More chittering than a scurry of chipmunks

Wednesday was just one of those days, everyone seemed to be talking, laughing and just jollying around, so many projects on the go and all being busily worked on.
Mind you, as soon as the camera comes out they all stop chatting, no-one wants an open mouth pic on the post!

Karen J, with her back to us, was working on the binding of a cute Sudoku quilt.
Karen very kindly gave an impromptu mini class on the construction of her Sudoku quilt using 9 different fabrics,

and being the very clever lass that she is, the same fabrics in a large 9 patch formed the backing.

Sue A presented a tutorial a few years back on a Sudoku quilt, but if you missed it or need a refresher here are a couple of links,
Rose Smith has a youtube video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9_t5DlEhss
with comprehensive instructions here
but if you really want a quilting sudoku challenge, try this one from Moda Bake Shop, http://www.modabakeshop.com/2015/03/sudoku-quilt.html


Julie, who is also a member of the Mooloolah Valley quilting group bought her mystery flimsey along to share,

It was the at the Mooloolah Valley Show and Tell that Wendy was first inspired to present a mystery quilt to our group, and I must say the idea has been enthusically embraced.
Helen T also bought her finished Mystery along

Fae was working on sandwiching another quilt, she already had the cute little bears fabric but a quick trip to the fabric shop was needed to snaffle the other fabrics, including a nicely matched backing.

Fae also had a finished offset squares quilt ready for sharing,

That's Sherrye in the background, helping out Courtney by pressing and cutting her fabrics for the Mystery quilt.


Pat bought her machine along to work on the quilting of her current cutie, 'Catlady', a Coton + Steel pattern by Sarah Watts, Pat was convinced to stay in the main room with the rest of us and it was 'quilt central' most of the day, everyone popped along for a look and a chat.

Quilting progress to date, wanting to use up every little piece of her Japanese cat fabric, Pat pieced the backing for 'Catlady'. Pat ends each quilting line, tying and burrying each thread - no short cuts here!

Karen has been stitching little frock and nicker sets for her newest Grandie, using a Cabbage Patch doll pattern (who remembers those, the dolls and the patterns, the patterns were such a boon to stitching little things for bubbies all those years ago)

beautiful tie backs and edged in lace, Karen even stitched sweet litte roses along the lace on the lavender dress.
Remember that cute little apron Karen made for another Grandie? well lucky lass now has a matching little tote.

Marie has been stitching up a storm,

creating two identical quilts for twin sisters, it's their 21st soon and Marie will have these beauties to gift to them.

A medallion created with 'Sister' sentiments and appliqued roses, edged with (according to Marie, hundreds) of flying geese. Truly a gift to treasure.

Marie was thrilled to find a Derivian marker at Spotlight to use for the verse, comes in different colours and is only $4. You can read about them at.http://www.derivan.com.au/derivan-products/fabricart-marker.html

Jackie shared her latest with us. Lovely vibrant colours, 2.5" strips crosscut and sashed.

The backing was a piece purchased a few years back when the Palmwoods patchwork shop was relocating, of course it was on sale, at a ridiculously low price and Jackie knew she just had to have it, being a little short one end Jackie pieced some more vibrants down the side and voila! another brilliant backing.

Jackie wanted an allover quilting design that didn't detract from the vibrancy of her quilt, and was thrilled with the job Letitia did.
Letitia is growing her longarm quilting business and specialises in quilting all over designs as opposed to pantograph patterns that go edge to edge in a repeat pattern. She prefers to quilt a design that complements your quilt without overpowering the work done by the quilt owner.
If you have the odd flimsey sitting around wishing it was a quilt, speak to Letitia, her rates are most reasonable and she can be reached at:
Letitia Turner
Home Ph. 5476 7351 or
Mob. 0434 829 128

Step 2 reveal of the Mystery quilt, lots of little baggies of finished strips were on display.
Wendy handed out Step 2 instructions and gave a little demo, there were some sneaky questions she managed to answer gardedly so as not to give the game away.

Links to Step 1 instructions can be found in the sidebar.

Sheila is spending some time with the Grandies, took a trip to the wildlife park, but hey, not a Grandie in sight, could be something to do with the crocodile she is holding, reckon we will all be doing a little surreptitious finger counting when she gets back!

Challenges and a Doona Cover...

...yes, really, a quilted Doona Cover.  Yes, it can be done!
Evidence Cheryl with her completed stunner.

Cheryl's D.D. (darling daughter) informed her she didn't want a quilt, but would love a doona cover,
well, challenge accepted and done.

Cheryl used a pre-quilted muslin, like in the pic above, as a liner/base behind the front of the doona cover, and completed the envelope using velcro tabs.
Soon to be winging it's way down to Victoria along with some complementary pillow cases and cushions to make one D.D. a very happy lassie.

25 gals accepted the Lyn Ballinger Challenge this year, an array of concepts produced this great display.  The Challenge winner will be announced at our Luncheon next Wednesday.

Thank You to Penny from Patchwork Angel for the prize vouchers.

The Fabric Arts group has once again welcomed us into their wonderful exhibition to display our challenge.  The Atrium is a glorious jumble of colour.

Lots of fantastic displays as well as goodies for sale.

A challenge involving masks

Wall Art

Wearable Art

Not wearable Art - Coffee?

Yep, this stunning creation features coffee cups, lots of coffee cups!

There was a very special birthday this week, Inge marked her 85th. with a yummy chocolate mud cake. Congratulations Inge.

 Ankie had a geometric challenge to share with us, again, created without a pattern.  Ankie used a selection of her scrap black & white fabrics with oranges, browns and yellows in graduated colours, getting lots of visual movement in her quilt by alternating the geese directions.

A Q.A.Y.G version, Ankie joined her blocks using leftover strips from her scraps, "Got to use it all"
Ankie will be leaving us shortly to return home, she has enjoyed visiting with us as we have enjoyed having her company.

Karen bought a flimsey in to share and get a little 'wadda you think' input about borders.  Teddy stitcheries bordered with some beautiful fabrics but just take a peek at the ric-rac, yep, tiny little embroidered french knots line the ric rac, and those 3-dimensional little flowers? formed with tinsy pieces of merino felt and stitches.

Some of the stitches are formed using just one thread of embroidery floss, how neat is that!

Karen also shared her story and pics of beanies, lots of beanies being knitted for the family and friends, this blue one for one of her grandsons, although he wasn't too fussed on 'the hair' (pom pom) to begin with.  Of course with the State of Origin games she had to very quickly muster up some maroon, in football parlance, blue being for cockroaches and all.

Courtney continues with her second table runner, this pretty one will be gifted.

Getting some machine help from Mary.

Michelle also attends the Thursday night group and sent in a couple of pics and a story.  Thanks Michelle.

Leanne with her beautiful shades of blue patches. Leanne made the quilt for her son in Darwin. The quilt was machine quilted by Latitia another member of the Thursday night group.

Fiona had moved from 'hexies' to 'octagonals', this is way beyond me!