Today is Blog Tour day

Yipee here we are on blog tour day for me.  Introducing my block, Roving Ring, which can be found on page 43, Block #552.  I loved making this block, and could make a whole quilt just by repeating it over and over again - probably will so watch this space.  I started with four reproduction shirtings, and cut into squares, then triangles, then sewed back into squares.  Some people cannot understand why we do this process of cutting up fabric only to sew it up again! 

This is where my addiction to paper piecing comes in and instead of hexagons, this time I have used pentagons, with scrappy reproduction reds from the basket.   What do you think?  This could work with any colour - try blues, greens, black and white, brights, or what about just use all the colours in one!

So for inspiration, have a look below and  also through the other 99 blocks on the link quiltmaker.com/quiltypleasures or if you leave a comment by Wednesday 14 November, you will go into the running to win a copy of the magazine and a Country Matters pattern.

So, here I have made four blocks and joined them together, you get a secondary effect,

And below, I took the photo on point, isn't that effective.  Makes it look quite different.

Now for something completely different, I have been also working on Anni Downes quilt Some Kind of Wonderful, just have binding to go, and  I put it together in a quilt-as-you-go format.  This has some lovely blocks in it, quite a treasure to make and have for someone special.

Back to the hexagons.  As this being a special blog day, thought I would share this with you.  It is the beginning of a mosiac hexagon quilt from Annette Gero's book Fabric of Society, using 1/2" hexagons.  This is a work in progress (probably for a few years!)

Remember some red hexagons I showed you earlier in the year, they are now in a quilt top, as you can see, pins are in and waiting for the last of the quilting.

Finally, more of the Mulberries  Of Amaroo versions, Faye has done this one in the Wagga class, gorgeous reproduction blues and browns,

And another on the way in pinks and soft reds.

 

 

As it is Spring here, my cushion pattern, Bottom Garden has been popular recently, quite large cushions but quick to make with a little stitching and applique.  Email me if you are interested in a copy.

Could not leave without showing you one more iris blooming in my garden this week, love this colour combination.

I think I have gone on for long enough, hope you have enjoyed the post and blog tour, and thankyou to Quiltmakers 100 Blocks for letting me be a part of it again. Maybe I will see you next time, and don't forget to leave a comment to have a chance to win.

In the meantime, I will keep those fingers stitching.

Cheers, Janelle

Blog tour coming up

As I promised to tell you, the day for my blog tour will be Friday, 9 November, just a couple of days away - how exciting.  So if you can, come and have a look at my blog on that day, and for two lucky visitors you could win a copy of the Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Vol 6 magazine and a Country Matters pattern.  All you have to do is leave a comment by Wednesday, 14 November be in the running.

I am also in the process of setting up a new blog which will link back to this one, address will be www.countrymattersdesigns.com and it will have loads more info on it when it is up and running properly.

QUILT SHOW in Cootamundra this weekend, 10 and 11 November put on by Community Chest, an organisation that raises money for heart, lung and kidney equipment and patients in the local area.  It will be in Dickson Hall (not the Town Hall as previously advertised) from 10 - 4pm, so come along and support a very worthy cause. 

See you on Friday, Janelle

A large amount of small pieces

I must say I was very happy to have this quilt finished, it is a massive king size and weighs a ton, but my Civil War Chronicles quilt is finally complete!  Here it is pictured at the Temora Rural Museum, along with other quilts that were part of Patches of Heaven exhibition earlier this month.  They will be there till the end of the month (only another week - where has the year gone), so if you are passing through, call in for a coffee and a browse.

 

 

A close-up view

 

 

 

Now, for some other news, early next month, the next edition of Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Vol. 6 will be released, and I am thrilled to say I will have a block in it again.  There will be a blog tour from Nov 5 - 9 which I am fortunate to be part of with giveaways and prizes -  more info when the day gets closer. 

 

Just want to show you another version of Mulberries of Amaroo, Sharon who comes to my class at Patchwork on Parker, has used the Lynette Anderson range of fabric, this is her second quilt in this design - it is very nice!

 

I will be back shortly with all that is happening in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned, 

 

Janelle 

Boree Creek quilt show

If you happen to be travelling around this weekend and you find yourself between Wagga and Albury there is a little town called Boree Creek, hosting a quilt show that you should go and see.  This is a biannual exhibition of locally made quilts and items, as you can see from the photos, they have put alot of work into it and they look beautiful.

 

This is their raffle quilt, a fantastic version of my design, the Whirlygig.  You can still buy tickets to win this great quilt made by the Boree Creek ladies.

 

 

Because it is a quilt as you go pattern, it is reversible - this is the back!

 

 

 

 

A little taste of more of what is on show...

 

 

 

 

But if you want to see all of it, and the best way to see quilts is face to face, then get to Boree Creek this weekend, times are 9.30 to 5 pm at the Memorial Hall, and refreshments including lunch will be available.

 

Till next time,

Janelle xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring is here

Firstly, just wanted to share with you some more Lucy Boston blocks that I made over the last couple of weeks, to prove that I have been doing some sewing since my last post, blending a couple of old fabrics with some new ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is some of the spring blooms in my garden, the gorgeous wisteria that sits at the side of the house and makes a magnificent display every year

Then there are the bearded iris, a favourite of mine and have them in all parts of the garden, these are just a couple of the early ones that are out. 

And my little pot of violets by the back door.

Hope you are enjoying Spring were you are, and will have some updates and news for you soon, till next time

Janelle.xx

 

Happenings...

So what has been happening here with me lately, that is a very good question. 

Firstly, I would like to announce that the pattern for Roses in the Attic is now available under my Country Matters format, if you would like a copy just email your details to me. It is quite a quick one to make, having has less fabrics to use if you want to keep it simpler with fabric choices etc.

Secondly, a couple of weeks ago we had the fabulous pleasure of Chris Jurd down at Wagga to spend the weekend with us, inspire and teach us new things.  She bought with her a lovely case full of quilts for show and tell, and I attempted at a couple of the blocks of her Lots of Dots quilt.

This one was Bev's

This one was mine, trying to match up with a bedroom

 

 

and this is the second one, slightly smaller.  Originally I was going to do more, but will now leave them for awhile, perhaps cushions will be there destiny.

 

 

These two were up the other end of the table, just stunning.

And back to class happenings, Brenda is one of the newcomers to class, she has made my Salvation Jane, but added an extra geese and block border for a queen size.  It is just gorgeous,

 

 

and this is a close up of the corner square and fabrics.

 

 Thirdly, more quilt shows.  Ariah Park (west of Temora) are having and Quilt and Craft show on the weekend of 20 and 21 October, 10 am to 4pm as part of the Mary Gilmore Cultural Festival.  There will be a Christmas challenge (wall hanging, table runner or tree decoration) as well as Country music and market day.  For more information email Helen Judd at: nigeljudd@bigpond.com.au

The spring weather is creeping in longer days and it will be nice to see the flowering trees and shrubs bloom and green up.  Canola paddocks are a brilliant yellow now and it won't be long till we get to the business end of the year.  I won't think about it yet, but shall leave you for now to go and make a nice coffee and play with fabric (lol)!

 

Bye for now, Janelle xx

I see RED hexagons

 

I spent the weekend out at Jugiong at the quilt show, which was a lovely way to spend two days - inside nice and warm and talking to ladies about patchwork, drinking coffee and enjoying the homemade treats (I cannot eat at all this week to make up for it!)

 

This was a red hexagon quilt that I made for it, but didn't quite get finished in time. 

 

 

Remember that they where just a pile of blocks...

And don't you just love that red border fabric, a new fabric that I had only just bought (I might have to go back and get some more!!).

The theme was hearts and hexagons, so there where plenty of the little chaps hanging around,  this quilt top was gorgeous, made by Janelle Manwaring (who organised the weekend)

This was one of mine made from leftover florals and scraps from about 4 other quilts.

This was my spot in the corner all set up and ready for the rush

This was an entry made by Lyn - very cute little houses!

Being a but of a purple freak, couldn't resist this one, a fat and skinny log cabin

The next two are from the Wednesday class at Patchwork on Parker (formerly Cootamundra Sewing Centre) - Lyn's ABC quilt for a very special little girl

And Ronnies work in progress doing the Dorothy quilt, using up checks and plaids.

If you are ever going through Cootamundra, make a stop at this great shop (next to Woolworths) there is always new stock arriving, and a fantastic range of reproduction fabrics as well as many other styles, wool and haberdashery.  It seems that I can never walk out the door empty handed and you won't either. I run classes every Wednesday and all my designs are available there. So call in and say hello, we would love to meet you.

The sun is now trying to shine out from under the clouds, might go and do a spot of gardening (to wear off all the cake I ate on the weekend!)

See you next time,

Janelle xox

Quilt shows

Something to see on your travels.....

This weekend at the Jugiong Memorial Hall will be a wonderful exhibition of quilts and crafts, as well as a pincushion competition and redwork challenge, under the theme of Hearts and hexagons.
You will be able to purchase a delicous homemade light lunch and proceeds go towards the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.  This event is only held every two years so don't miss it - if you can make it over you won't be dissappointed.

Save the date - coming up in October - 13 and 14th the lovely ladies at Boree Creek will be holding a Quilt and Craft Exhibition in the memorial hall featuring locally made quilts and crafts.  More information phone Karen on 0269 271495.

Another save the date for November - The Community Chest organisation of Cootamundra will also be holding a quilt show in the town hall on the 10 and 11th November. This event is held to raise money for serious heart, lung and kidney medical equipment and support in the Cootamundra area, so consider supporting this worthwhile cause. More information phone Marion on 6942 2026, but I will have more on that as it gets closer. 

So, better keep those sewing machines going and churning out the quilts to  give great displays of local craft.  I will have a table at all three shows, so come and say hello I would love to see you.  I am sorry there are no photos this week, but promise to have plenty of show and tell next time.

Bye till then

Janelle.

Canberra success

I was about to add a blog post last weekend to do some bragging, when the computer decided it did not want to turn on at all!!  So a couple of mad dashes to town to get it fixed and purchase a new monitor and I am back in action. 

So, here is the thing.  Below is a photo of a smiling me, standing next to my Blackgate Interchange quilt, which as you can see has blue ribbon pinned to it.  It got first prize in the category of commercially quilted at the Canberra Quilt Show, quilting done by Sarah Lennon  www.temoraquilter.com who always does a great job with any size or style of quilt. 

Ribbons to prove it was real and not just a prank call, I was so thrilled as there were so many beautiful quilts, I don't know how the judges decide a winner. 

To put another feather in the cap, the judges awarded a special prize for Retaining the Tradition.  I couldn't believe it - certainly made my week!

Just in case you didn't get a good look at it before, here is another view.  I have released a pattern for it, if you are interested just send me a comment or email at jillimar@bigpond.com and I can give you the details.

Now for a couple of class pics from the other week, I think Helen has been bitten by the hexagon bug, she made this lovely tablerunner from the 3/4" size - very nice.

This is Barb's gorgeous Golly quilt, a little time in the making but well worth it.

And Kaye's version of my Mulberries of Amaroo pattern in blues and purples, my photo does not do it justice, it turned out very well.   

I have more excitement coming up this weekend, as Chris Jurd is coming to town to do a class on the Lots of Dots quilt that she got first prize in Sydney with last year.  Hopefully I will have lots of show and tell next week for you, until then stay well and warm, Janelle.