Achoooooo!!!

I’ve had a bit of a cold  **sniff** !!
Haven’t felt like doing much.
But BEFORE the dreaded lurgy got me I had a fabulous time in Bundaberg at The Quilters Shack teaching a quilt as you go class. What a terrific bunch of ladies – such a fun day!!! Flying there and back in storms was an eye opener lol – but once I got there the weather in Bundy was simply beautiful. I’d love to go back one day and explore in the shop too, it’s HUGE - and packed to the brim with SO much fabricky loveliness!!! Thanks so much to Sue-Ellen for inviting me up, and to all the staff there for making me feel so welcome too, I really enjoyed myself :o)!!!
I’ve also been to the Craft and quilt fair in Brissy where I caught up with some lovely ladies … here’s Kez and me at her gawjus Giggle Buttons stand surrounded by lots of Red Brolly and Giggle goodness … Hiya Kez!!!Oh and you can just see the corner of Gail Pan’s Berries and Bluebirds on the left … mmmmm that’s another on my ‘to do’ list, love it!! I also bumped into the lovely Lynda at the Giggle Buttons stand but we forgot to get a piccy, what were we thinking he he!?!
I finally managed to meet Danielle from Country Threads too…. We’ve chatted on the phone lots of times but this was the first time we actually got to meet in person – and what’s that in the background on the left??? Why it’s my “Pudding Time” stitchery he he – look out for it in the next Patchwork and Stitching magazine :o)!!!
I went to lots of workshops and have SO many ideas buzzing around in my head, I can’t wait for the bug to be gone so that I can get back into my stitching – for now all I’ve been doing is doodling in my new Art Journal …. it’s such fun and requires little or no thought – love it :o).
Hopefully next time I’ll have some show and tell for you of the stitchy kind, til then ……

Another Brissy Blogger meet – and some show and tell from me :o)

Who’s up for a Blogger get together????? Maree and I thought it might be fun to get together again so if anyone is interested please let me or Maree know.

Sunday 27th November
The Rotunda.
(Gazebo in Pub Grounds)
The Grandview Hotel
49 North St
Cleveland.

We were thinking morning tea – they make terrific coffee ;o), and if you’d like to stay on for lunch, then please let us know tat too so we can book enough tables.

Onto stitching ……….. I can’t believe how much I’ve managed to get done this month already!!! My mojo has been working overtime lol. Here’s some Reward Card wallets that I’ve made as little extras to go in with my Chrissy gifts. The pattern for this is free for you to download on my Freebies Page (personal use only please).I actually made 8 of these but a couple of dear ladies from my quilting group took a fancy to the other two ;o). I also made this gawjus wine carrier from this fabulous freebie tutorial by Anne E Weaver. Really easy to make, I think I’ll be doing a few more of these – Thanks Anne :o)!!! AND I made yet another Doctor Bag … this one’s my favourite so far, all pink and pretty :o)  The fabric used for the pocket and for the straps is from “Curio” range by Basic Grey for Moda – love all those old fashioned letters and postcards ;o).

I’m still working on my pieced applique’ quilt, this is the layout… I’ve decided it’s going to be for Rae so I’m keen to get it finished now. I’ve started the quilting and I like it so far…  It’s a bit hard to see in those pics, but I’m using a stencil for the Irish chain blocks. I haven’t made up my mind what to do for the pieced blocks yet … any suggestions??

I’m flying up to Quilters Shack in Bundaberg tomorrow to teach a quilt-as-you-go class so if you’re in the area I’d love to see you – pop in and say hi :o)!!

I’d better go and get my things together ….

Life can be a struggle.

Sometimes simply getting up in the morning isn’t quite so easy for some as it is for others. And that’s how it is for my gawjus daughter-in-law Alicia’s Mum Rae. Rae suffers from MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and at the moment she’s doing it pretty tough. This disease has robbed her of her independence since she can no longer live in her own home after a recent set back. She has had to move in to an MS Queensland-run care facility.

I’m so proud of Ross and Alicia, they’re doing the MS Moonwalk on Friday night with Rae (on the left in the pic below with Alicia and my DS Ross) in her newly acquired wheels, to raise much needed funds for MS Queensland. If you think you could help out even just a little bit by giving a donation I know they’d be ever so grateful. Here’s the link to their team sponsor sheet “Rae of Sunshine” with MS Queensland … http://www.msqldevents.org.au/MS-Moonlight-Walk-2011/Rae%20of%20Sunshine/?utm_source=share_my_page&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=MS_QLD. Donations over $2 are tax deductable in Australia :o).

How wonderful it would be if we could someday find a cure for MS.

Why “JoyPatch”???

I’ve just been over to Dawn’s blog and she’s asking the question “what’s the reason behind the name”.

Why did we choose the names of our blogs?

Well, even though it’s quite obvious why mine is what it is – cos “Joy” is my name and all … I thought I’d join in the fun and try and get you all to do the same … there might even be a prize in it if you’re Dawn’s lucky winner :o)!!!

I’m looking forward to following all the links to read your stories ….. and I’m sure they’ll be a LOT more interesting than mine lol.

Been working on a UFO!!!

This has been a work in very slow progress lol.
I finally got a little bit of time on my Rosie yesterday and I’ve put together two of the strips for my “pieced applique'” quilt.
All of the blocks are made, it’s just a matter of putting them all together now. Sounds pretty simple …. but somehow I’m finding it hard to grab the time lately ;o). I’ve really enjoyed making the blocks for this quilt – I used a “Fig and Plum” layer cake.
Watch this space ….. maybe I’ll finally get it finished lol.
Hope you’re having a fabulous day ……….

A finish and a picnic in the park

I had a lovely day at a picnic in the park this week with Gill – it was her birthday. The weather wasn’t that great but the food and the company was just fabulous. Here’s Gill and her daughter Hayley and me at beautiful Victoria Point on a windy but beautiful day :o). We had a fabulous time and I can’t wait to catch up with Gill again soon :).
I had to buy a new diary for next year as I’ve started making arrangements that are in the new year …. so of course it had to have a pretty cover :). I’ve had this pretty fabric for ages and finally found a use for it. AND I’ll get to see it everyday – much better than having it stuck in my stash where I never see it. It’s a lovely diary too, with inspirational quotes dotted here and there throughout. I’d best be off, I’ve got a posh dinner to go to tonight, but before I go here’s a look at one of the blocks I’ve been working on for a new design. This one’s going to be for “Fresh Hope” and I’m really enjoying it so far. A bit of applique, a bit of stitchery …… I’ll keep you posted ;o).
Hope you have a great weekend!!!