Quote of the Week:

Friends are like fabric, you can never have enough . . .

I'm a step ahead of you today!! As you know, we ususally post on a Monday, but I am here tonight at the shop working late on a Sunday . . . waiting for my 13 year old, Ellen, who is performing in a Taiko Drumming concert to call mum for pick up. "Why aren't you there watching her?" I hear you say . . . well it was our night last night to see them perform - two and a half hours of solid drumming and singing - absolutely amazing.

Our girls had only been playing for seven weeks and we were all mighty proud of them. The other drummers are very experienced and have been playing for years.

If ever you have a chance to see a Taiko Drumming performance, don't miss it - reminds me of how unfit I am . . . damn that chocolate . . .

Now for those of you who like Halloween, check out Deirdre's Penny Rug and Trick or Treat Bags - aren't they just soooo cute? They are all made from 100% felted wool - one of our favourite textiles to work with - and are really quick and easy to make. If you are interested, we have patterns and kits available in the shop for this project and lots of other Halloween goodies too.

Only three weeks now until our Christmas Gathering - the elves have been madly working out the back getting it all organised (as in Deirdre & I). We've got the kids on the lolly bag making - not a good idea now I come to think of it . . . and husbands pacing, waiting for our next order . . . bless their hearts . .

Anni Downs emailed us some pics of her projects but I am having trouble getting them across to the blog. I'll have another go at it this week - nothing like keeping you all in suspense! We're sure you're going to love them - lots of little Christmas Ornies made from hand dyed felted wool and a gorgeous tote bag with stitchery on it - just what every girl needs . . .

Natalie Bird will be getting pics of her projects to us soon too - they are both very busy ladies and we are thrilled that they are taking time out to come to Tassie!

Oops, there's the phone, time to pick up the Taiko Drumming Girl.

Have a great week everyone,

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow

Quote of the Week:

Quilting is a gift you give yourself . . .

Just look at this magical photo of our very own Mt Wellington here in Hobart. This sight has greeted us for the past few days - not as much snow today, but still beautiful, surrounded by a brilliant blue sky - can't get any better than that . . .

'Madness' here at Crow Central one would have to say this past week. We have been pretending that we were back in our Kindergarten days and spent a fun couple of hours cutting and pasting our folders which will hold the patterns for those attending our Christmas Gathering on the 20th September. It's soooo much fun getting everything ready . .

We are now booked out for the Gathering but are still putting interested people on a waiting list 'just in case' we happen to get a cancellation at the last minute. So keep those fingers crossed those of you who are on the list . . . we know it is a disappointment to be one of those missing out but we can only fit a certain number into the hall and hope that you understand. Be sure to be one of the first for our next Gathering in April next year!!

Australia's next top model look out - here is the gorgeous Deirdre doing her thing on the catwalk with her two designs for the Gathering - two warm and snuggly scarves made from 100% felted wool, one with appliqued snowmen and pockets and the other with flowers, reverse applique and needle felting - how could you resist either of them!! And doesn't she just make the perfect model !!

We're off to buy the 'sweeties' for the goody bags - I think we eat more than we pack but that's ok - we need to keep the sugar levels up - it's very important you know.

Thanks to everyone who leaves a comment on our blog - it much appreciated . . . we enjoy reading them . . keep them coming.

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre
The Quilted Crow

Quote of the Week:

There is no wrong time for quilting . . .

What a beautiful sight greeted me this morning as I rounded the corner on the highway heading into Hobart and caught my first glance of Mt Wellington. The mountain was coated in snow and the sky was a brilliant blue - unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me so I can't share a photo with you, but believe me, it was breathtaking.

The weekend saw us all snuggled indoors, sheltering from the cold and rain and what better excuse than to sit and do some sewing. I added a few finishing touches to my projects for the Christmas Gathering which is only five weeks away and now I have to do the boring part and write the patterns . . . arrrrgh!! Here's a photo that I took last week - not a very good one - it's a bit dark - but it gives you the idea - three 'Christmas Cones' made from our beautiful felted wool . . what do you think?

We have been busily preparing everything - the fun part is getting all the 'goodies' together for everyone - each Gathering we have, we provide a gift for each person who attends as a 'thank you' for coming along and supporting us. I came up with this 'grand idea' that we would make for each person a ????????? (I can't tell you what it is because it will spoil the surprise!! - hee hee) and now everywhere I look at home, there they are - beside my chair, on the tea trolley, on the bench, on the couch - they have taken over the whole house - "Mum, how many are you making?" my two daughters ask with their eyes rolling back thinking I've finally gone nuts . . . but they are all so cute and Deirdre and I are both sure everyone will like them (they'd better!!).

Very soon we will be able to share our secret with you that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago . . . things are well under way and we can't tell you how excited we are!! It will be a new venture for us both and one that we hope will be rewarding.

We have ordered lots of new fabric just recently - the new civil war ranges from Judie Rothermel should be arriving soon - they are Sturbridge Village Calicos, Dressing Gowns II and Vicksburg - no doubt you will hear the screams when the delivery man arrives.

Even though they are some time away, I'm off to make some room for them - there's nothing like having a change around on a cold wintry day . . it's so much fun!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow

Quote of the Week:

A quilt is a treasure which follows its owner everywhere . . .

Today sees us freezing our little toes off here in Hobart - a beautiful sunny day but oh, so cold!! And there's more to come - of the cold I mean - and snow !! brrrrr . . .

One of our favourite customers came in on Friday with the quilt pictured above, made from civil war fabrics - it is absolutely gorgeous. Veronica is known for loving the 1930s fabrics but seeing as this one was for her husband she went with the civil war instead.

Her five year old daughter has the biggest fabric stash you have ever seen for someone under the age of ten! Each time Veronica comes into the shop, her little one chooses her own half a dozen or so fabrics and off she goes, quite chuffed with herself! It's great to see that someone so young can get so much pleasure from such beautiful fabrics. We will be sure to post a photo of her first patchwork attempt . . .

Our Christmas Gathering is now only six weeks away and panic is starting to kick in! Have we got everything organised? Catering? Projects? Pressies? I'm sure we've covered it all but you know how it is when you just want it to go off without a hitch . . . everyone is getting really excited and we know that Anni and Natalie are working on their projects at the moment - once all the projects are complete we'll post some photos. Not long now . . .

Until next time.

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow

Quote of the Week:

Quilts are like friends . . a great source of comfort and warmth . . .

It wasn't my fault - really it wasn't . . . and it didn't have anything to do with the fact that I had run out of chocolate . . . There have been some problems with 'Blogger' since Friday which affected everyone worldwide - apparently some software mishap but all is well now and I can keep tapping away at the keyboard, keeping you up to date with all that is happening here at Crow Central.

I have taken a photo of some new fabric that arrived just recently from 'A Day in the Country' - fresh and funky we call it. There are a lot of designers using this range at the moment so you'll be sure to see it around. If you take a peek at Helen Stubbings blog (I dont' know how to link you to it yet !!) www.hugsnkisses.typepad.com/ you will see a project she is working on in these fabrics. There are also some spots and stripes that co-ordinate well with these and we have those in stock as well.

We are currently getting ready to start Helen's Block of the Month "Neenies Garden" (photo above) in store soon so if you are interested in participating and want some more information, drop us an email and we'll be sure to pop your name down. 'Sweet Escape' is the range of fabric that Helen used for this quilt and we too will be using it. The quilt is just gorgeous and Helen using a combination of stitching along with her Colorque technique and as you can see, the end result is stunning.

We are also running Kerrie Gillespie's 'Life's Pleasures & Treasures' and this is the fabric that we will be using - what do you think - pretty isn't it?

And here is the quilt . . . well maybe not . . . I will have to post the photo next week as the one I have is a little too dark . . . this BOM runs for six months and again, if you would like some more info, drop us an email.

The other Block of the Month is Anni Downs 'Pockets of Posies' and we have ordered in a range especially for this one. This BOM will run over ten months and will commence some time in October.

So yes, we have a few things happening that will keep us busy. Deirdre is out back on the quilting machine 'Big Mal' quilting up a storm . . . we both enjoy the longarm machine and often have to fight over who is going to do the next one!! But there are plenty to do so neither of us will miss out!

That's going to have to do for today - lots of secret stuff to get done!!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre
The Quilted Crow