Almost time to leave for the Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair !!

Hi Everyone,
                    Time has flown past since we arrived home from the Perth show Tuesday last week. We have been busy cutting kits & catching up on Bom's. We have even found time to design a new quilt using a Layer cake :). Pattern still to be written and we leave for Sydney on Sunday afternoon after the shop closes.
I enjoy going to Sydney as each year Terry and I get to catch up with my bestie Jo and her hubby. Nice to have dinner and chat about our year and what the kids have been doing ( Jo has 5 beautiful children). We also try to catch up with family, while we are there as well. Hoping to catch up with my sister and family too.
 So if you are heading to the Darling Harbour show don't forget to pop by our stand K27 and say hi and see my designs on the stand in real life ! :). 


Hope you are having a wonderful day where ever you are.
Jennifer xx

Paisley Jam Designs at Perth Craft & Quilt Fair

Hi Everyone,
                   I thought you might like to see a photo of our shop stand, at this weeks Perth Craft & Quilt Fair. In the center you can spy my two designs, Christmas Blessings and Peace on Earth with all the other goodies on our stand.

Terry & I are both pooped tonight, after the first 2 day's. Looking forward to wine 0'clock soon. Only another 3 day's to go,  then the pack up & get the stock packed back on the pallet and shipped on to Sydney for next months show.

Hope you are having a wonderful day where ever you are.
Jennifer xx

Peace on Earth Design revealed !

I have decided to show my blogger friends the whole photo, of my newest design before it is released at the Perth Craft & Quilt Fair tomorrow. I would love for you to comment and let me know what you think of it. If you are going to the Perth show it will be available at Patchwork By Sea stand C25, so why not stop by and see the "real" thing !. It will also be available at the shop in Adelaide in a week when we are home from Perth.
Follow Paisley Jam Designs on Facebbok  Here
Follow Patchwork By Sea on Facebook  Here

Peace on Earth © 2013 Paisley Jam Designs

Close up of Peace on Earth

This morning we are off to the Perth Exhibition and Convention Center to set up our stand. A long day ahead of us with lots of decisions to be made so our stand look inviting and inspirational to everyone who attends the show starting tomorrow through to Sunday.

I will put up some photo's of the stand tonight.

Hope you have a wonderful day where ever you are :)

Happy Quilting

Jennifer xx

Design two pattern done !!

We are back late tonight writing the pattern for my second design being released at the Perth Craft & Quilt Fair next week............ so excited !!.
Tomorrow to print & fold patterns and cut and pack the kits, then pop them into my suitcase for Monday mornings early flight !.
Dancing a happy dance !!

Jennifer xx

Christmas Blessings now quilted.

Last week I picked up my first design Blessed Christmas up from having it quilted. My friend Val has a a longarm machine. Thank you Val you have done such an amazing job of quilting it for me. I thought I would share some photo's with you.

I just LOVE this little fella !

This is it hanging in the shop.

So exciting seeing how it has come to life  with her quilting. I hand stitched the binding down in the car as Terry drove us from Adelaide to Melbourne for AQC ( Australasian Quilt Convention ). We had a stand there for our shop Patchwork By Sea. It was a bit surreal having it hanging on the stand and listen to ladies saying how nice it was.

Unfortunately we did not get the pattern written for my second design. Disappointingly we just ran out of time. Such a big job packing up the stock for a show. I am crossing my fingers that it will be done so that I can have it at the Perth Craft & Quilt Fair next month as a new release. I am thinking of making it in a second colour way using bright colours, well bright for me! My daughter tell's me the first one is so typically me !!.

Hope you are finding time to stitch where ever you are.

Hugz

Jennifer xx

leaving comments.

Hi I just wanted to let you know that a friend has let me know that my settings on my blog was set so most people could not leave me any comments on my posts. I have now fixed the setting problem.I look forward to hearing your comments. Sorry for messing up my settings.
Thank you Tara ! hon xxx

Happy Stitching
Jennifer xx

Turner Exhibition / William Morris

 Terry and I enjoyed going to see the Turner exhibition today at the South Australian Art Gallery. South Australian Art Gallery
 I  liked his older style paintings, like this one.
                                          Joseph Mallord William Turner

Rome from the Vatican.

I decided I was not a fan of the style he used  before he died .  I like to be able see what the subjects are.

The painting below is inside Durham Cathedral. Which has a special place in my heart. My Granddad was killed in WW11 when my dad was only 4. He was part of a group that used to help out the cathedral's choir when they did large pieces like Handel's Messiah. Terry and I were lucky enough to be taken to the cathedral, when we were in England in September last year by my wonderful Aunt and Uncle, before we joined  the William Morris tour we were  in England for. To be able to walk through the cathedral knowing that years before the granddad I never got to meet, had walked before me was overwhelming. But something I will treasure with all my heart. Today standing in front of the painting below of the cathedral, I was so drawn into the painting and I felt like I was standing right inside the cathedral. Turner has really captured the very essence of Durham Cathedral.

The Interior of Durham Cathedral, Looking East along the South Aisle c.1798

Below is a photo of the majestic cathedral for you to see. You can check out more info on the cathedral on the link below the photo.

                                                               Durham cathedral

While at the art gallery Terry and I could not resist visiting the William Morris gallery. Lovely to see The star of Bethlehem tapestry from Morris & Co. Below is a photo I found on the net. We also saw another of these tapestries at the chapel in Exeter College Oxford . Although they have different boarders. If I remember correctly there were six of these tapestries made.

And above is the water colour painting by Edward Burn Jones which hangs in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. You can visit it here. This painting is so large there is no way anyone could get it out of the gallery it is hung in, as the doors are to low.

This is me standing near this amazing painting. I thought it would give you a better idea of it's size.
Well that is all for now. It is now passed my bed time.

Thank you for sharing my day where ever you are.
Happy Stitching
Jennifer xx

I have been sewing see !!

Well I have been sewing and this time I have been helping Terry piece our newest BOM.

It is Quilting Mouse designed by Nikki Tervo of Brandy Gully.

A friend stitched all the mice stitcheries, as I have been busy stitching  stitcheries for another project for the shop with the help from my dear friend Louisa. Thank you so much Jane for your help xx.

Quilting Mouse BOM

This beautiful BOM is available from my shop Patchwork By Sea .

 Please call 08 83773942 to sign up for this BOM.

I have been having some company in the sewing room at home of late !

Indy sitting on the cutting table 

You can see my pile of disappearing 9 patch blocks sitting  waiting patiently  for my attention.

Have a wonderful day where ever you are !

happy stitching

Jennifer xx

Paisley Jam designs Face Book Page

The other thing I have been up to is creating a Face Book page. I have added photo's of my designs and will continue to add photo's and sneak peek photo's as I create new designs.
So who not like Paisley Jam Designs on Face Book
Paisley Jam Designs Face book page

Happy Stitching


Jennifer  xx

Sadie update !

Do you remember in an earlier post I told you about us adopting the beautiful Sadie and her being afraid of the waves at the beach. Well yesterday she decided she would chase her beloved ball into the waves !!. She finding it hard to work out how to get the ball in her mouth with out swallowing water !

But I think her favorite thing was chasing her ball over the smooth sand, as it just kept getting away from her, she chased and chased it. So she was worn out by the time we got back into the car.

          Proof that Sadie went into the waves :).

                                           Isn't she just cute !!.

Sadie has turned out to be the most lovable, loyal and gentle girl, who does like to chew a bit. But adopting her from the Animal Welfare League 3 weeks ago is one of the best things Terry and I have done in a long while. She has fit into our lives so easily.

I have been distracted from my stitching and plan to get back to it tonight I am missing it so much.

Happy stitching

Jennifer xx

What did Sadie get up to today ??

Today Sadie's halo slipped to her ankles.

It started with her pulling my son's washing off the line over night and she chewed a pair of his undies !

She also dug a hole in the backyard, peed inside on the slate by the front door, nipped Terry on the chest while playing , tried chewing off one of the tiny pompoms of the cushion and chased the cat through the house.

Sooooooo her halo is sitting around her puppy ankles today !! LOL

I wonder what tomorrow will bring !!

Happy Quilting

Jennifer

Romantic Valentines walk on the beach

Tonight Terry and I went for a walk on Port Noarlunga beach holding hands and watching the sunset.

We took the lovable Sadie with us. Our romantic walk turned into fits of laughter. It turns out dear Sadie is afraid of the gentle waves rolling on the beach.

It was so funny watching her avoiding the waves so her feet did not get wet.

With a gentle bit of coaxing and some doggy treats we managed to get her into the water up to her ankles .............so funny bless her

Happy Quilting 

Jennifer

Design two is finished !

© Paisley Jam Designs and is not to be shared.

Here is a another peek of my second design, still a bit hiding to be revealed when the patterns are written.

I will let you know when the patterns are ready.

Have a wonderful day were ever you are.

Happy Quilting

Jennifer

Patchwork By Sea on Facebook

1. I thought I would share with you that my shop Patchwork By Sea is also on facebook.

You can "like" us by following the link below and see what we get up to in the shop.

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Patchwork-by-Sea/187661154581547

Happy Quilting

Jennifer

Meet Sadie

I would like to introduce to you Sadie the newest member to our family.

We got her on Monday from the Animal Welfare League.

She is a 11 month old Boxer X.

She is a bit under weight as she was a stray. But is starting to fill out already.

Hubby and I have been up earlier the past two mornings out taking her for her morning walk.

Yesterday we took  her for an afternoon walk too ! . she was pooped out after that :)

 This afternoon our daughter Alynda and hubby took her for after noon walk along the beach, seems she does not like the water at this stage.

 Sadie has the most beautiful nature, she is a quiet and soft dog who looks at you with those big eyes and your heart just melts !!

So far she ticks all the boxes. Great to walk, travels in the car well and sits and drops most of the time ! ( well she is still a puppy )

I am hoping that our dedication to her walks will impact on our waist lines !............hehe . I will let you know how we get on !!

I hope it is true that if you do something for two weeks it becomes a habit !!!

Happy Quilting

Jennifer

PS  Indy my cat is NOT happy we dared get a D O G !!!

The little things in life !

Do you have "the little things in life" that can make your day ??

This morning I had the luxury of my hubby bringing me a cup of tea in my favourite china cup to enjoy in bed.

Such a small thing but it made my day !.  

And tonight I am going to enjoy another of the little things in life that I just love.

What is you ask ?

Slipping between the freshly washed sheets that came off the washing line and straight on to my bed. So they will smell nice and fresh as I slip off to sleep.

 Happy dreams

Jennifer

The Lady of Shalott

Last September when I was in England on the William Morris tour we visited the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

While we were learning about  Pre-Raphaelite art we were shown the painting The Lady of Shalott .The painting was a representation of a scene from Alfred Tennyson's poem of the same name .I have to tell you that this painting has me memorised. I have since looked up the poem that inspired the painting and I just love it.
 

 So I thought I would share it with you ! let me know what you think .

The Lady of Shalott

By  Pre-Raphaelite artist John William Waterhouse

 

The Lady of Shalott.
Part I
On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky;
And thro' the field the road runs by
To many-tower'd Camelot;
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island there below,
The island of Shalott.
Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Thro' the wave that runs for ever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to Camelot.
Four grey walls, and four grey towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.
By the margin, willow veil'd
Slide the heavy barges trail'd
By slow horses; and unhail'd
The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd
Skimming down to Camelot:
But who hath seen her wave her hand?
Or at the casement seen her stand?
Or is she known in all the land,
The Lady of Shalott?
Only reapers, reaping early
In among the bearded barley,
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly,
Down to tower'd Camelot:
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers "'Tis the fairy
Lady of Shalott."
Part II
There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.
And moving thro' a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot:
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the surly village-churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls,
Pass onward from Shalott.
Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad,
Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad,
Goes by to tower'd Camelot;
And sometimes thro' the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two:
She hath no loyal knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.
But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often thro' the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights,
And music, went to Camelot:
Or when the moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed;
"I am half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.
Part III
A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,
He rode between the barley-sheaves,
The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,
And flamed upon the brazen greaves
Of bold Sir Lancelot.
A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd
To a lady in his shield,
That sparkled on the yellow field,
Beside remote Shalott.
The gemmy bridle glitter'd free,
Like to some branch of stars we see
Hung in the golden Galaxy.
The bridle bells rang merrily
As he rode down to Camelot:
And from his blazon'd baldric slung
A mighty silver bugle hung,
And as he rode his armour rung,
Beside remote Shalott.
All in the blue unclouded weather
Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,
The helmet and the helmet-feather
Burn'd like one burning flame together,
As he rode down to Camelot.
As often thro' the purple night,
Below the starry clusters bright,
Some bearded meteor, trailing light,
Moves over still Shalott.
His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd;
On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode;
From underneath his helmet flow'd
His coal-black curls as on he rode,
As he rode down to Camelot.
From the bank and from the river
He flash'd into the crystal mirror,
"Tirra lirra," by the river
Sang Sir Lancelot.
She left the web, she left the loom,
She made three paces thro' the room,
She saw the water-lily bloom,
She saw the helmet and the plume,
She look'd down to Camelot.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror crack'd from side to side;
"The curse is come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalott.
Part IV
In the stormy east-wind straining,
The pale yellow woods were waning,
The broad stream in his banks complaining,
Heavily the low sky raining
Over tower'd Camelot;
Down she came and found a boat
Beneath a willow left afloat,
And round about the prow she wrote
The Lady of Shalott.
And down the river's dim expanse -
Like some bold seer in a trance,
Seeing all his own mischance -
With a glassy countenance
Did she look to Camelot.
And at the closing of the day
She loosed the chain, and down she lay;
The broad stream bore her far away,
The Lady of Shalott.
Lying, robed in snowy white
That loosely flew to left and right -
The leaves upon her falling light -
Thro' the noises of the night
She floated down to Camelot:
And as the boat-head wound along
The willowy hills and fields among,
They heard her singing her last song.
The Lady of Shalott.
Heard a carol, mournful, holy,
Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,
Till her blood was frozen slowly,
And her eyes were darken'd wholly,
Turn'd to tower'd Camelot.
For ere she reach'd upon the tide
The first house by the water-side,
Singing in her song she died
The Lady of Shalott.
Under tower and balcony,
By garden-wall and gallery,
A gleaming shape she floated by,
Dead-pale between the houses high,
Silent into Camelot.
Out upon the wharfs they came,
Knight and burgher, lord and dame.
And round the prow they read her name,
The Lady of Shalott.
Who is this? and what is here?
And in the lighted palace near
Died the sound of royal cheer;
And they cross'd themselves for fear,
All the knights at Camelot:
But Lancelot mused a little space;
He said, "She has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace.
The Lady of Shalott."
 
By Lord  Alfred Tennyson       


I hope you enjoyed the poem as much as I did.

Happy Quilting

Jennifer

Christmas tree / Roses

I have taken my Christmas tree down since getting home from work ! ...I know, but better late than never !!! . Terry is out the front pruning the fiber optic Christmas tree so it will fit in the garbage bin !!!!!!! ...................so funny to see !!! hehehe.................. It did not work this year, did not find out it was broken until after it was decorated .
 Alynda my daughter  will have a problem putting up my Christmas tree this year !!

My roses got there annual prune last year. But they have grown so well and given me such pleasure in so beautiful roses since.
I have been out "hacking" them back and pruning off all the spent flower heads.
Roses  won round 1 ..........................................me lots of scratches, stabbings and blood !!!
Lucky I love you roses !!!!!!!!!!!



Happy quilting
Jennifer xx

New years eve sewing

Last night as I was waiting for  my daughter and son-in-law to arrive for our new years eve party. I decided to start on a quilt that I promised my Mum. So Terry cut the squares for me.

Here they are lined up in colour looking all neat and tidy

Then my adorable cat Indy came to visit.

Isn't he cute !!  yep!  laying on my tidy rows of fabric !

This is his bottom as he leaves my once tidy and organised fabrics !!

Nice job Indy !!! lucky I love you !!! :)

I am working on a disapearing 9 patch in Moda Garden Party range. I have had it in my stash waiting for the right project to use it on. Mum and I are very alike and we both just love roses !! So this fabric range will be just perfect for her.

I will add photo's as I get the blocks done for you to see.

This is Indy looking handsome. He is curled up on the lounge beside me as I write this.

I am so glad of his love and cuddles.

Have a wonderful New Years Day where ever you are !

Happy quilting

Jennifer xx

New Year

As the start of a new year nears. I think it is time to tidy my sewing room and revisit my unfinished projects. I have to admit to having many !.

 First I will write a list of my UFO projects . Next I stop to think if I will actually want to finish each UFO. I will never finish my very first quilt as I hand pieced each of the 24   10 inch -ish blocks and decided I needed to hand quilt the quilt because it was hand pieced. I now dislike the colours that I used way back in 1993, mostly as my eye for colour has changed so much. So this is one UFO I will never finish.

 I have decided that 2013 will be the year I finish a project that I have worked on for the past  9 years. Yes, 9 years !! in my defence I only worked on the project at a yearly quilt camp.  I have done all the applique and some section are joined together as the appliqué over laps. I only have hand embroidery to finish and  the blocks will be finished and waiting for the boarders to be added .I just love this project with handsome reindeers and cute penguins.

 Back to my UFO's I then number them in a priority to finish. I will look at this list again same time this next year. I will no doubt have more ( new)  UFO's to add to the list ! ..... but the hope is that I will be able to cross off more projects number I have to add on !

I am also hoping to find time in the new year to design another quilt and some stitchery designs too!.  I can feel a christmas stitchery and maybe another a little William Morris inspired .

I would like to  wish you a very Happy New Year and more time to stitch !

Jennifer