Will I become a gardener?

I have always enjoyed looking at friends gardens but have never had one of my own. The sum total of my experience is buying indoor plants and then killing them.

Well the house has garden beds and I have always wanted a herb garden so I am now a card carrying member of our local Flower Power store. Watch this space over the coming months to see how I go.

A sampler for the hall

I fell in love with this sampler designed by Alicia as soon as I saw it. While embroidery is not my strong suit I do enjoy it. So the first few stitches have been taken.

Turning a house into a home

Although we don't move for 7 weeks our thoughts have already turned to what we are going to do to make the new place truly ours. My friend Pennie has a hall that she has left unpainted and guests write on. While I'm not doing that i do have a long hall that I wish to make a feature of.

We have decided to fill it with all different bits and pieces that mean something to us.

The first thing will be our bidding card. Mind you it won't have this ghastly pink frame.

A place to call home

Yesterday we went to an auction for this house.

I'm so happy to say it will be our new home. Here's the link if your interested.

Design Wall Monday

Packing has started even though we haven't bought a house yet. I really don't want to leave it to the last minute.

I felt I needed something quick and easy to do. I am currently basting this cute panel and will just do some big stitch quilting. Love the fabric. It's from Birch and 100% organic. Has a gorgeous feel and should be lovely for a baby.

Missing in action

Not much posting going on here at the moment. The search is on for the perfect house and it seems to be consuming most of my time at the moment.

Did find a little time for knitting today. It was cold and blustery so the perfect thing to do.

House Hunting

We were going to have a month off from the house stuff but the Internet makes it so easy to see things. This property popped into my inbox during the week and we love it. It was built in 1880 so we need to get a building report and find out what the heritage restrictions are before we do anything but if that's all good we will definitely be bidding.

The sign changed again...

Missing in Action and stashbusting

What's the difference between this photo and the one on my last blog post. We've gone from For Auction to For Sale. We got very close but not close enough to our reserve yesterday. It's not the end of the world and we are expecting a new offer on Monday. If we don't we will probably take the house off the market.

Laurie has been having severe pain in his back and right leg for almost 2 months. turns out he has a cyst growing that is pressing on his spine. They are going to try an injection on Tuesday and if that doesn't work it will mean surgery. Probably not the best time to be moving.

So what's all this got to do with reducing the stash. I give up. The remainder of the year I'm going with the flow and if that means buying fabric and not using much so be it. I'm still going to try to put a dent in my stash but just won't be counting any more.

It's official

Sign went up this week and first viewing was yesterday. 18 groups through and two contracts taken. Our agent tells us a good start.

This and that

I have been somewhat quite during April. A couple of reasons for that.


First up is the upcoming auction. I thought I was really comfortable with all the forthcoming changes but the reality was I wasn't. When I'm stressed I spend money and when you see the stash report for the last three weeks you will see I hit the buy button quite a bit. Still a little bit more to come in but I have stopped shopping. I've decided to accept that whatever is meant to be will be the best thing for us and we will just move forward from that point. Lets just not talk about the auction in 4 weeks - OK.




Then last Wednesday  I lost my voice. Happens regularly and I am usually not sick with it. This time is different however and I still have absolutely no energy at all. Hopefully it will not stay around for its usual 4 weeks.


To the stash then


Fabric used        1 1/4 metres
Fabric bought              79  metres

Total fabric used          14 1/4 metres
Total fabric bought     188 1/4


Only goal at the moment is to stop buying fabric!


A little bit of sewing has been going on. Aren't these 1/4 " hexagons cute.

And here they are alongside what seems to be a massive 3/4" hexagon.

This post seems to reflect my general state of wellbeing.A fuzzy photo and fonts all over the place. Hopefully we will resume normal programming shortly.

Sue Spargo and using the stash

Have just enjoyed a lovely Indian Summer day sitting in the back yard stitching. I have finally started on my Sue Spargo BOM and am really enjoying working with wool. Progress will be slow but enjoyable. 

Sorry it's sideways - not sure why.


The temperature true to form has now dropped and it's time for a cardigan to stay warm. Hopefully the colder weather will mean more sewing as so far I'm not doing well.


Fabric used                   1/4 metres
Fabric bought            1/2  metre

Total fabric used          13 metres
Total fabric bought     109 1/4

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. I should be annoyed at myself but I'm not. Fabric is being used and I have loved fondling all the fabric that has come into the house so far this year. Oh and lets not talk about it being my birthday this week. The buy button has been pushed.

Design Wall Monday

I finally finished stitching down the last bits of block one in my Folk Art quilt. I'm in love. Only 8 more blocks to go before the centre is complete.

If you want to see a lot more progress go and have a look at Karen's blog. I take classes with her and this is one of her interpretations of an antique quilt.

Stash Report

Fabric used                   1/4 metres
Fabric bought             4  metres

Total fabric used          12 3/4 metres
Total fabric bought     108 3/4 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. Working well so far!


The lack of sewing could be explained by too much time playing this.

Wanna be my neighbour?

A new laptop and using the stash.

My laptop died today so of course I needed to go and get a new one. If it wasn't the year of fiscal restraint I may have bought a Mac Book Pro but as it is I just stayed with what I know and bought another HP.

Wish those dramas could be used to explain the stash report - but alas no. Truth is I like buying fabric.

Fabric used                  1 1/4 metres
Fabric bought             9 1/2 metres

Total fabric used          12 1/2 metres
Total fabric bought     104 3/4 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. Working well so far!

Stash report and Cleo

I did say I had hit the buy button big time and lots of it came in this week. Only waiting for one more parcel to arrive.

Fabric used                   3/4 metre
Fabric bought              20 3/4 metres

Total fabric used          11 1/4 metres
Total fabric bought     95 1/4 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. Not looking good. Seems I have reversed things around and have used 10% of what I have bought. Still it''s only March so lots of room to improve.


I snapped this photo of Cleo during the week. She never lies across the steps -- no - she must always have her front feet dangling over the edge. Love our girl.

Stash report

The figures say it all, so here they are:-

Fabric used                   1/2 metre
Fabric bought              11 metres

Total fabric used          10 1/2metres
Total fabric bought     74 1/2 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy.

I'm off to smell the roses now.

Using the stash

I set myself a mini goal to use 5 metres of fabrics this week. I was going to sew all day today and would have made it easily. However we had forgotten that this one turned 14 on Friday , so instead the day was spent celebrating.

I don't mind as we had a lovely visit.

To the report then:

Fabric used                   1/2 metre
Fabric bought              8 1/4 metres

Total fabric used          10 metres
Total fabric bought     63 1/2 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. So in the red, still.  It does add up very quickly. The buy button has been used a number of times in the last week so I need to get sewing to get these totals under control.

Using the stash

No excuses for not much sewing going on this week. I've just been lazy. However I had class today with Sue Ross at Quiltsmith and I feel inspired to sew again.

To the report then:

Fabric used                   1/4 metre
Fabric bought              1 1/4 metres

Total fabric used          9 1/2 metres
Total fabric bought     55 1/4 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. So in the red, still.  I've just hit the buy button in a quite big way so a mini goal this week to use 5 metres.


Head on over to Judy's to see how others have done.

Stash Report

I had an incredibly busy week at work so not much sewing went on. Little bits of progress on a number of projects made. I seem to do a little better when I am working on multiple projects.

To the report then:

Fabric used                   1/2  metre
Fabric bought              6 1/2 metres

Total fabric used          9 1/4 metres
Total fabric bought     54 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. So in the red, still.  5 yards cam in this week that was ordered last year so although it doesn't look like I have exercised any restraint I have. I need to to a whole lot more sewing however if I am to reach my goal for the year.


Head on over to Judy's to see how others have done this week.

Design Wall Monday

The heat of the past week has meant not a lot of sewing has been done around here. I did get another round done on this block which several times has made me ready to admit defeat but finish I will. The last round to go on is easy sewing thank goodness.

I bought this cute bag during the week to hold my hand sewing. Love the teapot.

Stash Report

Sydney has just had its longest heatwave. 7 days in a row over 30 degrees. Last night at 11:00 pm it was still 36 degrees. I love the heat but have to admit it even got to me a little this time around. A southerly change hit about an hour ago and it's heavenly.

To the report then:

Fabric used                   3/4  metre
Fabric bought               11 1/2 metres

Total fabric used           8 3/4 metres
Total fabric bought       47 1/2 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. So in the red. 8 1/2 metres of the in this week was ordered last year and has only just arrived. I was tempted to not count it but that would be cheating.

Design Wall Monday

It was back to work for me today. Although I only had a few days off I was determined to get a quilt finished and ready for quilting. Fortunately this one only needed borders, backing and binding made.

I posted it today and look forward to seeing what the girls do with it.

No Xmas block again this week but I have started on a quilt for Queensland. Just cutting squares from my Flower Sugar fabric to make something bright and happy.

Using the stash and this and that

No mucking about this week. Straight to the stash report and it's bad!

Fabric used                  4 1/4  metres
Fabric bought               18 metres

Total fabric used           8 metres
Total fabric bought       36 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. Not looking good is it. I have bought more fabric in January than I used in 2010. February was going to be a quiet month on the purchase front but Jenny has just emailed me that they  now have Greenfield Park in stock and I have to have some of it - don't I. Perhaps no one should answer that question.

We are having a true summer this year and I for one am loving it. Ally also loves summer. Means heaps of bugs at night for her to play with. She hasn't been  home in three nights as she is having too much fun playing. She did spend some time with me in the backyard yesterday.

The other thing I did yesterday was visit a podiatrist. The toe I crushed last year is growing back with an ingrown toenail. After lots of cutting and abrading this is what it looks like now. Apparently quite good but I will need several more appointments to get it growing correctly.

School Prawns and Cleo

If I ever had to pick a last meal I would probably pick a plate or school prawns and some lovely fresh bread to go with them. While they were plentiful when I was growing up I seldom see them these days. Yesterday we were planning on having fish for dinner but then out of the corner of my eye I spied you guessed it school prawns. I wish I could show you how great they looked but unfortunately eating was more important than photography!

Cleo has a thing for all things seafood. She's playing nice here when she thinks she may get some more.

Not so happy when she realises they're done.

Don't feel sorry for her. We lost count how many she ate but it was more than 20.

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day and I have spent a lovely day enjoying the heat. It has been our warmest Australia Day in 20 years and I'm loving it. Just chilling at the moment and enjoying a cold drink and the last rays of sunshine.

On the first afternoon of my mini break what did I do. Went fabric shopping if course! Loving these reds.

Design Wall Monday - late again

I didn't get to post last night as I was at work until 9:00pm and then fell in a heap when I got home. The good news is I'm now not back at work until Monday.

I should have a Xmas block to show you but I haven't made one in two weeks. I must get back to it so it doesn't become another UFO.

So what have I been doing. Playing with the Pips. I love this fabric and will definitely be buying more when the yardage is available.

I just plonked them up on the design wall to have a quick look. They will not finish up in this layout - sashing to come but I wanted to see them all together. Bizarrely I haven't used the blue fabrics yet - but I will.

Using the stash, work and the gym

There hasn't been as much sewing as I would have liked going on here this week. It's because I have been spending too much time here

I know things are getting bad when I spend 4 hours here on a Sunday just trying to catch up. I made progress but will have to work late again tomorrow night. On the upside from lunch on Tuesday I will not work again till the following Monday. Will probably mean more catching up then but I need a break.

To the stash report then:-

Fabric used                  1 metre
Fabric bought               5 metres

Total fabric used           3 3/4 metres
Total fabric bought       18 3/4 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. 4 of the in this week was the backing for the Night before Xmas BOM so it will be a while before it is used.

I seem to be alternating at the moment between the gym and walking. I'm still moving which is the important thing. Friday night was my weekly session with Tamera and it's always exciting to be able to do three sets of an exercise at a higher weight. Mind you the last couple of repetitions in each set were not great but they were completed.

I pushed myself on the treadmill today doing a level I haven't attempted in a while. Only 30 minutes and I travelled 2.85kms. On the plus side I burnt as many calories as I have been when exercising for 35 minutes.

Something in the post and the gym

Received a lovely parcel in the post today. It's the first installment in the Night before Xmas block of the month by Bunny Hill Designs.

 I have to say it's just delightful. The presentation of the patterns is superb.

It also includes gorgeous French General fabrics.

I'm not sure I'm gong to be able to resist yardage of this. This was going to be the year of economic restraint and so far I'm not doing too well.

Exercise continues. The last couple of weeks have mainly been out of the gym.  Back in the gym yesterday for a session with Dave and again this morning for 35 minutes on the treadmill to travel 3.22 kms. I'm exhausted but glad to be back to harder exercise.

Design Wall Monday

Here's my design wall today.

 

Yes absolutely empty. While I have done bits and pieces there was nothing to show.

I blame it on this.

I'm in love.

Queensland floods and using the stash

This week I like most of Australia have sat watching our televisions in disbelief. The devastation suffered by the people of Queensland has been heart breaking. At the moment all we can do if we are not there is donate money. Lots of bloggers are holding auctions. Follow this link for more details.

Quilts will be made and sent but not just yet. Heaps of cleaning and trying to get life back to normal before that can happen. Maybe some of my recent purchase can be used to make a bright and cheery quilt.

To the stash report then:-

Fabric used                  3/4 metres
Fabric bought               12 1/2 metres

Total fabric used           2 3/4 metres
Total fabric bought       13 3/4 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. Oh dear - only week 3 and already in the red.


Here's a peek at Charlie one of other cats. We have had high humidity all week and this has become his new favourite spot. He's perched on a fence so he can watch the world go by but also gets the advantage of any breeze that may be about.

A wedding

On Sunday I was lucky to attend the most amazing wedding. Laura and  Robert are made for each other and the love they feel just radiated throughout the room. Here they are entering the reception and don't they look happy.

Laura has worked so hard to make it the wedding of her dreams and she pulled it off. She has a lovely sense of style and everywhere you looked there was something else beautiful to look at. Unfortunately my camera did not capture everything well but here are two of the amazing floral centrepieces.

Two of the beautiful girls I work with.

Just one last look.

Thanks Laura and Robert. I had a ball.

Design Wall Monday

Well here it is Monday again. Last January I showed you the start of a new quilt - I had done this much

Here is my progress 12 months later.

It's a long term project that I am really enjoying.

And of course there must be another block for the Xmas quilt.

They are easy to make but I'm bored with them. However the commitment to show my progress is working even if I only finish one per week.

Using the stash and this and that

Stash report for this week.
   
Fabric used                  1 1/2 metres
Fabric bought               1 1/4 metres

Total fabric used           2 metres
Total fabric bought       1 1/4 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy.

The in this week was the latest installment in the Circle Game BOM.

I'm off to a wedding this afternoon so had my hair done today. I think it has been worth enduring the length of my hair for all of these months but it may all go next week!

Exercise continues merrily along. Started back with Tamara on Friday and I still hurt.

Design Wall Monday and a Birthday

Progress is slow on the Xmas quilt but I made a block this morning!

Love the fabric - it's from Rosalie Quinlan an Australia designer.

Was a long day today with a trip to Newcastle for an 18 year old's birthday. Her brother made a cake.

Exercise today was a walk and before bed will be sit ups, squats and lunges again.

Lobster, Playing with the Pips and Stashbusting

I love seafood and have always enjoyed a crab more than a lobster. However crabs are fiddly to eat. So on New Years Day we sat down to a lobster meal.

Nice but I'm sticking with the crab. Getting it out is half the fun and the flesh is so much sweeter.

I need to make several baby quilts this year so quickly made the first two blocks this morning. Aneela's fabric range Sherbet Pips is gorgeous and it will be fun making this quilt.

I will be stash busting again this year so here's the first report:-

Fabric Used         1/2 metre
Fabric Bought     0

Goal to purchase 10% less than I use.

Yesterday the gym was closed so exercise involved walking, lunges, sit ups and squats.

Back in the gym this morning and walked 3.17kms in 35 minutes with lots of hills thrown in. Heel started to play up towards the end but I survived.