Birthday Pressies

Edit: Thanks everyone for all of my 'Happy Birthdays!'

Pressies are now posted out - so hang around the letterbox.

Yes, it was my birthday.....almost a week ago.....lovely long lunch date with hubbie was a highlight, as well as birthday hugs and kisses from my girls.

This little collection of deliciousness is for You!

A fat quarter of each - who would like one?

Let me know which is your favourite and I'll pop it in the post for you.

Edit: All pressies are taken - sorry to any slow-coaches, there's a favourite saying in our house (with hand slappy actions of course: to the side, to the other side, up high, down low too slow!!!)

Chartreuse

Chartreuse, chartreuse....lovely word to say....just rolls off your tongue like silky cream.....although don't go imaging yellowey green or greeney yellow cream..oooyuk!.

CgBS:

It was the perfect choice for this material from Beth of Scotlandchips -do ya think?

Then.....cherry red with white minidot.... this is from Lisa in Montreal: Bootgirl72.....had to pull out one of my favourite fabrics -

'Fruit Cocktail' by Chloe's Closet

and a cute Matroyska print!

Love a good block

Do you smile to yourself when the points match just right?

A bit of (shameless) smiling going on here - Chaletgirl Block Swap - first blocks made!

The hardest bit of doing a 9-patch block is choosing the fabric! The pink is from Helen of Patchwork-of-Mini-Grey - a wonderful patchworker - I hope I have done her well.

DQS 6 Sneaky Peek!

After sewing up another twirly skirt with 'Nest' by Tula Pink, my juices were flowing - it's funny, I didn't really like the range when it arrived in the post - I looked at it and went: "yeah, okay" and put it away fairly quickly.
When the urgent request for a skirt as a present came about, the first fabrics aksed for were: Nest!

Now they are part of a mysterious design (my words, no-one elses!) for the DQS6. I have had a sketch for a while now, and this swap is perfect for getting my creative thoughts into fabric.


Thanks Lara and Tamara for the birthday wishes - post to come with maybe some pressies???

Bushfire Quilting Bee Round 1

Saturday was such a frenetic day for me, staring at 6.30am and finishing late into the night - BUT, I could not miss out on a few hours at the Bushfires Quilting Bee, held at the Ashburton Uniting Church 'Lighthouse'. Fantastic venue - roomy, bright, colourful, and with lovely people to fill it. Some awful stories of Black Saturday spur us on to creating some big, warm, practical 'hugs' for those who need them.

Anything wrong in this picture?

Unfortunately, an accident broke the cotton reel holder which stopped me from any kind of sewing for a while, until my lovely, handsome fixit guy came with glue, drill, screws and clamp - and then, I could breathe a sigh of relief and start peddling! There was only so much planning and cutting to do - I needed that gentle hum of the machine to calm me down (I think it's called addiction). I got about 1/2 hour's fix, then had to promptly pack up and continue on with my hectic day!

Check out Jan's photos of some great work done, by the end of the day. The photo of the bright vegie stripes and the 9-patch blocks on white are the two I am working on.

Next Bee day is on 23rd May - that's when we all show and tell our quilts and work on them some more. I am definitely setting aside plenty of time for me, moi, and myself for the Bee!


Thanks again to everyone who has donated material and the like, big and small, bright and demure, wacky, country, spotty - it is all so good!

I did some sewing....

Lost and Found

Before I tell of my expeditions, Big Reminder of Bushfire Quilting Bee this Saturday - Jan would really love any response from people if they are coming or not, or can help in some distant way! (click on icon on sidebar)

I am able to go in the morning only - so I would love to see you there too!



Happened across this wonderful trash and treasure store called 'Lost and Found Market' at 12 Smith St Collingwood (just up from Victoria Parade)

Treasure treasure treasure! Lots of 60's, 70's, 80's kitch and kaboodle

This is oh so a small view of the multi-tiered shop! Prices are not so cheap as an op-shop ie much more of a secondhand sellers shop so expect apropriate pricing - and only takes CASH, so be prepared!


Little pile of perfect condition tablecloths - turn into aprons or skirts?

Chenille!!! Want it want it

Very very soft leather handbag - yucky metal rings for straps, but maybe you could cut them off?

I think there are a few of you who love a vintage pattern....



I tried on the most beautiful and stunning piece of clothing I have ever seen or felt - but I could get red paint thrown at me! A fur coat, if anyone's asking! Made with bunnies' fur - could I? Should I? Is it still wrong? Someone said that bunnies are a national vermin here in Australia, so go for it....I Just Don't Know...will I be getting hate mail now?

I bought this instead .....

Spied it days and days ago.....slept on it......slept some more.......could Not Sleep Anymore Without It!

I think the tassels have to go and the fabric does not fit in at all...

A more modern shape and maybe some of this fabric to cover, or fabric more vibrant and in-your-face?


.......what do you think?



Salvos, Camberwell:

Books - love finding classic kids books - especially hardback with dust cover in fantastic condition!

Couldn't resist this little sweetie too - very soft spot for Peter - oh, no, back to the bunny theme again!

Pressies from the West

What beautiful fabrics was sent to me from the lovely Janelle from Threadsoffriendship, all the way from the other side of the country!

The pink dot and the paisley are 3m lots donated to the Bushfires Quilting Bee, held on Sat 21st March, in Ashburton, Melbourne. The colours are much more vibrant than in the photo. They will make a couple of very good quilts!

The Prints Charming multi-dot is for me!!! Janelle very kindly became my personnel shopper for a day and bought me this coverted fabric from her (very well priced) craft shop.



I just had to show everyone my new favourite washing basket (from a garage sale - apparently made over 30 years by someone at the Blind Institute)- love love love wicker - the sound of the squeeking as you pick it up and give it a squeeze- the natural colourwash of the soft timber - the generous volume....sigh.

Op Shop Tours

Anyone interested in going to the next Op-Shop Tours in Melbourne?

Sat 28th March - with Op Shop Tours Australia


Just under $30 / ticket - meet in the city at 9am and tour around in a big bus, cheering at any passers-by, waving our goods, and having a ball!

Tour goes for 4 hours and visits shops all over Melbourne - I like that idea - I'm a little bored with my locals and some new and unexplored spots would be cool.

This is part of the blurb:

Discover hidden secrets, and rummage for a bargain with host Joanne O’Callaghan. Four hours of second-hand adventure, competitions and give-aways all part of the on bus action. Put your skills to the test in a variety of second-hand and opportunity shops. A great way to discover your city and go to places you never knew existed. Soak up the friendly shopping atmosphere, find a bargain, recycle something, and join the revolution of second-hand shopping.

The pretty picture above is a very soft pillowcase thrifted from the MS Shop in Kingsway, Glen Waverley - the colours are so happy!

Unfortunately, Bronwyn...

Have you seen the lastest meme?  

Type in "Unfortunately, yourname"... into Google and you come up with the strangest things......

Unfortunately, Bronwyn had a rough start to life. In March 2007, at 9 months old, she bolted out our front door and got hit by a car.

Unfortunately, Bronwyn can't attend, as she will be too pregnant to fly. So, I'm taking a co-worker with me instead. Haven't you heard of DRIVING?

Unfortunately, Bronwyn, the "message" that gets sent out whenever PETA pulls a stunt like this is, "My God - have you heard what those loony animal 

Unfortunately Bronwyn died later that night. We did manage to get some fluids into her and she was a lot more comfortable after being drained

Unfortunately Bronwyn, you’re not shouting loud enough as we can’t hear you.

Unfortunately Bronwyn spent the first 5-6 hours running up and down the stairs (we were on the top floor) to get the bathroom on time. 

Unfortunately, Bronwyn, you are correct. Oh, yah, sure, Freda, yah. She was the oldest livin' Lutheran. Now she's dead as a doornail.

And my favourite:  

Unfortunately, Bronwyn and I had to go to work the next morning, so Sister was left to make her way back to Hogwarts.   

Hogwarts!!!  Why couldn't I go?  Would have loved to see the moving staircases!

Check out Helen's and Becca's

From the Sea

I love love love this range - this girl Tula Pink - me oh my - devoted fan here!!!

Trying out the Moda range of Layer Cakes - ie 10" cut squares of a range and I found the BESTEST PRICE ever from a lady named Ann from a tiny town called Gordon, just outside Ballarat, VIC. Check out her Aussie Oztion website (ebay for Aussies).

This is for our beach holiday house - the teal and deepest navy and coral pink will go brilliantly!

Chaletgirl's Block Swap

Love the simplicity of a 9-patch block and Chaletgirl does too!

Chaletgirl's Block Swap


I've joined with others from Canada and USA and of course Australia to each make a 9-patch block for each other, send it back through Chaletgirl and have one made for me.
This happens for 8 months with November as the end-date .

Eventually I will have a whole quilt of 9-patch blocks - YUMMO!

This is the main fabric for mine

This fabric made me smile the second I spied it in the shop!

Lots of choice for colour blending for my partners, methinks.

Edit: fabric is called 'Fun with Sue' by Little Quilts for Henry Glass & Co. - @ Spotty's.

Quilts Quilts Quilts

Australiasian Quilt Convention: Royal Exhibition Buildings Melbourne - such a great spot! Bummer I didn't take photos of the frescos on the walls and ceilings - I was too busy mesmerised by the quilts!

My Mum always comes with me to the Show each year - she's not a quilter, but I think she can appreciate the art and effort of these masterpieces. We like to talk about ones we both like and dislike and sometimes agree to disagree! My birthday is usually after the show - which is a great way of getting a quilty present early! (Except Mum puts it away til my actual day - drats!)

Here are just a sample of my favourites:

This shot came out too dark, but we stood about 5m back from it and was amazed at the way the white tree trunks stood out and then our eyes were taken to the background - great effects!

This one hurt my Mum's eyes! But I just said "Yes Please!"

A close-up - ALL Hand-Appliqued! Incredible!

This one has sequined quilting!

This masterpiece won the 'Fantasy' Challenge - OMG It is a Book!

This is a close-up