It's about time.............

I posted for the New Year, time is flying by so fast.

Late last year I did the "Machine Quilting Negative Spaces" class

online with Angela Walters, I so loved this class, Angela makes

everything appear easy and simple.

I had great fun doodling around trying different

things.

 I think swirls and pebbles are my favorite!

All in all it was great fun, thanks so much

Angela for a great class.

 

Ooooo!!! Baby Baby !!!

Well, with the amount of babies about to hit

my world soon, I thought what a great excuse to

buy some fabric, to tell you the truth I didn't need much coaxing. It was fun

browsing the local quilt shop and trying different combinations, there is so much to choose

from, but this is what I came home with.

Love blue, green and yellow such a bright and fun

combination for boys.

Boys, have got to have cars and these are soooooo cute!!

and just in case you thought I was trying to tell you something!!!!

Pink!

Yes, I have been busy putting a few things together, just

a simple quilt, I have let the fabric speak for itself, so pretty for

a little girl, this quilt already has been snapped up for a

little bundle of joy due in February 2013

The fabric is called "Twirl" by Me and My Sister

Applique, how can I avoid applique for babies and kids quilts,

I love doing applique, it does take a little time and can be

fiddly but the end result is fabulous. I am probably going

to put this on a fairly plain background and let it pop.

This baby is from "Funny Baby" pattern by Amy Bradley Designs.

That's it for now, will be back soon

Happy Quilting.

Frustration

I have had my longarm machine for about five years now

and I am totally addicted, my passion for quilting has taken

me interstate ( within Australia) and overseas (Houston).

I have met some fabulous people and had some classes

with amazing teachers.

At times I have found it frustrating to say the least, doubting myself 

and thinking I am never going to master this.

I did feel at times that there was a resistance with my

 machine around the middle of the table, but just put it

down to imagining things, and needing more practice. I also felt that I could never

get the precise finish I wanted and backtracking on

the exact line..........well forget it  !!

Luckily I was explaining this to Tracey from

Constatine Quilts and she immediately said its your wheels and that 

I should try the M&M Wheels. So I thought

why not!!

All I can say is AMAZING!!!

These wheels have made such a difference and

backtracking has become a breeze. Milly and I

are now besties again whoo hoo!!

I know I am rambling on but my point is

don't doubt yourself and ask questions, I should of

asked these questions earlier and I may have solved 

this problem years ago.

I am one happy little vegimite right now!!

 thanks Tracey     :)

Happy Quilting

Mandy

Bloggers Quilt Festival and Babies

Baby quilts seem to be the flavour in my world at the moment, I have been working

on this one for a while now and am happy to say its finished ..........yay!!!

I was asked to make this quilt for a friend of a friend

I couldn't resist the car theme being it's a boy, I love raw edge applique and couldn't resist
adding this to the quilt, combined with my love of
long-arm quilting, I went to town.

 The most fun I had was the quilting , I loved doing the swirls in the small

blue border and feathering in the strips and outer borders. But most of all

I really enjoyed doing the pebbles, there is something hypnotic about

the same thing over and over I found it very relaxing.............crazy I know!!!

I have joined Amy and many others in the Fall 2012 - Bloggers Quilt Festival 
go on over and check out all the beautiful quilts. I am sure you
will be enthralled by the amazing and talented ladies out there
in blogland.

Quilt Measurements: 35" x 35"
Special Techniques used: Raw Edge Applique
Quilted by: Mandy (Me)
Best Category:  Baby Quilt or Applique Quilt

But the most exciting news I have is that my daughter (Kym) is expecting her 

first baby in March 2013, we are all very excited. So you guessed it

I am busy making baby bits and pieces. Something is definitley happening in this part of

town, as I know of about seven babies, all due around the same time.  So

it's time for me to hit the machine and get busy.

Happy Quilting

Mandy

AMQF

I was lucky enough to attend AMQF a week ago and take some classes with

some of the well known longarmers, Renae Haddidin, Vicki Jenkins and

Myrna Ficken, I had the best time and learnt a few tricks of

the trade.

Not to mention the Ricky Tims Seminar, which was an 

all day seminar, Ricky is an inspiration and a very talented textile artist and musician.

His approach to quilting  is very relaxed, his " if it feels right 

then do it" attitude is very refreshing, it cetainly has opened up my

eyes and made me think outside the box.

Anita, Karen and myself with Ricky a highlight of our trip.

The girls and I also realised we have known each other now for five years,
with one trip to Sydney and three trips to Adelaide and one to Houston, we have
done a lot together and supported each other in our quilting journies.
Thanks guys for your friendship and many more quilty adventures.

Now I didn't get many photos as I was in class a fair bit
but these are a few quilting photos I liked.

 

Myrna Ficken

Renae Haddidin
This one I love and basically came from a stencil and has
just  been filled in with background fillers, I may have
to have a go at something similar, so many ideas and
inspiration.

Renae Haddidin

AMQF was fabulous, if you get a chance to go it's definitley
worth the trip.

Have fun  

Mandy

Is this you????

My stepdaughter sent this to me with a one word caption

Familiar?

I laughed so hard, as I have, many times been in this

situation where my hubby has said "Are you

going to leave some for anybody else"

Have a good day!

Mandy

Great Granny Along

I have joined the Great Granny Along, I have had these finished

for a while but have just found the time to blog about it.

 

 Boy time does fly by!

I know that I am far behind as they have finished their 

quilts, but better late than never :)

So here are my two blocks so far. I have decided to make

mine in feedsack fabrics (reproductions of course) as

I love feedsack quilts and this will be my first of many.

 

I have also been busy trying to get my Swoon quilt finished

 

Not sure if this is the final arrangement, but I am thrilled

that all the blocks are finished, just the sashings and quilting

to do.

Be Back soon

Happy Quilting

Hugs

Mandy