A Start

Block number 1 completed out of 225.

H4 - Abbeys Eyes

I hand pieced this one because I am not so good at the intricate machine piecing.

Day 2 and 3 of leave - Starting JANE!!

About 18 months ago (OMG where did the time go) mum and I bought our background fabric from A Quilters Hive at Georgetown (Newcastle) NSW in preparation for this magnificent quilt. I am sure it does not need an introduction but anyway. It is the famous Dear Jane quilt by Jane A Stickle. Made in 1863.
We have decided to make (START!) this at our yearly trip to Tocal with Maitland Patchwork and Quilters retreat. So since I was off work we thought we would take the opportunity to get the fabric cut and ready so we can just sew, sew, sew in a fortnight. Mum came in for a sleepover (since she lives 45mins away) and we kept the cooking to a minimum. Leftover Minestrone Soup for lunch and a quick baked Chicken Rissotto and freeform apple pie for dinner. I had a great time especially being able to spend the time with Mum which I don't really get to do so much anymore.

Luckily we also had the Electric Quilt Dear Jane software and that made everything much easier and quicker.

In mum's hands below are the 2 times 33 blocks that are ready to go. Did I say we are doing one each! Of course homework is to try and get some of the applique blocks done in the meantime.
My additional homework is to try and get ready the 8 more blocks we want to take with us.
I think that we are being a bit optimistic to expect to get 2 x 41 blocks completed in 2 days. But much better to have too many than not enough.

Now I need to go and do some of the house jobs I have ignored for the last 3 days.

Hourglass Medallion

Yes I am on leave from work at the moment. I have taken on a new pretty full on job plus with 3 kids and everything else on the plate I have very little time (or inclination) to quilt. Mark has gone on a boys trip this week to Central NSW and while we all miss him I am enjoying having a weeks leave to just spend at home and do me things. The plans are quilt, quilt, spend time with friends and mum (quilting), have a facial, quilt, do the mothers day lunch at school and quilt. DID I SAY QUILT!!!

Today was a great day spent with my Monday night friends. Susans hubby went with Mark so we had a full day of it. Way too much food, lots and lots of laughs and lots of sewing. I had a success with finishing the top of my Hourglass Medallion quilt. This is one that I worked out for myself. Inspiration was the last border I put on my Roebuck Chintz. This was an hourglass block with a thin strip of quilters muslin between them. So of course I had to make it into a quilt. Plus I borrowed a piece of toile from Mum that she bought when we were in the US. From the Painted Pony I think. Anway Day 1 is now over. A great start.

Finished Legacy

As you can see I have finally finished my version of Tallula Gilbert Bottoms quilt.

It was quilted by Louise Baker of Thornton. She has done 4 or 5 quilts for me now and does a fantastic job. This was an all over pattern - lots of circles. Of course it was quickly claimed for Shelbys bed.