AQC @ the Royal Exhibition Building

This year, the Australasian Quilt Convention is at a new venue - the heritage Royal Exhibition Building. I didn’t have much chance to take artful photos but this gives you some idea:

Unfortunately the MY PLACE quilts are still in transit and not on display. Very disappointing but there are many, many other wonderful quilts to see. Special congratulations to Denise Sargo of NSW and Jocelyne Leath of WA who were awarded first prize and runner up in the AP&Q AQC challenge.

Family Lines #1: Girt

As part of the Australasian Quilt Convention that opens in Melbourne tomorrow, I am taking the opportunity to exhibit the first quilt of my “Family Lines” series in public for the first time in the display of tutor quilts:
This quilt, reminiscent of an apron, signifies mother love. All encompassing, it can bind a family together. You can see a close up of the quilting in this stripe tease from last year.

Serendipity Magic @ the Australasian Quilt Convention

As I mentioned in my newsletter, I am thrilled that Dreamlines#1: Magic Carpet has been selected as one of thirty finalists (from sixty entries) in the inaugural APQ & AQC Challenge. The finalists will be displayed and judged at the Australasian Quilt Convention and then embark on a nationwide tour throughout 2009, travelling with the Craft & Quilt Fairs.

Since my magic carpet seems to be missing the magic words to whisk me away, I am instead flying to Melbourne today for AQC. I’ll be taking my new netbook computer but am not sure how much blogging will happen while I am away. I’m turning comment moderation on but don’t let that deter you from leaving a comment. And if you happen to see me at AQC, be sure to say hello!

Serendipity Studio Newsletter Issue No 1

Woohoo! After running in geek mode in overtime, I sent out the first issue of my revamped, occasional newsletter to subscribers overnight. The newsletter contains some images and some exciting news that I have not mentioned before on the blog so you might like to read the online version here.

Thank you to all my subscribers. I hope the newsletter reached you safely and you like the new format. If you would like to become a subscriber, you can sign up for the next issue of the newsletter (due out later this year) at the subscription page.

Window Works

The current theme for the Twelve by Twelve Collaborative Art Quilt Project is “window”. I’m still waiting for the muse to come in through my studio window but I did find these window-ish pieces that I completed as part of my City & Guilds course with Linda Kemshall a few years ago.

Prints Charming Workshop

Last year I attended a presentation by funky textile designers Cath Derksema and Kirsten Junor of Prints Charming at my Guild meeting. Cath and Kirsten have some screen printing classes coming up soon and I was fortunate enough to land a place. Yay!

Scrap Kaleidoscope

The studio clearance continues. One magazine that I will definitely be keeping is the February 2004 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting which features a modern interpretation of the moon over mountain block by Jean Wells that I used in making Taranaki Solstice:

The “mountain” parts are appliqued and I cut out the surplus backing fabric from behind. I found the 9″ scrap triangles yesterday and now they are on the design wall:

The colours make me happy and I’m planning on making a charity quilt for Quilt Camp where all contributions are donated to Ronald McDonald House.

Wrapt with Scraps

Market day is coming up this Saturday at the general meeting of The Quilters’ Guild of NSW and I am taking the opportunity to eliminate some of the clutter in my studio. Top priority is giving away (not selling) a vast collection of quilting magazines. Of course this is not a straightforward transfer. First of all, I feel compelled to skim every issue to make sure that I have recorded notes of quilts or techniques that have inspired me. My taste has changed a little over my quilting life but it was interesting to see how many post-it notes were attached to bright court-house steps and pineapple log cabin projects. One day I will make such a quilt. I certainly have enough scraps that would be ideal.

In fact, I have so many batik scraps from making fabric sets for my Colour Rhapsody workshop that I have put together some scrap packs to sell at market day. Such yummy colours!

And speaking of scraps, I understand that there is still one space left in my Scrap Queen Odyssey workshop at the Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne next week. It would be wonderful if you could join me.

Reach out

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to my occasional newsletter. I’ll be sending out the next issue later in the month. In the meantime, Penny Gold is the subscriber randomly selected for my Valentine’s giveaway – patterns for three original Serendipity designs. Penny is a new blogger and I encourage you to visit her Studio Notes blog and also to read her moving transcript - Why quilt - one person’s story.

Reach out - after all it is Valentine’s Day and we can all benefit from sharing the love.

Serendipity Studio Newsletter Reminder

The Serendipity Studio Newsletter is an occasional e-mail update with information on my latest quilt designs, teaching schedule, upcoming exhibitions, images of my contemporary quilts and other quilting news.

All subscribers that sign up on or before 14 February will go into a draw for a selection of three original Serendipity Patchwork & Quilting designs.

To subscribe to the Serendipity Studio Newsletter, please complete the form below and follow the prompts:

Please be assured that I will never share or sell your email address. All emails sent will include a link to unsubscribe if you decide you are no longer interested.