2024 Stitches and Craft Fair Brisbane

In October traveled to Brisbane for an appointment and I was so pleased to be able to stay with a fellow blogger and friend Susan “oh2sew” and it just so happened the Stitches and Craft Fair was on that week. We had a lovely time. I also caught up with a few more Brisbane bloggers and stitchers like Linda , Maureen ,Cheryl, Fiona and Michelle. Over the last 12 months  I have been to Brisbane a few times and these ladies have had sewing dates which they’ve  invited me to join . They have made me feel so welcome and that’s the beauty of blog and quilting friends. 

The Queensland Quilters had a quilt show at the fair. There were many beautiful quilts on display. I have picked 2 of my favourites to show you. I just love the colours and shapes in this quilt. The name “Perseverance” is very apt. It certainly would take it to complete squch a task. The other quilt just jumped right off the wall and got in your face. There was a gallery of quilts and then the was The Queen of Rubies”. How quirky and bold is she?  Must be the season for quirky because the pizza quilts certainly fell into that category. A little fun with scraps I would say. Then of course there was a little shopping. 

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Oh So Busy With Fun Stuff

 Well hello everyone in blogland. I’m sorry this post has  been so long coming.    I apologise now for it being photo heavy but pictures say a thousand words . This was my October. 

Dear friend Gary(right) turned 70 .. party

His son flew in from Mexico for only  2 days to celebrate with him. That’s so special.  

Old friends ( bottom left Gary’s wife)

6 hour drive to Bundaberg for our granddaughters dance concert. She was the wolf in red riding hood.  

 

The girls love the make up

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Then a day to myself at the beach sewing EPP with the other crafters at Bargara Beach  Surf Club. A 6.00am start with coffee of course.  

Then there is taking my grandson fishing while the men played lawn bowls. He finally believed I could bait a line. He was a little worried of course because at this age they would rather get your hands smelly than theirs. 

Then another birthday .. guess who - hubby. 

Some beach time for us and Minnie time for the kids 

How she got in that tiny puppy play pen I don’t know

He took the easy option 

Then to Brisbane another 400km to see the musical , “ Wicked” and spend one day and night with each grandchild just me and them. What fun we had. 

Brisbane Qld Australia 

On the Brisbane big wheel overlooking the river city. 

 

Mock-tails for her trampoline sling jump for him

The finale was their state rep basketball game for u/12’s.  So very proud of her. No 74

The  End .. now I need rest ….but no the next instalment in the crazy life of a retired grandma

 coming up  soon.. 

September 2024

 I don’t know who asked me what I would do when I retired ? Aren’t you bored they say.. Well frankly NO. I have not been busier. I have hardly been able to spend any time in my sewing space and won’t again for the next two weeks. This is more for my reference than yours but enjoy the photos anyway. 

We took Bernie’s brother and his wife on a one week adventure touring places they have never been. They live up near Cairns north Queensland so this is long way from home for them. We had a fabulous time. We have also had wonderful family time this month and more to come in the next fortnight. Happy sewing bloggers

                                         Pokolbin and Hunter Valley Area..

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The food was amazing in Pokolbin and below are sculptures from  Wollombi 

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Tasted lots of wine , gin and Whisky

Bucket list - whale watching in Tuncurry we were so close one even come up at the boat but we had decided to put camera away and just admire 

Gloucster and thenWalcha

Stanthorpe

Walcha

Family time supporting no. 74 in State basketball competition and going to Brisbane to see the stage show Wicked. Also dealing with little Minnie being spayed.

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September Challenge

 Well September was a challenge to get some sewing in . But I did begin my quilt and finished  3 blocks. I found with this quilt perfection is absolutely necessary. It took a long time just to do this but I’m sure I will get faster as I go. 

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One day it will be this 

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My challenge for September will be to begin the “Forest Friends” quilt I bought in the USA when I was there in 2017. The quilt is by Elizabeth Hartman so I think I’m in for lots of cutting and sewing. I bought it at a really lovely quilt store near Berlin in Ohio. 

                                                This was the quilt shop.!

After unpacking this it seems like it’s only one small section ..but that’s ok . I  might modify and use my stash as I like the lime green colours more.  We’ll see? I’ll start small and I can add to the flimsy. I know Annette has done this and it was lots of sewing and cutting. OMG I have so many quilts to sew . Don’t let me buy more ! And I’m going on a retreat with a shop this weekend . Give me strength Quilting Fairies!

August Summary of Chookshed Stitchers Challenge.

 Well hello everyone.😊 Sorry I’m late with this summary of August’s challenge which was to work on my EPP. I have no where near finished my Lucy Boston Quilt but I have advanced. Some more joining and planning and completely finished the cutting. I have decided to put this quilt together in quarters. This is the first quarter , probably 3/4 stitched. I have laid out the second quarter and have all the rows in bags ready to sew on the go. Then I realised I still had some filler blocks to go . They are now all cut and ready to sew.