Autumn Gathering of The Secret Sewing Sisterhood....

It was a glorious Melbourne Autumn day when the Sisters gathered at Ann's place for a bit of stitching.....we missed you Clare, Sue and Di.

 One of Ann's live-in friends supervised the proceedings...and is not camera shy either!!! Harry is wearing the latest in doggy coats to ward off the chill that was in the air  that day.

A copy of the latest book from Quiltmania was on the table. Meghan brought this copy back from France.  AND, look at what else she came home with!Our previous blog entry gives a great description of her adventure in Nantes. Both Di and Meghan have contributed to Petra and Ann's new book. Way to go  Sisters!!! As I am doing the "show-off" thing...just look here! Yes! It's Di's "Phebe" adorning one of those great collector bags.  

So, what are we all up to?....................................Barb has been VERY busy completing this "Storm At Sea"masterpiece. The front is great.....but just look at the back! Wow!

Now, this was made to display at The University Of The 3rd. Age Show at the Box Hill Town Hall, 6th, 7th and 8th of September 2013. Karen Styles, of Somerset Quilts did the machine-quilting.
Merri has also been very busy stitching up a storm (like that one!) producing a piece of work that may seem familiar to some. This is Meghan's pattern, now christened;" Les Grandes Feuilles de Rouge" Ann is working on her "Clamshell Quilt" putting on the edging, a really gorgeous auburgine like colour. Deb is stitching her version of "The Caswell Quilt" 
Meghan is continuing on with "Mrs Miller's Journey" As for me....I am still working on "The Grove Documentation Quilt"....nearly up to the last round!
To finish up this entry....here is a snap of Ann's "Winter Stars" adorning a wall in her home, reminding us that it's going to get chillier........and therefore a great reason to ..make more quilts!!!!
Happy stitching everyone! Kerry

Pour L'Amour du Fil, Nantes 2013 - Congratulations Di!

If you haven't guessed by the long break between posts, I have been on holiday (in France).  Home now for just over a day, it is time to gather my thoughts and write about the main reason I was swanning around overseas - Di's official book release at Quiltmania's Pour L'Amour du Fil in Nantes.  

Pour L'Amour is a combination of an exposition and an outstanding market place where you can buy all things relating to thread - fabric, wool, embroidery etc etc.  The exposition is by invitation, and this year more than 20 artists and designers were there.

Along with Di, there was Kaffe Fasset and Brandon Mably, Petra Prins, Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson to name some of the more recognisable. Each had their own 'salon' where their quilts were displayed as if in room(s) of a house.

The entrance to Di's salon

From the moment the Expo opened, Di's salon was crowded, and apart from some quiet moments late in the afternoon, this is how it was each and every day.

Standing room only!

I lost count of the number of times I heard c'est magnifique, superbe, douee artiste!  My french is terrible but even I got the gist of these comments!

Rotherfield Greys (on the bed), Jane Austen and Oak Alley(left)

Drayton Hall and just a glimpse of Miss Porter's Quilt

Antique Wedding Sampler (left), and Sarah Morrell

Di is very humble about her creative ability and her quilts.  She is also one of the most warm and generous people you will ever meet. Over the 4 days at Nantes, Di spent every moment, apart from 3 hours on two days when she was teaching, signing books.  Each signature was accompanied by smiles, lots of chats and personal messages in each book.

A happy group of quilters from Spain!

And there was even time for an impromptu lesson on needleturn applique to this lucky group of quilters from the UK.

Concentrating hard!

And of course, there is Di's dear husband Brian.  Brian is now officially an 'honorary Sister', even if he can't thread a needle.  When Di was busy teaching, Brian held the fort in her Salon selling books and trying to explain the intricacies of Di's quilts to all and sundry.

Brian, with Maggie Grace's Garden (left) and Ann's Legacy (right)

It was the most wonderful time. I was so fortunate to be there. It was a privilege to share the time with Di and to witness the reaction of folk seeing Di's quilts for the first time.

I count my blessings every day that I wandered into Primarily Patchwork one Saturday morning, enrolled in a class with Di, and now some 9 years later have had my life enriched by friendships that will last forever.

Until next time,

Meghan