I decided today that I would have a sewing day and nothing else.
With that decision made all things started well......

I finished off my latest Blackbird Designs pincushion..."Summer Iris" and can't wait to begin the next in the series.

I began working on my challenge quilt for our quilt show in April of this year. Those little hour glass blocks have been so fiddly! And why is it that all is going well until 1pm and then out comes the quick unpick and the thread keeps coming out of the needle of the machine.....arrrrr!

Anyway it seems to be coming along ok. At least I will finally have something to display for the show.

And whilst working on the challenge, all I can think of is the next project.... Will I paper piece or hand piece the 8 pointed stars?

....no wonder I don't sleep.

I am thinking I will paper piece using this beautiful piece of Yuwa fabric for the centre.

Now 2 weeks ago my husband was out the shed making my new cutting table when.....the angle grinder jumped up and cut his knee, requiring 8 stitches.

So 2 weeks later I know have my new table.

The lovely Oregon legs are from an 80 year old bed frame and the top is beechwood from our old kitchen bench tops. You can see we don't throw anything away!.

Yay, no more sore back from working on a  table that wasn't the correct height.

Happy Stitching

Carol

It has been perfect weather here this week. Just enough rain (we can always do with more!) to green the grass up in time for the month long Shop Hop that begins this Saturday.

Come along and join in the fun and prizes, make a day or two of it as you will be able to shop on the Central Coast, Katoomba and Bathurst.
For all the info go to.....Shop Hop 2014, get your passport and off you go.

My husband and I took time today to go out to the Wollombi Markets. These are really worthwhile, 4 times a year on long weekends.....so much to buy!
I got this lovely little dolls cot....just the thing to put fabric in of course.

I have also been longing to do some needle work again. This was where I first began stitching, finishing off old duchess sets of my mums and counted cross stitch when I was only five. I stopped there for a while because I couldn't see the stitches, but a new pair of glasses and all is good. I think I will make one of each of these little beauties from Blackbird Designs.

One of the Tuesday Ladies made this quilt  using my pattern ...."Aunties Wild Sponge Cake". 

Great if you have 2 layer cakes. That's all you need plus an additional 1m of fabric.

Great for beginners.

Carol

So much wonderful new fabric has just arrived.

I think my favourite is "Civil War Dressing Gowns "New""

by Judy Rothermel.......

 

or is it Summit Rose by Paula Barnes....oh I just can't decide.

 

 

Or you might like to choose some new fabric from Moda......

 

 

anyway the choice is yours and you can do all of this at......"Just Arrived"...take a peek I am sure will find something you like.

 

until next time

Carol

Beautiful Books

 Books are one of my most treasured items in life.

I just love to enjoy them anywhere. Spend a sunny day in the garden with a good book and you feel like you have had a day out. Loose yourself in a good picture book...sometimes I don't even read the text, its all about the images.

Imagine back to when time began and marvel at what was used to record daily and other events upon....rocks, wood, wax, bone, shell, papyrus, bamboo, silk, clay and parchment.

Paper was invented in China around the 1st century AD. The discovery of the process using the bark of the blackberry bush is attributed to Ts'ai Louen, but it may be older.

Now look at us we can carry a book around with us in our back pockets all loaded onto our mobile phones. Somehow though it just isn't the same as the touch, feel and smell of a good book.

Just arrived are some new books from Blackbird designs and I can't decide which one I love the most.

Garden Club

  

 Wonderful quilt patterns,sewing rolls and pincushions to be found within.

A Stitchers Journey

 Now this one is my favorite with a wonderful story from our own Powerhouse Museum. Beautiful needlework projects for everyone.

Both books are now available for $35 each and have already been selling well. So get yours now and be ready to spend those lovely cold winter days ahead just stitching.

 Carol