I've been busy quilting

It's been great to get back into the swing of things at home and get back into quilting lots of tops to donate.
I finished off 6 quilts last week and here are 2 of them. The rest I'll show on my other blog at http://ozcomfortquilts.blogspot.com
I've also used a new thread in my bobbin on the short arm quilting machine and I love how it sinks into the backings. It's a much finer thread than I usually use and I don't have to rewind the bobbins as often.
I've managed to sell some patterns which helps me with postage costs for the donation quilts and I've worked some extra shifts as well which also helps.
Yesterday we went down to Melbourne to see the stage show, Mama Mia, and really enjoyed it even though we didn't know all the songs. Today I've been busy with a baby quilt for my new great niece. I plan to finsih it tomorrow and will show photos then.
Hugs Jan Mac

More Patterns

Here are some more patterns for sale. The first 2 patterns are bag patterns and priced at $5 each or 2 for $8 plus postage. I've already sold the other 3 bag patterns. Stitcheries and Wallhangings patterns $4 each or 3 for $10 and postage
will be extra. The quilt pattern "All Boxed Up" is $5 and the quilt measures 60" x 60".

Patterns for Sale

These patterns are all for wall hangings or quilts and cost is $4 each or 3 for $10 and postage will be extra. The Smell the Roses quilt pattern is for a larger quilt and will cost $5 or make me ano offer.
More to add later.
Cheers, Jan Mac

Quilty Happenings

I've been busy making more QAYG quilts and have shown the photo of one here. They are all shown on my other blog at http://ozcomfortquilts.blogspot.com
The pastel blocks are for a baby quilt for my sister's first grandchild. I'm going to be visiting them next week so I have time to get it finished.
Thanks to my generous donors I have managed to sell some patterns and will add more photos here in the next post. I have another box of warm clothes and quilts ready to post to Pine Ridge so the extra money is a big help.
Hugs Jan Mac

Patterns for Sale

These patterns are all of toys to make and are in excellent condition. Some have never been used and I'm selling off patterns, books etc to raise money for postage for my donation quilts. They are at bargain prices as I want to clear them out.
These are all $4 each or 3 for $10 and postage will be extra. The rabbit pattern is $2. Payment to be made into my bank account so if you are interested in purchasing any, or you want more info, please email me at janmac@mcmedia.com.au
More to follow.
Thanks Jan Mac

Australasian Quilt Convention 2010

I was very lucky to be able to attend the convention again this year and I had 4 fabulous days of lessons in free motion quilting with Deborah Louie from Sydney. The convention was held in the beautiful building shown here which is the Royal Exhibition building in Melbourne.
Deborah's classes were excellent and she was very generous with her time and knowledge. She does travel interstate to teach and I can highly recommend her classes as she has 18 years of experience and covered all the basics and well as more advanced classes in ways to use stencils to create your own patterns. The floral quilt shown here is Deborah's design and she has machine quilted the designs and then coloured them with fabric pencils. It looks fantastic when you get close enough to see all the detail.
The last photo also shows the winning quilt of the Best of the Best which is a quilt judged to be the best from all the State winners. Marlene King from Tasmania won with her quilt named, Tasmanian Travels. I spent 4 days at the convention and I still had to rush to see all the quilts as I often saw people I know and stopped for a quick chat. I was only home for 2 days before I went to the Bathurst retreat so life has been busy but lots of fun and now I'm enjoying some time at home, back at the sewing machine. I have more quilts finsihed to show tomorrow when I get the photos taken to show you.
Cheers, Jan Mac

Plenty of Quilting Happening

I'm just getting back into the swing of quilting again now that I've returned from all my quilting travels.
It was lovely to take a break and over the last few days I've been busy finishing off another QAYG quilt as well as working on UFOs. I have finally pieced a top from donated bits and pieces. It's a Scrappy Bargello pattern from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville site and it will be quilted very soon so it can be donated to the women's refuge.
I also received some lovely rice bags from Maria in WA and she told me that her grandchildren helped her to finish them. I love to hear that you are getting others involved in making things to donate as it's a good lesson for kids to know that they can help others too.
I also received a large stack of QAYG blocks from Stephanie D. in WA when we attended the SCQ Retreat last week. They will be the next quilt to be assembled.
I also received other donated quilts and will post their photos on my other blog at http://ozcomfortquilts.blogspot.com
Back to a block challenge now for AQA and I'll post details later.
Hugs Jan Mac

Back From Bathurst

We had a fabulous time at Bathurst for the Southern Cross Quilter's Retreat. It was lovely to catch up with friends and make new ones. The first photo is of my lovely friend Anne, standing next to a "pair of shoes" in Jugiong, NSW.
They are pear shapes made from horse shoes and are very cleverly made. Jugiong is a tiny town just off the freeway and they are doing a great job of keeping their town alive.
We stopped there for lunch and had a browse through their craft shop as well.
Then we met up with the lovely ladies shown with me in the other photo. Kaite and her Mum, Coralie, have been wonderful supporters of the bush fire quilt appeal and as we were visiting their town it was a good chance to meet up over a cuppa. When they heard we were coming to Bathurst they quickly made up some rice bags for East Timor and I've brought them back with me for the next shipment.
Now I'm trying to get things packed for the next shipment to Timor and I picked up more boxes of donations yesterday. I've been asked to work today so I'll have to report more on my travels and quilty events tomorrow.
Just a hello to Rose here as I don't have her email address. Yes we sat next to each other in Chris's class at Dookie. I was just in front of you and you've been very busy to get the quilt top almost finished. I plan to finish mine off as soon as I send off more quilts for Timor.
Hugs Jan Mac

No Photos to Share

This is just a rushed trip home and I'm off again tomorrow. I had a wonderful time at the Australasian Quilters Convention in Melbourne and had 4 days of classes in Free Motion Quilting with Deborah Louie of NSW. She is a wonderful teacher and I learned heaps that I'm dying to practice . I stayed an extra night in Melbourne so I could attend my quilting meeting with AQA.
Then after 2 days at home to wash clothes and repack my bags I'm off to a quilting retreat in the morning and will be back next Tuesday night. As well as packing I also had to make signature squares to swap and finish my challenge quilt made from second hand flannel shirts.
I'll post photos and more details when I return. I took lots of photos at the convention but don;t have the camera connection yet so I can download my photos.

I know the Southern Cross Quilters retreat, which is being held in Bathurst NSW this year, will be a lovely time spent doing a small amount of hand sewing and lots of laughing and talking. It's always lovely to see familiar faces and meet some new friends.
More to report when I return next week.
Hugs Jan mac