It's been a while!

It's been ages since I've posted and apologies for that! I had around 5 weeks off over Xmas to do nothing but sew and read and that's pretty much all I did!

Now I'm back on track with classes etc but have had NO INTERNET at home for nearly three weeks!

Hence no blog posts and other annoyances I won't bore you with. 

Anyway this is coming from my iPad using my daughters wifi. Wish me luck!

Kay's NYB wall hanging from a workshop in Tamworth last year. So graphic. 

Our Springwood Quilt show raffle quilt is out and about on its road trip to the show, 22-24 April. We'd love to see you there!

Quiltsmith hosted me for a one day workshop at the end of January. Great examples of my Snowball Circle block at the end of the day. 

And to celebrate 1000 followers on Instagram I had a give away with this mini quilt as the prize. It's on its way to the winner in Sweden even as,we speak. Hope she likes it!

A new quilt resulted from the Xmas break. Lots of fussy cutting and a good way to use some scraps. This one was fun!

My Pickled Fish quilt is on the machine right now with lots of ditching happening first. Then it's on to the fun bit with lots of FMQing. Every block is different fabric so it's interesting to work on. 

Hopefully I'll be back to normal soon computer-wise. 

Reflections

Once again it's been a busy year with regular classes and workshops away.

I vowed to slow down next year but the 2016 calendar's full again! I guess I shouldn't complain that people seem to be interested in my work.

Just a few pics below from the end of the year...

 

Bella's finished Mariners Madness and look at that quilting!

 

Linda's had a finish as well - good job!

Mariners Madness is one of my most popular patterns and Kathy has combined Madness and Mariners Garden to make this beauty..

 The best selling pattern in the later half of the year has been Emperors Wheel and I owe that to Little Island Quilting who has done a great job making the pattern her own. She's blogged about it here and has lots of pics on Instagram @littleislandquilting.

What a riot of colour and pattern - I love it.

 This is a group of very happy Bellingen girls at their Xmas do with two Emperors Wheel quilts as a backdrop. These were started at Misty Mountains Getaway in 2014.

And again Judy is getting her layout together.

And another blogger - Linda from NZ - writing about her Emperors Wheel quilt  here

http://kokaquilts.blogspot.co.nz/2015/11/emperors-wheel-update.html

http://kokaquilts.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/adding-spikes-curves.html

And here's another post with finished pics - beautiful work Linda!
 

I've been quilting on my new beast - the wonderful Bernina 720. Still getting used to all the hidden menus but I'm sure it will become like second nature in no time.

 

 See what it can do!!

With the five weeks off I planned some new projects - this is one using a kimono length I bought in Tokyo last January.

It's a jigsaw of different blocks and still a WIP so more on that later.

The teaching year for me starts 18th January with Summer School at Hobbysew Kings Park (fully booked I'm told) then 29th January at Quiltsmith in Annandale. I know there are vacancies at Quiltsmith so ring the store after 14th January if you're interested.

Here's the project for Quiltsmith

So Happy New Year to all my followers and lets hope 2016 is a good one full of lots of sewing!!

 

A mixed bag

As the teaching year is nearing its end I have a few WIPs to show from hard working students...

Jane has made her cut-back version of Lots of Dots and it's to be hung as a bedhead - great idea!

Lauren's made a start on her Noodle Box, a QAYG quilt using large scale oriental fabrics. Can't wait to see the other eight blocks.

Christine had to have those sloths and don't they suit the soon-to-be cushion using a block from Snowball Circle.

Jacqui was new to foundation piecing but has done a great job on this Strippy Sampler. there's a different technique in each row and now for the quilting.

And I've had some time lately to dive into some FMQ. Love this filler from Angela Walters...

...and these are the results of a day with Jan Foster of Red Shed Quilting. Jan has a wholecloth class on domestic machines and also teaches on the Avanti machine.

Class action

Tracey sent me these pics of two versions of my Lots of Dots quilt on show recently in Windsor - interesting to see the blocks on a light background for a change.

And this partial version is to be used as a bedhead - great idea. This time with a pieced background.

This is our Springwood Quilt Show raffle quilt finished and sent to the quilter's. Looks pretty good doesn't it!

Lorraine's Strippy Sampler in a controlled palette ....

...and Sue's is a study in orange!

I recently held a workshop for Orange Schoolhouse Quilters. Day one was an Introduction to the NYB block...

 

...and day two was a Basic mariners Compass. Great results from all the girls. I'm back again in February for a repeat performance if anyone's interested.

Now for two Snowball Circle tops finished since quilt camp in September. Kathy's above and Gai's below. Beautiful work. Love that sashing Gai's used.

 Once a month I have a class at Blackheath Hab and Fab - a lovely little fabric store in Blackheath. Vivian has been working on the gem for most of the year bit it was certainly worth the wait. Beautiful soft colours and superb sewing! Just need a border and she's done.

 Jenny has a finish too with her Asian Strings top...

...and Janelle's Chocolate Stars is being auditioned for borders. Great fussy-cutting in that centre.

Lots of Summer School classes coming up in January. 

At Quiltsmith on Friday 29th I'll be teaching the Snowball Circle quilt below...

and the same at Hobbysew Kings Park on Monday 18th January with the quilt below, a Pickle Dish variation on Tuesday 19th. Ring both stores if you're interested.

 

and Hobbysew Kings Park. Check the dates out on the sidebar - I'd love to see you there.

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!