Home again

I decided that I better post tonight, before the week takes over and the days disappear again.

I have had an amazing few days away to attend AMQF, which is held in Adelaide every 2 years. There are classes by teachers from all over the world, a quilt show held by the AMQA, and a vendor mall with lots to tempt you.  I almost did not go this year, as life has been very busy, and I was so tired last week, it was an effort to get packed and away. But when you have classes with teachers of this calibre, and right on your own doorstep, (well almost!) and don't have to fly anywhere to attend, I was hesitant to cancel.
My main interest were the classes by Karen Farnsworth of USA, who taught us about the amazing software for the Statler. I knew a lot of the information already, but she showed us a lot more ways to use it, and there were many "lightbulb" moments! (And I mean the lightbulb was turned on, not off!!)
It was a very busy few days, fitting in as many classes as possible, and looking at the latest products, and admiring the quilts in the show. We were in class by 8am some mornings, and finished at 7.30 one night.

I just have a few photos to share, too busy to take lots.

This is Karen standing in front of the machine. She is an amazing teacher, and knows her subject well. Now I need some time to put some ideas onto quilts, which is always a challenge, to make the time for practice.

As she worked at the machine, we could see on the screen what was happening.

This photo shows Karen demonstrating how to do applique straight onto the longarm.

Karen handed out notes, as well as a CD of what she taught, so that we can go over it all again now that we are home.

And this is my "partner" in crime, who I shared accommodation with. We had a great few days, even though we were very busy. Alison has a Statler too, and also a fabric shop, called Canterbury Quilts, that sells online as well. Thanks for a fun time and your company Alison.

Each participant at AMQF received this backpack full of goodies with their registration.

 As we were rather tired each night, after our full day of classes, we decided not to go out to eat. A quick trip to the supermarket, and we decided to buy a piece of cooked pork and some salads. I knew that our room only had the basics for a cuppa, so had come prepared with some small plates and a knife for our morning toast, bowls and spoons for cereal and a mug each for a nice cuppa. So when we purchased the meat and salads, and arrived back at our room, we had no sharp knife or forks to cut with!! Using 2 knives, we managed to have "pulled pork", which seems to be a feature in all the latest recipes, doesn't it??  This is a photo of our evening meal, pulled pork, with greek salad and also Roasted pumpkin, chickpea and spinach salad, and the spoon to eat it with! And don't you like our bottle of Moscato, drank from a coffee mug!

And this little bundle of lovelies, managed to come home with me too! I wonder what I can do with these?

There were lots of stunning quilts to look at in the show, and I can't show you photos of them all, as I don't have permission from the owners. I did snap Chris O'Brien with her quilt, which was amazing.

I have seen this quilt posted on another site, so will post the Best of Show quilt, which was stunning. First a closeup and then the whole quilt. It was called Methylene Blue Mandalas, and was made by Katherine Jones.

Well that's all the newsfromjude for now. It is well past my bedtime, and I have a very busy week again.  Catch ya soon,

Blessings, From Jude

Quilt photo catchup

I have been looking back over blog posts and see that photos of recent quilting does not happen very often, and when I checked back in the files I see quilts from June not yet posted.

First is one by Mon, which was all hand pieced. She has my admiration, as my fingers are quite sore, just from sewing 2 bindings this week!

 And this is another from Mon, again hand pieced. I have quilted bees in each hexagon.

This was made by Bernie for a young boy, and I loaded it sideways and quilted a border pattern in each row, so that I did not stitch over the embroidered blocks.

This was made by Michelle, as a birthday gift for her sister in law.

And this quilt that was made by Chris, is quilted with Modern Waves, one of my most popular patterns.

This was made by Erica, in one of the Pick a case Mystery retreats, and was custom quilted.

 And another of the Mystery quilts, that was made by Val, and quilted allover.

This is Scrap Lattice, a Susan Murphy pattern, that our group made in a workshop, many years ago. Marie is on a mission to finish lots of her PHD's this year. I have one of these in my cupboard, that I did manage to finish at the time. A great way to use up lots of scraps.

And this was made by Bev, and was quilted way back in June. Very pretty quilt, and custom quilted.

Here is a photo of the wedding quilt, that is now finished, and nearly wrapped, ready for DD3 to pick up on Saturday and take home. This was quilted with Modern Waves also.

And this morning I have finished the binding on the baby quilt. This is also being picked up by DD3, and has been made for a friend. Quilted with allover clouds through the centre, and a border of stars.

That's all for today, as I need to get too and throw place some clothes in my suitcase and head up the highway again. Will tell you all about that when I get back. I have a few days of learning ahead, so might be a bit "brain dead" when I get back.

Blessings, From Jude

"TIS FINISHED!!!

Have just put the last stitch into the wedding quilt tonight. Purchased the fabrics in November, 2015, and here it is, less than a year!! It even has a label, which is an event for me! I will take a better photo of it on the bed tomorrow.
Just need to get some nice wrapping paper, and wrap it up, for DD3 to pick up on Saturday. I know it is a simple pattern, and easy sewing, but squeezing it in amongst the rest of life has been tricky. Just as well they did not want a custom quilting job, or it would still be in the queue!
Can tick it off my list now. Hope to get the baby quilt for DD3's friend finished tomorrow also. Just have the binding to sew on that, as I quilted it yesterday. Photos of that still to come.

Just a quick post tonight. Catch ya later.

Blessings, From Jude

Once again.......

......I seem to be playing catch up. I had intended to post more newsfromjude each day this week, but life just got in the way again. And an email I received this morning, asked where the blog update was!!

It is a week since the last retreat, so it must be time for an overdue report.

Friday afternoon saw the arrival of girls from Adelaide and "over the border". We had the usual "allocation" of the cases, so that they could get sewing that evening. 

16 patch blocks being made by Maxine.

It is always a bit tricky trying to get a good mix of quilts in the cases. Some like to come and have an easy weekend, and are happy to have a simple quilt to sew. And others seem to like more of a challenge, and are happy for something more complicated.

Sherrel picked that more complicated quilt, and made pretty good progress for the weekend. There were lots of 2" half square triangles, flying geese, and some square in a square blocks, as well as lots of borders in between.

Pat's quilt was made up of lots of 9 patch blocks, and a few square in a square blocks, in different colour combinations.

And Val was happy for a simple quilt, and here is her progress, in a nice pile on the floor.

The flying geese units, all string pieced, and the 4 border rows all string pieced as well. Sherrel had a method happening.

 And here is my strip piecing in progress. All white fabrics, and being made into a baby quilt.

On Saturday we were joined by a special lady for the day. This lady has been battling a few health issues for the last 2 years, and her sewing has been non existent. Recent treatment has been more successful which is fantastic. After a long break, it was great to see Mignon back at the sewing machine, and sharing in the chatter and laughter. She finished all the 9 patch blocks, which were to be framed, and sewn into rows with alternate rose fabric squares. One row was finished in the time before she had to leave. It was a day of therapy for Mignon.

We had to take a group photo before Mignon left, even though most girls had only a little progress to show.

Then it was back to work and this was the ironing station.These 2 ladies had much to talk about as they have realised that they were both in the same class during their primary school years! Makes you realise what a small world it really is. Maxine brought class photos that they both pored over, trying to remember other names in the class.

Sherrel was up to adding her flying geese borders.

Pat showing one of her 9 patch blocks.

 And Val had the centre of her quilt put together by 9.30 on Saturday evening.

 And this is Dot's progress.

And this is 10pm Saturday evening, just before the machines were switched off and a few sat in the lounge to watch the Olympics on TV.

And here we are at 9am on Sunday morning, and not much action is happening is there?? I never realised before that the clock in the photo really tells the story.

This photo tells a bit more of the story, as you can see why the sewing machines were quiet. There was a lot of laughter, and much cackling coming from this room, so I was wondering if there would be eggs for brekkie??? (And I did not take this photo!!)

Looks like there was action at the station by 9.40am.

The first finish for the weekend, by a very happy Val.

This was the next group photo, taken Sunday afternoon before Sherrel had to leave.

This is Sherrel's quilt, called Cherry and Chocolate, after the range of fabrics, which still has a few borders to go yet.

 Dot had the centre put together and just had to sew the border of her quilt, called Carnival Time.

Maxine was battling a back issue for the weekend, and this was how far she progressed with Sunrise.

This is Pat's centre, with a few of borders left to add. This is called A Touch of Teal. The centre of this quilt was inspired by a design from Judy Butcher, that was posted on her blog, Virtual Quilter awhile back. I have changed things around, as you do, but thankyou Judy for permission to use your idea. I will post a photo when Pat finally finishes her borders.

When Val had finished her quilt, we thought it would be a good idea for it to be quilted. It is not often that there is no quilt on Max, so it was meant to be. All eyes were watching Max do his thing with an edge to edge quilting job.

And here is Val, (well some of her!) with her quilt, called Sofia, which was named for the range of fabrics in the quilt.

I did manage to sew the binding on the wedding quilt some time over the weekend, as well as sewing that baby quilt. The hand sewing is still a work in progress though.

I was blessed to be able to do some grandma duty on Sunday, and look after Miss Bridie, for a few hours. She is a busy little girl now that she is walking, but is full of smiles. I thought she might like to see the flowers, but they did not interest her very much, but the "cat" in the photo below was much more interesting.

Lots of attention at lunch time.

Pat was teaching her to make a new noise!

 The plastics drawer is a good toy box!

This little girl was getting rather tired by now, but loved reading books and looking at pictures of dogs and cats, and sheep etc.

And this is the photo that her mum sent, about 2 minutes after they had driven off in the car!

Once again, another lovely weekend

 I have been on a mission to get some more quilts done this week, and a tidy up in the studio was called for too. After a Pick a case Mystery retreat, there are always fabric scraps, and little piles of fabric sitting around. I can work in "chaos" for awhile, but when you start to spend time looking for something that you know is "somewhere", and it was staring you in the face all the time, then it's time for a sort out.
Thursday was our group's patchwork day, and also a committee meeting as well. And Saturday I spent in the kitchen, giving that new oven a work out. I don't like waste, and after a retreat, there is usually leftover "stuff" in the fridge. All of that has now been cooked up into something. So the week has disappeared fast.
And last night I had a visit from DD3, who was on her way through to Adelaide. We did stay up late last night, chatting and watching TV, and went out for coffee today. Gypsy got some more cuddling from her owner.

Mid afternoon she departed, with her car laden with a lot of my cookup, for the family she was going to visit.
This afternoon, I confess to a "nanna nap" in front of the fire. And by the time I finish this report, it will be bedtime. 

There was a brief tease of spring during the week, but winter has returned again the last few days. But the daffodils are flowering so spring must be on it's way. I have not spent any time in the garden over winter, so a job of weeding awaits me.

Blessings, From Jude