Quiltopia!Design African Squares.

(I've had to post this story it two posts because I can't seem to be able to load on more than 3 or 4 photos. Is that the same for everyone?)

I make packs of 52 , 5 1/2" squares for my African Quilt. They can be used to make the African Quillow too - and just about anything else you have in mind.
Recently, I reached the end of my supply - somethingI dread in many ways ( but am very happy that I've sold them all!)
So it's time to cut some more...
Here is the pile of fabrics ready to start.





From the pile of fabrics, I cut up to three, 5 1/2" strips across whatever width there is.
Every time I cut squares, I finish some precious fabric. This time I finished several of my very first, original fabrics purchased in Pretoria and Cape Town four years ago, and also some my mother (who is not a quilter) purchases at a Zimbabwean market.
At the time my sister was living in South Africa and we had the good fortune to visit her.











The stacked up pile of about 70 different fabrics!
Love the way it looks...
I especially love this hot pink one with coffee cups, the orange with shoes underneath it, and all the Da Gama Madiba range featuring Nelson Mandela's head. I found out recently that this range is no longer in production - but watch out for it in my products in the future.






The final stage in the cutting process involves cutting each fabric strip into 5 1/2" squares and organising them in rows ready to dole out into piles of 52. I try to make charm packs, but sometimes it's just not possible.

Down Under Quilts Profile and PNG Exhibition

Read about me in the February 2009 issue of Down under Quilts! This is what the cover of the magazine looks like . I was really flattered and excited when they invited me to be a profiled quilter.. Thank you DU Quilts!















This is the opening page of the article, featuring my daughter Amelia's sampler quilt and one of my Australian Indigenous inspired quilts, "The Fire Within". I've decided to include that one in my PNG exhibition, "Feelings of Place" featuring my African and ethnic inspired quilts. Most will be for sale, some are from private collections, and commissions are welcome.
The exhibition will be at the Ela Beach Hotel on 3rd and 4th April 2009. Tickets for the opening event on Friday night will be available. I will continue posting information as it comes to light.
To see these two quilts, and many of my others, visit my website and click on Quilts.

Quiltopia!design Studio Reorganisation

Above: Before, the inside of my fabric cupboard and the wall space.

Well, here it is again. The studio is finished undergoing its reorganisation. A guy came in a van and measured up my cupboard and wall space. He drew up a plan accounting for my shelf height specifications, then he went back downstairs to the van and figured out the quote. He came back up and showed me and I agreed on the spot, after doing extensive research over the last year, into all sorts of flat packs and DIY options. Then another guy came back a couple of days later with all the shelving pre- cut and ready to go. He installed all the shelves that morning... and then i was left with the huge mess and emptying out all the plastic crates I've been storing stuff in for over 10 years. It took a few days, and I found a few forgotten treasures but here are the Before and After shots. I had to put them in a few posts as I haven't fine-tuned the image posting part of blogging yet. Still working on that...

Below: After the shelves were installed and my fabrics etc unpacked in them. How much space is there?

The wall now has heaps of room to stack my African fabrics, Fat Quarters, and bolts of stock. You can see the quaint little applique quilt hanging from Zimbabwe. These all ave a secret pocket you have to find with the story of the quilt written in English by the maker.
I might show that in a future post...