A Winter Project?
January 30, 2009
We're in the middle of a heatwave here in Victoria, Australia, at present and it's a doosie! As most of you know the work for magazines has to be designed and stitched about six months ahead of getting that magzine in your hands. This means stitching Winter projects in Summer.
So yesterday found me finishing off some quilting and adding the binding to a Winter project for Homespun magazine! I can tell you there is no way to quilt or bind comfortably without having a quilt laying on your body! LOL. I just kept thinking about those of you over in the USA who are having the opposite of our extreme weather in those freezing conditions, especially in the Ohio area.
It's so hot here that the power companies have been turning off the power to prevent a huge breakdown of the system. So that means that there's no computer (hence why I'm doing my blog entry very early today in case I'm one of the areas that gets turned off), no sewing machine, and no lights in the studio. Good chance to catch up on that stack of quilting magazines! So as I promised, a little more information on the 'Breast of Friends' quilt in the current issue of Homespun:
I was pretty thrilled to be asked to participate in this project along with Rosalie Quinlan, Anni Downs, Bronwyn Hayes, Natalie Lymer, Amanda Browning, Lynette Anderson-O'Rourke, Natalie Bird, June Gilchrist, and Belinda Betts.
It's pretty exciting that the original quilt will be auctioned by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, hopefully in Pink Ribbon Month this year. I will keep you updated. Even though the completed quilt can't be revealed yet I am sure you'll love the finished project. Maybe it will become a piece of history in Australia's Quilting story. Each block is signed by the designer that designed and stitched that block/s:
A few of you have asked about the fabrics used in the quilt. They are 'In the Pink' (the second range) by J. Leutenegger Pty. Ltd. (mixed in with a few fabrics from each designers personal stash). I know there has been a degree of difficulty in getting hold of them but you can try 'Patchwork with Gail B.' as they have been trying very hard to get all the fabrics for this quilt together. They are one of my local shops and can be contacted at [email protected] or on (03) 9729 3635 and are located at 202 Canterbury Road Bayswater in Victoria.
Anyway back to my quilt washing day! The best thing about a 43 degree day!
Leanne Beasley xxx
P.S. Have a peek at Missymack's blog (27th January) to see her version of the 'Breast of Friends' quilt in divine blues and creams. It's also appliqued with blanket stitch and looks just lovely - you'll be inspired.
P.P.S. If you need a kit or would like to join a class for the quilt (if you live in Tasmania) have a look at Calico Crossroads, blog and shop. Lots of information there.
I just love your patterns. I am on the last block of Journey of a Quilter and have just found the new couch companion pattern. Thank you for such lovely designs!
Posted by: Kim Howe | March 23, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I love the doiley, 'Sweet Christmas Dreams'! It is absolutely beautiful. It reminds me of the handiwork my dear grandmother from Norway used to have around her home which I have such fond and dear memories of visiting. I joined a Redwork club in my small Idaho town and work on projects such as these to remind me of her. Christmas was always a special time with holiday decorations being homemade and exquisite such as this doiley. Now with the passing of my mother last November, I find myself searching for needlework such as this. Thanks for sharing your beautiful talent.
Posted by: Rebecca Layton | March 20, 2009 at 09:17 AM
i m really enjoying these comments. lolz.
Posted by: breast enhancement | February 18, 2009 at 05:39 AM
Hey Leanne! Maybe you need to come to Toowoomba to stitch your winter project - we've had overcast weather as a result of the cyclone up north and temps have been in the low to mid 20's - what happened to my summer?!?! :0) And I love your block for the Breast of Friends quilt - a friend from OS has asked me to send her a copy too!! It's now on my list of things to do!! Bear Hugs! KRIS
Posted by: Kris Meares (Tag Along Teddies) | February 02, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Hi Leanne, I love your work! I was wondering, what kind of thread did you use for the quilting? The white trhread doesn't look like the 'normal' quilting thread.
Your weather conditions are an item on our Dutch news! Imagining us having had the coldest January since 10 years.
Have a nice day! Simone
Posted by: simone de klerk | February 02, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Hi Leanne, whilst I was doing the fabric frolic last week I noticed that foothills did infact have some the fabric used in the Homespun BOM. Not sure if they have any left now. My girlfriend, my sister in law and myself are all going to do it and look forward to receiving our next issue to get the next lot of blocks.
Posted by: Kim Wilson-Hartrick | February 02, 2009 at 07:42 PM
italian quilt contest, unbelieveble pics before contest time line
http://picasaweb.google.it/dreamquilter1/ItalianInternationalQuiltContest2009PrimaveraENellAria#
Posted by: dreamquilter | February 02, 2009 at 01:05 AM
Hi Leanne, Looking forward to seeing your winter project in Homespun
Posted by: Stella Whittingham | February 01, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Svish svush... Some cooling air has been sent your way! Can you feel it?
Love what I see... I think I need to subscribe to Homespun, there's too many lovely projects inside!
And the Breast of Friends quilt is gorgeous!
Posted by: May Kristin | January 31, 2009 at 06:49 AM
I love the lettering on the quilt block! All the quilts I've seen that you have done, Leanne, somewhere on them has the same unique lettering. Can anyone who purchases this pattern end up with lettering that looks that nice? Have you ever posted on your lettering? I would be interested in how you do it.
Posted by: Deb | January 31, 2009 at 01:53 AM
Hi Leanne,
I'm also doing the BOM with the Vicki and Sam and a few other girls on the Homespun forum.I'm using pinks,browns and peach and soft greens for mine and also blanket stitching the applique.I'm absolutely loving the blocks.
I've had the power turned off twice in two days for around 4 hours each time.Did not find this amusing at all in this heat.Keep up the great work.Barb
Posted by: Barbara Graham | January 30, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Can't imagine such heat. When I lived in Chile we had power outages every day due to a drought and a shortage in electriciy. I remember sitting in a pitch black room and still teaching an English class! It made for some fun lessons.
Posted by: Tacha | January 30, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Can’t imagine the heat overthere! Good luck with staying cool!
We‘re having night-frost and lovely sunny days... for now!
I love Missymack’s blue version of the BOM!!
Posted by: nicolette | January 30, 2009 at 09:51 PM
Hi Leanne and I am loving this BOM from Homespun also. There is a few of us who are doing the BOM now and we are all discussing this on the Homespun forum. I am doing it in the pink tones and am loving seeing it in the different colours like Sam's. Cant wait for next months Homespun magazine for the next blocks. Thanks for your lovely block and I can imagine how thrilled you were to be asked to be a part of this fabulous BOM.
I look forward to your winter project in the magazine too.
Posted by: Vicki | January 30, 2009 at 08:26 PM
You sure have it warm now... wow!!!It must be reall odd sitting and thinking of winter and have it like that... but maybe its a good thing...it might cool you off some...:o)
Otherwise just take a trip to the freezer... stick in your head...and thats how it is at my place...lol... I sure could need some sun and warm days... ;o)
Leanne.. I just love your little winter peeks... :o)
Posted by: Stina | January 30, 2009 at 06:39 PM
This BOM looks so great. THink I have to look for this magazine (order from australia) because there is not possible to get it in Norway.
Hugs.
Posted by: May Britt | January 30, 2009 at 05:40 PM
Hi Leanne! Thank you for the link to my blog- was a nice suprise! I really enjoyed stitching your block, even in this shocking heat. It's currently 44.7 here (yarra valley) and our air conditioner isn't coping. Am hoping our power doesn't go out either!
The winter quilt looks gorgeous! Can't wait to see it finished!
Posted by: Sam | January 30, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Down Under you're all sweltering and we're freezing up here in the USA. The bitter cold has left us with some slightly warmer temps but we've been hard hit with ice and snow. Maybe somewhere, someone is having the middle-ground weather that's not too hot, not too cold.
Your project looks so lovely.
Posted by: Connie W | January 30, 2009 at 03:51 PM
The Breast of Friendship quilt is going to be gorgeous!! I have my kit ready to go and will start as soon as I finish another block for another BOM I am doing. Pauline from Calico Crossroads http://calicocrossroads.blogspot.com/ is selling the kits if your readers want to know and they are the same fabrics!
x Sarah
Posted by: SarahF | January 30, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Hi Leanne, I felt sure it would be cooler where you live in the hills....Its 43-44 here and its not nice. Love the Breast of Friends quilt, with all you great designers involved it will be fabulous. Look forward to this "Winter" project, the colours are gorgeous.
Posted by: Sheryl | January 30, 2009 at 02:45 PM
It looks lovely!
Posted by: Pat | January 30, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Leanne, I wish we could have some of your heat! I am definitely not a winter person, but I sure live in a place where we get it pretty bad. I would love to know what is the issue of the Australian Homespun Magazine that it will be in?? I would love to get a copy when it comes out. I know I would have to order it online, because book resellers here do not stock that magazine.
Posted by: Jackie | January 30, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Can you tell me what thread you use to quilt you items? I have not done any for many years and do not remember what I used back then.
Love your blog.
Posted by: Tudy | January 30, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Hi Leanne! How crazy is the weather? Hope you're not melting away down there. The council men are watering the bitumen up here to cool it down. The tar is literally melting & flowing down the gutters!! Congratulations on the Breast of Friends quilt. It will truly be something very special. I love your birds & swirls block. Stay cool & hoping for you that you don't lose your power. Best wishes, Ros.
Posted by: Bloom | January 30, 2009 at 09:50 AM