Good day to everyone and I hope this email is finding you a bit of time to sit and catch up.

I never talk politics in this newsletter, but I’m going to mention it, only briefly today. Here in Australia things are hotting up on the political front, with a General Election expected to be called any day now. If you’ve been following the dramas that have been played out in the federal arena here in Oz lately, you’ll know that the behaviour of all parties have rivalled any ridiculous scripts that you find in soap operas the world over.

I have to tell you that I have come to a tipping point. I’m over it. Completely and utterly sick and tired of the machinations of those who are supposed to be intelligent representatives of the people.

So, I have banned any news bulletins or programs from my sewing room. I am only listening to music or talking books – talkback radio and current affairs are no go zones for me. And I love it!! All I’m concentrating on is when I think I’ll finish the next quilt and when am I going to get around to sorting through my craft books. Very important stuff and something I CAN control. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking like I do. I wonder am I getting older and more impatient. Or am I getting older and having higher expectations from those people I’ve placed my trust in?

Last Sunday I posted a review on a book I received from Leisure Arts. It’s called Mile a Minute Quilts and here’s the link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art180976.asp

My article on tips for quilters last week prompted me to invite readers to list their three most helpful quilting tips so that other quilters could benefit. Unfortunately, I’ve only had one response, and I’m hoping to create a rolling article where I include all the reader tips into one article. I won’t add names, just your tips. Here’s the article that I’ve started: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art181080.asp

So hop onto the forum and share your three most helpful tips. Here’s the link: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/829117/What_are_your_3_most_helpful_t#Post829117

Lots of goodies for you this week, hope you have fun browsing.

http://www.howjoyful.com/2011/03/lovely-spaces-craft-room/ some lovely creative spaces here – maybe some inspiration for you.

http://createstudio.blogspot.com.au/2010/06/road-trip-backpack-pillow.html here’s a great tutorial for a road trip backpack and pillow

http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/search?q=shoes this is not only a shoe organizer, but could be an organizer for all manner of things!!

http://www.noortjedekeijzer.nl/work/my-knitted-boyfriend-2/ This is an absolute HOOT! Stick with it, you’ll love it. I don’t exactly remember how I stumbled on this, but it’s worth a watch. It’s a video.

https://www.threadbias.com/blog_posts/crossroads-block-tutorial a very interesting cross roads block tutorial

http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/living-up-to-my-blog-name.html scrappy triangles to make into anything you desire

http://www.leighlaurelstudios.com/my-blog/2013/04/free-pattern-friday-1.html a skinny pincushion ideal for next to your sewing machine.

http://www.sewdelicious.com.au/2012/08/cat-softie-free-pattern-tutorial.html a kitty kit softie

http://www.singerco.com/projects/detail/556/quilted-table-runner a quilted table runner tutorial from Singer

Well, dear readers I must away and get some ironing done. I do hope all is well at your place and that you can find time to catch up next week.

Till then, take care and cheerio for now





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

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com