I wonder why..

I'm not entirely sure why I took photos of these quilts... there were other stunning, striking and interesting quilts on display at the VicQuilter's Showcase in Melbourne this weekend.
Maybe they are examples or reminders of things I liked about the quilts, or maybe I am making it myself, or maybe I don't think I would ever make a quilt like that. Whatever the reason, these are the quilts I took photos of.

All those hand-pieced clamshells!! I particularly like the way these were quilted. Both around the curve, and in a geometric pattern.

I think I have seen this quilt (pattern by Kim McLean) in traditional fabrics. What a wow with the Kaffe Fassets.

This is Ronnie's Civil War Bride Quilt. Talk about quick!! Made in less than one year!! Now this one I am making myself.

Once again, I am not sure what I like about this one. Lots of things. I like the colours, the quilting, the mixture of blocks and the applique afterwards.

Is that broderie perse applique in the outer triangles? I can't remember. It sure looks soft and pretty. Some very precise blocks in there.

This quilt is a reminder for me: it's a round robin where you work on your own quilt. The next month's instructions were drawn out of a hat, you couldn't plan far ahead.

I have on
I have one of these centre panels, not sure what to make with mine....

From a distance, this quilt was striking (it won awards actually)....

but when I looked at the fabric close-up, there is no way I would have teemed them together. The spots seemed to fuzz away the wonderfully pointed triangles.
There's a lesson in there for me.

Carolyn Konig of course. I like the way there are different background fabrics used within the quilt.

Would you believe this one was made from "leftovers"? Yes, leftover blocks from a BOM. So gorgeous in this quilt.

Striking colour choices.

Oh and what's this?

A little bit of my own show and tell... an addition to the cross-stitch. LOL!!

I have been granting myself a little bit of cross-stitch if I do something else I didn't feel like. What did I sew? I will show you tomorrow!!

Fun news!

We had a little win over the weekend....



Andrea's Nearly Insane quilt was awarded First Prize in the large pieced and appliqued, domestic quilted quilt section.

My miniature quilt was awarded First Prize in the small quilt/wallhanging section.

And Lizzie's quilt won First Prize in the Circus Challenge!!

Okay, it's confession time. Lizzie runs the Civil War Bride Quilt blog... and we challenged each other to finish our quilts for the Ballan Show in 2 years time... that will mean we have spent 3 years on the quilt (on and off, mostly off lately.. I haven't worked on my CWBQ since November last year.) I know I can pick it up again in June... I can't wait!!

Eye candy at the Ballan Quilt Show

So much to show you from the Ballan Quilt and Craft show this weekend. This is Helga's Sunbonnet Sue quilt (I snapped this picture for Rosie)...

The theme for the show was The Circus. I just had to show you all the props on display....

I have no idea where they got a carousel horse from!

This is the entrance to the display. How special!!

These screens were especially painted...

I had to show you this quilt.. just stunning.

Andrea just finished this quilt in time for the show!!

This is one of 3 quilts made with a very traditional look... I couldn't resist snapping all of them. Would you believe they are all made by the same man (Neil)?? He used machine blanket-stitch, then had them professionally quilted.
Correction -Bernadette left me a message after seeing this post: Neil quilted this four-block quilt himself. Thanks for the tip Bernadette. I whizzed past some of the labels too quickly and jumbled up the info.

I love this Dorothy fabric. Doesn't the rainbow really stand out?

This Baltimore is another Neil quilt... just gorgeous.

I like this strippy stars quilt - I can see myself making it with repro fabrics.

Another Neil applique quilt...

These lollipops were made from fabric - part of the circus-theme atmosphere.

What a stunning quilt!! I just had to share it with you...

I hope you feel as inspired as I do!!

Burning thread

I have been finishing so many projects I have been burning through the thread!

The large cones hold 3000yds and the small one holds 500yds. It is much more economical to buy the cone. 6 times the thread for 3 1/2 times the price. I will be purchasing another cone or two!

I love how these blocks look close up.

I finished the final 6 blocks last night.

I arranged the 56 blocks on the white doona cover and experimented with colours for the sashing. Black, too dark and too cold. Brown, too light. Purple... perfect! I am going to try and put the top together for the weekend. It would be nice to meet Mum for lunch on Sunday and give her this quilt top. I am hoping she has finished quilting the 2007 mystery quilt!

I took a closeup of this block to show you this wonderful conversation print. It's a cricket playing billiards. I have had it for a few years now and I use it sparingly in projects. I think I put it in the vintage log cabin quilt too.

Conversation prints were used to make dresses and shirts. The best example of how they were really used is in the BBC's mini-series of "Pride and Prejudice" with Colin Frith. The "Jane Austen" dresses were often made in conversation prints or what we call "shirting prints" - and this series accurately reflects this. From a distance the girls' day dresses look completely white, but they do have prints on them.

P.S. Did you see my quilt on Quilter's Show and Tell? It's a great blog. They feature a new quilt each day. You can submit your quilt for show and tell too.