Workshops and Summer!

Sunrise at Tomahawk
Summer is awesome in Tasmania this year...I sure hope no one is complaining...the sun has been shining..the heat is here, days are great!!! (A little rain would be nice!) but it IS summer after all...
Last Monday we had a Marlene King workshop on Curved Piecing..we had a blast! Loads of laughs, a very relaxed happy day was had by all..mind you MS Pam, I can see you were hiding behind the samples...????? We thank Marlene very much for spending the day with us..we always have fun!

Yesterday I was invited to take part in the Bridport Market..that was fun..the weather was spectacular..and I spent the previous evening with my friend Bomba at Tomahawk..I love this place!! We live in a very special part of the world here in Tas,...every day I am thankful..

New fabrics are coming in now for the new season, and so are many new products..I will try to get them online as soon as I can..My business seems to be growing....finally...and sometimes I think it is a little bit much for just me!!! Not complaining, just sayin' lol...Sue is wonderful and works her day, and goes above and beyond the call of duty...and helps when she can but she has a second job..Who knows.... maybe I can employ her for another day soon??? I sure hope so...

Have a wonderful week ladies,
cheers

OH I KNOW!

Oh I know ladies..I have been very remiss with my blogging....my machine decided to give me grief and I have just spent 2 weeks sewing ,,,,,reverse sewing.....ugh...finally I think my machine is good...poor thing..it sure does do a lot of work..so I have to be reasonable..but the rep told me that they are only made to last 5 years!!!!!! for $2000 really? wow..remember when you used to buy a machine and it lasted forever??? my little janome has been my saviour these past two weeks..and it is 25 years old!!! A lot to be said for "old things" lol.....
For those of you that frequent my blog...you will remember when I made this tractor quilt...and I have just finished it..working on the instructions now..I think its cute and great for the little or big boy....

I decided yesterday I would love to try something new..so I had my first attempt at thread painting...very basic,,but I am happy for a a first attempt...of course i have lots and lots to learn....????

Butterscotch and Roses..I love this fabric and wanted so badly to make something...so a friend told me of an easy pattern to make in an afternoon..well................to say it was a saga..is an understatement!!!!!!! I did this pattern..but I cannot bear 2 of the same colours together...just me? am sure there are plenty out there like me..so I took it all apart and redid it to suit myself..and am very happy with the outcome....what is the verdict..? of course binding to go on yet..such gorgeous fabrics...

Tomorrow we have a Marlene King workshop..so we are looking forward to that...will be posting some pics and I know we will have a lot of fun...Marlene is great..relaxed and nice day for all usually...
Be back soon...not another 2 weeks I hope....Have a great week girls..
cheers

Full Swing Back to It!

On the frame all ready to rock and roll........:(
The new year is back in full swing for most of us....quite busy already! Hope this means it is going to be a great year!! We had a great Christmas and New Year..how about you????
Because I had 10 days off over Christmas Break, I decided I should catch up on some quilting of quilts that had been around for ages...All to no avail....:( I simply cannot get the tension right on my machine, i have struggled for hours and hours..so now the technician is picking it up as I type..so off to Sewing machine hospital for the old girl...very frustrating though..to have time and then machine stops working correctly...

before....
What I DID succeed in though, was to clean up my sewing room..every time i would try to find a piece of fabric the whole lot would disperse onto the floor!!!!!!! After purchasing 19 plastic tubs..my cupboards are sooooo organised now...so happy with that.

after.....
Ray and I have also been busy in the garden, and are very happy with the garlic harvest.

So, on to class lists..and updating the website.. I hope it is all going great for the beginning of the year!!!!
cheers

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This pic was taken at WYCHWOOD, a beautful garden at Mole Creek, open to the public.

Another year is ending and 2012 is about to begin!. The years are flying by...well for me they seem to get faster every year...We have had a great year in 2011, this business (as in any) has many ups and downs..should you stay? should you go? its never easy..especially with my ill health the past few months...but I love my job..the friends I have made, and I am now feeling so much better , feeling very well...and looking forward to 2012!
I wish everyone a happy healthy and safe New Year...and I want to say thank you to all my supporters..it means a great deal!
Have a wonderful New Years !!!!
cheers

Quickie Post

Hi all,
wow, how could I get used to this not working caper???????? man, is so nice to pop in and visit ppl at my leisure..I am having such a fun week!! We had a great xmas get together with family..alas my daughter had to go home on Tuesday.....:(

seems I am the only one in my family cant get a decent hair cut!!!!!! lol
I received some beautiful gifts from my family..and of course another year older yesterday so had a fun afternoon with my friends with the awesome weather we are having at present.
I received sooooooooo many choccies.....dont these ppl realise I am FAT!! rofl...they are nice though....this is only Half of them!!! Guess where the rest are??? lol

I can show you now what I made all the girls that support Calico Crossroads for Chrissy..I think they were happy and very useful...great little serviette holder..and they dont blow away in the wind!

just wanted to let you know that The Village Sampler is now blogging!! Early days, but it is a gorgeous little store in Lilydale Tasmania, and Deb will do all she can to help you. Deb specialises in McKenna Ryan designs, BOMs and other. and to be honest..Deb is one of the best needleturn applique artists will ever see!! So please make her feel welcome to blogland and pop over and say hi...
Will be back before NYE I hope...enjoy the last few days of 2011 ladies.....
cheers

Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas is upon us!! Yay!! My daughter is home from mainland Australia, and both my children will be down to stay with us this evening in readiness for "SANTA" lol they are 24 and 28!!!
Its great though..we love it..I dont quite get the same rush as I did when i used to wake them up at 5.30am to open santa pressies...I am not game enough to wake them until 8.30am rofl...!!!
I have been busy this week making table runners for some friends and family...I sure hope they like them..

Sue, my co worker...is also a florist..so when she works at her REAL job..haha she does beautiful arranging like this! She made this for the Thursday girls to appreciate..its lovely!

Sarah and Razzy came to visit yesterday, and Sarah had made this retreat Seat for me...isnt it awesome! It is a design by Natalie Ross, and I love it!!Thank you so much Sarah...

I will be taking a break until 3rd of Jan, when the shop will reopen..although I will still do online.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all my customers..both online and instore..plus friends and family, a safe and happy Christmas and a very happy and healthy new year!!!
Please take care and enjoy your time with your families!!!
cheers

Chrissy Dinner

Last Tuesday "In Stitches" Quilters had the annual Christmas dinner..so I am going to share with you the ladies that share my shop with me!!!! We had a lovely meal and a fun night...

This is Sue (my co-worker) with her beautiful covered journal made by Joan

Jodie loved her Block roll made by Mary

Bronwyn loved her tea towel..I think From Jen, but not sure cute anyway...
They spoilt me AGAIN!!...
They ordered a book online for me, and it didnt come..so on the night of the dinner I got this!!!! So funny.....

But then the real book showed up during the week...and I was very happy...they know I like to explore australia...how good are they???? Thank you so much ladies.

My dog and shop mate Bonnie, had her cruciate Ligament op on Wednesday..she is so sorry and sore for herself..she had been quite good..but today she is pretty miserable..think it has all caught up with her...hate to see her like this, but hopefully she will be mending well over the next few weeks and back to her old self..sure hope so...

Here is Jilly sitting with her to Keep her company...awwwww

My friend Rosanne, or RAZZY to a lot of you bloggers came to visit with me on Friday...look what she bought me! Isnt it just the cutest little ornie !!! I have to confess it did have a choccie spoon in it..but when I got home and was looking for it..ummmmmm it had melted everywhere down into the ornie.......hahah...all good razzy, it came up a treat with a little wash!!! (just a bit sorry I didnt get to eat my choccie spoon!!) lol I love it Razzy, thank you so much!

I cant show you just yet what I made for the girls as a couple have not yet recieved theirs...they seemed to like them..so I was happy!
I have spent the weekend cleaning my sewing room......omg...how does one make such a mess...will share pics later...ugh...looking good but better get back to it!!!
Have a great week all
cheers