New friends

Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure to meet some new quilting friends. Di Hall, formerly Di Ford, invited me to join her and her new husband Brian, as they took some international visitors for a trip to the Dandenong Ranges. I had the most delightful day with Di and Brian, Beverley, Linda Collins from "Quilts in the Barn", Petra and Nel from Den Haan & Wagenmakers in Amsterdam, Nederlands and Mary and Joe Koval from Pennsylvania, USA.
Morning Tea and shopping in Sassafras, followed by lunch, and presumably more shopping in Olinda. ( I had to leave early, so I'm not sure how much more damage was done to the credit cards after I left!!)
Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, so I'm afraid no photos from me, but lots and lots of photos were taken, and I'm sure they will appear somewhere very soon.
I can hardly wait for the rest of this very "Special Secret Sewing Sisterhood" week, that would be a SSSS week: A Night with Mary @ Linda's home tonight, a SSS day at Di's home on Thursday, followed by a much anticipated day @ Castlemaine on Sunday. (The housework will just have to wait!!!)

Tripping Around The Globe: Part 2

Hi! Everyone.
Thought I would sign in and continue the journey I began a little while ago and show some more quilts from the exhibit in New Hampshire USA.
Who knows?.......we may even travel a little further!!
First up, some detailed images of the two crazy quilts in the exhibit.
At left, Crazy Quilt number one............very impressive!

And here are some detailed views, just look at those stitches!
It seems the quilt-maker used silks, velvets and ribbons, and, yes, it is the work of one person! The photo on the right shows a corner of the quilt. These fans are in all four corners. I have never seen a crazy quilt stitched using a log-cabin design as the base before.

Here is a picture of the second crazy quilt in this exhibit.
Also a more detailed view.

This crazy quilt is made in the more traditional form.
Of, course, there where many more really nice pieces on display. As well as the tools of the trade.
These included needle cases, thimbles, stitch books etc. All displayed in glass cases just like this one. I think that's enough for now.
Next time I will continue the journey with some images and memories of Bath, England and quilts from The American Museum in Britain.
I hope you enjoy this post!
Happy Stitching
Kerry

A Perfect Late Autumn Day in Melbourne

And how better to spend it than with the 'Sisters'. Yes, it's the third Saturday of the month and this time we all met at Di's. Well almost all, Julie, Barb and Kerry were busy with family events but we did have a lovely surprise when Clare joined us. Clare is a Thursday regular but rarely makes Saturday so it was a delight to have her company.

Now for the usual report on projects underway. Merri is on to the 4th block of her Princess Feather and Flowers from Quilts of the Henry Ford. She declared there was nothing new to show so no photo this time.

Chris is working on Tribute to Mrs Williams. Her centre is nearly completed. Chris loves a soft colour palette and her fabric choices work well together.

Clare has pulled out a project started a long, long time ago. It is so long ago that Di could not easily remember the name of the pattern but eventually came up with 'Antique Applique'. These 2 blocks are repeated 3-4 times each and then finished with a saw tooth border.

I took along a project started about a year ago at a class at Primitive Patches in Mentone. The pattern is from Liz Willing and called Mrs Miller's Journey. There are 9 central blocks surrounded by an applique border. I have finished 3 of the central blocks and the 4 corner blocks for the border. Two further blocks are partially finished. The photos below are a sample of the work done to date. They don't really do the fabric justice. I can assure you they look better "in the flesh".


And finishing off with Di's work. Di is reworking the pattern for Antique Wedding Sampler and is a little over halfway through the 25 blocks. The finished quilt will be on Corliss' booth at the July show in Jeff's Shed where the pattern will also be available.


As ever, Di has selected beautiful fabrics.

Until next time,

Meghan

Tripping Around The Globe

It has been a while since I have "blogged" and I am a bit rusty, especially with the image bit... but here goes!
In 2010 my husband and I went for a jaunt o'seas mainly for the wedding of my nephew, Matthew, to Alissa.
Here is the very happy couple:

After the wedding we did a bit of sight-seeing in New Hampshire (U.S.A). This is where my younger sister and her family lives (groom's mother). Concord is the capitol of N.H. and they have a local museum, which, to my delight had an entire foor show-casing this:
Is'nt it exciting when these type of accidental encounters occur!?
Photos where a difficulty, as no flash was allowed and my images where a bit shakey. But here are a couple to start with.
I especially liked the two crazy quilts on show...those pictures along with others, are on my husband's super- dooper camera and if there is an interest I can show them in the future.
Just leave a comment.



A red and white delight.
There where a few examples of two colour quilts.
I noticed the red and white quilt exhibition on in New York recently.





There where many examples of blocks (and I took photos of them all...at least twice!)......reminded me of our Sampler quilts. It seems that many of the blocks where from a collection belonging to one individual who wished to preserve the quilting heritage of New Hampshire. I think she has done a great job.





Aren't they just wonderful?
I could have stayed all day.
Mind you, the guide stationed down-stairs told us it was disappointing we did not see the last month's exhibition......."Kitchens From The 1930's"......I think I know which exhibit I preferred!


A redwork beauty!
I have images of this one that show the detail much closer.
Just love the red on white and the white on red embroidery.




However, I am blogging on and on!........and I have'nt left the U.S.A. yet!
I know, all the Secret Sewing Sisters enjoy reading about quilt history and looking at the quilts made from those times. Sometimes reproducing the ones we love most.
I think I might end here and call this the "first installment" of the Trip Overseas in 2010.
Believe me, there are a few more interesting tales to tell and a"Trip" that even I was'nt expecting!
Stay tuned!

After The Ides of March

Sewing this month was on the 19th, 4 days after the Ides of March. How is this relevant to sewing? It isn't really! It is just one of those dates (the 15th that is) I always remember courtesy of high school english literature and Shakespeare's Julius Caeser.

Anyway, it was a much smaller group that gathered, just 7 of us. Sue, Barb and Chris all absent for various reasons. But that didn't mean any less noise! We discussed everything from the terrible tragedy that is the Japan Earthquake through to "Inside Job", a documentary on the global financial crisis, (and all at several decibels above the safety levels I am sure).

Merri and I have both been to see Inside Job and highly recommend it. The only downer, you will come away angry at the greed, the cronyism and the collusion between the banks, government and academia.

Now for the sewing. Our day always starts with show and tell. First up was Kerry with her almost completed 'A Tribute to Mrs Williams'.

Julie has made some progress since last month on her version of this beautiful quilt and started adding the blocks in the first border.

I am sure many of you also follow Deb's blog and will have seen her progress on Homage to Sally Ann. She has started work on the corner blocks. We all just love her colour choices.

Di brought along 2 projects she is working on. First up she is re-working her Antique Wedding Sampler.

And now that all the sashings have been removed from her Baltimore Album, Di has a fresh wave of enthusiasm for this quilt and is working on additional blocks to complete it.

Merri has commenced a version of the the 'Feather with Flowers Quilt' from Fons & Porter's book, Quilts from the Henry Ford. Note the background fabric - Moda's Luna Notte in the pale green. I think every one of us in the Sisterhood lusts after this particular fabric but it sold out very quickly. I think Ann has managed to get a few metres and I was also lucky to get some.

And last, but definitely not least, Ann has completed all of the blocks for her daughter's "wedding quilt". Just the borders to add then off to the quilters. Oh, and I did remember to ask, the pattern is from Material Obsession.

So, that's about it for this month,

Until next time,

Meghan