Blocks, Benches and Books

QUIZ-Anyone know where this beautiful place is by chance???

We have had a very busy couple of weeks. My friend Gail and I got in a sewing weekend before she left to cruise  NZ... lucky.... I finished off the little boxes quilt I started at McIntyre Quilters months ago. I wanted to use some fabric from my stash however I am not sure my choice was as it should have been. Too much colour to see the boxes clearly.. oh well still a colourful quilt.  

"Little Boxes Quilt "pattern by Leesa Siegele

Sewing with a friend is best

We had our favourite local chippy build us a great bench in our outdoor room. Finally I can cover that ugly grease trap, those of you who have septic systems would know what I am talking about...  Covers lots of other things too because of the matchstick blinds we hung at the front.

Beautifully built by John

 Not so long ago Chooky let me know about blog books, she is wonderful, thanks Chooky. I took her up on the advice and ordered one . I love it, it's just like a year's diary. Well made and I thought fairly cheap. I am so looking forward to the Nundle weekend , can't wait to catch up with everyone.

My blog book- featuring the biggest event of our year 

Big wet in NSW and Victoria

I know many bloggers in our network are in states down under so I hope you are all well and dry if you are in the water. Take care.

For Kirsty's Wedding

Today I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.... I have finished the quilt I started at Kerry's retreat in November. It's going to be a wedding present for my lovely niece. 
Hope she like's it ????

One of Kerry Swain's  Patterns

All I have to now is get it to the quilter and do the bind. Doesn't sound like much before next weekend does it ? Luckily I have made a pre booking with the quilter. Yeh! 

Pink Hearts and Favourite Things

I have finally started on the "my favourite things quilt" I have been SO.... wanting to get to it. 

I have done the appliqué on the cup cakes block- not a lot, but a start...........I really don't have any experience with needle turn so it will be a challenge for me.

   I am also working on this beautiful stitchery by Rosalie Quinlan. 

A little peek at a trial........??????

No photos today sorry. After sewing all last weekend I had to attack some boring household  tasks this weekend. Hubby is sick of  mowing, I am sure the grass is growing before the days mowing is done.   One should not complain because it is so much better to see such a green garden than drought parched land. I hope none of you are suffering flooding.

A Wet Weekend

We have had a wet weekend... the garden is loving it .....I had some sewing time .....nice.

Hubby, Bernie tried out his butchery skills ...his first attempt at making home made sausages. They were pretty darn good.  Some bratwurst ( butcher flavour pack added) and some Yugoslav paprika sausages (Thanks Ned for the recipe). 


He also practiced his culinary skills and cooked all weekend mmmm...... nice, I love it when he cooks........and I sew......  Hasn't mastered the washing up yet, but you cant win them all  LOL...


 Some home made pasta  was also on the menu, there is nothing like it, it is so good compared to the dry bought variety.  Then some beautiful beef in red wine done in the pressure cooker... I was very spoiled.

So green

So many flowers

One of my favourite things in the garden

Trying out some new materials for bags ..Plastic mesh for a beach bag

The kids will love this one

Monster Pockets and Picnic at the Beach
 Country Sampler Designs- Quilters Shack Bundaberg

I can see this as a pool bag fro a little friend.

Just love this fun fabric.

Yep . another Hootie bag Natalie Ross design. Love 'em
Started this one pre Christmas - finished this weekend! 

Busy making sausages

Not bad for a beginner

Looking OK so far - Bratwurst Snags

Anyone for home made pasta? His Italian Godparents would be proud !

A Nostalgic Day in My Sewing Room

Finally I have a day at home and a day to sew.   A perfect day cloudy with showers- looking out at my flooded garden after the 3 plus inches of rain we had Saturday night. No watering required today.

Where do I start? 

Finish the little things I thought......

Remember the Sally Giblin stitchery from a few months back? Well I actually did 2 stitcheries one in mauve and one in pink so today I made them into cushions. Yeah!  Two things finished. 

The special thing about finishing these today was thinking about my grandmother. I learned to sew on my Grandma's Singer treadle. Fixing zips in Grandpas pants ... can you believe that..  the worst job a sewer can do !   Just something we had to do then. Well my dear grandma is no longer with us and now I have her old singer complete with the zipper foot. 

While I was away I found this new beauty at the Quilters Shack in Bundaberg. I just had to have it... The old and the new....  I would have never contemplated a "Singer" sewing machine until this one just struck a cord in my heart and I had to have it..... I believe she is still with me in many ways.........

  

So the little cushions were made on the new/ old style singer and quite surprisingly it did OK.     

Memories are wonderful things......By the way her favourite colour was purple....

First completed items for 2012

Completed on the new singer

Once belonged to Myrtle Dorothy Lewington , My Grandama.

Electronic 

The old and the new