Penguins at Dusk for Anna

Hi Anna
What a fitting theme for the last of our challenges, well done.
When I thought of sunset I remembered seeing the 'Little Penguins' or sometimes called 'Fairy Penguins' coming in from a days fishing at sea, to find and feed their babies. The noise of the babies calling was something I will always remember.
Thanks for the theme.
from Lorraine

Amish Quilter in Redwork for Judith

Hi Judith
thank you for your challenge - certainly different theme, so I chose to make mine in redwork depicting an Amish quilter.
I have tried to show the simplicity of Amish life, although having been to an Amish home in Intercourse, noticed that it was anything but sparse. Very grand and welcoming it was.
All the best for your future quilting, from Lorraine

'My Country' for Lynn

Thank you for your challenge Lynn, I had many different thoughts about this one and finally settled for a 'waving flag' across the map of Australia. Hope you enjoy your little quilt they certainly look great on the blog.
cheers from Lorraine

Mini Modern for Pam

I love the 'modern' quilt movement we see so much of these days, lots of bright fresh colours used and interesting yet simple quilting to compliment the projects.
Thank you for your interesting challenge.
for Pam from Lorraine.

Medieval for Mary

I saw a picture of a similar design in a book I bought in Ireland about Celtic illuminated letters used in the Book of Kells. My quilt is a simplified version. There are many glorious designs used in Celtic manuscripts.
Hope you enjoy all your little quilts Mary.
from Lorraine [better late than never]

Sunset from Lynn

The background is one piece of fabric which was perfect for this challenge! I decided to add the Aussie thongs as there might be someone admiring the sunset.
It has been a wonderful experience being part of this group and I wish everyone a wonderful future of creativity.
Anna, enjoy your Sunset Gallery.
Best wishes from
Lynn

Sunset for Myself and Au Revoir.

Here is my Sunset taken from a photo on holiday in Hawaii last year. 
 Thankyou so much for the lovely quilts I have seen on the blog, and those I have received already. It is very sad that it is 'sunset' for our group but I am sure we will meet again along the way in this quilting world that we all belong to.
Haere Ra and much love to you all.
Anna

The End of our Journey by Mary

Hi Anna
Thank you for this challenge.  It has been a special one for me as I lost my lovely Mum at the beginning of November.
So, appropriate for me, and for us all, at the end of our time together.
I have loved sharing our quilts and it has been a good thing for me as I know I have learned lots as I went on this journey with you.
Here is my quilt, quite simple as I was dealing with a lot when I made it.
This is Whale Island which is off our beach, a nature sanctuary. 

Arohanui to you all and I look forward to catching up again some day.
Mary 

Sunset Mugs - Helen

Recently in a homewares store I was admiring a set of mugs - they were white with 'brushstrokes' of pastel colours. Then I noticed the design name of Sunset, a name that definitely didn't match the mugs! I decided to make a quilt with a new design that I believe is more appropriate for Sunset mugs.
We've had a most enjoyable ride over the last few years and I hope we can catch up in the future, maybe at one of Pam's spectacular fireworks displays.

Red Sails in the Sunset by Kerry

Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea

Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me

She sailed at the dawning, all day I've been blue

Red sails in the sunset, I'm trusting in you

My husband and I have sailed yachts over the years and this song comes to mind in the evenings while enjoying good company and a wine or two.

I used Dye na Flow to paint the background and appliqued the yacht.

So many years have passed since we started this lovely challenge group I know that it has been enjoyed by all those participating. Especially me as I have evolved as a quilt artist over this time and it has allowed me to try new techniques.Of course we will all meet again. Thank you Deb and Pam for your organising skills they have kept us on track. 

Deb - SUNSET

 There is nothing like a beautiful sunset, especially watched with a glass of wine in hand and perhaps shared with friends on holidays. I've taken many photos over the years but it's very difficult to translate sunsets to fabric as they usually involve so many amazing colours and unusual cloud formations! So in the end I went for a totally contemporary view!!

This photo was taken on the Noosa River in 2014.

I hope you enjoy your quilts Anna. 

"make a wish" stitched by Margie

As the sun sets the first stars begin to appear in the night sky– if you should see one, make a wish!

It came to me in the middle of the night to add a little star to my ‘sunset’ quilt.

And as the sun sets on the Stitchers Across the Ditch, may all your dreams come true. 

With love, Margie

For Anna SUNSET

 
Thanks Anna for an appropriate challenge.  Thanks everyone for a great six years.

It was fantastic time knowing all of you and keeping in touch.

 Will continue to be the social secretary for the Sydney Quilt Show dinner each year.
Know it will be the Saturday night of each exhibition.
See you all there in 2017.

And of course bigger and better fireworks next year.

Hugs to everyone

Pam 

Sunset for Anna (from Kay H)

Hi Anna,

We've seen skies like this before... quite unreal really, but nature is amazing sometimes.

Whenever we see a sunset from our deck we always comment on it and are thankful for the day,

All the best!

Kay H

Modern Amish by Kay W

Apologies for being so late! My quilt has been finished since the due date, but I just haven't dealt with the photo and blog stage.  Now I just have to get to the post office!

After a reading of my quilt books I realised my stash contained very little of the Amish palette.  Since a big part of the challenge has to be not purchasing more fabric I decided to do these Amish Pineapple blocks in bright colours and a modern setting.

Amish Inspired by Lynn

Amish quilts =  plain coloured fabrics, simple repeated blocks, and hand quilting.

Amish Inspired.  Here it is!

Enjoy your Amish collection, Judith. Best wishes from Lynn.

Bars Variation - Judith

Browsing "Amish Crib Quilts from the midwest – The Sara Miller collection" I came across this 1920 -1940 quilt by an unknown quilter which I felt I needed to replicate in a miniature form using hand dyed and black calico. The quilt is freely machine pieced and quilted using, what I’ve been told, the traditional black thread.

I’m loving the Amish quilts appearing on the Blog, all different and all very special, thank you fellow stitchers.

Judith

Simplicity. By Kerry

Thank you Judith for the Challenge. Last year at Quilt market Hoffman brought out a range of Batiks in solids this was a great opportunity to work with them. There is always an element of imperfection in an Amish quilt and mine seams to be in the binding application . Did not look like it in reality but the camera tells no lies.

"Lovebirds" stitched by Margie

I'm a great follower of the 'keep it simple' principle, so I have stitched a very traditional Amish 'bars' design in plain cloth. "Lovebirds" is from Quilting designs of the Amish by Pepper Cory. 

Kaffe and the Amish - Helen

One of my favourite Amish quilts is Roman Stripes. The Kaffe fabric seemed to blend with my very meagre stash of solids. Judith - quilts are looking great and hope you enjoy. The fabrics are not faded at the bottom of the quilt - my next workshop needs to be photography!!

Amish Steps by Anna

Enjoyed researching the Amish Quilts with you Judith. Great topic. Love the way this one looks 3D.
Looking forward to the lucky last 'sunset 'quilts from you all next month. Cheers Anna

Deb - Amish Inspiration

I really enjoyed looking through my Amish quilting books for ideas. It brought back great memories of my two trips to the Amish country. I had a crazy log cabin block already made up using Kaffe Fassett shot cottons and decided to quilt some feather wreaths. I've never used them on any quilt before and I really love the effect. 

Amish for Judith

Hi Judith
Love the colours of Amish quilts.
 I did some hand quilting on this one, you can see a bit of it in the picture.
Enjoy!
With love, from Mary

For Judith from Pam

Hope you're enjoying all our little challenges...

Got to do the Amish look, but not sure I moved into the inspired part of your challenge!

However, - loved making it for you.

Cheers,

Pam

For Judith from Kay H

"GOING HOME"

Hi Judith,
We lived half an hour from the Amish country in Pennsylvania for 20 years, and every trip up there gave us views like this!  

Such heartfelt memories of the quilts, the fabric and the people!  This is where I got inspired to start quilting in the mid 1980-s…

X   Kay H

Land of the Long White Cloud. by Kerry

I wanted to piece the background but decided to try a confetti effect so used the colours of New Zealand . Red for the Pohutakawa, Yellow for the sun,Blue for the sea and of course green for the land. Enjoyed making this little quilt for you Lynn . On its way tomorrow.

Deb - 'True Blue'

   

When I think of my country I immediately think of all our unique animals!

Hope you enjoy all your little quilts Lynn. I enjoyed making this one. 

My Country by Ngaire

Our Country features great places, scenery and many diverse cultures. We also have a huge collection of New Zealand fabrics that feature many of the aspects of life here in New Zealand. Here are a few that show case our Maori culture and of course the silver fern. Ngaire

"My Country" - for Lynn - by Pam

Here is my entry, Lynn. Hope you enjoy it.

I love a sunburnt country,

A land of sweeping plains,

Of rugged mountain ranges,

Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons,

I love her jewel seas,

Her beauty and her terror

The wide brown land for me.

Great Challenge,Lynn.

Regards,

Pam

My Country - Post and Rail Fence - From Lynn.

What could be more typical of my part of the Australian East Coast? The post and rail fence.
I created a Confetti Landscape background and painted fabric for the fence. Raw edge applique.
I am enjoying seeing all of your creations and I look forward to receiving them.
Thank you in anticipation.
From Lynn.

Our Sporting Nation - Helen

It was easy for me to decide that my quilt would be about the Aussie obsession with sport.
My after thought of adding the sign to Rio seemed like a good idea at the time, then I realised that the rower is heading in the wrong direction! I hope I haven't affected the chances of our rowing team in Rio. Go green and gold!

Summer 2016 By Mary

Summer 2016 was glorious in our little seaside village of Ohope.
 The Pohutukawas were amazing much better than my rendition here.
The Island is Whale Island which sits a few kilometers off our coast, once owned by Maori but now a Department of Conservation reserve, with Kiwi and Tuatara and  a refuge for sea birds.
This is what NZ ers think of when we think of our country.
Hope you enjoy your quilts Lynn

Reflections by Anna

               I love the scenery in New Zealand, especially the mountains,lakes and sea. We are not very far from spectacular views wherever we travel in this wonderful country of ours.
Enjoy your snowy mountains reflected in the lake, Lynn. Cheers Anna

"My Country - over the years" by Kay H.

Here is my entry, Lynn, - hope you enjoy it.  I did!

    

With memories of living and making a home in 6 different countries over the years, here is my adaptation of “My Country” for you. 

As Uluru dominates the horizon, Australia is of course home for us, but the sheep grazing in NZ, the Eiffel Tower in France, the Colosseum in Italy, Stonehenge in England and Liberty Bell in America are reminders of a good life and wonderful experiences there.

X    Kay H

Gert By (the) Sea by Kay W.

Whenever there is agitation to change Australian National Anthem, the line most criticised is "Our home is girt by sea".  The old fashioned word "girt" really bothers some people.  So here is Gert,  by the sea -  a very Australian thing to do!

Some of you may recognise Gert as one of the Bathing Beauties in the pattern by Lessa and Deb.  She is used here with permission.   If anyone is interested in the pattern it can be purchased through Brenda Wood of 2 Sew Textiles,  www.2SewTextiles.com

Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud - by Judith

There are various stories telling of the discovery and naming of New Zealand. The stories tell of Kupe leading the great Polynesian migration from Hawaii to the south seas and sighting a long white cloud on the horizon. In hope of finding land Kupe and his crew navigated towards it and so discovered New Zealand.

This quilt simplifying the legend is needled felted blending wool, silk and bamboo.

I really enjoyed this experiment and watching the quilt develop.

Enjoy.

Lines from "My Country" - stitched by Margie

I love a sunburnt country

A land of sweeping plains,

Of ragged mountain ranges,

Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons,

I love her jewel sea,

Her beauty and her terror –

A wide brown land for me.

from  Dorothy Mackellar’s “My Country”

[and if I really had to chose to live anywhere else it would be across the ditch!]

Little Hex by Kerry

Oh Dear Pam this has taken a lot longer to create that I thought it would. My interpretation of a Modern mini is that a lot of the "Modern Quilts" really are just traditional blocks on a grey or white background with heavy quilting. The little pieces were leftovers from another larger quilt that contained Gelli plate printed fabrics. On its way today.

Mini, she's a Mod by Judith

Thank you Pam for a very interesting challenge. I did have to research the definition of a "Modern quilt" and was relieved to find that really anything goes, some quilts are extremely colourful while others use a very minimalistic pallet. As you see mine falls into the latter category. I’m very much drawn to black and white stripes, so they were my starting point. It was so much fun to work with them while making this little quilt for you.

Enjoy

Mini Modern by Ngaire

I have collected  a few books on modern quilting with the idea of using lots of my scraps. I like all the bright colours so decided this was a chance to practice some of the ideas.
Thank you for the invite to dinner in Sydney Pam, I would have loved to come but the timing wasn't right as we have a new grand child arriving in the next week and need to go and be a Granny helper. We hope to be in Sydney early August so might be able to catch up then.
Ngaire

My own "Mini-Modern - From Pam

I too had fun making this little quilt.

Thank you all for your great work.

I will treasure and share them for a 

long time to come.

Cheers,

Pam

Mini-Modern from Kay H.

I can't believe I am late getting this on the blog, - I have had the quilt finished for ages!

But here it is, Pam.... my first "Modern Quilt"!  

The challenge was really interesting.  I wanted to keep it 

clean and fresh, and include some movement.

Thank you Pam, hope you enjoy your quilts!..

Kay H

Next Challenge - from Lynn

Hello all,

Since our crossing of the ditch is coming to an end this year, it seems to me we could have a go at expressing how we each feel about Our Country, - so that's the challenge I am setting:

"My Country".

Looking forward to seeing all your takes on this...

Lynn

Mini Modern by Mary

Hi Pam
Here is my wee quilt. I enjoyed the hand stitching and the bright colours with the light background. I have enjoyed seeing the results of your challenge.
Hope you like your quilt!
Mary

Modern Mini Windmills by Anna

I thought I would make this design a second time for a larger quilt for my daughter who has a very modern minimalist house and furnishings. It was an excellent practice run and she loves the design. 

Thank you Pam for choosing a great topic and I hope you enjoy your little quilts.

Mini Modern from Lynn

I do do piecing! I also  love working with bright colours.
Enjoy your modern gallery, Pam.
Best wishes from
Lynn

Odd One Out - Helen

We have quickly 'warmed' to white backgrounds and clear lines that seem to summarise modern quilts. While this quilt is quite small I have never achieved this density of quilting in the past! Hope you enjoy these quilts, Pam.

"Seventies nine patch" ~ stitched by Margie

Nine little patches from a box of scraps from other Stitching across the Ditch projects. 

My ‘mini modern’ references the bright, bold fabrics of the seventies, in particular from the Marimekko company, still popular today. The designs are larger than life, so, not easy to replicate in miniature!

An A4 box of fabric goes a long way - I also stitched a table runner and still have lots of bits too precious to ditch.