12 in the group and the middle one said !!!!!!!!!!

Another very successful retreat and a big thanks to Donna - Chookyblue , for her help with a few things on my blog.

Friday afternoon saw most of my ladies for the weekend arrive to choose their designs and fabrics, ChookyBlue and her friends invited me to dine with them which was very enjoyable.

Just on dark this awful storm rolled in - Gillian had requested snow for the weekend, no snow but a good hail storm.

This is a photo of the storm rolling around the hills to the south of the shop.

This photo is of one half of the group - Jennifer (Empire Bay), Tanya (Jerrys Plains) Jeanie (Warrnambool), Diana (Empire Bay), Doreen (Kincumber), Judy (Barrington) & Kate (Petersham)
The weekend was filled with lots of chatting, laughter and heaps of sewing, all 12 ladies acheived heaps in the two days, even Donna and Gillian, who only had one row made for the photos, but believe me they had all their blocks completed.
This photo is of Janet(Dubbo) Donna - Chookyblue, Gillian, (Coonamble) Bronywn (Dubbo) and Pam also from Coonamble.

All 12 quilts were looking great, I will be looking forward to seeing them all next year for show & tell.Full group shot - you can tell they all had a good time, look at those smiles on their faces.



Thanks for dropping by, hope you enjoy looking at all the wonderful creations created on the Hill.

Kerry

Pay it forward

I've joined the Pay it Forward challenge. I think it will be fun. I joined over at Donna's blog. She does beautiful work and I can't wait to receive something that she has made.............I love doing things for people and making gifts for my friends. The first three people to join me will receive a handmade gift from me. I have 365 days to make it and send. Hopefully it won't take me that long though.Then each of you three must also put this on your blog and get three people each to sign up. Then you make your three people a handmade gift. I think it sounds great. Hopefully three bloggers out there will want a handmade gift from me.All you have to do is put this fun challenge up on your blog and lets keep it going.So.........do I have three bloggers out there that would like a prezzie from me.............leave a comment but you had better be quick................

Gosh another week has gone by without a post

I really can't believe just how fast every day, every week, every month is flying by at the moment. Life around here is incredibly busy, last week we celebrated Sebastian 18th Birthday, we had a lovely dinner out with family and friends. I can still remember him as this cute little blonde hair boy. Talking of time flying the years have flown pass so quickly.

Then over the weekend (my only free weekend for weeks) I decided to paint all of my kitchen cupboards, which turned out to be a massive job, I will share a photo of them when i get the kitchen all back into order.

The shop has also been very busy with lots of lovely ladies popping in to purchase fabrics etc, I have just completed another 2 day retreat with a great bunch of ladies from the Hunter Valley and Sydney. Four of them were up for a challange and decided to try their hands at the Double Wedding Ring quilt, while Di & Susan put together all the blocks for "A Family Gathering" by Annie Downs and Jan made this gorgeous old world rose quilt. It was great to have you all join me for the 2 days, looking forward to seeing you all in Nundle again.

I was looking after a neigbours son for a couple of hours as well, Milo just had to join the ladies for the photo, once again smiles all around.Tomorrow I have another group of ladies arriving to spend the weekend with me, Donna - from Chookyblue -will be among this weekends group. So I am spending this evening cooking some yummy cakes and slices for there morning and afternoon teas, and also roasting a pumpkin to make Roasted Pumpkin soup for lunch on Saturday. Gillian has put out a request fro snow, but I don't really think it will, this last week has been considerably warmer.

After 5 weeks holidays Nicole returned to Bathurst to start her final semester of Uni down there, it's always great to have her home and sad to see her leave again. she was very happy last week when she received notice of her exams results, well done she passed everything last semester.

Oh well back to the kitchen for me, hope everyone has had a great week, thanks for dropping by.

Kerry

And the winners are...................
Sorry for keeping you all waiting, I haven't had time to blog this week, seems like a week away leaves me with 3 weeks work to do.

Anyway the 3 winners of my give away are from comments left on post dated 26th June

comment No 1 anonymous Gai

comment no 8 Leigh

comment no 18 Jewells

If these three ladies could please contact me with there postal details then I will pop their kits in the mail for them. Congratulations to you all, do hope you enjoy making up the projects that we worked on in the Chrissy in July retreat.

Here are the three projects that were made over the retreat, "Nundle Angel" by Rosalie Quinlan, this has been released as a pattern this week, it is also available as a kit.

She is so very cute - every house needs an Angel looking over it at Christmas time.

Here is "Just Hanging with Santa" by Natalie Ross, at the moment this is only available as a kit but the patterns are on there way. Natalie always comes up with a quirky project, isn't he adorable.

And Janelle Winds "Christmas Cheers Bag" this is also available as a kit and the patterns are on there way. Janelle pudding stitchery is just gorgeous and the bag is made to fit a bottle of wine or why not fill it with yummy chocolates.

I must get back to work, lots of kits to cut and orders to post out. Have a great weekend and thanks for dropping by.

For all those in the 365 challange I will be having another give away next week so keep and eye out.

Kerry

I am back - with so much news to share.
Quick run down on the last two weeks,
Sebastian and the rest of his NSWCHS Rugby League team had a very successful tour of Queensland with a win against QLD in a test match played in Mackay during the first week 18 - 12, then going onto win the Australian Championships in Townsville last Saturday, also against QLD 20 - 18. Well done boys.
Geoffrey, Nicole and I enjoyed some wonderful relaxing time in Queensland, it was great to leave this very cold weather for a short time. We spent 3 brilliant sunny days on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef for all those over seas visitors. Swam, snorkled, ate, sunbaked and just relaxed. That was of course in between footy matches.
But the big news over the last few days was my very successful Christmas in July 2 day retreat.
What a blast, I had 3 guess tutors, Janelle Wind, Rosalie Quinlan and Natalie Ross, they were all brilliant and so much fun, thanks girls for a huge effort, both with the wonderful projects and your very talented teaching skills. There were 24 wonderful students who all had a fantastic time, it was great to meet up with old friends and make new ones. I know every one was so happy with their finished projects, well done to you all.
The room was filled with so much fun and laughter it was a joy to be part of it all.

I will just post one quick group photo tonight and will show so more later.

Thanks for dropping by
Kerry
PS I have drawn the winners of my give away and will post them tomorrow - stayed tuned if you left a message about what you were up to for Black Friday

Far too busy to blog ---sorry ----Plus Chrissy in July Give Away

I just seem to be far too busy to blog at the moment, had another great retreat last weekend, this group of lovely ladies have been coming for quite some time, each year they make the trip up the New England Hwy to Nundle to spend the weekend with me. This year Tanya had her sister, Tracey, visiting all the way from Finland so she joined the group as well. We had a good weekend with some lovely quilts made as well as a few older ones finished off. Tracey, do hope you enjoyed yourself, and I am sure you will have many fond memories of the weekend when you snuggle up under you quilt back in Finland. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Other news, well the response from the article in Country Threads has been wonderful, lots of phone calls and emails, glad everyone is enjoying it. The kits for the Spinning Pin wheels Quilt which is featured it the magazine have been selling really well, we still have some in stock for anyone wishing to purchase one, its a great quilt for a man.

Thanks to all those who have commented on my article - all your comments are so lovely and encouraging.

The count down is on - There is only a little over two weeks to go until our annual Christmas in July retreat, this year there are over 20 ladies coming to spend 2 days with me in Nundle. This year I have organised 3 guess tutors, Janelle Wind, Natalie Ross and Rosalie Quinlan. Everyone is getting very excited, I have been very busy cooking to feed all of us. Because I am going to be away watching Sebastian play Rugby League up in North Queensland for the week prior I have to be totally organised before leaving, and believe it or not I am getting that way. For those coming the food is looking very yummy, I am sure you won't go home hungry.

For all those who can't be with us that weekend, if you make a comment on my blog between now and Friday 13th July I will put you in the draw to win one of 3 kits for the projects we will be making over that weekend.

Leave a comment and let me know what you will be up to on Friday 13th July and you will go in the draw to win.

Anyway back to the end of month book work, hope everyone is enjoying this cold wet winter we are having here in Australia, thanks for dropping by

Kerry

Has anyone seen this months "Australian Country Threads"

Well my exciting news is that I am in this months latest issue of Australian Country Threads Magazine.
I actually have 10 pages devoted to me, can you believe that. There are 6 pages show casing some of my original quilts as well as a profile and story on me, my life and my business. Then my "Spinning Pinwheels" quilt is a project for everyone to have a go at. The phone calls and emails enquiring about the quilts show cased and my business have been overwhelming in the last couple of days. It is a real thrill to have your name in print for all to see, and a great thrill to be recognised and appreciated by so many women.
This isn't my first project or my first profile in a magazine but it always feels great to see your work in print, please let me know if you make my quilt, I always love to see other peoples versions.
Oh and yes it was snowing when we woke this morning, just very lightly, it didn't really settle for very long. It could be around again in the morning by the feel of the freezing cold air tonight.
Winter is certainly here.
Happy sewing
Kerry
PS my Spinning Pinwheels quilt can be seen on my web site
www.cottageonthehill.com.au under quilt patterns if any one would like to look.

Just a short post - because my office is freezing

Well after about 10days of freezing weather it looks like it will keep up for a few more days, they are predicting snow for tonight, so maybe it will be white again in the morning.

This is a photo of last weekends group just as most of them were about to walk out the door, they headed back home to the central coast just after lunch, hoping to arrive home before dark as the weather down that way has been wild. Glad you all arrived home safely.

It is funny how both Denise and Siona decided to make my very old but very popular Flannel Heart Quilt ( both did it in Cottons) and 4 others all made my Stars & Stripes quilt which is also an older quilt.They all looked great, do hope you all had a great weekend, I am looking forward to seeing the video, I am sure there were lots of laughs on it.

A big thank you to lorraine for organising all your ladies again and I look forward to seeing you all again next year.

I am off to bed to snuggle up under my flannel quilts, I will share some pretty exciting news tomorrow, stay tuned.

Kerry

A Day to remember - thanks to my wonderful friends

Today started out with an extra early trip to Tamworth, leaving home before 6.30am to drop off a load of wood and drop Sebastian back to school after their leave weekend. Nicole headed back to Bathurst to Uni this morning also, only a couple of weeks and she will be home again for holidays.

On my return from Tamworth my Tuesday ladies were just arriving, apparently they had been planning today for a few weeks and to my surprise they supplied a very yummy lunch with a special Birthday Cake just for me. But to top it all off they had all got together and made me a very special present. They made me this quilt for my birthday (which is actually tomorrow). I was so over the moon with the quilt, the thought of them all sewing it especially for me bought tears to my eyes. I had good intentions of one day making it myself but they all beat me to it. Thanks Heaps girls it is gorgeous and I will always treasure it, I think I have found the right place to hang it.

I LOVE it Thanks

Oh my Gosh - what an exicting day -- I Love Snow

On waking this morning at 6.45am, we looked out the window to see if the rain had stopped to see everything covered with white wonderful snow. Yesterdays temperature didn't get over 6 degree, so we thought it may have snowed up on the mountain, but no it snowed here at home as well, this is the first snow fall in 23 years that has settled here at home.

At 6.45 am I ran around and got everyone up out of bed to have a look, because I just love snow, Geoffrey and Nicole went back to bed, but Ali, Sebastian, Rachel and i went off exploring the country side to see how heavy it was around.

We couldn't get up to our other property which is just 10minutes up the road, the snow up there was about 6 to 8" deep around the house, so it would have been much heavier up into the hills.

We stopped on the side of the road just 5 minutes from home and made this Snowman and had a good snow fight, what fun at 7.30am on a cold snowy morning.

This is a photo of a paddock just up the road from home.

There have been hundreds of cars passing by today all heading up to the snow, for those who don't live around here, snow doesn't fall very often around this area so when it does, people drive a long way to have a look and a play.

The weather has just closed in again, so maybe we are in for some more snow tonight.

Sebastian and Ali - Debutant Ball

Just a couple of photos to share with you all of Sebastian & Ali last Friday night when he partnered her for her debut.

She looked gorgeous in a simple satin dress with a cross over wrap of chiffon across the bodest.

The guys all looked very grown up in there black dinner suits.

I can not believe my little boy is only one month of 18, gosh the years fly. For those with younger children make the most of every minute with them because you blink and they are all grown up.

On another note, my thoughts and prays go out to all the families and friends who have any connection with the Kerang Train crash, what a awful thing to happen, it sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it. Do hope none of my blogging friends are directly invloved.

Until I post again, stay safe and hold your loved ones close to your heart.

Kerry

Sunday evening, another week over

Hi there just a short post, great retreat this weekend, we all laughed heaps, I am not sure how long it will take for Nundle to recover from these wonderful women, LOL. Sorry I didn't mean that Jenny. Everyone had a great weekend, all their quilts were looking fantastic, I do hope everyone was happy with their quilts. This is a photo of them all except Ingrid who left earlier. The fire had actually gone out by this stage in the afternoon, but we did need it on earlier, as we had a storm go through mid morning, then it turned cold this afternoon.

This group of ladies always amaze me, as in the group there is June and her 4 daughter, I just think that is terrific to think that Mum and 4 daughters enjoy each others company enough to go away sewing for a weekend together, look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend, I will pop back tomorrow and post some photo's of the Ball on Friday night.

Kerry

Just Quickly......................

Cold morning here in my office, a small frost outside so I will try and make it quick so my fingers don't get too cold.

Good week so far, I have managed to sqeeze in a little sewing, finished my blocks for 1 paper bag quilt and presently working on another, just have a little stitchery to do for that then I can pass it on.

During the week I have re-written all of my 365 challange quilt as I wasn't happy with the pen I was using, I managed to find this new pen last week while visiting Janelle. Very Happy with it.

I put the borders on a new shop sample last night as well and stitched together my 365 challange quilt, I am doing mine in weeks with small borders around each, it is 2m long and will probably end up about 2.8 to 3m wide. I am using fabrics that have been used in the shop during that week to make all my borders.

This is a close up of part of the quilt, I don't really have plans it will just grow week by week.

Must run fingers are starting to get chilly.

Have a great weekend

Kerry

PS Sebastian is partnering Ali this evening in Tamworth as she makes her debut. Will try and take some good photo's to share.

Can you believe it's nearly Winter.............

The weather over the past couple of days has been incredible for this time of the year, only a few days off winter and it feels like summer, I am sure all the plants are so mixed up, who knows what will be out in flower next week if this warm weather keeps up.

I've had a great weekend with another group of lovely ladies, they all made gorgeous quilt tops, here are a couple of photos of 4 of them, the others managed to slip out without having to smile for me, I look forward to seeing them all completed and bound on your return next year.

I think I will be off to bed early tonight ready for another busy week in the shop, hopefully I will get some time to sew or scrap or both this week will show you all if I do.

Have a great week,

Kerry

I am back- anyone miss me..LOL

Well life has been just too busy to find time to blog, not sure where I should start but maybe back a week or so.

I had a great group of ladies here last weekend for their annual retreat, they all made gorgeous quilt tops and I took some great photos without my memory card in my camera, so I am really sorry i can't post a photo of you all, maybe Annie might send me a couple from the weekend to put into my Journal.

Then I Monday I drove down to Toronto which is about 3 & 1/2 hours drive from home to watch Sebastian play in the NSWCHS Rugby League selection trials, he was playing in the Presidents team, which is a team made up of players from all over the state who weren't selected in there regional teams for one reason or the other. The boys jelled well and Monday saw Sebastian have a brillant game, it was one of those days when being a Mum is all worth it, I was so proud of the way he played.

That night I stayed with my very good friend Janelle who lives only a few minutes from the footy oval, we had plans of maybe do some sewing or scrapbooking together but we only managed to chat all evening, which was lovely.

Back to the footy both Tuesday and Wednesday, apart from alot of injuries the boys played really well. - Janelle and I did work on a little scrapbooking Tuesday night, I started a mini album using photos I took at my Christmas Gathering last December, will share it at a later date.

Wednesday afternoon came the announcement of the NSW Open School Boys team to play at the Australian Championships and we were over the moon when Sebastian was selected as number 9 - Hooker for the team. All these years of hard work and the dream to be selected had come true. His best mate and school friend Angus was also named as No.8 along with another school mate Scott as No.14. They are just going to have the best time together, playing the Australian Championships, on their two week tour of Queensland in July.

Here is a photo of the 3 of them just after their selections, Sebastian is the one of the left. Not a very good photo as they could hardly stand still with excitement.

This is a photo of the latest quilt to be added to the shop samples (thanks Kate & Betty), it is made using 16 fat 1/4's of all floral fabrics with 4 different fabrics as the border. I have made up kits for this quilt which have been selling very well.There is also a new flannel quilt on its way back from being quilted so I will share it next week.

Geoffrey and I are off to tamworth tonight to play ten pin bowling with a group , we have a yearly get to gether so to nights the night. Not sure how the bowling skills will go but I am sure we will have fun.

Farrer first 13's played Tamworth High today in the University Sheild they won 74 -1.

I have a group of ladies here for a retreat over the weekend, so I better head up the paddock and find some fire wood, the nights are getting very cold so I think I will need to light the fire in the morning.

If you have made it all this way through this long post, thanks for reading I will try and make time over the next week to blog more often.

Until then thanks for dropping by, have a great weekend

Kerry

Finishing off and loving the results........................
Well I've been a little slack on the posting side again this week.
No 2 day retreats this week, so have caught up on lots in the shop and beleive it or not have even finsihed some of those unfinished projects in my sewing basket.
My first little project was only started a few weeks back while on our Gold Coast trip, it is a very cute little bag designed by Libby Richardson called "Bearly Cute" the pattern comes with the pre cut handles and is now in stock in the shop.
My second project that I am sharing with you tonight, has been hanging around for just a little longer, (nearly 2 years). During our Christmas in July each year we usually do a stitchery swap, where you trace a stitchery design onto fabric and it is then swaped with someone else. The challange to this swap is that we are meant to bring them back the following year completed, well today I made my stitchery into a Chrissy Cushion, and of course I just had to use pom poms and I backed the cushion with bottle green chenille. Iam really happy with the result, I will have to remember to purchase a cushion insert next time I am shopping, then it will be already for Christmas.Talking of Christmas it is less then 9 weeks until this years Christmas in July - I am so looking forward to it as I love this retreat each year. This year we have Janelle Wind back for the 3rd year in a row, Natalie Ross, we missed you last year, and for her first visit to Nundle we are extremely lucky to have Rosalie Quinlan as our guest tutors. This is always a great weekend, it won't be long and I will be posting photos of it.

It is still warm here for the middle of May, no rain over the past week, I was very lucky today - Mother Day - to be able to watch Sebastian play football, thanks Emily for minding the shop. He played for Werris Creek in the group 4 comp today, they won 40-22.
Nicole spent last week on prac at Bathurst Hospital and is back there again this week before returning to her studies next week.
Oh well I better head back to that sewing basket and have a look what else is in there half started, kepp an eye out I might even finish off something else this week.
Have a good week
Kerry

Some what productive day

It's the most glorious day outside today, I love this time of the year. I've been busy working in the shop, washing, packing away cloths, but I have found alittle time to make this recipe book cover for a friend for her Birthday. She loves cup cakes so decided to applique one on the front cover, I am very pleased with how it has turned out, I am sure she will love it.

Thanks for dropping by

Kerry

Can't believe it's Friday again.................

There were a dozen ladies at class on Tuesday, all working on some lovely projects, here is a photo of a quilt that Gai started in a retreat last year, I so want to make this quilt, just another to add to the list. The autumn colours look brilliant, well done Gai.

Wednesday/Thursday I had a new group called the Lily Hill Quilters from Nelson Bay, they were such a lovely group of ladies, here is a photo of them all with their quilt tops, Thanks Jan for all your organising, your group were a pleasure to have in my shop. Just like all the groups I have. So glad you all enjoyed your first retreat with me, do hope there are many more to come.

I worked until late last night in the shop so that I could have part of today off, heading in to Tamworth, we desperately need food, then I am going to watch Sebastian play football again, they are playing Inverell High in the Regional Final of the Arrive Alive Cup, will post the results later.

Have a good day

Kerry

Ps Farrer won 54-0 today in the Arrive Alive Cup. Well done boys.

What a blessing - Rain glorious rain
We woke on Friday morning to the sound of rain on the roof, what a wonderful sound, those of you that live else where might find it hard that we here in the Australian inland get so excited about rain, but we have been in drought for 6 years so when it rains all day and then all of that night, it puts smiles on our faces. We were very lucky and have had over 2" in the past couple of days. Do hope you have had some where ever you may be.
I took this photo of one of my Claret Ash trees yesterday morning, the rain had helped it to loose it's leaves, they looked so nice sitting on the table and chairs that I just had to take a photo. I love this time of the year when all the leaves are turning, the mornings and evenings are cooling down. Winter won't be too far away.This weekend was one of only a hand full over the next 5 months that I didn't have a retreat on. I was still working in the shop but at a slower pace then usual. Last night while watching the footy on the TV, I sat on the lounge and cut out 64 - 6" basket blocks for a quilt I have had the pattern for nearly 10 years. I was using my new round cutting mat that was fantastic, it made the job so much easier. Here is a photo of the pile of blocks with a couple completed. I will keep you posted on my progress.

A few other interesting things that have been going on in our lives - Sebastian was Captain of the Farrer first 13's for their Arrive Alive Cup match which they won on Friday, he scored 2 tries and topped the tackle count. Nicole washed down her first Corpse while doing work placement in a Sydney Hospital on Friday. Today Sebastian, Ali, Geoffrey and I ate out for lunch at the Jenkins St guest house, it was truly yummy.

For all those ladies waiting by the letter box for there first block for "Girls Day Out", hopefully I will cut them and have them in the mail this week. I will try and show you a preview of my block one soon. If anyone is interested in doing this gorgeous Block of the Month quilt, there are still places available.

Until my next post, thanks for dropping by and putting up with my ramble.

Kerry

ANZAC Day in Australia & New Zealand

Today we as Australians remember those men & women who fought to keep our nation a free country. Sebastian was marching with his school in the parade in Tamworth so Geoffrey and I changed our yearly rountine and headed into Tamworth to join in the service. Hundred of people marched while thousands lined the main street to remember those war veterans who gave their lives to make our country a better place to live. It really is a day that makes in proud to be an Australian.

As I mentioned yesterday I did find sometime to fiddle around, just for myself, I made this ribbon box and nearly completed a scrapbooking layout. I also decorated a couple of tea towels and made a very cute draw string bag. I will pop the last 2 items away in my gift draw ready for someones birthday. I also tidied up my scrapbooking area, it looks all very neat and tidy now.

So all in all I had a very enjoyable day.

Kerry