A Few Cool Things to Direct Your Attention to

Well there's an unwieldy blog title if ever I saw one. There were more than a few cool things I had to tell you though, and it seemed appropriate. 2012 is shaping up to be an exciting year in more ways than one - and I'm starting off with a bang.

These amazing blocks were made by all of YOU, isn't that incredible? Yep, these are some of the blocks you all made for Amy and Anabel. For those of you who didn't participate, the blocks are supposed to look like the bass lines on a stereo, to commemerate Amy's late husband Dan. There's something about seeing all these blocks together and thinking of all the people out there caring about Amy that brings tears to my eyes every time I look at them. You are all so generous of spirit and wonderful.

These blocks are for Anabel's quilt, they are light and fresh and pretty just like she is. I know this quilt looks huger than king single, but it isn't, it just looks that way on the design wall. Would you believe, I had just enough blocks to make the two quilts, with two spare? I think that's amazing, serendipity.

I am now looking for someone in Australia who would be willing to donate the machine quilting one one or both of the quilts.. please contact me if you can help.

For the last few weeks I have been head down, bum up working on this.

What was going to be a quick, fun project for an upcoming issue of Quilters Companion turned into a bit of an epic.... I just fell in love with the fabrics (they are all 100% Italian cotton shirtings) and decided to hand quilt it to within an inch of it's life.

The things I do. I put the last stitch in the binding today ready to Express Post to the editor tomorrow. Sorry to be so slow Clare.... however I was held up by slipping on a piece of discarded pizza in Westfield shops before Christmas, nearly breaking every bone in my body! Bruises are gone finally :) 

Thought you may like to see my able bodied helpers. Here's Damo the Sherpa holding one corner, Charlie fled in horror from the other end at the suggestion he might be on the blog again. Sorry dude.

A fewo other cool things to direct your attention to - the Made in Cherry Quilt Along. 

Chelsea at Pins and Bobbins is running this using my free pattern for the St Ives collection I did this year for Lecien. You can get all the details at her blog. Due to popular demand, I have some more kits for the quilts (which you can see at Chelsea's blog too) on my website for sale using all the original fabrics. The kits are $180 AUS and contain all the fabric for the 80" square top, and the binding. You don't have to use my fabric for the quilt along of course, but if you want to you can - and I am also happy to work up kits in the alternative sizes Chelsea provides in St Ives as well. Just drop me an email to sarah@sarahfielke.com.

Also on the website at present are new patterns available in PDF or hard copy, notions including my applique kits and templates for quilts in Material Obsession Two, Quilting: From Little Things and for my Bangles quilt (in this month's Get Creative magazine), my books and also my applique DVD. If you can't find something you're looking for, just shout!

Recently updated (like, today) you will find in the sidebar my dates for teaching this year... and in the next few years too. I will update this as often as possible. If you would like more info on any of the classes, please let me know. I'm so looking forward to going to all the amazing places I've been invited, as well as getting back to normal teaching at Cottage Quiltworks in Mona Vale and Calico and Ivy in Balmain. There are currently places available at both shops for the term - and also a few spots left for a one off class at Quiltsmith in Annandale on January 23rd. Please let me know asap if you are interested!

Quilting Daily has put out a free downloadable quilt block book, featuring 6 different quilts previously published in their magazines... and one of them is my A Dotty Garden quilt. Want to make it? Hop over to Quilting Daily for the pattern.

Surely that's all the cool stuff for now? I'd better hold some back so I can blog it later in the week, in case I run out :) I'm off to the studio to stitch some more of those beautiful blocks together. Adios!

PS. One more, cool and awesome, fun thing. Amy and I are launching our new 2012 project soon - nope, not Dolly Quilts this year, a BOM instead. Stay tuned!!!

Comments

[maldives cruises]

Thank you for sharing your articles, I hope you have an interesting and creative new year.

[Amy]

It's amazing to see those blocks together. It's just beautiful.

[Susan O]

Love the new Italian shirtings quilt and especially the beautiful hand quilting. It makes it lovely and I imagine it has a wonderful feel to it.

[Brenda]

thanks for showing the blocks together. I had fun making mine and together they look amazing.

[Sally]

The blocks for Anabel's quilt look AMAZING! So happy I could participate. Thank you for showing us the progress. Looking forward to seeing Amy's too. And, again, thank you for designing, sewing and including all of us in the project.

[elsa]

How wonderful so many people participated in Anabel's quilt. I missed this somehow.
That new quilt with the Italian shirting is amazing. Love your designs. Are you coming out with a new book?
Thanks for all the links and your amazing work!

[Steffi]

Yeah, I found my block. :-)
Anabel´s quilt looks fantastic - all the beautiful fabrics together.
Your medaillon quilt is beautiful, too. The soft colors look so nice together with the bits of black.

[Alison vB]

Hi Sarah,
Gorgeous job on the blocks, from all those generous folk. What are the dimensions - they look tiny, but I figure if it is King Size they must actually be a lot bigger than they appear. It is a fantastic visual result.

[Jeannette Bruce]

Hi, I have a Statler Stitcher and would be more than willing to donate my services to your cause. Email me if you are interested.

[Kirsty]

Wow, we did that! The Kaffe Quilt for Anabel looks amazing. Well done you for such an awesome idea and coordinating it all.

[KellyS]

Wow that quilt for Anabel looks amazing! It's so wonderful that so many people participated in making this stunner!

[Leanne Harvey]

I can quilt one if you would like. I am a longarmer. Just let me know.

[Tammy]

Those quilts will be amazing!! So much love in them to wrap Amy & Anabel in.

[MBMeadows]

I loved making the baseline blocks. The quilt turned out beautifully! Thank you for all your hard work!

[Auntie Pami]

Wish I were closer..this is an amazing quilt! Can't wait to see how it comes out quilted.

[lyn lindsay]

Well sarah you've begun the year with $0 but what you have done 'rings' worthy, worthy, worthy, love the roadside pick up and the treatment, clever girl, no surprise there,
Looking forward to the BOM soon, and doesn't the 'dotty' dresden look gorgeous on the bed.
Happy New Year and may 2012 be wonderful, as always, GO GIRL, from Lyn

[Alexandra]

Hello Sarah, I would be more than happy to longarm the quilts for you, they look gorgeous and will be a long distance hug. Ilive near Cottage Quiltworks if that helps.

[leanne]

omg - those baseline blocks look fabulous all together - I can't believe I've been here (I left a comment on your kicked to the curb post !) and I missed seeing the finished quilt - must keep my eyes open wider in future ! it looks fabulous - you did such a great job arranging all those blocks - WOW - and I wish I could quilt so I could see it up close and personal ! can't wait to see amy's quilt now :)

[Annabella]

So amazing to see all the blocks together - I hope my blocks made it all the way to Australia from Morocco...I`ll have to have a good look. Looks like you have your long arm quilter, which is fantastic news.

[Megan]

WOW! Amy and Anabel's quilt(s) looks FABULOUS. I was just cleaning email and came across the instructions and thought 'I wonder if there are any pictures' and there they WERE! I love it that people from all over donated. You are the BEST for putting this together!!!