A new venture.....Dungog by Design

Last blog I made a passing comment about a new venture. Many of you are aware of my love of sewing, quilting and other handicrafts and I am very happy to say that my new venture relates to sewing.

Every Christmas I love to give my girls a handmade gift and last year I searched for something a little different. I came across handmade rope bags. I watched the technique on You tube and decided to give it a go. The bags were a huge success with the girls and they have been using them regularly when they go to the markets. I quickly became addicted to this technique and have had orders for my bags from friends. I also did a quick workshop at the quilting group I am a member of to show the girls how to make them. I love making items that are practical and use natural fibres.

Another friend suggested I approach Dungog by Design - an artisan cooperative in my nearby town- to see if they would be interested in selling my bags. I am delighted to say that after a friendly interview, my rope bags, bowls and other items were well received and are available for sale at the local shop. It is lovely to have an outlet for my work with such a friendly and supportive group. The cooperative is committed to local artisans making work which is "Original, Handmade , Inspiring". If ever you come through Dungog the shop is worth a visit - 224 Dowling Street, Dungog (opposite the IGA). It is open on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Members of the group take turns in the running of the shop during opening hours so I am also going to have loads of fun promoting all the lovely items in the store to locals and visitors to our small local town.
Dungog by Design also has  a facebook page which features the different artists and their works.

So my busy life has just become a little bit busier but with lots of fun to come. When you love doing something it really isn't work is it?

Until next time.....

Carol

The sewing and craft room....what's been happening.

The last few months have been a blur what with the wedding, Christmas and New Year celebrations but I do know I have completed a few projects during 2015 and even at the start of 2016.
Most of these projects were gifts and so I had a deadline to work to which I find is the best way to finish what I begin.
During winter last year I posted that I had purchased wool to make DH Farmer a new work jumper. It is completed (minus the buttons) ready for the 2016 winter. It is a Bendigo Woollen Mills pattern and knitted with their 8 ply classic wool. The photo does not do it justice as far as the colour goes. It is a lovely brown colour great for a work jumper. It is quite thick and long so will be ideal for those frosty mornings whilst milking the cows.

Last May I attended a 60 degree triangle quilting workshop with Lessa Siegele. This quilt was always going to be a Christmas gift for my DIL and son and it  was fully completed by the end of July last year. I even managed the quilting on my Bernina B710 machine and was very pleased with the finished result. Below is a photo of the quilt on the bed and I made the doxie stuffed toy as well for my dachshund loving DIL just for a bit of fun!

Other gifts completed were a Santa Sack for Wyatt ( no photo sorry to say), rope market bags ( which I seem to be addicted to making at the moment) for each daughter, a Star Wars Quillow for the new SIL (a Star Wars tragic) and a few smaller gifts for Christmas. Since Christmas, Wyatt's eye spy quilt for daycare has also been completed - a gift for his first birthday which is only a little over two weeks away. 

The aim for this year is to complete my "Rotherfields Greys" quilt which has been on the go now for well over 2 years. Sometimes you cannot rush these things but there is a deadline to finish this quilt as well. Maitland Patchwork Quilters are celebrating their 30th exhibition in September this year and this is the quilt I would love to display in the group's exhibition. 

Today is going to be a hot one here at home with the temperature meant to reach 38 Celsius so I hope all of you can stay out of the heat. DH Farmer is repairing the cattle yards with our eldest son , Matt , but will be back in for lunch and a rest by the time the real heat of the day hits.

So until next time.....

Carol

Another May Quilting Weekend over....

I am sure that most of you who read my blog are well and truly aware that I love quilting and spend a lot of time on my favourite past time. I do actually spend time on other things such as farmwork, housework, etc, etc -  but just at the moment I have been doing a lot of exciting quilting things.
Last weekend the quilting group I belong to held their annual May Seminar weekend at Tocal College Paterson. Maitland Patchwork Quilters is a growing and very active group of quilters from all walks of life who gather regularly in the true spirit of quilting. Our members range in age from 23 to 86 and with experience that ranges from beginners to published and prize winning quilters and tutors.  Regardless of our age or our ability and experience we have a lot of fun and love learning new skills and techniques.
This weekend I attended a workshop tutored by the ever young Lessa Siegele from Adelaide. Lessa is in her 70's   ( I am sure she wont mind me telling you that!) and the recipient of the Rajah Award ( the top quilting accolade for an Australian quilter). Lessa is a gem! The hints, tips and techniques that Lessa shared with us all comes only from a quilter of Lessa's quality and experience. Some in Lessa's workshop did her version of "The Rajah Quilt". This quilt is historically Australia's most famous and oldest quilt. I participated in the 60 degree triangle Star Quilt workshop - an oldie but a goodie. Lessa also shared and demonstrated her methods of making baby blocks, flying geese and much more. We all came away from the weekend learning more than we thought we would but more importantly having a great deal of fun!!!

Our happy group of quilters doing Lessa's workshop. Lessa is 3rd from left front row.

60 degree Star Quilt blocks.

One of our youngest members and her WIP.

Nicole showing her first ever completed Queen size quilt top. Well done!

Well now it is time for me to think about other things. Probably some housework is required or maybe some more quilting....

Until next time....
Carol

Where to start....

Well to say the past few weeks have been rather eventful is a massive understatement.
On the 15th April I flew with several friends to AQC in Melbourne. We had the most wonderful 4 days of quilting heaven - workshops, lectures, dinners, cocktail parties, shopping and friendship and camaraderie. But I will tell more on that shortly.
On Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st April my local area where I live was devastated with a massive flood event. People's lives were lost and a lot of damage was done to homes, farms and livestock in our local community. All of this happened whilst I was still away in Melbourne at the end of AQC. The events were all over the television and I saw my small country town of Dungog suffering great loss. On the home farm front we lost power and telephone communication for several days,the girls couldn't be milked until a generator was sourced, we had our gravel road partly washed away, trees were blown over and many fences were in much need of repair. Overall we did not suffer badly compared to many in our local area. We measured over 16 inches of rain and the wind was unbelievable from reports by DH.
 It was an odd feeling watching these events unfold whilst away from home.I felt helpless but knew that DH would cope with all of this in his calm and practical way. Our flight was delayed out of Melbourne for 24 hours and then I had to stay with my daughter in Newcastle until Saturday to wait for the flood waters to recede enough so I could make it safely home.  It was an enforced longer than expected holiday for me!I I don't have any photos to show you of the flood on the farm but I know many of you saw the television reports as I had done. The small rural community of Dungog is slowly getting life back together but for many it will never be the same again.
As for AQC - as I said before it was amazing!!!! I loved both workshops I did with two lovely and amazing tutors, Michele Hill and Caroline Sharkey. Both workshops tied in wonderfully together. Micheles was largely about gaining confidence to have a go at designing your own applique quilts. Then the second workshop with Caroline was a nature landscape wall hanging where there were no patterns to follow, new techniques to learn and once again having a go at designing your own individual wall hanging.
There is still a lot of work to go on my projects but I can give you a sneak peak with what I have done so far!

The beginnings of my Michele Hill workshop. It is based on a traditional German folkart design but obviously with a modern day twist. And it is straight at the bottom - it is just my bad displaying of the piece!

Naturescape Landscape WIP. It still needs a lot of machine embroidery and embellishing.

On the Monday following AQC our small group of quilters travelled by train to Castlemaine to visit the amazing reproduction quilt shop called "Threadbear". It took about an hour and a quarter to get there and it was lovely looking out at the countryside which I must say could have used some of the rain which we had received up home. Needless to say that after my visit to "Threadbear"my stash is now slightly bigger and my wallet slightly lighter! Castlemaine is a lovely country town to visit if you ever get the chance.
 As I stated  we had to stay an extra 24 hours in Melbourne before we could fly home to Newcastle. What else do a group of girls do in Melbourne for the day BUT go shopping! Clothes are different and very reasonably priced in Melbourne. You can always find something that you need to have. I will say in my defence that my luggage was not overweight - but only just!

Until next time......
Carol

Getting ready for AQC 2015.

It is less than a week before I head to Melbourne for this years Australian Quilt Convention held at the Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens. A few of us from the local quilters group I belong to  head down and stay for 6 days of pure quilting bliss. AQC begins on Wednesday evening with a cocktail party and then there are 4 days of workshops, lectures, quilt shows, shopping, dinner and just plain quilting heaven to experience. It closes on Sunday afternoon. At the Gala dinner on Saturday night this years Rajah Winner is announced. This is the highest award a quilter can achieve in our country. Last years recipient was the lovely and talented Michelle Hill from South Australia. Awards are presented for various categories of the Quilt Show as well.
This year I have selected 2 two day workshops to learn new techniques and skills. The first is called "Designing Your Own Appliqued Quilts" tutored by Michelle Hill.

I am very much looking forward to this class as I love reproduction quilting and am also keen to learn how to design my own quilts and projects.

The second workshop is an art quilt workshop tutored by Caroline Sharkey. I love to balance my quilting with traditional and art projects. I have been busily collecting the fabrics for this project.

After four days of AQC our small group is heading out to Castlemaine by train to visit one of the best reproduction quilt shops in Australia - "Threadbear". This trip is one we have been planning for several years and are very excited to finally visit this shop and meet the talented women who own this store. You can never have too much quilting in your  life!
If you are a quilter I strongly recommend that you put a visit to AQC on your bucket list! I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Until next time.....
Carol

U.F.O. Weekend

I belong to Maitland Patchwork Quilters (a link is in the Blogs I like to read) and I spent this past weekend with the group at Tocal Agricultural College working on UFO's (unfinished objects for those of you not in the know of quilting acronyms).  It is always, and I do mean always, a great time not only working on my projects but more because of the fun and good times I spend with a group of like minded women. It is a time to forget about work, the farm, housework and anything else that you want to. We sew, we laugh, we eat, and occasionally a little drink! A mini break to recharge your batteries.

The view from our workshop rooms.

Part of  the building complex at Tocal. Very rural and relaxing!

 The U.F.O.'s below are not mine but shows a variety of beautiful works that some of the women in the group are creating.

Route 66 designed by Di Ford-Hall well on the way to being completed.

Another U.F.O. (Museum Medallion) by a talented quilter.

Belonging to such a group is not only about quilting. Such a group is very important for our emotional and physical well being. For the professional working woman it is a chance to relax and unwind. For the woman who has recently found her home empty of children after many years of child rearing it fills a void and offers friendship and companionship. For those that care for elderly parents or are carers or minders for special needs children or their grandchildren it is a chance to take a breather. For those with little social contact it breaks the isolation. It is a support group for those going through their own health issues. We celebrate and enjoy the births, weddings, and birthdays that touch our group members lives. Likewise we support and feel the loss of family and friends that our members also inevitably experience.
Since joining the group I personally have formed many wonderful friendships, acquired new quilting skills, travelled , listened and talked to amazing women of all ages and walks of life. It is an integral part of my life that is essential to my overall well being.
If I can give advice. Find yourself a group, any group that interests you, and join it. What you get out of it is life supporting and so much fun!
Until next time...
Carol