Smiles and aching muscles...

...but mainly smiles after the success of our quilt exhibition, record number of visitors, record revenu, and a nice healty chunk of change from our raffle quilts to go to our charity of choice, Smart Pups Assistance Dogs
There was lots of goss, not to mention planning of new projects,

Others were taking a break from patchwork, but still stitching,
Courtney continues with her embroidery

Helen hard at it with her Hardanger









Gwen has been practicing her Crewel embroidery, she decided to treat herself to a rather special retreat, choosing a very easy class so that she could soak up some sun and creative vibes from other retreatees, sadly that particular class was cancelled, so in true Gwen style, she decided on the hardest for her class...yep, Crewel embroidery with the international tutor Hazel Blomkamp. Of course, not wanting to waste time in class with no idea how to proceed, Gwen grabed one of Hazel's books and started practicing.
This piece is the result.

and yep, Gwen does know, there is a tinsy little leaf left to embroider! - right down there at the bottom, under the flower...see?








Marcia and Sue were really catching up, yeah, on goss, but mainly on Hexies, Marcia bought hers as a pre-cut set back when dirt was mud and Sue is finishing off a box of hexies her sister started round about the same time from all accounts.

Rather like the 'daisy chain' layout that Sue's sis had chosen.

Lovely to meet Margaret, a local lass who was the overjoyed winner of the Raffle 2nd prize quilt, presented to her by the quilt creator Janice.

1st prize winner will be popping into the Cottage on Friday to collect her quilt. Lorraine has volunteered to zoom up to the cottage to present the quilt and take a pic for us.

Must have been the day for pulling out U.F.O.'s, Marlene recently had this beauty machine quilted and was finishing off the binding, been on the go for 13 years.

A truly reversible quilt, Marlene got the pattern from 'Fragrant Cottage' in Warrnambool Vic, they still have a web site but - is it the same business?

Jackie bought this lovely modern quilt along to share, vibrant colours and stunning quilting.

Not quite in the same vein as a U.F.O. but using long term fabric from her stash, Lyn created this lovely using fossil ferns purchased a few years back when one of our local patchwork stores was shutting the doors.
The backing was a gift from her daughter, originally something like a 5 mtr piece, its been a joy to Lyn, never stuck for a backing!- now thats a perfect quilter gift!

Gaye was busily stitching binding, she used some very jolly fabric featuring those little yellow guys that run amok....don't tell me...oh yeah, minions - Gaey chose another modern icon for her backing, emoticons - a real fun quilt for one of the younger set.

Chris was also stitching binding on a stunning quilt, chevrons and diamonds in primaries.

2017 Quilt Exhibition - Part Three

Wow, what an amazing afternoon of exuberance and energy at our patchwork meeting yesterday, even Di got a tad carried away when dishes time came around, she had more suds than she knew what to do with!

But more on the day of fun and inspiration later, now, on to more delicious quilts.

Marcia Elliot
'Happy Memories'
Prior to the birth of her baby last year my granddaughter held a 'Celebration of a new life' party.
Guests were asked to bring a piece of fabric that held happy memories for them and to share their memories with the other guests.
To surround the new baby with these happy new vibes the pieces of fabric were to be made into a patchwork quilt by the baby's great grandmother.
With such a wide variety of fabrics this was a big challenge for great grandmother, Marcia.
It is machine pieced and quilted by Marcia Elliot

Sue Andrew
'Connections'
This is my own design. I have completed using the 'Quilt as you go' method.
Machine pieced and quilted by me
Pattern design by Sue Andrew
Quilted by Sue Andrew

Fae Dunner
'I Spy'
A comforter made with love for a traumatised child going into foster care.
'Something to keep' and to let them know they are precious to God.
Inspired by love of children
Pattern design by Fae Dunner
Quilted by Fae Dunner

Val Tanner
'Reflections of the Serengeti' 1 & 2
I just love silhouettes in quilts
They make such a dramatic visual effect on all sorts of backgrounds
Pattern design by Lorraine Stangness (Country Creations)
Quilted by Val Tanner

Fiona Bell
Metro Hoops
I just really wanted to make it!
Pattern design by Sew Kind of Wonderful
Quilted by Me - Fiona - "The quilting Fairy"

Pat Reid
'Exploding Stars'
Pat Reid
When I saw Lib Elliot's quilt on the internet, I knew I had to make it. Lots of triangles and using blacks, greys and just one very bright colour. Watching it slowly come together on my design wall, I thought I should never have started such a complicated design. But then I finally finished the piecing!
How do I quilt such a pattern? straight lines with a difference; I let the pattern dictate the quilted design. I used my walking foot and four colours of thread for the quilting.
Several months later, I think it worked!
Pattern design by Lib Elliot
Quilted by Pat Reid

Sue Andrew
'Daintree'
All hand dyed fabric
Machine pieced and quilted by me
Pattern Design by Michelle Steel and Ami Hillege from 'Gourmet Selections' book
Quilted by Sue Andrew

Sandy King
'Baskets of Flowers'
I purchased this kit at the Houston Quilt Festival in 2012 because I loved the embroidery panels and quilt colours
The embroidery took me a year to do at our Wednesday meetings
Pattern design by Robert Kaufman
Quilted by Yankee Doodle Quilting

Leanne Kerr
'Dan & Gen's Wedding Quilt
I started collecting brown fabrics about 7 years ago to make a quilt for my middle son, however, being very time poor I hadn't got around to starting the quilt until approximately 3 years ago. By then, my son had become engaged and so I was planning to have the quilt finished as part of our wedding present to our son and his new bride
Dan & Gen we married on May 31st 2017. I finally finished the quilt and gave it to them approximately 3 years later on February 29th 2017.
The great news is - they absolutely love it, so I guess it was worth waiting for!
Pattern design by Leanne Kerr
Quilted by Leticia Turner

Gaye Cook
'Oh My Stars'
this quilt arose out of a love of recycling and making useful and lovely things from scraps left over from other projects
Pattern design by Cathy Doughty
Hand quilted by Gaye Cook

]

Wendy Tame
'Foxley Village'
This was a block of the month 2016 Homespun
I used my own stash for the quilt and cut the border a bit smaller so as it fits on my wall
Pattern design by Natalie Bird
Quilted by Wendy Tame.

Marlene Hogan
'Freedom'
This is my qult from a workshop run by Jan Philips in June 2016
It was meant to be a wall hanging but I wanted to use up some of my stash. It is now either a single bed quilt or a queen topper
Pattern design by Jan Philips
Quilted by Fiona - 'The Quilting Fairy'

Di Stark
'A Wee Dram'
Made from the leftover material from my Drunkards Path quilt. I keep getting more and more material for the borders of my first quilt because I couldn't decide which one looked better
O.M.G. - I still have another piece to use!!!
Designed by Di Stark
Quilted by Carmen's Quilting at Palmview

Lorraine Irvine
'Are They Really All Stripes?'
I found this pattern in a magazine from the U.K.
The quilt designer, Lynne Goldsworthy, had made this quilt using different shades of the same colour in each block and when I went looking for similar fabric, I found that I had all these stripes so went for that insead.
There are not really 36 different stripe fabrics but you can have a hunt for the odd one out.
I enlarged the quilt and changed the sashing colour
Pattern design by Lynne Goldsworthy
Quilted by Lorraine Irvine

Jackie Swan
'Freedom
Jan Phillips came to our group for a one day workshop.
This quilt was made by using a rotary cutter so it was alternate to my usual way of making a quilt top
Pattern design by Jan Phillips

Pat Reid
'Shimmering Triangles'
I attended a two day course with Jenny Bowker at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne in 2016. Batiks were my choice of fabric for this design.
My husband said he could never see the shimmering stars in the pattern but after it was finished they were there even though he said he had to squint and use his imagination
Pattern design by Jenny Bowker
Quilted by Pat Reid

Val Tanner
'Fish With Attitude'
I had made this quilt before and I remembered how much I enjoyed using lots of brights to create this fun quilt.
Pattern design by Desiree Simpson
Quilted by Val Tanner

Marie Weber
'Emu'
Some of this material was given as a challenge piece. It was aboriginal design and I thought it married to this emu beautifully.
Pattern design from Quilters Companion
Quilted by Marie Weber

Karen Daniel
'James' Quilt'
I just love scrappy quilts. For me, its what patchwork is all about. The use of scraps of left over fabric, some recycled from clothes that have been grown out of. Snips of this and that. This quilt is predominantly out of leftovers, however the reverse and large peices of this particular quilt were purchased specially.
I made this quilt for my third childs 21st birthday as a surprise. He loves it.
When he comes back from travelling there's nothing more he enjoys than snuggling down underneath it.

Di Stark
'Drunkard's Path'
Quilt made from 2 layer cakes. It was quick to make but it took 18 months to finish
I couldn't decide on the border!
the quilt for my king sized bed had worn out therefore I needed a new one. Hopefully this one will last several years!
Quilted by Carmen's Quilting at Palmview

Leanne Kerr
'My Colourful Scrappy Quilt'
My quilt is made up of 7056 one inch finished squares. One of my friends makes childrens' clothes and she gave me a lot of fabric scaps so I combined these with all of my scrap fabrics plus my stash. I have been able to make a Queen size quilt!
Pattern Design by Leanne Kerr
Quilted by Fiona - 'The Quilting Fairy'

Marie Weber'Morning Chorus'
I just love doing Michelle Hill patterns of William Morris old English designs. This was my inspiration for this quilt
Pattern design by Michelle Hill
Quilted by Marie Weber

Janice Souter
'Summer Garden'
Beautiful Jewel fabrics from my stash needed to be shown off in a big way. Simple design and I added an extra row.
I am very pleased with the outcome.
Pattern design by Kookaburra Cottage
Quilted by Judy of 'Furball Farm Quilting'

Rita Buckley
'Li'l Blokes'
I just loved making this quilt

Sue Andrew
'Biased'
My own design using bias binding
Machine pieced and quilted by me
Pattern design by Sue Andrew
Quilted by Sue Andrew

Janice Souter
'100% Aussie'
I love Australia and I love these beautiful fabrics.
Using the Disappearing Nine Patch design, I think worked very well
Pattern design is 'Disappearing Nine Patch'
Quilted by Judy of 'Furball Farm Quilting'

Fae Dunner
'I Spy'
A comforter made with love for a traumatised child going into foster care.
"Something to keep" and to let them know thay are precious to God
Inspired by love of children
Pattern design by Fae Dunner
Quilted by Fae Dunner

2017 Quilt Exhibition - Part two

Promising to be another beautiful day here on the Sunny Coast, just perfect to make yourself a refreshing drink and spend a little time drooling over some very drool worthy quilts.

Michelle McGrath
'I Love Crazy'
I love 'Crazy' and was excited to join a 'Crazy' class at The Patchwork Angel taught by Jenny Clouston.
Pattern design by Jenny Clouston of Sew So Crazy Quilting
Quilted by Michelle McGrath

Gaye Cook
'Stripes!'
This quilt began as a bagful of ties collected over a number of years from family, friends and second hand stores. There are silk and synthetic ties but all with beautiful colours and patterns. What previous life did they have? How to give them a second life, a new life?
The gift of a book called 'Recycle Ties' by Christine Copenhaver was the inspiration to make this bold quilt from just striped ties.
Pattern design by Christine Copenhaver
Quilted by Fiona - 'The Quilting Fairy of Mountain Creek'

Rita Buckley
'Nottinghill Tube Quilt'
Who isn't inspired by Missouri Star Quilt Company!!!
Pattern Design by Missouri Star Quilt Company
Quilted by Fiona 'The Quilting Fairy'

Heather Tucker
'Crazy Triptych'
2016 was my year of Crazy! I was inspired by my friend's Crazy patchwork and encouraged to attend classes at The Patchwork Angel with tutor Jenny Clauston.
With Jenny's expert guidance and with the help of her excellent book 'Foolproof Crazy Patchwork' the pieces you see here magically evolved! I had done lots of embroidery in the past but had never worked with twisted silk thread, silk ribbon or beading. I loved the whole creative experience.
Then came the decision of what to do when the pieces were finally finished - is Crazy patchwork ever really finished? You can always add a bit more!
I decided to make three framed pieces, one for each of my three children to be given to them in the future.
Framed by Caloundra Art and Framing

Wendy Tame
'Rajah Quilt'
I have been fascinated by the original Rajah Quilt made by convicts in 1840 on their voyage to Australia and when I saw the pattern (half size of original) I just had to make it. The centre block is a copy of the original only I coloured it then outlined it in stitches. The quilt is then built up of rows around the centre. There are many very tiny squares
Pattern design by Lessa Siegele
Quilted by Wendy Tame

Marion Dempsey
'Christmas Bargello Table Runner'
This table Runner is made from a design by Eileen Wright called 'Twists and Turn Bargello Quilts'
Pattern design by Eileen Wright
Quilted by Marion Dempsey

Karen Daniel
'Em's Quilt'
Originally, when I started this quilt it was for myself. I have combined my love of needlework with patchwork and I was half way into it, when one of my daughters spotted it and decided she loved it and asked if she could have it.
How could I say no? To have one of my own children ACTUALLY wanting one of my quilts was wonderful, so I completed and gave it to her for her 21st birthday. Which actually started the ball rolling, how could I give to one and not them all? This is the first of 3 very similar but different quilts. It is machine pieced and quilted and I embroidered by hand all the squares, using a mixture of Mount Mellick stitchery, candlewicking and other embroidery stitches. It certainly was a work of love, and my daughter has used it on her bed for the last 15 years, hence its 'used' look. I have made a second quilt, similar but different for my second daughter, plus 2 other quilts for each of my sons, I am still in the process of making one of my own. One day!
Pattern design by Karen Daniel
Quilted by B & B Quilting

Closer views of Karen's beautiful stitcheries

Marie Weber
'William De Morgan Sampler'
Nothing more to say then - I just love William De Morgan designs
Pattern design by Michell Hill
Quilted by Marie Weber

Ailsa Ash
'Peachy Snowballs'
Our friend, Marie, made the Snowball Quilt for our Quilt Show four years ago and I admired it very much.
She gave me the patterns she found on a blog. I have kept it for future use and now have finally made it from some pieces of Japanese fabrics left over from other projects, hence the small blocks.
Machine pieced and quilted by Ailsa Ash

Lyn Solomon
'Going Round in Circles'
I needed to reduce my stash but wanted a different pattern that wasn't squares or triangles.
I found this online on one of my quilting sites and liked it because it was different
Pattern design from internet site -'Fave Quilts'
Quilted by Lyn Solomon

Michelle McGrath
'Clamshells'
For my friend Jan's 60th Birthday!
Clamshell Workshop at the Patchwork Angel
Quilted by Fiona Bell 'The Quilting Fairy'

Jackie Swan
'Cream Delight'
This hexagon quilt is the first in a series of low volume quilts I plan to make.

Marion Dempsey
'Ski Run'
This quilt was made with a Sewing Group at 'The Sewing Basket, Pittards Rd. Kuluin
The quilt could be reversible as the backing is a 'Disappearing Nine Patch' design
Inspired by a quilt at 'The Sewing Basket'
Quilted by Marion Dempsey

Jackie Swan
'Blue Circles'
The 'Ring Circle Quilt' was shown to me on the internet so I drafted out a similar pattern. As the body is made up of the squares, hexagons and triangles, ti was a challente to 'fill in' around the edge of the quilt.