Off to Toowoomba we go! - Part 1

I undertook the 2hr drive out west and up the range to Toowoomba today, just to see some quilts.  Marylin was kind enough to do the journey with me and we had an enjoyable day out.

Getting there was a little stressful......why are some people so impatient on the roads? and of course the customary roadworks plus it seemed as if every man, woman and their dog were on their way up the range today......well it was also their Annual Flower Festival....! 2 hours up the range suddenly became 3.

Have a look at some of the quilts on display.

Seen a few blocks like this in Blogland lately

Funky and colourful Owls

Hexi's  - large ones....all hand pieced and hand quilted

Needleturned flowers on a quilt centre

Crazy quilt embellished with embroidered flowers and buttons

I loved these elephants - who wouldn't?

A 3-D mini quilt featuring a mouse in a rockery garden.

This was a great boys quilt...the dinosaurs and trees etc. were all needleturned.

Needle art dandylion - party of a mini quilt

Dragonfly from a Mosaic Quilt designed by Lorraine Carthew

I voted for this quilt  for the Viewers Choice Award.  It was difficult to photograph but it was very eye catching. The quilt was made and quilted by Kathy Adams, a well known quilter in the Toowoomba district. The quilting was superb.

After we wandered around the quilts, we headed off to the Village Green at Highfields for a spot of lunch and a much anticipated visit to The Quilters Angel.........more photo's so stay posted for Part 2 of this story.
Linking in to Sew Many Ways

Don't forget to take a peek at Part 2 for the rest of this mini journey.

Progress Report

Teddy Bear Tea Party is on hold until I get my "Piping Hot" tool from Susan Cleveland in the US.  We have emailed to and fro and she is such a lovely lady taking the time to find the best postage option to get it to me in Oz at the best cost.

I have auditioned and  picked out the fabrics to use.  I am going to use the pink for the piping around each block and then the blue will be the sashing.  The blue/floral fabric will be the border.

 I have wrapped my "PIF" gift to be sent off to one of my recipients and popped it in the post today.  This is going to someone in Australia so hopefully it will find its way easier than the parcel I sent to  the USA for "Friends with Benefits Swap".  Poor Wendy never received her gift and I never received mine either. :(

 Yesterday was an exciting parcel day here because I received my much anticipated "Betsy's Closet" stitchery and also picked up my "Bric-a-Brac" stitichery from Kaye at Apatchy Quilting.

I spent yesterday afternoon transferring the design for block 1 of Bric-a-Brac. These are the words that are on the top and bottom of the quilt.  "Of treasures, bric-a-brac, and memories old"........."Of precious things, bits-n-bobs, and stories to be told".  I thought this would be the boring bit but actually I am really enjoying the letter stitching in 4 different colours.

Block 5 for Edwardian House has been transferred.  It is the house kitchen.  No photo at present.

 and block 1 for Betsy's Closet.  Ready to stitch and such pretty colours.

I have anticipated the arrival of this stitchery for some time ever since seeing it on some of the blogs that I follow.  It just evokes memories of the paperdolls I used to have and loved so much as a child.  In addition to the stitchery, I am also awaiting the arrival of the applique version.....definitely not planning on having idle hands.....*hahaha*.

Last night I did some finishing detail stitches on the house on one of the blocks for "My Garden"

 
It is good to have a progress report and actually have a great deal of progress.

I am linking into WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

and Sew Many Ways

Till next time,

My favourite cuppa

Yesterday at work, I had such a debilitating headache that was threatening to develop into a migraine, that I just had to head home early.  I took my seventh and eighth paracetemol for the day and went to sleep.

Now I don't know about you, but whenever I have a sleep to fix a headache, I wake up craving a cup of tea! I am not sure why because I only became a tea and/or coffee drinker in my 30's but there is just something so soothing about a steaming hot cup of tea.

And not just any old cup of tea.

Miss M bought me this teacup a couple of Christmases ago

Yorkshire Tea is my brew of  choice.  You can't find Yorkshire tea in the supermarket here and I first came across it at my place of work.  It is a little expensive but I think the pleasure I get from drinking it far outways the cost.

I might live in Australia and talk like an aussie but I am a Yorkshire lass at heart which is why I had to try it in the first place.  My mum even buys it especially for me when I visit her. If my favourite cuppa is not available. I will always accept Twinnings Afternoon Tea :)

I bought this little teacup and teapot set for myself on mothersday

Yorkshire Tea and the cups are my Tuesday Treasure this week.  If you have a Tuesday Treasure, why not share it at Melody's The House on the Side of the Hill.

One of my favourite managers, Christine, bought me this mug.

Have a lovely day!
 XXX

Asked and Answered

Applique is my very favourite genre when it comes to sewing.  I get a little bit bored if I am sat at the sewing machine day in and day out sewing straight lines.  I have tried appliqueing on the sewing machine but much prefer doing it by hand.  It makes everything more portable and can be done anywhere like whenever I travel overseas to spend time with my mum, I always pack some sewing to be done by hand.

Wendy sent me an email asking: "I'm curious as to your method of securing the applique pieces before stitching the edges? I've had very little experience with applique. What I've done has turned out fine but it just seemed so tough to sew through. Anyway, if you don't mind giving me some tips that would be great." In this instance, the applique is blanketstitching by hand.

I have decided to answer on my blog so that if anyone else has been wondering the same thing, this might help too.

Well firstly of course is the fusible webbing  I have used many kinds of this webbing. (I have linked a couple of these to sites that offer instructions for use)  Vliesofix is probably the one most of us know best but we have been having some problems with it in this part of the world.  Not sure if the humidity is a factor or not. Because of this I have been trying other brands.  Heat 'n Bond is a good one except I find it hard to draw on as the adhesive is very bumpy.  I have also tried Appli-kay wonder which has a sticky backing so you can lift it if you haven't placed it in the right spot. I didn't mind this but I had difficulties getting it to adhere to the fabric in step three of their instructions. I recently bought Sticky Back Fusible Web from Steam-a-Seam but I have yet to use it.

 The second must do for me is to use Whisperweft on the back of the prepared applique block.  It is a very open weave interfacing that can be ironed on. I just find that it gives the background fabric some support making it easier to hold as I never use a frame and prevents puckering and also hides any running threads if you incorporate embroidery. You can find it sold on a roll at most quilting outlets. I have introduced a few people to Whisperweft and they love it and use it all the time now.

Whisperweft

Now with all these added layers, you would expect that getting a needle through would be very tough.  Thats why I just absolutely love Applibond Needles.

Look carefully to see that they are chiselled at the tip. They are extremely sharp and slide through the fabric as if it were butter (fingers too, if you are not careful!)

My Needle Nanny in Use

When I stitch, I travel to the right and from the outside edge of the shape to the inside (see picture below). I just feel that this way I get plenty of background fabric under my needle to anchor the shape down.

This way is also supposed to prevent your stitches from "rolling" but  even so it is important that when your shape is "smiling" (convex) you need to anchor every 2nd or 3rd stitch.  The 'frowns' (concaves) don't need to be anchored. I do this by doing a little backstitch into the previous stitch accross the 'T' intersection and then bring the needle up to the original spot ready for the next stitch. (hope that makes sense). Also remember, the size of your stitch is what comes naturally to you. Teeny tiny or a bit bigger than normal is ok as long as you have consistency.  Consistency of size and stitch distance is what makes your stitching appear really neat.  Whether you use one thread or two is a personal choice....for me it depends on the size of the shapes being appliqued but I prefer one thread most of the time.

Rolling stitches on a early piece

Remember you don't have to stick to blanket stitch as I learnt recently from Sally Miller.  Look how these great long and short random stitches add texture to these critters.

fuzzy bird

fuzzy koala ears

Just incase you are wondering, the eyes on the bird and koala were applied using heavy duty Heat and Bond and no stitches but a product called "Nose Shine" was painted on to help them stick down even more. This technique is not suitable for littlies quilts or frequent washing!

Thanks for the question Wendy, I hope I have given you some helpful tips.
 
  This post is linked into

Sunday Beauty

Don't tell anyone....but I actually took these photos on Saturday (AEST)....shhhhhh!!

We were out front saying "hooroo" to Ted.  Hubby went over to show off his rose bush and found a ladybug sitting on one of the leaves.  "They are bad for roses, aren't they?" he exclaimed.  I responded and said "absolutely not, put it back!" and then went to fetch my camera. (as you do!)

{Isn't it lovely!}

The garden is looking very drab at the moment.  Only a few drops of rain in well over a month but I did find some new growth which I found both suprising and very beautiful. I have no idea what either these plants are called.  The red looks like a native, flowering tree.

The white is a flowering shrub with clusters of these small flowers.

{each little flower is about the size of my thumb nail}

I hope you found some beauty in your week. xoxox

It's all coming together

I have now finished block 12 of Teddy Bear Tea Party from Teddlywinks.

I have a couple of little bits to finish like a flower centre and of course teddy noses. I have laid it out on the coffee table and now have to decide what colour to use for the sashing.


Not the best photo but I think it is going to look just a bit cute!!

I also finished block 4 of  the Edwardian House today...Yay for me! At this rate I could get it finished by Christmas!

Now to find something else to sew for the evening.



XXXX


 This post is linked into

sew together

I feel so self indulgent today because I have been out almost all day. I do love spending time sewing with ladies who have the same interest. I met Marlilyn, Lorraine and Chris at Sally's classes and we now get together once a month to sew and chat and laugh. Still no news when our dear Sally will be returning.

Marilyn is also working on a Millamac creation. The most gorgeous elephant cushion. I am going to get around to doing this one aswell. See here or here for the pattern.

Lorraine was trying to figure out this japanese braiding device but decided she needed absolute quiet to work it out and continuted working on her Millamac wall hanging. I am annoyed that I forgot to take a picture of it because she has put so much work into it and it is terrific.

Chris brought her sewing machine and was working on a quilt for a young boy.  The colours are just so bright and vibrant.

I did a little bit of sewing on my Farmyard Frolics

and a little bit on Teddy Bear Tea Party

And of course, all this hardwork always goes hand in hand with good food. We feasted on the cherry blondie and this brioche pullapart which Lorraine dressed beautifully with fresh fruit.

Later on we made sandwiches with these fillings.

 So what if I was a little self indulgent, I had a great day spent with like minded crafters.

One more photo before I sign off....Marilyn has this fabulous bromeliad specimen in her garden.  I just had to take a photo of it growing up the palm tree.

Hope you had a little time for yourself today,
 XXX