Knitting...and crocheting...

...along with other crafty bits.

It happens every time, the last week before our big Exhibition and Sale, barely a quilty thing to be seen around the Cottage, today there was lots of hand embroidery, crochet and knitting going on.
Courtney with her huge ball of wool was the first spied, well, right in front of the sign in book so thats logical...

Courtney is knitting a bear, on a personal note, love knitted bears, they are the best, so soft, so comforting, and perfect little listeners for the little folk in our lives.

Pat and Sue were working on workshop samples for our next workshop, the first week after the Exhibition we will be making lotsa scrappy charity quilts, looking really exciting.

HOWEVER....there was one totally amazing quilt to drool over.

You would be right if you recognised this as work from Karen W, the tiny uniform stitches and beautiful colour balance, and Yep, will be making an appearance at the Exhibition. Each little embroidery has an inspirational word, just right for the little darlings of our modern busy lives.

Outside in the carpark, came across the perfect 'Bee' truck for the 'Bee Man', (a.k.a. Lorraine I's Darling)

Geoff was busily cutting rods to length and then drilling holes for the exacting measurements needed to hang our exhibition quilts perfectly, no waste, no crowding.

Thank you Geoff, again, for all the support you give your Darling and therefor our group. It is greatly appreciated.
Oh...and talking of bees, did anyone see that report on bees and the way they like to sleep, curled together holding each others little feet. Blown away by nature.

And for the last...a little bit of crazy.
I come across the weirdest things and ideas on the net, some so way out your eyes just bug reading them, some so funny you giggle for days, and some you wonder "well, what the heck?, it might work" and this is one of the latter.
To my embarasement I did not keep the site I read this on, it was one of those gals who love to find a simpler/cheaper way. Now if you love Pinmores (as I do) this might pique your interest, as it did mine.

After a bit of searching the unnamed gal (sorry) hit on using the ends of pencil end erasers as a Pinmore substitute, just cut off the ring designed to slide over the pencil, and with a little caution slide it over the super dooper heavy duty pins you use with Pinmores.
The unnamed gal (sorry, cringe) warned about pin sticks as the erasers taper to a point, however, I can testify that pinsticks can happen rather easily even when using Pinmores.
These little suckers are cheap cheap cheap, $4.53 for 50, so if they work, will let you know. Thing is, got all these little round hollow bits left over, any ideas???

Excitement is hitting fever pitch...

yep, the countdown is well and truly on...only 18 days to go.

Gals are planning layouts

Gals are planning food (and I can tell you, tasty, yummy and deliciousness abound)

Gals are stitching last minute goodies for sale

Gals are sourcing rods and pockets for quilts

Basically, Gals are working hard to ensure this is one heck of a quilt show.
Courtesy of Sheila we have a sneak peek of some of the fabulously diverse quilts that will be on show.

First cab quilt off the rank is this modern scrappy from Sue A.

A great feeling of movement in this quilt, Sue has achieved visual flow by including a small amount of colour from each neighbouring block.

Interesting graphics create a 3D maze effect in Marie's wonderfull quilt.

Anki's bright table runner is so 'Tropical Queensland', just begging to star in an alfresco dining setting.

I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in the next pic, and I apologise to Sue W. and to Sheila, I had so much trouble trying to capture the pic and in the end this is the best result, normally I wouldn't even post such a bad pic but I think we all know the amazing work Sue W does and this quilt is a masterpiece of tiny stitches, lovely colours and designs, so just pop along to our show and see this stunner in the flesh, well the cotton??

A tiny trip down memory lane, remember those twin little blondies that would visit our group and pop along to each quilt show with Sheila?
I shall whisper to you, 21...yep...Sheila's Grandies are turning 21...and of course making their own way into adult life, so what do you give Grandies who already have their 'grown up' quilts, and who received a sewing box each for their 20th Birthdays?, well a cushion of course, easily transportable and in their fave colour so will always fit in with the decor.
Sheila chose a simple Greek Key design for memory sake, a reminder of the great trip to Greece she and the girls shared.

Really pulling out the stops! and a trip down memory lane

The bestest thing about the lead up to our quilt exhibition is all the fantastic quilts the gals share in the months leading up to the exhibition, lots of lovelies to share with you here.
Thank you Sheila for your pics and words.

Marion shows branded cloth bags decorated with orphan or trial blocks - a great take on our 'Reclaimed' theme for the Exhibition

Janice with her beautiful Lone Star quilt. Quilting by Judy D is spectacular.

Who loves blue? why Sheila of course, not to mention the love of Maths - "Fibonacci plays music with improvisation"
Maths lesson - golden ratio 1,1,2,3,5,8,

Karen was asked for a boys baby quilt

Marcia concentrating on her barbello puzzle

Glenys and May enjoying Marions bargello class

Wendy wanted another blue quilt. This is 'Winter'

Di shared two quilts.
'Spring'

The center section of 'Spring' was hand quilted by Di

'Summer'

The trip down memory lane is this newspaper article Sheila unearthed while getting some of our clippings ready to archive.
A pic of Sheila and Fran, taken as a promo pic for one of our past Quilt Shows,

Do you like presents?

Do you like surprises?
Do you just love to browse around and inspire your mojo with lots of ingenious and clever crafts, maybe even something you have created yourself previously but here it is with a novel twist and you think, "well, why didn't I think of that"!

Well then, pop along to the Buderim Easter Fair tomorrow Saturday 20th April and have a good ol' time.
Bring the family, bring your friends, and just soak up the creative, energetic atmosphere.

The fair kicks off at 8a.m, there will be plenty of parking, organised by the Buderim Lions Club, both off Church Street and in the Primary School opposite for $2. mind you, that $2 then gets funnelled right back into the community.

There are to be lots of community stalls organised by the Lions both in the Memorial Hall and outside on the lawn. The Lions stalls will be closing at 2.30p.m.

Buderim Library will be selling off their excess books, a great place to snaffle yourself an Easter read and always lots of kiddies books to be had for a bargain price. The Library will close its doors at 2.00p.m.

Inside the Buderim Craft Cottage you will find 12 artisan and crafting groups, all with their beautiful and creative wares for sale while out in the courtyard you will be able to have a well earned sit with a delicious treat and coffee, or tea, or something cold, we're all about diversity and choice...and fun...and enjoyment...and just enjoying life.

For anyone who needs a map reference, there is an excellent map on the Cottage site here

It's a busy, busy time...

...and time is sneaking up on our Quilt Exhibition, only 74 more days....eeeeek (as Karen is fond of saying)
We are also staring at the handing in date of our Lyn Ballinger Challenges (no, not you organised gals who have finished and handed in) but those of us who are still tweeking - Hand in date 31st May so realistically only 45 days to go.

The Buderim Easter Fair, of which the Craft Cottage is a very large part, what with our 12 groups of artisans and crafters, will be held next weekend, Easter Saturday funnily enough, blasting off at 8a.m through to 3p.m.
The Buderim Lions in the War Memorial Hall will close doors at 2.30p.m. and the Buderim Library (mile high piles of books for sale here folks) will close doors at 2p.m.
Admittance is free to all of these venues and plenty of parking at signed locations for the princley sum of $2, with all proceeds going back to the community.
The Cottage will have their ever popular 'cafe on the terrace' at the cottage entrance, lots of nibblies and drinks available for a modest charge and the Lions will also be running their kitchen with seating on the verandah overlooking the Fair. All in all, a wonderful time to be had wandering around and viewing the works presented by a variety of stall holders along with the Craft Cottage groups, not to mention all those lovely pressies you can buy for others as well as a treatie for yourself.
AND most importantly, we will have raffle quilt tickets for our beautiful quilts available, and of course, a real life viewing of said quilts (Big Smiles) ...looking forward to that, pics are great but in the flesh fabric is so much better.
For anyone not yet in the know, the address is Cnr Church and Main Streets Buderim


At the time of writing, the BMaD (Bikers Making a Difference) group are having their annual 'Blanket Run and Auction' in Dayboro where the beautiful quilts and bags donted by Patchwork Group and members will be auctioned.

Sue created this stunner 'Shady Path' so named by her son Nathan as an example for the 4patch kaleidoscope workshop she presented to our group. Sheila very kindly, on behalf of the Patchwork Group donated the flimsey to BMaD and Andrea quilted it ready for auction.

When Sheila announced the donation of Shady Path, 2 members immediately donated quilts, Wendy donated this lovely, her show and tell of the day, "Stars in the Winter Sky"

Lorraine I. donated her show and tell of the previous week, 'Jewel Box Stars' as well as a lovely tote to transport it in.

yes, it is a tote...look carefully and closely at the top, just peeking out - the handles....sorry, bad pic..sigh

Lorraine also donated this pocket packed handbag, 3 external pockets on each side and 3 internal pockets each side with a zipper closure

Sadly I'm not able to visit and support the blanket run and auction, we have a very, very sick dog and need to be with him. Hope the auction is a huge success and raises much needed funds for the BMaD guys and gals to continue supporting the needy and homeless of Brisbane.
Thank you all very much for your generous contributions.

Sheila sent pics of Wed 3rd meeting for us. Thank you Sheila.

First we have a lovely created by Karen Da. for her granddaughter. Karen created this lovely in a class at Kimz Sewing and Patchwork.

The class was to teach use of machine stitches, such as this cute idea, serpentine quilting with twin needles.

Sherry shared her completed version of the 4 patch kaleidoscope from Sue's workshop, chosing a squarer colourwash layout and adding borders

Just for fun, I croped to just the center of Sherry's lovely and thought you might like to see that as well,

Of course, being a hard crop there is a tad of bluring, but you get the picture, with some quilts there is a huge difference to be created by differnt block layouts and the addition of borders or no.

Show and tell this past Wednesday was photographed by Lorraine I. Someone forgot the camera and the phone---oh dearie me--- anyhoo...we had some lovely Show and tell, started off with this amazing quilt from Michelle, it's one of those with a long and chequered history of not going quite right, put away for a bit, then running out of fabric, put away for a bit, you get the picture! probably got one or two of those beasties hidden away yourselves.

Stella's black and white table runner is now all quilted and ready for its binding.

Karen did a great job on the custom quilting.

Thanks for the pics Lainey.

Cooler weather has arrived...

...perfect for getting all wrapped up in a quilting project.
Sheila has once again shared her pics and words from the group meeting for our enjoyment. Thanks Sheila.

Marion shared two projects with us, the first is a definite U.F.O. Yep, a finish.

Started in a machine embroidery workshop about 8 years ago with Pamela, a tutor at Kimz Sewing and Patchwork. Gotta love a F.F.O.
Marion also had her first effort of paper piecing to share. Some reverse sewing was done to get this cutie to the finish line.

Karen Daniel shared her stunning 2018 Q.A.Y.G. block of the month she followed on facebook.
Karen very kindly sent us a tad more info on her lovely quilt, Thanks Karen
"it is an Esther Ali pattern. A BOM, available for anyone to join. There were over 3,500 members world wide. I believe 3 cottage members did it including me. I started it in January 2018. A first for me on 3 fronts, My first BOM, my first attempt at appliqué and I used the QAYG method. I made a few small changes but generally stuck to the original pattern. I learnt a lot of what NOT to do next time.
Karen
Esther Aliu does a free B.O.M. each year, if you miss the free BOM but still want to make the quilt I believe you can purchase the pattern on her site.
Her 2019 free B.O.M. is 'Hold Onto Your Heart'

and a great pic of the pieced backing.

Sheila would also like you to know that Raffle tickets are now available from group members.