Lots of little 'ticks'...

I have been lucky enough to have two child free days which has been a huge opportunity to get a few things on my list 'ticked' off. And I'm thrilled to say that that has actually happened.. yay! Apart from some really boring stuff like washing the floor, doing a gazillion (I'm sure that IS actually a number..) loads of washing and discovered what treats await me a in my ironing pile (note, I said IN, not at the bottom... as that would require at least ten child free days to discover where that is), I have managed to reacquaint myself with my sewing machine... ah... yes... I'm still in love!!

So, as well as managing to finish a little flannel quilt for my cousins new grandson, (that makes me feel so OLD to say that!) I have been continuing to play with my sample for "Cathedral Windows", a class which I will be teaching soon at 'the quilters corner' . I am making a couple of different sizes as they give quite a different effect. I am making a cushion cover which uses smaller more traditional cathedral windows block, but for a quilt, I am 'funkying' (I'm sure that's also a word!) it up a bit by using a jumbo block in fresh bright colours. This photo shows some of the process and the tools I used (I have some handy little tricks and tips in my pattern), with my smaller cushion blocks. I have certainly had a lot of fun playing with this and look forward to sharing the full photos soon.

I have also nearly finished quilting my new charm square quilt made in Rouenneries. Not long to go now!

Looking forward to sharing more soon,

Squeezes,

Michelle xx

What a great retreat!

Last weekend was the first of two retreats for 'The Quilters Corner' and fun was definitely had by all! What a wonderful way to spend a weekend; quilting... friends... laughter... eating....eating... a glass of wine.... a little more eating.., all while someone else cooks for you. What bliss!! At the end of the weekend we had a show and tell session which was wonderful as we all got to see the wonderful creations people had made. I just love to see the variety of colours and how someones personality can be seen in what they create. I didn't have much to show (no, not JUST because of the eating), but even though I had been a busy beaver, much of my work was still in pieces. I had however, made 270 half square triangles, and 300 rows for my 100 nine patch blocks required for my quilt. Half of those 9 patches were joined, so a lot was accomplished but not much to 'show'. I have to say though (this is where I brag!), that one of my favourite parts of the weekend was coming to find that my wonderful husband (with the help of 3 daughters) had the house beautifully clean and tidy AND had caught up on ALL my washing!! It was bliss! Thanks Hun!! xxx It meant I could come in, and put my feet up, (lets face it, I had had a HARD weekend). More about the weekend can be read at Liisa's blog at http://thequilterscorner.blogspot.com/

Here is a photo of us busy at work. From left, myself, Liisa, Jenni and Kath.

So this week has been slowly returning to the real world, and trying to keep up with the washing which my husband so lovingly did! The rain didn't help and either did the fact that lovely 14 yr old daughter decided to bring out about 4 weeks worth of dirty washing from the dark depths of her room. Never mind! Last night I did manage to get back to my retreat quilt while waiting up to pick up 16 yr old daughter from a party at 11pm. As she is the oldest of 3 girls, I'm thinking that there might be a few night time quilting opportunities to come!! I managed to join all the blocks together, so this morning while hubby is taking Miss 14 to a netball carnival, Miss 16 is sleeping in, and having just painted Miss 4's nails red, I'm going to sit and join my rows!

By the way, the shop has nearly sold out of my first batch of patterns so that is very exciting!!

Squeezes,

Michelle xx

My first pattern on the shelf!

Happy Mothers Day to all for yesterday! Hopefully you were spoiled and got to spend the day with your favourite people, doing your favourite things. I ran in the Mothers Day Classic with my 14 yr old daughter Sally (or should I say 'ran behind') which was a first for me, and it was a lot of fun. The rest of the family came in to meet us, so we had a lovely time before heading home for a relaxing afternoon. I didn't even get to speak to my Mum this year as she is in 'Casablanca', ready to embark on a 14 day tour of Morocco, lucky girl! Enjoy yourself Mum, you deserve it!!

Last week was also very exciting for me as my first pattern went into the shop. I am very happy with them and how they present. I have a couple of pre-orders but it was very exciting to see a new face come into the shop, pick one up and buy it. (She probably wondered why I had this silly little grin on my face..) So I thought I would share a photo of how they look next to my bag, before I get straight to work on writing the next one.

Have a great week,

Squeezes,

Michelle

No more procrastinating!!

The time has come to put serious pen to paper as it is a little hard to publish patterns when the patterns sit in my head. So, with the help of 'Dora the Explorer' (for my four year old, not me!) and chocolate (definitely for me!) I have finally sat down and written one of my patterns. I will show you the final product in a couple of days with my newly designed cover sheets.

This pattern is for my satchel bag, which I am actually teaching as a class this Wednesday 21st April at http://thequilterscorner.blogspot.com/ .(mmm.... could this possibly be a reason why it is time to get 'said' backside into 'said' gear?)

I am very excited about having my patterns start to appear in the shop, and look forward to bringing you the previews.

Squeezes,

Michelle xx

Aunt Millies Garden ... a labour of love

I hit a milestone on the weekend, I finished all the applique on 'Aunt Millies Garden'. Here is the last few stitches about to be completed. I have truely loved making it, but am thrilled to finally be at the end. I have spent about 21months making it, and I think I could safely say at least an hour a day, so around 650 hours (phew!!). 'The Quilters Corner' ran it as a very popular block of the month program (all sold out), and this is the shop sample. I'm so excited about being able to do some other handwork in front of the TV. Here is a(bad) photo of the finished top .

What a week!

Last week was a crazy week (but a fun one!) And after a busy week I thoroughly enjoyed reacquainting myself with my sewing machine over the weekend. Last week I turned the big '4-0' (I know.. who would have thought?) and basked in the company of many family and friends. My family (Mum, Dad, sisters Jane and Suzanne, niece Millie, cousins Julie Mick and Jarrod), all came up from Adelaide to help me celebrate and made me feel very special. But, as we all know, when planning such an event, other 'things' get neglected.
Neglect was definitely the keyword in my house, but my beloved sewing machine could not wait, and there was certainly an itch that needed to be scratched!! And scratch I did, til after midnight on Friday. The result was a completed quilt top, using the gorgeous French General range from Moda, called 'Rouenneries'. The design is my own, which shall be released very shortly I hope, utilising a charm pack. (I will post a photo very soon!)
As many people know I have been making the shop sample (for 'The Quilters Corner') of 'Aunt Millie's Garden'. It is a needle turn applique quilt designed by 'Piece 'O Cake', and has been 18 months in the making. On the weekend I managed to finish borders 2 and 3, and have started border 4. I can see the light and am desperate to have it finished very soon.

I'm looking forward to sharing some photos soon,
Squeezes,
Michelle

Welcome to Lemon Jellie!!

Welcome to my first blog as 'Lemon Jellie'! It is very exciting for me to finally begin my blog and be on the verge of launching my designs and patterns. Firstly however, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Michelle Long and I have been quilting now for approximately 20 years. Quilting was one of those 'things' where the moment I tried it I fell in love and knew immediately that it was a love that would last a lifetime (as corny as it sounds!). Of course, at different stages of my life (like the arrival of babies and moving house) it may not have received the attention I would have liked to have devoted , but like all true loves, it patiently awaited!
I love the entire process of quilting, and and the opportunity this gives to design and 'create'. I have sewed in some form, basically my whole life, and love experimenting with colour, texture and pattern. Quilting was therefore the perfect progression. I love too, what that gorgeous finished product represents. It is an item of love and self expression which can be given to loved ones. And the fact that this item can then be wrapped around themselves to give comfort and warmth, well, it just makes me all warm and fuzzy!
Creating my own patterns has been a dream for a long time now, and I have decided that the time is right in my life, for many reasons, to jump in and 'have a go'. So please, enjoy the journey as I share it here my new 'Lemon Jellie' blog!

Squeezes,
Michelle xx