Hello there, it’s me popping onto your screen for a quick cuppa and a chat. I had a great day today. I was asked to speak at the Mooloolah Quilters Open Day. Mooloolah is a sleepy little village situated in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. They have a great idea for a quilt show, without actually having a quilt show (and the angst that goes with a quilt show).

They ask quilters and quilt groups from their region to attend, and have a show and tell of their quilts that they’ve made in the past 12 months or so. The show is a day only, (no sleeping over to look after the quilts), and it was very smoothly run by a very competent committee. Well done girls! The array of quilts was really amazing and I’ve taken some photos for you. Pop over to my blog to check them out: http://whenlifehandsyouscraps.blogspot.com.au/ I met up with a number of quilters I haven’t seen for some time, so it was a great chatty day.

Had a bit of fun last week when I posted an article offering some free patterns. I love house patterned quilts and so I thought perhaps some of my readers would like to access some pretty snazzy quilt patterns, and of course, free and gratis! Here’s the link to that article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178375.asp

Thanks for your responses to the plea for some patchwork material. I believe we found it thanks to a reader. You are a wonderful bunch of quilters – thanks for looking out for that fabric.

I’ve been sourcing some yummy goodies for you this week. I hope you have some time to do a quick check out of these:

http://mypoppet.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/how-to-give-old-quilt-new-life-with.html#more an old quilt comes to life

http://turtlegirl76.com/2010/11/04/tutorial-twister-garter-cuffedging/ for the knitters amongst us, this is a great way to make a different edging

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35808964@N06/6891484603/sizes/l/in/photostream/ you know I love embroidery – this is really clever, using only two stitches

http://raegunwear.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/tutorial-pouch-sling.html a simple tutorial for a pouch baby sling – wish they’d had these when I had babies

http://www.thedailytelecraft.com/2011/08/diy-how-to-create-framed-button-artwork.html more stuff to make with buttons

http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/10/20/22-mens-necktie-crafts-a-great-sewing-project/ something to make with those old neckties

http://www.thetraintocrazy.com/2012/04/gathered-quilt-or-duvet-cover-tutorial.html this is a very original quilt pattern that looks fantastic. Great tutorial

http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/pattern-finder/sewing-projects/sewing-for-the-home/make-a-mouse-pincushion-42190 a tiny mouse with a point to make!!

http://www.cakestudent.com/the-cats-hat-bread/ my kids just loved the cat in the hat books, thought this was a little quirky

http://lurlineg.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/dresden-plate-tutorial.html a gorgeous Dresden Plate pattern, with a little difference

http://sosewsomething.com/2012/01/26/boo-boo-bags-aka-rice-bags-a-handsewn-tutorial/ How to make rice bags

Ooops, I might have added a couple of extras in this week. I really love the Dresden Plate Pattern – am going to make this one day. A great idea for using scraps, me thinks!

Well, dear quilters, I must away and think about preparing the 5:30pm miracle that will be dinner! One of those days when I forgot to take some meat out, so it’s a vegetarian magical mystery (even for me!! LOL).
I’ll pop in next week, so till then, stay well and spend some quality quilting time!!
Cheerio for now



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

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com