Finishes, Facts, Funnies and Thoughts

Lets start the day with a couple of funnies and a downright hilarious.

Sue Andrew
Albert Einstein once said
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what are we to think of an empty desk?”

Sue followed up with:
One for the blog - just follow the youtube link for a real belly laugh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRlBtabKRFM

Sheila shared this (Oh Dear, sounds to me like the dreaded 'house cleaning bug' that we have been warned about has struck Sheila)
Hi All I found this in the the back of a drawer when cleaning out - contributed by Ruth Blom, it comes from a B.C.Cottage newsletter in 1998 , S
A rich American family commissioned a well-known author to write their family history but insisted he should soft-pedal in case of one particular family skeleton.
This was the late uncle Dan whose life of crime ended with his death in the electric chair in the 1920s.
“ Just skirt around this “the author was told.
Being an expert writer his account read-“ uncle Dan occupied a chair of applied electronics in a leading government institution. He was held to the post by the closest ties and his death came as a real shock”


Pat has been busy finding lots of sites and links to keep us busy and interested. Firstly, a quilt along for us to follow.
A small slice of this lovely quilt, pop over to Alyce's blog 'blossom Heart Quilts'to view the quilt.

-

"This is an Aussie web site run by beautiful Alyce in Melbourne. Thought some of our patchworkers might like to part take in a free quilt-a-long for a few days and use us some of their scraps. It is quite a simple quilt and would be quite pretty depending on your scraps.
Cheers" Pat.

http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/2020/03/the-happy-scrappy-quilt-qal/

as well as the quilt along, here's a great set of links to follow
"Just noticed the Queensland Quilters have a lot of web sites listed where you can watch tutorials on various projects and also some free patterns. Just a thought some group members may like to take a peek, cheers" Pat.

https://www.qldquilters.com/

and then, cause we all feel a need to shop in times of stress (It's a comfort thing) Pat sent "Amatie, In Victoria has Aurifil cotton on sale with 15% off and free postage. They have all types of thread for hand or machine and some fabulous colours. Just bought a few reels". Pat.
Pop over to the Amitie Online Shop
Amitil advised that "The discount is available for everyone! It will be applied automatically on all online orders.
We are having some delays with our stocks coming in from Italy so first in first served until stocks sold out."

What has Pat been up to along with finding us lots to view?
"Quilt finish. Finished binding and have named it "The Old Roman Bath". Putting binding on a UFO and quilting another one. Hang the painting and gardening". Pat.

Finally,
"Here are some good things I think about being in lock down, I am sure our ladies can add to the list".
Sue

A few good things about being in lock down.

You can stay in your P J all day if you want to.
You save money on petrol.
You don't get stuck in traffic
You don't do any impulse buying
You learn to use the computer correctly
You can call friends you haven't spoken to for a while ,just to see how they are going
Make that thing you were always going to make

We have 2 more entrants in our 'Sewing Space' competition, pop over to https://buderimpatchwork.blogspot.com/2020/03/guess-whos-space.html for some real fun.
The names of those that have entered so far are:
Pat, Karen W, Di, Wendy, Sandy, Lorraine I, Sue, Sheila, Andrea, Stella, Sherrye, Janice and Karen D. Have fun matching those names to the pics as you scroll down.

Was asked about stores new hours and shopping strategies. Here's a few that have been found.

Kimz Sewing and Patchwork Center 0754934977 9a.m. - 1p.m for collection of phone and online orders only. Machine Servicing as per normal http://www.kimzsewing.com/products/ Online orders are still being processed and a delivery service is available upon request.

Brians Fabrics 5493 6826 9a.m. - 3 p.m. Brian is offering phone purchasing as well as a drive through service. If there is something in particular you need, Brian is also willing to send pics to your phone. You can view some of Brians fabric range on his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Brians-Fabrics-Accessories-222144494486839/

Patchwork Angel is remaining open until told they have to close, check their site for opening hours or give them a bell on 5477 0700. You can online shop on https://patchworkangel.com.au/shop/ They will also do a drive by service, call to place an order, and use their online credit card facility. Facetime can also be arranged for fabric selection. (find the app in the apple app store)

Johno's Fabric Center
Vicki and Robyn from Johnno’s will be staying open until told by Govt to close. You can see some of their fabrics on their facebook page.
They are offering phone purchasing. That is, phone to place an order, (5443 5966) and use their online credit card facility. Vicki will also send you pics of goods, such as fabric, lace etc via her phone to your phone. The girls are also offering a drive by service. Don’t forget they have parking places at the rear of their store.

The Sewing Mill 5441 2482 (Call to check opening hours) is offering shopping by facetime (the app is available in the apple app store)with a drive through service. you can also e-mail Beth on beth@sewingmill.com or through messenger or via her facebook page.

Eye Candy Cushions and a silly story

What has Cheryl been working on?
These!
Karen D sent us some pics of Cheryl's work
"not sure if you are looking for content for the blog. Cheryl
Westbury has been working on her reading pillows. These ones are custom
made for the client as they also have the persons name on them."

Before we launch into the pillow candy, let me say that the blog, your blog, is open to everything (well almost everything) that you want to share, especially in this challenging time we are facing. Anytime you want something on the blog, e-mail me, it doesn't have to be Wed arvo only.
Now on to Cheryl's deliciousness.

Jackie has been sleuthing for us:
"The pattern Power of three is available until the end of April.....
Just looked at Lisa's Facebook page, she has stated that 1100 patterns have been downloaded.......how about that!!.........
Cheers....Jackie"
Pop on over to Lisa's page for a peek, well worth the journey https://lisawaltonartist.com/product-category/lisa-waltons-books/

A bit of silliness to make you laugh, nothing to do with stress, not at all!!
The Fruit & Veg question keeps getting asked, when to wash and how many times
Well I have to tell you, it can be overdone.
The cleanest lettuce in town, indeed the entire darned country can be found at my house.
Yep, washed the lettuce & laid it out to dry in a folded tea towel. We then had a menu change …..grrrr….
The tea towel got collected up with other used towels…(you can see where this is going, can’t you?) into the tea towel basket, next day into the washing machine.
Fluffy green stuff everywhere!!!
How many non- loads does one have to process before it is all cleaned out!? The darn stuff keeps reappearing, and of course with these new machines you have to have a special tool to remove the agitator, and no one wants to make house calls to old folk.
Over it I am.
If you see any of us around with fluffy green stuff, please, be kind, its proving to be a tad tenacious.

We have one more entrant to our Sewing Space competition. Pop down to the "Guess Who's Space? post to see if you can guess who's space it is.

Deep the candy coming gals, everyone is interested in what you are doing and it does provide inspiration.

Jackie points the way

Jackie sent us a heads up on a free quilt pattern
Jeanette Swan
These details came through via the UK, every week I get info from a travel place in Uk they organise many textile trips....
Today they listed a free pattern from one of our Sydney textile artists, Lisa Walton, her pattern Power of three is free for a month, just search Lisa Walton Artist, and go to her patterns.....
Happy stitching......Jackie

https://lisawaltonartist.com/shop/

The pattern is only free for a short time, so hop across to Lisa's shop page and grab yourself a copy and maybe even some of Lisa's delicious hand dyed fabrics to make this cutie.
Lisa mentioned that she is running a facebook page for this quilt.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/559921501602958/
When I popped across on the Fbook link there are 67 members, so perhaps the month the pattern is free is March, only 3 more days. Rush gals, Rush

We have another entrant to our competition taking us up to 10 players. To see all sewing room/spaces go to post "Guess Who's Space" for Tues March 24th
The Updated list of players is
Pat,Wendy, Sue, Sheila, Karen, Di, Karen, Lorraine I, Sandy, Andrea
Have fun matching the rooms to the gals.

Even the wild life is getting restless

A big 'Welcome Home' to Karen, her e-mail to the group this morning gave a few of the 'highlights' of making it home. What a marathon. So glad you are back Karen.

Spotted this laugh on Fbook yesterday.
The rare TP tree, only found at Rosemount Nursery

Sally from Rosemount is their Fbook poster, and in these stressful and difficult times finds posting a little laughter helps their customers, staff and herself.
Mitch and his walking buddy Dave came up with the idea whilst walking their dogs around Buderim. Mind you when we visited rain was threatening so the tree found itself relocated to indoors, too rare and valuable to dice with a drizzle!
And yep, these are the guys who were offering T.P. seeds earlier on - you guessed it, a plackie bag filled with toilet roll inners.
Gotta keep your sense of humor folks.

Lorraine I found this fella (gal?) making itself comfortable.
I found this fellow in my bird feeder when I went out with some seed. I don’t know whether he was after an entree of seed or waiting for a poultry lunch.

Sheila had this run in with a little furry pest -
Hi
I was sitting in my sewing room and heard a bang in the kitchen(I had seen it yesterday) good old peanut butter and the ‘big cheese' trap. It will go in the garage overnight and in the morning I will don the gloves and bury it.

Fed up with making masks so back to green improv sewing.
Cheers Sheila

Lainey also sent a link to a thought provoking piece. Its long but worth the read.
Bonnie Hunter posted these words written by Brother Richard Hendrick, an Irish monk.
Lovely to read.
Is it something you could spread around?
Lainey
the link is to Bonnie Hunter's post, the words are at the bottom, just scroll on down or meander down, lots of eye candy and great chat on Bonnie's post.
https://quiltville.blogspot.com/2020/03/from-quarantine-quilting-to-binding.html#more

Lainey also shared this with us,from the National Quilters Circle something to expand our talents and a challenge, 'Colour me Chameleon Quilt' a lap or wall hanging size, teaching how to use colour pencils. Lainey's e-mail had lots more info which becomes available once you register, its free so why not.
https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1290701&tp_key=f15596970c&sti=nqc-swap

This old joke surfaced this morning....thought you might get a giggle.

A frog goes into a bank and approaches the teller. He can see from her nameplate that her name is Patty Whack.
"Miss Whack, I'd like to get a $30,000 loan to take a holiday."
Patty looks at the frog in disbelief and asks his name. The frog says his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad is Mick Jagger, and that it's okay, he knows the bank manager.
Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan with some collateral.
The frog says, "Sure. I have this," and produces a tiny porcelain elephant, about an inch tall, bright pink and perfectly formed.
Very confused, Patty explains that she'll have to consult with the bank manager and disappears into a back office.
She finds the manager and says, "There's a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you and wants to borrow $30,000, and he wants to use this as collateral." She holds up the tiny pink elephant. "I mean, what in the world is this?"
(You're gonna love this.)
The bank manager looks back at her and says, "It's a knickknack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan. His old man's a Rolling Stone."
(You sang it, didn't you? Yeah, I know you did.)

Who's in bed with Ricky?

My goodness, some gals lead a spicy life!
Sue shot us off an e-mail saying she was in bed with Ricky Tims, well before we could all turn an attractive shade of green, we got a follow up mail
Whew!!
Sue "Just thought I should have said that I am not ill , just in bed with a cup of coffee and Ricky Tims"
and here's the thing. You can do the same, well, watch Ricky, the coffee and bed thing is your department.
https://youtu.be/35EHNCNm-kw
Enjoy!
Mind you, Sue has been heard muttering about how dangerous these youtube vids are and how careful you have to be, too easy to watch one and think 'Oh I could do that' and next thing you know, another U.F.O.
Sue watched a vid and made a stuffed egg, she reckons it looks great from one side, but a tad wonky from the other...(still waiting on that pic! could be waiting awhile too)

We have 3 new additions to the sewing room competition. Am adding each new sewing room pic to the 'Guess Who's Space' post, just follow the link or even just scroll down you screen.

Some new views of what some of us up to.
Karen W "Amongst other things, I have just finished my coffee/tea mug bags which were to be for the Easter Fair. Some for our stall and some for Machine Embroidery. I decided to keep going and finish what I had hoped to do, now at least, I am ahead for the Christmas Fair. 🙂

Di "I have been working on this at the Craft Cottage and it is now finished. Hopefully more photos to come over time."

Di also shared what she is now working on
Di "I am working on a One Block Wonder. Heaps of pieces!" Di had a wonderful story to share, but would be a dead give away for the sewing space comp. so will save the story to share with you all later.

Sandy shared this amazing quilt and story with us
Sandy "This is a huge quilt (102 inches square) that a friend asked me to make it for her spare bed.
I used the Trinket Box pattern and was able to use lots of fabric from my stash. There is a smaller one on display at Patchwork Angel. I blanket stitched around the shapes and the joined it all using quilt as you go. Would I make another one this big, NO WAY, but my friend loves it."

More on face masks, Sheila had this one to share with us, as well as a link from Pat for the pattern and instructions she was telling us about the other day.
Sheila "Hi This is the pattern & instructions. I watched the video but could not down load & print pattern till Pat sent me this link. Some members may want to make some . I know Marie has."
Thanks S

https://members.sewitonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/How-To-Sew-A-Facemask-Instructions.pdf
The link takes you to a PDF so give it time to load, and just click once, otherwise it could be a lengthy process---no, I'm not sharing how I know, suffice to say I have lousy internet speed, rest of the house is great, me, nope!

Enjoy you day, keep safe, and if you feel a little cut off and missing your patchwork mates, pick up the phone. If your phone has a 'speaker' option, tee up a time to phone a friend and chat while stitching.

Off to post the new Sewing Space pics, so give me five.

Cheeky Cockatoo and a 'How To..."

Got the funniest movie from Wendy this morning. Caught a couple of stills for you all to share.

Wendy "This cockatoo sat on our fence this morning and ate our mandarins off our pathetic tree. It was entertaining to watch.
X Wendy'

The cheeky cockatoo was peeling off the skin, dropping it to the ground and enjoying the fruit, but would he share with Mr. Willy Wagtail? Nope.

Willy flew off when the action got a little heated, being bombed by a very cross magpie didn't faze Mr. Cockatoo one bit.

Sheila loves improv, and shared this youtube video with us.
"Hi. I just watched an interesting UTube video done by Bernina Festival of Quilts 2019 - Nicholas Ball demonstration. In it I learnt improv triangle"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSxN5_RaWWA
The blurb introducing the video states 'Modern quilter and Bernina expert Nicholas Ball shows us liberated techniques, such as triangles and free-hand curves, taken from his book "Inspiring Improv". This demo was broadcast live from the Bernina UK stand at The Festival of Quilts 2019.'
When you bring the link up, lots more videos from the Festival of Quilts also come up, haven't watched them all yet, but looking interesting.

Who's been stitching what

After reading this post, scroll down to see the Updates on sewing spaces, starting to get a bit exciting, of course I know who's space is who's, but what fun to study the pics and try to find some little thing, some hint as to just who's space this is.

Well look at what Sheila has been up to:
What has Sheila done in a week besides reading, walking , tv , iPad , grocery shopping at 7 pm?
2 music pillow cases
2 green improv square
A heart block from 2” squares
2 free hand cut drunkarks path blocks - no templates- from book ‘Cut- loose quilts’. by Jan Mullen
Stay safe all & keep sewing !

She also said she has finished her challenge but for some crazy reason doesn't want to share that pic.

Pat sent a couple of hints on face masks, yep she has made some and has some really good ideas to share. Perhaps a pic might follow of her masks, however, her ideas will transfer into any pattern you may choose.
"Have made a few masks that work well. Used twist ties in the nose seam so they bend across the nose and also used the fabric that comes wrapped around new shoes in the box as a filter between the outer and lining fabric. Also no elastic. Made ties from stretchy fabric so they can be washed in hot water often. There are so many patterns in the web"
Thanks Pat, some great info there.

Guess Who's Space

As new entries and pics come in they are loaded at the bottom of the post. Just scroll to the bottom to see them. We have 12 pics so far from these 9 entrants:
Andrea, Di, Karen W, Lorraine I, Pat, Sandy, Sheila, Sue, Wendy - So, now you can start trying to tie those numbered pics to a name - Good Luck
.........................................


Got a couple of pics in the mail with a little txt.

A follow up e-mail came up with the suggestion of a competition......what a great idea!!
So here is how to join in the fun,
You take a pic of your sewing room/space.
Send it in an e-mail to me, or to my phone. If you don't have my mobile number, give Sheila or myself a bell on the landline numbers (get it from the Patchwork Members list Karen sent out) Warning though, Never, but Never, leave a message on my landline - sad I know, but itsa broken.

I will number your pic and post it on the blog. A list of names will then be posted and you get to match the numbers and the names....the winner gets a wonderful prize, it has been suggested that you get to help tidy the space in pic 1. but if that's not to your taste we will come up with something more apropriate, (Promise it won't be a roll of loo paper)...unless of course it would fill a need???

The e-mail that started it all...

"I thought I would take this opportunity to go through my stuff and do a bit of "Chuck and Tidy-up", but I am having a hard time deciding just what more to chuck.

I have already chucked out so much stuff in the last 12 months that now I’m into the really tough decisions. I pick up some fabric and think “this would make a really good something, one day”.

So here are some pictures of my sewing room with all my junk and what I have done so far. Just made a mess really".

Pic 1--Sue A's space

Pic 2--Sue A's space

Now I would like to challenge you to just take a pic...yep...no tidying up first

Let the fun begin.!!

Got a couple of e-mails from Jackie, she has been busy flogging the keyboard, yep, lots of online perusals to share with us.
Firstly, Masks, if you feel you would like a mask Jackie has come up with some great links for us.
Jenny Doan from Missouri Star - it's a youtube vid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kwFaRFHKhY

There are links to 5 styles on Sew Can She
https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/5-free-diy-face-mask-tutorials-using-fabric

Of course we all know that a virus can pass through cotton, but they could be handy if you do not have a hospital grade one.

From Jackie
"Some people might have batting in their sewing room, here are some ideas, this web site is from the lady that Sue gave us details a few days ago.......just get it done quilts...
Just put in search engine...how to organise your batting scraps by Karen Brown
And Karen has many more you tubes to watch as well.....
Keep sewing.......Jackie"

UPDATE: 24th March 2020

we have another 2 contenders, gee, maybe that roll of loo paper is gonna be the prize!?
Sheila's space
Pic 3 came with "Very messy !" hmmmm, not sure I could come up to tidy if this is messy ;]

Pic 4--Andrea's space claims hers "Has been messier and will be again shortly"

UPDATE 25th March 2020
Pics 5 & 6 --Pat's space
We have another quilting space for you to view. This lass shared
"Has been messier. But did a tidy up not long ago and even got to vacuum the floor. Will be getting different storage cupboard soon......maybe the next 6-12 months depending when I can get to Ikea. Will need somewhere to put all the new quilts that are on the go.

So, how is your sewing space coming along in this difficult time? being ignored in favour of Netflix or are you stitchin' up a storm?. Join your stitchin' sisters in sharing your space.


UPDATE FRIDAY 27th MARCH 2020

entrant number 7--Karen W. shared this about her Sewing Space
"I’m sending a photo of my little sewing room (and happy place) with many projects on the go and many more in the pipeline."

Number 8--also Karen W space has this to say "I need to sew but I am filling in time!"

Number 9--Wendy's space shared this sentiment "My favourite room. Messy or tidy I love it."

Had to laugh at Number 10's--Sandy's space comments "This is my sewing room. It would probably not surprise anyone who knows me well that it always looks like this (well most of the time anyway). I can’t work in it unless it’s tidy. I know I’m a lost cause. I would rather the toilet paper prize rather than having to clean some of those rooms up.
Hope you are finding lots to do while we are under house arrest."

I'm loving this idea of Sue's to share our spaces, hope you all are as well.

UPDATE: SATURDAY 28th MARCH 2020

These two pics have arrived, both pics of corners, so thinking this is a pretty big stitching space, not to mention a very busy stitching space.
Pic 11--Lorraine I space
One corner that needs a bit of a tidy up

Pic 12--Lorraine I's space
Another corner that needs a tidy up

UPDATE: SUNDAY 29th MARCH 2020

2 Pics from our latest entrant with 2 different stitching areas. Heavily cropped one pic, otherwise a dead giveaway
"MY MESS"
Pic. 14--Stella's space

Pic 15--Stella's space

UPDATE MONDAY 30th MARCH 2020
Pic 16--Sherrye's space
"Thank you to Sue for starting this and helping us keep in touch . My room is small and so messy most of the time . Still I enjoy being there getting lost in a project and listening to podcasts".

UPDATE TUESDAY 31st MARCH 2020
Two more entrants in our sewing space competition, both gals sent us two views of their space.
Pic 17--Janice's space
“I’m not proud of my mess, but I will get it sorted.”

Pic 18--Janice's space

Pic 19--Karen D's space
"thought I would send you my favourite hand sewing space in my house. So calm, so peaceful...my space to think about how lucky we all are."

Pic 20--Karen D's space
This is a picture on my wall in my favourite space...very appropriate for this time in our lives.

Pic 21--Jackie's space
'4 Projects on the cutting table'

A big thank you to the gals who took the time to send a pic, there will be a little something for you all when we get back to 'Cottage Life'

Now the real fun begins, match the pic numbers with the names of the gals who submitted photos. The first to e-mail me the most correct matches will win a sewing lanyard with a removable phone pouch. Good Luck, look to the pics and the submitter words for clues.

A Surprising Laugh from Pat and a little 'how to' on communicating

Firstly I just have to share this e-mail from Pat with you, I didn't get it at first, not until I opened the link and all became so, so clear. Haven't laughed so much for a long time.
From Pat:
Found this great quilt pattern. Maybe a goer for another group quilt for the Brisbane show. No? Maybe it is all just a load of.........!!! Anyway you have to laugh, cheers Pat.
https://javahousequilts.com/shop/were-on-a-bigger-roll

And yes, I could post the pic, but want you to have the same fun I did.- Not to be opened whilst drinking coffee - be warned!

Two mails from Wendy, first with some really delicious blocks
Hi Andrea
I thought you might like to add this to the blog which by the way is a terrific way for us all to keep in touch, and see what others are doing. I rejoined the Quilt show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Timms. I started their block of the month which has many more than one block each month as they are 6.5 inch blocks and an 85 in square quilt. It is made up of appliqué and shoo fly blocks that are all set on point. There is also another pieced block that I haven’t started yet. I decided to use all 1930 s prints and the same background. I think this might keep me busy for quite a while.
X Wendy

Wendy's second mail raised a question of communicating with one another via the blog.
Hi Andrea again,
I wanted to say that I loved Di’s blue quilt and wondered at the pattern. Is there any way we can comment on things in the blog?
X Wendy


So after a bit of faffing around I think I’ve got it set right (We had comments turned off for a long while and then restricted commenting) but now we are fully operational.
So a very short tutorial
At the very end of each post we now have a 'Post a Comment' window. You activate the window by clicking on the 'no comments' button, If comments have been made the tag will read '#' comments, clicking on that will give you access to all comments and the comments window.
Just type in what you want to say, select who you want to comment as and click on the Blue ‘Publish’ Button. (as far as I can tell Anonymous comments will not publish)
Select a new comment window for each topic you want to chat about.

If there is a comment from one of the group that you want to add to, select the ‘Reply’ button below the comment concerned and you will get a comment window. Don’t forget to hit that Blue Publish Button at the end.

If you go to the Thursday March 19th post “Battening down our Hatches” and scroll to the bottom you will see where the Darling and I have had a test run on comments and replies.

If you need to contact me and don’t know how, open the blog and in the top right hand corner of the paler blue strip you will find an address. This is the address I use for craft blogs and sites so of course, every time I want a little sit down with or without a drinkie, I check the mail, so you have a good chance of getting a reply within a few hours.
Cheers, and enjoy having a natter. (Maybe Di could give us a bit of a heads up about her quilt and the pattern, I'm sure Wendy isn't the only one of us curious.)
Andrea

Battening down our Hatches

As most of us now know, the Cottage is closing its doors from next Monday until at least 27th April, whether or not to extend the closure will be reviewed at the next Management Committee meeting.

Some folks are self isolating while others are social distancing, whichever path you are following I wish you a safe next few weeks while we all try to deal with the many challenges we are suddenly facing.

Sheila has suggested that we keep in touch via the blog, a great idea!
Send a pic of what ever you are working on or have completed, you can use any of my e-mails or the blog's e-mail address (fatquarternews-at-Yahoo.com - you will need to replace the 'at' with the correct sign) I will put your news here for us all to enjoy. If you don't want to send a pic in an e-mail, send it via your phone, get my phone number from either Sheila or Sue A - also feel free to send links to any online site you think might appeal to your fellow patchworkers be it patchwork, quilting or any other craft or even something like that really interesting video of the mouse watching paint dry...anything cool at all!!

To kick us off, here's a suggestion from Sue A., Karen from 'Just Get It Done Quilts' This lady is a real 'sharer' lots of happy chatter, lots of hints and tutorials and lots of free patterns. She also has a youtube channel, simply put 'Just Get It Done' in the youtube search bar and you will be glued to the screen for hours, or minutes if you are strong...or hours, her latest video is titled 'Quilting & Social Isolation - It's what we've been training for' Suggest you don't start with that one, it's her first 'live' and while some were rolling in the aisle laughing at the goings on, it might be a bit of a strange introduction.

Sheila has very kindly sent pics of some of the work you talented gals have been doing.

Di Stark's quilt for family friend Fraser. Pattern is by Michelle Marbig Blue is his favourite colour.

Di has found this interesting bag she had forgotten she had made !

Sheila's quilt for son Neal's 50th birthday. It uses Fibonacci ratio & a little basketball fabric as he has been a coach for 22 years.

The back of Neal's quilt.

Pat made this bag using tiny red triangles given to her by Ailsa.

This is sample of our green blocks to be used for a group quilt representing Buderim.
Members are encouraged to make crazy / improvised blocks up to 9 inch
Plenty of time now Cottage is closed!

Sue A also sent pics of Green blocks she has been working on. Sue reckons its rather relaxing once you get started. (or maybe it's just that she wants more time with the new machine?)

Wendy had a news update and this cutie to share.
Hi to fellow patchworkers
Thanks Sheila for that information and good ideas to keep ourselves busy. We are lucky we have sewing as a hobby.
We only got as far as Perth and then flew home on Saturday night. We are very glad to be home. I had a message from Karen and she said she was on the cruise ship hoping to dock at Cape Town. I hope she ok and will be home soon.
We will miss the company of our patchwork friends but we could always send pictures of what we are sewing to each other. To that end I will send a picture of a small quilt that I finished using disappearing four patch blocks and I added Pat’s tricky block. See if you can find it.
X Wendy

Jan B sent a note to Sheila, but sadly no piccie, perhaps one might turn up later?
"Thanks Sheila , I’ve missed the last 2 weeks of patchwork ( things out of my control)
Sorry for you that the Master Swimming National in Sydney are cancelled , I know you were looking forward to the trip .
Can you just refresh me on the 9inch green squares ?
I’ve finished the quilt I was given to finish off and also my new grandsons cot quilt , I’m now starting a lap quilt for my daughter".
- Well, no grass growing under Jan's feet.

In case anyone is wondering about getting supplies, a few e-mails have turned up with ideas.
Kym from Kimz Sewing and Patchwork sent out this communication.
"We are business as usual here with all classes scheduled still going ahead at this stage. We will update you all if there are any changes.

Our Q20 Demo and Workshop with Jane Rundle is postponed with a new date yet to be confirmed.

If you would prefer not to come in to the store then we have a few options for you to stock up on your sewing supplies. You can call us on 0754934977, send an email to kimzsewing@bigpond.com or order via our website using the Shop Online button to the right. Delivery options include Australia Post, Sendle, home deliveries by staff or pick up from front of store.

If you have any questions please contact us as we are more than happy to help."

At this stage no news about any other local patchwork or fabric stores, but perhaps a call to them would sort out any supply problems, if any info comes to light I will pass it on.

Eastcoast fabrics are offering free shipping on orders over $100, but I think that is pretty standard anywhere.

and finally, for those quiet times when you should be catching zzzz's take a virtual tour through The Smithsonian.
https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/vt3/NMNH/z_tour-029.html

Happy Stitchin' and if anyone needs anything at all, even just a quick chat to liven the day, reach out, we are all in this together. Mind you, loo paper might be pushing it a bit but something can be arranged!! Just jokin'. I have faith in the Govt. crack down on hoarders and black marketeers and that this crazy lack of goods will soon be behind us all, including the loo paper.