a camille roskelley class, a trip to melbourne, and some sewing!

Oh, BUSY.

It has been a frustrating few weeks. While I love sewing, and it is defintely one of my favorite "me" things to do, lately it's been feeling like a burden. This is due to show deadlines.

I have had a few breaks, though! 19 June saw me and a group of friends descend upon Kim's to take a Camille Roskelley class. I was curious, having bought and used Thimble Blossoms patterns and Bonnie & Camille fabric, but I wouldn't have called myself a fangirl or anything. But then I met Camille and she is so sweet.

It was a bit nice to talk to someone who shares so many cultural roots, not an experience I often get here. The class was also a lot of fun. I got most of the bitsy sewing done, finished four blocks, and learned a really nifty trick to finish the quilt top the next morning while the kids were eating breakfast!

That was a really great day. Camille Roskelley was just a lovely human and I'm glad I have had the joy of taking her class. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I am so grateful!

But then it was back to show quilts. Stitching on binding and hanging sleeves are not my faves. In typical Jenn fashion, though, I have been procrasti-sewing. Finding little projects to make. Little extras to sew. And how they have come in handy!

I made some Drawstring Bags (Pattern by Jeni Baker of In Color Order) using my leftover Meadow fabric. And the pincushion is from Anna Maria Horner's Seams To Me book.

I also made some fabric baskets, using Nova's excellent pattern. I just can't stop sewing with Meadow!

And finally, I made a Super Tote!

I used some hoarded Melody Miller fabric, along with Echino dots, and my Spoonflower Mermaid fabric and some Alexander Henry Heath in Pink. The straps are Echino webbing.

I like the way this bag is big but not too big. I carried it to Melbourne and back and it fitted a LOT of stuff!

I didn't follow the pocket instructions; I made my own. But the original pattern is superb! I will definitely be making more.

So - yesterday I flew down to Melbourne for the day to spend some time with my rad friend Alys and to go to the Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fair. It was so great to meet Alys and just hang out -- she is so lovely! -- and of course it was nice to get away and see a different city for a little while.

I don't know how I took zero pictures of Alys and I together. What a grievous oversight. Especially since how cute are we? (CUTE. We are cute.)

We wandered around and this is the only quilt I am risking eternal hellfire for posting a picture of on the internet (if it must be removed, please let me know, I'll remove it!):

So that quilt was made with 22,500 quarter-inch hexagons. Get. Out. Of. Town.

It was my absolute favorite.

I stopped by the Maze & Vale booth and bought a ton of gorgeous fabric. Leslie is just the sweetest. It was really lovely to get to say hello to someone whose artistry I admire so much!

And, honestly, who could go past Liberty fat quarters? Oh, they were good. From The Strawberry Thief.

Alys and I wrapped up with pasta on Southbank, and she dashed off to a fundraiser while I vagued in the general direction of the airport. (This little introvert was SO peopled out. I am amazed I was coherent at all. That was more energy than I'd been able to expend in a long time!)

I had a really nice time in Melbourne, and even being unable to catch an earlier flight just meant I had a solid two hours of silent, by-myself time. This busy mama can't complain about a chance to sit and sew hexagons!

I did find it really funny when a grouchy older man snidely commented to his wife, "...kids these days" while looking over my blue hair. I haven't been called a KID in a while! It was so startling I actually laughed out loud to overhear it. Ahh, well, you can't please everyone and why would anyone want to? :)

There is much more to come - I'd like to blog about THREAD soon and I'm dying to talk about my latest hexie project. And of course the show is looming!

Take care! xx