A very fortunate find

I am soooo excited about this purchase that I wanted to share it with all of  my quilting friends.  For some time now (more than 10 years on and off),  I have been on the look out for an antique sewing table. 

Passing by an antique shop on Unley Road on Friday afternoon I glanced to my left and there is was.  I am so excited, it is in perfect condition, and is not only the cabinet but the original machine and instruction manuals and tools. Most of the ones I have come across have been missing the machine, or missing the timber top and replaced with marble.  This machine is a German made Gritzner and the antique dealer tells me it was made in 1910 but I cant find anything on the machine to verify that, it  has a serial number so I will do a bit of research.

I have popped my little collection of antique wooden cotton reels in one of the drawers as they match this quite well.  I might have a play with it over the next few days and see if I can get it to sew.  More postings on that.

my block from minette

This is the beautiful block I got from Minette I love it . All of my blocks are amazing and I cant wait to make my quilt hugs Beth

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Yes, its that time of the month again for those of you participating in our Christmas swap (sorry numbers all filled).

I am going to start sending out the partners emails tonight so keep a look out for them.  Pop the Christmas Carols on the Ipod and get creating. 

ALSO

Welcome to our FIRST NEW ZEALAND member Alethea and welcome Val from Victoria  and Julie from NSW.  So now we have members representing 4 great countries. 

a block from Dallas

Dallas' lovely block arrived today.

My autumn tones friendship quilt is starting to take shape  :-)

Leena`s block

Here is the block I made for Leena

I hope she likes it

hugs Beth

First Block received from....

Cheryl..... and it is just great!  Thanks, too, for the calendar....

CALLING FOR HELPERS

Hi Ladies,
With the influx of new members I often need to call upon other members to do more than one swap per month.  So far, I would like to thank

Teena

Cathy

Crafty Pugs

Alex

Cheryll

Beth 

Linden and
Tanynia

For volunteering to do more than one swap per month, but I need more helpers.  If its your first swap this month, I will be more than happy to call on you in future months but would like you to get into the swing of it first.  I do try to share it around and let everyone take turns.  However, it does seem lately that everyone is getting two swaps per month.
If you are happy to help out, please email me - A big quilted hugs thank you.  Sue

Also, just a quick note for those of you participating in the Christmas swap group (sorry to newbies, this was a fixed number and filled quickly so keep a lookout for the next one).  I should have your partners out to you before the end of this week.

My September block from Leona

Leonas block

Always exciting to receive a fat package when you get home, and this one was from Florida - such a idylic destination.  Thank you sooooo much Leona for your beautiful friendship star and the gorgeous gift of some vintage tea cup pattern - and in blue and white too! one of my fav colour combinations, I am so lucky xx

Ho Ho Ho



Sept Xmas swap



Yes it's beginning to look a little like Christmas at my place. Well this block certainly helps. Isn't it sooo cute with Santa in the heart. Even the strips have Xmas trees and the white has sparkly snow flakes on it.

Thanks Mary from Canada.

From CathyC to Dallas

Dallas has just sent me an email to let me know my block to her has arrived safely ;-)

So here is a full pic!

Dallas asked for a Star or Log Cabin block in autumn colours.   I have made up a Starflower block and Dallas is hoping to make a cushion out of this one as it matches her lounge suite :-)

Block from Mary in Canada

The materials are just gorgeous!

Look at all this lovely piecing - it is amazing!

Blocks for Linden - Oops!

Hello Friends

I can't believe I posted these beautiful blocks on my blog, but didn't post them here. My sincere apologies! Thank you so much to my August partner Alex who graciously made me a second block when the first didn't arrive.

Sue was my September partner, and I think she showed off her square in an earlier post.

Rosemary was my September Christmas partner, and she sent this lovely block. I love the way she fussy cut and appliqued the stars. :-) The lighter fabric also has tiny red spots and is very cute! I went to the fabric store today and bought some Christmas fabric so will be making Rosemary's block poste haste.

Happy Stitching! :-)

The blocks keep on coming!

What a nice way to start off the week.

Debbie (from Canada) sent me this block and the postie delivered it today.

How GREAT is this group!

I hope everyone is having as much fun as I am!

:)

Three new members ready for the October swap

Join me in welcoming 3 new members who will be swapping with us for the first time in October,

Bobbie from Queensland

Linda from California

http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/

and

Brigitte from Canada.  
http://www.quiltsampler.blogspot.com/

As with all members if you let me know your blog address  (If you have one) I will pop it on the side tool bar so we can all be follower in our little quilting community.

Just a note that those of you that participated in the Christmas swap group will be having your next months members details sent out some time next week, and the general swap partners will be sent out in the last week of the month.  We now have 29 members which is AWESOME !!

From Oz to Canada

I thought that you "fellow swappers" might like to see the block I sent over to Debbie in Canada. It has arrived safe and sound!
Debbie wished for any block in pinks & browns.

Nothing like fostering good international relations !!
:)

September Swap I

Hi everyone!

I was lucky enough to have 2 swap partners this month!  I'm posting about my swap with Nolene now that we have both received our blocks!

Nolene requested the log cabin block from Quilter's Cache.  She chose a red centre square with black on white on one side and white on black on the other (the starting log should be white for uniformity).  I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Nolene sent me a green Baby Bunting block.  I'm making a quilt of these blocks in pastel colours on a white background and Sue chooses the colour for me as a surprise!  To see how it's progressing please visit my blog and click on the "block swap" tab at the top.

I'll post about my next swap with Kathy as soon as both blocks have been received!

My First Wonky Star Block !!!

  Hi Everyone

How special, this is my first block,  received from lovely Beth in Queensland. Thanks so much , Beth. Even a little card with a picture of the block on the front! So clever and creative. I love the colours, and the center block matches one of the colours in the star perfectly !

From Australia to Florida!

I received Sue's beautiful block in the mail for the September Swap! Thank you Sue!

Quilt for a quilter- very sad story,

On the right hand tool bar is a link to a blog of a quilter.  (A quilt for Sue) The request is out there for fellow quilters donating their orphan blocks to her to make a quilt for her friend who is terminally ill.  Its a very sad story and moved me to read it.  I am donating a block and putting it out their to you - my quilting friends to help with donating orphan blocks.  Click on the link to read the story on her blog. Quilted hugs, Sue

From WA to NSW

My beautiful block has arrived from Tarnyia...and I just LoVe It.