Welcome to Precious Time

This week........

I found this gorgeous metal sign at a gift shop I was trowelling through last week – I thought it would be a perfect addition to the sewing room.  I love the positivity of the words and I am hoping that seeing them every day will help me to live them.  We all get so caught up in our own lives sometimes that it is nice to be reminded of the small (but big) things like encouragement, praise, charity, kindness and love.  They can be easily forgotten in a busy world.

 

These two gorgeous friends definitely make you want to snuggle, huggle and cuddle them.  They have some other friends, which we are still busily making.  Their soft little hands, ears and feet are just perfect for little ones to pick up and carry around.  Any of these little dollies would make perfect friends with any little person.

 

These fabulous fabrics are designed by Kay England and are from her range Bread and Butter Holiday.  Prints with musical themes are exceptionally hard to find and very quick to sell.  Don’t miss out on a piece of these – I know that they will easily make friends with your stash.

Just a reminder that the ever, ingenious Sue Ross is with us for the weekend of 31 March and 1 April.  She will be starting us off on her mystery technique quilt, which is looking absolutely delightful.  If you have seen other quilts on our blog she will happily teach any of those for the weekend.  This class is fantastic for anyone wanting to extend herself into a new and wondrous world of quilting.  Sue combines American hand piecing with gorgeous applique and machine piecing to make heirloom quilts of the future.  If you would like to join us on this sometimes hazardous (in a good way) but exciting ride into Sue’s world of quilts please call the shop so that we can hold a place for you. 

 

I have fallen in love with Wendy’s Growing Up all over again since her visit in February and I my stick-ability has been firmly attached to working on her quilt.  I am in love with all the elements of this quilt and am looking forward to starting the applique on the second panel.  So here is my second panel of growing vines, leaves and circle flowers…….truly this is the only form of gardening I love.

Just a quick note to let you all know that next Thursday is our Show Holiday so we will not be open.  I am hoping that I will be at home, stitching in hand, a movie to watch, something delicious to eat, glass of wine maybe……..the reality is I will be chauffeuring girls around, washing and doing the housework.  Such sweet dreams…………..

 

There is more to life than increasing it’s speed.  Mahatma Gandhi

So I hope you find something dreamy to do this weekend.  Until next time……..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

Teahouse Carry Bag arrives at Precious Time

Obviously Winter wanted to remind us of it’s strength before leaving us to make way for Spring and Summer (my favourite months).  It was absolutely freezing – when I left for work on Saturday morning the temperature was 3 degrees with a wind chill factor, which placed the temperature at 1 degree.  There were lots of ladies visiting Toowoomba and I felt terrible for them because it was so, so cold and I‘m sure they were all in shock at the fierceness of the wind.  Sunday wasn’t much better – 5 degrees when I left for work – amazing how much warmer 2 degrees makes you feel.

Kyleigh who makes some of the beautiful samples you will find in the shop has brought in another gorgeous project – this one is from Bronwyn Hayes and is My Little Teahouse Carry Bag.  It is a darling bag that will hold all your sewing necessities for class or visit to your sewing circle.  We have made our sample from Pom Pom de Paris –  a great choice for this carry bag.  So here are the photos for you to enjoy.

 

The Sunday slipper girls filled the shop on Sunday along with all the visitors so there was lots of show and tell, laughter and “have you seen this” and “what about this”…….it is always a treat to have new ladies come and enjoy our quilts, projects and selection of fabrics.  Ros collected a yummy selection of Kaffe fabrics, as she needs to make two quilts for some important men in her families lives.  I am sure you will agree that her choice of fabrics will make warm and heartfelt quilts.

 

The delicious stripes are for the backs of the quilts - lucky men.

We are counting down to classes starting on Saturday for Quilting on the Downs.  Our tutors start arriving on Friday and I am hoping that the weather will be warm and inviting.  I know all the ladies are getting excited and gathering supplies in readiness for their classes.  We will be sharing photos of the classes on the blog so keep watching this space…..

One of our gorgeous customers lost someone dear to them this week and it is a harsh reminder to us all to love and care for those close to us. 

 

Until next time………..lisa

 

 

 

Kitchen has been baking again

The kitchen here at that shop has been busily baking more gorgeous fabrics for us and you.  The latest range to arrive is Nancy Halvorsen's Garden Song.  Beautiful tone on tone prints in pinks, blues, yellow, greens and the most yummy cream backgrounds.  We have cut fat eighth bundles of the full range as well as fat eighth bundles in colourways.  They have been a hit and are walking out our door.  Wonderful for a variety of projects or a wondeful stash builder. 

The full range is so yummy and we have started to make some of the projects from Nancy's new book Garden Song. For years I have resisted the temptation of machine blanket stitching around my applique preferring the look and comfort of hand stitiching.  However, after recenly seeing the wonderful results that students have achieved in Judy's machine applique class I decided to bite the bullet and attempt this technique. Too many quilts - too little time!!!  So off I went with my new project, the Bloom Cushion from Nancy's book - Garden Song.   Why did I wait so long, I am so clever now.  Just have a look at the image below.  If you are wanting to achieve results like this come and join Judy in one of her classes. You will be absolutely thrilled - just like me.