Spring has definitely come. It was a slow start... meaning I felt it was cooler than usual. But yesterday we got all the windows washed and then put down the external window shades. I even slept in this morning!

I now have nice clean windows for a couple of days until the frogs decide they need to climb them again.

My shopping list is written, my bags are on the floor and I am getting ready for my Houston quilting trip!
The others in the group may be going as tourists, but I am tripping/shopping to find all things longarm.

One heavy bag will still be cheaper than all the little postage for parcels.

Bargello's with Toowoomba Quilters

On Saturday some of the quilters from Toowoomba learnt how to draft, design and sew their own Bargello Quilt top. They also learnt that it is easier to make one without twists or crossovers for their first try!

Here are two of the tops that I had sewn as samples. Not quilted as I need some tops to practise what I learn at Houston on!

Toowoomba Quilters Club Inc Show

During the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, our local quilt club held their annual show. We had over 200 items displayed this year and more than 1500 visitors over the seven days the display was open.

Head on over to their blog to see some photos of the quilts and fine arts.

Last Beach house photo

This picture did not want to attach to the previous post. This is the beach complete with cricket stumps and a whale!

The Beach House Quilts

My sister let my husband and I stay at her beach house during a hockey tournament. To repay her kindness I gave her a "boat quilt".

As her children were my yongest nieces and nephews at the time I decided to make them a quilt also along the beach theme. I had them draw pictures of what the beach was to them. They were 4 and 6 at the time. I then used their drawings to make edge applique pictures to put on their quilts. One represents the lighthouse and the steps up to their unit. The other the beach and the games they played.

As my mum would often stay with them I also made her a quilt with fabrics that were left over from the other three quilts. They all have the same fabrics in the borders.