We've just finished a retreat at Tamborine Mountain - hosting international Sashiko and Applique Artist - Sylvia Pippen.

What a great time -  All the girls who attended were delighted and inspired by the techniques Sylvia has become renown for.  3 days of a perfect venue, perfect weather, perfect views, fantastic accommodation, meals and most of all the forming of new friendships.  Girls came from far away places including, Sydney, Rockhampton, Proserpine, Toowoomba,  Childers, Hervey Bay and the surrounding areas of Brisbane.

Sylvia shared her techniques and expertise with the girls and inspired them to try a new method of applique.  There were girls who had never done any Sashiko or Applique before as well as the more experienced sewer.  Everyone came away feeling a great sense of achievement.

Kerry with her near finished project.

Welcome dinner to meet Sylvia and make new friends  -

Sylvia helping Bev from Caloundra with her design

Lynette from Toowoomba showing her finished Sashiko and Applique

We've been so impressed with the work produced, the good friends we've made and Sylvia's delight at the Mount Tamborine venue that we are going to organise another for 2012 and another with Sylvia in 2013.  Can't wait.

Cheers till next time

Sue and Colleen

BRISBANE QUILT AND CRAFT SHOW - OCTOBER 2011

A big thank you goes to all our customers both old and new,  who came to our stand to meet  visiting artist Sylvia Pippen at the Brisbane Quilt and Craft Show.  What a great show it was.  We had a new look for the first time opening up our stand ..... the feedback was amazing.  This allowed us to showcase the beautiful quilts Sylvia brought to Australia for the workshops, trunk shows and retreat.

How encouraging to see so many quilters coming back to the Quilt and Craft Shows.  The Brisbane Shows both in March and October, showed that quilters are out there renewing their stashes and also looking for new projects to do.   In the next couple of months we have a little downtime to produce  some new and exciting Sashiko projects for our stand in  2012.

Sue, Sylvia, Colleen and Rosie

What a pleasure it was to have Sylvia on our Stand talking to customers about her method of applique, and being so generous with her time and knowledge.

It's not all work for Sylvia .... if she's not designing and putting finishing touches to her new projects, she has taken a little time to explore the wonderful sites of Brisbane.  She loves to walk and will spend hours walking along the Brisbane River, taking in the beauty.  Today we went to Lone Pine Sanctuary for the day.  She was so delighted with the Koala's and other wildlife on show.

As a special bonus for those who could not come to the Brisbane Show - we are offering the opportunity for you to receive your personally signed copy of "PARADISE STITCHED" by Sylvia Pippen.

This offer is only available till close of business November 9th  -  Cost $39.95 for the signed copy.  We have a limited number available for signing.

Have lots more news about our Retreat on Tamborine Mountain coming soon.

Till next time

Sue and Colleen

Toowoomba Quilt Show  - Carnival of Flowers

How beautiful is Toowoomba  - it looks a picture .  After all the devastation early this year, its a credit to the city to be able to put on such a picturesque display of gardens and carnival.

We have just spent one week in Toowoomba whilst attending the Toowoomba Craft and Quilt Show at St. Ursula's College.  This is the second year the event has been staged at this venue.  The organisers are to be commended on the presentation of this event.  The weather was so much kinder this year with beautiful balmy days for the visitor.

CLIVIAS IN THE PARK

A few of our Sashiko Ladies who did the classes were proudly displaying their quilts in the show.

Sue, Di, Marlene, Yvonne and Joan - proudly standing in front of Marlene's Sashiko quilt.

Vida's Sashiko Quilt

Brisbane Quilt and Craft Show -

We invite all our customers to come visit us at the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Show to be held from Wednesday 19th October to Sunday 23rd October being held at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Merivale St., SOUTH BRISBANE.  This Show promises to be one of the best this year.   The perfect place to come buy that small gift for someone special.  A great time to start  Christmas Shopping.

We'll be on Stand D12 - Come see Marlene's Sashiko Quilt she has so kindly loan to us for display at the Show.

Our Guest Artist - Sylvia Pippen will be on our stand each day talking about her "Flowers of the Outback"  Quilt and designs, signing her new book "Paradise Stitched", and generally talking to customers about her beautiful applique.

For those ladies who are interested in doing the 2 hour Sashiko Workshop with Sylvia Pippen, we still have pre-bookings available for the Sunday Class.  There are a limited number of vacancies put aside for bookings on each day.  Be sure to come to Stand D12 very early in the day to secure your placement.

We look forward to seeing you all at the show.

Till next time

Cheers

Sue and Colleen

ROCKHAMPTON AND GIN GIN SASHIKO CLASSES:

We're home from our last road trip for the year.  All Sashiko classes are now completed and we've seen many girls finish their projects.  Rockhampton girls were keen to complete their projects for the "Show and Tell"  last Saturday evening.  There were a few finished projects but the 4 classes were probably not long enough to complete the projects for a number of students.  All students are now progressing well and have acquired the skills to complete their projects.  A big thank you goes to Margaret Olive and her dedicated staff members (Sue-Ellen, Debbie and Heather) from Patchwork Paradise for their hospitality to us and encouragement to students.

ROCKHAMPTON SASHIKO CLASS - SHOW AND TELL

URSULA'S SASHIKO QUILT - ROCKHAMPTON CLASS

Ursula also made some European Pillows to compliment the quilt.

SASHIKO  TOTE BAG - ROCKHAMPTON CLASS

Dorothy did a couple of the classes and produced Sashiko Cushions which were fabulous.  She used a combination of Applique and Sashiko.

Moira, Anne, Kerry and Evelyn

The girls at Gin Gin were very keen to finish their quilts.  We had two Quilts finished to a quilt topper on the last day.  Both Kerry and Evelyn were so pleased with their finished quilts and so they should be.  They produced work that was outstanding.  Well done ladies.  Its a great way to spend a Sunday Afternoon.

Kerry was so pleased with her finished project.  She made good use of her Sashiko Geisha Panel

and also incorporated her very first piece of Sashiko from the beginners class.

Evelyn also had a Geisha Sashiko Panel which she incorporated into her quilt.

Evelyn also used her beginner piece in the quilt.  Great work girls.

TOOWOOMBA QUILTERS CLUB INC.  - QUILTS AND OTHER FINE ARTS EXHIBITION

Both Colleen and myself are now gearing up for the Toowoomba Quilters Club Fine Arts Exhibition being  held at "The Salo Centre, St. Ursula's College, Rome St, Toowoomba for the week commencing September 17th. Come say hello.  I'm sure some of the girls who did the Sashiko Quilt Classes in Toowoomba will be exhibiting their finished works.

Come to Toowoomba for the day and make a day of it wandering some of the beautiful gardens, whilst also making time to come see some gorgeous quilts at the show.   We hope to see many of our customers throughout the week.

Till next time

Cheers

Sue and Collen