanted some of that too.

So I have designed some more and am doing those on the osnaburg using hopefully autumn colours.  I am going to draw them all up and then take them with me on our holiday to Europe as I figure I can get a long term project in for very little weight or room.

Tomorrow I will upload some photos of my projects ... quite a variety there.

TAST

Well over at Stitchin Fingers I have just started a group to hopefully work through Sharon's Take a Stitch on Tuesday challenge from last year.  Great challenge for the beginning embroiderer as she introduced a new stitch each week and provided step by step directions.  Stitchin Fingers is a new group for anyone interested in textile activites.  There are groups for cards, beading, crazy piecing, felting and lots more.  Go and check it out.

Crazy Quilt Blocks

Sharon  has created some wonderful crazy quilting blocks which are a great source of what to do when you have no idea.

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler is a collection of 140 six inch public domain blocks which have been put together into a quilt by Jenny Chiaverini.                   The quilt is based on an Elm Creek novel which she wrote about a group of women who make the quilt for a woman who is soon to be married.      There is a link to FAQ as well as a block of the week group and a gallery of many completed quilts and WIPs.

Nifty Nine Patch

Rachel Greco has made this amazing quilt and worked out a quick and easy way to construct nine patch blocks .. better than the old one where you simply sewed long strips together and then cross cut. There are step by step instructions as well as a printable page.

Stitching Fingers

Stitching Fingers is a forum for embroiderers created by Sharon B. It has only been created quite recently and so is still establishing itself. Seems a friendly group so far.

Pretty Impressive Stuff

Rissa has collated an impressive array of embroidery stitches  and information plus patterns and everything you might want related to embroidery.  

Her site Pretty Impressive Things has links to punch needle, shadow work, silk ribbon, crazy quilting, redwork, tassels, needle arts, needle felting and lots more things 

Fantastic site worth checking out more than once.

Diane Gaudynski

Diane Gaudynski has won many awards for her fantastic quilts.

 On her site are many hints particularly for machine quilting. Don't you just love this quilt?

Take a Stitch Tuesday

TAST is a great site.  This was a weekly challenge organised by Sharon B last year.  Each week she uploaded a new stitch with instructions and samples. Lots of photos and a wonderful way to learn new embroidery stitches.

The whole blog is still accessible if you want to work through it.

Capricorn quilts

Bea uploads a new BOM every month.  It is free for one month only.  The present series "Quilters Blessings" is about things that quilters would love ... like never ending spools, or days longer than 24 hours.  Each stitchery is 4 3/4in and with a border comes up to 6in.

Noah's Ark

Lynette Anderson has designed lots of great stitcheries.

She is the creator of the books An Angel's Wish and Friends for Christmas which have some naive style stitcheries and quilt patterns.

Scroll down the left hand side and you will find a gorgeous free BOM - Noah's Ark.

Needle 'N Thread

For a blog that has resources galore related to embroidery you can't miss Mary Corbett's Needle 'N Thread
From this site you are able to link to an online video of many stitches, a huge number of online embroidery books, discussions of relevant tools and accessories, review of books, some free designs and a whole lot more as well as more links.

Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith teaches postcards and machine quilting.

The variety of quilts is quite extensive and well worth looking at for ideas.

Positive Moments

What a coincidence. Paul has been reading about ways to alleviate anxiety and one of the methods he has been suggesting I try is to focus on the positive things around us.

Well being unable to sleep I decided to do a little surfing and what should appear on a blog I often check out. Interested? Check out Erica's blog. As she says focus on the positive moments in life. We'll all be the richer for it.

Plus she has some pretty interesting quilting ideas that she is trying out if you are into creative things.

Today's positives - a girl I work with has been practicing a saying "If I can say it, I can write it.  I can do it".  

She has difficulty saying words and so is reluctant particularly to say new words in case people think she is silly.  Have you ever tried to spell a new word without saying it .. even if it is only in your head?  Today she tried it and happily spelt most of the words correctly and more importantly confidently. 

Mini Monday Madness - Raconteur

Blueberry Pie don't you just love them. Paul makes the best pastry in the world and there is nothing better than one of his fruit pies especially with homemade filling.

The lion

If you're attacked by a Lion
Find fresh underpants to try on
Lay on the ground quite still
Pretend you are very ill
Keep like that day after day
Perhaps the lion will go away

Spike Milligan