quilary - take a peek over the fence

More Bee Blocks...and giveaway still open

2012-02-06T23:56:00.000+11:00

I am loving this whole idea of being part of a sewing bee!

I've just finished the February block for my Sew & Bee Happy group.

Kat decided on this rainbow wonky star quilt pattern and the colour I picked to work with, was dark green.

A bit of digging through the stash and I discovered that I have so much green - which is strange because if I'm asked I usually say that purple or blue are my favouite colours....hmm although the colours of this blog are a bit of a giveaway!!

Another fun thing to happen was I stumbled on this post by Angela Pingel who designed the Stargazing block for Modern Blocks. She's on the look out for examples of her blocks and the 3 that I made are now on her flickr page in 99 Modern Blocks and in her cut to pieces flickr page. You can see some of them on the left sidebar under Flickr photos...Ok enough of the boasting....

Now did you see I mentioned GIVEAWAY..., well if you haven't already been to my previous post and entered, just click on the big green (hmm there's that colour again...) word and you will get taken straight there...hurry though, it ends on Monday 20 February...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Giveaway Time...

2012-01-31T10:53:00.002+11:00

All I've managed to do this month is go on holidays...what a tough life I am having.

First a weekend at Kangaroo Valley

then a week in Tea Gardens,

then a 3 night cruise from Sydney to the middle of the ocean and back again.

Australia Day on the Pacific Sun

It's a hard life watching the world sail by!
I unreservedly take back almost every negative comment I had about going on a cruise.

Rainy start to the 3 day Cruise

Despite the wet weather of the first day...it's a load of fun...most likely becasuse I went with a truly amazing bunch of women, who are all sisters and sisters-in-law.

My Math is one of 11 children (3 girls and 8 boys), so there are 3 sisters and 8 sisters-in-law - we managed to have 8 of the 11 come on the cruise. What a happy, loving, riotously funny, giving and generous group of women.

The wide blue yonder!

Here's a question for all my Australian readers:

Can one have too much of a holiday?

Is it "un-Australian" to want to go back to work??

I've got a few more days to ponder those esoteric questions...

but now you've made it to the best part of this post...

GIVEAWAY TIME

I've made it to 300 posts and 104 followers so I thought I'd reward you all for your tolerance of this rambling blog and run a bit of a giveaway.

The prize will be a sewing kit made to your colour choice.
Here's an example of the ones made for SIT 2011

Also included will be a rainbow charm pack,
of quilt shop quality fabrics, with about 60
5" charm squares. I've been waking up early and cutting out squares,
while all the rest of the household is sleeping in.
It's very therapeutic to do something so practical and repetitive in utter peace and quiet.

some of the charm squares in the giveaway bundle

There are a lot of 'scrap busting' project around on the blogosphere to inspire you - should you be the lucky winner!

What you have to do:

Leave a comment on this post - you will have to be a follower - after all it is meant to reward those who stick with the inane as well as the interesting!!!!
Comments will close at MIDNIGHT (AustralianEasternDaylightTime) on Monday 20th February. Winner will be announced on Tuesday 21 February.

So there you have it! Good luck to all and...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

301...

2012-01-25T11:07:00.003+11:00

I could be very boring and pragmatic and just number posts from now on, couldn't I?
No...you're right that's beyond boring...

Still enjoying a summer filled with the sound of tennis and cricket and doing...

a bit of this...
Finished the blocks for Sew & Bee Happy and they are winging their way to Cindy in Ireland as we speak...er...read!
You are going to get an overload of photos of both of them...I love them to bits!

Except for the bit where I found I'd pieced the bird in the cage upside down...

and I had to perform a little bit of surgery...

But he's all good now!

This is the 301st post and I am just going to say that in the next post I promise I am putting up a giveaway.

I've been so lazy on holidays that I couldn't even manage to take a picture what I'm giving away....but it will involve a bunch scrap busting rainbow charm squares and a sewing kit like this...

SIT 2011 swap item

as the "goodies"

So next post...after I (somewhat reluctantly) go on a short 3 day cruise with 7 of my Sisters in Law (it's not them, it's just I'm really not a cruise person), I'll make a proper giveaway post where you can put your name down and everything, like a proper blogger and all! See you in 3 days time! Thanks for being patient and...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

300

2012-01-23T23:17:00.002+11:00

...no not the movie...or how many days it feels like I've been on holidays..
It's the number of blog posts I've blurted out over the last few years!

This calls for a celebration...of some sort...

But this post isn't just about a number...it's also about the lazy days of summer, where things get done at a very slow pace and the days turn into weeks without trying.

Since the market a little over a week ago, we've have been away for a few days up at Tea Gardens...a cute little hideaway on the mid north coast of NSW. The apartment looked over the river. Peaceful is an understatement.

...so laid back the kids are allowed to steer the ferry on the trip across to Nelson Bay

Spent time with my newest obsession...

The starfish is finished and the snail well on the way to being done. It's funny how these reduce even the most hardened adult to mushy squeezers and huggers of woollen toys! The are really, really, really cute!!
This book is brilliant...I've seen some mixed reviews, but as a novice/not very good knitter, I found the techniques really clearly explained...and I'm pretty chuffed with my new skills...

Of course I found a quilt shop...or two...
Blackpossum in Tea Gardens and Belmont Patchwork Heart (just south of Newcastle)
I found a thing called "shrinky" which was new to me, but has apparently been around for a while. It feels like a nylon and after quilting it to your fabric, you carefully hold an iron above it and it 'melts' and pulls the fabric in along the sewing lines. I'm going to have a go at making a bag with these...the pattern in the shop looked great and after my success with amigurumi...I'm game to try any new technique (famous last words indeed!).

I found a fence button and some other cute fabrics and a couple of patterns

and there may or may not have been a secondhand bookshop with an old magazine...

...with the perfect idea for what I want to do with my charm squares from the rainbow swap...

Well that's a long enough catch up...
...so what am I going to do about my 300th post...well you'll have to come back for the 301st to find out!!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

This Little Piggy...

2012-01-16T22:11:00.000+11:00

...went to Market, to...do a big de-stash!

I did it - I had the stall at the Stash and Treasure Recycler's Market to de-stash many excess metres of dressmaking fabric, lace, braid and doilies in cahoots with Marisew. We both came home with WAY less than we took.

HUGE thanks to Cherie and Justine for an amazingly well organised day, and a lovely crowd, both behind the stalls as well as those coming in to browse.

Here's a few shots of our table at the beginning of the day:

This one closer to closing time and there is much more space on the table...There are a few things pictured that we didn't come home with... For our first ever market experience, we were pretty happy.

I caught up with two bloggers and as always, it's great to put a face to the name...and they both managed to have some tempting items on their stalls...

...a bit of 2" patchwork magic... from Amy

and a special lot of hexagon charm packs...brought especially to tempt me by Joanne!!!

If you missed this one, don't despair....there will definitely be another one

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Seeing stars

2012-01-12T22:30:00.000+11:00

I've been frustrated for the last few days trying to post to blogger.
It's made me a little bit cranky!
There is no response from the "blogger team". The help site is full of requests with the same 'bX' error ...whatever that is...with no useful answers - a bit of "go to the old interface", oh that doesn't work, "go to the new interface", "change your browser"...it must be all the user's fault...couldn't possibly be a problem from their end...hissy fit over...

So I rebooted the computer and tried again...lucky for them it works and I don't have to go around to their house and...well let's not go there...

So apart form the 'stars' of anger...these are the other stars I'm working on for the Sew & Bee Happy Bee...

Hope that FluffySheepQuilting likes it!

Getting ready for the Stash and Treasure Recycler's Market on Saturday 14 January at Marrickville Town Hall.

One enormous suitcase full...and there's still more to go...

Vintage fabric anyone?

I found htis piece of fabric that has a "Nock and Kirby" label on it for 11/6 ..yep that's 11 shillings and sixpence...pre decimal material!!!

This one is 'sundeck linen' from a long-gone shop too!
Come along a find a few bargains and save me from my material overload...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Sew Scraps....

2012-01-05T16:59:00.000+11:00

This may just be what I need to tame my sorry, jumbled, mess of fabric scraps.

Head on over to Pleasant Home, the host of Scrap Sew Along.

Every day of the week there will be scrap busting activity:

Tuesdays and Thursdays - there will be lots of tutorials,

Wednesdays - a bit of bloggy inspiration,

Fridays and Saturdays - more ways to work with scraps

...it's ok you do get Sundays off!!!

and there are quite a few giveaways on Jodie's blog and also on any guest bloggers...bonus!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

#297!!

Reading...sewing...

2012-01-05T10:52:00.000+11:00

The best thing about holiday: loads of sewing time...
The second best thing about holidays: loads of reading time...
Put them together...we're heading into Nirvana...

Our 6 children gave the Math and me a Kindle each for Christmas...I knew there was a reason we had so many...

...so I did a bit of sewing....

Some recycled denim and a hunt in the scrap bin...

The Math wanted his to sit to one side with a velcro closure...

(this was the prototype and is a little short to wrap around well)

I wanted to have mine in the middle and a button close...

The finished items

(Warning: DO NOT look too closely at the fmq on mine...not a pretty sight!)

I really like these and they cost me nothing just a few hours of time (lovingly spent!)

My friends and family know me pretty well...
a selection of reading material I received for Christmas and birthday...

If you can't find me for a while, you'll know why!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

post # 296

Blocks and Bees...

2012-01-04T22:31:00.001+11:00

The rushed end to 2011 got in the way of me finishing the November block for the Canton Village Bloggers BOM. ...Eeek.... I didn't want to get behind because I know it would be too easy to just let it go...Then the December block came out...gadzooks...two block behind..
Never fear, Summer holidays, hot day, airconditioned room, cricket on TV and at Marisew's place...the perfect sewing catch-up day...

November Block

December Block

The first 4 month's blocks all done...

I think I might do two of each now to make a bigger quilt top, because, some how, quite a few more metres of Saffron Craig fabrics made it into my stash over Christmas...

ONLINE SEWING BEE

I've joined in with my very first online sewing bee - Sew & Bee Happy

FluffySheepQuilting is first off the mark in January, with a block from the Modern Blocks book (and I now have this book - thanks to my in-laws who have learnt to tolerate my ~~obsession~~ passion...)

I was a bit scared when I first saw Stargazing and wondered if I could actually make something presentable and accurate enough to send off to someone else.

Cindy kindly told me not to worry, telling me to have a practice go and see how easy it really is

...so with nothing to lose and everything to gain,

and a very persuasive excuse to hide away in the sewing room,

I cut up some scraps...

pieced the baby star...ok that's not so bad...

pieced the middle sized star...quite happy with this...

and finally the Mumma star...block all done!

I had three little 'wrestles' with the unpicker...drats!

Cindy, I almost made it through the whole block!

I did notice that I need to be careful trimming the block back and remembering to use the white block as the as the template for trimming, not the bits the star arms are made of...

I get to keep this one, but I'm a lot more confident that when Cindy's parcel arrives, I'll be able to knock out one or two of these little babies pretty quickly...
Since my turn isn't till August, I've plenty of time to work out what I should choose...I'm thinking I'll pick a block that would suit a quilt for the BaTH (Boy about The House)...in the mean time I've got a few more Bloggers BOM blocks to make...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Stash & Treasure Market...

2012-01-04T07:32:00.000+11:00

Dont' forget the Stash and Treasuer Market (Facebook link) or (blog link) on 14 January 2102 at Marrickville Town Hall.

There may still be time to book your table... and you don't have to bring your own table ha ha!...there are 30 stall holders...and counting!

I am having a stall there! Come and visit me between 9am and 2pm.

Loads of other stalls, but I'm the one who needs help with de-stashing.

A sneak peek at some of the goodies I'll have for your bargain hunting enjoyment ...sewing patterns ...lace...doilies...ricrac and other braid...tablecloths and serviettes...crochet cotton....embroidery floss...fabric...lots of fabric...knits...broderie anglaise...cottons...lycra...furnishing weight offcuts...

Come along and enjoy the festival atmosphere and pick up a bargain or two...or three...

STASH AND TREASURE MARKETS

MARRICKVILLE TOWN HALL

14 JANUARY, 2012

9AM - 2PM

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Post number 294!!!

Fireworks

2012-01-01T23:52:00.000+11:00

This is where we sat to watch the NYE Fireworks.

Under the Harbour Bridge, across from the Opera House

I love this city!

I know there are many more spectacular photos of the fireworks around, but I think the MaTH did a pretty good job with these.

We heard, and felt, every bang and boom

and ooohed and aaahhed along with the crowd around us.

Hope your New Year started with a bang!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Resolutions...or not!

2011-12-31T01:13:00.000+11:00

Remember the giveaway post here...when I joined in with the Quilting Gallery's 4th Birthday Blog Hop.
Well for your edification and enjoyment I present

The Analysis of the Data post!

Yes!... you asked for it...well some did and I thought it was worth running with as well...

The background: to make the comments on the giveaway post a little more interesting, I asked entrants to tell me what resolution they kept or failed to keep in 2011.
As the comments poured in, I thought it would be fun to have a bit of a look at all the reasons people gave, whether they made them, kept them, and why or why not...
Let me say straight off, THANK YOU to all who commented. I couldn't reply to you all, though I did try at first...but you left me with a song in my heart and a goldmine of fun comments. THANK YOU!

Before I launch into the results, I have to tell you that I worked as a Psychologist, pre-children, and really enjoyed the Uni courses on statistics and scientific method and carried out a few research projects in my time. Now the reason I tell you this is that I had a really hard time not turning this into a mini thesis with and Introduction, Method...aaaarrrggghhhh!!!…don't worry I'm not about to - it would have taken up far too much sewing time...

So in pictures here’s the graph of the answers to the post question:
GRAPH #1
These were the categories that I took out of all the answers. Many had to be grouped together because this was getting to be bigger than BenHur and remember I want to get back to sewing!!!
The first three listed below are items only mentioned once in any of the replies - I should resolve to do the 'snip loose threads as I go' it would save a lot of "grrr-ing" at the end of projects!

So by far, most people (excuse me - I mean my readers!) don’t make New Years Resolutions.
The next most made resolution involves getting fit/losing weight/eating more healthily.
I was glad to see that the third most frequent resolutions have to do with quilting/sewing; including finishing specific projects or UFO’s (some a few yrs - or more - old) *coughs*, taming and organising fabric stashes and sewing areas. For some that was setting up their sewing area for the first time. PIGS are Projects In Grocery Sacks...I love that name)
[The reasons that fade to dots are: tame/sort/use fabrics or organise/tidy up sewing room, and
be a better mother/wife/daughter/take care of self & manage own time- my graph skills are rusty as...]

RESULTS: (sorry couldn't help myself - it's like being on automatic!)
Ok enough of looking at the types of resolutions…how did we go at keeping those we made…
GRAPH #2 [The raw data people - like you really needed to know that!]

So the way to read this is

the bars in blue show the number of resolutions that were KEPT

The bars in red are those that were PARTLY KEPT, either till part way through year, or slower than the person wanted.

eg the reader who wanted to read 52 books in the year only made it to 43

– I say only with total awe in my voice!

The numbers in green are the one's that WEREN'T FOLLOWED through *sigh*,

and

The purple are those who were brave enough to propose a resolution, or continue with one, into 2012!

(disclaimer: I think the numbers tally, but there were multiple answers and multiple reasons - which just shows how lovely bloggers are to take the time to make considered and careful replies - so forgive the odd miscalculation...not thesis...remember)

GRAPH #3

DISCUSSION: (oops it happened again...)
Ok, so what does it all mean...(and note that in the above graph #3 "resolution not done" doesn't mean that it was a total failure, as it may have been partly done - (or in the case of don't make resolutions is that "not done" 'cause they weren't made or "not done" cause they didn't make any LOL- {see Graph #2})

* Don't make resolutions and you'll never, ever have to worry about breaking them, remembering what they are, or feeling like a failure...

* You are more likely to keep a resolution that involves your hobby.
* You will be 100% successful if you choose to start, or better, your blogging skills
* The next most successful resolution was to improve your quilting skills - almost 90% of those were kept!
* Other successful resolutions were to finish a specific projects (just under 70%) and UFO's (50%) were finished.
* You will also be quite successful if you plan to tidy/tame/sort/ fabrics or sewing area - about 45% followed through and of those that didn't, over 50% did at some stage, but it got messy again as they worked on projects - I'd call that a win!

*You are less likely to keep a resolution based on "getting fit/losing weight/ eating healthily" - that's not to say that you won't...but it seems to be one of the hardest to stick to...

Ok now we come to the bit where I put in some fun anecdotal information that came out of the data!
* write it down - then you won't forget it
* Projects In Grocery Bags - well I laughed and then frantically tried to put my projects into anything but!
* someone found that making mid year resolutions worked better for them!
* Dont make resolutions, set yourself A GOAL OR A PRIORITY...it sounds better and isn't limited to a specific year!

Ok that's it...I'm cured of ever wanting to make another resolution...THE END...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL...

Your comments on here

Your blogs I've read

have made this a fun year,

No looking BACK for me...

It's all FORWARD into 2012,

with a smile on my face,

a bazillion projects in my head

and a sewing room beckoning...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence in 2011

PS Just in case there is someone out there who feels the urge, there really is no need to critique this (pseudo) scientific study. If I ever put it into the Journal of Social Psychology, then you can tear it to shreds! OK? Good!

Happy Birthday...

2011-12-25T07:01:00.000+11:00

Two special celebrations today:

The Reason for the Season:

...and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME.

A very Peaceful and Joyous Christmas is my wish to everyone who stops by here to have a peek over the fence

and, like always...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Buying and Using Fabric…

2011-12-23T14:50:00.002+11:00

Not long ago these fabrics found a home with me…they were on sale and I couldn’t leave them languishing on a shelf somewhere feeling unloved (I’m too kind for my own good).

Luckily, almost all of these have a purpose: The two pieces of blue Saffron Craig fabric are to re-make the bag with the disastrous tension issues. The second piece of the Saffron Craig flowers is for the Bloggers Block of the month.
The purple bundle was a total impulse buy – I’ve never, ever bought a fat quarter bundle, and couldn’t resist – it’s purpose, at the moment, is to be admired.
The same with the Tammis Keefe…that is until Miss Bee was trying to think of what to get Ms Princess for Christmas. I suggested a pillow with a pouch for her iPod, an idea prompted by this tutorial…and she chose my Tammis Keefe print!!! And we decided on a doily as the pouch, which makes it a very easy project and super easy and quick for a last minute gift idea.

The evidence that I really did have to cut into it! This was a half yard piece that I trimmed to (approx)14" by (approx) 140". This gives a decent overlap and doesn't gape at the back.

Here's the young lady herself hemming the sides. The fabric is going to be overlapped around the pillow form to make a big sideways pouch (necessary because of the direction of this print).

We wrapped the fabric around the pillow and used pins to mark where the overlap would be.
Then pinned a doily where the pocket on the front sits. We sewed around most of the doily, leaving a gap large enough to be able to put the required electronic device in. A cute rose button is sewn onto the doily for decoration.

Then the top and bottom hems were sewed, and the whole thing was turned inside out through the gap in the back.
A size 14 pillow form was stuffed into it and...

The finished pillow

with the handy overlapped back.

It's all wrapped and under the tree already.

One happy little sister who can't wait for her big sister to open her present.

This took no more than an hour! Seriously!

I'm happy I sacrificed this beautiful fabric. It will have a full and happy life, rather than sit in a bin just being admired...not that there is really anything wrong with that!!!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

While Shepherds Washed Their Socks…

2011-12-18T18:14:00.000+11:00

Yesterday I took 2 of the girls into town to do our Christmas Shopping.

A highlight of Christmas in Sydney is always the David Jones ( a huge department store) Christmas window display.

This year the Story of the Nativity is the main focus of the window display, as it should be for Christmas. In each window there is either a Christmas Hymns or a carol playing with animatronic puppetry for each scene.

My photos inevitably have bad reflections in them, but you can see them in all their glory in this link: David Jones window Christmas Display.

I wonder how many other people have spotted this little bit of humour?…

There are a few other quirky touches:
In the "Little Drummer Boy", one of the little mice is playing a colander:

Just look at the patchwork hems of the Shepherd’s cloaks!!

In fact the City seems to have embraced ‘patchwork’…

One last wonderful display we saw... In The Galeries in George Street...
A book sculpture that hangs down a few stories like a giant chandelier...

Lovely, quirky displays like these do help take your mind off thinking about how sore your feet are (from walking from 10.30am to 6pm)...or wondering whether that bag full of books from Kinokuniya really will drag our shoulder out!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Winner…

2011-12-18T16:44:00.004+11:00

Whew, I’m exhausted from the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Party!
I hope Mishka had a fabulous 4th Birthday…a week long party with presents for lots of bloggers, is quite a spectacular way to celebrate!

Thanks everyone for your comments...and a special thank you to all my new followers...I will have my own celebratory giveaway for reaching the milestone of 100 followers and (almost) 300 blog posts...so stay tuned...

Now without further waffling…oh, except I didn’t count some comments as they were totally anonymous…I couldn’t find an email to contact them…some others at least had an email contact on their profile…and one accidental duplication of a comment…

the winner of this:

#146

I have sent you an email Judith, so all I need from you is an address to be able to send your prize out.

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

RSI…

2011-12-15T23:11:00.000+11:00

…aching wrist, tingling fingers…probably started by manical data entry as the school office prepares for the end of the school year and preparation of next years classes and other admin tasks, not helped by blog hopping.

Actually it’s interfering with my blog hopping to try and win copious amounts of fabric, patterns and even shoes (follow the link and see what I mean), to take me through 2012 with plenty of quilting and sewing projects...I'm dreaming!!

Also, I am madly trying to reply to 140+ comments and counting. Sorry to those I don’t get to reply to…I don’t know if I am up to the task…but I’ll try...

Anyway, a little sore wrist or two can’t interfere with a bit of Christmas present making.

I finished the green one for one of my work colleagues...but forgot to take a photo. This has some fabric in it that came from her Aunt who had to move into a smaller house. She noticed straightaway! I love it when handmade gifts are so welcomed!

I desperately need to finish the purple one for Monday, so no more blog hopping for a while for me!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

What goes out...

2011-12-14T23:18:00.001+11:00

What goes out...

must come in...

My rainbow swap charms have arrived.

75 rainbow 5" CHARM SQUARES

I am still working out what they will become...there are a few ideas brewing...

************************************

I have been overwhelmed by the response to my Blog Hop Party Giveaway.

Over 124 entries.

and I now have 101 followers.

Thanks to everyone who chose to become a follower. I didn't make that a condition of entry so I am hoping that you enjoyed your little peek over the fence and are happy to come back for more.

The giveaway is open till December 17, so go back to this post and take your chance!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

MPAY - The Christmas Party

2011-12-10T10:11:00.000+11:00

I'm playing along with Vic's My Place and Yours with the theme

"The Christmas Party"

The Party starts at the front door...

a wreath liberated from a garage sale (ie they threw it in for nix when the MaTH bought the fridge and the surround sound speakers for a song too!)

Partying continues in the lounge room where my first ever Christmas quilt gets the royal treatment

- pride of place above the mantlepiece...

Careful you don't stumble and knock over the stained glass candles on the coffee table...first ever Christmas tablerunner made too

I didn't even know that I could do this to photos...highlight some colour and make the rest B&W...looks good though...

This weekend there will be a bit more setting up for the party...(when I can find where I put everything when the old cupboards were dismantled!).

Head on over to Vic's for more Christmas cheer...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Blog Hop Party...Giveaway

2011-12-06T11:39:00.001+11:00

GIVEAWAY CLOSED NOW
WINNER ANNOUNCED SUNDAY 18 (SYDNEY TIME)
THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO ENTERED.

blog hop party

Just what you've been waiting for.

The GIVEAWAY announcement

I'm joining in with the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Party. There are about ~~155~~ edited to over 250 now! sbloggers who are all putting giveaways up on their blogs - just for the heck of it...'tis the season and all that!

I've chosen to go with a CHRISTMAS THEME

and here is what you can win...

In this little package there are two very yummy half yard pieces of Christmas fabric...

... and this pattern for a wall hanging...

What do you have to do?

1) Leave one comment only telling me which New Year's Resolution you kept this year? If you didn't keep one, which one do you'd wish you kept?

One of my New Years Resolutions for 2011 was to change my needle for every new project I started...a very practical resolution and one that should have been very easy to keep...I just didn't count on needing new needles at odd hours of the night... The verdict - I mostly did manage to stick to that resolution...and there were no guilt trips if I didn't do it straightaway...I think I've got this resolution business all sussed out! I'm looking forward to reading your stories!

2) Open to International bloggers.

3) That's it...no hoops...

Comments close on December 17, 6.00PM EDT( ie Australian Eastern Daylight Time)

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

This post will be up earlier than some of the Northern Hemisphere blogger, so check the Quilting Gallery Blog link from December 10 onwards to enter other bloggers' giveaways.

Don't Panic 2... & a giveaway coming

2011-12-05T22:18:00.001+11:00

You guys are so funny! I didn't mean to publish the previous post...I was trying to save the title*...and the combination of a slow, misbehaving computer (that ultimately crashed), a nextdoor neighbours computer suddenly appearing on our wireless network!!! (no I can't understand why either) and a tired and flustered blogger...'nuff said...

Anyways, what I was trying not to panic about...
was all this fabric cut out, stacked and ready to sew...

Today I sewed these two tops together...today...you read right...I can't believe it either!

I keep thinking about doing a tutorial for the tree. I drafted it in my "Quilt Wizard" programme and it comes together easily. There are two hard steps: aligning the strips at the top left and bottom right and and trimming the edges to bind it...
You can see the one I made a few years ago.

I also sewed the border strips onto this table topper too...it's the leftover from a table runner that I made for the school's end of year raffle.

This is a gratuitous picture of the table topper in the new laundry...I have some of the cupboards, but still waiting on the linen press and broom cupboards to come.

Also on December 9 I will be hosting a giveaway for Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Party - there's a button on my sidebar...
see you then...or maybe before...If I haven't... you know...panicked in the meantime!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

*PS Blogger dudes...MOVE that "publish" button FURTHER AWAY from the "save" button...please!!!

Don't Panic...

2011-12-05T21:25:00.001+11:00

A Happy Win & Rainbow Charms

2011-11-28T00:18:00.001+11:00

During Blogtoberfest I entered a giveaway

at Everyone Deserves a Quilt *. My parcel from has Joanne arrived!

In it was some lovely fabric, a great pattern and these nifty binding clips.

Can't wait to try these clips - of course that means I actually have to make something that requires binding...

Thanks so much Joanne for picking me!

*if Australia ever decides to include a Bill of Rights in the Constitution, I'm thinking this wording should be Right #1

RAINBOW CHARM SWAP

I've joined another swap...a fabric sharing swap. 16 of us are a sending off 80 x 5" squares. The colours we were allocated are based on this colour wheel...

picture thieved from here

Here are fabrics I chose and am sending off to Sharon - Lillabelle Lane - to sort and send me back a whole lotta charm goodness.

Tell me that you recognised my colours as violet, red-violet, red-orange, green and blue-green! I did spend a great deal of time choosing the fabric...just to get it completely right of course...no obsessing went on...ok maybe just a little!

Really, I can't believe how easy it was to slice and dice the required number of squares.

I keep asking myself why can't I do this with fabric I already have?...and then create all those quilts that, in my imagination, I am furiously turning out?

Let's see what I can do when that package bursting with colour arrives and school holidays start...maybe a combination of time and effort might actually work!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Stash and Treasure Market

2011-11-24T21:40:00.001+11:00

About a month ago, I went to Marrickville Markets (posted here) and met up with Cherie (her blog is here).

Cherie is organising a Stash and Treasure Market, to be held on January 14, 2012 at Marrickville Town Hall.

link here

I am seriously thinking about getting a stall, not just to...ah...redistribute some of my hoarding...but because the Market is also supporting The Miracle Babies Foundation.

Help spread the word!

Thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Progress...

2011-11-12T11:22:00.001+11:00

Lots of progress this week...
Me progress...I'm feeling a whole lot better. I've healed nicely and only have some lovely purple bruises to show for the operation.
I even went to work a few days this week. I felt good, but tired by the end of the day. Many people seem to have horror stories about the type of operation so I'm truly grateful that I wasn't sick longer...

Age progress...Ms Bookworm turned 18 through the week. Very fitting cake made by Minky - love that these sisters all get on so well...

Sewing progress... a tablerunner for the school's end of year raffle...

a very cute little fellow (pattern from Clares Craftroom) who will be going to Softies for Mirabel

and my second block for the Bloggers BOM

Laundry progress...all the floor tiling is done, the exterior cladding on and the windows are in.

the basin and shower taps are done. Still waiting on the shower screen and toilet...

the washing machine and dryer are in (temporarily because the builder will be back today

to do the cornices and architraves)

The fans, lights, cupboards, counter top and sink still have to go in and the electricals tidied up...but a huge difference to what I had before...

...I'm already enjoying putting on loads of washing...do you think I may still be feeling the effects of the anaesthetic?

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

MPAY...Favourite clothing

2011-11-07T13:29:00.000+11:00

This week's MPAY "My favourite piece of clothing"

I could do a long post on my least favourite clothing and I would start of ranting about how hard it is to find something for a 12 yr old that doesn't make her look like she just stepped out of a...well let's not go there!

This is the 'not rant' part: I love this little dress...

given to Miss Bee for her birthday

It is simple, modest, has a little bit of lace that makes it "in fashion" for her...(she keeps eyeing off her older sisters lacy dresses...and their platform shoes...)

It's a great length, cool and it looks lovely on her . Even better it was a 12th birthday present from her (almost) 21yr old sister...the ultimate seal of approval for a young lady!

So this is My favourite piece of clothing... thank you Just Jeans for selling things I'm happy to put my little girl in!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

The gall….

2011-11-07T13:08:00.001+11:00

I’ve had a bit of a quiet time this week. One of my less useful organs (apparently we humans can manage quite well without this one) had the gall to cause trouble. So long and farewell organ!
As I’ve said, more times than the family can bear, the only lifting I’ll be doing for a few days is the sewing machine’s presser foot!

So here is the result of some convalescing:
I can finally say that I am using some some of the rust I won, in Shruti's Bella Parade paired with a book print for the Princess, who could also be know as The BookWorm.

A little too late I rememered that I don’t do french seams so well

nothing a little ripper couldn't fix.

Order of constructions leaves a bit to be desired too!

See how those nice trimmed points, to make a box base, are protruding alien-like out of the middle of the bag? That was the only way I could anchor them together...a step I should have done before I sewed the bag and lining together.

Perhaps my brain is still slightly anaesthetised!

I gave it to her without handles sewn on, just so I could get the placement right ( I did not) want another session with the unpicker!

Finally, today the third youngest, aka the fourth eldest, aka the Princess, aka the BookWorm turned 18…oh the shock of it all.
She came into a noisy household to become the fourth child under 5 and took it in her stride with a placid and gentle disposition.
Now, her HSC exams are behind her and the whole world is in front of her, and she is taking it in her stride, with a similar placid, but a heck of a lot more confident, disposition.

There are now technically 5…five…adults living in this house…recipe for disaster?...we shall wait and see…

thanks for taking a peek over the fence…

MPAY...Blogtoberfest Day 31

2011-10-31T23:25:00.000+11:00

This weeks, My Place and Yours, is "Where I sleep"

A quick shot taken this evening, with mood lighting so you can't see how messy my side table is!
Cute kiddie drawing are the pseudo bedhead. They are several years old, and they'll come down one day - just not yet...

To see some more MPAY "Where I Sleep"'s go here

Goodbye Blogtober

Whew...I got to the end...fun, but exhausting. The exhausting bit is putting together an interesting post, taking photos, thinking of things to write about and running the gauntlet of family members who want my attention now!

Funny thing is nearly everybody seems to have started their final blogtober blog posts along similar lines!!

The last of the Blogtober posts will appear here

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Sunday Snippets...Blogtoberfest Day 30

2011-10-30T23:51:00.000+11:00

The penultimate Blogtoberfest post...in under the wire!

After an afternoon of partying and catching up with friends, then rolling in the door half an hour ago, all I can say is thank heavens I can rely on Sunday Snippets to get me through this second to last post!

Block #2 for the Canton Village Bloggers BOM.

I should have done it with a rectangle for the solid yellow, but it's a bit quicker this way...and I need to use shortcuts or I wouldn't get much 'making' done at all.
The other fabrics are scraps cut into 2 1/2" & 4 1/2" squares for 'whenever'...me? organised? who'da thunk it?

Sunday Snippets here

Blogtoberfest bloggers here

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Paisely...Blogtoberfest Day 29

2011-10-29T23:31:00.002+11:00

A parcel arrived for me.

I took a picture of it before I carefully opened the parcel...ok I lied about the careful bit...and the before bit.

Inside is a clue to who sent it.

Here are the contents...

a lovley puffy pouch

cutest little apron...

I was gasping for breath by the time I got to these...

paisley...

paisley...and Liberty *swoon*

and more paisley...and more Liberty too!!!

Here's one of the girls mannequin pincushions looking much smarter than her usual naked self.

Just lending it till I open a bottle of wine...

Thanks heaps to the talented, generous and fabbo swap partner, Nicky of Mrs Sew and Sow fame for my gorgeous swappy makes and heartstoppingly lovely paisely scraps. There is a quilt in progress that I know they will find their way into...

Thanks Kat of Diary of a Flutter Kat for organising the Scrappy Swap 2011

and to all of you readers,

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

snort...Blogtoberfest Day 29

2011-10-28T22:59:00.001+11:00

Mary Poppins:Some people laugh through their nosesSounding something like this "Mmm..."Some people laugh through their teeth goodness sakeHissing and fizzing like snakesBert:Some laugh too fastSome only blast - ha!Others, they twitter like birdsThen there's the kindWhat can't make up their mindUncle Albert:When things strike me as funnyI can't hide it insideAnd squeak - as the squeakelers doI've got to let go with a ho-ho-ho...And a ha-ha-ha...too!

lyrics from "I love to Laugh" Sherman and Sherman

I love blogging. I get to say what's in my head and I don't get to see the eye rolling, hear the tsk-ing of certain family members who believe Mothers should be seen and not heard!

But the best part is reading comments that lead to a quick snort of laughter, or a head thrown back laugh, when that comment 'resonates' with me.

Take my post about the camera, I just about fell off my chair when I read Tanya finds photos of inside her son's noses!..."some only blast - ha!"

or the wry and absurd humour of Jackie who has gracioiusly conceded that I own 2 more magazines than her..."hissing and fizzing like snakes"

or Linda admitted - just like me - she doesn't mind a quick peek at the way a room is arranged even if it's through an uncurtained window at night!- "I've got to let go with a ho-ho-ho"

There are many reasons for having a blog, but I reckon the wonderful humour generated by all my quilting and sewing bloggy friends is about the best there is!

thanks for ~~laughing~~ taking a peek over the fence...

Creative Spaces...Blogtoberfest Day 27

2011-10-27T21:43:00.003+11:00

Today's Creative Space is all about drinking tea and looking through magazines...checking out some really creative ideas...because I don't have any of my own right now...

Of course it's not like I don't have enough to look through already either...

More Creative Spaces

More Blogtoberfest Bloggers

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Wondering...Blogtoberfest Day 26

2011-10-26T23:23:00.000+11:00

I sometimes

wonder

who borrowed

my camera

and what mischief

they've been up to...

Does this happen to your camera too?

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Nosy...Blogtoberfest Day 25

2011-10-25T23:23:00.000+11:00

I like looking at other people's renovations. I'm a real sticky beak.

At the risk of seriously boring you, with todays post you're stuck with getting a look at my Laundry renovation.

There must be others like me who ~~are sticky beaks~~ want to look at different ideas...

A refresher of how my old lean to laundry looked outside the back door.

The outside being demolished

These are the inside cupboards that are becoming the door to the new laundry.

What the cupboards contain...er...contained

...gone...

Doorway going in

...done...

Take a peek through the door.

The shower will be on the back far left wall.

Cupboards and washing machine and dryer on the left hand side.

New toilet on the back right wall.

Shower and toilet will be separated from the washing area with a sliding door.

A long bench will run underneath the window (huge gap on the right).

It will be bifold opening window. That's how I'll get the wet laundry to the outside.

I don't lose space having a door to the yard and

we have an easy servery window for handing out drinks to the deck for parties!

Looking back inside to the kitchen.

My current laundry...short term...ah the great outdoors!!!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Done...Blogtoberfest Day 24

2011-10-24T23:26:00.000+11:00

Whoa a spell of hot weather really hit today...no doubt now that Summer is coming!

I'm not complaining, I love the sunny warm weather and long days - it's just the first time it hits, I feel really drained at the end of a long day.

It doesn't matter that I haven't done any sewing today...this is some of what I got up to on the weekend...

Turned this material...by folding it around a book, and creasing the shape...

then sewing a narrow hem down each side...

turning the flap back and sewing four small seams across the turn- sewn by Ms Bee herself...

(here's another view of the seams laid out flat)...

turned the hems the right way out, tucked the edges under and ...

slipped the book inside...

...and Ms Bee has the cover for her project on Japan...

**************************************************************

Went to Marrickville Festival and found Cherie at her stall...

How lovely is it to meet up with other bloggers? It's just like we're long lost friends

I came home with this...

I've always wanted a little sewing box like this, with a padded lid...

and filled with all sorts of interesting, buttons, buckles, lace and oddments, old and new...

Blogtoberfest is racing to a close!! 24 Days gone - 7 left to go...I think I might just be able to keep going...

For more Blogtoberfest blogging see the roll here

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Clever?...blogtoberfest Day 23

2011-10-23T23:33:00.000+11:00

Not Clever:

and it took me one and a half sides to realise the binding was on the wrong way!

Clever:

I did redeem myself by doing a nice mitred join at the end of the binding!...when I finally had it on the right way.

The finished swap ready to be posted tomorrow:

Not Clever:

I thought I'd be very clever and use a nice stiff pellon to line this bag

however, the sewing machine protested and the tension was all over the place...

All the seams have white or blue threads showing ( I tried to go over the white with blue...even bigger disaster!)

and the pattern wouldn't join up at the sides (but I cleverly took the photo so you can't see the ugly thread showing through!)

Pellon and threads...not one of my most clever choices...I'll use the bag, cause I won't really care about the stitching...but now I need to start again for the person it was meant for...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

MPAY...Blogtoberfest Day 22

2011-10-22T21:08:00.001+11:00

My Place and Yours returns every Saturday.

Today's theme is My Pin Cushion...

This is my cupcake pincushion

It sits serenly amid the jumble of my sewing.

It was made by Cathy and was my first ever blog giveaway win...

Made of felt, it's so soft, and takes even my longest quilting pins.
Altogether pretty special and holds happy bloggy memories for me...

# Take a peek at other pincushions over here at Vic's
# Reading blogtoberfest posts here

White Ant...Blogtoberfest Day 21

2011-10-21T23:50:00.001+11:00

White ant - "to subvert or undermine from within".(ref).
The term comes from the way termites eat away the wooden beams and can cause the collapse of a building without anyone realising that damage is being done.

Termites are not the best thing to find in your house....

except if the result is going from this:

To potentially this...

photo credit

...or maybe this...

credit

No I really don't hate termites at all!!!

We're only up to this bit at the moment...

...but stay tuned

...and, no I didn't entice the termites - there was no white-anting by me!!!!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Fencing...Blogtoberfest Day 20

2011-10-20T22:38:00.001+11:00

Now that the roses have bloomed...

I'm going to update the fence that you peek over...

Maybe I overdid it a bit!...

Back to the drawing board...

More Blogtoberfest blogs here

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Wordless Wednesday...Blogtoberfest Day 19

2011-10-19T22:29:00.000+11:00

Linking up at Wordless Wednesday and Blogtoberfest 2011

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Domesticity...Blogtoberfest Day 18

2011-10-18T22:47:00.001+11:00

Today I laughed at the sight of a 20 yr old ironing sheets, pillowcases and doona cover! She's set her generation back a decade!
We went shopping for bedding for her new bed, starting out at the Sheridan factory where she found a doona cover and matching navy pillowcases.
The next stop was Spotlight and she found the exact shade of grey she wanted, as well as an extra cushion to sit on the bed. Into the wash they went, onto the line, then ironed...ironed I tell you...that child really has too much time on her hands!!

What I found was a 1000count cotton set of a fitted sheet and two pillowcases for our queen bed for only $50. I bought two sets. Somehow the fitted sheet is the one that gets always gets ripped, or the elastic perishes.
Now I have the right number of fitted and flat sheets...and did I mention the 1000 count thread? It is glorious, soft but nice and thick. I thought I was being a little bit fancy when I bought 300 count...oh the sheer luxury of 1000...an indulgence of grand proportions! (Don't tell anyone, but I actually ironed my new sheets too)!

More domesticity...Baking:

These vegetarian sausage rolls were from a recipe that retromummy had on her blog.

Sesame and poppy seeds!

They are delicious, scrummy, tasty, amazing...my fussiest eater ate them...and ever so easy to make...

For less domestic and more interesting blogging,

head on over to the Blogtoberfest Blogroll...

which I reckon is one of the marvels of the modern world...

it updates as each Blogtoberfest blogger blogs (try saying that fast several times!)

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Don't Look...Blogtoberfest Day 17

2011-10-17T23:19:00.002+11:00

Things are getting busy in the quilary household................There are only

1 day till the HSC starts

...14 days to Miss Bee's 12th birthday...goodness I'm sure she was only a baby yesterday!

Baby Bee

19 days to Ms Princess' 18th Birthday...yikes where did that time go??

Princess and Bee

21 days to Ms Diva's 21st Birthday...oh help...where did that time go???

Ms Diva and Ms Princess

...and...

68 days to Christmas...

If you didn't want to know that...Well, I did tell you not to look!

17 days of Blogtobfest Blogging here

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Mending...Blogtoberfest Day 16

2011-10-16T21:35:00.000+11:00

Trying to get another 9 weeks out of the last ever Primary School summer uniform.

Neckline stress...I don't know how many times I say 'undo the zipper first please'...

Best not to have the skirt come away from the bodice...

More Blogtoberfest bloggers can be found here.

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

MPAY...Blogtoberfest Day 15

2011-10-15T22:42:00.000+11:00

Yay to Vic for bringing back MPAY - My Place and Yours

Today's theme is ON YOUR SHELF
All my shelves are messy, this is the tidiest.
No lovely bric a brac or sweet china finds *sigh*...but some lovely bunting to straighten and some supplies desperately in need of sorting!

And another blogtober post done and dusted (thanks for the new meme Vic, you saved me running out of blog posts today!)

Link to MPAY at PunkysMama and

BLOGTOBER here and check out other bloggers on the Blogtober Roll.

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Swaps...Blogtoberfest Day 14

2011-10-14T23:01:00.003+11:00

I'm a bit of a fan of swaps.
Fabric Postcards, Aprons, Cushions, Mug Rugs, Bags, Spring Swap, Snail Mail Swap and now Scraps!

I've had some lovely experiences (and the odd not so good - but hey that's life anyway)...meeting other bloggers whom are quilters/crafters/artists...having the fun of waiting for a surprise to arrive in the mail...
I've got two on the go at the moment.
I'm in the Mug Rug Adventure Swap #3 run by Leona...which is due to be posted by the end of the month...I've already shown a bit of a peek at that one here...so, I'm quite sure I'll make that deadline...

The other one is the Scrappy Swap being run by Kathryn. We're swapping scraps and a handmade item and some other little goodies.

Today I've been working on this for my partner. A fair bit has been done since I took the photo...can't tell you what it is just yet thought! It's due to be mailed by 25 October and I'm well on the way with this sticking to this deadline as well!!

More Blogtoberfest bloggers on the Blogtober Blogroll

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Artwork...Blogtoberfest Day 13

2011-10-13T23:46:00.000+11:00

Not much happened craft wise today.

Normal day job came first.

Then the running around after the kids.

Thsese are some more of the photos I took at Floriade.

Probably my best tulip shot...and my favourite of the tulips on display too...

Interesting sculptures at Regatta Point...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Wordless Wednesday...Blogtoberfest Day 12

2011-10-12T23:19:00.002+11:00

Wordless Wednesday

(can I just say two words? "foundation piecing")

Blogtoberfest 2011

Thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Formal...Blogtoberfest Day 11

2011-10-11T21:22:00.000+11:00

The Year 12 Formal, or more accurately, The "Yr 12 excessively-expensive-dress-shoes-bag-fake tan-hair-nails-teeth (well maybe that doesn't count as they were paid for over 2 years ago)-hired-limousine-Formal" is on the agenda for Ms Princess later in November. Though I scoff, I can understand, that, for these mostly 18 year olds, it's their final memories of school, and a chance to get thoroughly dresses up.

The Yr 6 Formal is another matter entirely! It has crept up on us over the years as each of our girls has left Primary School. The "event" seemed to be getting bigger and much more outlandish and held in Reception Centres!
This year sanity has prevailed. The school has it's refurbished BER Hall, so, along with a like minded group of Grade Parents, we will have a thoroughly age appropriate Yr 6 End of Year Dinner.
For Miss Bee and her classmates, there will be balloons,

photo credit

and a DJ (kiddie size),

photo credit

yummy kiddie finger food,

photo credit

and sensible kiddie clothes,

photo credit

...For after all, they are only 11 and 12 years old - and they have several years ahead of them, before they have to compete in the high stakes world of the the Year 12 formal.

I wasn't really comfortable with it at all.
Now I'm happy.
I wonder what your school is doing or has done in the past?

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Linking up with Blogtoberfest 2011 at Tinniegirl
Go here to have a look at the Bloggers taking part in this years Blogtoberfest.

Crafty...Blogtoberfest Day 10

2011-10-10T22:47:00.000+11:00

You didn't think I went to Canberra last week with out going to ...

Shop Handmade

Some of the goodies that came home with me...

Presents for the November Birthday girls...

I should have bought some for myself too...

Good excuse to go back soon

Linking up with Blogtoberfest 2011.

More blogs here and here

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Sunday Snippets...Blogtoberfest Day 9

2011-10-09T20:48:00.002+11:00

Quilt by Therese Waddell - Quilting The Journey

Congratulations Therese on the success of "One Table"

A feast for all five senses.

Quilts as backdrops - swoon!

A feast of friendly company and interesting conversation.

Joie de vie personified!

Linking up with Sunday Snippets @ Tinniegirl

Some Blogtoberfest blog spying here too

(I'm running off to see this post pop up there!)

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Grinning...Blogtoberfest Day 8

2011-10-08T14:15:00.000+11:00

I've had some fun wins in the last few days...

For her "100 Posts Giveaway" Ohjoh had a very interesting way of choosing her winner... you HAVE to go and see how Jenny and her kids did it. One of the most inventive ways I've seen...here's a hint...

photo credit

This morning, I woke to find an email from Meg The Mad Quilting Librarian - I've won her October giveaway...I've borrowed her picture to show you...
These prints are completely new to me - and I did me a bit of research - Plume is from 2009 and Flutterby from 2007 - way before I put quilting and blogging together, so I am dying to see them in person!

photo credit

Thank you, Meg and Thank you, Jenny.

Don't forget to have a look at some of the other Blogtoberfest blogs through the month...there's 264 now so you can't say you're bored...oh sorry that's the kids on holidays, not you lovely readers!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Foundation...Blogtoberfest Day 7

2011-10-07T23:27:00.001+11:00

Piecing... for the MugRugAdventure Swap3

I had the beginning of a migrane today, but managed to sleep it off in the afternoon.
Nice to be able to do, but it makes a big hole in the day!

I've havent' managed to visit more Blogtoberfest bloggers, but you'll find an ever-expanding list here

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

3 hours...Blogtoberfest Day 6

2011-10-06T22:57:00.002+11:00

The distance from Canberra to Sydney is 268 km and takes 3 hours to drive...

...except if you stop at Rosemont Patchwork at Tuggeranong....
...and have morning tea at The Jetty Cafe with an old friend...
...and stop for lunch, with another old school friend at Goulburn...
...and stop at Berrima Patchwork in Berrima ...
...and stop at Village Patchwork at Mittagong...
...and stop at Victoria House Needlecraft in Mittagong...

The distance from Canberra to Sydney is 268km and it can take up to 8 hours to drive...

thanks for taking a ~~trip~~ peek over the fence...

Wordless Wednesday...Blogtoberfest Day 5

2011-10-05T22:49:00.000+11:00

photo courtesy of fellow Floriade-er M.S.

More Wordless Wednesday here.

This evening I'll be visting blogs with "creative" in the title...on an iphone...this will be interesting!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Recycle...Blogtoberfest Day 4

2011-10-04T14:19:00.002+11:00

More spring cleaning

Wardrobes today.

I have saved all these...

and have plans for them

But I really don't want to save any of these...

I get an D* for Recycling

You'll find many Blogtober A students over here

Today I visited blogs with "crafty" in the title...don't be alarmed by a strange stalker...it's only me :)

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

*NSW A_E Reporting scales

D - The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.

Patterns...Blogtoberfest Day 3

2011-10-03T23:30:00.000+11:00

Today's quilting calendar page. Labour Day holiday - for some maybe
...not for Mums...on school holidays...with teenagers in the house...

Today I cleared away some of the last reminders that there were ever babies around here *sigh*.

I took all the bath toys out to the laundry, put them into a huge bucket of bleach, some to be kept (I can dream can't I?), and some to go to Vinnies.

Miss Bee asked what I was doing. I still have her sweet words singing in my heart "make sure you keep the boats, all the boats...and the floating penguins..."

...hmmm...maybe not all the last reminders are gone...

Todays blog visits were brought to you by the letters "s", "e" and "w".

If your blog has "sew" in the title, it was me who ~~stalked~~ visited your blog!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Daylight Saving...Blogtoberfest Day 2

2011-10-02T18:36:00.001+11:00

The first day of daylight saving.

At 9am the temperature was 13°C

Now the temperature is 14°C

It's pretty much rained on and off all day.

Some sunshine, mostly cloudy.

And cool, a shut-the-door-and-put-the-heater-on kind of cool.

Not that I'm complaining.

A nice wishy washy day that means a nice slow day - no one in the house really wants to do anything too strenuous...

even my sewing machine...

Urgh - pulling out the manual (well I never can remember which way to turn the dial!), rethreading, dusting the innards, changing the needle...

...and unpicking....urgh...with a capital U!

As a distraction, I went visiting some blogs with "quilt" in their title...so if you got a visit don't be worried about a weird stalker...it's just me.

Maybe tomorrow I'll pick another random word

and visit some of you fellow Blogtober-ers.

Anyone can drop in and say hi to them too. You'll find them here at Cathy's blog

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Blogtoberfest 2011...Memories

2011-10-01T09:02:00.000+10:00

I'm in again for another month of daily blogging.

As a community service, I've disabled networked blogs so these posts (hopefully) won't be all over FB - a girls gotta have some secrets from the rellos!

Official Blogtoberfest 2011 button http://tinniegirl.blogspot.com/

I'm a bit of a fan of the ISpy series of books and loooovvve this button to bits.

I spy 2 owls

2 letters in yellow,

a star, a 6

and a gingerbread fellow

The books have been a family staple from the time Ms Pi was in Kindy and we discovered them in the Scholastic Book Clubs. They are visually just beautiful - page after page of gorgeously put together "sets", great for counting, language, puzzle solving, and the ultimate family fun....competitiveness ("I WANTED TO GET THAT ONE...NO IT'S MY TURN....(sing song voice)HA HA HA-AH I FOUND IT

FIR-IRST....MUUUUUUUUM SHE'S NOT LETTING ME.....")

So join in Blogtoberfest

if you're game

life won't be the same

31 posts

Just 1 day

and tell all the world

what you've got to say

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Busy Relaxing...

2011-09-30T10:08:00.000+10:00

Day 5 of the school holidays...

BUSY: little visitors, kiddie boot camp, washing, feeding the masses, trips to Spotlight - you get the picture, nothing really stops in the holidays - except work - and that's replaced by holiday activities!

RELAXING:
I joined in with a Block of the Month at Canton Village Quiltworks. The first block came out on September 25th - OMG it's already DONE!!!

I've cut out a bag pattern - Monica Poole and Saffron Craig - a match surely made in heaven!

Putting together a paper pieced project for the MRSA#3...

I can hand sew this at night in front of the tv - I dont' miss much of the story line and there is always someone else sitting there to roll their eyes and fill me in on what I miss...

The plan for today is to finish that bag...start your stopwatch...now...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Motto #2

2011-09-25T16:30:00.000+10:00

What's another hour on top of the 2 already wasted.

I may be able to salvage some of this afternoon with sewing...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

My new motto...

2011-09-24T09:41:00.001+10:00

Edit: Well there seems to be a problem with the KeepCalm poster generation

and I don't know where I saved the one I made....

soooo...I introduce my own version...

Many thanks to Michelle, for helping me get my priorities right!
You too ~~can~~ (may be able, if the site connects,) get yours here

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

I know, I know, if I'd spent 2hrs quilting instead of making this...

Heaven on Earth...

2011-09-18T14:06:00.000+10:00

I imagine Heaven will have any rows and rows of sewing machines, lots of huge cutting tables, fabric everywhere and like-minded sewing and quilting angels all around me.
I had a little taste of Heaven on Earth, nearly a month ago, when I was able to help Corrie (retromummy) and her sewing angels, sew together many of the quilt blocks that were sent for Quilts for Queensland.

Recently I have been wishing for a few more "Corrie Sundays" - days when I can forget about my real life and lose myself in some more Sewing Heaven.

This would be finished in a flash...

...this would already be in the hands of Ms Pi...

...and I would never notice any of this...

What's your version of "Corrie Sunday"?

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Bunting?...

2011-09-13T17:58:00.000+10:00

I know it looks like I've been making rectangular bunting...

but no...lots and lots of squares for Minky's quilt.

I have made quilts for 4 of my girls. This is the last girl quilt to be made.
The daisy print in the foreground is the main border fabric and the stripe is for a narrow inner border. We picked out colours from the main print to use in the squares and threw in orange to pick up the colour in the stripe. I love the way it is coming together - so does she!
I am getting it done so much quicker since I decided to give up housework...

I still have to come up with the right idea for a quilt for the BaTH (Boy about The House)...I like to keep the most challenging till the very end! He was going to get one for his 18th birthday - but that was in 2010...I really should have given up housework sooner.

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Origami Bag for Miss Bee...

2011-09-13T17:43:00.001+10:00

A cute little purse with fabric that was a pretty close match for the material in her new dress

Finished with a press stud closure and bronze chain shoulder strap.

Taken on two recent outings: Confirmation on Friday 2 September and Mary Poppins musical on Friday 9 September. Satisfying!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Happy Father's Day...

2011-09-04T10:11:00.000+10:00

Here's a little something we prepared for you!

Enjoy your day. XXX

Fabric Hoarding

2011-09-03T18:53:00.001+10:00

10 Good Reasons To Buy Fabric
(found in the lateset On Line Quilt Magazine - which by the way is great free magazine by some Aussie quilters!)

1. It insulates the cupboard where it is kept.
2. It keeps the "economy" moving, it is my duty to support cotton farmers, textile mills and fabric shops.
3. It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.
4. It's a contest - the one who dies with the most fabric wins.
5. It keeps without refrigeration, you don't have to cook it to enjoy it, you'll never have to feed it, change it, wipe it's nose or walk it.
6. Like dust, it's good for "protecting" previously empty spaces in the house, like the ironing board, laundry basket, the dining room table etc.
7. It's not immoral, illegal or fattening. It calms the nerves, gratifies the soul and makes me feel good.
8. Because it's on "SALE."
9. Because I'm worth it.
10. And buy it now, before your husband retires and goes with you on all your shopping expeditions!

Which brings me to my problem...a serious fabric buying problem...
it's probably not a psychological problem...yet...but I think I am going rather overboard...

It's not that I don't have enough to last me a lifetime already (and it's not like I can sew 24/7 either). I've even got some beautiful winnings to deal with. Some I've packaged...like this...(the vintage sheets are paired with some perfect solids), to be made, one day, sometime in the future, at a later date, into a sofa throw.

The latest...er...saga...revolves around the travel wallet I made. I realised that I'll need to make myself one for the 25th Wedding Anniversary trip. Cue a virtual shopping trip...
So I need this black and white travel fabric...

Oh but then it might not be colourful enough...

These were a really, really good price...

and of course Christmas is coming ...

and I'll need a pattern to go with that...

and I've found the perfect print to go with the Bella Solids "Rust" that I won from here

and something quirky and eyecatching that says "leave me at your own peril - you will want me when I'm gone!"

I have a partner in crime too.

Marisew and I have been buying to share the postage....

When the parcels arrive at her place "she bought them on her account for me".

When the parcels arrive at my place "I bought them on my account for her".

This is the third lot of orders that arrived in August. I'm hoping this confession will either stop me because of public embarrassment...or better still...

unearth someone else's even more atrocious buying habits that will make me feel good about my restraint!

Oh...and one other little tip: don't haul your fabric out to photograph when the MaTh is likely to walk past!!! oopsies

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

September 1 1956...

2011-09-01T20:44:00.001+10:00

That was the year my parents married.

In a beautiful little church in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.

http://www.katoomba-nsw.com/KatChurches.html

Each year there are dates that stand out in my mind.
Birthdays - 24 September and 29 October. They would be turning 79 and 83.
Sad days - June 13, August 20
Sometimes I just want to pick up the phone. Tell them about the things the children have been up to...about things I've been making...the sewing days I go to...the funny things people say that I know would make them laugh too...even the sad news about a good friends father, just to hear their words of sympathy...
Of course I can't...that's just life...but it's hard to break that habit of just reaching for the phone...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Sewing, Sunshine & Sweets...

2011-08-26T10:45:00.000+10:00

Sewing...Ms Diva has left the country. She's off on her trip to the US, Bahamas and Mexico...and this is what she took with her...a handmade Mummy present!

It's turned out really well. This is how she wanted the colours to be (although I think I would have had the wild travel print on the outside!). Not sure what Hurricane Irene is planning to do...I can see I am going to be learning how to read satellite images for the next three weeks!...and I'll probably become Best Friends with The National Hurricane Center.

*********************************

Sunshine...Sunshine in the Mail aka Snail Mail Swap:
My partner Sam at Knitting Adventures and I have been playing email tag, as we try to catch up so I can send off her swap goodies.
I've sent off a few handmade bits and pieces that I hope will be like some sunshine in the mail...but I'll only show photos of the half-finished items...so it will still be a surprise when it arrives.

********************************

Sweets...today I'm going to be doing a bit of cooking rather than sewing (a big sacrifice!).

I'm taking a dessert to my Sister-in-Law's 40th tonight. My poor lemon tree is drooping under the weight of all those lemons,

so it's going to be lemon day today....lemon slice, lemon tart and if the bowl is in the freezer, lemon sorbet...

My mouth is watering at the thought of all those lemons...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Swappy Heaven...

2011-08-21T06:00:00.001+10:00

You little bewdy (oops my Strine is showing)...the weekend is here and I can enjoy looking at what arrived in the mailbox yesterday afternoon. Can you believe it; 2 surprises in one day!

Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap #4

I knew what they were straight away, but as soon as I got home from work on Friday afternoon, I was out the door again to go to dinner. I forced myself to leave them alone till I could really take the time to open them and appreciate what was inside.

Sunshine in the Mail/Snail Mail Swap

This morning I've been able to enjoy a leisurely look through these lovely parcels.

This is the contents of the envelope from the Snail Mail Swap that was organised by Seaweed & Raine

Sabrina has put together an amazing little package that has really brought some sunshine into the house.
There is a lovely letter, some fabulous notepaper from vintage wallpaper, a postcard, gorgeous envelopes and a handmade card
This is the cutest part, made by her 3yr old sister...

...just shows that you are never too young to create a little masterpiece.
It's put a huge smile on my face, and really takes me back to the enjoyment of spending precious craft time with my own "littles"!
Also, Sabrina has a great project going on over on her blog, so head on over there and check out her homage to all things post-y and mail-y.

Thanks Sabrina for sending so much lovely sunshine goodness in the mail!

***************************************

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap #4

The theme of this was BLOOM.

Post card front

This beautiful hand painted - gorgeous watercolors - and stitched card looks so at home in my lemon tree!

Postcard back

The back is as beautifully made as the front!

Here's the postcard pretending to be the biggest rose on the rosebush! It's not staying out there, it's going on the wall where I sew, so that I'll have a bit of blooming sunshine inside to make this cold old winter go away!

Thanks so much to Jenna . Please go and have a look at her blog - I got lost travelling around looking at all the fantastic postcards that she's made to send out and those that she's received from others.

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Trials & Travel…

2011-08-20T16:23:00.000+10:00

First I have to say thank you to all my lovely friends in blogland. Your supportive comments really lifted my spirits. It’s funny you know, everyone around me can tell me that I’m doing ok, and I feel a bit better, they after all, know me so well.
But when someone who doesn’t know me so well says that, well you all just gave me that extra boost, that, yeah, maybe things are ok and my little bump on the road to bringing up children, is going to smooth out in the end.

****************************************

Trials of a different sort have been happening here at our house…HSC Trials…
The Princess has been in the middle of HSC exam trials as well as trying to finish her Textiles major project. The weekend just gone was her last chance to finish her portfolio. The art quilt is finished…

I think it’s just fabulous…but I know I’m biased. If you knew her, you'd know that she loves reading (2 large bookshelves in her room are almost full), loves Jane Austen and anything to do with the late 18th and early 19th century and one day wants her own library and drawing room. This quilt is like looking inside her imagination!
She’s done a brilliant job. She taught herself techniques that she wanted to use…ribbon embroidery, satin stitch appliqué, buttonhole stitch.
She’s listened and put into practice things she’s asked me how to do …the padded vase, paper piecing, using a walking foot…
She's already wanting it back from the markers - not to find out what she mark she got - but so it can go on her wall!

****************************************

Miss Diva is off on a 3 week holiday to the US. A longtime friend of hers works as a dancer on a cruise liner that works out of Miami.

She and two others are going to go on two back to back cruises - one to the Bahamas and the other to Mexico - to see what Sarah does – and no doubt imagine what it would be like to work as a dancer (something I think they all imagine they can do (and perhaps with overly enthusiastic encouragement from dance teachers!!!!) when they are young and among the top/better dancers in their own local dancing school)

This is the beginnings of her travel document holder….

...it's a hybrid of a couple of free patterns I found, including here and here...but I really need to get a move on, she's flying out next Friday. Don't you love the travel fabric? Spotlight does it again! I'm going to have to visit there this weekend and smuggle a few metres of the new cities fabric into the house without getting caught!

***********************************

This has gone in the mail….but I am only showing you a picture of it half finished to keep it a bit of a surprise for it's recipient.

It's heading for the UK and this blogger who has only just started blogging. Go and have a look and say hi, g’day or hello from your neck of the woods.

thanks for taking a peek over the fence…

Living in a material world...

2011-08-02T10:46:00.000+10:00

Material: A lovely parcel of vintage sheeting arrived recently and were a lovely surprise after a hard days work and some of the emotional upheaval I've been through.

There are 5 lovely crisp fat quarters. I have been playing with them and photographing them in different ways (no I didn't win two sets!). I fear that I have now been bitten by the "vintage sheet lovin' bug" and am holding Jacqui totally responsible. I have to admit that I thought it was a bit funny - all the hype around the sheets, but I totally understand it now - there is something quite exciting about the colours, the texture, the history...I have even already picked out a couple of solid colours that will be used to go with some of the fabrics...there will be a least one cushion cover being whipped up soon. Thanks so much Jacqui for these beauties...you really brightened up my day in more ways than one.

Materialistic...Nic from CreativeDisorganization blogged about some lovely fat quarters she found at Spotlight and me being the copycat I am just needed them as well. I went after my visit to the dentist (oh yes I've had a great week!) but couldn't find them for the "special" price. Never mind...I found this lot instead...Paisley and Christmas in the one piece....ooh yeah!

Materialism...Fluffy pom poms destined for Meet Me at Mikes:

Mental...And finally one of the best things for keeping sane in the face of the madness that can be family life...the last of the square in a square blocks for the next border of the quilt variously known as...

"I <3 Paisley"

"Mariners Compass"

"The Paisley Nightmare"

"That Giant UFO that I'm not quite sure what to do next with..."

It is actually coming together and I'm a really getting quite fond of it, fiddly blocks and all!!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

a heartache and questioning...

2011-08-02T10:43:00.000+10:00

I've been gone for a little longer than usual...

Something has happened that has given me a huge jolt. It's made me question my ideas about bringing up my children and made me look all the decisions I have made over the last few weeks and months and years as a parent.

I'll be brief about the issue, but basically one of my children has felt pressured by another child and made some silly decisions that could have badly affected her.

I now ask myself, why did I let her have a friendship with this other child - her parents seemed to responsible and think the same way I do. (Perhaps part of the answer is that the child already has some deep problems that I didn't know about). My child didn't want to be the last one to abandon the other girl as all her friendships seemed to be falling away because of the kinds of erratic behaviour she was displaying. She felt a loyalty to her that I actually don't ever want her to feel again.

A saving grace is that in the face of certain bullying my daughter came clean. She recognised the risk taking behaviour and faced up to the consequences. She knows that others who have been affected by this child (and maybe were a bit excited by it all) will be upset that someone has "dobbed" and she will have to stand up to them as well. She's felt the release of a burden that she was carrying for a few days and that has more than made her feel glad she has owned up. She's thanked us for loving her...one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard my child say to me.

I am so shocked by this. I have spoken with all my kids about the kinds of dangers they may face, about alcohol and drugs - I've done all the things I have been advised by books, media, schools, parent groups, police, politicians. The only access to the internet is in the family room. I have facebook passwords and I have to be their "friend" or they cannot have fb ("if you don't want me to see what you are writing then maybe you shouldn't be writing it!"). I follow through on consequences for every issue that we have ever had. I think I'm fair with them. I do say no and mean it. They don't get everything they ask for - birthdays and Christmas are for getting special presents. I give them pocket money, but there is always a reasonable discussion about what will be purchased with savings. They have time limits for going out, pickup times from birthday parties...I absolutely love every single one of them to bits and tell them often. It's not just about "imparting information". I live how I want them to know is the right, kind, fair, just and loving way to live as an individual and in a society and community. There is a lot of love and laughter and friends in this house and home.

I thought I was doing everything "right" - that magic way we think as parents that means we are setting the kids on the right path.

I'm so sad and relieved at the same time. I'm scared and full of doubt. I'm disappointed and angry. It seems that other children...and maybe even their parents...may have been aware of what this child may have been up to...I am angry that no one thought to say that maybe she wasn't the right person to 'hang around'...I feel compelled to say something to the parents of girls who are still "friends" with her...and scared that they may treat me as the problem...the angry part of me wants to quash and belittle the family, the sane and rational part of me knows that's not the way to do it...

How do we really protect and guide our kids? How do we really combat "peer pressure"? How do we teach them to turn away? All these questions and I am still no nearer to finding the answers...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

One Swap Over...Another Begins...

2011-07-16T09:43:00.000+10:00

The second Mug Rug Swap Adventure has come to an end.

Here's what the postman delivered to brighten up my day:

Isn't that just the cutest birdie?

And look...dress form fabric and some swirly fabric goodness...yummo...

A HUGE thank you to Carla of www.halfdozendaily.wordpress.com

you've made me a delightful mugrug...I love it...thank you...

**************************

I've joined in the next Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap...signups close Wednesday 27 July. Go here for information and here to sign up.
The theme for this swap is bloom - and I have spent the last few hours looking for blooming great ideas!
It's a bit addictive...so you can't say I haven't warned you.

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

For The First Time in 20 yrs...

2011-07-15T15:38:00.000+10:00

...the ski fields at Thredbo were closed...The weather was atrocious...and, of course, it had to happen when I was there!

This is a tale of the weather going downhill fast!

(sorry about the dreadful pun, my head is still frozen!)

Day 1: Just glorious.

Blue skies...

We arrived the day after there had been snow falls for the previous 3 or so days...

Snow covered picnic tables...

Looking out over Friday Flat...

Day 2: Started out sunny, but got a little windier as the afternoon wore on...those clouds are actually the wind whipping up the soft surface snow...

Later in the afternoon...see how much windier it is up the top...

Still there were plenty of sun, smiles, lovely top cover and picturesque snow covered trees...

...and loads of soft, knee-deep snow for chucking at each other at the top of Merrits...

Day 3: We arrived at the Thredbo at 8.45am...to blizzard conditions and everything was "on hold". The quad chair at Friday Flat was eventually opened and the Merrits chair lift as well. The Skiers had their 2 hr lesson (although much to Miss Bee's delight (below), their instructor gave her group "an early mark"!! (The white streaks in the photo is snow blowing sideways!!!)

Long queues for the quad chair...huge wind gusts...horizontal snow flying at you...feels just like having your face scraped with sandpaper...

...I'm all for getting out of here!!

And we did. We left at 12.30pm instead of our planned 3pm.
Just as well.
We later heard that the ski fields had been closed and extra buses were being called in to help move people off the mountain. 2 buses got snowed in at a nearby ski field and at Perisher (across the valley), almost 100 cars were damaged and windows broken, when the wind whipped up gravel in the car park.

And what crafting did I get done, you ask?: one very sad, floppy, embarrasing pom-pom for Meet me at Mikes pom pom make-a-thon.

I will have to get my pom-pom technique right if I'm going to get any done by the August deadline!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

The Last Installment...

2011-07-13T21:02:00.000+10:00

I'm just a little tired today *yawn*.
A few weeks ago I agreed to go to see Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 with two of my girls...the midnight screening...and we had to see Part 1 immediately before. So I got home at 3 AM (yes you read right!) *yawn*. I spent 7hrs at the movies - I must be nuts!

One the way there the girls were talking about the "end of an era" for them. My youngest looks at the publication dates and marvels that the earlier books were printed before she was born! They have grown up reading the books and eagerly awaited the next installment of both the movies and the books.
They have enjoyed reading so much because of the great stories and characters. We've had fun working out the historical, literary and mythological references that have been cleverly peppered through the books.

When the first book came into our house and I whisked it away to read, when Ms Pi had gone to bed.
As each little quilary got older, I would read them a few pages in the evening, until they were old enough to read the books themselves.

It makes me smile. My childhood memories are of the the Narnia books that my father read to me. Of voraciously reading as many Enid Blyton books as I could get my hands on.

I like knowing that they will have their own shared memories of this series as they get older, and will pass this on to their own children....

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...*yawn*

Want to be a quilter...?

2011-07-12T19:29:00.000+10:00

...do you?
...need a sewing machine?
...some tools?
...a start to your fabric stash?

See that button over there on the right? Well StashManicure is gearing up for a HUGE giveaway in August and you could get yourself some lovely prizes.

There are a few rules - like you have to be NEW to quilting

or in the words of Madame Samm

"What constitutes someone as a WANTOBE QUILTER..?

They do not have a machine, tools, notions, stash as in fabric...
They may have made a quilt with a MOM, sister, friend, niece, aunt, grandma,
but they DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN TOOLS!"

Send me off and email with your details and I will enter you...
...that's all I know...but take a look over at StashManicure and you'll know that this is legit...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

The difficulties of going away for a weekend…

2011-07-06T23:50:00.091+10:00

Well it's that time of year when we deliberately chooses to freeze ourselves, when all instincts are urging me to rug up and keep as warm as possible.
Yes – it’s time for the Ski Trip. We are so organised that we have a spreadsheet that lists what each family member should pack, as well extra items like games, phone chargers, cameras etc
I have pulled out every warm item of clothing I own and still wonder if it is enough.

On everyone else’s list there is ski goggles, boots, ski socks, gloves, inner gloves etc. I don’t worry about those - I don’t ski, I like the use of my arms and legs too much.
What I end up wondering is “is it easier to knit, crochet or embroider with bulky gloves on?”, and “how long could I do any of the aforementioned crafts, without gloves, before I could be classed as having frostbite?”. Oh, the difficulties of going away for the weekend.

On a brighter note…lookee what arrived the other day:

Yippee, the new plastic insert for the sewing table that I'd ordered at the Sydney show...isn't it excellent?

Such a lovely flat, level sewing surface!

Just recently, I was in a mug rug swap and I was just a little bit late mailing it off, so I included a ~~bribe~~ surprise of two fat quarters of the latest Denyse Schmidt from my local Spotlight. Hope they sweeten the deal a bit!

Just another gratuitous shot of the sewing table!

Finally, I have been working on the sadly neglected Paisley quilt. Rows and rows of chain sewing. It's amazing how fast I can sew when the table top is level!
(Oh look, there is another picture of the sewing table insert!)

Well, I suppose that I should go and pack, wish me luck!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

@#$$%%^%^ Blogger

2011-07-05T12:43:00.000+10:00

That feels better - I needed to get that out!

Are you having issues with blogger?

I am...

It seems that people can't comment on my blog.

So I did a little bit of research...

I often head off to blog posts through Google reader. That takes me straight to the individual post on each blog, where I find a link that says post a comment...or a box to write in...which makes it really easy to post a comment!!!!

However, I peeked around a few blogs and I couldn't find the words "post a comment" at the end of any of their posts.

On most blogs, at the end of the post, there is a line that says:

...x number of commenters/lovelies/chatters/peekers said...

In order to see the comments or to actually write a comment, I have to click on that line/link and get taken to a comment box, or maybe a separate page, where I can comment to my hearts content!

How confusing is that?

Go to the blog and you have to work out how to comment,
or go to the individual post and it's easy as pie...

I'm only moaning because this is the first time I have noticed that peculiarity. I think it is something to do with all the "improvements" that are being introduced. Plus I've been feeling a bit "nelly-no friends" *sob* *sob*

So please Blogger - get your act together.
Just standardise the way to comment on blog posts - whether they are viewed on the whole blog or as a separate post...
....or I might just jump ship (can you hear them trembling in their boots at that threat? No, me neither)...

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

I hope you can find out how to leave a comment!

Good Mail...Good Friends...

2011-07-04T09:35:00.000+10:00

A good mail day...

The cute little Penguin pattern that I'd ordered arrived...with some unexpected extras!!!
Clare from Clares Craftroom had a "guess my new pattern" post on her blog ages ago...who'd a thunk a crazy guess of a penguin would be right? Thanks Clare for the lovely surprise J

I had a great visit from one of my lifelong friends, Margaret. We usually get to the craft show together, but this year we couldn't co-ordinate our "timetables".

On this visit she kindly helped me with my paisley addiction...

my magazine addiction...

and my fabric addiction...

ahh that's what friends are for!!!!!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Look what 'followed' me home...

2011-06-26T12:49:00.004+10:00

Friday was SHOW DAY

If you remember the previous post when I was silly enough to mix husband and fabric shopping, you may well roll your eyes when I tell you that I asked the MaTH if I could go into the city with him on Friday to go to the Craft Show. He was doing a consultancy job in near Pyrmont (not too far from Darling Harbour), the only catch being that I'd have to walk to the show and I'd be nearly an hour early for it opening...well it turned out to be a brilliant plan....and I had a lift home too (which, we all know, means that we can take home just that little bit more!)

First stop was booking into the screen printing workshop - like I really need to start another ~~obsession~~ craft.

I admit it - I can't draw and had a thought that maybe we'd get to choose a stencil...but no, it was draw your own!

Since we were screen printing on a tea towel, and I just finished this mug rug with a cute embroidered tea bag, I went for the obvious!

I'm very happy with how it turned out and I'm told that my artistic blobs in the corner should maybe, perhaps one day wash out if I don't heat set them when I iron the design! Handy hint: don't hold a screen full of paint and lean over to ask the teacher what should you do next!

My Horn sewing cabinet is over 15yrs old, and in some places is showing its age:

Not any more: despite going to shows for many years, it never occurred to me until today to actually go the the HORN stand and ask about whether it's possible to get new seals/surrounds!!!

I've also ordered the insert to fit my Brother sewing machine. I can't wait to get it and have the machine flush with the table top - goodbye neck aches.

There were a few other things jumped into my bag on the way around the show.

I've admired the grey and red pinwheel quilt forever...now I've seen it, met the creator and got my own little pinwheel magic tool to make my own version!

...and in the end I needed to get one of these to hold all the goodies...

How else was I going to manage the long trip all the way back to near Star City where the MaTH had parked the car?

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

Hot Drink Weather...

2011-06-21T23:19:00.000+10:00

Freezing winds rattling the windows and snow falls about 100km west of here are making me think of lovely hot drinks...

Do you like your hot chocolate with sprinkles?

Or maybe you like a hot cup of tea?

Or perhaps a steaming cup of coffee?

or do you just like to look at cute little coffee pots?

You know what all this means?

I’ve finished my mug rug for Leona’s swap. It’s due to go out by June 30th and I have it ready 9 days early…miracles still do happen!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence...

After the Rain...

2011-06-17T18:18:00.000+10:00

You may be wondering what I bought when I was stranded in the rain.
These two fabrics – the floral and the green filler - are for the backing and binding of my current embroidery project. I wasn’t sure if all those flowers were a ‘bit too much’, but seeing them in the photo – and there will be miles of white blanketing (apparently we now call it ‘negative space’) between the central design and the edges – I think it will all work quite ok.

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I also picked up a backing that I’m going to use for the ‘bubbles and ruffles’ quilt. I like the embossed pattern because it picks up some of the pattern design of the main blue fabric (and it will also be much easier to quilt with white in the top and bottom threads!).

I just had to play with that photo effect and it does show the pattern in the white.

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This week I sewed the bottom of this bag - on the machine - and surprised myself with how well it turned out. This'll be added to the pile of "things I'll make again". It has an oval bottom that is pinned in place, then both the base and bag are bound and it’s really easy to machine sew the binding, a definite plus when you want to have more in the 'finish' pile than the 'whenever' pile!

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Finally , I've been getting work done on the mug rug for this swap. I am going to add some embroidery with stranded and perle cotton, rather than machine quilting – just for something different.

Well that’s been my week – I won’t bore you with the vacuuming, washing, folding, dinners and all those other things that usually make up my week and eat severely into quilting/sewing/crochet and embroidery time!!

thanks for taking a peek over the fence.

quilary - take a peek over the fence

More Bee Blocks...and giveaway still open

Giveaway Time...

301...

300

This Little Piggy...

Seeing stars

Sew Scraps....

Reading...sewing...

Blocks and Bees...

Stash & Treasure Market...

Fireworks

Resolutions...or not!

Happy Birthday...

Buying and Using Fabric…

While Shepherds Washed Their Socks…

Winner…

RSI…

What goes out...

MPAY - The Christmas Party

Blog Hop Party...Giveaway

Don't Panic 2... & a giveaway coming

Don't Panic...

A Happy Win & Rainbow Charms

Stash and Treasure Market

Progress...

MPAY...Favourite clothing

The gall….

MPAY...Blogtoberfest Day 31

Sunday Snippets...Blogtoberfest Day 30

Paisely...Blogtoberfest Day 29

*snort*...Blogtoberfest Day 29

Creative Spaces...Blogtoberfest Day 27

Wondering...Blogtoberfest Day 26

Nosy...Blogtoberfest Day 25

Done...Blogtoberfest Day 24

Clever?...blogtoberfest Day 23

MPAY...Blogtoberfest Day 22

White Ant...Blogtoberfest Day 21

Fencing...Blogtoberfest Day 20

Wordless Wednesday...Blogtoberfest Day 19

Domesticity...Blogtoberfest Day 18

Don't Look...Blogtoberfest Day 17

Mending...Blogtoberfest Day 16

MPAY...Blogtoberfest Day 15

Swaps...Blogtoberfest Day 14

Artwork...Blogtoberfest Day 13

Wordless Wednesday...Blogtoberfest Day 12

Formal...Blogtoberfest Day 11

Crafty...Blogtoberfest Day 10

Sunday Snippets...Blogtoberfest Day 9

Grinning...Blogtoberfest Day 8

Foundation...Blogtoberfest Day 7

3 hours...Blogtoberfest Day 6

Wordless Wednesday...Blogtoberfest Day 5

Recycle...Blogtoberfest Day 4

Patterns...Blogtoberfest Day 3

Daylight Saving...Blogtoberfest Day 2

Blogtoberfest 2011...Memories

Busy Relaxing...

Motto #2

My new motto...

Heaven on Earth...

Bunting?...

Origami Bag for Miss Bee...

Happy Father's Day...

Fabric Hoarding

September 1 1956...

Sewing, Sunshine & Sweets...

Swappy Heaven...

Trials & Travel…

Living in a material world...

a heartache and questioning...

One Swap Over...Another Begins...

For The First Time in 20 yrs...

The Last Installment...

Want to be a quilter...?

The difficulties of going away for a weekend…

@#$$%%^%^ Blogger

Good Mail...Good Friends...

snort...Blogtoberfest Day 29