Mc Call's free e-books

I spoke to the coordinator (Iessie Steenberg) of our 2013 National Quilt Festival one day and she thanked me for keeping up the blog. I confessed that I mark so many links in every possible location; my PC, laptop, cell phone, i Pad, spiral notebook and half the time when I search for something to write about I can't help wondering "haven't I written about this before?"  Mostly stressed for time I just don't have the luxury of going back to check whether I am repeating something.

So she gave me some advice and said I should not even worry about a duplication at all, instead I should challenge our readers to see if they could find the double entry.  So there, a huge weight off my shoulders and sorry, you're not winning a prize should you find it.

This however turns out to be one of those "have I or haven't I?" posts.











Mc Calls quilting offers no less than 5 free e-books with some of their patterns.  So if you haven't already downloaded these, do so now by clicking HERE.

Fabric stars tutorial

Okay people, I have no idea why you'd want to make this and where it would be used.  I am not that clever to think up some quirky story to give a reason but then you girls out there are smart and I'm sure someone will find a use.  I am placing this because I think it is pretty, so there, I've made up my mind, don't confuse me with facts!

I found the tutorial on the blog of the The Quilters Club of America and if you'd like to see how this is made, click HERE.

Single fold binding

I believe most of us use double fold binding for our bed quilts or bigger projects but if you've ever made a really small quilted project you would have found a double fold binding almost impossible to work with.

These tiny projects simply call for a single fold binding.  Our one quilt group once made bookmarks and it was a pure nightmare trying to stitch double fold bindings around those little buggers.

I found this single fold binding tutorial on the Very Kerry Berry blog and I also liked the way she begins and ends her binding.

To take a look at this detailed tutorial, click HERE.

What will a visitor or visiting teacher think about us?

I am a huge fan of Beth Ferrier and her patterns and follow her blog slavishly and as an international travelling teacher, she talks about the people or guilds she meets often.  After reading one of her testimonials I couldn't help wondering what a visitor would think about us.

Do we come about friendly and united or can undercurrents of hormonal power struggles be seen?  I've often wondered about people who are so adamant to be right or have the last say.  As Dr Phil would ask "what's in it for you""  Is it really that important to have it your way and have many dislike you?  I doubt it, I would much rather be wrong and liked.

Go read Beth's story over HERE and instead of thinking about someone else, who might have stepped on your toes, think of how YOU look when a decision has to be made.  Think about what YOU say to unite/offend the rest of the group.  Do you always want it your way or are you flexible and open to suggestions, realizing that someone else might have a more practical solution?

I always grin when I see anyone on Facebook posting some self-help quote because it has been proven that many of those are posted not with the person doing the post in mind but in the hope someone she dislikes, would read it!!

As the saying goes:  "YOU be the difference you want to see in the world."

And that my dear friends concludes this psychology session and I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Meet Neline Pienaar

Okay, I have to start this member interview somewhat different in that I want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to Neline for taking the time to collect her groups photos and interviews.  I SO do appreciate this and you'll see that Neline (later in her questionnaire) says she's a messy person.  I find that hard to believe as I've seen how organized her interviews and photos came through to me.

Neline started quilting in 2009 after moving from Johannesburg and felt like learning something new. A very functional member of the Lappoppe group she also works for their farming business and does contract work for her previous employer in Johannesburg.

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

I've been happily married for 4 years now.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

Evening

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

Salty

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

Anything pretty

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

Dog

Q:  What is your favorite color?

Red, orange and yellow

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

No

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

No my work kept me way too busy to find time to play games

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

I try to do too much for other people and would put my own needs aside.  (Okay, now I understand how come I got all these questionnaires so diligently.)

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

I am friendly and helpful

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Messy

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Victoria Falls or Dubai

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

Red Bull

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A typical Lucky Packet with plenty of things inside

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

I like anything for if someone gives it to you, it meant they thought of you and wanted you to have it

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

Neline suits me just fine

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

I would chew or roll my buttons or earrings if I get nervous.

O and I can just imagine Neline rolling those earrings while answering these questions. Thanks Neline you can now relax, take a deep breath and have a Red Bull.

Prepare for our National Quilt Day

Can you believe that it is this time of the year again?  It feels as if the year only started a week or so ago and here we are getting our diaries out to mark National Quilt Day.

So there......... your formal invitation and for those, like me, who struggle to read the fine print, herewith the most important info.

Quilts will be on display at the Freshford House Museum, 31 Kellner Street, Bloemfontein on

Wednesday 21 March to Saturday 24 March 2012

from 09:00 to 16:00

The traditional tea garden with vendors and demonstrations will take place on

Saturday, 24 March from

09:00 to 13:00

Tickets for the tea garden will be available from your group leader and this will include a snack, tea/coffee and a free quilt pattern.

Personal note from me, just because I can:  To Frances van der Walt and her group who organizes this....... You make me proud to be a part of this guild.  Thank you so much!!

Continuous Prairie points

Towards the end of 2011 one of my beginner quilters (Jolita, this is for you) asked me how continuous prairie points are made.  Their group however grew up and cut the apron strings and now don't come together at my house anymore.  I however still owe Jolita an answer and this is for anyone else who ever wondered about these.

I searched the internet to find the best possible explanation and it turned out to be this video tutorial by Fave Quilts.

Hope this helps.

Beginners Quilted Cushion Tutorial

So you've been reading this blog, thinking whether you should start quilting or not.  Maybe you don't have the time for classes, don't want to purchase all the tools just to find out that you don't like it (highly unlikely!!) or simply are too scared to take the plunge.

Here's the answer for you.  Sew-whats-new has a tutorial by Karen Prior just for you.

You will learn to do patchwork then quilt the cushion top and finally assemble the cushion, a general sewing lesson.

No reason to postpone your quilting lesson, go check out part 1 over HERE and remember to check back regularly to complete your cushion.

Let's meet Esti Pretorius

Another member of the Lappoppe group from Builtfontein, Esti started quilting in 2002 because she always loved quilted items.  When not quilting, Esti is the CEO of her own home.

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

I am married to Thinus and we have 3 children, Marjohane (8), Gernus (6) and Elri (3)

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

Morning

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

Both

Q:  What is your favorite color?

Any earthy color

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

Gardening

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

No

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

Impatience

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

I am loyal

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Clean

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Vienna or Ireland

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

Any handmade article

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

Chocolates

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

I wouldn't change it

There we go, now we know a little more about Esti and we can all be off now to enjoy a lovely weekend.

International Quilt Day

Sewcalgirl wrote a post a while back challenging all quilters to celebrate International Quilt Day on the same date.  How neat would that be, knowing that we would be together in spirit right around the world, doing what we love most on the same day!  Yes, yes, I know after DH, the kids, the pets........ but you get my drift.

Read the whole article over HERE

Charlene Nel answers our questions

Charlene needed a hobby when she started quilting in 2010 and is now a member of the Lappoppe group in Bultfontein.

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

I'm originally from Bloemfontein but now lives with my farmer husband and 2 beautiful daughters, Liné (2) and Clare (4 months) near Bultfontein

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

I really do think that I'm both

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

Salty

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

Magazines, mostly about interior and crafts

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

Persian cat

Q:  What is your favorite color?


White

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

I don't have time for any other hobbies

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

Never

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

Eating too much chocolates

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

Always taking others into considerations

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Clean

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Paris

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

Pina Colada and as an everyday drink Coke Light and Cappuccino

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

I treasure all gifts

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

Don't know, I haven't received anything I dislike

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

Genevieve

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

Maybe that I am an only child

Charlene I have to thank you for your answers in English.  It was just so nice not to have to translate and just copy and paste.  Loved it!

Button bracelet tutorial

Even though we are quilters we all have buttons somewhere and yes, nothing wrong to take the occasional break from our favorite hobby to try our hand at something new.  So today I'm sharing a tutorial of a different kind and just look how snazzy this is.

Easy as pie (stupid saying as I am not always successful in making pie!) and for the full pictorial visit this blog by Sew Many Ways over HERE.

Bloem Show: 26 April - 5 May 2012

Can you believe it is already time to think about the Bloem Show again?  So while you read this, open your diary as you need to mark a couple of dates.  Firstly the dates of the show.  You will want to see the quilts on exhibition don't you?

Speaking of exhibition.... PLEASE enter one of your quilts for the Show competition.  These are the steps to follow:

1.  Get your entry form from Elsa Schoeman (082 459 6599)
2.  Attach your R8,00 entry fee to your completed form
3.  Pack your labelled quilt in a marked pillowcase
4.  Take your quilt, entry form and -fee to Iessie's house before 30 March 2011 (this is the other date for your diary)

Judging by Frances van Schalkwyk will take place on Friday, 13 April 2012

If you have a problem getting your quilt to Iessie's house, contact your group or group leader and see if there is someone that can help you but please do enter!

Let's keep our quilt exhibition area stocked and attractive.

February 2012 Newsletter

The latest newsletter had now been uploaded to the blog.  So start reading if you haven't yet seen your group leader to receive your printed copy.

OQG: First quarterly meeting

This is just a reminder to all our guild members that our first quarterly meeting will take place this Saturday, the 11th at Altona crescent, Fichardtpark 9 am.

If you're upset because I haven't told you earlier remember these dates were put on the blog at the beginning of the year under the tab to the left saying "Dates to Remember".  So check these regularly and mark your calendars please.

Lists of group members

To all members of our guild.  Sonja requested that she would like to have the updated group lists and if possible before the meeting on Saturday.  If you read this post, please contact your group leader and ask that she submits your group list as soon as possible.

Our guild is doing great and we can keep it this way if we all work together.  Thanks to those group leaders who already submitted their lists.

Faux Bow Tie tutorial

April, from the blog "making ends meet" acknowledges that the traditional Bow Tie block can be somewhat of a pain in an uncomfortable place.

She therefore came up with this clever tutorial which she calls Faux Ties making blocks which look like the traditional Bow Tie but without the effort to make all the pieces fit.

Thank you April for sharing this with us.  Download this lovely tutorial in PDF form to your computer over HERE.

We interrogate Annarie van der Westhuizen

Another member of the 'Lappoppe' group in Bultfontein, Annarie started quilting in 2007 when she felt like trying something new.  She is a home executive - obviously the hardest and most ungrateful job there is, ask me, I know!

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

Married to Jan and we have a married son and a daughter, still single.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

Morning

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

Sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

No

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

Dog

Q:  What is your favorite color?

Red

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

Sewing

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

No

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

Honesty (not sure how this is bad, Annarie?)

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

Being helpful

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Clean

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Europe

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

Rosé wine

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

Any handmade article

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

Perfume

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

Rina

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

I stuttered as a child

Now from her answers Annarie seems like a 'short & sweet' kind of person.  Thanks Annarie.

Chevron blanket

I once got this cute chenille cutting tool and didn’t really know what to use it for.  Now look at this ideal project for this cutting tool.

Anneliese first talks about her attempts to make this work and you can read about it HERE

Then she went on and kindly shared a tutorial on how to make one HERE

Let's meet Amanda Pretorius

Amanda started quilting in 2003 when a group of friends decided to learn from another friend.  She is a member of the Lappoppe group from Bultfontein and when not quilting she does the administrative duties involved in their farming.  Amanda answered a couple of questions about herself.

Q:   In short tell us a little about your family:

I've been happily married for 12½ years now with 2 boys, aged 8 and 11

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

Preferably mornings

Q:  Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

I will do a lot for something sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

Except fat quarters.......??

Q:  If you could be any animal, what would you be?

Cat

Q:  What is your favorite color?

Red

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

No

Q:  Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

No

Q:  Have you even been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

Solitaire

Q:  Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

I am a perfectionist, especially regarding time

Q:  What do you regard as your best personality trait?

I believe that being friendly won't cost you anything

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Very neat

Q:  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Greece

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

Coffee especially Cappuccino

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

Any gift, no matter what or how small

Q:  Which type of gift do you like the least?

Perfume

Q:  If you could change your name, what would it be?

I think Amanda suits me fine

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

I bite my nails when I get nervous

Lovely to get to know you Amanda, thanks for these.

February Issue OQM now available

The February issue of the FREE Online Quilt Magazine is now available to download.

Click HERE to download yours.

Padded applique by Sharon Pederson

The lovely feet I showed on the yesterday's post belong to the LAPPOPPE group.  Go to GROUP PHOTOS on the left side of the blog to see these lovely ladies or simply click HERE.  I will post interviews with these ladies soon, so watch this space.  Now on to another interesting story.

I saw this video showing how Sharon Pederson does padded applique and found it rather interesting seeing that I've always used trapunto to make my applique shapes somewhat padded.

To watch this video, click HERE

It does take a while to load so I suggest you click on the link, go make yourself a cup of coffee and then come back to watch this.

What an interesting group photo

I always beg group photos from our groups but sadly these do not come in as fast as I would like them to.  Hint.... hint, group leaders.  I really need photos of your groups!!

I had to giggle when I got this group photo from one of our groups and I first I thought they must be very ugly if they opted to send their feet!!  Big surprise, their faces are equally as pretty.

Make you want to paint your toes now, doesn't it?  I'll keep you in suspense for another day before revealing who these foot belong to.

Free e-books to download

Midway through this week and Interweave gives us no less than 8 free e-books to download.  These are:

Jewelry making

  Knitting Daily

                                          

Artist Daily

Spinning Daily 

Crochet Me 

Quilting

   Dyeing Techniques

Beading Daily

Cloth Paper Scissors

Image Transfer

Hope you have fun with these, available for download HERE