Hi everyone, it’s a beautiful morning here today, after lots and lots of rain, the sun is out and if you stand quietly, you just might hear the grass growing! This is our wet season and it’s standing up to its reputation. Lots of moist humid days, and flora that grows feet a week!

I’ve had a great week, busy as usual. I attended a weekend workshop with Kerry Glen from New Zealand and had the best time. I really believe no matter how long you’ve been doing quilting, and no matter how much you think you know, there’s always something new to learn from others. That’s why it’s so important to belong to a local quilt group. You will learn so much from other members and you’ll make good friends as well.

Anyway, the class I took was all about drunkard’s path, different sewing techniques including an easy method for sewing together, and piecing fabrics in different ways. I had a ball, I really did. I love being a student, and I was a very good student I must say. But, I couldn’t hide my excitement and tended to vocalise it a bit. Ooops!! I didn’t get a huge amount done, but had such a fun time. I always remember a teacher telling me “first finished, doesn’t mean best finished”. I stick with that adage I think! I’m going to continue with this piece and make a large quilt. I love the colors and of course the Batik Fabrics that Kerry Glen at Tulis Textiles sells, are simply stunning! Here’s a link to photos for you. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1321.asp

I attended our craft expo today and got to see the Hexagon quilt and it’s progression from idea to “Oh my goodness!!”. Hop onto this link to see these photos which speak for themselves I think. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1321.asp The quilt is currently 45 metres long and will probably eventually measure 120 metres. That’s a huge quilt!! The quilt will be launched in May, and I’ll bring you an article with lots of photos then. I also saw my challenge quilt hanging. It didn't win a prize (I am not an art quilter that's for sure), but I was very pleased with the outcome and really enjoyed playing with the fabric. Here's a link of picture for you: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1321.asp
Last Sunday I posted an article with lots of Quilt Sayings and Quotes that I’ve sourced from the net. Here’s the link to that article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4954.asp

Onto my pressies for you this week. I hope you enjoy them.

http://whosies.blogspot.com/2009/10/scrappy-needle-keeper-tutorial.html A very pretty Scrappy Needle Keeper
http://mairuru.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-way-to-make-fabric-stickers.html Great Ideas for fabric stickers!
http://www.flowergirldesignscollection.com/files/readers-book-bag-with-pockets.pdf a readers book bag, and so handy!

Well, dear quilters, that’s all I have for now. I do hope this newsletter finds you well and keeping busy. Don’t forget, if you don’t belong to a group – seek one out today, it will change your life!
Cheerio for now

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

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