Hello there, it’s that time again, just popping in to say hello.

Myself and a few members of the Sisters of Stitch craft group had a wonderful day yesterday demonstrating craft at a craft fair in town. Most of the stalls had vendors who were selling their crafts. I was demonstrating making a plaited rag rug and some tatting, others were showing Hardanger, cross stitch and free form knitting and crochet.

We were kept busy with workers and city shoppers stopping and chatting and showing genuine interest in what we were doing. So many people made the comment “Oh, my Mum or grandmother used to do make those; I didn’t know people still do that”. It’s a sad reflection that in this day and age of technology and instant gratification that so many of our crafting skills are becoming obsolete in the mainstream community. Or at least, not a visible as it once was.

This gathering was called the Saviours of the Lost Arts and it is a very timely message that we all get our crafting skills out there in the open, in full view for all to see. This way we just might entice some younger members in our communities to take a leap of faith and try making something with their own hands.

I truly believe that we are almost at tipping point where our young boys and girls will dismiss the possibilities of creating for themselves, especially with all the tech-temptations and apps that are keeping their fingers and minds occupied. Have a think about what you can do in your community to further the wonderful activity of making with our own hands.

Making and swapping fabric postcards is a wonderful activity for quilters everywhere and I posted an article about a new postcard swap that is commencing here in Australia, but is open to quilters from all over the world. My friend Ailsa Koloi is a whiz at running this type of swap and I’ve put my name down for swapping over the next 6 months. Here’s the link to that article and all the information for you: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171893.asp Perhaps I’ll swap with you!!

Do take the time to browse the forum. There is lots of information on the forum that is free and available for Bellaonline quilters to use. Here’s the link to the forum for you:
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=43

Here’s a selection of fun links I’ve discovered on the web for you. Some interesting stuff here I think. Have fun:

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/07/decorate-my-home-part-21-flowered.html a lovely cushion cover with a gorgeous flower motif

http://theblissfullycontentlife.blogspot.com/2010/06/simple-changing-pad-my-favorite-baby.html a lovely little change pad for a newborn baby

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/foldable-tote-bag foldable tote tutorial - I have several of these and they’re really useful

http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com/wordpress/2010/05/postage-stamp-quilt-block-tutorial/ a very clever way of making a postage stamp block.

http://www.steppingthrucrazy.com/2010/05/fancy-fur-flip-flops.html a great idea for jazzing up your flip flops

http://pickupsomecreativity.blogspot.com/2010/05/teachers-coverall-apron-tutorial.html another apron tutorial - forgive me

http://naptimecrafters.blogspot.com/search/label/Toys another game for littlies, when they stay with grandma

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=2311 Love this scrap busting idea

That’s all from me this week. I have a sewing room that looks like a mini explosion has occurred in the dark of night and it needs my attention! Stay well and happy everyone, and I’ll speak again next week.

Cheerio for now


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

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