TheSilverThimble

Retreat weekend coming up.....

Once again, we're going to have a pictureless blog.  Computer has had a bit of minor surgery today, but I think there were some post operative complications!!  It has seriously slowed up and will not download photos for me.....I'll be back on the phone tomorrow! 

I did manage to get most of the new fabric on the shelves this week and also took lots of photos - you're just going to have to come into the shop to see them!!  And still more arrived - as fast as I got one box opened, another took its place.

The request for red and white quilts has met with great response.  There are quite a few being prepared for inclusion in the event being convened by the Mt. Isa group.  There are a few special requirements as in hanging sleeve, label with certain details and a calico bag for transport - you can check with me as you get closer to completion of your quilt, for this information.  Barcaldine has been "pencilled in" for this display in September.  Quilters from Winton, Blackall and Tambo are also participating and will no doubt have a display in their area also.

I have been making some blocks that have been featured on a site called "Just Take 2".  I've just tried to get the exact link for you, but it's taking FOREVER...  I'm sure if you Google it, it will come up.  It's a collabaration between two blog sites - Sentimental Stitches and Dear Jane.  I understand that the blocks have been taken from the quilts that were featured in the original display, Infinite Horizons.  They are mixed sizes and include applique, pieced and foundation pieced so far.  I'm planning on using these for my entry into the exhibition.  Wish I could show you some photos!!

Back to retreat details...this Friday, Sat. & Sunday - 2/3/4, "Anything Goes".  Still room for more at this stage, we haven't reached the magical 20 yet!  Dates have now been confirmed for the first weekends in June, September and November so mark them in your diary.

By the way, I did manage to mix up the dates on some of Pauline Rogers' workshops.  Isisford is the 19/20 of March and Ilfracombe is the 21/22.  Pauline is also visiting Blackall on the 14th and Winton on the 24/25.  If anyone would like more information or contact details, please ring me at the shop on 46511999.

Enough of me with this computer tonight..(can you tell, I'm just slightly annoyed!)

Talk soon, Sandy.

We need to get busy.....

Made it home, over the river!  It had dropped considerably and apart from a bit of a "sand dune" to climb, on our side, all was well.  Our friendly next door neighbour Steve, has now swept most of that away with the grader.  Thanks, Steve!  Travel should be back to normal this week.

It's been a pretty hectic week shopwise, with several people choosing their fabrics and supplies for workshops coming up in March with Pauline Rogers.  Pauline has been travelling through this area for many, many years and her schedule this year will be Barcaldine on Thursday 15th March (Cultural Centre), Aramac 16/17, Ilfracombe 19/20 and Isisford 21/22.  I think she will be in Blackall as well, possibly on the 14th, but not absolutely sure, so check with your local patchwork group there.

SOME of the new fabrics made it on to the shelves, but NONE of the fabrics made it to my camera yet!!  When I got the word that I could come home over the river, I think I bolted and didn't think about photos until I was half way home!  As fast as I could get them out, more were delivered, so there are still about four boxes out the back and I haven't even had a sneak peek yet.  I'm going to have to get an early start in the morning and see if I can make some headway.  "Under the Australian Sun II" that I showed you last week, has been very popular already, and I've had orders from far afield for some of the Amy Butler range.  Just amazing, what a photo on the blog can do!!

Further to the Red and White quilt exhibition that I spoke of last week and a discussion on Saturday afternoon with a few of the girls, a few of us have decided to participate.  They won't be large quilts, probably about a metre square or thereabouts, and we thought that the Friday night of our first retreat could be devoted to this project.  They could be a combination of several blocks or even the same block repeated, maybe something of your own design, but of course they must be red and white. (cream or ivory is allowed) Of course, they can be larger, but time probably limits most of us - they need to be finished by early April.  If you're interested to know more, give me a call or pop into the shop for details.  By participating in this excercise, we will be able to access all of the red and white quilts to mount our own exhibition at a later date.  All monies raised at that time will go to Aged Care in the local area.

We've also been asked to put up a quilt display at the Village Green/Railway/Tree of Knowledge Memorial site on the 22nd April.  This will be the starting point for the Angel Flight Trailblazer event and will also be part of a Jazz Festival being held at that time.  A train load of jazz musicians are coming to town!  More details on that as they come to hand.

The railway platform fence, although not very high, will be an ideal place to hang quilts.  Easily managed, visible and a delightful area with the lawns and shady trees. What do you think about a few cushions to sell as well, with money going towards Angel Flight.  Not our usual "Airing of the Quilts" numbers, I'm thinking somewhere between 30/40/50??  Please give me your thoughts and feedback on this as soon as possible, as there's not a lot of time.  There's also another "secret project" in mind, as a part of this exhibition - more details on that later when we have bulldozed encouraged a certain person to our way of thinking!!

Speaking of retreats - the first one is only a couple of weeks away now, 2/3/4 March.  If you wish to participate, please contact me from tomorrow onwards.  Remember, only taking 20!

That's enough chat from me I think, but what's a blog post without a photo?  These are some cute PJ's made for Bronte for her birthday back in January.  The fabric is Pin Feathers - a tiny little pink bird on a wire, on a pale pink background.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

 

 

Home for the weekend....

Wow, this feels so easy to post on the "big" computer - everything in the right place, the font size as I like it and photos loading without problems.

Travelled home on Sat. afternoon - the long way.  River crossing will be at least a couple of weeks I think.  I made pretty good progress in the shop during the week, making space for the new fabrics.  They didn't quite make the shelves yet, but they WILL this week.  A couple of sneek peeks for you - a bit of Kaffe Fasset and Amy Butler.  (These are just the top layer in the box!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Amy Butler fabrics are those that are going to be used in the Homespun magazine's Project of the Month, starting in March.  They have previously run a Block of the Month featuring various ranges of fabrics - this time they're switching to a complete project, all travel related, so that should be a bit of fun.  You will be able to make the projects exactly as they appear in the magazine!

Under the Australian Sun II by Leesa Chandler (Chandler's Cottage) has also arrived.  The first version was one of the fastest moving collections I've ever had in the shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the left, the main prints and the co-ordinates and border print on the right.  The colours are extremely rich - the photos look a tad washed out (that operator again!)

Last week I mentioned the red and white quilt challenge being conducted by the Mt. Isa Patchwork Group.  This link will take you directly to all the information.  I also have details in the shop. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are just some of the quilts that were hung in New York.  Over 600 quilts, all red and white!

Something else that's RED and humming!!  My umbrella tree has been a mass of flowers since just before Christmas and the birds and the bees are loving it.  The flower fronds must be really heavy as a few limbs have actually broken off with the weight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talk soon, Sandy.

When is rain, too much rain?....

 

 

It's certainly been too much for lots of people this last week and several more are going to feel the effects very soon.  And yet, some areas around Aramac and in the Channel Country are still so light on!  Go figure!  Our river crossing is still way too deep - guide posts are not visible at all - so it will be a couple of weeks yet, before I can get home.

 In the meantime, I have been continuing to cut FQ's, re-arrange fabrics to make them fit in and a little bit of quilting on the side.

 

This little whimsical collection is called Get Together - pink and blue pigs, squirrels, acorns and birds.  Novelty prints feature in almost every major collection these days.  Here is another one called Outfoxed, by Lizzie House.

Foxes, hedgehogs and co-ordinates.

Note the orange fabric - that's the " nominated colour" for 2012 - tangerine tango. I still haven't opened the new boxes, but it should be this week.

Last year, there was a red and white quilt exhibition called Infinite Horizons held in New York.  I'm sorry that I don't have all the details on hand (theyr'e at home on my desk)  Basically, there were over 600 quilts, all red and white and all belonged to the one person. The quilts were stunning and the exhibition was outstanding. There has been quite a rebirth of red and white quilts since then and the Mt. Isa quilters have decided to run a red and white challenge and have invited our participation.  The quilt would need to be completed early April, as the first exhibition is to be held in McKinlay later that month.  Any money raised during an exhibition, will go to Aged Care in that local area.  Please phone or call if you would like any more details. 

See you next week-

Sandy.

Another try for a photo....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yaaaay......we've solved the "no photos" problem!  Well maybe..they're appearing in the wrong order but at least they're there! 

These are a few that I mentioned yesterday - Aboriginal, Australiana and Gone Fishin'.

Will have some more for you soon (now that I know what to do!)

Talk soon, Sandy