Tauranga Patchwork and Quilters Exhibition Part 2

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day here in Tauranga and that combined with the election meant that it was a bit quieter at the exhibition. 

Here are a few pics but I will get lots today on my camera.

Quilters produce others things than just quilts and this dress is simply stunning.

There are four gridlock quilts in the show (more pics of those coming) however this one caught my eye and I had to have a closer look at it as I was walking past.

At first I thought the streaky colour was in the background and then I realised that it is the quilting thread and what a fantastic effect it gives the quilt.

My friend Denise Lee made this quilt and it has been a pleasure seeing it being created, however this is the first time I have seen it in person totally complete and it is simply stunning.

I love it when you discover something that adds to your quilting experience and on Friday I discovered Fusamat which is an applique ironing mat designed by Sharon Bradley of Waitomo Sew Worms, that I have tried out already and I love it. Check out Sharon's website Here

You can put your pattern sheet underneath the mat and then you assemble your applique on top like you normally do and press to fuse your applique. This mat stops the glue from the vliseofix from spreading and squishing out from under your fabric and getting on your iron or ironing board and therefore there is no need for baking paper or silicone sheet. 

The extra bonus is that because you can see through the mat and you have your pattern underneath you know exactly where to put the pieces when building your applique. The mat can tolerate very high heat which makes it perfect for the soldering iron for those creative projects.

The mat also has an unusual texture which stops pieces from moving around as you go to press things. The mats come in six different sizes depending on your needs. I love mine already and the mat is making applique so much easier and enjoyable, so here is to progress on another WIP (work in progress).

Milly, the puppy is now seven months old and she had her first proper groom the other day and is looking so much like a dog and less like a puppy. I just had so share a pic.

Don't forget the exhibition is on again today, with merchants, refreshments, club sales tables including a special babies and tots table - come on in and check it out today.

Happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

Tauranga Patchwork and Quilters Exhibition part 1

Our club exhibition opened today and what an awesome collection of quilts we have on display. 

Our challenge was to use a recognisable amount of a particular fabric that was provided

with a 'Pacific Passion' theme. These are the results...

1st Sandra Bentley (that butterfly is 3D)

2nd Marilyn Muirhead

3rd Lynda Warn

Merit - Melanie Martin

Merit - Jill Whitcombe

Other entries were...

Julie Eagle

Rae Champion

Dorothy Dixon

Chris McIntyre

Julie Cufflin

Lauren Heale

Lois Parish-Evans

Rose Hansett

Denise Lee

Gail Dumbleton

The Rust Dyeing 12" X 12" pieces by our stitching group hanging together.

I will post more quilts in exhibition tomorrow and Sunday, so stay tuned folks.

Happy stitching everyone,

Donna-Maree

 

The countdown is on

Christchurch Symposium is only 24 sleeps away and yes I am counting!

There is a large group of us from Tauranga attending this year and we are in for some fun. 

I have two classes, both my first choices. I would have been very happy with my second and third choices as well. I do believe that you get the classes you are supposed to get, not necessarily the ones you thought you wanted. Things have a habit of working out that way.

I have a three day class, Paint and Stitch from your Original Photos with Susan Brubaker Knapp from USA. I am no artist and this class will definitely be pushing me outside my comfort zone. I have fabric painted a challenge entry before and surprised myself by how much I enjoyed it. Being able to take a class where you cover taking your concept to completion is what enticed me to apply for this class. I would like to know more about the whole process from choosing your subject through the painting process to the thread sketching. I am hoping that I don't get too behind the class.

My second class is a two day class, Enriching your Quilt with Hidden Imagery with Ruth de Bos from Australia. Being able to add a second story to my quilts in the background quilting is what attracted me to this class as this is something that I have been thinking about for some time now. I like quilts to have the distance impact but are often disappointed with quilts when looking at them close up. 

The thing that I sometimes find hard about taking classes is the lack of thinking time. When I work at home I have put a lot of thought into what I'm going to do and how I'm going to do it, well before I go anywhere near my sewing machine. In a class you are given new information which you need to absorb, make sense of and then use almost immediately and sometimes I find this difficult.

Day classes to me seem very rushed and then there is all the gear that you need to cart to class, set up and then pack away at the end of the day. When I did two day classes at Taupo, I enjoyed the more relaxed pace and being able to leave things set up in the classroom at the end of the day, so I'm looking forward to that.

Time to get more organised, see you soon.

Happy stitching everyone

Donna-Maree

September Overview

September was definitely busy enough but not a lot in terms of the stitching around here.

The Chris Kenna class was definitely the highlight of the month and I have seen some beautiful work from the girls that attended both classes held by our local club. The paper foundation piecing can definitely be addictive and the choices of colour combinations keeps you trying new arrangements.

Here are some of the variations of the block that were created in the first class.

Isn't it fantastic how the same block can look so different by changing the colours and value placement.

We are definitely going to have some fantastic quilts come out of these classes in the future. Well done ladies.

Until next time, happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

September is just whizzing by

Daylight saving started last weekend and I haven't adjusted yet. It is great having the extra hour of daylight at the end of the day but I am struggling with the mornings so far, I am not ready to wake up when the alarm goes off.

It is a busy time of year with summer not far away, there are seeds needing to be sown for the garden or we won't have produce in time for Christmas. In the last few days the grape vine has burst forth with buds and the roses are all coming into leaf. With all of the rain we have had in the last few days it is a challenge to get washing dry.

Anyway I attended a Chris Kenna class at our club and what a fantastic class. It was fabulous seeing the colours everyone chose for their Millefiori block components. 

My untrimmed units.

Trimming makes such a difference.

The combined class units after lunch. More units were constructed in the afternoon.

On the Sunday following the class, hubby and I went to Auckland for my Aunty's 80th birthday lunch which was awesome.

Four of the siblings.

Hubby had a conference in Auckland on the Monday and Tuesday morning following the birthday lunch, so I took my sewing machine as you do to get in some stitching.

I rearranged the furniture to suit me, I did put it back to how I found it. Housekeeping couldn't believe their eyes when they checked in to see if we needed anything.

Units waiting for trimming

Getting an idea of how it is all going to come together

Another set of units coming together.

The plan is to keep chipping away at these units whenever I get the opportunity until they are done.

The club has an open weekend coming up in October and the plan is have all of the quilts from the Rosemary  Rush class on display. Alas I haven't completed mine yet and so the pressure is on. 

My Rosemary Rush piece as it is today. No changes there yet.

Anyway I want to get in some stitching today, so until next time, happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree