Hello once again to all the subscribers of the Quilters Quarters newsletter. It is with a very heavy heart that I write this newsletter, as I know many, many of my readers are probably not going to receive this issue anytime soon. We in Australia have been glued to our television screens, watching the horrors of Sandy unfold and we’ve been reminded of our own little flooding horror a couple of years ago.

To those that have been effected by the disaster, all I can say is that you are in our prayers, and that we hope that your “normal” life will resume pretty soon. It is times like this that your friends and family come to the fore. I encourage everyone who knows of someone that has been directly affected by this tragedy to be in touch – see if there’s something you can do for others. Every little bit helps.

I can imagine quilters everywhere around the globe have warmed up their sewing machine motors and are already putting together quilt tops for those who need them. Go girls!! After the floods here in Brisbane we received beautiful quilts from all over the world including the east coast of America. It was a wonderful feeling that someone out there, who you didn’t know and had never met, was thinking enough of you to make you something that would comfort you.

This time of year sees me getting some time to review quilt books that are sent to me periodically to review. Last week I posted an article about Sue Briscoe’s twin books about Japanese blocks. Here’s the article for your interest: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178404.asp

I’ve got some interesting little thingies for you this week. Enjoy:

http://themagicbean.typepad.com/the_magic_bean/2011/10/patchwork-hand-tied-christmas-tree-skirt-tutorial.html a Christmas tree skirt with a difference

http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2011/03/tutorial-sprocket-pillows.html these are a great idea for scattering around in the kids rooms

http://www.craftleftovers.com/blog/archives/2313 fabric covered wall hangings, cheap and easy

http://thetroublewithcrafting.blogspot.com/2011/10/stashbustin-ornaments-pt-8-folk-star.html a pretty star ornament for your tree

http://www.designsbyloftcreations.com/2010/03/easy-gromme
t-tutorial.html a tutorial on how to use grommets

http://www.purlbee.com/felt-baby-shoes/ OMG I love these

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/10/jacks-hills-quilt.html#more a quick jelly roll quilt from Moda Bake Shop

http://ahhhquilting.blogspot.com.au/p/free-patterns.html great freebie quilt patterns

http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2012/03/a-new-pincushion-for-me/ what can I say?

I must away and get some housework done. Then I can get back to doing what I love most – not doing housework!!

Best wishes to all, especially those on the East Coast of US. We’re all thinking of you.
See you next week,

Cheerio for now

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

Two of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com