The street was busy…

 

this last weekend, with sewing activities at 2 houses. There was another weekend of Embellished quilt classes at my house, and The Sanctuary was occupied by a special group of ladies from Adelaide and Horsham, who met in the middle for a long weekend of stitching.

June is using up her stash of blue fabrics, making these ladies.

Lyn’s quilt will be in greys and whites.

Helen is making cream with pink and green for her daughter.

All concentration, decisions to make about what to put where, and what colour is next. And always good to get opinions from everyone, which helps you work out your ideas.

It was a special day for Pauline, and Helen made her a cake.

And this is the group “over the road”, who achieved lots in their 3 days, and I know one lady who did a bit of “reverse” stitching as well. Go to http://motherpatchwork.blogspot.com.au/ and read Sue’s report of her weekend.

I am running a bit late this morning, got up late, and still not showered or dressed for my day, so better get busy.

Be back soon with another blog posting. Have a good week.

Blessings, From Jude

My “baby” is 26 years old!

Today is the birthday of my fourth and last child. Only he is not a child any longer. The first photo was taken when he was one, and the bottom photo a couple of years ago. I have lots of family photos pinned up by my desk, and he brought me this photo of his family. His fiance and their dog! He moved out of home not long after he left school, and a bit later he purchased his own house and completed his apprenticeship in cabinet making. He has now left this town, is training to be an electrician, and will soon be married. Makes me realise just how fast time goes by, as it does not seem so long ago that I was that age!

Hope you have a great day, love from Mum.
Blessings, From Jude

Another week has gone

 

Time for another quilt photo catch up.

This pretty quilt, made by Heather shows off the fabrics well.

The following 3 quilts made by Jenny, and simply quilted with allover patterns, which is all they needed with the busy fabrics.

This was made by a young lady who spent some time in hospital, and is all hand pieced! Very well done and quilted with a simple meander pattern.

Above and below are 2 small baby quilts, simple but very effective.

And this was made by Lyn for her grand daughter, whose team was victorious in the netball premiership last year. I guess you can tell that the team colours are red and white!

That’s it for another week, been trying to do some long overdue house cleaning here. And working in the garden at The Sanctuary. Planted some winter vegies, and waiting for my pumpkin patch to ripen. There are lots on it, so hope they ripen before we get any frosts.And the big achievement of this week has been my bookwork, which is now up to date!! Been a big job over the last few months to work through almost 2 years! It wasn’t a good idea to let it get so far behind, too hard to keep on top of the ins and outs, some of which did surprise me when I finally worked it all out. Sometimes it’s a bit tricky keeping on top of it all, the quilting, the retreats, the 2 houses etc, and it was the book work which slipped. Some days I need there to be 2 of me!?

Have a lovely group of ladies “over the road” working on their own projects. And the next 2 days will be Embellished quilts classes here. Have the notes all printed up, and just need to clear some of my clutter in the morning.

Time to head for bed, feeling a bit “ordinary” with this treatment, but am 2/3 of the way now. The end is in sight.

Blessings, From Jude

My weekend activities….

 

Once again, it is days since I have posted. Instead of saying how busy life is, I shall just say that my days are filled! It seems that the catch cry of most people is how busy there life is. I am “over” being so busy, and am trying to step back that little bit, to take out just a little bit of stress. It just seems a bit odd, that in these days with so many “labour saving” devices that, instead of life being easier, it is busier. Is that because we are filling that time with more activities?

I had a small class of ladies for the weekend, sewing at my house. Next weekend will be another class, as I don’t have enough room for more than 10 at one time. They are all doing the Embellished quilts class.

Below is what Jean is working on. Our friend Ann, who passed away some time ago, had a few unfinished quilts, and this is one of them. Ann started doing my class, back in about 2008, I think. And Jean is putting her quilt together now. It will have gathered sashing between the blocks.

Helen made her own quilt, in blacks and golds in an earlier class some years back, and is now working on one requested by her daughter, in creams, pinks and greens. Has been a bit of a struggle so far, for Helen, as these colours are right out of her “comfort” zone. But I think she is coming to terms with it now.

Some of the girls, hard at work.

And as I did not have lots of people needing my attention, I was able to work on one of my PHD’s. Some time ago, I read on a friend’s blog about a project her group was working on, called Head for the Border. http://strawberrypatchquiltworks.blogspot.com.au/ was where I saw this, and I asked for more information as I thought it would be a good idea for our local group. So thankyou.   It is like a Rounds of Friendship, except you work on your own quilt all the time. So I needed a centre to start, and it was easy to find one in my shelves of unfinished stuff!

Quite a few years ago, I think in about 2005, I did a workshop with Lessa Siegele, called Peppermint Rose. In that weekend I thought I had finished 3 of the rose blocks, out of a total of 12 for the quilt, and had the bits cut for another 1 block. I remember making the decision after that workshop, that I was not going to make 12 of those blocks, but would finish the 4 and add borders to make the quilt, and had purchased extra matching fabrics so that I could do this. So this was to be my centre for this Border project. Dragged it out the box, and this is what I found…… only 2 roses finished, and the pieces for another 2. And only some of the notes for the project were to be found! Was a bit of a puzzle, trying to remember what I had done, and not all of the pieces I needed were there. (Lesson to self…… try to finish the project SOON after you start it!)  And after sewing another rose block together, I remembered just why I had not intended to sew 12 of them!! It was not a “sew in a hurry and get it done quickly” project. But I have now finished 4 roses, and am in the process of sewing them together for my quilt centre.

And as you can see, there is a LOT of pink and green!? I am not sure if I should bring in another colour, and if it is not in the centre, if that would look odd or not. What do you think? And I don’t want the “quilt police” checking out my points, as there is one in particular that I have unpicked “more than once” and it is staying as is!  Maybe the quilter will fix it?

Must be time to head for the shower and start another week. Another quilt on the machine, and a few “Paper Bag Mystery” quilts to prepare. The bookwork is up to the end of February now, and I just need to look at the figures closely and compare with previous years. Am looking forward to some lovely people coming to The Sanctuary on Thursday.

Hope you have a great week, wherever you are. Those in the North are looking forward to spring, as we in the south are enjoying the milder days, before the winter arrives.

Blessings, From Jude

Sew, sew tiny!

 

As promised yesterday, I was given a show and tell from “the tarts” of their amazing work. I am still gob smacked, and to get it into perspective you need to know just what size these photos are. In the top one of Linda’s work, each block is approx 3” x 4”!   And she tells me that there are 75 stitches across and 85 in the length. My mind just cannot grasp this at all! Even a good hand quilter only does about 12 stitches to the inch, don’t they??

And these 2 are Jenni’s stunning pieces. The first one would not even be 12” high, and it took her 5 weeks. I think I would need 5 lifetimes! No, I don’t think I could even see to do it at all.

And this is a sampler that Jenni is doing to show the colours of the threads that the girls are using in the classes that she teaches. The girls showed me the magnifiying (sp?) glasses they use, and I can just imagine a whole class sitting around with these on, they must look interesting? Sorry to Pauline, that I did not photograph what you were doing, I think I was still speechless.

Thankyou for coming girls, lovely to meet you.

Spent most of yesterday sitting at the desk again. Am determined to make progress with the book work, and am almost where I want to be. And now it’s time to print some more notes for the Embellished Quilts classes that are on the next 2 weekends, and as the Paper Bag Mystery is only a month away, I need to start planning on that too.

At least the weather has cooled down, and we even saw a little rain. It is really autumn weather now, which means we are heading for winter, but after the HOT summer, I am not going to complain. Looking forward to some cozy wood fires.

Well time to get busy, need to get to the Post Office this morning, have lots to post, and then some quilts waiting in the queue. Have a good day to you all, and thanks for reading my blog.

Blessings, From Jude

Sherrel’s Sampler Quilt

 

A few photos of the Samper that I did for Sherrel recently. We were both very pleased with how this turned out. The pattern was in last year’s Australian Patchwork and Quilting Magazine. Two colour quilts are always very striking, and for some reason I do like blues.

Count your blessings

Due to the number of things that were on my list to get through on the weekend, I was very tempted to miss going to church yesterday morning. But reluctantly, I went. And I am so glad I did, as it was just what I needed! There were a couple of songs that really spoke to me, but one in particular, was Count Your Blessings, and I include the words in this post.

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Chorus: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold. Count your many blessings, money cannot buy your reward in Heaven, not your Lord on high.

4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend. Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

I came home feeling so different, having had my burdens lifted. It does not mean that they have  gone, but they are now shared and feel much lighter.

I need to remember to take only each day as it comes, and not worry about tomorrow and what might happen.

The death notices in the paper this week reminded me of just how fragile life really is. A family that we knew many years ago, in our “ milking cows on the dairy” life, this week lost their husband and father, aged only 71. Reminds me how easy it is to lose touch as lives go in different directions. And another death, of the husband, only 62 years old, of a school friend that I grew up with and have not seen since school days.

A big reminder that we have no guarantees of tomorrow. And that everyone is fighting some sort of battle in their lives.

Well, that’s enough deep and meaningful words from me this morning, time to start my week. The bookwork is progressing, I am to the end of December, 2013 now!!!

And I have a big job doing up Mystery quilt projects for the “Paper Bag” Mystery Retreat coming soon. Bit of a different Mystery, as not only do you not know what the quilt pattern is, but you also don’t know what the fabric is. Could be fun, and I have 2 spaces left for this retreat and would love to hear from you if you would like to join us.

Enjoy your week, whatever you have planned, and I will be back soon with more quilt photos.

Blessings, From Jude

The "Tarts" arrived!

Some time ago, I received a phone call from a lady I did not know, but who had heard from someone else about The Sanctuary, and knew that I was a machine quilter! The quilting world is quite small in some ways. She asked about staying at The Sanctuary when they were travelling through, and also wanted to see my quilts! When she next phoned, she called herself “one of the tarts”! Now I find it a bit difficult call her by name, and refer to them as “The Tarts”.Below is a photo of Jenni, Linda and Pauline checking out my quilting on Sherrel’s quilt. We had a lovely visit and I found a "few" quilts to show them. Hope they come back another day, and bring more "tarts" with them to stay!

These ladies are very talented in a way that I am not, as they do that lovely hand embroidery. They tell me it is very relaxing, and I believe them, but my hands and a needle feel very strange, but give me a machine, and away I go! I am hoping that before they go home, that I get a show and tell of their work.
Blessings, From Jude

Another quilt catch up

 

Time just seems to get away from me these days, and I realise that again it is awhile since I have posted photos of customer quilts. Seems to be so much “other stuff” happening, and The Sanctuary, across the road keeps me “off the streets”. Some days I am not sure just which place I should be at! Can’t say that life is ever boring. Maybe it is old age approaching, as I think there is one of those “O” birthdays coming up this year!

This is a quilt, made by Lyn for her sister. Lovely floral Australian fabrics.

This was made by Mignon for her grand daughter, in pretty pinks and greens.

This lovely blue and white and black, made by Marcia and quilted in an edge to edge design.

These 2 are also made by Lyn, above features a zebra print, very effective use of the fabric, and I think the quilting pattern almost looks like the zebra stripes. The quilt below is a jelly roll quilt, with a difference. I love to see how people put the fabrics together.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend, whatever you are doing. I am expecting some more lovely visitors at The Sanctuary and have spent some time in the garden this morning. Had a few seedlings, just waiting to be planted, and have managed to get half in the ground this morning. There are a few empty spots waiting for some colour, after the hot summer. The crocus’ are flowering, so better get the camera out, as they don’t flower for long.

It is lovely and peaceful over there early in the morning, listening to the birds waking up. The weather today is quite cool, rather windy, and trying to rain. We had quite a bit of thunder this morning and the rain came down hard, but only for a very short time. Still waiting for some in my rain water tank.

I finished a quilt this morning after I came home from the garden, then I had to go and vote in our state election. And a day at the desk for the rest of the day, trying to get on top of some long overdue admin tasks, and this evening I shall be working my way through the books again.

Next 2 weekends I shall be teaching classes again, so need to update the notes and print them off too.

That’s all for now,

Blessings, From Jude

4 years old today!

 

Happy birthday wishes today to a special little man, my 5th grandchild, and 2nd grandson. He has come a long way, after an earlier than expected delivery which led to some health issues, and is now a big kindergarten boy. The years certainly fly by fast.

Above is the day he was born, and below almost one year old.

And now we are 4. Happy birthday, and much love from Grandma.

Time to get organised for our Wednesday morning Bible Study meeting, Almost 6.30am and the girls will be here soon.

Be back soon with some more quilt photos. Enjoy your day whatever you may be doing, and wherever you are.

Blessings, From Jude

A good time was had by all…..

The Sanctuary is empty again, after a great weekend retreat for the Statler girls. It was a bit sad to see them all go, but all good times come to an end.
It was a time for learning by watching teaching DVD’s on the TV screen. Some girls showed photos of quilting they had done and a demo of QLB interested all. Some brought show and tell, and others brought quilts to ask for opinions on how to quilt them. There was much sharing and new friendships made.

It was a time to sew, taking the opportunity to sit at the machine without the distractions that happen at home, with either family duties, or customer quilting to be done.

For some bed happened later than others, they were on a mission to get things finished.

For some it was a bit of time out to read a book in between other activities.

Or time to sit and relax in the lounge, and read quilting books that are in the bookcase.

And time to read some magazines.

This was Di’s Kissing Fish blocks that she was working on. I am sorry I did not get photos of all the things everyone was working on.

And Niki’s Aussie quilt looked so cute with the kangaroos. Everyone brought more than one project, some that had been waiting for a long time to be finished.

It was a time for much laughter, as you can see, pity we can’t remember now just what the joke was!

And this is the customary group photo, which will go up on the wall in due course!

Naomi finished this top, and is planning the quilting of it now.

This is Naomi’s recent purchase, the Brother Scan’n’Cut, and we were given a demo, and I suspect someone else will purchase one after watching it do it’s “stuff”. Very impressive.


Elaine working on her split 4 patch, after she had already finished a few other projects.

Time for a cuppa and more chatting.

It was soon time to say goodbye to the “other side of Melbourne” contingent, who had arrived first on Thursday.

These girls travelled up to 7 hours to get here, and now the 7 to get home. That’s dedication.

And the “last supper” for the remaining few, who also left soon after lunch, to drive a 2 – 3 hour journey home. The retreats are a time to be waited on, and not have to think about what to cook for the next meal. I try to “spoil” them, and cater for the weekend.

The beds have nearly all been remade, the leftovers in the fridge cleaned out, 5 loads of washing gone through the machine, and I have walked home “across the road”.
Thanks to all those who came, and I look forward to next time. It was a great “long weekend”.
The next Statler Users Gathering is planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 18-20, 2014. Would love to hear from anyone interested in coming.
Back to the other job tomorrow, the quilts are waiting patiently to be loaded and quilted.
Be back soon,
Blessings, From Jude.