Welcome to Precious Time

Missing in end of year activities

I have been absent from the blog for a few weeks as end of year school celebrations seem to have had me running the girls from one event to the next.  It is such a busy time of the year for everyone.  So while the girls were having a good time celebrating the end of another school year my DH and I were in Terrigal having a celebration all of our own.  My husband works for a computer company and this years Christmas party was in Terrigal.  We were flown down and accommodated for the weekend at the Crowne Plaza – heaven – no children, breakfast (that I didn’t have to cook), a few nice dinners (Le Chat Noir was simply divine) and drinks by the pool – what more could you ask for.  We had a relaxing weekend looking around the area, which is so picturesque; there are gorgeous lakes, stunning beaches and breathtaking bays.  Definitely somewhere I would like to visit again.

 

So after Quilt Market in Houston all the fabric reps hit the road with the new fabric swatches to try and entice all good shop owners…..every year their job gets easier and easier as the fabric gets more irresistible.  The colours, designs and fabric stories are like candy to a child – so many beautiful colours and prints…..yummy.

So what have we ordered I hear you ask. Gorgeous, gorgeous and more gorgeous.  We have ordered the full range of Barbara Brackman’s new range titled Battle Hymn. In 1862 Julia Ward Howe published the Battle Hymn of the Republic, a moving anthem still sung 150 years later. This reproduction fabric line remembers the first full year of the Civil War, its battles and losses.  Muted colours recall the mood of mourning.  The original prints date from mid to late 19^th century, many drawn from an 1860’s mill sample book.  Print styles fashionable in the 1860’s include small figures in formal repeats, floral trails and a floral spray that might be a cotton boll (the pod from which the cotton fibers grow).  The flag print may date to the 1870’s, a postwar celebratory fabric to commemorate the Union’s Centennial.  This is beautiful fabric and we loved every print in the range.  I am sorry we forgot to take a photo of it when we ordered it but you can have a look at it by clicking on this on this link (hope it works).

 

Another range that we fell in love with was Athill Range by Cabbages and Roses. After a lunch with a divine lady named Diana Athill the perplexing task of naming their latest collection was solved.  Her name, demeanor, elegance and wit, her fine head of coiffed hair, everything about her stated “English Lady”.  Born in 1917 she worked as a literary editor with some of the most important writers of the 20^th Century.  In essence their collection is brim full of vintage English charm and the name Athill seemed so fitting.  Moda has adapted the prints into tiny, medium and larger scale prints with just the right amount of colour.  Cabbage and Roses hope you embrace this collection.

         

We have lots more beautiful to share with you so keep watching for the next installment.

 

Kay brought her finished Antique Baby Quilt in to show us and I know that you will all agree that it is truly stunning.  Someone asked Kay which baby was going to receive this wonderful quilt to which she replied  - this baby, meaning herself.  The quilt is large enough to lay on top of a queen bed.  I am sure that I have said this before – but I really want to make this Marg Sampson quilt – it is on my list – I hope I live long enough.

 

Another to have finished a quilt of super size is our bubbly Izabella.  She collected her Love Letters by Blackbird Designs this week, after Majella did the most beautiful job of quilting it.  This is the first needle turn applique quilt for Izabella and her fellow class participants are extremely proud of her – if truth be told they may even be a little jealous – good jealous though – the jealous that makes them want to finish their quilts so that they can be as proud and happy as Izabella.  So imagine our surprise when we show Izabella her quilt only to be told she has another ready for quilting.  She has also completed her William Morris quilt, which she started a couple of years ago in a class at the shop.  She is starting to put a few of us to shame – or more precisely – me.  Her William Morris quilt is a credit to her hard work and persistence to see it finished.  Congratulations Izabella!

 

Precious Pyramids is the latest creation from Majella, made with a delicious mix of fabrics from Joel Dewberry and Anna Maria Horner you will be able to whip this quilt up in no time.  We have precut all the fabrics for you so that all you need do is go home and start sewing.  All the fun without any of the tedious cutting – I wish all my kits came like that – what joy.  If you come into the shop have a feel of this quilt as we backed it with one of the many beautiful voiles that we have in stock.  Not only does it feel divine but it also makes the quilt so light and the drape is like an antique quilt – soft and dreamy.

 

As it quietens (not sure if that is a word - but I'll run with it) down there is still a mountain of work to be done at the shop.  We take this time to work on the class program for next year, clean and freshen up the shop and best of all - make new quilts.  If you have been to visit in the last week you may have had a peek at some new quilts on the design wall. 

I hope all is well at your house and that you find some time to enjoy your stitching.

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.  ~Laura Ingalls Wilde

Lisa

Exam hideaway.......

With the days going by so quickly our thoughts begin to be consumed with end of year events. For those of us with children still at school there is a lot going on and mums and dads are trying to keep everyone on an even keel – exams, op’s, formals, end of year parties – the list goes on. My girls are in exam week so things are a little tense at our house – chocolate helps!  It seems the best thing to do at the moment is to keep feeding them and not ask too many or any questions at all.   So with all this going on at home it was delightful to hide out at the shop and catch up with the Sunday Slipper girls and see what they were all up to.

Amanda fell in love with Majella’s (Kookaburra Cottage) Two French Birds so she set about laying her applique out on Sunday and as you can see she has gone with a completely different palette – clear and fresh it looks gorgeous.

 

Margie is working hard on her Marg Sampson quilt and is getting ever closer to the finish line.  All the girls fell in love with the beautiful elephants at the top of her quilt – it always amazes me how each one of us looks at a piece of fabric with different eyes and sometimes we see such different stories.

Thanks for making us look at this gorgeous fabric with new eyes…… 

Bev tried hard not to have her photo taken by looking like she was very busy laying her Auntie Green cable down.

 

Cath decided that she wanted to make the Toothbrush Rug and her fabric of choice was Kaffe – so delicious you could almost eat it.  Cath says with a big grin on her face that the rug is for kitchen in her donga – this will be the best-dressed donga out west if this is anything to go by. Once her new house is finished it will take pride of place in the kitchen but I do wonder if she will be able to bring herself to use it – will keep you updated.

 

We have been visited by the fabric reps in the past few days showing all the new must have - can't live without fabrics so keep watching this space to see some of the beautiful fabrics that we have ordered for next year - not too far away if you fall in love with anything or everything (like us).

Congratulations to all the parents who have survived yet another school year.......enjoy time with the ones you love.  Lisa

It was nearly mine.........

We have had a busy week at the shop with wonderful quilts coming to visit us for show and tell so I thought it might be nice to share some of them with you.

 

Cathie and Kath popped in for a visit to drop off Cathie’s beautiful sampler quilt “American Beauty” by Marti Michell.  The girls are an hour’s drive from Toowoomba so they make sure that any appointments in town (accountants, doctors etc.) fall between Tuesday and Friday so that they can come and visit us here at the shop.  It is such a lovely compliment that they fit us in around their very busy schedules.  Thanks girls

It was so lovely to see Jalena visiting us this week – unfortunately she has had a difficult year with her health but we are so happy to see that she is getting back on track and has the desire to sew again.  The school where Jalena’s children attend make a trip each year to India and ask for quilts to be made for underprivileged children, so it was a great surprise to see her back just one week later with her quilt top finished, quilted and bound – ready to be loved by an unkown little person in another land.  Quilters are such generous people and being reminded of that definitely lightens and softens ones heart.

I was nearly the owner of a gorgeous little quilt on Wednesday evening – the story goes like this.

While the girls were in for glorious applique I remembered there was a quilt in the cupboard for Izabella - so out it came to be flounced to oohs and aahs.  There was a quilt for Cathy so I pull it out – Cathy looks blankly at me – no that isn’t mine – yes it is – no lovey that doesn’t belong to me – yes Cathy it does – no darling you have the wrong person.  So I search in the bag for the docket and there in black and white is her name, the name of the quilt, the type of backing and the wadding.  So I show this to Cathy while explaining I couldn’t possibly have gotten so much information wrong on the quilting form.  Thoughts of who belongs to it – what do I do now – how could this have happened are swimming around in my head, when suddenly someone in the group says – Cathy we made this as a Sunday Slipper project.  Ta da the light goes on and embarrassed Cathy admits that it does actually belong to her.  Laughter bounds around the room and nearly, very nearly I became the proud owner of this little quilt.  There is something to be said for quitting while you’re ahead.

 

Every year we start lots of projects at the shop – most of them we finish but occasionally we start something and for some reason it doesn’t quite make it to the finish line – we find something we love more, or the project isn’t working for us, or in this case of this quilt  - it lived on the design wall for weeks with no comments from customers or visitors to the shop.  So down it came to be put in a basket where it didn’t see the light of day for a year.  So you can imagine over time we have a few projects like that – what to do with them.  So feeling a bit overwhelmed and wanting to lighten my quilting burden I decided to let this project go and put it into the scrap bag bin in the shop (cut out and portions even sewn). I helped it go to a good home – and when Lesley brought it back into the shop for borders and binding this week I was thrilled to see it put together and looking so gorgeous.  Also thrilled were some customers in the shop who fell in love with Lesley’s quilt and ordered kits.  I know you are probably all thinking what a stupid thing to do but I am really happy that Lesley finished it and loves it so much – it no longer lives in the basket in the cupboard – it will now bring joy and comfort to a quilter, her family and friends.  Isn’t that what it’s all about!

 

Even thought we have had a busy week at the shop I have managed to do a little sewing.  In preparation for class this evening I made another Palm Beach bag in one of my favourite fabrics, “Fairlyte Garden” by Melissa White.  Now I can’t wait for Christmas holidays so I can use it out shopping or on a trip to the beach…I could even make the larger bag (perfect for holding all my projects) out of some delicious Amy fabric that arrived last week …………stay tuned.

 

 

With Christmas not that far away here is a thought to leave you with.  Have a wonderful weekend……lisa

 

Santa is very jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live – Dennis Miller

 

The weekend with Sue.....

What a weekend – it is always such a hive of activity when Sue Ross is in town.  Sadly for us she was here for her last visit for the year and the class was a mix of wonderful ladies - some determined to finish their quilts before the years end and then some who were eager to start a quilt that they had seen in the shop or on the blog.  So what did they all get up to –

Amanda had wanted to start a quilt using a collection of Sue and Rowan’s spots and stripes from their latest range.  As you can see she is extremely happy with her blocks

 

Kelly was a first timer in Sue’s class and she dove straight in wanting to learn how to use the large, colourful prints from designers like Kaffe Fassett, Martha Negley and Philip Jacobs.  Thrilled with her choices even the daunting task of having to sew 60 segments didn’t dampen her spirits and she forged ahead to complete around 20 segments before she left on Sunday afternoon.

Genell has had a year filled with sadness, her son Matthew lost belongings in the January floods, her husband suffered a heart attack and just recenty both her mother and aunt passed away.  So it was absolutely wonderful to have Genell back in class and those of you that know her well won’t be surprised to see that she was working on more than one project over the weekend.  She like most of us, has started more than one of Sue’s quilts so what to bring to class……….all of them of course.  So here is Genell with her Circles of Fun, Whirlygigs and Morning Star.

 

Cathy was working on a quilt to gift to a male member of her family so Sue helped her choose some gorgeous dark masculine fabrics to make the centre of her quilt pop.  Cathy had to leave early so she just didn’t quite have enough time to sew the last border on her quilt but we all agreed that her quilt was stunning and more than a few of the ladies would have been happy to try and snatch it and make a run for it – me included.  We can’t wait to see the finished quilt and knowing Cathy we won’t have to wait too long.

 

Fiona continued to work on her Strawberry Shortcake quilt using soft reproduction prints and smoky pretties.  There is a lot of work in this quilt but like anything worth having you have to be prepared to put in the hard yards.

I was on the countdown from 60 segments like Kelly and after two days of stitching some of my blocks were whisked up on the design wall for eyes, corner squares and backgrounds to be chosen – I might still be auditioning fabrics but here are some of my blocks

While Sue was visiting we had the opportunity to talk about next year’s program and what she had in store for us and by us we mean you too…..

So next year we are thrilled to offer a mystery technique sampler quilt – Flight of Fancy - designed by Sue – she said it should be called Flight of Fantasy because it is still swimming around in her head – but we have every faith in her.  Teaching two new techniques each visit with her last class of the year being a completion class offering different layouts to finish your quilt. Sue will be teaching her technique blocks on the first day of her two-day block (eg Thursday morning or Saturday morning).   Sue has chosen a selection of fabrics from the shop and Majella and I cut and packed them today in readiness for next year – unbelievable but true. This is a fantastic opportunity to join Sue and to not only learn new skills but to also make a beautiful quilt.

So delicious - we can't wait to see what Sue does with this collection of fabrics.  Keep watching this space for updates.

I have more to share with you but an extremely busy day in the shop along with being the family referee has me feeling wiped out – I also realize it is well after 11pm, for whatever reason this post has taken me hours to write – so off to bed for me.  

Sweet dreams to you all...............lisa

Class list now available

I have just uploaded the final classes list for this year on the website but if you click on classes this should take you directly to the website to view the classes list.  I hope this works so if you have any trouble can you please take the time to send me an email so that I can try again.  The craft show was recently in Brisbane and my gorgeous friend Majella drove me down on Sunday to enjoy a day away from the shop and take in some wonderful quilts, new fabrics and catch up with old friends.  It was wonderful to see the crowds supporting this event and our Australian shops.  I had a lovely day which started with breakfast at the French bakery - French Twist - across the road from the craft show. Ssshh! - don't tell too many people. Oh my the delicacies!  Just thinking about all the gorgeous pastries I can feel the pounds jumping onto my thighs. Ssshh! - don't tell too many people. 

So apart from disappearing to Brisbane what else have I been up to in the past few days.  I had the pleasure of sewing with some friends on Saturday afternoon, which was such a pleasure because it is very rare that I get time just to sit, talk and sew like a normal quilter.  Of course it happened unexpectedly - my sewing was at home instead of in the car like normal - so what to do.  Start something new.  My project of choice was this darling little bag from Natalie Bird..........I was thrilled with the end result and the shop has a new little treasure.

We also received the most gorgeous bundle of grey fabrics from Bunny Hill - I spent the day wondering what to make with them but they are walking out the door super quick, so if I don't hurry up I might miss out, which would be sad for me, but good for you. If you love greys you will love these prints.........

My fingers are itching to do a little stitching before I go to bed which means it is time for me to say goodnight.  Looking forward to sharing more with you in the next post.  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

Fit for a princess.........

 

 

This week saw the much-awaited 50^th birthday celebrations for our dear friend Izabella.  As promised she wore her vintage dress made from Martha Negley complete with matching high-heeled shoes. She did however bring a comfortable pair of shoes to wear around – once you hit 50, comfort is high on the list.  She looked stunning of course and we delighted in the various poses as the girls arrived to help her celebrate.  Gifts both sensible and silly were exchanged along with lots of laughter and we delighted in the joys of friendship that have grown with this group of women over our time together. 

 
 

I have been busy gathering kits for ladies who are attending a class at Quilting on the Downs so I thought it would be nice to share some of them with you.  They look so delicious once they are packed and wrapped.  Every time we choose a new kit it becomes my favourite, and it is the one I want to use to make the quilt.  Then of course we pack another kit and then fizz…. I change my mind again.  Seriously I can’t make the same quilt in 5 or 6 different colourways – or can I.   I think I need help – is there any form of intervention for serial quilters?  My Dali Lama quilting chant begins to swim around my head – stick ability – stick ability.  I think I need chocolate.

 

Today we had a visit from Jendi and her daughter Eliza. Darling Eliza is holding one of the matching pillowcase tops that Jendi made to compliment her quilt. She came to collect her quilt “Hope” that our gorgeous Bev quilted for her.  It is absolutely stunning.  I am not sure if the pictures will do it justice. The rain has started to fall quite heavy and it seems like the best place to be would be at home with a quilt in hand, stitching.

The girls from Cold Wind are meeting tonight and I have not finished my block.  Oh well there is always next month.  I hope that you have a wonderful weekend no matter what it is that keeps you busy.

 

Do what you can, with what you have, where you can – Theodore Roosevelt.

 

 

 

Romance, art, good food, retail therapy......

I have been missing in action for the past few days as my DH took me away to Kingscliffe for some romantic time together to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  He booked us into the Kingscliffe Seaside Guesthouse for the weekend and we arrived in a shower of mist and cool winds to enjoy a luscious afternoon tea with champagne…….all the romantic stuff that makes a girly girl very happy.  Our hosts Julie and Ian took wonderful care of us with sumptuous breakfasts while allowing us the privacy of an intimate weekend.  

While we were there we visited the Tweed River Art Gallery whose current exhibition is the Archibald Finalists for 2011.  The gallery is set into the hills of Murwillumbah and as you alight from the car you are immersed in green rolling hills and happy fat cows feasting beside a dam.  Sounds idyllic – all true – and have the picture to prove it.  We saw the most beautiful portraits of Hugo Weaving, Matt Moran, Richard Roxburough and Cate Blanchett to name a few.  Of course the winning portrait of Margaret Olley by Ben Quilty was hanging and it was obvious by the crowds flowing into the gallery it was a huge draw card.  I left the gallery feeling slightly emotional by the wonderful work that we were blessed to see. The exhibition finishes on 11 September so if you have the opportunity to cross the border to Murwillumbah I urge you to go.

On the way home my darling took me to Laura Ashley at Robina and I may have indulged with a purchase of one or two things…….I really needed some gorgeous cushions and ended up with the three pictured along with a wonderful wicker basket and footstool.  So gorgeous – they now sit alongside my sewing chair.

So my day today has been the worst – nothing but problems with Outlook on my computer.  I have done nothing all day except sit on the computer with the phone glued to my ear as I bounced between Apple and Microsoft.  It was a yucky day.  It has taken until this post to solve the problem and as my patience was definitely at an end I transferred the burden of my computer issues to my DH.  He came through…….yeah!!!! 

So one of the bright spots in the day was receiving the image of Sue’s pickle dish quilt for her class in September.  She has also completed another 18 blocks, which she has made in her usual mix of retro-kaffe-reproduction fabrics.  Sue has not sewn these blocks together so that she can show you some different layouts.  So exciting.  Sue always presses the envelope and moves us in the most unexpected directions.

We will be finalizing the classes for Quilting on the Downs in the next week so if you have been thinking about a class or two or three now is the time to confirm your place.  Wonderful tutors – great classes and likeminded ladies will ensure that you will have a memorable and inspiring time.  Oh not to mention the wonderful food supplied by Bernice and Chris…..yummy, yummy, yummy.

It is very, very late and the relationship with my computer is now on the path to happiness so time for bed.  I wish you all sweet dreams

Next post – New fabric – arrived today.

Sorry but have just realized my camera is sitting on my desk, so will have to post the images tomorrow when I arrive at work…….like I said before …….yucky day.

 

Till then lisa

 

 

Friendships bind us together.........

 
This week started off with the sadness of a funeral.  It was a wonderful tribute to her life and we were reminded of her strong commitment to her family and community.  It was with heavy hearts that we left to return to work  - unsure of what awaited us.   Something so wonderful – friends.  The sewing room was filled with happiness, laughter, the busyness of projects and food (yum).  Homemade food – made with love for those who share it.  Our hearts were immediately lightened by the joy we felt in the room.  We are all blessed by the gorgeous friends that fill our lives playing different parts – we have friends we can depend on – we have friends that depend on us – we have “funtime” friends – friends that challenge us – friends that love us regardless of our faults (thank God).  At the end of the day I hope that I am all of the above and more to my friends.

So what are these gorgeous friends of mine sewing?

Kyleigh is making Majella’s (Kookaburra Cottage) quilt French Bouquet using Pom Pom de Paris.  She has been working hard on a stack of pieced stars but the piece de resistance is her centre block, which has been fused and blanket stitched by machine.  We all want one, especially me.  I can’t believe she said no……..really Kyleigh what else do you have to do.

   

 

Today started with the joy of seeing a fabric rep.  I love days that start this way  - sometimes there are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds (true) of samples and at other times like today there are a just three or four hundred.  I decided on the new range from Blackbird Designs called Blueberry Crumb Cake – yummy blues and creams that will be fresh and cool in the warm months of Summer.  We can’t wait to make something delicious with them. I couldn't leave the cross stitch and gorgeous background fabric so they can look forward to a new home when they arrive.

             

The other range that I loved was Urban Cowgirl by Urban Chiks. Urban Chiks are two young designers from Moda – one with a fashion background but modern lifestyle and the other a graphic designer with a passion for vintage textiles.  I hope you fall in love with their fabrics as much as me.  Here is a sample of the gorgeous fabrics we have chosen from their range.  Enjoy.......

     

We had some lovely visitors from overseas today - Jeltje van Essen (on the far left) and friends from 100 rozen Quiltshop in Holland.  The girls are over here on a holiday with a list of 40 shops to visit.  What a holiday!  They are already talking about posting their purchases home and they have only been here a week.  It was a delight to have them visit and share their love of fabrics, quilts and Kaffe Fassett (big fans) – we may come from different countries but we (quilters) have our own language and we happily talked quilts, fabrics and designers.

        
 

It was a delight for them and me that Lorna arrived with her finished bordered diamonds quilt from the Kaffe class earlier in the year.  We were all so excited Jeltje was taking a photo for her blog and I was taking a photo for my blog.  It is so inspiring that quilts unite us regardless of where we are in our lives or where we live.

Our lives are like quilts we make  - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.

Until next time……………lisa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mystery Quilts & Lollies ..........both are yummy

A few of us that are addicted to leaving our families and heading to the beach to quilt ran away for a weekend to make a mystery quilt.  Rosters were given and menus were planned – the stakes were quite high after our last retreat – we all blame it on Master Chef and the smarty pants (you know who you are) who made Barb and Alma’s (Blackbird Design) French Toast from their gorgeous book Country Inn.  I sold just as many books for that absolutely delicious recipe as I did to make projects and quilts.

  

We left the dreary and extremely cold weather of Toowoomba behind and arrived at Buderim to warm, sunny beautiful days.  Yayyyyy!  DH was left to mind the shop on Friday afternoon – the morning had been quiet so I assured him that he would be fine.  Grab the paper have a coffee.

I didn’t get 10mins down the street before the phone started to ring hot.  Lots (and lots) of lovely ladies from Quilters Corner were up for their annual retreat ……shop was full…….DH never saw the paper or the coffee.  

The weekend was wonderful with most of the ladies finishing their quilts and as you will see from the following images and comments a good time, was had by all.   We overcame world affairs like: sick husbands, husbands attempting to cook and in need of assistance, children whose homework needed proof reading and those who were suffering from broken hearts. Does anyone remember what happened before mobile phones?

 

Helen made a start early Saturday morning and there was no stopping her from there.  She was determined to go home with her quilt finished.  All the ladies worked really hard - extracurricular activities were kept to a minimum - just a glass or two of champagne.

Here are some comments by those who attended the weekend.

Were you nervous about making a mystery quilt? 

* No. I knew that my fabrics were beautiful and that the finished quilt would be lovely

*Yes. I don’t like not knowing what I am making

*Yes I was nervous at first but now I have a sense of achievement.  If I had seen the picture first I don’t think I would have been game enough to take it on.

What did you enjoy the most? 

*I loved my colours and watching everybody working and completing their quilts

*The excitement of anticipating what the final design was going look like and trying to guess the design as it came together.

*Completing the quilt of course and the magic of the makeover.

   

 

Were you happy with your finished quilt? 

*My quilt looks beautiful and I am very happy with it

I don’t know yet

*While I do think my Coconut Ice is beautiful, I do prefer the richer colours of Izabella’s Cherry Ripe and Bronwyn’s Caramel Fudge quilt.  

Ironic too that I prefer to eat cherry ripe and caramel fudge to coconut ice.

 

 

Would you make another mystery quilt?

*Absolutely sign me up for the next one I really enjoyed it

*You bet I would.

*Perhaps

*Absolutely, as long as there are no nine patch units in it.

*Yes, I would do it again especially as a part of a group, as it is great to see everyone’s quilt develop. 

 

Is there anything you didn’t enjoy about the weekend? 

*No it was great fun

*The whole weekend was great!   Great food, great company, and even a sleep in.

 

Would you recommend it to other quilting friends?

*Definitely, it was a challenge but an enjoyable one

*My quilting friends already know.

*I be talking to everyone that is listening

*Would recommend it to any addicted quilter (as long as they don’t take my space.)

 

So look out for our next Mystery Quilt Weekend.

 

Next post - Kay is working on a new design by Sue Ross and the gorgeous Liberty Garden Quilt.

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