Fabulous Fairholme Workshop

Last Saturday I had the great honour of running a workshop with the wonderful Fairholme Quilters. 

It was a Sewmiriam Bagmaking workshop and the ladies sewed up a storm!  Today's blogpost is a celebration of their work done on the day. 

Above you can see the front of Nerida"s bag. The colours just glow. Nerida has combined a clever mix of florals and geometric prints.

Next up is Noelle's beautiful ethereal bag panel.

Hilary has a real way with colour and created this gorgeous bag panel .  

Jill completed the Sewmiriam Tote that she had started in a previous workshop, using  Cotton and Steel fabrics.

Love the lined zippered pocket  inside too Jill!

Pat has worked her magic with this beautiful bag panel  using just the right shades blue.

Speaking of blues- Elaine has chosen blues for her next Sewmiriam bag too. Her choice of framing fabrics for the central panel are perfect.

Robyn chose a bold central panel and has made it shine 

Sue chose a dynamic Amy Butler central panel to create this lively bag panel. Sue uses spots so well   here.

Chris has mixed Japanese and tonal prints to great effect here

Adrienne has used a spot to really bring this green floral to life. 

Denise has chosen teapots for her focus fabric and created this stunning panel. She has some more teapots to line her bag too!

Daphne has excelled herself and  created this vibrant bag featuring the cat panel. 

Marilyn has framed her fancy hat to perfection .

And last but certainly not least is Margaret's beautiful owl, surrounded here by her fabric selections.












Congratulation ladies on a wonderful day, and heartfelt thanks for my beautiful flowers.
How lucky am I to be able to share my love of creativity with you all. I can't wait to see your finished Sewmiriam Handy Ziptop bags.

Happy sewing, love Miriamx

Fairholme Quilt Show - seven sleeps to go!

The Fairholme Quilt Show is on in one weeks time ! Yes . It is on!

This show has been two years in the making. Literally! The Fairholme Quilters have been sewing up a storm making the most inspiring quilts for everyone to see and admire. 100 quilts will be on display.  If you are free on April 8 - 10 please stop by. There will be superb quilts on show, including a challenge quilt section. Displays of quilts and bags made from workshops will also be on display, and Studio Artes is putting on a display of their art works for all to enjoy.

Of course there will be the famous Fairholme Quilters Craft Stall and this year Rosyln has worked her magic to make it a fabulous Boutique . The Fairholme Quilters are talented indeed. Everyone has donated fabric or handmade items for our Fairholme Craft Boutique.These goodies won't last long. 

In the final week leading up to show there is much activity.

The raffle quilt is currently on display at Cottage Quiltworks in Warriewood. Raffle tickets are for sale .

The pop up shop owners are all busy preparing their wares for sale at the show.  There will be something for everyone. You can meet Gerri from Cottage Quiltworks, Carol from Cherry Pie Designs, Karen from The Stitching Post, Kate from Kate Quilts and Rosyln from Grandmas's Treasures at the show. Studio Artes members will be manning their display and their pop up shop too. Stop by for a chat with this creative group. Here is work by Megan and Emily ...

Our Fairholme cafe will be open throughout the show. Fairholme quilters are known for their delicious home baking. My husband and my Dad have found that going to The Fairholme Quilt show is a great day out. They enjoy the home baked treats ( a lot!) and a cup or two of coffee together, while Mum, my sister and I buzz around the show. They also love the quilts of course. Last time Evan even used white gloves to admire them! 

Behind the scenes this week at Fairholme .....

quilts are being prepared, display labels are being typed, cooking is being done, banners are being displayed, raffle tickets are being sold, name badges are being found, Facebook is being navigated, display frames are being picked up and advertising is under way.  I am excited! I hope you are too. 

I look forward to welcoming you to the Fairholme Quilt Show on April 8  - 10 , at Thornleigh Community Centre. Doors open from 1-5pm on Friday 8th and from 10 am - 4 pm on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th.

As always a great day out for everyone! 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx 

Quilts on Vacation - Part 3

Welcome  back to Sewmiriam. It is always a pleasure to have you visit. I have saved a very special quilt for Part 3 of my Quilts on Vacation series. The quilt featured this week is Rousillon - the Fairholme Quilters 2016 Raffle Quilt.

You can read more about the quilt and its name at The Fairholme Quilters  blog by clicking here. 
Here the quilt is at Point Clare in NSW taking in the sea air.

An exquisite French Touille is on the back, so the quilt is reversible.

After a hard days photo shoot, Rousillon has taken up residence at Cottage Quiltworks in Warriewood for the next few weeks.

 If you visit the shop, there are raffle tickets available for purchase at the counter. This year proceeds from the raffle quilt will be going to Studio Artes - a wonderful Hornsby based programme for the disabled that focuses on life skills, performing arts and visual arts. You can read more by clicking here.Their fibre arts programme will also have a display at our show. Be prepared to be blown away by their talent.

Then  Rousillon is  going to the Fairhlome Quilters Biennial Show on April 8, 9 and 10 at the Thornleigh Community Centre. I will be there with my Fairholme Quilting friends, so I hope you will join us for what is always an excellent display of quilts made by our members. 

Please save the date in your diary, and please say hello to me there. I always love meeting my blog readers! 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx 

Fairholme Raffle Quilt

The Fairholme Raffle Quilt is finished, and she is a beauty!

The talented ladies of Fairholme Quilters have been busy all year making the blocks. The quilt measures 60 X 80 inches and is made from cotton fabrics with long arm quilting expertly done by Jo- Ann Phillps. The quilt is hand and machine pieced and was  designed by Miriam Jones (me!) and Janice Freelander. It is a stunning French quilt and a credit to all those who have worked on this project. Special thanks to Janice Freelander and Jill O'Conner. 

All money raised from the sale of raffle tickets  will be going to Studio Artes . Studio Artes is a local program that offers creative programs for those with disabilities. Truly inspiring and life changing programs. You  can find out more about Studio Artes here. The raffle will be drawn on April 10th at the Fairholme Quilters Quilt Show at Thornleigh Community Centre. Save that weekend in your 2016 diaries. I know - 2016 is filling up fast already ! 

To launch the raffle quilt, tickets will be available on Saturday 5th December at Hornsby Shopping Mall , as part of the Studio Artes Ride- a -Day Fundraising event . We can be found between the fountain and the mall entrance (David Jones side) The quilt will be on show from 10.30 . Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 .  I would love to see you there! Who knows- you may buy the winning ticket!! 

Happy sewing, love Miriam x

Fairholme Quilters 2016 Quilt Show

There has been a lot of secret sewing going on at my place and at my friend Janice's home. Not to mention the secret sewing that has been taking place at many of the Fairholme quilters homes of late.

We are busy making our Raffle Quilt for 2016. It is not time for the big reveal yet, but you can see from above that we are using a variety of exquisite  French fabrics and creating something of great beauty. There will be more photos in coming weeks - I promise. In the meantime save the dates for our show next year.

Fairholme Quilters Show 

8th - 10th April , 2016. 

Thornleigh Community Centre, Thornleigh 2120

You can follow Fairholme Quilters on their blogspot fairholmequilters.blogspot.com.au 

And on Facebook

And on Instagram @fairholmequilters

# fairholmequiltersshow2016

I have loved being involved with this project, from the fabric selecting to the pattern designing to the construction of the quilt top. Fairholme quilters are the most talented and generous group of quilters. They have given of their time and talents freely and with great joy. When we asked for one block , the ladies made several each. When we have our community sewing days they help with the project with enthusiasm and encouragement. What an honour it has been to be a part of this project. Thank you all.

The brief was to design and make a quilt using fabrics gifted to our group by the Quilters Guild of NSW.

In Masterchef the judges always talk about being able to tell when a dish has been made with love. I think  you can also tell when a quilt has been made with love. Our raffle quilt is one such quilt. The blocks made by the individual members of the group all work together in the quilt.  They "sing" and make the quilt unique.

Keep checking this blog  for more photos of the quilt as it reaches completion. 

Proceeds raised from the Raffle Quilt will be going to a local group Studio Artes who provide
 " creative programs with wholistic outcomes for people living with disability." Please do find out more about this inspirational group by clicking Studio Artes   We are also fortunate to have Studio Artes displaying their work at our Show. 

I hope you have had time for some sewing this week. Taking time out from our busy schedules to create, reflect and dream is important for us all. What's on my table now? Plans for a baby quilt using half square triangles. Here is just a bit of it - soft, gentle ,calming and dreamy.

Happy sewing, love Miriamx 

No Place Like Home

It is true that I have had the most amazing few weeks in the USA . I thank you all for following me on this blog . I have loved sharing just some of the highlights of my whirlwind adventures with you and I do so hope that you will stay tuned to my blog, as I ramble on about my life in stitches. Please feel free to comment when you feel like it. I love hearing from you all.

So , I am back home. How sweet it is to be back with my family and friends. My bags are unpacked,  the washing pile is depleting, and I am slowly adjusting to the time zone. My sewing room looks like a bomb has hit it, but that's nothing new! I have 2 bags of goodies to enjoy delving into over the next few months. 

I usually buy printed fabrics, but I seem to be also turning towards beautiful coloured plain fabrics at the moment. The orange bag has some wool felt bundles in it, that are just crying out to be used in some small, cheerful projects. So much choice, and such little time!

Before I start designing new bags and new small projects, I need to finish the Trip Around the World Quilt that I have been hand piecing over the last several months, with  Brigitte Giblin's Facebook TAW group. The top is finished.  What do you think of it as a table topper? 

It is always good to have things to look forward to, and I am looking forward to seeing my friends at Fairholme Quilters on Monday morning. 

Happy Sewing, Miriamx