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.

Stunning Stitches and Monthly Sewing Day

Pat stitched up a this cutie for our Atrium Gallery.

Named 'Charm Pack Shuffle', it is one of the many free patterns from Moda on their Bake Shop site, it certainly raised some interest with the result that Pat agreed to present the pattern construction as a mini workshop.

Pat provided each of us with step by step instructions and even a sample.

along with many, many reiterations to closely follow the step by step directions. A confusing pattern if you don't concentrate but a simple one if you do. There were a few laughable moments and a few frustrated reverse stitchers but generally we all had a great time. Thanks heaps for the tutorial Pat.

Karen didn't take part in the workshop, she was busily creating the sweetest little zippered pouches, apparently she has made herself several, created from a simple Keyring kit from BeBeBold along with a few extras, zip, wadding etc. Lots of oohhs and aahhhs over these darling little pieces.

Karen also lined and padded the inside of her pouches.

Karen brought along two drawstring bags to share with us, she purchased the pattern from BeBeBold at the last Craft Fair in Brisbane, but get this, although she padded her stash with BeBeBold fabrics this adorable blue drawstring bag was made from a skirt that Karen wore when her now adult kids were just toddlers. Looks amazing, Karen.
The red lining shows the bag off perfectly, particularly the antique finished drawstring loops.

Sheila is now back from her amazing Craft trip to Japan, she had a wonderful time, touring and joining in various workshops along the way. She very kindly shared a pic of some of her workshop treasures from the trip with us.