A Visit to Annie Down's Shop " The Home Patch"

Well girls I am another year older as from last Wednesday so Mr. Bird very nicely decided to take me to Bathurst to shop at one of my favourite designer's stores. I was in Patchwork Heaven. I think I spent 2 hours dreaming at Annie Downs' shop,"The Home Patch."  I  was able to say hi to her and we had a chat about Nundle. That was lovely.  She is such a nice person.  I think I spent more than my birthday allocation.... Oh Well!

Loved Bathurst , the weather was perfect and the Autumn leaves were just so...ORANGE.... 

Hope you have all had a Happy Easter and enjoyed it the way you like to do best. 

Portland- so many very old houses compared to Queensland

Autumn is here- Portland

I had a Malvern Star bicycle

Hmm....Orange almost ....

Its nice to see sheep- there was so many around Goondiwindi once- not anymore

I was paper piecing on my travels..

Bathurst 

 There  was a group of motor enthusiasts staying at the same motel as us and they  were retracing  a journey from one hundred years ago from Sydney to Perth. After travelling in these oldies all day I bet they were glad their accommodation wasn't 100 years old...

This old girl had an Arizona number plate- just a beautiful piece of work 

Imagine riding this from Sydney to Perth

Finally Annie Downs' shop "The Home Patch"

Inside Annie's shop

The entrance

It was an old stables - its just lovely

There's Beauty in age remember that ladies....

Finally thank you to Sandy N who made this very beautiful pin cushion for me and guess what it is from some of Annie's fabrics . By the way SandyN wants us to notice the hand made Tassel.... Lovely Sandy Thank you.

Girls Day In The Country Weekend

What a fantastic weekend. It was everything and I expected, wanted and would like to have been. I spent a lovely weekend in Nundle. The guest tutor was Sue Daley. I think I could get into paper piecing . I shared a table with Allsion , Trish,  Jenny , Chris and Sandy. Had dinner with Chooky, Anita and others , shared a room with a new friend Maree. 

 It was so much fun. Lunch at the pub, drinks on the lawn, Dinner at Mt Misery.  

Friday night the trunk show ( Sue showing her beautiful work) in the old hall. Saturday  GDITC at the Nundle town hall. So many ladies all enjoying a day of stitching and learning and of course chatting .  Thanks to Kerry Swain and her helpers for organising it all.

 The best thing is meeting up with many of my blogger friends.

I am off with hubby for a day or two and Annie's shop at Bathurst is on the itinerary. mmm....

Sandy having a cackle with Dale and Peg

Three chooks

Clam shell  roll  by Sue Daley

Hexi keepsake box by Sue Daley

This is my dream quilt

A project by Sue Daley I am currently working on

The chooks having a ride on the Rover , may be they will pick all the bugs off.

Can't wait until next year. Thanks to all the ladies I met up with for such a fun weekend.

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.