Spring Cleaning the Studio

Thanks to SeaBreeze Quilters who took my Tulip Delight Table Runner workshop this past weekend. Each time I teach this table runner, I just want to get stuck in and make one myself! I had a great time teaching the talented ladies in Altona.

Here is a pic of me preparing the paints ahead of the class. It's a messy business and it's also that time of year when I think about clearing out any 'non essential' supplies in my studio.

Spring Cleaning Time is the only time of year that I suddenly become attached to things I havent used in years...so I don't often part with as much as I should. My DD's have loudly suggested a major throw out. But I don't know if I'm up to it. If feels like I need 'everything'.

What works for you?

I have also updated my workshop 'trolley' as my trusty old model died the night before. Luckily my DH went out and found me a replacement.

Block 5 is launched

This month ITP comes together as you work the centre applique panel. It's an intensive and rewarding block.

I've been lucky enough to see the first 'finished' ITP, how is your's looking?

You can download this block from my website

www.estheraliu.com or my Yahoo Bom Group

Great Work Danni!

 I Love It!

Here's the first finished picture of In The Pink which I have seen and it belongs to Danni from Germany. Her blog is here: http://dannisleben.blogspot.com/

So I always say this, and now I have to say it again: a great part of sharing patterns is seeing them come to life in ways I would never have imagined myself.

Danni selected colours which I would not have used...except that now I see the finished result (which I love!) and it has again taught me to expand my own colour selections. I love these colours, she saw them working together when I would not have. And they do work.

It's super! I was so happy when I received my email from Danni with her pic, she's made a beautiful quilt top.

And of course, for everyone else taking part in In The Pink, the 15th is fast approaching and this month in the 5th installment, you will be making the centre tulip blocks. I think this is the most exciting part of the quilt and I have saved this best bit for last. This is a pic of my centre and the blocks you will be putting together this month.

This 5th installment released for free on the 15th, is the largest block so far.

I'm looking forward to seeing more finished ITP's in the coming weeks.

How is your's coming along?

A dose of William Morris does the trick

Yesterday I brushed away my creativity cobwebs with a Michele Hill Workshop. I am so glad I did.

Runing so many workshops myself, it was so nice to be a student for once! Such luxury!

Michele Hill is of course, a fellow devoted fan of William Morris and has just published her second book focusing on WM inspired applique. She is also featured in this month's Inspirations Magazine (one of my favourite magazines!). There's also her fabric range, patterns and of course, workshops. A visit to her blog is a must because I simply cannot do justice to her work in just a few words. http://williammorrisandmichele.blogspot.com/

This is a pic of what I worked on in the workshop. The design is inspired by a detail from "The Forest Tapestry' designed by William Morris 1887. Although I havent done much, just sharing our experiences along with this great pattern was pleasure enough.

Happily, I stash busted for this workshop. I found an old print from Nancy Crow. I love how the colours wonderfully swirl on the tail. Currently the background is the new Miss March's Collection but I may yet change it (of course). Thinking of maybe a dark blue background? I will investigate the original and see how I can do most justice to the era.

I am not sure where this piece will take me. It's supposed to be a 'bell pull', but knowing myself well enough, it may yet turn into a cushion, table runner or wall hanging. My DD is actually working on a William Morris tapestry (Strawberry Thief 1881) so I may co-ordinate when I see the finished results.

Being as generous as she is, Michele Hill also gave away a lucky draw  - and I was pulled out from the basket of names! I was really pleased as I never win any lucky prizes. What a treat. The pattern was this pic featured right - it's called Springtime. Oooh something more to do, and I can't wait!

 

I'd better polish up my skills to do the pattern justice.

Thanks Michele...will keep you posted on my progress.

In other news, I am eagerly awaiting several postal deliveries. The postman on our street is being tardy again. I had just adjusted to receiving my mail every 2nd day as well as having it rescued and re-delivered from my neighbours mail boxes... and now it's suddenly gone quiet again. Don't postal workers get training?

There's fabric expected: yes I know I am commited to stash busting, but I have a few new designs that call for fresh prints so I had to shop online. I am also expecting some great books from The Book Depository.

Hopefully some packages arrive tomorrow...

My Fabric Wish

I have been dreaming of the following type of fabric. It seems I am forever looking...and still wanting.

The type of fabric I am looking for is a background fabric:

Colour:

• Charcoals
• Indigos
• and not quite orange with tiny specks of blue
• Ivory with very feint specks of blue and grey

Texture:

brush strokes, or a mottled wall but too mottly, a washed out stroked look...like milk brushed wood

Am I dreaming? Does this background range exist? Or do I have to do it myself??

I wish designers would give us more depth and character in our 'simple colours' so we can applique it to our heart's content.

All this talk of William Morris has reminded me of what I am really after from my fabrics (we often have to 'make do' to match our ideas, don't we?)

I think I was born in the wrong era! All my Art Nouveau and Arts and Craft's devotion is just a symptom.

Ok, back to the real world (and my dishwasher)...

Lists of things TO DO

I'm having one of those days. I have so much to do that I can't find any motivation to buckle down and do any of it!

It should be a pleasure, but it all feels like a chore. I'm bored with all my fabric and annoyed that my computer skills don't match my 'visions'.

I am spending the rest of today reading and RE-reading the EQ7 book and hopefully I will come through it feeling more positive about finishing some UFO's and commiting some sketches into design.

Sketchbook Project

I first heard about the Brooklyn Sketchbook Project from Pam Holland's blog a few months ago. It sounds so interesting. The basic idea is that you submit a 'diary' or 'journal' based on set themes (which you select) or you create your own 'open' theme. You then send it in to a travelling 'library' that people visit. Inside the library, visitors 'check out' diaries (on location).

What a great idea...I have had so many journals, and it's always fascinating how flicking through pages can instantly transport your mind to 'that place'.

2 weeks ago I received my 'Moleskin Diary' from the Brooklyn Project. I am still a bit suprised at how slim this 'Moleskin' is. I have been using Moleskins for years and did think I would be receiving the normal type. You can see one of my old Moleskins (below) and the new Moleskin for the project resting on top. It is significantly thinner! I have done some etchings and the pages are very thin. I am thinking about how to get around this.

My Catergory is "Storybook' and I was planning to journal the story of Red Delicious. I also thought that if I didn't get around to finishing it (this is definitely likely!) in time, that I could use my 'Project Moleskin' as an extra journal (I always need more of those).

Now that it's arrived, I really couldnt use it for anything other than the Project as its size is no good to me.

So that's some motivation to get working.... and this is my cat making sure I'm using my new camera right...I was fiddling about and she's always where the action is...

Have you heard about this project? Are you taking part? What's your theme? Has anyone visited the travelling library in past years?

Would love to hear your thoughts...

Vic Quilters Showcase 2010

It's that time of year again, the Vic Quilter's Showcase is here.

Red Delicious won 1st place in the small Quilts Catergory - Professional

Red Delicious won - Excellence in Domestic Machine Quilting

and Dream Fountain won- Runner Up in Open Art Quilts

I won three rossettes and I'm delighted! A big Thank You to the absolutely amazing sponsors of my prizes:

• Patchwork & Quilters Guild of Victoria
• Strathdale Quilters Inc
• Mini Jumbuck & Yazzi International

 It's such a nice feeling to bring home these awards!

Of course, it wouldnt be Showcase if I wasn't doing some last minute quilting. Yes, this year I was quilting 'against' the clock, eager to get In The Pink hanging at the show. This is why I've been absent from blogging. I've been so busy. Every year it's the same. I promise myself  'no more last minute quilting' because my machine ALWAYS plays up and I never do my skills justice when I am in a hurry. But I was so keen to get ITP out there, that I went ahead and finished it. Now I wish I really hadn't, because it's not hanging as straight as I'd like! This isnt too much of a problem as it will be washed and it is a bed quilt....but I am a fussy hanger and I would have liked to see my quilt looking better.

I didn't expect to win anything so my awards took me by suprise. So I didn't have my camera with me! I am going back in tomorrow and will take some snaps of my winning quilts, and if I can bare it, one of ITP too.

What a great show year it has turned out to be. I am in great company with the other winners. Congratulations to everyone and especially Linda Steel, who won Best of Show.  (pic above)

 I do have permission from Linda Steele to blog this pic of her quilt and I will take some more pics tomorrow. And I will take some close ups so you can see her extraordinary talent - it's a beautiful quilt. It's called “Eastern Elements”

Hope to catch up with everyone and see what's new at market tomorrow...