Gathering Hearts for Christchurch, NZ

This is a lovely idea and the following is reproduced with permission: 

I am gathering hearts for Christchurch . Not heart blocks in the quilting sense but ‘hanging’ hearts.

Two heart shapes sewn together, stuffed or not, embellished, embroidered, CQ’d, quilted, plain or fancy, felt or fabric or anything goes. Add a loop at the top.

However many inches high that you care to make. For ease of postage, envelope size is a good measurement.

Also for ease of postage you can send them flat, leave an opening and add a note “Please stuff me” I have a couple of non sewers on stuffing.

You can choose to sign them on the back and add a message. It would be nice to have at least the area they come from.

This is just a small measure of something nice to give in this terrible time.

A heart is a symbol of caring and I know we all feel an overpowering desire to do something.

If you aren’t in a position to donate a heart or two send a little bit of fabric. I have heart makers at the ready.

Or simply pass this on message with my address  (please do that anyway).

Thank you.

Hearts for Christchurch 

C/-Evie Harris

523 Main North Road

Bay View

Napier 4104

New Zealand

Breakaways 23rd February 2011

Lesley finished her double sided quilt as you go quilt.  It is utterly gorgeous

...the other side.  I don't know which side I like the best, but it is highly covetable!

Christine's been free machining her piece and it looks wonderful

Linda added hand quilting to hers - another terrific piece

Kim hiding behind her Roosting Robin

19th February Workshop with Jane Andreoli

A sample picture by Jane.  She actually brought lots and displayed them around the room

Pondering

Someone looking a little panicky.......

Libby's off

Christine's beginning

Linda put hers together quite quickly

Mine - full of movement as Jane would politely say - I do like to rip LOL

Kim's piece

Kim's with her organza on

Mine had two pieces of organza, one for each part

Sheila's

Linda's with organza

Christine's garden path and wall

Libby's which proved to be very atmospheric

Christine's piece with the organza on

Mine

Libby and hers

Kim's was fantastic

Linda had machine issues but did manage to get some of this great piece quilted

Libby's fantastically atmospheric piece - not sure that it turned out how she intended, but I loved it!

Some of us had the good fortune to attend a workshop with Jane at Denmead Community Centre on the 19th February.    There were a few machine issues, unfortunately. and Kim sewed through her finger which was a total shock but is now healing nicely.The above photos are what some of us got up to.

Jane does a fantastic workshop - very relaxed and really does get the best out of people.  She maintains she is teaching a process rather than rushing for an end product.  A good addition to anybody's stable for workshops or talks. She can be contacted through her website http://www.andreoli.co.uk/jane.html , Denmead Community Centre or via myself if you like....

Breakaways 16th Feb or thereabouts....

Jane hiding behind another new picture

..and another

and another!

This is the back of Libby's quilt which I think I like more than the front, if that's possible.  Apologies for the out of focus pic

And the front -looks fabulous in real life

Kim is a very innovative quilter - this is her roosting robin

she has been experimenting with 3d hearts and now 3d circles, held down with the stitching

This is a closer look at her roosting robin centre - she did it using Ester Aliu's back basting technique and it looks wonderful!

Mine the bias is pinned as not sure whether I want it there or in that way.  The colours are off; it is actually screamingly bright

This is Steph's.  I sneaked a pic when she was looking at someone else's quilt, which is why it's upside down

This is Linda's.  She has been beavering away and has put her own spin on these blocks.  It's a great quilt!

Sarah's roosting robin

Sarah added this little piece of fairy fabric and framed it

Jane is making this for someone.  Here she is experimenting with the layout....

Ricky Tims - Rhapsody Quilts - The Quilt Show

I've belonged to The Quilt Show since it began and enjoyed watching the videos which generally speaking have improved  immeasurably since the early days.  Every so often there is the chance to watch something for free, apart from any little videos on their daily Blog.

Ricky Tims is offering the chance to watch 2 episodes free on how to make a Rhapsody quilt.  You need to sign up for the basic membership (free) but worth it for the chance to see what he's about.
The offer runs out on the 13th February.

https://www.thequiltshow.com/os/create_account_2.php/alias/803/coupon_number/144177408217

Colouricious - free videos

http://www.colouricious.com/

If you click on the above link and sign up for the newsletter you will receive some free videos.  Colouricious are a UK company and did some free programming not so long ago. They are now selling dvds and trying to get funding for more series.  They are British, contemporary,  innovative and their how-tos are informative.  Worth signing up just for the videos. And if you like, you can buy their dvds as well.

No affiliation here, but there is so much stuff from the USA that is is nice to be able to promote something British!

Breakaways 26th Jan 2011

Christine's first quilt - a really good effort!

Loved the little teddies

Libby's quilt finished.  Made under the tutelage of Patricia McLaughlin.  F a b u l o u s!!

Breakaways 5th Jan 2011

Sheila's

Jane's Roosting Robin. colours are sort of inbetween this and the bluer pics but leaning more to the grey