The pressure has eased...

Well the 'deadline' has been met and I can reveal the quilt. This is our Quiltaid 2009 quilt, which will be launched in June @ the Quilt Show in Sydney. Part proceeds go to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. 12 Aussie designers have designed blocks and 12 Aussie shops will have a block kit for you to purchase. The finishing kits are available too. If you like the way we completed our quilt, you purchase the kit from us. We have framed each block with a folded mini border, the sashings have a stitchery leaf and berry design, completing the quilt with a scallop outer border. Our block kit is by Rosalie Quinlan (bottom left corner) Go to here for ALL the info.
I have been actually sewing in my 'new' (I left and now come back) sewing room. Its lovely, my 'stuff' around me, with the radio/cd's on or the TV. I even found a board for my design board (I used to use the pool table board/cover but its really too heavy.) It does make a difference when you can see the project you're working on, easily. I leave things there and bit by bit, it grows. Photo isn't fantastic..ever tried to take a picture of a room? Well its a space for me at least. Now I just need the time to use it..

This little quilt has been finished. 'Sweet Dreams' is a Nine patch block with yo-yos in the spacer blocks.. using a honey bun roll. My photos aren't great in colour. I used the 'Sweet' range by Moda. It is young, fresh and retro.

Bookings are now coming in for our 'Christmas in the Hills' gathering with Rosalie Quinlan and Leanne Beasley in July. Don't leave it too long to decide. You will be in for a treat - this will be Special. Here is Leanne's sneak peek of one of her projects. We are so looking forward to this weekend. Both girls will have 2 projects for you with a Xmas theme. Starter kits included in cost.

Back on the home front, my DH is off to China on Monday for cherry business with apple harvest over and on Wednesday we have a visitor from France, staying for 5 weeks. She will be working for us (even with DH away...)...Good timing on his behalf! Our workmen apparently will be in charge. Thats a worry too!! Still lots of work to do, even with the harvest finished for the year. These cold, mild days are excellent for outdoor jobs which need to be done before rains (hopefully) in July. By the way, the only way you 'consumers' get good cherries is due to cold days. So we really need the winter chill.

On that note, I better get back to some more sewing using a 'Gypsy Rose' layer cake. This is so much fun! Photos of that next time.

cheers Jane *

PS Nice to see Kris and her family this afternoon, enjoying the beautiful day as well as their gelatos from bakery next door. Always good to see them.

News of 'Christmas in the Hills' gathering

Sooo 'Sweet' has arrived! I have been waiting for this fabric. I just love it! And I am making yo-yos from it for a quilt and need more fabrics. Although that project has been put on hold for the moment. Other pressing items on the agenda! see below (Pic: Quilt hanging is a kit with Jelly Rolls and Sweet rolls in 'Sweet' too.) ---sorry not sure why the underline, it seems to have disappeared off the toolbar? 1. 'Christmas in the Hills' is organised for 25 and 26 July with Rosalie Quinlan and Leanne Beasley. More info will be on my website. This will be a wonderful weekend, with 2 very talented young women who make and design the 'best stuff'!!

2. Have been madly sewing lately for a deadline in May. A quilt in the making for Quiltaid- an initiative of Helen Stubbings and Sue Daley, to World Vision for the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. More details soon in Homespun magazine June addition.

Had a few arrivals lately.

More cute stuff in the way of a 'Sweet Box'. 2 'honey bun' rolls of 10 strips x 1 1/2" wide. Includes a pattern to make a bag from one roll. These are a limited edition.

And some more gorgeous fabrics, 'City Blooms'. I know alot of you loved 'City Girl' well this is Kitty Yoshida's next range. Just a couple to show you the colours. Blue, chocolate, mauvey pink and green.

And @ home- DD3 (darling daughter #3) -someone asked me the other day, they presumed DD was darling daughter. Well, this one surely is (they all are really). She has just finished painting our whole house! What a fantastic job and well done too. The house feels so fresh and clean, which it is, seeing every cupboard (nearly) has been emptied and repacked AND with less going back in!

Even the kitchen cupboards have been painted, these were baltic pine!

Painting or any type of renovating brings with it the need to purchase and upgrade new fittings etc. don't you think? New bedside lamps are required, book shelf, duel flush toilets too, kitchen taps and probably a white or chrome microwave instead of an old 20yr. old brown version - how can the paintwork look so good with daggy accessories!!! I know they all still work and nothing is really wrong with them but the colour/style?!! But some things are necessary!! So we may need to visit here or here! Carpet is another thing but just because it's faded, doesn't mean it needs replacing or so DH says.... yeh ok..

I'll do a tour over the (my) long weekend. (TPA is closed on Saturday due to Anzac Day) and take some pics of the new joint! This will be in between my mad sewing!

Enjoy the rain, if you are local, it is sooo nice and welcome. Finally.

Cheers Jane