Tuesday, 17 November 2009

It's late, I'm tired...

...but I just had to blog my 4 sandwiched quilts

It's likely to be Friday before I even get a chance to touch them again, but I am well on the way. Now, I need to pack the dishwasher and hit the hay! Night all.

Tops 3 and 4



Tonight we sandwich!

Monday, 16 November 2009

Phew!!

So the plan was to finish all the tops by Sunday night. Great plan and on track...until on Saturday night my machine started to eat the material! It was fine as long as I didn't try to sew anything. Bobbin was threaded fine and the thread was catching with the top - couldn't work it out. Loaded it into the truck to take off island on Sunday, knowing there wasn't anywhere open on a Sunday, but it saved me lugging it off on a trolley. (the joys of island living!) Transfered it into the mainland car on Sunday so I could take it in today. The lovely Margaret at Bayside Stitch Craft took one look and realised the thread had slipped out and the machine was no longer threaded properly so I got to bring it home - although she made me promise that once I had reached my deadline, I would return it for a much needed service!
While I was there I had to have a look to see if I could find anything suitable for a backing for my tops. I found these treasures.





So now it's full steam ahead! Leigh is away for the week so once the kids are in bed, guess what I'm doing???

Saturday, 14 November 2009

How Aussie are You?

I don't know how Joyce found me, but I'm glad she did! I took this off her blog. So, how Aussie are you??
1. Been dive bombed by a magpie Frequently! Although if you feed your local ones it does help
2. Have seen a crocodile Yep. Even held a baby one
3. Have seen a snake in the wild Yep. Had Leigh bring one into the house to show me one night!
4. Been bitten by a snake or other aussie wildlife Never bitten by a snake, but have had bites from lizards, crabs and a variety of birds
5. Patted a koala Only at Currumbin
6. Seen a kangaroo in the wild - Had to deal with them while on playground duty! Swerved to avoid them on the road.
7. Climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge -Not yet
8. Climbed the Story Bridge in Brisbane Not yet
9. Visited the Sydney Opera House - Yes, but never been inside.
10. Swum at the beach All the time.
11. Had fish and chips on the beach Oh yeah - Even better if the fish has been caught minutes before.
12. Been stung by a jellyfish Yep. Ouch. Vinegar works well
13. Had sunburn that peeled Yep. Really not recommended.
14. Camped under the stars Love it
15. Visited Uluru - Would love to.
16. Driven the Great Ocean Road in Victoria Again, not yet, want to do it on a motorbike!
17. Seen the penguins on Phillip Island Victoria Again not yet
18. Had an outdoor BBQ with Friends At least once a fortnight, if not more often
19. Played backyard/beach Cricket And hit a 6!
20. Watched a real cricket match live PM's XI match at least 3 years in a row. The things you do for love!
21. Betted on the Melbourne Cup Absolutely, even won one every now and then
22. Attended the Melbourne Cup Live from Flemington No, and it doesn't really interest me.
23. Attended a live Aussie Rules or rugby football game Oh yeah! I wanna be a Wallaby!
24. Ridden a Melbourne Tram Once. Had a ball!
25. Snow Skied in the “high country” of NSW/Vic Again, once. Hated it. Definitely a warm climate girl!
26. Visited the Great Barrier Reef Was proposed to there, honeymooned there and have been back one other time. Love it
27. Been to Kakadu - Stunning spot! Would love to go back at a time when we can access more of it. (HINT: don't go just after the wet!)
28. Crossed the Nullabour by road -Nope. One day
29. Gone down the Murray River on a paddle steamer Nope, but it sound great.
30. Survived a cyclone Nope, and quite happy to keep it that way thank you!
31. Survived a bushfire Canberra 2003. Hopefully never again
32. Experienced a big flood Nothing big.
33. Know who the Wiggles are. Would you like me to sing for you? They are great in concert
34. Know who Humphrey the Bear is. Yeah, but why does he wear a hat and waistcoat, but no pants??
35. Watched Play School as a kid or mum of a kid Both.
36. Watched Skippy the Bush Kangaroo What's that Skip, there is someone out there who hasn't seen your show? Not me Skip, love it!
37. Own an Australia Flag - No
38. Know the words to Advance Australia Fair Both verses
39. Eat Vegemite -especially on toast!
40. Drink Milo yep. And sprinkle it on ice cream
41. Know what lamingtons are made them even. Not a big fan though
42. Know what Pavlova is Mmmmmmm, pavlova
43. Know what Tim Tams are oh yeah. Hide them from the kids!
44.Eaten a meat pie Yep
45. Gave or received a “dead arm” Yes
46. Have owned an Akubra hat No, but I would like to
47. Own/owned an Australia Cattle dog - No, but my sister has. Gorgeous dogs.
48. Been to a B& S ball - or know what one is - A night I would really rather forget.
49. Drive a ute No, but would love to own one.
50. Say G’day Yep
51. Can cook damper -Not for a long time, but yes
52. Can make billy tea -best there is.
53. Supported a sausage sizzle - Support, run, work at...
54. Own John Williamson CD/Music -No
55. Owned chooks or know what they are- Don't own but would love to if I ever have the room.
56. Call the toilet “the dunny” - Yes, but hate the term
57 . Wear thongs (on your feet…) - All the time
58. Support Aussie music - Is there any better??
59. Enjoy a beer - nothing better on a hot day.
60.Swallowed a fly - not a pleasant experience

Currently reading...

Devil's Brood by Sharon Kay Penman This is the lastest Penman book so the last I will be reading in until a new one comes out. I really enjoy her writing. This is the last in her trilogy about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Highly recommend these books to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Friday, 13 November 2009

Friday Fun!

I love Fridays. For a start, I don't leave the island - a day at home to relax, unwind from the week and prepare for the weekend. We usually start our day with playgroup down at the front beach. In nice weather, we swim, otherwise we just play at the park. Someone nearly always buys hot chips for the kids - no fruit for us! Without fail, Kira and one of her little friends will ask if Kira can go to G's house. G's mum is a lovely lady who is more than happy to have Kira over, giving her a bath after the beach and lunch. This, as you can imagine, frees me up to do some uninterrupted sewing. I have been working through the week to finish the rest of the nine patches, which I have done. Today I finished off the second top.

I've done a few things differently. I added the squares into the sashing (sure there is a technical name for this, but I can't remember it!) and bordered it in a solid colour. I liked the effect of the solid border so much, I decided it was definitely what the first top needed. I took Lily's advice and went for an aqua tone, although in the photo it looks more blue.

It helps a lot I feel. So two tops down, two to go. Hope to knock them off tomorrow, giving me a whole month to quilt and bind. That's doable, isn't it??

After I finished the red bordered top, I went to collect Kira where the girls informed myself and R, (G's mother) that G was going to come to our house now. So I came home with two girls. I took a break from sewing while we made biscuits. Now, I'm not the worlds best baker and the last time we made these biscuits they weren't the best, this however, was a much better attempt.

They could be a little darker in colour on top, but at least this time they're not burnt around the edges!

When I went outside to photograph the quilts, I discovered this!

A strawberry! With more on the way. Yum! All in all, a pretty good Friday! How was yours??

Sunday, 8 November 2009

First top done!

Here is the first of the four tops I need to do.
At least that's my attempt at an arty shot of it! I was quite pleased with how quickly it came together - took just over 2 hours sewing time, a little longer when you factor in the getting up to put washing on the line and make kids lunch.

I'm thinking it may need another, slightly thicker border is a single solid colour to frame it. What do you think? Any colour suggestions??
I'm thinking of trying to set one on point too - but it won't be until I near the end and I know I have time to stuff around!

I also sewed the nine patches for the second one

and started the nine patches for the third.
(They're the messy pile of chain pieced fabric near the machine!)

All in all, a most productive day!