Annual Relaxation

Our annual break was another relaxed relief. No quilting from me, but I did learn a few crocheting tips from Louise and folded quite a bit of paper

Sewjourn always looks inviting with interesting bedspreads in all the rooms.











Leita started piecing together some black and whites.























Louise made a great start on her Mums quilt































Leita started laying out her poof.
























Anne sewed and sewed, you can see the end result on the wall.









































Everyone enjoyed using the new wall for laying out their work and seeing each others work
























Leita played with more fabric
















We all enjoyed the good food and many cuppas together.






















A Little bit of paper folding from me and some crochetting by Louise.

A lovely weekend away

We're just back from our annual weekend away at Sewjourn.  So much eating and laughing and shopping to be done.  We barely had enough time to sew, but we did.

This is one of two tops that I made. More photo's and stories to follow from other group members.
Including the spider incident please.  : )
Louise and Anne are to be awarded bravery medals.

Two quilts nearly done at last

These two quilts seem to have been hanging around for ever.  The blue and pink quilt is for my daughter K, and I will give it to her this Sunday, her 16th birthday.

I now have the binding machine stitched and all I have to do complete the hand stitching of the reverse, which will be tonight's job.

This quilt is for my sister and her new husband for their first wedding anniversary at the beginning of November - yes, it was a wedding present but it's a bit late.  I'll post a better photo after I give it to them - no peeking!

This quilt also just needs the binding hand stitched on the reverse and its done.  Then I can finally put the quilting away for a while and get back to the writing.  Maybe.

Vickery Retreat - Part 2

On the Friday night I made this cute little bag from a kit I bought at one of the Craft Shows a couple of years ago from Wabi-Sabi Designs.  Complete with fabric, cord, beads and instructions.  Don't know why it took so long to make it as it was a very easy and satisfying project.  The magnolia tree was in full bloom at the front of the house and the backdrop is the reserve across the road.

On the Saturday I pieced these blocks for a quilt for my daughter.  Over the past week I have completed the top and back and have started machine quilting it.

Louise's lovely hand-pieced hexagons.  She is auditioning some crisp white fabrics for the 'points' of the stars.

Leita was making 9 patches from these strips of delicious jelly roll.  She also completed a pieced back for a bright batik quilt.

Anne worked on these half-square triangles.  Made from a Kaffe charm square pack (or two) and co-ordinating shot cottons.  When completed it will grace one of the beds at the retreat.

Overall, a very productive weekend away!

The Vickery Quilt & Craft Retreat, Alexandra (Part 1)

Last weekend, Anne, Louise, Leita and myself spent 2 and a half days at the Vickery Quilt & Craft Retreat in Alexandra.

Anne and her business partner, Beverly, have set up this retreat in Alexandra especially for groups to indulge themselves in their favourite crafts.

There is a large purpose built work room with plenty of lighting, seating, and power points to sew or anything else you can think of.  We kept meaning to spend some time in front of the wood heater, curled up on one of the couches with a book or a magazine but were too busy sewing!

I wish I had more photos of the inside but I'm sure Anne has some she can post and I am told the website will be up and running very soon, which will contain more information, photos and details of how to make a booking.  There is room for 10, but with only the four of us we were able to spread out and really enjoy ourselves, with our sewing machines whirring well into the night.

The town of Alexandra is only a 5 minute walk and has lots of interesting little shops and cafes.  We even managed a tram ride at the local Tram and Timber Museum which was open for a market on the Saturday morning.  And on the platform we even bought some quilting fabric which we put to good use.

A big thankyou to Anne and Beverly for the opportunity to test run their new venture.  We had a wonderful time!

Dress finally finished

Front View

I finally finished the dress this afternoon.  Made from New Look 6864, it's taken me a while but I'm pleased with the result.  Ready to wear when the weather gets warm!

Back view

Group quilt almost finished

Here are some great pics by Karyn of our group quilt which we plan to sell or raffle for charity. The quilting by Lucy Thompson of "Lasting Creations" has really added character to the quilt.

The back is plain with a strip of blocks like those on the front. Now we have to choose a binding fabric. Any suggestions?