Marg Low Designs

a guessing competition

Thank you to all those who came to the trunk show at The Material Girls on Sunday. I had a great time meeting so many enthusiastic girls and came away quite inspired.

 
Here are Joy, Maria and Georgia after the show was finished.  

Of course you can't go into a fabric shop without buying at least one piece. 

One of these pieces is not for me, it's a gift, can you guess which one? If you guess correctly your name will go in the draw for my new soon to be released quilt pattern Grecian Times.

 
Simply post a comment including your guess by February 6. 
 
 

trunk show - the material girls

This Sunday I'll be at The Material Girls, Yarrawonga with lots of my samples for a trunk show. A fabulous opportunity to see them up close and ask me anything you want to ask me! It runs from 10.00am -2.00pm with a talk at 11.00am. Hope to see you there.

The Material Girls

9 Belmore St

Yarrawonga, Victoria

contact Joy on (03) 5744 2413

a little tennis, a baby quilt

Thank goodness for the tennis (Australian Open) and the close 2nd set between Henin and Kuznetsova. Just the sort of thing to have on in the background when stitching down the binding. I'm relieved to say one of the two baby quilts is now complete. Relieved since both babies were born in November and the plan was to finish them before Christmas. Only the binding and label to go on the 2nd. I'll have to pace myself with this since sewing down binding irritates my hand and shoulder more than any other sewing. Annoying as I'm sure it could be finished during the Federer/Malisse match.

 

I couldn't resist this print. Such a fun one. It makes me think of my brothers as young boys and how perfect it would have been for them. A shame to cut it up into small pieces, I opted for a large panel with simple borders.  And the 2nd quilt is identical; see I really do love it.

flowering gum

A couple of weeks ago I noticed the flowering gum on the nature strip was laden with buds. 

 
Green with a touch of pink they were beautiful in their simplicity.  

 
Look at them now! Such a gorgeous colour.

 
 I spend ages cutting up fabric, rearranging it and sewing it back together again, to create beauty (well I hope it turns out that way) and mother nature doesn't even have to try.

more flooding

It's hard to believe, in the middle of summer, Victoria and Tasmania are facing significant flooding. For some towns the worst floods in 100 years. Homes and businesses have been inundated, towns evacuated. My heart goes out to those facing the daunting task of cleaning up and coming to terms with their loss and those bracing themselves for the flood waters to arrive.

My thoughts are also with the people of Brazil and the communities devastated by the recent mudslides and flooding.

a finish

It took a little longer than anticipated but the new sample is finished. Other things got in the way as they often do.

 

 
 It looks fresh. Is this due to the fabrics and threads or simply because its new!

the floods

After the long dry spell, the floods in Queensland and northern NSW are hard to comprehend. My heart goes out to those coming to terms with their loss and those facing an anxious wait.

a fresh sample

Something I like to do every so often is remake a sample. It's fun and can be challenging using entirely different fabrics. The goal this weekend is to remake the Vintage Stitches Sampler. This is just one of the projects I'll be teaching at Steph's, in March.

Of course I could have looked through the stash for the right fabrics but where's the fun in that! I bought these, largely influenced by the journal cover made last weekend. I have doubled up on a couple of the pieces, but didn't want to suffer the frustration of not being able to find them at home. Plus it's nice to leave the shop with the inspiration clutched in your hand.
 As you can see I've made a start, after ditching the green and choosing two greens with a bit more lift from the stash. The choices don't stop here, now to choose the embroidery stitches and thread colour.

Enjoy your weekend.
 

a new cover & important dates

You will know by now the first thing I make each year is a cover for my diary. Nothing can be started or worked on until this is done. Its a nice and practical way to start the new year afresh.

The tricky bit was choosing the design: a stitchery, applique or perhaps one of Barb's buttons..... all these ideas were buzzing around and would not be pinned down until I remembered this.  

 
Started well over 5 years ago it was destined for a bag. My enthusiasm waned and now it sits in a basket waiting for the perfect project. Maybe this is it?

I wish the answer was yes, it did however provide the inspiration.

The fabrics are favourites, the colours are me and I got to combine a little patchwork, stitchery and applique - perfect! 

Now I can fill in these important dates.

TRUNKSHOW

The Material Girl

9 Belmore St, Yarrawonga, Victoria

Sunday 23 January 10.00am-2.00pm

 

RED TREASURES

New Club for 2011

5 projects  - red of course

commences first week of February

Click here for more details

 

TRUNKSHOW & CLASSES at STEPH'S

I'm very excited, an opportunity to meet new faces and visit Barb at the seaside.

Trunkshow: Wednesday 17 March

Classes: Friday & Saturday 18 & 19 March

Please contact Steph at Steph's for more details.

 

Australian Quilt Convention (AQC)

Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

14 - 17 April

The girls from Blue Willow Cottage have asked me to share their stand at the AQC this year.

There will be an opportunity for you to attend a hands on class each day with me. 

 

 CLASSES at AVONLEIGH

 Once again I will be teaching on a regular basis at my local patchwork shop Avonleigh.

Classes are listed here

Please contact Kay or Sharon for bookings.