Salvation Army Quilt appeal for fire victims.

The Salvation Army of Winmalee put out an appeal asking for quilts to be donated. The quilts were for the recent fire victims in the Blue Mountains. This appeal was very successful and the Salvation Army collected over 1,038 quilts, sewing accessories and magazines. These goods were donated from all over Australia and New Zealand. The display of quilts were opened for public viewing in Falcounbridge last week. The Salvation Army displays the quilts for one day only prior to the going to their new home.  The generosity of people donating the quilts were awe inspiring and demonstrates how generous and giving quilters are.

One of the sheds filled with quilts.

Believe it or not this was a cheats appliqué, made stunning by creative machine quilting.

A great number of the quilts donated were hand quilted.

Well done to the quilters of Australia and New Zealand, a quilt made and donated with love and friendship.

UFO's and the end of a journey.

After Lucy's crosses were completed and sent to the quilters I decided to get into my sewing room and tidy things up a bit. Aamazing the amount of fabric that I found in crates, that I  even forgot I  had. How many of us are like that. After my little discovery tour with the fabric,  it was next onto looking to see what UFO's that I have to complete. There is just so much that I want to do and eager to move onto the next project, there is not enough hours in the day. But with some determination  and good intentions I will also finish what I have started. My Incompleted projects are, 1 x Christmas quilt, looked at and was not happy so pulled it apart and will redo it from the beginning, but only have a third of the patern so looks like it may be up to me to complete the last third. One 5 inch hexagon quilt, all hexagons are cut, but not covered, may change the idea of this one, so some thoughts needed, before it is completed. A quilt with hearts, that have all been embroided in burgundy, I have  embroidered  a total of 22 hearts, no pattern as such, so this quilt will also need drafting up. Noodle box is a WIP, steady as you go, not worried about this one. Dear Jane, only has 3 rows to go, to complete Dear Jane would be a bit like Lucy, my other UFO's will be completed more readily and without as much time so she will have to be on the back burner for awhile, my intention was to get her finished in 2013 for the 150th anniversary of the civil war. I saw Dear Jane in Vermont at the Bennington museum in 2012 and this was a highlight for me, we also visited Gettysburg which I would highly recommended.

 The tradegy is that I only have 3 rows to go, but to make one square 5 inches in all, takes about 4-6 hours and I do not have the energy or commitment at the moment! I am thinking about it.

Below is the original Dear Jane, housed in the Bennington museum in Vermont.

Gettysburg bus, a tour highly recommended.

Cannon's housed in the Gettysburg museum.

Gettysburg Battle fields.

Oops !!! got a bit lost in reminiscing there for a moment, this holiday, a total of 4 weeks, travelling west to east in America, was an amazing time with our very dear friends, Sandy and Steve.

Back to unfinished projects.

On my discovery tour of unfinished projects, I also uncovered the embroideries that were completed a few years ago for a quilt designed by Bronwyn Hayes, "Polka Dot Girls"I am pleased to share with you! one days work on Monday! This quilt is on the way to completion, this is what I have done so far.

Another block will be completed today hopefully, prep has been completed. My daughter- Inlaw "Cara " was pleasantly surprised by pretty,  I Usually do civil war or reproductions quilts. Maybe this will inspire me to do The Gingham girls also by Bronwyn Hayes, a present bought by the family a few years back.

I also uncovered quite a few embroideries for bags, sewing kits and needle keeps, not much work needed to complete these, small achievable projects, so in between doing hexagons for the Anne Levens quilt by Margaret Sampson, these will be completed.

With the help of the lovey Anne Murray in a class with Chris Jurd last week, I completed the Stable bag, thank you Chris Jurd for doing the stippling on the bag.

As well as my own  UFO's I have bought quite a lot of UFO's from other quilters as well, I Unearthed 1 x mini quilt with a 1930's vintage check and a completed quilt top from Chris Jurd, bought from the Springwood quilt show last year. I will be busy completing these as well. In the past my first stop at the Springwood quilt show has been Alexandra's table and then onto Chris and Co's table as there is always lots of bargains available.

Talking about the Springwood Community Quilt show and unfinished projects,!! Lucy's Crosses has been returned to me from the quilters, looks great, binding is on,hopefully it will be selected and entered into the Springwood quilt show, so you will all need to attend to view my quilt,  as well as many others, always a popular event.

Springwood Community Show held on the 25, 26 and 27th April

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.