Hello there! So, it’s another Wednesday, time for me to drop in for a quick chat, and then let you get on with your day. I’m feeling a little broody today, probably because I have both my children staying with me at the moment – a rare occurrence I can assure you. My daughter is a primary school teacher and is on her winter holiday break, so she’s come to the big smoke to see the “old dears” and shop, shop, shop. Her place of residence is in the outback of Queensland in a small mining town of about 6000 people. It’s a little like Christmas for her when she comes back to the city, with so much to see and do, but after a few days she’s ready to head back to the quiet unrushed country life, and her lovely husband, I must add.

My son has briefly come home as he’s between apartments and the dates to finalize both didn’t quite coincide. Funny how the old “mother” habits kick in – I’m looking for washing, checking they’ve had enough to eat, are they warm enough in bed? etc. I find it hard to let go of “mother” when they’re back in my nest, even though they’re fully grown adults that are steering their own lives. I wonder if other quilters do the same?

Whilst we were on holiday my darling bought me the loveliest book. I’ve always had a fascination with painting of women busy at their needlework and this book was designed just for me, and those like me. The book is titled “In Praise of the Needlewoman” and is a gorgeous array of many different classic paintings of needlewomen busy at their craft, along with the history behind the paintings and a little bio of the artists. It’s simply a lovely coffee table book and it’s great to just shuffle though the pages now and then and discover a lovely creation to admire.

Last Sunday, I posted the second and final article on Making Bias Binding using the Bias Bars. I’ve included some photographs to make it easier to understand the instructions. I’d be interested to have your views on making bias using the Bias Bars. Here’s the link to the article: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1330.asp

If you’d like to offer a comment about making bias using the bars, please go to the forum (here’s the link): http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=43 and make your comment about this type of bias. Do you like it? have you used it before? Are there different ways to use this type of bias? We’d all love to hear your comments.

My little gift to you today, I guess is a consequence of my current broodiness. I’ve found some interesting reading about the History of Quilts, and especially the story behind the quilts. I’ve found these three websites that have an enormous amount of interesting reading – all historic and authentic history – no fiction here. I do hope you get some time to browse these sites and gain some interesting insights into quilting in times past.

http://www.womenfolk.com/historyofquilts/
America's Quilting History - Anne Johnson has put together a sensational research site, documenting many different aspects of quilting in the US, from Colonial America to the Great Depression plus Native American, African American and Amish quilts. The text is liberally illustrated with photographs and links to other quilt history sites.

http://www.textile-art.com
Textile Gallery - This English site is fabulous. They are hosting an online show of embroidered pieces from Central Asia. Including both thumbnails and large scale pictures, it is rich in detail. The text answers all your questions. Additionally, the site provides research on textiles in general and how to date and preserve old textiles. If you are a textile history buff, you won't want to miss this one.

http://discover.collectionsaustralia.net/nqr/
The National Quilt Register is a website that has been created to allow quilters throughout the world to read the stories behind the many quilts that make up the National Quilt Collection of Australia.

I guess that’s my news for this week. It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere and I do hope you’re soaking up all the lovely rays from the sun and it’s warming your home and your heart. For those Southern Hemispherions, we are chasing the sun when we can – a bit cold and dreary for us – great time to snuggle under a quilt and read a good book.
Cheerio for now
Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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