My workshop in Henty

10/03/2016 by 1 Comment

Janice – who belongs to The Applique Guild of Australia – organised a two day workshop in Henty, just out of Albury, NSW. I drove up on Friday 4 March on a stinking hot day.  Had car trouble – and $400 later all was well!! I stayed with Janice and her husband John in their beautiful home – wow… beautiful scenery for miles around – so unlike living in the city and it takes some getting used to – and of course I could get used to it very quickly! Thanks Janice and John for your hospitality - I felt very much at home!! Saturday morning turned out to be another hot day but thankfully the hall was air-conditioned.  The workshop was at St Paul’s Lutheran Primary School.  Joanne part of the P&F Association organised all the meals for us – and they were yummy! So thanks to the mums who cooked and served the meals - and looked after us so well. 4 quilts were chosen – Birds Eye View, Minerva, Tulipa and Mosaics.  Two days of quilting with your quilting buddies – what more can you ask for?  And I get to have all the fun too!!!  Here are some of the "usual suspects" Lynne told us the wonderful story of having won the Victorian Quilters raffle quilt that was made by Margaret Mew, Jennifer Murray and myself a couple of years ago  -  and only looked at the label recently and realised that I would be doing the workshop in Henty and decided to come to it.  She brought in this beautiful quilt for show and tell. Irene Blanck Read More

Filed Under: workshops

Focus on Applique

13/07/2015 by 1 Comment

I’m sure most of you are aware that Quiltmania published a book of 13 of my quilt patterns, the book being aptly named Focus on Applique. Margaret Mew, our “esteemed” prez remarked in 2011 that I “had a book in me” and arranged for a mutual friend to invite me over for dinner with my quilts as Carol was staying with the said mutual friend!  Well I took my quilts with me and before the night was over Carol had signed a book deal with me – really it was a handshake deal.  The book was to be published in 2015 so I had lots of time to design the required number of quilts – I was lucky that most of the quilts I showed Carol were to be included in the book so I only had about 8 more to design.  Fortunately I have a wonderful sewing group whom I had to call on to help me in the last few months.  And I managed to get all the quilts done in time. I’ve blogged previously about my wonderful time in Nantes. I talked about my book at the Mornington Applique-In and at various others venues.  And I want to thank everyone for the wonderful support and encouragement I’ve received with the publication of the book.  I have received many email for quilters telling me that they have enjoyed the book. Quiltmania did a wonderful job with the presentation of the book – the photos are terrific and the graphics brilliant! Quiltmania were in Sydney earlier this month so Margaret, Jennifer and myself did the road trip to Sydney to pick up cartons of books – much cheaper than posting.  Actually collecting the books was hilarious – but more of that in another post. So…. I brought back a few cartons of books.  If anyone is interested in buying them I can post them out to you.  The book costs $70 plus $12 postage.  Please email me on: blanckirene@gmail.com.au and of course if you’d like it signed please let me know.  If you need me to sign it “to my best friend” just let me know and I'm happy to oblige!! Irene Read More

Filed Under: Chit chat

Chapter Meeting in Nullawarre

05/02/2015 by Leave a Comment

I was so privileged to be able to attend the chapter meeting in Nullawarre on Monday 2 February.  It was a loooooong drive there but well worth the trip. They meet at a local hall just up the road from Elm Grove Patchwork.  The group is organised by Lenora, and she certainly does a great job in keeping up the enthusiasm with lots of ideas. I gave a little trunk show on the quilts that are still at home with me and was happy that they appreciated my quilts as much as I love making them. So here are some pics - I haven't put any names to the photos because of course I have forgotten most of the names.... you know how it is....and I apologise if I have left anyone out - a couple of photos didn't work out well. There was a lot more show and tell but I just forgot to get out my camera. Lenora decided that she would like to start on a project whereby a few of the members agree to finish a certain number of blocks of any quilts that they have been wanting to finish but never have time.  We decided to give it 6-7 months and then see what's been done.  So it was decided that i would return in September to see what progress has been made - as well as show any new quilts that I've come up with. Read More

Filed Under: Chapters, Chit chat

Lavington Applique-in

23/06/2014 by Leave a Comment

Our latest Applique-In was held on 14th June in Lavington where 60+ ladies came to stitch and catch up with friends and make new ones. The venue was great (thanks Margaret) with plenty of room to spread out. Irene and Sue greeted us at the door with big smiles, while Alison and Janeice were happy selling raffle tickets. We were spoilt with three shops bringing along their goodies for us to buy. Carolyn’s Quilting Room from Wodonga, Sew Bright Alpine Quilting from Bright and Can Do Books from Melbourne all had enticing displays and were very generous with donating raffle and door prizes. Thank you Carolyn, Angela and Stephanie. Our guest speaker for the day was renowned long-arm quilter Susan Campbell of Rowdy Flat Quilting. Susan told us her background and how she discovered and entered into the world of machine quilting. Susan also brought along a number of quilts showing her journey from a “beginner” quilter to her now international award winning work – a true feast for the eyes. Thank you so much Susan. Show and Tell once again brought many oohs and aahs from the around the room, reinforcing just how much talent there is out there and how generous as a group we are in sharing our passion. I’m sure I’m not the only one who went away with another idea (or five!) – where to find the time! And, yes, the food. Such a spread – how could you not sample what was there. Delicious! A big thank you goes to those lovely ladies who gave their time to set up and clean up – the saying “many hands make light work” was certainly shown to be true. Our next Applique-In date and venue is yet to be decided, but we’d love you to join us and bring along some of your work to show everyone. Please keep an eye on our calendar for details. Kim and Irene Read More

Filed Under: Applique-In, Chit chat, Sit n Sew

More photos from the AGM

04/03/2014 by 1 Comment

Here are some more photos.  You will have to forgive the quality - i forget my "real" camera and had to use my mobile phone.  But as I took so many I thought it better to show them all.  No explanation required.  Margaret said it all.  Special thanks however to Olga and Heather who came early and were dragged in to help - what a fantastic job they did - and without any complaints.  Really? Read More

Filed Under: AGM, Sit n Sew
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