Photoshop with DJ

I am really excited, I have just paid for (read "committed") to an online photoshop class with DJ Pettitt. An American textile artist that I have followed and admired greatly for a long time. DJ is going to show us how to work in photoshop elements so that we can transform our photos into little works of art as she does. It starts soon so if you are interested go to her website and click on her workshop link to join up. I have already started going around with my little camera and taking photos of things I think look good.... Pan, a statue in mum's garden looked perfect and I can not wait to work with him.

I have been quilting, finishing off some Christmas presents for my class ladies, they have done some lovely quilts over the year and I am really more than happy to help out with those last minute panic "gotta get it quilted" moments.

The frame really comes into its own and I am getting much more confidence on free hand quilting - just love it.

This one was a large lap size quilt and I quilted it quiet heavily with gumnuts and gum leaves.

The owner Evol, was very happy with this and I will need to wait till after Christmas to find out if the lucky recipient liked my stitching.

A Little Bird told me....

I did this little guy some time ago but have only just got my camera sorted out and working again.

This is done using the embroidery machine to make the swallow, I then trim it around and layer it on some wool felt, paint and stitch on more detail, layer a bit more, then add vintage trim and cording, make some wire and pearl nest, a few dangles, a wire hanger - a frill of painted organza around the edge and viola a cute little wall hanging

I hope to have time to make more, it is very rewarding and doesn't take too much time or thought, just lots of fun and creativity

Ribbon roses for Baltimore

One of the things I love about Baltimore work is the ability to embelish like crazy. Hence the block shown, it is made up of 4 large ribbon roses, using french wired ribbon, about 2metres for each rose. The wired ribbon behaves well and allows the rose to be formed to look lovely and vintage, crush the rose after completion and you achieve an even older look.

The basket is made up of a rich brown fabric using a large bias maker to form it easily, I then slip stitch down some yummy thin obre ribbon as a highlight to the basket shape.

This is one of my favourite blocks, however I may not use it in the finaly quilt as it is not the most practical block for washing, using the quilt etc, but would work for a wall hanging. If doing this block maybe using a dior rose would work better for a quilt that will be used.

Bonzie designer

There are a few designers that I admire greatly and most of these I have been introduced to via "Belle Armoir" magazine. One of these is Bonzie an Irish design partnership, they do some of the most inspired designs I have ever seen, it is totally my idea of wonderful. They remake old clothes, restyle lace, ribbon, antique beads and baubles, jewelry and fabrics. I only have to click onto their blog to get goosebumps and feel totally inspired and ready to design for myself. And altho I don't do what they do and not anywhere near as well, I do love what I can achieve with a little playing with my growing collection of ephemera.

http://designsbybonzie.blogspot.com/

and some more..........

This is the heart block, I have completed half of the berries to show how much more interest the lovely red berry circles make, they are well worth the effort - I use the mylar template to create these, cut your fabric circle and place mylar plastic template circle inside, gather stitch around as normal, pull up so that the fabric is tightly gathered around template, spray with crisp spray starch front and back. Allow to air dry, finally press with iron, be carefull here as the mylar is heat resistant but will melt with too much heat. Allow to cool loosen tacking stitches and remove mylar, you may like to repress the circle again to settle down this lifted area. I do a whole lot at a time so they are done and ready for me to stitch down.

This is one of the lovely basket blocks, a tall basket with lots going on, I love them, I used a lovley chenille cord I purchased for the stem and couched it down with matching DMC - one strand.

I popped some blue in here as I had brought a gorgeous bundle of fabrics from Temora, Pieces for patching and wanted to use these with the browns. The berries this time are burgundy felt from Pioneer Patchwork in Narellan, little circles with red DMC french knots holding them down.

Today I have completed my 6 month class notes and will present the class on Monday. The girls will decide if we are going to do another class next year at Sewrite. This will be a finishing class and additional work with sashing and completing the top.

I will be presenting this class at Pioneer Patchwork at Narellan - (02) 4647 3555 in February 2010, just give Ingrid a call to reserve your spot.

Some photo's of the Baltimore Class

Beautiful birds baltimore block - This one was pieced using several methods, the bias circle was machine stitched down, then hand appliqued finished, the birds were done using a lightweight interfacing, bagged and turned through and then stitched down. The flowers, hearts etc were layered over paper templates, tacked, slip stitched down and paper removed from the back. It was finished with a lovely organza ribbon around the outer circle for softness - a really nice block to do and not too difficult.

Finally I am able to post some photo's of the Baltimore blocks, one of my girls took these photo's for her own colour reference and was kind enough to email them to me. Even tho they are not technically well photographed (it was using a phone) I am pleased to be able to show you something of the appliques already done.

This is the first block I had the class do, There are a few ways to approach this one, and after running the class I have decided to replace this block with something else in future.

We used lightweight interfacing, stitched and turned through, then it was to be appliqued down either by hand or by machine, the girls had some trouble turning this one through however so I have had to rethink this block. Even tho the results are nice it isn't my intention for the students to become frustrated by it.

Drawing

It's all Bron's fault, she told me about a lovely quilt she had seen and described it to me which got my mind rolling and thinking and wanting to create. SO naturally I did.

The fact that I had a sore foot meant that I needed to sit and rest it, so this weekend was spent drawing some lovely baskets of flowers so that we might later, be able to stitch them.

I had started off intending to do them rather niave and simple but no - they became quiet a production and very life like. I really think they are going to be hard work to stitch. So do I simplify or do I leave them as is.

Time will tell, getting time to do them will be another thing entirely.

I fell in love with a flying geese block and had to have a play with it in eq6. Pickle dish is another block for a quilt that I have always wanted to do, two colours only, nice.

Charlotte is stitching

Stress, its a real killer, we know that don't we. My darling girl is very stressed at the moment at work and dealing with peoples enquiries about their insurance claims for travel insurance.

I know personally that when I talk to a customer care person I try to remember that they are not personally responsible for my problem/dilemma and in fact are there to try and sort it all out for me if they are able to. My daughter is yelled at on a daily basis and called some shocking names, all because of a few hundred dollars worth of camera or whatever the person is claiming for. And yes, we all know how slow these things can be. But we really need to put them into perspective.

I was very busy with getting things done for class over the weekend (beside having a shocking weekend at the drags, but I am not going there). So as I stitched a small design for a friend and trying to get it started at least so that I could then do the machine sewing at a later date, Charlotte asked if she could do some, well Charlotte is one very neat stitcher and I was delighted to hand it over to her. She was still stitching when I went to bed last night and when I went to my sewing box this morning, here was a note on top with the work I had given her half finished and asking to let her finish it tonight. No problem to me, I love getting the help and Charlotte said she relaxed last night with the stitching like she hasn't been able to relax for ages.

It is a really bad time energy wise at the moment, there is some really odd energy going around and some strange things are happening - hope the moon changes soon or something, lol.

Baltimore on and on

It feels like I have been stitching baltimore's for years but in truth it has only been 4 months. They are so devine, and as I stitch I remember why I love applique soooo much.
It is relaxing, it's medatative and as I stitch I think about the next block and the colours for it. I have done the cornacopia with fruit and will do an eagle block next perhaps.

Having sorted it all out in EQ6 has been wonderful and allows for me to free up more time for sewing. I have some Christmas pressies to prepare too for class as we have decided on a secret santa for this year and will be going out for dinner like last year but at an Italian resturant this time. Should be great fun. I am doing one of Christine Books little cushions with a blue bird stitchery in the middle, I may even turn it into a small wall hanging for the person I have in mind.

I have been buying a little lace and odds and ends to as I explore the mixed media a little more, as I type I have the embroidery machine chugging along stitching a design that I will then take and manipulate, layer, cut and paint add things to and develop into a little wall hanging.

EQ6 and designing Baltimores

Spending time on EQ6 is so much fun, I have found wonderful pallettes of fabrics that reflect my stash rather nicely and decided to see if I could represent some of the blocks I have chosen for the class Baltimore.

The girls wanted sashing and swag borders so this is my interpretation

I have no doubt as I work more in EQ I will find much more to do with it and lots more ideas generated.

Don't ya love it

Hey,

Classes are going wonderfully well, I am having a blast with these baltimore blocks, they are soooo lovely.

And a large amount of french ribbon has come my way, well okay, I had to pay for it but it is so nice and will give my students some lovely ribbon to play with.

I have also been working on Christmas things for class - not something that I have to do every year but I do keep my eye out for interesting things. Christine Book is a wonderful resource for me in this as she does Christmas sooooo well.

Come to think of it, I have not done any stitchery for so long and I am getting a bit of an urge to do some soon. The Baltimore must take precedence tho and even when I go to Margaret Cormacks class on wednesdays I still have to be sewing on the baltimores.

I am embelishing lots more now and have been trying out some flower making both from fabric strips and ribbon. I have also been asked to do some ribbon roses for a flower girls dress, this is in a lovely deep pinky red, the fabric was especially dyed over seas just for this wedding.

Baltimore quilt classes

I am currently working on a Baltimore style quilt for class, it is coming along so beautifully and I am so pleased. The second class was a great success and full of enthusiastic students, what joy.

I am working on blocks 5 and 6 at present and have managed to book a new set of classes at Pioneer Patchwork in Narellan for next year, 2010. This will run for 6 months as a monthly class.

I have also got a row by row quilt to do for a class or workshop, I just need to buckle down and get all this done. It is all very exciting.

Mamre house weekend has come and gone for another year and altho the numbers were down on previous years it was all fun and laughter as usuall and a bit of retail therapy. I was on Marg Low's stand again with loads of new patterns and delightful buttons by Barb Smith.

Christine offered some lovely projects, the theme being bluebirds which are some of her all time favourite things. Remember the little bluebird baby jewellry that was so popular? It is a memory from my past as I am sure it is for many of us, and I am sure we all have a piece of a little bluebird treasure in our jewel box.

I am off to do some more sewing, with a quilt on the frame and lots of sewing to get my workshops happening I have had less time than ever for this blog, please come back often tho so you keep up with all the happenings going on.

keep stitching

(the above pic is borrowed from a webpage and is not what I am teaching)

A month fly's by

Where does the time go? I have been busy with other things and neglecting the blog, I have been sewing some, doing some quilting for friends and getting used to the frame.

I have had to borrow my mums singer sewing machine as the Pfaff is still not serviced. Mums machine is very nice to use so I am not complaining but she will want it back sooner or later so shall have to get the repair man to fix my Pfaff.

Classes will continue over the school break and I will return to Wednesday class. I have been doing extra shop hours at work while Anne is on leave. It makes for a busy life. But be creative is a way of life and I could not be with out all my bits and pieces. Rummaging through my stash for bits of fabric, lace and ribbons, buttons, bows and thread is a dream come true for me and a way to indulge me time with out guilt - because It's the creative process that I need to survive a day. To make my life fuller and to be a better person to live with.

I wonder how many others can relate to this.

Pinapple log cabins

How stunning are log cabin quilts? I love the old ones, the deep browns
blues and reds of the late 1800's. The complexity of the pinapple log
cabin never fails to amaze and delight me. There always seems that
sense of movement and joy about them, no matter the fabric or the
expertise or lack there of from the quilter.

I am experimenting with some strippy piecing and finding this a great
deal of fun. Using fabric from a basket of scraps, I can quickly place and
piece as I go, cut down the created fabric into the desired shapes and piece
these together to create a shape, a block that can be joined to form a larger
piece.

So quick and easy, unlike the pinappel quilt.

Okay I give up

I have just been browsing some blogs and I have to say, "I GIVE UP".....
No not really but I must learn how to do more with my blog.
It is not the inspiring read I had wanted it to be.
It has become a place were I collect other bloggers. LOL

Resolution....

try harder

Nitro Champs weekend

The weekend was the Nitro Champs at Eastern Creek

and also Charlottes 21st.

This is a photos of the Calibra with the shoot pulled
and slowing down at the end of the track.

She is a very pretty car and goes exceptionally well.
We all love her and I trust it to do the right thing when Tony is driving and to keep him safe. (If one can in fact trust an inanimate object). LOL

The photos is from Badger Photography you can see more on his website as he is an excellent photographer and has done several profile picture collages for us. This is the first pic we have of the shoot open, I think Charlotte will order a compilation of this lot from Badger photography as we all like these pics taken this weekend of the old girl in action.

Charlotte's 21st

The most important people in my life are my family. Charlotte turned 21 on May the 2nd which co-incided with the Nitro champs drag meeting in which her dad Tony wanted to race. So Charlotte decided that she would have her birhtday at the drags.

It went wonderfully well, we had a nice turn up of friends and relatives as well as those track friends who have known Charlotte for a while and watched her grow from a teenager into a lovely young lady.

She was indundated with lovely gifts. And Tony arranged for a photo menage on the big screen so about 28,000 people saw Char at different ages, but nothing too embarassing. LOL.

She spent a good part of the day crying as suprise after surprise were given. All in all just a brilliant and non fussy 21st shared with the people that cared about her.

Thankyou to everyone who made it such a fun day for her. Especially Kasi who is a star.

My favourite magazine

My favourite magazine is anything by Stampington. I await each issue from Borders impatiently but I do have a limit as unfortunately here in Australia they are expensive.

I love altered couture and Where women create. The Jewelry specials and many others, blogging, altered art, paper and ephemera, quilting arts, etc etc, it goes on and on.

They are a delight and a wonderful showcase of some of the most divine work and artists in their specific medium. This is a newbie Marie

http://www.stampington.com/html/marie_spring09.html

I love altered couture it is a wonderful magazine, full of wonderful art work to wear. I have always knitted but never liked run of the mill jumpers etc. Well the 80's were my prime years and the knitting was very avante garde so I knitted free form and loved it. Anything was okay and pieces were more art than wearable but no one cared. I would knit a dress in a couple of days and then wear it to a disco that weekend, okay so I was cute and had a great figure so I would have looked good in a rag but I still remember the thrill I got from wearing my own creation. I also made and wore my own bikini's both knitted and sewn. No pattern just creating as I went. I am amazed that they were good enough to wear but they were, so I should give myself credit. On hindsight I would have done things better but I didn't know better then.

This apron in the new issue of Belle Amoire sort of reminds me of what I would do when I was younger and never afraid of the outcome. Just go for it and see what happens. How cute is it??

These days I am far more reserved and over think things a bit much. I blame quilting on that because patchwork is very precise. I have been patchworking for so long that I have to think through my work so much more. I was a free spirit in my teens. I must learn to find that joy of creating again and just relearn to enjoy the process and sweat less about the outcome.

I hope you find joy and inspiration always and love what you do, love yourself and let your spirit soar.

Lots of lovely ephemeria and bits

I just love the French General https://www.frenchgeneral.com/

it has the most lovely bits and pieces for making those super special antique pieces of art.

Such as this divine old crown, how delicate and beautiful is this?

The website is so inspirational and even if I can not always get my hands on the items I am drooling over it is often enough impetus for me to get on with an idea, to go away and sketch and think and play with ideas that are directly developed from lovely bits and pieces off the website.

I long for the opportunity to shop in America, they seem to have a never ending supply of interesting things. We are so young in Australia that we don't have the history nor the items so abundantly and it is a constant struggle to find materials that inspire and that a worthy of art. I am not complaining because truth be told, it makes you work harder to find things to play with. The Internet has brought us all so much closer together

and availability of anything just a click and a credit card away. Which brings me to the issue of cost. How much is too much to spend on your passion, when in the end you may not sell an item? Do you have to sell an item to justify your craft/art. Does it also put too much pressure on an artist to make money. Do you work to pay for your craft or does your craft pay for itself??

I would love to know your answers on this so please leave me some feedback, and thanks for taking the time.

It's all about the age

How stunning are antique quilts? I have about 30 or so all in different stages of completion. Purchased from Ebay and shipped over from America. I have tops, blocks and full quilts. The oldest I have is a civil war blocks in a bachelor block, it is similar to a tulip block, I have repaired it and put about 10 or so blocks together and am quilting it.

I have two green and red applique quilts. With lots of lovely quilting. These are both pre 1900's.

I also have a variety of later quilts and quilt tops, 50's and 60's. One is a string pieced summer quilt, ie it doesnt have any wadding inside.

They are all totally inspirational, and some are used daily and some are away in a trunk awaiting repair or to delicate for everyday use. Caring for these quilts is a huge responsibility. Some could't handle a wash, they would literally fall apart. Others cope well and can be washed often.

I am only a custodian and will one day either sell some or pass them on or give them away. In the interim I get to enjoy them and share them with my friends.

Finding out secrets

Some people dont know one thing about me, and when they do find out they ususally laugh.
Not that I have ever made it a secret - it is just not a topic of conversation that I find myself mentioning too often. It is a fairly important part of my life however and something that I am rather proud of, what is it you ask.

I ride a large motorcycle...... Well not so surprising you may say, lots of women ride motorcycles.
Where I get to shock or surpirse people is when I role up on this big black and chrome monster and get off, remove helmet and gloves and dive into the saddle bags and pull out my knitting.

I love to see the look on peoples faces as I happily sit where ever we have stopped and stitch a few rows of knitting. The guys I ride with are used to me now but passers by often gape wide mouthed at me in all my gear and knitting in lap as I sit happily sipping coffee and getting on with my current project. It is one of those little bits of leisure time that is just the best. Fresh mountain air, sunshine and motorbikes.

Knitting

I am knitting like crazy at the moment which is handy because I am also spending time waiting for family at different times, you know the doctors surgery, getting home late off the train and all that sort of thing. Yes I am mum's taxi, both my adult children don't drive. So portable stitching is a must for me.

I have just ordered some lovely cashmere yarn and await it so that I can work on a few designs I have for shawl and things, not interested in doing garments anymore but shawls and blankets and capes and other largish things are wonderful.

Back to the patchwork and its amazing how many beautiful quilt patterns are available at our disposal, okay the books are expensive but I have just become choosey and only get the books that I know will appeal to me. My most recent purchase was "Your invited" another fabulous book from Blackbird designs. I just love the combination of wonderful blocks and simple yet beautiful applique. Stunning cross stitch and delicous scenes from gardens and antique homes.

So when I am not driving, knitting, or stitching I am perusing a book.

Housework you ask, what's that???

Another Easter come and gone

It's really mind blowing how fast time fly's - I was only thinking how lovely to have a few days off to get some much needed work done, you know the usual UFO's, some class projects, oh maybe the quilt sitting in the frame could use some time spent on it. Does it all sound to overwhelming?

Even tho I did set some goals this week, I have only gotten through about half of the list that I wanted to achieve. On the bright side, it meant that some fabric found a home and books that were just sitting around now live in a basket in my workroom.

Another thing I wish to achieve is the ability to call it a studio, it is all mine, I just can not come to terms with the fact. So far everything is working well and I am beginning to see dividends to having my own space. But and it is a big but, I am definately not spending enough time in there.

I will have to have a long hard look at the reasons I am deliberating and not utilizing my much wished for space. I know I need to be more organized so maybe once my mind gets around that I can move ahead.

Fabric bundles

How wonderful are fabric bundles, you know the ones, they are made up of co-ordinating fabrics with appealing colour combinations and usually one stunning feature fabric.

I have two that I had to bring home from work, Kym is a genius at putting fabrics together and altho she doesn't have time to do a lot of quilting she sure does have the quilters colour all worked out, she is in fact an artist so understands the fundamentals of colour that we as crafts people often skip in the hurry to produce a quilt or two.

I have always had a sense of colour and really do not give it too much thought but prefer to wing it in a way. I find if I over think colour combinations is when I get into trouble. I am always open to throwing in that real zinger fabric, you know the one. It is the colour and or design that you would never think to use but just that little bit brings the quilt alive.

I have two color ways in these bundles, a blue base and a brown base. My idea for them was to make a machine cover for the Janome on the frame as it sits out in the open and near a window and I am worried that it may get dust, and damage from being out all the time as it is too complex to take it in and out of the frame.

I am now using the Singer for all my regular sewing as I am waiting to get the Pfaff repaired, I had a look at it to see if it was something minor but it looks like a major timing job for an expert and more money to spend. Oh well such is the sewing life.

My frame

I have found my camera and quickly taken some photos.

Here is the frame, in a mess awaiting a quilt to be put on, I have done some smallish quilts for my

girls in class and they have been really happy

with them.

Some knitting I am submitting to a magazine.

This is one of two lacy shawls that I am

experimenting with, more to follow.

Blessed space

How wonderful it is to have the space for all my bits
and pieces. I am now starting to realize that I
have an abundance of craft related objects.

UFO's, lots and lots and WIP's (work in progress)
the latter is most definately my favourite way of describing pieces of art that are still unfinished but have hope of one day becoming what I had envisioned for them.

I am knitting a shawl and hope to send it off to a
magazine for publication. I have now found my
battery charger so will be taking lots of photos
so that I can now show you what I have been
up to.

I collected some new fabrics from work, Kym has a very good eye for colour combinations and she often challenges herself to put together fat quarter bundles and of course I can not help myself I have to buy them. And also needing a new project for the girls and Ho Hum, no more bags please, I will be doing a machine cover as I need one for both the pfaff and the Janome on the frame, a cover would be a very useful thing as it sits out on the frame uncovered at the moment. I will write the pattern to be suited to different sized machines so that the girls can customize their own to suit their particular machine.

check back for photos - coming soon = please watch this space. :)

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.