Lots of Angels, tall Angels

At my Christmas Gathering, Fiona, a wonderful kindred spirit, inspired us with her interpretation of an Angel that was in homepsun magazine earlier in 2006. There was a group of us that fell in love with her and decided to all get together yesterday to make one each. There were 15 of us, the shop was filled with chatter, laughter, a few crude stories, while we spent the day creating our extremely tall but stunning Angels. Thanks heaps to Fiona for her tips along the way and for Craig for his wood work skills, we couldn't have finished them without him.
Here is a couple of photos of the group with some nearly completed Angels, I must add mine is still in an unfinished state as per usual, I never seem to find time to sew when there is a class on.
Hopefully today I might get her finished.

Thanks girls for a great day, and yes we will do it again when I have a free Saturday. Any suggestions for a class just let me know.
I will try and pop back later to post a photo of the first completed quilt for 2007.
Have a great day.
Kerry

Happy New Year...........................

It's New Years Eve and its raining, I don't think the young ones are too happy with the rain, it has spoilt their plans for this evening, but we are not complaining, it's just lovely. Brings smiles to our faces.
2006 has been a great year, a few words that come to mind to reflect the last 12 months - hectic, busy, drought, creative, family, friends old and new, good times, learnt heaps, adventures, celebrations I suppose the list could go on and on. It has been a good year so to everyone who has been apart of my year thanks for your friendship, your love and support.


My thoughts and prays go out to my daughter Nicole and her friend Elizabeth who have had a awful ordeal in Prague over the last couple of days, its hard being a parent on the other side of the world feeling useless. Do hope they see the good side of Prague tonight and have a safe return to England tomorrow.


Enjoy yourselves tonight but most of all stay safe and well, I look forward to a fantastic and happy 2007.

Kerry

Where do I start
Well Christmas has come and gone, do hope you all had a happy and safe time.
We celebrated quitely with friends for a ymmy festive dinner Christmas eve, then just the 3 of us on Christmas day, while I was at Church, Geoffrey & Sebastian feed the Rams and the cattle so that we could head over to my parents place at Tuncurry, just 3 hours drive away on Christmas afternoon. Mum and Dad were by themselves so we thought we could manage a day away. It was sad not having Nicole with us, for her first Christmas away, but the world is such a small place and we spoke a couple of times on the phone which was nice. She had friends with her so that made her day happy and enjoyable.

Boxing Day, saw my baby girl turn 21 years old, and here she is thousands of miles away, once again we sopke a few time on the phone to bridge the gap. We are planning a party to celebrate her 21st when she arrives home in Feburary. I ve become an Ebay shopper and purchased all this beautiful Royal Winton for her 21st. She started a collection when she was about 12years old, so this will be something to remember her 21st by in years to come.


The week before Christmas, the local ladies in our Paper Bag Quilt, (friendship quilt) which has been running most of the year, got to gether to return the bags to their owners. There were 8 of us in the group, here are a few photos of the blocks they received back, and now the fun begins, we have set a dead line for the quilt tops to be together by 1/3/07.





This is Jo with her collection of Australian fabrics made into stars

Then we have Emily with her Seed Packet Stitcheries

Ros was so pleased with her blocks or should I say rows, looking forward to seeing what she comes up with for her quilt, great country colours.

Bonnie's blocks looked great, I am sure she will have fun putting her quilt together as well.

So sorry to make this such a long post, do hope you all have a great new Years Eve. I look forward to getting stuck into lots of sewing over the next few weeks so keep checking back to see what new quilts I make.

Thanks for dropping by

Kerry

Christmas Gathering

Wow !!!!!!!! after heaps of preparation, lots of late nights and early mornings, yesterday finally arrived, I will thrilled with the way the day worked out, there were 28 ladies who joined me for my annual Christmas Gathering in the shop.

Believe it or not they all had a chair to sit on and a needle in their hand, then it was down to business, there was lots of chatter, eating, sewing, eating a little more, laughing, sharing stories, hugs and kisses, exchanging of gifts, a little more food and a wonderful day had by all.

I had made some yummy Christmas treats for morning tea, the fruit mince slice was a huge hit. Not much left in this photo.





Then everyone sat around and made a simple little Christmas door knob decoration which I had ready in kit form for them, then we had a finger food lunch in my garden which I had decorated with everyones show and tell. All of the quilts, dolls, bags and table runners looked fantastic hanging over the fences, in trees or over a chair. After lunch we returned to the shop for a delicious frozen ice cream and fruit pudding, before everyone had to pack up and return home.













I do hope everyone had a fun day, sharing the spirit of Christmas with like minded kindred spirits, a big thankyou to all those that came as well as everyone else who has supported me throughout 2006, the best part of my job is mixing with so ..................many wonderful people.


I have a big week ahead, heaps of mail order to post, my home to decorate and christmas mail to write, hopefully not as many late nights as last week.
Until my next post, keep safe and cool ( sounds like this week is going to be a scorcher)
Kerry

Nicoles back in England

Things have been busy on the shop front, but with no more retreats for 2006, I am looking forward to making lots of new shop samples over the next 2 months. Stock is starting to roll in from my trip to Melbourne, will have up dates of all of this soon.
Last week was spent packing Niocles bags as Wednesday saw her head back to England just for her Uni holidays, to work for Joanna & Dave, whom she worked for last year. She wasn't looking forward to leaving our hot summer to return to the English winter, but with everything centrally heated over there I am sure she will cope.
Nicoles is working as a Nanny for three very cute little girls, this is a photo of Flora and Polly, then there is Eliza who is only about 18months old.
We are all going to miss Nicole, Christmas will be different without her around for the first time, then Boxing Day is actually her 21st Birthday, so that will be sad not to be with her to help celebrate, but I am sure Liz ( a school friend) who is over there will make up for not having her family around.
Don't forget My Christmas Gathering here in the shop on Saturday, I ve been busy making our small project for the day as well as cooking some yummy Christmas food to be served as morning tea and lunch. If you live in the area and would like to call out, let me know by Friday and we would love to see you.
Until next time I post, thanks for dropping bye,
Kerry

Returned from Melbourne

Just a very quick post to let you all know I had a great time in Melbourne, the Australian Quilt Market was very good. I enjoyed my day there putting faces to voices with some of my wholesalers, meeting up with some old friends from the industry plus meeting new people with lots of wonderful ideas.
I have ordered a new quilt which I will be running as a block of the month during 2007, will keep you all posted on it, I also found lots of new ideas that hopefully I will work on over the chrissy break, so samples should be ready when classes resume in Feb. 2007.
One of the new fabric products to hit Australia are Jelly Rolls, they are 40 pre cut 2 1/2" strips of the lastest fabric ranges from Moda, this is a photo of the rolls I mananged to bring home with me, they sell for $60.00 each and there are half a dozen patterns out to make quilts using these Jelly Rolls.
Once orders arrive there will be new needles, tools, templates, patterns, fabrics etc in store. I fully intend having a complete overhaul of the web site during the next couple of months so keep an eye out there for all these new products.
Don't forget my Christmas Gathering which is to be held on Saturday 9th December, starting at 11am, there will be small kits to work on as well as lunch and a display. Bookings are essential and the day is completely free, so come along and join in the Chrissy spirit with us.
Also a reminder about the Table Runner Swap, only a few days to go, I need to know who is taking part by the end of November. Already have lots in the shop, what a great response.
Until next time,
Kerry

See what I've made

I told you I was going to try and do some sewing and I did, I ve been wanting to make this bag for ages, its one of Monica Pool's patterns called "Paddington", I am so pleased with it, I just love the finished result. Her patterns are so easy to follow and look a million dollars. I used fabrics from the Moda range "Chocolate" to make my bag. Now I am all inspired so hopefully I will continue to make a little time each day to sit at my machine.
This weekend I am flying to Melbourne to attend to Australian Quilt Market, this is a wholesale show for shop owners to view the latest, fabrics, pattern, tools etc. I am sure I will have a great time, hopefully I'll come home with lots of great ideas and fully inspired for the next 12 months.
My Mum is coming with me to Melbourne, we should have a great time together.
I'll be back next week to talk about what I've found, until then keep safe and thanks for dropping by.
Kerry
PS Only a couple more weeks before the Table Runners have to be in for the Chrissy Swap

The years coming to a close

This weekends retreat group were from Tamworth and this was their first retreat with me, I 'am sure they were all very happy with their acheivements, well done to you all, your quilts looked great. Do hope to see you all again soon, it was great getting to know you all a little better.
Its been a busy weekend in Nundle with the Annual Art Show on, Geoffrey and I went along to the opening night on Friday which was very pleasant. Then just up the hill, was a quilt and craft show on at Hanging Rock. I supplied them with about 20 quilts for their show so do hope that went off well.
Tomorrow, Monday, I fully intend staying home and hopefully being able to do some sewing as I just haven't had time to any over the past few months. I have so many unfinished items on the go plus two friend quilts I have to do my part on, then there are all the new designs I am working on, maybe I need to sew for a month not just one day. I will post some photos if I do acheive something.
Anyway I am worn out as per usual.
Good night
Thanks for dropping by
Kerry

PINK PINK & MORE PINK

Today was Melbourne Cup day and usually each year on Melbourne Cup day we forget about Tuesday Classes and just gather for a very informal lunch in my garden. Well today we did just that, there were 10 of us and to be a little different this year I decided to make the day a pink day and raise a few dollars for Breast Cancer. We all dressed in pink, including my bright pink shoes, drank Pink champagne (only a very little, actually I didn't have any), I had pink flowers on the table, we drank out of pink glasses and ate off pink plates. All in all it was a very pink day, but a very happy gathering, thanks to all who came to share the day with me, it was very relaxed with yummy food and great company.
I even managed to kind of work out the self timer on my new camera, that is how come we are all in the photo.
Hope everyone had a good day, with what ever you got up to.
Thanks for stopping by, until next time
take care.
Kerry

Blackberry Jam & Cream

Just a short post to let everyone know that my very first book is finished and is now available in store for $20.00 per copy, it has 8 sewing projects in it as well as over 30 of my favourite recipes.
Thank you to all those very patient ladies who have been waiting for a copy, I have sent out lots and lots of pre ordered books in the past 2 days.
Do hope you all enjoy them.
Kerry

No time

So sorry to all those who have dropped by only to find no new news, well I am back again and have a bit to catch up on.
Life has been very busy, but whats new.
Sorry to Adrene, Tex and friends from Sydney who joined me nearly two weeks ago for a retreat, sorry it has taken me this long to post a photo of you all, hope you all had a safe trip home and I hope those quilts are nearly ready for your show !!!!! (Just joking)
All your quilts looked great.


Last Monday I spent a few hours at the printers watching my book "Blackberry Jam and Cream" being printed, it was very exciting to eventually see it come to life, here is a photo of Lauren, the grapic designer who has helped me along the way, without her it would still be along way from finished. I will be heading over to pick it up first thing in the morning so all those ladies patiently waiting for a copy can expect them in the mail this week. If anyone wishes to order a copy they can do so by contacting me.

Then last Wednesday evening I went to a scrapbooking class in Tamworth with the very clever Alison, we made this gorgeous mini album, I will be making a second one and using it to scrap Sebastians last year at school. He started year 12 a couple of weeks back so I ve been busy taking photos and hope to put together an album for him with something about each week in year 12.

Saturday and Sunday saw Betty Field and some friends of hers from Cowra join me for a retreat, we had a great weekend with lots of chating and lots of sewing, do hope you all enjoyed your visit to Nundle, looking forward to seeing you all again. This is a photo of the 4 of them, Betty is the 3rd from the left, for all those ladies that use her quilting service but have never met her. I am sure their are lots of ladies out there who would love to put a face to her name.











Today I spent a few hours sewing with friends in Tamworth, can't share what I was working on as it is a Christmas present for Emily from our Christmas swap from Chrissy in July, still have lots to do on it but they were looking great, will share a photo later in the year.

Hope everyone in NSW is adjusting to the time change, I am not sure I like the shorter mornings as I do enjoy the early mornings, until next time (Maybe I will post a photo of my book tomorrow) thanks for taking the time to drop bye.
Kerry

Countdown................................

The countdown is on with only 6 more retreats let for the year, I really can't believe that we are part way through October. I had another lovely group of ladies this weekend, 7 from the Newcastle area and 2 from Tamworth. It was their first retreat with me, hopefully they all enjoyed themselves enough to come back again. Thanks Suzanne for organising your group.
All of your quilts looked fantastic, hope everyone was pleased with what they acheived for the weekend.
One thing I keep forgetting to mention is that each year through the shop I run some sort of swap, last year it was a bag swap this year it is a Table Runner Swap. If you would like to be part, simply make a Table Runner, any size, shape, colour or theme. Send it to me by the 15th November, along with a short note about yourself and a pre paid postage sachet (500grams).
I will then draw names out of a hat, and post out the Runners, this is a great way to make a friend with another like mined soul.
Oh well I am off to bed, have a big day ahead of us, we are off to Dubbo for the day, Nicole has an exam to do, I 'll catch up with some family then home again hopefully by dark.
Have a great week
Kerry
I really wanted to add a photo of this weekend group to this post, but I am without a printer so will have to do that later, it was struck with lightning last week.

Hi there,

Hi everyone your all probably wondering where I have been, well Geoffrey and I escaped for a well earnt weeks holiday. We flew over to Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand for the week which was wonderful, as usual. Geoffrey and I actually met there nearly 25 years ago so it holds special memories for us. We both love Queenstown, I love the incredible views from every direction, the rugged snow capped mountains and the magical lake that the town is situated on. We didn't do very much for the week, booked ourselves on a bus trip to Milford Sound for a day which was brilliant, the mountains captivate my attention, I never get sick of looking at them. We shopped, ate out, New Zealand has fabulous food, meet with friends, Virginia and Kirsty for a winery tour and did a four wheel drive trip for a day, caught the Gondula up to the Sky Line over looking Queenstown (where we first met), drank cocktails at the Minus 5 bar and went Para gliding over the lake. Apart from all that we had a very relaxing week. But now its back to work, I have a retreat this weekend, then I think there are only about 6 more for the year.

This is a photo taken in Greenstone Valley where we went on our 4 wheel drive trip.

This is another shot on our 4 wheel drive trip

I must finish here, have a big weekend ahead, I will show off a few other photos soon.

What a wonderful Day

Can't believe it is over a week since I last posted, what a busy week it has been.
Last Monday I left home very early with a 3 hour drive in front of me, and headed for Taree to be part of a Jinny Beyer workshop for the day, I enjoyed the day immensly and learnt lots from the very talented Jinny. Instead of driving home that night I decided to drive onto Tuncurry and spend the night with my Mum & Dad, it was a very nice evening and wonderful to catch up with them and their stories of their 6 week trip up into Queensland.
Tuesday morning I rose early again and drove home ready for our weekly Tuesday group of ladies, then Wenesday & Thursday I had a two day retreat as well as Saturday & Sunday. Can't believe how fast the year is flying by I think there are only 6 more retreats left for the year, which is very scarry. Sorry there are no photos of these 2 groups, slack photographer, LOL (Me)




On Saturday morning I was very lucky to have a gentlemen caller bring me this gorgeous bunch of fresh flowers ( He is actually an elderly man who lives near by and every year about this time, brings me beautiful flowers from his garden) There are stocks, Iris' and stunning Tulips.



Then today - Monday - it is surpose to be my day off but very rarely do I do anything that doesn't envolve work, so today Judy and I went for a drive to visit a friend Donna who lives about 20minutes away, we spent a couple of lovely hours in her garden just talking and catching up. It was so nice.
Then this afternoon Sebastian and I decided to go up to Hanging Rock to Sheba Dams fishing, what a wonderful way to spend a spring afternoon. We set a few lines and sat back relaxing and taking in the peaceful surrounds, I couldn't believe how wonderful the afternoon turned out, sitting by the dam, with not a care in the world, with the sun fading behind the tall Gum trees watching the reflections of the flowering wattle trees grow longer across the dam. It really was a magical place to spend the afternoon and all only 10 minutes drive from home. We did end up catching one yummy Trout which just topped off a magical day.
I just love this time of year, all the new shoots appearing around the garden, flowers ready to bloom and being woken up each morning before dawn by the birds singing outside our bedroom window. How lucky I am to live where I do.
Anyway back to work tomorrow, until next time, thanks for dropping by and catching up with our news from the Hill.
Kerry

So.............Cold

What a freezing cold change that blew in yesterday afternoon, I knew winter wasn't over yet.
It was a great day to be inside sewing so thats exactly what my retreat did all weekend, I had 11 wonderful ladies with me for the two days and they all made gorgeous quilts. Here is photo of them, Kim is actually snuggled up in her "So Pink" quilt, it wasn't quite that cold inside. Thanks Kim for keeping the wood on the fire, we certainly needed it.
Hope you all have a great week, I am worn out after a late night at the Farrer Ball in Tamworth last night so I am heading to bed. Off to Taree early in the morning for a day workshop with Jinny Beyer from America, looking forward to it.
Kerry

Welcome to my first online tutorial

Stitchery Roll

Welcome to my first online tutorial, I have been teaching patchwork and other handy crafts for 17 years but this is a first. Hope you all enjoy the class, feel free to down load it and complete at any time. If you make a stitchery roll please email me with a photo and you can go into the draw to win a fabric pack from the shop, email address is kerry@cottageonthehill.com.au. If you can't send a photo just let me know, competition will be drawn on the 8th October.
A Stitchery Roll is used to store your work in progress - it may be a stitchery block, and applique block or some other form of embroidery or patchwork, simply release the bow and unroll.
From start to finish it should only take maybe 2 hours.
Fabric requirements - 1 x card board roll - mine is from a cling wrap roll. 40cm of Pellon, Main Fabric & Lining, 40cm coordinating braid, 60cm matching ribbon, hot glue gun (or craft glue), cardborad scraps and matching sewing thread and needle and a sewing machine.
My roll measures 13" adjust all measurements to fit your roll. I have added 3/4" seam allowance just a little extra to allowance.
Cut - main fabric, lining and pellon to 13 3/4" long x 20" wide.
Sew the braid onto the right side of the main fabric, along the shorter side approx. 1 1/2" in from on edge. You can use any type of braid, ric rac etc. Fold the ribbon in half, place the folded edge onto the centre of the same side, sew.














Iron the pellon on to the wrong side of the lining fabric, place the lining fabric and main fabric right sides together, pin and sew using 1/4" seam allowance around all 4 sides leaving an opening on the opposite side to the braid. Clip across the corners.









Turn through the opening, press well and slip stitch the opening closed.
From now on I will refer to this as the pad.
Quilt the body of the pad as desired, I have machine quilted diagonal lines 2 1/2" apart across the pad. Just lenghten your machine stitch to about 3 for quilting.











Now we are up to using the glue, Cut 2 circles, the same size as the ends of the roll, from the cardboard scraps. Cut pellon the same size and glue onto one side of the card, cut the main or the lining fabric a little larger then the circle and glue the fabric onto the top of the pellon.


Run a row of glue onto the back side of the card and glue excess fabric down.

Run glue around the ends of the roll and glue the circles onto each end.







Cover the roll with the pad, lining side against the roll. I have placed a few spots of glue to hold the pad in place.








Using a double thread slip stitch the end of the pad onto the body of the pad, pulling it firmly around the roll. Once stitched in place slip stitch the pad to the end circles just to secure the whole thing.



You should now have your stitchery roll finished and ready to use.
Thanks for joining me, the next tutorial will be a new Table Runner design I have been working on and will be post it in a few weeks time.

Have a great day
Kerry

This weekend Off

I am looking forward to having this weekend off, no retreat this weekend so hopefully I 'll find time to sit and sew myself and catch up with a few things, like maybe some gardening.
Slack me didn't take a group photo of last weekends class, they were a great bunch of ladies, 11 in total. You no who you all are so thanks for visiting, look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Your quilts all looked fabulous.
Tuesday class made table runners this week, I did manage to sit and sew for an hour or so and came up with this table runner, it just needs quilting and binding. I also managed to cut out another so it might get made on the weekend. These fabrics are out of my Debbie Mumm stash, old ones but great fabrics. This should look great on the farm yard style table in my sunroom.














I have also just completed another 2 day retreat, no photo sorry. Slack me. A small but fun group, their quilts looked fantastic as usual, well done Karen who managed to make 2 quilt tops in two days.
Family news
Geoffrey and Sebastian have been very busy in the shearing shed this week, 2000 sheep down just 1200 to go.
Tim the builder has been on the job all week working on Sebastian's new room, it is coming along really well, he won't know himself having his own space.
Starting next week I will be posting on my blog a few online tuitorials, feel free to make the small projects, but please let me know how you get on. The first project will be a stitchery roll.
Until next time we meet. Stay safe and well, thanks for dropping by.
Kerry

The end of another big week - how blessed I am

I can't believe another week is over, the weather has been so wonderful this week, surely winter isn't over yet. Even tonight it is so mid, hopefully maybe some rain is on the way.
Wednesday and Thursday saw another retreat with a lovely group of ladies from Sydney, some of them have been visiting me for the past 3 years and a very warm welcome to the new comers, it was very nice to have you all with me. Do hope you are all happy with the wonderful quilts you all made, look forward to seeing them completed.
That Antique Flower Range has certainly been popular lately, they all look great. This is a photo of the group before they finished up yesterday afternoon. Well done to each and everyone of them, I love the hexagons.
Each and every day when I walk into my shop, even on those days when I am totally worn out like today, I am reminded what a wonderful job I have and how lucky and blessed I am to have the opportunity to work in such an industry. I feel so lucky to share my knowledge and skills with so many women, to be able to encourage them to acheive and create wonderful heirlooms, to give them the chance to come and spend a couple of days in the country with me. I can honestly say I love every minute of it. The ladies I ve met and the friendships I ve sewn have all made me a better person. I offen wonder how my life would be if not for the "Cottage on the Hill". Thank you to each and everyone who has touched my life, I truly am grateful.
Enough of that, I ve just finished cooking for my new group of 12 ladies who will be with me over the weekend, so better find my way to bed. Have a great weekend, take care.
Kerry

Photo of my last group

Kathy, that border looks great!!!!

Jo, Denise, Susan, Cathy ( hiding behind her quilt) and Melissa

What A Beautiful Monday

Just a quick post, hope your weekend was as good as mine, I just had a small retreat of 6 ladies, 5 regulars from Sydney plus Melissa a new kindred spirit from Glen Innes. Once again all the ladies made some gorgeous quilts, I did remember to take a group photo about lunch time on Sunday, quilt tops not completed but at least I have record that they were here.
Oh well it seems Blogger wont upload my photo, will try later.
I am truly loving the gorgeous sunny days at the moment, pity it won't rain.
Bye
Kerry

Very Late,

Just a very short post tonight, I should have done this last Monday but the week has just flown past. Last weekend I had a regular group that visit me each August from Narromine. They arrived Friday and left Nundle on Monday morning and I am sure they all had a great weekend. Each one worked on their own new quilt top, some like Peg even started on her second quilt top, while Kerry totally completed her quilt, she even found time on Sunday to sit out side in the sunshine and hand stitch the binding down, well done Kerry.
Once again I was so busy cutting for everyone that I forgot to take a group photo, I did manage to pursade Dale to bring her quilt top back into the shop on Monday morning so I could get a photo. Here is Dale's version of English Rose, made out of the Antique Flower range currently in the shop.

Glad you all had a safe trip home, look forward to catching up with you all soon, hopefully before next August.

Tuesday saw us celebrate Judy's birthday with a yummy choc chip cake (recipe is in my book - Blackberry Jam & Cream) , we all had a very enjoyable day sewing,

Tuesday group will be making a table runner on 29/8/2006 if anyone else would like to join us. Fran, Wendy, Leanne, Narelle, Maryanne & Helen all joined in to sing Happy Birthday to Judy

Thats about all for this week,
will try and fill you all in on some more thats going on here next week, until then stay safe.
Kerry

Ps The Farrer Football team lost this week in the Universary Shield, bad luck Boys, well played for the season.

Hi, another frosty morning here in Nundle

August has certainly kept up to it's reputation with cold south west winds, they must have stopped during the night cause this morning there is a big white jacki frost. Hopefully a nice day will follow.
I had another lovely group of ladies over the weekend, a regular group that join me from the Central Coast and Narrabri each year, they all went home with beautiful quilt tops completed, or well on there way. Once again I forgot to take a group photo, must start taking them on Saturday before the Sunday afternoon rush. No doubt some of them will email me photo's of their quilts once they are finished. Thanks Emilie, Min, Lynn, Gloria, Bev, Gay, Joyce, Jackie, Joy, Pam and Carol for spending your weekend with me, do hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as previous years, would love to see your video's some day.
Looking forward to seeing you all again in 12 months time.
I keep forgetting to let everyone know the winner of the Quilt Raffle I was running in store. Sebastian drew it over the Chrissy in July weekend and the winner was Leanne Medcalf from Dubbo, this is a photo of Leanne with the quilt she was very excited to win, I know it has gone to a good home and that we raised some money to go towards expenses for the Fordham family, who are coping with Cancer treatment on their 14 year old son. Congradulations Leanne.

Until next time, thanks for dropping by

Kerry

MY Treat

Yesterday, Geoffrey and I flew to Sydney to go to the Opening night of "The Boy from Oz", my special treat to both of us for this quarter of the year.
I managed to get tickets ages ago, so I was very excited when I realised on Wednesday that it was the opening night we were going to.
After arriving in Sydney, Geoffrey and I enjoyed a lovely lunch at Cockle Bay over looking the marina at Darling Harbour, then spent sometime shopping in Myer before meeting Vicki, who was joining for the night.
Wow the show was so fantastic, Hugh Jackman was brilliant, he is so gorgeous and played Peter Allen so well, the rest of the cast were also brilliant, I could go again tonight. Just LOVED it.
If you were thinking of going do make the effort, I noticed today there are still tickets available in September through Ticket Master.
Anyway better jump off this computer, have another retreat starting at 9am tomorrow, better finish off preparing food for them for the weekend.
Hope everyone has a great weekend
Kerry

Monday {my day off} LOL

The last week has been extremely hectic here on the hill, I haven't found any time to sit with my machine and sew or anything else very personal, but I did have 12 very lovely ladies here for the weekend. Forgot to take my camera out to the shop so once again no group photo. There were two groups, Gillian,Donna,Bev,Bronwyn,Janet and Fiona who joined me from Coonamble/Dubbo and also Jeannie, Dianna, Jenny, Ma, Tanya and Louise from the Hunter Valley/Central coast. They all had a great weekend and bonded well together they made lots of wonderful creations/heirlooms. Donna's version of English Rose, in all greens and blues looked great, and I can't wait to see Jenny's {1st quilt} version of Floral Bouquet, it was looking fantastic in the rich burgundy/greens. Also there were 3 completely different quilts made using my So Pink pattern, I am sure the 3 ladies are very pleased with them. Looking forward to seeing everyones finished quilts on your return next year. Thanks for a fun weekend, do hope you all enjoyed it.

This is the fabric Jenny used in the Floral Bouquet Quilt.















Also a big thank you to Janelle who kindly said she would work all the stitcheries on the Polka Dot Girl quilt which we are running as a block of the month, {not sure she realised just how much work is involved} but I do really appreciate it. This is block 4 which Janelle has completed the embroidery. So looking forward to seeing them all finished. There are still available places in this block of the month.


Anyway better get a little more book work done, can you believe it's the last day of July already, it feels like those cold August winds are right on time.

The Farrer 1st are off to Sydney to play down at Campbelltown Stadium tomorrow night, Good luck boys. Play hard Sebastian.

A win to the Farrer 1st 13

Just a short post to say how proud I am of all the boys ( especially Sebastian) in the Farrer First 13's, they won there match today in the Arrive Alive Cup 24/16, it was a very hard match, Sebastian scored the first try for the home team and ended up flat on his back after a head high tackle just before full time. He is OK ,( I hope)
They will be off to Sydney probably for the next match which will be a quarter final match in the next week or so.
Well done the Green and Gold.

Just a quick note if any one is waiting on chenille there should be a large shipment arriving next week, in lots of colours, along with matching pom poms and ric racs.
I have heaps of ideas for these, just need some time to sew.

good night
Kerry

More Santa's

My weekly Tuesday class continued the Chrissy in July theme today and made another very cute Santa, he is dressed in Red Chenille with red Pom Poms around his waist and the bottom of his pants. Ros managed to complete hers, Narelle, Judy and Vicki weren't too far behind.

The pattern is one of Rosalie Quinlins and I have made up kits that are avaiable in the shop.

Both Maryanne and Helen were busy stitching away on block one of the Polka Dot Girls - block of the month quilt. They are looking great.

Talking of Christmas the lastest Christmas range of fabrics by Nancy Halvorsten have arrived in store , they are call Peppermint & Hollyberries and are just gorgeous, the book by the same name will be in soon. I am just loving working on some Christmas projects, its always nice to have new decorations for the festive season. (Which will come around very soon)

Do hope all the Gunnedah ladies enjoyed their day in Nundle yesterday, have fun making up all your quilts, also hope your Chrissy in July went off well today.

Off to watch Sebastian and the Farrer first 13's play league tomorrow - go the green and gold.

Until we meet again, happy sewing
Kerry

Chrissy in July

Well each year I organise a Chrissy in July workshop which has proved to be heaps of fun and this year was no exception. After lots of preparation all the kits were cut, food was ready and I was so looking forward to catching up with all the ladies for a gret weekend.
Classes started Friday evening with everyone sitting around the tables hand stitching a couple of felt Christmas decorations, catching up on the last 12 months news and sharing lots of fun and laughter.

These are the decorations we made









Saturday I rose early to start the pot belly fire in the shop (barn), the weather was very cold and wet great for sewing. I was teaching today and the ladies all made these very gorgeous 2 foot tall santa's. With lots of jokes and laughter the barn was filled with a wonderful atmosphere, a dozen kindred spirits enjoying each others company and making these Santa's as a bonus.







Eleven Santa's all in a row- Oh Oh Oh








Saturday evening we cleared the sewing away and set the tables up to seat 18 around, decorated with real holly and novel chrissy place mats. Christmas dinner was prepared by my darling daughter Nicole, we had roast turkey, yummy marinated ham, lots of vegetables and to finish up mini sticky date puddings with caramel sauce.

Yum Yum, Nicole certainly worked hard in the kitchen all day, well done.
The evening was very enjoyable, Janelles family as well as mine joined us all for dinner which made the evening very special. We all participated in a secret Santa swap as well as show and tell.

Sunday saw a little brighter day weather wise, Janelle was teaching today and she had designed a Table Runner just for the weekend, all the ladies enjoyed making this and learning a few new tricks along the way, well done to everyone, you all acheived so much in the two days.
I didn't find time to sew on Sunday but after everyone left I sat down with Leanne by my side and stitched the table runner together in no time, just have to finish off the applique.
Janelle with her table runner - Janelle has also posted photo's of the weekend on her Blog

What a great weekend for all involved, the friendships made are ones we will all cherish, looking forward to seeing everyone back next year, I certainly won't be packing my new christmas goodies away, they will be on display from now until Christmas.

Thanks for dropping by, until next time have a great weekend

Kerry

Just a very quick post

Well I am pleased to say I completed cutting block ones of the new block of the month, "Polka Dot Girls" today they will be in the post tomorrow for all those ladies eagerly awaiting there arrival. Have fun with the stitcheries they are so cute, I love Bronwyns designs.
I have just completed another online scrap booking class and this is the lay out - tonights topic was "Whats in a name" once again I worked with a photo of Nicole, when she was 4 years old, she is nearly 21.
How time flys, I have another retreat this weekend so will try and remember to take a photo or two of this group.
Bye for now
Kerry

Life has been Hectic on the Hill

Hi everyone,
I just haven't found time to sit down and enter a post here laterly. The shop has kept me very busy, this is always my busy period now until the end of September, will really keep me hopping. I haven't had time to do much sewing, too busy cutting block of the months, cutting up orders and running retreats. But I can't complain I love it.
Sorry to my last retreat I forgot to take a photo of the ladies to post here, all there quilts looked great and they all returned home very happy.

Last Thursday was my mothers 70th Birthday, after the big party we had for her and Dad for their 50th wedding anniversary in April, Mum didn't want a party so Nicole, Sebastian and I slipped over to the coast to surprise her the afternoon before. We had a very enjoyable over night visit, eating out at a great restaurant over looking the lake at Forster. Mum was so happy that we surprised her, its only 3 & 1/2 hours drive from here so well worth the effort.

Nicole is home on 4 weeks uni holidays, Sebastian has 2 weeks off school. I love having them around, Nicole is a great help around the house and Sebastian always works hard with his father. Although this week he is down training with the Sharks at Cronulla.

Yesterday I took an extra long lunch break and did an online scrap booking class with Kim Archer, this is a picture of the layout I completed in the class, I am very happy with it, the photo was taken in January 1989, Nicole was only 4 years old. She is the one in Pink.
Hope you like it.

Anyway until I manage to post again, thanks for dropping bye
Kerry