Checking in again....

Before I get some more comments about the lack of a blog post, I shall update you on the newsfromjude. A lot has been packed into the last 10 days since I came home from Melbourne. 

A couple of days of quilting was in order, before a day trip to the city for Quilt Valuation Day. It is always a good day. 

Then it was another 2 days of Embellished Quilt classes, where each lady is working on different quilts. Some have been quietly, patiently working on blocks for awhile now, and some have just started on their journey. It is always good to see what each one is doing, and all getting inspiration and ideas from each other. Some are working on soft and pretty colours, and others doing more bold and modern. There was one stayer after the others had left for the day.

Sometimes when things don't go right, you just have to give the machine a good cleanup and rethread, and hey presto, it sews much better.

Helen was sewing the quilt blocks together, with gathered sashing. This quilt is being made for her daughter, who has given input all the way through.

All the blocks were sewn together, except for the centre, and there was show and tell on the bed.

 Still have the borders to add, after the centre block is sewn in.

The centre block is being trimmed to size, and for once I am on the "wrong" side of the camera! (And I think that maybe I need to take some time out very soon and get that head of hair to the hairdresser!?)

When you have a new machine, it is a good idea to try out some of the stitches, using different threads, and changing the settings to see what happens.

And writing notes about what you have done is a good idea.

This one is going to be more contemporary, so I look forward to watching the progress.

Since last weekend I have been close to home, getting a couple of quilts done, and working on more Pick a Case Mystery quilts. Tonight I have finished the fourth one for the week, so am sitting here with my feet up in front of the fire for a little while before bed time. 

These are what have been done previously, and now will have another 4 on top tomorrow, after I have put the labels on the cases.

It has been quite a week, working out the pattern designs in EQ7, the cutting requirements, and then cutting and typing up the instructions. I do enjoy looking at a bundle of fabrics, and mixing and matching and working out what to do with them. I need to say a BIG thankyou to my checking lady, who reads through all my notes, deciphers them, checks my cutting mathematics, edits my instructions so that others know what I meant, and also counts every piece of fabric that I have cut!!! THANKYOU PAT!

Today it was Angels sewing day here, and a couple of quilts were made by the girls. There are a few waiting for the quilter to get her act together too! Sorry I was too busy to take photos.

Tomorrow another group of ladies will arrive for another fun weekend here at Number 8 and I look forward to that.
So maybe it's time for some sleep, as the eyes are getting heavy.

Catch ya next time,

Blessings, From Jude

A little bit of lots of things.......

I have been away from home for 5 days, so it's time to update you on the newsfromjude before I get back into work tomorrow.
It is awhile since I have been to Melbourne to visit DD3, so I planned a trip that coincided with the Vic Quilters Showcase that they hold every year. I went over on Friday on the Overland train that travels from Adelaide to Melbourne twice a week. It is a very relaxing trip, and I took the opportunity to catch up on some reading. My Kindle had not been used for so long, I had to recharge it, after I found it hidden in a drawer!  It was lovely to see the green countryside on my travels. This winter is quite a wet one, and is a contrast to the scenery I see in November, when I usually make the trip.

I was picked up at the Southern Cross station on Friday evening by DD3, and then stayed a few days at their home.

On Saturday we travelled into Melbourne to visit the Quilt Exhibition,where we saw some amazing quilts. I took lots of photos of quilts, but don't have permission from all the owners to show them on the blog. I did take a photo (below), of Runner Up to Best of Show, which was won by Linda Steele,
If you click on the link to her name, you will see other photos of winning quilts on her blog. I loved this quilt of Linda's which was called A Time for all Seasons.

I do have photos of 3 other quilts, and these are customer quilts that I have quilted. Even though there are no ribbons, it is a thrill just to see them hanging in the show.

This quilt was made by Lois, and I showed photos of this on my blog last year. I just love her border fabric of the Fifties Ladies.

The next quilt was made by Sherrel, and I showed a snippet of it on my machine back in May. Here are the rest of the photos, that show how I quilted it. The pattern is a Judy Neimeyer quilt design.

This quilt was made by Cheryl, and quilted by me, and was in the Longarm Quilters display section, and not for judging. Cheryl's applique work is amazing on this quilt. 

Sunday's weather turned on some lovely sunshine, although there was still a chill in the air. DD3 and I went for a short drive down the Mornington Peninsula for High Tea at Woodman Estate. I am glad we skipped lunch before we went, and we certainly did not need any meal at night as you can see from the following photos........

After we finished the plate from above, they brought out another plate, of scones! Have to confess that we did not finish that plate.

The building and surrounding grounds are lovely, and there was even quilt inspiration at the front entrance!

I mentioned last year, that DD3 and DSIL had purchased the shop stock from Val at Mundulla, and DD3 has been selling fabric etc online with her store, called Kiki Fabrics. The link to this is on the sidebar of my blog.  While I had the chance, I had a bit of a shop at the "store", which is in the house. We also had a sort out of fabrics and chose a range of fabrics to cut into packs, and jelly rolls.

Even the dog got decorated with a jelly roll strip.

As I was travelling home on the train, I have left a "little" bundle for DD3 to bring when she drives over next.

On Monday the weather had turned cold, windy and wet again. We drove to the shops and I bought a few pink things for the auctions at the "In the Pink" retreat in September. A trip to Office works was next, to print some family wedding photos for me to put on my lounge wall.

DD3 and DSIL have made a decision about how they want their wedding quilt to be quilted, so I hope to get that done soon, and then the binding. I do have another quilt here that DD3 picked out for me to make for her when I first started quilting, and I have to confess it is still a PHD. This was about 18 years ago, and I think they were a tad worried I might take 18 years to finish this one!!??

It was a lovely few days away, and good to spend time with them.Tomorrow it is time for another quilt and some preparation for classes this weekend.

I think that's enough newsfromjude for tonight, and I might sit by the fire for a little while, before I have an early night.

Blessings, From Jude

Time for more quilt photos.....

Looking back through the blog, it seems like a long time again since I have posted quilt photos. Life always seems to be a catchup.

So while I am having a few days away with family, (which I will update you on later), here are a few quilts.

First up has been made by Sherrel, and she made 2 of these for her grandsons. They were quilted all over with a soccer ball pattern.

This was made by Marie, and started many, many years ago. Marie is on a mission to finish her many PHD's, and this is one of them. Simple custom quilting completed the job.

This was made by Christina, and was a very large quilt, and sorry you can not see it all. It was quilted allover with a continuous baptist fan pattern.

An Irish Chain quilt, made by Pat M as a wedding present for friends and quilted allover with a feather pattern.

This quilt was made by Rosie for a little girl, and finished with simple custom quilting.

This was made by Kath, and custom quilted.

A strippy quilt made  by Jenny with William Morris fabrics, and custom quilted.

This was also made by Jenny, and featured lots of birds in the fabric, so was quilted allover with a pattern that had birds in it.

The following 2 Christmas quilts were made by Di, and quilted with allover patterns.

Be back soon,

Blessings,
From Jude