My first block under way..
Well my first bunch of babies have flown the coop and should have landed in their new homes.. We have had to start with block 3 because we are still waiting for fabrics to be delivered – mainly the block backgrounds, which for an Appliqué quilt is a little inhibiting.. so that is why we couldn’t start with Block 1.
These fabrics caught my eye as soon as Karin brought them back from Quilt Market in Spring ‘09, Then when she came back from Quilt Market in October with the Patterns for Le Jardin I was a very excited girl. I intended to get at least a block ahead on my own quilt to test the pattern and get to any ‘gremlins’ first, but the delay on fabrics put a stop to that. However, as I have been getting the kits organised I have been very impressed with the instructions and presentation which, hopefully, will mean no gremlins.
The nature of Appliqué means that you will need to hang on to all your scraps for they may just come in handy for the blocks ahead.. So far I am loving the way that the fabric is sewing, using a sharp pair of scissors means I only need a small allowance around the shapes for needle-turn.
Here’s a couple of pictures of my progress so far… that little tab on the top of the pot is where the stem will go in later on..
Fussy cut pot
I hope to post as we go along….. so keep in touch – email me messages, send pictures..
Ohh.. brave, those points are not too hot!!
Teresa News applique, Block of the month, Moda
Many of you know that my family background is Norwegian and my mother was bought up in the north of Norway, 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle. As a child, I only used to visit my grandparents every three years because it would take five days by ship to reach their home in Harstad. Norway is still the most spectacular country I have visited and I have always wanted to take quilters to the land of my ancesters. Arena Travel have now planned this trip and I am so excited!
Northern Lights Hand Patchwork & Quilting Cruise in Norway
with Karin Hellaby
Thursday 11th to Friday 19th November 2010
Karin Hellaby invites you to join her on a memorable Hand Quilting holiday to the land of her ancestors, Norway. This will be a voyage of scenic splendour, the centrepiece of which is a magnificent Northern Lights cruise on board Hurtgruten’s MS Nordnorge.
The Voyage South takes you from Kirkenes, near the Russian border, to Bergen, the gateway to the fjords with 34 ports of call along the course of your journey.
You will spend time in Oslo as well as Kirkenes prior to your voyage and on disembarking in Bergen we will stay for an extra night giving you the chance to explore this beautiful Hanseatic city. A unique feature of this voyage is a daytime sailing through the magnificent Lofoten Islands. Other highlights include crossing the Arctic Circle and regular shore excursions such as a Lofotr Viking feast and the medieval city of Trondheim. An overnight stay in Bergen allows you time to explore this beautiful Hanseatic city. As a natural phenomenon, a sighting of the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) cannot be guaranteed; it is principally dependent on the level of activity and the sun’s surface and the amount of cloud cover locally, however for many this is simply a bonus on an already truly exceptional voyage. The cruise operates in the region where sightings are most likely – Tromsø is a major research centre for the Aurora Borealis since the region experiences regular displays during the winter months October – March.
If you have watched the Joanna Lumley programme, Northern Lights, you will have some idea of how spectacular the Norwegian coastline looks. The ship hugs the coast and the temperatures in the north are not too cold as the seas are warmed by the gulfstream. A lovely relaxing cruise with hand sewing, both patchwork and some traditional Norwegian stitching.
Have any of you been on this amazing voyage?
Karin News
Right after the saga with the heart boxes that ended up in Afghanistan I decided to track our recent order from another supplier in America which consisted of several boxes – hang onto your hats heres where the parcels went:-
All the parcels were delivered to Maimee, Ohio then it gets complicated – some went from there on the 23rd January to Louisville , Kentucky they left there on the 25th and went to East Midlands airport uk arriving on the 25th. Not bad BUT the next lot of parcels (from the same consignment) went from Louiseville, Kentucky on the 25th January to Newark , New Jersey where they then went to East Midlands airport uk. THERES MORE the last lot of parcels went from Maimee, Ohio to Newark , New Jersey to Stanstead airport uk to East Midlands airport uk to Tamworth to Bury st Edmunds , Suffolk and then all the parcels met up again and were delivered here!!
The mind blooming boggles!!!!
At least we can unpack them !! Like today we have also got the country kitchen fabrics in I must admit I didn’t think they’d be my cup of tea but I have to admit I rather like them .
Well now the well travelled parcels are here I better go and unpack them.
byeee for now Debs
Debs News
I am enjoying a lovely relaxing day, listening to Gladiator on the ipod whilst sewing a quilt for the next book.
The Cup Cake event days were great fun! Lots of you liked Teresa’e cupcakes which had been filled with lemon curd and topped with a dollop of cream cheese icing – delicious! There was a real buzz in the shop as groups of friends arrived and several quilters who had been on quilting holidays with me. Many were looking forward to this year’s trips to Switzerland, Durham, Oregon and the Alsace. Hurry! Some of these holidays are close to full.
The new binding tool was a hit and we are out of stock, but hopefully will have more in at the end of the week. Demos of my pineapple technique is still giving us that jaw dropping moment as nobody believes pineapple patchwork can be that easy. I think we will have to film the demo for YouTube………….
Karin Events Quilters Haven publications, qulting holidays, Sew Simple Pineapple
Well all is busy behind the scenes at QHHQ for not only are we dealing with a very popular newsletter (there can’t be many UFO’s left out there – snow can have its benefits..) but we are also getting ready for our first Open House of the year. Karin, Annie and I have all been gathering new techniques and quick projects to share with you this Friday and Saturday. A 10 minute Table Runner….. can it be true?
The oven has been pressed into use to make Cup Cakes for you to sample while you rest from your labours of shopping and listening!! My poor husband has been transported back to the days of Playgroup as he once again gazes longingly at a tray of home bakes only to be told “Hands off !! They are not for you”
So come on over and have a look at some of the new fabrics from the newsletter – they are even better in ‘real life’ and we don’t charge for stroking… especially the flannels.
We also continue to have our fabric sale – finish the bolt and get 25% off (sadly not the new fabrics) Its a great time to stock up for backings..
Hope to see you at some time over the two days….. my husband won’t like it if you eat all the cakes……. don’t tell him but I may just put the dodgy ones aside for him….
Teresa Events, News Open Day
Last Saturday, I spent an hour demonstrating this wonderful computer software to 12 eager quilters. It was the first time I had shown anyone how to use the programme so I was a little worried. I borrowed a projector to enlarge the computer screen and as the teaching area now has blackout blinds ther was no problem with being able to see. I kept it simple but was helped by the fabulous video tutorials that help explain many of the EQ6 features. Some of the videos were new to me and gave me even more design possibilities. I love the EQ website as it is so helpful and mentioned to my audience that they really should take a look.
There was mention that we could set up a monthly self help club for EQ6 users. Is there any interest out there?
This morning one lady came in to comment on the wonderful website and could she now buy her EQ6! I loved her enthusiasm and look forward to seeing her ‘virtual quilts’.
Karin Events Computer design programme, EQ6
Debs – Yes everyone we have braved the elements and the shop is open. I travel from Hadleigh and the roads were ok. Obviously back roads are still iffy . Anyway we are busy making up all the orders that have come in and I have been banished to my cutting room to cut all the kits. The kit we have been most surprised about is the Modern Montana it has been selling like hotcakes. So much so we have run out of a couple of fabrics and the next delivery is not until March! You can still order the kit if you don’t mind waiting ( I think its worth it I really like this kit). The other fabrics I have fallen in love with are the Back to Nature flannels they have a really lovely feel and I can definately feel a project coming on !
Anyway bye for now from all the little eskimos at Quilters Haven
Karin News
The white stuff is still coming down. There must be 7-8″ on the ground now. It is difucult for any of the staff to get into QH so we have decided to stay closed today. All phone calls are diverting to me so that I can sew, take orders and answer queries. We will get your parcels out again on Monday.
We are getting calls from our regulars and are happy to post out as it is better you stay warm in your homes then venture out for quilting supplies. Now isn’t this a wonderful time to catch up with all those sewing projects that went on hold over Christmas?
Karin News
Got to work on roads that don’t seem to have seen much grit let alone a snowplough.
The car registered minus 7 outside temperature all the way!
3.30pm Blizzard out side so Teresa and I are leaving. Stefan, the postie has collected three sacks of parcels, mail orders we have packed for you today! Why did I get rid of my cross country skiis?
Karin News
We hope to stay open until the early afternoon so do phone in those orders!
The snow kept coming down and so at 3pm we have closed again but all your parcels have been delivered to the Post Office.
See you tomorrow?
Karin News
