Welcome to Precious Time

Well those other jobs just kept coming and coming and somewhere along the line I ran out of puff to find inspirational words, select images and try to convince myself that the page of words I had written, erased, rewritten, and finally erased (ahhhhhh!) do sound intelligent, thoughtful, exciting and encouraging……...so I have been absent while life has been busily whirring around me.  I am sorry to all my lovely, patient followers who keep checking and waiting for me to reappear from the depths.  My friends (yes more than one!) told me on numerous occasions that it is much easier to write the blog every day and at the beginning when I started writing I thought oh no – I can’t do this every day.  But what happened over time (much quicker than I had anticipated) was that my soul as much as my fingers would look forward to the time spent tapping away telling you about life at Precious Time, but the other thing that happens just as quickly is that once you miss a day or two or three it strangely becomes harder to start again.  You start to doubt what you write – will anyone read it and find it as funny or as interesting as me, and those few days easily turn into more - weeks.  I have never thought of my blogging as literary masterpieces – far from it – if I get through the post without spelling or grammar issues it is a blessing.  So that is where I have been for the past few weeks – in a haze of – what – not sure I can really tell you, but in that time I know that I have missed sharing with you the events, gorgeous quilts, beautiful fabrics and people that come into my life every day.  I have a love of beautiful things – at times it may be books, furniture (big at the moment as I redecorate my sewing room), antiques, fabrics, little treasures, buttons, good food (even better if I can learn how to cook it!) and all I really need to do is to share these things with you and see what road it takes us down.

 

So here goes……….

 

Wendy was very pleased with her block which will form part of Stars in Your Eyes - Tanya from Inverell was also working on the same quilt and here is her block....

 

Lana was beavering away at needleturn applique .......

Bev and her mum Pat joined Sarah for the weekend making the same quilt as Lana......... it is one of the most rewarding things about class - seeing what choices others make and how that can change the way we look at our quilts.....

Flock Together brought out lots of ooohhhs and aaaahhhhs......

Shelley was working hard at making lots and lots of tulips for her Night Garden.....

Caroline was thrilled with the way her Fruit Tingles (above) was coming together - don't you just love all those blues and purples.

And Amanda and Sue pottered away on their respective Geese around the World......

Majella and Patrina were making gorgeous little girls they came complete with houses, forests, animals and tulips.....still lots to make before they finish The Burbs.....

They even had poor Sarah on the floor showing them the next steps to bring their little community together.........

The girls from Warwick were busily choosing trunks for their seasonal trees.........

which will all come together to look like this..............

Angela and Marina were busily placing squares for their fabulous quilts........

Leaves and stems were glued down ready for stitching on the centre of my Whirlygig quilt......

We had the most fantastic weekend of sewing as Sarah Fielke joined us for two days of classes.  The class was filled with eager, happy ladies, some who had travelled from Brisbane and Warwick to join a crowd of Toowoomba ladies all raring to make a start on their quilt of choice.  Over the two days Sarah’s wonderful patience and fabulous teaching experience shone as she spent time with each student showing, explaining, answering, helping.  Her calm presence and gentle way were definitely a hit with the ladies in class.  Sarah was only too happy to share her tips, advice and love of threads, tools etc with the ladies.

 

love, love, love this quilt....... I know that there were a few girls willing to join me on the quilting journey to make this gorgeous quilt called Charlotte Sometimes - inspired by a vintage quilt top "Charlotte Tompkins, 1939"

We started the weekend with a super trunk show of Sarah’s quilts.  Luckily for us Sarah, Damian and the boys had come to spend the weekend with family so as any smart quilting mother does, Sarah told the boys they could share suitcase space and wear an extra layer of clothes on the plane – all the more room for quilts.  A big thank you boys.  It was such a treat to be able to see so many of Sarah’s quilts up close and personal – of course the list of “have to make” is now even longer but it doesn’t faze me – it is the reality of being a quiltmaker. Sarah's quilts come to being from a variety of things in her life including music and her love of travel. 

So here is a selection of Sarah’s quilts that she brought to share with us, including one or two new quilts that will be in her new book – due for release in April of 2013.  Just to wet your appetite. 

This is one of Sarah's new quilts which is awaiting a naming ceremony - there is an idea floating around her head just waiting on the right combination of words to be formed.

The quilt below has been made from Italian Shirting samples - they are absolutely delicious - so soft and fine - I wonder where Sarah found a man willing to wear those........

and here we all are..........happy little quilters looking foward to our next class with Sarah......

 

Of course it wouldn't be a true quilting weekend unless some little drama unfolded.  Our darling Cathie had a little mishap with her iron.....there truly are no words more fitting then those left around the offending space...........

With Mother's Day coming up on the weekend here are some thoughts that will put a smile on your face........

Mother's Dictionary of Meanings   Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert. Full Name: What you call your child when you're mad at him. Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you're not raising them right. Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word. Independent: How we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say. Show Off: A child who is more talented than yours. Sterilize: What you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it, and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it and wiping it with saliva. Whodunit: None of the kids that live in your house.

 

Catch you soon (fingers crossed for tomorrow) with more of what has been happening at Precious Time.........Lisa

 

Christmas is around the corner.......

You know Christmas is just around the corner when those around you start the  – it is only 7 weeks till Christmas.  The first time I heard this I went into denial and am sure that I misheard the sharing of this information.  Once I realized it to be true the first thing that came to mind was the children will be on school holidays in 3 weeks. It almost makes my heart go into palpitations. Not only do I wonder where the year has gone but the New Year will be upon me before I blink.  I love Christmas – I love buying gifts for those that I love – I gave up quite some time ago making gifts – they remain unfinished with the hope of being resurrected for next Christmas – sadly that has never been the case.  Not that I don’t want to make gifts for those that I love, I just always seem to have some difficulty with time management.  I know that a few of you are not surprised to hear this…I can hear you. It’s not just the shopping I love but the wrapping – choosing gorgeous papers and ribbons and most importantly the perfect gift tag.  I know these may not seem important but it is always the little things that show how much you care.  So to help those who are searching for that perfect gift, Precious Time now has a Christmas Wish List.  All you need do is complete a wish list of your most desired treasures, let your family or friends know and we will help them choose something delicious for you.

 

I am so excited about the wonderful array of tutors that we have lined up to teach for us next year.  I couldn’t have imagined that it would get any better but I have to share with you that we have been asked to host Sue Spargo in July/August of 2012.  The details are yet to be confirmed but if you are interested in spending time with Sue then please call the shop and leave your name and contact information.  Majella and I have spent 2 days with Sue (a few years ago) and we had the most wonderful time incorporating the use of wools, velvets, ribbons, threads and buttons with our fabrics.  Sue was not only generous of heart but also generous with her time and knowledge and under her guidance we felt confident to use these new mediums in our work.  The following photos are just a few that we took from time spent with her……

 

 

One of our favourite quilts that Sue showed on the day (my camera tells me it was April 2009)

 Sue's quilts radiate a sense of joy and whimsy ................

Still on the subject of tutors, while in Brisbane, Majella and I meet Michele Hill while she happily sat quilting one of her projects.  What a bubbly, easygoing lady. For those of you that love her quilts, we are sad to advise that 2012 is already filled with commitments but we are talking to her about teaching for us in 2013.  I am sure that it’s no surprise that is the first available teaching space – but it’s scary booking tutors for 2013 when we haven’t even spent a day in 2012 yet.

 

We received two lovely collections of fabrics from Lecien yesterday – the first Mrs. March’s Collection in Antique, which consists of soft greys, greens, pinks and lemons in small prints that would be a wonderful addition to any quilting stash.

The second is Cielle by Salgarollo, again the prints are soft and vintage in colour and print selections.  So here they are for you to enjoy and the basket is what happens when they are all chopped up and tied in little bundles of fat eights.  Scrumptious….

Sue Ross is up next weekend (5 & 6 November) to teach her last class for the year.  There is still some limited space in the class - so if you have been wanting to take a class with Sue to make Circles of Fun, Whily-gigs or Pickle Dish to name just a few then come along this weekend and join us and be challenged with Sue's whimsical sense of fabric selections.  With Sue's guidance you will learn to mix modern fabrics like Kaffe Fassett with more traditional prints or even pretties.  This is a wonderful class if you are wanting to extend your palette and challenge your quilting style.  Please call the shop if you would like more information or to book your pink chair. 

   

 Sue's pickle dish quilt from September's Quilting on the Downs

Time to go and get ready for class this evening.  Enjoy your weekend and remember…..

 

“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust “ J.M. Barrie – Peter Pan

 

 

Colour and Quilting with Kim Bradley

We have had a few very busy days to start our week at the shop.  So I am a few days behind on my posting.  Apologies.  Here are some of the things that have happened at Precious Time so far this week - enjoy!

Kim Bradley was recently in Brisbane for a few days teaching her unique style of machine quilting along with her colour enhancement of quilts. Two of our regular customers travelled to Brisbane to spend a few days with her.  So I asked them a few questions about their class. 

First cab off the rank was Patrina

Have you taken a machine quilting class before: Yes

What inspired you to take this class:  My friend Bev who is a fabulous quilter asked me to go with her on this adventure.

Were you worried about your skill level and did it affect your class:  Yes I was worried because I don’t machine quilt.  Kim was encouraging of everyone no matter what there level of machine quilting.  So my stress was really unnecessary.   

How did you find Kim:  She was friendly and very approachable.  I suppose the best way to describe her is very inclusive of everyone no matter what their skill level. 

Were you happy with your progress and what you accomplished in the class:  Extremely happy and my two daughters were very impressed with my work and what I managed to achieve over the two days

Would you take a class with Kim again:  Definitely.  I look forward to the classes in Toowoomba and would encourage anyone interested in machine quilting and fabric colouring to come along and spend time with Kim.

 

      

This is a sample of Kim's work that is now on display in the shop.  It truly is wonderful and I can't wait for the class to see how she makes paints, pencils and colour sticks look so fantastic on fabric. 

 

Here are some thoughts from Bev about her class

What did you want to learn from Kim:  I was more interested than anything in her colouring, because I want to introduce that into my quilts in a small way to add another element to the quilt.

What was your greatest challenge:  Colouring between the lines – big challenge!  But you wait – there’s more. (Bev is laughing so much she nearly falls of the chair)

Would you encourage a beginner to take this class:  Yes I would because I was a beginner and still am in the colouring technique.  I was desperate to learn this technique. 

What did you enjoy the most:  There was no one thing that stood out.  I went with an open mind ready to absorb every little thing that I could.  It was all new – and I loved it.  We came home with heads far too full of ideas, but I look forward to doing and learning more from Kim.

Did you find two days of colouring was too long:  No!  By the end of the second day I felt that I had some control over colouring and would love to have had another day to step out and do something with confidence. 

How did find Kim as a teacher:  Absolutely fantastic.  A great personality to encourage everybody who’s “scared” of getting started.  She gives you a nice little push when you need it – and you are glad she did.  She is extremely generous with her time and demonstration of how her technique comes together.  There are no secrets.  She tells you and shows you everything with respect to all the colouring techniques that you can use in a quilt. 

It sounds as if you had to purchase a large amount of supplies:  Not at all.  She supplies everything for you to try.  There is a very small fee (approx.$6 for 2 days) which was a great idea to that we could try many and varied products to see how they work.  We could then purchase what we found easy and enjoyable to use.  Warning says Bev –there are plenty of ideas to tempt you.

 

This is a sample of Kim's work from her machine quilting class.  It is amazing and is now in the shop for you to come and have a look at.

So after chatting with Bev she has the following advice:  One day is not enough for this workshop.  Embrace the two days - don’t miss this class.  It is a wonderful opportunity to help you look at your quilting in a different light.

 

Edyta Sitar is the designer behind Laundry Basket Quilts.  Please don't be deceived by the name - her quilts and fabrics definately don't deserve to be anywhere near the laundry.  Unless of course your laundry looks nothing like mine.  Her love of fabric began at an early age when she used her mother's newly hung drapes to create her first fabric project!  Fortunately for us this was not the end of her textile journey.  Edyta has this wonderful knack of mixing batiks with gorgeous floral prints and whilst in Houston Majella and I were thrilled to see her quilts and fabrics and take some time to talk with her.

Her new range Sweet Sixteen has just arrived at the shop and we hope you enjoy these fabrics as much as we do

 

and here is a close up.........

 

and just to temp you further the yummy floral .....  

gorgeous for borders, backing, piecing...............

 

If you are looking for something a little brighter this new range may be the one for you...........

delicious limes, watermelons, aquas and purples would make a great quilt to welcome spring into our lives.

this is my favourite piece.........

and this is Majella's favourite piece or two................

actually she just keep adding to them until they were all back in the pile........what to do!

It is so cold tonight - the Westerlies have arrived right in time for the Ekka.  Stay warm.

Stickability  - will have to wait until tomorrow night when we meet for Cold Wind.

Until next time..............lisa