Elm Grove Patchwork

Wipe the slate clean in 2014

I've been thinking about the commitment to finish a project in 2014. Toward the end of last year I started making the Morrell Quilt by Di Ford.

The Morrell Quilt by Di Ford

Sadly, my progress has been slow. Only one completed block,

and another still in pieces.

So I have made the commitment to work on this quilt and have it finished by the end of the year. It is not a small quilt, 61 blocks in total, with the finished size 86 inches square.  At the end of each month I will drop in here and show you what I have achieved for the month. If you would like to commit to a project and wipe your slate clean in 2014, drop me a line and I will include your progress in my monthly updates. It is amazing what you can achieve when you have a goal each month.

Lenora x.

Show and Tell: The Farmers Wife

One of the best things about working in a quilt shop, is hearing the front door open. You never quite know what it is going to bring. Today it was a visit from Heather and some of her friends. Heather has been diligently working on The Farmers Wife quilt. She started making the blocks in August, and today she came to purchase some fabric for the border. 

Take a look at some of her beautiful (all hand-pieced) blocks.

And here is the completed top.

Heather, it is amazing and thanks so much for letting me share it. It is so inspiring to see what can be achieved with a little commitment and perseverance. 

 

So what is on your to-do-list?

What have you committed to achieve this year?

Hmmm, my brain is thinking.......(this might be going somewhere.........or it might be heat stress).....but I have an idea........

Would you be interested in publicly committing to complete a project, any project you have on your to-do-list by the end of this year? Each month you could send me a picture of your progress, and I will post it here. What do you think? It could be fun, and it could mean that a project you have dreamt about is no longer a dream. And you could rid yourself of that guilt you feel each time you rediscover that bundle of fabric you have placed aside for that special project. 

OK, leave it with me. But if this sounds like fun leave me a comment or shoot me through an email. I will work out some finer details...there wont be many, and I'll post about it in a day or two. If you have any ideas of what we can call the 'group' let me know. Now don't be shy, the more the merrier.

Lenora x.

Click Go The Shears

Before.

During.

After.

And I have three of the most beautiful bags of wool you could imagine. Gee I love these boys!

A New Year Ticks Over.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas, and I hope you are enjoying this new year. I do love the start of a new year. Fresh promises and resolutions, and a great time to set new goals. With our eldest child Amy entering the 'workforce' with a school based apprenticeship fulfilling her dream of being a pastry chef, I am once again jolted with the reality of how quickly the years pass by. 

I have spent the past two weeks at home with the children, having a lovely break and catching up on some of the jobs that have been neglected over the past few months. There has been gardening, house cleaning, farming jobs and also lots of rest. We have been having the odd picnic tea at our out paddock, 

this little fellow seemed quite amused at such a gathering.

A much needed clean out in my sewing room prompted me to have a go at Jodie's Rag Rug. 

This is my first attempt. I thought it was going quite well, but my tension was too loose, and it was quickly converted into a pad for hot saucepans to rest on. My second effort is proving much better, 

although the tighter tension is slowing the growth considerably.

I have been working on some fresh samples for the shop,

and Anni has sent through a quick pattern so I can make a start on Gossip In the Garden.

(Full details will be available soon)

The shop is open again tomorrow, same place, same hours. If you are interested in taking a trip along The Great Ocean Road I would love to see you. 

Lenora x.