Thursday 26 December 2013

Christmas Swaps

What a wonderful time of the year!!!!   I Joined two Christmas swaps this year, Chookyblue Secret Santa Swap and Cheryl's Santa Sack Swap....

Sharon was my partner in Chookyblues SSCS and I received a gorgeous tree decoration and Leanne Beasleys armchair caddy filled with threads and pins!!! Thank you Sharon!!!!!


Lyn was my partner in Cheryl's Santa Sack Swap and I received these lovely sewing gifts...


A lovely wall hanging, thread catcher, pincushion, zippy bag, project case, chocolates and a charm pack, I was very spoilt!!!!! Thank you Lyn!!!!!

My partner to make for in both the above swaps was Lyn, what are the odds lol
I sent Lyn these gifts for both swaps....





Thank you to Chooky and Googy Girl for the organising of the SSCS swap and to Cheryl for the Santa Sack Swap....these swaps really make Christmas exciting!!!!!

Wednesday 25 December 2013

Merry Christmas



I would like to wish all my bloggy friends a Merry Christmas, I hope you all have had a wonderful day!!!!

Monday 2 December 2013

Dont be afraid....

Batman is here....


And the world feels safe again.....Batman is my 2 year old grandson Lachlan...how he's grown...

Thursday 28 November 2013

SSCS has arrived

Excited my SSCS has arrived. I won't open it until we put our Chrissy tree up. I know ...I only open the decoration and save the main pressie for Christmas Day. Thanks Chookyblue and Googy Girl for organising a great swap!!!


Saturday 23 November 2013

Traditional Nine Patch Swap

Look what arrived yesterday!!!! All the nine patches have been sorted and returned, its soo exciting!!! Unfortunately still no sewing here as yet....sigh..... So these blocks will have to sit and wait to be played with lol....


Thanks to Trish or organising a great swap!!!!

Tuesday 19 November 2013

A beautiful weekend

This weekend we attended my hubby's daughters wedding on the Central Coast. Was such a beautiful  wedding. I was soo happy I was able to attend!!! Congratulations to Sarah and Scott, enjoy your honeymoon in Fiji and enjoy your new journey together!!!!



Who loves her daddy!!!!

Friday 15 November 2013

Pic as requested

Lol I have had lots of requests to see my gorgeous purple cast...well here it is....



In all its sexy glory lol... This is where I basically live, in the lounge room...I do the school run twice a day and several toilet runs (lol too much info????) other than that I'm fairly restricted....Hubby drove me to the shed and put me on camp deck chair so he could work on his car for an hour... I think he's a little stir crazy too....
Tomorrow we are heading to the Central Coast for the weekend as hubby's daughter gets married on Sunday. We have planned all stops and the physio gave me exercises to do in the car. 

Also I have another design in Country Threads this month.


A Summers Afternoon....

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Flower 12" Mini Swap

I received my 12" mini yesterday, Tis a gorgeous block ready to hang. A big thank you to Cathy, from Cathys Creative Corner... Love the handmade card too wishing me a speedy recovery!!!


Good news today, I am the proud owner of a new purple cast!!! Doctors are happy with the way my leg is healing!! I still have four more weeks of keeping the leg elevated ....sigh... Wish me luck!!

Tuesday 12 November 2013

One day at a time....

I would like to thank everyone for the lovely emails and cards. I'm heading to the fracture clinic tomorrow, hoping I will get a lighter cast on my leg and that my leg is healing properly. I don't want any delays in getting better. It is soo hard to keep my leg elevated all day... I'm watching all the home renovating shows lol Even watched an episode of Honey Boo Boo!!!!!
I received two lovely handmade cards, this one from Joy (Joyful Stitching)....Tis gorgeous tiny cross stitching ...



And from Michelle Ridgeway  , another lovely card and book.


These little surprises really made my day ladies xxxx

Thursday 31 October 2013

Out of Action

I broke above my ankle in two places on Tuesday night, just came out of surgery two hours ago...I have metal inside now but will be updated with details in the morning.... Not sure how this will affect the bloggers meet next week. Also my daughter and her little family should have arrived in Sydney today and were planning on spending a few days with us next week...that's now all up in the air....all I know so far is that I not allowed on my leg for a minimum of six weeks....hello hand sewing, just not sure on the preparing stages.....

Last time Ill be telling this story..the family goat, rammed me over an embankment, spent almost 90 minutes lying in a blackberry bush and sharp rocks!!! thanks to Miss 10 who coordinated the ambulance, neighbours and hubby...yes he wasn't home...arghhh, otherwise he would have moved the  blardy Goat!

Will update again when I'm out if hospital ....glad to see these last few day over...cest la vie ... My view tonight...



Monday 28 October 2013

FQ Birthday Swap

Take a look at my gorgeous pressies in my FQ Birthday Swap...Thanks Sylvia, Trish, Sandi, Anita, Lea  and Susan...I was very  spoilt!


Sunday 27 October 2013

Still stitching....

Visited my Mum today, thought I would do some stitching whilst I waited for her to return home from a coffee date...my normal stitching spot on the verandah..



Still stitching these cute little elves...secret sewing has been the priority lately.....



I didn't notice when I took this pic that a little elf was peeking out...too cute!!! Christmas is coming too quickly!!! 

Thursday 24 October 2013

Joy from Bundy

I received a lovely email from the lovely Joy from Bundy. She was excited to find my project Tis Christmas Time in this months Inspiring Country Threads. This week I received another email and she had all the blocks finished and made them into a bed runner...   Doesn't it look great!!!!!


Joy also finished Michelle Ridgeways gingerbread men from the same issue...this woman is a sewing machine. I've convinced her she needs to start a blog. Hopefully this week,when she is in Cairns,  her stepson will get her started!
Also in this months issue Joys letter to the editor was printed...and it was my designs Teacup Teddies from a few years ago...so nice to see other people's interpretations of your designs... 
Joy will definitely be a good bloggy friend....she just needs to get her blog up and running....lol

Monday 21 October 2013

A bit of this n that

I've been busy doing secret stitching, a boys story and Tillies lane...


why isn't there more hours in a day lol ....Hoping for a full stitching day tomorrow, a little present to myself ....fingers crossed!


Saturday 19 October 2013

FNSI Results....

I had a late night but I thoroughly enjoyed it stitching away.... My first needle turn block and comic strip block...lets hope I stay on top of this quilt.... 4 weeks 6 days to deadline lol


I just love those little toads!!!


Thanks to everyone who stitched along with me ... You can check out all the FNSI  posts HERE

Friday 18 October 2013

Friday Night Sew In....

Tonights Friday Night Sew In, hosted by the lovely Wendy of Sugarland quilts. I just got home but Im ready to sew!!!!


I have approx five weeks to make a boys story quilt for my grandson Will's 2nd birthday..... Are you joining me tonight??? Ill bring the glass of red...ok ...the bottle lol

Thursday 17 October 2013

Two down....

I've crossed another two quilts of my UFO list!!!!! with the help of Fiona..... I still have the binding to do but will do that over the weekend.....

 

This one is a Frog Cottage design, once I write the pattern Ill out it on the website... yet to be named
 

Fiona has quilted hearts in each square and a gorgeous mirrored heart border. It's a little creased as I only received it back in the mail yesterday...we have strong winds today but will post a better pic later...
And at long last my Christmas Cards, by the chook shed.... years in the making lol



Fiona did light quilting on his one as it was supposed to be a wallhanging, but the kids want it as a snuggle quilt.....I think I tend to agree, but this is a share quilt, my girlfriend did all the buttonhole stitching for me...so we would hang it in our house alternately each Christmas....decisions lol

Fiona is currently quilting my An Angel Story quilt, can't wait to see it in a few weeks!!! At the Bathurst bloggers meet I will have 5 completed quilts for show n tell...yay me lol !!!!!
 
A big thank you to Fiona for taking great care of my quilts!!!!!

 

Monday 14 October 2013

Nine patch swap.....

I have a bit of secret sewing happening at the moment, so not a lot to report!! But I  did forget to post the final pic of all my nine patches.... 14 blocks per month for 8 months ....



I tried to stay away from reds but looks like Ive gravitated to purples and blues....not my normal colour way, but gorgeous all the same..... Just waiting for everyone's nine patches to be collated, sorted and returned....can't wait !!!! Will have to stalk the postman!!!!  

Saturday 12 October 2013

On the design board

I sat down this morning to draft the layout for my new quilt Elfin Around....and......have added another six stitcheries lol....better get busy!!!!!


Thursday 10 October 2013

Where has the week gone.....

Busy, busy busy.... School is now back and our house is slowly getting back to a normal routine. I've been busy stitching my Christmas wreath and tonight Im busy stitching block two of Tillies Lane and some last minute stitching on my little elves...


The winner of my giveaway was Kate, I'll send you an email Kate!!! Thank you to all who entered.... Now back to stitching.

Saturday 5 October 2013

FNFW update

Thank you everyone who stitched with me in last nights "Friday night with Friends".... I worked on my Rosalie Quinlans Christmas Wreath, am loving the easy stitching...no colour changes lol


Have a great weekend!

Friday 4 October 2013

Latest project...

This year I have had a few projects published in Inspiring Country Threads...the latest is Tis Christmas Time...I used Lynette Anderson fabrics to make this cute Christmas quilt.


 Again I share this issue with fellow bloggers the lovely Michelle Ridgeway and her Jolly Ginger Table Centre, Fiona Ransley and Jennifer Reynolds... vol 14 no 7 is on sale now.



Wednesday 2 October 2013

Its giveaway time!!!!

 
Have you seen the Fons and Porter Daily Craft TV website yet??? There is video classes for all types of Crafts and the prices are very reasonable; and I am able to watch it at my convenience which helps in my busy household!! I found a class that covered a few topics where I could sharpen my skills and learn a few more.
I watched Creative Ideas and Fun Techniques which suited me as I love wool applique! I learnt how to stop the wool from fraying, and hands up those who are always looking to perfect their mitre corners ( me!!!). Lutrador I didn't even know what that was??? I found it all very informative and Ill definitely be making some charm square totes from the lesson...
The class I watched, Creative ideas and Fun Techniques covered the following topics and ran for approx 90 minutes.

  • Wool Appliqué by Paula Stoddard
  • Mitered Borders with Sherri Driver
  • Creative Piecing with Strips by Carolyn Beam
  • Fun, Fabulous Lutrador with Heather Thomas
  • Every Quilt Has Two Sides: Different Ways to Approach Quilting
  • Making Charm Square Totes with Sue Marsh

  • I think I have watched Wool Techniques 10 times lol.. .....

    A few other well known Designers have classes too!
    Pat Sloan
    Marti Mitchell
    Liz Porter
    Mary Fons and many more......

    As I have reached 301 posts, I always miss the major milestone!!! I have a class from the Daily Craft TV site to giveaway!!
    All you have to do is go to the Quilting Videos and leave a comment on this post stating which class you would like and a new sewing skill you would like to learn...too easy!! My goal is to accomplish machine quilting....

    Sign up for their newsletter to keep up to date with their latest offers...

    I will draw the winner Sunday night, 6th October... Good Luck!!


    Monday 30 September 2013

    Last Stitch-a-long project

    What a great nine months...I now have  9 items completed!!! The last project was Anni Downs SKOW needle book. I need to put a button and loop on it, but I class it as a finish!!!! Can wait till next year!!! To see what we have made this year check out the Stitch-a-long blog.Thanks Chookyblue and Susan for coordinating a great group stitchalong!!!!


    Saturday 28 September 2013

    Stitching done..

    Yay, I've finished all the stitching for my SKOW needle book.....I had the fabrics cut and sewn as far as possible, waiting for the stitcheries at the beginning of the month....yet this stitchery has haunted me.... 28 days to finish something that should have taken a few hours....it's the last project in this years stitchalong....I was hesitant to sign up as there were many many projects to complete...but must admit coming to the end of each month cursing the deadline...I was happy with each completed project!!!



    Tis another gorgeous day here today, no wind!!! Lots of household chores to do...then hopefully some sewing this afternoon....I really need this finished, then back to my UFOs....
    Happy Stitching!


    Thursday 26 September 2013

    We are home.....

    What a full six days travelling to Melbourne and back, we arrived home at lunchtime today and look what we found....


    A mummy pig and 11 piglets, Schnitzel Von Crumb and his two ladies are now parents. Beauty seems to be nursing all 11 babies!! Ricky, the other mummy comes in now and then to check to them, too cute!

    A parcel was also awaiting me, all my backing needed to finish some quilts! Brenda at Widebacks was so helpful!!! I told her the product ranges used in my quilts and she sent me backing to match, and I love it! Just need to bundle the quilt tops up and send them away to be quilted!!! I do love the red ruby backing for my An Angels Story quilt, the pic doesn't do it justice!


    And heres a pic of my purchases from Sharon's LQS Honeysuckle Patchwork...a fat quarter pack of Tilda fabrics and matching thread!!! I have never seen sooo many Cottage Garden Threads...yummy!!! 


    I have the washing on...there's heaps, six people, six days!!!! And in between the loads Im going to sit n stitch...I didnt do any whilst I was away and Ohhh how I have missed it!!! I'm sending the kids outside, make a cuppa and relax.....and hubby??? Ohh he's gone to unload his new ebay purchase...keeps telling me what a bargain it was... Yes darling, it was but the trip to pick it up that makes it an expensive toy lol

    Tuesday 24 September 2013

    A quick pit stop

    We have spent a busy couple of days travelling and catching up with family in Bendigo...

    Miss 10 found a new friend whilst we picked up hubby's eBay purchase....


    Bendigo is a gorgeous town, lots of beautiful architecture .....



    After a lovely night with family I headed off for some retail therapy...yes!!, of the fabric kind!!!!



    Miss T and Miss Lily helped their mummies carry their purchases....and who was Miss Lily's Mum????

    the lovely Sharon of Lilabelle Lane....we spent a lovely half hour chatting while checking out the lovely fabric at Sharon's LQS. Thank you Sharon for meeting up with me and Miss T!!!!!

    Sunday 22 September 2013

    Last stop Benalla

    We had a good trip today... A few stops... Junee


    Miss 10 got excited when she saw her name on a window lol


    Canola as far as the eye can see....


    The kids loved Glenrowan and seeing Ned Kelly....



    Tonight we are in Benalla, tomorrow we head to Melbourne for a flying visit, then Bendigo to see Nanna and Pop, alas no stitching...but I am planning to visit a few patchwork stores **wink wink**

    Saturday 21 September 2013

    Friday Night Sew In...

    Did you join me last night?? I must admit I didn't get a lot done, more stitching on my SAL and Block two is now prepared for My Tillies Lane BOM.


    Sorry it's creased, but its been packed in our bags, we are headed to Melbourne, a five day 1600kms trip.....kids all excited...they are off to see Nanna and Pop in Bendigo....tonight we are in Cootamundra..


    At Jubilee Park collecting flowers...


    And the birthplace of Sir Donald Bradman...tomorrow Benalla Vic....

    Tuesday 17 September 2013

    Still stitching away.....

    Knowing this is the last project in the SAL 2013, doesn't make it an easier to finish lol...still stitching away!