Wearing purple today in memory of friend, mentor and colleague Christine Book.
Remembering Christine's passion for designing, skill with needle and thread and her enthusiasm to share this with everyone she met.
Remembering her love and laughter and happy times at Mamre House.
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As well as the goodies bag and delicious food, there was some very tempting retail therapy. Tracey and Helen from Patches of Heaven, Temora.
Margot, Ingrid and Margaret from Pioneer Patchwork, Narellan.
Both of these shops stock Christine Books patterns.
Maree Gebhardt from Threads and Things was there too. Maree has just about any gadget you could ever need.
Just as few of the things I packed in the car. It has to fit in the boot - I'm not one for stacking things on the backseat, passenger seat....
Just one of the show & tell quilts on the Sunday. Heather found this finished quilt top in an op shop. What a great find!
Michelle's quilt, inspired by the table runner Jan designed last year. Love this!
Jan's table runner and a glimpse of her string pieced star, projects from last year.
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These Sunday girls were busy working on Christine's cute camera pouch. I wonder if they've finished?
Not everyone worked on a project in the goodies bag. Alanna completed a Christmas project started when her children were young, the oldest now being 27. (I hope I've got the details right). I'm very impressed with anyone who can finish a UFO they've had for that long!
They all look like they're working very hard but I can assure you this wasn't the case all the time.
Kathy stitched Christine's lovely Christmas decoration and Tracey worked on my Bird of Happiness.
A combination of Christines and my designs were used here. I do like it when a bit of this and little bit of that are combined to turn a project into something personal.
Just some of the things the girls worked on. Each goodies bag contained a pattern from Anni Downs, which was quickly stitched on the day.
Thank you to all the girls who came Sunday for making the day so much fun.
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I had a fabulous time on the weekend and I'm sure the girls who came had a lovely time as well. Lots of laughter, conversation, tips, show and tell with yummy food - who could ask for more!
The projects included, Christine's gorgeous cushion, the lovely Christmas wreath and heart and Blue bird camera or phone pouch - very cute. A framed stitchery, tags, heart hanger and felt needle case and pincushion were mine. There were so many choices some girls did have trouble deciding.
I don't think these girls have ever missed a Mamre House. They even brought along there own table decorations. And yes they like dressing up to! Jan was the first to finish a project.
This was my third year teaching at Mamre House and many faces were familiar. So nice to catch up.
The same project but different looks. The red one is sooo close to being finished, a great effort.
Christa's needlecase. I always love to see things finished and it's very special to see them being used. Christa came to the class at Pioneer Patchwork back in September.
Last year one of Jan's projects was a framed string pieced star. It inspired Karol to make this quilt. I know many of the girls were disappointed that Jan couldn't make it this year.
The Vintage Stitches Sampler another project from last year.
I'll be posting the pictures from Sunday tomorrow - so don't think I've forgotten you!
Thanks to all the girls who attended on Saturday for making my day so enjoyable.
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I can't remember when I last picked up needle and thread, instead all my time has gone (and is still going) into getting ready for this weekend. I've been having stacks of fun putting together a few kits.
Who doesn't love playing with fabrics and trims! It's been a great excuse to see how different combinations work together.
You can see now why there has been no time for sewing. It's been hard deciding which fabrics to use as so many were perfect.
These are in keeping with the 'Beautiful Blue Birdies' theme. Don't they look gorgeous together.
Now to see if it will fit in the car. This could be a challenge!
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I've started the countdown to Mamre House. First it was months, then weeks now it is down to days. My list of things I need to fit in in the next week seems to be growing longer. I have finished the really important bit - the patterns. Now to find time to have a little play with some of the projects and work them in different fabrics.....
The theme this year is 'Beautiful Blue Birdies'. Here's a peek at my projects. Yes, I've used one of Barb's gorgeous buttons.
I love all Barb's bird buttons and the coming weekend has provided the perfect opportunity to work with them.
I couldn't resist including a felt project; one of my favourite mediums. Felt is very forgiving and easy to work with.
I wonder what this could be! Bookings for the workshop close next Monday, so it's not too late to join in on all the fun. You should be prepared though for a day of much laughter and chatter, delicious food and retail therapy with just a little bit of stitching thrown in. Would love to see you there!
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Once spring is here it's hard not to spend sometime in the garden. Flowers are blooming and the weeds are growing as only weeds can grow - they're flourishing in places they've never grown before. If I seem a little obsessed about weeds its just that I have, without trying, cultivated a very diverse and hardy crop! Why don't flowers grow like that? It's difficult to enjoy the blooms when you can't find them. Strange as it might sound the weeding does provide a nice break from the computer. I knew the Mamre House weekend was looming closer and closer but I just hadn't realised how close it had got. (Yes I do use a diary in case you were wondering.) So now I'm finalising patterns and still need to make a couple more samples.
Now how gorgeous is this! This is Bronwyn's quilt. Made for her by her sewing group and given to her for her birthday. Ros made her a lovely bag from left over blocks to keep it in. (Sorry no photo.) I do hope Bronwyn brings this to Mamre House for show and tell.
Have you seen the beautiful coathangers Bloom made for her Mum? Oh so tempting.
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The last few days have convinced me that spring has arrived. So you won't be surprised to learn I spent part of the weekend in the garden. And I'm so glad I did, and not simply so I could enjoy the beautiful weather. Last year I thought the weeds had taken over but this year they are even worse! I didn't think that was possible. What's that saying about one weed, seven years......? If you know how it goes please let me know.... or maybe not. It doesn't do to think about!
These are so much nicer to look at than weeds. The daisy does have weed potential but right now I'd be thrilled if the beds were overflowing with this happy hardy plant.
Belinda brought her not quite finished Festive Gift Bag to Christmas club on Saturday. Who wouldn't love to receive this filled with treats. I get a real buzz out of knowing the projects are finished and not in the UFO pile.
Now I've also started work on the Mamre House projects. This year it's being held on the 24 & 25 October. More on that next time and maybe a sneak peek at some projects.
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There's nothing nicer than seeing one of your patterns made up.
Sandra showed me her beautiful punch needle pieces at Mamre House and I couldn't resist taking a picture to show you. I love the way she mixed a little pink with the red. They're currently displayed at Ingrid's shop, Pioneer Patchwork, Narellan if you'd like a closer peek.
Jan is always full of great ideas and tips and this is another one. Sometimes binding can look a little 'empty'. To avoid this cut your binding 2 1/4 inches wide and trim the backing and batting 1/4 inch wider than the top.
The result. Nice plump (full) binding.
Today is the last day for entering the pattern giveaway (see last post). It's easy to enter, simply post a comment.
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What a fabulous weekend!
The theme for the workshop was 'Sampling the Antique'.
Jan designed the most gorgeous appliqued tablerunner, string pieced star and cushion. I love the tablerunner; Jan's home and all the things she holds dear.
Christine projects were a Stitch Sampler - Needlekeeper, String pieced Hussif with a stitched verse by Jane Austen and one of the loveliest samplers (sorry I don't have a picture) I've seen Christine do.
My projects were a stitched purse with sample stitches, a needle and thread roll, needle punch needlecase and appliqued pincushion. And because I love using fabrics from my collection of scraps - a crazy patchwork purse. I've used the same pot design in each of the projects. It's great fun taking the same drawing and then working it in the different mediums.
On Saturday the mystery guest was Catherine Sanchez from Homespun with a preview of some of the projects that will be appearing in the magazine over the coming months.
Then on Sunday Sue Ross from A Day in the Country was there with show and tell. Her quilts are stunning!
The contents of the goodies bag. Project patterns, fabric, antique buttons from Lillyvale, striped binding from Ingrid of Pioneer Patchwork and needles etc.
The weekend is a time for some fancy dressing. The girls are encouraged to dress to the theme. Here's Christine with the Bling sisters and their handmade bonnets.
These girls drew their inspiration from the film The Duchess. Yes they wore their tiaras all day. Would love to know if they travelled home wearing them.
What's lovely about teaching at Mamre House again is seeing lots of familiar faces. Janet and Jean got into the spirit of things with their pink shirts.
Michelle and Karol enjoying themselves.
Girls from both days
There was lots of retail therapy, with Tracy from Patches of Heaven, Temora, Ingrid from Pioneer Patchwork, Narellan and Colleen from Lillyvale. You can catch Colleen at the Cobbitty Markets, 1st Saturday of each month.
And I found time for my own bit of retail therapy. A stunning bracelet made from antique buttons by Colleen's daughter Belinda, green buttons and doiley and a fabulous Santa tag.
I feel sure that everyone who attended had just as much fun as I did.
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