Month: January 2008

Yes I have decided to join up for this at Foothills Fabric & Threads. Sandra has signed on so I thought that I would too!!!

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on the blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 6 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog

So if you are game and want to join in let me know!!!!

Hi everyone…I am back from a short camping holiday in lovely sunny Warburton …..okay it rained a tiny bit…..but it was very relaxing and I managed to do quite a bit of stitching while sitting by the river…. we are lucky that we can camp right on the river bank…we usually get a few visitors.. although at 6.30 this morning I was woken by one of these feathered friends quacking outside the tent……the joy of camping!

the kids are able to float down the river in their boats…..they walk a fair way up and float all the way back to camp……what a life!!! the river is not that deep and there are a few small "rapids" which makes it interesting…..

It is only a short walk into town where there are lovely interesting shops…..an op shop where I always have a look….an antique shop where I bought some old buttons (sorry forgot to take a photo)…..an ice cream shop (for the kids!!!) and a wonderful "well being" shop with the most gorgeous lotions and potions…..all natural and smelling divine.

so now its back to normal "home" type things which includes putting my kitchen back together as finally the floors are polished and ready to be walked all over!

School is back on Wed (read out to lunch with the girls!!!) and back into a normal routine after a lovely relaxing summer holiday…that also means back to designing….I have a few new ideas lurking!!!

and by the way only 3 weeks until my jaunt to Launceston and the the country quilter (have a look at Sally’s new blog)!!!

Bye for now

Gail

Just a quick post to let you know that the new edition of Australian Country Threads is out and my project is on the front cover!!

can you see the bag with the applique daisies…..well thats mine!!

there are lots of lovely things to make in this issue…..

so happy stitching!!!

Cheers

Gail

Yesterday the boys and I had a day out. first stop was a lovely patchwork shop in Koo Wee Rup, (of course there was a bakery nearby so the boys quickly headed off to buy a yummy treat). Craft Quarters is owned by Estelle and Raelene and has lots of yummy fabric.

Estelle and I in front of Wendys version of my BOM "the magic of Christmas"

of course I bought some fabric

and then we headed off to the beach for a "sewing day" with Ramona, Jenny, Bev, Angela and Linden. The boys enjoyed the sand and sea and I enjoyed some catch up time with my friends, a perfect way to spend a summers day.

Enjoy the sun if you can

Gail

Yes, it’s finished….I am just writing the pattern and then it will be off to The Country Quilter for the workshop in Feb.

maybe you can join Natalie, Rosie, Rose and me for a lovely weekend!!!

keep stitching!!!

Cheers

Gail

It seems a bit strange that now we are in January that I have finished a pattern for Christmas. After a few requests I have made the tree skirt into a pattern (with an extra table mat). so if you are feeling in the mood for Christmas……or are you over it?

I have also finished a bag for a class at Foothills in Feb, this shoulder bag is perfect to take shopping, I made one for myself and love it!!

it has a long shoulder strap and a magnetic closure and of course I just love the blue fabric!!!

I have added a new page on the side with workshops and classes for this year so take a look and see if you can join me.

Keep cool (or warm if you are in a chilly country!!)

Gail.

ps drop by soon for a finished pic of "Summers Bouquet" (aka the Tassie quilt) 

If you have been browsing blogs lately (and haven’t we all!! LOL) you may have read Kim’s blog and discovered that I will be visiting along with Natalie!! Yes, 2 weeks after we have a workshop in Tasmania we are going to be hosting a workshop at Honeysuckle Cottage!!! (we do get around!!). We are both very excited and look forward to meeting lots of lovely ladies. So pop over and visit Kim to get some more details.

after seeing all the snow photos I thought I would show you a sunny photo! You can’t really see how hot it is…only about 35C today. We are still in holiday mode but I really must have a clean out….I have packed away all the Christmas things and the house is nearly back to normal…..things won’t be normal until 30 Jan when school starts again. I really enjoy the summer holidays as we have no commitments or activities, I like to sit and watch the tennis (Aus open which starts in a week) and sew of course!!

Enjoy!

Gail xx

Now that we are into 2008, I usually try to think of all the things I would like to get made by the end of the year. I am not going to make a list this year as I know I am going to be very busy and what I get done, I get done! I would like to finish a few more quilts, I have about 5 tops that need to be quilted and bound so I think if I can manage to get that done it will be a miracle!

this will also be the applique project for the year! It has taken me about 11 months to finish 1 block and in this hot weather I have almost finished the 2nd block…..in only 2 days!! It is a Blackbird designs quilt called Friendships Garden….I am doing it with Ramona…she is going to kill me when she finds out I have done another block…..we sort of agreed that it was going to be a 10 year (..yes 10 year!!!) project….maybe have it finished by the time we turn 50!!!

Thought I would share a photo of my SSCS gift to Alice, it is from a pattern by Melly and Rosie, Mrs Perkins…..I really enjoyed making her….so I made another one for my nephew William (who will be leaving hospital in 1 week after 12 weeks of growing!) I also made a little sewing pouch and added some chocolates…(of course….)

It has been very hot over the last couple of weeks…..up to 42C on New Years Eve…..its only 36C today, a lot cooler!!! It is strange to see photos and hear that others are having a lot of snow and getting stuck inside..I cant imagine not being able to go anywhere because of all the snow….maybe just once it would be nice to see it….

I haven’t made any more progress on my Tassie quilt…it is all together but I have been playing with borders and decided that what I had stitched I didn’t like so it is back to the drawing board…I will put new ones on today and then quilt it….we are lucky to have air conditioning so I can sew.

Where ever you are I hope you are enjoying the first few days of 2008 and wish every one the very best for the coming year!

Cheers

Gail xx