2012

Well back to work.

A busy and fantastic year ahead for me

Just wanted to share with you that in 2 weeks I will be filming my 3rd DVD for Quilters Companion Magazine. I will be demonstrating some of the articles I have written over the last few years . I am a visual learner like many quilters we love to see it. Ill let you know how it goes. Its always a scray thing to do !!!!!!

I have just yesterday completed my Spring floral applique top. Yee Haa Many months worth of work and I am so very happy with it. 20 blocks  with 4 elaborate applique borders, now all I have to do it quilt it. And to me thats the fun bit.........

This is just one block that I have designed for the quilt it is all machine blanket stitched.

I cant wait to come back to class at Pegs Pieces Kirrawee to see what wonderful work the girls have done for their last blocks.

I am staring this quilt again this year 2012 at pegs Pieces kirrawee, Hobby Sew kings Park and Blueberries wyong.

Happy new Year

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful 2012.

Filled with lots of happy creative sewing time, a healthy and safe year for all.

Fantastic result for Sue

Just  wanted to share with you a couple of photos from Blueberries at Wyong open day .
 Sue Williams has done numerous workshops with me and it was such a wonderful surprise to see her own version of my Daisy Paths Quilt. Sue has always been a pleasure to have in class, and applies BEAUTIFULLY what she learns into her own quilts . I love the way you have changed some of the applique and gave it your own design stamp on your stunning quilt . All pieced , appliqued and quilted By Sue .... Congratulations Sue and see you again soon .

End of year

Wow what a year its been full of great classes and wonderful locations
A huge thank you to all the shops , and groups that I have visited this year and see you all again soon.

My last few classes  were in Tasmania and where I taught for Robyn Miller at " Sew Knit in Launceston
We had our workshop at a large bowling club where 20 ethusiastic students has 2 great days free motion quilting. Thanks ladies I really enjoyed meeting you and Il see some of you at the Tasmanian Quilters Guild workshop in 27th June to 2nd July. There Im doing two sets of 3 day Master Classes in free motion quilting.......     Robyn has booked December 3rd-6th  2012 for me to visit again so watch her calender for more information.

The event was run so smoothly and we had a lovely evening meal out.
Thanks Ladies and Robyn and see you all next year.

Then on to St Helens where Anne and the Break O Day Stitchers  and Bichino Girls .
4 days of Machine applique and some wonderful results.
Thanks for a beautiful night out and your hospitality.
Anne and Murray a special thank you for all of your  work .

Great work ladies and have alot of fun taking your new skills and making beautiful quilts .

FAREWELL THE PATCHWORK HEART

I taught my last class at The Patchwork Heart( Penrith NSW)  today.  Very sad indeed.

Michelle Marvick and her sister Kim Harris are calling it a day after nearly 10 years of having one of Sydney's best patchwork shops.

I walked into Michelle shop 9 years ago and told her my name and that I teach Domestic Machine quilting and Michelle did not hesitate to invite me into her shop and an instant friendship, mutual respect and love of quilting grew very quickly.

Michelle had a wonderful shop that was 95 % machine piecing, she taught a lot of classes with numerous new skills and ideas. Every time I walked into the shop for a class  there was another stunning quilt on the wall. She constantly fed her students with new techniques and challenges. So they all had to learn to quilt their own tops and then I was called in .

Every class was a pleasure , Michelle encouraged me to develop my own skills, both in teaching and techniques and was always happy to introduce another level of my classes to her very busy timetable.

The industry has lost a wonderful shop where great skills could be learnt.

Thank you Michelle and Kim for your kindness, friendship and professionalism .
Thanks for the endless cups of tea and a great listening ear.

I will miss you both.

New sewing room....

Just thought I would share with you my new room set up for my quilting.

You see I said to John ( My hubby)  I need a studio.... everyone has a studio excepot me !!!!! well I went on and on about buying a new home so I could have the elusive studio.....

John went along with all of this looking at homes in the area and nothing was right, homes we looked at were too small, too big, too much work to do , too much pebble creating, too dark, no sun , the list goes on ........

He said to me one day hey why do we need a formal lounge room we dont use it much and the dining room?
Why dont you move into the front lounge room, well it was like a light globe going off ( we have only been in the house 24 years) funny how you can change the way you look at things isant it .....
'

So over one day we moved me out of the tiny dark 4th bedroon into the front of the house , great sun , light,  lovey outlook and Im happy as Larry now .... John wipped his forhead.... Thank goodness we dont have to move now....

Well ,Im still looking for THE right one ( dont tell him)  but in the mean time I have so much light and space , Im so happy in my own big room .

The table john took the top off a old desk , bought a sheet of ply wood 4 foot by 8 foot attached this to the desk, cut out the shape of my 440 Bernina and made a box for it to sit in ... Perfect ... Flat surface to quilt
I design , iron and cut the one side and then swap over to the over side to sew on the machine.

I have a tall ikea draw system with fabrics  a portable design wall to the side and cupboard space behind the machine. I threw out all the junk that we collect over the years and now feel very comfortable in my new space.

On my machine I have my Bernina multi spool holder , my koala chair and my great big light..
A tv , dvd and radio all essential for a big day on the machine.
Off to Tasmania in a few days  teaching at SEW KNIT in Launceston and at St Helens for Break _o- Day stitchers  , looking forward to seeing my quilting Tassy friends again.
Till next time

PS  Check out Quilters Companion magazine # 52 Just out now in your newsagent  Im really happy with the article I have written .....
DEB

sucess for wendy

I just wanted to share with you, A quick photo and hello, I taught my last once a month class at Hobby Sew Ryde and Wendy started machine quilting her very first quilt. Look at the smile. I am very happy for Wendy starting her journey. I really enjoyed getting to know the girls and everyone was a delight to teach.The quilt is from my Blanket and decorative stitch applique class and Wendy has done a beautiful job. The quilt when finished will be for one of wendys daughters .