Welcome to Precious Time

A new family member arrives........

As promised here are some more photos from our Auntie Green class with Sue on her last visit. 

 

This gorgeous quilt (in 3 parts) belongs to our Dali Lama, Kay.  Her needleturn, fabric and colour selection is outstanding  - it is always a pleasure to have her share her quilts with us. 

Margaret comes in from Warwick for Auntie Green and she is taking a very different approach to her quilt then most of the other ladies who are in class.  Margaret is making her quilt in much the same way as our quilting sisters did all those years ago.......we love seeing how her quilt grows each time she is in class.  She is filled with the quilting courage of our quilting ancestors.

Paula has used pretty little hexagon flowers in her quilt and her choice of colours and fabrics give her quilt a softness and delicateness.  It is darling.......

There are still more coverlets to share with you.  Keep watch.

I am not sure what was happening in your neck of the woods the past week but here at Precious Time we were inundated with quilters all looking for a new project or something special to add to their collection.  We also had lots of return visitors who were in Toowoomba on retreats and return visits – it was lovely to see their beautiful faces and reminisce about their last visit and to hear all the news of their recent adventures.  A special shout out to Peggy and her friends who returned – the last time Peggy visited she tripped on the gutter and the ambulance had to be called – Peggy survived and filled us in on her adventure over the weekend.  A very happy group of girls, on a weekend of fun, laughter and shop hopping – they will be in need of a rest when they return home I am sure.

 

We love receiving parcels, sometimes they bring work – but they always bring the best to the surface – creativity, excitement, wonder and appreciation.  Beauty in a fabric can really take your breath away, which is just as well sometimes because we need the calm to think about what it is that we would love to make.   This is exactly what happened early last week when these gorgeous lines arrived – lots of oohs and aahs – “what to make” were the comments to which the reply was “who cares I have to have some – we’ll figure the rest out later”.  It is wonderful to see the positive effect of our choices, especially when we are offered so many choices.

 

 

Our hearts were bursting this week when we were blessed with a new arrival – Daschie.  This heart breaker has won the hearts of everyone visiting the shop and as a proud new mum he even gets a little pat from me each morning as I open the shop.  He is just too cute…..  a huge thank you to Kyleigh for bringing him to life.

 

Don't you just love that face.......

Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder ...

- Henry David Thoreau

Enjoy your week.........lisa

 

Voile and Auntie Green - both beautiful........

Whilst we were cutting the kits for Super Scrappy the pattern arrived for The Honey Blouse arrived and of course with feel of the voile still lingering in my fingers the next project was decided upon. Thankfully in the sewing room that day was my gorgeous friend Kyleigh – she is a fabulous quilter and seamstress, so before I could blink the pattern was out, a template made and the blouse was finished in a blink. Well nearly. So here is Izabella, who we convinced to model our fabulous blouse – I have worn it so I can tell you that it feels gorgeous on your skin and oh so comfortable. I am now in search of fabric for my next blouse.

Karen dropped off her Pinwheel quilt for quilting this week – a group of friends took off to the Bunya’s for a weekend girls escape. Off they went armed with champagne, fine food and their sewing. Pinwheels is such a happy quilt to make.

Kay was back at sewing this week after her lovely holiday with family and friends.

Kay was back at sewing this week after her lovely holiday with family and friends. If you have read the previous posts about Wendy Williams’ classes you would have seen Katrina proudly showing off her King Kong/New York cushion that she made in class. It was a gift for Kay so on Saturday at Auntie Green Katrina introduced Kay to King Kong – with much delight.

We all gathered this weekend for the next stage of Auntie Green. We welcomed some new friends along on the journey and had the pleasure of catching up with our old friends and seeing how they were progressing. If you are still falling in love with this quilt we have room in the class – but don’t leave it too long.  Here are some images of the beautiful quilts from the weekend class –

This is the next stage of Auntie Green and it belongs to Sue - she has nearly left it here on the design wall on two occassions - third time lucky maybe.

Val comes in from Dalby for class and her quilt is absolutely gorgeous - and she is up to date. Grrrrr

The gorgeous little peepers popping out from behind the quilt belong to Cathy.  This is her first ever needleturn quilt and she has fallen in love with this technique and we are so thrilled that she is enjoying the peacefulness of hand applique.

Finally here is my quilt – it has progressed, even if it is only a little - I finally have the outer leaves on my oval. Yah!!!!

There are plenty more fantastic quilts from the class to share with you from the weekend.  I will try and post the rest tomorrow or the next day depending on the shop.

The greatest joy of sewing is being able to close our mind and eyes to the world outside and the reality that swamps us and our creativity.

Paul Gauguin said "I shut my eyes in order to see"

Have a wonderful rest of week and I will be back to share more of what is happening in and around Precious Time............till then......lisa

Some show & tell

 

Bronwyn is working extremely hard on her Auntie Green to have it ready for the next class and I am sure you will agree with me that Bronwyn’s quilt is looking gorgeous.  All of the ladies in class may be suffering from sore fingers and tired eyes due to the amount of stitching required but I know that all would agree in an instance that they are thrilled and proud to be making this historic quilt.  We are all looking forward to sharing the next installment with Sue this weekend.  Stay tuned for an update and more images after the weekend.

Still filled with the excitement of sharing the weekend with Wendy I have been working on 9 patches for my Growing Up.  They are absolutely delicious.  This is not the only project that I have been working on…….new fabrics……..new quilts.  I have also been playing with 1862 Battle Hymn...…..borders have yet to be decided on but so far so good.

 

Super Scrappy is a new pattern, which arrived today.  Easy to read, cute little pattern card which Majella and I thought would look fantastic made up in Kaffe and friends.  A few little easy steps…..

 

Audition

Final selection

Chopped to size

Wrapped ready to buy

 

One of the beautiful voiles for the back and ta dah a yummy quilt…..…

hey I’m not that quick……..stay tuned……

 

Dreams are like stars….you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead to your destiny.

 

Yours in stitching………lisa

 

 

Welcome the start of a new year with Auntie Green

We are back at work and the shop is once again open and filled with anticipation of what this year will bring.  The Christmas break went all too quickly but I was blessed to have had a few days away at the beach and a wonderful few days with my mum – then before I could blink it was back to Toowoomba and back to work.I hope that you all had a fantastic Christmas whatever you did, wherever you were and wish you a year filled with happiness and the love of good friends and family.

I do have to say that it was a nice way to start work for the year – the shop was filled with excitement as the ladies all eagerly awaited the next installment of Auntie Green’s Coverlet.  The work of these talented ladies is truly inspiring and helps those of us (me!) that may be lagging a little behind.  

 

So here are the first two sides for the centre – and in an attempt to keep us inspired and continue Sue quietly let us know there was a total of 25 hours stitching in the two sides, which doesn’t include tracing, auditioning fabrics and placing them ready to stitch – it’s a wonder there wasn’t a race to the door but the history and beauty of the original quilt keeps us busily stitching and looking forward to the day when we finish our quilts, place them on our beds to be used, loved and cherished. 

 

We are constantly in awe of Mary Allen Wellen and her sewing skills – unlike us she probably didn’t have access to an unlimited supply of needles, matching threads and not to mention a lack of gorgeous quilt shops filled with metres upon metres of fabric. I can’t say that we are spoiled but fortunate that our lives belong to a different century.  I hope you enjoy seeing the quilts in varying stages from the class on the weekend.

this is Val's quilt so far.........

Katrina was hiding behind her Auntie Green........

Cathie from Warwick decided to introduce her Auntie Green to Kaffe Fassett.......

Margaret travels with Cathie from Warwick and is making her Auntie Green by eye - she is not marking her quilt at all.........we are in awe of her confidence and free spirit.......

Bev is the proud owner of this Auntie Green - Izabella says it is a homage to the Adams Family - all stalks no flowers.........

This is Kay's Auntie Green - breathtaking isn't it.  Her, Majella and Izabella (Pictured below) are the only three to have completed their centres.  Congratulations ladies.  

Last but not least is Bronwyn - 

It is always such a delight to see all the quilts and the progress that everyone has made.  If this quilt keeps calling there is still room to join us..........

I have to fly - customers await, but I do have lots of other news and pictures to share with you all.  I promise it won't be so long between drinks.  

Back soon........your in stitching........lisa

All about me.....

It is really satisfying and exciting that I can share lots of lovely quilts, bags and various projects from the wonderful array of ladies that choose to call Precious Time their quilting home. But tonight this post is all about me…….well actually it’s all about the quilts that I have been working on.

In an attempt to keep on track with my Cold Wind I worked on placing the applique pieces for block 3 today and am very happy with the overall look of the block – now all that’s left is to stitch it – that’s the easy part. It took me longer than anticipated to audition my flowers and leaves for the block, there were a few changes and then ta dah……..

I have been taking a little break from my Auntie Green after finishing stitching the cable down (little happy dance) and so have spent my evenings working on my next block of Lollipop Trees – only 14 more to go - it sounded so much better when it was just a number dancing around in my head. Lollipop Trees may take me longer than expected to finish but with all but 2 blocks “roxanned” down I have a wonderful sense of achievement even though I have a long way to go. It is so nice to fan through the blocks today looking for the one that softly says – choose me – stitch me - I look gorgeous. So into my sewing box to wait it’s turn.

With Sue visiting this weekend I will be working on my Pickle Dish quilt. It hasn’t been touched since she was here in September when the urge to start another quilt was too great – you know that urge – beautiful quilt – new fabrics to choose and cut – a new technique to learn – fingers itch to start – all the symptoms of a serial quilter or maybe that should be serial starter. Either way it fills my heart with happiness and at the end of the day that’s all that matters – it’s not about how many quilts I don’t finish but the joy I receive from all the quilts I start.

Have a wonderful weekend..........lisa

Life goes on......

The weeks leading up to Quilting on the Downs are always hectic as we prepare for tutors, students and visitors alike to enjoy our beautiful city.  No that all our goodbyes have been said the shop is a little quieter and things are settling down.  We have been busy and very excited, gathering a wonderful array of tutors for classes next year - unbelievable as it is talking about next year already.  The most wonderful thing is that no matter what is happening with the world economy quilters are always looking for their next challenge, new technique or quilt for a special event or more importantly a special someone.  We are easily excited and look forward to the future with eagerness and joy.  It is such a lovely way to be and it creates a wonderful feeling for those around you. 

So with a little bit of quiet time on our hands yesterday Majella and I set off to sew Wendy Williams new Palm Beach Bag.  Within minutes the fabric was chosen, cutting instructions were being given and the end result was easily achieved within a few short hours - we still needed to help our customers and answer the phone. We enjoyed making it so much that we have decided that we need one each to take away to the beach in November.  A fantastic bag to make for those special girlfriends especially with Christmas just around the corner.

I am having a few days at home next week so in readiness for this Majella and Kay helped me lay my cable down for my Auntie Green. Let me show you how all that gorgeous bias cable started it's life delegated into a pile of lights and darks.........metres and metres of bias all of which will be used in the quilt. 

     

 

 I am behind most of the other girls but am determined to be up to date and ready for the next class in January.  So lucky to have such gorgeous friends -  the extra pairs of hands did make it all the more quicker.  Thank you.

Margaret who joins us for Auntie Green and travels over from Warwick for the classes has nearly finished her centre and choose to use an old piece of lace for her basket - it is such a wonderful touch and she is going to try and incorporate more of it in her applique - she is also hoping to add some lace and other touches.  We are all looking forward to seeing how Margaret's Auntie Green progresses.

Quilting is one of the greatest passions in my life and it gives me such pleasure seeing the different paths that quilters take on their journey to complete their quilts.  Thank you to everyone who allows me to photograph and show their work.

Sorry, have to go our new postman has arrived with boxes filled with new books.  Like any good postman he needs a little training on our hours and when not to leave parcels - will share the books with you tomorrow..........lisa

Laughter, sharing and quilts.......

Lynne was back at the shop over the weekend to take a trapunto quilting class with Bev McClune.  As promised she brought her Circles of Fun quilt that she started with Sue Ross at last year’s Quilting on the Downs.  Everyone who has made this quilt absolutely loves it but Lynne takes the cake – she loved it so much she made two.  Just in case you missed the post – Lynne took her two tops and quilted them back-to-back.  So here is her gorgeous Circles of Fun.

 

Lynne has hardly been home in the last few weeks but between Quilting on the Downs and travelling down again for Bev’s quilting class she still managed to finish her Cathedral Windows quilt top.  Lynne is the queen of time management – where do I sign up for a class?

 

Sorry about the angle of the photo.  Who would have ever known that when you opened a quilt shop that you would also have to become a journalist, photographer, it consultant and event planner.  All in a days work.  There was definitely no work happening yesterday as I spent the day with Majella and my girls in Brisbane looking at delightful home ware and antique shops.  A nice way to spend a day off.

 

The sewing room was filled with laughter as the girls moved in for a day of sewing and sharing.  Katrina is almost finished her lone star quilt that she started with Sue Ross earlier in the year.  Katrina had intended to just make the lone star but once she had finished we decided (because we love her) that she should applique the cornerstones with flowers.  Once we had her stitching and on her way we then tried (very hard) to convenience her that she needed to add an applique border.   We weren’t successful.  Luckily, Katrina had purchased a yummy Jennifer Paganelli print that was absolutely perfect as a border for her quilt.  She won’t let me photograph it until it is finished – so keep your eyes peeled to the blog for Katrina’s finished quilt top.

 

Kay brought her Auntie Green in today to show us her progress – I am sure that you will agree that it is breathtakingly beautiful.  Stick ability.

 

I love Wisteria – the look, the smell and especially the way the ground is gets covered in a mist of delicate lilac petals.  My neighbour has an arbour, which every Spring is covered in the most glorious showing of wisteria and for several seasons now I have been a little envious.  So imagine my delight when we discovered this little treasure at the shop…….

 

Keep watching the blog as we will have some more date claimers to announce in the next few days.

Catch you then...........lisa

 

 

The next stage of Auntie Green

Sue Ross joined us this weekend for the next installment of Auntie Green.  It was a thrill to see how committed all the girls were with their quilts and how far they had all progressed to be ready for this next stage. Sue’s quilt looks absolutely gorgeous and all the ladies were excited and maybe a little daunted by the cable.   When I look at the quilt in Annette’s book I still feel a little overwhelmed by the enormity of the project that we have all embarked on.  But Sue has us all gently and calmly working on this masterpiece and in all honesty not one of us regrets taking the first step on this journey.  The ladies all look forward to the day that this quilt lays proudly on their bed.  I truly believe the clarity and confidence they have will keep them inspired and sewing on the road to completion.  I am so proud to be the shop owner of Precious Time and provide a space where these heirlooms of the future are growing with love.

 

So here is the next stage of Auntie Green…….

 

Bronwyn & Izabella were determined to get their cable glued and pinned down before they left for the day……

  

 

Bev who is a beautiful machine quilter took a different approach to Auntie Green today and decided to applique her basket and vine down by hand………she loves, loves, loves the machine so today was a challenge and the ladies awarded her the gold star for taking the plunge into needleturn applique.  Well done Bev……..

I am sure you would agree that we became the queens of bias this weekend.  So if you would like to join us on this journey and make your own version of Auntie Green our next class will be in January after we return from Christmas break - as you can see we have a little bit of stitching to keep us busy.  So there is plenty of time to catch up to the ladies.

There are more Auntie Green quilts to share with you in the next post.

Happiness is not so much in having as sharing.  We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.  Norman MacEwan.

 

 

Sue Ross is in the house...

Well, she is here at Precious Time in Toowoomba for the next couple of days at least.  For those of you who are not regular readers of this blog, Sue (very lovely lady), visits here every few months teaching in the shop, providing inspiration, advice and a wonderful deal of assistance to those of us fortunate enough to attend any of her classes.  (Before I write too much more, I'd better confess that I, BevB have taken Lisa's Blog hostage for the afternoon.) 

This visit Sue's been teaching some out of town visitors - Peggy & Bev from Emerald and Lorraine for Sydney as well as Majella and Lisa how to foundation piece a Pickle Dish Quilt.  As always in Sue's classes, she brought along not just one quilt to inspire but also another original design she's currently working on - I was too slow to get a picture of this - it was moved before I could get a photo but this is her quilt on the left.  I can also show Peggy's & Lorraine's.  It's been a delightful class to attend and I can speak for all the participants when I say Sue has been a wonderful tutor and her advice and patience particularly with students who procrastinate when choosing fabrics has been invaluable.  Incidentally, the morning tea, lunch and afternoon teas provided by Lisa and Majella have been wonderful too - Triple Chocolate brownies made in the shop while we are sewing are just too irresistible, not to mention strawberries and balsamic!

 Sue will be here for another two days if anyone would like to call in to meet her, say hello or even just come in to see what she's working on.  She's actually teaching Session 2 of Auntie Green's coverlet (you can see photos from Session 1 if you look back a few posts). Sue's happy to welcome any newcommers who may like to join in.

   

 

 

 

 Now I've inserted the photos - it's amazing (as always) when you photograph, just which fabrics bounce back at you.  Never quite what I expect!

While on the subject of Classes, Lisa's invited Bev McLune to run her wonderful Trapunto Quilting Class here  on the weekend on 1 October.  Be sure to give Lisa a call or send her an email if you'd like more details - there is still a couple of places available.  Bev's particularly well known for her beautiful quilting and this class is open to students of all levels.  There are samples available in the shop, please call in and have a look.

Finally, if you need any more encouragement to come and visit this delightful shop, Lisa is just now unpacking 4 more boxes of fabric - heaven help my bank account, we may just have to live on vegemite and toast for the next few days while I pay for all this wonderful fabric.

Enough from me - I've got to get back to sewing!

 

 

Finally the day has arrived for Kay – she has finished hand quilting Stevie’s Garden.  Huge congratulations go to Kay for her wonderful effort and of course her stick ability.  So she has come to sewing today with her next project requiring some of her loving care and attention.  Duck Hill – a block of the month program from Susan Smith of Patchwork on Stonleigh. 

 

 

 

Original Quilt:  Curiosity Bedspread pattern by Sears, Roebuck & Co in 1935

Made By: Mrs. Avery Burton aged 68 from Duck Hill Mississippi.

Ironically Kay is also 68 this year - so we told her that she had better get a wriggle on.

Majella is working on her Auntie Green and is nearly finished her centre in readiness for the next class.  At this point in time I feel my stick ability is slowly losing its stick.  Not that I am sitting at home with my feet up – well that bit is actually true.  I have been binding quilts for customers and my feet and shoulders are enjoying the pleasure of being supported by my new footstool as I work.  No binding jobs tonight so as soon as I finish this post I will be working on my Auntie Green.  DH is away on business in Newcastle so it is just the girls and me tonight so no big dinner to cook and early nights for the two teenagers.  A few hours of peace and quiet. My fingers tingle in happiness at the thought of holding needle and thread.

 

Paula brought her Auntie Green to sewing today and if you look closely you will see that she has altered the shape of some of her flowers and her palette is softer and prettier than most.  It is really sweet.  I look forward to seeing how everyone is progressing with their quilts when we all get together in a few weeks.

 

 

Wendy has arrived with a basket of homemade glazed apricot muffins yum.…. and a bundle of Lollipop Tree blocks appliqued down.  They look absolutely gorgeous and everyone congratulates her as each block reveals an even more gorgeous block.  It makes my fingers itch for my blocks which have come to a standstill as I try and complete the centre of my Auntie Green. 

Patrina is madly sewing a quilt for her daughter and is in charge of lunch today.  She made us a delicious sweet potato soup with bread rolls.  Comfort food.  No wonder I look forward to Tuesday’s so much.  Scrumptious food and wonderful company – who could ask for more? 

The sewing room had happy sounds emanating from it, as all the tables were full of happy buzzing ladies working on different projects. Stories were being told and laughter bounced around the room.  So you don’t feel as if you missed out here are some stories that were shared. 

Kay hated her time at boarding school.  She was a very mischievous young lady so it was no surprise to her that when she left she was offered a position as housemistress.  Her earlier adventures had placed her in the best position to ensure that her charges would not be repeat offenders. 

Katrina was telling us of a visit to her grandparents when she was married and 7 months pregnant with her son.  Pop was suffering from “old-timers” so Gran was in charge of entertaining and ensuring that all went off without a hitch.  So when Gran left the room to make a cuppa for everyone Katrina was surprised when Pop kindly asked if she was due to leave high school later that year.  Priceless!

Not to be outdone Ros piped up that no one noticed when she left school.  Halfway into the year the teachers began asking her sister if everything was all right with Ros – had she been ill.  Her sister had to inform her teachers that Ros was fine and doing well at University where she had been since she graduated school the year prior. Laughing at this memory Ros believes it was because she was such a model student – no trouble – quiet – well behaved.  Sure Ros!

Our lovely Linda is back from a few weeks travelling around Germany where she and hubby attended a friends wedding.  Unfortunately she was unable to find a patchwork shop - she doesn't know how they cope without a patchwork shop. Her daughter Kris is getting married in a few weeks and she flew in to collect a quilt that she had made before she left for Germany.

Quilt: For my Daughter

Designer:  Bronwyn Hayes

Fabrics:  Barefoot Roses by Tanya Whelan 

It has the most delightful stitcheries along both sides of the quilt and Linda has done a stunning job with her embroidery.   A wedding gift to a very much-loved young lady.

I hope these friends that come together age like their quilts - never losing their warmth for each other.

Until next time.......lisa