Goodtimes and a label or two.

 Quilt labels are an essential part of making a quilt with a little journal of who it was made for and why. I love to read other peoples labels do you? Well at Christmas time Mum and I found this cute little stamp and ink pad set at Kikki K, and thought it would be rather nice to put on my labels. I had shoved it in a draw and forgotten about it? tell me you do stuff like that and I am not the only mad woman, racing from one thing to another?

 Madison's quilt got a label before it went down to go into the show, I forgot to take a pic so when they are hanging next week I will.

Every year the week before the Brookfield show they have the Brookfield ball in the long yard of the horse paddock, we have been going for 7 odd years and it's always a highlight on the calender for us, so here we are my man and me. ( pic is really for my mum as I am sure the last thing you want to see is us. Anyway have a super week and happy stitching.

oh dear I dont think am ready

Formal for Ipswich Grammar.

My daughter is in year 12 this year and of course it all dress, hair, makeup,.............. grown up...oh no

she does look so beautiful, but I am bias.

Before her date arrived to pick her up it was a little fresh she had her grungy flannel shirt and her Doc Marten boots on of course the pooch was close by.
The Brookfield show is on next weekend so I have decided to put two quilts in. So if your in Brisbane and have some time next weekend, you should pack up your family and go. We love it and go everyday of the weekend, the rodeo is on friday night and they always have the usual suspects, like show bags sideshow alley and the needlework, cakes, woodturning and great shows at night with the fireworks. The motor bike jumping is always spectacular too.www.brookfieldshow.com

so click on the link and go to needlework if you want to enter something today or on Thursday night they have the wine n cheese night to announce the winner's for all the art and needlework. the Art is always wonderful too. Can you tell I am a loud and proud Brookfieldian? I am sadly not going to the show this year-- but off to Adelaide for a wedding which will also be great.

anyway enough ramblings.

Happy stitching

Well i am off to put on some rod pockets and head down to enter my quilts

Jelly Roll Stars

 Christines quilt sorry about the poor photo.

 Mine so far, its matching up soIi am thrilled

Well I have been busy sewing and had a wonderful night on Tuesday with the lovely Christine teaching this lovely quilt made from a Jelly Roll.My Jelly roll is so old it doesn't have the pinking shear edges. My wonderful sister bought it for me for my birthday some years ago and I wanted to make something great, and now its happening. Look at Christine's lovely quilt if mine can look half as good I will be thrilled. I must say it is so lovely to commune with other sewers and learn great technique's from Christine, and the other girls in our class are great.
Thanks for dropping by I will have formal photos tomorrow the yr 12 is getting all glammed up.

Spoilt on Mothers day

Well i know I am a day late posting this but my computer had other ideas yesterday. But anyway here we are. I wanted to tell you about my mothers day briefly. I was spoilt with my teenage girls making me breaky in bed and we sat and had a lovely chat and caught up on the goings on in the land of teenage girls.. well as much as I could get out of them. When I was a teenager my sister use to call my mother "Mrs 21 questions"...... they will both have a laugh at that. Anyway I was given a kindle... ever heard of that? no me neither and its pretty fantastic, and it came in my favourite colour as well, Lime Green

 Sorry about the shadow that is me, a Kindle is an electronic book, you down load books and cart them everywhere you go. It will store over 1000 books i can loan books to another friend who has a kindle i can even down load a sample of a book and read the first 3-4 chapters to see if I like it. Now before you say I have broken the back on the book industry I have a friend who works at a large chain book store who said it was just from bad management they are closing down. I am currently reading Echo in the Bone by Diana Galbardon. so nice not to cart a 800 page book in my handbag.

 Kindle cover, it has a built in light for night reading...yes so awesome. Thank you family

 This is my eldest daughter, who modelled in the yr 12 fashion parade on the weekend. All those yr 12 girls wore clothing for local boutiques and looked 20 not 16-17 yrs

On Saturday I whipped up this baby it5s a money apron for my Sista Sue- not her real name but what we call each other. SS is having a craft  market stall in Gladstone this weekend so i made this cute money apron. A girl needs somewhere to keep money phone and order book at such events. I hope she likes it. The owl pattern comes from Paula Storm Designs she has a great tutorial for a softie. So a hugh thank you to Paula and she has some great patterns so please go and check her out.
I am off to a class tonight with Christine she is going to help me get my quilting mojo back... watch this space.

thanks for dropping by  Stacey

Mothers Day Loves and hugs

My Mummy has sent me a present, I know i hear you say what.... you as the child is meant to sent it... Mum its on it way sorry Australia post wont deliver till Monday... Mum has 3 awesome kids but we all live interstate, which really is well......, it just is and that's all there is to it My Big Bro lives in Sydney town, my Sistsa sue lives in Gladstone and I here in Brissy, Mum n Dad in Goolwa,just an hour out of Adelaide. So mum gets a few frequent miles up and we love to have them come and visit, ( only a few weeks till the next visit)

Anyway Mum has sent me a little parcel of quilt tops to complete and she has done a super job check out the Michelle Hill- inspired William Morris. Mum has blanked stitched the blocks and machine stitched the borders. Mum made this in 1997 and never quite got round to finishing it and the sampler quilt. So by me blogging about it will make me finish them both fingers crossed. I don't think I will have made one quilt for the retreat they are all the lovely works of my Mum and Sister. thank you both. xxxx

So thank you Mummy Darling and sending you all the love n hugs in the world I wish I was there to make you lunch and us all be together, so in spirit we will be.
To all you Ladies have a lovely  and special day where ever you and your mum is, sending you..... Love n Hugs.xxxooooo.

I found this in a city window this week sorry about the quailty but thought it said it all.

 Thank you Mum I will quilt it and love both the quilts and send them to live at your house sometimes too.

 oops get that doggy off of that quilt....... sorry Alphie wanted to wish you a happy mothers day too.

 I found this pic from mothers day a few years ago. Hubby and the kids made me flowers and chocolates. The crafty thing runs in the family. I had a whole vase of them. I had forgotten about this great mothers day....they are pretty cool my fam.

Our Family @ Christmas 2010 in Buderim. Love you guys xxx

Thanks for stopping by Loves n hugs

Waiting n hexing

Hi, I am sitting waiting for daughter no 1 to finish trampoline training and thought I would try out a post whilst waiting on my I phone. 24 hours ago I was also at trampoline 30 mins here and back home to cook dinner. Then back again so 2 hours in car so far ...... Mad I know then 30mins from tramp on to touch football game for daughter no 2 we got home at 10pm. I left home at 5.30am this morning to drop daughter no 2 to rowing training. Should be home by 8.30pm for dinner then at 8.30 am have to drive no 1 to trampoline coaching. I am exhausted just thinking about it. When I was a kid I walked rode my bike caught the train or didn't join that sport. I also lived in a shoe box on the side of the road......... Lol anyway I get lots of hexes sewn hubby home tomorrow night yeah.
Happy stitching where ever you are. Got to love technology.
Cheers n beers when I get to one. X

Paris Bag

On the weekend we had Michelle from Lemon Jellie come for a sleepover at the retreat and look what she bought with her an overnight bag. No not just any ordinary overnight bag but the Paris overnight bag. Did I ever tell you guys that I won a trip to Paris..............OMG it is the most wonderful city and my favourite. Will have to tell you about that one day. Anyway I am thinking that I would love to make one of these little beauties and you can do a class at www.thequilterscorner.com.au Michelle teaches there and said that it's a bit tricky but easier with some one to guide you. Sounds like a must to add to my list.

The material needs to be quilted before you go to class and then constructed in class. Its a winner what do you think? I must call Leesa and book a class, then dream about the fabrics, I love the big red roses Michelle great choice.

Anyway I best get off to work so you have a great day and thanks for dropping by. Cheers Stace

Sunshine Coast Patchwork Retreat

Well after the wettest summer ever (we have started to call the Sunshine coast the precipitation Coast), but this weekend it redeemed itself. My girlfriends and I have been trying to organise a Sewing weekend for 6 months and the May day long weekend was perfect for us. It started out with sewing machines humming, Westminster Abbey's Bells tolling and Moet to celebrate the nuptials. We had so many laughs and late nights sewing, wine and dinner at the Machine 2 nights out of 3 and late night hot tub and wine. You can tell it was getting serious, when the competitiveness of finishing a project was being measured and counted. lots of projects were completed and the pics are below.The lovely  Michelle came and stayed the night on Sunday, poor girl we bombarded her with  quilting question's, bullied her into having a spa and generally had lots of laughs. Michelle and I use to sew together in Adelaide when both out men where in the Airforce, and have met up again through Quilters Corner Store where I walked in to the shop and Michelle recognised me. Isn't life wonderful that you can reconnect all through the little world of fabric. Anyway the proof is in the pudding and below is the evidence of a great weekend had and planning the next one. If you and your Circle of Friends would like to go on Retreat please log onto my website www.circleretreat.com.au and have a look and contact me. I would love to have you stay and enjoy the joys of friends and fabric @ Circle Retreat.

 The Happy couple

 The happy Crowd of well wishers

 Carolyn completed her Machine quilting on her first ever sampler quilt. yeah

 Sunrise from the balcony.............magic

 Carolyn and Jackie enjoying the sunshine and first coffee, with Mt Coolum in the background.

 Well she did finish her lovely bag but didn't want her photo taken so lets call her Ned Kelly..........

 Just some of the finished quilts and 4 bags were made from start to finish this weekend, of course you saw one of them on Jill's head.... lol

The lovely Michelle and this beautiful quilt in Flannels, this doesn't show all the colours but its yummy.
Thanks for dropping by and happy stitching.

weekend preview

Just running out the door to go to work but wanted to post some pics from our wonderful weekend.
does it get any better than a royal wedding and quilting with your besties????? no not really I hear you say. tonight I will add the newsy bits but for now some snaps.......

Sew Fabulous.............look whats arrived

Does it get any better than this, the anticipation of purchases unknown, will it arrive, will it be what I wanted, what I expected but just 17 days later here it is my first ever fabric purchase from overseas. Well I think we should help all economies get back on there feet, not just ours, and when you think a fat quarter is 6 bucks here and you can get 12 little Amy Butlers sent here for $36, well why should we not help out. As you can see I bought a few lovely bundles and some extras for the stash and am super excited and hope I can bring myself to chop them up.
If you would like to help the USA economy I highly recommend you stop by  www.sewfabulousquiltshop.com  

Sew as Brisbane smiles into another long weekend I wish you all a happy one as I am heading to the retreat with some bff's and our sewing gear to watch the wedding and quilt away....

thanks for stopping by and happy stitching

Loving a long break...

Well I hope you all had a wonderful break over Easter & Anzac weekend. We go camping with some other families every year and the kids really love it nearly as much as the adults. We are very blessed that they all get on so well and play cards, swim, boogie board, the list goes on but no TV or computers yeah...... We had the most wonderful weather for 6 days and the heavens opened on pack up day, which is always a bummer to pack up in the rain. Anyway some afternoon sleeps were had, some hexagons completed and my crochet scarf got finished. Some holiday pics to view below. I hope you are all well and thanks for dropping by. If any one wants the basic pattern for the scarf just drop me a line I love to hear from you.

Cheers n Chocolate....  :)  
Stacey

 I took this pic off this little lane off the highway. I have passed this little church every month for 6 years and decided to stop and hang my scarf over the fence for some bloggy snaps. Its between Glen Inness and Inverell.

 who knew what kids could make with those funny strips of modelling plasticine and three hours camping. Arent they fantastic?

 Harry Potter even has his scar.

 You have to be the mother of invention when bike riding and heading to the beach. They hace those ocky straps on to hold the board onto there backs.

 can you guess were related?

 The kidlet Crew.

and waiting for the next set.


 Have a great day............Stacey

Happy Hexagon Stash

 Well can you imagine my delight when I found a stash of made hex flowers stashed away in a plastic tub......... So I have laid them out with the bulk of my hexagons that have been put together and wow I am happy with how it is coming along. Just for those of you that may not be happy that my end result will be a mismash of fabric, colours, and tones, for me it was a way of using up my scraps and being given lovely left overs from friends and family from there own projects. I look at some of these flowers and hate only a few infact I am going to take one out that has been sew in for a good 3 years and every time I look at it, well lets just say its going to the scrapheap once more. It is a lovely reminder of the journey of other quilts and travels with fabrics shared and coffee and melting moments shared...........you know who you are.

Well I was travelling home via the  Brisbane River yesterday and look at this.............. I managed to take this pic when the traffic came to a stop. You can see a boat with some blokes and the mast of a rather large Yacht that would have sunk in the floods in January. Anyhow I thought how lovely the city (behind the pole) and river is looking and thought my dad a yachty would like to see this.

Thanks for dropping by and please say hello. Stacey

Birdie and Blogs

Birdie Light from Loot, isnt it so cute

Well, I have been having so much fun reading everyone's blog and jumping from one persons to another that I get a little carried and then the kids are calling that we have to go and do this or that, and dont get around to the new post I have planned out in my little head. Like right now Miss 2 has just asked if we can go.... I promised to take her and 3 friends Ice skating to the evening session 7.30 -9.30pm so some more hexing will be done in some funny little cold cafe tonight. Well before I know it they will be driving and not asking me which will be sad, so I need to go when requested.
Also I found this cute little tea light bird in Loot last week and she is very happy in her new home, in fact she is glowing...... sorry could'nt help myself.
Do you ever get asked by the Man of the house for a present? not me and not often so when  a request was made for a present of a new little note book case I was straight into my sewing room looking for any non floral girly fabric I could find. and this is the end result, not to bad even though I didn't have a black zip, but was thrilled that I had a big chunky style one and it was the perfect fit. Another reason to always have a few extras on hand.

Thanks for stopping by. Stacey

Did I say ..............

Last post I was proudly skiting that I had lost 2 sport trips a week.............. well not so fast. Just been informed that touch football  training and game"s are just about to start and I think Mum I am going to try-out for Rowing. if any of you have been a rowing mum you know my hesitation. The kids train about 12 hours a week and let me tell you the girls train in terms 2 and 3 of course its cold and dark at 4.30am when I looove to leave my warm bed to start up mums taxi service. oh well ho hum such is life and they will be leaving the nest in the blink of an eye. putting on my happy mummy face now. Maybe I can come home and sew for an hour while the house is quite??????

Life and the school run

 I need to finish the quilting on this quilt can you give me any advice other than dont roll it up so tight, look at those creases. The plan is to do a scallop edge and that's where i am upto in the quilting any suggestions? please comment below. Mum that includes you................xx Mum sewed the top for me thanxs mummy darl,

 discovered this new thread which is great for sewing hexies. Its a coffee colour and blends really well. It actually a bobin filler type thread.

 A pic of Alphie all grown up .

 My darling man repotted this last weekend and created a hanging arrangement for this fav bergonia of mine. I must say I bought this little plant nearly a year ago and it has not stopped flowering and being a total delight.

Well I don't know about you guys but it get pretty chaotic around our place, what with 2 teenage daughters-need i say more and the school run, sport run, work, life, Retreat etc.  Anyway I guess I wouldn't change to much of it. We now only have 7 sport runs a week as Miss 2 has just finished water polo or should I say Rugby in the water. 3 of these sport runs involve a half our travel each way and when the training is for 2 hours, well it seems rather silly to turn around and drive home for an hour and then go back. But alas that's what I will be doing this week and next as my partner in crime is working away and he is my driver of these sport events. when its from 5.30 to 8.30 someone needs to cook dinner and I don't really like to leave the 13yr old home. Well i had to work last weekend for my real job so I didn't get much sewing done, but here's what I did the week before and my man on the weekend too.

have a happy Wednesday. and thanks for dropping by.