Cowbelles Patchwork

Monday February 14th, 2011

2011-02-13T22:23:00.001-08:00

Just a couple of photos to share today….

The first is from Sandra in Canada. It’s her version of our 2008 Mystery Quilt…..

Then there’s Viv’s lovely brown and blue Lone Star from one of our classes….

First sewing for 2011

2011-01-11T23:48:00.001-08:00

We had no internet or phones this morning…something to do with the floods here in Brisbane I suspect……thankfully we still had power, so it was sewing time…….I made some 3D bow tie blocks from a pattern that I found on http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/10/mr-jacks-bowtie.html#more

If you cut all your squares at 3.5” instead of 2” it yields a block that will finish at 6”……I made 4 blocks and joined them so the 12” block will fit in with the others in my sampler quilt……

The photo doesn’t show it very well, but the middle bit of each tie is kind of puffy and sits up nicely…..

Also made two sample blocks for the Dollar Block program that kicks off next week......just give a call if you'd like to be a "Dollar Blocker"......$12 for the whole year.....one block pattern each month and come December, you'll have made 12 blocks for that really special someone's Christmas gift quilt!

Surprise fabrics and new bag

2010-11-02T22:24:00.001-07:00

I was surprised to receive some back-ordered fabric last week as I thought I cancelled all my back orders when we closed the shop….never mind……we’ll sell it at bargain prices…. you can order from us by email to cowbellespatchwork@bigpond.com or by phone on 0437 200 888

The first piece is a really cute play mat panel for the little men in your lives….just pop it on some wadding and backing and quilt lightly (or just tie it!) They’ll play for hours with their matchbox cars among the brightly coloured pictures of “big boys toys” and roads.

The panel is a good size at 36” x 45” and each will cost $15.

The other one is a funk-adelic 60’s inspired black and white swirl that’s only $15 / metre.

I’ve been designing and sewing again lately preparing for classes next year – I’d almost forgotten how good sewing is for your soul! Here’s my new “Barrel Bag” on the clothesline this morning. It’s 9” high x 9” wide x 18” long…..a really handy size. The pattern is for sale by post at $15 + postage OR by download for only $10 (as a pdf attachment to an email)

Couldn’t resist a shot of my new hippeastrum flowers while I was downstairs…..

And the beautiful new shoots on the Bunya Pine that Dad gave us…..

Easy Angler

2010-10-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Despite no longer having a "bricks and mortar" quilt shop, I couldn't resist selling the "Easy Angler 2". I have one on my machine and just love it! I'm finding that it reduces my piecing time significantly.

It's a clear piece of rigid plastic that you attach to the bed of your sewing machine. It eliminates the need to draw lines on the back of squares when you're making half square triangles and flying geese. It will also improve your quarter inch seam accuracy and makes mitre-ing seams easier too.

It retails for AU$11.90 + postage. You can order by email to cowbellespatchwork@bigpond.com or phone on 0437 200 888

Judy Hooworth’s Class on October 11 and 12

2010-10-26T17:28:00.001-07:00

Despite the flooding, most of us were able to make it to Bell for Judy’s “Going Crazy” class. We all had a lovely time and learnt lots from her, as always. Here’s one of her many inspiring sample quilts.

And here’s a shot of the class in full swing…..note the recently painted walls and the paintings on display at the front of the room.

The Bell Art Group, now trading as “Bluebelles”, are settling in to the old “Cowbelles” building and it’s worth popping in to have a look at their works on show – I brought home one of Cath McClelland’s paintings – a gorgeous one of the Bunyas with some golden crop in the foreground. You can see more of her works at http://www.cathymcclelland.com.au/

Photos below of the “show and tell” that some of the girls brought along. First up is Shelley’s Twisted Bargello from a class here earlier this year.

Then her Mariner’s Compass from our class with Lessa Siegele last year…..

Jana’s Figure Eight Bargello from our class in Term 2…..

And her 2010 Mystery Quilt :

Then one of Jan’s from Judy’s “Quilts on the Double” class here in 2008.

And another one….what fantastic border fabric!!!!!

Then her “Instant Bargello” based on a panel of birds….

And Dianne’s “Instant Bargello”….love those prairie points!!!

Another of Dianne’s…

Lastly, my bargello – finally quilted!!!!!

Apologies to everyone else who brought show and tell….the photos were all blurry and not useable.

If you were a student in Judy’s class, please email me photos of your quilts to post here.

Please remember that Tuesday’s at “Bluebelles” is still “Anything Goes” for sewers from 9 til 3 in the classroom/gallery. You’re all welcome at no charge with morning tea and lunch available for purchase.

End of an Era

2010-08-26T20:42:00.001-07:00

It’s official….. Cowbelles, as you know it, is changing……the coffee shop will remain, the fabric will all go (hopefully), the Art Group are excited about moving in to exhibit their works AND Tuesday sewing will continue as normal (except for two weeks off for the back room to be painted!)

Thanks to everyone….it’s been a great six years!!!!!

In an attempt to help clear the fabric, I took photos of what’s left and they’re following ……..all are 40% off…… sale ends 3pm September 10. We'r open 9am - 3pm every day until then (EVEN SUNDAY'S!!!) If you can't get in, you can order by phone on 07 4663 1193 or email to cowbellespatchwork@bigpond.com …

Mystery Unveiled and Catching Up

2010-07-30T01:33:00.001-07:00

Another big couple of weeks here…..Tuesday saw the final instalment of our mystery quilt for 2010. This is my sample.

This one is Jen’s…..

Some of Jan’s…..while we were auditioning fabric for the setting triangles….

Some of Joan’s laid on the table…

Effie’s Figure Eight Bargello

Mary’s…..

Joan’s…

Joan’s Braid quilt from a class here a while back

And her Bargello…..complete with ruffled edge……

And a cute sign that I saw by the side of the road ….

Yesterday and Last Week

2010-07-14T00:24:00.001-07:00

It’s amazing watching the Figure Eight Bargellos develop….so many different colour combinations !

First up is Nancy’s SECOND one…..

Then two shots of Ann’s …..first in pieces then as a whole…sorry the second photo’s quite blurry, but you can still see the effect of the colours…

Then Effie’s all together….

Then two different ways of arranging Lyn’s….

Then Mel’s……hand appliqued onto her white background.

Then Pam’s quilt from our 2009 Mystery Quilt classes….

This is Carol’s…..

And finally Erica’s ……

Saturday’s Circular/Figure Eight Bargello

2010-06-30T22:09:00.001-07:00

We had a second figure eight class on Saturday last ….. here are some of the colour combinations….

Lois’……

Claudia’s

Nancy’s two circles….

Then combined to make the figure eight….

AND, last, but by no means least……. Joan’s quilt made from her birthday squares…..assembled on the day we gave them to her…..AMAZING!

Circular or Figure Eight Bargellos

2010-06-30T21:56:00.001-07:00

Last week’s class here was the Circular or Figure Eight Bargello…..we still have a couple of patterns left over if you’d like to make one. They’re AU$20 ……just give the girls at the shop a call on 07 4663 1193…..

First is my class sample….it is still to have circles appliqued in the middle prior to quilting.

Next some works in progress….the different colour combinations are amazing!!!!!!

Di’s….

Bev’s

Ann’s….

Ruth A’s, Carol’s and Bev’s (again….oops!)

Elaine’s, Nancy’s, Effie’s and Mels’s …..

Bits and Pieces

2010-06-30T15:27:00.001-07:00

Here are some of the things we’ve been doing lately….First up, some Ziggy-Zaggy quilts from a recent class…..they’re super quick to make, a great way to use up stash fabric and the pattern is available from our shop on 07 4663 1193

This one is Joan’s…

Effie’s been busy and made two……

Nancy made this one for her daughter who loves frogs….

This one is Carol’s…

Jeanette’s bargello heart quilt for her mum…..

Shelley brought in some show and tell recently too….first, her twisted bargello…..

Then her double wedding ring…

Then Ruth A’s twisted bargello progressing…with a glimpse of Cheryl’s ziggy zaggy in progress…..

Catching Up ……

2010-06-16T05:03:00.001-07:00

Sporadic blogging seems to be all I’m capable of…..never mind!!!!

Here’s some show and tell from the last few weeks….

This is my sample for the upcoming Circular / Figure Eight Bargello Class

Some holders for plastic bags………

Some School house blocks from our dollar block class…..

Ann’s quilt for a friend…..

Elaine’s Twisted Bargello expanding……

Ann’s twisted bargello…..

Table Runners

2010-05-14T00:59:00.001-07:00

Here’s my latest version of our table runner! It was soooo quick to make – only took an evening and I just had the bind left to tack down the next morning.

They make great gifts and the pattern’s available free on the right side of our blog.

We’ve made up some kits in these exact fabrics that are selling for $23.50 with backing or $19.50 without backing. We’ve made lots of other kits too…..some with cows, others with horses, some with chillies on black ……all with different co-ordinating prints.

If you’d like to order a kit, we’re open Monday – Saturday 9am – 3pm and you’ll find us on 07 4663 1193.

Bargello Progress

2010-04-20T12:26:00.001-07:00

We’ve all been busy progressing our “Bargello” quilts….

First up, is Carol’s…..

Then Effie’s…

…

Then Jo’s….

Then Ann’s Bargello Heart from last term……

And Janette’s Heart….

Catching up

2010-04-02T23:51:00.001-07:00

Regular blogging is just not my thing – is it? Never mind…..here’s a bit of what’s been happening here lately….

Here’s Elaine’s Twisted Bargello

And Carol’s

And Nancy’s

And Dorothy’s

This beautiful quilt was a surprise gift from the Cowbelles Girls for Tom and I for our wedding recently.

This is Pam’s quilt she made from her birthday squares last year.

Finally, here’s my sample for our zig-zag class in May

Friday February 26th, 2010

2010-02-25T21:20:00.001-08:00

Unbelievable! We’re blogging two weeks in a row!!!!

First up is my “Hopscotch” Bag sample ready for our class on March 16th. The pattern’s from Melly and Me.

This is Angela’s “Strawberry Jellies” top from a class last Saturday. The fabrics are Moda’s “Birdie” range.

Some interesting fabric combinations getting ready for next Tuesday’s “Twisted Bargello” class.

Friday February 19th

2010-02-18T19:36:00.001-08:00

I’m still not too good at regular blogging…..but here’s a little catch up on what’s been happening here lately….

First, here’s Sue’s “Blackbird Pie” quilt that she made in a class here last year. Sent in via email for “virtual” show and tell!

And here are some of our “Oregon Trail” blocks from January’s “Dollar Block” class.

These are Effie and Carol’s “Tumbling Blocks” tops from class at the end of last year…

Effie’s top from our 2009 Mystery Quilt.

This is the sample quilt for our “Strawberry Jellies” classes.

One of our very special regular sewers is going thru a rough patch, so we all made her an "Oregon Trail” block from brights on a white background. We spent a lovely day putting them together and another a week later binding it after Carol had worked her quilting magic on it. This is the resulting quilt…..

These are some of the “Dandy” blocks from February’s “Dollar Block” class.

And, last, but not least, this is Carol’s “Bargello Heart” top.

Friday November 20th……

2009-11-19T11:20:00.001-08:00

Despite my best intentions, regular blogging is proving almost impossible. Anyway, here are some of the things we’ve seen in show and tell lately… First up, these are some of the “Memory” blocks that were made in October’s “Dollar Block” Class…..

This shot came in via email from Del. It’s Beryl the Bilby perched in the hedge out the front of the shop when they were passing through last year.

These are Di’s…. first her teddy bear quilt, then her mystery quilt from last term and her Mariner’s Compass from a class here with Lessa SIegele in June.

This is Pam’s “Turning 20” quilt made from her birthday fat quarters….

And Erica’s top from the “Fran’s Fab Jelly Roll Quilt” class that we held recently.

and her quilt for her new grand-daughter…..

Some closeup detail….the beautifully neat blanket stitch was done on a long haul flight. Those “Sew Easy” thread cutters/needle holders that you wear on a lanyard around your neck appear to pass airport security ok.

This is Mary’s “Magic Lining Bag” from some gorgeous Lorelei fabric with ladies in their swimmers……

And Carol’s raggy bag….

I couldn’t resist a shot of Carol’s cat asleep on her Double Wedding Ring Quilt in progress….

Effie’s “Just Charming” Bag…..

Pam’s Mariner’s Compass from Lessa’s class here in June…..

Janette’s layout of a special quilt for her Dad….

and her “Eddystone Light” block from November’s Dollar Block day….

Thursday October 1st….

2009-10-11T17:36:00.001-07:00

Some of our Tuesday girls had a spontaneous sort of Thursday sewing day today…..first up for “show and tell” is Mary’s Mystery Quilt….

Then, Elaine’s looking fantastic with striped fabric mitred in the border….

Pam brought some bags that she’s made recently…

And Maureen sent a photo of her “Turning 20” quilt via email…..

Tuesday September 29…..

2009-10-11T17:29:00.001-07:00

This week’s first photo isn’t quilt related at all. It’s of the dust storm that came thru Bell on the 23rd – taken out the front of the shop looking along the Bunya highway towards Dalby……normally, you can see paddocks of green in the distance….

Before we get on to quilts, here’s a photo from the Cooranga North Memorial Campdraft last weekend, taken from the announcer’s box. (Cooranga North is about 30kms north of Bell.)

One last non-quilty photo……we went home the long way the other day and saw this huge goanna on his way up a tree. He’d be about 5 feet long……

This week’s first quilt snap comes from Jeannie via email. It’s a quilt based around the really cute little farm animal squares……

Then we’ve got Nancy’s mystery quilt….

And Ann’s mystery quilt with borders on now…..

Pam’s turning 20 quilt made with fat quarters that she got in the birthday fat quarter swap…

Lastly, my “Tumbling Blocks” that’s a sample for our class in November. It’s made from really chunky strips – some 4” some 4.5” and comes together really quickly…..

Tuesday September 22nd……

2009-10-11T16:57:00.001-07:00

We’ll start off this week with some “virtual” show-and-tell from Coral via email. This is her mystery quilt top….

Effie also brought in her mystery quilt…..

And her “Bargello Heart”……

And then the camera’s batteries went flat – sorry! More to come next week………

Tuesday September 15th ……

2009-10-08T22:29:00.001-07:00

First up in show-and-tell this week was Nancy’s top made from “Blackford’s Beauty” blocks that we all gave her for her birthday recently.

Then we had a couple of mystery quilts that are progressing ……

The first is Ann’s…

Then Elaine’s…..we’ve decided to mitre the borders…..

Then Carol’s ……

This is Janette’s Mariner’s Compass from a class here with Lessa Siegele in June.

Tuesday September 8th….

2009-09-30T13:25:00.001-07:00

Just a couple of starters for “Show and Tell” today….. first up is Beryl’s “Blackbird Pie” quilt that she made with fussy-cut I-spy fabrics…

Then Ann’s “Dollar Block” sampler that’s going together “on point”….

And Elaine’s mystery with a few more rows….

Tuesday September 1st…..

2009-09-30T13:13:00.001-07:00

Today was “Dollar Block” day and we made “Gentleman’s Fancy” blocks. As Janette has a significant birthday later this month, we all made her a block in orange (her favourite colour), purple and green. Some of them are here…..

There was lots for “Show and Tell” today….. first is Effie’s top that’s now got its borders.

Elaine had a strip set left over from her Bargello Heart, so we used it to extend the pattern…..

Lorraine brought in a top that she’s been working on with beautiful stitcheries. The surrounding piecing has all come from her birthday fat quarters from last year making it an extra special quilt.

Some of August’s mystery quilts have started to come in. The first is Pam’s…..

And Elaine’s…..

And Lorraine’s ….still looking pretty mysterious!!!!!!!!

August

2009-09-30T03:04:00.001-07:00

In August our “Dollar Block” was “Illinois” with some of the blocks made shown below.

We made some Bargello Hearts. The first is Elaine’s……

Then Ann’s…….

And Carol’s…..

July……

2009-09-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

July’s sample block was “Noon and Light”. Here are some of the blocks we made…..

This is Effie’s quilt based on some feature squares cut from a panel fabric that came in recently.

Rhonda was in with her french braid top coming together.

Di and Janette brought their Mariner’s Compass works-in-progress in…

The Rest of June

2009-09-22T04:39:00.001-07:00

The last part of June brought Lessa Siegele to Bell all the way from Adelaide via Brisbane (and Inala after I missed an exit on the chook’s breakfast that used to be the Ipswich motorway!).

She’s a wonderful tutor and we had a class of 20 learning her Mariner’s Compass techniques over two days on June 20 and 21.

The weekend didn’t start too well……I tried a new recipe from my friend Julie….her no-fail Lemon Syrup Cake that’s to die for…..it didn’t come close to fitting in the tin….picture below for your amusement! The shop just filled with smoke……but all was ok in the end.

Lessa brought lots of her beautiful quilts to inspire us…a few pictures to give you an idea…..

“Show and Tell” the next week brought some interesting works in progress…..I’m sorry I no longer remember who owns what, but the pictures tell the story…..

Other things in for “Show and Tell” on the 23rd included :

Effie’s horse quilt…..

Ann’s “Blackbird Pie” quilt….

And Ruth’s nifty table runner made with Drunkard’s Path blocks and Four Patches…….

Tuesday June 9th

2009-09-21T04:59:00.001-07:00

We’re running a bit behind with the blog, but here goes an attempt to catch up….one week at a time…..

First are the “Blackford’s Beauty” blocks that we made for Pam’s birthday………

Then Jan’s Noah’s Ark for her first grand-child due later this year….

Some more “Blackford’s Beauty” blocks….some were made @ 24” square and made beautiful Premi Quilts for St Vinnies Hospital in Toowoomba.

Tuesday June 2nd, 2009

2009-06-02T21:13:00.001-07:00

A really different day here with a scheduled 2 hour power outage going for nearly 5 hours…..never mind, we did some hand sewing and all our Blackford’s Beauty blocks are all cut out ready for next week.

First up in “show and tell” today was Elaine’s “Blackbird Pie” quilt with its borders on.

Carol’s “Lone Star” has come back from the quilter’s and is ready for binding.

Mary’s “Basket Case” has also just come home from the quilter’s.

Sue emailed this picture of her “Blackbird Pie” quilt, all finished and given away already!!!!

Here’s a sign I saw while driving on Monday…. Made me laugh lots thinking that it’s not so secret any more! And that it’s nowhere near any watercourses…….

“Dollar Block” Saturday 30MAY09

2009-05-29T23:17:00.001-07:00

Today was “Blackford’s Beauty” block day and we caught up on a few others we’d missed.

Here are Dorothy’s blocks :

And Di’s….

And Lyn’s…..

And this is my “Bargello Heart” sample for a class here next term. Just pondering which colours to use in the borders…….

Yesterday’s Show and Tell

2009-05-26T15:47:00.001-07:00

Wow! We had some great quilts and tops in for show and tell today.

First is Effie’s “Pinwheel Pirouette” quilt from a class last term…

This is Joan’s “Jellygon” top from a class last year……and Kim’s silhouette against the afternoon sun coming in ……

Here’s Shirley’s top from Judy Hooworth’s “Quilts on the Double” class

Pam was quilting her sampler quilt from our “Dollar Block” classes…

Then some amazing tops coming together from our recent “Blackbird Pie” class. First is Ann’s…..

Then Lorraine’s……

Then Effie’s……

Then Ann’s …… (from the same layer cake as Effie’s above but with the addition of some extra fabrics)

And Joan’s with a different layout and some gorgeous Ricky Tims fabric..

This is the “Going to Paris” garment bag sample for today’s class. We’ll have photos of the bags made in class next week.

Blackbird Pie Tuesday 12th May

2009-05-14T18:59:00.001-07:00

First, a visitor in the garden this morning…

Then Cath's raggy flannel quilt for show and tell - both front and back views.....

Now we're into the "Blackbird Pies"....the first is Ann's.....

Then two different layouts of Carol's.....

Then Elaine's....

and Lorraine's.......

and Effie's.......

and Lydia's.......

Blackbird Pie Day – Saturday 9th of May

2009-05-13T19:28:00.001-07:00

Our most recent class was making Kookaburra Cottage’s “Blackbird Pie” quilt. It uses a layer cake and some really nifty templates to make “Drunkard’s Path” blocks arranged with a contemporary twist! This first one is Shelley’s :

This one’s Sue’s:

Then Lyn’s…..

And Di’s:

Then Viv’s :

Then we re-arranged 16 of Viv’s block’s to try out some other layouts….

Tuesday May 5th

2009-05-12T21:25:00.001-07:00

To all you regular checkers of our blog, I’m sorry but am running a bit late with this post!!!

We all made “On the Fly” blocks for someone who’s having a “zero” birthday later this month….all with different brights on a white background….hope she likes them!

Then we made a couple in other warmer colours :

Tuesday 28APR09

2009-04-28T21:36:00.001-07:00

Another great Tuesday here at Cowbelles. We made potholders and then lots of blocks for another quilt for the bushfire victims in Victoria. I forgot to take photos until it was nearly too late and most of the pot holders had gone home. Any way, I think there are enough to give an idea of what we did.

These blocks came together really quickly from random 2.5” strips. Lots more have gone to various homes to be made this week. Hopefully, we’ll get it put together next week.

Tuesday 21APR09

2009-04-21T13:40:00.001-07:00

Another hectic day at Cowbelles with much laughter coming from the classroom all day! We really indulged at morning tea with Lime and Poppy seed syrup cake or Pear and Craisin loaf. Lunch was pretty late but we eventually had Spinach and Ricotta lasagne.

Some real treasures for “Show and Tell” today…….

Here’s Nancy’s “Rose Trellis” quilt that she’s been working on during the week..

This is Carol’s special quilt of hearts from blocks that we all made for her during a sad time last year.

Jan has been working on this very special quilt for her daughter for a while. I’m sure the photo doesn’t do it justice…it’s simply stunning.

Mary has made this dolly quilt for her grand-daughter’s birthday. The little squares are really tiny….there’s a blue pin head showing in the top right corner to give you an idea of size!

Effie and Ann caught up on a few “Dollar Blocks”…..

This is Carol’s “Just Charming Bag” from a class here last term.

Monday was pupil-free at our local schools and a couple of little possums spent the morning here making bags. The first photo shows Cass and Nee’s…..

And this one is Claire’s….

The storm season is continuing in our part of the world……I took this shot just south of Kaimkillenbun on my way home.

Tuesday 14APR09

2009-04-15T04:00:00.001-07:00

Today was an anything goes day and I’m afraid I was too busy in the kitchen to get many photos of all the lovely things that were here for “Show and Tell”.

This is Nancy’s “Jellygon” quilt she was putting the borders on. It’s from a class here late last year.

This is Ann’s “Windblown” quilt from last year that was getting borders too. She’s not too sure about the green, Paul and Chris, please let her know what you think……

As I was driving home from work, there was a huge storm coming in from the south so I just had to take these photos. One of my friends slowed right down and stopped as, from a distance, I looked like a member of the constabulary in my light blue shirt and dark blue pants!

“Blackbird Pie” Quilt

2009-04-14T04:43:00.001-07:00

I’ve just sent this top off to Carol’s for quilting. It’s called “Blackbird Pie” and will be taught in class here next term on either Saturday May 9th or Tuesday May 12th. Further class details can be found at www.cowbelles.com.au and click on the “What’s On” tab.

Catching up……..

2009-04-07T15:35:00.001-07:00

A big post today to catch up on the last few weeks.

These first few photos are from the “Pinwheel Pirouette” classes that were held here in March. I’m always amazed at the way different fabrics look when made up in the same pattern…..

Then some “show and tell” from March 17th :

First is one of Mary’s quilts from Judy Hooworth’s “Quilts on the Double” class here last year.

Then Ann’s strippy Quilt as You Go……

Then Janette’s “French Braid” back from Carol’s from our class last year.

Now for this week’s “show and tell”……

Nancy’s having a big birthday later this month, so we all gave her our “dollar block” for this month – she was so surprised! It’s called “Rolling Star”. Here they are up on the wall all together….

Don’t they look different rearranged “on point”…

Effie brought in her “Old Maid’s Puzzle”’ quilt that grew from a “Dollar Block” class…..

And lastly (if anyone’s still reading this!)…..Nancy finished her “Just Charming” Bag from last month’s class….

Tuesday March 10th

2009-03-15T16:47:00.001-07:00

We had an interesting day on Tuesday with lots for “Show and Tell”. First is Di’s amazingly huge top that she’s made from scraps from everyone’s scraps from Judy Hooworth’s class last September. It is yet another quilt that she’s made for Leukaemia patients in Brisbane.

This is another of Di’s Leukaemia quilts made from 400 squares of scraps!

Here’s Julie’s Lone Star top from a class here last year.

Jan brought this top in. It’s made from really funky cat fabric for her daughter who loves cats.

These are bags from Elaine, Lorraine and Ann made at a class here last week.

Tuesday 3rd March

2009-03-10T13:34:00.001-07:00

We had a busy day working some more on our quilts for the Victorian bushfire victims. Pictures of some of the finished quilts are below. It’s just amazing to watch how these come together from uncoordinated strips!

Quilts for Victoria’s Bushfire Victims

2009-02-21T23:57:00.001-08:00

We had a working bee last Tuesday making quilt-as-you-go strip quilts for the people who lost everything in the Black Saturday fires on February 7th.

We made gazillions of blocks and assembled two quilts. Here’s Di holding up the first one.

We did some more on Thursday too. Friday saw Pam and Fran pinning a quilt with two more strippy quilts laid out on the back wall ready for the Saturday volunteers to assemble them.

We’ll be doing them this coming Tuesday 24th. If you’d like to contribute on this or any other day, please let us know on 07 4663 1193 – you’ll be very welcome!

Last Tuesday’s Show and Tell

2009-02-21T12:39:00.001-08:00

Here’s Pam’s quilt for a grandson featuring a motorbike print.

And Shirley’s quilt made from her birthday blocks……

And some “Ribbon Twist” blocks made in our “Dollar Block” class in the morning.

This Tuesday we’re making quilts for the bushfire victims. Di’s coming over to show us her strippy Quilt As You Go technique……

Overdue Tuesday Show and Tell

2009-01-30T21:39:00.001-08:00

Newsletter writing has kept me busy lately, but have finally made time to Blog!!!!!! Thanks to all who have called to remind me too!

This is Pam’s “Carpenter’s Wheel” that she’s used as the center of a quilt for her grand-daughter.

Ann’s “Old Maid’s Puzzle” quilt has grown again with a striking Flying Geese border.

This a group effort for someone having a rough time that started with some orphan blocks from Erica’s Mum’s friend.

Elaine made this water bottle carrier late last year. It has insulated wadding and still has ice in it after lunch!

Carol’s Woven Heart quilt made from some blocks we gave her last year.

Someone who wishes to remain nameless (because her sons follow her every move on this blog!) made these cute little bags.

Our “Just Charming” bag will be taught at classes on both February 17th and 21st.

The first finished photo from our Noah’s Ark Block of the Month progam came in from Michelle last week – isn’t it great!

Monday and Tuesday and "Show and Tell"

2008-12-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

We've been pretty busy again this week! We planned to make pillow cases and ended up also making cute little bags and fabric baskets from patterns I stumbled across on the web. So there are heaps of photos of these this week as well as our regular show and tell!

Starting our post is Ann's little dog in the back of her ute....all dressed up for the festive season and looking a little windswept!

This is Effie's quilt being made with blocks she received for her birthday recently.

This is Ruth's Hidden Wells quilt that she made at a class here earlier this year.

This is Pam's quilt made in our Mystery classes in April and May. The bias cut borders look great!

This is Claire's table runner .....

And some pillow cases she made....

Joan's pillow case.....

Elaine's pillow case...

Then we made some cute little bags from Joan Hawley at Lazy Girl Designs. You'll find the pattern at www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=1920
This one is Joan's .....

And this one is Ann's ..... she doesn't normally "do" bags, but found this one irresistable! Note the fussy cut lady on the front....the back of the bag has a rear view too - but didn't get a photo of that.

You'll find the pattern for these handy little fabric baskets atwww.kiwiquilts.co.nz/site/kiwiquilts/files/Kiwiquilts%20Tied%20basket%20pattern%20Dec%2007.pdf
(We used template plastic in lieu of cardboard so they could be washed and cut strips at 1.25" to make the ties)
These two are Elaine's....

Carol's....

Joan's ..... she received a fair bit of ribbing for "cheating" and using ribbon instead of making her ties.....much quicker tho!

Lorraine's....

and Nancy's....

"Secret Santa Tuesday" and "Show and Tell"

2008-12-11T20:02:00.000-08:00

I arrived at work and found Daisy and her friend Buttercup have moved in under the trees in our garden. What a lovely Christmas gift! Thankyou to all involved!

We opened our Secret Santa gifts at morning tea, along with some extra special treats from Carol, Elaine and Effie.

Moving on to "Show and Tell" ......This is Ann's "Old Maid's Puzzle" quilt in progress.....

And one of Mary's from Judy Hooworth's class with beautifully mitred borders!

A special quilt of Pam's for a little possum with leukaemia.

Shirley's "Disappearing Nine Patch" with butterflies for her sister.

Another "Carpenter's Wheel" from Pam....

And last but not least, Carol's "Attic Windows" featuring some cowboy panels for her grandson.

Virtual Show and Tell

2008-12-03T15:56:00.001-08:00

We love getting pictures of class quilts via email. Here are a couple that came this week.

This is Lynne's "Jellygon" quilt, made in class here in November.

Andra made this in our Mystery Quilt series of classes in May....all made from her stash of scrap pieces - nothing over 5.5" square!

Tuesday's Show and Tell

2008-12-03T15:39:00.001-08:00

Tuesday was sampler block day. Here are some of the "Old Maid's Puzzle" blocks that we made. They make such an interesting pattern when they're rotated in groups of four.

This is Janette's "Sunday Best" dress from a class earlier this term. We loved the effect of having the stripes of dots horizontally in the bodice and vertically in the skirt. If you look closely, there are really neat little purple pom poms dangling around where the bodice and skirt meet.

This is Effie's Carpenter's Wheel with its border on.

And Elaine's Carpenter's Wheel with a really cute chook print around the outside.

Nancy brought her "Carpenter's Wheel" in too....

This is Pam H's "Carpenter's Wheel"....she picked the colours from a piece of fabric with horses running on which is going to be the border.

This is Nancy's "Jellygon" quilt - all done by machine with 2.5" strips! All the fabrics are from fat quarters that she was given for her birthday.

This is Ruth's "Jellygon" quilt done like a traditional "Grandmother's Flower Garden".

Ruth also brought one of her tops from Judy Hooworth's "Quilts on the Double" class in September.

Carpenter's Wheel

2008-12-01T03:11:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the lovely tops made in our Carpenter's Wheel classes in the last week. Apolgies to those whose photos weren't good enough to post.

Firstly, Nancy's - the only monochromatic one, stunning in four different shades of blue.

Then Effie's in Christmas prints....

Carol's also for Christmas....note the striking effect of the stripey white fabric...

Ann's in some bronze and blue prints with gold metallic bling and blue and lime green marbled fabric.

This is Pam's from Saturday's class....it's destined for a child in Brisbane with leukaemia.

This is Ruth's.....the star points aren't clearly visible as her binding is obscuring them .....they'll come back once the binding is stitched down on the back.

This is Lorraine's....note the interesting dimension illusion that's caused by the sharp contrast between the cream and the soft green...

Tuesday's Show and Tell

2008-11-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

What a great "Show and Tell" we had this week! Afterwards, we made some beautiful "Carpenter's Wheel" quilts in varying sizes. We'll post photos of those after Saturday's class.

This first quilt is Pam's braid quilt, done from one of our patterns. We picked the colours for the braid runs from the exquisitely coloured fish in her border fabric.

Here's Ann's work-in-progress from the "Jellygon" class held here earlier this month.

We all ooh-ed and aah-ed over Di's "Gather Ye Rosebuds" quilt, done with a tutor in Toowoomba.

These are her tops from Judy Hooworth's "Quilts on the Double" class here in September.

And Mary's from the same class......

Free Table Runner Pattern

2008-11-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

Every year we have a freebie class at Christmas time. This table runner was our project in 2005 and we're blogging it due to popular demand!

Click here for page one of the pattern
Click here for page two of the pattern

It also looks nice with an Ohio Star in the middle instead of a plain square.
Click here for the pattern for the Ohio Star

Tuesday

2008-11-17T19:19:00.000-08:00

We've done lots of different things today. To start the morning we made some heart blocks for a local lass whose husband died recently.

This is Pam's Hidden Wells quilt that she brought in for backing and wadding.

These are Elaine's cushion covers that she's made for Christmas gifts.

Morning tea was a choice of gluten free chocolate cake, armenian nutmeg cake or low-fat apple muffins. Lunch was a really scrumptious mexican tortilla stack with salad.

"Jellygon" Quilts

2008-11-17T03:52:00.001-08:00

Our "Jellygon" quilt classes have been a real hit over the last week or so. Below are only a few of the lovely quilts that have been started.

This one is Lesley's....made from one of the new "Aussie Rolls" from Nutex.

This one is Janette's made from a Moda "Swell" Jelly Roll.

This one is Mrs Murph's, made from her amazing stash!

Pam's making this from her stash for a child in Brisbane who has leukaemia.

Lynette is holding up her second quilt from Annie's fabric!

Saturday's Show and Tell

2008-11-11T20:49:00.000-08:00

These are Janice Mac's quilts from Judy
Hooworth's "Quilts on the Double" class here in September.

And this is Di's that she brought in for us to see!

And this is Beryl and her hospital quilt made after an "Attic Windows" class here earlier this year.

This week...

2008-11-07T03:04:00.000-08:00

Wow! This week has kept us all busy.

Tuesday was sampler block day (oops.....forgot to take pictures!) and we've enjoyed spending the other days with our not-so-resident residents, Ruth and Joan. They picked up some classes that they can't be here for later in the year. It always amazes me to see the same quilt pattern made in different fabrics. Their "Carpenter's Wheels" are below and even with one fabric in common, are so different. Both are terrific. If you squint at them, you get amazing dimensional effects.

Joan also brought in her "Basket Case" top for "show and tell".

Tuesday's Show and Tell

2008-10-29T19:06:00.001-07:00

This is Anne's quilt from our "Windblown" class last term.

These are Joan's wonderful creations from Sue Daley's class here last week.

We had a lovely time putting things in boxes for the Samaritan's Purse to distribute to third world children for Christmas. Most of the gifts were donated by the "Tuesday Girls" with the balance being purchased from the tips that people have left here during the year.

Morning tea was a choice of Lemon Meringue slice (gluten free), Banana Bread or Low fat Fruit muffins and for lunch we had chicken and salad wraps.

"Playing with Paper"

2008-10-24T18:50:00.001-07:00

Yesterday and today, we've been "playing with paper" with Sue Daley from "Patchwork with Busyfingers" at Eumundi.

Have a peek at her blog http://www.suedaleydesigns.typepad.com/

Here's what Nancy made.... lots of others to follow as I catch them in the next week or so.

Saturday's Show and Tell

2008-10-22T02:12:00.001-07:00

Am running a bit behind this week. These photos are of Viv's "Woven Hearts" and "Disappearing Nine Patch" quilts that she brought for Show and Tell on Saturday. Both are the result of classes earlier this year.

2008-10-08T03:51:00.000-07:00

Today was sampler block day and some of us made "Boxy Stars" blocks.

Others of us contributed to this profusion of fabric balls for littlies.

Morning tea saw us savouring gluten free Chocolate Hazelnut muffins, followed by Chicken Caesar Salad for lunch.

Carpenter's Wheel

2008-09-22T01:52:00.000-07:00

This is our sample "Carpenter's Wheel" block for this year's freebie Christmas class.

Depending on the size squares that you use, this versatile block can vary in size from 8” square (cute placemat) to 56” square.

Mine will make a great Christmas Tree Mat, Tablecloth or Festive Season wall hanging.

It looks terrific in regular prints too and the striking pattern with simple assembly makes it particularly useful when you need a quilt in a hurry!

After a little pre-class cutting, you’ll easily make this one in a day

Another "Quilt on the Double"

2008-09-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Joan popped in this morning with this finished top from our "Quilts on the Double" class with Judy Hooworth last week.

Spring in Bell

2008-09-17T20:26:00.002-07:00

Spring has sprung and morning tea outdoors was lovely on Tuesday. The jasmine on the rails at right smelt just beautiful!

Judy Hooworth Workshops

2008-09-17T20:26:00.001-07:00

Wow we've been busy in the last week! Two two-day workshops with Judy making some really amazing quilts from her new book "Quilts on the Double". We had students from Emerald, Goondiwindi, Brisbane, Crow's Nest as well as our local regulars! Pictured are Lib and Julie with Lib's completed quilt top.

A few of us also popped up to Kingaroy for a day out while showing Judy some new territory. First we went to the Cheese Factory where we enjoyed a cheese and tapas platter and some fine wine out in their garden. Next stop was "Pottique" - a lavender farm just out of town on the Nanango Road where we browsed and shopped and finally succumbed to the lavender scones (real lavender in them!) with tea and coffee.

New Jellygon Quilt and Dog with a Difference

2008-09-09T03:25:00.000-07:00

This is our new "Jellygon" quilt - hexagons made from Jelly Roll strips......all machine pieced and very quick to run up. It'll be taught in class in early November.

The other photos below are a cute little "dog" that waits patiently every Tuesday while his owner is busy sewing. I think he's great!

Surprise Visitors

2008-09-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

It's always lovely to see customers' completed quilts and today's surprise visitors (who wish to remain anonymous - but are from the South Burnett!) brought this lovely version of Rosemary MacQueen's "Bear Rap". The bear's have all been done in flannels and are soooooo soft and snuggly!

Sampler Block Day

2008-09-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

A fairly quiet Tuesday today. We made a few "Wonky Star" and Farmer's Daughter blocks.

Morning tea was a choice of orange/almond cake, triple choc muffins or low fat mixed fruit muffins. For lunch, we had roast potatoes with mexican mince, sour cream, avocado and chives.

Doll's Legs!

2008-08-20T19:56:00.001-07:00

This week we were making Rosalie Quinlan's doll "Sarah".

After painting and varnishing the shoes, we sat them out in the sun to dry.

To anyone walking past, they would have looked pretty funny!!!

Winter Weather in Bell

2008-08-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

The afternoon of Monday July 28 brought snow to the nearby Bunya Mountains for the first time in 20 years. In Bell we had slushy sago-like hail and some pea size hail and really cold winds.

2008-06-16T04:34:00.000-07:00

This is our first ever post.....just to see how it works!