Pumpkin Mama's

I'm Back

2012-02-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

After seeing the doctor this morning I was allowed to come and play for a couple of hours but no lifting or moving anything. And after the pain I have been in, there is no way I will be ignoring "doctor's orders". I have been stitching a little bit at home and drawing up some new stuff that I am itching to start sewing but I just have to be patient.

Natasha tells me that everyone has been asking "how's your Mum," so Thank You for all your concern and Good Wishes. The Epidural procedure seems to have worked and now it is just a matter of giving my back time to heal.

Happy Stitching til next time from Therese

Hard at Work!

2012-02-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

With mum off work with an injury, we have been working extra hard at the shop this week. Thank goodness for wonderful staff who step up and help out! Thanks go to Sharon and Cheryl - I wouldn't survive with you!

It has been a busy time, with school going back (woo hoo!), new classes and lots of customers eager to start a new project. We have a new BOM coming soon - it just needs to be quilted and bound.

Sharon (our fantastic Mail Order person) has been hard at work cutting, sewing and packing up our BOM's. It is amazing how many people love a BOM - a lovely little parcel each month, with all the colours chosen by someone else!

Till next time,

Tasha

Lazy Sunday afternoon

2012-01-29T00:21:00.000-08:00

I have been so slack recently (thank goodness my mum has been blogging!). These school holidays have flown by (my DD is starting high school - eek!).

But I have been busy - not much to show for it, but I have - I promise.

A few years ago, mum designed 'My Blue Heaven' in shades of blue and yellow - it is very sweet. These gorgeous lovebirds were featured as an applique.

Mum and I have been working on a new idea and this is just the beginning. I discovered that I love doing stitcheries, so this was my contribution to a little wallhanging (at least, I think it is going to be a wallhanging - knowing mum, it could be something else entirely). Stay tuned, for more details.

I was sitting in my lounge room reading an old(ish) edition of 'O' - The Oprah Magazine and came upon the picture on the left. I know someone whose threads actually look this disorganised (not mentioning any names - but she knows who I am talking about!).

Till next time,

Tasha

The Holidays Are Over

2012-01-27T21:25:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a Happy Australia Day. We did the Lamb Roast dinner thing with baked veggies, mint jelly and gravy. Then for sweets Natasha made Peppermint or Crunchie Chocolate Ripple Cake which is her Dad's favourite sweets. And one of mine so yummo.

Even though I loved Australia Day when I was a child, it meant that the summer holidays were nearly over. School was starting again for another year with all the excitement of new books and new things to learn. Those last couple of days of holidays also meant that you had to squeeze in everything that you had meant to do over the summer and hadn't.

Not much has changed. I am busy writing up class notes and while trying to finish the class samples decided I didn't like one of them so of course I started a new one. It is for the string - pieced class so it will not be needed until April and is a smaller project than the original idea. Much more achieveable in a one day class.

I am very excited about our technique classes called "How Do You Do----?" this year. There has been a lot of interest and one of the three classes scheduled for Term 1 is already booked out and one of the others only has 2 places left.

When I was making the list of techniques for the year I was a bit worried about coming up with ten or eleven ideas. I don't know why I worried because I have enough ideas to run classes throughout next year too.

As I am starting planning for Term 2, I have to decide in the next couple of weeks which ones I will sew the samples for and start them.

Sharon will be teaching "Quilt As You Go" in Term 2 and we already have several names down for that class. We had run it several times and it is always popular.

"SALE"

Don't forget that our Two for One pattern sale finishes on Tuesday and to get the special offer if you are ordering through our website it needs to be done before midnight on the 31st January.

(to be honest, if it arrives the next day we let you have it too.)

So til next time

Happy stitching from Therese.

p.s.The recipe for Chocolate Ripple Cake is 1 packet of Chocolate Ripple biscuits, whipped cream layered between each biscuit and laid on a tray like a log and then completely covered with whipped cream. Leave for 6 to 8 hours(this is the hardest part). Whack a Peppermint Crisp bar or Crunchie in the packet with a rolling pin, sprinkle over the top (we do one end peppermint and the other end crunchie) then cut into slices on a 45degree angle with a knife dipped in hot water. (If you need one in less than 6 hours you can make a cup of really strong coffee and brush each biscuit before adding the cream. Tia Maria works too!!!) If you need pictures just "google" it. There are lots of variations too.

Paper Piecing

2012-01-18T19:50:00.000-08:00

These are two samples of another technique class we are running in Term 1. They are both paper pieced which gives a really accurate finished result. The log cabin quilt is a miniature as each block finishes at 3" and if you have had a play with paper piecing before and want to improve your skills this is a great class.

The star quilt has larger pieces so for anyone who hasn't done paper piecing before, this is probably a better pattern to start with. We like to encourage our students to build their skill levels by offering classes with several options to suit what they are comfortable with stitching.

Our Term 1 class list is now on our website at http://www.patchworkpumpkin.com.au/ and don't forget all our patterns are included in our 2 for the price of 1 until the 31st Jan. so if there are any patterns you have been looking at for a while this is a good time to purchase them.

So till next time

Happy stitching from Therese.

New Classes in 2012

2012-01-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

After fifteen years of doing it, I still love teaching. To be able to pass on the knowledge that I have acquired over the past 25 years of sewing patchwork and quilting is a priviledge that I just love. From beginners to more experienced students it is still exciting for me when they have those "light bulb" moments when they realise that "that's how it's done. Ah ha, now I get it." I still love to try new things myself and this year I have challenged myself to try some things that I had a go at when I was a very new quilter, messed up and so hated them. I will let you know what they are afterwards. I wonder if I will have a different experience this time!!!!!

We have scheduled a monthly class this year that is focused on techniques. We are starting with Crazy Patchwork, Bargello and String Piecing in Term 1. We always encourage students to finish our projects and these will be no different but they will be small things and if the students want to make them bigger they will have the skills to do so at home.

Now that the pattern for Country Album is done, I am busy writing up the class instructions and requirement lists as the classes are nearly full. I am limiting the number of students in these sessions because I want to make sure that everyone understands the techniques by the end of the day. They will be fairly intensive learning and I am really looking forward to them. I will try to be a better blogger this year and take lots of photos during these classes.

We have had so much positive feedback from our free Friendship Medallion pattern that I couldn't help myself. I did another one. It is a bit smaller and has different blocks but the same "Rules" apply. This one is called The Lighthouse Medallion because I believe the block in the middle is called Lighthouse. Unfortunately I didn't write down where I saw it so I apologise if it is not in the public domain. I just started playing with my scraps and strips that are already cut a la Bonnie Hunter style and within a week I had a quilt top made. Bonnie is one of my Quilting Gurus and she is one of the most generous quilters in the world. If she ever comes to Australia I will be one of the first in line to do a class with her.

This is the centre block for anyone who is interested. (I am contemplating unpicking the floral strip in the setting triangles or appliqueing something over the top.)

Til next time

Happy stitching from Therese.

A New Year

2012-01-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

What's the best way to start a new year? Have a little re-arrange, isn't it, and that's what Natasha, Sharon and Cheryl have been doing at Patchwork Pumpkin over the last couple of days. It's nearly finished apart from the last little bits of tweaking and it's amazing how much it freshens up the shop so thanks girls, it looks fabulous.

I have tried for 5 minutes to get this photo up the right way and still can't so sorry for the crick in the neck view.

Till next time,

Happy stitching from

Therese.

(I can't take any credit for the shop looking so good because I have been nose to the grindstone with pattern writing. One more day and it will be done. Yay.)

Back to Work

2012-01-04T22:13:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful break of nearly two weeks I am back at work. Natasha will be back tomorrow. Why do holidays go so fast? We try to make the Christmas fun last all year round with our class called "Soon it will be Christmas".

Sharon got a book full of inspiration that we have all been drooling over.

I have spent most of today proof reading the pattern for my new Block of the Month, Country Album which is due to start in March so I am busy costing it and making sure the diagrams match the numbers in the pattern and that all the applique and stitching bits are drawn properly.

I did take some time during my busy day to enjoy a coffee break and a browse through the December/January issue of one of my favourite magazines. It takes a bit longer for us to get it in Australia but it is always worth the wait. I have a quick flick through it and then over the next couple of days I read it from cover to cover.

So happy sewing, from Therese

Christmas Spirit

2011-12-21T22:38:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that it is only a couple of days to Christmas Day. There has been so much to organise for next year that I have given very little thought to the Festive Season. But I know as long as I have family there to share a special meal and spend some time together which is what is happening what more do I really need. It will be more than many people have at this time of the year so I intend to count my blessings every day. In some ways to have spent lots of money on things none of us really need would have felt wrong somehow.

We had our shop Cristmas get-together last Sunday and exchanged Kris Kringle gifts.They have to be hand made and we have all year to make them. I had mine done by June because I know how frantic things can be at this time of the year. Some people were still stitching the night before and some are not quite finished but will be by the end of the week and are worth waiting for.

I enjoyed making my gift so much I am planning on hand making all my gifts for next year. So on New Years Day I will be making my gift list and starting the stitching in January.

Natasha and I would like to wish all our Blog readers and followers "A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year for 2012".

We wanted to show you a couple of photos of our free pattern made by Sandra. The top is finished and she is planning on having it quilted by next Christmas. I love the applique she has added in the middle. This quilt looks so festive and yet she has only used a couple of scraps of actual Christmas fabric. It is gorgeous and the photos really don't do it justice.

Happy stitching

Preview Night

2011-12-07T17:31:00.000-08:00

The shop is tidy again the dishes and glasses are washed and put away. We had a great night with lots of the ladies indulging in a bit of retail therapy, oohing and aahing over our class samples for Term 1 in 2012. Some of the new classes are nearly full, so we are happy too.

Cheryl (aka Santa's Little Helper) really got into the Christmas spirit.

So cute.

This is one of the samples for the string piecing class and when I started it I thought "I am going to use up so many scraps." I was only kidding myself if I thought one quilt was going to make a dent in the tub. I think it's either the extra air from digging through the tub or the scraps and strings are breeding overnight while I am asleep. Whatever it is - the tub is still overflowing.

Till next time,

Therese

Chance Encounters

2011-12-04T21:59:00.000-08:00

Since July I am not in the shop every day as I have been spending two days each week at home designing so it is a bit hit and miss to catch up with people.

I met a lovely lady from overseas today who has her own quilt shop and we had an indepth discussion about running a patchwork business and doing Mail Order over the internet. It was really nice to talk to someone else with the same goals and interests.

I love designing quilts and now I actually only do stuff that pleases me and hope that other people will like it too. I have tried to do designs that I think people will like and then find that I am never happy with the finished result. So I have learnt over the years that I have to be true to my own vision.

I have been "head down, bum up" (as the saying goes) for the last 4 weeks because we are having our Preview Night on Wednesday 7th December between 7.00 and 9.00pm where we reveal our new classes for next year and our new Block of the Month. It is also our way of thanking our loyal customers for their support through the year with a cuppa and some nibblies plus some door prizes and extra special disounts. So if you are local and free, come and say Hi and share in the fun.

Happy Stitching,

Therese

No Connection

2011-11-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

We had no internet connection for over a week due to technical difficulties with our local tower. Aaarrgghhh! After several phone calls to our provider we were told it was going to take a while to fix. The people at the other end of the phone were wonderful and very helpful but sometimes things like that are beyond anyone's control and we just have to go with the flow.

It actually gave me the incentive to do something I have been procrastinating over for about four weeks. I have been working on a new Block of the Month for 6 months and I am really happy with it so far. I am up to the borders and it kept telling me it needed applique on them. (My quilts often talk to me you know !!!!) I kept wanting to just sew a border on and send it off to be quilted and it kept saying "no, no, no, I need applique."

So in the end I listened and this is the result!

Scraps in the bin and the applique is being stitched onto the border.

Till next time,

Therese

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

Simple is Good

2011-10-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just want to throw a quilt together that you don't want to have to agonise over. You just want to play with pretty colours a little bit outside your comfort zone to see if they play nicely together. In your mind they do, but sometimes when they are actually sewn together, they just don't work. Then, if you are lucky, sometimes they really sing. Sweet.

I have called it Zigzag. It can be made in about two days so it is ideal for that last minute gift for a teenager, child or even a cool auntie.

The pattern is done and we will be selling kits in the shop and on our website by next week for that Christmas gift that has to be finished in a hurry.

Happy stitching from Therese

W.I.S.P.s

2011-10-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

On my last big "O" birthday I decided it was time to go through my cupboards and dig out the projects I was going to do "one day' because one day was here. I gave away any that no longer held and interest for me and the others I put in order of priority.
The first one I finished was At Piece With Time and I am hoping I inspired at least one person to dig their's out to finish too. (How about it Siobhan).

The next one was a Secret Womens Business project from 2003 with my Friendship Group where we all got 2 fat quarters. One was a large floral and the other was a stripe of the floral and an animal print. The quilt had to have a star in it and we had to use both prints. I made the star and started on the log cabin blocks to go around the edge but ran out of the floral and the biscuit background so it got flung in a box and put in the cupboard of disillusion.

When I opened the box earlier this year and hung the bits on my design wall to study for a few days I had a lightbulb moment. I could use several biscuit coloured prints and a similar floral in the border so that I could still use the log cabin blocks instead of ditching them to start again with something else.

Then I worked out how many strips of the striped fabric I would need to go around the edge and worked out from the amount of fabric I had as to how wide I could cut the border.

I really enjoyed finishing this quilt because it forced me to think outside the box several times and challenge myself.

The funny thing is that my tastes have changer so much in the last 8 years that I have given the top to a friend to finish because she loved it and the colours would be perfect in her bedroom. Bye bye Feathered Star.Have a wonderful life with Cheryl.

I am now onto Number 3 WISP (Work In Slow Progress) and it will probably take me at least another 6 months to finish the top because there is lots of needleturn applique. I started it in a class at Primarily Patchwork in October 1998. All the appliques are prepared so it is a perfect carry around project.

So, what's your oldest UFO and are you planning on ever finishing it?

Happy stitching from Therese.

Wordless Wednesday (A Little Bit Late)

2011-10-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

Dreaming of Patchwork

2011-10-16T05:07:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night dreaming about new quilts? I woke the other night and thankfully was able to sketch a quick diagram before it vanished.

My grandmother left me a black vase with a beautiful gold floral emblem. I dreamt that I used the design for an applique - a black, taupe and grey floral fabric vase on a crisp white background. In my dream it was stunning! Alas, I have 5 or 6 U.F.O's that I 'should' finish before I begin this new design.

What should I do? Do I continue with my U.F.O's (even though I am bored with them!) or can I start another project?

Until next time,

Tasha

Where's Wally

2011-10-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

This Wally has been finishing a new Country quilt design which is why I have been missing for several weeks. The middle part is done and I am up to the borders and then I am on to the really boring stuff. Writing the pattern, proof reading and then proof reading again, measuring every piece of fabric used so I can do an accurate costing for Block of the Month. Drawing the appliques and the piecing diagrams to make sure that anyone who purchases my patterns can make their own quilt with a minimum of stress. But I actually love the whole process of designing, even the boring bits.

The other thing I have been chipping away at is a quilt I started in 2004 called At Piece With Time.

I did it with my Friendship Group. We all bought a copy of the book and some of us actually started the quilt. I found the box of bits at the start of last year and realised all I had left to do was the middle block and the applique triangles. At friendship group nights all last year I stitched away at the triangles and then over the summer I started putting it together. However I was never 100% happy with the way they had put it together so decided to change the borders even though that involved another year of needle turn applique. When I didn't have enough of one light fabric I used about ten different fabrics joined end to end. My personal rule at the moment is to "use the stash" and I am so pleased I did. I had worked out that the applique would fit on a 6 inch border. When I finished the applique, of course I didn't have enough of any of the prints for a final border so I just cut any leftover fabrics from the quilt into strips, joined them end to end, cut the lengths I needed and sewed them on.

I am really happy with my quilt and I will get it basted by a long arm quilter so that I can hand quilt it over the next couple of years. It holds many, many happy memories for me.

I have a couple more long term projects nearly done too and I will have photos to show you soon.

Happy Stitching

from Therese

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

Hot Pies!!!!

2011-09-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

Quilt Show

2011-09-07T00:35:00.000-07:00

It was like old home week. I had a stall at my guild's quilt show over the weekend and it was so nice to catch up with members that I hadn't seen for ages. I get so busy with running a shop and online business that I don't have a lot of time to socialise. Sadly they never have any night time functions and the only weekend things are the bi-annual quilt show and a retreat on the alternate years. So, as my gorgeous grandaughter came to help me, I was able to sit and chat and have coffee several times with ladies I have known for years.

I did remember to take my camera on Sunday and went off to snap some of the quilts and after two shots ---MEMORY FULL----Aarrgghhh. If I had realised I would have downloaded onto the computer on Saturday night before I went to bed.

This was one of my favourites. I remember when Annaliese came into the shop looking for a border and we found a red japanese print which was perfect. It was really special to see the finished quilt hanging in our quilt show.

So til next time,

Happy stitching

from Therese.

If in doubt, add Purple

2011-08-31T23:57:00.000-07:00

Maryanne says "if it's not working just add purple"

I have been trying to reduce my stash for several years and last year I decided to be really ruthless with my purples because Tasha had raided them but there were still a lot that didn't appeal to her. So I got to with my rotary cutter and cut 2 1/2" strips, joined them end to end on the cross, then cut thirty 60 1/2 strips and sewed them together with no regard for what went with what. As long as the same prints weren't next to each other it got sewn on. I then sewed three rows across the top and bottom to make it a bit longer. I threw this quilt together in two days and I can't believe how good it looks. There are some very ugly fabrics in there.

Then I picked out some of the larger pieces and joined them together for the back.

It was hand quiled 1/4" each side of the seams and the binding was the leftover 2 1/2" strips. It is called Linear I because I am now making a series of these quilts as a way of exploring colour and also light, medium and dark.

Linear II is not quilted yet and is in light and dark blue. Linear III is in brown,beige and grey And Linear IV is in green,yellow and apricot. It is called Citrus and is finished too. It will also be on display this weekend (3rd and 4th September) with Linear I at Toorak College in Mt. Eliza at Mornington Peninsula Patchworkers Inc exhibition and I will be there with a stall of goodies too so if you are local come and have a look and say "hello". It is usually a really interesting exhibition.

I am planning on taking some photos so I will post some next week.

Until then

Happy stitching,

Therese

New Toys

2011-08-23T23:19:00.000-07:00

We are very excited because we have finally upgraded our computer about a month ago. The only problem is that I now have to learn how to drive it. I was in my nice little comfort zone playing with our old one and it has taken me a few weeks to get going on the new system which is why I haven't done a post for a couple of weeks. Tasha has had a really bad lurgie for about a month and is on her 3rd lot of antibiotics so hopefully this will fix it at last.

I am fairly limited with time at the moment as I have a project to finish for Homespun Magazine by the first week of September. (There are several funny stories about that and I will share them with you soon.)

Also my local Quilt Guild is having their Exhibition on 3rd and 4th September so I am sewing bindings, labels and sleeves on the four quilts I am putting in it and they also have to be done by the same time. so as you can imagine there is a lot of hand sewing going on.

I have been trying to add more photos and it won't let me so I will try again tomorrow

Happy stitching from Therese and Tasha

Sand Dune

2011-07-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

Who remembers Sandcastle fabric?

It was fabulous for bags and stitcheries because it was a thick and had a weave that looked like it was quilted. Sadly the company that produced it went out of business several years ago. The good news is that there is a nearly identical product called Sand Dune available now. It is $30.00 per metre but is 47" or 1.2m wide.

I have been using it to make a bag over the last few days and I am at the lining and putting together stage. I have appliqued on the side panels, the front and on the pocket which will go on the back. It has been really nice to stitch on as it is very stable.

I am planning on sewing tomorrow to get it finished.

Till next time,

Happy stitching from Therese.

Binding

2011-07-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

I finished my hand quilting sample and decided to make a cushion. My favourite technique for cushions is to make the back in two pieces with buttonholes in the overlap and then to simply bind it like a quilt. So I have taken some photos of the process.

Step1. Stitch with 1/4" seam

Step 2: When you get to the corner, stop 1/4" before the corner and stitch into the corner at a 45 degree angle

Step 3: Take your work out from the machine and fold the binding up at a right angle

then fold it straight down again

and continue stitching.

and then your binding has a neat mitered corner to hand stitch down on the back.

Loose End

2011-06-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

When I finish a major new project like "Oriental Whispers" for the last two weeks I have wandered around and tidied up a bit of my sewing stuff, I have gone through and tossed out some paperwork,

I have sewn a bit of applique on the border of a work in progress

and done some sashing on another UFO

and finished the embroidery on the Springtime Daisies blocks from an earlier post.

In other words I have achieved very little and usually managed to get in everyone's way and annoy them until "what if I put that bit of applique with those blocks and then I could" and suddenly I am focused on a new design and all is right in my world again.

I love it when the creative juices start to flow again.

Till next time

Happy Stitching from Therese.

Worth waiting for

2011-06-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

Remember that saying "some things are worth waiting for."

I made a quilt at the end of last year called Oriental Whispers and since then I have been looking for a quilter that I felt comfortable handing my quilt over to. It came back yesterday and I just want to thank Sue for making my vision come true.

I usually just say to a machine quilter "do what you think it needs" but this time I wanted the feel of the Japanese taupe quilts and that is exactly what I got. I am over the moon.

We will be selling packs of fabric and the pattern at Patchwork Pumpkin from 1st July.

Happy stitching til next time from Therese

Class Sample

2011-06-07T23:07:00.000-07:00

After several requests about hand quilting I am running some classes in Term 3 to teach the basics on preparing your quilt for hand quilting, deciding on a quilting pattern, marking the design and how to go about stitching it. I thought I should actually do a sample of what I plan to teach. I am not a high tech person and I like to use household things to mark my quilting lines like the glass in the photo. I do have several books of quilting patterns and there are some that I use over and over. I often use quarter inch tape for straight lines instead of pencil.

This is a really simple little design that will probably be made into a cushion when finished. I am really enjoying the process.

I just love the rhythm of hand quilting and can really "zone out" when I get going.

I have also quilted with Perle cotton and love the effect it gives. I am thinking I should include that in the class too.

Happy stitching til next time

Therese

P.S.We had a great day on Sunday at the market, chatting to people and selling some of our goodies. It is very easy to get attached to things that you have made and it can be a bit sad handing them over but it is comforting to know that they are going to a good home with a fellow craft lover.

I am so Virtuous

2011-05-31T23:57:00.000-07:00

When I had bronchitis in February I was very, very slack and didn't really even do a class list for Term 2. But TA DA, Term 3 Class List is done and will be on the website by the weekend.

We are even having some new classes including one for a quilt called Illusions and another called Australian Beauty.

I am also teaching some hand quilting classes. I just love to hand quilt. It is the closest I have ever come to meditation as I can just zone out into my own little universe when I am quilting by hand. When I am sewing quilts for the shop I just don't have time to hand quilt but when I am making them for myself it is a different story because I am not on a time limit. I like the way they drape and feel so soft.

Happy stitching from Therese

Yo-yo Retro

2011-05-26T23:13:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in my travels I aquired a bag of yo-yos. They are made out of dressmaking fabrics and whatever was to hand. They look like they are 1950's to 1960's vintage. I had planned to make a yo-yo quilt one day and had sewn some together to see how they looked but then the bag was put away in a cupboard.

I have been having a major clean out in my sewing room and when I unearthed the bag I decided to sort it out and actually use some of the bits. So I now have four new cushions to use as shop displays and then to sell at our upcoming Craft Market on 5th June.

I am so happy with how they look, I have also written the pattern, so my customers can make their own Yo-yo Retro cushions.

Happy stitching from Therese

Oops

2011-05-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you decide to make a quilt a little bit bigger and then -OOPS- the backing isn't quite wide enough.

This is what I did -----sewed the leftover bits into a strip and added them to one side of the backing

It gets rid of fabric that would otherwise go in the scrap drawer and adds a bit of interest to the back.

Happy stitching

Therese

Where do the days disappear to?

2011-05-20T02:42:00.000-07:00

It is over a month since we have done a post. We are naughty bloggers.

But we have been sewing up a storm. We have committed to have a stand at a new local craft market. It is at Karingal Place and should be a lot of fun. We have been making cushions, table runners, small quilts, pincushions, aprons, potholders, needlebooks, journal covers and cat softies. We will also be doing a demo of hand piecing, applique and quilting so it will be a great way to promote our business and classes. As it will be our first time there, we have no idea what to expect so it is exhilerating and scary all at the same time.

Masterchef has a lot to answer for!!!! We don't actually watch it but a couple of weeks ago in their promotion they talked about scones. Now my husband adores homemade scones so he has been nagging me since to make some. I don't have time to make scones and said so in one of my classes. One of the girls said, "I will bring some next week and they are the easiest scones you will ever mke." She bought them today with the jam and cream to go on top and they were delicious and then she told us the secret. "Buy a box of CWA scone mix and add water." She always has one in the pantry for unexpected guests. Well guess what is on my shopping list. Do you have a favourite stand by for "just passing, thought we'd drop ins". My mother's was Sao biscuits with tomato and cheese.

Tasha here: At my house you have to bring your own milk if you want a coffee - we are a soy milk family!

Till next time,

Therese

Lurgies & Creativity Renewed

2011-04-15T02:23:00.000-07:00

I have had a bronchial lurgie since mid February but finally seem to have gotten rid of it. Hooray. The worst part of feeling ill is that the creative ideas seem to disappear, which is even more depressing. One of my strategies to get past that feeling is to do some sorting and cleaning in my sewing room and NO, I AM NOT SHOWING A PHOTO BECAUSE IT IS SO BAD I AM TOO EMBARRASSED. ARE YOU LISTENING TASHA. The upside of cleaning up is finding lots of half done or discarded projects. Rather than just toss them either in the bin or the op-shop bag I challenged myself to come up with a new purpose for them.

One project is some lozenge shapes that I had hand pieced a quilt from and then started a cushion cover with the leftovers. I have now unpicked and resewed some of the pieces to make a long skinny piece for a tablerunner.
(The lozenge shape is from a book by Christine Book called Stitched For Us Folk.)

I also found some pretty strips of fabric left over from these pretty pin cushions so my grandaughter and I foundation pieced some more pin cushions. She is a brilliant stuffer.

Leftover country fabrics strips are going to be a couple of needlebooks for Kris Kringle gifts and then I found a reject block from a quilt I made five years ago and as I looked at it, I thought "what if I add a vine and some tendrils. It could be a cushion or a wallhanging or even added to the quilt I am designing now.

So I have a pile of things that I am inspired to work on again even though it wasn't what they were originally going to be and those creative ideas are flowing again. There are never enough hours in the day to achieve all that I want to do.

Till next time,

Therese

Haven't we been here before?

2011-04-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, long time no post!

I have been moaning about the lack of projects that I would like to make in the magazines, so I decided to do something about it. I put the thought out there that we would love to do a project and what happens? Two different magazines want projects!

Jenine and I said that we could assist one magazine that needed a specific project in a hurry. So off we went, cutting, sewing, more cutting, more sewing. We loved the project. So much so, that we didn't want to give it away! So, back to the drawing board.

Jenine and I are still working on the original quilt, but another design needed to be done and quickly - we only had a week to go before it was to be finished. Could we do it? Yes, we could.

Over a weekend, Therese and I sat and sewed our little hearts out - my fingers were sore from all the blanket stitching we did. Therese put the top together and quilted it over a couple of days, I did the binding and it was done. Did we like it? At the start, no! But by the end we were very happywith it. The magazine love it and will be using it as a project later this year. Keep an eye out for more details (I promise to keep up with the blog!).

Sneak preview of applique blocks!

What do you think? Cute, hey?

Till next time,

Tasha

Lucky Country

2011-02-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

I know that we live in the "lucky" country but sometimes it can be a harsh country too. We all watched in horror as the water swept away houses, cars and people in Queensland then the hurricane winds further north and then the creeping spreading floods in Victoria. I sat in my comfortable home or in my well stocked sewing room and tried to imagine what it would feel like if it was all just gone in the blink of an eye.

I started sewing. I made needlebooks every night and then with a dedicated team of helpers at work we have spent the last four Saturdays making up sewing kits for the ladies in those devastated areas who have lost all their supplies. They will be posted in the next couple of days to a collection point in Queensland to be distributed in the coming weeks. I want to give a big THANK YOU to Jill, Judy, Sue, Simone and Maxine. We made caddy's to go on the arm of a couch, needlebooks and pin cushions to go in drawstring bags with some scissors, pins, embroidery threads and needles. It isn't much but if the sewing kits give some comfort it is worth every minute we spent sewing. We just wanted to let them know we care.

Till Next Time,

Therese and Tasha

It's Not Fair

2011-02-14T00:54:00.000-08:00

I was polishing my halo after I had finished a UFO. But my smugness was short lived.

DD11 was cleaning up her part of the craft room and found a cushion that she had started. She didn't want to finish it though and said to me 'You'll finish it for me, won't you mum?' Not that I had a choice!

So, here is the front part - just needs to be quilted and then made into a cushion. It took about an hour to complete the front and the cushion part will only take about 30 minutes as well. Why is it that we think our UFO's are going to take so long to complete, when if we took just 15 minutes a day, we would have them finished in no time!

Till next time

Tasha and Therese

Guilty Secrets!

2011-02-10T19:32:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you mix some fairy fabric, some stitchery, some applique and some bejewelling?

You get a Princess cushion of course!

Yes, the mother who didn't want her daughter to be 'girly' at all has been making princess cushions for years! Such a guilty secret - but not anymore! They have been requested as birthday presents - even for a teenager!

It all started with a grandmother who bought lots of pink clothing, dolls and stories about Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty. Add in some sparkly nail polishes, twirly skirts and t-shirts with butterflies and fairies and there you go! Hello girly-girl, good bye tom boy! Oh well, if you cannot beat them, then join them! (Says she who agreed to have dragonflies put on her fingernails by the "girly girl" last time they did their nails together.)

Till next time,

Tasha

Binding - Love it or Loathe it?

2011-02-05T01:56:00.000-08:00

Whew - it has been so hot here and what have I been doing? Relaxing with a good book, cool drink and the air-con going? No, I have been working on a binding on a queen size quilt! Why would I do that in the middle of summer? Well, I provide a binding service for those who loathe the job. One of our favourite customers had finished her first quilt and needed the binding done. She was so excited to have completed her quilt that I couldn't let her down. I had to finish it in as little time as possible. So here are my essentials for binding:

A rubbish bin, my OTT Lite, sharp scissors and my IPOD. Yes, my ipod - I love that I can 'plug myself in', tune the world out and just sew. Bliss. Except when it is 40 odd degrees C.

So, do you love the binding stage? Do you feel enthused that the quilt is almost finished? Or do you dread the monotony of hand sewing the binding down?

Till next time,

Tasha

Inspiration

2011-01-27T19:46:00.000-08:00

It is amazing where you can find inspiration for your patchwork. My daughter and I have returned from our holiday in Tasmania - such a beautiful place to visit, so many wonderful people, sights, etc.

I loved the patterns created in the rocks and thought it would be a lovely patchwork - all of those different size pieces that join together like a jigsaw.

We visited The Quilted Crow and bought a little bit of fabric - they have so many beautiful Reproduction fabrics and 1930's. The 'chicken' bought a couple of fat quarters and some ribbon. She has more UFO's than I do. I like to keep mine to about 3 - but at the moment she has 7!!! Definitely following in our footsteps!

So, it is back to the grindstone at work - so hard to get back into the swing of things. I love my work, but I loved my holiday too.

Till next time,

Tasha

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

Two more sleeps and the cherub and I will be heading to Tassie for a holiday. I have been preparing some sewing to take away with me. You cannot expect me to go for a week without sewing, can you? I do have some books to take as well - but everyone that I have spoken to says that I will be too busy sight-seeing to read.

We had a very quiet Christmas dinner this year. Mum, dad, cherub and myself - lovely! Roast lamb dinner, chocolate ripple cake dessert - mmm, what more could you ask for? Don't answer that! (Visions of unlimited fabric springs to mind.)

We have had lots of interest in our Friendship Medallion Quilt and three over-achievers have finished theirs already. One even wants the instructions for the second Medallion that Therese is designing! Don't these people have anything else to do?

It is amazing to see the different colour schemes that people have been using. One lovely customer came in today and has done a 'Trip Around The World' style centre.

The start of a new year is always exciting and full of unlimited potential. We have several new designs in the pipeline, including some magazine projects, and will give you some sneak peeks as soon as we can.

Till next time,

Therese and Tasha

Vintage Christmas Angel

2010-12-20T21:48:00.000-08:00

It is a time for new rituals! When my grand-daughter realised that we would be home for Christmas, her first question was - 'Are you putting up a Christmas tree?' Her second question was - 'Do you have a Christmas tree?' LOL!!! When the answer was yes - she asked could she help? My response was 'absolutely'!

So, last Sunday, after French toast for brunch (another tradition) we dragged the boxes out of the upstairs cupboard, coughing and sneezing from all the dust.

Once the tree was assembled, we decided on a red and gold theme and let my grand-daughter go to town! She wanted all of the decorations to be hung, with no rhyme nor reason.

However, when we unearthed our vintage Angel, Tasha had to attach her to the top of the tree.

(I was not very happy about this - as I do not celebrate Christmas! But I would do anything for my cherub! My mother informs me that I picked this lovely Angel out when I was three. She also told me that I would not let any other angel be used instead for the top of the tree. Do I sound like a spoiled brat?)

We hung apples, presents, mushrooms, gold and red beads, santas, everything but the kitchen sink. But no tinsel as Nanna does not approve! The result is a joyous mish-mash but it makes us smile every time we look at it. Thanks chook!

This may be our last post before January, 2011, so we would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you. Thanks to all the supporters of the shop and the website and this blog.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (Happy Summer Solstice too!)

Till next time,

Therese and Tasha

When Good Ideas Go Bad

2010-12-15T16:14:00.000-08:00

Why is it that some ideas sound fantastic at the time - but in reality do not meet your expectations?

I participate in a Kris Kringle each year at work. My lucky recipient this year was going to receive a beautiful pincushion. Not just any pincushion though - a circular one with a paper pieced pie on it.

The fabrics were chosen with great care, the buttons were selected, I had all the ingredients necessary to finish the pincushion.

So, I made the pie; I attached it to the background; I quilted the pie and the background; I cut the circles out; I sewed it together and then I snipped the edges so the seams would lie flat. So far, so good!

I turned it out the right way and I thought it was ok. Not fabulous, but ok. Hmmm, maybe it will improve when I stuff it. So, out came the stuffing, all was well in the world. I had enough stuffing! Stuff the cushion firmly. Wow! Dog's breakfast is all I can say. The quilting was wonky, the edges didn't sit properly. This was a disaster. Why? Well, in my certainty that this would be a huge success I was finishing it the day of the Kris Kringle dinner! For those who know me, this is not unusual.

What was I going to do? I had about two hours to prepare something else. I made a rectangular pincushion with a 'pie' on it. The most frustrating part - it was gorgeous. Simple, elegant, lovely colour combination. I didn't want to give it away but I had to. So, Kris Kringle recipient - I hope you love it as much as I did.

All I have for show and tell is the unpicked pincushion.

U.F.O or WISP?

2010-12-08T20:28:00.000-08:00

I decided to clean out my fabric cupboard the other day! What was I thinking? I thought I had finished all of my U.F.O's - but not so! I found two. For most people that is not a lot - for me it is! LOL!

So, I opened one of the boxes and there was 16 blocks, the sashing and setting squares all ready to go - why hadn't I put it together? I put all of the blocks up on my design wall and I love the quilt. So falling out of love with it wasn't the problem. Maybe I ran out of time to put it all together. Well this weekend, the top will be finished and then I can send it to the quilter for her to work her magic on it. This is one of the blocks - what do you think? Love or hate it?

That leaves one U.F.O - this one is a bit trickier as I do not know what I want to do with it. I have made a Costa Rican Cartwheel and cannot decide if I want a plain border or a printed one. I might have to put this aside again while I contemplate the next move.

Till next time,
Tasha

Family

2010-11-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

We often take our family for granted until they are no longer there. I would love to be able to pick up the phone and talk to my mum again. Just to say hello and talk about the weather and what everyone is doing. Nothing world shattering - just the trivial things from everyday life. I miss her.

The world seems to be in such a state of turmoil and change and doom and gloom.

Sewing helps me cope with whatever life throws at me. As long as I can find some time each day to do some stitching, I feel more positive about the future. I look at the handmade quilt I have pulled over my knees to warm my toes and adjust the cushion behind my back that was a gift from a friend. I pick up the needlecase I made and get out my favourite scissors with the silk ribbon scissorkeep I stitched, hanging from them. I look to see if there are some pins in the pin cushion of my couch clutter controller that sits on the arm of my chair and I am ready to sew for a while.

What gets you into the sewing groove?

Till next time

Therese

Declutter or Sew?

2010-11-17T20:32:00.000-08:00

I have been in the mood to declutter and decided the 'whatnot' in the office was my next victim! (Before photo not included as it was too embarrassing)

During

After

Can we spell procrastination? Hopefully, I can now concentrate on the pile of UFO's that I want to finish by the end of the year.

Till next time, Tasha

Blah, blah, blah

2010-11-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like you are chasing your tail?

Therese and I have been working on a joint project and I have to say it is looking fabulous!

I am in awe of my mother. She is working on several projects at the moment and still doubts her creative talent. I would be happy if I had a quarter of her abilities.

This sneak preview is for a new BOM design - don't the colours look gorgeous?

Our First Post

2010-11-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

Woo hoo! We have joined the blogging revolution. I am dragging my mother, Therese, kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

We will endeavour to post a couple of times a week with sneak previews of new designs, both successful and unsuccessful ones! Nothing like a bit of reverse sewing - we are both experts at it.

Till next time, Tasha