A bit of this and a bit of that :o)

This is something my DH brought home from work the other day … he tore it off his desk calendar cos he thought I’d think it was funny ………. LOL ………… he’s absolutely right, I did ;o)!!!!

I got these in the mail a couple of days ago from the Book Depository (oh I love that site!!!!!!) … I’m in the middle of the latest Elm Creek Quilts book “A Quilter’s Holiday” at the moment so I can’t start reading either one yet, but they look like they’ll be good. I love a good quilty novel :o). Also had a bit of fun in the local op’ shops, my friend Valerie was looking for a pretty cup and saucer for a craft project and while she was browsing I found these ……………I couldn’t resist them, so I bought the pair for just $8!!!! There was LOTS of lovely china, think I’ll be going back for another look very soon ;o).

I’ve tried my hand at something completely different this week and I really enjoyed having a play with something totally unrelated to stitching. Not that I don’t still love my stitching, he he, I ALWAYS love my stitching ~ but it was nice to have a little change ;o). I couldn’t resist the gorgeous little rosebud beads …..and the pretty rosy charms :o).

I have been doing some stitching too, I’ll be able to show you what I’ve been working on very soon …. hope you like it! Here’s a little hint … keep an eye on the Among the Gumtrees blog ;o)!!!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend, looks like it’s going to be another (very) warm one here!! I’m off to the shops to get a new bike helmet and jacket tomorrow so that I can go riding with my DH :o) …. how exciting!!!!

Hexy Project and New Books!!!!

You know how it is when you go to these fabulous craft shows, there's so often someone doing a demonstration and making it look soooo easy!??! Well, that's what happened to me a year or so ago. I was hooked and I just had to give this new thing a try :o). So I bought everything I needed and came home delighted with my spoils and ready to have a play.I even got the Clover Iron cos it made the job soooo much easier :o) ... I studied the book which was very well illustrated, even if the text was in Japanese, no problem, the pictures pretty much told the story (I really love this book)!!! You weave strips of fabric and end up with wonderful patterns - beautiful stuff :o)!!Now I bet you're thinking I'm gonna tell you I wasted my money and it was impossible to replicate what the demonstrator was showing me .... well you're wrong. I laid it all out and I studied the book and I actually made something with this fabulous bundle. Not a waste of money after all.

Oh no, not at all LOL ......... I made THIS :o) ..................He he he ..... aren't you proud of me LOL??? I have my very own drink coaster ... and I use it all the time!!!!! It's not a new finish, I made it ages ago so it's not going on my "finished projects" list on the sidebar ;o), I just thought you might like to see it. It's a massive 3 1/2" wide and pretty much the only thing I've made so far from all this loverly stuff. But I love it - I just wish I could find the time to make more, it really is fun once you get the hang of it :o).

I got 2 more books in the mail from the Book depository today, I'd been watching for the parcel lady everyday last week and today was my lucky day!!! Look what I got!!!! and my very bestest favourite .........I love this Tilda book A LOT!!! There's loads of things I want to make in it .... aren't these ladies just adorable??!!!? ........ in the book they're called 'witches', but I think they're much too pretty!!! ... And knowing how I love chickens, these are DEFINITELY on the "to do" list!!!! They are so cute :o)!!!!

Take care .....

Thanks Mr Postie :o)

I've had such a fun/busy few days ... haven't even blogged for you!! ... and isn't it funny, when I come to writing down what I've been up to ... it really doesn't sound like much at all LOL.

Firstly, I got some mail on Friday from the book depository. Very pleased with that!! I've been wanting this book since we got it in the library of the quilt group I go to and I didn't think they'd appreciate me renewing it over and over again, tee hee. It's got a wealth of information!!!My other fabulous mail came today ... it's my "Zipperphobia" pattern by Catherine Baynes. I bought it from Karen at Mrs Martins Quilt shop - wonderful service, so quick and friendly!! I can't wait to try it out ... believe me, I'm a shocker at zips - I'm hoping this is going to cure me :o). Fingers crossed !!!!Saturday was lovely ... I spent most of the day sewing!! DH and DD2 were both at work so I had the house to myself ...... aaaah, bliss ;o). I put those scrummy fabrics and braids that I bought at the show last week to good use. I've made a bag and I just love it!!! Very girly with lots of pockets and loads of room inside ... I should have the pattern written up in a day or two all being well. DH is on hols for the next month and of course DD2 has school hols too, so perhaps I'm being optomistic in saying that ... LOL. I think that might be a cue for my first blog giveaway!!! Watch this space :o). I must admit, I had a great deal of help in picking and choosing my braids and embellishments from my faithful kitty/CEO/quality control officer - Sophie. What would I do without her ... tee hee.Sunday we took my Mum and her friend Jill (from UK) for a drive to Toowoomba to see the Carnival of Flowers, and of course the Quiltfest. It runs for a few more days yet so if you haven't been and you're within reach, it's well worth the trip. The flowers were just spectacular and we were blessed with simply perfect weather. That's me on the left of the piccy below taking 1 of only 6 photos I was able to take on my little camera ....... dil that I am I had forgotten to put the memory card back in after I downloaded my other shots ... doh!!! Lucky DH had his with him.

The quilts were terrific too, ooohI just love quilt shows. DH was very patient and even came around and viewed the quilts with me ... what a honey ;o). As I write this he's busy sanding the walls in our spare bedroom ready to repaint. I'll save that for another post though!!

That's all for now ... take care,

Joy :o)