Boy Does Time Fly

Ummmm ... where did the last two weeks go? Anyone who finds them, please send them back to me!

Sewing deadlines .. more and more paperwork .. dust .. smoke .. dry weather. These are the things keeping me busy at the moment and it looks like October will be gone before I know it.
I've been grabbing snippets of time here and there to see what everyone else is up to.

This photo was taken by me before 6am the other morning when were expecting the second lot of dust to roll in. There has been a third time since.


There is a shining light at the end of October. I'm off for a weekend quilting and dying retreat ... hopefully I can get my fabrics etc ready in time.

I have also managed to post off two PIF gifts and my Stitchers' Angel parcel. My current deadline is for this Wednesday so hopefully I can share that next weekend.

Keep well and keep sewing.

Perfect PIF

Now it's time for some show and tell fun.
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Wednesday's mail also brought me a parcel notification slip. Now I knew that Robyn had posted her PIF gift to me so I just had to get my hands on that parcel, quick smart.

I had heaps of fun just opening and photographing so hope you enjoy the retell.
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Pretty rose paper and pink ribbon.

Ok, now some red cellophane and pretty butterfly stickers.

Ooooh, there's more.


Ready?
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Ta Da!!!

The most beautiful rose fabric bag, impeccably made. A pocket on the outside and two pockets inside. I've already tried out my mobile phone and glasses... perfect fit.
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Here's a close up of the gorgeous fabric with a loop/button closure at the top.

I can't thank Robyn enough for the joy she has given me. And to top it off, not only this fine rose mug for me to enjoy my coffee, but a few little extras were wrapped and hidden inside the bag.

Robyn, that little red tin will be perfect for my hexagon papers, it's almost empty.

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Now it's my turn to Pay It Forward ... so to Vivian, Sarita and Kelly-Jo . . . I'm working on it.

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If you've been tempted to join someone's PIF and haven't yet, I highly recommend it. Not only is it wonderful to receive your gift, but it's a lovely feeling to make someone else happy too.

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Have a lovely weekend.

Cats Rule!

Do cats rule at your house? They certainly do at mine. I only left these pants on the ironing board for 2 minutes and when I came back . . .

Jayne thought they'd make a comfy spot to soak up some morning sun.


Fleur is still soaking up the morning sun in her spot under the ironing board.



Jane also shares her home and blog with a very spoilt moggie. Please pay them a visit and while you're there, enter her giveaway for a chance to win a lovely bag.

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Thankyou ladies for your lovely comments on my log cabin. I thought I'd try and take a close up of the light fabric as it looks white in the photo.

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While you're here, you may have noticed that my PIF on my side bar is still looking for two more names. If you've been thinking about it then now's the time to join. Leave your comment here but click back here for the rules. If I'm still short then that's OK, I'll choose someone who I'd like to make a little something for and surprise them.

Happy Sewing

Back From Shopping

Hi, I'm back from our shopping trip and don't know where to start. We had the most wonderful two days of fabric shops and great company with plenty to show for it.

Once I get caught up with the household chores, I'll unpack, take some photos and get back to posting. I just had to check emails and a couple of blogs while waiting for the next load of washing.

Don't forget I'm participating in a PIF so if you've been thinking about joining one, I'd love to send you a gift handmade by me. Please leave a comment and check my earlier post for the rules.

Happy Sewing

PIF, Cutting Strips and Shopping

Firstly I'd like to thank Vivien for joining in on the PIF fun. You might like to pay her a visit and check out her lovely Christmas Quilt.

As for cutting strips, I spent yesterday doing exactly that. I finally made a start to the Log Cabin for my brother's quilt. All fabric is cut into long strips and the backing and wadding is squared and waiting. Hope I can make a start on actually sewing tomorrow.

Then I'm off for a couple days R & R ... rest and relaxation you think? ... well yes and no. I'm off with a few of the Mt. Perry Girls for a Retail Roadtrip. Or a Fabric Acquisition Road Trip ... if you take each Red letter what do they spell?

I'm one of those who refuse to allow retail to dictate when Christmas and Easter begins. I like to wait to do my Christmas shopping from the beginning of December and my Easter shopping a couple of weeks prior to Easter. However today I gave in and bought some of these .....

(sorry, having trouble uploading pics, will try later... can you guess what I bought?)

after all they are delish ... but I promise not to buy any more till April ... perhaps.

Also today I got the last ingredients for 'Red Delicious' so the next step is tracing and ironing, can't wait to get started.

Happy Quilting

Happy New Year 2009

I hope everyone was able to celebrate the new year as they wished. We had a lovely evening with family and friends enjoying the cool night air by our local river.

After several days of almost 40 degree C and reaching 40+ on New Years Eve Day, today we have been taking advantage of much cooler temps and showery weather since 4am this morning. What a relief! I don't care at all that I have a pile of washing; I have a dryer for the important items and the rest can wait.

Needles to say, there has been no sewing at all, just too hot! I have one more quilt to show for Finn's challenge which I was going to photograph today but that will have to wait. I've started on my shopping (fabric) list for a trip next week and have many plans for projects as well as good intentions of finishing those things on my WIP list and ?? list as part of the Get It Done Challenge for 2009.

My turn again to PIF.

I took part last year and enjoyed making new friends so after some careful consideration of 'am I trying to do too much already' I decided to play along with Daisy Quilts. After all, I have 365 days and lots of ideas. So if there are 3 lovely new or existing friends out there who would like to join ...

... here are the rules and I'd love to have a comment from you.

I will make you a handmade gift and send your gift to you within a year.

By joining up, you are agreeing to PIF with 3 others as well...

This means you will put the logo on your site and ask 3 people to play with you and make them all a handmade gift....and so it goes!

If you would like to PIF with me, please leave a comment.

Wishing you all lots of sewing time in 2009.

Holidays Almost Over, Some Finish, Some Progress

We've had a lovely week with the two kids and a friend at home but it will soon be back to just the two of us. I have managed some sewing inbetween housework, bookwork and feeding everyone.

The little wall hanging was completed for our Girls Night In last night. Everyone who attended had a lovely evening. Once again Kerry did a wonderful job in organising this fund raiser for Breast Cancer Research.


#1 Finn's NYE Challenge ~ I now have everything ironed onto the queen bed quilt and all I have to do is secure them with a blind stitch. I'm still undecided as to whether I try to quilt it myself or send it away for quilting.

#2 Finn's NYE Challenge ~ I've been doing some more machine quilting on the Rainbow Wall Hanging and worked out a pattern for the last blocks so it's progressing along as well.

My PIF Gifts reached their destinations during the week, that's a relief to know they've arrived safely. Thanks Gina and Nancy for playing along, it's wonderful to meet such lovely ladies. To follow the rules of PIF to the 'T', I still have one spot left if there is someone who would like to play along. First to ask to join via a comment here, will be the lucky third although I can't promise it will be one of these bags. See here for the full rules. You will have 365 days to send your gifts on.

Friday week ago I received this very sassy lady in the mail, my September postcard. Now to think of an idea for October.

Also time to start on my little quilt for ALQS. I have a pattern and some fabric, hope ?????? likes my idea while keeping with her colour preferences.

Time to hand the computer back to DD. She's been extremely busy with research and assignments while home so I've let her have the run of it. Though I've still managed to keep up with most of your blogs when she takes breaks.

Quilting Wishes

Some Finishes and Roses

I've been grabbing a little sewing time here and there and have managed a couple of finishes. Not NYE finishes but I am very slowly progressing on those.

Today I made another postcard for my swap. The theme was 'In the Pink' but no pic yet because it needs a little something to complete it. However it will be posted to arrive before the end of September as per the swap rules.

Last night I finished the hand stitching on the second of my PIF gifts. I'm pleased to say that they will be in Monday's post. Pics when they arrive.

Here's the mug bag and matching mug mat that I made for Veronica as part of Linda's Bag/Bucket Swap. I had a lot of fun taking part and isn't it amazing how many different styles of bags/buckets there are out there. Thanks Linda.

Sadly the quilt-as-you-go log cabin workshop that I was to attend this Thursday, had to be postponed. Talk about disappointment. Guess that means I'll make more progress on some other finishes now instead. I've packed all the fabrics etc for the log cabin in a container ready for a new date.

It's as hot as today, waiting for the storms they keep predicting. I have two weeks holidays ahead of me so hopefully that will include some good sewing time. It also has to include some bookwork and GST that uses up valuable sewing time, hmph! Housework too! I'm sure I can find an even balance between them all.

I'll leave you with some more of my roses. We had a gardening day yesterday, lots of culling and weeding to tidy things up a bit.

Double Delight

Blue Moon

Quilting Wishes

Spring Is Here, Woohoo!

Actually we're in the middle of Autumn here but Spring was in my mailbox yesterday. How excited was I after being at work all day, driving 40 minutes to get home and there it was in the mailbox. A parcel all the way from Ohio. I drove the 2km to the house, rushed inside and opened the parcel to find this gorgeous quilt made by the lovely Nancy. I'm still beeming. It was nearly dark by then so I had to wait till this arvo to take a photo and show it off. (Mine will be ready to post Monday.)





The photo doesn't show up her clever hand embroidery.

I'm so pleased it was possible to join the Four Seasons Quilt Swap. Nancy's quilt will be taking pride of place in the sewing room which is also where the computer lives, and help brighten the place up.

More happy news, Gina has joined the PIF fun. I now have one spot left so who wants to be lucky last.

We have our local Agricultural Show this Saturday. It has everything from working dogs, show dogs, horse events, rodeo, pony club, woodchop, and sideshow alley. They always have an excellent display of cookery, craft, flowers, produce, photography and artworks in the pavillion. I only have a couple of entries as everything I've made lately has been a gift and the roses have been deglected but there's always next year.

Pay It Forward Friends

I'm tickled pink that Nancy has joined my PIF. I still have openings if anyone else would like to play along.

My Spring Quilt is coming along nicely. The border is on, just have to finish handsewing it down and then some embelishing. Here's a sneak peak. (Sorry about the shadow)

I spent the weekend in the sewing room which also happens to be the dumping room for anything else that doesn't have a home. Great progress was made with a good load for the real dump, and other things finally finding homes. I also purchased this bookshelf and six containers.

As you might be able to see, one has leftover wool and the other five are ready and waiting to be filled. That won't be a problem. I intend to purchase another bookshelf this week before they run out. It feels so good to get things tidy but keeping it that way is another challenge.

Pay It Forward

A while back I signed up for a PIF and I still have openings if anyone would like to join in. Just leave your request in the comments and look forward to a handmade gift from me.

Pay It Forward

I've signed up to Pay It Forward on Caity's blog, and now I pass it on.

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I can't say what that gift will be yet as planning it is half the fun, and you may not receive it in a flash... but I promise you it will arrive!

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

I await your comments.

As I haven't had a photo to show for a while, here is my first shirt I made in a workshop. More shirts are on my wish list but they have to wait their turn like every other idea.