Hi everyone, it’s time for me to pop in to say hello. I am finally feeling settled in our new home and have the important things unpacked. I can cook a meal, have a shower and sleep the sleep of the dead (it’s sooo tiring, this moving thing). As for my sewing room, it’s sort of coming together.

I’ve actually been sewing today as I have been busy making a quilt in collaboration with a friend, and it needs to be finished over the next few weeks, in time to enter it in our State Quilt show in October. So, today I’ve pieced it into a full quilt top. Now I need to purchase the backing. So far, it’s looking pretty good, but we’ll see after the quilting has been done.

I think it’s good to collaborate with a friend and make a quilt together at least once per year. Each quilter brings different ideas to the design table and it’s amazing what you can achieve with two brains churning away.

Thank you once again to those lovely readers who make the time to email me and have a chat. It’s really great having communication with some of you who receive my newsletter weekly. I really thrive on your encouragement to improve the website.

Last Sunday I posted a book review. Well really, it was a chart review for a cross stitch pattern. I know that I’m not the Embroidery editor, but I often receive complimentary publications to review and this was one I’d received recently. Here’s the link to that article: http://www.koolerdesign.com/shopproductdetail.aspx?ProductID=909&StoreSect=Kits. I am a cross stitcher from way back, and I particularly like this designers work. What do you think?

Over the next few months, I’m going to have some more articles continuing in the series Color Theory for Quilters. I’ll be talking about color schemes, and color schemes using the Color Wheel, as well as some information on value and finally on fabrics, and how to choose them for your quilt. Look out for these articles, as I say, over the next few months. Anything else you’d like me to discuss? Drop me an email or pop onto the forums and ask away.

So, onto my little gifts for you this week. Hope you enjoy them!!!

http://www.vintagevogue.com/27To_a_Friend_Crazy_Quilt_Block.pdf a foundation pieced crazy quilting block.

http://www.matchingpegs.com/2010/02/15/star-fruit-cushion-tutorial/ Yes, a star fruit cushion Tutorial!

http://www.craftpassion.com/2010/03/recycle-tutorial-braided-rag-rug.html One of my most favourite crafts – a rag rug

http://alamosaquilter.blogspot.com/2010/04/groovy-baby-and-funky-buttons-patterns.html a really pretty quilt tutorial and patterns

http://yoonie-at-home.blogspot.com/2010/04/tutorial-iris-folding-with-bias-strips.html an unusual use of bindings, but a great idea

http://www.ikatbag.com/2010/04/10-reasons-to-love-your-seam-ripper.html Lots of useful info here

http://www.ikatbag.com/2010/04/10-reasons-to-love-your-seam-ripper.html that iddy bitty seam ripper is a very useful tool

Well, dear quilters, I must away and think up a miracle for tea. (I’m sure you all know that feeling!!). Hope all’s well with you and yours, stay happy and keep quilting!!

Cheerio for now

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

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