Quilt update post..................

I think I promised a post of recent quilting a few days ago, and here it is Friday evening, again, so I better do something about it.

This quilt was made by the girls in the Barossa Embroiderers Guild, and is to be a raffle quilt. They wanted a very simple quilting job, as the work on the quilt really speaks for itself. Lots of needleturn applique and embroidery, which was mainly stitched in the ditch with a few extra details added in some spaces. This is a very stunning quilt, and I hope they raise a lot of funds for their chosen charity.
As the quilt was black it was very difficult to photograph.

This pretty needleturned applique quilt was made by Kylie, and all freehand custom quilted.

Di made this African themed quilt, and there were lots of different pieced sections, including the braid, piano keys, flying geese, squares, and seminole all added around the centre panel.

I quilted elephants walking around the outside border, and different patterns in each section.

This small quilt was made by Jenny, and featured Shaun the sheep fabric. I quilted clouds allover this one, as the fabric had lots of clouds around the sheep.

This sashiko quilt was also made by Jenny, and was quilted allover with a pattern called Oriental.

Lyn made this row by row quilt as a challenge, and it was quilted allover with a modern beads pattern.

Liz made this quilt for a friend, who loves bright Kaffe Fasset fabric, and it was quilted allover with Spiral Squares, which has given it fantastic texture on the busy fabric.

That's all for now, as it's time to do some book work before bed time. I have an appointment with the accountant next week, so have a bit of work to do yet.

I will be back soon with a report of an enjoyable day out. I have not been "up the road" in the car for 2 months, and today was the day. This must be a record for staying home, and I can't believe just how short that time seems.

Blessings, From Jude

More of this and that.................

Once again the time has slipped away, and I see that it is 10 days since there was a post from newsfromjude. I am struggling to work out where that time went, and there is not a lot in the photo files for me to post. Once again I have borrowed more photos from the family's facebook files, and perhaps there might be a post soon just of quilt photos.

Miss Bridie, and Mr Tate, and isn't he growing up so fast! I am very blessed that his mum takes lots of photos and videos.

Mr 9 years old participated in the district cross country recently and......

.......................came third in his group. Apparently he led the field most of the way, and run out of puff just before the end, but a great effort. (He DID NOT inherit any athletic ability from his grandmother!)

I am wondering just how Miss Billie went from a baby to this little girl so quickly??

 A lovely family photo on a day when they went to the hills apple picking.

The dreaded lurgy that I was trying to avoid, and mentioned back on April 29th, is still hanging around. Thankfully it is not in my lungs, and there is no temperature. After never having sinus or ear issues before, I am well and truly over this, and sympathise with those who react to spring. I am currently on a course of antibiotics, and things have improved a lot to what they were, but still a way to go yet. Tomorrow I am back to my normal doctor, who ordered lots of tests last week, so we will see what the outcome of that is. That's probably more than you needed to hear, and I know there are lots of bad flu cases this year, so am not moaning too hard about my issues.

But it has been a period of time (perhaps because I have not been well??), when it has been easy to feel down and disheartened about things. Locally it has been upsetting to learn of a young person who did not survive a car accident, a friend who is dealing with a serious issue, a member of our church being diagnosed with advanced cancer, a local man (who went to school with my children) finding out he has a brain tumor, and a beautiful young woman that I used to work with years ago who lost her battle with breast cancer.

While I have spent most of my time inside and staying warm, I did notice this little corner of the garden blooming in spite of neglect. The season so far has been dry, and we are needing a good rain. While some areas have had some, our area has missed out. There is rain forecast for today, and in anticipation I filled up the wood boxes yesterday, but it is almost 4pm and no sign of rain yet. 😞

Yesterday our country had an election to decide who will govern for the next 3 years. This has also been a very concerning time, with some rather unfair tactics and lots of personal attacks. I won't get into too much politics, but we need to respect and tolerate differing opinions, as we won't all agree on the same things. Our town was busy yesterday as a lot of people came to cast their vote. The local school was busy, people were queued waiting for their turn, and there were even food stalls outside.

I had a special visit from DD1 Friday evening as she was on her way home from a business trip. We talked late, and went out for coffee yesterday morning before she drove home.

That little pile of cases has grown from the pic on the left, to the one on the right, and there are a few more in the process, so I have not been idle.

     

Max has managed to get a few quilts done as well, but I came to a halt on Friday, when my bobbin winder would not work. I don't have a separate bobbin winder, as I have used the on board winder for 17 years, and have managed a few repairs myself in that time. But this time I had to admit defeat. I phoned my dealer for advice and then called in local help. I am very relieved to report that the winder is now functioning better than ever, and another issue that I had with the light, was fixed as well. I am blessed to have good friends, so THANKYOU. A mechanic I am not, and I just like to switch things on and have them work. I have not had many problems with my machine over the years, and easily manage most things myself.

Since my last post we have celebrated Mother's Day, and for the first time in many years I did not visit my mum, or have my children visit me. (I was having a quiet time at home trying to get well.)
But thanks to modern technology I had lots of video conference calls with them all. The day before Mother's Day was also my birthday, so I had 2 days in a row of family calls. I was fortunate that my cousin and her husband from Melbourne were travelling through town on their way to see her mum, and she brought me a lovely birthday cake, that we shared over coffee. It seems I have missed a lot of photo opportunities lately doesn't it? I did receive some lovely flowers, special gifts (including these lovely warm socks), and visits from friends.

I think I mentioned in a recent post about some more fabric on its way to my place, and this is what was delivered this week. Now the mind is ticking over, working out what I shall do with them.

That's all the newsfromjude for now, and I shall try to post sooner next time. Tis a bit scary just how fast the year is speeding along.

Blessings, From Jude

A bit of this and a bit of that........................

My apologies for the delay in communication. I can't believe so many days have elapsed since I last posted. I did think about it a couple of days ago, and briefly wondered if anyone had missed me! I have been "on a mission" this week, so not a lot to talk about. Obviously there are some who have missed me, as I had a text message yesterday, from someone hoping things were ok. And today I received a phone call from my Mum. So tonight I am sitting by the warm toasty fire, instead of in my office, and thought I better check in with the newsfromjude.

The weather has been so COLD today, and even with the wood fire burning in the lounge area and the reverse cycle on in my work room, I have been cold. I had to resort to putting a small quilt over my knees while I was sitting at the desk this afternoon. I suppose if I had been moving around and being active, I would not have been so cold. But then again, I am always cold when everyone else isn't. But after saying that, I don't think the temperature got much past 12 deg today. It was supposed to be very wet, and stormy, but once again, I think that the rain has passed us by.  (We did get 2ml today though!) I do love my combustion heater, but it is so tempting to sit beside it, instead of being out in the office working.

I do admit to sitting here one day last week and actually reading a book with the feet up. In between all the other "stuff" I have been fighting off a yucky sinus complaint, so trying to get the balance a bit. I am booked for my flu injection next week, and there are so many others that have gone down with illness of some sort. I had intended to head to the city for a meeting and visit family on the way home last week, but decided to stay put and not risk passing anything on. I did visit the duty doctor while I am waiting for my appointment with the GP. I had also intended going to visit my mother this Sunday for Mother's day, but think it best to stay home. (Perhaps I could get used to this, after so many road trips early this year??!)

Now, after all that, just what is the newsfromjude for the last 11 days or so?
This has been my view for all of this week. Max is sitting idle, while I concentrate on designing, cutting, packing and writing instructions for the Mystery quilts that are going into the little cases. I have 2 retreats coming up in June, so the pressure is on.

These are all done, checked and ready. There is another little pile waiting for my checking fairy to come. And a few more in progress, and hopefully all will be ready by June.

And you might notice in this photo, of the baskets of fabric that are waiting in the wings!! But there is more, on the shelves behind Max, so I doubt I will run out of fabric choices anytime soon. But I do love the challenge of collecting a range of fabrics and working out what to do with them. I love EQ for designing and scan the fabrics, so I can see how they will all play with each other, and all before I even pick up the rotary cutter! (And did I mention that their just might be more fabric in the Post system on it's way to me??)

Although I have not ventured far recently, I did attend our local group's luncheon last Sunday. Each year we have a lunch once a year, to celebrate those members who have an "0" special birthday during the year. These 3 ladies all have a special birthday this year, although they do range from February to November, so one is getting an early celebration.

This lunch was also a special occasion as we said farewell to one of our long serving members, who is leaving the district very soon. Our loss will be another groups gain, and we are all very sad. Pat has served in many committee positions, as well as being our President for a few years. Of course, how do quilters express their thoughts for someone? They make a quilt, and 41 members all embellished a simple block in their own way. We also presented Pat with Honorary Membership and here is current President Pat G, doing the presentation to Past President Pat M!

 There was lively interest from the members to see how the quilt turned out, and Pat was pleased to see the messages and names written on each block.

I was surprised to see this announcement on the QGSA facebook page last week, and have since received a phonecall from the President to inform me of my award.. Apparently it is 10 years since I have joined the Appraisal Panel and more recently the Judging Panel. They are both voluntary postitions that I enjoy attending.

I think I started out my post by saying I did not have a lot to talk about, so perhaps I have said enough and it's time to finish off!!

Well, time to put more wood on the fire, and head to bed, ready for another day of cutting and writing tomorrow. I have given myself this week to devote to the cases, and Max will be back in action on Monday.

Stay warm if you are in Southern Australia, 

Blessings, From Jude