Quilting Owl

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

It was a fun afternoon in the studio playing with some kids bright fabrics and the result is a cute library bag for a little one.  The back is the same as the front with velcro on the top tab and the handle will tie so it is adjustable.  A finish! Till next time Frances

I spent a lovely Sunday morning relaxing and stitching with a small group of friends from the Sunday Stitching group and as usual there were Peter's lovely scones to enjoy with our morning tea. Thora surprised us with these beautiful flowers called Hippeastrums which she grew in her garden on the Atherton Tablelands.  The petals had a lovely textured feel to them and the red was such a rich colour - what a treat! Thora has also put together the first section of her Pies and Tarts quilt which is coming along beautifully. Joan was busy assembling crazy patch blocks for her latest design and I am looking forward to the next stage. Kay was wearing a lovely blouse she made and I just love the flying geese blocks up one side and the lovely fabric she has chosen. I spent the morning working on my Pies and Tarts but forgot to take a photo.  The count is now 24 pies and 4 tarts. Till next time Frances

I enjoy The feeling of accomplishment when I complete a quilt that has been entirely stitched by me. Sitting in front of a favourite DVD and hand stitching. Seeing how other quilters interpret my designs. That “light bulb” moment that happens when just the right idea brings all the elements of a quilt together. The look of pleasure on a novice stitcher’s face when their quilt top is completed. When a new range of fabric is the spark for inspiration. Listening to an audio book while I machine quilt. Making quilts from a wide variety of fabric and finding just the right design to suit the particular fabric style. Hand piecing while travelling on a train, coach, boat or plane. Hand stitching the binding on a completed quilt and thinking about the next project.