Red Brolly

1000 Cranes for Peace

Look at this gorgeous quilt by Australian quilt designer, Margaret Rolfe. Stunning isn't it?

Such a beautiful display of Japanese fabrics...and I'm not even going to talk about the skill involved in piecing this together. I think we all know how difficult it would be.

In Japan, the crane has become a symbol for peace, due to the story of Sadako and the 1000 paper cranes. A story of a Japanese girl, suffering from leukemia as a result of radiation fallout from the dropping of the nuclear bomb.  She was told of a Japanese legend that claims that anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes, they will be granted one wish. Sadly, she didn't get to make her wish.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, the Australasian Quilt Convention is currently running a charity Quilt Challenge to create 1000 quilts featuring a crane on each quilt for victims of domestic violence.

This fundraising event has massive industry support for a cause which I hope no one has had to go through.

Want to know how you can help support such a special cause?

All you need to do is to create a quilt or a block that contains a crane in it somewhere! Either within the fabric, patch-worked, appliquéd, embroidered, stamped, painted...you get the idea. Individuals or groups can participate. To find out more about the rules, you can read them here.

But guess what? By participating in such a worthwhile charity challenge, you can also win!! By entering, you go in the draw to win one of the latest sewing machines from leading quilting companies, each valued between $2500 and $3000. There's $25,000 worth of machines to be won.

Now, you haven't got much longer. The prizes are drawn at the AQC in May. To find out more details or to register, you can read all about it here.

Happy Quilting...and let me know how you go!

Bronwyn...

 

 

Red and White Quilts- A video!!

I know that I've just blogged about this Red and White quilt exhibition in New York at the moment; "Infinite Variety-Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts". But, I just found this video of the quilts and thought that I would share it with you...hopefully, if I can get the technical stuff right. Since, for the majority of us, we can't be there, I thought you might appreciate this video.

These quilts are just amazing and I hope that you are enjoying them as much as I am.

Can you believe that one person has collected 650 quilts from 3 centuries.

Such a beautiful collection isn't it?

 

Bronwyn..

Three centuries of Red and White Quilts

  All photos are courtesy of American Folk Art Museum

Aren' t these absolutely stunning?

If you are lucky enough to live in New York, then you should try and get to the Park Avenue Armory at the American Folk Art Museum and see the "Infinite Variety:Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts" exhibition.

It opens today and goes until March 30...and the best bit...as a gift to the public, it's free!!!

With an awe-inspiring array of 650 one-of-a-kind red and white American quilts on exhibition, it's an absolute must. The quilts are on loan and belong to the private collection of Joanna Rose. It is the largest quilt exhibition to be held in New York.

I would just love to wander through the exhibiton and view 300 years of sewing history.

The quilt designs, which show beautiful examples of hand-piecing or applique, will hang in spirals from the ceiling so that fronts and backs of the quilts can be viewed. The designs range from geometric to fanciful florals, and span 3 centuries of quilt craftmanship and artistry!!

Just amazing what these, predominantly women, created by hand.

 

For the rest of us we'll just have to make do with the photos...fingers crossed they'll do a book!

Bronwyn...

 

Chubby and Charming.

  Love the name of this bag!  The Chubby Charmer!  Here's the Girls in a bag from Needleworx.(www.needleworx.com.au).

 

And here are the Girls- Up close!

 

 

  What a cute bag!

  Talking of bags- Here's another really cute bag -from Rosalie. She's used the Large Gingham Girls Carryall Pattern- with some stunning fabrics in blues.

I've been meaning to put it up on the Blog for a while- but keep running out of time!

 

   Isn't it gorgeous?

Rosalie made this as a Kris Kringle gift for her friend Elizabeth who loves the colour blue.

  Lucky Elizabeth!

 

IT"S BUNNY TIME!

       Here's a gorgeous free project to get you all ready for Easter!

  Project from the front.......

 

From above .......

  A close up view of sewing on the handle ......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A side view ......

  Can you guess what the project is??

  Of course!   You're right- It's a Googy Bag   (For Easter Googy Eggs!)

 

Finished bag size is 7" wide x 6-1/2" high.
      Have fun- make heaps and fill them with lots of eggs for friends and family!

Problems- email me:

            bronwyn@red-brolly.com.au

 

  For more projects like this- Try the Red Brolly book "Tea with Friends".

 

                                   Bronwyn ...

 

 

Sew and Tell...

Yes! Another fantastic Sew and Tell from one of you! A sneaky peek into the world of all you lovely sewers. As I've been telling you, a magazine which I subscribe to is "Where Women create." I really look forward to receiving my magazine in the post, as I get to "oooh" and "aaah" at all these creative people and their lovely spaces they use to inspire and create in.

Today meet Anorina, though you may know her in the stitching circles and blogs as "Samelias mum," a self confessed quilt-a-holic. What is amazing and fantastic about Anorina, is that she's taught herself to sew through You-tube videos, blogs and on-line tutorials! Here's a look into her creative world...

What made you start quilting/stitching?

"As a mum of 2 young children, and needing some “me” time, I first went to a craft group at a local church. It was meant to be a creative outlet and a place to socialize with other crafty women, but before long I was hooked. I learnt how to make quilts through much trial and error. I’m more confident now, but by no means an expert."

Where do you create?

"My creative work space was once hubby’s study but I decided I had a better use for it!  Most of my work is done when kids are at school and in the evenings."

What inspires you?

"I draw my inspiration from the wonderful fabrics that I find, magazines and the fantastic online crafty community. I’m now a member of an online craft forum and have made many wonderful friends there to talk “craft”. Everybody is supportive of my quilting but my three year old daughter is my biggest fan and asks if everything I make is for her (unfortunately not)."

What about your blog name? 

"The name “Samelia’s Mum”, it is the name of my 2 children, smooshed together."

Want to know more? Has she got a blog?

You bet, you can read about her here www.sameliasmum.com

AND...a gorgeous etsy shop, of course, where you can look at here lovely goodies.

"A creative mess is better than tidy idleness."

Are you curious about the craft forum that she chats in, well, log in here.... http://ourcraftforum.freeforums.org/index.php

 

What's in store for you now?

"I’ve just finished a quilt called Wonkalicious which was lot’s of fun to make. I love making kids quilts because I get to play with lot’s of bright fun fabrics. I make custom quilts and am always looking for a challenge.

I also participate in a number or swaps and one of our swap themes was ‘Bronwyn Hayes’ where I made the “True Friends and Simple Pleasures” cushion."

Aren't you just jealous that she has a whole room?? And did you see all those gorgeous fabrics and magazines?

Sneaky aren't we?

If you would like to be features for "Sew and Tell" please contact me and I'll let you know the details.

A BIG thanks again to Anorina!

Bronwyn...

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED .....

  I was in the Cat Shop the other day- Brutus gave me a long list of what he needed:

   Two large bottles of Pickled Herrings

   One Large Jar of Sugar coated Mice (these are expensive)

   24 tins of Herrings in jelly

   46 tins of Lizards in dill sauce

   Chicken Liver pate

   Two Jars of Pickled Mice.

  I was struggling to lift them all.....

  When a voice behind me said......

  "Is all that for Brutus??"

  Well - imagine my surprise!! I nearly dropped the lot!  A Brutus Fan!

 Of course, when I got home I HAD to tell Brutus about how famous he's getting.

  He was very pleased.

Just a minute- I can hear the patter of little feet??

 

 Oh! Oh! I have this funny feeling.....     

   ... and on my sewing!!

 

 

It's Showtime!

The Girls are so excited, they're off to their first quilting and craft show! The first show for the year! They've been looking forward to this and have been out shopping (of course) and have bought themselves new ensembles for the occaison, new shoes were required too, of course!!!

So, I just love going to the shows and meeting everyone and having a look at what everyone has been doing and creating, with lots of "ooohing" and "aaahing" going on!

Sunlit by Carole Taylor

Quilt by John Flynn

I thought that I would do a quick update on the up and coming quilting and craft Expo's, both here in Australia, as well as some internationally.

Anne's Legacy by Di Ford

On this weekend (and I know I'm a little late in telling you) in Sydney, is the Craft Expo held at Rosehill Racecourse. It's been running since Thursday, and will finish tomorrow. So, pop along if you get a chance. The girls will be thrilled to see you all. The Craft Expo then goes to Brisbane on the 24-27 March and then Townsville, Newcastle and Melbourne later in the year.

Golden Afternnons by Ruth de Vos

Also coming up is the Australasian Quilt Convention on April 14-17 in Melbourne, which is just a must to visit if you ever get the chance!

Internationally, our neighbours in New Zealand have their Craft Expo on in Auckland from the 17-20 March.  
1000 Cranes for Peace

Up and coming craft Expos in America include; the American Quilter's Society show in Pennsylvannia from the 16-19 March and the International Quilt Festival in Cincinatti on the 8-10 April.

Over in Europe is the Stitch and Craft show in London on the 17-20 March and the  Stitch and Creative Craft Show in Belfast from 14-16 April.

 

Happy Stitching everyone. Hope you can get to one of these shows and be inspired!

 

Bronwyn...

The girls and I are off for a picnic.

The Lipgloss girls have been busy promoting their purses and bags and they felt that they needed the weekend off. What would you like to do I asked them?

Well, the girls suggested that we grab some cheese, some fresh bread, some wine, some quiches and a gorgeous roast pumpkin salad and go for a picnic! Great, I thought. So the girls and I packed everything into the car and off we went. After driving for a couple of hours, the girls shrieked "STOP!" We had found the perfect place for a lovely Sunday picnic.

So, I thought that I would share these photos of our tranquil picnic spot at Carrington Falls, in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

 

Hope you all have a great weekend!

 

Bronwyn...

 

Mmmm...Pancakes...

Pancake Day in our house has evolved and taken many forms over the years.

Pancake Day celebrations changed as the children grew, until we celebrated Pancake Day with a fantastic array of races and games.

But did you know that Pancake Day traditionally involved races? In the UK, Pancake Day races are held throughout the villages and towns. The most famous is held in the English town of Olney in Buckinghamshire.

The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from Olney was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing to signify the start of the public holiday in England. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake!

Photo from www.wilsonsalmanac.com

Apparently it is still  a common festive tradition in the UK . The pancake race involves participants racing through the streets whilst tossing pancakes into the air, catching them in the pan whilst running.This famous Pancake race in Olney has been held since 1445, where contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race to the finishing line tossing pancakes as they go. The winner is the first to cross the line having tossed the pancake a certain number of times!!!

Nowdays, in our house, pancake day involves the eating of large amounts of "Poffertjes" or Dutch pancakes, due to the addition of a Dutchman to the family.  They are so little it's very easy to consume too many!!!

Poffertjes cooking in the pan.

 

Turning the pofferjtes with my little helper.

 

Do you have this problem of not knowing when to stop? How do you celebrate Pancake Day? Do you do anything special?

Hmmm, I'm off to recover with a cup of tea and a new stitching design to complete. Brutus has disappeared to the sunny spot on the couch.

Bronwyn...