I am having fun

Last weekend saw my last retreat for the year, and with work slowing down I have found some time to sew, garden and scrap this week. I have made 4 sewing machine mats, a couple of these will be in the mail tomorrow one to the USA and oneto the UK. I posted one off yesterday for Peg over at happyinquilting for her 50th Birthday which was today, I think there might be a few more of these made for Christmas presents in the next couple of weeks, I am sure I have some friends that would love one. Then tonight I have just covered 2 note books, one for myself to use as my retreat booking book for 2008 and one for a friend whose birthday it was a couple of days ago.
So all in all I am on a roll, lots more to do and only 26 sleeps until Christmas.
Happy sewing o you all
Ho Ho Ho
Kerry

Pin cushion Swap

I have written about my annual in store swap previously, so I just thought I would show a photo of most of the pin cushions that are in the swap. I have received nearly 60 pin cushions this year, each year we have a different theme in the swap. This week is the week for me to draw everyones names out and match them with there partner for 2007. There are some great pin cushions, little bags, lamingtons, (Chocolate covered cakes dipped in coconut), chooks, butterfly, lots of embroidered ones, bees hives, rabbit, dolls and the list goes on.
Thanks to everyone who has taken part in this years swap, I will have them all out in the mail to you very soon.
Thanks to all those ladies that have taken part, they all look great, I am sure you all will be happy with which ever one you receive.
Kerry

Welcome sign

Just a short post to share my new sign which we hung at the front door to the shop yesterday evening. I am really happy with the way the sign came up, this is something I was going to do about 5 years back, better late then never.
Also you can see one of my Hollyhocks that grow in garden in front of the shop, they look beautiful at the moment all out in bloom, standing tall with their crimson flowers, hopefully the cows in the paddock don't decide to have them for dinner again. One morning a few months back I discovered that the cows had eaten the hollyhocks down to ground level, the hollyhocks obviously didn't mind.
Happy sewing
Kerry

Secret Santa Christmas Swap - through Chookyblue

Just to let my SSCS partner know that I am very happy to keep my gift a secret until Christmas Day, I love surprises and will look forward to sharing my gift after Christmas.

Australian Quilt Market - Melbourne

I have just returned from a few days in Melbourne, a couple of very good friends (none patchworking friends) joined me. We did the tourist bit on Thursday with a cruise along the Yarra River, then a coach trip which included the City highlights then off to the Dandelongs, on our arrival back into the city we found a great little Italian resturant in Liagon Street for dinner, very enjoyable over a few wines. If anyone knows me personally they know I am not realy a shopper but Friday we spent from 10am until 5pm shopping at the DFO shops in Spencer st, I had an absolute ball and the best thing of all, I purchased 5 new pairs of shoes, I love shoes. My DD questioned me about how was I ever going to wear all of the shoes that I have -- how dare she....................
Saturday was spent at the Australia Quilt Market, it was great to catch up with lots of like mined souls as well as meet some others for the first time. There some great new patterns, designs, fabrics, books etc to see, far to much to take in, in a short few hours. I always find I need to come home and gather my thoughts before ordering too much. I will be writing my November Newsletter this week so I will share some of the things that appealed to me, so until my next post, stay safe and happy sewing.
Kerry

Weekend spent with family and friends

This past weekend we travelled to our best friends home about 4 & 1/2 hours drive away, to attend their daughters 21st birthday party. Sebastian and Nicole met us there for the weekend which was wonderful. Jessica's party was great, the whole weekend was great, it is always fantastic to catch up with our friends and it was extra special for Geoffrey and I to get together with our children as well. I made Jessica this quilt for her birthday, I used the pattern "PS - Don't forget the Chocolate" out of Leanne Beasley's Book - Romancing the Road Trip. It is a great pattern, I just whipped it up last week and my dear friend Betty quilted it urgently for me. I have used a comination of fabrics, some from the Moda range Maderia. Jessica loved it so that was the main thing.
I am off to Melbourne this week to the Australian Quilt Market, so if anyone has any great suggestions on what to see and do in Melbourne I would love to hear from you. I am sure I will have a great time down there but it would be wonderful to hear from some locals on the best way to spend a couple of days.
Must get back to my sewing a few more stitches before bed, I will share the project I am working on very soon.
Take care
Kerry

Annual Art Show

Every year our small little village runs an annual art show and this year I decided to enter some of my photos in the photography section. Well tonight was the opening night with champange, cheese and biscuits and a yummy supper, great night had by all. I was thrilled with the results, as two of my photos received highly commended. This is one of them - it is a photo I took in Queenstown, New Zealand last year while we were there, the other one was one of my winter snow shots from June this year.It was very exciting having your name read out in a hall full of very talented people.
I will have to get snapping ready for next year,
Take care
Kerry

Busy weekend with Great results

This weekends group travelled from Queensland to visit me, they have done so for the past few years, it was wonderful to see them all again. I know they were all very happy with their achievements, Marg nearly completing 2 lovely quilt tops, Di J and Nancy were also well on their way. Gail and Jenny both completed "Past Times"and Di created a stunning version of my "Stars & Stripes quilt. Well donre ladies.
It was a great weekend for sewing with some heavy rain falls throught out the two days, I spent the whole time cutting and thinking of all the things I have to make between now and Christmas, I really need to write a list and cross them off one at a time, Believe me it will be a very long list.
Maybe I should make my list public so you can all keep an eye on my progress. Ha Ha
Anyway thanks for dropping by,
Kerry