June Update

Wow, I can't believe that we are in to July already. Hubby and I went away over the weekend and there were serious frosts throughout much of the country and we had -2 degree in Coromandel where we were staying, it was very cold and a shock to system as the temperatures have been extremely mild especially as the shortest day has indeed passed. There will be more on our road trip in an up coming post, so check back to read all about that.

Tonight at club we have the second Top 5 show and tell for the year and I am really disappointed that I still haven't completed anything for this. I didn't think that I had achieved a lot in June until I made a list while getting ready to compile this post. On reflection I haven't done too bad at all, however none of it is for the Top 5.

This is what I have accomplished for June, I have completed the purple and green quilt - yay. I will do the label and wash it today so it is ready to go to Australia.

Purple and green quilt

I completed some blocks and then assembled two quilt tops for gifting as goodwill or charity quilts. I have also sorted through several projects that have been gifted for completion for more goodwill quilts.

Goodwill quilt top

Waste not, want not quilt top still waiting for borders

The Presidents Challenge has been handed in this month and wow what a fantastic collection of creativity we have in our club, I am so glad that I am not judging these. We have 14 entries out of 21 indications of interest and these have all gone off to the judge and all will be revealed later this month.

We had the two day Rosemary Rush class and what a fantastic class that was. All completed versions of these quilts will be displayed at our open weekend in October, more information on that will be posted here closer to the time.

I have also got a lot of tracing and organising done for another project that I have committed to this year and although the progress there is a bit slow right now, what I have done will speed up the progress on this as other projects get completed.

Bearing in mind that I have been sick throughout June and two lots of antibiotics have helped but haven't cured my ills, I don't think I have done too bad for June.

The other thing that I have done is change the direction that I was going with my hexie project. I had originally thought that I would do The Insanity Quilt and while I really like that pattern still I have decided to travel down a different path. Using what hexies I had done already for the insanity quilt I have added to them and this is my progress so far.

Hexie tranformation

All in all I am happy with June and I just hope that July can be just as productive. It is an amazing feeling completing projects and seeing the result. I feel very blessed to have a passion that helps me create beautiful works of art, are stitched with love and keep our loved ones warm and cozy. Soul food for sure.

Until next time everyone, happy stitching.

Donna-Maree

My Rosemary Rush piece

On yesterdays post I didn't talk much about my piece from the Rosemary Rush class, so I thought I would talk about it more today.

It took me a lot longer to put together the applique pieces than I had anticipated and while I initially got a little frustrated about that, my quilt is more mine and I have a very clear idea of where I am going with this quilt - what I am trying to achieve, the stitching and then the quilting that will take place.

My quilt so far with triangles down bottom pinned on

Rosemary's sample

Change can be uncomfortable but stretching our comfort zones is very important. For me this class did exactly that and that is precisely what I wanted this class to do. I chose the design option that I knew would challenge me in every way from the actual design itself through to the choosing of colours.


While the information on the process that Rosemary uses, the needles, threads etc is extremely valuable, on reflection now I think the biggest thing that I got from this class is about the thinking process - from the conception through to the completion. Thinking through the choice of fabrics, colours, contrast, what is going to pop and how it is going to pop, what is going to recede. I think the best way I can describe it is that each piece that is placed on this quilt has a job to do and the challenge for me especially in the beginning of working on this quilt was working out exactly what that job was for each piece and how I was going to include thread, stitching and quilting in that process to fulfil that job.

Although I was a little disappointed at not getting much stitching in at the class I do feel that I concentrated on the areas where I needed the maximum growth and I am very happy with where I am at. The second big thing that I got from Rosemary is to slow down, not to go at breakneck speed but to stop and think through the options. I redid several pieces over the weekend, - retracing, applying vliseofix, cutting, auditioning again and again.

I need to remember that it is all a process and that I need to engage and enjoy each step of the process and not to be in so much of a hurry to get a finished product. I can see the difference this can make as I know where I am going and what my next step is because I have already thought it through and this is stopping me from getting to the next step and wondering 'what on earth am I going to do now' scenarios.

I am going to have to exercise some very good self discipline to put this project aside for now as the purple and green gridlock quilt needs to be quilted so it can be sent to Australia as it is a special gift.

It is winter solstice here in New Zealand which means we are having our shortest day of the year today and it is a grey and miserable drizzly kind of day, the perfect excuse (if you need one) to be inside and stitching and that is where I will be.

Take care and until next time, happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree

A class with Rosemary Rush

Wow, what an absolutely fantastic weekend we had with the incredibly talented Rosemary Rush. This two day class consisted of a machine applique design of our choice from the selection that Rosemary had on offer. A very relaxed class with everyone working at their pace, with Rosemary giving group talks where appropriate covering applique, needles, threads, stitching and quilting. There was a gentle busy hum through the room as everyone was concentrating on their own piece. 

The shared lunches both days were a hit with two different soups on offer along with hot savoury dishes, cheese and crackers and fruit.

Show and tell at the end of Sunday with everyones work. The same design in different colours is always very interesting, I also love the way we all make designs our own and mix it up.

Some of Rosemary's class samples.

Rosemary's quilts to show stitching and quilting techniques.

Back of quilt showing quilting lines.

Back of quilt showing quilting lines.

Rosemary is not only a very talented artist but is also a great tutor sharing her knowledge in a way that reinforces any prior knowledge while filling any gaps that you may have. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of Rosemary's classes I strongly suggest that you take it, you will be all the richer for it.

Until next time, happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree