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

Busy weekend on the Hill

Yes, well my weekend has been spent with another dozen wonderful ladies from the Newcastle area . This group just make me very jealous when I see them together. As there is a Mum and 4 of her daughters in the group, that come away each year for the weekend together, how incredible, to think that they all want toquilt together, and enjoy each others company for a whole weekend. The family bond is still very much alive in June's family and they are all characters. Not to forget the rest of the group, they are all lovely ladies as well. Everyone had their heads down and tails up, with lots of laughs in between,but also managed to create 12 wonderful quilt tops, I am sure all the lucky family members who receive them will cherish them greatly. Lots of ladies laterly are incorporating the wonderfully textured chenille into their quilts, certainly brings back mememories for lots ( chenille dressing gowns), they look great.
Thanks ladies for returning to the Cottage on the Hill, look forward to seeing you all again next year.
I am off to the printers for another check on my Book tomorrow, can't wait to share it with everyone.
Until I find time to edit this blog again, keep safe and thanks for dropping by.
Kerry

PS Happy Birthday Vicki catch you Tuesday

What a wonderful day

Well today is my birthday and what a great day I have had, lots of special phone calls from friends and family, I always feel so special when they all remember my birthday. Its that one day each year that is special. I love celebrating my birthday and today is one I will always remember.




Tuesday is always class day in the shop and today was wonderful, thanks so very much to all my terrific friends who came along and shared the day with me, we had lots of laughs, plenty of yummy food and there was also some sewing acheived. Thanks for all the speical pressies, I am so spoilt, love them all.
Emily made a yummy chocolate cake and Judy made cute patty cakes, there was even one with a K in the middle especially for me, they put candles on both so I had two birthday cakes. Not sure if you can notice, but we didn't have a knife so I pretented to cut them with - well what better tool then a rotary cutter.
My darling husband and children gave me a voucher to the beautians and hairdressers - looks like they think I need a make over now that I am half way between 40 and 50. Thanks heaps Nicole and Sebastian for organising your father.

Here we all are - Marilyn,Maryanne, Ros (hiding) Emily, Myself, Judy, Helen and Vicki and Eileen took the photo

Then this evening we had friends up for dinner, it is also Harvey's birthday today so thanks Joy and Harvey for spending the evening with us.



Over the weekend in between customers I managed to sew together all of the blocks for the new Polka Dot Girl quilt that I am running as a block of the month through the shop, this is a rough photo of the blocks layed out. I am very happy with the way it has all come together and yes I will try and cut up Block one this week so all you eager sewers can get busy. The cream looking blocks all have stitcheries on them.
Once again thanks heaps to everyone who made my birthday so special, and thanks for popping by and taking the time to read my blog.

Have a great week

Kerry

Great Win (go the green and gold)

Just a very quick post, this morning Geoffrey and I were up before the sun and headed south to Gosford to watch the Farrer First 13, play St Ewards Gosford in the inter region clash of the Arrive Alive Cup. It was actually raining during the game which took a little for the boys to adjust too, they played great football and were the better team on the day. They won 18/10. Well done team we are proud of you all. Looking forward to the next match where ever it may be.
On the way home we called to visit Janelle for a short while, it was great to catch up with her, looking forward to our next meeting.
Have a great week .
Hope you all find a special moment to do something just for you.
Kerry

The end of a huge week - but a fun week

Well its Sunday evening and the last of my retreats are over for a couple of weeks, it's been a very busy week with 3 two day retreats in 9 days but very rewarding. Hope everyone had a great weekend, it was my pleasure to have your company, there was lots of happy chatter whilst everyone had their heads down trying to acheive as much as possible in the two days. I have posted 2 photos of this weekends group, there were 12 ladies so couldn't fit them all into one photo. Do hope you all had a safe trip home, once again to Lorraine thanks for coming back to visit and bringing all your lovely friends with you, and a special mention to Helen, it was so good to see you looking so terrific after the horrible year you have had. Do hope those of you that were working on my new design using the Antique Floral range are happy with the finished quilt. I will post a photo as soon as I actually finish my quilt.















The weather has been freezing here, but everyone I speak to on the phone tells me the same, so where ever you may be, keep warm, happy sewing and thanks for popping by.
Kerry

They left with a smile

Over the past two days I had another great group of ladies from the central coast, they all had a great time, left with completed quilt tops ( or nearly completed) and smiles on their faces.
I receive so much pleasure from seeing ladies leave my retreats happy with what they have achieved. Well done to you all. Looking forward to seeing you all again in 12 months time.
Your quilts looked soooo..... good.


I have another class this weekend so keep an eye out for some more wonderful creations.
Until next time have a great weekend
Kerry

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.