How fantastic is the quilt frame

I have had an awesome weekend of quilting on the frame. I have 3 smallish quilts to do and so far two have come up very well just stippling and in the ditch as they were panels and one had dogs in a window and it was just so cute that I wanted to emphasis the puppys and flowers so decided to stitch around each item and really make it pop.

I have updated my blog list and have (I think) some really top blogs to share, so go have a look.

I find the best blogs by cruising other peoples favourites.

As I look I can see so many really stunning blogs but I am limited in knowledge as to how to get all the fun things on to my blog, but as I keep trying things I shall soon have a blog worthy of quilters alike to enjoy. It is such a personal thing these blogs and I just love it.

Keep coming back as I continue to add, learn and improve.

Vintage Crystal on Martha

Okay I have to admit it right here right now, I love Martha Stewart. Yesterday she had a girl on making vintage ornaments and specialises in spun cotton, it is an old German technique.

Go have a look
http://www.vintagebycrystal.blogspot.com/
wonderful stuff

Working the quilt frame

It is all go, and I woke up with the sorest shoulder and on thinking about it realized that the right shoulder had been doing all the pulling on the machine to quilt yesterday.

Well I will either have to build up the muscles or sell the frame, I only did about 3 hours in total and with plenty of breaks but it seemed enough to cause shoulder pain. After all this time I am determined to over come these issues.

I have 3 small quilts to make, they are panels for a toddlers kindy nap time and my students didn't want to quilt them so I said I could give them a go and quilt them on the frame. As they are not so precious they thought that a wonderful idea, photos to come. (I still have not found my camera charger).

I have so many changes happening and no camera to record it all.

I did however, run out of thread so will have to see if I can find the thread to finish just the last little bit off. I chose to do a type of stipple and it used a huge amount of thread.

Getting there

Finally I have my frame set up full size, well okay it is taking up all of the lounge room bar a couple of the lounges pushed up against the wall (tes chic, NOT). But it is up and sacrifices must be made.

I have three small quilts to quilt as my first paid jobs on the frame. I am excited and nervouse all at once. I hope that I can do these more affordably than what the large quilters have to pay.

I am aware that I am limited to a 3" width due to the short arm machine, but I am optomistic that I can come up with some nice designs and perhaps learn to free quilt well enough for it to be considered custom quilting.

My only dilemma now is that the Pfaff is cafut, well the timing is way out and needs a look at so I have to find the money to have it repaired. In the mean time I will see if the singer will work for plain stitching as the last time I used it, it was not happy beeping at me madly. Failing this I can borrow mums singer - but this is a last resort as she likes to use her machine and likes to have it available for her sewing moods.

I have also begun to move my things into the dining room and shall pack away a lot of my antique plates and other bits that are on the shelving, this will free up space for storage of smallish items, jars and small baskets but I think it could look good and be useful.

Cute things

I love the quirky handmades, this is a little cat brooch that I
found and had to "borrow" the picture
I just love it, it is so odd.

I found this site after surfing away from another of my favourite designers, it seems that the odder the design
the better but this is really amazing and fun

http://www.studioviolet.se/products/

Another cute site I just love is www.jennylovesbenny.com.au

this clever girl makes the most devine little bears.

Okay enough of cute, just had to let you all know.

Work and inspiration

As a teacher I am constantly looking for inspiration for class projects. I am lucky to have some really lovely ladies in my two classes and they are all very easy going about what they do.

Very often it is at their discretion as to what they make, at times having birthdays, weddings or other specific gifts to make and this is an easy area to work with as the ideas flow and the saying that two heads are better than one is true as we bounce ideas off each other and with a few nice books and or magazines we can come up with something really nice and just that little bit original while still remaining achievable.

While bags and small projects are still in demand, the way that they are put together and using new or different fabrics or a new way of pieceing or applique is always something that I aim to provide. While it is not possible to provide a new project every week, the girls continue to request projects or crafts that they would like to try and I am always ready to accomodate.

Being a flexible teacher means that students can keep coming to class and looking forward to leaning something new. Or can ask for help on their own project. And I think one of the biggest service I can offer is that of assisting with the basting of a large quilt, this has to be the worse job as far as I am concerned. So putting two large cutting tables (Horn Cabinets) together and getting a quilt basted in a class session with others pitching in to help pin - is to me worth every penny of the class fee.

What are your thoughts on class projects and ideas and inspiration?

Basket versus boxes

I just purchased two lovely deep baskets with handles today for $5.00 each, they are perfect for keeping all project items together.

They don't have lids but will be okay as I intend to use them as transient storage while a project is in progress, I have other tubs with lids for more long term storage.

I was wondering what sort of storage other quilters use, would be interested in your ideas.

And what do you like to keep projects in while you are working on them.

A few of my quilty friends will buy specific items and containers for projects, others like me will recycle containers where possible and scour garage sales for baskets and anything of use. As long as it is clean or can be cleaned, painted or whatever it is open slather for me.

I love the look of old bookshelf's repainted, recycled and looking fabulous. Like this set of old shelving that is being used to great

advantage as a lovely fat quarter storage.

The boys and their toys

The twins quilt is going slowly - I really need to get on and quilt them but have been telling myself that I will quilt them both together and very quickly on the quilt frame. As yet this hasn't happened and I am yet to get organised enough to get the frame organised and set up down stairs.

The little quilts look lovely and I would like to take a pic of them but can not find my battery charger for the camera so can not photograph them just at the moment.

When will I ever get organised?

Classes are dropping off a bit, they seem to come and go and some students can not afford to continue which means that I have to reduce my fee. Oh well, we all have to do our part to assist when things are so financially strapped. Never fear I am still spending plenty.

I just decided today that I needed some clothes and shall do a little looking tomorrow. This is never a favourite pass time for me but I will look and see if something strikes me as worth buying.

QUILTS AND MORE QUILTS

I am working on a gorgeous quilt from Better Homes Quilt magazine, it is a simple snow block quilt and I have made it true to the original in lots of lovely repro shirtings, (from a pack I brought years ago in Berrima) and many of my old blues, browns, reds, pinks, creams and mustards in my stash.

I have purchased from work some additional fabrics (can not help myself) and raided my friends fabrics she was sending of to charity quilts. I only needed a small 4" of each and it was fun to see what I could find that would work for that specific project.

Try this link for a free snow ball block pattern, supper easy and very effective.

http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/snowball.html

ABOUT THAT SEWING ROOM

What is the perfect craft/sewing room? I am still seeking the answer to that one. I love to see other people's works space and to scour the web for ideas and images that appeal.

I know that I want/need space for the quilt frame, set at full length it is over 120 long and you need at least 60 in width as you need to be able to walk around the frame so that you can access all areas. Putting the quilt on the frame and getting around it, etc.

An ideal work room would have lots of good natural light, and in addition some great overhead lighting for dull days or late night working. For me air conditioning is a must, I just can not stand the humid summers in Sydney, YAK. It would be a little icebox but I know I work well under those conditions. I would use an oil heater in winter.

Sewing

I would have allocated areas for each discipline, a space for sewing, cutting and ironing. A wall for pinning blocks. And baskets with WIPS, class work or new ideas.

Jewelry making and chain maille

A space for jewellry making, soldering and tools and chain maille work and supplies. This means good access to power points.

Knitting and fibre art, felting

Yet another space for knitting, maybe even a nice comfy chair in a corner for this and time out for reading as well, with bookshelf's for special books of inspiration. Could I also find room for the laptop on a small table? And I would need my over head light as this would more than likely be the place I would sit to hand sew as well.

Bear making

An allotted area for bear making, I don't do this as much and it combines usage of the machine but I would need an area to store the mohair and other supplies and a work space as it can be messy. Maybe some more shelves specifically for this near the sitting chair. (There is a lot of hand work in bear making).

Machine Embroidery

In addition I need a space for the embroidery machine and it's associated equipment, which includes the laptop.

Blogging and writing

The laptop would be in use for writing so needs to be accessible for double duty. (Triple if you include blogging).

Mixed media and fibre art

If I had a really big space, I would also get the knitting machine out of storage and set this up.

I would put the spinning wheel in a corner somewhere too. A sink with hot water for wet felting

space to store the spinning paraphernalia. And perhaps a dedicated table as the water would get into other vital things like sewing machines if I only had one table.

Storage

But when I fine tune all this and really assess it I really need a lot of storage.

I love looking at the magazine "Studio" for ideas, and also "Where women create" it is just mind blowing some of the spaces these lucky women own. I am so jealous but as this is such a wasted exercise to be jealous I would rather put that energy into achieving my goal.

First chapter of novel

This is the first chapter of a novel I have begun, please tell me what you think of it.

The road wound around the valley and criss crossed the river three times before I caught a glimpse of Nerrandella, it sat squat and tired looking, in a hollow of natures making. Another town may suffer the fate of being drowned forever in a much needed dam. That had not occurred to the residence of this long forgotten place, now off the beaten track as the new C15 ran direct to the coast from Sydney and there was no longer the need for an overnight respite from the rigours of travel that Nerrandella provided. Centrally air conditioned service station, MacDonalds and red Rooster now supplied the traveller with fast food and faster service, wizing back onto their destination without even a "thanks how was your day?"
My objective was Paxton House, a little Gothic timber home built in 1883 by the Sturgess family and recently handed over to the Trust as a living museum. The satnav chimed in, the sweet twangy voice telling me to turn right at the next exit and continue for 4 kilometres. I spotted the turn off and veered my little honda into the lane.
I passed several ramshackle cottages sitting on the outskirts of the town centre. A rusty sign told me I had arrived in Nerrandella, population 146. There were several empty shops with paper notices flapping in the breeze and one or two cafés offering the best coffee for miles, well that I could believe! I made a mental note to visit one that had an interesting looking buntings and swags of gossamer fabrics looped over the verandah posts, a little water fountain near the entrance and a general hum emanating from within. I passed a service station, the one were the owner actually comes out and pumps the petrol for you, checks your oil and washes your window. An absolute dinasour. Next came the local grocers, slash general store, newsagents and just along from these the huge red brick bank building now converted to the community centre, art gallery and op shop. I wonder what George Sturgess would have thought of his bank building now? Just opposite was the original council chambers and post office, really lovely turn of the century buildings giving testament to the past affluence of the area. Sally satnav piped up again and told me to take the first exit at roundabout, in other words turn left.
Obeying I ventured along Marribel Street, this I knew from my research was the oldest residential street in Nerrandella, it was also the street founded by the Sturgess family and was originally just a dirt track linking the house to the centre of town. Paxton House was one of the first houses of its calibre in the area and was surrounded by its 267 acres of cleared grazing land. The Sturgess, apart from being the bankers for the area also ran the small freehold gifted to George when he arrived in Sydney at the age of 19 and undertook a role as dresser to then Mayor of Sydney James Merrimen. As the story goes, he saved Mayor Merrimen when he was very ill with dropsey and stumbled and would have fallen over a bannister to his death but for George's quick reflexes who grabbed the aged Mayor and pulled him to safety. The Mayor in his appreciation and upon his retirement from politics gave George the land on the coastal area south of Sydney and some cash to set himself up. George, still a young man and missing his family in Scotland, sent for his brother Laden and paid his fare to Australia.
As I crested a small rise I could see Paxton House at the end of the street, standing majestically surrounded by huge jacarandas, pepper trees, port wine magnolias underplanted with massive azalea bushes and camellias. I was astounded by the greenery and the contrast of the striking sky blue painted timbers of the house. The eaves, balcony's window sashing were glossy white, here and there were the evidence of men at work with some scaffold in place and several work utes in the drive. Probably more action than the old girl had seen in many years. The Houses Trust did not waste time in conserving the buildings they acquire and their policy is to get in, access and conserve what is there rather than restore. I could not but admire the architectural features of the house it was quiet breathtaking. Its metal balustrades on the front balcony and around the eaves were amazing, they must have cost a bomb back then. I knew it to be a rare example of American Steamboat architecture, so unusual for country Australia, the timbers all looked in reasonable condition and as I pulled up I could see that the workers were in fact washing the exterior. The building had been attributed to
There were in fact several lovely old homes in the street, similar in size but nothing in this Gothic timber style of Paxton. I pulled up next to a large van with red writing on the side announcing "Jake's 24 Hour Plumbing". Rustling through the papers on the passenger seat I came up with the yellow post it note that had my contact on. Sally satnav announced sweetly that I "had arrived at my destination", I flipped off the switch and popped her unceremoniously into the glove box.
The 'post it' note told me that I was looking for a Jeannine James, curator appointed to the house and supervisor of the conservation and cataloquing of contents.It was great luck for me that Jeannine is great friends with my uni lecturer and she was able to get me on the conservation team, it meant a lot to my study as I was eager to research the house and the unusal family dynamics that it had held within. I wasn't totally unskilled either as I had worked at Vaucluse house in the textile room and had helped restore some of the quilts there. That was when I had first heard of Paxton and the possibility of the trust obtaining it and my interest had been peaked then, and to now be walking up the front steps was like a dream come true. Stepping around buckets and ladders however, was not part of the imaginings but I was looking forward to the next few weeks. I tapped at the open door, listened, I heard a muffled voice from within, sounding like they were on the phone. A mans head popped around the door of the front room, he was in white overalls splashed in vivid array of colours. "Hi", I said, "I'm looking for the curator."He motioned his head toward the voice out the back " She's out in the kitchen, been on that bloody phone all morning""Thanks", I said as I manouvered my way down the hall and carefully around the just washed door jamb.The hall opened up into a large dinning room, a huge amount of paper, photos, boxes, linens, kitchen ware and other various items littered the large table, it looked like a tornado had gone through the house and had dumped everything right on top of the table in a haphazard mess.The disembodied voice continued from the kitchen "I'll be right with you" it called.I took that to mean I was to stay where I was for the moment so took advantage of the time and began to scan thru the photos. There were several photos of the house from around the 30's, there was one with a car in the drive that looked like a model T but I couldn't be sure. I flipped the photo over but there was nothing written on the back. "It is going to take a bit of research to find out about those photos." I looked up into intelligent green eyes, "Hi I'm Jeannine, I've been expecting you. I'd like you to concentrate on Jessie's room, its upstairs second door on your left. Any questions?" She handed me a note pad and pen. "Start by catalogueing the furniture and fabrics, did you bring a camera?, no, okay, I'll get one for you. If you can go through the dresser after that and keep everything in its place, just write down what you find and leave it pretty much as is, unless of course you find an infestation of bugs or something." I nodded. "If you get that much done today we are doing well.""Help yourself to coffee in the kitchen, you'll find the cafe down the road makes a good sandwhich. Oh have you checked in at the B and B yet?" Her mobile rang and she waved me off returning to the kitchen. I guess that meant I was on my own, didn't seem like much was out of bounds at this stage. Jeannine's head popped around the door, phone to ear and waving a pair of shoe snoods at me. "Pop these on will you Ellie whenever your in the house, 0h and do take care on the carpets they are really deteriorating."I was not sure if she meant I was to take care not to damage the rugs or not to fall down the stairs and break my neck, either way I liked her immediately and knew that the two weeks here were going to be productive and fun.
I had sorted through and logged all of the clothes in the dresser in Jessies room, there were lots of soft silk and lacey items. And as I didn't know what to call a lot of the things I just described them as well as I could on the notepad. I would come back and photograph it all when I got the promised camera.I checked my watch it was already quarter past two and I had not stopped for a break or even a coffee. Stretching my legs I thought it time to stand and get the circulation back in my legs. Wobbling down the stairs I was aware of the silence of the place, the stillness in the air and the fresh breeze through open windows. The stairs creaked to remind me that I was in an old home, I descended carefully, mindful of the several layers of carpet I was treading on. I must remember to ask Jeannine what they will do with the carpets, will they be lifted and relayed or will they be left, it would be amazing to see the very bottom layer. The uppermost layer and visible one was a bright splashy brown with yellow swirls that was oh so obviously 1970's. I think by memory, the year of a minor renovation was undertaken when cousin took up residence at Paxton. The kitchen was also redone then so I thought I would go and take a look.
It was a pretty simple 50's style with some overhead cabinets in a chipboard type wood. Painted gloss white, a yellow speckled top, I hesitate to call it laminex because I don't think that would be correct. A large stainless steel double sink.A rather new looking gas cooker, with oven underneath. A white fridge, about a 1970's model. And some undershelf storage near the oven. Then on the other side of the sink a lovely old oak dresser, it had some nice eclectic looking china on it which would be fun going through at some stage. Off to my right I could see another door which led to a larder, the contents of which I would have to discover at a later date as I heard Jeannine talking in the hallway and decided to see if I could get a few minutes of her time.
We met between the foyer and the dining room. "Oh hi again", said Jeannine, "I had forgotten about you. How did you go?""Fine, well I think so, I'm afraid I don't know alot about the clothes from the 1930's. It's all very feminine and pretty isn't it?" I said, smiling as I thought of all that fine lace and tiny buckles. "It looks as though it was just left as it was back then, as though Jessie could walk back into the room at any moment and ask what the hell was I doing"."Exactly" said Jeannine, "And that is what we want the visitors to experience, a living museum, isn't it marvelous?""Well, it certainly is unique." I admitted. "If you don't mind I was hoping to get a bite to eat, can I get you something?" "No thanks" as she disapeared down the hall toward the kitchen, probably another urgent phone call I thought unfairly. Then kicked myself for letting her get away as there was so much more I wanted to know.
***********************************************
The cafe took about 1o minutes to walk to, I needed the stretch and it was really so beautiful here that to take it slow and have a look around was really a joy. Some of the houses were just as stunning as Paxton, some were much bigger with what looked like modernish extensions and others were fairly original. It looked like a village that had not moved much in the last century. Most of the gardens were gorgeous and as I came closer to the town I could see the local park complete with a pond and a wisteria walk leading down to it. It was just too much.Cafe Louis was two blocks up from the corner as I turned into the main street of Nerrandella. I could hear the folky music wafting down the street and a devine smell wafting right along with it. I began to realize just how hungry I was and even my stomache agreed with a deep rumble.I chose a shaded seat on the porch and almost before I could sit down a paper menu was thrust at me. A girl of about 16 started to list off the days specials to me. But I interupted and said I would have what ever was being cooked right then. She smiled and said that was her mums veggie lasagna and did I want something to drink while I was waiting? She said they had fresh juice - orange, mango and rockmelon just made. "Sounds great" I said handing back the menu and relaxing in the chair just a little more and allowing the mellow tones of Sting to float around me. I was racing across the desert on a white stallion.When I opened my eyes I saw a very large lady standing in front of me, I felt as though I was being accessed in those few seconds, but then she smiled and handed me a huge plate of steaming hot lasagna."There you are, get that into you love. Looks like you could do with a good feed." she winked and dissapeared inside.
The lasagna was devine, it had been a long time since I had eaten something that good. As I entered the little cafe I was aware of the age of the building, I figured somewhere in the 1930's with its lovely tiled entrance the ressessed door and the bevelled glass. It had bright red walls inside and to my amazement an absolute gallery full of old photos framed and labelled. It felt like Christmas. I could barely get my money out to pay before diving on the nearest photo. "These are amazing" I said to the owner. "Where did they come from.""Some belonged to my father, alot came from the newspaper office when it closed. I guess after I started collecting people just started turning up with photos and leaving them with me."The photo I was looking at was of the old Bank building - There were a group of people on the stairs, all in suits and hats and looking very proper in their attire. There was an impressive looking horse and cab to the left of the photo it had an interesting looking crest on the cab door. The typed sticker at the bottom declared it the opening of the Nerrandella Bank of NSW, Mayor of Sydney Sir William Patrick Manning with the date Nov 4th 1891.
I browsed the photos for a while, finding ones that I would have to spend more time on it was such a treasure trove."Do the House Trust know about these?" I asked."Sure do, most of them are here for lunch and sometimes dinner, just depends how caught up in the house they get. By the way hon, I'm Liz."How rude of me, I shall have to watch myself in future I thought."Nice to meet you Liz, I'm Ellie." I replied."Well then you will be needing these." Liz handed me a small set of keys she had fished out of her pocket. "They're the keys to Loch Lowen, your in the cottage, just keep to your right at the main house and follow the drive down the hill and you will see the cottage near the creek." I must have looked surprised because Liz let out a huge laugh. "Loch Lowen is my B and B, and it wasn't hard to work out who you were, we spoke on the phone last month, remember?""Of course." I answered with a smile. "I was just a little overwhelmed by your collection. It is fabulous and I was hoping I could spend a bit more time looking at the photos." "I have most of them on my laptop, I could burn you a CD if you like.""That would be fabulous." I wondered if my enthusiasm was showing. I could not believe how lucky I was. Then I had a thought."I should mention Liz, that I am here for another reason other than helping on the conservation. I am studying Early Australian women and their homes and hope to do my thesis on the subject.""I know, hon." was all she said, I noticed when she smiled her eyes almost dissapeared behind her cheeks.

My Girl

Charlotte and Rosie on a night out

My Kids

Charlotte

and Ben at WSID early March, winning the

bracket meeting.

On line for Track Champs again

Don't count your chickens but the boys are doing fab on the track again and are leading the points for track champ again and only two more events to go.

The weekend went well, I didn't go but they all did very well and thanks to Stephanie who helped out with the towing.

Time to catch up again

I haven't blogged for some time as I had trouble logging in as I had my password wrong. With a few passwords here and there it was bound to happen.

How do you keep track of them??

I have been keeping up with all my favourite blog sites most of them are on blogger which is very handy - altho I am not using blogger to it's full advantage by any means.

Playing scrabble on facebook is also a big time consumer but I have limited the time I spend on it now and may find just a bit more time for other more important things.

This is a pic of the studio that I would love to have
in my backyard.

Isn't it cute? I think my studio would need to be
about twice that size to accomodate all my junk.
Okay materials and tools, what with patchwork, jewelry, mixed media, the quilt frame, the knitting machine. Supplies and other stuff. Come to think on it, it would need to be a lot larger.

I have even been watching the ads for rental space that is local and not too expensive, not necessary a shop front but just a warehouse space would be ideal for about $100 or so a week on a open lease would be great. Does it exist?

Dream on, in the meantime I am setting up the dining room and putting the quilt frame in the lounge just to get on with some work and have a space I can call my own.