
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Folksy Flannels decisions

Friday, February 26, 2010
The quilt I can't show you
mums the word...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
My weighloss plan - More Quilting
This morning I woke up and out of the blue decided to weigh myself - well I'm 4kg lighter than I was. I've decided its all due to my quilting because:
- I can't eat and quilt at the same time
- I expend lots of nervous energy doing stippling (it hasn't got any easier)
- By the time I've spent all evening quilting, I'm too tired to snack, so I just go to bed.
So I've decided that quilting is FAR more effective than the gym (hehe).
I had a wonderful day today. My morning at work (I work 4 days/wk as a speech pathologist) was busy and so I treated myself to lunch at Ken Duncan's gorgeous art gallery surrounded by trees and birds. While I was waiting for my chicken caesar salad I made myself at home on the couch (surrounded by the most beautiful photographs) and finished off the binding for a new design I have been working on (I'll show you soon). Now that's the life!
Here's a picture from the show on the weekend.
Sarah London was also kind enough to snap some pictures of my quilts at the show, and do a little write up. She is having a great giveaway at the moment, so head over there - it finishes this Friday.
My friend, Ally, who works at my local quilting store - Blueberries - was also at the show. Their stand was really cute with a beach theme going on. Stop in at her blog and say 'hi'. I hear she may be planning a giveaway too.
Lastly, a couple of days ago "Handmade Kids" posted my idea about kids making quilts. They have a great website with tonnes of wonderful ideas for handmade stuff for kids, so it was cool to be featured.
P.S. Thanks for your comments on adding the red to the owl quilt. I think I'll get some of the red owls and then decide as I work on it.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Found some flea market fancy!
I just couldn't go past these gorgeous Folksy Flannels from Anna Maria Horner. I've been eyeing them off for a while now, they're just so adorable. My favourite is the little houses at the bottom. Becky bought the 'boy' colours and I bought the 'girl' ones. Wouldn't it be fun to matching baby blankets. And no, I'm not pregnant ... yet.
I also met Monica Poole from Moon-Shine Designs. She was really lovely and so encouraging. Its great to meet people that have been in the business for a while. Monica is an expert at 'quilt as you go' quilts, so you don't have to wrestle your entire quilt under the machine. Jenelle from Pieces to Treasure was another local person that I got to chat to. She runs quilting retreats just down the road from me on a beautiful rural property. Sounds nice, doesn't it.
Friday, February 19, 2010
NEWS!
Yesterday's "Stitched with Love" workshop went really well. There was 6 of us and I was surprised how quickly everyone worked. They made one each in less than 2 hours. There are another 5 cut up and ready to be put together by some others that couldn't make it yesterday. So thanks to everyone who is getting involved. And a special mention goes to my sister, Amelia, who made 5 blankets on the weekend. She's such a loving thoughtful person. I'll show you some pictures when I get them (my camera was missing the card when I went to take photos).
And guess what ... today my quilts are hanging at the Newcastle craft expo!! That's big for me. Material Girls Down Under are showing them off and have kits to go with the patterns. I'm heading up there tomorrow and can't wait to see them on the wall. I'm looking forward to all the other bits of inspiration that will get the creative juices flowing (not that I don't already have a bunch of quilt patterns in my head and bundles of fabric ready to go). This time I'm taking guilt free money, because its not indulgent, its a business expense (hehe).
On yet another note, have a look to see what Joan from Wishes True and Kind is doing with the "Fairy Hearts" pattern. I love it. The fussy cut hearts are just gorgeous and the borders bring it all together so well.

Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Dandelion Windows Quilt Pattern - Baby Size
This pattern is not a stand alone pattern. It is an addition to the "Dandelion Windows" quilt pattern. If you have already purchased this pattern online or from a quilting store, please email me at kateeconklin(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au and let me know where you purchased the pattern, and I will send you the baby size quilt pattern for free. You can buy the kit (including the pattern) from Saffron Craig here. If you haven't purchased the "Dandelion Windows" pattern you can download it instantly from my sidebar (it now contains the baby version).
As I haven't actually sewn up the baby quilt yet, I created this diagram with my new EQ6 program. It was pretty easy, but the fabric scaling is all wrong. I'm sure you can change this but I haven't worked it out yet. It gives you the general idea though.

Saturday, February 13, 2010
"Stitched with Love" Tutorial - Rail Fence Pattern
These are really simple for anyone to make, particularly for those new to sewing/quilting. I will be running a workshop for the women's organisation at my Church this week (Relief Society) and we will be donating the blankets to our local children's hospital. If you would like to get involved and donate a blanket, just contact your local hospital. I'm sure there is need for this kind of thing everywhere.
You will need 4 fabrics. From the border fabric cut 2, 3" strips (selvedge to selvedge). From the other 3 fabrics cut a 3" strip from each. Put aside the border strips. You will also need a 22" square piece of flannel or flannelette fabric for the back (a couple of inches wider than your quilt top).
Sew the 3 strips of fabric together along their lengths. Iron the seams to one side.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Check out the donkeys in boots!
And here's a sneak peak of the latest project I've been working on. I was planning on making another pinwheel quilt, but at the last minute decided to design a new pattern. Luckily I had enough fabric, and I'll use the fabric earmarked for the borders -for the binding. The top is finished and I just bought the backing fabric today. That French General fabric feels so good to work with.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Baby boy - There's a Square in There
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fairy Hearts
Thursday, February 4, 2010
not bad for a 3 year old
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Fairy winners
The final pattern will be released in the next couple of days. It will include instructions for a pieced back, as well as dimensions for a baby sized quilt. So watch this space...
Monday, February 1, 2010
Fairy Giveaway
I bound it in Saffron's brown fairy circles. I like dark binding on quilts, frames it well I think.