Welcome to Precious Time

It has been a busy week at the shop with boxes of gorgeous arriving daily, but today would have to be the most exciting as I opened Brigitte Giblin’s new book – Feathering the Nest with Vintage Inspired Quilts.  My quilt list just keeps growing longer and longer.  This book is filled with 18 wonderful quilts interpreted from old vintage quilts.  Brigitte says that she never sets out to “copy” but to capture the feeling of an old quilt – paying homage to the original quilt makers as they continue to inspire us.  This book is not only a feast for the eyes but also the sewing soul.  It is simply stunning – a must have for your library.  I am thrilled to be welcoming Brigitte to Toowoomba for Quilting on the Downs in September for a 2 day class.  A class that not to miss. Our first delivery of books has sold out but we have another delivery on the way.  Please call the shop so as not to miss out on the next shipment.

 Sorry it is a bit fuzzy - photographic skills may need some assistance.....

Leona collected her delightful tumbler block quilt this week.  Majella quilted it with an all over Baptist Fan design, which suited it perfectly. 

 

My Aunt makes these lovely journals, by deconstructing old Golden Books and adding either blank or lined pages.  On a recent visit I choose some of my favourite covers from her shelf and she worked her magic and voila……

 

My favourite cover is an old soft covered Cinderella – I loved watching the film when I was a little girl – I especially loved the scene when stars encompass her - and ta dah – a ball gown - it still makes me smile - the hopless romantic in me.

While deciding I fell in love with some other old covers including Jingle Bells and Mary Poppins, but the art work in Prayers for Children makes your heart melt.  I also chose a large journal cover of the Flinstones – the magic is inside when you open it to see the comic strip pages – it takes you back in time.

I can’t wait to use one this weekend at Marg Sampson’s class – my only problem is choosing one.  I hope they claim a spot in your heart.

Marg arrives this evening for her class and all the ladies are very much looking forward to a weekend of sewing and shared creativity.  

Time for bed………so will catch you in the next post.  Sweet dreams………lisa

 

 

 

A gorgeous array of quilts.......

Kyleigh has a love affair with French General - I can't say she loves the red prints or beige prints more than she loves the blue prints - it's just that she loves all the prints in every colour.  This love affair with the fabrics satisfies the soul and it goes without saying that the joy received by gifting these fabulous quilts (which Kyleigh does with most she makes) is limitlesss.  Winding Ways is her latest quilt top to be finished - there are so many interesting patterns that attract your eye, melons, petals and circles - the more you look, the more you see.

Our darling Doctor Ros started Sue's Circles of Fun a little while ago - it is the first quilt that Ros has handpieced - she should be very proud of her georgeous quilt which is now proudly hanging on the surgery wall for all to enjoy.  Yes - that is her little head popping over the top of her quilt.  We have had a few ladies finish their circles of fun and everyone of them is delicious - some have more blocks, some less, some have the turpintine, while other have a beautiful border - each of them is as individual as the maker.  I have loved each one - Sue is just too clever!

Amanda brought her finished quilt in from Sarah's class - yes the class just a few weeks ago.  She is such a good finisher.  I must talk to her about some of my unfinished quilts and see if she will help me with some pointers - which I already know - stickability screams the Dali Lama.  Ok! Ok!

Izabella is celebrating her daughter's first wedding anniversary by gifting the happy couple this gorgeous quilt....filled with treasured photos from the day this quilt will be a wonderful memory of the event.

Also from the very clever Izabella is her stunning William Morris in Applique just back from being quilted.  I thought you might be amazed to know that the majority of the applique on this quilt was made from one layer cake.  When the girls started class the requirements were background, inner borders, vines/leaves, red flowers and a layer cake.  This is a very large quilt - but it is a very reasonable quilt to make.  If you love this style of quilt then you may want to make a note in your diary for Feb/March next year as Michele Hill will be visiting Precious Time to teach.

Linda has made the very yummy Pretty in Pink as a gift for her sister - lucky lady.  It is a delightfully pretty quilt that would look wonderful in either a little or big girls room.  I know I would love one, especially with fabulous prints like those from Jennifer Paganelli and Kaffe Fassett......yum yum yum!

This quilt isn't quite finished but it is wonderful.  It is the centre of Fiona's quilt from her classes with Sue Ross - all hand pieced - we popped it up on the design wall to see how it was progressing.  The quilts that are made in Sue's classes are all fantastic - it is such a pleasure to see them grow and take shape.  I can't speak highly enough of Sue's classes - which I am sure you know from past blogs.  If you are looking for a great class you should seriously think about joining Sue for a weekend class.

I trust that you enjoyed looking at these gorgeous quilts from some of our wonderful quilters.  They inspire me each time they visit the shop with open hearts and minds to create these gorgeous quilts.

I hope that you have time to stitch tomorrow.......Happy Mother's Day.

 

 

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

 

Back from the dark.......

I have been very naughty and have left you all in the dark for too long.  My sincere apologies – there has been so much going on at the shop, Easter and family events have keep me busy ever since.    So I have a few weeks of happenings to catch you up on as well as letting you in on what is going on at the moment. 

This weekend we are thrilled to welcome Sarah Fielke to Toowoomba.  The ladies are on their way from near and far to enjoy a weekend of sewing, sharing, laughter and learning.  Everyone is filled with excitement over their fabric choices and the quilts they are planning on making.  So keep watching this space and I will try not to take so long this time, for images and the latest news from the class.

A few weeks ago – that is so bad – sorry, Sue visited us for the weekend to share her mystery block of the month.  So here are the first two blocks from the quilt.

Majella and I decided to travel a different path with our fabric choices from the ladies in class – it may have been forced on us because we sold all of Sue’s kits, but we like to think that it was our own creative juices flowing……

The background that Majella chose for her blocks had just arrived at the shop and as with any new fabric, her fingers and sewing soul were itching to use it.  So clear colours set her palette.  A little while ago I shared some gorgeous yellow backgrounds that I absolutely fell in love with.  So when it came time to make my decision it was really easy – yellow.  Majella and Sue were a little shocked – yellow is the colour that I always throw out – Majella puts it in and I throw it out.  I am not sure what is with yellow and I at the moment but we seem to be on the same path at the moment – but more on that later.

We had the pleasurable company of Margie for a few days as she was on a mission to finish hand piecing her Kite quilt.  The inspiration for her quilt is a Turkish Tiled Floor – all hand pieced it is truly a credit to her.  It is absolutely stunning.  Next for Marg is choosing the borders.  I am sure that Margie will bring in her quilt to share with us once the borders have been sewn on.  We can’t wait. 

Margie is on a finishing path with her quilts and brought in her Antique Baby Crib quilt from her class with Marg Sampson last September.  Another beautiful quilt….congratulations Margie on your amazing quilts.

 I just love Margie's elephants.  They are absolutely gorgeous.

A stack of fabric awaits to be folded for the class on the weekend so I have to leave you now for my other job.

Enjoy your weekend.  I hope you get time to do the things that you love most, whether it is sewing, reading, cooking or spending time with your family and friends.

Until next time .....stay happy and safe.......lisa 

 

New friends and shared quilts

The weeks seem to be flying past at an ever increasing speed and it is with much anticipation and excitement that we await the arrival of Sarah to share her quilting wisdom, philosophy on colour and prints as well as share her an vibrant, happy quilts with us.  You know you are on the countdown when class fees are being finalized, quilt selections agonized over and lastly kits being selected.   As a shop owner one of the most joyful experiences is seeing and sharing in the delight of a new quilt.  At times there are so many dazzling quilts to choose from and at other times there is “the one”, softly but surely entwining itself around your quilting soul making the decision for you.  Of course the audition process can be long, drawn out by the wonderful array of choices – traditional, pretty, bold and bright, funky, elegant and subdued……..every time you turn around your eyes light up with the excitement of a new palette.  Quilting satisfies so many of our creative needs and desires – where would I be if I didn’t quilt??????

 

This week we had the pleasurable company of June, who is visiting from Northumberland, England.  She is making an applique quilt, inspired by an Aboriginal drawing.  The centre represents Ayers Rock with the blues and greens being the colours of the ocean pulsating from the centre.  June has plans of adding the colours of Lake Ayre and the Great Barrier Reef which June and her husband David will be visiting in the upcoming weeks.  They have house swapped their way around Australia – what a trip!

 

The weekend will bring creativity, much animation, enjoyment and laughter as welcome Sue Ross back to the Precious Time classroom.  Sue is starting us off on her Mystery Technique Sampler and even though I have to confess to seeing the first two blocks, and a rough finished sketch of the completed quilt, (no - chocolates and champagne will not produce loose lips),  I am delighted to be starting this quilt.  Sue’s creative and artistic abilities along with her extensive interpretation of fabrics will result in a stunning quilt. There is still time and places to join us on this journey.

Another very talented designer who has a love of historical quilts is Susan Smith, co-owner of Patchwork on Stonleigh.  Sadly the shop is now closed and Susan and Chris are retired and travelling new paths.  Majella and I made the journey to Summer School, which was a magical experience.  Maybe not so much the driving (over 5000kms in 9 days) but the gorgeous places, quilts, shops and people will remain in our hearts. Why am I revisiting this story – we have a new friend Lisa O’Neil who has recently moved to Toowoomba and on Friday evening she bought in her Summer School quilts from past years for us and you to enjoy.  I do have to confess that she told us the name of each quilt as they were flounced out - but between all the chatter they were mixed up and bounced around in my head – so they shall have to go nameless.  I do apologise.

 

Three Sisters have another run a way success on their hands with Papillion.  Last Spring while perusing an antique market in Europe the sisters made a most exciting discovery.  An antique quilt from the 1860’s with a very unique backing compromised of bold, simple bands of large, faded florals to die for!  Inspired they then scoured their vast library of antique fabrics to complete their next collection.  Dramatic Jacobean and rose adorned florals are complimented by the occasional Papillon (French for butterfly).  Paired with delicate botanical prints in the quilt’s original palette of pale, dusty pinks and aquas with faded red and stone accents, Papillon captures the splendor of a lush garden estate. 

Have a wonderful weekend - the weather is so glorious and being outside is very tempting especially if you have a beautiful garden, park or beach close by.  

Our thoughts are with the Surf Life Savers who selflessly dedicate their time and safety to care for us on the beaches.  

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

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

 

The deliveryman arrived with a lovely surprise for us this week. Our Presencia threads stand holds over 180 absolutely delicious coloured sewing threads made from the highest quality 3 ply 100% Egyptian long fibre cotton (50 weight).   Presencia is a Spanish company that was founded in 1949 by the brothers Perez-Presencia, and today is considered a major leader in Perle and cotton threads for embroidery.  On your next visit to the shop ask us to show you these gorgeous new threads.

 

Also arriving this week are Wendy Williams’ favourite quilting gloves in S/M & M/L sizes.  Wendy introduced us to these fantastic gloves when she visited the shop in February.  Wendy recommends that you purchase a firm fitting set of gloves and the thing that she loves most about these particular quilting gloves is the cushion finger tip which grips the fabric making your machine quilting easier and far more enjoyable.  The ladies in class used these gloves and were thrilled with the feel, comfort and assistance they provided in quilting their cushions. 

 

The other little treasure to arrive were Frosted Donuts…mmmmmm.  The bobbin holder contains 35 pre wound 50 weight, 100% cotton bobbins from Superior Threads.  They are wonderful for hand applique, especially if you are travelling as the bobbin saver keeps them neat and tidy and you have instant access to a lovely array of colours.  If you are a passionate needle turn applique lover then you need to have a look at these the next time you are visiting Precious Time.

I finished piecing Super Scrappy this week – it was a fun, easy, quick quilt to whip up. 

 

Patrina loves scrappy quilts and this week she picked up this delightful quilt of happiness.  Patrina is a prolific quilt maker and it is always a treat to see her next creation being returned from quilting. 

 

I had a lady visit the shop today with her husband who happily took a seat in the classroom with his Ipad.  I was helping his wife choose fabrics – like all of us she stated that she didn’t need any more fabrics but they were so delicious how could she resist.  I assured her that we were all the same – we all surrender to our love of beautiful fabrics.  With a confident smile she stated that she was assisting her husband to secure his future wife.  When I go hubby will have no trouble, he will be able to advertise  - in need of new wife, in possession of fantastic stash………isn’t it wonderful that we can laugh at ourselves and our addiction and that we are blessed with the men in our lives as they understand (or just accept) us and our addiction.

 

We have the last of the Auntie Green coverlets to share with you in the next post.  

Enjoy your week ahead – I hope that you can find some time to sew……….lisa

 

 

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

King Kong visits Toowoomba

What a delight to have Wendy Williams back in Toowoomba sharing her whimsical way with fabrics with the ladies in her class.  They had the most wonderful weekend and left on Sunday well in control of their chosen projects.  We won’t mention the hardest worker of the weekend, hey Katrina (oops) who left on Sunday with her project complete.  Congratulations to all the ladies who attended and who produced fantastic quilts and cushions.  Wendy was completely overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and standard of work in the classroom and she left Toowoomba feeling rejuvenated and inspired to get home to her new sewing room and play with her fabrics.

Wendy shared some fantastic tips and techniques and showed the ladies how to insert a zip…….are you cringing like me - well no more.  Wendy guarantees a faultless and fabulous finish (99% of the time she adds) with her technique.  The ladies commented how it was easier and quicker then buttons – what more can I say.  You never know what it is that you will take home from a class to pop in your bag of quilting tricks, always desiring to expand your knowledge.  So what did this little hive of bees get up to you ask – the proof is always in the pudding……….

Katrina finished her gorgeous "King Kong in New York" cushion and she was absolutely thrilled.  Before she left on Sunday she was madly choosing fabrics for her next creation.

 

 

Mary had her quilt literally Growing Up the design wall and was well on her way to joining her rows before she left on Sunday.

Patrina choose a fabulous range of fabrics from Curio from Basic Grey to make her Growing Up.  It was so lovely to see it being made in a different range of fabric from the original.  Wendy was thrilled with Patrina's choice of fabrics and encourages everyone to embrace fabrics that inspire them to create wonderful quilts.

This amazing cushion belongs to Helen..........

the cushion below is one of two wonderful creations from Kyleigh......

The majority of the girls on the weekend were working on Growing Up and here is a selection of them on the design wall waiting for more flowers to bind them together.........

Patrina finished her Hot Diamond quilt from the Kaffe Fassett workshop last February and like her friends and family I too am lusting after it.  While finishing her quilt Patrina had it laying on the floor of her sewing room and as her friends and family walked past they casually let Patrina know that they would love it – of course only if she didn’t want to keep it.  It looks amazing and it makes my fingers itch to get back to my bordered diamonds.

But my stickability has been strong so I can now say with a very happy heart TA DAH…………..

 

 

The borders are attached and now ready to go to the quilters for the final touch, quilting and scalloping of the border.   Of course it is then returned to you for a bit more work – binding but I can honestly say that I am very much looking forward to binding and finishing my quilt.  That feeling is euphoric – if only to make me feel ready to start the next quilt – that’s what makes it all fun.  Of course I have already started the next quilt (or quilts) – I couldn’t miss out on all the fun while Wendy was here on the weekend.

A great book provides escapism for me. The artistry and the creativity in a story are better than any drugs - Wentworth Miller.

Just a little housekeeping - if you were trying to call today so sorry we didn't answer but we had a black out and lost power for most of the day. Also trying to remedy the class list on the website so will let you know when fixed and available.

Looking forward to sharing more from Precious Time with you all again.  Lisa