4 years old today!!

Can you tell me where the last 4 years have gone?? It only seems like a few weeks ago that we were waiting for news of the birth, and here she is 4 years old.

I found a few pics back in the photo files, which is always a trip down memory lane.

 Today I went "up the highway", to attend her 4th birthday lunch with family. She was pretty excited to have an "Elsa" cake. Hope you had a lovely day Miss Bridie and a Happy Birthday.

 After lunch, I travelled back to Murray Bridge and visited with my Dad and arrived home about an hour ago. My house is cold after being away all day and no fire burning. So I think the warmest place to be will be in bed. Tomorrow is is back to Max again as well as preparation for a couple of extra retreats that have been scheduled for August. I will add more details of that soon.

Blessings, From Jude

An exciting month!!!!!!!!!!

It seems like Friday has arrived once again, and another week has disappeared. Much has been achieved since the Christmas retreaters departed, and Max has managed to finish a nice pile of allover quilts, which reduces the queue slightly. I am loading another custom quilt, which could end up in a show next year, so I don't think I shall be crossing too many from the list next week. Depending how this one "talks" to me, it might get started with the SID and then come off. We will see, as I still have some that need to be finished for our local quilt show in October. (I am trying to be up to on schedule as there is a baby that will make an appearance before the show.)

While I am on the subject of show quilts, I can now post photos of those I have done this year, that have not been on the blog. And I am excited to say that all 4 of these have been awarded ribbons in their categories.

I did post about the first 2 that won awards in Adelaide earlier this month, but will now show a few more photos of these quilts.

The first one is My Red Roses by Glenys. This was done on Glenys' embroidery machine and was chosen for a VIP award by the SA Governors wife, who is patron of the Guild.

This next quilt, made by Kerryn won both us a blue ribbon. Kerryn did not want very heavy quilting on her quilt, so I had to restrain myself a tad. I had to balance this with the knowledge that it was a show entry and needed "just that bit more".

Yesterday was opening day in Melbourne for the Victorian Quilters Showcase exhibition and 2 of my customers had entered 3 quilts in this show. I did get a message from one of them that she was asked to attend yesterday's awards ceremony, and was so tempted to go to the show. But life has been too busy lately, and this is the second occasion this month that I have said no to. That little word is very hard to say sometimes, and yesterday I have to admit to a case of FOMO, while waiting for news! So I was very surprised and excited to get a message from the other customer that she had won an award also!!

 This is Linda, receiving her award at the ceremony..............

..........and proudly standing  by her quilt, called Sapientiam. It won first in Mainly Pieced, 2 person Professional. This was quilted back in February and I delivered it to her when I went to Melbourne for Miss Billie's first birthday.

A few closeup pictures for you.............

                           This Log cabin quilt was Linda's other entry.

At last, but certainly not least, is Sherrel's quilt, Arcadia Avenue, which won a first in it's section, and also the award for Excellence in Use of Colour.

 And some closeup pictures..................

There were lots of thread colour changes in this quilt, and lots of stops and start where each colour changed!!

Well done to you all, and congratulations. The workmanship that went into making these was just amazing. And thankyou for asking and trusting me to quilt your quilts.

 I am humbled, and very blessed to work in this job which is like going to a quilt show every day. God is so good, and has led me on an amazing journey.

Not every quilt is a prize winner in the quilt show, but they all have a purpose, from keeping someone warm, or saying I am thinking of you, or I made this just because! I know I started making quilts when life dealt some challenging times, and look where it has led me.

That's all the newsfromjude for now, it's after 5, and time to switch off and head to the recliner by the fire.

Blessings, From Jude

2019 Christmas in July retreat report.....................

The house is very quiet tonight now that the girls have gone home, and most of the clearing up has been done. Another quilt has been loaded ready for tomorrow morning, and I have my feet up by the warm fire in the lounge, with my laptop on my knee.

Christmas in July, 2019 has been another great time of laughter, much chatter, and friendship. The volume of conversations was rather high, as each person caught up on the last year's happenings of life. I love to listen to the interaction between them all, as they share with each other. It is time to relax, and be looked after, with out the distractions of life at home.

While I was working in the kitchen, and listening to the chatter, it was hard to know which conversation to listen to, as there were many going on at once. We had a few local ladies call in to say hello, and many friendships have been formed in past years. I have to say, that not a lot of sewing happened, and I was rather remiss in the taking of heaps of photos. I shall share a few pics below, not in any particular order.

This bottle of Sable arrived dressed appropriately for Christmas! I have to say that there were a lot more bottles that arrived, but none as smart as this one!

Our Christmas dinner was enjoyed by all, and was followed by the most amazing Christmas pudding I have ever tasted. Forgot the photo until most had been consumed. Thanks to Kaye for cooking this.

A few photos of some sewing..................

After lunch it was time to wait for the arrival of Santa.......................

..................... who seemed very happy to receive some hugs and kisses from the girls! Thankyou Santa, you are a good sport to come back so willingly each year.

A few came dressed for Christmas....................

Of course there had to be a group photo and what better place than beside the table set for Christmas lunch.

That's it for another year, when they all say they will be back again. The weekend seems to go so quickly. 3 of us attended a very inspiring church service on Sunday morning before enjoying the company of some local ladies who joined us for lunch.

Time to put another log on the fire.

Blessings, From Jude

A quick check in.............

               Today was what you might call a "pea soup", sort of day! It has been a very cold week, and this morning was very foggy until well after 9am, and it's still cold.............(well I am cold, but then I always am!)

.......................but it's cosy inside with the fire going.

Tomorrow it's forecast to be sunny and perhaps a top temp of 20deg, before the cold and possible rain returns.

Preparations are almost done for the Christmas in July retreat, and the girls are starting to arrive. The tree is in the corner, some decorations hung, the shopping done, and most of the catering organised. There is something different about having a hot Christmas lunch and pudding with the wood fire burning and it's cold outside. I guess this is what it's like for those who live in the northern part of our world. Hot lunch is not so good when it's close to 40deg outside!

Looking forward to another great time of laughs and sharing, and I shall be back soon with a full report.

Blessings, From Jude