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Monday, March 22, 2010

Hotrod Weekend & Boonah Retreat

I have been quite busy of late with the last two weekends away. I also have a quilting camp on this weekend at Tamborine Mountain while my hubby goes to Tasmania for his niece's wedding so in all March is just flying by for us.
Photo below shows preparations for my placemat for the Beaudesert Quilters Amish Retreat - 25th-28th March.
The quilt camp with my quilting group this past weekend, was most enjoyable. I didn't take anything big to do, just decided as life has been a bit hectic of late, I would try to catch up on some bits and pieces that I am falling behind with. I managed to finish 2 more blocks for the Pinwheel Quilt Along and Block 2 of the Jelly Roll Sampler. I also had to make the challenge project for the camp next weekend. This time it is a placemat to be used at camp. The theme for the camp is Amish based so I have made my placemat using a block pattern called Amish Boxes. I have used tone on tone fabrics in black and blue and am quite pleased with the result. Of course, I left my black cotton at home and so it still has to be quilted and have the binding attached. I did a few other prep things for more pinwheel blocks and stitcheries but will show them later when they are finished. Usually when I go away for camp I have everything cut out ready to go but this was not the case this year so that means by the time I sorted out colours etc, it took a lot longer to get things done. I also helped a couple of other people along the way so by the end of the weekend, I felt I had accomplished quite a bit even though I don't seem to have much to show for it.


Above Pinwheel Blocks.
Below Jelly Roll Sampler Block 2.
The photos below are of our trip to Toowoomba for the High Altitude Rod Run weekend. We always have a great time catching up with our friends and joining in the activities that the Toowoomba hotrodders arrange for the weekend. This time I was asked to ride in our friend's son's car as he had to have a licensed driver with him. He doesn't have his P plates yet but even when he does get them, because the rod has a V8 motor in it, he will have to be accompanied by a fully licensed driver. A bit of a downer for a 17 year old but for safety reasons and with so many of our young people getting killed in road accidents, it probably isn't a bad thing. The car is called a Rat rod and is very basic inside, quite low to the ground and tends to bottom out when you go over bumps in the road. Quite an experience and made me appreciate our roadster which is the yellow one ( it's not quite as bright as it looks in this photo) in the other photo.


On Thursday, we also celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Where have those years gone?

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Second post in two days ...........WOW!!

This is just a short post to show my final block of the Bunny Hill BOM from last year. It is the December block. I have 2 charm packs in blue which I am going to cut in 2 1/2 inch squares to sash the blocks. Not sure what I will do after that to finish it, will wait and see what it looks like then decide. Need to purchase blue buttons as well to add to the blocks so a bit of a way to go yet.
I managed to finish my Jelly Roll Sampler block today as well which was no mean feat as I was looking after my grandson who was sick and couldn't go to school. Anyway back to the block. I love the way it turned out. I am using Blush fabric by Basic Grey. Now just have to add the photo to the Flicker group.
I also had time to cut out my next blocks for the Pinwheel Sampler but just couldn't get to stitch them. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Love Is Blocks, Pinwheel Sampler Blocks

Sorry I haven't posted for a while but I've had a few family issues happening. They are still ongoing but last week I found time to get out in my quilting room again and play with some fabrics. Quilting is so relaxing and helps take your mind off things for a while which is just what I needed.
I was able to complete the next block of the Love Is series of stitcheries. The fabric used is Rouenneries and is a beautiful fabric to work with. Block 4 makes up the first row so have stitched the blocks together to get an idea of what it will look like. The next one is available on the 10th of March. They are very quick and easy to complete. I must admit redwork stitchery is one of my favourite things.
I have also finally finished my first 4 pinwheel blocks. I am using Cotton Blossoms fabric by Bonnie and Camille. I had it set aside for another project but as I had some extra pieces of fabric in this range, thought I would use it so I could keep the same secondary fabric for the first 2 blocks. I am quite pleased how they turned out although, I would still like my joins to be better. Maybe by the end of the quilt they will be...... I can always hope. Below are the four blocks :-
Have just printed out the next block pattern so will try and get a start on the next 2 blocks tomorrow. Choosing the fabrics to use in each block is often the hardest part I think. I have to be careful that I don't keep using the same colours.