one last Christmas Post

quick, quick, one last thing before I jump in the car and head north to the camp site... I have to make a Christmas dress for Eloise, I hope she likes it. I made one for Sadie last week, and Eloise helped me sew the bow on.

15 mins later

Ok, that's done, no time to take a photo and share it with you, must away! Ill post photos of Eloise and Sadie wearing their dresses when I get back.

MWAH - have a merry Christmas xxxxx

it's starting to look a lot like Christmas

From one side of the world to the other - from Holly Bush to Christmas bush,
may you enjoy the season's floral blessings!

In two days I am off to Manning Point, camping for nigh-on two weeks. We will be there for Christmas day, which has been a bit of a challenge to say the least - the food preparations, the redirection for Santa etc - you get the picture!

I'm not fond of camping, as anyone who knows me can tell you, but I must say that today I am excited! To have some lovely relaxed time (after a hectic six months) with my family is an exciting thought. We are near the beach and the river and there is a pool, so all bases are covered! The kids are getting boogie boards from Santa, and they already have fishing rods. What fun we will have. I am even looking forward to fishing, go figure!

Then we are off to the Gold Coast to visit mummy/granny! I haven't been there for a holiday for sooooo long. The kids will spend some time with Granny and Aunty, while we stay at a friend's apartment, and then we will ALL go to the theme parks - YIPEEE.

It's starting to feel a lot like FAMILY!

which is, let's face it, what Christmas really does look like!

to you all, and your loved ones, have a happy and wholesome Christmas with much love, serenity and joy!!!

xxxxxxxdls

The down side of Down Under Quilts ...

there's only one thing wrong with the next issue of Down Under Quilts - its so darn full of great stuff!


why is that a problem?

'cause i know, that like me, you will be pretty busy at this time of year and you are going to struggle to find time to read all those fabulous articles, let alone start a new project.

However, I am going to suggest that you stoically set aside a little time and indulge yourself. My top pick, if you only have a little time, is the International Quilt Week Yokohama photos, OMG those Japanese girls can make quilts!!!!

There is heaps of other great stuff. If you haven't got time to pop out and buy a copy - SUBSCRIBE - either to the print version (call us 02 4365 2995) or the FREE online version - visit www.creativelivingmedia.com.au - tell your friends too!
xdls

White = new begginings

... or so I discovered when I searched the meaning of 'white flowers'. "White signifies purity and perfection and can represent a successful beginning." hmm, that sounds significant!

A few days ago I was standing at my bedroom window, admiring the amazing Magnolia Grandiflora tree in the front yard which is about 10m high and wide! It is an amazing tree and is currently flowering. The flowers don't seem to last long, but they are splendid!

Magnolia Grandiflora

It was then that I noticed another fragrance, it took me a few minutes to recognise it - Gardenia! Oh bliss. I love that flower.

Gardenia jasminoides

When we moved here it was winter and as I do not have a huge knowledge of gardening I didn't recognise any of the trees, except the majestic Liquid Ambers, so as the trees around the property flower I am having all sorts of lovely surprises.

I took these photos of my lovely trees, and I continue to enjoy their beauty and fragrance!

Linen Scarves for Christmas

Ive been a busy little bee and have made some lovely scarves for gifts for family and friends for Christmas, plus I've made extras to sell at market stalls in the lead up to Christmas.

They feature linen and ricrac and some fabrics from my stash.

Alison Schwabe - Guest Curator

Each issue when I am putting together the Deborah's Snippets & Scraps section I take myself on a little armchair journey around the world via the WWW, looking for news-worthy stories to share with Down Under Quilts readers.

This time I have alighted on the SAQA website and will be giving them a little promo in issue 146.

There are so many things to see on their website, including a virtual gallery and lots of images - pop over and take a look.

This month's guest curator is Alison Schwabe and this is the comment she has left on the SAQA website regarding this month's online gallery:

"Time - it's a relative concept of course, and regardless of the period of time concerned, every object or situation changes with time, moving through stages of birth, maturation and decay to 'death', figuratively speaking. Some changes are instantaneous, but others so slow that we barely perceive them taking place. The result of time passing may shock us - a well remembered face now heavily lined after many years, or a grown man steps forward in the place of the young child we remember from long ago.

Archeology, geomorphology, history, genealogy, mythology, meteorology, vulcanology, astrology, geology, sociology ... all of these disciplines and more are referenced by at least one quilt in this collection. In taking a close look at how other artists are handling this subject, I found the following collection very interesting, and present them for your enjoyment in this month's online gallery."

Sounds like an interesting collection doesn't it? why don't you visit now ...

Aussies win at Houston Quilt Festival

South Australian quilter Rachel Denneny takes out The World of Beauty Award!

As the 2010 Houston Quilt Festival comes alive there are many congratulations that are in order. Just scrolling through the photos of the winning quilts is exciting, just imagine STROLLING through the actual exhibitions!!!!

Most exciting for us Australian girls are the awards that have been taken out by our very own Aussies!
The biggest congrats go to South Australian Rachel Denneny for winning the major prize - The World of Beauty Award for her quilt Royal Amethyst.

Plus Jenny Bowker, Linda Steel and Pam Holland received prizes too. If you visit Lisa Walton's blog, you can see some photos of the Australian winners.

Join Down Under Quilts Facebook Page

Hello lovelies,

Just wanted to let you know that I have started a Facebook page for Down Under Quilts magazine. So, if you want to stay up to date with DUQ happenings drop by, and join in!

cheers

dls

Life at Oak Lea

Quick, quick, I should be doing other things - such as finishing off the editorial for Issue 3 of Down Under Textiles and bundling the contents of Down Under Quilts 144 ready to hand over to the designer!
I seriously feel like I'll never get there ... but we all know I will ... it's just these few days of panic and overload that it all seems impossible!
But, while I'm here .... let me share a few quick things that have been happening at Oak Lea (the name of our new property/home) ...

Here is baby bunting... Sadie came came for a visit last week while I was photographing
a quilt for issue 145 of Down Under Quilts.

It was lots of quiche a week or so back for us. I gave away 2 dozen of these lovely fresh laid eggs last week, only to have to buy a dozen on Saturday for all the cooking I had planned, in expectation of more eggs. Lulu gave the chooks a talking to, but apparently, until they get the good chook food (Farmer Phil has to go up the road and buy some) they will be laying on a reduced schedule - mmm, who is in charge around here?

This is our COZY room ... we have a few living rooms in our new house. This is the formal room at the front of the house. We call it the cozy room. As you can see at the left there is a combustion fireplace. During the first six weeks we had that burning all night every night! In the last week or so it has warmed up a little, and we are coping without it burning night and day. I miss it, but am glad that the weather is warming.

Farmer Phil learned a valuable lesson last weekend, that this is what happens when you
mow a soggy area of grass. Man of the Land, he isn't! He bogged it three times on
this occasion, I think he secretly enjoyed the hours of planning and pulling and grunting
it took to get it out of the bog - three times - and back up to high ground. I have to
admit it gave me a good laugh.

Righto, back to creating magazines, because in a hour or so I have to create a meal too.
xdls

Our new life is the three Fs - Fun, fluid and free

I have been so busy, that I have not spent much time on the computer at all since moving early last month. Today it is only becasue I am home alone, and have been since before midday - ah, a perfect opportunity. Although, try as I might, it would be difficult to bring the blog up to date about all the fun things I've been up to. So, i thought I might just share a few of the more memorable ... not in any specific order ...
I helped my sister Leah start a quilt. She is using limes, pinks and oranges and the Friendship Spool pattern.
I made marmalade today. My poppy used to make it, and since he died almost 20 years ago I have not had it much at all. Today I felt inspired to make some, I hope Pop is proud.
We have chooks now, and we get about 4 eggs a day. It is so nice to be able to give fresh eggs to your friends and family (we cant possibly get thru them all).
The kids and I planted some vegies in the garden - leeks, onions, garbage and lettuce.
We have lots of friends come to visit since we moved here, and it is so nice being able to have them come and stay, eat and play. We even zip down to Terrigal beach for a coffee and the kids play in the sand.
I get to read books and magazines in our 'cozy' room - that's the one where the combustion fire is on day and night.
It's such a nice change from being stuck inside a 'box', literally and figuratively, as we were in Sydney. Our life is now free, fluid and fun. The kids are so happy, Phillip is embarking on setting up his business, I get to work from home and all's well in Matcham! All I lack is some stitching time! That is next on my agenda. Erica? ...
xdls

Half is X2

I have been so crazy with the move, and the Craft & Quilt Fair recently that I have hardly had time to think about the blog - well that's not true, I did think about it, and was troubled that i had left it stagnant for so long. But despite my best intentions, a lack of Internet connection sealed the fate of no posts.

We now have connection, albeit v e r y slow! Of course there are lots of things that have been happening that I'd love to share. Tonight's not the night though, it is 6.50pm, and hungry kids that need food baths and bed need my attention. But, one thing I will share, as it is one of the happiest things that have happened to me since moving ....

I am very fortunate that I have a half sister that I simply adore, she is 14 years my junior and from my Mothers second marriage. And, now I have two! Almost serendipitously, (we had made contact via email about 6 months ago, but had no idea at all that living here would put me in her 'sphere') I have been reunited with my other half sister, Leah who is 12 years my junior from my Dads second marriage. She and her partner own a catering business on the Central Coast, and a cafe at Erina Heights - which IS MY local cafe! What a surprise and a JOY!

This is she and I! What a gift! This move has given me more than I ever hoped for.

xxdls

Sea, Tree and Books from France

We are in the middle of moving house and office. We are having a tree and sea change, moving to Matcham which is 14 minutes west of Terrgial Beach on the Central Coast of NSW.

We have been anticipating this move for a month or so now, and only just got confirmation last Friday. One thing about my procrastinating husband, when he DOES make his mind up things move very fast.

One nice little respite in all the craziness going on around me was opening a box form my dear friends at Quiltmania. Carol had written to tell me that she was sending me some treats ... and what a treat they are!

These books have been published by Quiltmania for the European market and the content is in French and English.

Thank you Carol for your niceness, it is appreciated!!

xxdls

+ jumbo ricrac!

And this is what we got! Sadie seemed to like it, and I loved that kiss!

thanks for the fun Frieda Anderson

At AQC a week or so back (OMG why does time fly so fast?) I participated in Frieda Anderson's Laughing Leaves workshop. Not a sewing machine was to be seen - but here's what I made!

With nothing but double-sided fusible web and heat to hold it together - how clever. I have heard quilters exclaim that fusible web is permanent many times, but never really had the confidence to test the theory myself. Plus the minimal experience I had with it, about 7 years ago, was that it would not stay adhered to the fabric (I've since learned that fusible web has a 'use-by-date').

I believe that if you only learn ONE thing in a workshop you are in front, just one new technique to blend into your future work. The piece you make in the workshop is, in my opinion, a bonus to the other tips, tricks and techniques that generous tutors share!

After Frieda's workshop, and her generosity as a tutor, I can confidently handle fusible web and I look forward to making use of it in future projects PLUS I've got this bright funky wall-hanging ready to be quilted!



xdls

Sadie's cot quilt

It seems to be an oxymoron, but I enjoyed my mother's day without the kids! I sat serenely at the Central Coast 4th annual Charity Quilt Show meeting quilters and quilting Sadie's cot quilt.
Today I have stitched the binding to two sides, ready to slip stitch in place tonight, then the other two sides tomorrow.

What, may you ask, is that jumbo ricrac for? You will have to stand by for the finished quilt on Friday!
xdls

Nice one Nicey Jane

Or, more formally known as the 2010 Blankets of Love Challenge.

We started this challenge, with the support of Bernina and XLN Fabrics, in 1999. Each year we have laid down a challenge to use a fat 1/4 of one of the ranges that XLN fabric distributes in Australia. This year we feature three of the patterns from the new Nicey Jane range by Heather Bailey - you will receive one of these three, pieces supplied at random.

Visit the Nicey Jane Swatch Gallery HERE ...

The fat 1/4 is available, free, simply by sending the Fabric Request Form (found on page 43 of DUQ 141) and a SASE to us. In turn you make a 24in Blanket of Love quilt and send it to us by Friday June 11 for judging.

The winner will receive a marvellous new Bernina 350PE sewing machine valued at $1,799.

Learn more about this fab new machine HERE ...

All of the entered quilts are donated to the Blankets of Love Program - providing solace as a keepsake for a grieving family, that have lost a baby prior to or at birth.

Visit your local newsagent and buy a copy of Down Under Quilts 141 and participate in this very worthwhile activity - and you may just win a new sewing machine.

If you wish to purchase the magazine direct from me, I will send it to you POST FREE, just put Blankets of Love Mag Please in your subject line and send to me at my email - deborah@creativelivingmedia.com.au

cheers dls

AQC - here I come!

As Sarah says, the pewter (couldn't possibly be silver!) lining on the dark cloud that is a volcano eruption, is that I can now make it to the Australasian Quilt Conference. I have never been before, and prior to planning and booking the Quilts + Flowers tour, I had booked myself into two workshops, plus committed to a stand there and I had arranged a display of quilts from the three best independent magazine publishers in the world! Down Under Quilts, Quiltmania and NZ Quilter.

Now that our flights are cancelled and there is no chance of getting off this continent in the foreseeable future I have booked flights to Melbourne - woo hoo.

I will be on my stand during Thursday and Friday, plus spending some time with the quilt display, pop by and say hello. I will have the latest issue of Down Under Quilts - 141 April - and the first issue of the exciting new magazine - Down Under Textiles, on sale there.

see you there!

Camping & Fishing

During the NSW school holidays my husband took the two kids to Patonga for the entire 2 weeks. They came back on Sunday night about 6pm. I am still trying to catch up with the washing! (If I had of gone to UK I wonder who would've done it?).

I drove up each week (it's only 1 1/2hours north) for a couple of nights, but the rest of time was chained to my desk here getting two magazines produced at once - Down Under Quilts and Down Under Textiles - which are both June releases.



Mason loves fishing and spent some of every day trying his luck. He caught this Flathead on one of the days I was there. How proud he was, and so was I and his dad! It was 43cm long, we ate it for dinner that night!
xdls

Aunt Martha's Rose's progress

A few weeks ago I confessed that I did not buy enough background fabric, and had to substitute it. This is the new fabric, I think it's looking quite nice! What a relief!
dls

A big catch up ...

Over the past month I have been working double to get all my work done so I could be away for three weeks for the Quilts + Flowers Tour ... as most of you would know by now, the volcano erupting in Iceland two days before we were due to fly has put an end to that plan. And to millions of other people's plans too!
Finally I have had a chance to clear my head, well almost, and find a little time to catch up with you all. I will send out a few posts, separated into different subjects, and let you know what I've been up to, apart from un-organising a quilt tour!
xdls

There's been a change of plans

Earlier this month I told you about the red and blue Aunt Martha's Rose Garden quilt that my mum is making me.
See the fabric with the 'biscuit-coloured' background? That was chosen to be the 'pathway' pieces - and would require 3.6 metres more. I only just made it back to Material Obsession today to purchase required amount, and guess what? the bolt was finished just a few days ago.
Fingers crossed the new fabric, a little more edgy, mix of red and blue ... works! Oh no, I just popped over to that first post... now I am scared! 3.6metres is one heck of a mistake.
Please give your humble opinion... is it going to work?
dls

Cloth and Culture

In my role as Editor I get to review books that relate to the magazine's content. Over the years I have reviewed a huge amount of varied titles. These days, my review copies are limited to textiles and quilts.
Not that I am complaining. Limited, is NOT the word I should use though!
In the past year the amount of books coming into Australia or produced in Australia has tripled at least. The amount of distributors that send me books has tripled too. John Reed Books is a distributor that has just introduced their craft catalogues to me. The first shipment of books for review arrived from them today! They sent me a collection ranging from sewing for kids, through to art quilts, quilts and textiles. These will be reviewed in issue #2 of Down Under Textiles and issue 142, 143 of Down Under Quilts.

And, they sent me the most astonishing hard cover book I have had the
pleasure of opening for some time!

Cloth and Cutlure by Ruth E Funks is an illuminating exploration into the engaging world of this artist’s remarkable body of work. This beautifully compiled book has 288 pages bursting with brilliant imagery and layered with enlightening insights into Funks' craft.
This stunning photographic documentation of her work, showcases Funks unique design aesthetic as applied to wearable art, her passion for the medium, and her innate understanding of evolving fashion.
Her pieces include a versatile collection of design and creation techniques, with each garment providing a springboard of imagination and application into the textile lover’s and artist’s worlds. Above the inspiration, this delightful monograph is an authoritative historical documentation of a talented American artist’s contribution to the fibre and style community worldwide and an essential textile art guide for the design and fashion enthusiast.

This book is published by Independent Publishers Group and distributed in Australia by John Reed Books, RRP $66.95. It will be available in book stores and specialist shops around the country. ..... or,

You can buy a copy from me (limited time-limited numbers)

for – $60+postage.

Let's blog about love Ba.By

let's blog about you and me ... sorry couldn't resist imposing the words of one of my favourite songs.

You simply MUST go to the Pour L'Amour du Fil blog... (translation = For the Love of Thread...) and I'm loving it BIG time!

We (as in 14 lovely ladies and Lynn Hewitt and I) will be travelling together to visit this event (in France) in April, and spending two fabulous days soaking up a modern, sophisticated and deeply respectful and innovative celebration of threads and fabrics. (Bravo Carol)

There will be workshops from International tutors - Sue Spargo and Sarah Fielke and more, and displays by astonishingly talented people such as (the master) Yves Nohara from Japan, (his display includes this rather large quilt - 6m x 8m ... plus others)

This workshop by Jane Bolton takes my fancy ... I hope I can fit it in!

Plus we will see displays by Francoise Marchadier - embroiderer, and Yves Loyer who does fabulous works that purrrrrs with excitement (cats are one of his favourite motifs!).

As my dear friend, Carol Veillon (talented and insightful organiser) says (in English translation) "so expect to be palpitations"... Carol, I am being palpitations already!

xxdls

Judging the Royal easter Show 2010

I was honoured to accept an invitation to judge the patchwork and quilting section of the 2010 Easter Show. Tuesday 23 March was the day, what a slick, organised, friendly and professional day it was.

After arriving one hour early, I sat in my car and caught up with Mummy's quilting (committee) life for half an hour. Then in I went.
How calm, how organised, a tea? yes please. Then my two allocated stewards (lovely ladies) led me to our judging area. We had 7 sections within the category, including two junior categories.

I was particularly impressed with the junior categories. It was an honour to bestow a Standard of Excellence to the under 12-year-old 1st place winner - that quilt will hang in a special place.

There was less than 100 items entered, and the work was fabulous.
After my day there I have a new respect for the items entered for judging and encourage you all to consider entering your quilts/wall-hangings/quilted items next year.

The prizes are not of the type of the annual guild shows, although some do include cash, but the shear act of participating and sharing, and in turn encouraging, is valuable.

This year the Show organisers have mindfully encouraged the patchwork and quilting inclusions, to the extent of offering a special display area to the NSW guild.

If you are planning a day out to this year's Royal Easter Show, make sure you visit the Creative Arts Halls. I'm sure you will come away impressed and motivated - I did.

xdls

AQC - selling my 'tickets'

I have to face the fact that I have to withdraw from the two workshops I am booked into at this year's AQC.

This was to be my first time... I was so excited. But, my intention to leave the Quilts + Flowers Tour of UK and Europe early, to be back here in time for AQC, has proven very difficult, and extremely expensive. So, after many gathered opinions, I have decided that I will stay on with the tour group and complete to the 2nd May.

I was so excited about these workshops, and I am frustrated that I can't make it home in time... but I suppose I can't really complain about a tour through Bruge, onto Amsterdam, and a visit to the Open European Quilt Championships, Keukenoff Gardens, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank Museum? surely that would be surly, to say the least!?

This means that my workshop bookings are up-for-grabs! Now, I realise that scalping is not legal, I am not looking to make a profit, but I do want to recoup my costs...

The workshops I am booked into, and want to 'sell' are:

SATURDAY MAY 1
Laughing Leaves
Tutor: Frieda Anderson

and

SUNDAY MAY 2
Start Designing
Tutor: Julie Haddrick

send me an email if you are interested.

xdls

The life of an editor

This week has been, and will continue to be, huge!

here's what's on the agenda, not necessarily in this order ...

• Two days of photography - one on location shooting gorgeous images, and one in the studio doing flat shots and step-by-steps so we can be sure to share the instructions to make quilts and textiles in the best possible method,


• Checking DUQ 142 proofs,


• Checking Creative Expressions 27 corrections,


• Placing all advertising into CE27,


• Finishing off Down Under Textiles #2 content,


• Organising the display of quilts for the Australasian Quilt Conference in April/May,


• Completing travel plans for the Quilts + Flowers Tour, afore-mentioned in my last blog,


• and confirming the workshop with a talented tutor, for our 14 travellers, in Giverny, France.

I'm sure that's not all, but that is the bulk of it. Good thing for me, I simply love my job, and all that I do, how fortunate am I?

xdls

SArah Fielke + Pour L'amour du Fil = F.U.N

I am counting down the days until Lynn Hewitt and I lead a tour of 14 lovely ladies to London (and nearby environs), France and Amsterdam , with a short stop in Bruge on the way through, for lunch and to visit a quilt shop (of course!). We leave on April 16.


We have loads planned, lots of quilts and lots of flowers and cultural and historical sightseeing - such as chateaux in France, Hampton Court Palace, Liberty of London and more, more, more ...

Some of the highlights are - London we visit the V&A to see the Quilts 1700-2010 exhibit, France we visit Pour L'Amour du Fil (For the Love of Thread) and Amsterdam we visit the Open European Quilt Championships and Keukenhof gardens.

When we visit Pour L'Amour du Fil we will catch up with the editor and publisher of Quiltmania, AND the organiser of the event, Carol Veillon. Quiltmania is France's independently published quilt magazine. I met Carol about ten years ago and was the recipient of her generous hospitality when we stayed in her gorgeous home in Brittany, France. We will visit with our own home-town girl - Sarah Fielke - at the event and cheer her on also!

I soooo cant wait! I am already getting over-stimulated!

April issue of Down Under Quilts

Check out the latest issue, there is a great article about the exciting new quilt exhibition being shown at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Click on the widget below for immediate access.

	Look inside >
Quilts 1700-2010

Something about March?

Each year as March dawns, and lengthens, I have a strange sense of anticipation. No other month makes me feel there is something about to happen ...

Is it because it is the month of my dearly-departed Nanny Thelma's birthday? Is it because my first, and sweetest (and only) niece was born this month - soon to turn 5?

Is it because I (mostly) find people born in this month frighten me with their intensity and fragility, lovingness and ire. I'm always afraid I'll be caught off-guard, lacking grace and understanding (because of my fear and) despite my fascination.

Sigh, I will ponder longer. Happy birthday Nanny and Sachi and cousin Christiaan and Kathy D ... and others ...
xx

Anzac Biscuits

These are the first ever batch of Anzac Biscuits I've ever made. I'm sure they are not meant to be that flat?

I didn't have rolled oats, so I crumbled up Oat Bix and added them, that substitution seems to have worked, based on the taste - they are very yummy.

Now all I have to do is resist eating them ... arghhh - I can resist anything - except temptation!

dls

Red and Blue and Avignon too

On my way home from the quarterly ATASDA meeting on Saturday I stopped at Material Obsession in Gladesville. It was not that I needed more stimulation, I was already over-stimulated! But I did 'need' some fabric. For a new quilt idea that may well take another few years to even be started. Turns out the toile fabric I was looking for wasn't what I expected, so that didn't come home. However, I spotted some blue and red fabrics that will go just nicely with the colour palette I have chosen for the hand-pieced - hand-quilted quilt that my mum is making me!

When my generous friend stopped by a second-hand stall in Harrington on New Year Day and bought me a gift of old quilt patterns she didn't realised just what a gift that would turn out to be...

When I posted some pics of the patterns my mum asked me to send her the Aunt Martha's Rose pattern. Suspecting she wanted to make a quilt with it, I begged her to make it for me. Happily she agreed, and asked me what colours I'd like.

Last year I discovered the colour due of rosie red and bright blue. I have been seeing this combination a lot since then, particularly in Michele Marvig's new fabric range - Suzani - that is the starting palette, and these little beauties are destined for the same quilt.

I picked up this floral and had to have it - along with a spot and a stripe. (There is ANother quilt idea I'd like to explore) Do you think it needs another fabric? Mmm, I'm not sure, I am going to try it with just these three.

When the lovely lady at MO was cutting the fabric I glanced at the selvedge and saw that the name of the range is A Breath of Avignon by Sandy Klop for Moda. Avignon is one of my favourite cities of the world - how serendipitous!

dls

Begonia Quilters Inc, present ...

their biennial "Festival of Quilts", this weekend in Ballarat. We sent the girls a 'goody box' to share - you could win a free subscription to Down Under Quilts just by visiting.

Twenty ladies produce a visual feast of contemporary and traditional quilts to display every two years. This years' exhibition will feature the group challenge A Touch of Purple and An Unexpected Landscape. This year the display will be presented at the Eastwood Leisure Complex, 20 Eastwood Street (rear of Safeway), Ballarat.

As we are too far away, Erica and I are off to the quarterly ATASDA meeting at Epping. We expect to come away overstimulated with textiles, threads and yarns.

Where are you off to this weekend for your frequent fabric dose?

dls

random thoughts

as pertains to my life's thoughts right now.

1. Feeling very grateful to the generous folks at SINGER for sharing one of their latest quilters models with me - The Confident Quilter - makes me feel more skilled already!

1. I have just quaffed 200gm of smoked salmon, drenched in the most delicious juice of not-terribly-expensive limes. And, wondering how incongruent was it that I was eating it off a melamine Hello Kitty plate ... nevertheless, it tasted fabulous.

2. Is this the start of a career in astronomy? (do they all sit on tables when 9?) Check out the telescope - bless Mason, he is going to look at the stars tonight. I couldn't even even see past the backyard with it - but, he is very committed, today!

3. Very much anticipating the quarterly ATASDA meeting on Saturday. So many nice friends to catch up with, and then lots of new ones to make! AND soooo much to learn...

4. Anticipating the Jacqueline de Jonge workshop in June - check out the NSW Guild's blog for updated info (for Sydney) or Gold Coast web for other states. I am so not into foundation piecing BUT you simply must see Jacqueline's work - it is tremendous. I must have a quilt like this in my life! If you don't want or need a workshop, be sure to contact Chocolate Coated, who are one of the few Australian sellers of Jacqueline's patterns.

5. This is one of the ways that my time gets wasted in the office ... (to be more accurate - the only way my time gets wasted, but hey... its all for a good cause!)

ah, yes, did you need me? we are busy ...

what about a bit of a chat?

this is the culprit - Sadie Deborah - does she enhance the quilted background do you think?

yours in stitchery .. dls