Swap News

Life is still in top gear so not much of the quilty stuff going on at all.

Just this morning I finished off my postcard for October ... before dashing off to work ... and popped it in the mail on my way. It is an even 6" x 4", just doesn't look it in the pic.



In Monday's mail I received this little beauty. Our theme for October was birds and/or insects.


Margaret (no blog) has her quilt ready for ALQS2 (photo taken with phone). Her Kangaroo's Paw will be on it's way across the wide blue yonder this week.


I'm off to a quilting weekend in 10 sleeps so I can't wait. Two whole days of quilting with friends.

Quilting Wishes

A Break In Sewing

Wow, life seems to have stepped up a gear or two lately and there has been no sewing what-so-ever. I barely have time to check a few blogs now and then. I do have the plan for my ALQS2 in my head and an idea for my October postcard up there to, just need the time. Perhaps this Friday when I can get a few hours at patchwork group.

Wednesday afternoon while feeding the chooks, I noticed the moon and grabbed the camera. Two shots and then the batteries went flat.

Thursday afternoon I grabbed a moment to head outside with the camera (after recharging the batteries) while waiting for the storms that just went around us. My two girls like to wander about with me and race up the trees just because they can.

DS surprised us with a visit this weekend so this morning when I wasn't required at the cattle yards, I did some baking. DS takes one cake and some biscuits back with him for the week, and I've made up a care package of biscuits to send to DD at Uni.

When I finished the ironing, I pressed some pieces of fabric ready to cut into 2.5" strips for a table topper I'm making. If I'm lucky I'll get those cut this afternoon. Another busy week ahead.

Quilting Wishes

Gardening in the Shower

Yes you've read the title correctly, I've been gardening in the shower. A shower of rain that is.


I got home from work yesterday around 4pm to find that the power was off. Quite a large area was without power and they didn't have an estimated time of return. It was so overcast that the light was fading fast so we pulled out the camping gear and candles, cooked a quick meal, boiled a pot of water to add to the bath, and we were "in bed with the chooks" as the saying goes.


So this morning I've been catching up on all the things that couldn't be done last night.


Getting back to the title, it's been showering on and off this morning so inbetween showers, hubby and I headed out into the garden to take advantage of the heavy clouds promising more rain to come. We've planted two new trees, transplanted one and removed one. The plantings involved the tractor and post hole digger as the ground is so hard and stoney, so while the tractor was in the yard it was time for the removal of one tree that has struggled for too long. Hopefully transplanting the other will give it a better chance at a life.


Of course we weren't quite finished when the next shower of rain came across, but it was a pleasant change to the heat and dry.


Just thought I'd share these King Parrots with you (pictures from google). When we were having lunch today, I spotted the female heading down a hole in the tree next to the house and the male was flitting about on the branches above. Obviously a nest down there so I'll be keeping an eye out for the young.

Female

Male

While you're visiting, link on over to May at Abyquilt for a smile or two at her Oct 10 post.

I spent a lovely few hours with the girls at patchwork yesterday and while I didn't actually get any sewing done, we did quite a lot of planning which involves a weekend of sewing so we're all excited about that one.

Quilting Wishes

Giveaways Galore

Recently I came across this blog. Debi has organized a Fall into Fall Giveaway where
over 40 wonderful quilters are generously giving away lots and lots of goodies. So check out the link to see all the participating blogs and pay them a visit.

Here are just a couple ~

Zana's Ninis

OH NO It's the FRO
http://ohnoitsthefro.blogspot.com/2008/09/its-time-for-fall-into-fall-quilters.html

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