Snake Gully and Galong

It's been a busy couple of weeks with back-to-back workshops in opposite ends of the state..

First was a revisit to Snake Gully Quilters in Muswellbrook who chose a few projects including "what to do with a tablecloth".

I've done three of these so far and love playing with them all. Add hexies, dresdens, circles - whatever you like to complement the embroidery.

 These are two of mine and were the guidance for the following pic.

 So pretty and a WIP. Can't wait to see them on my next visit.

 They also worked on a new quilt - Snowball Circle with quick and stunning results.

 At show-and-tell Roz popped this out - Jacobean Star...

 and Jill has completed her Square Dance top. Well done to both - they look great. Now for the quilting.

 The weekend after I was off to Galong, down near Young where the retreat was held in a magnificent monastery.

 Three projects this time - Mariners Madness

 Val looking very coy! and a couple of Supernova blocks happening too.

 Irene Blanck was a fellow tutor and we had a lovely time chatting over a few beverages at happy hour. Helen loves to photo-bomb!

 There was lots of interest in a new quilt - that Snowball Circle again, and my chauffeur for the weekend, Janette won the major raffle prize. How good is that!

 Lots of girls had to leave before show-and-tell, some travelling from as far away as Victoria to enjoy the retreat.

 A small group tackled Birds in Paradise - a time consuming quilt so I'll be waiting for more updates from these girls soon. No pressure!

In my absence I was elected Membership Secretary of the Quilters Guild, now to be known as Quilt NSW and I had my first trial by fire this week. Lots of data entry etc to keep the membership list up to date but I'm sure it will become easier over time. Wish me luck!

Lots happening

Lots of class action lately...

Daphne's All at Sea coming together

Susan's sashiko combined with a great dragon fabric. Pity her daughter didn't like it and chose something else!

Lisa's Asian Strings

Laurel's Ludlow Beauties, a version of my NYB pattern

Another All at Sea from Rosemary

Then it was off to quilt camp for a weekend of fun and food.

These are the blocks from my workshop - big 20" circles.

 It's a great design for large prints and fussy cutting as you can see.

This is my version below - Snowball Circle.

One minor incident when Gai cut thru her machine cord! No injuries just a blown fuse and ruined cord. How lucky was she!

Michelle made a start on Emperors Wheel...

while Sharon combined two past camp workshops into one quilt - what a great idea!

Kathy has finished her Birds in Paradise - loving that border fabric.

And Pat's broderie perse was amazing - even thorns on the stems!

 

Don't forget to look at our Springwood Quilt Show blog for updates on the raffle quilt for next year. We are also on Facebook and Instagram - @springwoodquiltshow

Road trip

DH and I headed off recently on a road trip to Adelaide via Broken Hill.

These are just a few of the highlights on our journey of nearly 3000 kms there and back...

Amazing Living Sculptures in the desert outside Broken Hill - what a great city!

Entrance to Cobar, a mining town in outback NSW.

On to Marion Bay in SA, It was so cold and windy we didn't even get to the beach!

Good timing after the pub!

In this little village was a shop, servo and the pub - great pizzas from this Aussie pizza oven.

Adelaide Mall - interesting bits everywhere and what a lovely city. I'd go back in a flash.

Found a button shop in the Royal Arcade. There were two walls of buttons like this!

Glenelg beach on a beautiful sunny day.

Victor Harbour.

Fabric backdrop in the window of a boutique - it was 2m long and to  die for!

Nice to have some time away - now it's back in full swing.

Off to quilt camp today for the weekend.

Busy, busy!

Over the last three weeks I haven't had time to scratch myself let alone do any sewing. Firstly I had the privilege of judging the 2015 Canberra Quilt Show. It was an amazing experience and the committee looked after me so well. You can see the results here http://canberraquilters.org.au/2015-members-exhibition-results/ The standard was very high and my job was difficult with lots of possible winners. I congratulate all those prize winners but really all quilt on display were winners!

Then it was off to Mudgee for a weekend workshop with Mudgee Quilters. Two projects happening with lots of NYBs and Mariners Madness quilts started. Mudgee is a beautiful old town in a major wine growing area and our venue was perfect for a weekend of sewing.

Thanks to Liz for organising the workshop. 

Back home for mid-week classes then it was off to Tamworth for two days of NYBs and my Square Dance quilt. The venue this time was the beautiful Calrossy School. Tamworth is another big old country town and the Peel Country Quilters went out of their way to make my stay so enjoyable. 

More NYB blocks. Such a variety with great fabric choices all weekend.

Some Square Dance blocks coming together.

Organiser Wanda ferried me around all weekend and we got on like a house on fire. A great group and a pleasure to guide thru the finer points of foundation piecing.

Julie sent me this pic of her version of my Botanical Beauty quilt. A great way to display those Colours of Australia fabrics. Thanks Julie.

As my reward for a few hectic weeks DH and I are off on a road trip to Adelaide via Broken Hill. I haven't been to either city so I'm really looking forward to the journey and time out for a while. Wish me luck!

Recent class action

I'm seeing lots of Strippy Samplers appearing lately - all different but looking great..

Pam's above

These rows are a combination of three separate quilts. I've made the girls add a row of their own making - see Sue's butterfly blocks.

Jenny's quilted and bound hers and used lots of unusual vintage fabrics. Love it!

It must be two years ago I taught in Caloundra and Debbie has sent me some pics of her finishes.

Colourful NYBs and she's used the border from Mariners Madness around her tree of life to great effect.

 Jenny again with the centre block from her Asian Strings quilt. It could be a logo for WWF couldn't it. I'm sure there'll be a finished quilt from her next class.

 Jessie has spent quitter a while on this NYB quilt and has gifted it to rellies in the US. How lucky are they!

And Lisa is well on the way to finishing her Red Dust BOM. Have I mentioned this is available thru Hobbysew stores?

For the first time in 15 years of teaching I had to cancel a class! I felt so bad about it but we've had snow here and the highway was closed so no getting over the mountains to Mudgee.

Luckily it's been rescheduled for next weekend so all's good.

And I'm off to Canberra this weekend for secret quilting business.

More about that later!