Irish Circles

Irish Circles
Last years block of the month

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Block of the Month.

Hi everyone,
Here are the next two blocks.
Block 11
Block 12
The quilt is looking lovely.
Here is homework completed at Patchwork Plus.
The Jester Quilt will be in Quilters Companion in January.
Here is Jans simplified blue version.
Pat has finished Birds and Blooms.
And here at Cottage Quilt Works Megan has finished May Baskets.
Love them all!
Vanessa is making the most beautiful wedding ring quilt.

Thank you to all the girls who have paid for Summer School the requirements will be sent this weekend.
I called into The Hydro Majestic this week to check out the cafe... Absolutely beautiful if you have time on the way to SS call in and have a look.
The view is fantastic.
I can't believe it's the end of the year and I am doing the last classes for the year.
Birds and Blooms and May Baskets have been popular choices this year with many completed.
The new English Frame Quilt has started the shopping for just the right fabrics, French General and Dutch Heritage have been the most popular choices.
I love shopping for a new quilt!
Do you need an idea for a Christmas plate?
Strawberries with the top cut off dipped in white chocolate with coconut and a tiny piece of marshmallow on the top.
Santa's hats!
So yummy!
I will blog again before Christmas and of course Instagram in between.
Take care everyone,
Karen x

Monday, November 3, 2014

Summer Scholl

Hi everyone,
All is going well for Summer School.
Rhonda has sold her shop and finished her treatment so here is the start of her red and cream quilt for SS.


It looks lovely. She is also getting the Ann Randoll pattern finished to give to last years girls, it's wonderful to see her so well and enjoying semi retirement.
There are places left in her weekend workshop.
I have been busy with our BOM
Here are the next two blocks.

I just love making these blocks!

Photos just in of The Trundle made in America by Prue McBride her husband did the amazing quilting.


Just beautiful!

My daughter has returned after three months away.
She called into Petra Prins shop and bought this.

Full of beautiful Dutch chintz fabrics.... So beautiful.
I am traveling next year so that will definitely be on my list.
Anna said the shop was lovely and Elsbeth was so friendly, can't wait to visit.

One more photo.
I am addicted to these little pin keepers!
Take care everyone,
Karen x

Monday, October 6, 2014

Summer School

Hi everyone,
Summer School info goes out in the morning please email me if I miss you.
We are having SS at The Redleaf Resort this year so if you are staying there you can sew in your PJ's!
The new owners have promised good food and a lovely room to work in.
Can't wait!
Well I did have a strange month the block of the month had two block six and no five... It's like the 13th floor just isn't there. 
Thank goodness Wendy  and Anne had the courage to tell me to "take panadol and go to bed" or I might still be only making block sixes.
Here is block Seven and eight.



The quilt so far looks like this.

I have finished the appliqué border that goes across the top, so cute.
 
I had a lovely cooking day with Saxon here is the delicious plate of cup cakes.
Still finding sprinkles.
I used my Be-Ro cook book my grandmother bought me.
Be-Ro flour came from the north of England.
It's lovely to have this memento from my Grandma,so important to remember to sign books.

I have a couple of emails of finished quilts
So here are two from Sheryn.
Miss porter and John.
The Nottingham Quilt.
Here is Lesley's Sampler which was recently displayed at the Maitland show.
Thank you for sharing your work.

This is Michele's amazing hexagon block.
The tech girls... Yes Michele and Brenda showed me how to get on the Instagram still not sure what I am doing but it is fun, thanks girls more time on my phone.

Anna was in Amsterdam and called into Petra Prins shop... So jealous!
But there is a parcel coming home for me, she said it is a beautiful store can't wait to go one day.

I fly to Melbourne on Thursday to visit and go to Quilts in The Barn.
I have so much on my list to do, can't wait!
Good night all,
Karen x


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

On the mend.

Hi everyone,
Thank you for all the get well emails.
I am sorry I had to cancel last weeks classes but I totally underestimated the op I had.
I have never had stitches before no idea
what it would feel like, it doesn't help that it's in the middle of my back.
Gosh the brave girls who have major procedures then arrive in class a month later! Amazing.
Anyway my problem is over apart from having all the stitches out... Does that hurt!
I must also up date my emails as some of you did not receive the email, my apologies girls.
Let's get back to sewing!
Block five and six are ready for September.

 I got the gorgeous cat fabric from Quiltsmith.
 Nice easy appliqué block.
Kelly who is doing correspondence BOM
sent some nice photos.
They are lovely Kelly.

A few photos from the girls in my Glenbrook class.
How cute are the thirties fabrics.




I never get tired of the blocks from Birds and Blooms.
Elvis is back!
A bit Alfred Hichcock.
I will catch up on my emails today too.
Sorry for the delay everyone.
I just want to say thank you to my friend Helen, she's the girl who turns up with flowers, food and friendship and doesn't even hint that you look awful!
Take care everyone, back on the road Saturday.
Karen xx

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Block of the month.

I am so impressed everyone has done their "Friendship Quilt" homework.
Here are the pictures of blocks three and four.

Our first row is now complete.
Wendy has finished her marriage quilt.
Hand quilting around each shape was enough quilting.
It's beautiful congratulations Wendy!

Lorraine has also finished her top.
Anyone needing help with fabrics I will be teaching at Quiltsmith tomorrow then Patchwork Plus Thursday and Friday.
Best get my printing done.
Have a good day everyone,
Karen x

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Sunday in my sewing room.

Hi everyone,
I feel like July has been a very long month!
Today I am in my sewing room preparing block three and four of the block of the month.

I love making this quilt, looking forward to some stitching later on.

My trip to Port Maquarie was wonderful, Stitched and Framed is a lovely shop with a light and spacious class room.
Lots of fun with our magic mirrors, fabric designs take on a whole new use when we fussy cut.
Lovely to catch up with my Port Maquarie friends, see you all next year.
Samples of fussy cutting in port.
Great class room.

My Plain and Fancy above.


I didn't get to Port last year so two years later some truly inspiring finished quilts.

Denise has been very busy.
The sampler just needed a border.
Folk art Baskets.

A couple from Sue.
The Wedding Quilt.
Marie Antoinette. 
The Sampler.


The start of Jester and Irish Circles.



The Jester pattern is going in Quilters Companion this year.
Here is a sneak peek of the beautiful quilting Kim Dolan has done on Sue Brooks Jester which will be used in the magazine.....yes that means mine wasn't ready.
Sue's work is so beautiful, her appliqué is well perfect.

Best get to work or I won't be ready for Cottage Quilt Works tomorrow, still in my PJ's
Lastly my daughter Anna is off to work in Ireland, having an English mother finally paid off.
I haven't seen any of my children off at the airport for an indefinite time, girls that is really hard!
Well I guess that means I get to see Ireland.
Have a great day everyone,
Karen x