What am I working on today?

So often, planned or not, I find myself working on a few different things at the same time (and this, sadly, doesn't included unfinished projects out of sight!).

So, today?  Just finished my Fancy Free, a class I am currently teaching at the shop.  A Quilt as You Go quilt by Moonshine Designs. 

I am making more blocks for my 'scrappy trip around the world'.  I have decided on a 6 x 6 block layout.  I have about 15 completed blocks, about another 13 in stages, so maybe I'm about halfway?

I am working on a commissioned quilt for a girlfriend's mother in law.  She loved the miniature civil war quilt I made, so I am making a large version of this.

And lastly, a quick little baby quilt for a dear friend.  She was a great friend when we lived in Canberra, but sadly we lost contact.  She recently found my phone number scribbled on a bit of paper going through things at home (no doubt 'nesting') and contacted me hoping I had the same number.  I obviously did, and am so thrilled.  After 20 years of marriage and at 45 she has just had her first baby, so if that doesn't deserve a quilt, nothing does!

And what is Elsie up to?  Well, as usual there is always SOMETHING going on. When I went outside on this glorious Autumn Sunday morning, I found a little house set up for the fairies.  She has chopped up food for them and placed them in containers (note the crumbled chocolate!).  They even have plates set on the table ready to go, she never forgets a detail!

I forgot to take a photo of the bundle of fabric, but will post a photo shortly.  Just a little charm square quilt.

Enjoy the rest of Sunday,

Michelle xx

Fancy Free!

I'm not sure if I'm quite 'footloose' as well, but it's certainly all Fancy Free around here!  Fancy Free is a QAYG (quilt as you go) pattern by Moonshine Designs, which we are currently teaching at The Quilters Corner.  It is great fun and can be made any size you like.  I'm doing a queen size for my bed and am using a gorgeous moda range called 'Simply Colour'.

Its been on the go for a couple of weeks, but on the weekend I finally got around to putting the sashing cover strips on.  Unfortunately I'm two strips short (grumble grumble), so that will be this afternoons project (grumble grumble... I really don't like 'going back' to do something, can you tell?).

Nearly there,

Squeezes,
Michelle xx

Victoria Findlay Wolfe Workshop

Wow!  What an amazing day!  It lived up to all my expectations and more, leaving me inspired and excited.
By 8.00am I had been in a car, plane, train and bus and wandered aimlessly through back streets with my little trolley bag trying to find the venue. Once I found my way the lovely ladies from Material Obsession were literally standing out the front waving me in (I would have given them a thankyou hug but I was too sweaty!!) Thankyou so much Kathy for your warm welcome, it had been a long morning and it was very much appreciated.  The venue was beautifully set up, with individually made name tags, pencils, goodies and we had even had individual design boards. 

In the middle of the room, on a massive table was a huge mound of fabric scraps.  We were told to grab a pile, but!, it had to be colours we would never normally use and things we didn't particularly like...mmmmm.....

Victoria then led us on a wonderful journey, the story behind her book "15 Minutes of Play".  She first shared many of her quilts talking about the inspiration and story behind them.  From there Victoria explained how to begin 'playing' with scraps, joining them to become a larger piece of fabric which we can then use in any way our little creative heart desires.  She is an incredibly warm and generous person and I could have listened all day.

What my scraps started as ...

step 2 of my creation

 

Probably the main 'thing' I got from this workshop was a sense of freedom.  So often I try to keep my designs and choices fairly commercial, sometimes even stopping myself from going off on a tangent.  Well, this technique not only gave me permission to do this, but very practically showed us how.  So my little mind was just buzzing with thoughts and ideas the whole (long) way home. 

Before heading home however, I did get to drop into Material Obsession, somewhere I've always wanted to visit.  It was just gorgeous, inspiration everywhere you look, amazing colour choices and lots of projects big and small to delight.  Well worth a visit for anyone visiting Sydney. 

So thankyou so much Victoria, for broadening my vision and totally inspiring me.  It was without a doubt a day I will never forget.  Many thanks also to Kathy and the whole team at Material Obsession, for putting the day together and making it possible.  We learned something from you all as you walked around and shared your experience and talents also. 

myself and Victoria

 

group photo

 

Here are a couple more links if you are interested in having a look at some more photos,

 

http://materialobsession.typepad.com/material_obsession/2013/03/divine-intervention.html

 

http://bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/aussie-fun.html

 

enjoy,

Michelle xx