Quilting Owl

Peter is good at surprises and found these really cute Christmas novelty thimbles to add to the collection.  Now I just need a stand to put them on.  I seem to have outgrown the one that is currently being constructed (a WIP) but maybe if I am lucky Santa will bring one for me. We went to a Christmas Gift Fair last week and I couldn't resist these owls.  The larger one is made from recycled fabrics and the smaller one is made of folded paper (sort of origami) and lacquered.  They are very different to the other owls I have collected so far. I couldn't resist a new doll "Lily" which I found at the Fair which was giving out "take me home" vibes.  Another one for the menagerie gathering in a corner of the Studio. Till next time Franes

With Christmas only 4 weeks away I decided it was time to add some Christmas decoration to the house and Studio.  I always feel nostalgic when I do this as so many of the quilts have a special meaning or were made for a specific purpose or to try a new technique. My absolute favourite is "In the Spirit of Christmas" which was stitched and appliqued by hand using lots of different techniques.  The original purpose for designing this quilt was for teaching lots of different applique techniques and it was a very popular design.  Some years later I made another version of this quilt where I changed a lot of the blocks and used only fusible applique and foundation piecing.  The new quilt was featured on the cover of Australian Patchwork & Quilting Vol 17 No 4 and as a project inside this issue. This Christmas Colourwash Quilt was made from a project in Australian Patchwork & Quilting Vol 7 No 10 and was designed by Susan Cooper. ...

The Sunday Stitchers entertained us yesterday with some wonderful projects they were currently working on.  There was Jenny's Jelly Roll quilt which she is going to add some borders to. Shirley W has been busy making table runners using Cathedral Window blocks which are going to make wonderful gifts. Thora has been busy making some bright and happy quilts for some her grandchildren - Thora was going to use this quilt as the pieced back but she has now decided to use it as another quilt top and add a different backing for both quilts. I had a quick project to show that I have just made which I called "Knees and Toes" because that is how I am going to use this coverlet.  It is just two layers without batting and has a pieced back.  Even in the tropics it can sometimes get a little draughty in the airconditioning and I just need something light to put on my knees when I am hand stitching.  The quilt uses two packs of Moda's "Louisa" c...

Santa arrived early at our house and brought us some wonderful new books.  I mentioned to Peter some time back that I would like "Quilts" - Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum and he also found Robert Shaw"s book "American Quilts" - The Democratic Art 1780 - 2007.  Peter has always been interested in Hawaiian quilts and we have added to our comprehensive library on this subject.  Now all I have to do is find some free time to sit back with a cup of coffee or two and really get into these wonderful books which are absolutely full of inspiration. Till next time Frances

I know that selvedge quilts and pin cushions have been very popular of late but Peter has found another use for the selvedges I cut from my fabric - he uses them for garden ties. There hasn't been many spare moments lately but when I can find one I usually add some stitches to my Pies and Tarts EPP quilt which is slowly growing.  I really enjoy playing with the blocks on the design wall and every time I finish another block I get to play a bit more and rearrange them all. When I feel less than motivated I play with fabric - what fun! I just found this photo taken at the last Sunday Stitchers meeting showing the progress Jenny has made with her Bali fabric applique quilt.  It is looking wonderful and I believe there is still another border to be added. Till next time Frances

While we were in Sydney recently we found ourselves unexpectedly with a few hours free time so we hopped on a ferry and took a 30 minute trip across the Harbour to Manly.  The weather was quite hazy but Peter did manage to photograph some of Sydney's icons - The Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Fort Dennison (known from the penal colony days as "Pinchgut"). The Sydney Opera House  Ferry pulling into Manly wharf  The Sydney Harbour Bridge  Fort Dennison Coming back into Circular Quay Till next time Frances

On our recent visit to Canberra, our Nation's capital, we managed to do a little sightseeing and reacquainted ourselves with The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery and The Museum of Australian Democracy in the Old Parliament House.  Outside the National Gallery we were absolutely captivated by the shapes, colour and reflections in an art installation called  "Skyspace" by James Turrell.   The "Skyspace" is accessed by a walkway into what looks like a mound covered by greenery.  We spent a few days staying with friends and really enjoyed their beautiful gardens which were full of Azaleas, Rhododendrons and beautiful Wisteria - this was all very different to our tropical gardens at home. Till next time Frances

On a recent trip South Peter and I spent quite a bit of time visiting the Sydney Powerhouse Museum  where we found much to interest us.  A current exhibition was "The 80s are back" which explores Australian life and popular culture in the 1980s.   On display was one of the hundreds of quilts made in that era as part of the Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt Project which began in 1988 to provide a focus for the expression of community grief as the Aids epidemic grew.  The quilt was lying flat in a raised display case which made it difficult to photograph. In the Museum there was a Lace Study Centre and Peter and I spent quite a bit of time chatting to Rae and Bev who are volunteers from the NSW Tatting Guild.  It was wonderful to spend this time chatting with such committed and passionate lace makers.  The drawers in the Centre were full of wonderful treasures and it is well worth a visit if you have the oppo...

We just got back to Cairns tonight after ten days away and as always it is nice to be home.  In print in two current magazines, both Christmas Specials, there are some small projects of mine. In Patchwork & Stitching Vol 11 No. 6 there is a wall quilt called "No Room at the Inn".  This quilt combines some redwork stitchery with pieced blocks and it was a fun project to stitch.  It was also great to see it featured on the cover of the magazine. In Australian Patchwork & Quilting Vol. 19 No 9 there is a small hand pieced quilt named "Star Bright".  This was a great portable project and has travelled with me in the past so I could stitch it in hotel rooms. Now I shall enjoy catching up with all your blogs and see what has been happening while we have been travelling down south. Till next time Frances