Bargain Hunting!

 

I am so excited!!! I have wanted a seat for the front of the house for ages, but lack of funds really got in the way. I was in K-mart this morning, just minding my own business when they announced 50% off the clearance stuff at the back of the store. I trundled up to see what was there and found my new bench for $49.50. Boy I like being in the right place at the right time. The kids and I put it together in about 10 min, in fact it took longer to break the box up for the recycling bin. LOL

Lynda

PS Nic has commented on the shopping trolley's. We live next to a public walking track that is a path people often take on their way home from shopping. Every now and then they bring a trolley with them, and dump it in the park adjacent to our home. I collect them, for collection by the supermarkets. 

Quilt Camp

Quilt camp is over??!! I can't quite believe that something I have been looking forward to for so long has been and gone. (sigh) I had fun, lots of it and also got LOTS of sewing done. The quilt is not finished, but there was little more I could have done to make it so. I mean I had to sleep, and eat. Boy did I eat! Great food, and plenty of it. I really want to keep working on it right now, but I have finally hit the wall. The other thing I did lots of this weekend was listen, those who know me well know that that is unusual!! It is AMAZING what you hear by the way. LOL

We were spoilt in so many ways, and one of them was with gifts. Karen (Mrs Martin of Mrs Martins Quilt Shop) gave us all 3 little kits each. A needle keeper thing( I think that is what the first one is, does anyone else remember??) A quilt Label kit and a pin cushion kit. COOL!!! Thanks heaps Karen. The weekend was brilliant, I hope you had as much fun as we did! Do you love your job? I know I would love your job! LOL.

 

And then there was the Dear Jane swap, 5 little gifts secretly given over the weekend by an anonymus friend. At morning tea today we got to meet our partners. This is the first time I have participated in anything like this and I was so nervous about how my gifts would be received; Ros from Oz was very gracious and it was lots of fun sneaking around in stealth mode. Now the gifts I gave were really very predictable, but  predictable was certainly not a word I would use to describe the gifts I received. My gifts were incredablity creative, and really threw me off the givers trail well. By the 3rd gift I was convinced that Ros my partner, then the 4th gift threw me for a loop and I thought only Mary would have given me something that mad. But then the 5th was so different again, I began to doubt my detective skill. I was so wrong! Anne had been sitting so close to me all weekend, and we chatted often and she NEVER gave herself away at all. So what did she give me?? Gift 1 - A pumpkin grown in her very own garden. Gift 2 a FQ. Gift 3 - A Jar of homemade rasberry jam, made with raspberries she grew also. Gift 4 - a weird pen, seriously it is weird!! and Gift 5 - Some cool pins with heart heads and a brilliant little timber lady beetle button. I dont know if you will ever read this Anne, but in case you do... thank you so much for your generousity and inventiveness, your gifts were a delightful part of the weekend. Oh and when I showed the pumpkin to the family I was asked when I would be making soup. ( I told you so!!!)

So now domestic duties call, but I will be back in the next couple of days with some pictures of the "quilt as you go" in progress. BFN Lynda

I got Tagged!!

Hey there! Thought it was about time I played tag with Gail, though even as i type this I am not sure what 7 things I will be able to come up with.

But first I will tell you about Bob. Bob is the bear you see pictured on the right. I went through a bear faze a few years back. Funny thing is, I once said I would NEVER make a bear!!! Never say never!! I think my favourite designer of bears is Dianne Treadrea of Tready Bears. Bob is one of hers, in fact I think 95% of the bears I made were hers. She is a great teacher too. 

So now to play tag.................

Here are 7 random/weird/unusual things about me.

1. I don't consume alcoholic drinks, never have and never will. Why it all tastes and smells YUCKY!!

2.I am currently addicted to the Gilmore Girls. LOL (going to bed when I finish this post to watch an episode)

3. I can sing, but dont ask me to.

4. I grew up in the Salvation Army, and play a mean timbral (or tamborine as it is known in the real world)

5. I sleep in flannelette PJ's with monkeys on them.

6. I eat Porridge for breakfast EVERY day!!

7.I turned 40 last year, in my 40 years I have lived in 3 states of Australia. And in those 3 states I have lived in 14 different towns/suburbs. And in those 14 towns/suburbs I have lived in 17 different houses.

So now I need to tag some other people. I am not really sure how many I am supposed to tag, and I also have a limited number I can tag. So I tag Chookyblue ( I know you said you didn't want to be tagged but I am stuck!), Jane over at Five Minutes of Fame, Lindi at Quilty Threads and other Things, and Rose down South at Threadbare (who I am really looking forward to meeting in 18 days!!) That is all I can manage, I am looking forward to learning some more about you all.

BFN

Lynda

Great Quilt GIVEAWAY!!

Yes I said GIVEAWAY. Pop over the to Old Red Barn Co blog and enter for yourself, it is very easy. And please say that Lynda (of Bozzy's Blog) sent you!! The quilt is just gorgeous, you gotta be in it to win it!!

  

This is the Toffee Apple

A few posts ago, I called my laptop "The Toffee Apple". I think I promised a photo, and here it is, finally. Can you see why I call it so? It is really a white Macbook, but I have added a nifty acrylic shell in red, so it is white on the inside, and red on the outside. I don't think I need to explain the play on words to you, I really am not that smart so I doubt if I have baffled anyone. I also have, as you may see, a little stable table so it sits nicely on my lap. I have to be very careful that I don't spend too much time with it on my lap, it is very easy to waste hours. But I have lots of friends in here, and I like to visit with them!! LOL (I know I'm mad)

It's been a while hey??

Been a bit busy this past week. Trying to stay off the computer truthfully. Cause, while I am on the puter, I eat and I am trying NOT to do too much of that. I have been eating less and moving more, and am getting results. Lets see how long my resolve lasts.

On the upside, less time on the computer has meant more time on the machine. I have made a couple of bags and am enthused to get some more done!! Got visitors for a couple of days, so the table has become an eating place for a few days instead of a sewing place. That is a little frustrating ( the packing the sewing away, not the visitors) and it is why I WANT MY OWN WORKSPACE. Who knows when that will happen!!!

I think I will head to bed now, I need an early night!  Will post some pics of the finished bags SOON!

BFN

Lynda

It has been a few days since my bed bound whiney post!! I didn't completely solve my dilemma, and I doubt if I ever will. But on that day I managed to get a decent amount of housework done and some sewing. The bag (reproduction fabrics) is almost finished, like 10 min from finished and that makes me happy. Have only been near the machine in the last few days to repair school uniforms, (uugh). Yesterday and today have been spent helping my parents move house. And I have tried very very hard to also stay on top of things here at home too, so tomorrow there shouldn't be too much to do before I can hit the machine.

Today's quilt is the 2nd wedding quilt I made. This was for my cousin Jeremy and his wife Raquel. As we had give Jeremy's sister, Minda, a quilt the year before, Raquel seemed very prepared when we asked what colours she would like!! The answer, mustard, burgundy and navy!!! I was really happy with the end result!

 I have discovered something cool. I was worried about how tiny the pictures came out on my blog, disappointed that it was hard to see the detail (especially on the lithograph). But if you click on the pic, IT GETS BIGGER!!!! Am I the last one to work this out?? LOL

Night night

Lynda

PS Lindi thanks for all the lovely comments!! Actually blogging on my blog is an sort of new years resolution for 2008!!

What should I do on Saturday...........

It is about 8.30 on Saturday morning, and I am still in bed, obviously with the Toffee Apple (my laptop, I should take a pic of it so you understand why I call it so). But I digress.........I am confuddled, and don't want to actually get up till I solve this conundrum.  How does a wife and mother of 4 prioritize her day?? Being Saturday there is a basketball game to attend, there are school uniforms to wash, there are always dishes to do and beds to make. I vacuumed yesterday so I feel no need to do it again just yet. It is at least 10 days since I dusted. The pantry is a MESS and I just keep buying more food as I can't find the food in it and that off course compounds the problem. Lets not even mention the garden or the ironing or the state of the bathrooms!!! Now I am NO neat freak, I am comfortable with a "certain level" of chaos. But I find it extremely hard to concentrate on "fun" stuff ( ie anything fabric related) with all those other expectations running around my head. Especially as my work space is right smack bang in the middle of it. I have FSF (Fire Sale Fabric) calling me, there is a quilt to bind, a bag to finish and the seemingly impossible task of patterns to write. (Just a little aside on that subject for anyone out there who writes patterns: Is it just the first one that is hard to do?? Does it get easier as you then have a sort of template?? Or am I just a procrastinator?)

Am I mad to think I can actually find an answer to this riddle of balancing "my" needs and "family" responsibilities? Will I solve it in time to actually do ANYTHING creative today, or maybe I should just stay in bed and avoid all disappointment?? I know Melly has been having a similar dilemma this week, so I know I am not alone. Does anyone have ANY suggestions??

Well one decision has been made, I am getting up for breakfast the tummy growls are too hard to ignore and a nice bowl of hot porridge with HEAPS of brown sugar will also comfort the soul!

BFN

Lynda

PS Should tell you about the quilt. Twas a gift for my cousin Minda and her husband Dean on the occasion of their marriage. It was the first "BIG" quilt I made. It is called "Music in the Stars" and was a pattern from House and Garden Magazine would you believe. It is made of the most delicious Robyn Pandolf fabrics.

Its been a long day.

What a day!! My Dad is retiring this week, after 8 years in this particular job but 37 years total with the organisation. We (the extended family) had been invited to attend an event this morning at his work. Boy was it tough! It was so lovely to hear the speeches, but Dad really hates being the centre of attention and was also very emotional about leaving His staff. He looked dreadful as we sat there listening I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to make His speech. But He did, and He and he did it well, had as laughing and crying. Tomorrow is His last day, then Monday Mum & Dad move! 

The picture I have included with my post today is of a lithograph. I was lucky enough to purchase this at a Craft Exhibition we held at Church late last year. I jumped on it as soon as I saw it, for several reasons. 1. Red is my favorite colour!! 2. It was soooo cheap! LOL. and 3. it was an opportunity to own a piece of art by a dear friend, Julia. This is her first attempt at the process, hard to believe isn't it!!! I was so excited to have bought it and SHE was so excited that I had bought it. LOL The next job is to find the perfect frame for it! I want to hang it in my studio, one day!

BFN

Lynda

Rough Day

Been sitting here trying to work out whether to post today or not, not feeling really chatty or positive today. It has been a difficult couple of days, but I have just plodded along. Still getting things done which I do take some comfort in. Tomorrow may be a different story, no real plans for the day and it is those days that seem the hardest. I guess it also has to do with being on my own for the largest part of the day; when I feel like this company really bouys me along BUT it isnt always practical or realistic to have company. I really want to get the bag pattern written, but I really need DH's help with the diagrams, and well it is 10pm and he needs to be heading to bed soon. I want it done SOON!!! Coz then there is another one to write... man!!! Then the projects in my head........ will it ever end.

So now I think it is time for a milo and bed and I will pop in tomorrow when hopefully I will be a little less morose!!

Here I am!!

Well, I have taken the plunge!! Everyone seems to be blogging, so I thought I would join in. And it seems like a really great way for online friends to get to know each other. So I guess I should tell you about myself.


I am married to Darren, this year it will be 18 years!!!! We have 4 children DD1 - 17yo, DS1 - 14yo, DS2 - 12yo & DD2 - 10yo. We live at the foot of the Dandenongs in Melbourne. We have 2 dogs.
To the left here is Clover and the one underneath is Socks, the old man of the pair. They are just lovely and very much a part of the family. Our latest addition is a cheeky budgie named George. ( Still to take some pics) He really belongs to DS2, but the whole family has simply fallen in love with him. He has a brilliant personality and is learning to talk!!!


Now for things Quilty!! I have sewn for as long as I can remember. I had my first machine when I was around 10. I sewed clothes, at the time mainly for my Snoopy stuffed toy. I then progressed to clothes for myself. At 15 I got my first full time job in a factory that made ladies clothing. I was only there for just under a year before my family moved to Melbourne. (From Perth) It was here I got a job at Myer and stayed there for about 5 years. This whole time, I still made clothes for myself, the thought of doing anything else with a machine had never occured to me. At 21 I went back to study dressmaking and design full time at TAFE. I never finished that course (surprise surprise) I got a little distracted by marriage, and babies. Now on a Scquilters thread I stated that the first quilt I made was for my neice, but I have since remembered the cot quilt I made for my first child.We still have it, in fact the kids fight over it. It is a panel from spotlight, I used really thick spongy poly batting. Bagged out the back and then roughly quilted it following some lines in the design, LOL. I was so proud!!! And that was it for about 10 years UNTIL....... I was looking for a different gift for a girlfriend for her 30th B'day, and another friend suggested a little wall hanging with a stitchery and some peicing. It was quilted, and bound even, and it was the beginning of what is now a rather serious obession. so now, Sewing clothes, NOT ON YOUR LIFE!!!! The family have to nag to get me to even take up pants or sew on a button. I also went through an extended Bear making faze, in fact I am working on one now, the first in a while. As well as the 2 quilts I have on the go and the 2 bag patterns I am trying to write!!! As well as managing my little ebay business.

Is that enough for today?? LOL I think so, anyone still reading has probably nodded off by now. Catch you next time.