The Quilted Crow Girls

A Gathering in the Barn

Come join us next year on either Friday 16th or Saturday 17th of March (you choose!) for a day of stitching and fun at "A Gathering in the Barn",  home of "Quilts in the Barn", hosted each year by Linda Collins on her property in Wonga Park, Victoria. 

Many of you have asked us several times about coming to Victoria to do such a thing . . . so look out - here we come!  

How better can it get - stitching, friends, food - all together in beautiful surrounds.

We will each design two projects for you, combining wool applique and cotton fabric, which are our two great loves, using our well known wool applique techniques.  You will each receive all four of these brand new patterns in your gift bag, along with some other little goodies . . . of course!

There will be loads of delicious food, the opportunity for some retail therapy at "The Quilted Crow" and some sneeky peeks of some of the projects from our upcoming book titled "Elegant Quilts, Country Charm", which is due for release May next year.

To find out more about this fun day we have planned for you, click on the button "A Gathering in the Barn" over there on the left hand side!  We'd love for you to join us . . .

A portion of the cost to attend the day will be donated to Breast Cancer Research, a cause that is close to us all . .

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

My little corner at home . . .

Here are some little treasures that have found their way to my place . . .

My treasured pincushion given to me by Jo Morton, sitting alongside my favourite little cast iron bunny and the extra special bird nest that I found on the ground one day when out walking . . .

My small collection of bits and bobs that I love to have close by . . .

Can you spot my other treasured pincushion sitting on top of the glass jar . . . this one was given to me by Betsy and Carol on our last trip to the US . . . they secretly sat up late one night and made one each for Deirdre and I . . .I just love it to bits!

My collage of odd bits that I've fallen in love with and collected over the years including my beautiful mother-in-laws hankerchief from her wedding day and some cross stitches that she started many years ago and never finished . . .

Some little quilts I have made, including my little log cabin that was one day stolen but returned to me by a very special person who just happened to come across it at a local market . . . on top of my favourite hat box . . .

My shaker box that I have always dreamt of having . . . it came home with me this trip from the States . . . sitting on top of a very special little quilt that a dear friend made . . . she spends most of her time studying penguins way down in Antarctica . . . brrrrr . . . I miss her . . .

A signed antique block by Judie Rothermel whose fabrics I have been collecting for many years . . . surrounded by some left over log cabin blocks made from her fabric range, Rocky Mountain . . .

I love old buttons and books . . .

My extra, extra special pincushion that my youngest daughter Jess made for me a couple of years ago . . it sits on top of my other treasure, my Bernina 1130 . . .

And lastly, the sunset from my sewing room window . . .

I'm sure I've got some space left for some other needful treasures . . . just need to find extra time to go on some more treasure hunts!   And ain't that fun!

Until next time,

Leonie - One half of The Quilted Crow Girls!

 

 

 

 

Some new book titles in store . . .

Just arrived at Crow Central are these new book titles . .

The gorgeous new book by Jo Morton titled "Prairie Flowers Encore" which features 25 sweet to stitch applique designs - this is a must for all Jo fans . . . we were fortunate enough to see the cover quilt at the recent Quilts In The Barn and it is truly wonderful, so ladies, start going through your Jo fabrics and get stitching!

We also carry Jo's other book titles, including "Banner Day", "Coming Home" and "Remembrances" along with her latest fabrics which never seem to last long on the shelf . . . I wonder why? 

By the lovely Bonnie Sullivan and her sister Kathy Schmitz "French Inspirations for Artful Hands", inspired by their recent journey through France.  From embroidery to wool applique, they have created over 16 projects for us all to enjoy. 

And for those of you who are looking for some extra ideas for Christmas, then this book by Lisa Bongean titled "Primitive Christmas" is one you will fall in love with also . .

We also carry Lisa's other book titles, "Autumn Gatherings" and "Summer Gatherings", each featuring wonderful projects.

All of the the above books can be ordered on our website or just give us a call at the shop on (03) 6228 3319 and we'll get a copy straight to you!

And just one last thing, the always eagerly awaited magazine "Primitive Quilts and Projects" just arrived too . .

For those of you who have signed up to receive the mag, it will go out in Mondays post . . . keep an eye on the letterbox!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

 

Just playin' . . .

Today in the shop I had a bit of play time, moving stuff about, putting it here, putting it there . . .

It's always loads of fun . . . look at those bundles of wool . . . aren't they scrummy?

And what about this cute little corner . . .

Can you spot the new Paula Barnes "Tavern Blues" bundled up in the wire basket . . . gotta put them on my list . . . a nice big nine patch with lots of browns and shirtings . . . just like the one featured in Betsy and Carol's book titled "History Repeated" . . .

And so that little bit of play time at the shop got me thinking that I should share a little of my corner at home and some of the treasures that have found their way there . . . I will leave that for a little later in the week!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workshop fun . . .

Well we have been home for just over one week now and have caught up with everything at Crow Central, so now it's time to share some of the fun we had at our workshop at Lone Star House of Quilts in Arlington.

We were greeted by some very enthusiastic ladies ready to try our techniques using felted woven wool.  Let me say, it didn't take them long to 'get into it' and they had plenty to show by the end of the day.  Some had never worked in wool before, so it was all very new to them.  They loved our technique using glue and staples and were more than happy to show their works in progress . . .

After the workshop on Sunday we all gathered on the front porch of Lone Star House of Quilts for a photo or two . . .

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with everyone and it came to an end way too quickly!   Keep stitching ladies and we hope that you'll share some of your finished projects with us!!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

 

Workshop at Lone Star House of Quilts . .

Today and tomorrow we will be teaching at Lone Star House of Quilts here in Arlington, just out of Dallas. 

We're looking forward to seeing all the ladies again from our Trunk Show, and meeting some new ones who will be coming along.

Here are the two projects that the ladies will each get a pattern for . ."Crossroads" by D Crow

and "Betsy" by L Crow

Not terribly good photos to show you, but you get the idea!  

Betty has been stirring the pots getting all that lovely wool ready for the ladies who are coming - it's going to be loads of fun - and for those of you who are joining us, we have an extra special treat for you !!  See you there!!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

Another book signing . . .

We have been most fortunate to be spending our time here in the US with the lovely Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle, authors of "History Repeated", block exchange quilts by the 19th Century Patchwork Divas, published by Kansas City Star.

This beautiful book was launched here at market and if you are a lover of reproduction, it is a must have in your book library . . .

Here is the lucky Linda Collins accepting her very own signed copy!

Us two lucky crows were asked to help out with the Schoolhouse session - and we were pretty chuffed about that!!!  Who doesn't mind holding up these beauties for show and tell!

Here's another one . . .

And a close up of just one more to tempt you!

We're really excited about our dinner date on Sunday night with the Patchwork Diva's where we will get to have our very own preview of the quilts from the book - plus a few extras thrown in that will no doubt have us gasping and wanting to run to our fabric stash when we get home!  We've already been gobsmacked by the amazing amount of beautiful quilts shown to us by one of the Diva's, Marilyn, who is also down here with us in Houston.  This lady has made 350 quilts and they are all sensational!   She had one of her quilts hanging in the exhibition at Festival which we saw also.

We're heading on back up to Dallas with Betsy and Carol this morning - D Crow and I have affectionately been named as "the naughty kids in the back" - goodness knows why . . . how much further??. . .are we there yet?? . . . I'm hungry . . . they just keep feeding us Beaver Nuggets to keep us quiet . . . hasn't worked yet!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls

 

 

 

A book signing with Sue Daley

They were gathered at the "Checker" station, for the word had passed around . . . that Sue Daley from Busyfingers was with her new book and in town!

Sue's beautiful new book titled "New English Paper Piecing", published by C&T Publishing was officially launched at market and was in high demand, as was the lady herself . . . standing here proudly in front of her display at Checker Distributors . . .

We were one of the fortunate ones whose name was drawn to receive a signed copy - and no, it wasn't a set up - we had to push elbows with the rest of them to get in!!

It is a beautifully presented book full of Sue's amazing work for which she is well known for around the world.  Of course, Crow Central will be stocking this book and all the 'bits and bobs' that go with it - so when we get home in just over a week, be sure to come in and check it out for yourselves.

Congratulations Sue!

Until next time,

Leonie & Deirdre - The Quilted Crow Girls