December Traditions

Once upon a time when my children were little, a tradition began. We always waited until the first weekend in December to put any Christmas decorations up ... roll the clock forward almost 3 decades and

with Christmas Carols filling the air, Grandson J and I have been busy spreading cheer throughout our home.

For each day during the month of November , DD and I decluttered an equal number of "things" ie: on the 1st, 1 item, on the 2nd, 2 items and so on all the way to 30 items on the 30th. At first it was daunting and again getting towards the biggest numbers ... but it only takes the right storage cupboard and it was easy peasy. Now must of my cupboards have been emptied and re-organized ... oh what a feeling!

Decisions have been made and steps taken to also declutter life in general so we're ready to take on whatever 2018 has in store. But let's not rush through December, I have some stitching to catch up on ... one more week of paid work ...

I did manage one finish for November.

Enjoying the sound of rain on the roof ... time for a relaxing cuppa.

Fingers Crossed

YES!  Fingers crossed that I may just be making some progress with sorting out my internet.  I'm not jumping to conclusions that it's been solved just yet but for tonight I am on and not making a cuppa in between pages loading.

Now let me see if I have any pics to update my minimal crafting.  Nope :(  Will have to transfer some pics from other devices tomorrow and share the cutest little pair of booties I made for grandchild no. 2 due in January.

Good night xx  My poor addled brain needs to reboot.  I'll leave you with this pic taken back when the weather was still cool ... 3 generations heading out to muster ... and no, Millie (little dog with coat) didn't join them.

About Time?

Basically between 'not enough time' and 'can't be bothered' there isn't much to blog about around here. The basics are covered ... we eat and we wear clean clothes and just enough house work is done to call the place respectable. Once I get to sit down at night, either my eyes are too sore or I'm too tired to stitch. Not grumbling ... just how it is.

I did have some lovely mail that I had forgotten to share and also a purchase ready for some cooler weather (one can hope for cooler weather!). There's a blog book for every year I've been blogging and they're great at Christmas time when the kids go looking through them. The centre book is 2014 and my first book (top left - blue) spans 18 months.

The wool is a cotton blend to make some more knitted dish cloths ... I'll never use store bought again if I can help it ... love my cloths and DD has ordered some more too.

When I do stitch I'm working on 'Merry Christmas Garden' block 2 or 'Natures Journey' for March now. Funny how years ago I tried needle turn embroidery, hated it, and said I'd never do it again. Fast forward and here I am doing needle turn for both these projects ... and enjoying it!  Never say never as time, helpful hints and new products can turn things around.

Blogging has also suffered a downturn and while I don't often comment these days, I still manage a quick skip through blogland and try to keep up with everyone's happenings. Now I need to go take photos of my blog books and wool so I can have some pictures in this post. Then it's lunch time and I might just get to sit down and do a little sewing.

Enjoy your weekend and make a little time to stitch.     >^..^<

The Secret is OUT!

Yes, the secret is finally out. To hear all ... cyber hop as quick as you can to Jenny of Elefanz for the big reveal.


CONGRATULATIONS!

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY

Change of Identity?

Please bare with me as I feel the need for a change ... bigger than just a background change.

*

For a while I've been toying with changing my blog name and I think this is more me? I still love my roses and am getting ready for some pruning there once they finish flowering. I just think the definition of a 'notion' suits me more, with where I am at right now. And I like how it fits with the abbreviation of my first name.

*

So I'll keep the blog address and all else the same, I've simply changed my title. I value your thoughts on my make-over.

*

I leave you with my three fowl friends enjoying some free range in the garden.

A New Blogger and a Giveaway

My lovely 'Christmas in July' swap partner has joined the blogging family. Click on over and give Carol at The Patch Craft a quilters' welcome.

While you're out and about, you might like to visit Kate at Stitched With Love. She's having a handy giveaway to celebrate the number 200.

I think I've managed to join in the Stitchers Angel Swap 2009. I say think because technology can be a pain in the you-know-what sometimes and I had to take the long way round.

July has vanished into thin air as far as I can tell but I hope to get some sewing done this weekend. I also have a few pics of things to share so I'm off to do a couple more things around the house and then we'll see.

Happy Sewing

Can You Smell The Roses?

It's been awhile since I've had some roses to share. I noticed these three getting ready to bloom and will keep a close eye on them.


Their scent is devine. Mum's favourite, the Double Delight.



Must be their last flourish before the chill takes over.



I'd be interested to know when others prune your roses?

I really must take more care of them, these have grown themsevles pretty much.

*

The mailman brought my Christmas in July parcel today so now I must put it aside until July. Thankfully that's not to far away.

*

Even closer is Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop - Cyber Stitching Day . . . . tomorrow! And I haven't even peaked in the parcel yet, although I am soooo tempted to take a look tonight to see what delights I'm in for tomorrow.

*

To top it all off, I'm on two weeks holidays for the school break . . . . Yipee! Happy Sewing times ahead.

Enjoy your weekend.

Nothing to Show ... Yet

Another week at full speed. Today I'm trying to finish off some secret goodies for swaps.
Hopefully I'll have some sneak peaks to share.

I've also had a quick look around Mandie's place and had a play with a couple of freebies. Now back to those finishes.

Just Checking In

I can't believe 12 days of June have almost been and gone, and I haven't had a chance to do a post!

*

Still I have nothing to share. Life, cold weather, flat camera batteries and back pain have all joined together to keep my hands tied, so to speak. I have managed to keep working on a couple of things for swaps so these I can't really share till after they arrive.

*

So to my swap partners, if you're hoping for sneak peaks, know that I am working away on your goodies. Yummy treats will be left until the very last moment so that I don't have to keep replacing them after giving in to temptation.

*

I'm also excitedly awaiting my package for the Cyber Stitching with Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop. Not sure yet if I'll be able to leave it unopened until stitching time or not ... we'll see.

*

Just to add some photo content, here is my brother's Moonlight Cactus, taken just as the sun was rising.

Hope everyone is finding a little 'me time'.

Me Time

It's 6.30am ... breakfast is over and the dishes are done ... lunches are cut and the family have gone working for the day ... what's a girl to do.
*
Jump on the computer of course.
*
I had the loveliest day out yesterday. Only your best buddy would pick you up off the side of the road just as the sun was rising, to have you visit for the day. What was I doing on the side of the road? DH dropped me off on his way past and Kerry drove out to pick me up and the sun was just rising over the mountain.
*
We had a great day... out for morning tea and lunch ... viewed many quilts and patchwork items ... and then home for some stitchery and fabric cutting. Thanks Kerry, I really enjoyed the day.
*
So now I have the whole day ahead of me and I intend to make the most of it ... patchworking. I have several items on my agenda, some with deadlines and some ongoing, so I'm off.
*
Coffee first, lol. Maybe another post later today with progress photos, who knows.

How Does One Slow Down?

A very quick post to say thankyou to those who have left such lovely comments recently. I will get back to you when things slow down a bit.
*
Easter has come and gone, I don't think I over endulged in chocolate.
*
We have our local agricultural show this Saturday, a busy but enjoyable day.
*
Made it to patchwork group today for most of the day and spent the day in town yesterday.
*
My next two days will be dedicated to GST (Tax). Yuck!
*
I hope to have some finishes to share next post so do come back. It's so wonderful to be able to make so many friends no matter the distance or time difference.
*
Happy Sewing

A Loss for Words

What can I say that hasn't already been said?

Simply, my thoughts are continuously with those in Victoria at this time of great sadness and also with those in North Queensland.

Tennis, Cricket and McLeod's Daughters

What do you think these three things could have in common? My hand stitching progress of course. I've never been a big tennis or cricket fan but this year I'm enjoying watching both which is tricky when you have the men's tennis singles finals on one channel and a close cricket match on the other.

I did a lot of switching between channels while watching the tennis and cricket last night. Saturday night was tennis and then McLeods. I also made good progress on the log cabin quilt. I've now done the hand stitching part of joining the blocks so that they are in four strips of four blocks. Just three x 56" long seams to go and then the binding. I'm a slow hand stitcher so I'm really happy with my progress. I'd share a photo of the strips but I think my camera just passed on.

Off to town today which includes a visit to the local fabric shop. I need backing and wadding for the T-block quilt and also some backing for my nephew's quilt which is due by the 13th of this month and where is it . . . still in the UFO pile. I see a busy busy week ahead as it's also GST (Goods and Services Tax) time for this little procrastinator.

Happy Sewing

Colour In My Garden

Or perhaps my title could have been "After The Rains". Everything looks so much fresher and happier when it's had a good drenching.

Saturday we received 2 inches of rain in an afternoon storm. The only problem was it also came with high winds which not only blew the rain under doors and in windows, it brought down a lot of branches and some trees along our road. DD and I were on our way home from town and had to sit it out in a small town along the way.

With trees down blocking the road, and gullies gushing with water, we did wonder if we might have to turn around and head back to town for the night. Luckily we have an alternate track so DH came out along that one to meet us. It hadn't received the full brunt of the storm so we made it home eventually. A 1 hour 20 minute drive home turned into 4 hours but now the dams are full and the grass is growing so I will never complain.

So getting back to my title, I took a walk around the garden yesterday with camera in hand. I'd like to share a little colour from my garden.

Enjoy,

I'm off to do some sewing with perhaps a sewing related post later today.

Don't forget, I still have room in my PIF, if you've been thinking about joining, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy New Year 2009

I hope everyone was able to celebrate the new year as they wished. We had a lovely evening with family and friends enjoying the cool night air by our local river.

After several days of almost 40 degree C and reaching 40+ on New Years Eve Day, today we have been taking advantage of much cooler temps and showery weather since 4am this morning. What a relief! I don't care at all that I have a pile of washing; I have a dryer for the important items and the rest can wait.

Needles to say, there has been no sewing at all, just too hot! I have one more quilt to show for Finn's challenge which I was going to photograph today but that will have to wait. I've started on my shopping (fabric) list for a trip next week and have many plans for projects as well as good intentions of finishing those things on my WIP list and ?? list as part of the Get It Done Challenge for 2009.

My turn again to PIF.

I took part last year and enjoyed making new friends so after some careful consideration of 'am I trying to do too much already' I decided to play along with Daisy Quilts. After all, I have 365 days and lots of ideas. So if there are 3 lovely new or existing friends out there who would like to join ...

... here are the rules and I'd love to have a comment from you.

I will make you a handmade gift and send your gift to you within a year.

By joining up, you are agreeing to PIF with 3 others as well...

This means you will put the logo on your site and ask 3 people to play with you and make them all a handmade gift....and so it goes!

If you would like to PIF with me, please leave a comment.

Wishing you all lots of sewing time in 2009.

Christmas Mail

I had a parcel notification in my mail box yesterday. Luckily I was going into town this morning so didn't have to wait too long to find out just what? ... or who from? My SSCS all the way from overseas. I have been a good girl and placed it under the Christmas tree ... can't wait!

While in town I picked up the latest Down Under Quilts magazine. The winners for Bernina Blankets of Love are featured in this edition so here is a pic of my little quilt which I called Project X at the time.

I'm proud to say that my BFF has her quilt shown in the mag but I'll leave that up to her to share.

I'm now working on a little something for someone for Christmas and will show a peak next post just to tease that someone.

I have a couple more items to arrive in the mail so will share those when they arrive.

We were very thankful to receive just over an inch of rain on Sunday evening as we had spent the day putting out fires right up until the lightening got too close. Why were we still out there when the storm was so close? Because often the storms pass right round us and we miss the rain.

This weekend I hope to be doing lots of sewing!

Quilting Wishes

Welcome to an Aussie Summer!

AND THE WINNER IS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

OK, so the way I did the draw was to put numbers in a container to coincide with each of your comments.

Then I asked DD to draw a number from the container . . . and the number was . . .

# 2

So CONGRATULATIONS goes to Chook (Beth). I'll be contacting Beth by email.

Thanks to all who left a comment, I've enjoyed visiting your blogs in return and hope you continue to visit mine.



WOW, Summer is here in all it's glory. While some are busy mopping up after the

fierce storms and flooding rains, others are still waiting for the first drop to quench the burning ground. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have giant hoses to deliver the waters from flooded areas out to those who are still bone dry.

We had a lovely surprise visit from my parents on Friday afternoon. Mum brought along her box of goodies she received from Sharon Z all the way from USA for ALQS2. She is so thrilled with her little quilt and now that she's finished showing it off, it will be going up on the wall at her place. So from Margaret to Sharon, a huge THANKYOU!

While they were here we had a scheduled power outage most of Sunday so Dad, DH and DS worked outdoors while us girls did what girls do . . . shifted furniture around. Well only one piece but it was my china cabinet which was of course full of STUFF!

Myself, Mum, DD and DS's GF removed everything, cleaned everything, moved the cupboard and replaced everything. Then it was on to Christmas decorations. I usually wait till December but we were after all only one day early so now on the 1st of December we are ready for Christmas. I still have room for a couple of new decorations though.

Once the power returned, DD decided to make some Gingerbread People to take to work.

Meet Mr and Mrs Gingerbread. She made 8 couples and perhaps one left over, then some stars and Christmas Trees.

Aren't they all just so sweet! . . . and yummy! Well we did get to sample some.

Quilting Wishes

Sewing and Nature

Well I had the most lovely day yesterday when my best friend and her beautiful daugther came for a sewing day. Sometimes you just need these days, no planning, it just happens. I finished my November Postcard but photos of that when it has arrived. Then made a good start on another Christmas Table Topper ... see previous post for similar item and giveaway. As DH and DS are out all day, I get another sewing day. The dishes are done, the house is tidy, so I have the whole day ahead of me. What a wonderful feeling.


I can breath again now, my ALQS2 has arrived safetly to the home of Barb. It's always worrying, waiting for them to make their journey far across the seas. Thanks to Kate for organising, it must be such a mammoth task keeping it all running as smoothly as possible.



When the October issue of AP&Q arrived I had a quick thumb through and as soon as I saw this little quilt I thought it would be perfect for my parnter. It was designed by Ruth Buchanan to celebrate Australia's floral emblem the wattle and has lovely yellow Suffolk Puffs. I exchanged the yellow for a burgundy to suit my partners preferences and now I'd like to make another for myself with the yellow this time. Another project for my 'wish list'.



My thoughts have been with those families who have suffered much damage from the raging storms this past week. While we still wait for some good rain to fill the dams and creeks and freshen the grass, we don't want the destructive winds. Nature can be harsh but it can also be beautiful.

I truly admire the photography of some of the girls' blogs I visit and attempt to be better with my own pictures but I have a long way to go. Yesterday afternoon I noticed this view through my kitchen window so grabbed the camera and ran up the back. This is to the South West of us.



This was taken earlier in the week looking to the North East.


My computer is on a 'go slow' this morning so I'll show more photos next post. Time to get sewing.

Quilting Wishes

Time for a Change

Bear with me. I feel like a bloggy change and not sure what I want so this could be a work in progress or a disaster where I revert back to what I started with.

The frogs are croaking loudly tonight so I hope they know what they're croaking about, we could sure do with some rain. It's been a long time between drinks for the ground.

I should be sewing but my attention span is so short that I'll probably muck it up. So a good nights sleep and a fresh start in the morning will be the best approach.

Quilting Wishes