Retreat time with Kilmore Quilters.

I was lucky enough to go away with 30 great ladies from the Kilmore Quilters for 4 days on a retreat.

We went to Toolangi. The atmosphere was fantastic with lots of stories, laughter and so much work being done. The food was the best I have ever had while being away. I wanted to stay.

I have already shown some of my work that I did.

Bon bons & blankets of love.

Here are some other things I was working on.

My Bow tie Quilt that was a class Andrea showed us last year. Of course mine is a little bit different than what was shown. I am still working on it...

I also taugh a couple of ladies how to crochet the easy Pussy Cat Blanket. Here are  the girls hard at work...

ANNIKA concentrating

 Look at Annikas progress, Cathy starting out...

Liz enjoyed sitting by the fire doing her HEXIES

I managed to get my borders on my Quilters garden Quilt. It is now ready for quilting...

I am still working on my Compass Rose tablerunner and mat... That I was working on at my Phillip Island retreat... They are nearly finished.

So I am linking up with Val over at
http://myplvl.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/tuesday-archives-65-retreats.html

And the Pink Doxies
http://www.pinkdoxies.com/2015/06/pet-project-show-23-saturday-features.html

Deana's QUILTERS GARDEN row quilt

I have had so many positive comments and interest in my last post. I thought I would just show you how the quilt was designed. It was a row by row quilt and a mystery. Each month we were given the instructions to make a block. If we made one we would get the next months pattern for FREE. We could make extras and swap them also. Over the months I swapped many blocks. It was great to receive many different fabrics that in the end all went together. I didn't make the required amount of blocks each month so my quilt hasn't come out the same size as the full size quilt. At the end of the months I didn't want to make the extra blocks...
That's why my design is completely different....
Here is Deana's  from
http://dreamworthyquilts.blogspot.com.au

Isn't it just lovely. This is Deana's own design. She has done a fabulous job.....

And have a look at all the other participants over at
http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

more Pin Cushion blocks

February's block for the DOD MYSTERY Quilters Garden Row by Row quilt was to make PIN CUSHIONS.  HERE is the first one I received from Ann. Now I received another 2 in the mail.
The first of these was from Trudie.

And the second was from Sue. Sue added a few extras. Very kind. Included was 5 hand dyed embroidered threads and a pretty fat quarter. I feel very special.

HERE  are the ones I made.
The blocks for March were QUILTS IN THE GARDEN. They are all in the mail and I will be receiving some soon...
This months blocks are for the borders. We are nearly at the end of the swap. It is going to be a fun quilt when finished. http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

Quilts in the Garden finished

I have just finished my next 2 blocks for Deana's mystery quilt.
http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au
I made the little quilts out of orphan blocks I had stored away. They only measure about 4".
I have added a twisted cord for the line and real wooden pegs too. Very cute.

In the mail yesterday was my first little pin cushion block and spacer from Ann. It didn't take very long at all from the States.. Thankyou Ann. Lovely colours.
This was Februarys design in the mystery.

QUILTS IN THE GARDEN with Deana

Here are the blocks I have done so far for my blocks in the 

http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

I have been doing these blocks every month. If you sign up and make a block this month you get next months block free. We have been making blocks for a few months now. 

This month is Quilters in the garden.

Here are the blocks I have made. Some are to swap some are to keep. 

I am not stitching the clothes lines to Hang the quilts on because when they are joined with other blocks they may not match. Instead I will make a twisted cord to use for the line and the lucky winner can place it in the correct spot. There will be some clothes pegs sent too.

Mail, dinner, FNWF sign ups

I am enjoying a lovely home cooked meal for my Anniversary.

Garlic prawns, rice and salad. Of course some bubbly to go with it in my special glasses from a special friend.

I have received some great mail this week. My QUILT SHOPS blocks as part of a row by row swap by DEANA from..
http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

Here is my block from Daryl. I love her little quilt, on point. All I need to do is add a button on the door.

And then from the great designer and organiser DEANA

I have just linked up with CHERYL from 

http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/fnwf.html 

 For FNWF.

Go on over the weekend for a look at what everyone has been working on.

I'll be stitching along with my daughter...

My February DOD mystery blocks

Here are my February blocks completed for the DOD mystery Row by Row quilt.

http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

PIN CUSHIONS & SPACERS

I made 5.... 3 of them are to swap and 2 are for me to keep.

 No. 1...... To swap

 No. 2...... To swap

 No. 3......To swap

 No. 1...... To keep

 No. 2...... To keep

I put on all different beads to make the pin heads cute. Here are hearts, flowers, balls and just plain beads. Very sweet.

I am also linking up with Cheryll for FNWF.

http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/sign-up-time.html

MY HAPPY MAIL

AUSTRALIA POST has delivered my 2 blocks.

Block 40 from Lucy. I love the Suffolk puff. The block is also more green and yellow than it appears.

Block 48 from Deana. I just love the polka dot button.

 I am very happy my blocks are very different than the ones I have made. Just waiting on one more now.

I can't believe they are so much smaller than the quilt shop. I may have to make some more.

Another finish during FNWF

I have had a great afternoon joining in with FNWF.

http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/fnwf.html

I finished quilting this quilt after it has been in my cupboard for a couple of years. I have a great friend who made me a few tops and I quilted a few quilts for her. Thanks Sue.. I also used this project to teach her how to do this pattern. It's a very easy design.

After I got it all quilted I found out there wasn't enough prepared binding with it. So a quick call to my friend and a drive YES she had some fabric to match. Now the binding is on.

And here is a close up of the quilting. I followed the weave pattern and FMQ it very easily.

I'm happy with it.

More sewing I did this week was my quilt shop blocks for the DOD row mystery

http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

We could put any design quilt to hang on the front. I found a small piece of this cute XMAS fabric so I went with that theme. I added a little bling and a few buttons.

If you make one block each month you get next months pattern for free.

You can also make some blocks to swap. Then you can get some great blocks from all over the world..

This is the block I will swap

And this one is for me to keep.

I also help out and make quilts for the AUSSIE HEROES.

Look  http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au to find out more...

There was a request for POPPY BLOCKS for a special project...

Sewing in the cool sewing room

I have done two block 1's today....there are a lot of pieces but I got there.

I made my own quilt design for the window. I strip pieced a block then cut it up to make a pinwheel.

Here is "Nancy's Cupboard" quilt shop to SWAP

And then there is "A Quilter's Home"  for me to keep.

I have also made two block 4's but they still need embellishing. Photos to come.....

The new row this month in Deana's Quilters Garden Mystery is QUILT SHOPS.

They are fun but a lot of pieces. Go and have a look at the other designs. There are 4.

http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

I also received some happy mail today from Sheila from

http://sewcookandtravel.blogspot.com.au

I was Sheila's 100th follower on her blog so she sent me a little gift. A fabulous little zippered purse with crazy cats on it... As well as a pile of squares for me to use. 

I think these will go into my Bow Tie blocks.

I missed posting about this block I received from Susan..

It is the November STEAM THAT SEAM block.

It is a lovely green that matches so well and a very cute button on it too.

Thanks Susan

Another XMAS lunch, blocks completed and FNSI

Here we are so close to Christmas and everyone is celebrating. My Monday group had a little lunch.
We can always put on a great spread of food.

Then some presents were handed out... Rhonda made the best stitchery mini quilt wall hanging for us all. They were amazing.

Rhonda, the maker

Barb with Kris Kringle

Jill with Reindeer

Joy with Holly Berries

And me with Love

Aren't they just so cute

Here is the pattern. It was one that can get so many uses..

Now that I am at home I have finished and decided which blocks I will swap and keep for the DOD row by row mystery. Here are the completed spinning pinwheels...

To swap

To swap

To swap

To keep

To keep

To keep

http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

And I have received last months Staem that Seam block from France's. Isn't it lovely. I didn't make this style so it was nice to get a different design. Thanks Frances.

After all that, I am looking forward to this weeks FNSI with WENDY from SUGARLANE Quilts.

http://sugarlanequilts.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/friday-night-sew-in-sign-ups.html