Bloggers Quilt Festival

I found my way to this great link through Nova, The Bloggers Quilt Festival, and what a great idea! I'm constantly amazed at just how much we can access the quilting world, from our own little chair. There are so many gorgeous quilts with wonderful stories behind them, and those stories, have amazing women behind them.

I 'revealed' this quilt in my last post, but when I thought about what quilt to share in this festival, it took no time decide. It speaks of where I am now, what is important to me and the little touch of individuality I like add to my creations.

'Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!' arose out of my fondness for the Union Jack Quilts there were popping up over the place (perhaps inspired by Wills and Kates wedding?). I wanted to make one, but not wanted to 'follow the crowd' and being a very proud Aussie, I came up with the idea of the Australian Flag. I was excited as soon as I thought of the idea and knew the exact range I wanted to use. It had just come into the shop and I had immediately fallen in love with it. I knew that I wanted to make something with it, so the two (fabric and quilt idea) where a match made in heaven!

There were many attempts to get the dimensions and ratio correct. I had wanted to keep it exact, but from a quilt perspective it just didn't work. The Unions Jacks would either be too small (which I couldn't have as they were foundation pieced and a focal point), or the overall flag too big. The stars are correct however, and I made sure they had the 7 points representing our 6 states and the territories.

My youngest daughter Elsie, (and my husband if I'm to be honest), were a bit concerned with my colour choice (Elsie was confused as to why I could get it so wrong!). But that was one of the things I loved about it, the fact that it was quirky.

Often when making a quilt, you can be slightly 'over it' towards the end and fail to see it objectively as you have looked at it so much. But with this quilt, I loved it just as much, and was so excited to hang it for the first time at the Brisbane Quilt and Craft Fair, with my patterns for it on sale. It got a great response and I'm very proud of it.

Have a great week,
Michelle xx

p.s. nearly ready to put together a new design.. a chunky applique. 74 blocks down, only 6 to go! xx

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

Phew!! We did it! Liisa, Lorraine and I have been working very hard to make the Quilt and Craft Fair happen, and we can now say we have been, conquered, and are alive to tell the story!
It was so nice to see so many of our customers from The Quilters Corner, and thankyou for coming by to say hello. Having not been to the fair for a few years, it was lovely to see what is out there, and have a good look at the beautiful quilts on display.
I had a couple of new quilts on display too, and it was so rewarding to get such positive feedback on them. I had my new version of 'Pyramid Parade' up, which is with the Anna Maria Horner fabric they I have shown in previous posts. I also put together a little lap quilt using a charm pack. I was inspired by the gorgeous range of fabric called Little Apples, so also added a 'apple tree' applique to complete the picture. Quite nifty I think, and sure to find its way into a little 6 year olds room!

The main quilt that I was extremely excited to reveal however, is 'Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!'. I was inspired by the Union Jacks that seem to be very popular, and thought that I could make it a little more 'home grown'. I had a lot of fun making it (including a couple of test runs!) and was thrilled that other people loved it too! (we still have a few kits left at the shop too if anyone is interested).

Here is a photo of me in the corner of our stand which displayed my quilts (Pyramid Parade, Little Apples, 'Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! and my Satchel Bag). Not the best photo, I think you can tell I'm a little weary...

Squeezes,
Michelle xx

Brisbane Quilt and Craft Fair....

I think I will label this photo, "the chaos before the calm before the storm" (I'm thinking the 'calm' bit might be just before doors open!)

What an eye opener today was! You should see the boxes, palates, crates, suitcases and CHAOS that was within the convention centre today. It's amazing that all that can fit into tiny stands (well ours is!). Somethings did get culled, but WHEN we sell out of things they can always be brought back up from the car!
It was very exciting to see my quilts on display and my 'lemonjellie' patterns all lined up. It is also an exciting time because as I have been 'forced' to write my patterns (guess what? I think I may have overcome my aversion..) I now have enough patterns to set my website up properly.... so watch this space!
I will share some more photos with you tomorrow.

Michelle xx

Busy busy busy...

1 day to go til set up at the Brisbane Quilt and Craft Fair, and I am madly at it! 2 quilts done, 1 binding done, and this pyramid quilt about one third quilted.
I think today might definitely be a day to wear my wonder woman undies on the outside (just for an extra little confidence boost of course!)
Michelle xx

No rest for the wicked...

...and... as I was told yesterday, that must make me very wicked! The Quilters Corner will be at the Quilt and Craft Fair, which is starting this Wednesday. Of course, as always, I have set myself much to do, and now with only 3 days to go til setup have VERY limited time to do it...... (its a very good thing I don't chew my fingernails otherwise I would none left). I have 3 quilts to quilt, 3 patterns to write and 2 patterns to modify. Plus the odd bit of binding, photographing, and 'other stuff' to do. This is some of the sewing I have to finish (only showing backings..)

Even though there is much to be done, I am very excited, as it is a golden opportunity to show off some of my work and to have my patterns on sale. Liisa, Lorraine and I have been working madly on cutting and packing kits, so if you are attending the Brisbane Quilt and Craft Fair, please stop by and say hello!
I will have lots of photos to share soon, not to mention the 'big reveal' on my special quilt I have designed. I have had amazing feed back on it so far so am really looking forward to displaying it at the show.

Squeezes, Michelle xx

Delicious fabric!

Well... finally!! This weekend I got to sneak in a wee bit of sewing. I'm madly trying to finish off some projects for the up coming Craft Fair in Brisbane .... and well.... maybe start a new one... or two? (can't help myself). But when new fabric comes into the shop, that screams "sew me!!!" what's a girl to do? Make a new quilt of course! Well that is exactly what Anna Marie Horners new fabric 'Lou Lou thi' said to me so I was forced to obey.

I played with a couple of designs, but in the end the fabric just needed to be made up into a scrappy eclectic collection. So if you come by 'The Quilters Corner' stall at the October 'Quilt and Craft Fair' you will be able to have a look at the end result (there will also be kits available). I laid out this quilt last night, and just loved it, so am dying to put it together.... now if only this housework will do itself....

Have a great week,
Michelle xx