Sunset by Ngaire

A great way to end what has been an interesting and challenging journey for the last few years.
Thank you Anna for including me in this group even though the thought was rather scarey and thank you everyone else for sharing your lovely work with us all.
Ngaire.

Amish Bars by Ngaire

The Amish quilting has always interested me with their use of bold colours so I have enjoyed doing this challenge. I hope to be able to see more of their work when we visit some of the Amish country later in the year.
Thank you Judy.
Ngaire

At the End of a Day from Judith

Hi Anna, at last it's no longer an UFO, enjoy.

Pen and ink meets stitch in this little quilt, a technique I’ve wanted to explore for some time, not new, I know, but new to me, also it’s another use for a stencil.  At first I tried, unsuccessfully, to use the stencil as a stamp and finally solved the problem by outlining the positive, then adding pen and ink and stitch.

Thank you Anna for once again testing me, as always I’ve enjoyed the challenge even though this time the result has been a long time coming.

To everyone my very best wishes I know I will miss the regular contact with you all, the challenges, visiting the blog to see the latest additions, it has been a wonderful six years.
Cheers Judith

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