Last Post from this computer...

I wanted to write one last blog post from my trusty old laptop. We've been throug a lot - I've learnt just about everyting I know about the Internet on this little BenQ. Its got a busted h key, stuck onto the keyboard with sticky tape, so nearly always h doesn't register when I type and I have to correct in editor. I've left the mistakes in this time, for posterity.
Next time I'll be posting from a brand new MacBook!
How exciting is that? I guess it will take a while to get used to and I'm a little apprehensive, but I'm really looking forward to a faster process. Today I'm taking this one in to get all my files migrated onto the new one and on Friday, I'll be able to play with my new one.
Enough of that.I've posted some new photos of Gypsy, that rose quilt that I washed with disastrous results. I couldn't bring myself to actually take photos of what happened to some of the silk squares, but they were really frayed and wadding was exposed. I tried a number of different solutions using large turquoise roses cut form a Valerie Wells fabric and intended to be appliqued on. I even tried making them three dimensional.
I had it hanging in my studio for ages auditioning, and I just wasn't happy. My daughter was quite vocal about how muc she DIDN'T like the roses, their colour, their number etc, but how much she likes the quilt as it is, so....I decided to only patch the spots with the fraying and wadding, and I used some fussy cut roses from a Phillip Jacobs print (also in the quilt). They toned quite well and don't detract from the actual quilt. It will never be a quilt I love... O well.
I don't have a full photo of it yet - Amelia's gone to school camp with our shared camera (hers) while mines getting repaired on warranty.
I've also been working on something new using the beautiful Under the Australian Sun fabrics, by Leesa Chandler. When I saw this range, I was immediately inspired to make ... something. There are so many quilts waiting to be made with these intense, oriental/Australian fabrics.

It's taking shape slowly, with sewing machines being serviced and all the other things that happen in life.
More next time,

xo xo Ann.

Miscellaneous

Here is the photo of my quilt, Wuthering Heights, which you will see in August/September issue of Down Under Quilts. The digital version is out now and the real magazines will be in the shops next week... I think. DUQ has started a Facebook page, so you can keep up with them there. I just checked it out, and it looks pretty good.

I really like the quilt hanging on the line with those weathered boards in the background.

The other day I lashed out on some Colin James ice cream. How good it looks on on our blue African tablecloth. The flavours are cherry, vanilla, blood orange and chocolate and it tasted delicious.

As I was sneaking a quick spoonful before stashing it in the freezer for later, I looked out the kitchen window -

an echidna (spiny anteater) was bumbling along fossicking in the earth for ants. They are the cutest, funniest little creatures with their long leathery snout, just right for sticking into the ground, and slow waddle. I decided to get a bit closer to photograph him, but he wasn't having any of that! He hid so effectively with his head in the grass and his spiky back to me. I've tried to touch them before and those spikes do protect them very well!

Patsy dropped into the shop with her finished French Collection Quilt. She stitched all the blocks, then set them in an attic windows style with a background of French map fabric (Moda's Patisserie by Fig Tree Quilts) which was perfect for the theme. These quilts are truly an achievement in effort, concept and skill.

Finally, at the bottom of this grab bag of a post, is my Rose quilt called. I started collecting fabrics for this when I went to Barcaldine with some beautiful ones from Sandy at The Silver Thimble. I used a huge range of rose print fabrics from Kaffe, and Philip Jacobs to some of the very first patchwork cottons I bought at Spotlight when I started quilting. I threw in a cute pack of coloured dupione silks by Moda from a new pre-cut range called Crazy Cuts. I wanted to see how they would go, and I quite liked the effect... they make a nice scrumply sound too. So, with the roses and silks and swish, I called the quilt "Gypsy".
Does anyone know how to get one of those little Facebook thingies on their blog? (Not the big badge, but the little one with an f on it. I've been spending a bit of time on my eBay Store, quiltopia!design, where I sell all sorts of Moda pre-cuts and I want to get more savvy with all the little code things and badges so I can be better at networking.)
Happy sewing, till next time -

xo xo Ann.