Bloggers Quilt Festival

Amy at Amys' Creative Side is hosting the 4th Bloggers Quilt Festival.








I have decided to join in the fun. This is a great way of seeing some very beautiful quilts.





This quilt is one of those quilts that I never thought I would finish. It's an American sampler and was the quilt my Quilting Bible Study group - The Rose of Sharon Quilters - made in our 3rd year of quilting, about 9 years ago, unfortunately I am not one to label my quilts so I am not sure of the exact year. It took me over 5 years to finish this quilt as I was very upset with the centre panel so I just put it away for several years.





This quilt was made in very different colours for me & was made for a very specific room, but it took me so many years to finish that we had moved house and the colours were no longer quite right. It now sits over the fence that separates my lounge room from the entry. Occasionally someone will sit under it, but it really was always meant to be a showpiece






This quilt taught me many blocks and techniques and will remain one of those "lifetime" quilts.



Going to highlight just a few blcoks for you:-


My favourite blocks was always the log cabin -even b4 i started quilting, this blosk just fascinated me, so I just loved learning how to. The turkey tracks was a challenge to get those curves right but i was very happy I persevered and got it done (I may never sew curves again though). I had always wanted to learn how to make a basket block and I got to learn 2 differrent baskets in this quilt.





Once I finshed putting the quilt together and found the right border & quilted each block inthe ditch I decided that this would be a great quilt


to hand quilt as well. The first block I tried to hand quilt was the log cabins and I just loved ther sanil trail quilting and this is how i always quilt log cabins now in my mind this is the only way to quit them (for me). Each block has some form of hand quilting, some more than others.












Two of the blocks were hand turned applique and with many of the techniques int his quilt this was very new to me.

I have since learned a much simpler way and hand applique but this was a great technique to learn and have under my quilting belt.

These two blocks (& the 4 log cabins) are completley hand quilted.

The hand quilting took me three years. I am so glad I did part hand quilt it but I am not sure i would ever tackle such a large project to hand quilt.

Blogtoberfest day 21 - The Rose of Sharon Quilters

Each Wednesday night during school term for the last 12 years I have been going to Brenda's place (in white shirt in centre of photo) for my Bible study quilting group called the Rose of Sharon Quilters.

Brenda & Esther (in denim vest) have over the years taught us so much, lots of quiting techniques but mostly lots about God's love, Jesus sacrifice, how to live for God & share is word with other. They have done this in many ways the way that stands out the most is how they love each one of us and support us through whatever is happening in our lives with words of wisdom, comfort or encouragement, prayer and very often practical help (like meals, a cuppa, hugs and even groceries). I sooooo love these two women and am very very blessed to have them in my life. I have also loved getting to know all the ladies who have come over the years and simply love the group we have now, feel so comfortable with them that I can share with confidence that they will be praying for me and encouraging me to continue to live my life in a Godly way (which I don't always get right).

We have been through a lot as a group and in our separate lives and just knowing that we are all there willing to pray and support each other is such a blessing and encouragement.

We also have a lot of fun, laugh a lot and eats really nice suppers. And we just love having our photo taken.

Last night we started our new study - A John Stott study on Jesus. our last study was a book study, Calm my Anxious heart and i will share about that in another post as I need to take photos for it.

Quilters retreat

Friday 14 August my quilting Bible study group - The Rose of Sharon Quilters - went to Upper Kangaroo Valley for a weekend retreat. We stayed at Clifton Cottage, a lovely home owned by Anglican youthworks and available to rent out.

We had a wonderful time. Clifton Cottage is nestled among rolling hills and has the most beautiful outlook. Here's Dianne taking in the scenery.



The following photos are views from my bed room.

We had such a relaxed time that I could just sit and contemplate my slippers if I wanted to..........

A small taste of the lovely morning teas we had. we ate very well indeed over the weekend.

A very fuzzy photo of Brenda & Esther our Bible study leaders, laughing as usual.

Ali, Cathy and Beryl organising our baked dinner on Saturday night.

When we were discussing a dessert Ali jokingly said said she could make jelly, Beryl said she would love jelly so Ali bought a pack of green jelly and we made a big bowl up just for Beryl to have with her white chocolate cheesecake.

I had a wonderful time and managed to make the centre of a double bed quilt. Just need to make it a little longer and put borders on and then it is ready to quilt. Will show a photo when I have the borders on.