And sometimes I quilt....

I just need another 3 hours in the day...

2009-05-26T15:45:00.002+10:00

and then I'd be able to keep up with two blogs. Can't find the extra 3 hours so the quilty doings are now seen over at Willowberry Designs.

I decided not to close this one though because it's nice to look back at the photos of customer quilts.

thanks for visiting, see you over at the design studio :-)

Cheryl xx

Been a bit slack here....

2009-02-27T22:12:00.005+10:00

but I've been busy elsewhere... Here are some photos of my doings over the last couple of weeks

Michelle's pretty star quilt

Too cute! Leonie made this happy quilt

and this version of the Kookaburra Cottage 'Flower Fields' pattern

as well as a gorgeous Kookaburra Cottage 'Blackbird Pie' made from the Moda range - At water's Edge. Majella's Kookaburra Cottage patterns are available from Precious Time in Toowoomba

Loads more but the customers haven't seen them yet, so we'll wait a bit....

have a fun quilty day, Cheryl xx

More quilting...

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Edwina is a young friend of mine and this is her first quilt. Looks great!

Robyn's cute little cot quilt

with woolly sheep...

Helen's quilt for her grandson - quilted with Yo Yo in chocolate

Rosalie's Pirate Quilt for her grandson, Sam

Every block in the border has a special surprise - boats, jellyfish, swords, starfish, treasure chests and lots of other pirate stuff...

Happy birthday little Sam....

January was busy....

2009-02-01T08:21:00.004+10:00

Over at Willowberry Designs I've been working on a free BOM stitchery pattern and that's kept me pretty busy....

But I've also finished a few customer quilts (forgot to take photos of all of them) but here are some of the photos :-)

Joan's beautiful QS Candlewick Quilt

I made this quilt for Mum about 5 years ago... but I decided it needs more background quilting

And this is Rose's lovely Rose quilt - simple piecing lets the pretty fabrics shine. I quilted it with 'Ribbons and Roses'

Have a fun quilting day today

Cheryl xx

A non quilty post

2009-01-08T22:09:00.004+10:00

I've been tagged by Tracey... and there are rules.... not real keen on rules.... but here goes....

The first rule is that I tell you eight things about me

1. I don't eat seafood - not even a prawn, a fish finger or a scallop and especially not calamari
2. I love shelling prawns so go figure that one out - rather odd huh?
3. I believe that chocolate is a whole food group all on it's own and must be eaten daily
4. I am really bad at keeping in touch with my dearly beloved friends. You know who you are, you're the ones who ALWAYS contact me for a coffee/chat and ALWAYS forgive me my sins
5. I really really hate mosquitoes, especially at 3 in the morning
6. I kiss my cats (eewwww, I hear you say)
7. I think a condensed milk sandwich is acceptable - dare you to try it
8. I am going to be the BEST grandma ever!! Don't know how many years I'll have to wait but I will be the best...... and I am patient.... and I can prove it - I made an embroidered wool pram blanket in 1996. The blanket and I are silently waiting for it's owner to be created.

Don't you just love that??? Fresh eggs.....

But I digress..... another rule is that I tag eight others but I'm squibbing out on that one.... sorry Tracey! Instead I'd like to tell you about eight blogs I visit regularly...

Diane over at Peddlecar Quilts because I was her secret santa and she designs amazing quilts

Lyn at Blue Bird Quilts who writes from the heart and always sends us her 'warm regards'... I love that :-)

Lynette at Lynette Anderson Designs - apart from the fact that she's delightfully generous (think Noah's Ark and Stitcher's Angel) and creative, I think Felix and Hugo have just as big a following

May Britt who is Abyquilt - every post ends with 'Today's saying' and they are always positive AND she shares lots of photos and free stuff - gotta love that...

Chookyblue from Chookyblue - has to be on the faves list, great photos and I love baby cows

Catherine Baynes who is Willow Valley Store because she says nice things about my quilting and she makes me remember the 'olden days'

Karen over at Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop - always something happening AND she likes ABBA

Sue from Sue Daley Designs who creates the most beautiful things AND runs a B & B AND she's a Queenslander - 3 out of 3!

So I'm not really 'tagging' these girls, it's more like encouraging you to check them out if you haven't already done so....

that's it.... no more.... you know all there is to know ........

Just another day, really...

2009-01-07T13:09:00.003+10:00

Happy New Year.... and like I just said - Just another day really...... Except that we're back at the start of the circle, ready to do it all again. Enjoy the warm summer months (and complain when it's 35degrees celcius), enjoy the show as the leaves change during autumn (and get a little anxious because winter is next), enjoy digging out the quilt I started hand quilting the last winter and sit by the heater with a nice hot coffee (and make a pact with myself that this year it will be finished), enjoy the wash of colour as the spring flowers start to show their happy little faces (and scold myself for not planting more!). Then cringe in panic when I realise that christmas is only a few short months away - AGAIN! Must seem odd to read about where the seasons sit in the Australian calendar because in other parts of the world it's snowing. Right now.

Enough of that... here's Robin's 'Journey of a Quilter'. Custom quilted with no ditch quilting at all, just pretty scrolling borders on each block to soften the effect.

If you're interested in free stitchery patterns, I have a new project for 2009 at Willowberry Designs...

happy quilting

Cheryl xx

2 weeks of quilts

2008-12-12T16:37:00.005+10:00

I've been a bit busy the last few weeks - here's the proof!

'Boxed In' - quilted with Belladonna in dusty pink

'Flower Fields' - quilted with Alfresco in cream (Flower Fields is a Kookaburra Cottage pattern, very simple and pretty)

Sharon's 'Christmas Story' - custom quilted (with lots of ditch quilting, plum puddings, stars and holly) in mid beige

'Portobello' quilted with 'Blossom' in dusty grey/blue

'Many Thanks' - custom quilted with mid beige

a lovely fat scrolling feather border...

daisies running across the quilt

and three more but the customers haven't seen them yet so I can't show you.....

Two more quilts

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The first one shows the pretty 'blossom' quilting pattern and the second is quilted with 'ribbons and roses'.

The girls were allowed out for a dig around the garden this afternoon - Nisey always shows off when the camera is ready but Bevvy and Shelley are far too busy doing chook things to stop and say 'cheese'.....

Rain, a short break and the world's biggest quilt - even bigger than the last world's biggest quilt

2008-11-22T12:34:00.004+10:00

So much beautiful, soaking rain this week - over 5 inches (125ml)!! And still more to come. Our dams are below 10% capacity for the city so it's making everyone smile.

Today I started quilting the new 'world's biggest quilt'.... it's HUGE.... my quilting table is 14' long and there's only 1' spare at each end while I quilt this one. It's a bit of a challenge too, so here are some progress photos.

You can see the ruffled sashing around every block

I quilted in the ditch with a pretty heart and diamond motif in the centre of each 6" square

The quilt is a simple design but what makes it different is the gathered sashing and extra gathering on the ruffle - VERY tricky!! But by taking it slow and steady, this little tortoise will hopefully win the race by tomorrow afternoon. I'll add some more photos when it's done.

happy quilting

Cheryl xx

One more done...

2008-11-14T06:38:00.003+10:00

Val used soft gentle florals with a deep sage green lattice

Quilted with 'Ribbons & Roses'

and today's job? Make a start on Jenny's great big quilt, I'll need a big breakfast first!

There's a big sale on ....

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at Candleberry Country. Natalie's got some really terrific bargains so go check it out.

Today's quilt

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is brought to you by Judith...

Fresh, clean summery colours

The back, showing 'pretty maids' quilting pattern

Judith and her daughter are planning a holiday and rather than use the inflight blankets, they're taking a gorgeous patchwork lap quilt each. How jealous will everyone else be???

Only 5 more sleeps till we take a short beachside break - can't wait!

happy quilting....

Cheryl xx

Michelle's quilt - finished!

2008-11-09T09:46:00.006+10:00

Photo's a bit crooked!

And here is my new jelly roll quilt - Gypsy Rose. This pattern will be available soon so email me if you're interested and I can let you know which patchwork shops will have them. (The quilting pattern is 'Ruffles' - so sweet.....)

I'm having a giveaway over at Willowberry Designs, there are four different prizes so leave a comment to be in the weekly draw during November. The first weekly prize is on it's way to Laurraine in Canada!

must away now to do some more work on my southern comfort WIP...

cya

cheryl xx

Bits and Pieces of stuff...

2008-11-08T19:36:00.003+10:00

I thought I'd show you some of the stuff I've been busy with over the last couple of weeks. Our boy and his lovely girlfriend came for a visit from Melbourne. Here they are with Bloss on our Story Bridge climb on Saturday

I've been busy quilting - of course! - but haven't been taking photos. Here's one I finished for Joan, gorgeous little embroidered houses.

I found these cute christmas prints and had to have them.....

and today, it rained...... heavy, soaking rain. I just wanted to dance in it! But that would have scared the neighbours :-)

My man is playing golf tomorrow morning so I'm planning to attack my 'Southern Comfort' quilt. I love the way it's coming together.

Thanks for visiting, I have a big week ahead trying to finish a whole heap of customer quilts before our holiday in Yamba so there'll be heaps of photos at the end of next week,

cya

Cheryl xx

Too cute

2008-10-23T23:20:00.007+10:00

A pretty quilt for a birthday present, loopy hearts in a variegated purple thread

Just little peeks of this quilt because it's not released yet! Airplanes, little fat stars and bumblebees

Check my other blog - Willowberry Designs - there'll be a giveaway in the next few days.......

More photos of quilts finished this week

2008-10-14T17:18:00.006+10:00

Judith made the dresden plate quilt for her Mum

the quilt back

and this one is for her daughter's birthday in January, a pretty quilted daisy chain wanders across...

This quilt only needed a border, my customer had already completed all of the ditch quilting. I like the way the 'paisley' softens the geometric design of the quilt top

and that's it so far... many more to come though!

happy quilting

Cheryl

The quilts from this week

2008-10-12T16:37:00.003+10:00

Lyn's trellis quilt - a big open rose in each larger block, some leaves meandering along the green borders, a scrolling feather and some stippling to pull in the fullness.

The next quilt was completed for Precious Time. It's so cute with little fat bumblebees buzzing from one side to the other.

I have a quilt delivery run to do tomorrow so I'll post some more photos of finished customer quilts on Tuesday. Wouldn't be fair to post photos before the customer has seen the finished quilt!

Cya then,

Cheryl

I forgot

2008-10-03T08:41:00.004+10:00

to add this photo of a finished little memories quilt. The preppie kids wrote their names on fabric and Leanne put them together. Lots of hearts and daisies wandering through the prints keep it so pretty and fresh.

This weeks quilts

2008-09-30T21:04:00.006+10:00

Yvonne made two (one with burgundy borders, the other has blue borders) of these lovely braid quilts from her scrap stash. This one is quilted with 'Ribbons and Roses' in burgundy thread

The back of the maroon quilt showing the quilting detail

A close up of the braid piecing on the blue braid quilt

Leanne's 4 patch posies using a vibrant red and black tulip print

The back of Leanne's little quilt - Belladonna quilting pattern

some more photos later, we're off to Bunnings for a browse.....

Today's jobs

2008-09-24T10:30:00.002+10:00

Tidying up the office today.... so not fun but I know it will be worth it in the end. Trouble is I'm finding lots of things I should be doing instead.... A friend is coming for lunch, so I'm tidying the office - mad! She won't even look in there....

new stuff in the mail today

2008-09-23T21:43:00.003+10:00

All of my new business cards, letterheads, fridge magnets and other stuff arrived today. So pretty....

Soooo busy this week...

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Because I've been madly finishing a couple of customer quilts AND trying to get some new things ready for the Geham Spring into the Country Craft Market. I'm sharing a stall with Sharon, my mad mate, and today was the day to set up our stand. Lots of stitcheries, little bags, big bags, a couple of quilts and a couple of hundred of Sharon's dolls..... The display looks great, there are some real bargains and right opposite our stall is Cupcakes by Lisa. So beautifully packaged, a delectable collection of 6 flavours in the one take home pack. Check em out.

Ratty helped me to sort some buttons....

then he went back to his regular job, guarding the laces - this basket is just 8" square.

Here are some photos one of the quilts I've been working on this week. A fairly big hexagon quilt, the quilt pattern is Yo yo in black thread.

quilt back

Teds in bed

2008-09-11T13:11:00.003+10:00

Cute little guys..... Their pillow is grid quilted and variegated pastel stars loop their way across their blanket with a meandering border. Imagine a little baby bear snuggling under this.

Pretty butterflies

2008-09-11T09:00:00.003+10:00

Beautiful fabrics, a simple square in a square block and butterflies dancing across the rows.
Quilts don't have to be fussy......

Today's Quilt

2008-09-09T16:15:00.006+10:00

Completely hand pieced, this is a simple 9 patch quilt. I used Fleur Des Lys quilting pattern in a caramel thread. Every customer receives a complimentary label for the quilt back so the details about the maker and date can be recorded for future generations.

Hermione at Lorien Quilting has a great range of quilting patterns and has also recently set up a quilter's show and tell blog. It features a new quilt every day, have a look.

Gypsy Rose

2008-09-09T12:20:00.002+10:00

Finished at last... I used 'Ruffles' quilting pattern which kind of fits with the ruffle vine along the top border. I really love this quilt (it's much nicer in real life, the photo is a bit dull) and the flowers remind me of Hibiscus.

Photos of Helen's Thimbleberries quilt

2008-09-07T17:41:00.003+10:00

This is the second of these king size quilts I've done for Helen. Each block is pieced around a printed centre panel so there's a lot of work in the quilt top. I used a motif in each block with a feathery effect and teamed it with a cable feather border and simple motifs in the rectangular fillers along the sashing. Each block is ditch quilted as is the first and second border. They are quite spectacular quilts and Helen did a great job of the piecing, they sat beautifully flat for quilting.

Another Glenys quilts

2008-08-29T07:15:00.002+10:00

With a printed panel as the centre, Glenys made this quilt in about half a day! Four borders and a simple custom quilting job and it was done. I quilted it with a bright variegated thread to highlight the happy colours in the borders.

Scrap quilt by Glenys

2008-08-26T09:45:00.003+10:00

I really admire patchworkers who can create beautiful works of art from their scrap stash. I try but I never seem to have just the 'right' ones to blend together so I usually end up buying a whole new bundle. Glenys wanted to use up all of her black and green toned fabrics and this is the result. It's quilted with an edge to edge tulip through the centre panel, a little scroll along the black first border and a rolling feather outer border - all done in a forest green thread.

Noah's Ark

2008-08-24T19:35:00.003+10:00

Two more of Lynette's little stitched animals finished. Willowberry designs isn't playing nicely so I'm showing this photo on my 'work' blog instead of my 'play' blog....

Bright and fresh on gloomy winter days

2008-08-24T18:44:00.006+10:00

Sharon's 'bright quilt' - very much not in the normal Sharon tones but it looks so cheery. Quilted with signature variegated thread to match the vibrant colours in the quilt, using Fantasia from Lorien Quilting.

The next one was made by Chris as a gift... she is such a generous lady, makes gorgeous quilts for family and friends. Another bright, happy quilt, covered in loopy love hearts of all shapes and sizes .....

The last photo is the centre pieced panel of a quilt I'm making for a client. The humble cushion panel can look pretty good when it's combined with some bold blocks. I'm planning on using some of the printed flying geese border panels in the quilt's outer border (show you some more photos when it's finished next week)

Pretty hearts

2008-08-16T20:36:00.005+10:00

A pretty quilt made especially for a 9 year old's birthday. Meandering hearts and loops through the sashing and borders, stippled block backgrounds and a curly heart inside the appliqued hearts... so sweet.

The postie delivered my new patterns yesterday so I'm just itching to get back into the quilting workroom and have a play. Twelve new patterns plus a whole bunch of customers who don't mind what pattern I use on their quilts, Yay! Hope it's a warmer day tomorrow.
I'm a bit tired tonight, I just helped the rowers win two gold and one silver olympic medals....

Pretty....

2008-08-13T15:37:00.004+10:00

Made for a special sister's birthday, this quilt measures almost 100" square - HUGE! But so pretty with photos and little stitcheries in the centres of each block. This is the second of these quilts made by my friend, I can't show the whole thing just yet because I don't want to spoil the surprise. It has meandering loopy hearts through the quilt with a sweet open rose and leaf border. I love quilting these quilts, you can just let your mind wander and the machine follows, so much fun! the photos are a bit dull, the quilt is actually a lot prettier in 'real life'

Another little quilt finished today was also a fun one to do. Can't show the whole thing just yet but here's a sneak look.

This week's completions - so far...

2008-08-07T16:48:00.009+10:00

First up is Lyn's quilt, made from a pattern featured in Patchwork & Quilting v0l 15 no 12. I simply ditch quilted every seam and around the applique shapes. Heavy custom quilting is beautiful on the right quilt but it's often the only thing you see. The hours of hand work done by the maker can be lost in the quilting so the design needs to be carefully chosen, together. I hope you enjoy these quilts.....

Marion's jelly roll quilt - front and back (the back shows the lovely popcorn quilting pattern)

I delivered two quilts to Helen yesterday, one of them is shown in the previous post but I forgot to take a photo of the second one. I have another the same to quilt for Helen next week so I'll post photos of that one when it's done.

And today I finished another customer quilt but can't post a photo because it's a surprise 50th wedding anniversary gift! You'll have to come back later for that one.....

More finished

2008-08-03T15:59:00.004+10:00

Evelyn's Quilt for her grandson. Lovely combination of colours, framed with a narrow black 1st border. Evelyn is binding it with black as well which will give it the perfect finish.

Kathy's postage stamp block quilt, edge to edge in the centre panel with a flowing feather border. Quilted with a variegated pastel.

Helen's lovely bright quilt - just a simple edge to edge 'Belladonna' in pale pink.

Lots of quilts have come in over the last week or so and my schedule is fairly well booked out until the end of September.
Mary from Fresh Hope has also dropped off another five cot quilt panels for me to quilt. I do these at no charge to Fresh Hope - if you'd like to know more about them, have a look at their website. There is also a link to the Fresh Hope range of patterns. Click on the 'shop' tab and you'll be pleasantly surprised to see some of your favourite designers!

Some more quilts finished...

2008-07-30T08:01:00.004+10:00

Aileen's quilt is made from flannel with a soft pinwhale cord backing. Quilted completely in the ditch with some radiating lines into the border to keep it simple. I was a bit worried about how the machine would handle the thickness of the cord backing but it was fine and the finished result is very cosy.

This is the back of a flannel quilt I made for Bloss (and big sister moo has placed an order for one of her own) - ratty likes to help sew on the binding....

Need This? Challenge

2008-07-21T17:08:00.003+10:00

Well, here's my totally embarrassing spice drawer.... look at all the non spice things that I've shoved in there!

Now I just have to get some more spices....

Sweet Pea's challenge

2008-07-18T10:41:00.001+10:00

Check it out.... and tidy something today!

Showcase your quilts

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Look what Hermione has been up to....

A busy week and Christmas in July

2008-07-16T22:12:00.004+10:00

I've played 'quilter' for the last three days and now have three more customer quilts finished and delivered. #1 - made by Elsie for her son, it's a king size and I quilted concentric circles in each block and on the joins with a scroll border. I love the effect of the curves against the geometric bright colours. #2 - another of Elsie's quilts. Quilted with a meandering vine around the central blocks and a rolling feather border. #3 - Robin's vintage roses quilt, I used a pretty edge to edge tulip with a matching separate border. I always like to ditch quilt the first border to give them a solid frame.

If you have fond memories of christmas as you were growing up, check out Lyn's blog... the messages left by her visitors are worth the read!

Another one finished and delivered

2008-07-09T08:37:00.005+10:00

Beris' granddaughter is the lucky girl who'll receive this gorgeous quilt. Such happy bright colours.

And this one was a bit tricky to quilt because the borders were a lot 'fuller' than the centre panel so I stippled the first and second border to pull it in a little. A nice result though....

One more finished, another ready

2008-06-19T13:02:00.005+10:00

Here's Jan's quilt she made for her mum's birthday. Mum loves poppies and this one certainly pays homage to that pretty flower in all of it's redness....

The second photo is a HUGE charity quilt ready to be stippled. Nothing flash, just a smallish stipple in the background to highlight the lovely candlewick embroidery. 56 x 15" blocks in total so the finished quilt will measure 120" x 105"(305cm x 265cm).

Wayne's quilt is next, they arrive Saturday afternoon so I'll have it pinned and ready when they get here. He doesn't know it yet but he's going to do some of the quilting as well.....stay tuned for the photos!

cya next time

Cheryl xx

A productive day today

2008-06-17T21:51:00.004+10:00

Two more quilts finished! I really want to get as many done as I can this week as we'll be taking a break next week. Here's #1 for the day, a pretty quilt made using a jelly roll and some sashing and borders.

I quilted it with Deb's swirls panto using a beige thread to blend. It really stands out against the red sashing and gives it a printed pattern look.

and #2 - this one is a metre square cloth with an embroidered centre and border by Viv Robinson. It's so cute and only needed minimal quilting to highlight the embroidery.

Off to bed now, tired eyes.

Two more finished

2008-06-16T20:59:00.006+10:00

Bronwyn's quilts - 'his' and 'hers' versions - were completed today and dropped off this afternoon. They're both from the same pattern but using two different Debbie Mumm fabric ranges. Lovely to snuggle under on the lounge.... The blue one is quilted with 'fire flower' and the

red 'liana'.

Tomorrow's jobs - a client quilt and then sew the borders on Wayne's quilt ready for quilting on Wednesday. My sister and BIL are coming on the weekend for a visit and I want to have it finished for him. Here's a photo of the centre applique section, when it's finished it will be a twin size quilt. I'll add more photos at the end of the week.

thanks for visiting, happy quilting....

Cheryl xx

Storage #2

2008-06-13T08:36:00.003+10:00

Another unique storage solution. This wooden sewing caddy was loved by the mum of a friend of mine for many years until she passed away two years ago. Not sure how old it actually is but my friend says she remembers her mum using it forty years ago when they were kids. It still has all of her little sewing bits and pieces, I can't bring myself to throw anything out. See Sweet Pea's site for the competition details....

Flutterbys

2008-06-11T19:42:00.004+10:00

Made by J from one jelly roll - plus extra fabric for the sashing and borders - using 'Flutterby' by Moda. I quilted it with a variegated thread to blend with the colours in the fabrics using a fun swirly panto I call 'windy day'. Looks great.

I'll be away for three days from Friday so I'd like to try to get two client quilts done tomorrow - a bit ambitious? Probably! The housework will have to wait.....

I've been following Natalie's challenge, want to see my photos? Take a look here.

Storage - is there ever enough?

2008-06-11T09:17:00.003+10:00

Sweet Pea has a competition running to celebrate her (soon to be) 300th post .....

She has challenged us to post a photo of our 'unique' storage items. I'm up for a challenge any time so here's my first photo. I don't know the actual age of this chocolate tin by MacRobertson's but I stole it from Mum a few months ago. Don't worry, she has another one just like it. It possibly belonged to dear old friend of hers who passed away a few years ago at 95 years of age. Do you know the history of these tins? It's one of my favourites for two reasons... 1. It used to hold chocolate and 2. It's old and dented and has been around a bit. I use it to store all my button cards. Check out Sweet P's blog to join the fun.

happy quilting,
Cheryl xx

Another one finished

2008-06-11T08:51:00.003+10:00

How striking is this one! - lots of stippling in the dark background, little medallions through the pieced feature sections, a formal leaf in the light border, some ditch quilting and finished with a swirling feather in the outer border. This one was a challenge but I'm pretty chuffed with the result! and I know Helen will be too. She's a very prolific quilt maker and has a cupboard full of quilt tops so we've planned on doing one a month. Thanks for sharing this one Helen.

Cottages

2008-06-06T16:17:00.005+10:00

A feather border, ditch around the next two borders, medium stipple on the sashing and ditch around each of the stitched blocks. Beris made this one for her daughter, it's lovely.

A couple of new friends........

2008-06-03T23:07:00.003+10:00

Just a quick note tonight - pop over and say hi to Lyn - a newie - and also have a look at this one. And tonight I found this - how delightful!
cya
cheryl xx

Two more finished

2008-06-02T15:53:00.003+10:00

This lovely flannel quilt was made by Jendi. I quilted it with a pretty dusty pink thread using 'special rose' quilting panto. It's a fairly busy pattern but blended in beautifully with the prints.

What a productive day I've had......... here's the second one just finished, hot off the table! Another of Yvonne's perfectly pieced quilts, quilted with a variegated signature thread in the 'fire flower' panto. This is one of my favourite patterns, simple but with enough curves to soften a geometric top.

AND...I also pinned Helen's huge quilt ready to start the custom quilting first thing tomorrow morning. It's been raining all day and blowing an absolute gale. Perfect weather for indoors stuff. The rain is so beautiful, our tank is full and the plants are all holding their heads up high, despite the wind.

cya

cheryl

May's quilt

2008-05-28T13:20:00.003+10:00

This one is so cute! May painted and embellished each picture block. To give it an old fashioned 'puffy' look, May used high loft poly batting (a bit tricky under the longarm!). It needed minimal quilting or it would have flattened it too much. A pretty trailing heart around the sashing and ditch quilting in the block borders did the trick.

May didn't want any quilting in the block backgrounds so she'll now sew a few more buttons and other embellishments to the blocks to stabilise the larger white areas. Very pretty and fun to do....

Jen's quilt

2008-05-27T14:37:00.006+10:00

Made from the scrap stash, this one is a special gift for one of Jen's friends. I used signature variegated to meander quilt the centre panel, a loopy trail through the 1st border and a little leaf for the outer border.

I really love the look of a medium meander across a simple pieced quilt. To me, it gives it body but doesn't detract from the pieced top. After all, it's the patchwork that should be the feature!

How mad is this girl?? Bloss and Moo had fun playing with photoshop.........

Chris' quilt

2008-05-26T10:20:00.004+10:00

Beautiful! It's Simply Cottage in a twin size. I know Marion at The Quilters Angel did have this available as a kit but I'm not sure if she has any left. I quilted it in dusty pink using Belladonna through the centre panel and borders with a little loopy trail through the maroon 1st border. The prairie point finish gives it the cottage look, hence the name, Simply Cottage. It's a pattern that works really well for a quick quilt.

Anne's quilt

2008-05-19T22:46:00.004+10:00

Finished and bound for Singapore.... this little boy's quilt was made by Anne for her grandson. Lots of ditch stitching, some dolphins playing along the top and bottom rows and some scrolly waves on the outer borders. It was a fun quilt to do.

Tomorrow's job is to try and find some time to do some 'me' stuff!

Fairies for Sarah

2008-05-16T08:52:00.006+10:00

All finished! And it's gorgeous! Mavis is a delightful lady whose work is as perfect as any I've seen. This quilt was designed, painted, embroidered and then pieced by Mavis for Sarah, her granddaughter who is in Prep this year. Sarah had a list of special requirements for this one, including a golden castle with a princess fairy and she also chose the colours for the fairy dresses. Maybe she'll take after her Nan as she grows up and design her own work as well. This is exquisite so I felt very priviledged when Mavis asked me to complete the quilting. I hope you enjoy this photo as much as I know Sarah will enjoy her beautiful quilt.

This week's jobs list

2008-05-13T09:22:00.003+10:00

I'll add photos when the jobs are finished but this is my plan for the rest of the week....

Tuesday (today) - Commence Mavis' quilt "Fairies for Sarah", hopefully finish it today

Wednesday - Finish Mavis' quilt if needed. Commence Anne's little boy quilt

Thursday - Finish Anne's quilt (it's going to Singapore)

Friday - Work on my new patterns - Time for Tea & Mug for Coffee. These should be ready by the end of next week

Saturday is the annual 'Relay for Life' event which is a huge fundraiser for the Qld Cancer Fund. I'll be out there walking in circles for a few hours in the evening but have decided not to stay the night this year. Our team is called 'The Gems' because we're all old, rare and precious!

I love old buttons and recently spent some quality therapy time making button gift cards. They're available for purchase if you're interested - send me an email for more details.

till next time, happy quilting my friends

cheryl

Margaret's quilt

2008-05-10T08:29:00.003+10:00

Margaret made this lovely 'Beyond the Garden Gate' quilt using lilacs, mauves and a contrasting deep olive green. It's all ditch quilted through the centre panel to highlight the embroidered blocks and has a wide border (inset) of 'maggies roses' in signature pastel variegated thread.

Next job is Marion's 'Noah & Friends' then Mavis' absolutely delicious 'Fairies for Sarah'. This quilt is a delight and will be fun to quilt. Come back to see the photos when it's finished, you'll be impressed with Mavis' talents.

till then, happy quilting my friends...

cheryl

J's baby quilt

2008-05-10T07:06:00.006+10:00

J is a very prolific patchworker, constantly turning out new pieces. Most of them are at least single bed size but this one is a special baby quilt for her new great nephew. This little man missed out on meeting his grandma by just two weeks as she, J's sister, lost her battle with cancer late last month. J used a simple stack n whack technique to make the blocks from the allover border print. I quilted it with 'wrought iron', a Fleur-De-Lis type pattern, using red signature thread. Little man's mum loves the Fleur-De-Lis and it matches the black, white and red quilt J made for them a month or two ago. J is a very generous crafter, creating special things for her friends and family all the time. I've known her for over 15 years and I feel privileged to be able to quilt her lovely work, I hope you enjoy this special one!

Yvonne's quilt

2008-05-06T19:28:00.005+10:00

This is Yvonne's quilt, I finished it yesterday and will drop it off to her tomorrow. It's beautifully pieced, every seam matches perfectly! (and doesn't that make for a happy quilter.....) The fabrics are so rich and the pattern is simple so the quilting also needed to be simple. I used the 'Happy Times' panto by Hermione at Lorien Quilting and quilted it with a dusty teal coloured thread that blended well. I love the look of the swirls against the geometric blocks.

Outback star

2008-05-02T08:06:00.003+10:00

This is a quilt I completed about two months ago for a client who lives out west. It was beautifully pieced and appliqued and I just love the gentle tones of the fabrics. The star was made mostly from Mrs March and Antique Flower prints. I'm a big believer of the quilting supporting the design and not overtaking it at all (unless the quilting is to be the main feature.) I especially love the stippling around the applique, it makes it 'pop' from the background.

Another of Kerrie's dozens of Mosaic quilts, made in a sleepover workshop at The Quilters Angel in Highfields and quilted using Popcorn lge. The border print fabric is delicious, it's from Gossamer Petals.

More quilting to show you

2008-04-29T15:05:00.005+10:00

We've had such a busy time over the last week or so getting everything ready for Manda's birthday party, I've been a bit slack in the blog department. We had such a nice weekend and Lisa made the most gorgeous cakes! Back in to the swing of work this week so I thought I'd show you some quilts I've been working on.

Kerrie's Queen size - she adores love hearts so it has a loopy heart border, feathers allover through the centre panel and ditch quilting between

This lovely cream and green quilt was made by a beautiful little lady named Marj, for her daughter. The sashing has exquisite candlewicking and to highlight this, I ditch quilted the panels in the rail fence blocks and quilted an open camellia type motif in the plain blocks. I'm sure Marj won't mind me telling you all that she's enjoyed quite a few birthdays and is 80 'ish'. She also makes a quilt for every new great grandchild that comes along.

I quilted this one before christmas last year, but I had to show you the hand work!

Helen's quilt

2008-04-14T09:38:00.005+10:00

I finished quilting Helen's lovely 'quilt for a man' on Saturday. Just crosses through the sashing and a simple curved pattern on each mustard block, ditch quilting for the first border and a medium meander in the outer border. I love the result, probably because it's so simple and unfussy. Helen's precise piecing made it a fun job to do because everything lined up perfectly. Something to think about - we chose charcoal batting for this one because of the rich country colours in the quilt top and the dark grey backing. It makes sense but it's not something you always consider when choosing your batting. This one was charcoal wool batting from Matilda's Own.

What's on this week? Well, a pretty busy week for me. Today I'll start quilting the charity quilt for a local group. It's huge (but very pretty) and I'll finish it tomorrow morning. Next in line is Marion's denim quilt made out of old jeans - just a large meander will do the job. With another three quilts booked in for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I'll be tied to the Gammill. BUT, I will find time to go into town and collect my new Janome sewing machine!!! I'm getting the 6600P on Thursday or Friday this week, can't wait.
happy quilting,
cheryl

'Parterre' before and after.......

2008-04-06T13:34:00.006+10:00

Before............This photo was taken the day after delivery of my new Gammill quilting machine. I had completed this quilt about five years earlier but was unhappy with the result. Sooooooooo, after much unpicking and cursing, it became my first 'real' quilting project. I love the result!

and After...........you can't really see the quilting but it's finely stippled in the block backgrounds with a running vine along the sashing and outer border and a gorgeous open rose along the saw tooth border. It's one of my own designs and the applique is all needle turn. I made it for our bedroom in our previous home which was decorated in rich country colours. This time our theme is a little more French provincial so the colours are a bit strong but it's still lovely on a cold night!

And I think I'm addicted to bag making at the moment. After the two 'Bella' bags yesterday, I've just finished making 'Tickled Pink' which was in one of my Australian Homespun mags. I love this one too and a girl can't have enough bags can she? It's all about variety. Now where's my box of chocolates.............

Two new bags today.......

2008-04-05T18:57:00.000+10:00

This yummy little pile of fabrics..........................became two gorgeous Bella bags today. I love that bag pattern. It comes together so easily and is a great size for everyday stuff. Of course, Norman had to be in on the photo shoot.