Oh What a Week

            Well its been an interesting week, I haven't done any sewing this week so Im starting to have withdrawals, as I am sure a few of you would understand.????.
Also this week I had a birthday, yes another year gone but hey its only a number isnt it. The new number is 48.
It was a lovely day and I thank everyone for the wishes and thoughts. I am most truly grateful
             This week coming I hope to finish Girls Day Out finally. Caroline did a lovelly job quilting it. Lisa's and Shelley's quilts will be done in the next few weeks and I cant wait to show you as they are so different but the same pattern was used. More about that later
            I am starting my Gobal swap this weekend to hopefully post off as early as possible for Christmas. My swap partner is Teresa from Scotland so I want it to be there in plenty of time.

I hope you all have a productive week, enjoy.  ;-)
Alison

Just an Angel........

                    These are some photos of my new angel. I received this pattern in my Retreat goody bag and have been slowing constructing it since that weekend. It differs from the pattern slightly wouldn't you say.
     Mine is alittle more glamorous and I made a fabric trumpet instead of a wooden one. I haven't made any dolls for awhile so it was fun to do.
                    This week was also our trip to the Oatlands Quilting Group, which we all enjoyed. It was a lovelly day with just a slight breeze, the trip was uneventful which was good. The group have their meetings at a house attached to the primary school. Everything is included even the bath mmmm quilting and soaking don't mix though..pity.... :-)

             It is a lovelly well lit room as you can see from these photos. A few of us ventured up in to the township for lunch and a look around. A few good purchases were made, I bought a soft leather jacket for $8.00 for bear paws. I rarely find anything like this so I will store it away for future use.
              The rest of the afternoon was spent discussing patterns and ideas, well thats all I seem to do anyway. Some of the ladies were very busy doing items for the Oatlands Festival. If you are in the area they are having a quilt exhibition, the whole town is involved in having a good fun day, so enjoy if you are able.
             Thank you to the Oatland group for making us very welcome we will certainly be back in the future.

             This week I'm taking it easy on the sewing etc as I have pushed the old arm too far so I might just start a new book mmmm or two.
            Have a good week and enjoy everyday  :-)

This week

                  Well I hope everyone had a lovely weekend, the weather was absolutely beautiful, the first time for this Spring. Did everyone remember Day Light Savings ( ahead 1 hour) ???
                  This week is going to be a little challenging, My business partner has gone a well earned holiday for a week, so I'm stepping in again. Hope the arm holds up. I'm sure Shelley and Deb will do a marvelous job and not need me too much :-)
                   On Wednesday some of the Tangled Web Quilters are going to visit the Oatlands Quilting Group, it should be a good day and maybe a walk around the township. I will take a few photos to show what we get up to. 

                   This week I am going to concentrate on getting the Teddy Playhouse blocks appliqued on and I have too finish all the eyes to all the blocks. I left them as I was unsure whether to use buttons or embroider but being a childs quilt I will play safe and embroider.
                   I hope you have a productive and enjoyable week
Alison

Sea Breeze

           Just thought I would share a recently finished Art Quilt framed blocks. This is Sea Breeze designed by Mckenna Ryan. This is the first raw edge quilt I have done and I said  half way through it that it would be my last. The coral was a pain in the neck but by the time I finished it, it was worth it. I think the problem was instead of using invisible thread I used a matching thread, result was worth it though.

The Snooty Sisters

The Nerdles

Tweedle Dee

The Doodles

Tootsie and Rumples

Koo Koo Puff

Twinkletoes

Angel Fish

 

 

 

 

The Clampets

All together

No I'm not that bad at photography, the wall is on a slant not quite 45 degrees.

                  There was only one major change I made (and I hope Mckenna Ryan doesnt mind), was the Angel fish, it was supposed to be a Mahi Mahi (dolphin fish). I didnt like its shape so I transformed it but still used the same fabrics. That is a major plus for Mckenna Ryans kits is that you get excess material also good if you cut something wrong mmmmm nothing major but a few star fish looked better recut.
                   Each block was cut at 12 inches and then stretched over 9 inch wooden frames. It was an easy process but you could join each block together to make a quilt top. I choose the frames as it was easier to mount on one of the bedroom walls, as you can see, it would not have worked too well as a quilt.
                  I hope you enjoyed the photos and did you see all the sequins and beads???
Have a great week :-)

Decisions for this week

             Well I have "Girls Day Out" ready to be quilted. I might ask Caroline to do that for me :-)..I have finished my "Bring a Plate" Challenge Quilt for the Tasmanian Quilting Guild competition. I have reservations about it but I am please with the end result.

              Now Im not sure what to do next..........To start something new or finish off a UFO mmmmm decisions. I will get back to you about my decision.

              Just had a thought I might design something instead, its easier on the arm. I do my best thinking will driving so off down to the shop to see the girls I go. Maybe just the inspiration I need..

Tangled Web Quilters Retreat

 

     

              After a hectic morning remembering, packing and repacking various must have items I finally arrived at the Retreat. I unpacked and proceeded to get things organised.   Hopefully to get "Girls Day Out" sewn together.    Roxy ,Suzanne and Vicki were already hard at it and Marie, Judy, Caroline and Jenny arrived at short intervals. Places were established, some taking more room than others but hey.
           At 12.00 we all went up to the house for lunch which was catered by Bluey (Roxy's hubby). Beef and Bacon soup, Rolls and a side salad.  It was very tasty.  I scored him a 9 but was told it was too high as where would he go from here so I dropped it to a 7.5.   Then back to the cottage to Sew - Chat - Sew - Laugh - Sew till six. Kylie arrived at 5pm and the group was complete.

           

              Projects were started and everyone was progressing with their individual goals. Dinner was at 6pm, don't be late, Starters was Pumpkin soup, Main was Chicken parmigiana or Steak with vegetables, Dessert was Chocolate or strawberry cheesecake or both. Presentation 9....Taste 9.... Thanks Bluey.

            After Tea we all decided to gather in the lounge with the open fire and start some handwork or knitting. We started a show and tell ( I forgot :-( .....)
            Marie had a lovelly christening gown that her father wore and a scrappy quilt.

 

Marie's scrappy quilt

Clown Quilt

             But the prize went to Caroline who borrowed Marie's Clown quilt and gave a rather interesting story on its background. It started with " I had a dream....Hehe Hoho " Sorry I couldn't possibly retell the story as I laughed that much I would not do it justice.
             Then we all were presented with goody bags. Roxy had done a beautiful job of capturing everyones needs.   Thank You from All of Us.... :-)

Jenny's Home

Ancient Mulberry Tree

              We all went off to bed in dribs and drab as the night got old and the wind howled around us. Most of us had a good night sleep, a few were tired in the morning but none like Caroline who had a rather turbulent night in the caravan (without the stabilisers). But she still had a smile on her face over the breakfast table.
                Breakfast started at 6 as Marie was off to the AGM in Launceston for the day. The rest of us proceed down to the cottage for a full day of productive quilting.

Caroline, Jenny & Vicki

           Everyone was progressing with their projects and only a break for lunch halted this. Judy was trying to do a 6 hour quilt, which would have been done in 5 except for all the laughing, Roxy was deciding on colours for the creative process, I was finishing the borders on my quilt top, Vicki was also doing borders, Jenny was putting blocks together, Suzanne was adding detail to her tablecloth, ( she had already finished a rag cot quilt).
Kylie was finishing her tractor blocks and Caroline was adding details to a cot quilt 

Kylie

Judy

Roxy's Art Quilt in progress

                                                                               

                Buffet tea was at 6pm which coincided with the arrival of Deb from the Village Sampler in Lilydale.  Deb had brought down baskets and cases of fabric and books for us to peruse and purchase and we all thank her for making the trip and hoped she had a good time.

Roxy and Jenny 

               Then we had a Show and Tell  from the weekend activities, I hope you enjoy the photos, there was a bit of fun happening and story telling as we passed around  The Gift Parcel. Rules were to keep the gift you were to answer the question given for example mine was what quilt I havent done but would like to? Other examples were school memories? shearing shed encounters??? and a Ghost story retold??????? Now you will have to ask Caroline about that one.. Hehe Hoho.

Vicki

Jenny

Suzanne

Suzanne

Caroline's nose warmer????

Caroline

Caroline

Judy

Deb

Kylie

Kylie

Mine

              Slowly a little more exhausted than the previous night everyone toddled off to bed. Some time through the night it got interesting as we were visited by the resident ghost and his light. I can hear you say too much wine but no ....everyone was tucked up in bed but lights were seen  walking up the hallway mmmmm. I suppose he was checking to make sure we were behaving ourselves. Though it could have been a poltergeist................

              Sunday morning was a bit slower to get things started, some went off to the cottage to finish up last minute projects and the others went of into the pool room to make a final selection of Deb's fabrics.

         I had a wonderful and productive weekend which I would love to Thank
                            Roxy for organising all the activities.
                            Jenny and Graham for letting us occupy their house for three days.
                            Bluey for all the meals cooked to perfection.
                 And all who attended and made it a great retreat.   
Hope you enjoy my ramblings.............

All ready to go

           Well I have just got back home from our weekly quilting group, Tangled Web Quilters at Cobweb Cottage. I didn't get anything done today as I have been working on the design for the group quilt for next years competition and finally had all the pieces in place. So I presented the design and patterns to some of our lovelly ladies, to kick start it off. I can't show any pictures of the design but I can say its all original and based on a particular theme and thats all....  8-)

              Also this weekend we are having a retreat at Cobweb Cottage and staying at Summerville House or Jenny's house. So hopefully I will be able to get some things finished or at least close to it. It will be a fun weekend I'm sure but I will tell you more next week