Where do I begin......................
I just can't believe how quickly each week is flying bye at the moment, last week was one of those weeks, Nicole broke her foot, then had her house broken into, everything is fine thankfully, the police acted quickly and recovered all the stolen goods. Sebastian had his knee operated on in Sydney, so another quick trip (5 1/2 hours drive) down, then back the next day, he is back at school now so hopefully it won't take too long to heal. At least he hasn't any more footy for the season, his Farrer 1st 13's lost last Thursday to a very big Sydney team.

Then tomorrow I will have a new group of ladies joining me for a 2 day retreat, that will make 4 in the last two weeks. I must confess that I forgot to take photos of 2 groups, sorry but I look forward to seeing some photos of their finished quilts.

This is a photo of last weekends group, with some of their wonderful work, we all had a great time, those log cabin blocks look terrific, Gai, you must be very pleased with the quilt.
Thanks for including me in your Sunday night swap, I think I will make an Autumn Leaf quilt out of those fabulous charm squares I received. Don't hold your breath waiting, I will add it too the long list, but will make sure I will share the blocks when I do get to make some.

Also this is a photo of Peg and Dale (especially for Chookyblue ) they are both newcomers to blog land so pop over and say hello. They both decided to work on a Pleated Log Cabin quilt, after heaps of sewing they did manage 10 finished blocks each. Both lots of blocks were looking fantastic - don't you all agree.

In between everything last week I did manage to write my August newsletter which can be viewed on my web site for anyone interested.

I think this will have to do for tonight, I am ready for bed and have a couple of big days ahead.

thanks for dropping over, I will post again soon.

Kerry

Look what the postman delivered----------------
Thanks to Angela for organising the pincushion swap, this is the gorgeous pincushion I received all the way from the USA, thanks heaps Angela, I love it and I look forward to making up the pattern that you sent me as well.
As yet I haven't heard if mine have arrived in the States, to Susan and Angela - do hope they arrive soon.

Guest Who's coming to Nundle in 2008

May 3rd 2008

Two off Australia's top designers will be right here in Nundle sharing their skills, expertise, knowledge and friendship.

A Girls Day in the Country will be held in the Nundle Memorial Hall, we will have room for up to 100 ladies, join us for a fun day enjoying two new projects, yummy food, lots of laughter, meeting new and old friends, sharing show and tell and best of all getting to know our two guest tutors.

Rosalie Quinlan & Leanne Beasley

Cost for the day hasn't been finalised as yet, bookings are now open, so if you would like to join us in Nundle for a fantastic day of stitching, please email me at kerry@cottageonthehill.com.au and I will send you further details.

I hate to wish the year away but I can't wait for May next year it should be such a fun day.
Kerry

I have been tagged
I have been tagged by the lovely Leanne at Leannes House - 8 random things about meme - thanks Leanne I have had to put my thinging cap on with this one.

RULES - Post rules before giving the facts - Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves - People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules - At the end of the your blog you need to tag eight people and list their names - Leave them a comment on their blog, telling them they have been tagged and not to forget to read your blog.

1 - I hate eating any foods such as Banana's or avocado's because of the texture of them, all slippery and slimey.

2 -I don't drink tea or coffee, never had and never will. An old lady, actually a friend of my Nanna's said to me when I was about 15, "isn't it time you learnt how to drink tea of coffee" so from that day on I have never. I drink lots of water.

3 - I love counting things, whether it be patchwork squares as I am cutting up a quilt, or picking up twigs to start the fire, I seem to always find myself counting, even if I know what the end number is going to be.

4 - When I hang the washing on the line I always hang larger items such as jeans, shirts etc on the line closest to the house so that anyone who comes can not see the underwear hanging on the line.

5 - My favourite city in the world is Queenstown in New Zealand, I have been there many times over the past 25 years

6 - I am a five star holiday maker - I love my luxury - I am not a camper

7 - When I was about 18 I could have had the chance to be a professional golf player - now I might have the odd game every now and then.

8 - I am an organised freak, I love to be the leader and the organiser - it works well running my own business not sure I could work for someone else.

Ok well that's 8 random things about me, now I have to tag 8 other lovely bloggers, here goes,

Sarah Leigh Peg Janelle Tina Karol-Ann Juliann Wendy

I look forward to reading 8 random things about all of you.

Have fun
Kerry

A Special Tuesday class - Happy Birthday Judy

Not just another Tuesday class today - this one was special , it is Judy's birthday at the end of the week so I made her a Birthday Cake which we shared for afternoon tea. Happy Birthday from us all, hope you have a lovely day.

The cake I made was a very easy but yummy Chocolate Brownie cake so I have decided to share the recipe with you all, 2 minutes preparation, 25 minutes cooking time.

200 grams of Self raising flour

200 grams of Castor sugar

pinch of salt

2 heaped tablespoons of Cocoa powder

5 tablespoons of sunflower oil

1 table spoon of malted vingear

1 teaspoon of Vanilla

240mls of cold water

In a bowl combine all ingredients and mix well with a spoon

Grease an 8 inch cake tin and pour mixture in, bake in a moderate oven for 25 minutes, cool in tin for about 10 minutes then turn out on to cake plate, when cool sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with cream.

Enjoy

Another group of happy customers

Well another weekend has passed with another wonderful group of ladies achieving so much,
as you can see from the photo they all did so well. 10 Quilt tops for 9 ladies.

In the front of the photo is Beulah, who is 84 years young, this was her first visit for a retreat and her first quilt, she did so well and her quilt, "Mary Mary" one of Janelle Winds older designs turned out great. Who said you are never too old to learn, I sure hope I can still make quilts at 84.

Flannels Flannels and chenille

All my 9 ladies on the weekend all worked with Flannels, the new ones were very well received by the group, with some wonderful quilt tops made by them all. To add a little texture 3 of them included chenille into their quilts which looked great. Once again a great weekend was had by all, Joy kept the fire stoked up as the cold change that was predicted arrived Saturday. This was there 6th year in a row to visit me and they are already looking forward until next year.

This is a photo of them all just as they were about to leave late Sunday. Quilts were already packed in the cars for the journey home.

Great to see you all again I look forward to your return.

Flannel Fabrics...........................................

How much do I love these fabrics, I usually stock heaps of flannels in the shop but this year there has been a shortage, until now.
Over the past week or so 3 new ranges have arrived in store, and today Judy unpacked this very nice range by Maywood called "Willowberry Winter" they are priced at $24.00 per metre and are just stunning. I have already orders for these so I know they will sell very fast. I will be making kits up in my very old "Flannel Heart Design" Quilt. The colours are just so rich, and the mixture of prints will work so well together.

Also in stock are "Primitive Courtyard" and "Winter Woollies". Those ladies in the flannel club, samples for Primitive Courtyard have been sent out this week, samples for the other two ranges will be sent with my August newsletter which should be out next week.

"Primitive Courtyard"

So if you have been waiting for flannels then they are here now.

Kerry