Retreat with the Palmwoods Art Girls

I am posting some pictures of the Palmwoods Art Retreat. 3 of my friends and myself attended. It was a fantastic two day and nights. We can't wait for the next one.

These are some of the works from show and tell.

Embroidery quilt by

Nicki's two quilts. If you look closely you will notice that they are both the same quilt but the black one appears to have not borders and looks so different.

Happy Quilters
Everyone happy at work

Judith had made this embroidered quilt when she was a teenager. She has some stains on it now after maybe 30 years. If anyone has ideas as to how to get them out please let me know.

A lovely hexagon quilt made by Erica

This was designed, made and hand appliqued by Marlene.

Judith made this lovely Christmas Tree out of small triangles. I want to do one for next Christmas.

A very lovely fine shawl Merle has made.

Lace

Karyll felting her shawl.

Bonnie looking quite smart with her felting machine. She has had the machine for about 2 years and had not used it. So I asked her along to the retreat to be show how to. Of course I got into the picture and loved the machine and now have my own. I have posted samples on an earlier post. I am just blown away with what these machines can do.

Away for a while

Hi Girls

I have had emergency surgery this week and will be having a little down time.

I will post when I can and when I am up and running again full time I will be having a give a way of one of my patterns on the blog.

I am ok so.

Keep Stitching

Delia

Embelishing Machine

Hello to you all.

I have been having a play on the felting machine. I do apologise for the pictures. My camera will not work tonight so I have to use my husbands and I don't think the pictures are that good.

When I get my camera working I will repost.

Synthetic Wool felted on to black background.

Material rose and leaves felted into black background.

2 pieces of cut flower shapes and then one of organza felted in the middle with a wool centre felted on to the centre. The organza stands up and looks quite nice.

Threads crossed hatched.

Synthetic wool used in different ways.

I also made some wool flowers but they are in the studio so will post later.

Keep stitching

Delia

Embelishing Machine

Hi Girls

I am quite excited as I have just purchased an embellishing machine.

Tonight I will be giving it a work out.

I brought a Janome and I know if you break a needle you have to replace the whole section but it will work with 5,4,3,2,1 needles if you have to or until you get a new set. You can now buy a set that when one breaks you can replace each needle like the other brands. That is what I will do when I have to replace the needles.

I am so happy as I got this machine for a great bargain of $299. I have viewed these machines on the Internet for $399.

The shop is Kims Sewing and Patchwork Centre

Unit 1/5 Main Drive

Warana Qld

So girls if you are thinking of buying one of these machines call in and see Kim

$299 while stock lasts.

I have been a bit busy this week but will post some pictures of last weekend retreat this weekend.

Keep stitching

Delia

Free BOM

Hi

I have found a wonderful free block of the month. Along with a lot of other lovely items you can purchase.

Until the 10th (tomorrow) there is also another quilt that is free. So if you hurry you can have it as well.

Below is the first block of the series. They are worked in hand embroidery and pencil shading. I love this work.

Go to

http://willowberrydesigns.typepad.com/

You will find Cheryl has some wonderful designs.

Keep stitching

Delia

Off to Retreat

I am off to an Art Retreat today and will be back on Sunday night. I really don't think that I will have time to come in and check my blog. I expect that we will be up all hours the two night swapping ideas and trying out new ones.

I can't get into the grove and have not even pack a thing as yet. I am thinking I may just roll my draws into the car and take it like that. I don't have to sort that way. Lazy I know or is it wise as I really have no idea what I will be doing.??

I wish you all a great weekend and remember to

Keep stitching

Delia

Stolen Quilt Tasmania Cindy Watkins

> Hi I am copying this from a scquilters site. I can not imagine how Cindy is feeling.


> I am posting this massage to let everyone know that I just had a quilt stolen from the wall at the Break O Day Quilting and embroidery Exhibition in St Helens in Tasmania.
> Needless to say I'm a bit crushed and devastated as not only have I lost a piece of art work I love but I also had a buyer for the quilt for $2500.00.
> It is a lesson hard to learn as I did have the quilt insured when it is in my shop but not for when it leaves the premises.
> The work is very unique and was in last years AP&Q AQC Challenge exhibition that travelled around Australia.
> A photo of the quilt is on my web site at www.deeppeacestudio .com.au
> It is not the best photo but it gives you a good idea what it looks like.
> The ladies at the Break O day are just as devastated as I am. I know that the quilt was in a prominent spot that would have been quite had to steal.
> All I can think to do is put it out there on the off chance that someone might see it one day and it makes it bad to me.
> Much thanks
> Cindy Watkins
> Deep Peace Studio
> Deloraine Tasmania

Easter over

Easter is over and we had a lovely one. Sunday spent at my sister's with family. A good day with company and food.

I have just about finished the new curtains for the caravan. What a job? If I would have realized I would not have started them. Too many other things I want to do.

Speaking of food. I found this recipe for home made condensed milk. I don't think I will ever buy it again as this tastes as good as the tin one. I make a jelly slice and a weekbix slice with this recipe and no on could taste the difference.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

Servings 4
Recipe Yield 2.25 cups

Ingredients
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 2/3 cups nonfat dry milk powder

(I used skim milk powder. Apparently if you use a powder sweetener it comes out just as nice).

Directions
1. Combine water, butter, sugar and milk powder in a blender and blend until thickened, 2 minutes. Store in refrigerator.

Jelly Slice

Top Layer:
1 pack raspberry gelatin
1-1/2 cups boiling water

Base:
1 pack Marie biscuits

1/4 lb. melted butter

Middle Layer:
1 can condensed milk
2 lemons, juiced
1 tbsp plain gelatin
1 cup boiling water
Dissolve raspberry gelatin in water. Let cool. Crush Marie biscuits and mix together with butter, press into a 9x9" glass baking pan and put in fridge until set (5-10 minutes). Dissolve gelatin in water and add to condensed milk. Mix gently. Add to base once it is set. Put back into fridge. Once the condensed milk layer is firm, gently spoon the raspberry gelatin on top so as not to disturb the other layers. Allow to set firm in fridge, then cut into 2" squares. For best flavor, let set in fridge overnight (if you can get it to last that long!)

Weet-Bix Slice

Prep time 15 minutes or less

Ingredients:
1/2 x 410g can of condensed milk (use more if the mixture is dry)
10 to 12 crushed weetbix

125g butter
1/2 cup coconut
1 tblsp cocoa
1 cup mixed dried fruit and nuts - I used Crasins

Icing:
1 tblsp butter
1 tblsp cocoa
1.5 cups icing sugar
1-2 teaspoons boiling water
(alt. icing lemon icing)
Melt butter then add condensed milk, stir to combine.
In another bowl add rest of ingredients and mix well. Pour over butter mixture and combine well. Press into slice tin lined with baking paper.
Combine all icing ingredients together and spread over the slice. Refrigerate.

Keep stitching

Delia

Quilting Truckies

I thought this was so lovely and worth posting incase you have not seen it before.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704896104575139990857438962.html?mod=rss_Today%27s_Most_Popular

These men are doing wonderful work.

Keep stitching

Delia

My sewing yesterday

Today I thread painted the parrot but I am now thinking I did too much work on him. I think I will put him on this piece of sun dried fabric.



Sample of the free embroidery using the old Universal machine.

The light one is the front and the black the back of the sample. I am very pleased with the old machine and today it received an oil. My gosh is it going a lot better. Instead of sounding like a chaff cutter it is puring. I will still take it for a service after Easter.
Today I am planning on finishing my Seminole (a class from learningfa) and then start on the new curtains for the caravan.

This will be the first time in many years we are not going away for Easter as it is far to wet where we camp.
I am going to really enjoy being home and Sew Sew Sew.
Keep stitching
Delia