Quilting Owl

I have fallen behind with posting the photos for Show and Tell at the Sunday Stitchers so lets starts with this beautiful quilt by Kathy which features hexagons.  We have enjoyed watching the progress of this quilt and it is wonderful to now see it in all its glory. Dayna and her mother set a personal challenge for themselves after a fabric shopping spree and this is the great design Dayna came up with for the chosen fabric. Jenny has completed her version of one of my quilt designs "Strawberry Fields" which she began in a class at Cairns Craft Centre. Jenny has also completed a few more quilt tops to be given to some lucky recipients. Lesleigh dug deep into her quilt archives to share this beauty with us which is one of her very early efforts. Till next time Frances

It was "Christmas in July" time at the July get together for the Sunday Stitchers and here are just a few photos taken by us with all the wonderful decorations organised by the staff at Cairns Craft Centre. Tree with presents Decorations with a pretend log fire Sunday Stitchers very busy making their surprise project Peter playing Santa Till next time Frances

Here are just a few of the quilts which were among 421 in the NSWGuild Members' Exhibition and I would like to thank these wonderful quilters for giving me permission to show their quilts on my blog. "Avignon" by  Michelle Marvig "Hatchet" by  Chris Jurd "Flower Songs II" by  Eileen Campbell "Ethel's Diary" by Eileen Campbell "Japanese Traditions" by Lynn Hewitt "Learning Curve No 1" by Sue Murtagh "Jewels in the Window" by Meg Orr "Harlequin Logs" by Meg Orr "Dolly's Garden" by Jenny Rofe It was a truly amazing exhibition and all the winners can be view  here Till next time Frances

After a wonderful but very busy trip south we are finally home in the beautiful Far North though somewhat exhausted from trying to fit in too much in a very short time, not to mention a few hiccups with delayed flight schedules.  The first thing on the agenda was the Quilt and Craft Show at Darling Harbour where once again the NSW Guild put on a first rate show.  I was lucky enough to meet up with quite a few friends who have given me permission to show their quilts which I will do in the next post when I sort through my photos. Looking down on the Guild Quilt Display At the Craft Show it has become a tradition for us to meet up with my sisters and family and we enjoyed a wonderful day visiting lots of stalls, lunching, laughing and chatting. Marie, Frances, Patricia, Maree (niece) and Margaret We also managed to catch up with Peter's son, daughters and grandchildren- Fliss, Jude, Peter and Leif Daniel, Peter, Kaen and Patrick Then it was off to Bri...

At the last meeting of the Sunday Stitchers I was presented with this wonderful gift by Jenny which will hang in pride of place in my studio after I have finished the machine quilting.  Jenny has been hand stitching this beautiful quilt for a few meetings now and these owls definitely have an individual personality. Meanwhile in the studio I have finally finished machine quilting "To the Manor Born" which will hang at Cairns Craft Centre as soon as I have completed the pattern. The back of "To the Manor Born" by Frances Leate Now I will look forward to when I can settle down and spend some quality time hand stitching the binding to the back which is a process I always enjoy. Till next time Frances

I just found these photos in my camera taken at the last meeting of the Sunday Stitchers and a very happy and industrious group they were. Sunday Stitchers at Cairns Craft Centre There were some amazing projects such as this vibrant and rich hexagon quilt that Deborah was working on.  Jacqui has finished her amazing yellow and black octagon quilt. I couldn't resist including this photo of a very happy baby Jude with the Hungary Caterpillar quilt made by Peter and quilted by me. Till next time Frances

This Hungary Caterpillar quilt was designed and pieced by Peter and machine quilted by me so is a joint effort. You can read more about Peter making this quilt  here  when he was inspired to do so by his grandchildren and has been waiting for the right opportunity to finish it - the arrival of Jude in March. "Hungary Caterpillar" designed and pieced by Peter Leate Today I had lots of fun sorting through and airing some of my quilts.  My quilts are usually divided into categories of those that are currently working and then the ones that are resting and these can usually be found layered on the spare bed. In amongst these quilts was this little Welsh quilt - a cutter with some cute applique added at a much later date (no doubt to hide some damage).  I purchased it when we were in Wales in 2009 from Jen Jones' amazing shop to add to my interesting small quilt collection.  The back of the quilt showing some of the hand stitching. Till next ti...