Dryandras - stitched by Lorraine for Anna

Dryandra native Australian flower has many layers that peel back as it opens, mine has many layers of stitching to create the 'flower'. Thanks Anna I had fun with this one.

Beneath the Surface by Anna

Beneath the Surface by Anna

I was going to experiment with raw edge appliqué but decided I am a neat freak and had to cover up all those edges.!! Hence I am a bit late posting the picture. We had a  big earthquake  here (5.8) about half an hour ago so the first fabric I have chosen seems very apt.
Looking forward to receiving all the beautiful quilts I see on the site.

Lynn - Leafy Layers

Coming from a mining background, I first thought of geological layers.Eventually, I decided to do fabric layers with a technique I have recently learned.
This began with 2 fabrics, the same size, with the design drawn on the top layer. As the design was cut away, needle-turned and hand appliqued, the bottom layer was exposed. Further layers were added on top of the leaves, so with wadding and backing, there are 5 layers!
I enjoyed the process so much that I made 3 more versions to take to Japanese friends on my recent trip to Japan.

Lynn

Layered Star.by Kerry

I have a little tool called a Gem Star and I haven't taken the time until now to have a play. So here you are Anna 4 layers.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas I am looking forward to having time to play with my new Sweet Sixteen finally arrived home this last weekend from Adelaide. Pam ,colours ! now that really is right up my alley. Will get the thinking cap on over the holidays.

Judith - STRATA

Anna this was so much fun to make I hope it gives you as much pleasure as it has given me. 

Ever since the iPad came into my life a whole new world of possibilities has opened up - online workshops being just one such opportunity.

Inspiration for this little quilt came from taking Carol Ann Waugh’s workshop “Stupendous Stitching”, one of the Craftsy online workshops. This workshop gave you permission to play, play with the built in stitches on the machine, with different threads and colour combinations, it even encouraged including hand stitching and embellishing, endless possibilities and no quilt will be the same as another. Addictive.

Best wishes Judith

Ngaire - The Layers of your Life

When Anna and I were discussing topics the idea of hearts came up and I thought wow I have an idea. Next time we talked Layers was the topic. Dam now what do I do. The idea of hearts would not go away so here we have the layers of Anna's life or the important things that are the heart of her - her family, the garden, and cooking all patchworked together which is that other important thing. Hope you enjoy this one Anna.
Ngaire.

Pam

Always down load the photo first, just in case!

I too have a square quilt, but can't get it to photograph that way either????

My first and second attempt [at being an art quilter] just didn't work out.

This was a big challenge for me, however I couldn't get layers [chooks] out of my head.

Anna, the chooks are layered too with vliesofix and batting [a bit stuffed]

Thanks to the Adelaide girls for the great photos of our earlier quilts.

Aren't we all clever!

Hope you enjoy this quilt, Anna and the other ones that will be on there way to you.

Hope you enjoy the next challenge COLOURS [spelling for you Deb]. I have no idea what I will do at this stage, and why I even picked this theme.

Enjoy everyone.

Happy Christmas and looked forward to meeting you in 2013.

Pam

Lunch Layers - Helen

I'm unsure of my reasoning at the time, but when Anna advised Layers as her theme I decided that my quilt would be centred around "food". I considered pavlova, gateau, sponge, terrine etc and finally settled on a humble lunch roll - similar to one photographed in one of my cookery books. I have cookery books to decorate the kitchen shelves rather than for real use!!

Deb - Rainbow Layer Cake

When I Googled the word LAYERS lots of images came up - layers of the earth, layers of skin, layers of clothes - but I was very taken with the pictures of rainbow layer cakes! I've never made one but I think I might give it a try one day. They do look quite sensational.
This quilt caused me a lot of angst! I made one version but didn't like it, then ran out of the background fabric I'd used and had to find something else. I tea dyed this one because the spots were too bright. Then I couldn't find the right fabric for the fork, and don't even start me on those coloured sprinkles! (Tweezers and good magnifying glasses were needed!) But I'm happy with the outcome and hope you like it Anna.
(I find it really difficult to photograph these small quilts and get the borders to look straight, because they are! Perhaps I'm standing too close when I take the photo.)

Mary - Forest Layers

Hi Anna
Forest Layers.
 I love walking through the bush and kicking up the layers to see what is underneath. 
My forest appears to be in the Northern Hemisphere, oh well, could take a trip up to New England and take in a quilt show or two.
Happy Holidays to everyone
Mary

Layers: "The reward" stitched by Margie for Anna

We have been restoring our garden, adding layers of compost, fertiliser, topsoil and mulch over the builders rubble. Add some sunshine and spring showers, and we are beginning to reap the rewards.[As I write this it is 37degrees and hoping all is not lost!] Raw edge applique and hand quilting. I have used a mitred facing to finish the quilt, as described by Brenda Gael Smith on her very useful website serendipitypatchwork.com.au - alternative quilt finishes. 

Kay - Sunshine, a Singular Layer

I am sorry, Anna,  I just couldn't help myself!  No matter how much I thought about layers, I couldn't get the image of chooks and eggs out of my head!

Just in case my response was just too obvious I decided to experiment with some thread painting techniques.  I don't think I have ever used so much thread in such a small space.  Altogether I think I used seventeen different colours.  It was definitely a challenge and there are some mistakes, but that is what learning is all about.  I hope you all like Sunshine. She is undoubtedly a "Singular Layer".

Kay

Festival of Quilts SA

Here are some photos of the small exhibition we put up at the show. Margie made some laminated signs for us and we hung the quilts as they were shown on the sign. (Sorry Margie - forgot to take another photo after we put yours the right way up!)
                                                            

                                                           Helen's TRACKS

                                                               Deb's FISH

                                                               Lorraine's FLORA

                                                                  Kay's TIME

                                                              Margie's HOME

Wagon Tracks - Kerry

A change of sub theme for me this round of challenges. Helen as you know  I was so good to get this to you but somehow forgot the posting of my picture.

This block came from Once More Around the Block by Judy Hopkins ,one of the first quilting books I ever bought.  There will be more posted on our challenge blog before the two years is up. I have the next challenge made and ready to go Anna.

Devils Marbles - Helen

The Devils Marbles are located on "The Track" (sometimes called the Stuart Highway!) just north of Wauchope and about 110 km south of Tennant Creek. The Track runs through the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve and most visitors stop to explore this vast collection of huge granite boulders.
My quilt looked a bit dull and uniteresting so I decided to revisit the scene and give the boulders a much deserved makeover. Not sure that the second quilt was a good idea!
Thankyou everyone for your fantastic and diverse response to "Tracks" - and now looking forward to
"Layers".

Journey Lines from Lynn

I decided that as we are stitching across the ditch, an indigenous theme would be appropriate.

In Aboriginal culture, during the Dreamtime, the ancestors wandered the land, and Aboriginal Australia is mapped according to the journey lines of these ancestors and the marks they made on the landscape.

Spider Tracks - Ngaire

Firstly my apologies for the lateness and the quality of the picture. This has been ready for a few days but the camera has decided to go on the blink. I guess we might need another one.
Often when I go out into the garden there is a spider's web. The spider works during the night tracking back and forth, back and forth creating its beautiful web Little drops of dew attach themselves to the web which makes it sparkle. Now the spider waits for some food. Mine isn't quite as even as the spiders but I hope you like it Helen.
Ngaire

Tracking the Weather by Anna

A complex low weather pattern is tracking towards New Zealand unlike Australia which is basking in a large high . This seems to be a common occurrence!!!!

Hope you enjoy Helen

Cheers Anna

Lorraine - Tidbinbilla Tracks Curiosity!

For Helen,
The deep space complex at Tidbinbilla near Canberra [A.C.T.] supports many missions by NASA including the Mars exploration rovers - 'Curiosity'.
It's surrounded by grazing cows & the odd bunny I suspect!
Hope you like it Helen

BeeLine by Mary

Hi Helen
Dance of the Honey Bees came into mind when I thought about Tracks.
 I put the beehive on and then I thought maybe you don't have that type of beehive in Aus - it could be a NZ special just for you.
I used crayon to colour some of the quilt,  as that is what we were doing in my artgroup that week.  The wings of the bees are 3d.
Hope you enjoy it.
Mary

Deb - 'Rail Tracks'

I tried to think laterally for this one but kept coming back to the first image in my mind - railway tracks! I like the graphic imagery and went with some unusual colours for the fabric. I have hand stitched big quilting stitches on the background using some of Heather Ridley's hand dyed cotton. I really enjoyed this one Helen.

Pam - TRACKS

Music TRACKS for Helen.

One day I may become an art quilter!!!!!!!!, but at the moment I am still a traditionalist.

In saying all that I really enjoyed this theme, Helen.

Made me think!

Enjoy all the little quilts that will be on their way soon.

loads of cheer,

Pam

Thanks Deb for sorting out our Blog and getting it up to date.

What would we do without you!

"Tracks - take only photographs; leave only footprints" stitched by Margie for Helen

Our Tom is a podiatrist so footprints came first to mind and Bob and I enjoy walking holidays [or tramping as you do across the ditch]; which brought to mind the saying take only photographs...  
I fussy cut the "photographs" from a piece of Alexander Henry fabric. I spent a few peaceful hours in the spring sunshine [we haven't had much sun for a while] stitching this little piece for Helen. Bring on the next challenge! Margie

Colour My World

The photograph of John Deere tractor tracks did so want a little colour and adventure in its life.  It asked Photoshop to colour its world and Photoshop did just that.  It requested Epson Printer to print it on fabric and Pfaff to make it into a quilt.  They both obliged. Now for the adventure to fly to Oz and meet Helen and all the other “Tracks” quilts.  I enjoyed making this for you Helen. 

With best wishes

Judith

Mother Goose Tracks for Helen

Tracks was an interesting theme.  It provided so many choices:  Puffing Billy, the Olympics, droving tracks in the Outback.  Eventually I settled on something more traditional, the Goose Tracks block.  Then I wondered who would make a goose track?  Obviously, Mother Goose!  So here she is, proudly laying claim to her very own quilting block.  I hope you like her.

Kay

Red

Hello everyone,
Here is my 'RED"
Have had computer problems again..........well not so much the computer. it is our broadband.
We live in a hollow in the rainforest and so it is not always easy to get reception.
It is sad that I cannot continue with the group but it will be just too hard to meet deadlines while I'm traveling.
Please keep me on the list so I can check out your projects and keep in touch.
Thank you all for your amazing little quilts. I love them all.
When I have them altogether I'll post a photo.
Cheers,
Ruth

Red for Ruth

Thank you for the challenge Ruth, I had this lovely 'fluffy', 'sheer', red-amber piece of fabric in my stash from who knows where? Bought it just because I loved it. So quilted in the sheer spaces, embroidered and beaded randomly. Hope you like it Ruth. From Lorraine

From Kerry Lady In Red. for Ruth.

As soon as I heard the challenge theme, this song popped in to my head and just seemed to stick.To me Marilyn iiustrates its so beautifully. The background is pieced with my squedge tool and trimmed down to fit our size, the picture was sourced and printed on to plain cotton. As Ruth  knows I was so keen to get this challenge done and sent off I  sent it weeks ago. Suddenly realised it still needed to be posted. Ruth thank you for your beautiful works of art, hope we get to meet again soon.

Kay

"Red" - so many options!  I finally chose something for my son who has had a tough year.  He is an avid Boston Red Sox fan and I hope he will be pleased with what I have done.

Ruth, I hope you like it, too.  Thank you so much for being a part of our group and especially for the "Time Flies" quilt you made for me.  I treasure it, along with all my others.

Kay.

Steam on Red Background by Jane

Sashiko traditional pattern called steam on red background with 12 ties for quilting.

made for Ruth ...As always these little quilts have been a joy to make and sadly this is my last one.

All the very best to all of you and I will enjoy looking at the blog every second month to see what's new!!

Mosaic in Shades of Red

A variation on a theme.  This year it seems I have a fascination for tiles, here, another example.

Inspired by Maxine Rosenthall's book "One-Block Wonders: one fabric, one shape, one-of-a-kind quilts".  A mosaic of hexagons created from six like triangles is the base for the quilt. It was so interesting to see the different patterns evolve and then to combine the individual hexagons into a quilt.  How much I enjoyed the process and making this quilt for you Ruth. I hope it gives you pleasure.  One day we may meet but in the meantime I've enjoyed knowing you through your quilts. 

With best wishes, Judith

Inches in Red

Several times recently I have seen miniature quilts using inch squares. I thought this was a good way to highlight the colour red. I hope you enjoy red and all it's little extras.
Thank you for all the lovely quilts you have contributed to our group and I hope we can catch up sometime when we are in Oz.
Ngaire

Red Hat Lady - Helen

At around the time that Ruth advised her theme a friend joined the Red Hat Society; so the idea of Red Hat Lady emerged fairly quickly. I am told that for functions members of the Red Hat Society are expected (or perhaps are required!) to wear purple clothing and red hats, embellished with as much bling as desired. And if a function is held in the month of a member's birthday then the colour scheme for the birthday girl is reversed. No doubt there are many other guidelines.
Thankyou Ruth for being in our group - I've admired all of your quilts. Helen

Deb - The Red Carpet

 I had lots of different ideas for RED - Redhead matches, Red Dog, red wine, redwork embroidery, etc, but settled on The Red Carpet. I have never been in a limousine or walked on a red carpet but I think we all deserve a bit of the 'red carpet' treatment occasionally! The limousine is worked with red embroidery thread (redwork) and the background is hand quilted. Best wishes on your travels Ruth!

Pam

RED Tulips for Ruth.

Had thought of lot of other things, but kept coming back to these tulips.

Guess you don't see these much up where you live.

Hope you enjoy all the little quilts coming your way as a memory of all of us.

I so enjoyed seeing your work.

Thanks Ruth.

Pam

"A little bit retro red" stitched by Margie for Ruth

I think of red as representing danger, passion, drama; but red with white has a much more casual feel. From my collection of red fabrics and other "stuff" I thought these pieces had a cheerful fifties look. Stitched and hand quilted by Margie for Ruth. 

Red Bloom by Anna

I can remember when we first set up the idea of "Stitch across the Ditch" that you thought your title was going to be "Bloom", Ruth. For some unknown reason that stuck with me so was most surprised when you chose "Red" as your subject. No avail ,I have done you a "Red Bloom". Hope you like this as your farewell gift from me and hopefully we will cross paths again somewhere along the way.
 Cheers Anna

Building Blocks

Over the years blocks of wood have always been part of our family life. Dad always made things from them, the boys had a bag of blocks to play and build with and now the grandchildren are playing with them. So here are my building blocks that I have enjoyed playing with.
Thank you all for the great work you have put into this theme.
Ngaire

In a Spin

Oh dear, late again, in a Spin, we recently returned from a trip to Oz, fantastic, can’t wait to return but first the pile of pennies has to grow.

I find spinning tops fascinating and you told me Ngaire that your youngest grandson does too.  A happy coincidence it seems. I hope you enjoy this little quilt I loved making it. 

To those of you gathering in Sydney, have a great time.

Cheers

Judith

Julian's Jack-in-the-Box

When our grandson Julian was a baby his Jack-in-the-Box was his favourite toy.  He squealed with delight when someone made it work for him and it became a great joy when he finally learned to do it himself.

I must confess that this was Plan B.  My first idea was just too hard for my limited artistic talent, but I am really quite pleased with the result and I hope you like "Jack" too.

Kay

Temari Balls by Jane

I really enjoyed this subject as I knew I was going to sashiko stitch the temari ball.
The Japanese temari ball became popular in the Edo period. Children would play tossing and juggling games with them and as they played chant rhymes. The introduction of the bouncing rubber ball sent the temari ball for play into decline. They are now given as a special gift for the birth of a child or for someone very specilal.
They have become small works of art rather than toys. I have made a few which were exciting to make using the bright and contrasting threads and to see the patterns evolve...much easier than they look!

Toys for Ngaire

My husband Ray has a wonderful collection of antique sewing machines dating from 1872. He renovated this lovely old machine and gave it to me several years ago, it is displayed in my sewing room and I love the ivy leaf decal still delicately winding along the body of the machine. He started collecting them as he wanted something in the house 'older than him'. I hope you enjoy the little quilts Ngaire, thanks for the great theme I had fun with it. I have actually done a duplicate of the quilt for me, may sit it behind the machine. cheers Lorraine