Hugs from Helen

a warm weekend… picture heavy post

in so many ways…. I had the pleasure of a very warm welcome to Country Patchwork Cottage over the weekend from a wonderful host Jean Marie and her girls.

JM hosted me at her home with the most delightful young gentleman Bryce and his adored puppies. West Aussies know how to turn on the welcome.

Two days of successful classes (not without one teeny glitch which resulted in many miles from JM!) and lots of wonderful, inspiring, courageous and talented women to share with.

JM has a lovely team of friends working for her

That’s Denise on the left – she is the most nuturing, thoughtful and passionate (about her stitching) person I think I have met.

Next is the owner and an old Townsville friend Jean Marie – we learnt needleturn and machine quilting together whilst up there and are still going strong…

On the right is the lovely Kim – now she is the most enthusiastic, energetic stitcher I have ever met! Thankyou thankyou for wonderful new friendships girls…

Denise, whilst listening to the workshop had to work on this for an up and coming wedding –mmmm hope she doesn’t look at this blog? But added some colourque to it…

and has made this sample for the store

Kim has already finished this

Saturday’s class was ‘Fun with Inktense’ and was a challenge to many – but a fun challenge to free motion quilt a free design and then colour in.. with lots of lovely results

Judy mastered 3 flowers

I just loved Lyn’s funky flowers which turned out really well..

Ros did the only heart in the room, and I have to say brought the best homemade rocky road – yes she won the blog secret item contest! and she brought show and tell –a lovely different version of Twas the night – but silly me didn’t take a photo of either!

Desiree finished her original design – just background quilting to go

Simone and her mum Dorothy both made great progress and enjoyed the colouring process most. Simone won the prize for being the first to book in – the ‘send’ button had only just been pushed and she was on the phone!

McKenna had just too much fun, she did two, couldn’t keep her down – and both very original. I look forward to seeing her future creations as I could see her mind ticking over with excitement.

Sunday’s class was the traditional Colourque technique and all the girls made the Blessed Baltimore wallhanging – and very nicely indeed..

now girls, I must tell you that Jo has already made a whole quilt and is well through colouring it!!! hope the rest of you were also that inspired by the day. It really was lovely to come to such a warm and welcoming classroom, I do hope you invite me back one day

hugs to all – oh did I mention it was 41 degrees when I arrived on Friday – warm all round.

hugs

Helen

nameless…..

mippsy & Moppsy, Flipsy & floppsy, Milly & Molly???? These two mischievous characters are ready to head out into the world, but they need some names… can you help me out.

The best names will win a pattern + this pattern….for a wonderful Easter bucket – sorry, its going to take a bit to fill this one with easter eggs!

with hugs for your help

Helen

a wonderful weekend

its not often that I actually teach in my own home town. And sometimes its just nice to meet new local stitchers. There was a mix of several groups who all came together for a day of colourque® thanks to Kaye.

The thing that binds women like this is the passion to stitch – in any form… of course today they wanted to colour in too! and they all very excitedly took to the pencils with gusto…

This was Beth’s version

And Marian’s – she’s an old hand at it – but I did convince her to stitch with a hoop – she’s sold on that now.

another version, beautiful stitching to finish the coloured work.

and one more version –  I am not exactly sure who’s -  Carolyn?

thankyou for a wonderful day of sharing and inspiration and I hope I have you all enthused to do a lot more colouring and stitching..Thankyou Kaye for organising it.

hugs

Helen

grab a bargain!!!

just a very quick post before I go to pack the camping trailer yet again to head to Lake Barrington for Rowing once more!

to all who covet coloured pencils or are hooked on Colourque this site is having a sale on lots of Derwent products – and they were good prices to start with!

have fun shopping!

If you are waiting for requirements for my Classes at Country Patchwork Cottage WA in March, they will now be able to tell you and you may be able to go shopping!

hugs, Helen

Faux Appliqué and Faux feathers

This week I received my hard copy of this:

 

Now I think actually the Dec issue is already out so this isn't current and I was supposed to let you know earlier, but hopefully you would still be able to find it if you really want it – or read the free digital edition online because this is in it -

Yes for all of you playing with Colourque I have outlined how I did both sides using different types of pencils.

maybe you will have time over Christmas to have a play???

My last day tomorrow before I go on a much needed quick break. We are off to spend Christmas with my husbands family in Geelong – the first time since we moved to Tasmania and are really looking forward to a 10 day break. I will pop back tomorrow to say goodbye and Merry Christmas.

hugs

Helen

THE SECRET REVEALED

Remember when I had to go away for a special secret trip to Sydney earlier in the year? Well I can finally show you what it was for – well for those of you who did not guess.

now Kellie and Jo have both watched it and tell me its actually quite okay, I did not embarrass myself…..and others have emailed to say they loved the Colourque technique and cannot wait to try it. I am so pleased it may have inspired some to have a go at colouring..

It has the pattern and instructions for this table runner project.

no, I haven’t watched it yet, the girls promised me champagne courage with them for an official viewing! and we just haven’t had the time yet…have you?

hugs for today

Helen

Colourque classes

I get emails all the time asking where I am teaching Colourque next….. I’d love to be able to reach you all and get lots of requests but with three young girls still needing me at home I try not to travel too much at this stage.

But, look what I found this morning…

Now I actually cant find where this store is, this is the most information they give (hint to webstore owners – tell us where you are and give us a way to contact you!)

PHONE: (706) 863-0090
HOURS: Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri 9-6; Wed 9-5:30; Sat 10-4

---

Located on Washington Rd across from K-Mart.

So if you know where a K-Mart is on a Washington Rd you too could go try Colourque

I am going to put a new page on my blog listing where and when I am going to be – if you have a group or store nearby contact me and we may be able to arrange classes to coincide with my trips.

hugs, Helen

A quilters Gathering

Wow, what a lovely day we all had and the time just flew. 60 excited ladies converged on the sleepy hamlet of Campania for a day of sharing, stitching, caring and snacking on Saturday.

Of course with the theme being cupcakes everyone walked in to one of these in their spots..

the hall as always was a total treat for all senses

Good friends

good colourque

Good service

great Show and Tell…

This was Cheryl's finished Constantine Farm -

and this was Michelle’s

Their colouring was magnificent!

Christine from Burnie’s finished Tilly and Friends quilt

And Elaine's beautiful workmanship on a very old design (pre Hugs ‘n Kisses days when I was an embroidery teacher and designer) Grandma Neen’s mug bag.

We also told the girls about our very exciting project soon to be released but I will tell you all about that a little later….enough for now. You can see lots more pics on

Jo’s Blog, Leannes blog, Cathys blog, Fiona’s blog, Sarah’s blog, Sarah’s blog and Marina’s blog

hugs for today, and happy stitching! I’m off to edit and finish all of the patterns from the weekend so those who missed out can join in too. Watch this space….

Helen

dilemma of choice

So, time has snuck up on me again and my State Guild exhibition entries have to be in today!!! arrggh I thought I had weeks, now to find something to enter – I like to support them and put something in but alas time this year has not allowed me to do something specifically for it….

But I have just finished this quilt below titled ‘Faux Feathers’. It was a practise on my feather designing and quilting and I then coloured one side in Inktense pencils… (my new tin of 72 yummmm)

…Then the other in Coloursoft pencils…

It is only small so will go in the wall quilt section which is hung on the solid wall type partitioning so only one side will be visible, my dilemma is – which side do I show?

Can you help me out, we’ll take a vote

inktense or coloursoft?

hugs, Helen

a movie star in the making?

I think not…. but it was fun playing and pretending…

Here are a few peeks of what I was up to in Sydney late last week. Can you guess what its for? You shall have to wait until September…

hair, makeup, new outfit, even the nails done….. all just to colour in together….

see my nice necklace Jo?

hugs for today,

Helen