Helen Draper

Becoming an extreme quilter is not for the faint-hearted. It takes dedication, passion and sacrifice for a life full of creativity and immeasurable pleasure. Identifying the extreme quilter THE LIGHTS ARE ON BUT NOBODY’S HOME Thoughts of quilts invade their minds while they’re driving, sleeping, […]

It probably won’t come as a surprise that quilters love to sew. However, what may surprise you is how many quilters actually prefer stitching quilts by hand. What’s more — they love it. Now, before you reach for the smelling salts, nobody is suggesting we […]

Perfect quilts can be glorious, beautiful, resplendent and breathtaking. However, perfect quilts aren’t always what they seem to be. You may be surprised to know that all quilts can have imperfections, and at some stage, most quilts have given the quilt maker a certain amount […]

This time of year is about sharing with friends and loved ones. It is also a time of reflection and a time to give thanks for the blessings that come our way. For me, and for many people around me, this year certainly has had it’s […]

For those of us who can remember, the late 1960’s was a time of massive change and excitement. The revolution was in progress and we were Feeling Groovy. There was no capacity for bland in music, fashion or the people. The hippy movement flourished and flower […]

For many decades, coconut ice has been a sweet treat that could always be found at school fetes, cake stalls and markets. In family kitchens across Australia, batches of this pink and white confection have been made many times. Not only is it quick and easy to make, inexpensive […]

Pom Pom Phone Poppers are pretty little bags that are a fun way to carry your mobile phone. Let’s face it, we’ve all had times when we’ve needed our phone on hand but didn’t have a pocket, so we’ve missed calls because the phone was […]

How sweet are these cupcakes?  They take only minutes to make and the best part — these fat quarter cupcakes are guilt free!   Requirements You will need a fat quarter of fabric, a cupcake case and a little flag or topper. Boxes of cupcake cases […]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that quilters love fabric. And, why wouldn’t we? Fabric is utterly desirable. The beautiful colours, sumptuous prints and endless possibilities set our pulses racing. There is nothing wrong with loving fabric. In fact, as a quilter, it is totally necessary to […]

Once upon a time, when I was a fledgling quilter, I recall making my first quilt in blissful ignorance of what was to eventuate. Little did I know that it was the beginning of a life-long obsession, and the quilter’s tell-tale signs were already in place. At first, I […]