TheSilverThimble

WESTECH is only 2 weeks away...

   As from tomorrow that is.. yes, Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th September is Westech 2011.  The only Field Days geared for the grazing industry, and lots of exhibitors for our rural lifestyle - that's where I fit in!  The Ken Wilson Pavillion, Site W7 - last on the left when you come in the front door - next to the Mother's Room.  See you there!  The shop will be closed for those 2 days.

I have been busy preparing new fabrics.  Packs and kits and samples where I can....consequently, no fabric  photos for the blog as yet.  All will be revealed in good time!

A few weeks back, I spoke to my Saturday afternoon ladies about making the "Farmer's Wife" quilt.  The current book was published (I think) back in '09, but there has been a resurgence in it's popularity due to a "quiltathon" being conducted over the net.  It's all about a competition that was conducted (in the U.S.)back in the early 1920's when farmer's wives were asked to write in and say if they would like their daughter to marry a farmer.  There were over 7000 entries and the majority were favourable.  Several of these letters were published and 111 blocks were allocated to match the letters.  Hence "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt" was born.

 

This one is done in fairly traditional type fabrics.  Many of the new ones being done, are bright and modern.

The blocks are 6" square and are ALL different!  There are no rotary cutting instructions - all the blocks are constructed from templates.  There is a CD in the back of the book, from which you can print out your templates.  Some of the blocks would suit machine piecing but some might be better hand pieced.

If you wish to make the quilt, you need the book.  There is one in the shop but I am waiting on further copies.  If you would like me to order one for you, please let me know.

 

 

These are some of the links where you can look at some modern versions.  Amanda, Angela, Thelma,
and Camille. 

Just a few more notes about the Christmas Secret Swap, which I mentioned last week.  If you are coming to the retreat in November but do not wish to participate, that's fine.  It's your choice.  The gift that needs to be hand made, need NOT be sewing related - it could be a cake, a batch of bikkies, maybe a Christmas pud!  Make it special and make it from the heart, that's all I ask.

For those of you that follow my niece Lisa on her blog Little Hoot (in my sidebar)  the latest post is introducing their new baby daughter Arlie.

Just a little early note that Pauline Rogers will be in the shop on Saturday October 1st for a Schoolhouse Day.  We had been hoping to see Pauline earlier in the year, however, the weather prevented her visit at that time.  Pauline always has the latest gadgets and information on what is happening in the quilting world.  More info later on, but mark the date on your calendar now.

Talk soon, Sandy.

That RIVER again....

Without a doubt, we have been blessed with the best season, or maybe that should be seasons, plural.   I know that some areas have suffered immenseley from too much rain, but ours has been magnificent.  No damage -  creeks, gullies, waterholes and the river all full.  Green grass, as high as an elephant's eye, (a small elephant) and as far as you can see!   Heavy rain in the headwaters of the Alice last week, made it impossible for me to cross the River, so haven't been home since last Tuesday!  Home today, just in time to do the blog.

However, not a whole lot to tell you.  "Retreatees" preparing for the weekend, gathering patterns fabrics, and some pre-cutting.  Any last minute participants?  Still plenty of room if you decide to come. 

Shop was ticking over all week, enought to keep me busy at the counter, with a bit of time to play with some quilting out the back.  Also been working on the Mystery Medallion Quilt, the final border!  It's been quite a process but It's a HUGE quilt and I really like it. 

Can you believe, there are several boxes of new fabric in the back room and I haven't even opened them??  Sure sign I didn't have much energy, but I'm sure that's going to change this week!

 

 

I forgot to mention last week, that Leeanne Beasley's Issue 2 of "Vignette" had arrived.

I have managed a fair bit of the embroidery for Block 2 but there's a whole lot more for Block 3 plus some more piecing and applique.  Betcha I'm not waiting for the next Issue to arrive - I'll be hoping that it's held up for a week or so!!

I always like to have some hand work on the go, but this week it has been bindings.  No photo yet, as the quilt needs washing to remove the markings I made for the quilting design and today was a bit overcast.  Actually, it's drizzling right now!

 

 

Should have heaps of news and photos for you next week after the Retreat.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

 

 

Back to normal.....

....at least it felt like a normal week.  Tuesday to Saturday, no watching the river or leaving early, just in case!  Of course there was a Cyclone to look out for, only the biggest Qld. has ever seen!!

Do hope my readers up north of here, only managed the rain out of Cyclone Yasi and not the destructive winds.  What a system, to think that it's now in the SW of the Northern Territory!  It goes without saying, that our thoughts are with those that suffered badly and now bushfires close to the city of Perth and more floods in Victoria,  Mother Nature rules!

I intended to start this post early tonight, but got caught up watching the Allan Border Medal presentations.  I do like the cricket (would like it even more if we'd won the Ashes!!) so congrats. to Shane Watson and because of you I'm going to have another late night!!

The weekend just gone WAS the weekend that I was going to spend with Mr Kaffe Fassett, or at least a day anyway - with a lot of other gals!  For several reasons, it didn't happen, so I'm looking forward to catching up with the ones that did attend, Lyn, Terryann and Kylie.  I did manage to cut at least four thousand FQ's though, well maybe 400!!  Have been working my way through all the fabrics, as I usually do early in the year, generally tidying them up and reorganising.  Just a few more colours to go and then I should be able to think about some sewing! 

This is a new range by Saffron Craig, one of our very own Aussie designers, called Beetles and Bugs.  Once again, my photography is pretty hopeless, as the bugs could be flowers in these photos!!  Take my word for it, they are the cutest little critters - love the one second on the right - little beetles walking on the dotted line.  Or maybe they're leaving the dotted lines behind them!

Because of it's "boutique" status, this fabric is a little dearer than others and is $28metre.

I did get to finish a little quilt for a new baby boy, born in Dec.  Yikes, was it that long ago!  Have had it all completed, except the label, which is done now, for at least a month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's from the range "Child's Play with Kate and Nate", which I also have in girly colours and prints as well.  The magic nine patch or disappearing nine patch is such a versatile pattern.  I've used it often and it works well every time.

I want to tell you about a couple of new books that I have in the shop and one that I found at the newsagent. 

The first one is The Practical Guide to Patchwork (left in pic)  It's by Elizabeth Hartman who has a very popular blog www.ohfransson.com  It is a book for the 'modern' quilter and covers everything from supplies and the vocabulary of quilting, along with the elements, planning and choosing fabrics.  There are step by step instructions on piecing, quilting and it also shows alternate colour ways.  The only thing I don't like is that she presses her seams open, which I find very time consuming.  It covers beginners to intermediate quilters.  There are traditional blocks explained, along with a contemporary twist.

The second book is "Simplify" by Camille Roskelly.  These patterns use more of the pre cuts. ie. FQ's, charm squares (5" x 5"), jelly rolls (2 1/2" strips) and layer cakes (10" x 10")  It also has a very good introduction to quilting and has patterns for quilts, table toppers, cushions etc.  Camille's blog is www.camilleroskelley.com   Both of these books contain patterns that I would like to make up - some day!!

 

Essential Quilting

 

I picked this book up at the newsagents, hadn't seen one of these before.  It's an Australian production, but not by one of the main stream publishing houses.  It's all about scrap quilts, which I love, and there are about a dozen or more patterns.  It would make a great addition to anyone's collection for only $9.95.  Also a great one, to have for a group as I'm sure someone could always find something to follow.

 

 

 

There was plenty of stockwork done here at Rocklea over the weekend.  Three very keen boys aged 4, 6 1/2 and 10.  Horses, motor bikes, mustering and yard work - what more could a boy wish for! 

 And you always have to wash your horse when you've finished a hard days' work.

 

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

Almost like Christmas in July...

It was a week of exciting deliveries - new fabric, new books and gadgets and of course a third win to Queensland in the State of Origin!  Can't get much better than that can it?

I watched the game with three of the grandchildren and that was even more entertaining than the TV!  Those two little ringers know everything there is to know about rugby league (grin) and were pre-empting the ref's calls, calling instructions to the players and generally being VERY noisy and involved in the whole thing.  A good night!  It's been great having all/some of the children here over the holidays but back to school tomorrow for most, until we do it all again in September.

Also in September, I will be attending some workshops in Toowoomba and one of those will be just one day with Kathy Doughty - co-author of these two books, now in stock.

As well as Kathy, I will have a couple of days with one of my favourite people, Kellie Wulfsohn, from Don't Look Now (link in my sidebar) and still debating about the last class.

These workshops are being co-ordinated by Lisa from "Precious Time" in Twmba. so if anyone else is interested, just give me a ring at the shop on 46 511999 and I can give you the details.

 Also, in stock, is the latest book by Kaffe Fassett, "Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilts".  His patterns are really simple too, it's just the placement of the fabric that make them sing!

This quilt, (on left in picture) made by Lyn and on display in the shop, draws many comments.

Simple diamond shapes, fabulous fabric!

And yes, there were also fabric arrivals!  This is Catalina - a fresh, modern look.  Hot pink, aqua, lime green, grey and yellow.  Not the best photo (as per usual!!) but it's really nice. (And I'd rather SEW, than learn how to take professional photos!)

 More to come next week.

You probably all realised last week, when I gave the dates for the workshop with Ann Ferguson, that it SHOULD have read 24/25 JULY, not June as I said.

One of my other recent finishes was the quilt "Born Dotty" made with the fabric "Shaping Up".

  

  This was a really popular range when it arrived.  Some chose it as birthday club fabrics - just as well I put it away, as some bolts are now finished.

 ...and went a bit overboard with the quilting!

Tomorrow, I have a visit from my good friend Di Mill - who just happens to be a fabric rep!

Yaaaaaaay!  Two reps in less that 6 months!

Talk soon,

Sandy.