Australian Machine Quilters Festival

Late September, early October the AMQF was held in Adelaide.  I had been looking forward to going for months, and had our accommodation booked back in May. 

Even though I was only just over a week out of hospital, I was determined to still go, and got my doctor’s reluctant ok.

We had one day at the show, and Paul pushed me around in the wheelchair.  The quilts were amazing and so inspiring.

The trip, especially the long drive from Melbourne to Adeliade, really took it out of my physically so soon after my accident, but I wouldn’t have missed it, and am so glad I went.

This is a picture of Chris Serong’s quilt, ‘Circle Back in Time’ that I quilted earlier in the year.  I will have more close ups of it in my next post.

Broken Ankle

I broke my ankle on the 11^th of September, and I am now hopefully almost half way through the healing process.  I don’t have an exciting story as to how I did it.  I fell down the bottom stair, and my foot got caught between the stairs.  Of course I did a good job - I broke both bones, one of them twice, and dislocated it. 

Luckily it was early in the morning, so when my husband took me to emergency it was quiet, so I got treated straight away.  I have never been in so much pain in my life.

I ended up spending eight nights in hospital waiting for the swelling to go down so they could operate to put in a pin.

This is a picture of the third cast I have been in.  And if you think this looks big, it is the smallest and lightest so far.  My mother-in-law knitted me the little foot hat to keep my toes warm.  In two weeks this cast comes off and then I am in a boot for six weeks.

Last week, I started quilting again with my machine lowered, so I can sit while I work.  I am slow, but it is great to feel productive again. 

I have never had an accident like this before, and it has made me realise how lucky I am.  I could have hurt myself so much more seriously.  I live in a country where I have access to excellent health care.  My family have been so supportive – cooking, cleaning, driving me around.  My customers have been so understanding.  I will definitely not take my health for granted in future, and be a lot more careful.

Starting Young

I had my nephew stay with me last week, and decided to let him have his first turn on my long arm quilting machine – he has watched me quilt several times, and expressed an interest.

At this age he has no fear of the technology, and with careful concentration he just started stitching.  I know I am super biased, but isn't he adorable? 

 

Girl’s Day Out Quilt

I have quilted this quilt – Girl’s Day Out by Libby Richardson – several times now and it is a lovely design. Andrea’s choice of colours are gorgeous.  

With quilts like this, I usually ditch stitch and outline the blocks and appliqué.  Andrea chose a freehand hearts and loops design to go around the appliqué blocks and feathers for the border.

I like how Andrea personalised this block.

My Dream Fabric Cupboard

It has now been over six months since the extension started.  Hopefully only a month or so to go – I can’t wait to have my life back.

My dream was to have a walk in cupboard to store my fabric rather than have it scattered in boxes and drawers all over the place.  And now my dream has become a reality.  It got fitted out to my specifications this week and it is exactly how I imagined it would be. 

I promise I will post a picture once the extension is finished and I have my fabric in there.

  

Also I received a box of treats from Kathy of Tamarack Shack in our latest exchange.  I think I was royally spoilt - especially with the hand made bag she included.

Dresden Plate

Leonie’s sister brought the Dresden Plate shapes back from the US about twenty years ago.  Leonie put the blue circle in the centre and appliquéd them onto the cream background.

Leonie decided to have a detailed feather allover on the quilt which gives it a lovely texture.

Double Wedding Ring on Black

This is a different version of Janet Sansom’s embroidery double wedding ring.  I think it looks really effective on the black.

 

To see a Janet's other version of an embroidered double wedding ring click here.

I have linked to Esther’s Blog for her WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays.