My entries for the Tauranga Quilt Show

Hi there,

Just trying to do a little bit of a catch up with things that I have been doing around life ...

Tauranga Patchwork and Quilters Group had a quilt exhibition just after I became a member, September 2013. This was the inspiration I needed to make a commitment to get a few things completed. And here are some of my entries -

These are the tiles that I started in Michele Hill's class at Quilt Symposium at Taupo, 2013. If you look back to previous posts when I was doing the applique for these, you can see how mounting them on canvas really transforms them.

This is a Ngaire Williams design from The Apple Basket. I purchased this as a kit - excluding the canvas. I am very pleased with the result and found the process very rewarding. These get mounted on the wall with 3M velcro strips.

Hannah's Moonshine Quilt - a Monica Poole / Moonshine Design, using the Quilt as you go technique. This quilt was made as a 21st present and again I am pleased with the result. The best part about it all was that you are working with more manageable sizes of the quilt and it is only when putting the larger pieces together that you are dealing with the entire bulk.

Here is another Ngaire Williams design and again this was purchased as a kit. I absolutely love the result and this also gets attached to the wall with 3m velcro strips.

It has definitely been good seeing some projects getting completed. Since then I have been working a lot and haven't been doing much sewing. I am trying to get the sewing room sorted so that I can start chipping away at a few more things.

Check back soon to see what else I have been up to and meanwhile happy sewing everyone.

Cheers Donna-Maree

Wow - I did it!

I completed the machine stitching on the table runner today, 

Close up.

Next will be the layering and quilting of this, but wait there is more.....

I have got all of the pieces attached to my tile backgrounds and they are all ready for stitching. I am so excited about how they are looking. I cannot wait until I get them completed and on the wall. I am so inspired at the moment.

This gives an indication of what they will look like when placed close together on the wall - no they wont have the large piece of background fabric around the sides. 

I am really pleased with the result and cant wait to get the stitching done on these now.

Cheers
Donna-Maree

Class Two - Taupo Symposium 2013

The second two day class I did, was again with Michele Hill (wasn't I really lucky) - Tile Play in Fabric.

I love Mediterranean colours and therefore used colours very similar to Michele's sample but could see how other colours would work for different applications. 

Here are the colours I chose to use.

I found the fact that I had already done a class with Michele an advantage as once we got through introductions and initial instructions I could work at my own pace with the knowledge of machine appliqué techniques I had already gained from Michele in the previous class.

I am really thrilled with the fact that I got all of the machine stitching on my tile block done by the end of the class. I have never ever achieved this much in a class before. Seeing everyone's tiles at the end of the class was great. The variety of colours used and background fabrics was interesting and it was lovely seeing more contemporary colours being used. 

My completed tile block.

Class photo of us all.

Michele gave us a quick mini class on creating our own designs and this is definitely an area that I would like to do more exploration in and I have some ideas already. Michele has definitely inspired me to give it a go.

Watch this space!

Cheers
Donna-Maree

Catch up....

I forgot to mention in the last post that one of the ladies in the class had previously done a class with Michele and had brought a quilt to show us. We were very lucky to have it adorn the walls as we worked, I was especially lucky as it was hanging beside where I was working and I could get to really appreciate everything about the quilt up close. Anne has done an absolutely fabulous job.

The photo doesn't do this quilt justice.

Better look at centre block and the detail.

Up close.

Sunday was my class free day and several of us went around the exhibitions. What a treat - seriously I really needed to go back again, but alas we ran out of time.

Class one at Taupo Symposium 2013

My first class was Royal Exhibition (machine applique) with Michele Hill. Seriously I have never laughed as much in a class - ever, as I did in Michele's class. Boy is that lady funny and so down to earth, it truly was a pleasure to be in her class. I have never enjoyed a class so much. The designs are from Australia's only World Heritage listed building - Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building.

For this class we had a choice of making a cushion or a table runner. As most of you know we have recently moved cities and are living in a new house, hence I thought a new table runner for the dining room table might be a good idea.

I had chosen different colours for my table runner compared to others in the class. I love purple and thought I would use the colours that I love especially bearing in mind the amount of work involved with these labours of love. The opportunity to practice my machine applique made this choice of class an easy one. 

The fabric for my table runner.

I was not disappointed. There was definitely improvement in my machine applique throughout this class, although a did a bit of tracing on the second morning due to an ill timed headache. Luckily by lunchtime the medication had kicked in and I could get back to stitching.

Michele and I at end of class, day two.

It was fantastic seeing everyone's projects at the end of the class. Below is a photo of mine at the end of the class.

I now have all the design pieces attached to the background fabric and are slowly getting it all machine appliqued. Yesterday I decided to set up my machine as it was still packed from Symposium and the front room was freezing compared to the living room, so I thought that I would set up on the dining room table. Alas the machine bounced as I sewed, so I had no choice but to set up my sew-ezi table in the living room.

So I am going to keep chipping away at this until I get it completed. As I mentioned before I have seen improvement in my stitching and the tips that Michele gave us has really helped. I took my machine to Symposium as I wanted to use the machine that I would always be using for machine applique. I have previously hired machines at Symposium which has worked well for me for what I needed them for. As you can see from the photo I have a Janome and they have a 5 stitch blanket stitch as opposed to the Bernina which has a 3 stitch blanket stitch. This means that where I stop the machine before pivoting is different - this understanding is definitely helping - although more practice is needed still. I have got the outer curves sorted but need to focus more on the inner curves.

Anyway I will show you close ups once I have it out from under the machine.

Had better get back to the machine - break time is over for now!

Cheers

Donna-Maree

Wow .... Hello there

Well it is Monday of term three and I am enjoying the peace and tranquility of having the house to myself once again. I have to say that it is nice being home as I haven't been here much with several trips to Whangarei and Symposium in Taupo. The cats really appreciate me being home too.

Aren't they cute all curled up like that.

What a fantastic time we had in Taupo. I caught up with friends from Whangarei and also made new friends too. A group of us from Whangarei rented a house together which was lovely as there were always interesting things to discuss, exhibitions and lectures to share plus generally spending quality time together sharing what we love best - Quilting!

Here is a sample of the view enjoyed from where we were staying.

This is the third Symposium I have been to and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was very busy as I was lucky enough to get two x two day classes, plus I wanted to attend lectures. I love the lectures and seeing the tutors strut their stuff. Their personalities really do come through and I feel that the lectures are very good value for money. This was the first time that I have attended two day classes and I really enjoyed them. I felt that there was less pressure and the convenience of being able to leave everything in the classroom until the next day was awesome. The extra bonus was that I actually got something completed .... but more on that soon.

Cheers until next time
Donna-Maree

The unpacking continues ...

Hi everyone,

Wow, doesn't time fly when you aren't looking! I don't know where the time has gone since my last post but I can say I have been very busy.

We did indeed move during the school holidays and I find it hard to believe we have been in Tauranga several weeks already. The cats are settling in as you can see from the photo, although they are sticking very close to the house.

Frosty on window seat in new house.

Everything went very smoothly and the biggest drama through everything was I stuffed the battery in my car. It was my fault and I can't blame anyone else ... but a new battery later and we are off again. I don't ever recall having to replace a battery in any of the cars that I have owned, so I think I have done very well through the years to have to replace one now.

Our daughter has started school at her new college last week and was quick to tell me all about her new friends when I picked her up later that day. It is good seeing her having the confidence to move on with things though, as the move has been tough for her as she was too little to remember us moving to Whangarei twelve years ago.

I have to confess that I have not done much in terms of anything quilty since the last post, with moving and everything. Not only have we downsized the property but the house as well, and I do not have a separate space for my sewing like I did in Whangarei but are sharing the guest room.

My sewing space in the corner of the guest room. There is a lovely view out to the street from the front window - nothing like watching the comings and goings of the neighbourhood.

I visited a local quilt shop here in Tauranga that has a stitching group on Thursdays, I went along last week and are looking forward to returning this week. However, I digress. I need to get a move on with the triptych for my Whangarei group, as I haven't done anything on this project since before leaving Whangarei.

We have had class confirmations for Symposium 2013 in Taupo. I have got into two of Michele Hills classes, I am absolutely rapt. I need to get myself organised and start getting things together. Maybe the visits to the local quilt shop can help here.

Well that is all for now, come back soon to see how I have got on with everything.

Until then happy stitching everyone,
Cheers Donna-Maree

Decisions ... Quilt Symposium 2013

A few weeks ago now, I got a text from my good friend Leeann saying that she had just received the 2013 Taupo  Symposium classes book in the post, and asking if I had received mine. Off to the letterbox I went and yes there it was. I had to do some errands in town so I made myself do that before I sat down with a cuppa and ripped the envelope open. A quick scan through was all  I allowed myself as I knew I wouldn't take everything in and would need a more in depth read later with a computer at the ready so I can research at the same time! I did however mark things that I thought I would be interested in.


I have sat down and had a better look through the book, several times actually and the decision process isn't getting any easier.

However, time is marching on and I need to make a decision about what classes, lectures and functions to choose for Quilt Symposium 2013!

Some of my friends and I are renting a house in Taupo for this occasion and we are in for a lot of fun. Tauranga is closer to Taupo than Whangarei is, so I will probably get there first - or I can leave a little later to arrive at the same time as them. However I am getting way, way ahead of myself.

I haven't chosen my classes yet! I have heaps of marks in the book but no decisions made. Several of my friends have chosen and sent them away already and I am still dithering. I promised myself to make some decisions on Sunday night, but alas two nights have passed and things got in the way.

I was just having a quick look online at the classes and I am being attracted to different classes than the ones I originally marked in my book. How am I supposed to make a decision?

I am going to think some more on this .... get back to you soon.
Donna-Maree

Photos at last...

Good morning everyone.


We have woken to a grey dark rainy day which apparently is going to get steadily worse. You can tell it is going to be a yucky day when the cats come inside early and stay in, which is exactly what they have done today.


I hope that your Mother's Day yesterday was a good one and that you were all treated well and rather spoilt really. 


Like I said yesterday I had a cuppa in bed, a cooked breakfast and dinner cooked for me as well. My son and his friend turned up just in time for breakfast (pure coincidence, however very well timed!). I got Happy Mother's Day wishes from my eldest daughter who is currently living in Perth (Bentley's mum) which was very nice and the youngest daughter helped dad with the cooking all day which included a chocolate and ginger tart, that was to die for!


My mother joined us in the late afternoon and stayed for dinner, which was very nice. We got a chance to just chill and visit with each other which doesn't normally happen when I am the one doing the cooking when she comes over for dinner.


The best Mother's Day gift that I got yesterday (sorry family if this offends you - it isn't intended to) was the receipt of an email containing my registration details for the Taupo Symposium 2013. Check out this link for more information - Taupo Symposium 2013 it is definitely worth a look.


I have only recently registered for this while most of my friends registered last year. Anyway I am still very pleased with my registration number. Definitely lower than I had anticipated. So yes I have made a commitment to receiving more information, have checked out the tutors from here in New Zealand, Australia and those from further afield. A group of us have already booked our accommodation - so it is definitely in my diary for 2013.

Okay here is a photo of the first scarf that I have knitted and it is just beautiful, both in the colours that it contains but also to feel. I have to confess to being extravagant and spoiling myself. The yarn for this scarf is kid mohair and silk - it is just gorgeous. The yarn is so fine, it took me quite a bit longer to knit this than what I had anticipated. However it was definitely worth the wait.

This is the scarf that I am currently knitting (that I mentioned in the earlier post). Again the colours are just gorgeous and with the blue you can definitely see the difference of the two balls, however in places when the colours on both balls are very similar it gets a little more difficult. These scarves are incredibly warm, not that I have had a chance to wear them yet, although with them sitting on my knee as I am knitting them, it is just heavenly.

Anyway until next time,

happy stitching everyone.

Donna-Maree