In 2019, the Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) celebrated it's 15th year.  Unfortunately, it did not make its 16th in 2020 due to Covid. The AQC has rescheduled the next Convention for August 2021. Lets hope it goes ahead.

For those who have never been before, it is well worth a visit. You can view some of the best quilts in Australia. In previous years you would  see   overseas quilts but this year they are hosting the best of Australia display – the Best of Show quilts from guilds around the country. In addition you can view the Best of Challenge quilts and Rajah Award quilts.

AQC hosts Convention Classes and this year, is an all Australian cast of tutors with a great list of who's who. The classes look very impressive and the author of this Blog is attending a four day class.  There are still classes to be booked. See below if you are interested.

Of course, the AQC also hosts an Expo which focuses on 'all that is quilting' and includes free seminars.

AQC will be held on August 19-22, Royal Exhibition Centre,
​Carlton Gardens, Melbourne Vic.
For more information view: https://aqc.com.au/

At our last February Night Owl meeting, Sue B showcased two Tula Pink books from our Library. These books demonstrate the modern, great use of color and the uncluttered approach she takes to quilting. On Tula's own web page she features four books, one of which is by her and Angela Walters. She also has a beautiful colouring book.

Tula is a fabric and graphic designer. Her stunning fabric is known thoughout the quilting world and she is partnered with the FreeSpirit movement. She is also runs lectures and workshops.  If you google her name you will find she has a Facebook page that she regularly updates with photos and videos, her Web Page where you can view some beautiful free patterns. On Youtuve you will find lots of advice from her on subjects such as English paper piecing. Of course she is also on Pinterest and Instagram.

Check Tula out if you like modern quilting or would like to give modern quilting a go. She is extemely talented and inspirational.

We are extremely fortunate to have Lyn Keogh in our midst and even more so as our Workshop Coordinator. Lyn won the 2019 Bernina Best of Show in Canberra and I am sure many other awards. As many Night Owls have witnessed, Lyn’s quilting is magnificent. Take a look at the detail pictured left!
Google her name and you will find many examples of  her beautiful work.
For inspiration, check out Lyn’s web site https://lynkeoghquilts.com/. Please also visit her Facebook page and for the Pinterest fans,  you will find  Lyn has many followers. 

Thanks Lyn for joining our group and providing us with so much inspiration and encouragement..

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Tilda's World is a web site full of inspiration and beautiful colours. The About page says: 'Tilda is a fabric brand founded by Norwegian designer Tone Finnanger in 1999, best known for whimsical naive characters and charming fabric design. There is a certain attitude to life in Tilda’s world, whimsical and romantic, like a ball gown worn with wellies – perfectly imperfect! 

The site is much more than fabrics although you can look up the distributer of the beautiful Tilda fabrics within Australia.

Tone Finnanger has produced many books  which are treasured items in quilting rooms all over the world.  Many of her books are available from Amazon.

There are also many free patterns on this site. These patterns are often challenging (categories of difficulty are included) but would make great presents for someone special. Patterns include special piecing techniques which is a real bonus. If you are into doll making, there is also a section found under the 'Tildas Friends" tab.

Well worth a look particularly since we are fast approaching Christmas! If you don't have time to make items, the books are beautiful.
https://www.tildasworld.com/

Wombat Quilts is a Blog site, run by an ex-pat Australian who now lives in Portland Oregon. The owner of the Blog known as Cath, was inspired to quilt after watching the 1995 movie How to Make an American Quilt.

She has many finished quilts to view and inspire you. If you are into paper piecing, Cath shares many photographic inspirations and free patterns. Check it out. Her use of colour is amazing.

Go to link : wombatquilts.com/

The National Quilters Circle is an American based company that offers readers free quilting videos, patterns, block challenges and articles. You can  subscribe to  access more content but there is lots you can view for free. You can also subscribe to a weekly newsletter. 

National Quilters Circle  have a Facebook page where they share videos, articles, lots of photos etc. You will need to join through Facebook to view their content. Go to https://www.facebook.com/NationalQuiltersCircle/

To view their Web site go to www.nationalquilterscircle.com/

Most quilters will know of an American quilter, Angela Walters. Ambassador for Handi Quilter, Angela's modern style of  patchwork quilts and free motion quilting techniques are inspirational and makes  the art of quilting  look easy. Angela has a series of quilting videos at Bluprint known as the Midnight Quilter. As of May 2020, Bluprint unfortunately has announced it will be ceasing operation over the coming months. Angela has many free videos to view (some of them from her Midnight series on Bluprint) on Youtube. Most videos are  short and some  include links to complimentary patterns. Angela  has a her own Web site known as Quilting is my Therapy  where you will find videos, quilt challenges, tips and more. She has a Facebook page but does not have a lot of quilting content there. Well worth a look.

It has been a while since  blog posts were added. Since we are not able to meet, it is the ideal opportunity to highlight techniques, hints and quilters from the internet to keep us occupied. Some may be familiar so apologies if that is the case. If you know of some interesting quilting content on the internet, please fill out the Contact us page with a brief description and necessary links.

This blog features a 'local', Helen Godden who lives in Canberra, only a short drive from Night Owls in Batemans Bay. Among many talents, Helen is an internationally acclaimed quilter, artist and tutor. Her unique style is known by many Australians and overseas crafters. She has her own Youtube and Facebook pages where she offers free tutorials, advice and patterns. For example, she has a video and patterns for a Flower Power Quilt. along  She also has instructional videos, paint supplies and patterns for sale.

Well work checking out if you need inspiration, want to learn new techniques or purchase supplies. Happy viewing!

The 16th Night Owls Biggest Morning Tea is over for another 2 years. Considerable preparation goes into this event involving Night Owlers organising, sewing, knitting, baking and working on the day. It also involved staff from the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club; Raine and Horne and friends of Night Owlers who all provided their work for free. Without all of the above the event would not be as popular or successful so a big thankyou. 

Many thanks for the extreme generosity of all who attended and supported the event. So far Night Owls has raised over $100,000 for the Cancer Council. We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the morning.   See photos here.