Hi Everyone,

I thought I would just share with you a personal achievment of my children.

My daughter, Shelley has been saving for her own home sinse she was 15 and her brother Ethan joined the band wagon some 3 years ago.

Sister and brother, they have shared many "barnies" with each other, have supported each other through their sporting carees in Karate and I think deep down are the best of buddies. They will always "Look out" for each other and whilst they like to party hard they also work hard.

They have both travelled much of this country and the world and at such young ages of 23 and 21 they are well on the way to a finacially secure future

(I Hope!).

This leads me on to say how happy and proud as parents we are of all their achievments because this week they took possesion of the keys to their first home together.

They are currently busy down there washing and painting walls and have such big ideas for their older home on a quarter acre.

My underlying message would be....support your children in everything they do. It may be the good times of achievment and the not so good times of trouble, the 3am pickup and drop offs or the 6 extra bodies on the floor that were not there when you went to bed! Tell them everyday that you love them and ultimately when they do grow up, and you can see that all those sleepless nights have been worth it.

 

We love them both.

 

Carol and Martin

Miss Elizabeth

I thought I would keep everyone upto date with the new quilt on the block....."Miss Elizabeth".
She and I have been patiently getting ourselves together....524 hexagons of various size, 82 honeycomb shapes and 279 various 6 pointed star diamonds and of course there was lots and lots of fussy cutting.

Miss Elizabeth

 

Throughout the process of the quilt I made myself use mostly fabrics that I had stashed away (and there was lots) and to also view some of those fabrics differently when looking to fussy cut them. It was also quite demanding to use fabric that I didn't have a great fondness for and also to only use fabrics once in each row.

I think this may be my favourite

Or is it this one!

 

As usual I can't seem to stay away from those lovely cherry pink colours so I definitely don't think my son will be asking for this labour of love.
Being that it has just taken me 4 hours to write the pattern, and that is just the first draft as I always check my patterns several times before printing, and no diagrams are yet in place, the whole process from devising the product, making the quilt and then getting the pattern out to you is like watching a slow growing tree giving its all!

Oh yes and then there is the hand quilting to come!

So hopefully, "Miss Elizabeth" will be out there for all to enjoy in the next 8 weeks or so.....fingers crossed.

Carol

Classes for 2013 Term 1

Welcome,

and I hope that everyone had a safe and happy Christmas.

As busy as Christmas and New Year is I have found time to at least do some finishing off and even managed to make a new quilt top.

Two of these projects will be offered as classes for the first term of 2013.

Yes thats right. I am going to begin classes from home at the end of January so take a peek at the class list and there may be something there that takes your fancy. There is something for beginners as well as intermediate sewers.

Beginners Applique....Ruler Bag or Molly Cushion

Dates.

January 29th and 31st.

February 12th and 14th.

February 26th and 28th (project finishing off class).

Cost per class is $35 (includes pattern)

Time 9.30am - 2.30 pm

Choose one of these projects to make, and practice your needleturn skills on easy shapes using freezer paper applique. Finish off with a little embroidery and your sewing machine. Finished cushion size is 15" square. Finished Ruler bag is 8" x 25 1/2" with a pocket on the back for your cutter and 6 1/2" square ruler.

**************************

Intermediate/Experienced applique Projects.

Choose from either Raspberry Delight or Amelia Jane. Both of these large quiltes offer a challenge using freezer paper applique and English paper applique.

Dates.

February 5th and 7th

March 5th and 7th

April 2nd and 4th (project finishing off class).

Cost per class is $40 (includes pattern)

Time 9.30am - 2.30 pm

"Raspberry Delight" finished size is 60" square.

"Amelia Jane" finished size is 78" square.

********************

Beginners Machine pieced quilt..."Emily".

If you are a novice quilter or you just think you might need some help with cutting and making your points meet then this is a good little quilt to start on.

The easy machine pieced block teaches you the quick half square triangle method and the quick flying geese method. This quilt would look great in brights or boys colours as well. Finished quilt measures 56" square.

Dates

February 19th and 21st

March 26th and 28th

April 9th and 11th (project finishing off class).

Cost per class is $35 (includes pattern)

Time 9.30am - 2.30 pm

Class Information.

*There will be no refunds on class tuition if you are unable to attend.

*Course deposit equal to the cost of one class must be paid at the time of booking your place and then again when you attend class in advance for the next class.

* All class fees include the pattern only.

*Class fees do not include your fabric and other class requirements.

*Please ensure that you are confident in operating your sewing machine and that it is in good working order.

You can contact me for more information on classes at...

cherrypiedesigns@hotmail.com

or

phone; 04 0042 0074

Carol.

"Lucy in a Hurry"

I thought I would give you a little sneek peak at what I am up to at the moment.

Lucy Boston...Patchwork of the crosses has been so popular. I started mine about 3 years ago. I made all of the lovely pretty centres and then came the boring plain colour joining shapes.....oh and then would have come the fussy cut squares......STOP!....

 

I just can't do this anymore. I know, I will put it away in a box until I can get my head around it!!!!!.......Well as we all know that is the first mistake.

 

So in the box poor old Lucy stayed until recently.....Out she came and so did the quick unpick.

Away went the the boring plain colour joining shapes.....the fussy cut squares just never happened......and all of the pretty blocks were then appliqued onto new background squares.......Why didn't I do this in the first place?

 

 

  

So "Lucy in a Hurry" is all back together in her new look and currently being quilted, ready for her debut in 2013.

 

I guess the moral(s) of the story could be.....don't forget those projects that have been put away....give them a new lease on life......or how long will that long term quilt really take to finish!

Oh and she has a really zingy border!

 

Carol

Christmas at Dee's 2012

Well I can't believe how close Christmas is and how little I have done.

The tree is up and a few present under it but anything beyond this is just not happening yet!

Today a small group of about 20 ladies from our sewing group descended upon our friend Dee's house for Christmas lunch.

Dee is one of these wonderful people who decorates her home and invites groups in to enjoy her Christmas fare, hospitality and wonderful food. The money she raises from these luncheons is donated to local charities, here on the Central Coast.

As you enter the little front gate into the secluded front garden decorations are already grabbing the eye......but wait until you get inside! The local Christmas shop has nothing on Dee's collection of Chrissy Decorations...they are everywhere.

With the help of 3 friends it takes them 3 days to decorate. Furniture, paintings and personal items are all put away to make room for this very special time of the year.

And here is Dee herself, always smiling.

And on a day like today with the weather just perfect this view from where we enjoyed our luch was just relaxing.

Just some of the lucky guests.

Thanks again Dee for sharing your home with us for Christmas.

Carol

SAVE 40% on Yuwa fabric

Welcome,

Why not purchase yourself a wonderful Christmas present of Yuwa fabric.

From now until midnight on the 4th December (unless sold out before) you can buy Yuwa fabric and save 40%.

Minimum cuts of 50cm apply. Be sure to "check" the correct shipping option in your shopping cart.

Click here to purchase.

New Moda fabric has just arrived.

The latest range of fabric designed by Barbara Brackman.....

"Metropolitan Fair"

has just arrived and I have already cut into it! I just couldn't wait.

A selection of beautiful greens, pinks, reds and browns just set the pulse racing with ideas.

Available off the bolt or as a fat 1/8th pack.

Click here to purchase.

Now if you are planning 2013 as I have been then you can keep track of where I will be through out the year by

Clicking here.

Book your event now for 2013

If you would like me to visit your stitching group during the year please contact me and book your event.

Shop Hours

Now don't forget that my little shop is now open on the First and Third Tuesday and Thursday of the month up until Christmas....

December 4th,6th,18th, and 20th.

The 20th December will be the last trading day for 2012.

I will re-open January 15th 2013 on EVERY Tuesday and Thursday of the month.

Classes for beginners applique will begin in February.

More details for classes will follow.

Happy stitching

Carol

Chris Timmins

Last Wednesday we had a visit from the very talented quilt designer and tutor....Chris Timmins.

Chris bought with her some of her wonderful creations for show and tell as well as her wonderful tales of how she became a quilter.

Chris loves to use black, white and red fabrics in her projects and she especially loves the patterns created using Bargello piecing.

 

The 3D effect of this quilt is great.

 

 

This is my favourite and is made easier by using a special ruler....I have one and cant wait to use it!

 

 

 

I really do like this one as well.

Happy stitching

Carol