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.

