Spring Quilt News

I received an email from Gabriele yesterday to say that she has received her Spring Quilt from me. As I only posted it last Monday, I was surprised but relieved that she had received it. So now I can post a picture of it.

I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Four Seasons Quilt Swap. I love my new quilt from Nancy and loved making one for someone else. The element of surprise is delicious.

I managed some sewing over the weekend. As well as working on a border for a group project, I managed to make the tops of 8 "mug mats" from Tazzie's pattern. Now to get them finished for Mothers' Day. Photos once they are finished I think.

What Would Some of Your "Fours" Be?

I found this on Quiltdivajulie and thought I might play along.

FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER: To work and home again, Mobil Airport for fuel, Woolies for groceries, any nice cafe for a coffee and something yummy

FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS: Apricot Chicken, Chocolate Mud Cake, Chinese Takeaway, Rum and Raisin Ice Cream

FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW: A Quilters Retreat, In bed with a good book, Shopping with my daughter, Relaxing at a cosy B & B

FOUR MOVIES I WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER: 50 First Dates, Star Wars 4, 5 & 6, Elvis Movies, Operation Dumbo Drop

FOUR THINGS I LIKE TO SHOP FOR ONLINE: Books, Tupperware, Fabric, more books

FOUR FAVORITE FLOWERS/PLANTS FOR THE YARD: Roses, Daisies, Bird of Paradise, Citrus Trees

Feel free to join in and share some of your favourite "fours".

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.

Keeping Up To Date

I've finally taken the plunge and signed up with bloglines. Toowoomba Quilters posted about this back in February and it's taken me this long to get around to doing it. Now I'm wondering "why did I take so long". I can visit one place and catch up with all the latest blogs and not miss out on anyones. As I'm still only finding my way around this marvel, I'm pretty pleased with myself.

Lisa headed off back to Uni straight after an early lunch today so I'll be like a cat on a hot tin roof until I know she's arrived safely. Tomorrow is her birthday so she got to celebrate a day early but i'm sure her friends will help her celebrate again tomorrow. I thought I would make our famous, no fail, mud cake for dessert but ...... when I looked for eggs, the last one was eaten for breakfast. The kitchen scales are no more so I had to guess the butter. The result was a very rich, brownie type dessert that I served with ice cream and cream. Quite delicious but also quite heavy and a little went a long way.

We've been having very strong winds the last few days and today is overcast as well with a heavy shower before lunch and by the looks of things, more to come. Curling up on the lounge with a good book would be ideal but I have a few other jobs around the house to get done first.

I think I'll just add another couple of favourite blogs first.

The Icing on the Cake

Or more likely it was the straw that broke the camel's back. Yesterday afternoon topped off one of those weeks. Hubby managed to bog the dozer in a soak hole hidden in the long grass. He, Lisa and I then spent the arvo till the sun went down, trying everything we could think of to get it out but it's still there. We've now called in bigger machinery to the rescue.

The week started well enough with my birthday. A nice new warm pair of slippers for winter, cute cat ornaments and a lovely meal cooked by Lisa. Plus a chocolate birthday cake which I didn't have room for after the beautiful dessert. Made up for it the next day. And we do have our telephone operational again after a five week ordeal. Then throw in a broken part on the chainsaw and a broken part on a tractor implement. When they were fixed and ready to work again, add a punctured tractor tyre. Now the dozer.

Of course after finishing the curtains, there has been no more sewing. I'm off to baste my Spring Swap Quilt and start quilting it today (fingers crossed). Then it's off to work for the rest of the week. I am so looking forward to school holidays next week.

While I was taking a photo of the "new" cats, Jayne just wanted to make sure she wasn't left out.

Fleur was blending in near by, keeping an eye on things.