Congratulations, Melody!

My friend Melody, from Thehouseonthesideofthehill, has reached 500 posts! What an achievement! To celebrate, she is having a giveaway, so go have a look at her blog, and say Hi! and tell her I sent you. :)



Cheers,
Lindi

Be Be Bold Japanese

Last visit up north, I drove across to Lismore to see the lovely Jane at Be Be Bold, and I purchased these goodies.

A metre each of the red and blue, probably for bags or maybe for clothes for Grandson when he is a little older;

This lovely 14" panel with a repeat design. I'll make a very simple hanging from this. Maybe just hem and hang from a bamboo rod.

This really cool skirt - Jane wears one frequently and it looks great!

A pre-printed sashiko piece. I have already started it and am loving doing it!

This lovely border panel (the background is a rich teal - it doesn't show up very well here)

Finally, this oliver +s pattern (for my Grandson, of course!) and a cute tortoise print to use when I eventually make it for him.

Jane has lots of goodies on her web site -  I have ordered more! - so check it out. I also follow Jane's Blog. She's a very lovely person, and interesting and clever as well. She has put a followers link on the side bar at my urging, so add her to the blogs you follow. :)

Cheers,
Lindi

What's on your...? Wednesday

Susan has started a blog game/challenge with her "What's on your...?" posts on Wednesdays. So I have decided to follow her lead. If you want to play, feel free to join us. Just leave a comment on Susan's post so we know.

This week's challenge is ...Fridge!

Lucky for me, I tidied it up 2 weeks ago, ready for guests. :)

Mine isn't nearly as interesting as Susan's. The little magnet in top left corner says "No coffee, no workee" and the framed card near it says "Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance (Bruce Barton)".

Then I have some teddy bear magnets and some black cat magnets. The 2 little silver frames between the cats are waiting for baby photos. LOL

On the bottom door, I have 2 very large sheet magnets (out of one of those door to door catalogues that usually contain a heap of useless things) that has pockets. This is where I put pics of things I would one day like to buy or do. The second one has just been cleaned out and I have yet to find things to put in it.

So what's on your fridge? Show us! Go on, I double dare you!!

Showing we care

A blogger friend, Bluebird-Lyn, has come up with a great idea to show our support for another, mutual, blogger friend. Lyn is co-ordinating the making of a quilt using 9 patch blocks for her. If you would like to participate, by making a block or even just blogging about it, click on the sewing machine on my sidebar, or go here. Lyn will tell you all about it.

Y

2 Lovely Parcels

I was sooo spoilt this week!

First, I received a lovely pressie from my friend Di. This was a thankyou present for winning the cushion for her in Kellie's giveaway.

A pattern for all 3 of Kellie's cushions, a lovely little notebook with a magnet closure, and yummy chocolates!

Thank you, Di!

***

Then, on Friday, I received my gorgeous Annie Doll and some other lovely surprises from Kerry , who was my swap partner in the Raggedy Anne Doll swap.

Annie Louise, a cute Gingerbread man brooch, a lovely little embroidered ornament, a heavenly cake of Lavender soap, and a fun cupcake pin cushion! As well, kerry had included a brochure from the Lavender farm where the soap came from, and a tourist info brochure about the lovely place she lives (Mt Perry, Qld). What a great idea!

Here's a close up of Annie Louise, the Gingerbread Man and the swing ornament. Isn't she a sweetie? I love her and I'm very happy that she's mine.

Here's a close up of the cupcake pin cushion Kerry made. So clever! I love the bright colours. I won't lose that very easily amongst the chaos on my sewing table! :)

Thanks, Kerry, for a wonderful swap!

Y

I sort of won something!

Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow!

Look at what I won here!

Someone (with the initials DJ) is going to be smiling too, very soon! You see, in my comments, I said that if I won, I wanted it sent to this particular person.

happy happy joy joy!



Y

!My first draw takes place tonight!

Hey, Mr Postman brought some goodies for me...

The mail has been really great this week!
Look at all the lovely goodies that have arrived.


First, these beautiful treasures arived as a gift from the lovely Lyn. I love reading Lyn's blog. She always has interesting posts and makes so many beautiful things. Go and visit when you've finished here.

Then, 2 DVDs that I had ordered from the ABC shop arrived: "Lost in Austen" and "Cranford". L in A was so enjoyable, I had to buy it, and as I only saw one episode of Cranford, I thought I might as well buy it too. Judy Dench was, as always, so delightful in her role (the little bit I saw) that it was a case of 'must have'.

Next was the first issue of this new magazine. Erica wrote about on her blog and after checking it out here, I decided to subscribe. It really is as good as it looks and sounds. Lots of creative talent by artists who are pushing themselves to go beyond the usual expectations. Very inspirational.
Get hold of a copy if you can, even if only from the library. I've only perused it so far, and I'm looking forward to settling in and having a really good read.



Then today, the 3rd (and final) ATC in the Black and Yellow swap I was in, arrived from LeeAllan. The other one from Rowan arrived a couple of weeks ago.

From the top: Rowan's ATC made with a lovely soft textured black background and bright, clear yellow ricrac. Rowan has only recently started making ATCs and his finish is superb.

On the left: LeeAllan's "Tiger Tail" ATC. Pieced background, machine stitched, with the addition of braided black and yellow embroidery thread. Very original thinking.

On the right: My Guitar ATC. Fussy cut guitar appliqued onto a yellow background using a fancy zigzag machine embroidery stitch, with our first initial and a star written on in ink. (Rowan's had an R and LeeAllan's had an L-A)


LeeAllan's ATC came protected by a card, which seems very appropriate this week. I had to show you, because it has given me ideas for a quilt using my collection of Australian Aboriginal designed fabrics. I won't be doing it any time soon, though, as I have enough on the table at the moment.

Y

Beautiful quilts blog

I don't do a blog of the week post, but if I did, Mary's blog would certainly appear at some point. Mary is a prolific quilter and makes the most gorgeous quilts. Check out her blog and join me in drooling!
Mary, if you read this, how about putting a 'followers' box in your sidebar? I'd love to be notified everytime you do a new post.


Y

Auction win

A few weeks ago, Lyn had an auction to raise funds for the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal. I placed my bid, and was the lucky winner!

Look at the wonderful package Lyn put together.

Notice the miniature sewing machine? I suspect this is the first one in what is bound to become a collection! ;)

As well, she included this lovely little ATC -

The money from my bid was shared between the Salvation Army and the Native Animal Trust Fund Bush Fire Appeals.

Thanks for your generosity, Lyn.


Y

Home and gone again

Hi All,

I have been home for the last 5 days, but I've been very busy catching up on office stuff as well as looking after my Mum.
Her blood immune count was too low for chemo last Thursday, so on the weekend I drove her down here in Dad's car (I still call it Dad's car as Mum doesn't drive) to spend some time away from it all. We are heading back up tomorrow morning, then I will fly home on the 14th.

I have managed to check out all the posts that you have been very busy doing, but due to time constraints, I have not left comments. Please don't think I didn't comment because I wasn't interested. I've seen lots of lovely work that you all have been busy doing, and I would have liked to comment. I just had so many posts and emails to read!

Have a great week everyone! I'll catch up during the week after I get back.

Stay safe.

Hugs,
Y

I have been in love with the look of quilts made using this pattern, for ages. Marilyn even had a giveaway on her blog for the pattern, but I wasn't lucky enough to win it.

However, I have so often left comments on her blog, particularly about her 4PSP quilts, that she knew how badly I wanted it. So look what she generously sent me - my own pattern! And it wasn't even a giveaway on her blog! How lucky am I? And how generous is Marilyn?



Guess what my next project to be started will be?

^^^^

Marie Antoinette Award

Sooziii has awarded me a Marie Antoinette Award - (a Real Person - a Real Award)

Thank you so much Sooziii. I feel honoured and touched that out of all the wonderful real blogs out there, you chose me as a recipient.

Here are the Rules for the Award:

1. Please put the logo on your blog

2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award

3. Nominate another blog or 3 or 4 or...

4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog

5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

There are a few blogs that I would love to have nominated, ( particularly Sooziii"s Two and Sheila's ), but some have already been nominated.

However, I think I am first to nominate Di, Susan , Lissa and Molly.

*****

Tagged by Sheila

I have been tagged by Sheila for a meme. I think i may have done this once before, but anyways...

Here's the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. List 7 things about yourself. Some random, some weird.

3. Tag 3 more players and let them know.

ok....

I was a breech birth - feet first not the usual bum first. Maybe it showed even then that i'm not one to dive in head first without checking things out first!

I hate putting my face in the water. Don't just dislike it - i really can't do it voluntarily. I have tried various things to get over it, but the block remains. Funnily enough, I can go underwater with a face mask - love it actually.

(boy, this is harder than i thought. maybe i'm just too 'normal' to have weird things to share)

I like peanut butter and vegemite together on a sandwich. Really, it's very tasty. Makes it a savoury filling rather than a sweet one.

I have coloured my hair since i was 16. A few years ago, i let the colour grow out to see what the real colour was, now. Apart from a few weeks a year in winter, i still colour it - mainly plum colours.

I'm not really overweight, it's just that i'm undertall. (4 feet of dynamite and 1 foot of wick, my DH used to say)

I know a 101 ways to serve mince. Now that might prove a very handy skill, in the future!

If i spend a day with someone with an accent, i tend to sound a bit like them by the end of the day. This is not a deliberate thing - i just seem to absorb it! I always have to explain to them at the beginning, that i tend to do that, so they don't think i'm having a go at them! Sheila, be warned! lol


ok. that's done!

Now, who to tag?

stitchinbythelake , jackie , linda , Di , Sooziii , and anyone else who wants to join in! Just leave a comment and i'll add you to the links - this is a good way to get visitors to your blog, too ;)

YYY

Teaser revealed

My project has finally arrived at Sheila's so I can show you what I made. (Glad you like it Sheila!)

A little cover for handbag tissues

A purse - lined in green - with a zipper, no less! (I am not usually known for sewing skills)

A decoration consisting of a small suffolk puff (with button centre), mounted on a folded (origami style) square, all then mounted on a folded and stitched triangle,



all of which is attached to my first ever, handmade bag! (machine stitched with hand embroidered crosses along 2 seams).



[This is from a pattern by Daisy Patchwork Cottage called Pippa's Tote, which I bought from Jane at BeBeBold in Lismore. It's a great pattern, with very easy instructions.

If it's not on the web site, I'm sure if you email Jane, she will help you obtain it. While you're there, check out the great Japanese fabrics and Sashiko she has. No affils, just a very happy customer of a very lovely lady]

*****

Teaser

Teaser is on its way to a friend. She should get it early this week. When she does, I'll show you what it is.

My First Award(s)!

WOW! I have just been nominated twice for an award!

First I received an email from Liz, and then shortly after, I received one from Di, both of them awarding me this fantastic award.

But the most wonderful thing about them awarding this to me, is that both of them have blogs that I regularly visit, and from which I get encouragement and inspiration.

In fact, they are amongst the list of people I would honour with an award.Thank you so much, both of you. I feel truly honoured that you chose me.

Now, here's the rules for accepting this award.

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.

2. Link to the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs for an award

4. Put links to those blogs on yours

5. Leave a message on the blog of the person you have nominated.

How on earth does one choose only 7 blogs? There are so many great blogs out there, but at least Liz and Di have chosen some of the ones I would have chosen, so that makes things a little easier!

Here are my nominees: Sheila, Susan, Lisa, Rosalie, Dijanne, and two fairly recent discoveries, Lyn and Debmarie.

Do check them out, but also check out the nominees of the 2 that nominated me.

e

News, Fun and Mail

The last week has been quite eventful!

* It started with my DS and his GF surprising everyone by getting engaged on Sunday night! Congratulations to both of them! D is a lovely girl and is already part of our family. They are both very happy.
We will wait to have a party after DDs wedding.

* Then, I received my prize in the mail from Lynette at bluebirdquilts. Such a fabulous prize!

A lovely pack of fabrics, a pattern for a Crab apple Hill design "Indian Summer Pillow" (I love the look of this pillow), embroidery threads, buttons, a fragrance sachet, a nifty little magnetic needle case (how did she know I always lose needles?), a postcard, and a delightful Christmas card, all wrapped in Chrissy paper and decorated with a bow and curls.

Thank you once again, Lyn!

* Then, on Sunday, I headed off to the vineyards in "Newcastle's Famous Tram" with DD and her friends, to celebrate her approaching marriage. (Some called this her Hen's Day out, but I prefer the term Doe's Day out.)

We had a great, fun day! I could highly recommend anyone doing this if they are ever in the Hunter.

We went to 5 different vineyards for tastings, the Chocolate and Fudge Shop, the Cheese outlet, with seemingly zillions of cheeses, olive oil and icecream and gelato, and finished up with a liquer tasting at the 5th vineyard. We also had a lovely BBQ lunch, provided, with several yummy salads and the most beautiful melt in your mouth steak!

Everyone had a fun day! Lots of laughs, including dressing the bride in a garter, veil, badge, special earrings, a white glam cowgirl hat with a crown on the front, etc.

I did quite a bit of tasting (didn't get drunk - I swear I didn't) and buying (of course!).


I couldn't take a photo of the fudge, because it was so moreish, I ate it all before I could snap it! The cheeses I bought might last a bit longer!

###

Gone missing...

Well not really. I will be back soon. As soon as I can, at any rate.
Life is just bogging me down at the moment and I can't seem to get on top of things.
Thanks for the enquiries as to where I am and if I'm OK.

Winners!

Announcing the winners of the giveaways at my Party last weekend....drumroll....

Coming soon!xxx ...Now Here!


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK! It is now 10.30pm and I have thrown the numbers into the hat (well, a jar actually).

Here's the first number to come out ...this will be the main winner.....Number 5!

Christina!

Now, for 2 little fun prizes ... number 9 ...and ...number 4!

Shequilts! and Fran!

Congratulations! Send me your snail mail addy, ladies, so I can send your prizes.

The 4,000th visitor didn't leave a comment to let me know (ooohhh...) so I will make and send an ATC or postcard to the first person who leaves a comment on Friday 11th April. You won't know if it's you, though, until I approve the comments. (Lissa's comment was on Thursday, so it's not her)

Partying on

For those of you still here, partying on, there are plenty of leftovers, plus breakfast. Cereal is in the cupboard if you'd prefer, and make your own toast.

The diet coke was a special request from Pennie. I don't know how she can drink it in the mornings, though. Tea and coffee for me. Oh, and plenty of water!