We have finally landed

Since my last blog way back when, we have done heaps.  Firstly, decided to move to be closer to grandkiddlies.  This involved getting lots of trademen in to do those things we would get around to.  Had already booked holiday to Hawaii we left on 18 March and got back on 12 April.  House went to auction on 16 April, (did not sell) but these things happen.  Packers moved in on 18 April, Moving van arrived 19 April, arrived in Canberra our new place to live on 21 April.  Did not plan to buy house for little while, but 3 days later driving past one decided to have a look.  Well it had everything we wanted, so after a bit of tooing and froing made and offer, accepted and we move in on 10 June. We are currently living in daughters investment property, bit tight, we moved from large 5 bed 4 bath to 3 bed 2 bath so there are at least 70 cartons in the garage. I have now finished the outstanding blocks I owed to two people and can say with a clear conscience I AM BACK.

Love to hear from you all.

Where Did All That Time Go????????

Xmas is well and truly over, New Year gone along with resolutions.  Have finally caught up with all my swap blocks and am feeling very happy about it all.  I have been reading the blogs and have been surprise, maybe astounded at what my fellow crafters have achieved over this period.  As you all know family came for 12 days, eight of them, was very busy time, did not think I would cope, but then we were all waving goodbye and where did the time go.  It rained here up until the day they arrived and then cleared up so the grandkiddlies swam in the pool, went to the beach and did all the things they were looking forward to.

Last weekend, we went to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, not really my cup of tea, but on the list for my hubby, of things he must do before time passes us by.  It was really great and fabulously organised.  We stayed at Nundle and the time out from work did him the world of good.  There is a method in my madness, last year I got New York and the Med, he got Gallipoli, this year Tamworth for him and Hawaii at the end of March for me.  Mind you we do go together.

Have finished the Paddington Bear Quilt, as the recipient had a baby boy just as I finished quilting it.

Here is a photo, mind you Charlotte and Babe did their usual things, masses of unpicking, but worth it in the end.  I am beginning to think it is not their fault, but the operator is just tooooo impatient.

Now for the swaps:

 This one is for  Alethea in New Zealand, she wanted pink and white.

 This one is for Teena Kane Xmas Swap

This is for Cheryl her choice was orientals with brights, photo is not very good but I hope you get the idea.

This is the block from Teena to me and I just love it.  Cheryl sent me a great yellow and white block, which she has already posted to her blog and as I have cleaned up my sewing room, I cannot at this moment find it.  I am sure when the room gets back to its normal state everything will surface.
I hope none of our friends have been affected by the floods, and if you have, is there anything I can do??

I have a friend in Toowoomba, but have not been able to contact her, lost her phone number so maybe her computer is not working.

Bye for now and keep on stitching.

Larain

My Late December Block for Alex

I was really sick just before Xmas, so I emailed all my swap friends and let them know I would be late.  Family has all left and I have really started to catch up.  The first one was for Alex hope she likes it.  I also received her block in the mail and just love it.  My yellow and white quilt will be beautiful with all my swap friends help.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Hope you all had a great Xmas, and happy belated Xmas.  The New Year looms and resolutions will be running fast and thick tonite.  I am not making any as I do not manage to keep them even to the end of January. 
I have a houseful of people at the moment which is great, both daughters and their families.  Will post photos next week.  For me feeding 10 people instead of 2 is a bit of a trial but I get there.  They are all easy to please.

happy new year to all and may all that you wish for you and your families be granted.

Patchwork Pack for 9 year old

Has anyone out there seen a pre made up pack for a nine year old to start quilting.  Something with easy instructions.  I bought my GD1 a junior Janome for her birthday and she is sick of making just four patches.  As she live in Canberra I am not there to show her.  Her Mum has asked could I find a pack with instructions that she can supervise Neve with, but not have to spend too much time with her.  Any ideas???? if so email me back.  Thanks Guys.

Lucky Me x 3 & Garage Sale

After being away for a few days I came home to three envelopes from Canada.  This one is from Debbie her colours are just perfect.

This one is from Brigitte she has posted it previously, but I had to show it as she said it was her first paper piecing.  I hope my first attempt at that will be so good.

This one is from Mary in Canada, it is also just great.

It certainly was my lucky day, as I dropped into a garage sale and for $10 I got a framed embroidery, a quilters square printed on calico and two tapestries never used.  Mind you I have never done tapestry so we will see how I go.  I bought all this from a lady who was moving, she had lots of other stuff, but hubby was starting to pace a little.  Anway I was happy with my bargains.

Catching Up

Just got back from visiting old friends in Bribie Island.  You do not realise how long you leave it between visits, but it is great to catch up.  Also visited a couple we met earlier this year in Turkey. We went there for Anzac Day at Gallipoli. They live in Buderim in Qld so not far from Bribie.  They had great photos, as he is a very good photographer. 
Back to quilting.  "Charlotte" and I are still having our moments.  I have now decided to call the accompanying machine "Babe" and I think she is teething.  Oh well, l will unpick and start again.  Great to keep up with the news of what is going on with all of you.  Some of the blocks are just fantastic. I received three parcels when I got back from my November swap partners, all in Canada, I will take photos today and post here.  Thanks to all.  Just looked at the calendar and Xmas is toooo close.  This will be the first year we have stayed home in about 15 the family is coming up on 27 Dec. So have two quilts to finish, please "Charlotte & Babe" and have my December blocks for the swaps to get done.

Did I mention, we are also painting the outside of the house, going to Sydney for two days this week and the following week to Canberra for four days.  Canberra will be fun, GD3 is dancing in her first concert as a bee, I cannot wait to see it.  Well back to the drawing board.

Missing in Action

Have been in Sydney for a few days and am still getting over it.  I have lived in the country for too long as the crowds in the City Centre I found quite awesome.  DH was there for a training course, so I tagged along.  Mind you the crowds did not stop me shopping. Xmas is on its way.

The quilt below is a WIP for my SIL (son in laws birthday) the colours are his clan tartan, was going to buy proper tartan but would have had to take a mortgage on the house.  His birthday is 30 November so I had better get moving.  I did manage to put his family crest and Scottish Football team in it.  Unfortunately doesn't show well in photo.

Had been out all morning and feeling worse for wear, I came home to find the fabric and card from Alex, this left me smiling.  Crafty should take most of the credit, as they say if you want something done, ask a busy person.  I am so pleased Alex liked our combined efforts.  We quilters can be extremely generous.

Well had better get back to the WIP, as I want to put it on "Charlotte" this afternoon to quilt.  Who is "Charlotte" you might ask.  She is my quilting bed and machine.  She sat for so long with me looking at her, and trying to get up the gumption that she grew a web, hence the name.

Bye for now

November Swaps on Their Way!!!

I have finished my three swaps for Canada and will post them today.  I thought I had better get them off early as they are all going overseas. I made the star block twice as I got a little carried away.

I am off the Sydney for a few days this week, so that was another reason to get going early.
Xmas is certainly creeping up fast, actually not creeping running, we had two Xmas parties on the weekend and more to come.
I have all the fruit soaking for my Xmas cake and Xmas pudding, left it a little late but sure will taste good anyway.
As you can see I have added a UFO list to the bottom of my blog, I am sure when I tidy up my craft room a lot more will be added to it.  That is if I am completely honest.

I have made a discovery

Maybe you all know what I have found.  I have found a way to do two of my most favourite things at a time.  Accidentally I borrowed a talking book from the library, just ticked the wrong box in the directory.  Not such a problem, now I can listen to my books and quilt at the same time.  If you have not tried this, give it a go.  Two favourite things covered in one action. 

Leanne's block to me

Leanne sent this lovely block to me as part of our October Swap.  As you can see my blog has improved somewhat due to the help of one of our lovely swappers.  I have not posted for awhile, as I have been away and not all that healthy.  This did not stop me from going to the Craft Fair in Brisbane where I was lucky enough to meet up with another swapper Helen.  We had a good chat and I was pleased to see her purchases on her blog.  I have only just managed to include a photo so I suppose there will be nothing stopping me from now on.

Oh Dear is it just me???????

I read everyone's blogs and am amazed at the wonderful setups most have.  I to date have not been able to get there.  This is on the agenda for next week.

Anyway for my week,  I have nearly completed some of my UFO's and have promised myself "nothing new" (I say this with my fingers crossed behind my back),  After my week away, I have come back all enthused.  One of my neighbours has kindly been walking my Labby as I am unable to (not an age thing, but a health thing).  I made her a dog cushion with doggie print and her dogs initial on it.  If I could only get the camera to work as well.  Never mind, I am sure all things will sort out in the future.  I am  now off to cut the pieces for a friends quilt for her granddaughter.  Her husband and her own their own farm, so I help out by cutting for her, as she really does not have the time.  She pays me in passionfruit, YUM.  Great barter system, I would do it anyway. 

Retreat Nundle

Fantastic time at the retreat.  There were 12 of us likeminded quilters there for my third year, some of the ladies have been going for 10 years.  Arrived Tuesday nite after a long drive (6 1/2hours) mind you the trip involved many quilt stores and antique stores.  You never know what might be in towns that you normally do not visit.  Great time catching up with friend most of not seen for the past twelve months.  Many quilts to look at (eye candy).  Wednesday morning saw us all machines in hand at the Cottage on the Hill to commence our 2 day retreat.  Choosing quilt pattern and fabrics next on the agenda.  Morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch provided, also all cutting done by owner.  12 machines buzzing, if we knew what a sweat shop was, I am sure the sound would have been similiar.  Lots of broken needles, unpicking, stalling with that cuppa.  Wednesday went past too quickly, so out for dinner and home to chat again into the late hours.  Thursday, saw us all back, bright eyed and bushy tailed.  Normally, finish top in two days, but this year put myself to the test and attempted a more difficult one.  Day flew, and next thing we were packing up and purchasing those must have materials for the stash.  A delicious dinner at a restaurant, more chatting then off to bed.  Friday morning farewells, making sure our booking for next year in place and off again on the trip home, with stops for lunch.  Home at around dinner time, where did the days go? I know half finished quilt top, and the great fabrics to sort into bins at home.  Oh well there is next year.

Quilt Retreating

Tomorrow I leave on my 4 day quilt retreat.  This will be year 3 and I am really looking forward to it.  We have a great time, all from different places in NSW mainly Sydney Northern Beaches and us hangers on (very tightly) I might add.  After all the gossiping catching up etc.  we actually are able to complete a quilt top each year.  Last year I made one for my eldest granddaughter and this year for my one and only grandson.  I have strict instructions, no flowers Nan.  The other quilters have been attending this retreat for 10 years.  It is very nice to talk on different subjects.  I certainly need cheering up, as Buster my 13yo Labrador had to go the the "Great Bone House" in the sky last Friday.  We are very lucky as the vet is a very good personal friend i.e. neighbour and did suggest they do not make wheelchairs for dogs.  I still tried to hang onto him but after a nights deliberation realised his quality of life was not very good.