I hope you all out there have had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa was nice to you all, I know he was to me. I got this lovely Journal from my SSCS Tami , Thank you and I love it heaps. I am waiting for a quite moment to sit and read the travel magazines about where she live in Maine, so hopefully in the new year ( That sounds terrible but it is in two days lol).

I also got this lovely apron ( love aprons saved a lot of my clothes from my cooking) from Anita
In Holland she was my bag partner from earlier this year and we have been in touch ever since ( I do enjoy this blogging ). Thank you so much I have been spoilt this year.

I hope you all have a safe New Year and look forward to visiting you all in blogland in the coming year, Take care

Big Hugs Bec

Well the Holidays have come and I am now the Taxi service to two socially active boys , not that bad as they have also been taken to see the Christmas lights by my lovely Mum and the beach as well . So I'm sorry that I have been away for awhile, but I have been busy spending some much need time with the boys . I have also designed two quilts and have started the first one as well as some quilting on my sampler quilt, I will show you it as soon as I have finished it.
We have also had a special little visitor come to stay with use and it was a joy to have the laughter of a little one in the house again, they have the most heart felt laugh and although his family is going through a very ruff patch I am pleased he will be their to put a smile on their face when times are at the hardest.
I have once again been saved by my lovely resourceful DH as the fridge broke down (my fault)and after a hard day at work spent the next 2 hours with his head in the freezer repairing it. He is defiantly a keeper and worth his weight in Gold.
I Hope all are well and that your letter's to Santa have arrived happy sewing
Big Hugs and Cheers to all
Bec

Ever since John was two years old we have decorated ginger bread men at Christmas. This year we had some friends over for the afternoon and what fun they all had . Although I am afraid to say that the icing didn't even get to set before they disappeared .

Hope you are all having a great week.

Hugs Bec

While I was in Melbourne Lillian, my mum , auntie and I went to a shop full of OLD things I know they are called antique shop. Now don't get me wrong they are great places if you want to see some history and I know alot of you out their love them but I just can't get the hang off this collecting of old things (sorry). I love the way some people can mix new and old together but I just don't have the knack .I have some things that have been handed down to me and I do treasure them and will look after them to hand on to my boys and maybe with time I will get the knack off it . I even have the most ugliest glass fish you have ever seen but that's for another day I think , I don't want to ruin your day with its ugliness's.

Any way while their Lillian discovered the old dollies and found two butterfly ones, now these where cute and on buying them she cut them in two gave me one and said I was to make something using it.

So I did the other night and here it is I have turned it into a pillow so something old is now new again. I even got the hang off putting in a zipper well almost .

I have had fun with this and who knows next time I pass one of these OLD shops I might just have a look at the dollies I guess this might be the start of it .

Happy sewing

Big Hugs Bec

Just a quick on to let you know that if you pop over to Lillian's blog she is having a give away and you can also look at the lovely bag she got for her birthday . I do miss her as she made work so much fun every day. Happy sewing
Hugs Bec

I came home from Gym (torture chambers) today to a parcel on the step all the way from the USA. It was my SSCS partner with this lovely little mitten filled with fabric and cotton. But the hard part is not to open the other one, I have a few that I can't open so I have put them in the cupboard so I am not tempted. I have also finished my sampler quilt( bigger than I thought) I am hoping to get it on the machine soon to finish it, will show you when done. Happy sewing
Big Hugs
Bec

Well I have managed to unchain my self from my machine as I have been very busy finishing of quilt's that people want for Christmas, as well getting ahead so I can have some time off over the holidays with the boys and not feel guilty about the work I should be doing. In between this I have started to put together the sampler quilt I only have two more rows and then the borders. Although I have found a few mistakes in the pattern so I have had to remake a few things but luck they were generous with the fabric, I guess this sometimes happens.

As for these funny looking oranges ( yes they where once a orange) I have been making clove balls every year since the boys where baby's . They have to dry abit and then you can tie a ribbon around them with some Cinnamon sticks on top , they are a great present to give some one . All I can say is the house smells so yummy at the moment as they have a great smell. I have tried them with lemons as well and the smell is amazing. My Nana still has the few my Auntie made here at school and that was over 40 years ago . When you pack away your tree if you put some in the box over time the tree will have the same smell and they also keep away the bugs.

Take care and happy sewing
Big Hugs Bec

I would like to say sorry for not getting back to the comments from my last blog, but what can I say its a mad house here at the moment and it looks like it will get worst before it gets better , I think a dark cave is looking good at the moment as long as I can take some quilting. I got 10 of the 12 blocks made on the weekend for the new quilt I'm working on ( it great what you can do when DH is not home). So hopefully I will get to finish the other 2 soon . Today I got a lovely surprise in the post all the way from Texas. I was in a quick Christmas swap and my partner was the lovely Frieda as you can see I was spoilt with all the lovely fabric, ribbon and some buttons.

Take care and happy sew
Big Hugs
Bec

I got the rest of the fabric I ordered last week and one of the things I order was a kit with fabrics called "Back Home Again " they are lovely old style prints and as there was not a picture of what type of quilt the kit makes, I thought I would just live with the surprise. Well today I found out it is a sampler quilt made up with 6 blocks done in two sizes one 12" and the other 6". In total there are 12 blocks and today I started on the first two called Starburst.

This is the 12" block which is great to practice on ready for the smaller 6"

The 6" is then set in triangles to bring it up to 12" I like the smaller of the two. I haven't made a sampler quilt for awhile and as DH is working this weekend I am hoping to get it finished ( top only). So I can practice some more quilting on it. Best to use my quilts when I try to learn something new, than on a customers. Happy sewing and have a great weekend I will let you know if I make it or not .

Hugs Bec

Well I'm sorry for taking my time with posting what I got from the fair , but I came home to a sick little boy. Poor John was not well but is on the road to recover so although it is a bit late here is a few of the things I brought. Please don't tell DH but there is more to come and that will arrive later this week ( you can never have to much fabric can you).

This is some of the Japanese fabrics I brought and another range, love the blue in this fabric range.

I brought a lot of moda layer packs , jelly rolls, bake house packets and fat 1/4 range called Odyssea . I can not wait to get started into them all but I will have to be patient and wait till next year. I hope you are all having a great week and happy sewing

Big Hugs Bec

Well I have had a great weekend and caught up with a lot of friends at the fair. I would say I have lots of photos but I am sorry I forgot to take them as I was busy talking ( I'm afraid I could do that under wet cement) . Although I did get a picture of a Melbourne tram as I do love to ride on them. By the time I got into the fair I was swamped by fabric ( I couldn't help my self), some books and some lovely buttons but I will show them another day. One of the lovely Lady's I caught up with was Lisa of Megelles bears she is a sweetie and I have done some of her quilts. I love her bears as they all have a character about them. I also got to catch up with Lillian my old boss it was great to see her and we got to go to a fabric warehouse sale but I have to be patient for that fabric to arrive. It was good fun and I picked up some new backing fabrics for my customers. Well have to go and spend time with the boys I did miss them and DH, hope you all have had a great weekend
Hugs Bec

Just a quick one by SSCS ready to be posted next week when I get back. I am of to Melbourne this weekend and I am looking forward to it as I get to catch up with family, friends and even hopefully get to meet Mc Kenna Rayan. I do love her patterns and have finished her Petals of the Heart, just waiting to get it on the machine to quilt it hopefully soon. I hope you all have a great weekend, happy stitching
Hugs Bec

Coffee , cake and good friends and then a walk along the beach what a great way to spend the afternoon. Although the washing machine will have to be emptied after the boys fun of rolling down the sand hills.

Have a great day, Hugs Bec

DH and I had a great night yesterday we went to see the Les Ballets Trockadoero de Monte Carlo and walked away with sore bellies, yes it is not your normal ballet. Its what you would call a play on the traditional ballet and do you laugh. They are such talented men and their version of the dieing swan was the best I had ever seen. After woulds we went for a walk through South Bank and got to hear them practice for a opera that was going to play there that night.

DH suggested we go on the Wheel of Brisbane (you think they would give it a better name than this), but as I am scared of these type of things I suggested he wait until we come back with the boys. They can do it together and I will go and have a coffee, sounds good.

Last time we where here these shade structures had just been put in, the affect now is breath taking as you walk in its a sea of purple and green very beautiful.

Their was photos along the walk way not sure what for as I could not read the signs to many people, love these two of the fig tree and the clothe line. I think it may have something to do with 150 year celebration of Queensland that has been running through the year.
Hope you have a great weekend Hugs Bec

I'm so sorry for what I'm about to write but I have to stand on my soap box and get this of my chest. As you all know I am a member of a quilting group and where we meet there are lots of other craft groups that meet in the same area. Twice a year they get together and have a craft fair to sell some of the things they make. I think this is a great idea and I have brought a few things at these fairs as well as in the little shop that they have. I love to see that there are so many talented people in my area and I like to support them when I can.
So to day I went to help with the setting up of the Christmas fair and WOW what a lot of great things to buy. As I was helping, I notice that some one had taken a pattern that I have seen around as well as seeing the end product on a few of your blogs. Any way in this pattern I know was written for personal use only, but this person had made quite a few of them and was going to sell them.
Now this is where I have a problem I personal think she should not be allowed to sell them. Am I just being rude or do you think the same? I think it is wrong to make money from some one else idea and I know this happened to some one else not long ago . Now maybe this person did not understood what she was doing was wrong. So here in lies my problem what should I do?
I think it should be brought to the committees notice so they can put in place safe guards to stop this from happening again. I will now get of my soap box thanks for listening .
Big Hugs Bec

First of all John and I would like to say thank you for the birthday wishes he had a great day even if he has to wait for his present from us until the 19 (that's when it comes in ) but that is what he wanted and he said he doesn't mine the wait, makes his birthday last longer.

I would love to say that this is one of my quilts but alas it is not . It is from two of the Nice's ladies I have ever had the joy of knowing and I miss them heaps. Gina and Dana are the ladies and they are my old neighbours from Tassy. This lovely quilt is one of theirs that they sent for me to quilt. The colours are so me.

One of the blocks.

I think some times the back can look as good as the front, don't you

I have put roses in the corner as Gina loves her garden and spending time in it. I often don't get to photo the quilts I do because of time or they have been picked up,so it makes a change to be able to do this. I hope you have a great day.

Hugs Bec

Happy Birthday John

Our world was changed for the better the day you were born, we became a family. You have the most cheekiest smile I have ever had the joy of knowing and your laughter fills the house everyday.

You are a sweet and amazing young man who will go far in life. I am proud to say I am your mum, because to me you are the world and you fill me with love and pride every day I see you. So I hope you have a great birthday and know that you are loved by your family ( even if you think we are weird)
Hugs Mum xxx

I would like to tell you who the character Nicholas is trying to be but as I am not hip ( oh mum is what I'm hearing now) I can not even give you the name . All I can tell you is it is from an game the boys love to play and it is in aid of a birthday party for Nicks friend. This little boy was born on Halloween and decided this year to have a dress up party to celebrate his birthday. It was good to see all the customs and the boys all had fun I know Nick did from making the custom to the party.

Its been a quiet weekend we had visitors yesterday lunch and then fish and chips at the beach with my mum for tea (love to do this) . Today the weather was miserable which was OK with me as I had one of those days where I did nothing but read and start a puzzle. I haven't done a puzzle for along time and had a new one waiting to be done. Something very relaxing about doing this for a change. I hope everyone had just as a nice weekend as I did. I know Harry did as he is in love with the boys new bean bags and is rarely out of them.

Take care Hugs

Bec

Hello everyone Harry would like to say hello but he found a dirty spot under his leg so maybe later. I have had one of those weekends where you seem to finish of lots of things all at once.

This is the quilt that I made with the fabrics that the wonderful Tammy sent me a few months ago. Its been waiting to get on my quilting machine to be finished. I hope she likes what I have made with the fabrics it is a pattern I found at the Moda Bake house blog great patterns for lots of things from bags to quilts and other yummy things. Once again Harry is saying Hello .

With the left over Fabric from the Layer cake I weaved it together and made these pillows. Harry thought he might say hello again, sometimes he just wont be quite.

Shhh don't tell any one but I have been working On my Christmas swap I have to say I am very happy with how it is coming along just the quilting to do this weekend maybe. Just a sneak peek at one of the things I am sending I do hope she likes it.

Hope you all have a great day Hugs Bec

I have to wonder sometimes if I am the only one that lives in a nut house or are there others out there living in one too. As you all know I like to garden, some time with out luck and then other times with lots of luck and this happened with my tomato plants earlier this year. With the surplus of tomatoes I decided to make some tomatoe sauce . I asked DH to open the jar (I didn't think that I was that strong ) I thought the large spanner was a bit of over kill but it got the jar open. All I can say it tasted nice.

I went to Ikea earlier this week (love this shop almost as much as a good quilt shop almost) any way I brought some things for the boys play room to organise their Lego and other things. While there I spied this green carpet to put in their room. I came in this afternoon to find that John had made a sign for it "Keep of the grass ". I had to laugh as it is the same colour as grass and shaggy as well the only thing is I can vacuum this grass and it looks better than the grass outside at the moment. I do love my bunch of misfits.

Hugs Bec

Well after getting a reply to my email from the gracious Gina, I have discovered we have a lot in common apart from the Rugby. Only watch that when Australia and England play and only then to see use get beaten ( one day). Any way in her email she mentioned that she still had her first quilt ever made, which got me wondering how many out there still have their first quilt and what or who got you started in Quilting? This is my first quilt it was for Nicholas he was 2 1/2 when after seeing some of these fabrics in a window and he wanted some of them . With the help of the quilt shop owner I was started on the road to quilting . It was sewn by hand and quilted by hand too ( not very well) but Nicholas loved it . After this I was hooked and the rest is history, although now when I see this quilt I think one; Nick was so cute ( they both were and still are) and the second; Is all the mistakes in the quilt . But we all have to start some where don't we....
Take care a enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Hugs Bec

PS if you put a picture of your first quilt on your blog let me know I would love to see them.

After a great morning at quilting group, we had our breast cancer morning tea and needless to say I was in heaven with all the yummy things to eat. I even had some coconut ice I hadn't had that for years and scones with pink cream yummy. It was a wonderful morning by all, with great raffles and good company and all for a good course. On my arrival home there was a parcel waiting for me on the step. With arms loaded full of groceries ( Hate doing this job) I rushed in side to see what I was sent. In the parcel was ............

the cuties little bag you ever did see with fabric and chocolates too. The lovely Gina of South Wales in England sent me all these goodies. Thank you so much Gina it is the right size for when I take my stitcheries to quilting and with every use I will think of you. I hope everyone has great weekend I am going to finish off a quilt so more about that one latter.

Hugs Bec

Guess what arrived to day in the post my summer swap and was I spoilt by the lovely Beena. Isn't it so gorgeous I love my cats and Beena knows this and I love the beach . Two of my passions all in a small quilt just for me .

She was very sneaky we had been emailing for quit awhile now and I did not know until the other day when she told me she was my swap partner. I had been comments on the swap postings on her blog for awhile never the wiser. In one of her blogs she said that she had made another quilt and was not sure which one to send. I left the comment along the lines of I liked both of them, so that is what I got both of them aren't they beautiful.

And as that was not enough she also sent me this lovely star bucks cup ( go here often with a friend for coffee) and this Christmas fabric , for my birthday. Thank you so much Beena I am so happy that I have been given the chance to get to know you. I have enjoyed the swaps, as I have had the chance to get to know some lovely Lady's and receive some lovely quilts in the process.

Hugs to all

Bec