Monday 18 April 2016

SECRETE SQUIRREL PROGRESS

Good news the Secrete Squirrell quilt is finished being quilted and Lynne is picking it up on Friday .....very exciting.  Hopefully we can get together soon and start on the binding.


Really looking forward to seeing this one finished.

ANOTHER NEW GIRL ON THE BLOG

Just before we let for the AQC I made the snap decision to buy a new machine.  I found a Bernina 750QE on ebay and just couldn't resist it.  So I made a bid and there was a counter bid followed by another bid from me and then a final one from the seller and I clicked accept.  This sparked some discussion about how I would get it from Melbourne.  My wonderful husband suggested we go and get it, so off we went on the Friday afternoon with an other night stay in Albury and we grabbed my purchase and headed off home.


I really love it.  I have had some small problems with tension but I am having some discussions with Bernina and they are in the process of helping me with the problem.  Other wise it is fantastic and I am looking forward to sewing lots more with it.



THE AQC

Well Lynne and I made a decision way back last year that we would like to attend the AQC and especially as we found a class with Michelle Marvig our favourite quilting teacher.  So the bookings for accommodation and flights were made and AQC registration done and paid for as well classes chosen and Gala Dinner and cocktail.  Which all means we took "the works".  We were GOLD delegates :-)


As we were virgins at the AQC we really didn't have any idea what to expect.  We have attend weekend retreats before but this was something completely different. 


We were actually blown away the organisation was amazing.  We had lunch supplied and of course were expecting the usually sangers and juice or coffee and tea but the food at this event is absolutely amazing with a Buffet lunch every day and something different every day.  In the class room we were provided with a paper bag containing something sweet as well as cheese and bicis and fruit that we could eat any time of the day with constant coffee and tea available outside the rooms.  The Gala dinner was also something else with a beautiful meal and entertainment.  There was also a song for the event which was something right up our alley they had taken the theme from Strictly ballroom and changed the words to suit the quilting theme it was great and played each time we had a lecture with everyone singing along.  Lots of fun :-)


Overall the experience was excellent and we will be back next year.


The two day class with Michelle was Kasuari and paper piecing project with as usually for a Michelle it was challenging but lots of fun.  We still have lots for squares to make but we get the idea and will concentrate on this one at our get togethers.


Pam's

Lynne's


Our second class was Arty Bags with Ro Bruhan.  This was something right outside our comfort zone.  But also lots of fun I managed to partially complete two bags and certainly learnt lots.




All good fun and we definately be back next year.


Now for the big surprise Lynne bought a Sweet Sixteen long arm quilting machine....!!!!  Wow so exciting can't wait for it to arrive and have a real go on that one.



Thursday 31 March 2016

2016 LIST OF TO DOS

2013 BOM
Secret Squirrel quilt
Midori float
Snap Shots
Wishes Quilt along
Handsewn Hexe quilt for Easter show 2017
Start and finish my King size bed quilt
Westalee quilts
AQC - Michelle's creation Kasuria
Possible memory quilt for Dad's 90th
Plan a quilt for Brenda's 70th Birthday


So lets see how we go hopefully these will all be done by 2017.


Well this is going well so far I have ticked of 4 of these two are completely finished 2013 BOM and Midori Float, Secret Squirrell and My King Size bed are just waiting on quilting and this is being done by someone else so it a waiting game.



KING SIZE QUILT

My King Size bed  Town Square quilt top  is now finished but I am at a point of indecision as to how to quilt it.  I feel it needs something all over and I am not up to doing that as yet..... Maybe some day but not on this one.  Sooo the choice is ditch stitch all the squares or have it done by someone else.


We enquired from our local quilting store and were told 10-12 weeks..... Thats way too long for me so maybe I am thinking the person who is quilting our secret squirrel quilt would be a good option..  This all means that I  have to wait for a chance to take it to them.    Patience!!!!.


TABLE TOPPER

I have been working on a new table topper, we use these everyday instead of table cloth or placemats because there is only two of use it works as one big placemat to protect the timber table.  So my husband has been asking for another one so we can rotate.


This was a opportunity to test out the Swoon pattern I purchased a while ago.  So it sat down with paper and calculator to work out the best way to use the block or maybe 4 blocks and found that the 1 block was quite big enough with a couple of borders.  It was a fun block to make with lots of skills required like half square triangles and flying geese.  I am very happy with the finished product and now I think I will start on my Swoon quilt.










I am catching up on my finished projects, I have now finished my 2013 Block of the Month and almost finished my Midori Float so maybe now is the time to start something new :-)


Tuesday 16 February 2016

KING SIZE QUILT

I have finally started on my own king size quilt for our bed.  I have had the fabric for quite some time, bought when it was on sale for a very good price.  The pattern is Town Square by Sweetwater. So I fished it out and had to think about what each piece was for but finally got underway and cut all the blocks first and I am now half through sewing the 25 blocks only 2 seams to go.....!!