Quilt Market in Kanas City

It's been a few weeks since my last blog, between the show in Brisbane and heading off to the United States there hasn't been much spare time for writing blogs.

 

This is more of a photo post, to show you all some pictures from my trip.

 

I had a great time in America with my friends Gary & Cheryl Philips (from Philips Fiber Art). Most of my time was spent in Kanas City, Missouri. It's not exactly a tourist destination but this was the location for Quilt Market this year. For those of you who don't know, Quilt Market is a huge trade show held twice a year. Manufacturers exhibit their latest designs and products to buyers and retailers.

This picture just doesn't show the sheer size of the show, Australian & New Zealand shows are tiny in comparison.

Next are some of the booths that were there.

Check out my pink quilt on the right hand corner, Cheryl is currently writing a pattern for it "Castle Walls".

The quilt on the left hand side is Stargello Pattern using the Gem Thirty Tool

Below are the "promo" girls for Michael Miller Fabrics

Below are some of the people I met

Gary Phillips and Denise, from Baltimore, she creates clothing out of quilts

Kay from Serendipity Studios, this is the cutest lady I've ever met, and she had an equally cute husband

Cheryl and Virginia Robertson, Quilter extrodronaire and writer from Colorado

Some of you may be familiar with the X blocks, this is Patricia she created them

Denise, Kathy from North Dakota, Becky from Colorado, Me, Gary & Cheryl

 

Since Kanas City and Grand Junction aren't really tourist places I've included some pictures of the areas so you can have a look.

KANAS CITY

GRAND JUNCTION

 

Wherever I go away I'm always on the look out for quilting inspiration, and I found some while in America.

This was one of the doors at Tiffany & Co in Kanas City

This was the roof of the convention centre where Quilt Market was held

I had a great time while I was in the US, I have more photos on my Flickr account Click Here

Lastly for all you people who live in Sydney, the Sydney Quilt & Craft Show starts on 13th June. Click Here for more details.

 

ALERT: Mad Quilters Gathering - Brisbane ON NOW!

This is a reminder to all you lovely people who live in Brisbane; the Mad Quilters Gathering is on this weekend!

For those of you who don't know; Mad Quilters Gathering is a trade show, combining retailers and workshops...you're one stop shop for just about everything Patchwork and Quilting. Mad Quilters Gathering isn't as big as some of the other shows that visit Brisbane, however it is still worth a visit.

Today was the first day of the show. From what I have seen today there's a lot of lovely stands, plenty of parking and the admission is reasonably priced at just $10.

Also, this will be the only show I will be attending in Brisbane this year.

Tulis stand at Mad Quilters Gathering 2012 - Brisbane

Tulis stand at Mad Quilters Gathering 2012 - Brisbane

Below is the need to know information I have copied from the official website.

Date: 11-13 May, 2012
Opening times: Friday, Saturday and Sunday,10.00 am - 4.30 pm
Location: RNA Showgrounds, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
Venue: 10 The Avenues RNA. 

Otherwise you can follow this link to check out the website for yourself Click Here

Hope to see many familiar faces there!

Exclusive Sneak Peak: Simple Bands Pattern

In this post I'm giving you an exclusive SNEAK PEAK of the new Simple Bands pattern, a revolutionary simplified way to put together a double wedding ring; it hasn't even been released in the US yet!

Pattern made with Simple Curve Tool

This pattern is made using the Simple Curve tool. This tool is designed to make cutting and sewing curves, simple and easy. The Simple Curve is a new product to the market and was released in the States in October last year. This is yet another tool designed by Cheryl Phillips, from Phillips Fiber Art. My friend Cheryl has a nack for taking more challenging techniques and finding ways to simplify them so quilters of all levels can accomplish them. Like all of Phillips Fiber Art's products, the Simple Curve comes with straightforward, easy to use instructions, and two free patterns to get you started.
 

Simple Curve Tool




First Free Pattern - this can be finished as a table runner, or add more rows to make a quilt.

The tool includes a pattern to make one of these blocks, by adding multiple together you can get this simple but visually effective quilt. 

 AQC was the first place I showcased this tool to the southern hemisphere. I will also have them at the other shows I'm attending this year. And if you just can't wait for me to be in your neck of the woods I'm selling them on my website for $28.00NZD + postage.

The link to my website to find the Simple Curve tool  Click Here

Over the last week I have been playing around with the Simple Bands Pattern, to get some different samples to take to the shows.

This is made just following the instructions for the pattern.



These are going to be covers for European-sized cushions.

I really like the fact that the block can be changed around to give different looks. As you can see from the above picture, playing around with colours and using them in different places, means there are endless possibilities.

I don't currently have any patterns in stock, however I will be bringing some back with me from America at the end of this month. They will be priced at $18.00NZD + postage.

If you would like the pre-order a pattern send me an email at kerry@tulis.co.nz 
*Just remember that you need a Simple Curve tool to use this pattern.

This is the link to my Flickr Account to check out other photos I have Click Here

Lastly, just to give you another idea about what can be done with the Simple Curve.

This is a table runner I made using the Simple Curve for detailing

Gold Coast Quilting Group Class

After AQC I flew to the Gold Coast. I taught my "Drunkards Path Stepping Beyond" class for the Gold Coast Quilting Group. When teaching, my philosophy is to teach a technique and watch what the student does with it. I had 14 ladies in the class and every quilt came out different.

The class itself is a 2 day class with the girls learning four ways to put a Drunkards path block together; then creating their quilt from one of those methods. The drunkards path technique was created by Cheryl Phillips, from Phillips Fiber Art; using the Cut-around tool. Some of the ladies used more than one technique to create their quilts. With the use of colour and the positioning of the blocks an endless number of designs can be discovered.

The Cut-around tool in various sizes and the Drunkard's Path book can be found on my website Click Here























Below are the different quilts that were made during the class, not one of them was alike.

I have more photos in my Flickr account Click Here

I have more photos in my Flickr account Click Here

Classes are a great way to learn new techniques.

I always enjoy a class whether I'm the tutor or student.