Quilt Retreat on the Sunshine Coast

Well the new Homespun is out and so is the new Ad for Circle Retreat. I have had a few enquires and bookings this week, which is wonderful. You never know if people read and remember, when you advertise. Not a cheap exercise but wonderful way to get the word out. Have you seen the ad if you buy this mag i would love to hear any feedback you have for me, should I change the photo? or the colouring? etc

Well this week has been busy with EOFS with my real job and finishing my  book from previous post.... but daughter no 1 needed to bake for one of her friends birthdays at school and i had just read Mon Petit Poppet 'had a great little receipe for these Choccie Afghan Biscuits. so anyway we wipped up a batch and they are so good- i substituted the walnuts for almonds. awesome highly recommend and everything was in the pantry, which always rates highly in my book. I have pinched Steph's photo. Ours never made it to photo stage or in fact they didnt make it to school the next day. oops.......

Thanks for dropping by and id love to hear your thoughts. Stacey

Do you love to read ?

I don't know when it started for me, the love affair with books that is? I remember when I was maybe in grade 6 at school and I started a note book. I drew it up with columns and would write the date I started the book title author all the usual suspects and then I would give it a rating and a comment. I totally loved Trixie Beldon and any pony club books oh and the diary of Anne Franks. I wonder what ever happened to that old book? I do know that I can curl up on the lounge with the rugby or a movie on and not hear much but read and be happy with my family by my side. I know that I can be rather obsessed and carry the latest or even not so latest book around with me like a child carries it's dolly. But in all my years and love of books there has never been an author quite like this one to hold my attention and re read over and over again. So at least 2 years ago when her last book came out I waited hoping it would be under the Christmas tree, and oh well it wasn't there but I could pick one up or borrow it from the library. But time got away from me and here I am two years later totally engrossed in Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon..............its just at the pinnacle point in the story and my imagination has gone off with Claire and Jamie to a time ... well anyway if you have never read this Author start at the beginning and find Crosstitch- amazingly nothing to do with sewing. When I lived in the Barossa Valley I went to a sit n sew group and all the girls were reading these books so as I've said earlier an avid reader, pick me I want to try these books out.  ahhhhh and I've never looked back. One of these ladies was pregnant at the time she named her new baby boy..........yes you guessed it. Jamie.
My friend Michelle at lemonjellie she was with me as I started on this journey of books, I had forgotten all this Michelle.
Anyway I should write a book recommendation list. I totally love people of the book by Geraldine Brooks. Phillipa Gregory and all the Queens books, and I could go on. Please leave me your latest book that you loved.
cheers n happy reading and stitching so many book, fabric etc not enough time

Stacey

The Empress Woo -Paris Bag

Well as you know from my last post I was off to make my wonderful new Paris traveller and well what can I say. I had a wonderful day made some new friends( blog followers in fact hi Jennie and Jodie) and came home with a complete bag. No you heard right complete. no UFO class needed. Thank goodness, my sewing room couldn't handle another UFO.

yes there she is.... now all I need is another trip to Paris.

So thanks to all for a wonderful day and this is the new Retreat bag.

hope you are all having a wonderful long weekend, I am off to finish cooking dinner for eleven, beef n red wine hot pots, by the fire. Yum.
Happy Sewing

Stacey

Empress Woo

 The Paris Traveller..... Michelle's Bag below from a previous post. the class is being taught at www.thequilterscorner.com.au  I believe there are more classes available so please call Leesa or Michelle and book yourselves in. Sista Su that means you.

Well hello lovely ladies, this long weekend, I have a date with Empress Woo..... Robyn Pandolph, designed this fabric at least 4 years ago now I think and of course Losing my Mojo and all I havent been able to cut it up. I do have a very jazzy pair of jammy pants in the large lotus flower fabric. and I made them in 2007, for my trip to Paris. I'snt it funny how things work out. As this weekend I am making the Paris Traveller and my pants will match my new bag LOL.

Anyway as you can see in the first pic above is the fabric I have chosen. The Large lotus flower is the main fabric, the dark pinky one is the contrast pocket and top close to the zip and the chocolate spot-this is also trimmed on my pj's is the bag handles. The fabric shown at the back of the pic is going to be the lining. I hummmed and haaaaad over this decision but well if I am going to be true to my Robyn Paris bag I felt well now is as good a time as any to cut her up. My Sista Su has  made a dressing gown out of her Empress Woo( we both Love Robyn Pandolph fabrics) I must get a pic and post it for you to see. I guess if its Empress Woo it would be  a kimono not a dressing gown, lol.


Sew happy to be sewing. Have an awesome long weekend and I cant wait to show off my new bag.

Stacey

shhhh baby bulbs............

Look what I found sleeping, when I can home the other day. My hubby is to cute. he had been out buying bulbs and to keep the bush turkeys that live on our land away he has put them to bed and covered with net to keep them safe.

Ohh Isnt that the sweetest thing.

hope you have an awesome day.

Stacey

a little stash and a question

Well I have been reading on a few people's blog about this new fabric range out from Denise Schmidt. So I thought I would buy some and couldn't resist the idea of the big check in red. I am thinking it will make a great border. so watch this space. I was very good as you can see and restrained myself to just 5 pieces.Not like others who have bought the whole range.............17 fabrics..not mentioning names. but you go girl. Well I have planned, cut, placed, stitched, but not quite completed so fingers crossed it will be backed and binding on, and not get stuffed into a bag for who knows how long. I really hate it when that happens don't you?
Tell me your record. I still have my third quilt made in Canberra & partially hand quilted stuffed in a bag and that was at least 13years ago. oh dear. I would love to hear your stuffed in a bag story?

happy stitching today.  Stacey

avitar and op shop finds

My kids had athletics day and their house is blue... and they thought it would be awesome if all of them painted up for the event. The house mascot is  a Penguin so my yr 12er had the suit for the last hour of the day. She was so exhausted she fell asleep in it on the lounge when she got home. It makes me happy that they can still do that.

 Oh and my op shop finds yesterday when I was out n about. this lovely little ginger jar in Tiffany blue will be lovely when my en suite gets renovated, tiff blue will be in the tiles. The other is this never used crochet pillow case. with no insert. I popped a zip into some cute floral( I love a bag with nice lining) and a strap and my boho teenagers are super impressed.

Happy days. Stace

Jelly Roll Star and Mumma Bear

 Well here it is one star done and I must say I think I have my mojo back....I have really enjoyed making this and cant wait to start on the next star. I am planning to sew tonight, as hubby away and no sport taxi required, sew that = sewing time.

 Mumma bear, me and my messy sewing room oh well its my space after all right? must see if I have any wadding to make a design wall somewhere for my stars and other creations.

I put mum and dad on the red eye flight home this morning, It is wonderful to have them visit, and they stayed at the quilt retreat @ buderim for a week and loved every minute they said the sun shone the whole time and they are not looking forward to going home to cold Adelaide today. If you or your family want a mini break on the sunshine coast please consider staying. you will not be disapointed. contact me either here or thru the website. www.circleretreat.com.au

Thanks for dropping by and have an awesome day.  Stacey

sit n sew groups

 

 What so you think? this lovely picture has been made by Maive, who belongs to a wednesday sit n sew group that I first joined about 11 years ago when I had little ones and worked part time. These are wonderful groups and you learn so much. well over the years the group has evolved and even split into two groups. I am the baby of the group and drop in every once and a while ( working fulltime argggg)   for a coffee and chat. Maive had just had this lovley 1920's lady framed. Maive received this card from her daughter in England, and Maive scanned it onto her computer enlarged it and then went about embroidering  her with french knots silver thread and some beads. The photo doesn't do it justice at all but thought you would love to see it I f you dont belong to a group go and find one. you will meet the nicest people and those ladies are a wealth of information on all things craft and life. lol some of the stories.....

And look at this new little squares and slices book. My mum has been for a visit and bought it as a gift for me. She said "Love i haven't even opened it I just loved the cover. Isn't it just so delicious looking". She was right of course and the rich chocolate brownies have been baked, tested and gone. Thank you mum.xxxx

Prize for third

Well last week I got all excited and told you i had won a green ribbon for third prize at the Brookfield Show, but in my excitment I forgot one of the best parts to tell you.. I won some applique patterns designed by Michelle Ridgway. So I have some lovely new patterns to get started on and will put up at the Circle Retreat. Maybe we may have to get Michelle to teach some classes.

see you later and happy stitching. Stacey

Organised Treasures

 Are you this organised? I certainly am not but my sweet mother in law is.   As you know I went to Adelaide on the weekend and stayed with my in-laws as I need to do a quick fix on a daughters dress and needed needle and thread i went searching..... Oh what colour do you need dear..........was said and look at the treasure I discovered. This is only one colour co-ordinated tin, there is also a whites, beige and lemon tin a pinky type tin and more. But the array of shades and on the old wooden reels took my breath away. So when it was suggested (after I stopped drooling) that I could take some home I collected just a few to come home and live in brissy. My mother in law and her Mum and Aunt where always dress making or altering something as they are on the petite and lower to the ground than some, so its a collection from many. Poor Grandma had her teenager's paying out on her all weekend, that they were taller than her,but she just laughs and hugs them even more. 

My little stash..................I was very controlled wasn't I.................. next time I may have to collect some more. I thing they will look fab in an old jam jar up at the Retreat.


I also went to my jelly stars  class last night( at Peppermint Stitches Toowong) with the lovely Christine and Doreen we had such a nice time together, and Christine is a wealth of patchwork info and a top teacher, so I think I have my patchwork mojo back but still unpicking....grrrrr. oh well that's life baby

Wedding in Adelaide and a green ribbon

 We went to Adelaide for a Family wedding and had just the best time catching up laughing dancing etc, so a few pics to show and tell my sister in law, looking beautiful.- She didn't carry flowers but a gorgeous Swarovski Crystal clutch, very nice touch

 My teenagers

 My new brother in law,

 Madison,s angel quilt.  This is the Chook Shed pattern Everyday Angels I started this quilt in 2002, and finished it in 2008, oh well at least its been on her bed for a few years now.

Who would have thought that I would have it in me for a Third prize ribbon.  I just put my 2 quilts in to help them out with a few more for the display. Maybe they only had 3 enter in the appliqué section. Oh well I did get to take home the honour of third place and there were some gorgeous quilts on display. Do you remember on a previous blog, when we went to Circle Retreat @ Buderim  and my friend was finishing her first ever quilt, well I am so proud of her as she won a 1st for the novice section- Congrats Carolyn.

Blog Quilt Retreat Sunshine Coast Queensland.

Ok  Just putting this out there to see if there is any interest.

                          Would you like to come on Blog Quilt Retreat? Maybe November 2011
 If I was to organise a Long Weekend  Retreat with meals included, a trip to Famous Eumundi on the Saturday and anything else anyone suggests would you want to come and meet up with some of your blogging buddies? Let me know what you think or put it out there to some of your blogging buddies go to the link for Pics etc www.circleretreat.com.au

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