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