Welcome to Precious Time

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

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

 

 

 

A happy heart

I have finished hand appliqueing one block of my Lollipop Trees and I am celebrating – only 15 to go plus the border applique.  My chanting has come to fruition and my heart is light and happy and my fingers are itching to start the next block. There is something creative and calming about having stitching in your hands.  Needle turn applique seems to scare a lot of people and I am the first to admit that it took me some time before I started my first hand applique quilt.  Like many quilters I have made quilts and projects with buttonhole by hand as well as machine applique, but needle turn was for the most qualified and experienced of quilters.  I have taken classes with Robyn Pandolph  - so I have been taught by one of the best.  So what stopped me – the answer is simple - me.  I have persevered though all my lumps and bumps and my stitches have been improving and I am absolutely thrilled with my work. I know that there will be more bumps and lumps to conquer but I am really looking forward to the challenge.  I think  one of the scariest things about this work is that when you lay the pieces on the background they seem to swallow everything around them and you really wonder how you are going to hold it – turn it – sew it, but you just start and it is amazing what you can accomplish.  So I thought it might be nice to share a before and after with you so you can see the difference.  Have faith in your abilities and take the leap………..

   

Yesterday the post office had the most wonderful parcel that contained quilts from Wendy Williams for her classes in September.  Yeah!  They are so, so, gorgeous and I am truly excited by her upcoming visit.

     

Pebbly Beach showcases solids perfectly, often the forgotten fabrics in the shop but this quilt is a perfect example of how to use them.

    

Growing Up combines funky applique and simple piecing with shapes set over newspaper prints, which document and remind us of the events that happen in our world.  This wonderful quilt by Wendy was recently hung at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in Oregon USA and it was such a lovely treat to open it and see the label and ribbon still attached.  Even after two days of walking past this quilt I am still finding quirky fabrics that I hadn’t seen before.  Growing up has never been so much fun……….

If you would like to join Wendy for one of her classes please contact the shop for further information.  A happy person who is a fantastic teacher ………a class you won’t want to miss.

We are all progressing with our Auntie Green all determined not to be the "one" who has not finished their centre applique in readiness for Sue's next class. So here are some progress photos so you can see how some of us are faring........   

   this beautiful centre belongs to our effervescent Katrina.  She comes to class filled with enthusiasm and a happy energy and the day is brighter when she has visited.

 Kay Haydon is the proud owner of this centre and she is nearly finished - all that is left is a few leaves to applique and then her oval vine.  It is amazing that we all started with the same starter pack but each of our quilts has their own individual look.

 this is my centre and the colour of the background fabric doesn't scare me as much as it did in the beginning.  The more I work with it the more I enjoy the colour Sue choose for me.

Kay brought her Floral Lantern quilt made from yummy chintz from Denmark for show and tell this week. Hand sewn and hand quilted it is absolutely beautiful.  She designed with quilt with Sue Daley from Busy Fingers - I had to take a photo of the backing fabric to share with you because it was so divine, lots and lots of oohs and ahhhs.....I know that it has now been added to some of the girls must make list.

   

The really happy people are the ones who can enjoy the scenery even when they have to take a detour........

Till next time.........lisa 

 

 

Working hard for lollipops

Majella and I worked our little buts (unfortunately mine is much larger than hers) off today to get further ahead on Lollipop Trees.  So as promised here are some more blocks ready for stitching - I am really thrilled with them and after seeing Moya yesterday who has 3 blocks stitched I am itching to start appliqueing my blocks down. But I am on a deadline for Auntie Green so my lollipop trees will just have to wait a little longer.  Seeing her blocks was fantastic - they shrink down which is wonderful to see because with the seam allowance on the applique pieces they completely swallow up the background. It all looks a little daunting at times. Next time I see her I will take a photo and post them on the blog so that you can see the difference.

   

Izabella was awarded a gold star this evening for finishing the centre of her Auntie Green.  She is now the first of us to be ready for the next class. So while Izabella started making the bias for Sue's next visit I kept sewing my few pink leaves on.   

  

It is so wonderful to see that more of you are taking the time to read our blog so I thought that it might be nice to share 5 things about myself - so here goes

1.  I love the beach.  My grandparents lived on the Sunshine Coast and my mother and her siblings grew up in Buderim, so that area holds a special place in my heart.

2.  In my spare time (which is not a lot) I love to go to the movies and escape - a good chick flick, romance or period drama are my favourites.  You won't get me to a suspense or scary movie for all the tea in China.

3.  If I buy roses for the house or the shop my favourite colour is yellow.  In Victorian times, the yellow rose symbolized jealousy but today it represents friendship, joy and caring. 

4.  I can't draw and have never been able to.  I have trouble drawing a square without it looking wonky so please don't ask me to ever draw a person or animal not even a house.  Absolutely hopeless. 

5.  I am a hopeless romantic.  

I have just looked at my watch and even without my glasses I can see it is 11 o'clock.  Time for bed and sweet dreams.............until next time..........lisa

 

 

 

Sweet taste of lollipops...........

Another week is starting which only means one thing - another week has flown by in a whir.  So what have I been doing while this time has whizzed past me.  One thing!  Lollipop Trees.  For any of you following the progress of this quilt you will be aware that I am running a little behind.  I wish I had the ability to slow that whizzing time down so that I could achieve more in my day.  I need a magic nose like Samantha that I can wiggle and……..ta dah!   Reality hits so I dive into the Kaffe room in search of the perfect fabrics for the next block.  Hi Ho, Hi Ho it’s off to work I go. 

 

As a consumer I would have looked at this block of the month and thought $55.00 a month – love it  - $55 a month – not sure - maybe.  But now that I am choosing the fabrics for the blocks which takes me the better part of the day I realize that I would gladly pay $55.00 a month to have someone choose the fabrics and tell me exactly where to place them.  I am very grateful though – all this work of choosing, tracing and preparing has me in a wonderful position when it comes time to sew the blocks.  All I need do is find a matching thread and sew away…. surely that won’t be too hard.

 

So with no magic nose here are the next blocks in Lollipop Trees – ta dah!

     

 

We had a lovely visit today from mummy Moya (Majella’s mum).  She brought in the centre of her Auntie Green that she has been hard at work on.  It is really beautiful and Moya has nearly finished the applique in readiness for her next class. 

 

 

Congratulations Moya. 

 

If you are wondering how I am going on my vintage blue I have chosen the fabric for the outer leaves thankfully they are all out of the one fabric (that was enough of a challenge) and am currently sewing them down.   When I have some more “roxanned” down I will post a photo to give you an update.  No holding your breath – it definitely won’t be good for your health. 

A short post tonight, but there will be more photos of Lollipop Trees tomorrow night – keep an eye out.

Happiness comes from the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life and to be needed.  Storm Jameson

Storm now has me thinking............ see you tomorrow.........lisa

 

 

 

 

Wedding, champagne & quilts.......

With the Royal wedding afoot it has me and probably a lot of you reminiscing about how quickly time passes and more importantly what we did with all that time.  For some it was spent buying a home and raising children, for others travelling, for most of us it was spent working so that we could do some or all of the previous. 

I can’t really remember a time that I wasn’t quilting or sewing and when I look back at my work I see a different girl in each of my projects.  My desires, loves and skills have grown and that is refreshing as well as invigorating. Quilting has evolved so much - I can remember making a quilt for my first apartment and my choice of fabrics were blue, yellow or apricot. Not only have the fabrics changed but so has the demographic of quilters.  As quilters we are blessed with choice of fabrics, designers and style of quilts that are available to tempt our creative desires.

 

One of the new designers to enter the quilting world is Camille Roskelley.  Camille designs quilt patterns and in 2008 with her mum Bonnie, joined the Moda family and began designing fabrics.  Camille has now published her first book “Simplify”.  It is filled with quilts for the modern home using pre-cut jelly rolls, charm packs etc.  The book is beautifully photographed and is filled with lovely quilts based on the theme of Simplicity.  This theme continues with the choice of fabrics and designs making this book a pleasure to read and look through – leaving only one hard decision – which quilt to make.  So here is a sneak peek at Simplify.  Make sure you have it on your look at list next time you visit.

 

So another month is almost at an end which means the next two blocks for Lollipop Trees are due.  With the short month, I am so thrilled to have them on the blog before it’s end.  Deadline achieved – ta dah - the next two blocks in this beautiful quilt. 

 

Our applique group celebrated a special birthday last week and as with all celebrations show and tell is imminent.  Izabella brought in her finished diamond quilt from the Kaffe class in February and our friend Kay brought Stevie’s Garden in for the evening as she continued the massive task of hand quilting this gorgeous quilt as well as her finished bordered diamond quilt from the Kaffe class.  (sorry about the size - I really must get some lessons for this new mac).Congratulations to both Izabella and Kay on their beautiful quilts – the pressure is now on for them to be quilted.

        Kay and her bordered diamonds all pieced by hand

    Izabella holding her very pink diamond quilt

 
 Stevie's Garden

 

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication……..Leonardo da Vinci

So I am off to Majella’s for the evening to watch the Royal Wedding and have a glass or two of bubbly. Have a wonderful weekend.........lisa

 

 

These wonderful three ladies gave up their Sunday a few weeks ago to make quilts
for the flood victims at Grantham.  These lovely little quilts came together very
quickly with one of us cutting, one of us ironing and two of us sewing.  We will
be having another charity sewing day soon so if you are able to help sew, iron
or make the tea and cofee and don't mind giving up a few hours on a Sunday afternoon
 it would be greatly appreciated.  The ladies left on such a high after completing their
quilts and can't wait for them to be quilted and bound so that they can be gifted. 

 

The next two blocks for Lollipop Trees are finsished - ta dah!

 

I will confess, they are the February blocks - it just took me a little while to get
them on the blog.  I am now working on the March blocks with one more to go.  So
it won't be long before they are ready for you to see.  I have also been
working on my Flower Pots quilt I love, love, love it.  One block is completely finished
and I am nearly finished stitching the second block.  My camera is on loan - Year 8 School
Camp.  So when it is returned, hopefully in working order I will pop a photo of the blocks
up so you can see them.       

 

Much more to share with you but have to run and say hi to some ladies that have just arrived at the shop and wouldn't you know it a delivery man is also knocking at the back door.

Till then............lisa

Lollipop Trees

 
Fear is such a silly emotion especially when it stops you from trying new
experiences.  I have been so happy with my needle turn applique on Flower Pots 
that it has filled me with the confidence to start Lollipop Trees.  So here are the first two
blocks placed ready for stitching.   I am really looking forward to choosing the fabrics for the
next 2 blocks and it is here that I realise there are 14, 14 I say.  If you are anything like
me there is a "sewing high" when you start a new project -  you are so fizzy that you dive in
head first without realising the amount of work.  But the reality is that this quilt has
gotten into my system and I cannot not do it.   A big deep breath - just remember 2 at a time.
Apparently that's how Noah got all the animals on the ark so I am sure it can work for me.
If you are interested in Lollipop Trees we are running it as a block of the month. 
So with January chosen and the images now on the blog February is calling.  I have
 a quiet confidence that all will be well each month - Majella just smiles and
says quitely "they don't have to be stitched".  I hope that you like the two blocks as
 much as I loved getting them to this point.  Bring on February - oops it is already here!

 

 

Have to run as Sue is here and there is a show and tell of all the new things she has been working on.

Will try and have the images up in the next day or so................till then Lisa