No sew bunny

Once a quilter fortunately always a crafter as well and even though this might not be a ‘quilty’ project I know many a quilting mom or grandmother that would enjoy making these little ‘no-sew-bunnies’ and this tutorial is just right in time for Easter.

The Stitchin’ Chicken  shared this sweet tutorial with us and you can find it by clicking HERE 

I know I will replace their suggested plastic eggs with REAL chocolate ones but o no wait..... I don’t have grandchildren yet or any little ones at home.  Guess I can then just eat the chocolates?!

I’d like to introduce Annelize Wiid to you

Annelize started quilting in 2005 on her own while living 65 km from the nearest city and with only the fax and telephone to get help from her niece (now living in Australia).  She was so glad to finally get to meet quilters in the city and become part of a group.  She is now a member of both the ‘Sterkwilter’ and ‘Loslappies’ groups.

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

A:   We are middle-aged Northern Cape people now living in Bloemfontein for the last 3 years.  She is married with 2 student sons and a grandmother living with them.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  Morning

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

A: Salty

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A: Dolls that I make myself and teaspoons

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

A: A bird but not one kept in a cage

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:   Blue

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A:  No

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

A:  Breeding birds and bowling

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

A:  No

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

A:  Drink too much coffee

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

A:  I can multi-task

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A:  Clean

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

A:  France

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:  Coffee

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  Flowers

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

A:  Things I cannot use

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

A:  I am just all right with my name as is.

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  No comment on this one

From one coffee lover to another, thanks for the interview Annelize

The Quilt Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life..

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.  My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.  I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes.
I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life . I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light..

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.  He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

I got this as an e-mail from a friend unfortunately without reference as to who the author might be, so without taking away from the writer, I wanted to share this with you.

Quilted Basket

Geta Grama from Geta’s Quilting studio published a tutorial for this quilted basket.

If you visit her blog by clicking HERE  you will not only find the link to the tutorial but one of her other blog readers Michelle is going or organize a Quilted Fabric Basket Swap but if you want to participate in this swap you better hurry as registration will close on the 4^th of April 2011.

Otherwise simply get the tutorial and make one for yourself.

I’d like you to meet a very patient Gerda Breytenbach

Gerda started quilting in 2006/7 because she enjoyed being creative and find it a nice hobby.  Today a member of the ‘Sterkwilters’ she also reads and inspects gardener Thabo’s handwork.

In short tell us about your family:

Married to Manie who keeps himself busy with carpentry and we have a married daughter, also living in Bloemfontein.

Are you a morning or night person?

Definitely a morning person

Which do you prefer – sweet or salty snacks?

Sweet as it calms me down

Do you collect anything an what?

Tins and teaspoons

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

Eagle – they seem so free and without worries

What is your favorite color?

Pink and Black

Do you believe in ghosts?

No, not at all

Do you have any other hobbies apart from quilting?

Reading and Gardening

Have you ever been addicted to a computer/video game and which one?

No

Name ONE bad habit you have and are aware of.

I eat way too much sweets especially chocolates

What do you regard as your best personality trait?

Patience and even more patience

Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

Mostly clean, occasionally somewhat messy but I’ll know where everything is.

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

Namibia

What is your favorite drink?

Rooibos tea

What is your favorite gift to receive?

A grandchild or anything else

Which types of gift do you like the least?

Dust gathering ornaments

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

My own name is good as it means I am a fighter

Name one thing not many people know about you

I am a shy introvert especially in a big crowd or group

And on this shy note I'd like to thank Gerda for this interview.

Quilt Pattern Magazine

I’ve been spending a couple of days in the picturesque Clarens and while there dear old Karin  kept the blog running again.  Thanks Karin but now it’s back to reality for me.

At the beginning of this year I subscribed to an e-magazine called Quilt Pattern Magazine and I am enjoying every month’s issue tremendously.  For those not familiar with e-magazines, it is a magazine that you receive via the internet.  So this is what to do:

1.      Go to http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/ (you can simply click on the address given and it should take you there.

2.      Once on the main page, have your credit card handy and find “Subscribe Now!” Click here which will take you to another page.

3.      On this page, simply select the 1 year (12 issues) subscriptions by clicking on “Add to Cart” which will take you to your shopping cart where you can check whether you are satisfied and finish the payment.

4.      You will then soon receive an e-mail telling you where to go and what to do to start downloading your first issue. 

      

           Furthermore this magazine also offers its own social network  for subscribers where you can join groups, talk to people making the same project you do, share photos of your work and see lovely quilts by others.  All of this for a mere $13.99 (roughly R98,00) per annum - worth every cent!

In the January issue alone they had 2 BOM’s starting, a wall hanging, table runner and a Valentine’s project to name a few projects let alone interesting articles.

Remember I have downloaded my issues since January if anyone near me would like to quickly have a look at these first before buying BUT…….

I got an e-mail from  Cindy Mccoy from Quilt Pattern Magazine to give at least one of our guild members the chance to WIN a full subscriptions.  This is the e-mail I got from Cindy and I hope several of you will make use of this wonderful opportunity to win a free magazine for a year.

(mail from Cindy)

Hello Hettie

As contact member for your guild, I am emailing to offer your guild members the opportunity to win free subscriptions to "The Quilt Pattern Magazine."

All quilters who are members of quilt guilds everywhere, including internationally, are eligible.  Several winners will be chosen from among all of the entries sent in.

We encourage your members to enter our contest at http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/program/guild.html

If you have any questions or comments, be sure to contact me.

Cindy Mccoy

http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com

Good luck to all!

Let’s have Cream Soda with Makkie de Kock

Another member of the ‘Sterkwilters’ group who started quilting in 2006 as she has always been interested in this hobby and finds it therapeutically.  As a housewife she had one of the hardest jobs ever – people only notice housework when it is NOT done.

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

A:  Married with 19 year old twin daughters.

Q:  Are you a morning or night person?

A:  Night

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

A:  Sweet

Q:  Do you collect anything and what?

A:  Stamps

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

A:  Giraffe

Q:  What is your favorite color?

A:  Maroon

Q:  Do you believe in ghosts?

A:  No

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

A:  Music, gardening and reading

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

A:  No not at all

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

A:  I’m too lazy to do any exercise

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

A:  I love people!

Q  Are you mostly a messy or clean person?

A:  Clean

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

A:  Italy

Q:  What is your favorite drink?

A:   Cream Soda and Dry white wine

Q:  What is your favorite gift to receive?

A:  Any book or CD

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

A:  Recipe books (does this not count as ‘any’ book Makkie??)

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

A:  Annegret

Q:  Name one thing not many people know about you

A:  I farm with sheep and restore old furniture

I unfortunately did NOT get a leg of lamb after doing this interview but thanks for this Makkie.