Oak Tree Sewing Group Christmas Lunch

 Last Friday we had a Christmas lunch together before we break up for the year. The lunch was catered for and was delicious . Everyone bought a Secret Santa gift. The gift was “ something to hang on the Christmas Tree). I was lucky enough to be gifted these. Chris made to book marks for everyone . That was a lovely surprise . 

Such a clever idea. 

My Christmas Star… I love it!

Retreat Sewing at Rose Cottage Warwick

 Last weekend we had our last retreat for the year. A lovely time was had by all. I chose not to make a quilt but some table runners and a shoe bag for a friend for Christmas.  I also worked on a sashiko  runner but it was not finished. My sister in law loves gnomes so this is her gift. 

A shoe bag for my friend Kerrie

Jo, Peg, Gail and Sheena (sitting) and me taking the selfie of course

Rose Cottage has beautiful gardens. We have the whole house to ourselves. There are also little individual cottages or cabins and there are 2 ( I think )  sewing rooms available for those guests to use. It’s a great set up.. 

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My Granddaughter's Final Days at Primary School

My little girl is growing into a young lady very quickly. In 2026 she will go to high school. She did very well at the end of year awards. I’m so proud of her. Top of grade in academics and music. They had their little graduation ceremony on Friday. Because their school is at the beach they went down for photos.

After the awards presentation they had a little graduation party. The teacher spoke about each one of them and they had a lunch then they went for a game of bowls. Just a fun day. Mums and Dad’s were invited of course. 

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Her teacher said she always made her laugh in the morning with little impromptu dance moves . This is one I guess. 

I think my son is saying  “how did you get this big so fast?” All of primary school was at Mum’s school. High school will be at Dad’s school. They are both teachers. 

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All Wrapped Up

The little man loves his quilt and went to great pains to point out the blocks he sewed. 

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I have a Pfaff

 When I started teaching Home Economics way back in 1980 I dreamed of being lucky enough to own a Pfaff. Well this year it’s my early Christmas present. I know there are many good machines out there but after some testing I decided on the Pfaff Quilt Expressions 720. I hope I have made the right decision. It’s a beautiful machine.  

Every year our family and the in laws go to Movie World’s White Christmas. We’ve been going for 10  years now. Each year  a Christmas fabric is chosen and we get sewing. Everyone has an out fit using the fabric . A new one every year of course. This year this is it. The new machines first project. I do very little dressmaking now so it’s not my favourite sewing genre any more. I once made everything we all wore including men’s trousers , I must have been crazy. It’s hardly worth dressmaking these days. 

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This was last years

This was last years outfit.

In laws and outlaws together as one big family.. so fortunate.

And 2023 …you get the idea
   

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Colton’s Hunting Quilt

 I finally have finished quilting Colt’s quilt. It has a minke blanket as backing.  That  was his request. The only blanket I could find was a plaid one and I was paranoid it would stretch and the lines would be crooked but it stayed quite straight. 

I just buy a blanket from Kmart or bigW and it makes a very cheap backing actually. He has asked me nearly every day if it was finished. He’s so invested since he helped with the designing , picking the colours and sewing some blocks. 

I have also finished quilting my Annie Downes quilt ,  “My Favourite Things “ . I will post the photos when I add the bind.

The black things are hoof prints just in case you were wondering. 

I also used a sort of arrow head design in the quilting of the panels on either side of the deer panel

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2025 Quilt and Craft Fair Brisbane

 I was lucky enough to go to the Quilt and Craft fair in Brisbane recently. I was super lucky to run into some Quilty blogger friends, Susan, Lynda, Sandy and Maureen. We have met up here and there since we were going to “Girls Day in the Country” many years ago now. Love catching up.

I did a little shopping of course .

Shopping

This was in my goody bag

I did these 2 workshops just for fun

When I go to a quilt show I’m always amazed at the variety of quilts from beginners to the well experienced. 

There are sewers and quilters.    ( from 2025. Queensland Quilt Show)

There are appliqué lovers , embroiderers and quilters. ……… .from the Houston Quilt Festival 2017 

There are artists.   .from the Houston Quilt Festival 2017 

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There are puzzle makers.    .from the Houston Quilt Festival 2017   

Which one are you ? or Are you a little of all ?

It’s always good to get a bit of inspiration from the Queensland Quilters exhibition. 

                  There are so many talents out there. Of all quilters I think-

I didn’t take a lot of photos at the Quilt show but I thought this idea was particularly good and fun 

      The idea was one 8 inch square of a certain theme and colour per month per member. All 12 months were represented. 

I don’t know why this caught my eye but it did . I think mainly because it looked like the house I lived in as a kid. And the colour… brave…. Fluor lime ….

Best in Show 2025

Prize winning Beat in Show this year.

Nearly Finished An Elk Quilt

 The quilt my grandson and I started is now done. I just need to find a minke blanket for the back. That is also his request. 

After some time I’m getting the last of my Chookshed Stitchers Challenges done. I’m quilting the  ‘My Favourite Things’ quilt . It was designed by Annie Downs of Hatched and Patched. I love this quilt. I didn’t quite make all my challenges but I did get quite few done which I’m happy about. 

Colts quilt