TheSilverThimble

That bag....

 

THAT bag has been completed!

 

It gave plenty of trouble, but with a little pattern tweaking, the end result is a beauty.  The French inspired fabric, Penelope by Lakehouse, has now all been sold - amazing what happens when you have a successful outcome  - but I'm pleased to say that more will be on the way shortly.

Once again, the Winton girls Nea, Fiona and Del have had their own private quilty retreat, taking over the back room for a few days this past week.  They came with plans and lists and plenty of enthusiasm!  (I won't tell you about all the bikkies and cakes)  Can you imagine how frustrating it would be, to not even be able to buy a reel of thread at your local shops, let alone a piece of fabric?   And we were all SO busy, I didn't even get to take a photo!!!  I can assure you though, that a lot of work was completed - a mixture of hexagons, zigzags, stack and slash, pillow slips with trims and dresden plates.  I think the new chairs got the thumbs up too, no more falling through the back of them!

And I got a lovely squishy parcel!!  Thank you girls, I really do love those fabrics.  Most of you know how I feel about Aboriginal fabrics - they must have an authentic link.  Not drawn up in a generic studio and printed in some generic country.  These are not like that - now I have to find the perfect project for them.

Finally, some of the new fabrics have been processed as well.  Not quite made the shelves yet, but all ready to go into some of the new fixtures soon.

This is Mayfair - it will look a lot better if you click on it to enlarge.  Scarlet pink, cream, a hint of green, grey and black.  Love the striped pieces in this one and the floral prints will go very well in the project for the June Retreat.

 

 

 

 

It has been a long time since we have seen a "traditional" blue range and this one Wild Rose II ticks all the boxes.  It has a fabulous border print as well as the stripes and spots.

Quite a few pre cuts have arrived too, jelly rolls, layer cakes and charm squares.  Hopefully, photos for you next week.

 

I'm a fan of Rebecca Johnson's patterns from Chasing Cottons.  There are a few in the shop plus you may remember the link a couple of weeks ago to a cute quilt she made from the Sherbet Pips range.  Rebecca is running a programme on her blog called Quilt Class 101.  It will cover all facets of quilting from choosing fabrics, designs and the actual construction.  She will be having lots of giveaways also, so well worth clicking on the link and taking a look.  The programme will run for several weeks so make a comment on her blog and you could be in the running to win some fabric.

Several people that are participating in the Scrappy Mystery Medallion Quilt by Therese Hylton, have either finished or are very close to the end.  I have just two side borders to attach and then because I have bullied encouraged others to make a scrappy backing, I guess I had better do the same!!  The rest of the week was taken up with blending all the embroidery threads into the new stand that has drawers!!  I'm hoping no more dust, fading or little fingers pulling skeins off the stand.

A visit to the dentist today.  Such a good feeling - when you get out of the chair!!!

Due to all the wonderful rain we've had in recent times, there's generally a bit of a downside, and ours at the moment are the roads.  I would hate to drive a suburban sedan type car into Rocklea, this "gully" is more than a foot deep and just a few hundred yards from the house.  Of course we have made a track to go around it but it will be nice to see some maintenance work done soon.

 
 The flying foxes are also making their presence felt.  I can hear them squealing outside now.  The last time we had an invasion, they almost completely decimated the house yard.  Bruce will be out just before daylight in the morning making a racquet, so they don't land for their daytime roost, when they seem to do all the damage.

Sorry that I don't have the promised recipes - will have to get on to the girls for next time.

'Till next week,

Sandy.

Feeling much, much better....

Thanks to everyone for your concerns over the last couple of weeks.  Apart from a couple of awful days in the beginning, I didn't feel too bad, just had no energy - but I'm happy to say, that seems to have passed also.  Thank goodness!!!!!

Our first retreat for the year is less than 2 weeks away!  How did that happen, it's come upon us so quickly!  If you haven't already placed your name on the list, let me know as soon as possible.  The weekend will consist of your projects - something you wish to finish, or maybe something new to start.  I really need to concentrate on  some quilting, have 2 pinned up ready to go, and a third ready for pinning.  I will also have a couple of extra things to show you.

I have been working on the Mystery Medallion quilt again this weekend  -  up to the final border!!  Wish I could show you but that wouldn't be fair.  What I can tell you is that I have used over 2700 pieces of fabric so far!!   I think I can show you a few of them that are happening as most people are up to at least Round 2 or have seen it anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

These four are from Mary, June, Allison and Jodi  -  all different, all look great.  Most of them have moved further on since then, and without exception, everyone wants to get the current step finished to see what the next one is.  With the bit of wet weather that's been around, their has been a fair bit of scrap organising, cutting and sewing going on!!  Remember you can click on them to enlarge.  Approx. 25 ladies are working on this quilt at the moment.

Congratulations to Sheila and the Ilfracombe/Longreach ladies who got together a few weeks back to make pretty bags for cancer patients who need to carry drainage apparatus. They finished over 30 during the day.  These will now be distributed to local hospitals and centres.  Well done girls, I am sure they will be much appreciated!

 

     I notice that there have been quite a few new patterns on the

      FREEBIES FOR CRAFTERS site, (link in my sidebar)  also the         Moda Bake Shop.

      www.modabakeshop.com

      

 

I've been warned that our river crossing may go out again due to heavy rain further upstream.  Guess I'll have to pack that extra bag tomorrow, just in case.  We've been at Rocklea since 1982 and I cannot remember a wetter year.  The grass is abundant, lush and green which is wonderful.  My house is damp and mouldy and is a haven for all the small livestock - spiders, gheckos, frogs, and mice and now they're telling us that the RATS are coming!  Not sure I want to hear that.

Talk soon, Sandy.

Thanks girls...

..for a great weekend of stitching, sharing designs, ideas and how tos, laughter, good food and good company.  Our September retreat at Wanpa-rda was all of that and more. 

There were quite a few finishes of major projects.  Kylie has been working on this for some time - looks simple, it's just strip borders sewn around the previous one!!  Wrong!  Every "round" has been carefully measured and calculated, checked, adjusted and sewn with great care - hence the perfectly flat and even quilt top.

I think there are about 24 rounds and it's almost 3m long.  Well done Kylie, it looks fabulous!

Peggy and Bev from Emerald joined us, intending to complete a serious amount of sewing and they did just that.  Bev was determined to finish a fun hexagon top for her son, whose birthday is fast approaching, and Peggy was working on the most intricate of New York Beauty blocks that she was designing herself.

Click on these to bring them up to full screen - they are both worth the closer look!

Maryanne, who travelled out from Emerald also, and is a very new quilter also completed two small quilt tops - oops, forgot that photo!

These girls are begging to be invited again - they loved our facility at Wanpa-rda. 

(We'll consider it!)

 

Margot also made great progress - two large bags (already spoken for) and 3 table runners, just awaiting the quilting.

There's a lot more to show you, including some new fabric that arrived in store during the week.  Maybe we'll have to have some extra postings this week.  I had been planning to head to Toowoomba this week, for some workshops.  However, this has now changed and I'll be in the shop as per usual.

Talk soon, Sandy.

The Sale continues...

The busy week just past, looks set to continue.  Many people have taken advantage of the bargains to be had at the Once a Year Sale.  Some have traveled quite a distance!!  And there are more expected tomorrow.  These keen quilters are going to stay for a couple of days and work on some projects "out the back", but where everything is at their fingertips!!  Good plan I think!

Last Saturday we had a small project day, and there were about 9 participants making Fabric Baskets (courtesy Pink Penguin)  It didn't help that I gave them the incorrect number of squares to cut, or the wrong width of strap!!  They all managed beautifully without me (I was serving at the counter most of the time!) and some even made two. 

This was a rather hasty gathering of a few of them.  They're great for small sewing baskets, (think paper piecing Pies and Tarts)  keeping hair clips and ribbons tidy or maybe to fill with Christmas treats.

We will have some more of these Project days at the shop, generally, the last Saturday in the month.

How's everyone going with their stars from the Ann Ferguson 50 Stars workshop?  I have finished 24 - that's small and large included, with about 8 more small ones cut out.  Been quilting today however, not much left now on the purple quilt that I showed you previously.

It's Wattle blossom time here at the moment, and although this is not the grazier's best friend, the roadside sure looks a picture.  (The dried timber is notorious for staking tyres!)

In about 6 weeks, this same area will be filled with Heather and Hops, so it will be all purple and maroon/pink.

Thank you to all who have taken the time to  play our little guessing game about the opening date of the shop, and thanks too for all the nice thoughts.  All will be revealed next week and it will be a surprise to many, as it was to me when I photographed the evidence today!!!  It is not too late to enter - you may just win the prize.

Thanks June, for the Date Slice recipe.  I will put it in as a separate post.

Talk soon, Sandy

He did come, Mum!...

That was the call from the garden on Sunday morning.  A last minute change of plans made for a couple of worried littlies - they didn't think the Easter Bunny would know that they were at Rocklea.  He's a pretty magic bunny!!

Trust you have all had a happy and peaceful Easter.  Did you manage a little extra stitching?  I did a LOT of cutting and some stitching.  I've been working on the Mystery Quilt prior to our next retreat weekend which is the 11/12/13/14th June - the Queen's Birthday long weekend.  It's looking pretty good - the quilt that is - but that's the last I'm going to say about it!  It's a mystery, after all!

The Blackall girls had an interesting workshop with Julie from Cow Paddocks Patchwork last week.  They covered several different techniques including Know your Machine, making your own textured fabric and crazy patchwork.  Margot sent me some photos of some of the projects, or you can click on the highlighted link to see more on Julie's blog.

The textured fabric was made from all manner of yarns, ribbons, lace etc., placed between a washaway stabilizer.  Lots of free motion stitching to hold it together, then rinsed to dissolve the layers.

  The fabric is then used to make something, in this case, a bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sample on the right, of some of the crazy patchwork.

Looked like a fun weekend with lots of interesting outcomes.

Have you been thinking about your gifts for the Christmas Secret Swap?  I know there's plenty of time, but these things have a habit of creeping up very quickly.  I have 25 names on the list, but if you haven't let me know yet, it's not too late to add yours if you would like to.  A blog post last January (and I'm not sure how to add that link) explains the idea. Just click on the Jan. archives on the main page to check it out.

Now this has nothing to do with quilting, or fabric, or new patterns!  However, I know that many of you are keen gardeners and I found this recipe to spray on your lawn, to supposedly make it the greenest in the district!

1 bottle diswashing liquid, 1 can beer, 1 can cola (not diet) 1 cup household ammonia, 1 bottle Listerine, 10 drops of Tabasco sauce.

The d/washing liquid breaks up the oily film on your lawn and allows water to penetrate, the yeast in the beer feeds on the sugar in the cola and breaks down "thatch".  The ammonia is liquid nitrogen (but don't overdo it), the Listerine fights diseases and the sauce is an insect repellant!!!  Spray on with one of those hose attachments to a bottle - will cover about 5000 square feet.

Interesting to say the least, (it gave me a giggle) - however, I'm not too sure about the "thatch" aspect.  And I take NO responsibility if your lawn up and dies!!

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

A "Bats & Hags" Weekend...

What a terrific weekend retreat we have had.  Cool (airconditioned - over 40C outside!) comfortable facilities, plenty of room,  lots of healthy food (I'm sure all the salads made up for the choccy slices etc. at smoko time), much laughter and plenty of sewing!  The "bats and hags" absolutely outdid themselves  with a prolific array of hats and bags on display by Sunday lunchtime.

Several reversible hats, many styles of bags including some Christmas goodies bags, table runner to be quilted and the beginnings of a lovely scrap quilt.  As well as the completed items, there was great progress made on a variety of other projects.  As our last retreat for the year, it was just what everyone needed to be geared up for the hectic round of festivities which always arrive FAR quicker than we anticipate.  Just have to add a note (and picture for some people) who had a security problem!

This gate is NOT locked.  You don't have to climb over it - just push it!  I will say no more!!!

A few pieces of gorgeous fabric arrived during the week, actually ordered before I went to the Quilt Market.  These were "on special" so I can pass them on to you at very special prices too.  Just $15m and $33 for the sweet rolls - 40 strips at 1 1/2".

 

It seems that grey is going to be one of the "hottest" colours in several of the new ranges, it's everywhere!  Along with orange, teal and lots of red coming too.  Below are pictures of patterns that I have ordered.  Monica Poole, well known for her bag designs and Quilt as you Go quilt patterns, has branched out into clothing.  Simple construction, geared for the beginner garment sewer.  All of these patterns are ordered and should be here soon.

 

Both of the skirts are in the one pattern, both of the tops in another, then there is the vest.

 

The bag has three options, a frame style, draw string style or a zippered finish  -  all in the same pattern!

 

Similar fabrics to these will also be coming next year.  Love it!!

 

 

 

 

If you're needing some cute ideas for Christmas sewing, there's a group of Aussie designers that have collaborated and have been putting out lots of freebies.  Their website is http://gumtreedesigners.blogspot.com/   You just may find something that suits you.  Be warned however - they all have great blogs and you may just use up an hour or three!

Talk soon, Sandy.

A Big Weekend.....

Well, it's been a very busy weekend for Barcaldine.  Saturday morning saw the official opening of the Tree of Knowledge Memorial by the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh.  Love it or hate it, it's here to stay!  In my opinion, the outer "veil"  leaves a bit to be desired (however, I don't know how they would have done it any other way) but standing underneath, it looks quite spectacular.

The trunk and some branches have been preserved and hanging above, are some 3500 pieces of recycled timber, representing the leaves.  The glass and paved area underneath is really nice, however, there were too many people standing around, to get a decent photo.

Markets, races, football, steam train rides, dinners and live music, plus of course the big street parade on Monday morning filled the weekend.  The goat races drew a large crowd and plenty of interest.

This is grandson, 5 yr old Harrison, (white goat at the back) finishing second in the children's race, ably assisted by his Dad!  They had to go through heats to make the final, there were so many contenders!

 

 

 

  The Q 150 Steam Train, ready to load the passengers, and there were plenty of them.

I think somehow, we might have a quiet week coming up!!

Must show you a gorgeous bag made in the Natural Effects range.  The pattern is Thelma's Day Out by Janelle Wind, and made by Samantha. (pattern featured a few weeks back)

Sorry about the sideways photo, I forgot to flip it before I transferred it. Remember, you can click on the picture, to enlarge it.

 

Pleased to report, that those people who are planning on attending the Bargello retreat weekend, are gathering their fabrics in preparation.  I believe that the PJ's are coming along nicely too!

 

Talk soon, Sandy.