Merry Christmas

Like many other sewing groups, our year always finishes with a special day out to celebrate Christmas.  So, instead of the usual  gathering at one of our homes, on the 3rd Saturday in December we headed north to Castlemaine. 

No trip up the highway is complete without a stop at the Malmsbury Bakery for coffee and a little something to go with it.

How glamorous is Di's footwear?  A moon boot courtesy of fracture in her fibula, now healing well.

Then on to Threadbear where dear Corliss spoiled us, not only by allowing us the use of her classroom to gather in but by providing a beautiful lunch.  Thank you Corliss so much for making our day a special one.

If you think the group looks a little bigger than usual, then you would be correct.  Joining us were Anne, Barbara and Bridget.  Honorary sisters for the day.  We missed you Clare (but know you had a wonderful weekend away with the family).

The day however, was not all fun and frivolity - there was some serious sewing done....

Sue's hexagon quilt is growing.

Deb finished another block from the Caswell Quilt.

...and quite a bit of retail therapy as well.

Although I am not sure if Barb agrees with Kerry's choice of fabric!

To finish off, I would like to wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas.  May your celebrations be full of joy and may 2013 be one of dreams fulfilled and many beautiful quilts.

Thank you for dropping by and reading our blog and for the support you give us throughout the year with your warm and welcome comments.

Until next time,

Meghan

Time flies when you are having fun!!

When I turned the calendar over yesterday and saw December 1st staring at me I was rather taken aback.  Where has the year gone?  Mine has been super busy - lots of fun times with my wonderful sewing sisters; a great holiday in France and North America with a dear friend of over 35 years (who proudly boasts about not being able to thread a needle!) and in between there has been work (to pay for the stash retirement fund), plus theatre visits and concerts, time with family (very important) and every thing else that fills our days.  So please forgive me my tardiness and the slightly late writing of this post.

It is just over 2 weeks since the sisters gathered at my home for our regular Saturday of sewing.  Di was an absentee as she was teaching a class in Kilmore. While a very tired Deb was a late arrival after getting up early to catch a flight back to Melbourne from Adelaide - how is that for dedication, you can't miss sewing.

Here is a little sample of what was being worked on.

From Deb, a block from Corliss's latest pattern, The Caswell Quilts.  You can find the pattern at Threadbear.

Merri has dug into her PHDs and recommenced work on an earlier Corliss pattern - Civil War Bride.

While Barb was very industrious, finishing 2 blocks for her Dear Jane.

And me, I was able to show a finished top, well almost finished, just the outer border to attach.  It is my version of Di's Antique Wedding Sampler.  Not the best photo but you get the idea.

Until next time...

Meghan

Small Gathering

It was a very small gathering of Sisters that met at Barb's place. Due to work commitments and illness there where a couple of empty chairs. However, that did not mean that interesting "quilty" things did not occur!
On the left is Barb holding up her rendition of "The Burnt"Quilt....only a border or two to complete. Well done Barb!



Ann was very busy "randomly" placing Clamshells together.
"Random" is a newish word to The Sisters vocab....and we are trying very hard to incorporate it into our work. lol!!

Merri has started and "oldy" but a "goody". The Di Hall version of the Jane Austen quilt. This is the beginning........the centre applique block.Wow!!!

Clare is in
"invention" mode........looking very interesting. Stay tuned for future updates
.Me??......I am STILL at work on The Antique Wedding quilt (original) and have about 2 blocks to complete and then the Broderie Perse on the borders.
Short but sweet.
Happy Stitching from the SSS!

Good to be home.....

... after 7 weeks of wonderful travels.  And even nicer to spend yesterday with the 'Sisters', albeit minus Barb and Clare.  I /we missed you both.  

While I have been gone, Ann has been very productive.  She has finished the top of Di's beautiful pattern, Antique Wedding Sampler Revisited. It is just gorgeous - and looks even better 'in the flesh'.

In addition, Ann is very busy working on a quilt, Hooterville from Material Obsession, for a special little girl.  The applique is almost done, and now the fun part, the embellishment, begins.

Kerry is in a finishing phase, and today was working on 'The Grove Documentation" - a quilt that Di offered as a border of the month when Primarily Patchwork was open.  I am not sure how many borders in total, but here is what has been completed so far.

And finally, a couple of photos of two pieces of beautiful antique chintz that Di bought from Mary Koval when she was here for Quilts in the Barn earlier this month.

This pillar print is just stunning - Di already has an image in her head of the quilt she is going to design and make using it. And don't you just love the greyhounds on this print - so English county!

Di bought all of the pillar print fabric that Mary had but there are some of the greyhounds still available.

I know that I am in the throes of fabric envy - what about you?

Until next time,

Meghan

The Travelling Secret Sewing Sisterhood.

Di, Merri, Meghan and the honorary members of the sisterhood; Bridget, Meghan's friend, Brian, Di's husband and Patrick, Merri's husband have sent word through that they are all having a wonderful time in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in France.

 Di says "We have just spent one day in one village mainly.... the show is over 4 villages with over 20 different venues where quilts are hanging.... the organisation is mind blowing. Even the guys did the quilt displays with us yesterday....and they were very impressed !"

They've even caught up with our very dear Dutch friend, Petra.

I'm just a little bit jealous, but so glad they are having a great time.

Till next time

Clare