Monday, February 14, 2011

Workshop news

The workshop with Kim McLean on Saturday was really wonderful, even worth getting lost coming off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, three times. I did get there in the end and not too late either. I have the worse sense of direction of anybody I know but it was the first time I'd driven that far on my own in Sydney, I call it my virgin voyage.
Here's Kim with the Flower Garden quilt that was the class project.
photo credit Belinda Betts
The day was pretty grey and drizzly but that didn't bother us one bit, I think this view is pretty good any time of the year and the large windows gave terrific light.
We all had to get our backgrounds cut out and our templates done for at least six blocks before the class.
All the fabric we were prepared to cart to class was laid out and the selection process started. We were given lots of pointers on choosing fabric and which ones would work well for applique. The shops set up some tables with goodies and I did buy a few pieces of fabric.
Kim was really great at spending lots of time making suggestions for everybody's blocks.
As it turned out, I didn't need my bias strips for class. I pinned them to this swimming pool noodle which I cut down to size with a bread knife, works better than cardboard rolls.
I also had all my freezer paper templates bagged and numbered then I store them on this metal ring I picked up at a craft shop. I needed a system or otherwise I would end up getting everything in a pickle.
Check out that neat and tidy looking block on the left. After that, I abandoned that system and did as Kim suggested which was just to cut out the blobs around the templates which is a faster way of getting more blocks prepped up. I'm pretty cruisy when I'm playing with blocks but I still got a dozen all ready for stitching at home.
I did sneak next door to the Kaffe and Brandon workshop near the start of their class but I didn't have time to go back later.
It looked like they were on a roll and working pretty fast getting their diamonds on the design walls.
At the end of the day we all got together for a cuppa and a small show and tell. I can't show you the students quilts as I didn't get permission but here's one from the Simple Shapes Spectacular quilts book. We also got to see the quilt that will be on the cover of the next book, I better not show it and spoil it for you.
Here are my first three blocks all stitched up. A lot of them only have three or four pieces so can be stitched up quite quickly.
 

55 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Thank you for sharing your AMAZING day. It looks like so much fun and something I will only get to experience through blogging!

Pat said...

Your day outside may have been gray and rainy but your blocks are full of sunshine - such happy colors and I love the fact that everyone is wearing shorts & cool dresses...good to know it is warm somewhere!!!

Donna~~ said...

Thanks for letting us live a little vicariously--looks like a GREAT time! And, your blocks are wonderful--can you hear me oooohing?! (I have to admit I am sorely tempted to start this so I can finish a block more quickly than with the Roseville).

Sue-Anne said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing your tips (pool noodle)and can't believe how much you have done already!!!!

Lisa said...

Wow! What a fabulous day! I will have to pick up a pool noodle now. Definitely better than a cardboard roll. Your blocks look great and I can't wait to see more!

Annette said...

that looks like so much fun!! I love your blocks. Cheerful and beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Your first 3 blocks are looking fantastic i will enjoy watching your progress with this project,well done.
cheers shez

Valentina said...

How exciting!!!
Your blocks look fantastic: and thanks you for sharing such an amazing day with us! i really enjoyed the blob-tip! xox

Joan said...

Your blocks are beautiful Janet...what a great day and sooo much work...Is this a complete new quilt... How colourful the flowers are too

Marit said...

It's so nice to share some of your workshop experience through your post. Some of the creative energy is radiating through your photos!

; )

Marit said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

What an absolute fun day!! I am a little green here... LOL!! Love Kim's quilt and the progress that you made in one day. But I am just over the moon over the quilt that Kaffe and Brandon will have on their newest book.

Janet said...

Your blocks are gorgeous. Great
idea on the noodle. Sounds like you
had a great time. I look forward
to seeing more flower blocks.
Janet

Sujata Shah said...

Janet,
Looks like your day was filled with fun and adventure! The flower quilt looks amazing!
Love your blocks full of energy.
And the cover quilt for Kaffe and Brandon's next book.. Drool drool..
Thanks for sharing!

Barb said...

Her quilt is soooo amazing!

Kaaren said...

What an amazing experience it must have been, Janet. I can only imagine.

Kim's quilt is indeed a masterpiece as yours will be...I have no doubt.

Thanks sooooo much for sharing.

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Your blocks look fantastic!
It looks like it was a fun, crazy, busy day!

Unknown said...

Your Blocks look Fabulous...TFS.
cheers

Crispy said...

What an exciting day you had and your blocks are wonderful (as usual) LOL.

I'm going to love watching your progress with this pretty quilt.

Crispy

Nedra said...

I can visualize you there, having the most perfect of moments. Thanks for sharing with us.

Carrie P. said...

OH, what fun. Great way to stay organized. Your blocks are lovely.
Did you do needle turn or iron around the freezer paper? Any tips you can give for the deep valleys? Sometimes I will have issues getting a nice curve.

Anonymous said...

What a great day! Thank you for givig us a peak.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Looks like a fun and productive day. Your blocks look very nice and I love the noodle idea. You are very organized!

Judi said...

Wow that looks like so much fun!

Lori said...

I'm so glad you made it only getting a litle lsot;)
It looks like a fantastic day and your blocks are wonderful!

Ivory Spring said...

Janet,

That looks like a most fun day! :) Oh my - those blocks are so adorable. You are a fast applique-r -- I am also in awe at your speed.

Nancy said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful day with all of us. I just pulled fabric for the Flower Garden quilt and will be starting it as soon as I finish up Lollypops.
Kim patterns are all so beautiful.

judy12 said...

looks like you all had a wonderful day. ...It will be fun watching your quilt grow

Mary said...

Oh, how wonderful! This looks like SOOOO much fun. Love your blocks!

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Janet! Your work is always so gorgeous!!! It looks like you had a wonderful time. And that picture of the beach looks just like the one my son sent us a few years ago when he was in Sydney for a semester. Were there a lot of partying college kids in the area LOL???

Janet said...

It sounds like you had a great day! I love your blocks - especially the bottom one. Are you going to make the whole quilt? Looks like more borders with lots of pieces. You must really like applique :0) Great tips for keeping organized - Thanks!

Darlene said...

Wow, wow and wow - thank you so much for sharing this class experience. I can well imagine that you're still on Cloud 9.

Quilts And Pieces said...

WOW! That flower garden quilt is amazing! And I love your baggies on the metal ring! What a clever idea! I like how a lot of these flowers look pretty simple! I like that!

Rachaeldaisy said...

it all looks so wonderful!!! Your system for templates is so clever!! All those quilts are just food for the eyes and soul. How special that you've seen the cover quilt for the next book! You did well to find your way after 3 tries. Sydney can be very daunting to drive and navigate in. I've been known to feel as though I'd be lost, going around in circles forever.

pratima said...

Janet, I thoroughly enjoyed looking through your pictures of both days. Your show and tell was amazing! Thank you for sharing!
The applique blocks from the class are a wonderful beginning to yet another masterpiece :)

Sewjournal said...

Looks like you had a lot of fun and your blocks look lovely. I don't envy you your trip over the Harbour Bridge though. I've never been game to drive over myself. I've only ever done it as a passenger.

Ann Champion said...

Your class sure looks like fun!

I love the fabrics you've chosen for your blocks. They're so cheerful. I'm looking forward to following your progress on this quilt. I haven't caved in and gotten that pattern yet. :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day! WOW...absolutely a beauty of a quilt (first photo)...I could never!

Karen said...

What a wonderful day it must have been.

Oops-Lah said...

Your first three blocks look wonderful. No doubt, it won't take you long to have many more ;). I'm wondering how you are doing the appliqué. Do you have the freezer paper on the outside and you needle turn or is the paper on the inside and you have to cut the fabric from the back to take it out?

Mimi said...

Again, your choices of fabrics are perfect!

Sharon said...

amazing fabric choices. Love the idea of using a noodle, the paper towel tubing can be hard to get the pins through. Beautiful project you have going on, you've been living the 'quilting fairy tale' of late! What fun.

Sonja♥ said...

You are really organized, Janet! I'm impressed!!!
I think you are ready to also give some workshops;)
And after such a journey, you must be fiery to finish your Flower Garden Quilt!!!

Barb said...

What a treat to spend the day with Kim. I'm so jealous of everyone wearing short sleeves :)
Love your fabric choices and the tip of using the pool noodle -

Anonymous said...

I love your blocks. I was a bit puzzled by the swimming pool noodle until I scrolled down to the photo (I would call it a float!!)

Katie said...

Wow. That's an amazing quilt!

Sarah said...

As usual, stunning work! Looks like you had a great time at the workshop.

kim mclean said...

Blocks looking really gorgeous Janet! I bet you'll be finished in no time. Glad you got home without getting lost through the bridge. I get lost everywhere I go!
I had great fun doing the classes, everyone was soo receptive, it was a joy to be there. Thank you everyone for coming to the class and it was lovely to meet you all.
Kim McL

Annemieke said...

Must have been a great day and you are so well organised. Good idea! Your first blocks are looking very vibrant!
Groetjes
Annemieke

Kim D. said...

Thanks for sharing, drizzly day or not it looks to be an awesome day spent with some creative people. Gorgeous blocks by the way.

Jennifer Blosser said...

Janet, my love ... I am in awe of your applique! Wow! I am attempting a modest baltimore Christmas album quilt. I am at a loss as to how to get started. The other ladies are going to machine applique everything. I want to hand applique it. (Good practice for Stars & Sprigs!).

Is there a good post or do you have any advice or words of wisdom to offer to me? I saw you with your freezer paper pressed onto the pieces of fabric ... but I don't know what to do to get going.

Hoping for help,
Jennifer
jenniferblosser@hotmail.com
www.sewitsmidnightmama.blogspot.com

PS - I have appliqued, but the pieces were petals and leaves that my mom had already pressed under and I was just doing the blind stitch to attach them to the background square.

Lurline said...

I so loved your Post thanks Janet! You will have wonderful memories.
Hugs - Lurline♥

Kerstin said...

this Quilt is absolute stunning. I love your first 3 blocks. Looking forward for you to finish this beauty.
Kerstin

Robin said...

Oh my goodness! What a fun class that must have been! The blocks are beautiful.

YankeeQuilter said...

Sounds like such a great couple of days...even the getting lost part! That happens to me when I get really excited about where I am going...forget how I am getting there! Thanks for sharing...