Christmas - Judith

I didn't plan to make a Christmas Quilt, it just happened. It grew from a practice session using quilting rulers to stitch within a triangle. This opened the door to more and more experimenting using Setacolor paints, needle felting, rhinestones, a bit of hand and machine embroidery and of course the little felt birds. In other words “The Works”.  Margie you will be pleased to note I omitted the kitchen sink. 

I wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year full of bright ideas.

Avis Arbor - Helen

For the title I had to do some research - after quite a few years !!! my memory of high school Latin is not reliable. 'Avis Arbor' is 'Bird Tree'.
I'm finding applique with wool felt really enjoyable and of course my stash of felt is growing!
Hope you're enjoying NZ Margie.

"One Tree Hill" - stitched by Margie

The Australian landscape – wide blue skies, the occasional rise, and so often a lone tree struggles against the elements.  Hence many locations have the name One Tree Hill.

In her recipe book c.1912 my grandmother wrote her address in this curious fashion:

G. J. Blythman lives at One Tree Hill 

his missus lives there too 

[It would be a very brave, or foolish, red breasted robin to be seen in the open like this]

Posted from windy Wellington!

'On the Farm' for Margie - from Lorraine

When Margie set the theme I looked through some old photos I had taken. I couldn't believe how many showed trees that were used for various buildings etc on the farm.
They included the farm front gate, barn, water trough, timber rounds set as flooring, the wood pile in the old tank, fencing and so on .....
So here they are, of course there were barn owls and swifts nesting in the old buildings as well as many trees still in the paddocks with Corellas and Galahs. I thought the 'chook' button was appropriate here.
Hope you enjoy your quilts Margie.

My choice of theme for end of January 2016 is     DRAGONFLY / S

Tree with Bird - by Deb

Of course when you Google 'trees and birds' lots of images of partidges in pear trees pop up!
I thought a partidge in a pear tree was fitting for this time of year, but I also suspected somebody else would come up with the same idea!! (Great minds think alike Mary!)
My image is inspired by a couple of greeting cards, and the 'grass' fabric has come all the way from America. This was fun Margie.

Trees from Lynn

I painted the background fabric to get the effect I wanted. Then I had fun with my favourite raw edge applique. This scene reminds me of tropical Queensland where I spent my childhood. Sorry, the birds have flown!
Enjoy your "forest" of trees, Margie.
Best wishes from
Lynn

Trees for Margie May

One of my favourite subjects for quilts

Thank you Margie May.
Such a delight to make, - right up my alley.

I hope you enjoy this little piece...

Kay D. Haerland

"Orient" by Pam

For Ngaire,

A little late, but just got there before the next theme!

Enjoy

Pam Furniss

Tree for Margie by Mary

Hi Margie
So near Christmas, I thought you would need a partridge in a pear tree.
Continuing on with my wool embroidery, enjoyed this little project.
The quilt is actually straight, it is just my photography which is not.
Enjoy your Christmas everyone and look forward to the next project.
Mary

Lichen By Kerry

I have a gorgeous tree in my garden that is covered in Lichen and when we chose the colour our house was to be painted I chose the lichen colour. They renamed the paint Kerry's Polished Concrete. I have used a mask to create this little quilt, painted the batik and then machine quilted all 3 layers.
Thank you Margie I have been waiting to use this mask for a while. Simple but sweet.

Oriental Jacket by Anna

Here is my very late "Oriental Jacket" for Ngaire.I have always loved Chinese style jackets made with the beautiful brocade fabric found in Asia.

I had a wonderful time in Birmingham at the European Quilt Festival. What a great show. Also made it to Gees Bend in the deep south of America, another highlight of our 4 month trip.

Cheers  Anna

Having fun in Houston!

Four 'Stitching Across the Ditch' members having fun in Houston!

It was lovely to catch up and have a delicious dinner in an Italian restaurant. 

Houston Quilt Show was totally mind boggling! Lovely to see a quilt by one of our past members Ruth Bloomfield - congratulations Ruth! - a stunning quilt.

'Orient' for Ngaire - Lorraine

This is my challenge for Ngaire. Very late, however I just couldn't get my head around the theme - too many choices. Finally decided to let the design in the fabric do the speaking so I hope you like it.
Thank you for the challenge. I have enjoyed seeing the others on the blog.