Quote of the Week:

Friends are threads of gold in the quilt of life . . .

Well here we are again, Monday morning already, and as promised, I haven't opened the chocolate - it is sitting there waiting for me to finish this post before I break it open. Chocolate is a wonderful thing isn't it?

What a busy week we have had here at Crow Central. There has been lots of show and tell from our lovely customers recently. Remember the hexagon quilt that Sally made? Well here it is, all quilted with the binding on. Isn't it a masterpiece? We quilted it for her here at the shop - she wanted a Baptist Fan design and this proved to be a good choice. What do you think?

Sue E came in with her beautiful woollen wall hanging from an American designer. The pattern title is 'Home and Harvest'. She has been coming into our shop for some time now, purchasing our lovely 100% felted wool over the last few months and this is the end result.

We just love working with the wool and it is good to see other people enjoying it as well. It is so easy to work with, it doesn't fray, you don't need to fuse it on to the background before stitching, you just staple it on and stitch away!! Deirdre's thumbs are always 'discoloured' from all of the hand dyeing and if anyone didn't know her properly, they would think she never washed!! But it is certainly worth it, just take a look at these gorgeous colours . . .

Sorry that the photo's are a little dark, but it gives you an idea of the 'gorgeousness'!!

We have both completed our projects for our upcoming 'Christmas Gathering' which is to be held on September 20th and we are pretty happy with them. The day is approaching fast so we need to be organised in advance. The week after the Gathering will see us playing host to a group of ladies from New South Wales who are coming down for a week of sewing and fun with us here in the shop. We are really excited and by the sound of it, from the last email we received, they too, can't wait! There are lots of quilts here that they can choose to make, so we're sure they will have a ball.

This week sees us getting ready to send out our monthly Woollen Pincushion Club and Deirdre's 'Autumn Pathways Block of the Month, so it is going to be very busy.

The chocolate is still sitting here in its wrapper so I think it is time that I gave it some air - after all, it is after 10am . . . . . . have a great week.

Until next time,

Leonie and Deirdre - The Quilted Crow

Quote of the Week:

A day patched with quilting seldom unravels . . .

I know we haven't had many posts of late, but I have made myself a promise. Each Monday, BEFORE I open my block of Cadbury's chocolate, I will update the blog . . . I promise . . .

We find ourselves constantly busy here at Crow Central, long arming quilts, filling phone orders, running Block of the Months and so on . . we aren't complaining though!! We are so lucky to be doing what we are doing - we meet so many nice people from all over Australia and even overseas - all sharing a love a quilting.

Check out Deirdre's Block of the Month - it's all finished now and looks fantastic. Using a combination of felted wool which is appliqued onto a cotton background the end result is stunning. What do you think?

Did you hear our screams of excitement last week - another delivery of gorgeous fabric - Rocky Mountain III by Judie Rothermel - absolutely stunning - so all you reproduction people out there, you had better be quick!! Deirdre and I are planning a secret sewing night (not so secret now is it!) one Friday night in the hope that we may be able to whip up a quilt - it seems so long ago that I sat down with Nellie (my sewing machine) and had a little one on one time with her . . . I did give her a drink of oil over the weekend though in anticipation. . .

Exciting things are happening here . . . but we can't tell you yet . . . you will have to wait a little longer. Another couple of weeks or so and we will be able to share . . . initially it will mean lots of work but once everything is in place it will be great for us (we hope!!).

We just received in the mail on Friday, the American Quilter's Society book catalogue and who should be in it but our very own Helen Stubbings from Hugs n Kisses (be sure to visit her blog) . Our very own, because she comes from Tassie!! The book is titled 'Faux Applique' and features elegant designs in the tradition of Baltimore album quilts done simply by using coloured pencils to recreate the look of intricate applique. We will be stocking this book, along with many others that we have ordered recently, so be sure to place your order to be among the first to receive it. The title is due out in October. Congratulations Helen!

Uh oh . . I hear the bookwork calling me . . . a job I really hate doing but one that needs to be done . . . and the chocolate is still waiting to be opened . .

Until next time.

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow

BEVERLY MARY MILLER

29.01.1946 -

29.06.2008

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend Bev, who lost her battle with cancer on Sunday morning, the 29th June 2008.

Bev (pictured left) was the person behind our wonderful website - she worked tirelessly to bring it all together and make it what it is today.

She was the most warmest, loving, creative and talented person who always looked on the bright side of life.

We will miss her dearly.

Until next time.

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow

Quote of the Week: My soul if fed with needle and thread. My body is filled with chocolate . . .

Yes, it has been some time since our last posting; just over two weeks. I think I promised some more photos of our Autumn Gathering "tomorrow" - that seems like so long ago . . . . . . time really does get away doesn't it.

My youngest daughter Jess was our "Paparazzi Queen" on the day, so here are a couple more photo's to share with you . . .

Deirdre is currently away on holidays, swanning around Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales for the next fortnight with her husband Phil - having a wonderful and well earned break. My turn comes in the June school holidays - YIPEE!!

We are so blessed to have such good friends . . . whilst Deirdre is away, our "Roadies" insist on coming in and helping me out so I can keep up with all that needs to be done, including the long-arming of the quilts out the back on 'Big Mal'. A huge thankyou to Ange, Michelle, Kali and Sally for their tremendous help and friendship.

I'm madly getting ready for our next mail out of the "Woollen Pincushion Club" which goes in the post at the end of the month. There are six in the series and we are up to Number Four. I asked everyone last week who is in the Club to send in some photos of their completed pincushions so as soon as they start arriving, I'll be sure to pop them on for you all to see.

In the meantime, here is a photo of the samples that I made - the one missing in action is the Strawberry Pincushion - it may make a grand appearance next time!!

If anyone is interested in joining the Woollen Pincushion Club, the next Group will be starting in Mid June. The cost is $28.60 each month for six months. It includes all the 'ingredients', pattern and postage.

Deirdre's first mailout of her Block of the Month went out last week. It is called "Autumn Pathways" . . . . absolutely gorgeous . . . a combination of warm rich colours of the felted wool on a cotton background. Here is a photo of the centre blocks just to tempt you . . . . what do you think? We'd love to hear from you.

Phone us at the shop (03) 6234 8338 or email us thequiltedcrow@dodo.com.au if you are interested in either of them and we will send out the relevant details to you.

Must be off - lots to do . . .

Until next time.

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow

Quote of the Week:

Blessed are the Piecemakers . . .

What a beautiful day was had by all at our Autumn Gathering on Saturday.

The women who attended had the pleasure of meeting the talented Kerry Gillespie and Lynette Anderson who were our tutors for the day. Both Kerry and Lynette commented how lovely everyone was and it only confirms what we have been saying for some time. We are truly blessed by the friendships we have made and it is the people who attend that make the day what it is.

Thanks so much to each and every one of you who made this day so special for Deirdre and myself. We have so much fun and by all the chatter and laughter in the room, I think everyone else does too!!

Some photos to share with you . . . .

Lynette talking about her projects . . .

Deirdre and I showing two of my projects . . .

and when I get my camera working properly, I'll post some more . . .

For those of you who are wondering about our "Plumbing Disaster" at the shop the day before our Gathering - all is now well and the shop is back to looking its beautiful self - unfortunately we still couldn't open on the Monday; it took us all day to clean up but it was a good chance to rearrange things!!

What is it about us women and moving furniture !!??

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow

Quote of the Week:

You can always tell a quilter from the threads she wears . . .

We just had to share with you all this amazing quilt that one of our good friends, Sally made. She completed it in only four months - all hand pieced - King Size - 2,508 hexagons in total !!!

Her mother-in-law, Kali, gave Sally the fabric last year for her birthday in October - a gorgeous bundle of reproduction called "Charleston III and here is the end result. We'd love to hear your comments.

We are both busy here preparing for our Autumn Gathering which is only six days away now. Everyone is looking forward to it and so are we!! We do have a couple of spots left if anyone is thinking whether or not to come - but be quick!!

As well as getting ready for Saturday, Deirdre has managed to whip up yet another quilt in some new fabric that came into the shop last week called "Happy Trails". The fabric is vintage 1950's in bright, yet muted tones with cowboys, pistols, bucking bronco's, stars & wagons. It's a fantastic quilt for a boy - what do you think??

We have kits ready to go which include pattern, all fabrics for the top as well as binding for only $145.00. You can view the fabric on our website.

Well, there is much to do, so I must be off to tackle some more chores.

Be sure to check back next Monday on our blog for photos of our Autumn Gathering.

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow

We think it is absolutely fantastic and she is totally obsessed

Quote of the Week:

To be able to look back upon your past life with satisfaction, is to live twice . . .

Our Autumn Gathering is now less than two weeks away and we have all of the projects here in the shop on display.

They are all fabulous and we're sure that there will be something for everyone. We are just about fully booked so if you are thinking of coming along, you'd better not leave it too long - next Wednesday 16th April is our cut-off date for taking bookings.

I've popped some photo's down here for you all to see - you will receive a pattern for each of the projects that are photographed in your 'goody bag' along with some other treats from us.

The above photograph are Lynette Anderson's projects - "Hilltop Cottage Cushion" in two different colourways, and "Hilltop Cottage Punchneedle Purse" also in two different colourways. You will receive an iron-on transfer in your goody bag, compliments of The Quilted Crow for the cushion stitchery design.

This photo is of Kerrie Gillespie's projects, "Freshcut Flowers" two cushions with a gorgeous stitchery design on them, "Tilly, Milly & Molly", three little dollies linking arms and a fantastic bag made from black felted wool and adorned with some great stitchery and ric rac - it may be a bit hard to see the detail in this photo, so I apologise, but trust me, they are truly fantastic!

Who could go past Deirdre's project "Dolly Doorstop" a delightful angel with felted wool applique flowers, holding her own little birdy in her arms. As well as this, Deirdre has also made an apron called "Cherry Pie" with gorgeous stitchery on the pockets.

These three projects are mine and are called "Favourite Things from The Quilted Crow". A large hand pieced hexagon shaped cushion, small sawtooth star quilt and a drawstring bag with churn dash blocks on point - the three items come as one kit . . "Brown paper packages tied up with string . . these are a few of my favourite things . . . ".

My other project is a wallhanging but could be made into a large quilt if you would like.

Hope you all like the projects - for those of you who aren't able to attend, the patterns will be available by the end of April to purchase in the shop.

Must be off to do some more chores . . . never a dull moment here at Crow Central!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre

The Quilted Crow