How Cute

How Cute is "Grace" ? Each month with my Tuesday class we make a small project that is achievable in the day. Today we made this cute little rag doll, her name is "Grace" and the pattern is by Ros Quinlen. Her dress has been made in Pink Chenille with strippy pants. All the ladies had fun making her, I managed to remember to take a photo but not before a couple had already left.
It was very cold here today so we had the pot belly going in the shop again to keep us all snug.
Tomorrow I have another two day retreat, this time I have all new comers to my shop, these ladies have all travelled up from the central coast to spend the next 2 days sewing and making themselves a new patchwork quilt.

Thanks for dropping by

Kerry

Great Group of Ladies

Last week was a very hectic week here on the hill, thanks to Judy and Kerstin we managed to cut and pack lots of Kits, block of the months and mail. One of those weeks where every things seems to go right which was nice.
I spent Wednesday affternoon at the printers talking with them about my book, I came away on a huge high, Lauren the graphic designer had so many great ideas to compliment all of my ideas, so now I can't wait to see the finished product. Will keep you all posted.
Over the weekend I had a great bunch of ladies join me for there annual weekend retreat in Nundle. Thanks Sue for all your organisation, I love to catch up with you all, do hope you had a good time, I am sure you did. I wonder if any of you have sore stomach muscles from all that laughing. Next year will come around very quickly, I will have to come up with some new ideas for you all. Also a big hello to Wendy and Annette who travelled down from Brisbane for the weekend, your quilts were looking fantastic, can't wait to see them finished.

Sue, Pauline, Chrissy, Annette, Helen, Wendy and Julie

Leanne and Cheryl left before I remembered to take a photo.

Tomorrow I have my weekly Tuesday class, we are making a rag doll called Grace, I wll try and post a photo tomorrow evening of them.

Until then sweet dreams
Kerry

My Day Off......LOL

Well it is Monday and yes the shop is meant to be closed and I should be putting my feet up after another busy week, hey but there is always lots to do. So I think after I post this message I might start on my May Newsletter, then cut a few more block of the months, before doing a bit of cooking, just in the mood for cooking today. Plus I would like to try and sit down at the sewing machine and sew a couple of blocks together in my latest quilt design.


I did manage to finish the one I was working on last week, it is made from a quaint old world range by Clothworks, I have added cream chenille to the pattern which is called Le Jardin, from Lyn Wilson. It is off in the mail today to my wonderful friend Betty to quilt for me, looking forward to the finished quilt as they always look heaps better quilted.

Last week Sebastian and the rest of the Farrer first 13's played Coonabarabran High in the regional final of the Arrive Alive Cup, despite being the underdogs, LOL, they won convincingly 30/12.
Not sure where their next match will be but so long as I haven't a retreat on then I will be there. It is so good having Judy and Kerstin working for me so I can slip off to these matches, I love watching Sebastian play footy. Being there for our children is something all proud parents shouldn't miss.

The weather over the weekend was just wonderful here in Nundle, the sun was shining, and the days were gorgeous. Pity it can't rain but it will one day. The colour in the autumn leaves in the main street are just spectacular, I love walking down the street kicking my feet through the leaves. Geoffrey and I gathered wood for the fires, I suppose I will have to start lighting the pot belly in the shop soon, so there is a stock pile just outside.

Fingers Crossed "Blackberry Jam & Cream" my first BOOK is nearly here, I am meeting with the printers this week, so it shouldn't be too...... far away now. I do hope everyone enjoys making my projects and treating themselves to some of my favourite recipes.
This is one of the photos that will appear in the book.

I better get moving if I am to achieve half the things I have planned for today. Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read whats been happening on the hill.

Kerry

HI there, I am still around

Well the weeks just seem to fade into each other at the moment, life is as busy as usual.
Last weekend Geoffrey and I flew to Sydney for his birthday which was last Sunday. We enjoyed a yummy lunch at Doyles over looking the harbour at Watsons Bay on Saturday. Then that evening we went to see "Dusty", it was fantastic, then spent the next morning down around the rocks, once again dining out for lunch over looking Sydney harbour. What a wonderful way to spend his birthday.
Nicole worked in the shop for me and was keep very busy with customers all weekend.
Then this week I drove Sebastian to Mudgee so he could represent North West schools in Rugby League. He played his heart out as usual.


With all this running around I have managed to squeeze in two online classes with Kim Archer, last night our theme was "growing Up" and tonight it was "Motherhood" I am really enjoying these classes and it makes me find time to do some scrap booking.



I have also found a little spare time to start two new quilts, hopefully I will find time over the weekend to complete the two quilt tops so will share them with you then.
Do hope everyone has an enjoyable Mothers Day, I am not planning very much, maybe a day filled with sewing, sounds good.



Thanks for dropping by, will try and post by the end of the weekend.
Have a great one
Kerry

How slack am I

Hi there,
Well I have been slack when it comes to keeping my Blog up to date. I have been very busy with the shop cutting lots of orders, sorry to anyone who has been waiting on an order, I pretty well up to date now. Nothing all that exciting has been happening in our lives, I have managed to sqeeze in a little sewing and scrap booking. I am proud to say I have completed two blocks for Betty's quilt in our paper bag quilt swap, hope all you other ladies particpating are enjoying it, I am.
I was stoked the other day when Lauren emailed through the layouts she had completed for me for our photo swap, (through the footy tipping) not one layout but two, thanks heaps Lauren, so looking forward to receiving them in the mail. Would love to do that again sometime.



















This morning I decided I better spend alittle time in my garden, I purchased 3 mega punnets of flowers on Monday so thought it was about time they were planted and it does look like rain, so they are all out in there pots and wheel borrows, I love flowers in the garden. While I was gardening I picked a huge bunch of white and pink Chrysanthemums, they are alittle eary for Mothers day but they can be a present for me.
Tonight we are off to Narrabri for a 21st birthday, it is the year of 21st in our family, all of Nicoles friends are turning 21 I can't believe how fast they have all grown up.
Anyway hope you all have a great weekend, thanks for popping bye
Kerry

The End of another week

I really can't believe I haven't had time to actually sit down here and fill you all in on what we have been up to for the past 2 weeks. Well where do I start.............. The shop has been very busy, lots of orders, the flannel fabrics are moving really well at the moment. Certainly the cooler weather is allowing us all to try and make a little more time to sew which is great.
Last week my parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary which we celebrated with a Dinner in Dubbo on the 13th, Friday 14th was their actual anniversary and we all gathered at my brothers home for a yummy lunch before heading home to get organised for the Easter festival in Nundle on the Saturday and Sunday.
This year I moved the shop (Well almost everything) into the school in Nundle for the 2 days, the weather was unbelievable, thousands of people in town each day, great food and entertainment and the shop was very busy all the time, Thanks to those that helped along the way and a big thank you to all those ladies that lent me their quilts for the Quilt Hanging, it was once again a colourful addition to the festival.
This week I've been trying to catch up on some rest as well as fitting in some leisure time for myself. Last night Tanya, Nicole and I attended a class in Tamworth and made this very cute little bag with gorgeous pockets inside with tags (I love tags), thanks Alison for a great class.
I have posted a picture of the two bags Nicole and I made, I am sure I will be making some more of these.
This weekend we really haven't very much on so I am looking forward to maybe spending a little time in the garden, after some long awaited rain this week, and hopefully I will get to the sewing machine as well as some scrap booking.
Thanks once again for reading my blog,
Take care
Kerry

Another Great Retreat

Well another class bits the dust, this weekend saw ladies from the Tamworth area as well as 3 from Walgett visit me for a weekend retreat. Five decided to make a mystery quilt, Pam choose my Paw Prints quilt(which has cute teddy bears appliqued across the top of the quilt) and Stef decided to make a Christmas quilt, which we just made up as we went and was looking great. All the quilts looked fabulous, even though the mystery quilts were still a long way from finished the colours were stunning. They should all look fantastic when completed, I look forward to some photo's soon.............

Sebastian and Ali were home for the weekend and spent a fair bit of time working on the farm, helping Geoffrey with cattle and sheep work.
Emily joined us for dinner last night, I didn't have the energy to cook so we ate at the local sport and Rec club. Yummy meal and no washing up.

This week is going to be huge for us, off to Tamworth in the morning, weekly class Tuesday, some time I have to sort out about 50 quilts and work out where they are all going to hang for my QUILT HANGING around the village of Nundle over Easter Saturday and Sunday, make a large yummy chocolate cake and decorate it for my parents 50th wedding anniverary, cut up heaps of kits, fabric packs and fat 1/4's to get ready for the Easter festival, then head to Dubbo Thursday to celebrate my parents 50th wedding Anniversary with a dinner thursday night, then a family barbeque friday lunch then home to Nundle friday afternoon to prepare for the weekend. Sounds far too busy but I am sure we will cope.
If anyone is around the North West of NSW over Easter then Nundle is the place to be, each year we hold our Annual Chinese Go For Gold Easter Festival, I am actually on the committee,
it is shaping up to be a bigger and better festival then last year, with at least 5000 extra people expected in town each day (Nundle has only 350 population), I am actually going to be moving my shop into the School Libary over the 2 days, which should be very interesting. So do drop in if you are in the area.
I am worn out so am heading to the spa before retiring for the evening, hope everyone has a great week, thanks for reading my blog,
Until next time, take care
Kerry

What A Week !!!!!!!
( I wouldn't have it any other way)

Can't believe that it is Friday morning again, I must remember to put in my footy tips, not going all that well with that.
Tuesday saw Sebastian travel to Coonabarabran for North West Open Rugby League trails, he rang me after lunch very pleased with himself after gaining selections as the teams Hooker
(Cronulla will be pleased).
Well done Sebastian we
are all so proud of you.


Last night Geoffrey and myself travelling to Quirindi for his monthly Lodge meeting, it was there Anzac Service, I have posted a photo of the men doing the dishes after supper which was put together by the women. ( Geoffrey is the one facing the camera without the tea towel) I enjoy these nights even though I must be 30 younger then most of the other women.

Tuesday and Wednesday I had a lovely group of 11 ladies from Sydney here for a 2 day retreat. They all had a great time, I believe they kept Nundle on its toes both evenings which wouldn't hirt. They all made some wonderful quilts, I look forward to seeing them finished next time they return. Sorry about the photo, it didn't turn out the best, having troubles with my camera but hopefully getting to the bottom of it.

I haven't had any time this week to do any sewing or scrap booking for myself and next week isn't looking any better. Maybe I might manage to squeeze in an hour somewhere.
I have another group of ladies for a retreat this weekend, some are travelling from Walgett, I am sure they will have a great time.
Until next time, thank you for dropping by my blog, have a great weekend.
Kerry

Worn Out

It's Sunday evening, my weekend retreat group have not long left and I am worn out, but on a high as usual seeing everyone's new quilts. Thought I would post a photo of my group before I prepare dinner and hopefully head to bed a little earlier then usual.
We've all had a very enjoyable weekend, this weekends group came from Walcha, Bonita from Dubbo & Vicki from Toowoomba. Everyone sewed constantly all weekend with some

Virgina,Roxanna, Sonia, Carnie, Phillipa,Bonita, Leanne & Vicki

wonderful quilts made. So glad your blocks started to come together for you, Sonia. The quilt will look stunning when it is complete. Thanks Leanne for organizing your group, look forward to seeing you all back in 2007.
Geoffrey and I also attended a friends daughters 21st last night, we both had a good evening catching up with friends, apart from the cold change that came through this way yesterday, Happy Birthday for last Friday, Kasey.
I have another very busy week ahead, 2 two day retreats this week, so there will be more photos of groups to share with you.
Good night and thanks for dropping by.

Friday Night - Already

Wow I can't beleive this week, one very busy week and next week is going to be heaps worse.
Monday night I met with a beautiful group of women in tamworth that I have been apart of for the past 12 months. We have all been working on a paper bag quilt each, this is like a friendship quilt that each person in the group stitches a part of everyones quilt. Our bags have done the full circle and were returned to their owners on Monday night. I am just so pleased with my blocks, they are all Angel appliqued blocks, I will now have to find time to put my quilt together. Thanks so much Tina and all your friends for letting me be part of your group, can't wait to see them all completed.
With my weekly Tuesday class we made stitchery rolls, these are a piece of quilted fabric that is attached to a card board roll and are used to hold your work in progress. All the ladies were trilled with what they had achieved, they all looked great. I actually managed to make 3 so was very pleased with my efforts.
Wednesday was spent working then off to a meeting that evening - I am on the Easter festival committee. Nundle holds our Chinese Go for Gold Festival each Easter Sat and Sunday. It is shaping up to be a great two days, there are usually around 5000 extra people in town each day so our sleepy little village certainly comes alive. I organise a Quilt Hanging around town over the two days, usually hang about 50 quilts which adds colour and interest to the festival. That was a late night.
Then Thursday I had to have my car in Tamworth all day for a service, so spent the day doing odd jobs, met with a friend Brenda for lunch, great to catch up. I managed to arrive home at 6.50pm, passed a meat pie to Geoffrey DH, as he walked out the door to a meeting, turned on my computer and hurried around sorting through things getting ready for Kim Archers online class. The class was great as usual, very pleased with my LO, (not totally finished as yet) chatted to Janelle all evening. Lucky no one can see me through the computer as I was running around mad, unpacking grocery's, feeding dogs, trying to cook dinner for myself as well as keep up with the class. I only have the tags to complete and my title and it will be finished. Great Night. Will post a picture as soon as that is done.
Today I had cooking to do for this weekends retreat,the Cherry Tomato and Caramelised Onion Tart looks Yummy for luch tomorrow, had new furniture delivered, which looks great in my sunroom, as well as running the shop, so all in all I am ready for bed. It would be great to be able to get there before midnight, don't often do that.
Hope everyone has a great weekend, thanks for stopping by and reading about my week.
Good night
Kerry

Great Weekend

After a fairly busy week in the shop, I was part of Kim Archers on line scrapbooking class on Thursday night, enjoyed the class, had a great time talking to Janelle all night and I am so pleased with the layout I did "Favourite friends". SO looking forward to this weeks class. Thanks Janelle for making the evening so enjoyable.
Then Friday afternoon after work I set off for my very first scrapbooking weekend out a Lake Keepit, there were about 50 ladies there, all very productive, I am sure everyone was extremely pleased with their results. We scrapped well into both Friday and Saturday nights, my aim was to work on a surprise which I completed so I was thrilled with my efforts. On arrival Emily and I joined onto a table of 3 strangers, we ended up having a wonderful time with Jackie, Sandra and Lisa, they all live only about 1 hours drive for me, so hopefully we can keep in touch. Thanks girls for all your help and sorry we borrowed so much off you, thanks heaps.
Also thanks alot for Amanda for organizing the weekend and good luck in the future.
Oh well back to reality, there is plenty of work to do this week, so better get right back into it.
Hope everyone had a great weekend,
Kerry

Lucky Girl

Another week has passed, I ve been extremely busy with my business as well as enjoying family life. Nicole was home from uni for a few days, which was very nice. Sebastian and a mate were home from school for the weekend, we managed to play in a fun Bowls day at the local bowling club on Saturday morning which was great to get out into the fresh air. Sebastian came home with a frozen chicken after his team won, {using that in the Thai green curry we are having tonight for dinner. }
Saturday night we had a pleasant evening at a party about 1/2 hour drive away, then Sunday I continued working on a Brag Book I had been making for a friend for her Birthday. In between customers and well into Sunday evening and Monday morning I worked my way through the 20 page journal, Betty had sent me photo's of some of the quilts she has made over the past 10 years so I showcased 24 of these photos in this brad book. I was trilled with the finished book, hope Betty loves it as much a I did,
"Happy Birthday " Betty for yesterday.
This is a photo of the front cover - my scrapping skills have come along way recently, practice makes a big difference.
I have some stitchery work to get stuck into tonight,
Until my next post hope everyone has a great week


Kerry

Tags

Thanks Janelle for Tagging me - these are my answers

What scrapbook lines/products, etc. do you dislike? Hope I don't affend anyone but I'am not sure I like those large silk like flowers, they look great in some LO's, don't think they suit me.

What is the hardest thing you have ever had to scrap? I haven't been scrapping for too long so any thing that has seemed a bit to difficult I have just put aside for a rainy day.

What technique do you use more than anything else? I love using ribbons and sewing on my layouts, comes from being a patchworker.

What is the smallest scrap of paper you save? I save most off cuts I have a gorgeous Gutermann Tin that I collect all my off cuts in - no doubt I will use them some where along the line.

Have you ever had any scrapbook related injuries? No injuries - but I do feel sometimes I deprive myself of sleep but thats OK.

Finish this sentence, "If I wasn't a scrapbooker/stamper, I would spend my money on..." more holidays abroad relaxing under palm trees by the pool at a 5 star resort.

Give us your best storage or organizational idea. I have set my scrap booking up in the office just next to the computer, works fantastic,I have a large collection of old and new tins so store stamps in one, brads another and so on this works well for me.

You just won a week long scrapbooking cruise for 5. Who is going with you - that's a real hard, I would have to take Janelle, Suzie my new Pachworker/scrapper friend, how could I forget Tanya, off course my daughter Nicole and Vicki, she has just returned from a cruise and can't wait to go again.

When you received your first publication notification, who did youtell? And if you are not yet pubbed, who will be the first person you share the news with? I am a long way from having anything published but would share it with Janelle, I have had lots published in Patchwork Mags and remember ringing my Mum so excited with the news of my first published quilt and she replied "thats nice dear." (she didn't understand)

Oh well thats all my answers - I would like to tag anyone who wishes tobe tagged - go for it

Kerry

Another happy customer

Suzie finished off her first quilt top, started on her
second and took home a few things for her stash,
Tanya added more fabrics to her stash as well as
a nearly finished quilt top, it just needs borders.
This is a photo of them just before they headed
home, great to have you both and I look forward
to visiting your home, Suzie when next I am over your way




This is a photo of Tanya and myself, I am in the
blue, we have been best friends for over 20 years,
we enjoy each others company, we share lots
of the same interests,country decorating,pink champagne, Johnny Walker,patchwork, Summer of 69, thta song makes us both dance, our families get on great,we both have a boy and girl, they are great mates, Benjamin is 21, Jessica is 19, and my two are Nicole 20, Sebastian 16.
Even though we live 4 1/2 hours drive away we to speak to each other very often and share our lives with each other . My family refer to Tanya as "Your friend " and vice versa. Its good to have at least one friend.
Thanks for coming over, had a great weekend

Good night to everyone

Kerry

Great Day in the Barn

We have had a great day sewing, Suzie with a little apprehension choose her first ever quilt, I cut it up for her and she made wonderful pace, by lunch time she had all the squares together, then this afternoon appilqued 9 very cute sheep onto the quilt top. I am sure she was very pleased with herself and hooked, there goes the scrapping for awhile. Tanya also pieced a flannel quilt top together, she thought the colours might suit Gary (DH). Geoffrey my DH said it doesn't really matter what colour they are, just so long as they keep you warm.
Here's a photo of both Suzie and Tanya relaxing after dinner, I am sure we have all eaten far tooooo... much food and a few to many Pink Champagnes today. I will post a photo tomorrow of the quilt tops.
I actually found time to sew, finished off a flannel quilt top and thanks Janelle for those quick instructions on the phone yesterday, have half made a queen size quilt top, will email you a photo.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend
Kerry.

Bathurst Trip

Wednesday we drove down to Bathurst (5hours drive) to visit Nicole who is at Uni there. She took her self off a few weeks back so we decided to have a couple of days away and take some things down to her. It was great to see her and check out where she is living. She is actually rening a granny flat off my Uncle which seems to be working out very well. Nicole had found a big scrapbooking shop in Bathurst so I spent an hour or so in there, then we called into The Home Patch to catch up with Annie.
Thursday morning was a big day for Nicole as she took delivery of a brand new Red Suzuki Swift - how cool , its a great little car. This is a photo of Nicole and myself after we had taken "Cosmo" (her nick name for the car) for a spin around Mount Panorama. (sorry for the quality of the photo having trouble with my camera ). This car better last a long time, hopefully she looks after it well.
On our way home yesterday we stopped into Sofala for a lunch break, I have family decendants that came from that part of the world, so it was nice to check out the tiny village, it reminded me very much like Nundle.
Oh well better get off this computer and do some work, I am sure Kerstin and Judy took great care of the shop in my absent.
Until next time, take Care
Kerry

How Cute is that Face

Friday after we collected Sebastian from school, we picked up the lastest member of our ever growing family. "Marlee" a new puppy, Sebastians new pig dog. He is very cute and cuddly at the moment not sure it will take too long before he is huge, both parents were BIG dogs.
Sebastian and Ali have had fun playing with him over the weekend, it will be up to me to take care of him after tomorrow when Sebastian returns to school.
Have had a good weekend, worked both days in the shop, managed to fit in some sewing and scraping as well having friends over for dinner last night, we eat Japanese Curry which is one of my favourites, so easy and tastes great, thanks Emily and Ali for joining us.
I am really enjoying this world of Blogs, hope to meet a few more like mined soles, I really enjoy reading what everyone is up to.
Until next time take care
Kerry

Sharing My Projects

Wow another week another month, this year isn't standing still for anyone.
Monday is usually my day to spend in Tamworth running around doing all those jobs that need attending to, today I was checking out new washing machines, I know its sad but I still wash in a little twin tub. Everyone tells me I am mad, so I decided to check out the front loaders and I think I will make a change, not sure many people still wash with a twin tub machine in 2006.

I have decided to share with you a couple of my projects I have designed that will appear in my Book that is well under way, My book will be called "Blackberry Jam and Cream" and will feature a variety of Patchwork projects as well as many of my favourite recipes, those that I cook for my 2 day quilting retreats.
This first project is a table topper "Berry Season" and the second is a table runner "Clotted Cream". (Appears at the top of this post), Not sure why I choose to work with pinks and green, but I am pleased with the finished articles. Actually nearly everything I seem to make at the moment is in pinks and greens.
One other thing I wanted to mention was that I had a fantastic find in my local scrap booking shop today, she had a selection of new papers from Moda, they are copies of fabrics such as "Wuthering Heights", I just couldn't resist them so walked ou of the shop with a few more papers to add to my collection.
Must get off to bed have our Tuesday class in the morning,
have a great week
Kerry

Friends - what would we do without them!!

another day spent cutting kits and packing orders in the shop, I did fit in a few minutes to do a little hand stitching and once again my head is spinning with so many new quilt ideas, just not enough time to actually sit and sew, maybe this weekend I will manage to squeeze a little in.
Thanks so much Janelle for you patience tonight, much appreciated. Will learn to upload photos next then I will be able to show you all the things I ve been working on. Maybe I will need to call on a friend to help me with that.
Good night, sweet dreams