Thru the red door....

More class news....

2012-03-04T09:46:00.000+11:00

Last week Neil Chisholm started his BoM group/class, I'm sure I've shown it before but here it is again...

...lovely isn't it? Neil sent me a couple of photos of the group and a bit of a welcome that he'd like me to post here....

"Today was thefirst of the ten monthly classes that make up the quilt “A CountryDance”. I was so looking forward to teaching this class as I knewsome of the participants from previous classes but mainly as this wasa class that we would meet up regularly and by the end of the 10months we were sure to be good friends. Its not that I was lookingfor more friends particularly (I have many very good friends) but youcan never have too many friends and quilting friends are the best offriends especially when you do as much quilting as I do!

One of thereasons I was looking forward to teaching this class was to be ableto share my appliqué secrets – in a one day or two day class youcan share some secrets but over the course of 10 months I’mconfident that my appliqué secrets will be well and truly shared andout there!

I loveappliqué and really want others to love it too. Michele Hill, whenshe published her first William Morris book, did an incredible amountfor machine appliqué – until then machine appliqué was definitelythe poor cousin to needle turn hand appliqué. Those that did needleturn would look down their nose and say with a noticeable sneer “Ido my appliqué by hand. You’re not serious about appliqué if youdo it by machine”. Post Michele Hill’s William Morris inAppliqué’s runaway success those of us that did machine appliquéwere able to hold our heads up high and could say with pride thatthey did their appliqué by machine: “Look how good it is, look howmuch we’ve done! Look you’ve only done one leaf in a wholeevening!” Needle turn appliqué – phaffff!

Doing a longcourse like this I can be sure that those undertaking it are asserious and as keen about appliqué as I am. I also know that my tipsand secrets are going to people that are going to use them and sharethem with their machine appliquéing friends. That is exactly what Iwant to happen – I want to share these things with everyone.

We have agreat group in this class and I know it’s going to be fun. We’realready having a few giggles and that’s got to be a good omen.

In this blogI’ll share with you the goings on in the class and our progress –who knows, maybe you’d like to join the class (there are still acouple of spaces) or if enough of you want to do it we’ll startanother class later in the year.

So, until thenext class, here’s the group working hard.

Happystitching.

Neil"

Thanks Neil for the photos and the lovely welcome for your group, I'm looking forward to seeing all the finished blocks....!

I'll be back after next weekend with photos of Irene's Botanica class next Saturday...

Back in the swing of things..

2012-02-29T16:26:00.000+11:00

...hopefully anyway!

Classes and workshops are starting up for the year and the shop is filling up with lots of new fabrics...Last Friday was the first of Sandra Baldwin's classes for her Jane Austin inspired 'Floral Diamonds'...

...these lovely ladies, Jenny, Ruth and Elizabeth were hard at work all day (they did stop for a delicious lunch next door at the Mill Cottage, just fuel you understand.. :o), they'll be back in a couple of weeks for the next lesson...

...lovely fabrics, it's going to look awesome...

..you can see the Floral Diamonds quilt behind the ladies..!You can also see that we're now selling Bernina sewing machines, very exciting!! So if you're looking for a new machine this year and close enough to come and visit we can show you all the wonderful things these amazing Bernina's can do.

We've also got the gorgeous 'Museum Medallion' quilt by Judy Newman of 'This Fine House' in the shop too, classes for this one are coming up at the end of March, this one I'm definitely doing, I just love the colours and softness of this quilt...

..here's another lovely 30's inspired quilt that's in the shop right now, the lessons for this one are coming up later in the year too, I don't have the info on this one yet, have to talk to Sue and let you know...

Coming up in the next couple of weeks are workshops for several quilts....This coming Sunday, March 4th sees the start of Jan Preston's 'Creative Imagery' workshops, they're running right through the year and I'm looking forward to pushing my boundaries with Jan...

"CREATIVE IMAGERYThis is an original design class which covers many differing aspects to produce a creative wall hanging or innovative quilt inspired from a personal photo or drawing. Jan will guide you through the techniques she has learnt, developed and experimented with.This class will cover colour & colour theory, design concepts & development, backgrounds, discovery, layering & machine applique, machine techniques including stitch imagery, stitch painting, solvy, couching & complete cloth will be covered.A monthly class (March-November) which will cover new design elements with each class, whilst completing and developing techniques covered in the previous months.Knowledge of your machine is necessary.Suitable for beginners, intermediate to advanced students.An opportunity to embrace your creative spirit."

..some inspiration from Jan..

There are so many this coming month...I would love to do the Botanica workshop with Irene Blanck from 'Focus on Quilts' too, that starts on March 10th, then there's Neil Chisholmes classes starting next month, Sandra's Irish Chain starts next week...so many classes and workshops for inspiration!!Check out the website here or the classes page under the header on this blog...

We're back....

2012-01-15T13:14:00.001+11:00

...after a great break over Christmas and the New Year....
So to catch up..

before Christmas we had a 'Show & Tell' with designers and quilters getting together over morning tea.......

..lots of yummy eats and lots of awesome quilts, so I'm just going to load the photos on and let you enjoy the eye candy from some very talented people...

..Leonie and some of her quilts she's made this year....

..a little encouragement is always appreciated for such an amazing array of quilts....

Jennifer's turn next...

...then Margaret...

Ann's turn for show and tell...

...next up is Jan Preston...

Jan is doing some fabulous classes this year for us...

...click on the tab for the classes page which should be updated 'very' soon...

The final photos I have are just a small sampling of Neil Chisholm's gorgeous quilts...

...a view of the very appreciative audience.....

We're looking forward to lots of greatness from classes this year....

..and the winner is....

2011-12-23T18:26:00.000+11:00

Number 23...........

Sue said...

We celebrate with my big family of "in laws" on Christmas Eve in true Italian tradition...lots of Nonnas to bambini and else everyone in between. After 60 years in Australia this family is a wonderful mix of cultures and traditions.

Congratulations Sue, there should be an email in your box tonight and I'll get your lovely goodies in the post on Thursday next week when the post office is open again.

We enjoyed reading about different traditions and foods from around the world so thank you everyone for sharing your special christmas memories and traditions with us.

Millrose will be closed from 3pm today (oops, I'm late again, that would be the fault of the glass or two of bubbles :o) for two weeks break, we will reopen on Wednesday Jan 11th, but I'm hoping to post some photos of the quilts that we have classes for over the next couple of weeks....fingers crossed for that... :o)

Sue and all the staff of Millrose would like to wish you all a very merry christmas and a safe and happy new year and we look forward to bringing you lots more fabric goodness in 2012.

Lets make it a very merry christmas....

2011-12-13T21:22:00.000+11:00

Friday, Dec 23rd, The Christmas Giveaway is now closed...I'll be back later today with a winner.

I know, I'm late again..! I seem to be really chasing my tail at the moment, I was supposed to post this on Sunday but I forgot to take the photos on Saturday..! I promise you though, you'll forgive me when you see what Sue has put together for one lucky follower......

...so, what's in this gorgeous bundle..?

..first there's a copy of Tilda's Christmas Ideas, this is just beautiful, full of lots of lovely things to make....

...then there's a fat quarter of christmas red felted wool, a pack of charm squares by Sandy Klop for Moda, some adorable spotty red and white ribbon, cosmo 2 strand thread and cosmo hanks in fabulous christmas reds and greens too......

...and just to finish it off some lovely red fabrics as well as fat quarters of those delicious green linens.....

Now, how can you be the lucky winner..? Well, not too many hoops to jump....

What we'd really love to know is what your family Christmas tradition or recipe is, what's the thing that you couldn't leave out of your celebrations, the thing you've carried on from your childhood perhaps and the dish that it wouldn't be Christmas without (Sue and I are both looking for some new recipes... :o)

Our tradition that we just can't live without is actually on Boxing Day, we always have an open house on the day after Christmas, family and friends drop in and stay all day or just an hour or two. It's a chill out day for me after the frantic lead up to the day itself with all our children and grandchildren. We have lots (and lots) of food, cool salads, cold meats, some seafood perhaps, maybe some BBQ sausages for the kids, cakes, always lemon/lime tarts (my favourite), pavlova, gingerbread and some special Christmas cookies that I can't live without at this time of the year. I'll give you the recipe for them over at 'a house in the country' in the next few days....if I can catch my tail that is... :o)
It's a very special tradition at 'a house in the country' and one we can't see ever ending....good friends, good food, some good aussie wines....Lots of kids, dogs and noise......you can't ask for better than that can you....

So tell us your special tradition and food that make the festivities just perfect for you.....

Now, we'd love it if you became a follower and spread some Christmas cheer by blogging about the giveaway, tell your blogging friends to come visit us for Christmas......

Good luck everyone, we'll leave the giveaway open for a week, so next wednesday night (Melbourne time) Sue will draw a winner...

I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you... :o)

EDIT: make sure you leave an email address if you're a no-reply blogger, there are already seven with no reply and I can't contact you if there's no email...!!!

December Newsletter....

2011-12-08T18:42:00.001+11:00

We've been trying to get the newsletter out all week and Sue has finally had some time to write it today so I thought I'd steal a copy for here....

If you can make it up to Ballan on Thursday Dec 15th for the Show & Tell morning tea, give Sue a ring to let her know. We'd love to see you there........

Hi AllWelcome to Millrose Quilting’s Christmas newsletter.We want to say a huge thank you to everyone for making us feel so welcome at all the recent quilt shows we have attended, it is great to meet so many passionate quilters.Most of you will be aware that we moved location, not too far away from the fabulous coffee and food; actually it is just next door.We are now located at 92 Inglis Street Ballan which is right next door to The Mill Cottage where we were previously housed. You will have no trouble finding us, just look for the large red door on the large white building, with the three cute red canopies out the front, and if you are lost ring and we’ll give you directions!!The new shop is fantastic. We now have an amazing class room very bright and airy and plenty of space for our 3,000 bolts of fabric.Next Thursday (the 15th of December at 11am) we are holding a ‘show & tell morning tea’. For all those people who have been in our classes throughout the year & have made, or half made projects please bring them along to share with us. We would love to see where you are all up to. For anyone else who would like to come along & share any show & tell please feel free to join us as well. We still have a sit & sew each Thursday so you can come & finish all those unfinished projects for the rest of the day. Please let us know if you are coming so that we can cater for our yummy morning tea.The Quilt Shop and Gallery are open Wednesday to Sunday 8am – 5pm (other times by appointment).

Our WebsiteProducts:As I mentioned we moved a few months back and are in the process of updating our website to cater for the huge number of bolts we can now accommodate (yea!). In the coming weeks you will notice a considerably larger amount of products available on our website and if it’s not there don’t despair contact us at sales@millrosecottage.com.au or on 5368 2995 – Wednesday to Sunday 8am – 5pm (check public holiday opening times).Thanks to Liz, we now have a fantastic blog with lots of great photos so that you can keep up with what we are doing all the time. You can find us at millrosequilts.blogspot.com ... thru the red door.Classes: As with the rest of the website we are adding and updating classes to our website as we finalise the dates for next year, so please keep checking and if there is any particular class, technique or teacher you are wanting to undertake please contact us and let us know. From all of us here at millrose quilting we wish you a very merry Christmas ... we hope you have fun with your families, a great rest & some free time for stitching!!

(Don't you just love these two, sorry I can't credit it, I just don't know where it came from)

I'll be back on the weekend with a fabulous Christmas giveaway (I just left Sue putting an awesome little parcel together at the shop..!) so make sure you check back after Sunday...

Sneak peeks and secret sewing..

2011-11-21T08:49:00.001+11:00

For the last week there has been an art exhibition in the grand hall/sewing/classroom so all the quilts that are normally on display on the walls and around the room have been packed away. I thought I would take the opportunity to take them outside yesterday and photograph them in the gardens amongst the roses...

There are lots of gorgeous new patterns, classes and kits coming soon from Focus on Quilts by Irene Blank...

..classes

being organised for the new year....

...these Michelle Yeo quilts are going to tempt you to take a class with her I know...

There are also new quilts/classes from Jan Preston, Neil Chisholm and lots more fabulous teachers coming next year too......

..there are some new quilts coming up for sale soon, oh so lovely fabrics and colours....

...and the secrets..?

Oh that was The Secret Sewing Sisterhood out for their Christmas lunch yesterday, the gorgeous Deb and the girls organised a sit and sew day with lunch next door at The Mill Cottage....

...it was so good to catch up with Deb again and see the amazing quilts these prolific quilters are working on now....have a great Christmas girls....

Just to give you a little peek into how hard my job was yesterday, this is what I had to work in.........

...sigh, such terrible work conditions I know.... :o)

.....don't know how I managed to survive the day......!!!!
Hopefully I can get all the photographs on to their relevant pages in the next few days and show you all the fabulous quilts....

Thanks for stopping by.....

Red door specials...

2011-11-14T07:48:00.000+11:00

Just about everyday there is a new delivery of gorgeous fabric come thru the red door here, so to make some shelf space we'll be having some special prices on a few fabrics every week or so......All these are priced at $15 per metre....

Raggedy Ann and Andy, so cute.

The top fabric is 'Opal Owl' in red, just love this one.... and the owl fabric on the bottom is 'Hoot' in red also..

Then there is..

Top is 'Teapots' and below that is 'Whats Cooking', fabulous kitchen themed fabric. What fun placemats the teapots would make..?

...and on the subject of placemats.......
..how much fun are these panels....

..there are four placemat panels in each pack plus the smaller images for coasters/mug rugs and the red door special is $9 per pack...wouldn't they make a great quick gift for the foodie in your life..

So, the fabric is $15 per metre and $9 per pack of 6 panels + coaster size blocks.. all are plus postage of course..

You can order any of these either over the phone, 03 5368 2995 (mention that you saw it on 'thru the red door') or on the website. If you order on the website please leave the code 'thru the red door special 1' in the comment section..

Thank you everyone....

2011-11-10T17:59:00.001+11:00

....for such an amazing welcome to the blogging world. Thank you for all the lovely comments about Millrose and thank you to everyone that has linked back to here with the blog button...

I've got lots to show you today and there should have been some blog only specials on here too, but the photographer, that would be me.......Lizzie :o) was so busy taking the photographs I forgot to write down the names of the fabric.... oops, sorry :o(
I promise I'll do another post on the weekend with the '...red door specials' and the code to give you big savings....!!!

In the meantime, look what was just new in today....'A Day in the Country', gorgeous isn't it? Those colours are delectable and it's only $18 per metre..such a great fabric and a really good price!

Come with me and have a look at some more of Millrose.....

Shelves of colour..

Christmas fabric anyone....?
I love the deep colours in this range...

I had to show you this gorgeous pin-cord fabric......

...can you just imagine little dresses in this??

....and of course, where would we be without a little of the 'General'.....

I love this one, it's so soft and feminine...

Look what else is new on the shelves this week....

...simply lovely knitting wool and books that make you want to knit even if you can't!

...and then of course, there's this kind of wool...Rainbows of solids.....

..and rolls and rolls of bias tape...

Don't forget that the very first Ballan Farmers Market is on this Saturday, November 12th.... 9am to 1pm and I'm reliable informed that there will be over 20 stalls full of amazing stuff....some farm animals to oohh and aahh over too..!!

This particular local will be around with camera in hand so if you're coming (and you should you know!!) say hello......

Click on the Farmers Market tab under the header for more details..

See you there......

Thru the red door to...

2011-11-03T14:18:00.000+11:00

Millrose Quilting & Gallery resides in the restored old Masonic hall, the Grand hall of the lodge is now a large, open, airy and light space just perfect for running classes and holding exhibitions. We have a variety of guest tutors, each week is a world of new and exciting colours, textures and inspiration.

Classes are run on a regular basis and range from beginner to advanced, techniques such as quilting, felting, machine & hand applique are all taught by experienced and skilled teachers. A wide variety of beautiful fabrics are available for sale both in the shop and online on our website. They include reproductions, brights, Kaffe Fassett, William Morris & Liberty of London as well as hand dyed threads and wools as well as lots of patterns and books to inspire .....

Sue says "Owning the quilt shop, gallery & cafe is a dream come true, it's lots of hard work, but if you can imagine how fantastic it is each day to work surrounded by lovely people, fragrant gardens, great food and coffee and beautiful fabrics.....that's me and how lucky I am to share it with you all"

Millrose Quilting & Gallery is one of those surprises that make small towns all the more fascinating, definitely worth the detour off the freeway to visit both the Mill Cottage and Millrose Quilting.....

We are really excited to be joining the blogging community and look forward to hearing from you. Stay with us as we grow and expand the blog and add new and exciting things...

Please feel free to grab our blog button on the sidebar and follow us to see what's happening here, what's on special, new classes and photographs of quilts, BoM's and general chit chat...