Hello again, hope all’s well at your place. What a world of contrasts we have at present. The US is freezing it’s tootsies off, England is awash and the eastern seaboard of Australia has had some of the hottest days ever this week. It’s hard to comprehend the amazing pictures we are getting on our TV screens from America.

All that snow (some Queenslanders have never seen snow in real life), all that chaos on the roads, it must be pretty frightening. I simply can’t imagine temperatures being that low and people managing to get out and about. If EVER there was a call for quilt making – this is it !! LOL.

It’s been hot, hot, hot here in Brisbane, with huge thunderstorms and high energy sucking humidity. Luckily my sewing area is air conditioned and I’ve be in there for pretty much the whole time the weather has turned like an oven outside. Some parts of Queensland suffered 43 degrees Celsius (115 degrees F) during the day and it didn’t drop much during the nights. I saw vision of a western Queenslander frying an egg on a shovel, just out in the open. Now that’s hot!!

We had about 37 degree Celsius days (100 degree F) which was very uncomfortable. If these dramatic weather events are a result of global warming or the natural order of Mother Nature, I’m not sure it matters. We just have to get through it any way we can I guess. So thinking of those who are suffering flooding and snow and sleet and slush, hope things get back to normal for you real soon.

I’ve been busy sewing as I said, and have achieved quite a lot over the past week. I’ve also reorganised my study (which is where I am at the present time, typing this newsletter). It does look nice and neat – not sure how long it will stay that way. And today I spent some time with my dear friend at her home, catching up and making plans for our Sunshine Linus Group. Lovely day.

Last week I wrote an article titled: Appliqué BOM’s for 2014. I usually do a browse through the internet at this time of year to see what’s on offer by way of BOM’s and freebies. Here’s the link:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art182332.asp

We had a newbie ask a question on the forum last week. Can you help her? Here’s the link:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art182332.asp

So onto the goodies for you this week. I’ve decided that I might stop including the ever present pincushion pattern in the goodies list each week. I’ve included one in every newsletter since I started writing for the Quilting site 6 years ago. A rest is as good as a holiday they say. Let me know if you think I should continue with them – I don’t want the newsletter to get stale with the same old, same old. I’d be interested to know what you think.

Anyway, in the meantime here’s your supply of interesting sites that I’ve found for you this week. Have fun!

http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/03/how-to-tie-blanket.html a great tutorial on tying quilts

http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1016 a sweet little quilt to make

http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2010/10/triangle-corner-trick.html a clever trick with corner triangles

http://somethinwonderful.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/hidden-images-illusions.html not quilting but simply amazing

http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/2008/12/clever-gift-ideas-for-christmas.html these little gifts can be used for any purpose.

http://www.gofraser.com/index10.htm these quilts are not made from fabric – they are carved from wood. Truly!!
http://www.instructables.com/id/fabric-portrait-of-a-horse-quilt-block/ here’s an interesting tutorial on making fabric portraits from photos

http://www.cloverandviolet.com/2012/03/kindle-cover-tutorial.html a kindle cover to make for yourself or some other lucky reader

http://awesomesauceasshattery.com/2013/03/07/freshen-that-fabric/ here’s a way to freshen up those vintage fabrics

http://mydiychat.com/chef-at-home/50-incredible-cakes-you-wont-forget-after-seeing not quilting just YUM

So, I must finish now and say goodbye till next week. Stay well, warm, cool, dry whatever is optimum in your neck of the world and I’ll pop in again next Wednesday.
Cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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