Hi there, it’s Judie Bellingham popping onto your screen to say hello. Can’t believe it’s August already. Where did April, May and June go? My folks used to say that time travelled really fast when you got older. And I hate to admit it, but they were right! I skim through my diary for the first part of this year and just about half of it has appointment dates and events happening.

I do prefer to be busy than idle. One of the best signs I’ve ever seen is hanging in my sewing room and it says – “I prefer creative chaos to idle neatness”. This reflects my sewing room to a tee!! (and possibly my mind).

Here in Brisbane we are playing host to a visiting exhibition from the Prado Museum in Spain. There are over 100 true masterpieces from the Prado in Madrid. This morning I spent a few hours on a guided tour with a group of friends. What a blast! It’s very difficult to take it all in, especially in one visit, so I intend to make it another day, but I’ll plan to spend double the time, next time.

As a quilter I have a fascination with art. I really can’t draw or paint, but I love the medium and am in awe of how artists can capture life on canvas. This particular exhibition has a number of paintings depicting men in beautiful lace collars (the fashion of the time), and I’m intrigued at how that artists have painted the lace look so incredibly real. I was absolutely enchanted by the wonderful pieces of art. Here’s a link to the Queensland Art Gallery site: http://qagoma.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/portrait_of_spain_masterpieces_from_the_prado


I know it’s difficult for some of us to make time to wander around an art gallery, but I thoroughly recommend it. It’s food for the soul and expands your horizons. If you can’t do that, pop on the web and Google art galleries. There’s heaps of wonderful art exhibited for free on the web.

Last week I had a request via the forum for information about French Braid quilt patterns. We had a few replies and this prompted me to go surfing for some information about this particular technique. I posted my article last Sunday, and here’s the link if you’re interested. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art177395.asp and here’s the forum link: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/43/1/Quilting

So, it’s time for some goodies from me to you. I hope you enjoy the browsing:
http://intergalacticgalacticgalactic.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/tutorial-thread-
spool-organizer.html a great idea for holding those errant thread spools.

http://blueelephantstitches.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/granny-square-quilt-block-tutorial.html a granny square quilt? Yep, it’s a beauty

http://sew4home.com/projects/kitchen-linens/1040-quick-a-cool-holiday-gift-trimmed-kitchen-towels-with-rick-rack these would make great gifts anytime

http://ex-scapes.com/2011/11/09/sewing-tutorial-car-seat-cover-for-your-dog/ there’s always someone that has great ideas – here’s one of them if you’ve got a pet.

http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/cutting-corners/2012/06/29/bohemian-blowfish-pincushion/ a gorgeous blowfish pincushion

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9swx3Z/:f6@vWE@s:TcewUGZD/nedhardy.com/2011/12/27/best-street-art-of-2011/ absolutely not patchwork or quilting, but an amazing montage of street art. WARNING: some images are a little confronting, but most are awesome! PS Love the yarn bombing on the bike and tree!!

http://cqjp2012.blogspot.com.au/ some pretty crazy quilting eye candy

http://joyfoolery.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/peg-apron-tutorial.html a good old fashioned peg apron

http://www.dontcallmebetsy.com/2011/04/mini-bookshelf-quilt-tutorial.html mini bookshelf quilt - perfect for the bookworm in your life

http://scatteredthoughtsofasahm.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/no-sew-fabric-flowers.html new sew fabric flowers – I love these

Well, dear friends, I must away. I really hope this newsletter finds you all in a happy place, and if not, please accept a “virtual hug” from me.

Till next week, cheerio for now


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

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