Arty Farty weekend

Here is my work from the Helen Godden weekend near Canberra - we traced on the design in chalk pencil - large picture windows worked really well, then we painted, (love colouring between the lines!!) then we free range quilted around the chalk lines, and then the scarey bit we free range quilted on the painted bits!! Once that was done we painted again in the enclosed spaces made from the last lot of quilting. Was an amazing class and Helen Godden is a fantastic teacher and very accomplished FRQ'er!! Top picture - painting still being finished,

Bottom picture some FRQ done on the ribbons.

BOOOOOOOoooooooo!

Last night, we celebrated Halloween and had bats, pumpkins, vampire teeth and witches to scare ourselves! And lollies to settle those nerves!! Sadly, nobody came trick-or-treating, we must have scared them off!
Once the brooms were parked, we had lots of fun and also unveiled some of the strip quilts we had started last week. And did they turn out special or what?! Check these out -

Sue's strip quilt using a "Wildberry" Bali Pop - how gorgeous is this?! The photo doesn't do the vibrant colours justice. And the purple border sets it off beautifully.

Annette with her delicate and pretty floral quilt. This would make a lovely baby quilt.

Look who's been wildly creative!! Tracee had been a bit worried about how the colours blocked, but this is just stunning!  She designed the birds herself, and the "DREAM" is made from cloud fabric.

Yours truly (sporting a witches hat), with the strippy quilt made from the 'Stonehenge' range - fast becoming a fave of mine! I found a nice, opal-coloured backing and used some of it for the 'blobs' on the front.

Tania shows off her artwork, from a class with Helen Godden that she and Sue participated in recently. The design is drawn on, then machine quilted, and then painted. It shimmers beautifully. Sue, you must upload yours too!

Sue, fetchingly attired in bats  and sporting the latest in dental work!

We had major trouble getting Tania to sit still enough to photograph her with her vampire fangs, she was laughing so much!

There were snakes and fruit lollies, and the wee pumpkin was spewing grubs...

Missing mug rug

Dear all, in case somebody inadvertently packed Sue's mug rug in all the excitement of last week's meeting, could you please bring it along next Wednesday? Cheers!

Strip night

Woohoo! Well, it wasn't the bawdy sort of stripping, but the quilty one! Six of us gathered to sew a 1600 Strip quilt last night, with Amanda working on a round robin quilt, and Marg coming in to share a cuppa and see how things were progressing. And Helen's hubby brought Bella, the German Shepherd girl along for a lot of pats and attention. Adorable doggie!
Everybody had brought beautiful food along, chicken and salad, yummy chicken pasta, crunchy veg & dip, anitpasti, and zucchini slice. And wonderful chocolate mousse for afters. Everybody tucked in, essential sustenance before and during the hard work of strip quilting!

Sue had a stunning Bali Pop called Wildberry, sumptious colours. She was not far from finishing by the time we packed up. Can't wait to see this one finished!

Maureen taking a break and relaxing with a cuppa. Maureen had a lovely Bali Pop with warm autumn tones; should look fabulous..

Well now, somebody got all tangled up!

AH! A lovely smile from Annette, with her surprise jelly roll, in soft pastels and florals.

Tracee had a gorgeous selection of blues, from light to dark.

Helen had another spectacular Bali Pop, called Herb Garden. I was drooling....

Amanda was working on a Round Robin and  was sewing and pressing, sewing and pressing....

And yours truly, with my bundle of 'Stonehenge' strips.

And here we are, stripping away! Next week, we'll see the completed quilt tops.

1600 Strip Quilt

If you want to have a preview of what we'll be doing next week, check out the following You Tube tute -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bEJLnaZQOU&feature=related

We won't have a 'race' as such, but there's a little door prize for the person to finish the piecing first, and one to finish sewing the 1600" first.

See you at 6:15pm and bring a plate for dinner.

Quilty happenings!

Lots of exciting things happening in our little quilting corner!
On 24th October, Donna will show how to make a 1600 Jelly Roll quilt. We'll bring a plate to share for dinner, our machines, and a jelly roll. You'll also need scissors, 3-4 full bobbins, and if you prefer to use a walking foot, bring that along too.
On 14th November, we'll hold a stash swap. Bring fabric you don't want anymore, and maybe swap it for a new one!
On 8th December, the 'great unveiling' of the 2012 Quilt Challenge will take place at Gisborne Peak Winery. People who have worked on the "Australia quilt" and/or the "Poetry quilt"  - and interested friends - are welcome to come along and display their quilts. Please let Donna know by 14NOV if you're attending.
Finally, the 12th of December is our last Wednesday evening sit&sew for 2012. It was suggested to get together for a high tea at Campaspe House and we'll set the date/time in one of our next meetings.
It all sounds like a lot of fun. Watch this space!