Hi everyone, how’s it going at your place? My darling and I had a weekend up the coast and it was a very pleasant weekend weather wise, with the obligatory tropical afternoon storm. I taught a Rotary Cutting class on Saturday and a Machine Quilting class on Monday. While I’m teaching MD is off riding his mountain bike, or reading and snoozing the day away.

We try to do this as often as possible. It gets MD away from his office and computer, and we get a little “us” time too. It’s funny how I always have time for a walk when we go away, yet I struggle to find time in my day when I’m home. I guess it’s all about prioritising, but between you and me I’d rather be stitching than walking any day! (and I have the hips to prove it!LOL)

You have probably heard about the dreadful earthquake that has happened in Christchurch New Zealand in the past 24 hours. Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by this terrible disaster. If there was ever a reason to get busy and make quilts for others, the beginning of 2011 is a very good reason. In my neck of the woods of the world, there’s been a plethora of natural disasters, one after the other, and it’s time like these that quilters come to the fore and help with providing quilts and other comforts.

As promised previously in this newsletter, I posted the first of three articles offering interesting sites for FREE Block of the Months (BOM’s) that are available on the web. I was amazed at just how many I found and I’m sure you will be too! Here’s the link to that article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5038.asp

Unfortunately we’ve had no response to the request from a reader for patterns with a 3D look about them. Do be in touch via the Forum, if you have a special request. You never know who might be able to help. Here’s the link to the Forum: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=43

So onto my gifted links for this week. Hope you find something that interests you:
http://sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/761-cool-car-caddy-straps-on-to-headrest a car caddy for the littlie in your life.

http://www.designsbyjessie.com/wp/sewing/2-square-quilt-tutorial/ a simply and easy quilt to make with strips

http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2010/11/mini-fabric-bolts-and-some-studio.html great storing idea for your larger pieces in your stash

http://alittlebitofkaos.blogspot.com/2010/10/pot-holder-tutorial.html a simple pot holder

http://crafterhours.blogspot.com/2010/10/patchwork-dish-towels-tutorial.html a dish towel tutorial

http://calidore.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/postcard-tutorial/ a great little tutorial for making a fabric postcard, these make great gifts for your friends and help to keep in touch.

http://www.thediydish.com/promo/theDIYdish_OwlPinCushion.pdf I know, I know, another pincushion you say? Can’t help myself, but this is a cutie!!

Well, dear quilters, it’s time for me to buzz off, and get some sewing done. I’ve almost finished the quilt for our new bed, I just need to sew the already quilted blocks together and it will be done!!
I do hope this newsletter finds you well and keeping it all together!

Cheerio for now


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

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com