Sewing Holiday

If by my title you think that I am going on a sewing holiday, then I apologise for the mixed message.

I'm actually taking a holiday from sewing. Yes ... I've packed my sewing machine away and any bits and bobs that were spread around on the table with it. It started when I was all ready for Friday Night Sew-In and at 6.30pm our power went out along with about 4000 others. Candle light just wasn't enough so it was slap up dinner and off to bed early. A busy weekend followed, then work, then came my sewing day and my interest in sewing was nowhere to be found.

SO .... until my interest (or mojo) returns of it's own accord ... I'm on holiday ... hopefully not for too long but at the moment I'm not missing it.

In having prattled on above, I figure 'it' should return in plenty of time to take part in ALQS4. If you haven't heard about this before and would like to know more about it, then click on this link to read more. Kate is a wonderful hostess.

I have received some parcels in the mail over the past week and shall share their contents when all have arrived.

A Meowww of a Giveaway!

If you are ruled by cats ... or just love them ... then you must check out this giveaway.

Even if you're are dog lover ... you'll love to sew or embroider with these goodies at hand.

Progress, A Finish and Buys

Well I made it out to work last Thursday and then we had a shopping day Friday. Putting my time stuck at home to good use, I managed to complete the blocks for our log cabin quilt and after much changing around, DH and I decided on the final layout.

Now for joining the blocks. Then I need to add a border to the sides and bottom.

My attention span is often quite short so I had a play with a couple of other projects as well. Jenny has a challenge for March to use a charm pack (maximum of 20 squares only) so I grabbed 'Aunt Purdy's Parlor' by Moda and came up with this Shaggy Bag.

Just the one bag with a view of each side.

With the remaining 5" squares I made a small table runner but it's only at the top stage.

I did manage some retail therapy while in town Friday. The red fabric is to back my fishpond quilt and some matching thread. The goldy leaf fabric kept catching my eye so I bought it home too. I'll use some to back the table runner along with the varigated sandtone thread.

The yo-yo maker is to replace the one I bought last year, used once and has never been found since. My guess is the first one will turn up now.

Now that I have a new bulb for my lamp, I can get back into some night time stitching. I've been itching to start on the 'catalicious' stitchery from Red Brolly and I picked up this varigated thread for the job. Would you believe that as I walked past with thread in hand, this fabric jumped right out and offered to sash the stitcheries for me. I couldn't refuse, could I?

The weather is extremely windy today, perfect for staying indoors and stitching or sewing so off I go.

If you haven't heard already, the girls from Among the Gum Trees are giving away 5 fabric kits to make the Baseco bag in aid of Dawn's quest. Take a look at their lovely bags too.

Great Weather For ....

these guys.


Nine little Whistler Ducks sitting high and dry;
Quick take a photo, before they decide to fly!

You may have to click on the photo to see them better.

Flooded In!

We'll be staying at home for a little bit.

This is the road to the west of us to the town where I work. Over 1.5m deep (5 foot).

Here is the road to our east. We travel this way to our main shopping centre for groceries, business etc. The level indicator is well in there somewhere. Luckily we managed to buy groceries the day before this went over.

So for the time being, we'll be staying put. Thankfully we're high and dry and I have plenty of UFO's to keep me busy.

Dawn Hay Tote Bag

Dawn has made this beautiful Tote Bag and would like to sell 1000 patterns to help the Baseco people.
So lets help Dawn sell 1000 patterns and this is what a difference it will make: 10 new homes or medicine for 1000 children. Or Emegency relief kits, or Emergency medical kits... the list goes on.

Would you like to make one?

Friday Night Sewing and an OPAM

Once again I've made some progress on those Log Cabin blocks.

If it wasn't for Heidi and the Friday Night Sew-In, I would have just sat in front of the TV but because it was Friday night, I sat in front of the sewing machine instead. I still had a view of the TV which is just as well with the Olympics on at the moment.

So I now have some of the blocks finished and awaiting trimming. I did say some!

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Yesterday while having a quick browse in blogland, I found a tutorial for a cute bucket so I struck while the iron was hot, so to speak.



Jenny has made several of these guys from the tutorial she found here.

Now I have an OPAM for the month of February although I won't be stopping at just one of these. DD is taking this one off with her to Uni this week so it's back to the fat 1/4's.

Have a lovely weekend Y

Can You Help?

Edited 6.16PM ~ How wonderful is blogland? Thankyou to the lovely ladies who have been super quick to help out. I now have the kitty stitchery I was looking for :o))

While happily skipping through blogland this week, I have seen a cute cat embroidery a couple of times. Now when I am trying to find it again ... no such luck :-(

The cat is curled up on a garden seat. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Back tomorrow with my Friday Night Sew-In progress and a finish.

Beautiful Bloggers

I am so honoured to receive this award.

The beautiful Cathron made my day by making me a recipient of this award. My heartfelt thankyou Cathron and my apologies for being slow in passing it on.

Now I need to :-

* Thank and link my presenter ~ Thankyou Cathron

* Post the award on my blog.

* Tell 7 interesting things about myself. I've listed them below and must say I struggled.

* Nominate 7 blogs. Also listed below.

* Link those 7 blogs. My list could have been endless.


7 Interesting? things about myself.

1. My very first quilt I made is still a UFO. You can view it here.
2. I must have coffee first thing in the morning to start my day.
3. Whenever I bake, it always includes something chocolate ie cake, slice, muffins.
4. I like liver, kidney and brains but don't like tripe.
5. I was once bitten by a spider which developed into a nasty infection but thankfully antibiotics cleared it up.
6. I have to drive 2km to collect the mail, 6km to visit my neighbour and 45km to the nearest shop.
7. When I go to bed at night, no matter where my cat Fleur is, the minute I lay down, she is there ready to curl up beside me.

7 bloggers I enjoy visiting.

Marina ~ Maisie And The Boys
Shiree ~ Kiwifruit-Shiree
Narelle ~ Rells Place
Wendy ~ Sugarlane Quilts
Julie ~ Bush Baby Jag
Mona ~ Monas Hobby Blog
Francien ~ Francien-Bulldogmeis2

Enjoy visiting these beautiful bloggers and all the beautiful bloggers on my sidebar.

Happy Blog Hopping

9 Patches

Today I'm making some 9 patch blocks to send off to lovely Lyn. Click on the links to find out what they are for.

Girls, Girls, Girls

Look who came to live at my house. Isn't she sweet?

This gorgeous little girl that I was soooo lucky to win when Cathron was holding a giveaway.

You really should check out Cathron's blog and see all her other sweet creations. It's been raining all week here so I grabbed a dry moment in the greenery to sneak a photo. She's already been to her first patchwork day with me.

Cathron has also honoured me with an award which I shall share next post.

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Girls to the left of me, girls to the right, here I am .... stuck in the middle. Often when I'm on the computer, my girls will come and keep me company. The other day Jayne (above) was curled up on my left and Fleur (below) was curled up to my right. Jayne's back again this morning as I type.

The sun shone yesterday so I had a busy day getting all the washing done and dry. Woke up this morning and yipee ... more rain!

Hope your weather is favourable to you.

Workshop Fun and Friday Night News

Did you join in the Friday Night Sew-in for January? Well it's on again so grab your goodies and have a sewing good time. Click on the logo on my sidebar for more info.

Home again from the best weekend! A patchwork workshop of course!

This is how I packed up Sunday afternoon after two days of lovely company, delicious food and lots of sewing.

I took part in the 'strip insertion' class ... the top left block is complete and the blocks are 10 1/2" square. Hope I can now find the time to finish it off before it slips into the realm of UFO's.