Friday 29 May 2015

Mad May

This month has been rather up and down for me. All great on the sewing front - I accomplished goal for May by completing my Antiquwe Wedding Sampler quilt top for a Year of Lovely Finishes .


It took me hours days playing around with the layout but it definetly helped having it vertical on my 'temporary' (still there) design wall (just a flanellete sheet). It's now been packed off and taken to Katrina's for quilting, I can't wait to see what she does with it.


I have been lucky enough and so thrilled to have this quilt selected to be part of the Applique Guild of Australia's display (not to be judged) at this year's 

It was difficult to just concentrate on AWS to get it finished in time so now it's been fun getting back to other projects like Gossip in the Garden. This is my next quilt that I want to get finished.

Gossip in the Garden Anni Downs

Gossip in the Garden Anni Downs

Gossip in the Garden Anni Downs

Gossip in the Garden Anni Downs

Gossip in the Garden Anni Downs

Gossip in the Garden Anni Downs

I don't know why I left these Dresden plates to the end, they were easy to piece by machine and then needle-turn applique the embroidered centres and the whole plates to the backgrounds. I'm very happy with how these turned out, just one more to go.

Last weekend Judy and I went to the Applique Guild's Applique-in down at Mt Eliza on the Mornington peninsula. It was a really great day, Irene Blanck was the guest speaker. She gave a trunk show of all of her quilts and spoke of her recent teaching trip to France and the launch of her new book - Focus on Applique.

Botanica

Irene spoke about the importance of making a beautiful label...

Irene pointing out the finer features of Eva Grace

Miz Kelly
Green Acres
 
Tribute to Lucy Kemper
 

A gorgeous new quilt by Irene - not sure of the title but I'm pretty sure I want to make it!





Mosaics

Interesting to see these diamonds are appliqued - not pieced.
 It was great to see Auntie Green again, Irene's favourite. 
Auntie Green's Garden
I took mine along and have been inspired to keep working on the top left-hand corner this week.




  I was also extremely lucky to win the complete set of Victoria Park fat quarters.This beautiful range is Karen Styles' first collection and was generously donated by her as a door prize - Thanks Karen!!!!! I'm having a lot of fun planning and plotting what I will do with these...stay tuned.
  

So this is all the great sewing stuff that has happened this month but unfortunately it's time for a career change as I'm losing my day job at the end of June. Now I'm on the hunt for a new job - wish me luck!

19 comments:

  1. Everything is gorgeous! I can relate to losing your job. I lost mine in December and still do not have one. I'm not married so I'm scrounging for income. Good luck to you. Regardless of what people are supposed to do, I believe that my age has a lot to do with not getting hired. I'm a lot, lot older than you are. I was going to ask...did I miss the photos of your kitchen finish? I would love to see it finished! XO

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  2. Bummer that you are losing your job.
    Exciting that your AWS top is completed!!.
    Wonderful, that you won the bundle of fabrics.
    And appliqueing those diamonds might just be the more efficient way of getting them on.
    Chris

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  3. Oh my gosh! Your Wedding Sampler is just so outstanding!! Beautiful, breathtaking job!!! I also love your Gossip in the Garden and I can't wait to see it finished. And then, of course, the wonderful pictures of Irene Blanck's quilts - just lovely!! I also want to send you giant 'Congratulations' on having your Wedding Sampler in the Appliqué Guild of Australia show - what an honor!! Finally, thank you so much for this most wonderful post and I wish you the very best of luck with your job hunt.

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  4. Congratulations on your Wedding Sampler being chosen - you certainly deserve the honour. Where will The Quilters' Showcase be happening? I'll have to come and see it.
    Not so good on the job front - hope that things come together for you quickly.

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    1. Thanks Sharon
      Quilt Showcase 2015 will be held in conjunction with the Craft and Quilt Fair from 23-26 July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank or More commonly known as Jeff's Shed. Hope to see you there!

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  5. Congrats on your lovely finish! The appliqué group certainly has a lot of very talented ladies--so many beautiful quilts!

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    1. Thanks Karen!
      I should have made it clearer but the quilts were all from Irene Blanck's trunk show designed and made by herself (friends helped her to finish a couple to meet the book publication deadline). There was lots of fabulous members show and tell but I wasn't organised enough with names to be able to give requested credit.
      Cheers Carole

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  6. You made it - and AWS looks so lovely! I don't know how you will part with it once it is quilted though... Thanks for all the pics of Irene's pretty quilts. Auntie Green is my favourite too, and glad to see your beautiful progress there. All the best with work and an exciting new job :)

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  7. What an inspiring post. I love your AWS, that border is the perfect finish and I love the fussy cutting of the stipe for the sashing too. I really need to order Irene's new book. Good luck with the job search.

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  8. AWS looks beautiful, can't wait to see it with the quilting done too. I would love to see Irene's quilts in person, I'm sure it was an inspirational day. Good luck job hunting.

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  9. Your AWS is stunning. I love the fussy cut sashing you've used; it elevates what was already a fabulous quilt! Irene's trunk show must have been such a treat.

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  10. Such beauty, thank you for the post (well worth the wait). Best wishes and success with your job search.

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  11. Your sampler is fabulous! All your gorgeous blocks look wonderful together. I enjoyed the pictures of Irene's quilts too :0) What a stack of beautiful fabrics - enjoy!

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  12. This post was such a treat -- like a sinfully rich dessert with zero calories! Your wedding sampler is magnificent, and your Dresden plates are so different, but also delightful. I was not familiar with Irene Blanck and I loved seeing her beautiful quilts, too. Good luck with your job search this summer, and may you have lots of time left over for stitching throughout the summer.

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  13. Your Antique Wedding Sampler quilt is just beautiful as are all your other projects. Thanks for all the information about Irene Blanck. I need to get a copy her new book.

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  14. Wow, your AWS. It is magnificently beautiful, you must be absolutely thrilled. Congratulations!! I cant wait to see it in the flesh in Melbourne. Sorry to hear about your job finishing up, I'll keep my fingers crossed that there is a better one just around the corner.

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  15. Your Antique wedding sampler has really become beautiful!
    Now all the quilting, I've already done everything by block quilted.

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  16. So sorry to hear about the job ending. Maybe that window will open soon. Your AWS is georgous. Really enjoyed watching you work on it. I am also doing Gossip in the garden, but as a BOM thru my LQS. So far I have done 4 blocks. (we started in Feb.). I just love your work.

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  17. I certainly agree to some points that you have discussed on this post. I appreciate that you have shared some reliable tips on this review.

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