International Quilting Day

Yesterday was International Quilting Day according to some of the blogs I have been reading, so I decided (helped by it raining all afternoon...RAIN!)to get in and finish the Easter baskets I started making from a pattern generously shared by Lesley at SewHappy.Me. I made 3 little girl bunnies and one boy bunny (hard to see but he has shorts on and a little bow tie) for the great-nieces and nephew.

One lot off to Melbourne for two little girls.

The others to two different families, one little girl in Melbourne and the other little boy in Tassie. All ready for them to start their Easter egg hunts! Hope they like them.

 

I decided as it was Internation Quilt Day to join in with SewCalGal's Virtual Sew-cial

Saturday part 2

Well I did promise to come back with a tempter of my purchases but I have been so busy stitching I have only just found time! Now about to do the hexies for the project, all the stitching finished!

And here they are - I know but I just couldn't resist. Two quilts with patterns, materials and buttons. I hexie purse, wanted to do one of these ever since I saw Marina's. Various other buttons, mine hexies wash away - oops not in photo and some sheets of the wash away for applique projects I have in mind. Yes and a hanger for Lynette's project!

Here are a couple of things from Helen's stall, the purse I am going to make and another one that I was so tempted by, it opened out so well, all your sewing stuff would fit and be found easily.

Some more gorgeous things from Helen's stall, sorry none from Lynette's but I think I bought them all!!!
 

Here are the Oatlands ladies with a beautiful quilt they bought along, very slack but I didn't get photos of the other 'show and tell' items.

Last but not least some of the fabulous food provided by the girls from the Buckingham Rowing Club, very delish, thank you!

Sorry but I just have to get back to my sewing. See you next time :)

A Day with Helen and Lynette

I had a lovely day on Saturday at a Day with Helen and Lynette. Faye came with me and we had a lovely day. New friends made as we were sitting at a table with people from Melbourne, Kingston and Geeveston.

Faye is starting here on her first project with Helen looking on .

It was great to see both Cathy and Leeane down south for the day! 

All the goodies on display and I had no willpower at all!

Great to see Pauline (down from Exeter) and Jo

Surprised to see Kylie from Scottsdale there as well. So many people in the room and so many who had travelled quite a way to come. 

How beautiful are these - bag, tags and projects. Name tags made by the very talented Jo, they are gorgeous. I haven't taken a photo of my purchases or my progress on Helen's project. I will be back in a day or two with some more!

Hang it Dang it

Waiting on the doorstep tonight was my latest purchase from Sarah.  Love it, so easy to hang a quilt with it, might have to buy the larger one too!

Here is my Christmas quilt hanging, took me no time at all to pop it up, even though it isn't in the right place lol.

Catch up

Here are my purchases from Bothwell.  Don't you just love the beetle wings, hopefully collected humanely.

I haven't been totally lazy on the stitching front. Just a little peek at my current projects.

Bothwell spin in

First time ever at the Bothwell spin in today. I went with Faye and we had the best time. Spinning isn't particularly my thing but everyone there was so interesting and came from so many different places. 

Loved every minute and even came home with some wool to do some felting, but don't ask me when! Forgot to take a photo of that maybe tomorrow.

Maori weavers from a little town near Rotarua, so fascinating to see how they prepared their fibre from flax

Definitely a highlight, the dogs were just beautiful

Visiting weavers from Japan, visit a local sheep farm every year

Lady from Estonia via Colarado with such lovely craft, almost makes me wish I was a knitter!

Unfortunately I didn't remember all the details of the guest presenters and can't find the information on the Bothwell spin in website!!!!

And now back to my place. Just love these, only 3 punnets and they have given such pleasure. It is the little things!

The best view

I nearly said 'in the world' and I think it is.  This is the view from my laundry, really no excuse not to do the ironing is there?

I have been busy with some sewing but no photos until I am finished so I thought I had better post something  :-)

Sew along

I have joined the sew along that Lesley Boost at SewHappy.Me has organised. 

How cute is this? I will be back with pictures once I have finished.

More bushfires

Very smokey in Hobart today, the fires at Molesworth are sending a haze over the city. Residents have been told to evacuate, hopefully no houses will be burnt. You do wonder how these fires start. So sad for everyone affected.

 

Clouds of smoke billowing from behind the mountain

 

Finally finished my next block for the Red Brolly Wish Quilt, do you think I will get all the others finished by Christmas?  This was quite involved (for me anyway) and it came with me to England and back. I have to admit I didn't do all that much of it when I was on holidays.

 

Only the third block finished, what do I do with my time!

I think she is happy!

Here is Miss Caity, library bag no way! This special bag is going to hold her ballet and tap shoes.

I think she might like it and I was thrilled to receive the photo, always nice to see the reaction even if at a distance!

Computer Kaput

I came out a couple of days ago to do some work at the computer to find it locked up. Today I sat down to try and fix it only to find it looks like a mother board problem and no go. It has been playing up for a while but I have been able to do a repair and all was well but not this time.

Looks like that will curb my online shopping *sob* for a while.  Now should I get a shiny new one or repair? Decisions, decisions.

Australia Day

I had a very lazy day today for Australia Day. I put my flags up first thing as I forgot last year!

Flags flying and table ready for champagne to celebrate Australia Day

Then drove down the Channel to visit two absolutely beautiful open gardens. 

The first one was Greenslade, where Wyn and Rupert, the garden owners, have created paradise.  They came from the Northern Territory seven years ago, looking for a cooler climate.  The garden was established but had been reduced in size from the original when gardeners were employed.  Wyn told us they have reinstated the borders and they also have an orchard and vegetable garden. The herbaceous borders and the roses were just fantastic. Lovely walks down to the beach and along the creek with a small waterfall.

These photos don't do it justice. A magic spot.

 

Then up to Bracken Ridge, at Flowerpot. A very new garden only four years old, I feel very inadequate when I view their hard work.

 

Beautiful flowers, lovely spot with views out over the Channel.....sorry not a photo here of that

 

 

A scarecrow garding the compost and the echidna who thought by hiding here I couldn't see it!

 

So many bees! and they were huge!

 

Fantastic vegetable garden, so jealous!

Of course coffee and cake *yum* at Fleurties near Woodbridge rounded off a lovely morning. Then dropping my friend home what did we spy on her drive but an echidna, how Australian is that? 

 

 

top photo is a sculpure at Fleurties, so kitsch it was georgeous. the cacutus flower was also there, IT WAS HUGE!

 

Oh I forgot to mention the amazing scarecrows all down the highway, couldn't resist stopping to photograph the two headed Tasmanian and the buxom wench hitching to the fair (Middleton next weekend). Aren't they special!



 

Anyone?? I need a lift to the fair....cute, cute, cute, lift those skirts girl.

 

Happy Australia Day, everyone! 

 

 

P.S. Just back to say what is on the sign on the scarecrow, asked by a friend:

 

A Fine Thing by Rosemary Dobson

 

To be a scarecrow

To lean all day in a bright field

With a hat full Of bird's song

And a heart of gold straw.

With a sly wink for the farmer's

daughter

When no one sees and small

excursions

Returning after

To a guiltless pose of indolence.

Library bag

Miss Caitlin's bag all ready for posting off.  Hope she likes it although there isn't much pink on it. 

Great-nieces can be demanding lol

Is it too early?

The postman has been very kind to me lately. Here is another book left on my doorstep! So my question is "Is it too early to start sewing for Christmas? ". Never!

Kinder

One library bag finished last night, one to go.  Max is off to Kinder this year and can't wait to be going to school like his big sister.  Hope he likes his new library bag even if the fabric doesn't have dinosaurs on it.

Sunday morning quilts

Waiting on the doorstep when I arrived home from work tonight.  Started reading it already. Looking very good!

More Cherry Shed

Some more photos from yesterday's sewing day at the Cherry Shed in Latrobe.

 

 

Some close ups of a couple of the quilts thst were bought along.

 

 

The large cherries outside are great for kids (and adults!) to play in.

 

 

And finally I did make a start on a library bag, so not ALL chit chat lol.

Quilting at the Cherry Shed

Having a lovely day at the Cherry Shed with all my quilting friends. Drove up from Hobart with Faye, a coffee + stop at Campbell Town. Everyone busy with their projects and some lovely quilts on display. 

Mushrooms and salad for lunch and now we are back into it.

 

Christine with her lovely appliques!

 

Lots of ladies chatting (and receiving iPhone lessons!)

 

Loved this quilt that Jo's mum bought along.

 

Faye right into it snapping away and Vicki and Sarah having a gossip while pretending to work  lol

 

 

Lots of admirers and the quilts they were admiring!