A little Cross Stitching.

Whilst away at Summer School, we were treated to a cross stitch lesson/refresher by Karen  from The Stitching Post  in Katoomba.  Karen also runs an online needlework shop Linen and Threads, and does the most beautiful cross stitch I've ever seen.
A simple request to "show us how to stitch" became a wonderfully informative 2 hour lesson on the finer points of cross stitch.  Karen generously provided all those interested with a small kit that could become a pin cushion or a framed picture. 

Eeek, in taking this picture, I've just realised the bottom 2 pink flowers aren't finished.  Tomorrow's job!
This little kit rekindled my long lost love of cross stitch, so I purchased a pattern whilst at Summer School. 

I guess there is nothing like jumping in with both feet to the deep end!

January Summer School.

As usual, I made the annual trek up the highway to Karen Cunningham's Summer School in Blackheath, Blue Mountains.  A fantastic destination for a sewing retreat, so picturesque and relaxed.
Project 1 this year was a beautiful applique and pieced block quilt.

I apologise for the poor photography,the quilt was absolutely gorgeous in person.  For 2 fantastic days, we worked on this quilt.  The applique is stunning, but so achievable, the pieced blocks set the quilt off so beautifully.  Do I sound like I love this quilt?  I do!  I'm currently working on the applique blocks using back-basteing for the applique.  This is a new technique to me, but I'm finding that it is very accurate in keeping the pieces exactly where I want them.
The last 2 days of our retreat I started a project with Rhonda Pearce- " The Ann Randoll Coverlet".  Rhonda taught this quilt at last years retreat, but I was unable to attend.  I was so happy when I saw that she was offering it again this year.

This quilt dates from approx. 1802.  Too gorgeous.
My centre block is coming along slowly,

Only 1 border to go.  I'm using a freezer paper template to applique this little strip to the block.
I'm choosing not to think about the gazillion triangles in the next large border.