QUILTING GOODY PACKAGE

What an exciting parcel I received today. I am a big fan of Edyta Sitar and her beautiful quilts. I ordered some books and a couple of patterns and also a 2013 diary.

When I finish with Mrs Billings coverlet I see my next project will be something from these books and patterns.

A good way to use up fabric in my cupboard :)

Until next time 

Marina ♥

SEWING DAY

I had a nice sewing day today with my good friend Leanne (Lizzy the quilter - link below)

http://lizzie-the-quilter.blogspot.com.au/

We had a visit to calico crossroads in Exeter. We sat, sewed, ate and chatted for the whole day.

I love my early Christmas gifts and will be making my own delivery very soon :) 

A beautiful little quilt from Leanne ♥

Cookies and fabric which I know just what to do with 

The next part of Mrs Billings. 4 patch blocks for the next border. Not long now ! almost at the finish line and ready for the next project :)

Today was a great day. Thank you Leanne for visiting and for my AWESOME gifts ♥

Until next time

Marina ♥

BAKING FUN

After tracing almost 350 little triangles for Mrs Billings Coverlet, I decided to do some baking as a distraction.

I am not a cake decorator LOL and never will be but I am quite pleased with the outcome (I think)

As for Mrs Billings! the large diamond borders are finished. Update coming soon.

Until next time

Marina ♥

A LITTLE PROGRESS

It is a rare occasion that I am awake early enough to see the sun rise LOL. So good morning sun! 

Today was spent working on my quilt so here is just a little progress to show for today's sewing at home. I have finished one side of the large diamond border on Mrs Billings Coverlet. It is now sewn onto the rest of the quilt.

I am really enjoying making this quilt, despite how slow and tedious it is to cut out all those pieces LOL. I am hand piecing the whole thing and will hand quilt as well.

One down and 3 sides to go and then onto the next part of this amazing quilt. I am looking forward to hand quilting at a later stage.

Until next time

Marina ♥

WEEKEND

It has been a great weekend for working on Mrs billings coverlet which is coming along slowly but surely. I have ordered some new patterns and a couple of books which I will share when they arrive. 

I have been cutting squares preparing for the next borders.

Thousands and thousands of little one and a half inch squares needed as well as triangles to go with them :)

An artistic view of the Tamar river at Rosevears taken during my afternoon walk yesterday. Taken with my Iphone and hipstamatic app which is one of my favorite camera apps.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable weekend whatever and wherever you are.

Until next time

Marina ♥

MODA SCHOOLHOUSE VIDEO

I found this on Youtube! It is the Moda Schoolhouse recorded by The Fat Quarter Shop for the 2012 Fall quilt fair.

It goes for an hour but it is fantastic! 

Until next time
Marina ♥

A POEM TO WARM HEARTS

A quilter

By Larry Howland, Elsie, Michigan

A quilter brings us comfort

On the chilliest of nights,

With unseen hands she tucks us in

And softly dims the lights.

What many others throw away

She knows that she can use,

She brings together every square

Arranged in varied hues.

With simple needle and humble thread

And batts without form,

She sews each piece with tender love

To keep us snug and warm.

Source has helped her understand

The value of old things,

She swaddles us in memories 

Each precious to behold.

QUILTS IN THE GARDEN, CARRICK, TASMANIA

It was a beautiful day for an outing. So off I went to Carrick to the Quilts in the Garden event put on by the Devon Quilters and Hawthorn Villas. 

The hardest thing was deciding what pictures to post here as there was a view and vista around every corner. So here are a few snaps I took while there.

Everything was so lovely, the flowers were out as were the birds. 

This was one of the scenes when you entered the property. The quilt was stunning against the old bricks of the buildings. 

This was a really nice stitchery quilt. Each block was an image of a flower.

Every corner a view. This one was hidden behind a wall.

It was really exciting to see this quilt. I am currently making this same pattern. The one displayed here is Grandmas Garden 2. I am making Grandmas Garden 1.

The large quilt up here is called Pansy Park by Thimbleberries. Its enormous?

Going to places like this uplifts your spirits and inspires you to go out and do some stitching in your own garden so I will do after I post this blog :)

Here are a couple of links about the event and the place

http://www.hawthornvilla.com.au/

http://www.think-tasmania.com/quilts-in-the-garden/

Have a great weekend

Until next time

Marina ♥

DELORAINE CRAFT FAIR AND WILDLIFE PARK

Today's outing was to the town of Deloraine in Northern Tasmania. It is a yearly event that brings thousands of people to the town.

Artists and craftspeople exhibit all kinds of things, from paintings, ceramics, clothing and other things.

This year there were quilts from the Hoffman challenge. Very spectacular art quilts made using machine techniques.

Deloraine is a pretty town about one hour from Launceston. It's famous for many things including the Mersey river whichruns through it.

I have always had an interest or fascination for watercolour painting and art. There were many very talented artists at the fair. Awe inspiring in fact especially a lady who painted Australian birds with such detail they looked like photos. 

After the craft fair I decided to go for a drive to Mole Creek and stopped in at the Trawana Wildlife park to see the animals.

Mother Tasmanian Devil relaxing in the sun.

These are 2, 5 month old babies. They have only just come out of the pouch this Spring. They were so sweet and gentle, staying close to their mother.

Some of the purchases I made at the fair. One skein of possum wool, hand died and spun. it has a gold sparkle to it. Very pretty beanie to be made with this.

Some beautiful greeting cards of watercolour paintings by a very talented artist. 

Animal Spirit oracle cards. I am terrible for collecting oracle cards and tarot decks. I really have to stop gathering LOL but as is with fabric, you can never have too much.

The weekend has begun and will be a long one here in Tas. Monday is a day off as well. A beautiful time of the year to be doing anything outside. 

Until next time

Marina ♥

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Tickets are booked and paid for, car is hired. America, I will be looking forward to seeing you in March 2013 :) 

For many years I have been planning, dreaming about a trip to the USA to see what there is to see (well as much as I can see in 3 months). Finally, it is a reality and will be going on an American adventure.

I will be spending time with a friend and hope to blog about our road trip and time wondering through this enormous country. 

So watch this space from the end of March 2013.

Can't wait!!!

Until next time 
Marina ♥

FRIENDSHIP DAY EXETER

Greetings from Exeter Tasmania. In Stitches friendship day. I am here with quilters from all over Tasmania including my buddy Leanne (Lizzy the quilter). 

The atmosphere is electric and the room is full. Lots of fun food a quilting friendship going on. Its been a great day and I look forward to the next friendship day wherever that might be.

Just a couple of quilts on display at the front of the room by quilters from the Exeter In Stitches group who were hosting the day.

The room fills quickly as people come in looking for a place to sit 

I worked on my Mrs Billings Coverlet quilt which is coming along slowly.

I have been quite slack with my blog LOL there are just so many things and not enough hours in the day. Springtime in Tasmania means gardening and spending time outdoors and also about meeting up with friends for BBQ's and other outings like friendship days.

From now on I will post other things as I have been doing a bit of knitting. I would also like to post pictures and stories from my travels and outings but may not be quilt related. In saying that Avonlea Vignettes will be mainly about quilting and quilting friends. Little snippets of life from the bottom of the globe on the little apple shaped island of Tasmania.

Take care 

Until next time 

Marina ♥