What Have I Been Doing?

I always have a couple of days off teaching at the end of the month to catch up on paper work and maybe get some sewing done! Ha ha.

This week I have spent hours and $ getting all the printing done for my new Christmas patterns.  I have made a set of placemats with a candle mat:

a runner called "Oh Christmas Tree":

and a larger applique runner called "Gorgeous Gifts":

I really enjoyed working in the bright Christmas colours of Riley Blake's fabrics.

Of course, I then needed to write up all those patterns (thanks Hollie Vanbeers for my gorgeous pattern covers):

I then wrote up all the instructions and drew all applique pattern sheets in preparation for filming a new DVD for Quilters' Companion magazine.

Next I spent many hours writing up all the instructions for "Henrietta" which I will begin to teach next month.

For a bit of fun, here is a little pendent I ordered from the UK which contains a piece of paper from "Pride and Prejudice" including the word "Pemberley".  It is set behind a heart shaped glass.  I ordered it on Etsy.

Class Shots: Monday at The Stitchers Cupboard

Here are a couple of pics from Monday class at The Stitchers Cupboard.  We always have a lot of fun and some sewing gets done as well.

Glenda was working on her pieced blocks for Meryton.  She is using beautiful soft pinks and purples.

Jan completed one of her centre blocks for the outside borders of Meryton.  Her background fabric has created lots of comment.  She is using a deep linen look with lots of red and deep green.

Natalie is powering on to her elongated hexagon borders for "Netherfield".  She is using the rich combination of red, green and brown.  Of course, my "fussy cutting queen" has been at it again.  Gorgeous!!!  Oops, one is upside down - that will need to be turned.

"Meryton" at Jukejema Quilting Barn, Nowra

I had a great class at Nowra today with ladies working on "Meryton" and "Rosings".

This is Sandra's beautiful centre in progress. She has expertly fussy cut paisley and lovely florals.

This is Di's beautiful centre in blue and brown with some gorgeous greens making the leaves pop.

This is Karen's gorgeous work in soft pink, blue and red.

Here is Karen's petal border and gorgeous flowers.

These are Sue's centre hexagons, so fresh and happy in bright greens and shades of orange and apricot.

This is Louise's wonderful "Rosings" centre.  Her colours are rich and regal.

Here is a closeup of her wonderful Georgetown Circle centre pieced block.  Love it.

We laughed so much we got a tummy ache.  Thanks for the funny chicken stories, Wendy!

Great Colours for "Meryton"

Here is a selection of photos from today's class at The Stitchers Cupboard. The ladies were working on their "Meryton" quilts.

This is Melanie's beautiful version in strong reds and browns.  This is a very striking combination.

Shirley has done lots of gorgeous work on the corner blocks using beautiful fabrics in pinks, greens, purples and browns.

Lianne has made a stunning version in black and white with pink, teal and bright green accents.  I love it.

Here is her pieced block.  We decided on the pink spot for the whirligig.

Christine laid out the pieces for her blocks and we pieced one of the machine pieced blocks.  Looking beautiful!

Lots of Class Work

I know I have been a bit quiet on the blogging front lately, but I have been very busy teaching and sewing.  I just have not had time to take the camera out!

Finally then, here are some photos from class at The Stitchers' Cupboard.

Natalie has been working on her beautiful "Netherfield" in reds, browns and greens.  Gorgeous.

Sharon is on to the last blocks for her two "Merytons".

Julie is also working on "Meryton" blocks.

Kylie is busy doing the applique for her William Morris version of "Netherfield", featuring birds including "the strawberry thief".  Lovely.

Lovely work ladies.

Diane's Show Quilts

I saw Dianne today and asked her permission to show you her two beautiful quilts which were displayed at the recent Sydney Quilt Show.

Both are designs from my Jane Austen Quilt Collection.

Diane's wonderful "Pemberley" received a fourth place ribbon in the Commercially Quilted category for Large Quilts, quilted by Veronica Appleyard.

Dianne also displayed her lovely "Netherfield", made in pinks, blues and browns.

Congratulations Dianne, your quilts are stunning.

Starting New Jane Austen Quilts at The Stitchers Cupboard

Today was the first class for my second group of ladies commencing a new Jane Austen quilt of their choice at The Stitchers Cupboard.

Very hectic to teach but a lot of progress was made.

Here is Colleen's start on the centre of "Hunsford" using black and red for diamonds and hexagons. This will be lovely.

Dianne is also using black and red with a stunning centre star cut from one of her "scraps":

Kyrie is using William Morris with a bird featured in the centre of her "Netherfield" block:

Natalie is a little further on with "Netherfield" and was working on her elongated hexagons.

Sue was working on the hexagon flower bouquets for her "Meryton", also in William Morris fabrics.

Here is Natalie's centre of "Meryton", hexagon centre all stitched on.

I look forward to reporting on progress to all these quilts in future classes.

New Christmas Projects

I have finished a couple of Christmas projects recently in bright, cute fabrics by Riley Blake.

Here is my "Oh Christmas Tree" table mat (measures 17" x 26").  I used machine applique, paper foundation piecing and ric rac embellishments.

This is a set of two placemat designs with a candle mat/mug rug.

If you would like to purchase the pattern and/or a kit of the same fabrics, please contact The Stitchers Cupboard via email at sales@thestitcherscupboard.com.au.