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Main | December 2006 »

November 30, 2006

My Favourite Flannel Quilts

A week or so ago I mentioned my favourite flannel quilt and I said I'd post a photo. So here it is. This is one of my favorite quilts. I bought the quilt top in Melbourne. It was in a shop I was visiting and was made out of a Maywood studio and a Northcott range of fabrics. They were two ranges that I was selling (due to the heat in Queensland - we had delayed the delivery for a few months). The Melbourne shop had sold out of fabric - so they sold me the top.I used it to promote the fabric and then I had it quilted and now it is a family favourite. I caught Luke all curled up and a sleep the other night after a long day at rowing and then school. Even at 14 - he loves this quilt.

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My other favourite quilt is one that my Mum made for me when I was only about 8 years old. My Dad was overseas at the time so Mum would put us to bed and spend the night sewing us each a quilt. She made them out of scraps of our flannel pyjamas that we had worn over the years. Some of them she made but some were store bought. There is no wadding or quilting - it's just pieced and backed with a flannel sheet. I love this quilt - I love that Mum - who probably didn't even realise that she was making a quilt - just decided that we needed a "rug" to snuggle under while watching TV in the evenings. (In Nth Queensland our houses are made for summer but it does get cold in winter, especially in a house with polished floor boards, and no heating). I love that she carefully cut up old pyjamas and found scraps from pyjamas she had made - until she had enough for a single bed sized quilt. I love that Mum didn't even know that you are supposed to put wadding in between the top and the backing and quilt through the layers. She was just proud of her idea and that we loved them. Actually, my brothers and I adored our quilts. Mum had to replace the flannel sheet on the back of the quilt a couple of times as we wore them out! When I was young - I could remember which fabric belonged to which set of pyjamas. That memory has long gone, and the fabrics are quite faded but the quilt is still, and always will be, precious.

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November 28, 2006

The Best Laid Plans

Why is it - when you plan to sew all weekend - things just keep getting in the way?? I should have known better - I shouldn't have announced to everyone that I was going to sew this weekend. Maybe then I could have quietly pottered along without anyone noticing???  I did get some sewing done and many projects on the go - but only one thing is finished. I'm in a bit of a baby craze at the moment. One of my closest friends had her first baby about 6 months ago and she is just adorable. It's lucky that we live 1000 klms apart or I think I would be buying or making her gifts non stop. It's been a lovely time for both of us as I have been able to reminisce back to when my two kids were babies as well as share in the joy that baby Em has bought to her parents.

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I love this photo - it's just a beautiful moment between a mum and her baby. I can almost hear the giggles from here as mum blows bubbles on Em's belly.

So - what did I sew??? The cutest baby shoes you have ever seen! There is a great FREE tutorial from Stardustshoes that you can download from here. They were quick and easy to make - because it's coming into summer here - I just used 100% cotton fabric on the sole of the foot.

Dsc03331 I used contrasting fabrics from the Heaven on Earth range (the sole is a marbled pink fabric). Northcott fabric is a beautiful 100% cotton that is soft to - perfect for making baby items.

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Next came the romper pants and t-shirt with heart applique. The t-shirt was from Target and all up the outfit only used about half a metre of fabric. The rest of the weekend was spent helping Emma and Luke with their exam study. I now know all about the plant kingdoms, organisms, and cells!!!

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November 25, 2006

Look what arrived!

I told you I love getting pressie's in the mail - well yesterday when I arrived home from work, I had received two deliveries. One contained some lengths of the new Quest for a Cure range of fabrics - "Heaven on Earth" - just gorgeous (Thanks Tim). This range has been designed by Ro Greg for Northcott Fabrics.

Now - here's some inside gossip - It's only just been decided - but This range of fabrics will be used for the Margie's Quilts of Hope Challenge 2007! I now have two days to "play" and see what I can come up with. I know I'm going to do a bag and Emma wants Pajama bottoms (oh - just remembered I lent my overlocker to my neice - oops - got to get that back somehow) but not sure what else yet. The 2nd delivery was full of new books that have just been released, quilter's magnets and delightful new patterns from Indygo Junction. I don't know what to look at first! What a lovely way to start the weekend! Both Emma and Luke have one week of school left and exams all next week - so they will have their little heads down studying ( well - maybe they will) and I can sew away to my hearts content.

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I have fabrics from two of the three colourways that are available. (I'm missing the blue).  oooohhh....decisions, decisions! What will I do? I just love rearrangeing the fabric - mixing the different designs and colours until I'm happy with what I can see.

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Package: 2

patterns, patterns and more patterns.

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Books, Books and more books.

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November 23, 2006

In The bag

I cannot wait for my sample cards to arrive for this new range of fabric by Northcott. It's called "In the Bag" and it's fun and funky! It's available in 2 colourways and I just love the multi stripe that is in the range. Below are photos that I took in Houston. The 1st one is a mock up of the sample cards and the next 2 are quilts made from the range. Fabric should be in Australia by January 2007. This range is HOT and can be used not only for quilts - but for clothing, bags and home dec as well. (Note to shops: It will also work well for anyone who is running the "Make it You" program)

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Use any bag quilt pattern to make a fabulous quilt. Don't forget to EMBELLISH! Use feathers, sequins, trims, buttons and the bejeweller!

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"Watching our Daughter Grow" by Beverlyann Stillwell

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November 22, 2006

Fuchsia Fabric Line

Jackie Robinson from Animas Quilts has certainly been busy. Not only did Jackie release He Loves Me II but she also released "Fuchsia" - a bright, cheerful fabric line that is different to anything else on the market. Maywood Studio has produced Jackie's range of fabrics. The fabrics work beautifully when pieced together in quilts. The quilts speak for themselves!

Jackie has designed the interesting stripe along the same lines as her "He Loves Me" line and she uses the stripe in a number of facinating ways. I have included a picture of the purple stripe below (also available in rich green and burgundy), followed by examples of quilts - see if you can spot how Jackie has used the stripe?

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"Spinning Stripes" by Animas Quilts

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" Lily Chain" by Animas Quilts

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"In Bloom" - Queen size 12 block sampler quilt by Animas Quilts

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"Around the Block" by Animas Quilts

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"Foliage" by Animas Quilts

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"Ribbon Hearts" by Animas Quilts

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"Fushion" by Animas Quilts

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If you are tired of all of the sweet, pretty rose prints but don't want anything too modern - then "Fuchsia" is perfect. It brings a fresh vibrant atmosphere to quilting! Australian Quilt Shops should be receiving this range of fabrics by January 2007. I took all of the above photos at Jackie's booth at Quilt Market in Houston. I had to leave it until the last moment as there were always so many people in the booth - I couldn't get near it!

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He Loves Me II

He Loves Me II by Maywood Studio is a range designed by Jackie Robinson of Animas Quilts. Jackie released He Love Me last year and has "recoloured" the design in much softer colours. I couldn't wait to spread them out over my kitchen bench to see the range in it's completeness.

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Below are quilts that I saw in Houston made from the range.

"Please don't eat the daisies" by Animas Quilts

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"Chevron Posies" by Animas Quilts

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"Double Dutch" by Animas Quilts

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"Wind Chimes" by Animas Quilts

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This range - "He Loves Me II" will be available in Australian Patchwork & Quilting Stores in January 2007.

Posted at 07:38 AM in Fabric | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (1)

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New Ranges Arrive!

Can you imagine my excitement when the courier pulls up outside my house and I can see that he has a large box for me? I know what's inside - I've been waiting...and waiting....and it's finally here. It's my sample cards and swatches of the new fabric ranges that have just been released. Although I just saw them in Houston, I still get excited when they arrive here.

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A selection of new fabric ranges - I can't wait to get a hold of some of these and start sewing!

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More Yo Yo Ideas

Luke had rowing this morning so it's a 4.30am start for me. Luckily we only live 2 minutes from the rowing sheds. I decided to spend the early hours searching the net and I have just found a great page at Clover Japan that has some lovely ideas on how to use yo-yos. Although everything is written in Japanese - you will still get inspired from the projects on the page- they are delightful. 

Click HERE to view yo-yo projects.

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November 20, 2006

Clover Yo Yo Maker

Wow - what a hectic weekend. I flew to Melbourne on Friday and helped Tim from Lloyd Curzon Textiles set up the booth. Then on Saturday and Sunday it was full on selling. I've never been so busy at a trade show before. It was great to see so many quilt shops down there seeing what's new. There were more exhibitors this year, and the shop owners that I spoke to were having trouble getting everything done in the two days. The Australian Quilt Market is very well organized and the more attendees - the more it will grow. The Australia Quilt Market is for TRADE ONLY.

I arrived home about 7pm last night to a house that was anything but tidy. I think I will have to get an electician out as the dishwasher must have an electical fault that zapped my daughter. I'm sure that's what it is - as the dishes were all left in the sink!! So there was no time to relax - straight to work putting the washing on (school uniforms were in desperate need of cleaning), tidying up, stacking the dishwasher (funny - I didn't seem to have a problem with it???), checking emails, answering phone calls and catching up on all the kids news. Emma was presented with her senior badge on Friday as the year 12's left school and the year 11's now begin their final year at high school and Luke couldn't wait to show me a wooden cd holder that he had sanded and sanded until it was as smooth as glass. I was too scared to look out on the back deck and see the mess where he had been working - I'll leave that until tomorrow!

I do have heaps to tell you though - this new product is great!

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One of the new products that Ascot Lane were promoting was the new Clover Yo Yo maker. I sat down and learnt how to use this in Houston and I love it! Because you are using a template - you make a perfect little yo yo, that is the same size - every time!Joan Hawley from Lazy Girl Designs had this to say on her blog: "The Clover yo-yo maker is similar to a little tiny quilt hoop to hold your circle of fabric. There are two sizes available. The inside of the hoop is a disc, the outside is similar to a tray. Snap your fabric circle into the yo-yo maker, then you do a running stitch around the edge using the stitching guides.  The stitch guides look like little crescents along the edge.  Go in through the beginning, and out at the end of a crescent to make a stitch.  It’s just that easy!  Afterwards, pop the small disc out of the hoop by pushing through the hole in the middle, pull the threads to gather the circle, and tie a knot."

The Yo Yo makers will be available in Australian Quilt retail outlets, online stores etc. in January 2007 and will retail at approx. $11 (large) and $10.15 (sml)

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Below are some examples of how you can use the yo yo's

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Below is a quilt called "Make it a Yo-Yo Christmas". It is a FREE down loadable pattern from Sewing Savvy (a U.S. magazine). To download the pattern click here and follow the directions. This pattern uses 2 different sized yo yo's and although it gives the directions on how to make yo yo's from scratch - the Clover Yo Yo makers will make the job much easier. (there may be a slight difference in the size of the yo yos when using the clover yo yo maker as compared to the size stipulated in the pattern).

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Contact your local quilt shop if you would like to order one. I cant wait to make myself one of the bags.

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November 15, 2006

Willowberry Winter goes light!

I love the new fabrics that have been added to the Willowberry Winter line by Maywood Studio. They are just so fresh in their colours and designs and compliment the richness of the fabrics that were in the first release. Dsc03026

"4 patch stacked posies" by HD Designs

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"Country French" by The Pine Needle

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The main quilt at the back is "Border Brilliance" by HD Designs

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"Butterflies & Tea" from Garden Tea Party book by Willowberry Lane

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Display of designs by Willowberry Lane

This range is so beautiful - I can't wait to get my hands on some of it. My front lounge room has a bit of a shabby chic feel so this range will be perfect. ooohhhh - I can just imagine all those fabric swatches spread out over my kitchen bench, while I try to decide what to do with them!!

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