Celtic Cushion

Well I finished the Cushion around midnight last night, and I've already started cutting more strips for another project.  I loved using the bias bars to make the strips so much, this time I think I'll do a whole quilt.

UFO's completed

I've just come back from a week long sewing holiday at mum's.  I managed to get quite a few UFO's completed, and finally got to do the Celtic piece I've wanted to do for years thanks to the support of Judie Bellingham.

Here are a couple of the projects I've done this week.

Indian travel rug (pattern or kit available at stitch this) Made by Christine & Alysha

Celtic cushion cover

Mum's first quilt - Strippy four patch (pattern available at stitch this)

Meanwhile Mum's just got her quilt back from the quilter.  This is her very first machine pieced quilt.  Pretty awesome I think. Now she's on a mission to create quilts for 10 1/2 grandkids.

The Quick Ripper

Awesome new product. Just arrived. A battery powered, handheld seam ripper that makes manual work obsolete!http://stitchthis.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=2406

Vote for Stitch This to help us win a $5000 grant from Suncorp Bank

https://www.suncorpbankhelpinghand.com.au/vote-for/stitch-this/

Shepparton CraftAlive

We're all setup and ready to go for Shepparton CraftAlive this weekend. We've got lots for all to see and do.  Demonstrations on English paper piecing, patchwork fabric from on $10 mtr, quilt kits, quilt panels, stitcheries, and so much more.  See you all there this Fricay, Saturday & Sunday at Shepparton Show Grounds.

Paul's graduation parade

Congratulations to our oldest boy Paul on his Navy graduation.  Next week he is off to Sydney for about 6 months to begin his career training.  Then he is off to see the world.

Handy Hussif

Finally finished the Handy Hussif, now I just have to let the holes in my fingertips heal up to start the next project.

A small job to do

We've just received 16 huge boxes of the latest range of knitting yarn.  Now we just have to re-arrange the wool section to make room for it all.  As usual, I've ordered way too much.

Day 4 - Do we have to go home?

Well after almost 4 days with great food, great weather, great company, it sadly came to an end. We all had to go home and do our real jobs.  Mine is raising 5 boys aged 14, 18, 18, 18, & 20, 1 husband, 2 cats and Crash the Boxer.  I can't really call the shop a job, it's more like a retreat.

Here's what we did Sunday.  A little more applique using one of Sue's basket templates.

Shop Owner retreat Day 3

Had another wonderful day stitching and learning new techniques.

Today we worked on the 6 pointed star, followed by needle turn applique, then some reverse applique

Day 1 & 2 of our Shop owners retreat

Thursday & Friday Sue showed us how easily her apple core shapes went together.

followed by the clamshells.  This one when finished will be a mini quilt.

Keep your eyes open for the "handy Hussif" bag that I plan on completing this week

My first retreat

WOW, What a wonderful 4 day weekend I've just had at Sue Daley's Patchwork with Busy Fingers shop owners retreat. http://www.busyfingerspatchwork.com/
I've had the opportunity to meet some wonderful ladies from other patchwork stores around the country, and enjoyed a few amazing days of English paper piecing, American Piecing, applique, and various other forms of stitching. 
We managed to put our stitch down for just a little while to enjoy the wonderful meals prepared for us by Shannon & Greg

After returning home just after midnight, and having fallen into bed exhausted, I'm refreshed and full of inspiration with a mind overflowing with interesting ideas.  I only hope I can get even a few projects finished.