France & Spain

I have just returned from a road trip through France and Spain with my sister Marg for her 50th birthday.
We arrived in Paris for 5 days then hired a car and drove up to Normandy staying at Bayeux, then across to Le Mont-Saint-Michel to Angers, Rocamadour, Barcelona, Monaco, Annecy then back to Paris to fly home. OMG what an amzing trip.
I cannot begin to tell you what we saw and which place was my favourite.
One of the highlights of the trip was the Bayeux Tapestry. It was created in the 11th century, is the only masterpiece of its kind in the world. This embroidery is over 70 meters long and 50cm high, retraces the history of the conquest of England by William Duke of Normandy. It's a must if you are ever in the area.
Here are a few photos from our trip.

Monet Garden

American Cemetery at Normandy

Rocamadour

Barcelona

Monaco

Annecy

Le Mont-Saint-Michel

The lock Bridge in Paris.

We put a lock on the main bridge with our name and date.

(It is a lovers bridge BUT we wanted to leave our mark).

Cheers

Kerry

 

Marg's Quilt

I finally finished my sister's 50th birthday quilt. I did start it 3 years ago but got distracted designing  in between, thats why I needed to start that long ago.
I thought long and hard before I began the quilt. I couldn't decide wether to use 1930's fabric or civil war as she loves both BUT my final decision was to draft a pattern from an antique quilt I brought in Houston 4 years ago, Marg loved the block in the quilt when I brought it.
I use a combination of paper piecing, appliqué and machine sewing. I lovingly stitched the label and packed it into a gift box at 1 am the day of her birthday......
She loved her quilt and has it on her bed.

Christmas is Coming

Hi everyone I just thought I would "show off" with this Christmas Quilt that’s been in the making for 10 years.

My sister Marg was in Canada 10 years ago and brought these gorgeous Santa blocks while she was there. Our group of crafty ladies in Ballarat decided we would all make the blocks and set them into a quilt of our own design. We all started with enthusiasm with the first few blocks then Christmas come and went and the blocks were put away. Over the years I have done a block or two and before I realised they were all done. So this year while I was having the year off from designing, I found these little blocks in a bag while tidying my craft room and decided to get out my graph book and draft a quilt for the blocks.

I am still to add borders BUT so excited it’s now complete and will be ready for this Christmas along with my newly extended family room.

My Ballarat friends, Marg, Pam, Elizabeth, Rose, Jenny and Elsa are all keen to dig out their blocks and get started again on theirs.

How many of us start a quilt then put it aside to get started on yet another one.

I did say to my sister the other day that I would complete all the quilts that I have started over the years IF I live long enough and stop buying more….haha … as if that will happen.

Cheers
Kerry
xxx

"What Been Happening"

Hi everyone

Sorry it been so long since I have been in for a visit, BUT this morning as I sat at my desk and looked out at the sunshine, I decided to just take a minute to say hello and catch up.

In February I went to Halls Gap for the week learning a new textile medium “felting” with tutor Martien van Zuilen. I had a wonderful week with a fantastic group of ladies. We completed a (felt mandala) a round floor rug. To actually make a rug from just a felt fibre was so rewarding at the end of the week. I was so far out of my comfort zone to begin with BUT so pleased with the end result.

In April my hubby and I flew to Perth and drove along the WA coast up to Broome stopping in on my friend Sue and family in Roebourne just out of Karratha for a few days along the way. What a wonderful time we had. Finishing our journey at the beautiful Broome Cable Beach resort . I even braved the camel ride…haha.

 

In June on the 16.6.2012 our gorgeous grandson “Lincoln James Gillespie” was born.

He is such a beautiful little man. Oh Boy!!!! I love being a granny…haha.                                               Christmas will be fun this year with a little one in  our home again.

In September my poor hubby had a work place accident that severed half of 3 fingers on his right hand….yet he is right handed of course. That has had a huge impact on his work (lucky he has his own business) but is improving day by day.

I have been still teaching my fabric painting throughout the year at Quilters Harvest Warracknabeal, Sovereign Needlework’s Ballarat  and Mill Rose Cottage Ballan.

 

I have just started designing again as I have had the year off just catching my breath.
I have a new floral quilt, baby quilt, Christmas table runner etc in the making.
Here is a tiny peak at my new baby blanket stitchery.

Hope this year has been kind to you all.

Cheers Kerry x

"New Office"

We have finally moved our office from the house into a old guards train carriage.


Old guards carriage. Now new office.

The carriage had been out in the weather with the doors wide open for years and was in very poor condition when we moved it to our block.
A builder we know who loves a challenge worked on it for months replacing windows, getting the doors to work, restoring the old wooden floor and adding two rounds windows in the ends of the carriage.
It turned out fantastic, we were so pleased. It now contains a meeting room down one end,
air-conditioning, timber floor, toilet, kitchen sink and office, decking out the front and still waiting for a curved roof over the decked area.
I think you could actually live in one of these things if you were on your own, its so spacing and comfortable.

A view through the round window.

Back From Tassie

Hi
I am just back from a workshop in Hobart at The Quilted Crow. What a wonderful day had by all.

The setting, company and food were divine.
It was my 1st visit to Deirdre & Leonie's shop in their new location "Newtown" a gorgeous little suburb only a few minutes drive from Hobart. The shop looked fantastic and well worth the visit if you are ever in the area.  Set in an old church filled with old suit cases, cupboards & pidgeon holes housing fabric, kits & threads.

You do forget how beautiful Tasmania is until you go back and see the rolling hills, old houses and quaint shops.
Thanks to all for a wonderful day......I had a ball.
Cheers
Kerry
x

Workshop In Tasmania

I have been working on my projects for a workshop at "The Quilted Crow" in Hobart 3rd March 2012.
It will be held at their shop which is set in an old church, it looks divine, so numbers are limited.
If you are interested in joining us for a day of fun, food and friendship ring the girls ASAP to book your seat.
Here is a peek at part of one of my projects that I will be sharing with you on the day.
All will be revealed on "The Quilted Crows" blog a few weeks before hand.
Hope to see you there.
Cheers for now.
Kerry x

Exciting News.

I had some exciting news just before Christmas...."I AM GOING TO BE A GRANNY" for the first time. How exciting is that.....lol.
My beautiful son Ian and his gorgeous wife Megan are due in June.
I hear being a granny is fantastic and can hardly wait. You can spoil them, then hand them back.
I saw this cute moose after I found out about the baby and couldn't resist it under the Christmas tree. "this child isn't going to be spoilt"....haha.
To all those grannies out there.....Any Tips ?
Cheers
Kerry x

AQM, Flight in Seaplane, Christmas 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR  to everyone
Since my last entry, I have been busy and very slack writing my blog......sorry.
I promised myself that I would write once a week BUT the weeks flyby then turn into months....lol.
So please encourage me with your comments.
I will be having a few giveaways as well, so keep checking in when you have the time.
WHAT HAVE I BEEN UP TO:
AQM:
I did the Australian Quilt Market in November at the Convention Centre in Melbourne.
Thanks to all who dropped in to say hello.

SEAPLANE:
Karen (a dear and patient friend of mine) and I had a wonderful day out early December.
We went for a flight over Melbourne in a seaplane from Williamstown beach. It was Karen's Christmas present from last year from her family. She asked me to go with her. Then my son Beau had the accident on 5/1/2011 so that put it off for 11months. I had forgotten about it BUT she waited until all was well at home before asking me again to join her. How good of her to wait that long. We had a fantastic day out. Williamstown is beautiful. It was worth the wait.

CHRISTMAS EVE:
We did Chris-Kringle with the family Xmas Eve this year so we could all sit down and exchange presents without the rush Christmas Day. To our surprise one of our sisters decided to surprise us all by dressing up as Santa to give out the presents. Complete with a dancing/singing Christmas hat and little helper. We laughed and laughed.....

After the present giving we drove her around town in my convertible to spread the Christmas cheer. The kids loved her....lol.

CHRISTMAS DAY:

We had Christmas Day at my place this year, and what a day to remember.

The sky's opened up with hail the size of golf balls.

We weren't as badly hit as some parts of Melbourne BUT the noise was scary and the cars dented.

They fell like bullets and bounced metres into the air.

It was unreal.

I hope you all had a Christmas to remember (in a good way) and wish you all good health, good luck and hope to see some projects finished in 2012.

I would love to hear how your Christmas went.

Bye for now.

Cheers

Kerry

Workshop Warracknabeal

The weekend found us in Warracknabeal at a wonderful workshop hosted by the lovely Shirley and Dell from Quilters Harvest.

We were welcomed to Warrack with a homestyle dinner of casseroles and amazing desserts.

 Thank- you to Dell and Vic for your gengerous hospitality.                                                                                 

 Ladies from far and wide joined us to enjoy two days of food, fun and fabric.

                                                                                           

 I launched two of my  new designs that include 'Birdena' - the pin cushion and scissor keep and a lovely yo-yo shoulder bag (pictured).

It was great to be joined by Viv Robinson from Viv's Creations and Lisa Cantlay from Fig"n"Berry sharing their sewing expertise!  The hospitality continued Saturday night when we were taken to the 'Rusty Nail' for dinner. The restaurants history and memorabilia was amazing and impossible to take in one night.                                 

Now there are two attractions to Warrack - the Quilters Harvest and the Rusty Nail! 

Heading to Canada & the US.

My hubby and I are heading overseas this Monday 5th of September.
We had the trip planned BUT put it on hold after Beau's accident... all is great with him now so we have decided to go.
I will try and keep you updated while we are away IF I can get the computer working.
Take care.
Cheers
Kerry
xxx

Out Cruzin Quillow

What a fantastic day it is out there today....I would love to just sit in the sunshine, read my book with a cuppa to warm my bones...." BUT".... to busy for that...lol.
Here is one of four of my new quilt I have been working on.
It is a quillow for that little "man" in your life.
Pattern available from your favourite patchwork shop soon.
Take care.
Cheers
Kerry

Warracknabeal Workshop

Just thought I would give you a peek at a tiny section of two of my three my projects for "Quilters Harvest" Retreat in October 2011.

There are still a few places left on the Sunday, so ring the girls and book a seat.
It's a fantastic day of sharing, laughing, eating and you may even get a few stitches done.
Hope to see you there.

Cheers
Kerry x

Gone Mad on YoYo's

Hello
While most people I know have gone mad on hexagons....including my dear sister Marg. I have gone made on Yo Yo's.
One of the Antique Quilts I brought in Houston a couple of years back was made up of these, it's magnificent. I haven't dared count how many yo yo's it takes to make a quilt COS I wouldn't start it if I knew that. lol.

Here is a picture of only a tiny pile I have made.
Between you and me I shouldn't even be doing these as I have a hand pieced quilt to finish for my sister Marg's 50th Birthday in  2013 BUT just can't help myself.,
Anyone else out there addicted ?
I would love to hear from you.
Cheers
Kerry x

Work Shops

Hi everyone.
I have been up to
Shepparton "Anam Cara Patchwork Shop" ,
Cohuna "Quilting Group",
Geelong "The Blanket Box" ,
Horsham "Quilting Group" and
Warracknabeal "Quilters Harvest"
teaching my fabric painting. I have had a fantastic time at each place meeting lots of new ladies and a few old Friends I have meet before in classes elsewhere.

"Eliza"

One of the ladies at Quilters Harvest was painting one of my 1st designs
"Eliza". I was thrilled to see that old design is still around. 
I am just excited waiting on two of my four new quillow designs to come back from my quilting friend Vivienne "The Passionate Quilter" in Gordon.
I will then only have to take photo's for the front covers and they are done.
One for the little boys called
"Out Cruzin".
One for the little girls called
 "Secret Garden".
One for the new babies called
"Hugs & Kisses"
 this pattern will have 2 patterns in one. Boy & Girl design.
I will update the photos as soon as they are done.
Until Then Take Care.
Cheers
Kerry x

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all the mums out there.
Take it easy today, put your feet up and enjoy.
I am off to my son Ian & Megan's house for a BBQ lunch then home to spend the evening with my sister Marg & her family, as our mum passed away in 1977.
Let me know what you all get up to for the day, I would love to know.
Cheers Kerry.

Happy Easter

I Hope you all had a wonderful easter.
Cheers
Kerry

Workshop & Classes for the coming year ...."so far"

I was taking this year off after Beau's accident and had to cancel a few classes earlier in the year BUT.....things change.

So much for my year off !! Somehow I seem to be busier than usual! Beau is home and well on the road to recovery so I am back in business. So here's some of the 'events' coming up:

* April 8th - Class at The Blanket Box - Geelong. I had nine wonderful ladies in my class. Thanks girls for being so understanding and your patience from the cancelled class way back when.
* May 7th - Class at AnamCara Patchwork Shop - Shepparton.
* May 20th - Echuca weekend with my beautiful sister & niece. We are going away to be pampered for a couple of days, pedicures & massages, just what the doctor orderes....haha. Can't wait.
* May 24th -Workshop with the Horsham Patchwork Group.
* May 28th - Workshop with the Hamilton Patchwork group. "Date to be confirmed.
* June 3rd - Class back at the The Blanket Box - Geelong
* June 11th - Weekend in Warrnambool for my other sister 'Vicky's' 50th Birthday....Can't tell you what we are making her in case she is listening...haha...
* June 18/19th - Workshop at Cohuna Patchwork Group. I was lucky enough to be invited back for the 2nd year in a row. I had a fantastic weekend last year up there and am so looking forward to returning.
* June 24/25/26th - Sunnystones sit n sew - Bacchus Marsh. This weekend is run by a dear friend of mine Vivienne & her daughter Lou, 25 women gather to sew, eat, drink and relax. A great weekend to finish off some of my new designs and start some new one.... that is the plan.
* July 2nd - Warracknabeal Quilters Harvest.
* August - Off on a road trip to NSW with 'Marg' my sister.
* September - Overseas with 'dear' husband! On the rocky mountain train....Yippee.
* October 8th -Workshop at Warracknabeal Quilters Harvest.
* November - Wholesale Market in Melbourne.
Right now I'm here with my sewing circle of  friends after a day at the Quilt Show in Melbourne. Of course we get all inspired and start some new projects!! More UFO's!!
Until next time.
Cheers
Kerry

New Projects

Hello,

I know I promised two weeks ago to share my latest projects, but life gets in the way!! Finally I can show you some pictures of the projects, what they shall be will remain a secret until finished.

It feels good to be sewing again and spending some time with my friends, although at times our sewing circle is sometimes a sewing triangle!! It seems harder for us all to get together.

This weekend my sister and I will visit the quilt show in Ballan and

look forward to seeing the new Mill Rose Cottage patchwork shop, I have seen the building renovations and it looks awesome. The classroom is fantastic and I look forward to teaching classes there in the near future.

My gorgeous sister surprised me tonight with a beautiful framed piece made up of 7/8 inch grandmothers garden blocks. There is one block for each day that we sat together and stitched while we waited for our beautiful boy to wake up and one each for emotion/feeling that we shared. I wouldn't have made it through without her support. We cried, laughed and stitched together. Cheers for now....Kerry x

MIA

MIA

Apologies for my absence since christmas but our year got off to a rocky start when my middle 'baby' had a bad car accident in early January and we have only just come home. I have spent every day for 8 weeks at the hospital and between the stress and travel I have not had time for sewing or anything related! We are fortunate that Beau is making a great recovery, but as the doctors never ceased to tell me 'its a long road'!! He amazingly still looks like him even though he broke every bone in his face and is now full of metal; he has some deficits in his memory from post traumatic amnesia and a damaged shoulder. We still have doctors appointments and rehab nearly every day of the week but we are home and getting on with things and for this we are grateful. We are going to celebrate the New Year from March 1st - the day Beau came home!

Sitting at the hospital I did have my sketch book with me and started designing a few new projects.  I am going back to my sisters tonight to my sewing circle so as soon as I get a bit of stitching done I'll share a snippet with you. Hopefully within the next few days. So until take care.

Cheers

Kerry