I hear a lot of people complain that there is no service in the world anymore, no-one has compassion, no-one cares....well they obviously don't have my friends and they definitely don't have a quilting blog.

When I put out my little request for help with Dad's farm fabric, I knew people would have a think about it for me, but I didn't realise new bloggers I had barely got to know would scour quilt shops in places like Dubbo in outback NSW armed with a photo...(and only miss the fabric by an hour!!!!!) or lovely friends would check the shops in Kalgoorlie, a mining town in Western Australia or that shops would be scoured all over North America....just to name a few locations I know about.

This is really only the tip of the iceberg: fabric comes when needed-(and Amy will eventually get her surprise for the lovely cowboy prints for my boy-when I get my act together), quilt blocks come.. and go for good causes as well, birthday surprises, bag magnetic clasps, completed quilts for swaps and even lovelier, all those words of encouragement, whether over kid issues or quilty business....and the multitude of ideas your blogs add to my "to do" list!

It really makes you feel part of a wide tight knit group, a fabulous feeling-and thanks go to everyone who has helped make my year brighter and hopefully I have done my little bit for someone as well.

Here is Isabelle junior as your reward.-and she really is happy, it's just those eyes!

But onto the sewing front, here is me doing something that brings tears to my eyes and probably makes all quilters feel a little sick. Yes, using my new unpick...and not just on anything, but on an entire double bed sized quilt binding.

Not understanding why I would perpetuate such a crime, well, we will go back for a quick overview.

In Feb of 2006 I decided, with 3 or 4 days to go before my dad's 70th, that I would make him a quilt...here it is, with me and Dad. It was made entirely from stash as I got it all cut out after 7 pm one night. All the guests signed it on the back, it had family photos printed on it and that, I thought, was that.

Half way through the year I was given it back, Mum wanted it bigger, for their bed. Many bloggers gave me ideas but the overwhelming response was make him another one....and this I was going to do until the "fabric and the 6 days left until Christmas and they are calling out for their summerweight quilt back" issue.

Hence, the binding picture. I am going to add the farm pictures to the bottom and 4 or 8 more of the log cabin blocks to the sides, and it should hit the mark. The farm pics are a risk...but I like 'em, they scream my Dad to me. I also don't think I have enough of the original cabin strips to conjure up too many more even slightly co-ordinating blocks so the farm pics should cover the hole. Here is how they are going so far, they will, of course be sewn in one long strip.

This was more the original quilt plan.

And this is the photo that is my Dad, (he just doesn't look right when he is polished up and in good clothes!) so I printed it on fabric and it will go on either back of front as well.

Have a great day.....and for the many who have enquired, DD is still good, 2 weeks now! Tracey

Friends, new, old, and 'imaginary'!

Received a couple of emails in the past day, both from very talented girls, one an absent friend...and one our husbands would classify as 'imaginary'-a fellow blogger.

I will start with the contents of Carol's email.(Pins and Needles)

There is nothing imaginary about Carol, she is very keen on digital scrapbooking and asked permission to scrap my pic of the kids in the Canola.-I very kindly gave her permission(LOL!!!) and sent her few extras as well. She did very well even though they are not technically sized right by me, that is all too confusing for me. She actually only lives an hour from here, if we ever co-ordinate our calendars we could actually meet!

Here is the fabulous result that I just love. Thank you Carol!

I think I could get very keen on that kind of playing...so had better stay well away, I am trying to not even download photoshop.........but that is tempting me as well.

The second email was from my Australian friend, Susan who relocated to the West a few months ago, she is the one I made the Sewing machine mat for.

The new location and DH's shiftwork have meant more patchwork time...and don't we all love that. She sent me some photos of her progress and I was so impressed I asked her permission to share.

Susan is a fantastic appliqeur, she has made at least 10 of these bags, they are from Nancy Halvorsten's book, 'Peppermint and Holly Berries', they are made from her tea towel range and available from her website www.arttoheart.com apparently.

Some person who shall remain nameless also introduced Susan to the Fat Quarter shop, here is an 'in progress' quilt top.

I know Tonya always likes to see how people are using her ideas and as that same nameless identity showed Susan where to find the instructions for pieced lettering...she is now onto the houses. Here is her first attempt at tonya's wonky houses-making this for her 9 year old son.

A great job.

I thought I had better post this today as Susan may not be speaking to me when she finds out why I am going over now to clear a big space in my sewing room before tomorrow-I'm not letting you in on the secret, you will have to check in tomorrow night.

It will be a big day tomorrow, Melbourne Cup luncheon and the filling of the cleared space all in one day....can hardly wait!

Have a great day, Tracey

Gratitudes: Lovely friends.