Mark the date!

    On the 24 th February at 1649hrs, the last stitch was sewn into my Lucy Boston quilt. The 56 squares took 19 months to complete. 6 weeks of intensive  sewing, finally saw approximately 2,000 one inch squares combined to combine the 56 squares. The journey has ended with Lucy, which was a great journey and fun ways to fussy cut fabrics. Now for the borders and off to the quilters ready for entry into the Springwood quilt show.

Lucy 's crosses.

A successful morning tea this morning, with a greet, meet, show and tell from all the talented quilters of Windsor Downs. 

Lots of great quilts, on show, a little sneak peek at what will be displayed.

Double wedding ring, from a very talented Gail.

Another double wedding ring, Wonderful  work Joyce .

Star pattern. Wonderful colour combinations, great work lyn.

Appliqué vintage garden hearts. Well done sandy.

Viv's has done some great embroidery and appliqué on her Gigham girls.

Virginia's creative fussy cutting and some wonderful hand piecing.

Fabric very light in colour, so did not photograph well,  but as always some amazing embroidery by Rosemary, her large queen size quilt was stunning.

This is just a sneak peek at what will be on offer in September at Quilts on the Downs, I Am pleased to be associated with these talented ladies.

Road trip to Castlemaine.

At last, the long awaited day, a road trip to Castlemaine to attend an appliqué class with Margaret McDonald and Di Ford. The classes were being held on the 15th & 16th of February. I was lucky enough to get into a class on the Sunday 16 th February. DH and I drove to Wodonga on the thursday and stayed overnight with my brother. Whilst in Wodonga, we visited Carolyn's quilting room and had lots of eye candy to view. Carolyn's quilts are amazing, especially the replica of the V & A sundial quilt. The girls present at the time were working on Di Fords ,"Route 66". I had great delight in showing them my Lucy Boston, "Patchwork of the Crosses", which I might add, has taken 1 month of constant sewing to get all the rows together, I hope to finish soon, as I want my life back!!!!

Friday found us travelling to Barnawartha to stay with friends, Jan and Col. A perfect opportunity to get all the girls together for a sewing day with show and tell. DH left us girls to go on a wine tour with his clients that live in Barnawartha as well. So pleased that he had something to do, as I was not sure how he would have tolerated eight girls, eating, sewing and chatting, what a fantastic day, had by all and to be surrounded by such talented ladies. Valentines day as well was celebrated with heart shapes from watermelon, chocolates and strawberries.

Let me share with you some of the work that the girls have been doing, what inspiration!

Vickii's quilt, hand quilted, her version of an antique quilt.

Vicky's gorgeous appliqué quilt, Below is vickii's own design inspired by Albury, the wording is reversed appliqued, perfect!!!

Jan is doing Di Ford's marriage quilt.

Sue-Anne's Irish circles designed by Karen Cunningham 

1930's challenge

Sue-Anne's Joy of life (Rosalie Quinlan)

Ryland manor by Sue-Anne  ( Megan Carroll)

Helen's Walnut hill farm (Susan Smith)

Marg's Sarah Sampler

We also had a celebrity in our midst with Shelly who recently had her design "Jugs and Dishes, published in Quiltmania no 99. Not to miss an autograph opportunity, when sewing with Shelly, what does one do!!!

Jan 's version of Walnut Hill farm.

Jan's Civil war 2 (Susan Smith)

Jan and Col live in a historical heritage house, that used to belong to a doctor, barns, stables and a carriage house, encompass the 10acres. A gorgeous setting in the Barnawartha area.

Shelly 's "Floral market,

And Shelly's gorgeous bag, patterns are available. http://skellywagsewing.wordpress.com

We left Jan's on Saturday to drive to Castlemaine , when we left it was torrential rain! very much needed moisture! due to the dry conditions, over most of Australia. We arrived into Castlemaine at about 1.30 pm, drove straight to the tourist information centre, with two purposes in mind, visit threadbear patchwork and Shades of Grey. At the Threadbear patchwork shop Petra Prins was making an appearance from 1-3 pm, so armed with her book off I went to get an autograph.

Shades of grey which is a wire sculpture place, and on each occasion we have visited Castlemaine, they have been closed, maybe third time lucky.....next time.

The class was held on Sunday and commenced at 0930 hrs, the room was divided into two areas, and a choice of two teachers, one with Margaret McDonald and the other with Di ford, with a changeover in the afternoon. What a wonderful day with different techniques of appliqué being taught on a quilt with the same centre, and each designer doing their own design on completing the quilt. Di and Margaret were wonderful teachers and had a lot to share.

The goodie bag from Threadbear was very generous as well as being well fed and watered. A good day was had by all.

Margaret's centre of "Charlotte Louise"

Margaret getting ready to share her expertise!

Di teaching us her techniques and her quilt "Sutton Grange"

Di's centre...

Overall it was a great couple of days away, with new techniques being learnt with some retail therapy as well as a few days away with DH. While away DH and I had the pleasure of experiencing some local cuisine as well as the local culture.

Upcoming event: "Quilts on the Downs."

 

Flyer completed for "Quilts on the Downs' Inaugural quilt show in September. The quilt show is being held to showcase some amazing works of art from quilters who live in our community and  have not entered their quilts into a competition before. This quilt show will not be competitve and is open to amatures as well as experienced quilters. It is being held at Heathton Manor in the commuity of Windsor Downs which is a wonderful garden estate in the lovely Hawkesbury area. There will be no limitations on the number of entries by each quilter, the quilts will not be judged but visitors will be asked to vote for a viewers choice. The quilt and owner, with the most likes will recieve a prize. There are a number of stalls holders, including a trade table, vintage sewing collectables, vintage linen, as well as our featured guest quilter Chris Jurd and Marg Low will have patterns, kits and goods for sale. Leanne from Fortune and Fairies will have a stand with fabric for sale and also on display will be the Sweet Sixteen machine. Our nominated charity will be Staffy Rescue, a charity close to our hearts.

Take time out to sample our homebaked goodies that will be for sale to enjoy with tea and coffee. As Sunday is fathers day, all fathers that attend on Sunday will be admitted free.

 

 

Visit our Facebook page, to get frequent updates: www.facebook.com/WindsorQuiltsontheDowns?fref=ts.

Pictured below is "Quilts on the Downs" raffle quilt, made and kindly donated by Chris Jurd, tickets are on sale and I am keen to purchase many, as this quilt is one of my most favourite of Chris"s quilts,
"Deauville" when I first saw it published in Quilters Companion, I wanted to make this quilt, had all the pattern prepared, still not made, but what a wonderful opportunity to  be able to purchase raffle tickets and be in with a chance to win. Visit chris's blog and see the amazing quilts that has been made by her. http://chrisquilts.blogspot.com.au/

Raffle tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5.

More updates will be posted throughout the year.

All quite on the western front, down and deep with Lucy.

It has been a few weeks since I last blogged, due to a very determined effort to try and get Lucy together. I am amazed at how long it takes to prepare and sew 1 inch squares together. 15 days later let me share with you what I have achieved.

The 56 blocks on my design board.

My completed 56 squares, after a suggestion from a friend to do the 24 elongated hexagons in a variety of lights, this is what I ended up with. I used a lot of shirting prints and a variety of lights. I am quite excited that after 18 months of sewing the 56 squares, it is now time to put it all together. The challenge of fussy cutting, colour matching and what shirting  being placed on the surrounding square, was part of a wonderful journey that will soon be at an end. This has been a very enjoyable project. 

Four rows together, four more to go! Not much else being sewed at the moment.

Reserve the date!!! Heathton  Creations is bringing to you, a quilt show featuring the ladies who quilt from Windsor Downs, more will be revealed  in coming blogs.