Hi everyone, hope all’s well at your place – I’m having a rest day today after a rather busy week. As you know I’m an avid member of my state guild – Queensland Quilters Inc, and have just completed the Queensland Quilt Show information statements for the Show in October. A big job to be sure, but one I’ve performed now for about 3 years and always like to help out where I can.

Instead of a catalogue of the quilts in the show, the guild has an information statement that is secured onto each of the quilts by magnets. The statements are enclosed in a clear plastic sheaf, which keeps them clean and easy to read. We have found that we’ve saved a lot of wasted money on catalogues that don’t get purchased. The plastic sheafs are reusable every year and the only real cost is the printing of the statements.

This year, I’ve also volunteered to be a “drop off lady”, where entrants will deliver their quilts to me from my local area, and it’s up to me to get them to where they need to be for judging and hanging at the show. I’ve not helped in this capacity before so it will be an interesting learning curve.

I’ve entered three of my own quilts in the show and look forward to seeing them hanging up with all the other amazing creations our girls have come up with this year. I never expect to win, and certainly don’t enter to win, but I do like to compare my quilts with others. It helps me see where I can do better and where I’m doing OK too.

You are probably aware that Mary-Ellen Hopkins passed away this year. She was certainly an icon of the quilting world and will be sorely missed. My friend Jenny Riley attended a number of workshops with Mary-Ellen here in Australia some time back, and wrote this poem after one of her experiences. I am grateful for Jenny’s permission to reproduce this poem for you today. Here’s the link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art181499.asp

Hop over to the forum http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/43/1/Quilting and check out the current conversations there. You might find a subject you can contribute to.

Had lots of fun surfing for you this week and came up with a very eclectic array of goodies – I hope you have fun with these:

http://agirlinparadise.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/the-new-schmetz-app.html get your Schmetz needle app here

http://whipup.net/2009/05/06/love-bug-pattern/ here’s a cute love bug pincushion pattern

http://www.instructables.com/id/Keyboard-Cat/ a keyboard wrist support. I guess you could make it a puppy too!

http://homeofhomemadetreasures.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/tutorial-how-to-fold-fitted-sheet.html I’ve been asked this question a great deal – here’s a video

http://createstudio.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/quick-and-easy-slipcover-tutorial.html dress up your studio seat

http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2010/09/colorbrick-beginner-quilt-along_16.html colour brick block tutorial

http://www.simplicity.com/t-free-quilt-patterns-Amish-Tulips-Quilt.aspx a delightful Amish tulips pattern for you to make

http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com.au/2008/08/baby-quilt-week-day-3.html a very pretty log cabin tutorial

http://www.badassquilterssociety.com/scrap-happy-bookends/ scrappy bookends? What a great idea for your craft room

I will say cheerio for now to you all, and will pop in again next week. In the meantime, take some time out of your busy day and do a little stitching – it will do your soul the world of good.

Cheerio for now
PS You may have received a “brief” newsletter from me just prior to receiving this newsletter. Sorry quilters, my fat finger pressed the ENTER key before I was ready!!

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

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