Wool Table Runner

It has taken me a couple of weeks to finish my latest project.

It's a table runner and I got the fabrics and pattern from a kit. 

The applique pieces were cut from 100% wool and it was very nice to stitch with it.  I used blanket stitch with a single thread.

I've had my eye on getting this book for a while to use a few jelly rolls I have.  

I got some discounted fabrics this week and a few gadgets; a dispenser to fill up with starch for applique, more leads for my Karisma pencil and the fantastic Karen Kay Buckley's micro serrated blade scissors.

Waverley Patchworkers Quilt Show

I have just been to see  the quilt show from the Waverley Pachworkers.  These girls are very talented with several members having won award winning quilts, not just in Australia but internationally.

This is a very small sample of the exhibits and I apologise in advance for the quality of the photos and lack of identification of the creator of each quit.

I may add another blog post later with more quilts as well as something I finish this week.

The show is still on until Sunday, (27th May) so if you get a chance don't miss going.

Gifts, CWB block 16 and mini quilt

Friendship comes in so many unexpected ways in our lives... 

It may start with some simple words and people may touch your heart without we realising at the time. That has been the case in my life over the years.

I  'met' Angela over the web, a fellow crafter who lives in the United Kingdom and has been sharing some of her work and life on her blog.

This past  Monday I came home to find this beautiful gift she made me  along with a beautiful written card explaining the meaning of the salmon cross stitch pattern for a native American birth totem.

Thank you so much Angela, I will always cherish this piece of art and it's now in my studio.

And today, I got spoilt again.

My friend Gloria  from Brazil, sent me a parcel with these gorgeous fabrics made in Brazil as well as these buttons made from coconut shells. I collect buttons and these are really special and different.  Gloria,  like so many of us quilters, also loves stitching, so she made me the lovely Redwork pin cushion with the word "Bordado"  that translates to  "stitchery".  Thank you Gloria.

I guess after these most thoughtful gifts, my Mother's Day weekend is beginning to shape up as a great one.

I asked my husband and daughter to just give me the gift of time.... no presents, just to allow me to spend the whole day in my studio on Sunday to play with my fabrics and listen to music without any interruptions.

Now for some completed projects done this week...

Completed block 16 (4 to go) for the Civil War Bride quilt. For the remainder of the blocks, I am thinking of  making my own designs.  

I also finished last night  "Listen to my Heart". This quilt

is rather special for me...

Have a good weekend everyone and may you be inspired in whatever you do !

Coin purse, books and fabrics

This week I finished this little coin purse.  I purchased the kit and  this has been my introduction to wool applique.

The pieces are very small and fiddly but once I got the hang of it I completed it quite fast.

 

I have worked on other projects ( including my secret quilt) but at this stage none of them are completed to show you nor I can blog until the recipient of the swap receives the blocks.

                      I started a new  project on the 27th  April called "Listen to My Heart". 

 

I came up with this idea as a form of meditation to focus on the inner voice which is my heart. 

Basically the way it works for me,  is that each day (just before going to bed)  I applique a heart and while stitching I reflect and sometimes write down some thoughts that come into my mind.

I'll keep on doing these until I feel it's time to stop but having a practical side to me,  I'll make these blocks into a small quilt as soon as I have about 12 done.

Some new goodies that I got this week.....

Lynette Anderson's latest book and some of her fabrics.  

3 other books and some bright fabrics...

And a variety of gorgeous charm packs from Kate Spain, Joanna Figueroa, 3 Sisters and Howard Marcus.

Not sure exactly what I'm going to do with them at the moment but I could not pass up a 25% discount.