Ros Ward

SotAq11 Exhibition

2011-06-13T03:56:00.003+09:30

Had a wonderful time at the Textile Art Festival for 2 days looking after our State of the Art quilt 11 (SotAq11) exhibition.

Some great comments from the viewers, all very positive and enthusiastic.

A big thank you to Sue Dennis for sharing her expertise with the new committee members on set up day and for this photo of the workers.

SotAq11 Entries

2011-03-25T06:26:00.000+09:30

Good news this week, my 2 entries were both selected for State of the Art quilt11, a juried exhibition by Queensland Quilters Art Quilters.
Here is a close up detail picture of each one. You'll have to come to the Textile Art Festival in Brisbane in June to see all of the exhibition in detail.
This is Up Close 3, from a photo I took then altered using a computer program.

This is Quilted Doodle, I've been collecting some of the doodling I do as I'm talking on the phone and this is the first one I've made into a quilt.

Lots to Do

2011-02-28T07:06:00.000+09:30

I have a lot to do today and have decided to do it all day -
this came in the mail on Friday and I've been occupied since it arrived, managed to open it and read the covers but today I have the time to look, they were on special so I ordered 4 in one hit, only 3 arrived but I'm sure the back order one will be here by the tine I'v watched all these.

Flowering Tree

2010-02-15T07:57:00.001+09:30

This pic is for those who like orange, its blooming lovely for the first time thanks to all the rain in Qld this summer.

State of the Art quilt10 Entry

2010-02-13T09:23:00.007+09:30

My 'Up Close 2' piece was juried into 'SotAq10' a Queensland Quilters Art Quilts exhibition which has its first showing at the Australian Quilt Convention in Melbourn in April. Then in Qld at Textile Art Festival June 25-27 and Boonah Art Gallery August 27- October 3.

The quilt is on the left and the original photo and altered photo on the right.

On Holiday

2009-12-22T14:03:00.002+09:30

Facinated by the colour in the gum trees as we've travelled down from Queensland.

Xmas Trees

2009-12-11T07:12:00.002+09:30

Some of the ladies from my patchwork group made Christmas trees this week. They used ----- 4 wire coathanger, some tinsel, a star, a few baubles and a glue gun. pictured are Faye, Karen Pearl (who showed what to do) Carol and Lyn.

Quilting for a Friend

2009-12-11T06:48:00.003+09:30

My friend Allyson has been making quilts for family members, truly sewing up a storm. This is one of the quilts that I've quilted for her, its lovely and the little girl who's going to get it will love it I'm sure.

Christmas Present Fabric

2009-12-11T06:45:00.002+09:30

I got a lovely pack of fabric from my Santa Buddy on the sewing weekend and was thrilled with the colours and made up this table runner.

Great Weekend

2009-12-11T06:36:00.005+09:30

A group of friends go away for sewing weekends and at Christmas time we always swap Christmas themed pot mits. This is us showing off our wares......

Sound of Music

2009-11-22T09:19:00.006+09:30

Went along to the Sing along Sound of Music with a group of patchwork friends and we had a great night. For a group of people who do patchwork we did an amazing job of our costumes - Brown Paper Packages tied up with String - not a stitch in sight. That's me on the left with my friend Chris, and the whole group up on the stage.

Christmas Angels

2009-11-16T09:58:00.003+09:30

I've made some little Angels for Christmas Decorating. We'll be on the road travelling to Melbourne so they will be going with us to decorate the car. No decorating at home this year as we'll be away for the best part of the Holiday Season.

Shibori Workshop

2009-10-26T13:30:00.003+09:30

A great weekend at Boonah with quilting friends and while there Allyson and I did a Shibori Dying Workshop with Ankie King. A great day with lots of new fabrics to play with.

2009-10-26T13:16:00.004+09:30

Greenbank Quilters News

Lucy's winning Quilt

Our friend Lucy made this quilt and won a prize in the Mt Gravatt show.

Congratulation Lucy.

Big O birthdays are important in our group and we make the special person a quilt. This month was Ann's special birthday with an O in it and this is the quilt we made her. She's looking like she likes it.

2009-10-26T13:07:00.004+09:30

Ochre Pits

Wouldn't I have loved to take some Ochre home with me to play on Fabric. The $5,000 fine made me think about it for a short time only. Historically an amazing place to visit, out along the West Macdonnell ranges where Aboriginals have been getting and trading Ochre for many many years. I love standing in places thinking about the people who have been there for hundreds of years before me.

2009-10-26T12:37:00.004+09:30

Holiday Snaps

I've had way to long a break from Blogging, now I have to do some catching up. Enjoy!

After a great holiday drive up the Oodnadatta track we arrived at Oodnadatta where I took this picture of a fantastic old door. Which was found on this building -

2009-05-01T20:08:00.024+09:30

Playing with Photos

The above quilt in the State of the Art quilt 09 exhibition which is about to go on show during the first Expertise Events, Textile Festival being held in Brisbane in May.

I played with a photo in Paint Shop Pro, cropped the photo, changed the colours, printed it out using poster print 3 x 3, then used the poster as my pattern and traced pieces I wanted to use.

Now I'm playing with another photo, currently changing colours and seeing which I like. So far I'm not thrilled with any of them but thought you'd like to see what's happening so far.

This is one of the photos cropped further and I don't mind this one.
Let me know which one you like.

2009-05-01T18:01:00.008+09:30

New Owl

Yesterday I posted an owl from my collection to another collector who lost all of hers in the Victorian Fires. It was difficult picking one of the family to send away but I did it and I really hope she likes him and he likes her.

Then today as I had fun op shopping with a friend we called in to an Antique shop and I found this little gem made in the 1960s. One went flying away and one came flying (not quite) home.

2009-04-15T19:24:00.001+09:30

When your friend loves pink shoes and it's her turn to get a birthday quilt you gather your friends, buy some bright fabric and make her a shoe quilt.

2009-04-14T16:00:00.006+09:30

Australian Newzealand Art Quilters display at Quiltfest on the Goldcoast, Queensland.

I belong to the online group for quilt artists that live in Australia or New Zealand, or are citizens of these countries, living elsewhere.

It was a thrill to see the display of their journal quilts while I was at the Goldcoast with the SotAq09 exhibition.

Well done girls, great work this year and of course they are all being busy making this years journals.

2009-03-31T16:04:00.003+09:30

An article about my involvement in the State of the Art quilt 09 on display at Craftest on the Goldcoast was in the local paper this week and I was thrilled with the job they did.

The quilt in the background is the new piece I am working on - guess there's no keeping it to myself. The photographer liked it as a background.

The exhibition is now over and was a great success and is on its way to Townsville for display at Craftfest on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th of April.

This is my piece from the exhibition.

I took a photo of a pot plant, cropped the photo then played with the colours using Paint Shop Pro, experimenting with the programm not planning to turn it into a quilt. Then I had a thought, very dangerous sometimes.

I copied the photo into a work doc then printed a black and white photo, (using 3x3 in page layout) which then became my pattern. The outlines were highlighted with black marking pen, I then traced pieces using fusible webbing and ironed them to selected fabrics.

This was a fun project, different from anything I've done before and I'd like to do another one and experiment more.

2009-03-19T10:34:00.003+09:30

Dyeing Workshop

these photos were taken last month during a workshop I ran for Queensland Quilters. I love watching colour emerge amidst a bundle of plain white fabric, and enjoy the excitement people show when they see what they've done.

The pieces in this photo are low water immersion, paint with dye and experimenting with different utensils to apply dye with fabric flat on the table.

It was a fun day and there were 2 very welcome men in the group.

2009-03-17T09:40:00.001+09:30

One of several quilts I'm working on to send off to the Bushfire people. This is helping clean out my stash and will hopefully make someone feel good.

2009-03-11T08:14:00.002+09:30

My Friend Dot needs 1 mtr of this fabric to finish her quilt.

Any help will be gratefully recieved.

2009-01-10T15:11:00.007+09:30

New Bags

I've been busy making bags for sale and plan to take them to a local shop to sell on my behalf.

I even thought of going to the markets and having a fun day occasionally, with a stall and some time out in the sun. The pattern for one of these bags sold well and I'm hoping to have some luck and sell a few.

Might try a once a month thing, I did try marketing once before (not with bags) but only made enough money to pay for my stall and buy lunch. therefore I'm not altogether sure if it would be a good idea.

there are also a couple of notebooks that have been covered that will be up for sale. I gave these as Christmas presents to friends and they were very much appreciated.

2008-10-25T05:31:00.005+09:30

Qld Quilt Show

It was a thrill to get a phone call 10 days ago inviting me to the presentation morning as I'd won a prize. What a long wait that was and I was full of excitement like a kid waiting for their birthday or christmas.

I really love this quilt, the sky and hills were made up from little bits of fabric I dip in the dyes to check the colours are what I want. I've been saving them a log time and waiting for a project to use them in.

This is the second house themes quilt I've made, the first one was put on the cover of the 2006 Down Under Quilts calendar my first big win and this one got 2nd place in the Art Category at the show.

I think I've got a series happening. Will there be a 3rd?

2008-09-16T11:14:00.008+09:30

Playing

Had a good day yesterday experimenting with fabric, paper, and paint with the company of my friend Ann.

We watched the Quilting Arts TV DVD and then tried the paper embellishing. Our glue didn't work well and when the paper dried it started to lift off. We used spray glue then to reattach the paper and once layered and stitched everything will, hopefully, stay where it belongs.

I enjoyed playing with this but as with lots of things I'm not sure if I want to do it again. I'm sure I could have reproduced something very similar using dyed fabric, or commercial fabric without making a lot of mess not to mention the extra time involved in setting up and finding everything we needed. Now I can say I've tried that and maybe one day I'll want to try it again. Did enjoy painting over everything, it was a little like playing with dye.

Ann's piece on the left and mine on the right.

2008-09-03T11:55:00.000+09:30

Travelling Quilt

I was fortunate to have a quilt selected to tour in the 'My Place' exhibition. This exhibition has 30 quilters each from Australia, New Zealand and Sth Africa and the quilts will be touring for some time.

There is a website where you can see more of the quilts in the exhibition, make yourself a coffee and enjoy.

These photos of my front door and some gum trees in the front paddock helped me design my piece.

2008-07-04T19:00:00.002+09:30

How long has it been

Its been ages since I blogged and I'm hoping I remember how its done.

I've just got back from holidaying with hubby and have seen some wonderful country travelling from Brisbane to Innamincka and back.

I have a piece of my work going into the Down Under Quilts magazines 2009 Calender. A couple of years ago I had my entry chosen for the front cover, this time I'm going to be one of the months - don't know which one yet.

I also have a piece going into the 'My Place' exhibition which is being organized in Australia by Dijanne Cevaal. There are 30 quilts each from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa making up the exhibit which will be touring for 2 years.

2008-02-01T10:24:00.000+09:30

A Couple of Challenges

This is my January Journal for the online group ANZartquilters. the chosen theme was 'Seasons' and I chose to do Autumn.

I layered a sheer fabric over a blue print that had leaves on it then free motion stitched tree branches and then added some tiny leaves and stitched them down randomly travelling over the piece.

The leaves under the sheer fabric were then free motion stitched to quilt the background.

The 2nd piece is my interpretation of a postcard that a friend brought home from Tuscany.

I wanted to be abstract in my interpretation and not do a copy of the postcard. I picked some of the main colours and shapes from the postcard to work with and just had fun free motion quilting all the pieces.

2008-01-23T12:29:00.000+09:30

Bag Kits for Sale

The complete kit for the bag is now on sale for $30 dollars, reduced from $40.

2008-01-18T07:12:00.000+09:30

Playing with Paint

I'm not a painter but have had some fun this last week learning a little more about paint and its applicaion.

This has been an interesting journey. Such a big change from the beginning of the painting to the finish, or almost finished. I think I might need a couple of small flowers in the lower left.

2007-12-05T09:17:00.000+09:30

What Fun
I had to give out a gift along with others in my Art Quilt group. What to give is always a problem for me, others seemed to know instantly what they were going to have for their parcels. While I was dyeing with a friend I suddenly thought it might be fun to play with dye and some scraps of wadding.
I also dyed string, yes string, and tied the wadding up with coloured string pieces. Everyone seemed happy with their gift (as I was with theirs) some even thought I'd been felting.

Dyed Wadding really looks lovely and I'm looking forward to playing with it some more.
I made a small bag with one of the pieces and added lots of lovely threads and some of the dyed string to decorate.

2007-12-05T09:15:00.000+09:30

Allyson's Dyeing Day

My friend had a day playing with dyes and fixed a white skirt that had picked up some colour from something else (?) in the wash.
I'm waiting for a picture of her wearing the skirt, it looked really lovely.

2007-12-05T09:05:00.000+09:30

What I've been working on

The orange dyed fabric has free motion quilting vase and flowers. Trying to do some whole cloth work just to see what happens. I think I need different threads so the stitching stands out more without me having to overstitch too much.

The stitchery has been going to quilting group with me for some time and is finally finished. Now to add a binding or turn it into a cushion, I'm leaning towards the cushion at the moment.

Tried my hand at painting with dyes, I'm not a painter but I'm quite happy with the way this turned out. Good fun doing free motion stitching to highlight.

2007-10-08T17:25:00.000+09:30

Some of my favourite photos from our trip

I haven't done a lot of work since I've been home, I think I've caught the travelling bug big time and would like to head off again.

I love the colours in the water picture, so true

of Australian landscape. A place to stop for a quiet cuppa in the middle of nowhere.

A beautiful sunset.

Doors on a tin building at Sunrise.

What could be better than 2 brolgas?

Driving down the road and finding a whole flock. sight to behold I can tell you.

2007-07-21T21:06:00.000+09:30

Playing with Photos

Original, First Play, Second Play,

Its interesting playing with photo programs its like your seeing something through different eyes

2007-07-20T23:44:00.000+09:30

Good Morning

The things you see on early morning walks.

2007-07-20T00:01:00.000+09:30

Owl Collection
I have a thing for Owls and I have a new cupboard to keep them in. This is a collection thats been over 20yrs in the making and makes it easier for friends to get me presents. I've had a few brought back from overseas holidays and there are several that my grandchildren collected from happy meals at MacDonalds.

I also have a new Owl (isn't he cute) made for me as a birthday present by a lovely friend.
She found this in a magazine and I can tell you it was a big effort for her as she's new to the patchwork thing.

The Puppy
Someone needs to tell this Puppy that he's no longer a small puppy that fits on a knee. I dont think he wants to know mind, happy where he is on my sons knee.

2007-07-19T23:46:00.000+09:30

Some Machine Applique

This piece is a larger version of the centre of my 'Florade' pattern which can be seen here. http://www.rosdye.com.au/Florade.htm

I usually use a dyed background in my work but this time wanted to see the dyed fabrics on a white background.

2007-07-19T11:25:00.000+09:30

Painting on Fabric

After a recent workshop there was some leftover dye that was made up for painting on fabric so I had a little play.

No plan, just using up colours and being very free with large brushes. The fabric was dry and hanging on a plastic covered wall.

This was an enjoyable exercise, I'm quilting this now.

Mother Sun Shines Down

Help save the

planet. The sun
may be shining

and smiling but I'm sure there is a lot of concern out there for the state of our planet.

Lets look after it and keep the sun shining.

This piece is in the early stages.

The background is another example of playing with dye and making a background. The fabric was wet, lying on plastic, the dyes applied using paintbrushes and blobbing to do the clouds. The marks on the fabric are caused when airbubbles stop dye reaching
some parts of the fabric. I like the way the die ran up into the sky and looks like dead trees

Painting on Fabric with Fabric Paint

This piece was done using paints and small brushes.

It reminds me of a sunset I saw recently over a dam.

The paints travel well on the fabric and you don't need to use a lot of paint to get a good effect.

This was done on dry fabric and ironed to set.

2007-06-20T18:12:00.000+09:30

At the Museum Again

Its nice when you can encourage your friends to play along with you.
I sent a friend this link http://www.dumpr.net/museumr.php to look at and she played and put one of her quilts in the gallery.
This quilt of hers is one of my favourites.

See mine below

2007-06-19T09:36:00.000+09:30

Landscape in the making
I'm trying to use some fabric scraps that I've been saving for a long time. There's a lot of them and they are little pieces that I've dipped in dye to check colours, some were collected after workshops too.
I dont normally plan what I do, just roll up the sleeves and get to it, that way of working is proving difficult this time. It could be because I'm limited with fabric choices or I'm going about this all wrong. May also be a learning curve as one of my friends has suggested.

I didn't like the first layout so pulled all the pieces off and started again.
Now I've added more colour in the sky and a second row of hills and some acccent strips to outline the tops of the hills and I've free motion stitched the sky and hills because I felt they were done.

Next - I've added a road or a river, (we'll have to wait to see how that pans out) and I'm not sure if I like whats happening now.

I've tried to add some paddocks, (remember I'm limited by fabic colours), I really didn't like the paddocks, too much of a slope or too big or too colourful - then I got a headache and put it away.
Let me know what you think, please join me on this journey.

2007-06-19T09:00:00.000+09:30

A nice surprise

I've framed this picture to show it off more. It was sent to me by Jennie Vaughan who made it from my pattern published in Country Craft and Decorating magazine earlier this year.
Its always nice to get pictures from people who've made up something of mine from a pattern or magazine article.
Thought this deserved sharing.

2007-06-12T23:18:00.000+09:30

At the Museum

This was fun to do http://www.dumpr.net/museumr.php

play with your quilt photos and see how they might look hanging in a museum.

I tried it with a few of mine and this one I liked the most.

2007-06-03T22:54:00.000+09:30

My First Quilt

Not the best of photos but you can get an idea of the quilt and the work I did for a first effort.

It pays to not know what you are going to do, just as well I was truly comfortable with sewing when I started.

This now hangs on a wall at my Mum's house and although I kept it for a long time Mum had always admired it so I'm being a good sharer.

2007-06-03T22:29:00.000+09:30

Remodelling

This is a jacket I made in the 90s and I haven't worn it for a long time. I wore it on an overseas holiday with my mum and met a lot of nice people because of it (because of the jacket that is) everyone was intrigued and wanted a closer look and asked lots of questions.

I have unpicked it this week and there are a few big pieces that would make up into good size bags.

Lots of fancy stitching and fancy threads. Lets see what the next couple of weeks brings.

2007-05-28T11:06:00.000+09:30

Why wont things just work

This past month my card reader hasn't been working, the computer told me it wasn't working therefor I know.

So I went shopping and bought a new card reader and managed to blog some photos and catch up on my postings.

A friend rang today and asked me to take a photo of my new doonah cover and send it to her so she could see it. Taking the photo was easy.

Unfortunately thats where easy ended. The computer told me the card reader wasn't working when I tried to download the photos. Knowing the computer was right last time it didn't ring true in this instance as I was using the new, u beaut card reader, couldn't possibly be broken it was new.

I unplugged cords, card, cords again, card again, and so on, and eventually, in not a very polite way told the ==== computer it was wrong, that didn't help. In an attempt to retain some sanity I unplugged the new card reader and plugged in the old one. Futile you may think seeing it was broken and remember the computer told me it was broken, well guess what? The rotten thing worked and photo (yes, all that for 1 photo) was loaded into my folder. Promptly sent to my friend and I'm still stunned, disbelieving, and the proud owner of two card readers, one of which doesn't work, not sure which one but one of them is BROKEN. The computer said.

2007-05-24T03:04:00.000+09:30

One of my early pieces

This piece has been hiding in a cupboard and has been hung up again.

It was made a few years ago in the early days of dyeing fabric and was the first time I tried raw edge applique.

Its good to go back and see where you've been in your quilting journey and I'm pleased that there are still old works around that still give me pleasure.

2007-05-22T09:04:00.000+09:30

Toowoomba Outing

Our patchwork group went to visit a few quilting shops in Toowoomba Qld and we all had a great time and bought a few treasures and new equipment.

This little chook joined us for lunch and fortunately only got up on the table after lunch was finished.

2007-05-15T22:58:00.000+09:30

Painting Play

I'm playing with paints and these are 2 of my latest pieces.

I'm excited about a trip later this year out to the desert with my husband and I think there may be a link with the upcoming trip and these painting from my head.

I'm planning to take paints on the holiday and capture some of Australias outback scenery but more importantly the colours of the sun sets.

Hope you enjoy these.

Still having camera problems so please excuse the bad photos.

2007-05-15T10:37:00.000+09:30

My latest Work

I've been working on this piece for a while.

Sometimes things happen quickly and sometimes not so quick. This was one of the not so quick ones.

Not that it was difficult but lots happened while it was

being made and it kept getting put aside.

There's a larger version also which is still waiting to have borders added and of course will need to be quilted.

I've also made a couple of the smaller blocks into smaller pieces and at present they are being quilted.

This is my new pattern, it is already on the Pattern page of my website at www.rosdye.com.au and I'm taking orders. Pattern almost ready.

There are no kits yet because I'm not sure if I'm going to keep dyeing fabric. Shock, Horror, Gasp.

Being on tank water and very aware of the water shortage I'm thinking there's probably enough fabric out there to work with without me dyeing more. We'll have to wait and see what happens there but the thinking process has begun.

2007-05-09T09:50:00.000+09:30

I am without a computer and for the moment working on my husbands lap top.
No access to photos to upload, Working on a bag for a birthday present. Photos later
when all is back to normal.
So hard typing on this tiny keyboard and seeing on a small screen, especially when you
have a really big screen normally.
Hopefully it wont be long before all is back to normal

2007-04-29T00:44:00.000+09:30

Raw Edge Bags

Down Under Quilts April issue has featured these bags in thier new products page.

I really enjoyed making these up and dyeing fabrics to use in them.

Kits are available on my website. www.rosdye.com.au

There's also a great feature story on Self Portrait Quilts, my Make Mine Tea is one of the quilts used in the story.

2007-04-29T00:16:00.000+09:30

I've been remiss at writing and posting photos on my blog of late.

First there was Easter and Grandchildren staying over, lots of fun and they helped me paint the spare bedroom, at 11 and 13 they did a great job.

Then I painted the kitchen cupboards inside and out, I'm not big on fancy kitchens but needed to update so painting was the way to do it. That was messy, cupboard contents all over the dining room and laundry. Losing stuff, finding stuff, putting stuff back in cupboards and finding I had more room.

I've moved my work room upstairs out of the way, I feel like I need a break from all the sewing or at least a change in some way and as of now I'm not sure what that change is going to be or what its going to bring.

My house has been neglected for some time as I have always spent a lot of time sewing for most of my life, I feel like a change now and I'm actually enjoying the cleaning up and thowing out, the painting and rearranging, making decisions about what I need and what I can do without.

Today I felt like sewing or creating something but a family visit was planned so it didn't happen. Friends coming tomorrow for a patchwork day so I may get something done then.

I have photos in my camera to download but my cardreader isn't working and so far I have no idea whats wrong so the photos will have to wait.

This was a photo of a flower. I played with it in Paint Shop Pro and was rather pleased with the way it looked.

2007-04-05T12:50:00.000+09:30

My second piece from the Esterita Austin workshop in Queensland. I've changed a few pieces since this photo was taken but can't download from my camera at the moment so the new photos are stuck in the camera. I enjoyed making the first piece more than I did this one.

I'm just not happy with it, Ive changed the sky and added a road going into through the buildings but it doesn't thrill me.

2007-04-05T00:55:00.000+09:30

Newest Quilt

This is a very early stage photo of the latest piece
I've made and I'm currently working on writing
up the pattern.

Its almost finished, quilting is all done and the binding
is about to be put on.

Should have the pattern ready soon.

2007-03-15T09:08:00.000+09:30

Esterita Austin Workshop

A fantastic day was had yesterday at a Queensland Quilters organised workshop with Esterita Austin who is out here doing workshops in Australia and New Zealand and I believe she's been very very busy.

This is my piece at the end of the workshop yesterday. Using Esterita 'Misty Fuse' and pattern, we fused our pieces to the background and then painted in highlights to show light and dark and let me tell you it was a great deal of fun. I'm doing the Portals workshop next week and so looking forward to it.

2007-03-10T21:56:00.000+09:30

Greenbank Show Queensland

This weekend is our annual local show which is quite a big deal in this area.

Its also one of the biggest horse events in Sth East Queensland.

Our quilting group has been meeting for 10 years at the community centre where the show is held and to celebrate we decided to be a part of show weekend and hang some of our quilts.

Quite a few of these quilts have been made as presents for members special birthdays.

My bright one stands out a little.

In the spirit of the occasion I entered a couple of my bags and won 1st and 2nd prize, (I don't think there's actually a prize other than the ribbon)

Vicki's Blue and Yellow Birthday Quilt.

Faye's Wedding Ring Birthday Quilt

2007-03-06T15:25:00.000+09:30

Back home after a week in Melbourne

A beautiful evening sky thought there was a storm coming but alas no rain.

How many faces can you see in the cloud

I made this bag and one of my daughters friends fell in love with it so it has a new home.

2007-02-20T23:55:00.000+09:30

Playing with Quilt Photos

This was a picture of one of my quilts.

I played with it in Paint Shop and Kaliedescoped it and this is one of the resulting images.

I've played with a lot of photos and have some really good images to use if I could only think of what to do with them.

I guess I'll have to put on the thinking cap and see what I can do.

Here's another

2007-02-20T22:33:00.000+09:30

Off to Melbourne
I'm going to Melbourne on Friday morning to visit the Australian Quilt Convention and I'm excited.

37 Australian Art Quilters from the online Aus_NZartquilters list have a selection of their first year of Journal Quilts on display.

A journal quilt is made each month using a new technique or following a theme, the choice is the individuals. They are A4 in size, 8in x 11in.

This is one of mine that will be in the display.

Looking forward to meeting some of the people I've only comunicated with on line, in person and getting to know them a little better.

2007-01-22T14:03:00.000+09:30

The 100th Birthday Quilt

I have a friend, Allyson, who often says she's having a 100th birthday party and everyone is going to be there.

I made this quilt with her in mind for a Down Under Quilts competion, the theme was 'What 100 means to you'.

Allyson now has a quilt made for that very special birthday, I'm sure I wont have the strength or motivation to make it when I'm 101.

I may give it to her before the 100th comes around, or let the anticipation build a while.

2007-01-22T13:42:00.000+09:30

Some more bag pics

This is the latest bag I've made.
This time in shades blue, using hand dyed muslin.
I gave the first bag away to an 86yr old lady who fell in love with the Green bag Carmel made.
See previous post 07 Dec06 which has photos of the first Green bag.

Kits available for making this Blue bag here

https://www.rosdye.com.au/bag_by_ros_ward.htm

2007-01-01T14:39:00.000+09:30

A Walk in the Back Paddock
What is around you goes almost unnoticed until someone comes to stay and you go for a walk.
Carmel was quite taken with the colours in the trees in my back paddock and we took our cameras with us on a walk. I hope you enjoy the colours provided by nature and man.

The two on the right are one and the same, notice the bark looks like its unpealed around the bottom of the tree.

Sometimes its good to have a husband who collects things and you find them rusting in the paddock. What great colours are in this drum.

2007-01-01T11:45:00.000+09:30

Carmels Bag Making Day
Had a great day with my friend Carmel who really liked my green bag and wanted to make one. This is a good time for me to take notes for a workshop and get someone elses input on wording so its well understood. We also took lots of pictures at different stages and really enjoyed watching the bag take shape.
There's only so much time in the day and Carmel went home with some homework to finish off her pieces then on Thursday we're getting together again to put the bag together.

I've made quite a few changes since making the first bag. It began as a small wall hanging/postcard piece that I wanted to make to use the fabric, the colours of which I really liked.

2006-12-31T14:10:00.000+09:30

Red Bag Finished

I've finished sewing the red bag seen in an earlier posting. More news and photos of the bag soon.

I've had a lot of enquiries from people wanting to make the bag and have put a kit on my website.

https://www.rosdye.com.au/bag_by_ros_ward.htm

Purchases can be made through PayPal with your bankcard, they are very secure. Or you can direct debit to my account from yours at your bank, or send me a money order.

I'm taking orders now and have quite a bit of fabric to dye to fill orders recieved so far.

2006-12-18T22:48:00.000+09:30

Decorating for Christmas
Tis the Season, and I've got everything hung up and arranged the way I want it.
The dining room wall has had the wallhangings taken down and the Christmas ones hung. I'm liking it.
The loung room has the Santas and helpers arranged on a bench made by my DH's Uncle
The Merry Christmas was made by a friend.
The tree is just a baby but it enough for me now there are no children in the house.
Around the window in the dining room are Pot Holders that I swap with friends each Christmas. I missed a couple of years so only have 10 out of 12yrs of going away with these friends.

2006-12-14T09:42:00.000+09:30

Thirteen Thirteen Thirteen
This was a group project when my local patchwork group was still quite young and there were a lot of new patchworkers in it.
We decided we'd make a block - School House - and swap them and make a quilt.
This is mine almost finished. The blocks joined with tree blocks, only the quilting to go.
For a long time if the number 'Thirteen' was mentioned there was a chorus of 'Thirteen Thirteen Thirteen' in the meeting room which would give us all a good laugh. It still happens now on occasions, something thats going to stay with us for a long time.

2006-12-07T20:34:00.000+09:30

Starting another Bag

I liked the first bag I made, unfortunately it was just a little small for my needs.
This is dyed cotton fabric and I've spray basted the backing to wadding, its about 14" x 30" long.
Then I spray basted small pieces of fabric (that I'd torn into strips then cut into pieces) to the top of the wadding.
Using a Rayon thread I'm now stitching the pieces individually with the stitching going in different directions.
More later. Its going slowly as I'm making some Christmas decorations to swap at my Quilting Groups Christmas breakup.

2006-12-07T07:49:00.000+09:30

Bag Making

I dyed some muslin fabric (not quilters muslin) which is really soft and with some torn strips, batting and a backing I made the bag seen below.

2006-11-15T09:40:00.000+09:30

A Corner of my Garden

Queensland Quilt Show is over for this year. This is one of the quilts I had on display.
I took a photo of a corner of my garden, (the name of the quilt) and made this quilt from the photo. I made a few changes to the original photo and added a few extras, like the gum leaves hanging in the corner. I'm surrounded by gum trees and just needed a few gum leaves.
A large gum tree snapped in half during a storm last year thats why the tree trunk doesn't go to the top edge.
I bleached the lines in the plants using a tiny paint brush and was hovering at the sink ready to plunge them into water when the bleach had done what I wanted it to.

2006-11-15T09:25:00.000+09:30

Jan Stroud's Winning Quilt
Got a photo of this quilt from a happy customer who entered it in a local show and was she thrilled when she won 1st in her category and Grand Champion of the show.
Congratulations are in order. Well done Jan.

2006-11-01T10:18:00.000+09:30

Busy Day Cutting Out
Lots of cutting done yesterday to get strips and squares done for a fabric club to add to my website. www.rosdye.com.au
I loved playing with the fabrics and seeing all the colours and textures. A feast for the eyes. It was more fun arranging the squares for the photo, lots of trouble with my digital camera though, it just doesn't want to focus these days and I lost count of the number of photos I actually took and had to delete due to being blurry.

2006-11-01T09:55:00.000+09:30

A Quilt Finds a Home
this is little Abbey and her new quilt, I hope she enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it. She looks snug as a bug under there.

2006-10-17T09:45:00.000+09:30

Latest Work
This piece started some time ago when I did some printing on fabric at art college.
I've finally done something with it in the hope it may go on display soon.
This was done when I learnt screen printing, haven't done any since I might add. I really liked doing this but as yet haven't got my hands on a screen (they're expensive) and life got in the way of trying something else.

2006-10-09T07:52:00.000+09:30

Weekend Away
Another great weekend away, lots of busy ladies working on their project, some starting some finishing.
Here is a sample of what was done on the weekend. Almost like a mini quilt show when it was all spread out.

2006-10-09T07:50:00.000+09:30

I chose a piece of fabric to work on without adding any other fabrics to.
Stitched some flower shapes and leaves and zig zagged around the outer edge.

2006-10-09T07:49:00.000+09:30

This piece was done as a reminder of my recent holiday.
Marks left in the sand as the tide went out were quite amazing on one part of the beach, this little piece holds nice memories.

2006-10-09T07:48:00.000+09:30

One piece of fabric for the background and the tree.
I tore narrow strips from the fabric and stitched them down to form the tree.
Then I cut little triangles for the leaves and placed them on top of threads that I'd saved and a friend had given me on the weekend.
I used a dark thread to outline stitch around the tree trunk and branches which helps it sit out a little from the background.
I think I'd like to do this again in a larger size.

2006-09-28T05:35:00.000+09:30

Favourite Holiday Photos
I've just had 10 days holiday with dear husband and we had a wonderful time.
This is where we stayed, six klms drive up the beach. Our camp is up in the trees with a beautiful view of the ocean, sunrise, lots of walks on the beach and good fishing (for those who fish).

I did take some sewing with me, the binding got done on the quilt hanging on the chair. I still have to do the hanging sleeve ready for the Queensland Quilt Show.

2006-09-28T05:27:00.000+09:30

Bleached Log
A tree died and fell from the hill onto the beach and has been bleached in the sun and buried in the sand as the tides wash over it.

Sunrise

The sky was ever changing these are some of my favourite photos

This photo on the left is not one of the best photos, I'm not really good at holding cameras still but I do like this image even a little blurry.

Image on right was left in the sand when the tide went out.

Quite spectacular is nature.

2006-09-05T07:50:00.000+09:30

Our Visitor
This extremely cute horse 'Carlton" (better known as 'Carlton Houdini' at the moment) is visiting us for a little while until he's found a new home. He's done a good job of the grass in the back paddock, so much so that he's now getting through the old fencing around here and trimming some grass for the neighbours. Hope he gets a new home soon.

2006-09-05T06:35:00.000+09:30

New Project
This is on my design wall at present while I think about what to do with it. At first I though a whole quilt would be good really brighten up my bedroom. Mum helped pin it to the wall while she was here for a little holiday, there were a couple of blocks she really liked and wanted to make into cushions. I'm not a cushion person but hearing someone else talking about the seperate pieces was interesting. the plan was to make it a pattern but I'm wondering if a small book with different ideas as well as a quilt layout would be another option?
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

2006-08-19T17:55:00.000+09:30

Beenleigh Quilters 2oth Birthday Celebrations
Last week was the dinner to celebrate the Beenleigh Quilters 2oth Birthday.
Lots of past and current members attended and danced the night away. Great entertainment on hand thanks to a members family and a great night was had by all in attendance. As a life member it was great to be there and celebrate with everyone and I got a lovely certificate thanking me for my contribution to the Group. Everyone got a lovely bag as a present at the end of the evening.

2006-08-10T17:01:00.000+09:30

Postcards Received
The last of my postcards have arrived and are now pinned on the wall with others I've received.
Ann Halden's Winter

Bern Johnson's Autumn

The Swap Wall

2006-07-25T10:55:00.000+09:30

Busy Quilting

This quilt has been pinned for some time. It was made with scraps left over from trimming dyed fabric and of course left over pieces from other projects.
It is big enought for my bed, exact measurements I don't know. I'd like to get it on the bed so the quilting has begun.
How nice it would be if it was finished before the end of winter which in Queensland isn't far away.

2006-07-15T18:27:00.000+09:30

New Design Wall
Busy time this morning making a design wall that is more useful sizewise than a quilt thats already hanging on the wall.
This is a 2mtr piece of marine carpet bought from Bunnings Hardware Store. I think it cost me $60ish.

I can't take the credit for doing the installation, here's a picture of the cheap home handyman (husband) that did most of the work. If you look closely you'll see the stacks of fabrics & containers that now have to be put in a new place. Had to move a cupboard and bookcase. The hardest part will be putting everything away.

2006-07-11T07:30:00.000+09:30

Postcards Delivered

This weeks mail is exciting. I'm in another postcard swap and the postcards are starting to arrive.
the first one to arrive from Carolyn Minto of Canberra with an Autumn theme

the second one from Jan Cotton of NewZealand with a Winter sports theme

2006-07-11T06:55:00.000+09:30

Present Time
Here I am unwrapping my present.
Bought for me by Lexie while she was in Devon, UK on holiday.
I asked Lexie to say hello to Devon for me while she was on her holiday as I was born there and she was thoughtful in her present buying to get some watercolours with a local Devon theme.
Also a lovely picture frame.

2006-07-11T06:35:00.000+09:30

Giving out Presents
Our birthday weekend was a great success.
Lots of laughter and a few tears, it was all too much for the wonderful Allyson who does all the organising so we can have a stress free weekend. She really does emotional well. I think this was when the first present was opened.

2006-07-11T06:14:00.000+09:30

Retreat Visitors
This little Joey had just had a run around in the cool morning and was about to go back to his warm bed. A very cute show early in the morning. The rest of the house was still in bed so I had this entertainment all to myself.

2006-07-06T16:56:00.000+09:30

Raggy Hexagons
Using up flannel fabrics. Squares sewn together, layers glue basted, then the hexagons were stitched around the outer edges. All raw edges were clipped.
A good size knee rug that keeps my knees warm on cold evenings.

2006-07-06T16:48:00.000+09:30

Double sided

2006-07-06T16:47:00.000+09:30

Present Open
Concertina style, it will be able to sit on a shelf or be folded up.

2006-07-06T16:42:00.000+09:30

Birthday Present
This weekend I'm going away for a retreat and we all celebrate our birthdays during this time.
Each lady gets a present specifically made for her by one of us. This is my present for a special friend and I hope she enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it.

2006-07-06T09:15:00.000+09:30

Discharged Fabrics

Some of the discharged fabrics pinned together.
I'll just look at them for a while, move them around and take a few more pictures until I dicide what to do with them.
They haven't been cut, just overlapped and pinned together. Next with be some cutting and playing to see what else I can do.

2006-07-06T09:05:00.000+09:30

The Wedding Ring
This quilt began in a workshop at Beenleigh Quilters with Tutor, Pam Hill. I cant remember the year.

It was the first time I'd dyed fabric and did the colours specifically for the workshop.

Well, some yrs later it has been taken out of its box and is now spray glue basted awaiting quilting. I'm going away this weekend on retreat and I'm taking it with me to work on.

I have one other thing that I'm taking to do some work on. Hopefully I'll have uninterupted time to work on both.

2006-06-27T05:50:00.000+09:30

Country Sampler

This is a quilt that I designed as a group project. I supplied a pattern each month for 6 months to the ladies in our patchwork group and each person made their own quilt.

This one was made up by my friend Julieanne Mathison. We pooled our scrap fabrics for this quilt and Julieanne did all the applique.

It did sit in my house for some time waiting to be quilted and finally its done. We are both pleased with it.

2006-06-27T05:25:00.000+09:30

New Retreat

This is a close up of the view from our new retreat home. I forgot to take a photo of the house. There's plenty of room for everyone, sleeps 23 and we usually have 14. Its also 20Klm closer than the last retreat so although we have to pay more we're saving on petrol.

Pam's Quilt
Finished at last, much to Pam's relief. We all love this quilt and know how Pam loved making it. She is on a mission to make a quilt for her bed for each season, this is her Winter quilt, just in time to get it on the bed for the Australian winter.