HEARTATHON! DAYS 11 & 12.

Linking with Kate.

Yes, I am a day behind but I'm here, after  a very hectic Saturday.

I'll start with my two hearts.

Day 12.

The one on the left was made by hubby just after he got his scrollsaw, as he knows my love of owls.  The little keyring on the right was given to me last Xmas in the Xmas swap Jo at Through the Keyhole organised.  My gifts actually came from another Jo.

These two objects were sitting in my sewing room ready to hang on the wall yesterday, when one of my visitors mentioned the one on the left had a heart in the centre, so I picked it up this morning to take a photo and suddenly realised that the little  spoon keyring also had a heart.  Yes I do keep noticing hearts, as has my friend Val, who says she thinks she is going to start seeing them everywhere too.

DAY 11.

This heart memo holder on the right hangs on my sewing room wall.  This photo was taken in Ballarat in 2015 and found in my archives as it is raining today and the light is appalling.  It looks a wee bit messy!

Now for why I am running late.
Yesterday turned into quite a different day from what we'd visualised.  After the car club meeting, R & M came for afternoon tea and we were then joined by another couple, R & V who were all participating in the Drouin Ficifolia Festival parade.  We'd not put our names down and were a little disappointed not to be going.  Both these couples have Model A Fords and R & V have a dickie seat in the rear & as it was a beautiful afternoon with the parade commencing at 5pm, they suggested we could go with them.
Val & I sat in the rear and we had so much fun.

I'd misplaced my small camera, but hubby & Val took a few photos on their phones, so I've a couple to show.

5 of our club's cars lined up with a congregation of us under the sign trying to stay out of the sun, whilst we waited for the parade to start.

The car we were travelling in.  

Now for a funny photo.

This is what two ladies look like in a dickie seat, when hubby realises what the wind is doing to us.

I've not had the wind in my hair like this since I was a teenager (long time ago), when I had a boyfriend with a sports car.  It was quite exhilerating and brought memories flooding back of  a bygone era.

Well that is my lot for the last 2 days.

I've had fun but also  a little unsettling news, that I'm not sure whether to tell about, but bear with me over the next few weeks if I'm not quite with it.  I will be continuing on with the heartathon, updating my quilt gallery page and still reading blogs, 

This is just letting you know, I could be quiet at times.

Take care all,

Huggles

Susan.

PS.  This blog has a mind of it's own sometimes, which is why the layout is weird today.

DREARY SUNDAY

Hope all mothers here in Oz, have had a lovely Mother's day.  The weather has been wet, cool and overcast here in Victoria.

The bare branches against a grey sky with a few sparrows resting.

Last Saturday, I heard a car in our driveway and went out to investigate and what did I find on my doorstep, but this ---------

A  parcel.

The contents.

This parcel came all the way from The Wool Warehouse in the UK and was my mother's day present from DD.  It is the Cupcake Pack for a crochet rug by Lucy from Attic 24.  I will be starting this during the long winter nights whilst watching TV.  I hope to finish this below before I start on the rug.

I had some hanks of wool from many years ago that I'd stashed away and some old knitting magazines, and decided to make myself another jumper.  The above is what is on the go.  The magazine is actually dated October 1986 and is a publication called SANDRA and the pattern only has charted instructions, which I've never attempted before.  It's all going OK, so now know that I can follow a chart.

This morning I put the second customer quilt on the machine.

Dog panels with sashing.

Closeup of quilting.

Done by 3pm.

It didn't take long as it was an easy Edge to Edge pattern she wanted on it, with bones.  I will deliver this tomorrow morning to our local quilt shop.

Whilst out one day in March, at an Antique & Collectables place, I discovered this little footstool and just couldn't resist, although it does need recovering.  Being on the extremely short side, I need something to rest my feet on and so far I'm wondering how I go along without it.  I hope to recover it sometime in the future, but you just can't hurry these things.(lol)

Footstool.

Another find has been given the treatment it needed  and is now hanging on the wall above my desk in the study.  This print was purchased in Ambleside in 2014 and has sat rolled in a postal tube.  I took it to the framers and they quoted me $150 to have a simple mat and frame and I just couldn't justify it.  On our little forays into A & C's (see above), I kept a lookout for a suitable frame and found this one with an old print in it, which only cost $15, and the thick cardboard for around the edge $4, was cut by hubby and we think it looks great for a lot less expense.

Aerial Map of The Lake District.

OK, enough of my ramblings today, but it made a dismal and misty afternoon go by quickly whilst posting this.  It is a jumble of bits I've been going to blog about and just haven't got around to.
Hope your weekend has been a good one and all take care.
Susan.

EXTREMELY SPOILED!!!!

A GIFT FROM AFAR.

2 bobbins from an old spinning wheel.

My blogpal, Hawthorn, from I Live, I Love, I Craft, I am Me, sent me these, after she'd found them in the back of a cupboard, as she thought I'd love them.  They belonged to an elderly lady and still have wool she spun on them.  Beautiful items and such a sweet story.  Thanks so much Hawthorn, I do love them.

Just for now they are sitting alongside my recent purchase of the large one and 2 small cotton reels.  The one on the left was made by hubby, when I first gave him his lathe and the other was bought at The Stott Park Bobbin Mill in the Lakes District many, many years ago.

AT THE SHOW.

My other spoiling was at the recent Flower & Craft Show, in which I placed a few entries.  I do feel that my wins, shouldn't have really happened.  I put 3 quilts into 2 categories and won first in each and a second.  BUT!  Mine were the only entries in this section, along with 3 other quilts in slightly different categories.  Pity there weren't more.  I also entered 2 arrangements in the flower section and also got a first and second.  There were some other entries in this, so I was competing with others.
It is such a shame that these shows don't get more exhibitors.  All in all it was a lovely display of different crafts, produce and flowers.

My friend Janette's quilt with it's First Place card, along with some other items,, which also won prizes.  Aren't the Santas cute.

My prize cards pinned in place when I arrived there.

I am wondering if this card below, was the start of my love of entering into shows, although I don't do it nearly as often nowadays.

There is a year written on the back which reads 1954, so I was all of  5 years old.

It's been hot again with temperatures around the 30's and higher, which is not helping me get things done.  I've now quilted 5 of my so called book quilts, one completely bound, another two awaiting hand sewing and 2 that need binding found for them.  I have another ready for the machine and this is the backing it will have.

Pretty spectacular!

Hubby and I have been working on something I hope to be able to show next week.  Once it cools a little, I hope to be able to get back into some knitting.  I found some hanks of wool, I'd bought a long time ago and hubby helped me wind three balls from one of them and I've found a pattern I really like, so can't wait to start.  Some granny squares are being worked on occasionally of a night, along with bindings.
Just a quick midweek catchup and hope everyone is having a good one.
Take care,  Susan.

WHATEVER THE WEATHER!

Weather wise, it's been a strange start to the year.  Extremely hot the first two days, a little cooler on Sunday, then cloudy and mild Monday and today, we've actually had rain.  Not lots, but still "rain".
I think our garden will appreciate it.

12 Days of Xmas Swap.

Next 4 little parcels opened.  I only have one more to go and then I can show the last 4.

I can't believe that Jo and I have actually thought of some of the same items to send each other, being pins and pincushion, calendar depicting our own country/state, buttons and handmade bits.  Love the calendar and will make, maybe, the recipe for each month.  We'll see.  Thanks Jo.

SUNDAY.

We headed south to Inverloch to have lunch by the sea and whilst there saw many of these, as it was quite breezey.

Kite surfers.

Admittedly not the best photo, but they were so quick to capture and this one has no people in it, which I do worry about at times.  We also saw rays, swimming in the water around the jetty.
We made our way back  along the coast before turning inland toward home.  We stopped and snapped this photo of Eagle Nest Rock.

Next carried on to Cape Patterson and realised we were on a no through road and parked at the end and walked to the end of a headland and looked out to sea.

This the walking track over the sand dunes.  It certainly gave our legs a workout.

A photo below of the hills, looking so dry already.

CRAFTING.

Ok, so no challenges this year, but gentle goals.  I felt that I didn't take up any of my challenges last year and as I don't make resolutions either, I'll just wing my way along with craft etc.
I know you've seen the "big star" quilt before, but it has borders now and I've got to find some backing fabric, which will definitely be 'wideback', as I have no intention of piecing one.  The quilting will be an easy edge to edge design, so that I can actually say IT'S FINISHED.

Looking through my "to quilt" box, I found a small  quilt that needed a border, so put that on yesterday,
Has anyone got "lots" of  SPECIALITY RULERS?  Hmm, I have.
I've used some and think, it's about time I tried out some more.  Every now and then I'll pull one out and give it a go with some of my stash.  What brought this on?  The small quilt was made many years ago with one, as you'll see.

The small quilt.

The ruler I used.  Don't laugh, but I bought because it had a funny name.

A small box of rulers and a big basket. with some in the other side too.

I'll discuss more about these sorts of rulers as the year rolls on.  Maybe some one would like to join in with me to use some of theirs.

Last, my darling hubby made this out of some scraps of timber he had on hand and these two corellas were our first visitors.  I hope that we can attract some of the more colourful birds too.  Buddy, my magpie still visits most days, but doesn't seem interested in the wildbird seed, although he's watching these 2 from the fence.

This post has been written over 2 days, and this morning I took more photos of bits and pieces, but will leave these for Friday.  This cooler weather is a huge bonus, so will make the most of it today.
Take care all, Susan.

MUDDLED-HEADED WOMBAT!!!!

Yes, that's how I felt on Wednesday morning, after I pulled my large star quilt out to work on it.  This is the foundation paper pieced project I've been working on for many years, and have set myself a challenge to finish it this year.  Was I having a "seniors moment" or am I just dippy?  Took fabric and papers from box, unfolded said quilt then couldn't remember which way to cut fabric.  Was it right side up or wrong side?  Which side of the papers to place on said fabric, then suddenly I couldn't even remember which side to stitch.  Breathe, Susan, breathe and take your time thinking.  Ahhh, it all came after about 15 minutes of flipping and flopping fabric and paper.  And I did achieve something after all.

Said quilt awaiting last corner to be finished.

This is and two similar pieces were made by lunchtime, then put away for the outer corner section to be done over the weekend or next week. (maybe!).

For those unfamiliar with "foundation paper piecing", here are photos of front of star and the papers on the back.

Front

Back.  Sorry, but a little crumpled.

I've still not finished binding on small quilt because of very sore fingers, due to a new crop of CHILLBLAINS.  I have suffered with these every winter since I was born. Occasionally they get extra painful and I find it hard with just a few things like sewing with needle and thread, so started some crochet which is much easier.  This is what I'm doing.

Giant granny square rug.

I can do this easily whilst watching some of my favourite TV programs and just at the moment some new episodes are on.  Yeah, and The Ashes.

SATURDAY WALK.

I was going to post this Wednesday, but time and tiredness got the better of me.
We found a rail trail we'd not known about and started with a short part, although it was quite wet underfoot.  I'm looking forward to doing some more of it soon.

The 1km marker, though we did go further than this.

TEXTURES.
I've not posted these type of photos for a while, but took these whilst on the walk.  Enjoy!

Remains of the old bridge over Pilgrim Creek.

We think this 70 marker was for the speed allowed on this section.

Fungi, even though it's been so cold.

It was very muddy in parts.

WHOOPS!!!!

Something I overlooked when I wasn't feeling well, but this parcel arrived in the post and was a lovely surprise that brought both tears and smiles.

My lovely blog friend Hawthorn from I live, I love, I craft, I am me,  sent this.  She found the book at her local church book sale and immediately thought of me and my love for The Dales.  I've dipped in and out looking at the place names and have found it so interesting.  The postcard at the top was actually still in the book and postmarked 1994 and the bottom right of the three is a small notebook.
Aren't I so lucky.  Thanks Hawthorn for you thoughtfulness.

The weekend is supposed to be cold and wet, but we'll try and go out and I may have may start posting more often again with our exploits both at home and out and about.
Take care all,  Susan.

A GIFT AND GETTING THERE SLOWLY.

I am still here, packing, sorting, tired, but also excited.  Less than two weeks to go.
The weather has been atrocious for Autumn.  Feels more like the middle of winter already.

Now the gift I've mentioned came from my friend Judy from News from Jude, who I met in August 2013, but she also blogs and I won a gift on her giveaway recently, which was a real surprise as I didn't realise she'd had one.

I received this lovely sewing case full of goodies, including some sweets, needlecase, cotton, tape measure, glossy photo paper, covered notebook, tweezers and a lovely charm pack.  I'll think what I may do with the charm pack once settled.  I was absolutely amazed at winning and just love it.  THANKS Judy.

There's not too much to tell at the moment, but I have finished the binding on the Xmas Raffle quilt and am just about to label the quilt for my nephew and get it sent off.  The two baby quilts arrived safely, one just in time for my great nephews arrival.  My niece put a photo on Facebook of him lying on it.  Great!

We've taken our caravan over to my friends' place, along with a lot of pot plants that they are going to look after.  One that didn't go was my little cyclamen someone gave me about 6 years ago.  I had thought about repotting it this year, but haven't, but just look at it at the moment.  I brought it inside so I could see it flowering.

Can you see the tiny bud?  There are some more coming too.

Well not much more to tell, except that hubby and I wrapped the rollers on my long arm in cling wrap today and we will dismantle her over the next week, so won't be doing much machine sewing of any sort for a few weeks.  I've knitting and some embroidery to keep me amused at night.
Just for a treat we bought some of these, as our local supermarket hadn't had any for a few weeks, and they had a fresh lot in.  We will make them last (giggle).

Yummy!

Thanks for being with me on this our second move in such a short while and I value your comments very much.  I'm so looking forward to going home, being near friends, a lovely garden and just being more like the old me.  It's been a bit of a journey, but life is like that sometimes.
Hopefully I'll be able to post at least once before we move and that our internet doesn't play up again, which is one reason I've not posted.  We had 2 blackouts last week and had to have it reset.
All for now, take care and huggles,
Susan.

PHOTOS - XMAS & OTHERS

I may have had a short break, but I've still been busy.  Just a little of what has been happening in my part of the world in photos.

                                               A START AND A FINISH.

Just started. A quilt I designed using my Quilt Wizard program with fabrics from my stash.  I've already added one border with one to go and hopefully it will be finished early in 2015 to fly off to UK for D & R.

Finally finished.  I started knitting this in winter 2013 and now I can wear it next year.  OK, that was a long time in the making, but other things happened in the meantime.

An early morning walk before it got too hot one Sunday, produced this bunch of flowers.  They are ixias and cow parsley (that's what I call it) and because they aren't native flowers I could pick them along the side of a little dirt road.  I love ixias, especially the blue ones, although these are white with the palest blue centres.

                                                                  XMAS BITS

Today I decided to put up the tree and as we didn't last year, and it was lovely seeing some of my old decorations.

This lot are probably some of the oldest, over 30 years old.

My Aunt made these cute angels, two for me and six for the Xmas shop at Vision in Warragul.  They sold in the first hour.

Theses have been made by my penfriend B, in Cornwall.  I love the pine cone.

Now, I was very naughty whilst away this year and bought a couple of decorations (they were just being put on the shelves in September), at Trago Mill in Cornwall with above penfriend.  I also went to buy some glitter last week and came away with the 2 cupcakes.  I though they were so cute.

Most of you will know why I bought the ice skates!

THE TREE    -   done.

I'll just show what I have on the table, though it is sitting on a half done jigsaw that I found tucked away at the back of a cupboard whilst looking for something else and the other photo is what is sitting on the lounge room window sill.

The tree candle holder, bird & bee were bought at a shop in Skipton in 2011 and the little china angel, the same year  in Germany, on our 7 day adventure to Europe.

I filled this gold sleigh with bits many years ago, but still love it and the table runner was made from some fat quarters, B gave me for Xmas one year.

I know I don't post much about this garden, but I've done a few little things and some are flowering at the moment.  I will maybe show a couple more things over the coming months, if they go OK.

Just one hollyhock I bought at the markets.

A punnet of foxgloves, some flowering and two not doing well at all.  I've even got a pink one coming out now.

This wee pink fuschia came over here as a cutting from our garden in Warragul (hubby did it and he is not a gardener), but it is doing extremely well and has grown very bushy and has loads of little flowers. 

Hope I've not overdone this post, but I have so much to catch up on, not least some more of our UK holiday.  I want to thank the people who left messages on the previous post to last, I appreciated it more than you may think.
Take care all,
Huggles from Susan.