School holiday activity

My friend Helen has had her daughter's family from Queensland here for the holidays, so thought it would be a good idea to introduce one of her granddaughters to the art of dyeing fabric. A couple of her other grandies sounded interested, so Helen approached our local "dyeing" guru Marie, of Holly Handdyes if she would teach them what to do. Then a date was set, using the facilities of "The Shed" at The Sanctuary, which has been set up for this purpose.The purchase of some suitable things to dye, some fabric lengths, some singlets and a pair or two of undies and by the time the day arrived, there were 6 of Helen's grandchildren here for the day. And they knew what they wanted, no plain pale colours for them, stripes, spots, and bright colour was the order of the day! And they could make as much mess as they wanted in the shed. Must say, they were very tidy and not messy at all.

They started cautiously as Marie explained the process,then the diagonal stripes were commenced on the singlet.

Now we are all more confident and having a go, in the photo below you can see the white denim Just Jeans jacket that was found at the op shop is undergoing a colour change.

By lunch time they all went off with their containers and bags of dyed articles, spent the afternoon washing and drying at Helens, and then returned for "show and tell". Below they are proudly showcasing their "new" clothes. Well done.

I think that Helen has a date for tomorrow to sew some trousers using the dyed fabric. A great holiday activity and something that will be remembered.

Blessings, from Jude

Learning more about blogging

Well, this blogging world is a whole new learning curve, and takes a lot of time out of my day.
Have been trying to work out for awhile just how to add pages to the blog, and today I finally found out!
So you may notice a few headings at the top, one to contact me, one is some background info about me, and the other is a page that lists planned workshops at The Sanctuary for the year ahead. This way all my advertising can direct people to my blog for details, and then to contact me for more information and bookings. But after working that out, I feel like I have accomplished a marathon. And the quilt is still waiting patiently on the machine for my attention!

While on the subject of blogs, I would like to thank all those, whoever you are that visit my site.
The statistics tell me that there have been just over 2,000 pageviews since I started. Quite amazing really, so thanks for that, and I hope you have found something of interest to keep you coming back.

In my online travels last week, I came across what I thought was a very interesting statement.
QUILTING RETREATS ARE LIKE INPATIENT REHAB.
I like the sound of that, and hope that you will consider coming to The Sanctuary for a time of Inpatient Rehab!

Well, enough from me today, hope you enjoy whatever you are doing,
Blessings From Jude

2012!

I can't believe that we are into 2012 already, just seems like yesterday that I was getting ready for Christmas!
Christmas was a lovely time with family, on Christmas day and the day after when my family all get together.
Mum had another bad time couple of days before, but all was well Christmas day and since. Thankyou all for your good thoughts and prayers, its a great to know that people I have never met are following mum's progress. Thankyou.

I have not been entirely idle over the break, below is Sherrel's quilt that I have finished (Jane Austen's bonnetts). She is coming to pick it up this morning.
And the bottom photo is what my family gave me for Christmas, a Kindle!! Maybe that explains why I haven't updated my blog since before Christmas! I have read 3 books, it is so much easier to hold when reading in bed. Books are so cheap to download, and lots of them are free or 99c! Modern technology is amazing, and takes some keeping up with.

The weather here this week has been awful, temps the last 3 days around the 43degree mark, which is rather HOT!
I am thankful for airconditioning. Today is supposed to be cooler (?) at 38! Looking forward to tomorrow though, back to 24. Will be lovely and hope to spend some time in the garden. Have been watering in the cool of the mornings.
There are clouds out today, so could also get a bit of rain.

New Years Eve was spent at The Sanctuary, enjoying an evening with friends in front of the airconditioner.

Have another quilt on the machine today, Matilda's Station, which is always a fun quilt to do.
And also needing to spend lots of time catching up on my bookwork, as the accounts have been a job that I have "put off" and am running very late getting stuff ready for the accountant for the year 2010-2011!! So better get off this computer, and get Max (the name of my Gammill) working after I turn the sprinklers off outside.

So I wish you and your family's a great 2012, full of all that you need, good health, good friends, enough work to do, and some time for yourself.
Blessings from Jude

Mary's quilt

This is a photo of Mary's quilt on the machine, it was 110 inches long and then the pillow sham was 32", so at 142" it is the longest quilting job I have had. Both articles combined together on the same backing totalled 99 sq ft! Sure was heavy to lift off the machine.
That is the last quilting job before Christmas.
Have had a couple of days off, to clean my house, do some shopping, wrap some presents up, start packing my overnight bag to spend Christmas night with family, and I even read a book.
It is expected to be 36 degrees here today, and so have been watering the garden, both here and at The Sanctuary. Next week I need to prune back the spring flowering daisys and plants and tidy things ready for people to stay.

I wish you and your family a time of peace, love and joy, as we reflect on the real meaning for Christmas.

Blessings,
From Jude

Update on Mum

Thanks to all those who enquired about my mum, latest is that she went home this morning, and is so
excited to be "out". She is still very tired and will take it easy in between the walking that she has to do.
Mum and dad will have a quiet day on Christmas day and not join in the family gathering.
Thankfully we have just had celebrations for her 80th, and lots of photo opportunities that day.
The photo below is of mum and dad and their grandchildren, except for 2. It was
a good effort to get that many altogether in the one place, as there is a 12 hour distance between 2 of the families.

Today I started my Christmas shopping, and only have 2 to buy for now. Try again tomorrow.
I started some cleaning (!!) in my kitchen this morning, trying to declutter a bit, and tomorrow I may
even attempt some Christmas baking? Am giving myself a few days from quilting, back to it next Tuesday.

Enjoy your day
Blessings from Jude

Di's quilts

Here are a few photos of Di's quilts done this week, a nice change to do a few edge to edge ones.
First is the Black and white, where I used a block pattern in each square and a separate border pattern.
(I know its not edge to edge,but was quick)

Next is the Grinch Christmas quilt, which has a tree and star pattern on.

And I loved this quilt with the quilting lady blocks, so very appropriate! This was quilted with a needle and
cotton reel pattern.

And the bottom photo is her oneblock wonder quilt, which I used
a swirly pattern allover.

Am still working on another quilt yet, although will be taking time today, to
start doing some pressie shopping and try to clean my house. The weather is warming up
and its going to be hot for Christmas.

Enjoy your day
Blessings from Jude

Stars in your heart

Just a couple of photos of Rosies quilt that she made for her mothers 90th birthday. All the family contributed with blocks
that that they made or gave Rosie the idea to make. Its called Stars in your heart. The birthday is early in January.

Have done a few more quilts also this week, will put them in a separate post, as am trying to finish a large edge to edge, with a separate
border, and a pillow sham to match. These combined have a total of just over 140" in length, so the roll on my machine is quite large!
When this is finished, I shall finally be ready to think about CHristmas shopping, although my usual customer Christmas card mail out will take place in the New Year.
So better get back to the machine.
Blessings,
From Jude