*

*

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Sue Spargo Day & Clamshells


I had the BEST day on Sunday!  It was Sue Spargo Day!



This was our project - the Greta Needle Roll.  This is a picture of Sue's.  I was blown away when I saw it in the flesh.  The detailing just doesn't show up well enough in photos.



I spent the whole day on Saturday gathering up all my requirements.  I was very worried that I didn't have enough stuff but by the end of the day, I really had to cull what I had packed, you would think I was making a queen sized quilt with the amount of fabrics I had packed.  Did I really need fat quarters of three different green wools to make two leaves???



We learnt all about embellishing our applique with different types of thread and fabrics.  I purchased these beautiful silk threads, along with some velvet ribbon and this beautiful green velvet that I am going to use on top of my wool leaves.


This is as far as I got on the day.  The flower on the right is what I would have normally done and think how clever I was to use wool with fabric.  The flower on the left is what Sue taught me with embellishing. 



I learnt how to sew seed beads and do those wonderful stamens.  I am still amazed at the difference a little embellishing can make to something and I am now looking at all my applique pieces around the house thinking if I just outlined this petal here or that leaf there, how would it look?



This is the outside of my sewing roll.  I did have another piece in the centre but late in the day I spotted this beautiful piece of linen with dogs printed all over it and just had to have it.



If you ever get the chance to go to one of Sue's classes, I thoroughly recommend it.  I received lots of individual tuition from her and she is the lovliest person.  Sue's friend, Melissa showed us how to make roving balls and helped us throughout the day too.  Her needle roll was to die for too!  Above is the label I am going to sew onto my needle roll - Sue wrote it for me!!!!



I also purchased Sue's latest book and love it.  It is jam packed with lots of projects in it and I also got it signed by her.

I was so focused in the class that I really didn't buy much fabric or take lots of photos of what other students were doing (slack of me I know) and I didn't even take photos of Sue's quilts because no photo would be able to do justice to them.  They are amazing and I have come away full of new inspiration and a mind that is switching from one idea to the next at double time!!!

Thank you Sue and Melissa for the best day!!!!

Also, the class was held at Amitie Textiles in Melbourne.  Jenny was a wonderful hostess and made us feel very very welcome and looked after us all day.  Amitie is definately going to be on my "must visit" list next time I am in Melbourne.



Today is Clamshell Day.  I have now completed 8 rows of clamshells and have nearly run out of prepped ones so it will be back to the cutting board for me.  I am really liking how it is turning out and have decided to really mix up the fabrics with some darks and brights as well as the pastels that I seemed to have prepared first.  It has been a bit hard for me to get a decent photo of the whole width.

I hope everyone has a great week and now I will be counting down the days until Sue returns to Australia in two year's time.

Sue-Anne xxx



35 comments:

Liz said...

I'm so, so envious of you Sue-Anne, I was devastated when I realised that Sue's workshops were on the same weekend that I was in Perth...!! Looks like you had an awesome time and your needle roll is going to be fabulous..
Lizzie
xxx

Nat Palaskas said...

Wow Sue-Anne, what fun! Glad you had a nice day with Sue. What yummy felted wool you have collected. It's going to be fantastic when you finished it. My DIL had a lovely day with Sue too and she showed me what she did when we met last weekend - Hugs Nat

Béa said...

You are very lucky to meet Sue ! I love felted projects but I don't know where to buy felted wool...

Unknown said...

I love the clamshells, gorgeous, the scrapiness reminds me of my hexagon quilt, Janice

Kaaren said...

Isn't her stuff and style to die for? I just love it! Her use of color and texture is amazing. I can stare at her work for hours.

Lucky you Sue-Ann for being able to take her class. Your needle roll is going to be lovely.

Elyte said...

You sound so inspired and so enthusiastic, I am glad you had such a wonderful day. I look forward to seeing that sewing roll come to life. I probably would have packed just as many fabrics if not more! Nothing wrong with that.

Mayleen said...

The Sue Spargo class sounds like it was a lot of fun! I enjoy embellishment but have never done beading so I look forward to seeing your finished needle roll.

Clamshells looking great, too!

Karen said...

Sue Spargo Day, how fun is that!! I love what you have done so far. The embellishing is wonderful. You are moving right along with your clamshells, looking good!

Michele said...

Everything looks wonderful, Sue-Anne. I envy you getting to take a class with Sue Spargo. I hope you will show your finished needle roll later. Your clamshells are really growing. Are you making a full size quilt? Michele

Anonymous said...

How lucky you were to have Sue Spargo! I'm laughing about your greens and leaves...I do same. A little over buying doesn't hurt right?

Brandie said...

you're so funny! You sound like a kid at Christmas. Obviously you had a great time! I'm loving the beginnings of your project. Are those all French dots on the flower? Lovely!

katrien said...

What a great day you have got.
Very nice your clamshells.

Frances Leate said...

It sounds like it was a wonderful day at the Sue Spargo workshop. I just love your clamshells - a must do project for me for the future.

Shirley said...

Sue-Anne, can a girl ever have too many fabrics? Remember it is a contest and they say that variety is the spice of life. Your enthusiasm is bubbling over and it shows that you had a great day. Shall look forward to seeing the finished item.
Love Shirley.x

Lori said...

It looks like a fantastic day!! And yes, you may have needed 3 greens for 2 leaves! LOL

Annette said...

You are one lucky lady. I would love to take that class. Your project is looking great! I love color so I would have taken all those fabrics too. Just to enjoy them.

Karen said...

I have a friend who has taken several classes with Sue Spargo and has done many of her designs. They are unique and I like them very much.

Julia said...

Had a lovely day with Lizzie and friends yesterday..and Lizzie had her SS wool applique..Your roll looks just gorgeous..
Julia

Jossie said...

How lucky you are to spend the day with Sue Spargo. She is so talented.
Your clamshells are looking great. The top has grown a lot. Do you still like sewing them?

Stina Blomgren said...

Lucky lucky you to have been able to go on a class with Sue!!! Soo envy of you..:o)) And the Greta needle roll.. it looks so much fun to make!!! And I love your stash of wool.. looks fab... can you give me a tip on where to buy colours like that!!!! :o)

Janet said...

Lucky you, what a fabulous class this sounded like. I would have packed that much stuff too because the piece I'd want might be the one I left behind. Your clamsheels are growing magnificently.

Marieke said...

Wow, that souds like you had a wonderful day: and you're making a wonderful project! Great that Sue Spargo signed the fabric specially for you! Your clamshells look great too: enjoy making them.

Wendy said...

You lucky girl, looks like the day couldn't have been better.

Annemieke said...

You were very lucky to have a Sue Spargo day! I also can't stop looking at her work and especially her use of colour. Her book is on my wishlist. You already did a lot of clamshells and I like the soft colours in it.Groetjes
Annemieke

Terry said...

Sue -Anne WOW your post is so so cherrie it has cheers me up. I love the color and the textures are gob smacking.

Glad you had such a wonderful day.
Clamshells! Is there no end to your talent.
Really amazing.

Kiwifruit-Shiree said...

WOW lucky you Sue-anne, Sue Spargo, what an absolute treat, what fun indeedy!!

denise said...

Mmmm..You lucky gal you! Sue's stuff is great. Glad you enjoyed you day so. Put a smile on my dial to read your posts.

Cathi said...

Lucky you -- sounds like a fabulous day!
Your clamshells look wonderful!

Siobhán said...

Oh wow, it sounds like a fantastic class! I would love to attend a Sue Spargo class one day, I only just 'discovered' her. I think I love under a rock most of the time. ;) I love love love your clamshell quilt WIP--fantastic mix of fabrics!

Valentina said...

Oh Sue-Anne sounds like you had an amazing day! I have heard so much about Sue Spargo, but experiencing her through you has made her more real to me. I love the example you showed of your flower with and without embellishment. Thanks Sue-Anne!
Your clamshells look amazing! I love your colours.
Sorry it has taken me this long to finally catch up with you: I really enjoyed your birthday quilt and your chair looks fabulous!
Big HUG,
Valentina

*karendianne. said...

Wow, how neat! I love this sort of work now that I see it. I mean, I've looked at it but never in this sort of "step by step" way. I really love the part where you sew seed beads and do the stamens, too. HOW NEAT!

On the topic of your clamshell piece. OH MY GOSH I'M IN LOVE. Lovely fabrics and perfect placement!

Susan In Texas said...

Love your wool collection and your embellishment is outstanding! The clamshell quilt is gorgeous... one of these days!!!

Happy stitching,
Susan in Texas

Joan said...

WOW - what a fun day you had... and what a great project. I do love your clamshells ...look forward to seeing more :)

grendelskin said...

Your needle case is beautiful - it helps to have lots of choices for your leaves, LOL! Your clamshells are coming along very well too; I've started to set aside a few shells if I know I don't have much of a particular fabric so I can try to distribute it evenly.

Gisele said...

Beautiful clamshells Sue-Anne & lucky you attending a Sue Spargo workshop, Love your needlecase too!