Retreat photo needed

I have included this as a group photo as it is the only one I have anyone have a total group please email me ... will bring my tripod to next retreat.

Our first FABulous retreat was held in a gorgeous little cottage ????? 

The rain throughout the weekend meant that little time was spent enjoying our surroundings and instead we chatted,  ate, laughed and yes even managed to make some quilts.  

Some real gems were made during the weekend and photos will be added as soon as I get them.

Chris was extremely pleased with her two day effort and as you can see it was a real beauty.

RR 50

A country Girlz Stuff quilt was completed for our Ravishing Rhonda.  As before everyone made a few blocks and then our two ladies of leisure, Marvellous Margaret and Galavanting Cheryl managed between their many travels and engagements to join the whole things together.  A gorgeous multifabric outer border was made by joing together several pieces of maroon/red.  Looks lovely doesn't it.  What about the chook bag on the second pole  and before you ask "yes.  We are certain that RR would use these accessories regularly if only she had them in real life!"

MM's 55th - photo needed

To celebrate MM's retirement and reaching the wonderful age of 55 a Girlz Stuff quilt was made.  This was our first quilt made following this design and everyone found it quite a challenge as the instructions were so free / vague.  

The background fabric was purchased in Hawaii and so there was no chance of going back for more.  It had been purchased without any idea as to how much would be needed and the guesstimate was pretty good .... about an A4 page worth of fabric remained when the quilt was completed.

Because MM is a soft and feminine person a floral basis was decided for the main fabrics.  Chris and Cheryl spent one day 'in hell' (according to Paul) making their blocks under the guiding hand/ bull whip of myself making their blocks, while Melitta made hers with a bit of help a while later.

The quilt top was joined together and spaces left for MM to add her own touch of individuality.

Sewing bags

Photos needed here also.

Another successful sewing day.  Everyone managed to successfully make their sewing caddies, proving that sometimes my ideas do work and my instructions aren't totally hopeless ... this project is going to be published in Patchwork and Stitching early in 2008.

2006 star quilts

photos needed .... who has finished ... I haven't but I will get there

For 2006 it was decided that we would each make two 6in friendship stars for each others birthday.  Well this turned out to be fun.  People could choose what colour they wished the stars to be.  As easy as the stars may look they presented a challenge ... points going wrong way .... points disappearing .... fabric being lost ..... these were just the problems I had.  I am sure others experienced these and possibly other problems too.  

Who finished?  Me?  well I'm almost there ..... in truth I forgot about them until I started to do this blog but they will be finished soon .... well this year anyway.

Cheryl send me a photo and I will upload it and same goes for any others

Royal Stuff

MM organised the secret making of Royal Stuff to coincide with the publication of my profile in DUQ.  

The blocks were made by all of the group and given to me at our FABulous Me sewing day.  I then had the pleasure of joining them all together.  What a wonderful opportunity.  

I had been planning to make a quilt on point but hadn't worked out what design to make the blocks ... nor had I generated enough enthusiasm to start making them either since neither the prospect of making a repetitive design nor a sampler design thrilled me.  Problem solved when all the finished blocks were presented to me! 

Thank you all for a FABulous quilt.

FABulous Me

Got to admit these are pretty FABulous self portraits.  Will need to do a make up day so that we can have everyone's self portrait here!

The plan here was that we would each design an A4 sized self-portrait and vliesofix it all in one day.  Afterwards people were to quilt and embellish it as desired.  Because of other

commitments only three of us turned up for the day and we managed our tasks sufficiently well enough that the resultant quilts were published in Down Under Quilts in 2007.