A pattern for Olivia's quilt

I've decided on a pattern for Olivia's quilt. I've had a pattern in mind for a while which has different blocks of stitchery with either bears or Sunbonnet Sue with sayings embroidered on each block. Each block is surrounded by a border and then smaller blocks of different fabrics.

In October last year I was showing Ruth the pattern I had in mind and she suggested that I might be able to use some stitchery blocks that her mum (my sister, Sue) had made. The stitchery blocks are all different Sunbonnet Sue designs with kittens. They will be great to use in Olivia's quilt. The stitching of the blocks is so neat. I hope I can do them justice and make a special quilt for Olivia.

I'm not sure if I'll add embroidered sayings like in the pattern and if I do, if I'll embroider sayings onto each block or make separate blocks of embroidered sayings.




Some of the sayings from the patterns are:

• A friend is one of natures masterpieces
• True friendship is a knot that angels have tied
• Friends catch your tears as you fall
• Friends are the most important ingredients in the recipe of life
• Friends are Angels on earth
• Friendship is the greatest gift of all
• Friends leave foot prints on our hearts
• The language of friendship is not words but meanings
• Friendship is music to the soul
• Friendship is the thread that ties hearts together
• Friendship is like a sheltering tree

The sayings are really nice so I'd like to include some but I'll decide when I start making the quilt.

I've been knitting Olivia's cardigan to match Sarah and Hannah's. I had hoped to have Olivia's cardigan finished already but it's been so hot lately with the temperature into the 40's last week and 30's this week that I haven't knitted or sewn much at all lately.

Recently I was given a magnifying lamp by a lady I met on a website called 'Freecycle' . I've been looking at getting one for a long time as using a magnifying glass helps seeing the small stitches when sewing my quilts. It works really well so I'm pretty pleased to have been given the lamp and can't wait for the cooler weather to come so I can get back into sewing again.

The Exhibtion ...it keeps me sane...

The exhibition of craft work created by the women who participated in the research project starts on the 11th February with the opening and launch of the book and film on the 12th at 6pm and runs until the 27th February 2009.










The exhibition is being held at Level 17, Artspace, Victoria University, 300 Flinders street, Melbourne.

The exhibition is called ......it keeps me sane... women craft creativity wellbeing. An exhibition of women's craftwork from The Everyday Creativity of Women Craftmakers. The researchers are Marty Grace and Enza Gandolfo and the curator for the exhibition is Belinda Cody. Daniel O'Brien and Monica Liu were the film makers who came out and filmed all the ladies last year and have edited the interviews into the final film.

I feel really excited and am looking forward to meeting the other ladies and seeing their works as well as seeing the book and film. I'm also looking forward to reading the results of the research project. It's been hard seeing myself on DVD as I've felt very self conscious but I'm pleased that I was I able to participate in the project and have enjoyed the experience.

Last week my pieces for the exhibition were collected. I had to give some of the things a bit of a dust and do a few minor repairs. It's seems weird to think that the next time I see them will be at the exhibition. As well as some of my things a cushion, cross stitch and ribbon pansy picture made by mum are being shown as well.


Melanie sent down Lachlan's quilt and Ruth sent down the cardigans I knitted for Sarah & Hannah for the exhibition. I knitted the Rose pattern cardigan for Sarah and now it fit's Hannah.


I'm looking forward to the opening on the 12th and being able to enjoy the night with family and friends who are able to make it on the night.