Melbourne and Giveaway winner

I had an amazing time in Victoria. The quilt exhibition Making the Australian Quilt was exceptional, such beautiful quilts made without the tools and conveniences we take for granted. Of course my favourite was Prudence Jeffrey's hexagon quilt nd Auntie Greens. It was exciting to finally visit Lucellos after the exhibition, a little treasure chest of goodies.

 

It was wonderful to catch up with Elyte and Marina on Saturday. We have been meeting every two years as my niece and nephews turned 21, not sure what next event will bring me to Melbourne but I'm sure I'll be back again. We went to Woolarium for sock wool, GJ's and The Cutting Cloth, and had a lovely lunch afterwards. The girls spoiled me with some rabbit themed gifts including fabrics for my bunny quilt, and a bunny spoon. My sister gave me the book from the exhibition.

 

On Sunday we left Melbourne, perfectly timed to visit Threadbear at Castlemaine. I think I have found my spiritual home. I could have bought some of every single fabric in the store! I was so overwhelmed that I almost couldn't make a selection, but it passed. I stocked up on some great fabrics and backgrounds. Almost bought the starter pack for Celebrating Mary Brown but decided to think about it for a while. 

 

After two days wandering around Daylesford we headed back to Melbourne via Millrose......another overwhelmingly beautiful store. Then on to the plane home and back to work. I'm hoping to spend the weekend finally playing with my goodies!

 

I have finished another pair of socks for my niece, and one sock of the self striping variety bought on holidays. It's quite amazing to see the pattern come out.

 

Thank you everyone for the lovely comments for my blog birthday, I've been a bit slack with my replies. I used my highly technical random number selector (hi honey, please choose a number between 1 and 42) and the winner is number 33, Helen. Email your address and this little package will be on its way.

 

Happy weekend everyone.

Susan x

Chookshed birthday

I'm joining in for a weekend of virtual sewing to celebrate the Chookshed's fourth birthday. And what a beautiful cold, rainy weekend it is. 

I've been doing a bit of knitting lately.......two beanies, one too big and one too small......one more go before I give up!

 

After seeing a very similar large size quilt on the cover of Quilters Companion I thought it was time this little mini was quilted. I'm so tempted to make a full scale one in just navy and white. Yes the blue pen will wash out. I have heard some horror stories but it always washes out for me.

 

Still going on Doing The Rounds. Lots and lots of circles to applique. Just have to decide what to put in those spaces either side of the main flower......

 

Hope you're having a wonderful sewing weekend too.

Susan x

Fun and a surprise

My weekend retreat at Two Rivers Winery (Denman) was wonderful. It was exactly what I needed. The cottage was lovely, and the company exceptional. Below is before and after we unpacked. Most of us were hand sewing this time.......unfortunately no respectable group photo.

No finishes for me from the weekend, but a lot of progress......this mini is ready for a tiny bit of quilting.....

I made a start on my bunny hexagon quilt. These hexagons are a huge 1 1/2". I got the idea from Cathy. I'm a long way off a quilt, so if you have any 4" squares of bunny fabric you don't want I could put them to good use!

I came home to a very sweet surprise from Marina. It's very cute, and will be in use long after Easter. Thank you.

Unbelievably, it's FNWF again tomorrow. I'm looking forward to doing some more applique on my own quilt, it's a little bit too warm for hand quilting yet.

Happy sewing,

Susan x

Retreat weekend

Home from a FNWF that lasted two nights and three days. Our retreat at Middlebrook was fun, inspiring and rejuvenating. We gathered on Friday and stitched the weekend away. I didn't take many photos because I was too busy being in the moment.

I finished quilting this little darling, and now just need to bind it. Almost had a disaster when I dropped cut passion fruit on it yesterday, but thankfully it didn't stain.

These three rascals snuggled under Raelee's first whole cloth quilt. I am so impressed by how quickly Raelee is mastering the technique, but it hasn't tempted me to try........yet.

Raelee also showed us her Violet all finished and bound. Such a beautiful (and huge) quilt.

.

I'm still dabbling with 1930's, this Dresden is 5 1/2" diameter.

Thanks for a great weekend girls, I think next time we should go for a week!

In other news, I can now be found on Instagram @thimblestitch1, but I won't be abandoning my blog anytime soon :)
Happy stitching.

Susan x

FNWF - Extended version

I have joined up for FNWF, and will be sewing with friends all weekend. I'm off on retreat to Middlebrook in the Hunter Valley with the Cassilis Quilters and friends. I can't decide what to sew so I'm taking everything! 

Have a great weekend, I know I will!

Susan x

Warning: colourful project

Well, more colourful than usual for me anyway. Who would have thought I'd have a little fling with 1930's. Certainly not me because I don't own any. But I have a friend that has LOTS. Another mini has found its way into my sewing basket. I admired this one by Judy Day many years ago and came across it again when I was sorting through old magazines last week. Lea very kindly donated some 1930's scraps and I'm on my way. I could appliqué little leaves all day long, it's my favourite shape. Judy had another mini leaf design in APQ Vol 8 No. 9 (I think). I know I used to have the pattern but I don't anymore. Thank you Sue for finding the pattern for me........love my blog buddies.

We also had belated birthday celebrations at the weekend and look what my wonderful friends gave me, a signed copy of Irene Blancks new book. Talk about the perfect gift, thank you girls. Lea made me a reel holder with special fabric from her US trip, and Bev made us all a gorgeous coathanger with stitchery detail.

I was very excited to receive my partner for Chookyblue's SSCS last week. It's so much work for Chooky to organize this international swap but I'm so glad she does every year, it has become a favourite Christmas tradition. Now to get my thinking cap on and start sewing!

Now all I need is a few extra sewing days in the week and I'll be right. Too much sewing......what a wonderful dilemma.

Susan x

A Stitching Sleepover

What could be better at the end of a busy week than heading off to a stitching sleepover? Last Saturday I loaded up the car with a months worth of sewing and drove to Muswellbrook for a sleepover with the Casillis quilters. It was so good to sew all day and late into the night with Lea, Raelee, Kylie, Alison and Julie. Unfortunately Bev was sick so couldn't make it.

These girls are so clever, there was lots of inspirational sewing happening. I adore Lea's Liberty foxes quilt.

Raelee's quilting progress was fantastic after only one lesson.

And Kylie finished hand quilting her beautiful Gardeners Journal.

Quilting in front of the open fire until my eyes wouldn't stay open was magic!

Thanks for a great weekend girls, it was good for the soul. 

Susan x

Road trip

Up bright and early yesterday morning for a two hour drive to Scone for a sewing day at Raelee's. I couldn't wait to see her new Grace quilting frame in action. The photograph shows it expanded to full size, lucky she has the perfect spot for it.

It was pretty much a meeting of the Cassilis Quilters as Kylie, Lea and Julie were there too. We had a lot of chatting to catch up on.......I managed to blanket stitch around four little wings and put a few stitches in this mini which has been in the cupboard for a while. Fiona's table runner inspired me to get it quilted.

Raelee has loaned me a cross stitch frame to try. I've never used a frame or hoop but it does seem to make it easier.

Hope you found some time to be creative over the weekend.
Susan x

Spoiled

It's not hard to stay on a fabric diet with blogging friends. I received a lovely variety of red and text fat quarters from my birthday fat quarter swap group this week. The girls outdid themselves with their selections......thank you!

And some more from others who know me well........how gorgeous is the basket that Lea made for me?

My most precious gift came from Mr 13. A tiny clay glazed rabbit made at school. He measures about 1 1/2" long and is a lovely addition to my collection.

We had another lovely stitching day at Cassilis today. Scrumptious food and wonderful company again.......and photos forgotten. Raelee had her Toes in the Sand top finished. You will have to take my word for how good it was, great blues and teals.

Kylie from Red Raspberry Quilts was there too, she is a fine saleswoman and sent out a well timed email this week with the new Kathy Schmitz range of reds.........since it was my birthday I think it's technically a birthday gift to myself not a broken fabric diet.

And I finished binding The Simple Life.

So it's been a happy and busy week here.........I'm hoping to spend some time tidying my sewing room and finding a place for my new treasures over the weekend.
Happy stitching.
Susan x

Lunch with friends

I have had such a lovely afternoon with Elyte and Marina. We spent an hour at Tranquility crafts choosing and buying some goodies. It's such a well stocked little shop and Joanne is so friendly. I was very happy to find a fabric that I have been looking for since I was here two years ago. You know when you carry a tiny scrap around in your purse for months searching for a fabric....very happy to find it again at Tranquility.

Then we had a scrumptious lunch at Puckle Street and talked late into the afternoon. Elyte and I had planned a mini swap to exchange while I was I here in Melbourne. I love my new mini. It has some elements from Elyte's new Stonefields quilt, and is made in my favourite French General fabrics. Thank you so much for making such a beautiful new addition to my mini wall.

Time spent with blogging friends is so good for the soul. Thank you!
I'll be back soon with a pic of my purchases.

Susan x

The people you meet!

I went to Newcastle to pick up my sister on Friday. Of course I had to pop into Quilt Essentials at Lambton, and whilst I was browsing who do you think walked in the door? Of all the shops and people in Newcastle, that was the very moment Cardygirl chose to pick up her fabric. What a funny and happy coincidence. I also got to meet Mr Cardy (Cardyboy?). So lovely to see you both.

Also popped into Spotlight, bagged some bed linen bargains and these yummy chevron prints.

Home to a very cold Mudgee yesterday, and delivering my sister to an even colder Bathurst tomorrow. Thank goodness for a warm fire and the quilt on my bed.

I haven't been replying or commenting so much lately, but will get back to it soon. My life is good, but it's not always the perfectly happy stitchy life that my blog depicts. A few work and life changes going on at home, little children growing into big children, and aging parents. Nothing to worry about, just real life.

Happy Sunday.

Susan x

Christmas mail

I have been lucky enough to receive some lovely goodies in the mail this week. Elyte from Tea, Fabric and Other Things sent me a delightful and unexpected gift. I think I almost have a collection of sweet calico bags now, and the fabric is very much my cup of tea. Thankyou!

Sue (no blog) sent me these cute potholders, I think they may be cousins of Peg and Dale.

And last but not least, my Friends in Stitching Christmas package arrived from De (not too happy with Australia Post but that is another story).

Feeling revived today after cooler temperatures overnight and today. Wishing everyone a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas.

Susan x

Cassilis Quilters Guild

What a lovely day we had stitching at The Plough Inn Cafe, Cassilis. Our hostess Linda made us feel so welcome. The cakes and bread were still warm from the oven, and the minestrone was delicious. The cafe sells art, antique furniture and other quirky bits and pieces too.

Here we are stitching up a storm on the back verandah. Lea, Raeleeand Kylie. It was so incredibly quiet........except for us of course.

Into our own little dining room for lunch, complete with wood fire.

And I did manage to actually do some sewing too. Another Floral Beauty.

There will definitely be more meetings of the Cassilis Quilters Guild!

It was a fabulous start to my weekend. I hope yours is great too.

Susan x

A little road trip

I'm looking forward to a little road trip to Cassilis on Friday. It's a little town of about 350 people, just off the Golden Highway, with one cafe. I will be meeting up with Lea, Kylie and Raelee for some stitching fun. Its about an hour or so drive for each of us. Look out Cassilis!

I think I will take a Floral Beauty block to work on. I am rationing out the last blocks...........I have enjoyed this project so much that I don't want it to end.

Other than that I've been concentrating on quilting my nephews quilt so nothing much new to show.

No photos, but Mr 16 and I went to Art Unlimited at Dunedoo on Saturday. It was a great exhibition of art, photography and sculpture........fantastic effort for a small town.

Hope you have a great week.

Susan x

I'm a happy little blogger!

Just home from a lovely day out. After picking Deb up on the way, we arrived at The Home Patch for our blog meet as the doors opened. We spent a very happy two hours enjoying the shop, shopping and chatting.

Here's Lea, Deb and Fiona deciding what to buy.

Anni does a fabulous job decorating the shop and displaying fabrics. Even when you think you've seen it all, you still find other little treasures.

I had to quickly pop into Spotlight....for more zippers.....then we went to Chai Wallah for lunch. We even had our own room. Show and Tell was as amazing as always. Chookyblue had some beautiful quilt tops that were on their way to the quilter. And Chookyblue, Janice and Kate all showed their gorgeous SKOW quilts. Lovely work girls. I love seeing the same quilt made with different fabric choices and quilting.

Lea showed us the two antique quilts she bought in the States, and lots of photos from her trip. Must start saving now! No photos, the iPad just didn't do them justice.

We also had a visit from Chookyblue's little sister and her sweet little baby boy.

It was just a lovely, fun, relaxed day out with friends.......very special.

Susan x

Blog meet

Looking forward to meeting up with some fellow bloggers for lunch and shopping at The Home Patch on Saturday 24 November. Pop over to Chookyblue for more info.

With that in mind I am trying to finish my TTS for show and tell. Just quilting straight lines in the borders. I hope this hot weather goes away so I can keep going.

Hope you're having a good week.

Susan x

Tea, coffee, fabric and other things.....

I've had a lovely afternoon tea with Elyte, Marina and Robyn. We met at Tranquility Crafts and spent quite a lot of time choosing some fabrics to come home with us. Joanne was very friendly, and had lots of finished quilts and projects on display too.

Here we are in the class work area - Elyte, Robyn, Marina and I. Thank you girls, it was so much fun to meet in person.

I went to Sweet by Nature with my sister today, to pick up the big birthday cake. The display cakes were amazing. Alison is having a berry bliss sponge cake that looks very tasty.

We are all having a great time relaxing and spending time with family. I won't want to come home!

Susan x