"It takes ages to finish a quilt you're not working on!"

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Fabric postcard.

I swore I wasn't going to participate in any exchanges this year, but when I saw the topic for a postcard exchange on Stitchin Fingers was to be 'teacups', I just had to go for it! I've just finished this little card for Sharon in country Victoria, and am waiting for her to send me her address so I can mail it to her. In the meantime, I'm waiting on one to arrive from Linda.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I am in shock!

Of the nine items I entered in the Lilydale Show this weekend, six won a prize! Three firsts - Biscornu, Japanese Doll wall hanging, and Redwork lady calico bag.
Two Second Prizes: Peacock Crazy Patchwork Block and the Black Cats patchwork wall hanging.
My Teacup crazy patchwork block won a Third Prize.
So you ask, why am I so surprised? Well, they must have different judges at these shows, or perhaps it is because my work is up against work by different people. OK, the Biscornu won first place in its category in both shows. Maybe they'd never seen one before! The Redwork lady came second at Whittlesea. The Japanese doll hanging didn't get placed at Whittlesea, but a first at Lilydale? I was flabbergasted because of all the entries, this was just a quick easy kit that I bought at a craft show!! Took me about an hour to do!
The Peacock CQ block came third at Whittlesea, and second at Lilydale. The teacup CQ wasn't placed at Whittlesea, but got a third at Lilydale. There was no other example of Crazy Patchwork at either show. As for my Black Cats, I entered that at Whittlesea two years ago and it wasn't placed. It was a last minute decision to enter it at Lilydale this year, so I was tickled pink to see it placed!
Lilydale is a smaller show than Whittlesea; here is the Homecrafts Pavilion.
They didn't have many quilts compared to Whittlesea, where the quilts were hung on the walls and from the rafters.
Some of the framed cross stitch displays - absolutely stunning work.
One display section with mixed needlecrafts such as crochet, tatting, embroidery, and small cross stitch.
There were several stallholders demonstrating their craft - I thought this was a great idea.
All in all, it was a fun day. Perfect weather, spent with a fun girlfriend who talked me into having a couple of tattoos on my arms! You'll have to see my other blog if you want to know more about THAT! ;-)

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Cross stitch gift and strip patchwork

I've gone off the rails again...the UFOs are languishing at the bottom of my WIP basket. Hey, I have to have a break occasionally! Anyway, Christmas is coming, and I've got gifts to stitch. This one is supposed to be for a mobile phone cover, but I'm tossing up as to whether I'll do that, or put it in a little frame for the recipient to put on her desk at work.
I sometimes buy mens' ties at opshops to use for patchwork, and have a box of them now. My friend Helen is helping me remove the linings and cut them up. When I saw a pattern on the net (it has also been in magazines), for quilt blocks using strips of left over fabrics, I decided the technique would be a great way of using some of my ties stash. Yesterday I felt like playing, so I cut strips of tie fabric and did this block, which is actually four six inch square blocks sewn together to make one.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Next Show!

I dropped off some of my embroideries to the Lilydale Showgrounds today. I had seven of the nine that I'd entered at Whittlesea, but when I mentioned to the steward that I had two more items in my car (I'd been showing them to a friend earlier), she said "Bring them in!" The ladies said they were happy to accept last minute entries, as their numbers were down this year, so I added my Black Cats patchwork wall hanging, and the Romantic Dancers bookmark (I wasn't going to enter that, as it had just won at Whittlesea, but the steward said that didn't matter - this was Lilydale!) There were several people in the queue behind me, and when they heard my discussion with the stewards, they said "Oh, we've got more in our car too!" so off they went and retrieved their extras. For anyone in Melbourne reading this, The Lilydale Show is on this weekend at the showgrounds which are two blocks behind Maroondah Highway, just past the railway line.

Monday, November 08, 2010

Photos of my winning works.

Well, I came home with two first prizes, two seconds and one third - and $34 in prize money. While I am chuffed about all this, I need to explain to you that five prizes don't make me the best of the best! Local shows like this are a starting point for the big time shows such as Melbourne or Sydney Agricultural shows, and they (the local ones) don't attract the amount of work that the state competitions do. Several people have said to me in past years that if more people don't enter the needlecraft sections of these shows, they are likely to be closed, as it is not worth judging one or two items in some categories. For instance, although my bookmark won first prize, there was only two bookmarks entered! And the biscornu was in a section called "Cross stitch items not in any other category", and mine was the only entry, so I got first prize! Still, it is a buzz to see one's work up there on view for all to see, with certificates attached, regardless of whether it is the only one in its category ;-)
The two cross stitched bookmarks entered - mine is the black and white one.
These three are all mine - funny how they put them all together. The larger peacock on the right hand is the 2nd prize winner here - it is stitched on linen, whereas the others are on Aida. My Biscornu - the design is Pam Kellogg's - waving to Pam!
My three patchwork blocks, all together again. The centre block (peacock) has 3rd prize in this category.
This one was a real surprise - second prize for simple redwork! Waving to Bronwyn Hayes - thanks for your cute pattern ;-)
I took many more photos of the other crafts in the Homecraft Pavilion at the Show, but I'll post them on another blog tomorrow if I get time. Thanks to all my dear friends who have left congratulatory messages. If you have never put your work into a show, DO IT! If I can win something, anybody can!

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Great excitement here!

I just spoke to a friend who visited the Whittlesea show yesterday, and she told me that four of my pieces have won prizes - two first prizes!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be going there later today to collect my items, and will try to get some photos to post here tonight. I should have waited until then, but I'm tickled pink!
Another Melbourne blogger is also very excited, with good reason! She made a crazy patchwork quilt, which has been sold for $70,000! What a fantastic achievement - firstly to make this quilt (I doubt if I'd have the skill or the patience) and secondly to sell it to someone who obviously appreciates the countless hours of work and materials that go into such a project. Go here for a look, and leave a message of congrats. for Robyne!