
Big news...due to popular demand we have moved the Sue Spargo workshops to a larger location in the Uniting Church at Baronia Park...yes, across the street from our old shop! If you missed out on round one we now have places for Friday, Saturday and Sunday or all of them if you like in Sue's world famous embellishing workshops. We are now receiving all kinds of wool at the shop in preparation for her arrival in 10, 11, 12 August. Plenty of time to get a project started! 
If there is anyone that inspires the phrase, "so much to do, so little time," it's Sue. Make one of the leaf collection, bird or flower kits or embellish your own designs OR one from one of her books. For more information contact us by email or phone. If you are out of town we have found reasonable accommodation for several people AND the Hunters Hill Quilt show is on that weekend as well so it's a double whammy quilters delight weekend in Hunters Hill!
Insert commercial break: If you, like me, fell in love with this pink fabric used to make Almost Pretty and featured on the cover of Quitlers Companion this month I have one kit left ($190)! The pattern is in the magazine. 
As my mom always says on Easter Sunday, "He is risen." Whatever your religious persuasions are or aren't it is a time to stop and reflect on the good within and hope for hope. I relish the somber feeling of Good Friday and enjoy a quiet day peacefully thinking each year. This year was no different as I paused to try to dig deep and bring the qualities of a good life to the surface.
Another reason to pause is a brain full to bursting with ideas, plans and images of creative expression. Last week was a doozy! We started with Out of Line and the theme was Faces. Generally before we move to the new topic we review with a bit of show and tell from the last topic which in this case was the Cityscape. Suzanne borrowed some inspiration from the crevices of her colourful brain. These buildings are from her sketch diary. They are painted onto fabric and about to be appliqued onto the curved background. I should have snapped off a photo of the tiny sketch so you could see how she brought it all to life. 
One of the things I love about this class is the diversity of the members. In this photo we go from Suzanne's imaginary planet to Moira's inner city graffiti wall and then to the plaid city by Marina and many bases were covered. It is an example of the word interpretation. Everyone is different, sees different things, experiences different things and produces different things without serious regard for right or wrong.
We moved onto faces. It is always a tentative moment. Where to start? We have a few exercises and review some images, artwork and concepts before gathering supplies and getting started. I appreciate that for many this is intimidating work. It reminds me of an old sorority sister rush week activity where we got blind folded and asked to trust our sisters before stepping off a ledge. Of course the step is small and the sisters were there to catch us but the memory of that moment in the dark before the leap of faith stayed with me. In some ways this class is the same. We can do it, we are supported and yet there is a bit of tension that must be worked through before the plunge. Excitment, thrill, wonder...



Supplies were gathered and ideas were formed by the end of the day. It is a step away from the literal and a step toward the unknown. We won't be meeting for a few months due to travel etc so I am sure there will be some great things to face when we reunite!
The next day was Stash to Treasure which is a class I am also loving as we troll through the traditional patterns looking for places to stop and explore. Anne chose the Log Cabin as you may remember and has really, and I mean REALLY, made progress.

Clourful lightning streaks sewn in perfect order! It speaks of dedicated time to a project despite little kids and a busy schedule. There was at least one, maybe two more rows to go up but it looks fantastic!
Our other Anne also made some progress with this scrappy quilt. Using her stash and a simple block Anne got this done working colourful steps. We talked about that navy stripe and how it really works to bring the pattern to life.

A few years back Meegan did Brigitte's Tesselation pattern and that is also now a finished top. This is a great way to work the stash with lots of opportunity for delightful fussy cutting. Pieced over papers it is a nice take a long package.
The fussy cutting for bigger shapes creates intereting challenges. 
Meegan also revived a half done stash project with these tulips. A familiar pattern by now these tulips are always a joy to regard. Since we last met she finished the applique and the stems.

This is also an exciting process as we approach construction challenges and conquer them with pen and paper... 
Some things we do in class and some things we just talk about it and do it later. Suzy used the Creative Grid half square strip ruler and hit her stash with a vengence to make a medalion of half square triangles.

But she also finished all these blocks of shot cotton squares so we went on a search for a border.

First thing she picked is one of my favourite fabrics this year. Feathers! Big, bold, colourful, graphic feathers.

But then we got out our other favourite which is eye catching with the simplicity of the blocks. It works almost in the opposite direction of what we expect...expecting the unexpected is a thrill.

Marie changed direction completely and started a medalion quilt that linked together lots of different fabrics in her stash which is really gratifying.

Soon to be surrounded by flying geese and other block borders she is off to a great start. Stars are next.
Not to be out done, the "beginners" are starting to fly out of the nest with their blocks as well. They are selecting fabrics and working blocks, each in their own way, but all with great success. I just get so excited when I see all their work up on the wall! 
Lets give them a hand for excellence in class! Just like the blocks on the wall, each quilter is made of the same material but different. There is a collective joy when we look inside and see each other!
Enjoy your holiday weekend. I'll soon be checking in while on the road with updates from my excellent adventure! k