TAS QUILTER

Lone Stars in Kaffe's

2011-10-27T16:44:00.000+11:00

Fran Wlliiams - Lone Stars in Kaffe, originally uploaded by FranW.

I found out yesterday that one person _was_ reading my blog, thank you Jenny!!!!

I've finished off a few quilts this year, this is the latest. I began it last year at Tas SCQuilter's Retreat at Camp Clayton.
One star made and the strata sewn and strips cut to complete the other stars.
Of course I came home from Retreat and it languished in its box for months (and months!) The pattern is from the book "Jelly Roll Quilts" by Pam & Nicky Lintott.
This is the second quilt I have made from this book and I have at least another 2 marked - great value!!!

I had breakfast with a very dear friend this morning for her 60th. birthday and gave her a quilt - another one made from Kaffe's earlier last year. I had it marked for her when I was making it as it was through her I first "met" with Kaffe when he designed knitting patterns.

I found this unpublished blog from way back, sorry!

I'm back, until I forget again!

2011-10-27T16:11:00.002+11:00

It's been so long and if I don't do something soon I may as well close the blog, except I like going back to see what I've been up to.
I have a few quilts that are leaving/left the house so I thought I'd record them for posterity.

This one was a raffle quilt for Launceston Patchworkers and Quilters "Girls Night In".
Members embroidered the panels, I made stars etc and assembled the quilt and Jane at Purrfectly Quilted quilted it for us.
Erica Davis was the delighted winner and we raised nearly $1500 on the night for Cancer Research.

The next one is a top I made many years ago when the first strip pieced designs came out using 60 degree rulers. It has to be about 18 years ago or earlier!
It languished in the UFO cupboard and finally completed. It will be given to my friend Lindy Lockhart who works at the LGH in Recovery. She wants a new thermometer and it costs about $500. I hope she raises enough money to buy it.

The next one I called "Blooms In The Valley" and donated to "Life Education Tasmania" to be auctioned at a Garden Party at Lalla this Saturday, 29 October 2012.
Graeme is on the board and it's a very good cause.
" Life Education is the largest non-government provider of health education to children and young people, Australia wide. Our Mission is to empower children and young people to make informed choices for a safe and healthy life. We work with and through schools."

That's enough for today. There is one more quilt to be given on Sunday to a nephew for his 18th birthday.

RailsConf 2010

2010-07-25T20:41:00.001+10:00

RailsConf 2010, originally uploaded by pabcas.

Nic in early July 2010.
I believe the beard has gone!

A Willy Moment

2009-11-22T20:02:00.005+11:00

From our home overlooking Launceston we have an amazing view of the rising sun and also when it sets against the mountain range to our east.

The sun was just hitting the top of the mountain and it looks like snow.

Yesterday, after a good dose of rain, Graeme grabbed my camera and took the perfect rainbow over Mount Barrow. Sadly he didn't step back far enough to get the whole thing in one picture !!! LOL

Not much sewing being done - there's a new bit of technology in the home and it's taking all of my attention. I don't do instruction books well!

I have been waiting for many years to see this!

2009-10-29T20:53:00.004+11:00

#2 son is actually vacuuming his car!!!!

I don't think the cleaner will recover!

"Fresh Air" to a new home.

2009-09-27T15:42:00.007+10:00

I gave "Fresh Air" to Catriona. She's Rob's girlfriend, a lovely girl and I hope she cherishes the quilt.

I also gave an "ABC I Spy" quilt to friends for their newly adopted granddaughter from China. It was fun working out fabrics that were gong to be relevant to her.

P for Panda, T for Tasmanian Devil, N for Nurse, C for Crayfish and Q for Quilter.

Launceston Patchworkers & Quilters Exhibition September 2009

2009-09-15T15:23:00.008+10:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68269939@N00/collections/72157622215953891/

They're here - all 257 of them.

Make yourself a cuppa or glass-of something and sit for a while.

Click on the above, then there are 3 sets "inside" this Collection. Click on each one.

There's one for Set-up day, one for the whole exhibition plus extras, and then there's a set for last day.

Here is another one of my quilts.

Trail of the Tin Dragon

Still Plodding

2009-09-14T20:56:00.004+10:00

It's hard to believe that it's now 2 days since the exhibition! I'm still doing the photo's and I've found 4 quilts that I can't remember who made them, so I'm going to have to read through the entry forms!

Here are 5 of the quilts I had on display.

It's Over!

2009-09-12T21:04:00.003+10:00

Our Exhibition's over! What a wonderful 4 days we've had. The over 170 quilts displayed along with many small bags, quilts and sewing aides from our monthly workshops were dismantled in 45 minutes with the church set to right for tomorrow.

I am slowly cropping, enhancing and labelling photos from the show and they will be on Flickr in a day or so.

Today.... the start!

2009-09-10T18:28:00.012+10:00

Here we are at the front gate. Exciting isn't it?

Then there's a small peek inside :-)

Back to the front gate! Need to edit the quilt photos now! They'll be posted on Flickr in a day or so.

Ohhhhhhh..... that's lovely!!!!

2009-09-10T18:23:00.004+10:00

This is what I was up to last night after the exhibition set-up!

Today has been fantastic! Everyone has been so impressed and our members are so pleased with the diplay.

Of course, as soon as I sat I began thinking of plans for pulloing the show down! Relax Fran! Enjoy the show!!!!!

Am I glad today is over!

2009-09-09T20:44:00.004+10:00

Today was set-up day for our exhibition. Now I am no spring chicken and I consider myself one of the "younger" members of LPQ's, but there were many older than I in attendance today helping to set up. I've just had a recovery session with my feet in a basin of 'Lectric Soda, let's hope it works!

We've hung over 160 quilts and lots of bits and pieces from our monthly mini-workshops.

It's not a judged show, but we have a viewer's choice prize for visitors. That's it!

It's a show for members to display their quilts for family and friends to see what they've been up to. A time for us all to be proud of what we achieve. It's always been happy event and finishes all too soon. Today is the hardest day, but what a moment of satisfaction at 3.30PM to be almost complete other than a few labels for quilts to be finished up.

Our menfolk are wonderful turning up and erecting all of our stands, our members are as equally as wonderful for making the quilts, cooking and manning the show.

I am soooooo..... tired though! :-)

Launceston Patchworker & Quilters Exhibition is this weekend!

2009-09-08T20:12:00.005+10:00

It's a lot of hard work setting up an exhibition which then ends all too quickly.

LPQ's (Launceston Patchworkers & Quilters) are having their first one for 5 years.

Over 160 quilts will be hung - somewhere!

It will be a wonderful exhibition, we will all have a great time and then in 4 days time it will all be over.

I can't show quilts yet - mainly because they are all bagged up on the lounge room floor ready to be popped into the car, but I can show 2 tops made for The Quilt Patch as samples.

C U in Bali is my "C-Section" design made up in batiks. This was the design we made 18 quilts for the Victorian Fire Relief. I didn't have one for myself, nor a commercial pattern. Now I do!

One Bali Pops roll plus 16 more strips. (Kits available for $80 - pattern included)

I have also just made a top from a "Layer Cake" - I lay awake all night wondering how to set 40 blocks - 5 wide by 8 long is such an awkward shape - too rectangular! By about 3PM I'd decided to make it 6x6 and use the 4 left over as a side for a bag etc etc!!!!

Undid the Layer Cake and what do I read??? 42 squares - 2 bonus ones, which makes for a better sized quilt of 6 blocks wide by 7 long! When did they start adding the 2 "bonus" squares?? Never mind, the quilt quickly got made (top only) and I'm please with it.

I used a stack and shuffle method, 6 fabrics at a time, paying attention to values between the fabrics, cut it up as one square and moved the top central piece onto the bottom - understand?

Great!!!!

I called it "Happy Cakes" Happy because I worked it out and Cakes in honour of the bundle! Weird? yup!!!!

Retreat Getting to Know You project, Magic 9 Patch

2009-08-30T16:21:00.002+10:00

Retreat Getting to Know You project, Magic 9 Patch, originally uploaded by FranW.

There are 2 quilt tops here. It was a small project for LPQ Retreat ladies to start with, just to get their machines humming and a "get to Know You" project. It's the Magic 9 Patch design and when they had cut their 9 patch into 4 squares they had to swap with 3 other retreaters and sew the block up again. As someone said "we already know each other", but it certainly got them moving and sewing!
The tops will be completed "one day" and given to teenagers with long term illnesses.

It's being shown at LPQ monthly meeting with Show & Tell

Fran Williams- Happy Birthday from Kaffe

2009-08-30T16:06:00.002+10:00

Fran Williams, originally uploaded by FranW.

I belong to 2 Birthday clubs. I asked that LPQ friends give me black on blacks and that Tas SCQuilters give me Kaffe Fassett's.
This is for THIS year in March and I have completed the quilt, I am amazed at myself!

This was going to be the retreat project but was too tiresome to make and talk.

2009-08-30T16:03:00.002+10:00

Fran WIlliams- this was going to be the retreat project but was too tiresome to make and talk., originally uploaded by FranW.

I was itching to make something with the bright Australian animal fabric. I'm so pleased with this one!

Fran's homework for the retreat, the Challenge in 2 ways

2009-08-30T16:01:00.004+10:00

Fran's homework for the retreat, Challenge in 2 ways, originally uploaded by FranW.

Isn't it amazing what different fabrics can do???

Look here for the rest of our Show and Tell at our Retreat.

My quilts as donations

2009-08-30T15:33:00.002+10:00

I love making quilts but my family can only use so many!

Occasionally I need to cull so I donate them to worthy causes or give them people I love and treasure.

The stars "Midnight Sky" and "Country Hearts" were added to the last box of quilts sent off to the Victorian Bushfire Relief and the Bento Box in pale pinks and greens was given to a local girl suffering her second bout of cancer. She also has small children. I hope it gives her some comfort.

This is what it's meant for!

2009-08-30T15:05:00.005+10:00

I made Banjo a a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" quilt for his 3rd birthday. He loved it!

After a day at Day Care with no nap a newly 3 year old comes home feeling very tired! When told to have a lay down and watch a bit of Bob The Builder he asked for his "rug" - I will work on the terminology next visit.

Miss Maggie and her dolls

2009-08-30T14:58:00.003+10:00

IMG_6504, originally uploaded by FranW.

This makes my heart burst! I hope she remembers to play with her dolly quilt while I'm away!

She of course received a small gift to celebrate Banjo's birthday

Maggie's First Birthday 20th May

2009-07-05T20:38:00.003+10:00

F&G and family, originally uploaded by FranW.

It was more than a month ago, so I've been really slack with my blogging!
Nancy with Banjo, Nic with Maggie, Graeme with Fran.

Plenty of more happy snaps here

Fran and Catriona in the winter sun

2009-07-05T20:06:00.004+10:00

IMG_6248, originally uploaded by FranW.

Catriona may not quilt (yet) but at least she's into textiles, so there's hope for my stash yet!
Graeme and I visited Dorje Ling at Lorinna to see Rob and Catriona today. A lovely tranquil area with a small glint of Lake Cethana coming through the trees and with the cottage facing a northerly aspect, it picks up most of the winter sun.

Catriona's crocheting a square and I'm doing a binding on an ABC quilt. That's the backing you can see, elephants in "ABC" poses. I will show the front when it's finished. I can't show anything else completed yet as I am making "stuff" for our quilting retreat early August.

Where I have been....

2009-04-23T19:50:00.013+10:00

It's ages since I posted - but I've been away in more ways than one!

I got a rotten summer cold 3 March, Dad had a mini stroke and was hospitalised on the 4th, out to dinner on the 7th for my birthday and DS #2 had arrived home from India "as a surprise".

On the 12th, Graeme and I went on a wonderful trip to Syria and Egypt, the Tantalising Textile Tour with Jenny Bowker as our leader. It was wonderful and only marred by me falling off a 4" path 2 steps away from safely leaving Cairo!

After having carefully trodden my way through unmade streets, souks, ruins and the like around these 2 countries I go and break a bone in my left foot and sprain my right with 3 nights left, supposedly winding down in Dubai! Sighhhhh!!!!!

The Dubai hospital system is to be commended (recommended?) for its hospitality and cost! (wonderful and free)

Erk!!!! I have slim legs really (best part of me) It's the perspective!

After being home for a few days it was Easter, so Bridport was on the agenda then home again for a few days before attending SCQuilters' Retreat in Adelaide.

I came home to scaffolding, painters, roofers, electricians. Tomorrow it should all be over and I will be able to bring the car down close to the house and maybe start driving again. Not sure how I will go with a moon-boot on my left foot though!

We saw amazing textiles from all over the Middle East, with several memorable visits. A shop that sells antique textiles in Damascus and a visit to the Tent Maker's Souk in Cairo.

Thanks to the people who have contacted me about sharing my free pattern with their groups. I really appreciate being asked and love to know that you like my simple and easy designs.

Victorian Bushfire Relief Quilt Appeal

2009-03-01T14:35:00.007+11:00

Australian Quilters have a challenge to make 7,500 quilts for the Bushfire Relief. It's something we can do that uses our skills and love of quilting. As I was heading off the Melbourne for the Austrlaina Quilting COnvention and had room in my suitcase I had room for a few that were in my "Quilt Bank" (cupboard in Nic's bedroom). I chose quilts that would be suitable for men and older boys. I hope they are loved!

IMG_4458, originally uploaded by FranW.

IMG_4460

2009-03-01T14:35:00.003+11:00

IMG_4460, originally uploaded by FranW.

IMG_4463

2009-03-01T14:35:00.001+11:00

IMG_4463, originally uploaded by FranW.

IMG_4469

2009-03-01T14:34:00.004+11:00

IMG_4469, originally uploaded by FranW.

IMG_4464

2009-03-01T14:34:00.003+11:00

IMG_4464, originally uploaded by FranW.

LPQ Raffle Quilt for our exhibition in September

2009-03-01T13:13:00.003+11:00

Quite a few years ago a beloved member, June Moore passed away. Among her quilting items given to the group was this pattern by The Rabbit Hutch. I popped it away thinking it would be a great group quilt for future fundraising. 5 members made the quilt and we proudly showed it at our last meeting day. Everyone is really pleased and many reckon it's the best we have ever done! :-)

Collingwood quilt for Fire Relief

2009-03-01T13:11:00.002+11:00

Collingwood quilt for Fire Relief, originally uploaded by FranW.

Launceston Patchworkers & Quilters are making quilts for the Victorian Fire Relief. Some tops and finished quilts are being donated and we're also having a working bee making my "C-Section" design in AFL football team colours. This one is a top in Black & White -160cm square.

Procrastination in Pink

2008-11-28T11:40:00.005+11:00

Maybe this is what I should call this quilt? I should be constructing 2 backings for quilts to go to the quilter over the holidays.

I cut it out Monday and finished the top today (Friday). I actually did the blocks in about 2 hours, the applique and borders waited a bit due to the Brisbane family's arrival on Wednesday. This is a very old Chook Shed pattern I made in country colours many years ago and have just completed and has been displayed in The Quilt Patch. Some patterns deserve a second chance, this being one. It's now a Country Cupboard design (The Chook Shed girls having gone their separate ways). A very simple design suitable for any beginner. I am not a pale pink, green and yellow person at all, but many, many customers are and samples are sometimes the only way that many can get inspiration for a new quilt, therefore the sample is made not in my colours!

This weekend

2008-11-16T17:34:00.004+11:00

Saturday to the Airing of the Quilts at Exeter then onto lunch at Beauty Point.

Sunday, out to historic Entally House for a Garden Festival.
I bought seed potatoes, chives, parsley and thyme - that's a potato salad!

More of my quilts

2008-11-16T17:11:00.007+11:00

The Chook quilt is called "Fowl Play" and was made a few (well quite a few) years ago. I'd started making the chooks and sunflowers using enlaraged Chook Shed and Meme patterns in the yummy black, white, gold and reds. Then I went to Perth, WA for a SCQuilter's retreat and did a class with Jan Mullen, so I used the same fabrics. Pure laziness on my part as they were at the top of the heap and easy to grab.

This is a pizza, another challenge entry from a few years ago. I think the topic was "food". This is called "Super-supreme and Sundae" as the top is meant to be a pizza and the backing fabric has icecream sundaes on it.
I played with a Kaliedoscope ruler as I wanted it to have a "round feel" about it. Lots of tomato, onion, capsicum, mushroom, olive and pizza fabrics were used and then some precious chunky buttons from the button box.

Further to yesterday's post with the bright batiks - I have completed 30 more, now have 60. I either don't use 1 (7x7), make 4 more (8x8) or 40 more (10x10) - big decision! I think I have enough fabric to make 30 more, so maybe it will be 81 blocks (9x9).

PPS - I've just found I have 30 more squares cut - it's meant to be at least 90!

I really did want to get onto the Tasmanian Devil quilt, sigh!!!

Because I was a quilter once.....

2008-11-14T11:57:00.006+11:00

before I became a gardener, I thought I'd better post a few pics of what I am doing.

Last year sometime new Tonga Batik fabrics arrived and I "needed to use it" so I made a small sample.

The book "Stack a New Deck" by Karla Alexander (That Patchwork Place) had recently arrived and "Cottage Quarters" appealed. I'm not using the sashing.

The sample languished on display at the shop until I needed a project for retreat a few months ago. More blocks were cut out then and nothing sewn until today. I'm not sure how big it will end up, but I don't "do" small quilts now unless they're for a child, so I will plod on until the fabric runs out or it gets to a size I like.

The quilt top on the bed is another almost finshed one. Many of the blocks came from a 9 Patch swap on SCQuilters, my Internet group.

Set with plain pansy fabric blocks it has ended up quite large - 2.1m square, backing done and waiting for quilting.

This one is an "Ami & Michelle" Oz-Dye Arts pattern from years and years ago. I hung it above the spare bed where Nic and Nancy sleep so Miss Maggie and Banjo can enjoy it while they visit in 2 weeks!
The crooked certificate is one Nic won in grade 6 for Mathematics. He took the PhD certificate to his home, wonder why he didn't take this to hang up?

The Vegie Garden

2008-11-14T11:29:00.005+11:00

Oh Boy! Is this garden growing!!!

I know it was new soil, I know it's in a sunny warm spot against the wall, I know it has a generous half bag of good Tassie Sheep Poo on it (1.5 metres square in area!)

But I planted the plants - doesn't that count for anything?

"Inspirational" was Rob's description. I bet he wishes he was here instead of travelling around India on his pilgrimage! :-)

Inspired by the success of the first plot and the fact that I still had 3 tomatoes to put "somewhere" my helper prepared me another plot against the fence which doesn't get nearly as much sun, so we'll see. This bit has 3 tomatoes, a punnet of beans, spinach and Pak Choy and I have carrots to go in soon.

I have plans for an expanded garden next year, LOL

By the way, one of my neighbours has told me my tomatoes are too close together, sigghhh!!!!

Scatterdays - "How you see yourself"

2008-11-06T21:00:00.001+11:00

I am into this right away - unlike previous months where I have been a slacker!

The subject "How you see yourself" made me have a think, who am I?

Lots of things - they can all wait, but the most important way I see myself over the last few years is a grandmother or Nana as I am called. I love the name and when heard from the mouth of a 2 year old, sends tingles down my spine! I have a few more months before the Divine Miss. M calls me Nana, but with lots of visits she will remeber me.

Of course, I don't see myself as you see me in the picture - to me I am still 28 and slim!

Jelly Roll Quilt

2008-10-05T21:34:00.003+11:00

There are 40 strips in a Jelly Roll ,from each 2½” strip cut 2– 4½” pieces and 2-8½” pieces

You will have about a 16” strip left.
Pair this up with another one of contrasting colour and sew together, then cut this into 4 - 2½” pieces. Sew 2 together, turning one up the other way to make 2 Four patches

You will make 40 of these ( 1 for each strip in Jelly roll)
Select another fabric (colour) from the 2– 4½” pieces and 2-8½” pieces and sew the 2– 4½” pieces to each side,
Press then sew the 2-8½” pieces to the top and bottom - press.
This should measure 8½” square.

The amount of plain 8½” squares added to the quilt is dependant on how big you want to make the quilt.

Mine is 8x8 = 64 squares (quilt is about 80” square)
40 made from the pieced Jelly Roll and 24 un-pieced squares.
You’ll need an extra 6 strips of 25cm in "blousy" florals,

cut into 8½” strips then re-cut into 25 - 8½” squares

Borders are
#1 - 2½” - buy 60 cm.
#2 - 6½” -buy 2.10 metres which will do for borders and binding. The borders are cut down the length of the fabric.
Binding is 2¾”

Norfolk Island Settlers Decendants

2008-10-05T21:30:00.003+11:00

IMG_3687, originally uploaded by FranW.

200 years ago, the "City of Edinburgh" departed Norfolk Island bringing the ancestors of Graeme and his cousin Libby to Hobart. The rest they say is history!

Today it was celebrated by a leisurely cruise on the Derwent River aboard the replica tall ship the "Lady Nelson".
A somewhat nippy day but calm, which didn't describe my nerves when I saw Noel don his life jacket! :-)

Hobart from the river presents beautiful scenery, including Government house, Mount Wellington and Sandy Bay.

St Helens Friendship Day

2008-10-03T21:32:00.006+10:00

IMG_3643, originally uploaded by FranW.

Heaven, I'm in heaven!!!
This is the country spread one can dream about but rarely experience!
Break 'O Day Stitchers from St Helens certainly did themselves proud with the morning tea for their Friendship Day today.
I'm only showing you the important bits, if you want to seee Show & Tell, you'll have to check the Flickr Set.

Cup Cakes

2008-10-03T21:29:00.001+10:00

IMG_3644, originally uploaded by FranW.

I've never been up close and personal to one of these stands actually loaded with cup cakes! I had the one on the bottom left with the yellow lolly on top!

McLeod Ganj - Rob shave

2008-09-20T21:49:00.005+10:00

McLeod Ganj - Rob shave, originally uploaded by tassyrob.

#2 Son Rob is travelling in India. He's been in Leh and is now in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsla which is the Indian home of the Dali Lama.

Here he is having a shave

Oh dear!! But then I have been to India, which helps me picture it - a bit!

Smithton Wallhanging for Emerton Park

2008-09-20T21:21:00.003+10:00

Last weekend I went to Smithton, a rural community on the far north west coast of Tasmania for the quilting exhibition.

The start attraction was the 3 piece wall hanging the group had made for the local aged care facility - wonderful!!!

I have also posted more photos on Flickr of the show.

Scatterdays - Food

2008-09-15T22:03:00.003+10:00

I knew I'd be able to find at least one image for this month while I was away the last few days. Whenever I go to Smithton I get at least one beautiful, sumptuous cream sponge made for me by Genavene Thorpe, country quilter and cook extra-ordinaire!

You don't see these much now - the butterfly cream filled sponge with jelly and cream on top, do you?

It tasted wonderful too - I had 3 pieces. This was Sunday's ... I won't mention Thursday night or Friday's left-overs I had to clear up, will I?

My Designs

2008-09-03T20:17:00.014+10:00

Because I have just received a query about whether I wholesale or not, it made me realise that there are many quilts that have not been recorded on this site.

Amish Clothes Line - quilts are 5"

Michale's Menagerie - a simple design to use that special fabric.

The Picanniny Quilt - single bed 8" blocks.

There is also a wall-hanging pattern with 6" blocks and patched border

Heavenly Hoffmans - a very large quilt using the wonderful florals that Hoffmans "used" to do.

There is also a pattern using same design and "I Spy" fabrics with bright tone-on-tones for stars.

Appropriately called Heavenly I Spy

Bright Medallion designed as a round robin for a Quilt Shop Hop

I Spy Stars - easy pieced stars, plain points with I Spy centres.

Love Bugz - lovely chubby hearts with I Spy fabrics, solid fabrics for backgrounds

This is all you need!

2008-09-02T21:57:00.004+10:00

Now I know why I love giving quilts to my loved ones!

Here is the Divine Miss M. closely checking out the quilting on "The Corn Is As High As An Elephant's Eye". This one is for when she gets into a cot! (3 months old)

Banjo is getting to the age when he is recognising "identities" like Bob the Builder who is on a small patch in his quilt. Gathering up lots and lots of I Spy fabrics for this quilt is all worthwhile!
Here he is ready for his night time story with Nana's radio, a wonderful toy, especially at 6.30 in the morning. (2 years old)

Olympic Challenge ...continued

2008-08-24T14:41:00.005+10:00

A lovely sunny day here in the Great Southlands and perfect for taking snaps of quilts.

Here are the rest of the 5 quilts I have finished during the Olympics. The pink thing is a sample from a few years back, the Magic 9 Patch is because I had to make one as well as everyone else and the "house" quilt has been in my glory box waiting for a little girl to come along. Well finally she did so is will be delivered to Miss Maggie in a few days time for when she gets into her cot.

I have called it "The Corn is as High as an Elephant's Eye" because the vines that I quilted ended up looking like corn stalks instead of ivy, so I also quilted corn cobs into it!

I'm quite proud of the quilting on this- I don't do a lot of machine (or hand) quilting myself as my hands are succumbing to over 25 years of handwork - sigghhhh!!!!!

This is the size of a cot quilt, easily fitted under the machine so I decided to have a go myself.

Olympic Marathon

2008-08-22T09:10:00.007+10:00

I've been sewing up my own Olympic Marathon while watching the real ones.

Five quilts bound and as you can see from the two shown, they aren't small!

This is my own design, one using fabrics from Moda's Fresh Air range and the other using a small part of my black and white stash, with a few small pieces of lovely brights.

Banjo and Miss Maggie

2008-08-09T22:08:00.007+10:00

How many pairs of hands are there holding her down??

Poor Banjo is forcing a smile as he'd been sick with an Inner Ear infection, poor little mite. But how can you not smile when you're on Grandad's lap?

I'm on a roll, so while I'm at it here are a few shots of my gorgeous grandchildren taken 2 weeks ago in Brisbane.

We went up to their christenings. A lovely family affair with only Rob missing as he was in Thailand and now should be in India.

Quilts

2008-08-09T21:46:00.003+10:00

One finished quilt and 3 tops. It's like one step forward and 3 back isn't it?

The black and white one I have shown before, I still need to write the pattern for it for a few people. I'm not good at naming quilts, this is the second one in this design so it's currently called Fresh Air in Black and Whites (at least I know which one is which)

The Geishas were a sample for our (Launceston Patchworkers & Quilters) LPQ's retreat held a few weekends ago.

The Lanterns were also an optional retreat project - nothing is ever compulsory, but many members try them :-)

The pastel one is one I began working on and finished this week at home - one Jelly Roll and 2 more strips. Certainly not my choice of colours but sometimes one needs to make samples!

I have also had another 3 quilts returned to me from the machine quilter, so I will be right for hand sewing during some of the Olympics viewing. The binding is done on one already and I'm hand sewing it down, I have cut the binding for the next and I need to find binding for the last.

I have a plastic container that I try to put aside fabrics for bindings, in theory it should work but many a time I have not done it. Sadly it's full and that means there are still lots of quilts lurking around in a "summer quilt" state.

Scatterdays -Wet (and Reflection)

2008-08-09T21:21:00.004+10:00

A lovely shiny new red car gathers raindrops- they never seemed to do that on the old blue one, might be something to do with absence of wax?

Anyhow, this is also a belated entry for "reflections" for last month.

I've had a crappy few weeks suffering from my 3rd cold.

No energy to post pictures of Banjo and Miss Maggie's christenings , LPQ's annual retreat or the quilt tops I have made.

Cough, cough!!!!

Sekrit Wimmin's Bizness

2008-07-20T11:34:00.004+10:00

Launceston Patchworkers & Quilters have an annual retreat and somehow I manage to come up with a small (or buy more fabric and make it bigger) project each year.

But if it's to be a mystery the participants still like to know what sort and how much fabric to bring!

I have given them their requirement list and the quilt top will be at The Quilt Patch from tomorrow for them to look at. None of this is compulsory and not everyone does it at the time. Some later, some never!

The quilt is made using a 60 degree ruler which many would not have used before, thus making it a learning experience.

Anyhow, my job is done - the sample's made, the notes photocopied and the goody bags are packed.

Graeme and I head off to Brisbane Wednesday for 5 sleeps as the grandchildren are being christened on Sunday.

It will be lovely to see them again as it;s been a month and Miss Maggie seems to have grown so much in 4 weeks. We missed a lot with Banjo as they were living in Amsterdam and then Stockholm, but we did get a couple of lovely overseas holidays to visit them.

This is another Oriental quilt I have been working on while in the mood. It needs borders now.

Scatterdays - Reflections

2008-07-17T21:39:00.003+10:00

Yes, I need to get a life and find another view, but when you have one as good as mine it's hard!

This is an early winter's morning (7.30 AM) view from the balcony over the Tamar River and Launceston centre.

Because we're in a river valley there is often river mist from the North Esk over in the distance and woodsmoke. The big plume of smoke you see is from steam which dissipates quickly and is non-polluting (they say!)

Scatterdays -Framed

2008-06-29T14:47:00.002+10:00

Framed Mosaic, originally uploaded by FranW.

It's the end of the month and here's my offering.
The blue frame is in the main street of Lilydale, Tas where I grew up. Through it you can see a beautiful view of Mt. Arthur.
The firebug framed. He can't help himself and "they" are making it so hard for a man to burn off a few Autumn leaves! Here we have a small fire beside the street with leaves from the Liquid Amber at the front gate at Bridport.
Last but not least is Miss Maggie in her play-gym.

No Black Amish

2008-06-28T19:17:00.003+10:00

The Tasmanian Quilting Guild's exhibition was held this weekend in conjunction with the craft and Quilt Fair. I entered 3 Amish cot quilts. The tops were made many, many years ago and languished in the cupboard. I realised that I didn't have an entry for our show and if not, it would be the first time that I hadn't entered since we started over 20 years ago!

They were machine quilted by Jane Monk of Purrfectly Quilted and she did a wonderful job of customising them with traditional Amish designs.

Fran W 2, originally uploaded by FranW.

Amish Baskets

2008-06-28T19:16:00.005+10:00

Fran W, originally uploaded by FranW.

Amish 9 Patch

2008-06-28T19:16:00.004+10:00

Fran W 3, originally uploaded by FranW.

Framed - Banjo

2008-06-25T10:50:00.002+10:00

f
IMG_3111, originally uploaded by FranW.

At a local playground. He is so tall- off the chart in the clinic book!
22 months.

Framed- Miss Maggie

2008-06-25T10:43:00.002+10:00

IMG_3181, originally uploaded by FranW.

Here she is, 4 weeks old in her "play-Gym".
The development in just the week we were there is amazing, from a floppy neck/head to being able to turn it from side to side!

Framed-Japanese Garden Botanical Garden Brisbane

2008-06-25T10:40:00.001+10:00

IMG_3132, originally uploaded by FranW.

Just returned from a lovely week in Brisbane meeting Miss Maggie and renewing our relationship with Master Banjo 22 months. It was a wonderfulweek.
One of our trips was to the Botanical GArdens for a play and morning tea.

My Work Room

2008-06-05T21:22:00.006+10:00

This is an ongoing saga. Ages ago I posted pics of the start of the changes in my sewing area. The quilting table came Sunday, not the timber that I wanted but Horn have stoped making this type.

I had it all set out as I thought I wanted it and then the glazier came Tuesday. grrrr...... the builder still has to come sometime - all due to heavy rain coming from the north-east and getting into the area and falling onto my sewing table.

I finally got to have a sew Wednesday but 2 days later I still can't settle to it. I am jammed too close to the wall on the machine, but if I move it down much further, the cutting table will be completely over the doors which lead out onto the terrace near the washing line. Such a dilemma, but as Graeme said, "How often do you use that door?".

Well, if I have the door, it might as well be useful, even if it doesn't get used much. :-)

It all a very difficult decision after having a set-up that has worked well for 20 years.

Not that I am regretting buying the new tables, but do I have that much time left to work it all out??? LOL

Now I have to move to iron, move to cut - stand up even!!!!

Maybe I wouldn't have had an aching back or worn out hands if I hadn't been so comfortable?

PS... I have been sewing... I have bound and labelled 3 Amish cot quilts. Pics later.

PPS....I won't even show you the baskets that used to be tucked under the previous work areas that still have to find a home.

Scatterday "Frame that View" 2

2008-06-05T21:02:00.002+10:00

Today is "World Environment Day" so it was a pity that the powers-that-be decided to have regeneration burn on the Launceston side of Mt Arthur! Why not wait until tomorrow? But then, I didn't know it was a special day until talk-back radio started either!

Here it is framed from my dining room window across the Tamar River.

It looks like a nuclear bomb went off, which is also indication that it was a perfect day for burning, rather than it be swept back into the valley.

Scatterday "Frame that View"

2008-06-04T16:10:00.003+10:00

Scatterdays are here again,
the sky above is clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again,
Scatterdays are here again!!!!

Di Soupy's in charge this time and I've just read :
"The photo does not have to be of a landscape it can be taken indoors or out, macro or wide angle or what ever you fancy.Please post 3 of your best photos on this theme to your blog in the last week of June. You can put photos up at any time during the month as well if you like."

Well I will post one today and feel as if I am at least a third of the way done, but as I am heading off to Brisbane 17-23 to visit the family, this might be it.

The photo is of Mount Arthur from Lilydale. I also see Mount Arthur from my house in Lilydale so if I'm feeling artistic one day and the weather's clear I will try another shot.
As for macro and wide angle lenses !!!!! my camera's just a point and shoot, hope that qualifies?

I grew up at Lilydale, a half hour drive north-east from Launceston. A beautiful spot at the base of Mount Arthur. There's a saying "When there's snow on Mount Arthur, it's cold!"
It's not a really high mountain by Australian standards, and doesn't have snow a lot - for that fact, not many of our mountains are often covered with snow !

Welcome to Maggie Lucia Williams

2008-05-25T14:51:00.004+10:00

I have a granddaughter!

Maggie Lucia Williams, born 11.24PM, 20 May 2008

After 2 sons and one grandson I can finally buy "things pretty and pink", it's so exciting!

I will even make her a girlie quilt one day!

I'm a bit late posting this but I've been to Perth WA to our annual SCQuilter's retreat plus a few extra days tacked onto each end.

Magic or Disappearing Nine Patch

2008-05-11T16:02:00.008+10:00

A very easy quilt to make, I am not sure who to give credit to as there are several people who lay claim to it. I am sure the first time I saw it was in a book called Magic Pillows, Hidden Quilts by Karen Hellarby printed in 2002. I can even picture the book - bright orange and blue. Not a lot in the content if you already knew how to make a quilt and add a pocket, which was one of the reasons I probably didn't buy it.
I _was_ going to join a 9 patch swap with SCQuilters but didn't get my blocks made in time to send off, and as I was really in love with the colours by the time I'd made 22 and cut out a lot more, I decided to keep them.
The Magic/disappearing Nine Patch block is easy. This is the 3rd one I've made and is an excellent mindless project for a retreat or just to think with while sewing. You also won't need to read any instructions if it gets left for a few months!
The brief for the swap was to make 12½" blocks, using strips of 4½" inches.
blue-yellow-blue, yellow-blue-yellow, blue-yellow-blue in the 3 strips.

BYB
YBY
BYB

Sew the blocks, cut them in half both ways and make them into blocks again, swapping all of the fabrics around in a random manner.

The pattern can be done in any size strips, I have done one in 8" squares and wouldn't go any bigger! The squares are too big.
I think this size of 4½" strips with a 12½" block is good.
I have also made an I Spy one using 6½" squares. By doing it using sqaues and not strips it's easy to get the direction of the fabric going the right way. (note to self - find quilt for photo - another note to self - finish quilting it!)

Mothers Day

2008-05-11T14:31:00.004+10:00

A Mother's Day without children means that their father has to do the spoiling! Nothing new here of course, they have been living away from home for a long time.

I was rather spoilt though being taken to Stillwater for breakfast and then had a beautiful bunch of flowers delivered to me there from Nic, Nancy and Banjo. Thanks very much!

We drive past Stillwater at least twice a day as it's on our route to town and only 500 metres down the hill from home.

The rest of the day will be spent in relaxing pursuits - sewing, reading and leftovers for tea!

Autumn along the rivulet

2008-05-09T17:11:00.006+10:00

I thought I'd better capture this before all of the leaves disappeared.

It's just one the great things about living in Tasmania - our seasons!

A lovely day today - weather wise and for productivity.

I've had lots of blue and yellow strips cut out for gaes to participate in a SCQuilters 9 Patch swap, I am too late to join in now, but today was the day to start. Lots of strips sewn together and I am now cutting them again.
It will all end up as a "Magic 9 Patch" - one day.

This is one I made last year using 8" squares of Oz-Dye Arts hand dyes plus Autumn fabrics. It grew really quickly. The fabrics in the quilt are not quite as bright as the photo, but doesn't it look like the colours I see from my front patio?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

2008-05-07T09:55:00.005+10:00

New fabric arrived recently, isn't it gorgeous?
I know I could have made a smaller quilt with just the panel - leaf, caterpillar and butterfly, but the rest of the range was beckoning! :-)
The darker white triangles are really the same as the rest of the white, but they were done in the "flip'n fold" method, so there are 3 layers which makes it darker. Will be OK once the quilt is backed and quilted.
The top will be hung in the shop for a while before this gets done.

Here's a free pattern for this quilt. I made mine smaller using 6" cuts.

Goodbye Rob

2008-05-01T22:05:00.004+10:00

My darling #2 son has left home in Tasmania and will soon be in Thailand and India for goodness knows how long!

It's not the first time he's travelled overseas and he's been back for 4 years. But he is the only child who lived within a few hours drive. The other, Nic lives within a few hours flying and then another hour's drive.

Rob , unlike Nic when he lived in India, will not live in a nice house with a maid and driver. I can't see us visiting this time! :-(

We'll see of course.

Safe travelling dear heart.

Below is a photo of Rob with my dad, who will be 87 in June.

New Quilts

2008-04-26T18:12:00.003+10:00

Today was Devonport Group's Friendship Day. Here are 2 quilts I showed. The black and red has now been finished and the Black and White one is a top only.

I am not good at naming quilts, any suggestions?

Anzac Day 25 April 2008

2008-04-25T12:33:00.003+10:00

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Edward Tregaskis Spotswood 1894 - 1975

I've spent the morning watching the Anzac broadcasts on TV. I'm too much of a sook to go to the march and service down town.
Graeme has been and gone twice, once for the dawn service and then came home briefly to catch his breath and off again for the march, service and lunch.
He goes with his father, Trevor who has just turned 87, who served in the second world war. Dad looks forward to the day and especially since Graeme has been with him.

Graeme was among the early "Call-ups", the ones who won the lottery in the mid 1960's. He did his 2 years of training, but never put up his hand to go to Vietnam. Not everybody who did National Service had to go overseas, he was one of the lucky ones! I met him one night after he'd been to a funeral of a mate who was killed in Vietnam - I too was a lucky one!

My Grandfather, Harry Spotswood, or Da to his 13 grandchildren and many many surrogates was a wonderful man. He was an original Anzac, another lucky one, who got injured, rehabilitated and then sent to fighgt in the Somme in France. How lucky is that????

He was an orator, a born talker. He came to our school Anzac Day services occasionally and was the guest speaker. He knew the man with the donkey, how cool was that when you were a child!
He also became a Methodist Lay Minister, which also meant we needed to sit still on many occasions, but I will admit that his children's sermons were wonderful. I can still see him with one hand in his pocket and the other with a finger pointed out in front of him.

I miss him, he passed away 6 weeks after Nic was born, I just wish that Nicholas (and Robert) had spent more time with him.

As with many, he didn't talk about the war, he would show us the scar on his leg where he was shot though and then move the conversation on!

He also served in the second world war as Officer in Charge of Elphin Barracks in Launceston. He would have been a good age by then. Years later his Batman, Leith Byard, taught my children the piano and then mum went to art classes with him.

Scatterday T-2 (My Neighbourhood)

2008-04-20T15:07:00.005+10:00

This is NOT a toy boat! There is a man in that pedalling. What a fantastic feeling it must have been.

Looking up into the Gorge.

Let me get at that bird!!

From the Chair lift, the Basin side.

The happy couple.

Killing one Bird with half a stone here. Scatterday (late again) is bought to you by T and the words Square, Blue (my current mood) and In My Neighbourhood.

Well the last one was easy - I live in Trevallyn, sitting above the lovely (if somewhat muddy) Tamar River. Today was a perfect Autumn day so we went for a walk from the start of the Tamar, along the South Esk River and up to the Gorge. This is a natural basin in the river, which in winter and with plentiful rain (what's that?) fills up and floods the lower areas around the man made swimming pool.

The chair lift is said to be the longest single span ride in Australia and goes across from one side (Gorge side) to the other (Basin side). Locals will know what I mean. It's something I have never done in all the years it's been established and today was it. We sat underneath it at the Restaurant having coffee and muffin and wondered what had we been waiting for???? It was wonderful, the view, the photo opportunities and the weather.

Check for yourself. This shows it up much better than I can describe. We are so lucky having this just 1 k from our door!

The peacocks are still around but are waiting for the daffodils to bloom and so will they.

Scatterday K-2

2008-04-12T16:42:00.003+10:00

Is it still Saturday? Good!I know I should post my Scatterdays before I read anybody else's, but now I have Blog Reader installed, it's too tempting to scroll down all the new stuff.I had Knitting in mind for a hobby, but it's been used a lot so I tried to think of something else. Not mine of course, I only have one and it's also my business, so somedays it's not even my hobby! :-(

Office- keyboard

Hobby - Karting

Nice smell - Kahlua - a big glass-full over ice is really nice!

Macca in Launceston

2008-04-06T13:26:00.005+10:00

Fran and Macca (not a good one of either!) I'm not a Groupie, I just like what his program does, bringing all of Australia together.

My name on the back of the bus

For years and years we have been listening to Macca on "Australia All Over", even before he was the "man". I can't remember who it was earlier, but at 7.30 AM there was a small "serial" called the Prickle Farm, which we just loved. I think Mike Hayes wrote it, about a newish farmer and his trials and tribulations. (off to Google here) I became addicted to the Sunday Morning ABC Radio show and then along comes Macca! Mind you some days I could slap him, but then I roll over or get up and he gets over whatever is annoying him. I congratulate him for keeping politics in the main out of his show. Very refreshing! I think you could have listened to him all during the election campaign and not know that one was happening!

This week it has been Tasmania's turn to be in his "Say G'Day Tour" with it culminating in Launceston this morning with an OB. (Outside Broadcast - but in the foyer - weather in Tas)

Although I was up at some ungodly hour this morning because I thought our clocks went forward ( not back) thus gaining an extra 2 hours, I was ready early to go to our local ABC studio, but DH, enjoying the extra time, was laying in bed with the cuppa I gave him, his book and the beautiful Autumn sun shining in on him, and would not be hurried.
We arrived for the last hour, squiggled our way to the front of the crowd near the CWA morning tea table, sat on the floor and watched. After a while one of the CWA mafia offered me a chair, God bless them!

It's interesting to see how the show is presented with "spontaneous" phone calls, his pile of books, CD's and other notes, his guests and how he does his impromptu chats - during a break he asks "Who's got a story to tell me?" and very firmly tells the Anti-Mill Lobby it won't be them and interviews a 9 year old from a dairy farm in Redpath.

A lovely morning all told.

Lee Kelly. Like me, you all are probably wondering what she looks like?

Scatterday A-2

2008-04-06T11:19:00.003+10:00

I am late again, mainly because I still have this rotten cold and my brain has gone numb!

Found one restaurant with an A name, found his brother's shop too! Rob, DS2 said that it was cheating, but I explained to him it wasn't so much the answer but the effort involved in getting the photos! :-) (isn't it?) (probably no one will read this anyhow as I am a day late)

Ask me about the effort in getting the photos onto the blog, takes longer than getting the pics! Frustrating, I think I need to close machine down, have a walk, lunch and start again!

Something you find in the dark revealed that with a flash - "Absolutely Nothing" so I took a photo of our Alarm and it showed that it has a turquoise Number pad. (note to self - clean number pad)

Happy BIrthday Sheila.

2008-03-30T17:00:00.004+11:00

A dear friend had her 70th birthday dinner party last night and with lots of mutual friends gathered, it was a good night for all. Sheila and Tony were very good to our family over the 9 years Mum suffered from her stroke. Tony loved mum and was a wonderful backstop whenever dad needed half an hour or so relief or was to be late back from work etc. I am very grateful to them.

It's not often that Graeme and I remember to have a photo taken together as it's always me behind the camera!

Scatterday Z

2008-03-28T22:28:00.004+11:00

I've still got the cold bug, cough has hit the bottom on my lungs and has about 2-3 more days to go before it hits the base of my throat again -so all my well meaning friends and customers tell me!

Z is bought to you by Zucchinis - very prolific the last month or so and LPQ members are sneaking them in and leaving them anonymously on the sign in tables on Thursdays at patchwork!

They zealously posed for me and 2 were grateful that I bought them home - they're still languishing in their plastic bag on the bench - I see a zucchini slice coming up in the next few days!

We have our own living Z person at LPQ's - Zoe and her name tag to [porve it's not made up!

Lastly is my Z block from my "LPQ ABC" quilt - ZZZZZ's, zebras and zippers.

I'm a bit sad I couldn't find any Zyzzyva's, Zebrule's, Zibet's nor Zebu's around town.

PS: I am doing Z as I did X when it was poor old Z's turn a while back!

The search for the World's Best Parmigiana

2008-03-27T16:55:00.003+11:00

IMG_1793, originally uploaded by FranW.

A belated post, this was almost all eaten in January (except for most of the 10 vegies) when Fran, Lindy and Garry went for a drive to see the wood carvings at Legerwood and then had lunch at Winnaleah Hotel. It's not often you go into a pub and find the bar lady ironing in the lounge!

This is the row of carvings done in Legerwood by Eddie Freeman with his chainsaw. There used to be a row of Macrocarpa pines along here, planted as a World War I and II Memorial. Age wearied them and they have now been converted to wonderful sculptures.

Only movement along the main street in Winnaleah!

Isn't it worth it?

2008-03-27T15:33:00.002+11:00

Isn't it worth it?, originally uploaded by FranW.

Sitting and looking at the pictures on the quilt is much more satisfying than reading a book!

Scatterdays N - Mineral - nothing

2008-03-24T10:59:00.002+11:00

Mineral nothing, originally uploaded by FranW.

After more than 20 years and possibly millions of dollars, my father has said -"No More, there are No Minerals there!" Hip hip Hooray!!!!

The last assays of the latest "Fantastic Site" finally told him - a big fat zero!!!!

He has sold his Jackaroo, well donated the proceeds of it from an auction, to the local Community Club, so that means he can "bush bash" no longer. Mind you, he still has one 4 wheel drive, a very old Tercel.

Sad isn't it that at Nearly 87 you have to give up your life long dream of finding gold. It's a disease really and I'm sure he had much more pleasure doing all of his prospecting than some people sitting at a poker machine and thrusting money into it!...and much fitter for it as well.

.....mind you, he's heard a rumour that someone reckons there's gas leaks out in Andersons Bay (Bridport) and it should be looked into. The perpetraters of said rumour are long since gone and were both terrible drunks!

At least it gives him a reason to get up in the morning- if an 85 years old girlfriend isn't enough!

Oh, the photo is of the rock cutting saw he has in his shed. I may have shown the photo of the piles of rocks he wont let us take away as he's saving them for his old age! (how old is old age???)

Scatterday N Human-Nic

2008-03-24T10:57:00.003+11:00

Nic, originally uploaded by FranW.

Having a Human N in the family is lucky for you guys this week, as my nose is revolting! I have had a dreadful cold for over a week now and my nose shows the most of it and if that wasn't enough, my hacking cough would waken the dead!

Scatterday -Little Things-Nuts

2008-03-24T10:56:00.002+11:00

Nuts, originally uploaded by FranW.

What a way to spend Easter!

2008-03-23T12:07:00.003+11:00

We arrived at Bridport to 2 loads of woodchips and 1 of manfern mulch in the front yard, lovingly deposited by my brother Pete. Graeme and I have spent a few hours weeding a section of the large garden and dumping waste 6" thick. Nothing much grows through it and when it finally does it's so easy to pull out! It's been quite some time since we've had a good working bee in the garden doing this, I think that another 3 loads are in order, but not this year! LOL.

Pete and Kim will join us after lunch and then I can be the overseer. He has some sort of plan for the manfern mulch, and if he doesn't get here soon, I will be over it!

The part that we've done already looks so nice and neat.

Sadly we have lost many many precious plants in the past 13 years since mum had her stroke and passed away 4 years ago. She loved her garden and spend all day in it frequently.

As this is now our holiday home and Dad's home (another sory for another day!), we do not come down to garden, but realise that sessions with a chainsaw, roundup and lawnmower are essential and to top it off, cover what hasn't got plants or lawn with woodchips! It also makes you feel like something's been achieved!

What I haven't mentioned is that I am into my second week of a rotten cold and I have been feeeling like ......

My Scatterdays will be done - late!

Scatterday V(2)

2008-03-16T15:51:00.005+11:00

I am not going to waste this picture having had Graeme drive around town a few weeks ago looking for a sign. The building is pink and there is also a pink cross on the T - bonus!

Then I found one -unposed while we were in Brisbane that fits the other 2 categories of big and pink.

Where have I been? Brisbane!!!

2008-03-15T17:56:00.002+11:00

Home late last night, meeting all day today, Robert's arrived for a "surprise" visit and I have a sore throat, talk later!

Scatterday O2

2008-03-01T10:43:00.005+11:00

In A Library - Now I don't have a library as such, but I do have a huge collection of books scattered all over the house. 6 rooms have bookcases and here I am showing ONLY patchwork books (not all) OLD magazines, OLD books and Other patchwork books.
Sweet Things - The O Block from my ABC quilt is showing an ORANGE. Next is an orange jube segment from the OPEN container. The Sweets were made at Nature's Works - does that make them healthy?
Also on the block is an OWL and I vaguely remember that Harry Potter's OWL Occasionally visited the library.
Something Hawaiian - The main island of Hawaii is called O'ahu and here are photos from our 2005 holiday.

Fresh Air in black and white

2008-02-28T20:31:00.006+11:00

IMG_2383, originally uploaded by FranW.

I get nervous when I get to the finishing stage, is it a siege mentality or the concentration span of a gnat? Anyhow, I need to have several quilts on the go at one time and as you might have noticed they're all quite simple. It means I can use fabric faster! This one is starting, the one below is off to the quilter on Monday and I have two more sides to finish the handsewing on the binding of "Butterflies for Billie"

Vego quilt

2008-02-28T20:30:00.003+11:00

Vego quilt, originally uploaded by FranW.

This quilt is for my son's ex-partner. Having Chani around was a joy and I was very sad when it was all over. She is the one responsible for the huge change in him, from a meat eating, all Australian bloke to a S.N.A.G with no animal products! He asked me to make her a quilt so he could keep "Peas Will Kill You". This is not what he had in mind I know as he wanted a Mandala - I DO NOT DO CURVES anymore! I know she will love this anyhow.

Butterflies for Billie

2008-02-28T20:03:00.002+11:00

Fran Williams for friend, originally uploaded by FranW.

The blocks for this quilt were from a 9 Patch swap with SCQuilters, my online group.They languished for quite some time until desperation set in and I had nothing else to do.Sashed with green scraps and set on a slight "skew-wiff" it then sat around until I found something that tied all the random bits together - a really old, old Hoffman tucked away in the backings section. Machine quilted by Jane Monk of Purrfectly Quilted.

I will give it to a family friend who has a nasty rotten cancer.

Luscious Lunch In Launceston.

2008-02-27T17:13:00.003+11:00

Today was Launceston Cup Day and a half day public holiday. I spent part of the morning at a Local History Talk at the wonderful Launceston Museum, G spent the time doing paper-work and then we went to The Basin Cafe which overlooks The Gorge, Launceston's treasure. We are so lucky having this in the centre of town and only a few minutes from home. It was a warm day, school out so many families took advantage, dodged the kangaroo and peacock poo on the lawns and went swimming. It all felt a bit cold for me even in the pool, so imagine what the Basin Pool was like. Only a few hardy souls braved that - quickly!

How I felt in Melbourne

2008-02-24T16:22:00.005+11:00

IMG_2290, originally uploaded by FranW.

I've just returned from 3 days in Melbourne, mainly to visit the Australian Quilters Convention. It's a great show with a good representation of quilts from all States and may more, plus lots and lots of quilts shops etc. I didn't spend much there for obvious reasons, just a small black and white pack as a souvenir !!!! LOL

The crowds at the show were just tolerable and became even better after 3 when the Mums left to collect school children. Saturday morning was, to quote Denise, "Like the Chelsea Flower Show". (very very crowded)

Denise and I went to the theatre to see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and since coming home I have listened to the sound track twice and am now watching the DVD of the movie. I would love a DVD of the screenplay, but they haven't made one (yet).

I would love to see it again, but as it finishes at the end of April I may not be able to fit it in.

A lovely day was had on Thursday when I really had my retail therapy along Chapel Street at Baggys at South Yarra. I am having palpitations waiting for the visa to arrive, oh dear!

Scatterday H on Thurdlesday

2008-02-21T08:02:00.002+11:00

Scatterday H, originally uploaded by FranW.

I am leaving to go to Melbourne for The Australian Quilt Convention and am not due back until Saturday night.

Now if I were me I would like my Scatterdays up early rather than later, so seeing I am, here it is!

This is the last toy to be put away, but if you look closely you will see a Hurdy Gurdy with a Hint of Green.If it was for the hay bale, there wouldn't even be a hint of green in some of our dry paddocks.

I have been waiting 27 weeks to be able to use this game, Hungry Hungy Hippo! Maybe next time I will be able to play it with Banjo. It's such a noisy game!

Pointy things - Hooks, crochet and loop turner from the old Knitwit and dressmaking days.

Perfect Love

2008-02-20T16:40:00.007+11:00

Perfect Love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild (Welsh proverb)

IMG_2191, originally uploaded by FranW.

Banjo Indiana with Grandad waiting for the flight home.

Our Family

2008-02-20T16:40:00.006+11:00

IMG_2144, originally uploaded by FranW.

A family shot before our darling boys leave

Graeme, Fran, Banjo, Rob and Nic.

Pleasant Saturday

2008-02-17T20:23:00.008+11:00

I had a lovely day Saturday catching up with 2 friends.An old school friend Liz has just competed a 3 year Shiatsu course and I had a massage and a catch-up with her.

Then I went out to lunch with another friend, Jill. The photo of the cyclist is not one of Jill's relations!

We really would have liked to have gone to the Josef Chromy Winery Cafe at Relbia, but when we got there it was booked out for a wedding. so we kept along the back road, past Dr. Harry's Hobby Farm and Clucky Chook Cafe and came to Dalmeney's at Evandale which is also a nice place but unlicensed. It does have an added attraction of a very nice "frock and gift shop" beside it, so while lunch was being made, we browsed.

Evandale is the home of the famous Sunday market and the World Pennyfarthing Championships are held there annually. It also has several great antique shops, which brings me to my photo of an old English quilt.Sadly it one fabric is disintegrating badly, otherwise it could have made it home to my place. It looked nice where it was on the old bed. I liked what they'd done to the corners to fit it onto a four poster.

Scatterday S

2008-02-16T08:55:00.003+11:00

Fruit - Strawberry fabrics - didn't realise I had so many! Stitched fruit Salad blocks and a Strawberry on top of my dessert from dinner out with the girls Wednesday night.

Things that make you itch - Strong Smelling flowers! Visited my friend Jill for a coffee Thursday and her house is full of flowers, especially lilies. Her mum died a week ago. Anyhow, I had to move outside as my eyes itched dreadfully!

Letter S is made from a very useful (now) quilting tool called the Flexible Memory Curve. Maybe I need to use it more - the flexible memory part, anyhow!

Gold - written out in magnetic letters on the Fisher Price Schoolhouse that saw light of day after 25 years for Banjo's visit.

Many years ago Dad gave my brother, sister and I three glass jars to choose one from. Inside was a scrunched up parcel of newspaper. I chose mine and was the lucky duck as I got the Gold!In the mid 1800's, My ancestor - Dad's grandfather, Ludwig Bardenhagen came to Australia via America and New Zealand in his search for gold. He ended up in Tasmania, but later went to Western Australia mining. Which now explains why my father is so obsessed about the stuff. The photo is of our Super Child

My shiney nugget is pictured between 2 gold coins. The last picture is ore, the stuff gold comes from.

Grandma's Garden

2008-02-08T21:30:00.001+11:00

Grandma's Garden, originally uploaded by FranW.

Banjo Indiana 18 months old. Walking in Grandma Williams' garden, the grass is so much different to Brisbane stuff!

Scatterday I

2008-02-08T21:08:00.001+11:00

Scatterday I, originally uploaded by FranW.

Back at Bridport again, this time with Nic and Banjo. Hopefully tomorrow will be a nicer day and we can head to the beach.

Scatterday I was done early and up,loaded in haste - I'm sure I got the right letter this week! :-)

Yellow - Isosceles Triangle (we have the 33 year old Tupperware Shapes out for Banjo), Yellow Insect fabric from the shop.

Australian - Indigenous fabrics and a Quilt made from those Indigenous fabrics.

Something you would find in the air - Influenza and Is it going to rain?

Guess who's coming to stay?

2008-02-06T20:55:00.001+11:00

IMG_2011, originally uploaded by FranW.

Excitement's gathering at our house because Banjo Indiana is arriving from Brisbane tomorrow to stay for 5 nights. Toys that heven't seen the light of day for over 25 years are out and dusted, the cot is set up in Graeme's office, car seat and pusher have been borrowed from cousin Libby and the high chair is cleaned and in the way in the kitchen!
I can't wait!!!!

My Family Gathering

2008-02-06T20:50:00.001+11:00

IMG_0134, originally uploaded by FranW.

A rare get-together. Like most families it's hard to get everyone together at the same time. Saturday night we managed it. Lots of cathcing up, a great night.

Chris, Graeme, Fran, Kim, Brian, Frank (Dad) and Pete.

Dyslexia

2008-02-01T21:00:00.000+11:00

Dyslexia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that manifests primarily as a difficulty with written language, particularly with reading and spelling. ...