We have arrived!

Look what I can see from my bedroom window this morning!

So close... we are off to see the exhibition in a few hours time, can't wait!

See you soon,

Karen

We're off to Brisbane!

We are heading to Brisbane this week to visit the V & A quilt exhibition. I have been looking forward to seeing these quilts for a very long time. It was impossible to travel to London when they were on display there a few years ago... but now with the quilts being only a short flight away... I AM OFF!  Sue, Paul and I are flying to Brisbane for the weekend. 

Because the three of us are going - the shop will be CLOSED on Friday 28th and Saturday the 29th June, 

and will reopen on Tuesday as normal. 

This week I had a play with some small piecing. Wow, it was nice to start and finish something in a day!
Watch and see what this little piece turns into...

Chat again when we return,

A flying visit to Sydney

Another week over, where does time go? Paul and I have just spent the last 8 days in Sydney at the Craft and Quilt show. It was an amazing week. There were so many gorgeous quilts on display and for those of you lucky enough to be there - the 'Best of Show' was SPECTACULAR!!!! Unfortunately I ran out of time to take my camera past but I was able to sit one evening after the show closed and have a very close look. I am sure you will be able to find it on someones blog soon! It was hand pieced, hand appliqued and hand quilted, simply divine.

My shopping for this trip only included places I could find within a very short distance of our stand. This little pincushion from Mai Misaki will be put away with all of the other Japanese treasures I usually pick up. Maybe time will permit me to make it soon! I also found this new folding light from the Scissor Man, battery operated and rechargeable... very nice and compact, perfect for me when I travel.

We have returned home to find lots and lots of rain, lots and lots of paper work and no time for stitching or relaxing in front of the fire! Never mind hopefully there will be time for that next weekend!

While we were in Sydney we caught up with our number 2 Fabric Club member, Toni. Toni has been in the fabric club since the very beginning and it was lovely to see her. We also signed on our most recent member with a club number of 663. There have been a few come and go over the past 6 years but we still have a regular posting of just over 400 every 2nd month. If you would like more information about joining the club too - visit here.

Until next time,

P.S. I have just found this link Your quilt is simply amazing Janet!!!!! Everyone must look too!

Time for some more Mrs Billings...

Did you know that the original Mrs Billings (Billings Coverlet) is currently on display at the York Quilt Museum and Gallery? 
(on show from now until the 31st August) Oh I wish I lived a little closer to the UK and could make a trip to see this beautiful quilt up close! To get there from here it would take about 20-24 hours by air, then a bit longer to complete the trip by road! Unfortunately this is time I don't have free just at the moment.... but if you live a little closer than me and have time to visit the original quilt, please send me a quick note and tell me how she looks! I will be very envious...

 If you would like more information about the quilt and the display visit here...

Here are a few more photos for you see of works in progress...

This one from Helene, very organised!

This colourful piece in Kaffe fabric from Maria in Denmark!

This beauty by Helen, so soft and lovely.

And this one in French General fabrics from Tara, if you would like to see more of this one check out Tara's blog.

Keep on stitching girls, I would love to see them all when they are finished,

The Friday Girls...

While I was away the Friday girls were very productive, with quilts in progress, almost done and completely finished!!!! 
Yay we like finished quilts :)  Here are just a few of their creations!!

Jan has been choosing fabrics for the next border of her Convict quilt. I think she chose the orange...

Julie has finished her appliqued medallion quilt...

Lois is adding another border to her Ring of Roses quilt...

And Glenys has finished appliqueing her centre in place. I really love the corner hexagons and border...

Robyn is playing with hexagon stars...

Shirley's Delectable Mountain block a day quilt is marching along too!

 Check them out up close!

 And Joan from the Tuesday group showed us this stunning applique quilt! All quilted just needs the binding stitched down and, 

YES, another finished quilt.

 Here is Joan's inspiration! Isn't she clever...

Keep on stitching girls...

Until next time,

Somerset Sojourn to Brisbane...

This June Somerset Patchwork is going on a sojourn to Brisbane 

to visit the Quilts from the Victoria and Albert Museum (London)

29th - 30th June

The exhibition 'Quilts 1700-1945' is on show at the Queensland Art Gallery

from 15th June - 22nd September.

Would you like to join Karen and Sue on Saturday 29th June for a guided tour of these outstanding quilts and

visit the original 'Sundial Quilt' as shown above?

Other attractions at the gallery include 'The Rajah quilt' 1841, on loan from the National Gallery of Australia

and a selection of quilts from Ruth Stonely, a well known Brisbane quilter.

After visiting the gallery Saturday morning, there will be an afternoon and evening of stitching 

followed by a full day of fun and activity on Sunday 30th June.

Karen and Sue will bring along their large collection of English style quilts for 'Show and Tell' 

along with a sewing project for you to work on during the day on Sunday.

The cost of the weekend will be $250 - 

this cost will cover entry to the Queensland Art Gallery with a guided tour Saturday morning, 

stitching Saturday afternoon and evening with Karen and Sue. 

PLUS

On Sunday we will have a small project for you to sew using our traditional hand piecing techniques. 

A fully catered lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

The event will be held at the Riverside Hotel, Southbank, Brisbane - a short walk to the gallery, 

city centre and other attractions along the Brisbane River. 

Also visit the original quilt 'King George Reviewing the Troops'

For more information please contact the shop 03 9807 3399,

 visit here to download a booking form or send us an email!

Sue and I would love to see you there!

Portland International Spring Market...

We have just spent a lovely week in Portland Oregan where the 2013 International Spring Market was held. Unfortunately (for you) and fortunately (for me) we were very busy and there was not a lot of time for photo opportunities on the floor, so sorry, nothing to show you from inside the event this time! 

BUT... I did catch some interesting sights around the hotel we were staying in.

This sign was outside a local cafe named the 'The Blue Collar Bakery' - mmmmm my kind of baking. 

The food was delicious, especially their cookies and I did have time to sample a few :)

 Across the road was this interesting illuminated sign... and below the sign there was always, 

and I mean always, a queue of at least 50 people waiting patiently for.... something!

 After waiting for quite a length of time the customers would emerge with this interesting, very PINK, box. 

I'm not sure if there was more than one outlet but we did see these boxes all over the city 

and even at the airport on our way home.

 One young girl showed me what was to be found inside. Donuts in all shapes and sizes, flavours and taste sensations! Yum! 

(and no I didn't partake of any of these... the queue was too long and there were lots of other things to see)

We had a wonderful trip and it is always nice to be back home again. 

So for now it is back to work, until next time...

Is it Tuesday already

It can't possibly be Tuesday! The year is speeding by! This afternoon I put the last stitches in a new quilt that I was desperately hoping to finish before we headed to Portland, Oregon for Spring Market. The borders were all cut and set to go and 'YES' I did it! Albeit very last minute. Our suitcases are packed and we are ready to go! I think there might be enough time for a 4 hour snooze......

There was just one other last minute decision to make... do I take something to stitch or do I just sit back and catch up on some long overdue reading? Mmmm I think after the week I have had, reading will be my choice!

I had better head off to bed now, but I will be back soon with a report on all our adventures in the US.

Until then,

p.s. if you are also in Portland, don't forget to call past and say Hi!

How many Hexagons...

How many hexagons are in the last border of Mrs Billings? I have been asked this question quite a lot lately, there must be a few of you coming to the end of your quilt. There are lots... if I tell you the exact number I might scare you away :) 

How many hexagon quilts can one have? As many as you like - is the correct answer I guess... there are so many different patterns, so many different sizes of hexagons, so many different colours and piecing variations! We have seen lots of hexagons at the shop lately and there is something very beautiful about each and every one!

These little lovelies are 1/2" hexagons and are from Sue's new quilt 'Ring of Roses'.

 This circle of roses are also from Sue's quilt. 

I found this lovely fussy cut rosette on Sue Garman's blog. Sue has loads of gorgeous hexagon photos this month. 

Have a look here for more eye candy! 

 Tara from Tazzie Quilts has made some lovely hexagons for her Mrs Billings border.

I took a sneak peek at Tara's blog this evening and found that she is now quilting her Mrs Billings. 

I can't wait to see it finished! 

 Ros has been stitching up a storm with her Ring of Roses too.

Don't you just love the 4" hexagons in that fussy cut border!

 I just had to show you a close up.... fantastic work Ros!

I have finished a quilt or two this month... my fingers are itching... maybe I need to start another hexagon quilt too!

Until next time,

A Somerset sojourn

This June Somerset Patchwork is going on a sojourn to Brisbane 

to visit the Quilts from the Victoria and Albert Museum (London)

29th - 30th June

The exhibition 'Quilts 1700-1945' is on show at the Queensland Art Gallery

from 15th June - 22nd September.

Would you like to join Karen and Sue on Saturday 29th June for a guided tour of these outstanding quilts and

visit the original 'King George III reviewing the Troops' as shown above?

Other attractions at the gallery include 'The Rajah quilt' 1841, on loan from the National Gallery of Australia

and a selection of quilts from Ruth Stonely, a well known Brisbane quilter.

After visiting the gallery Saturday morning, there will be an afternoon and evening of stitching 

followed by a full day of fun and activity on Sunday 30th June.

Karen and Sue will bring along their large collection of English style quilts for 'Show and Tell' 

along with a sewing project for you to work on during the day on Sunday.

The cost of the weekend will be $250 - 

this cost will cover entry to the Queensland Art Gallery with a guided tour Saturday morning, 

stitching Saturday afternoon and evening with Karen and Sue. 

PLUS

On Sunday we will have a small project for you to sew using our traditional hand piecing techniques. 

A fully catered lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

The event will be held at the Riverside Hotel, Southbank, Brisbane - a short walk to the gallery, 

city centre and other attractions along the Brisbane River. 

The hotel has accommodation available and also provides on site parking for visitors.

For more information please contact the shop 03 9807 3399,

 visit here to download a booking form or send us an email!

Sue and I would love to see you there!