HI HO, everyone, newsletter time again, and what a great week I’ve been having. Not as busy as last week thank goodness. Yesterday I had my first lesson in tatting!! I’ve ALWAYS wanted to tatt, and have unsuccessfully tried to teach myself on many occasions. But as luck would have it, I met a lovely lady Joan, last week at the Sisters of Stitch and she offered to show me how to tatt. So I attended a meeting of the Lace Makers and I’m hooked (or is that shuttled!). I’m all thumbs and have cut more that I’ve completed, but I’m getting the hang of it. Should only take another 4 decades to master it I think!!

I’m actually attending a weekend quilt workshop with tutor Kerry Glen, a New Zealand Quilter and business owner of Tulis Textiles where the most yummiest batik fabric can be found. (www.tulis.co.nz ). So I’m busy auditioning suitable fabric and getting ready. It’s been a long time since I’ve attended a class and I’m really looking forward to being the student instead of the teacher for a change. (I’ll have to be on my best behaviour and set a good example. LOL) I’ll bring you a photo of the result in next week’s newsletter.
Last Sunday I posted a lovely old poem called An Old Time Quilting Bee. I found this a long time ago and have always enjoyed reading it to other quilters. I hope you enjoy it. There is one very big chasm between this way of finding a partner and of our current internet dating culture don’t you think? Here’s the link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4829.asp

So onto my gifts for you this week. I found an especially interesting website while surfing last week. It happens to be an Aussie website, but it’s a beauty and I thought you might like to have a peek. It’s not offering anything for free, but I love the stickers and I’m trying to decide which one I’m going to get for my car. Have a look, here’s the link:

http://www.cafepress.com.au/+quilting+bumper-stickers?page=2&topic=101226

Here’s some more little free gifts for you:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Blanket-or-pillow-You-decide/ great pattern for a blanket or pillow
http://dollydonations.blogspot.com/ love these dollies and the idea behind them
http://www.womenfolk.com/baby_quilts/scottiepattern.htm gorgeous scottie dogs

Well, friends, I’d better be getting back to my preparations. I do hope this newsletter finds you and yours well and happy and for our northern hemisphere readers, enjoying the onset of spring in all it’s glory.
Cheerio for now and remember, have fun quilting!!


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

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