Sunday, October 28, 2012

Frustration


I have had my longarm machine for about five years now
and I am totally addicted, my passion for quilting has taken
me interstate ( within Australia) and overseas (Houston).
I have met some fabulous people and had some classes
with amazing teachers.

At times I have found it frustrating to say the least, doubting myself 
and thinking I am never going to master this.
I did feel at times that there was a resistance with my
 machine around the middle of the table, but just put it
down to imagining things, and needing more practice. I also felt that I could never
get the precise finish I wanted and backtracking on
the exact line..........well forget it  !!

Luckily I was explaining this to Tracey from
Constatine Quilts and she immediately said its your wheels and that 
I should try the M&M Wheels. So I thought
why not!!

All I can say is AMAZING!!!
These wheels have made such a difference and
backtracking has become a breeze. Milly and I
are now besties again whoo hoo!!

I know I am rambling on but my point is
don't doubt yourself and ask questions, I should of
asked these questions earlier and I may have solved 
this problem years ago.

I am one happy little vegimite right now!!
 thanks Tracey     :)

Happy Quilting

Mandy











Friday, October 26, 2012

Bloggers Quilt Festival and Babies


Baby quilts seem to be the flavour in my world at the moment, I have been working
on this one for a while now and am happy to say its finished ..........yay!!!


I was asked to make this quilt for a friend of a friend


I couldn't resist the car theme being it's a boy, I love raw edge applique and couldn't resist
adding this to the quilt, combined with my love of
long-arm quilting, I went to town.



 The most fun I had was the quilting , I loved doing the swirls in the small
blue border and feathering in the strips and outer borders. But most of all
I really enjoyed doing the pebbles, there is something hypnotic about
the same thing over and over I found it very relaxing.............crazy I know!!!


I have joined Amy and many others in the Fall 2012 - Bloggers Quilt Festival 
go on over and check out all the beautiful quilts. I am sure you
will be enthralled by the amazing and talented ladies out there
in blogland.

Quilt Measurements: 35" x 35"
Special Techniques used: Raw Edge Applique
Quilted by: Mandy (Me)
Best Category:  Baby Quilt or Applique Quilt

But the most exciting news I have is that my daughter (Kym) is expecting her 
first baby in March 2013, we are all very excited. So you guessed it
I am busy making baby bits and pieces. Something is definitley happening in this part of
town, as I know of about seven babies, all due around the same time.  So
it's time for me to hit the machine and get busy.

Happy Quilting
Mandy


Monday, October 8, 2012

AMQF


I was lucky enough to attend AMQF a week ago and take some classes with
some of the well known longarmers, Renae Haddidin, Vicki Jenkins and
Myrna Ficken, I had the best time and learnt a few tricks of
the trade.

Not to mention the Ricky Tims Seminar, which was an 
all day seminar, Ricky is an inspiration and a very talented textile artist and musician.

His approach to quilting  is very relaxed, his " if it feels right 
then do it" attitude is very refreshing, it cetainly has opened up my
eyes and made me think outside the box.

Anita, Karen and myself with Ricky a highlight of our trip.

The girls and I also realised we have known each other now for five years,
with one trip to Sydney and three trips to Adelaide and one to Houston, we have
done a lot together and supported each other in our quilting journies.
Thanks guys for your friendship and many more quilty adventures.

Now I didn't get many photos as I was in class a fair bit
but these are a few quilting photos I liked.

 
Myrna Ficken


Renae Haddidin
This one I love and basically came from a stencil and has
just  been filled in with background fillers, I may have
to have a go at something similar, so many ideas and
inspiration.

Renae Haddidin

AMQF was fabulous, if you get a chance to go it's definitley
worth the trip.

Have fun  

Mandy