Material Obsession

Hooked on wool

On Thursday I woke up a bit confused.  Sometimes I go so fast that all of a sudden I find myself a bit lost.  What is my purpose today I wondered?  I spent a bit of time wandering around half doing chores and then I had an idea. One of our new classes this year is Working Wool with Wendy Williams.  I don't know about you but I have looked longingly at wool projects for a long time.  Wagga's I can handle.  Their wonky structure and big bits fit into my schedule and relaxed style.  However, the allure of embellishing pieced or appliqued wool always seemed just a bit foreign to me. Every time I have tried to do a wool project it has been abandoned.  I just sort of get lost wondering where I am going so in  an attempt to wipe away the confusion  So, as I walked out the door to go to"work" I grabbed my basket of goodies and headed toward the light.

Wendy, always prepared with tips and examples, ideas and directions had set the scene for using wool with lots of variety built into the plan. 
My fingers started to twitch. 

It isn't easy to hide in the shop and to take in all the wonders on offer in the creative spaces.  However, I did it...set aside the computer and phone and sat in the corner with my picnic basket of wool goodies.  Sigh.  As is so often the case, when I do stop I to make it just pours out with little regard for the ideas on the to do list.  

The best thing about wool is that with a pair of scissors and only a smidgeon of an idea something starts to appear.

We made some bias strips with a new fabric Echo by Lotta Jansdotter.  These fabrics have nice organic lines and introduce some beautiful fresh colour to the wool.  Mixing the textures of cotton fabric, wool and linen creates a nice composition.  Touch becomes as important as sight.  There was plenty of time to consider and review and in the group setting it was easy to push through the barriers with a bit of help.  Everyone had special treasures in their own baskets so it was fun to see other people's collections of materials and ideas getting an airing. Before long things were getting stitched together.  I couldn't believe how quickly the shapes were coming together and I admit, it got a bit exciting. 

When I got home I got stuck right into it again and this time I think the project will actually get finished.  I want to make this into a cushion for our lounge but that could change into something bigger or even more cushions for the lounge!

One of the reasons to push through the aforementioned wool block is because we are hosting Sue Spargo next August in Sydney. 

 

Sue has made working with wool attractive with her contemporary folk art style.  the dates are now finalised and a plan is forming.  The workshops will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday the 10, 11 and 12 of August.  If you are interested you can sign up for one, two or three days.  We are now taking deposits so if you want to come and would like a place contact us now!  Out of town?  It might be a good weekend to come to Sydney because the Hunters Hill Quilt show is on the same weekend so it would be a double whammy of good quilting fun!

So you might have a project on the go from one of Sue's books, patterns or BOM's or you might want to start your own dream project using your basket of delights. 

Over the next few months we will be adding to our collection of wooly things and embellishing items.  There are some beautiful textures in wool and flannel as well as new fabrics arriving all the time.

If you need a push to get started why not join us in the Working Wool class with Wendy on the fourth Thursday of the month to get started. Then when Sue comes she can help you embellish your project with her unique techniques and insight.  Sounds fun!  Let's get wooly. k

 

learning & teaching

Is it Thursday already?  How did that happen?  Last Saturday I found myself working for the third Saturday in a row.  I'll admit that my nerves were snapping.  However, on the day was Sue Cody returning to teach after a year off.   She has several new quilts for this term.  One is a combined hexagon and selvedge strip quilt full of her special knack for fussy cutting.
And another one is sweet willow tree.

As we bustled around getting things ready for the class I found myself slipping under her spell.  Sue does tradition with a fresh and unique perspective. Always moving with the times, her quilts are cheerful and  her attention to detail and technical advice is top notch.  So, before long, my day at work turned to one of play!

These leaves were of particular interest to me.  They are connecting somewhere in my subconscious.  I have yearned to do a tree quilt for some time and before I knew it...I was participating in the class and getting in all kinds of trouble for not following directions to the "t".  Oh well.  I picked Valori Wells linen for my background.  The width is perfect and the leafy background sets a scene for my tree to grow.  The tree itself is made from Curious Nature...what a perfect match.  

I have it up on my wall now beckoning attention.  It might just be the perfect take away project for my trip to Europe...or maybe my Fly Away with me hexagons...or maybe...or maybe...or maybe....!  Anyway, back to the here and now.  I am savouring this project and not rushing into any rash decisions.  One element on my mind was using red.  On the way to the bus stop on Saturday this vibrant colour combination caught my eye. As my tree was growing this red came to mind several times.   I am still thinking red and green and sharp contrast but we'll see what happens when impulse takes over.

What other sights were there on the Doughty homefront this weekend...well there was red and green worship of another kind...

Doesn't everyone need a VB promotional fridge?  Number one son scored this fridge which arrived last week.  Push that button and the theme song plays as a beer rolls out and I'm not sure but I think there is a male magnet in there as well.  On Saturday I arrived home to a group of  young gentlemen gathered around this incredibly interesting object laughing and carrying on.  I have to admit that I chuckled a bit myself listening to them throughout the night.  Raucous laughter resounded and although it was somewhat disruptive it was fun to hear.  The laughs were on us in the morning as once again all spare flat surfaces were taken up in this manner... People often ask me what I do with all my quilts....well they do come in handy.

This scene soon became a breakfast feast and before long turned into this...

...nothing to do but sleep it off.  Personally, I can't imagine wasting a day away like this but I am certainly not 21 anymore.   If it happened every day I don't think I'd be laughing but given university starts up again soon and they'll all be working hard it seemed ok.  On the other side of the house the #3 son and his friends were busy with water baloons...

Boys will be boys.  So simple and uncomplicated.  No need to talk things over to get it right.  Questions about why are scoffed at because life is so obviously simple.  What you see is what you get. Ok. Back to reality where what you see is this....

In patchwork everyone has to start somewhere and on Tuesday nights I have a group of enthusiastic new quilters doing the Beginner Sampler.  This is the first block.  At first it might look easy enough but this is a lesson in 1/4 inch seams.  It is an important one to learn so we do it first.  If these blocks aren't done with the right seam allowance they just don't go together properly.  However, everyone took great care, unpicked a bit and in the end these blocks are all 12 1/2" square!  Well done!!! 

Having learned lesson one we moved on to lesson number two...bias seams or triangles in construction and using contrast to create pattern.  Can't you just hear the concentration?   It is a good lesson for me as I think I have used a rotary cutter enough times to reach around the world.  Cutting becomes something we don't even think about until we have to teach someone else.  Measure twice, cut once or cut it again.  There are so many things to consider and I am fascinated remembering those first cuts so long ago.  It's like learning to drive.  Nothing to compare it to in existing knowledge.
I find myself peeling back the layers of complexity to the important elements of basic technique for construction in order to provide the tools of decision making.   The more we practice making blocks the more layers of understanding we add to the process.  Almost subconsciously the complicated aspects  become second nature.

Simply put, if we take what we are doing to the basic level we can assess where we are going.  Sometimes as we add layers of complexity we loose sight.  The other day I found a function on my camera and my photos came out in colour as well as black and white.  Taking away the colour removes the emotional attachment we have to colour and we can see in an instant what is happening and if it is working.

What reaction do you have going back and forth from these two photos?  The first one is graphic and the patterns of all the fabrics show clearly.  The lights stands out identifying the placement of pattern.  The darks become dark and the mediums take their place in the middle ground. 

In the colour photo we see how the colour moves aroud linking one spot to another creating interest and emotional attachment.
  It feels like a big responsibility teaching.  It is easy to take chances with my own work but helping others make decisions creates a certain kind of tension.  The best thing is when I hear the decision made without me making it.  Right or wrong, the goal is that each individual makes the decision based on how they see it in their own mind.  k

Spontaneous Accomplishment

Welcome to my world...a world that is so full of stimulation that sometimes I just can't sleep.  There is so much to see, think about and do with fabric that I am spinning out of control.  My good friend Kathy gave me some good advice last night.  I was a bit frantic and she just smiled.  Being full of worldly wisdom she calmly suggested that I take 15 minutes a day to find my arena.  My arena, like a 3 year old I was immediately fascinated by this idea.  It appeals to me.  It means I need to find my space, where I fit into the chaos and in so doing I won't loose myself in said chaos. It is so easy when "busy" to not think things through...to pass over the joys of life without fully enjoying them.  This morning, although I am off to work, I decided to wake up with this in mind.  We'll see how I go building the structure of my mental arena. Kathy has a great blog called spontaneous accomplishment . You might find some reading you'll enjoy there as well as helpful insights into taking life's pleasures into account. 

The recurring theme at the shop is reinvention.  One person who seems to live in an arena of well defined reinvented brilliance is Marg George.    If there is nothing new anymore the only thing left is to reinvent....or as Marg put it...do some renovations. Yesterday Marg arrived for class and declared she had done some renovations as she pulled some ufo medalions out of her bag. 

The centre here has been together for many moons but with this new border treatment it looks fresh as a daisy.   The roses blend the old with the new beautifully and at the same time create a platform to move into new colours.  The size of the flowers is also important as it balances really well with the size of the hexagons.  A couple of rounds of pieced blocks and this ufo from the cupboard could be finished....except that Marg also renovated this medallion from a red border...

to this snazzy red rose fabric.  Turquoise, aqua, sky blue...whatever you call this blue it is perfectly invigorating.   Stop Staring!  But how can you.  I can hardly type for looking at this.  The other thing a gorgeous border does is it brings all the intricate piecing to life.  It's like the colour grabs every piece to make it stand out even though it all sits together so piecefully.

 

And speaking of sitting together piecefully...how about this!

Denyse Schmidt has re-released Flea Market Fancy.  It is a delight to see it in the shop again in all it's fanciful glory!  But...BUT it also sits so beautifully with Parson Gray by David Butler and some of our other favourites. 

Each of these bays is beckoning a quilt.  The geometric patterns cut through with structure while the florals take us on a whimsical journey.  YUM.

I just decided that colour wheel is an appropriate name as these colours are whirling around in my head just waiting for a spot to land.  Take the shot cottons, they are so simply beautiful that when I pass by I have to stop and pet them.  I wasn't a solid fabric person but now I am absolutely fascinated with solid textures.

The homespuns and wools are growing in variety as well.
Oh dear.  This is making my fingers twitch in anticipation.

But here, this is where my heart rests.  I love this bay with the bursts of colour and the subtle washes like an Australian roadside view in canola season...oh dear, oh dear...enough typing...I am off.  I can now clear some editing pages off my desk and prepare to make.  Make. MAKE I tell you!!!  I am pulling all of these fabrics into my arena.  At least it will look good.  k

Equilibrium....

When the boys were little I read many books about stages of development.  One explained that children go through levels of growth and learning and then understanding as they add skills to their life.  When they are learning new things and taking unfamiliar steps they are often confused and perhaps cranky as they work through a stage of disequilibrium.   When they master the skill...crawling, speaking, playdoh, whatever, they achieve a state of happiness or equilibrium.

 

Sheer bliss is achieved when what was once feared to be out of reach is mastered.  Here's a happy kid having worked through the process of foundation piecing with Chris Jurd on Wednesday.  See how happy?   Equilibrium.

A short while earlier, confusion reigned but Chris made short order!

Can't you just feel Cath thinking this through? 
Still thinking...
Bliss.

The mysteries of foundation piecing were falling away as beautiful work was appearing.

Never tried it?  We can make room for a few more in this class which will next be held on Wednesday, 15th March.  You too can find balance here working this method with your stash or ours!

It isn't essential to match your jewelry to your project but you can if you want to. Keep learning...stay happy.

k

what to do first?

I have taken to the habit of waking up in the morning and sitting at my computer to download my "jobs" of the day.  They seem to accumulate over night as my brain rests and ideas are born.  Upon rising there is a sense of urgency to get to the variety of items.  Lately it seems the list has been crowded with options calling for my attention as the sight of my desk would indicate.  Honestly.  What kind of human am I that this is what I wake up to today?   See that big coffee cup...that is the key.  I wish sometimes that the list was shorter and I didn't wake up with a start and a jump to my feet but, such is life.

 
On Saturday I had the absolute pleasure of addressing the NSW Quilters Guild.  We packed up the shop and headed to the Burwood RSL for the day.  The shop stall was busy while Wendy and I did a demo on our new template program.  Then we attended the General Meeting which was full of quilty news of local events...including the up coming show in June and a great new program for young quilters.   After the meeting we heard a retrospective talk by Isobel Lancashire about her 30 year experience with the guild.  It felt a bit of a trespass to follow her heart moving memoire.   I gave a talk on my quilting experience.  At 4am when I had gotten up in sleepless frustration to read my notes they were in perfect order so I left them at home.  Not intentionally mind you, but in a flurry of packing up stuff.  Where was my list that morning one might wonder?  Anyway, fully practiced I think I remembered most of it on the day. 

The shop has been very active the last few weeks.  Plans and lists don't get much attention when there are people around and we are working on their quilts.  Last week Kaye brought in her Soul Searching quilt from the colour workshop we did with Reece. 

Evidence that she worked hard and fast!  Kaye told me that her husband who works in supplying interior design wall products got in on the act of working the colours of her stash.  Sounds fun actually.   Anyway, well done to Kaye who by all estimations has worked hard here.

Speaking of working hard I have to toot this Wendy's horn.  Quietly and without the bustle of noise that I make, Wendy goes about her day accomplishing great things.  Here she is in action yesterday in the technique workshop.  Eager quilters got a mindFUL of creative options here.  Within a few minutes this space and the rest of the room was full to brimming with fabric and shapes coming to life for all kinds of projects.

Wendy's new project for classes has lots of options built into it.   We have a great new line of wool that is flying out the door and getting a workout in lots of new projects.  She comes loaded with ideas and samples of techniques.  I mean loaded.   There is no holding back here.  Her ideas are shared with everyone which opens the door to creative expression...our favourite theme.
It is hard to decide where to start but start they did.  Creative options abound.   Even with the wedge ruler, just when I thought she had exhausted everything that could be done with one, this apeared.  

Lee was in Wendy's class last year and made this over the summer.  The method came from Bari J Ackerman (who by the way is now with one of our favourite fabric companies ART GALLERY!!!).  Flowers are morphing onto everything now.  Of particular interest was Lee's outfit and pillow which all worked together.

When I think of yesterday and the Garden Party workshop the day before I get really excited.  I didn't have my camera with me on the weekend or Monday and it is frustrating not to be able to show you all the fun things that were going on.  Garden is the theme of the day.  It allows for much individual expression. 

There are so many new methods of construction and so many new fabrics to play with or mix with the old.  Lots of these ideas are great for stimulating the stash.  Queen of the May or raw edge, there is no limit to the list of fun things to do.

One of the great pleasures of the shop is watching people get more and more involved in their quilting experience.  Deidre picked up this quilt done in pastel Kaffe fabrics the other day. 

Deidre is one of those quilters that is taking it seriously, moving wisely through her options and growing all the time in her adverture with fabric.  We all start somewhere but it is wonderful watching where we all end up.  There is so much to do and it is all FUN!!!!

 

What's up next?  Well a bit about the Under 35's competition being sponsored by the NSW Quilters Guild, Brother and me.  Are you under 35?  Do you know someone who is that you want inspired to quilt and to share the glory of colour and design????  I am sure you do.  Send them our way and we'll get them started on a fun Garden Theme project for the show in September.  What could be better than being responsible for getting a young person quilting?  Come on!

AND, if that isn't enough....definitive news about the exciting Sue Spargo workshops....coming to this space just a bit further down the list!!! k

Create Workshops

Our new create workshops are in full swing now.   First cab off the rack for me was Still life...not very likely as it didn't take long to get things stirred up and moving right along.   A while back I fell in love with the idea of making textile objects come to life.  When you really think about a still life there is more than just the object.  My first attempt is just simple shape representation with little more than composition considered.Imaginary journeys are a part of the experience that I really enjoy.  I love to look at my chair and escape to another place in time.  However, to truly create interest in the finished product we need to consider line, value and shape.  That is where the fun comes into the picture. 

Sideline:  Today at yoga we discussed how yoga is not about ego.  If we concentrate on how we look or simply how far we stretch we loose the point of practicing yoga which is about how we focus on the task at hand.  The goal is to do the best job we can for ourselves with our own limitations and gifts...note to self...ego has no real place in life.  Back to topic: 

We may want to make it real or maybe abstract or even ridiculous.  The mind has no limit.  There are endless influences to consider.  It is always interesting to see what inspires people into action and how in a room of creative people many differen thing can happen.  Everyone has their own approach, speed, focus and interest.  I could sense some fear but everyone moved past it and into action.  Well done.

There was a lull while we all consider where to start but starting is half the battle.  Working in a group helps get the juices flowing.  To create is the goal.  It can be intimidating or relaxing and just a bit messy but results start happening.

Marina popped out for a bag of mangos to go in her blue window.  Suzanna got buy in Matisse style. Different strokes for different folks.  Can't wait to see what happens to these in the next few weeks!

 

 

Day two this week brought a different kind of creative workshop...Stash to Treasure.  Mission?...pick an antique quilt and make it happen.  Sound easy?  Well it was heaps of work but really fun.  That is if you like graph paper, calculators and erasers.   There were lots of ideas flying around but everyone worked hard and results were happening.

It doesn't have to be hard.  Some of our greatest inspirations are simply constructed but every quilt deserves serious consideration in regard to fabrics that will create the look we are looking for.  Susan has chosen Reece's shot cottons to bring a rustic quilt to life.  The texture of the shot cottons immediately makes it look slightly faded with time.  The randomness of the blocks makes it feel impuslive and just a bit more interesting than a perfectly set out colour structure.  Taking note of the subtle nuances of detail of the original make this version unique as well. 

 

In another corner a traditional log cabin is being composed.  The palette thickened with some additions to a collection of Amy Butler and some gorgeous solids.  The structure will be completely traditional but the fabrics will add a statement about today...colourful and fresh.  There is a lot of sewing to go here but it has lots of promise.

Megan has chosen one of my favorite patterns.  Truth be told I might have made this one up myself but it is a vicarious thrill of the best kind for a quilter when they see a quilt vision come together in someone else's hands.  The curse of a full time working mom quilter....

Once again, these marquee stripes become a visual treat.  There is no end to their beauty.  Of particular interest here is the blend of the oh so now stripes with the very reproduction pattern and Heath...YUM. 

Anne is working on stars with her stash and again we hit the solid section.  It started out easy enough with the diamond template and the Kaffe collection of reds.  Somewher on the design wall the idea changed and the graph paper came out to create an entirely new pattern. 

The day didn't end there.  The day ended with a new class of beginners.  I have to say it feels like a priviledge to start a group out on their way to patchwork.  It is so easy to remember the curiosity and confusion of trying to figure out a patchwork pattern.  They were a fun group of women, all keen and eager.  We had a big night. They kept me too busy to snap any photos. I arrived home completely, totally exhausted and headed to bed.  Here is what I found...

That dog is not allowed on the bed.  Nor is she allowed to pull the covers down and snuggle into the pillows with that stinky ball that she loves so much.    It is naughty but nice to find her seeking comfort in a place that reminds her of us.

And...finally, for February our bargain bundles.   Five 25cm strips for $22. 

...pick your style...pretty, contemporary or classic and stimulate your stash with some hotty new fabrics!!! Its a great time to be quilting! k

 

Texture

If life was one smooth ride void of diversity how bored would we get?  When I was a kid I remember shopping with my mom.  I was always one of those shoppers that had to touch everything.  My hand would run across the different dresses to capture the feel of the materials.  Soft and smooth silks, nubbly lace, stiff denim...the wave made on cordoroy...it all beckoned a touch.  Last week I found myself standing in the shop touching quilts.  The very nature of their fabrics drew my hand. 

The most delicious of course are the flannels.  Anna Maria Horner has delivered flannels that are as beautiful to look at as they are to touch.  On the back, well of course...voile!

I never thought I would say this but I can hardly wait for winter to throw this softer than soft quilt onto my bed!  BIG, FLUFFLY LOVE!

Wool is another texture.  Easy to cut and applique, wool is showing up in so many ways.  Whole quilts in wool or mixed in with graphic texture...working with wool is a big theme and we have LOTS of it coming in...not only for Wendy's Working With Wool class (on one Thursday a month with a space left!) but also because Sue Spargo is coming to town in August.  We'll be making quilts with wool and then playing with Sue to make them come to life with her wonderful ideas!  Oh yeah baby.

Another great way to create texture is with quilting.  Uzbek patches is quilted with a Kantha style stitch that creates ridges of delight throughout the quilt.  What is on the back you ask?  Well, my favourite backing...

The other great texture in this quilt is the Ikat silk in the border.  Made by hand in Turkey with love this is a special treat. Kits are only available with the Ikat as long as limited supplies last.  Check it out in this months Better Homes & Gardens...not sure why they renamed it but you'll know it when you see it.

Texure is also added to our lives by the people that we know and love.  I have a favorite quilter from last week.  Classes are back on which means the collaborative process has begun.  We had Brigitte followed by Marg and the quilts started coming out of the bag.  I didn't get to spend as much time as I like down there this week but I got a tiny look in at Lesley's quilt.

There were lots of fun wonderful things to look at quilts in progress filled the room.  Oh how I love it when quilters are looking for fabrics to audition!   Check out Jean's blog for more photos from Saturday, Linen and Rasberry
One particular quilter captured my heart this week.  Moira has been coming to MO for a long time.  Over the years I have watched her zero in on some fabrics that were also my favourites.  She has worked her way through patterns, as well as made her own wonderfull creations.  Last year she stepped to the left and took Marg George's class.  Here is what has been  growing up there...

.Watching this cooperative process is always a pleasure. Here I clearly see Moira...her colours, her imagination, her spirit.  I also see Marg adding a world of traditional experience.  It makes a marvelous combination of influences, detail, fabrications and spirit.  Two strong individual spirits.. The joy for me is having known Moira for so long and being such a huge fan of Marg and now seeing the two of them working each other's strengths into this original piece is...
well...it is like seeing a kid grow up.
This is a special moment for me.  Our Noah is visiting my parents in Florida.  Whoever thought of skype!  I love that person because seeing my son in my parents house so far away is a joy I can't really describe.  Knowing the fridge is full of food just for him, that the parish opens their arms for a long distance grandchild and the club pro stops to give him a golf lesson...and that he got to share my dad's birthday with them and their friends...well, what more could a mom want but to be able to see just a bit of that on the computer.  get me a tissue please. k

 

Texture

If life was one smooth ride void of diversity how bored would we get?  When I was a kid I remember shopping with my mom.  I was always one of those shoppers that had to touch everything.  My hand would run across the different dresses to capture the feel of the materials.  Soft and smooth silks, nubbly lace, stiff denim...the wave made on cordoroy...it all beckoned a touch.  Last week I found myself standing in the shop touching quilts.  The very nature of their fabrics drew my hand. 

The most delicious of course are the flannels.  Anna Maria Horner has delivered flannels that are as beautiful to look at as they are to touch.  On the back, well of course...voile!

I never thought I would say this but I can hardly wait for winter to throw this softer than soft quilt onto my bed!  BIG, FLUFFLY LOVE!

Wool is another texture.  Easy to cut and applique, wool is showing up in so many ways.  Whole quilts in wool or mixed in with graphic texture...working with wool is a big theme and we have LOTS of it coming in...not only for Wendy's Working With Wool class (on one Thursday a month with a space left!) but also because Sue Spargo is coming to town in August.  We'll be making quilts with wool and then playing with Sue to make them come to life with her wonderful ideas!  Oh yeah baby.

Another great way to create texture is with quilting.  Uzbek patches is quilted with a Kantha style stitch that creates ridges of delight throughout the quilt.  What is on the back you ask?  Well, my favourite backing...

The other great texture in this quilt is the Ikat silk in the border.  Made by hand in Turkey with love this is a special treat. Kits are only available with the Ikat as long as limited supplies last.  Check it out in this months Better Homes & Gardens...not sure why they renamed it but you'll know it when you see it.

Texure is also added to our lives by the people that we know and love.  I have a favorite quilter from last week.  Classes are back on which means the collaborative process has begun.  We had Brigitte followed by Marg and the quilts started coming out of the bag.  I didn't get to spend as much time as I like down there this week but I got a tiny look in at Lesley's quilt.There were lots of fun wonderful things to look at quilts in progress filled the room.  Oh how I love it when quilters are looking for fabrics to audition!  
One particular quilter captured my heart this week.  Moira has been coming to MO for a long time.  Over the years I have watched her zero in on some fabrics that were also my favourites.  She has worked her way through patterns, as well as made her own wonderfull creations.  Last year she stepped to the left and took Marg George's class.  Here is what has been  growing up there...

.Watching this cooperative process is always a pleasure. Here I clearly see Moira...her colours, her imagination, her spirit.  I also see Marg adding a world of traditional experience.  It makes a marvelous combination of influences, detail, fabrications and spirit.  Two strong individual spirits.. The joy for me is having known Moira for so long and being such a huge fan of Marg and now seeing the two of them working each other's strengths into this original piece is...
well...it is like seeing a kid grow up.
This is a special moment for me.  Our Noah is visiting my parents in Florida.  Whoever thought of skype!  I love that person because seeing my son in my parents house so far away is a joy I can't really describe.  Knowing the fridge is full of food just for him, that the parish opens their arms for a long distance grandchild and the club pro stops to give him a golf lesson...and that he got to share my dad's birthday with them and their friends...well, what more could a mom want but to be able to see just a bit of that on the computer.  get me a tissue please. k

 

Design & Decorate

Reece, (my partner in colour) and Mateo took me along to the Sydney Design and Decorate show this week.  It was exciting to see the decorating trends with all the gorgeous fabrications, shapes and themes. The only thing missing was a quilt.  Not one anywhere.  Hmm.  Then I spotted these chairs.which were my favourite thing!

 OMG! (to coin a phrase)  I love these chairs!!!!  Patched together dramatic random fabrics, textures and characters including The Madonna, my favourite theme...she is the female voice of hope and serenity...promise and joy..the inner pease and  strength of women with so much TO DO.

Here is the designer, Ellis Lee of Independent Label. He excitedly told me about his design concept which is to mix the traditional shape of the wing back chair with a mixture of new hip fabrics randomly pieced together to create a new look.  He was very earnest about this "new" concept so I had to hold back my urge to scream, YEAH, I GET THAT!!!!!  Very smart chair and just the kind of accent one needs to make the house come to life.  However, the price was a bit much for the likes of my budget.  I said to Reece I might sell my car and buy one but he said my car wouldn't bring enough money.  True. Darn.  Anyway they are divine in more ways than one.

The other day it was hot.  So hot that Cheeky actually got in the pool and stayed there enjoying the relief of the cool water.  This was a big step for her and a sign that she is actually trusting us.  Persistence continues to pay off with her.  However, she was still keen to resume the manic ball control thing as soon as she got out.  It was a step in the right direction and then the known, familiar behaviour returned.

I really wish I knew what she was thinking while doing this.  The patience required to hold that ball absolutely still is beyond me.  What the heck is that?  I read a nice poem once that said sanity is not about being calm in a place where there is no noise or distraction but to be in the midst of choas and remain calm.  Something like that although a bit more poetic.  Inner peace.  I seek it but find my inner parts more chaotic than my surroundings.  This year I am really trying to wrestle the chaos to the ground and to achieve inner peace.  Help me here I am struggling.   Did I say that out loud?

I remember the days when it was the kids that caused the chaos. Check out this little man in front of my Dream Catcher quilt!Fully in control of that putter and conducting the audience...fully in control while looking as handsome as can be!  This is Andrew, the son of Clare Mooney, editor of Quilters Companion.  There is a lot in this photo.  Firstly he looks so in control of himself and gorgeous against the colourful backdrop.  But what about the mom?  How does one struggle a big job like a magazine with such a sweet distraction?  Take a deep breath and manage the chaos caused by  interuptions that will one day be a memory.

AND...quilters...Attention please!  Yesterday Brigitte Giblin started back at the shop with our first class of 2012!

Her suitcase arrives stuffed with beautiful quilts made artfully with beautiful combinations of fabric and bringing to life traditional English and Australian vintage quilt designs..

Brigitte is extremely skillful when it comes to making quilts.  Her eye for colour is subtle and yet very alive.  The use of patten is exciting as well.  There might have been some people that arrived with an idea of what to do but I am sure this caught their eye and they were distracted immediately from their own goal! Hard not to be.  Resist the temptation of this? Not bloody likely.

Brigitte and I are sharing the experience of publishing books with Quilt Mania.  Which by the way is now available at the shop!!!! This month's issue features The Secret Sewing Sisters from Melbourne so it is a guaranteed excellent read!

Brigitte's first book is also due out this April and we will be meeting up in France together for L'Amour du Fil.  It is nice to know I'll have a French speaking companion!  Her book will have 20 of her patterns so it will be great value as well as a lovely book to while away the hours.   Anyway, if you are interested in Brigitte's book, or my new  book  and you would like to order one in advance...well, you can do that.  We'll be placing orders for books soon so if you are interested and would like to be on the list for the first ones...(signed if you like) send me an email.  Anybody?  Interested? ....k

 

 

 

stop and think

I arrived home the other day and had one of those moments, a moment that made me stop in my tracks.  I opened the car door and for some reason found myself staring at this pitch fork.

It is a serious looking garden tool but here it is, standing still in the garden seemingly overcome by the vine. At first I thought how beautiful it looked but then I had to wonder.  What was I looking at?  Is this a symbol of my life? Am I surrounded by beauty as I work or stuck in the mud? Is someone trying to tell me something?  Have I dropped tools on important chores?  Has the garden of my life taken over and stopped me in my tracks?  Is this a good sign or a bad sign? Stand still too long and get grown over?

Anyway, this is it.  The last day of summer holidays for the youngest boy. The last day for lounging around, eating everything in the fridge, disappearing out the door with a bike, skateboard or pack of friends.  The last day for spontaneous slumber parties that mean laughs and music in the night before big breakfasts.

Isn't it funny how teenagers can't see what is coming?  Despite the reminders that it is time to wind back the sleep time in preparation for school nights he was still goofing around very late. I found this summer I spent a lot of time talking about consequences.  Can we actually teach them to understand why we, the boring, strict, stupid, nerdy parents say what we say?  How do we get credibility with these free thinking action seekers?  Is it fair to strip them of their spontenaity in exchange for responsibilities, rules, schedules and the rigour of routine?  I spent a lot of this summer playing tug of war in my head.  I like to think that reasonable conversation sinks in better than hard line but when they were bumping around at 2am this morning I had to wonder if I have failed.  Perhaps I should go honk the horn of my car at this early "responsible" hour...or maybe get that pitch fork and dig him and his friends out of bed.  Ok, I won't but I can enjoy the feeling of revenge for a minute more...

My biggest boy did yet another day of service to Material Obsession this weekend. (hence HIS overgrown fork at home I fear!)  It seems he is forever putting aside his own thing to help me.  I'd release him if I could but unfortunately I need him too much.  John is the glue that holds it all together in so many ways.  He puts up with more quilt talk than anyone I know so I try to feign an interest in cricket.  Except he doesn't care if I like cricket.  Oh well.  Anyway, he hung our quilt hanger this weekend so we immediately hung some quilts up which actually was really fun!

Here we have the lovely Liesel making her 2012 debut in the shop.  One Saturday a month simply isn't enough.  Here she is showing Signature Crosses...only instead of customary signatures in the crosses I used Brandon Mably's Babble print.  Quiet joke on my part.  Oh yeah, I crack me up.  The other quilt will soon be featured in Quilters Companion and called Almost Pretty.  Even though they are very different quilts I like the way they look together and especialy with Liesel.  It will be fun to have such a grand scale for hanging quilts now.

Yep.  Last day of holidays and classes start this week with Brigitte Giblin.  Brigitte's classes should be fun this year as her book comes out in April!!!! Yes,  Quilt Mania is publishing a book of 20 of Brigitte's patterns. More info Ccoming soon!

We have spent many hours this January setting up for the start of quilting season!  Most of the ducks are now in a row and we can hit the road running.  And run we will.  Here are a few dates:

Saturday 11 February:  If you are a NSW Guild Member, Material Obsession is the shop for the meeting.  I will be doing a demonstration on using a design wall, templates and contemporary fabrics.  I've also got a bit of a slide show coming together for my talk. 

17-21 April:  If you are in France I'll be doing a few template workshops at L'Amour du Fils...and releasing the new book with Quilt Mania...and on that note, a package of Quilt Mania magazines is on its way to the shop now for sale at last!!!

25 May - 3 June:  Wellington, New Zealand.  The Capital Quilters of Lower have a big week if workshops planned and then I am heading to Handmade for the weekend with some fun workshops.

Is it June yet? No vine will ever grow up and stop me.  Is that a good thing? k