"The Craft Group" plus...

One thing I love about The Craft Group is how we bounce ideas off each other and spur one other on to finish things and accomplish craft greatness :)  (Sorry, that was 2 things... and there are more things than that I must say.) Dianne B started a quilt for her baby grand daughter to lay on when on the floor. But the quilt went into hiding at the back of a cupboard. Enter Elaine. With encouragement and help, Elaine and Dianne saw the quilt exit the cupboard and enter the light of day. That little grand daughter will LOVE this quilt. Perfect for a six year old girl  ;) 

How can such a beautiful quilt be captured in a photo?  Well, firstly, recruit some capable chair climbers. Set up, move them to another position for better light and then set up again, 3 times.  (Sorry girls!) Try and coax Ida into the photo... Ta da! Ida lovingly made this quilt and is thinking of sending it to her sister in Europe... IF she likes it!?! Posting it from Australia across all that water is a bit scary but I'm sure it will be OK.  The alternative of course is that she sends me to hand deliver it!  Here are some close up peeks: It is machine pieced with hand stitched applique and then she had it professionally machine quilted. Well, my photos don't capture it's real beauty.  You just have to believe me. Great job Ida!

People who know me know I am a lover of Blue and White. I try not to be! But I am always drawn to the calming effects of a good blue. Maybe it's my Dutch background.  Or maybe I stress too much and need calming colours! Maybe I associate blue with Summer which I also love. I have dabbled in the past with tie dying. But over these holidays I have been having a bit of fun with Shibori dying with Indigo dye and I am in LOVE.  Here are 4 cushion covers I dyed. For the people coming along this year to The Craft Group, we will have a little play with some of the techniques. For our cyber followers, I will add some of my favourite techniques here for you to be inspired by! More info to follow :)  Happy New Year everyone!