Fires

We have had a rough time around here of late with fires.

Not as bad as some areas though.

Greg and I drove to Pakenham on Saturday 

and I snapped these next couple of pictures on our way home.

Everything is black and it smelt!

Really, really bad.

In a couple of places it looked like trees were still smoldering.

There is a real danger of falling trees now - we saw quite a few

that had already been cut up.

It has been interesting watching the national news out of Melbourne 

this week and hearing them talk about the smoke haze.

Well we are still in a haze here with one of the 

open cut coal mine still burning away.

These photos are not mine - so I take no credit for them

they are shamelessly borrowed to show what is going on.

Firefighters have been working 24/7

to try and get this under control

and last night the wind changed and it flared again.

We are safe and I am thankful for the work

these brave men and women do

(including my hubby), 

just don't like they way he and his uniform smell.

Still can't get used to it after 17 years of marriage.

Shopping

I stupidly promised the husband that I wouldn't buy

anymore books and fabric after my spending over the holidays.

Dumb, dumb, dumb move.

This is my last bundle from the de-stash

that went on over January on Instagram - 

where I may have had a weak moment or 2...dozen.

Then I realised what I had done.

I promised no craft books -

HA!

I never said anything about patterns.

There may be a few more patterns working their way 

to my hot little hands.

Silly husband should have listened to me and 

worked out some sort of contract to stop me

finding loop holes for spending.

Mwahahahahaha

Traveler Tote

I joined Instagram last year

(have I mentioned that I love it?)

Things seem to pop up there all the time 

that inspire and entice.

One such thing was the Traveler Tote from Ellison Lane.

It's a free pattern/tutorial and there was a blog link

with wonderful prizes but only for U.S residents.

Anyway...as soon as I saw it I knew I HAD to make one.

I knew who it was for too.

A lady I work with had a big birthday...

She's had 49 of them before this one.

i know she loves black and white.

This bag is massive!

2 pockets on the outside and 2 pockets on the inside.

I even used some of my most precious linen for this baby.

It was loved and appreciated by the birthday gal.

She had to fight her daughter off - that's news of success in m book.

Apparently I am to make another one aren't I Sharon?

What an opportunity!

Ages and ages and ages ago I went to a Christmas Gathering

in Melbourne run by Gail Pan and Leanne Beasley.

On that day Gail happened to show us the beginnings of her newest quilt.

I fell in love *sigh*

It was just beautiful and it was only a small portion that she shared.

I asked her when the pattern would be out.

She said next year.

i told her that she was awful to make me wait that long!

Then Gail started putting snippets on Instagram.

(I L.O.V.E. Instagram)

Well one thing lead to another and ...

fast forward a little bit of time and you have me

stitching this:

and this

and this

not to mention this

I was so lucky to have the opportunity to test Gail's pattern.

 This is block one - it's far from finished

but this was what had me when Gail first showed us.

block 2

 block 3

block 4

Blocks 1-4

My version so far.  

All 6 blocks put together (but a whole lot of stitching still to do).

This is just a lovely quilt - if you have thought of 

signing up to a BOM program

DO IT!

It's a fantastic quilt.

I would like to thank Gail for the opportunity

of testing her pattern.

You can visit Gail's blog to find

a list of stores running her stunning new quilt

Friendship

When I started blogging it was a away

for me to organise and keep track of the things
I make so that in time my kids would have

a virtual record of all my work.

I didn't realise the doors it would open.

I have met so many wonderful people through blogging and swaps

and I consider myself to be very lucky and very blessed.

One of these people is Sharon.

We met last year IRL and well the rest they say is history.

She has become one of my dearest friends - we even shared a beach holiday this year.

Sharon had this great idea that we should make a
FRIENDSHIP QUILT.

Seeing as we both love Bonnie and Camille we have decided to use their fabrics
and Camille's patterns.

So far we have this...

Simple Life from Simply Retro

 Flower Girl

 Swoon

Swoon

The idea is that we each make 2 identical blocks
so that in the end we will both have exactly the same quilt tops
but put together in our own way.

I hope Sharon doesn't mind me pinching her photos
(but she has nicked mine, so I think I'm safe).

I think we are going to have 2 amazing and beautiful quilts.

Now to let Camille know what we're up to...

Have a great week.
(9 weeks until end of term 1)

January

My month in pictures.

Oh where did January go?

I feel like I blinked a few times and it was over.

I bought books, patterns, fabric and notions.

It was hot - just look at my poor cat!

I cleaned my machine...

I started to prepare for school.

We had a quilt thief in the house.

I started my Wagon-wheels Quilt.

Can't wait to see what February brings.

Last day of freedom

Today is officially my last day of holidays, despite numerous trips

to school and hours at home doing 'stuff'.

I haven't blogged over the break - it has been nice just doing.

Here are some pics of what I have been doing:

We've had some lovely family time together this year with all

of us being on a break at the same time - very rare (usually Greg's holidays 

are mid-term and he just potters around).

Now it's over and back to the grind of running around for work and kids

and after school activities, trying to squeeze some sewing in!

Family Time

We're off for a few days together to the beach.

The weather forecast isn't favorable but I don't think the kids will care.

I finished my new Shore Bag (Tiny Seamstress pattern) for our towels.

Then someone complained because it didn't put him in the photo...

And then the teenager said "We haven't finished my bag"...

It is a very simple pattern and the material

she chose is covered in moustaches. For some reason

she has a thing for them...

And then there is the goofy shot

because when you are 13 and cute you can get away with it.

Look out Warrnambool - here we come!

Long time...

No blogging.

Well sometimes that happens - it's life and at times there are just not enough hours in the day to achieve everything you would like to.

Enough said.

End of school - finally.

Christmas - been and gone.

New Year - been and gone.

What have I been up to...

buying fabrics, buying books, hair cuts (yikes), hospital, medals,

awards ceremonies, a new bag for a teenager and saying goodbye to our

family home of 10 years.

presents I sent to 2 of my friends - Sharon has reported that her

daughter is able to fit into the beach bag...not sure that is a good thing.

Gifts I sent Simone as part of our Santa swap -

snowman thread holder, mini heat pack, zippered pouch,

flour sack tea towel, chocolate, table topper,

sack/bag and fat quarters.threads.

My gifts from Simone - I was so very very spoilt!

Thank you Simone!

There may or may not have been chocolates included...someone

may or may not have eaten them prior to the photos...

My last gifts from Sharon as part of our swap with Mrs Martin -

a table topper and a cover for my Go-cutter.

Phew - I think that's it apart from a gift from Shez - I don't have photos

but the hand towel is perfect!

For once nobody is stealing it!!

I need a holiday at the beach now...

This morning

We have to all bundle into the car very early

and drive to Melbourne.

Because, believe it or not,

this goober here,

it being awarded his Scout Medallion.

This is a pretty big deal - if you are into Scouts.

He has been working on this for a long time.

I hope he remembers to smile nicely...