Valentine's is coming, how about we share the love?

I have noticed a lot of new bloggers commenting and visiting me. I would like to say a big "hello" and welcome. I have tried to call at your blogs, but if you don't make yourself known it is tricky.

Some of you may have wondered about the Quilts for Leukeumia message in my sidebar.

Clare, in the Dorgogne (France) instigated this fabulous project where quilters send her 8 1/2 inch red and white blocks from around the world. She then makes them into red and white sampler type quilts and distributes them amongst leukeumia sufferers who have been bought to her attention. If you follow the link above you will see her latest.

After commenting on the work she does she replied that she was down to her last 3 blocks. I am going to get more over to her and my quilt group may contibute some at our next Quilters but I know that all of you out there would love to help others so I thought we may have an old fashioned Australian 'Pass the hat around' and see if we can't get a heap over to France-it is the season for sharing the love after all.

Most of us could probably whip up an 8 1/2 inch block in our sleep, so while you are watching the cricket this afternoon or watching or hiding from Super bowl Sunday in the US, how about a block? Australian girls may like to just pop their's in an envelope to me and I can send a bulk amount to Clare, others may organise direct with Clare.

So, are you in? Let's see how many of you sign up through my comments between now and Valentines...and you never know, some lucky block maker may be thanked in an even more tangible way than just the joy you help bring to another human being.

I have started playing (above), just make sure your red is washed until no more red will come out in the water.

Finishing with some farm shots. DH was heading the barley in just the light I like. I have wanted some cards suitable for the men in my world so actually sacrificed 30 minutes of live action 20/20 cricket to grab these shots.-the things we do!

Who ever said ducks were stupid?

Have a great day, and don't forget to put in the comments if you can contribute a block, Tracey

Oh what a beautiful morning........

Hear that? Well maybe you can't, but it is the sound of John Denver singing to me on the CD player-not Hannah Montana, who I love and encourage , but have nevertheless heard enough of in the last 6 months my girl has predominantly been at home.

It is an hour and a half since the kids headed off for day 3 of a new year and it has been a long time since I got 3 straight child free days-I have walked, fed everything that requires it, put a load of washing on and taken some photo. I am now just recruiting my strength before attacking the house...and after 2 children nesting in it all Summer am little concerned some parts could attack back!

I have to apologise, I have had all these emails about the cards as I didn't say the negotiable price. The proper cards are $2, 50 cents for postcards and 20 cents for the gift cards. A local shop wants to stock some as well-very exciting! Negotiations that have worked for payment are fabric, paypal or FQS gift vouchers from overseas, cheques are fine in Australia...and swaps are fun as well. And yes, you can have a calendar if you really want one!

First Day pics. Yes, they do wear uniforms, 99% of Australian Schools have uniforms. Australia likes their people uniform...well at least on a general level playing field. Mine are at a little private Church School, hence the tie. Most Private Schools are ties. Nearly all Schools have a 'No hat no play' policy, so the hats just go on automatically. These are great hats, equally good in winter.

Wasn't sure how the little native boy would go getting in his uniform, I can't show you the photos, but the day before he was naked swimming in a ditch with the hose and layering himself with mud. He didn't know I was watching and I have some great photos of him then attempting to wash himself and his clothes off with the hose!

Here he is showing me where a mouse got caught as he and his Dad baled me some barley straw for the calves I will rear this year. Harvest almost over, late barley and linseed to go...I am in charge of getting rid of all the pea straw to the local nurseries and gardeners who want it as mulch. I can double my money if I cart and deliver it myself...but there are still 700 bales on the 66 acres to go...not sure whether I am that enthusiastic!

And finally, look at my great mail!!! My winter Four Seasons Quilt Swap came from Wendy in Connecticut. Have emailed her to see if she has a blog for you to visit.

Isn't it gorgeous! Beautifully made and quilted with a binding that I am green with envy over. My binding are ok until the end join, I always struggle with getting that perfect.

Mine was finsihed in time, all mailed, I will do the big reveal when I know my person has it.

Have a great day...'cos I know I will! Tracey

One day of holidays (sleep-ins!) left-and 2 prize winners.

Waiting on my sister this morning, so it will be a quick post.

She is coming up to spend the kids last day of Summer freedom...back to School tomorrow, where did that 7 weeks go?
My daughter told me I had been a good summer mother...hardly went to the sewing room at all!! Well, as long as she stays well and actually goes to school, that will sure change in the coming weeks but I am not making plans or everything will go haywire again!
Thanks for the comments about the Carpal tunnel and the gloves. Obviously I am not alone in this...at this stage just wearing them at night is doing the trick.
I can see there are a few other alternatives, I like the additional Vitamin B,(orally!)the best...now to just remember to add that to the calcium I take so I don't have similar bone density to that of my mother and grandmother-their's resembles more your jellyfish....the 30 plus I take so i don't have a monthly meltdown and the skin clear that attempts to make me look less like an acne ridden teenager-hope I don't shake when I walk!

My calendar came this week, and some more of my cards-i am still waiting on the calf ones. My neighbor called over and bought $25 worth, last week she bought some excess fabric from my stash, she has 7 kids so says it is a lot easier to shop here than go to town. Who could argue that!!
Here are a couple of calendar pics i thought you may like, it is all my favourite photos from the year and I am going to hang it in my sewing room.

Here are some of my cards, there is a range of proper cards, postcards and gift cards, I love the little gift cards. They are all available if anyone ever wants any, very cheap and I am open to all kinds of negotiation! Click for a closer look. Kristie and Libby were lucky commenters from when i asked you to taste test, so you will receive some of these in the mail-drop me a line. Everyone else I owe mail things to will be getting their surprises mailed in the next week as well....finally!

The winter swap is coming along, here was the last progress photo, it's due tomorrow, it will get done-in between batches of plum sauce, plum jam and pickles! I love these hexagons, the backing is thimbleberries. Have a great day, Tracey

Not a white glove moment
Tonight's post is proudly bought to you by the following product....
No, I have not been taken over by big business...well not unless big business desperately want to take me over!! These are, in fact, my new secret weapons.
Not sure anyone has noticed but there has been a distinct lack of handsewing done around here for the last 6 months, the only piece was a labour of love for Susan's stitchery swap piece, and even that ended up late!
Well, there's been a reason, my hands have been really giving me a hard time, pain, but mainly pins and needles and numbness all night. The little worrying part of me googled MS and of course these are some symptoms but when i finally mentioned it to a few people, the general consensus seemed to be carpal tunnel. The chiropractor has been working on the wrists with limited results and then, just when I was contemplating something more radical my lovely friend Robyn suggested these gloves. After a few nights, no day time troubles and straight away no constant night time waking to then shake my hand back to life. So I thought that may be worth sharing with all of you, as sewers.
Seeing I can sew again, I have been working on my Winter swap quilt...in 35 degree temperatures! Couldn't quite get into winter tree or snow flake mode, but these dark reds and creams speak Winter to me, hopefully they will to my partner.

Have I shown you photos of Fluffy General's 2 fluffy babies? That's the last time I believe a cat giver-awayer about the cat being a male! Males don't normally have 2 kittens, and just when the others have homes!
Anyway, this one is not excited by my progress on the hexagons for my Winter swap,

-Hands up all those who think I should be further ahead.

Yes, you are probably right unnamed kitty...but you know, the heat, the hands, the kids on holidays, the cricket and tennis on TV, the heat.......
Speaking of heat, the last of the other 3 kittens, Gilly, did something to his hip so hasn't yet gone to his new home, his mother decided when the others left that her feeding days were over.....Gilly aint so sure-

Now general Fluff is asking, didn't I only give birth to 2 kittens...and I'm sure there were none with white!! Now for some reason that really amuses me, because it kind of reminds me of Pepe le Pew...only Gilly hasn't needed to paint over the white!
If you can get away with it on hot day....

A new day.

Okay, I think I am over it....especially thanks to all my counsellors!! Pat yourselves on the back and we will get on with the nature of this blog, which is to find the good things in daily life....and look at quilts!!

With that in mind we will have a look at my sister's quilt,



I was late leaving for her birthday after staying up far too late, and didn't have time to wrangle calves or sheep or kangaroos or anything really as a photo backdrop-so I went for the old reliable poultry who will do anything for a tub of scattered wheat!

For those of you who remember, this was from my op shop shirt binge a few months ago. The blades were a design idea that I thought may look alright and were added to each block before turning it into the 4 block units. The red sashing seems to have broken it up a little and I think I am happy with it, I put flannel on the back and light wool wadding in the centre so it should be nice and cosy for cuddling toddlers and feeding babies in the middle of the night.

And because I dared grumble last post I thought I had better show you my WIP wall, well okay, it isn't actually a work in progress wall, more WIP sheep. (yes, it's Spring!)..and much cuter than my boring wall!

This houndstooth quilt needs to stop being a flimsy...I wonder if I could get away with it for winter 4 seasons quilt swap quilt??? No, bit big and even though houndstooth should really only be worn in winter I am not sure that makes it a wintery quilt! I do have some ideas for the swap, and so i should as I need to mail next week,- make me share them next post!! Have a great day...and a big thanks!! (I even got a call from Western Australia in consolation! Thanks Suse!) Tracey

Take the Quiz here!

Saw this on Beth's blog and thought it looked like fun. Have always been a Pride and Prejudice girl myself, the sensibilities of Sense and Sensibility couldn't compete with Laurence Olivier...or Colin Firth's Darcy either for that matter! But I have been told I actually occasionally look like Emma thompson, perhaps it is fitting!

But today 'Sensibility' is what I am fighting, so Beth's link was apt!

I wonder if Jane Austen was a quilter? I think I recall she was, there is a florally charm type diamond quilt with thin pale sashings appearing in my head that I seem to have seen somewhere.

I wonder if she ever had her confidence shaken by being taken to task over NOT having yet given a family member a quilt??!!!

That is why it has taken me a few days to get back to you after my sister's birthday, my heart really hasn't been in it.

My sister loved her quilt, THAT was not the problem. She also got teary about the calendar so all required responses were achieved! It was just that someone else in the family went a little off...in front of everyone, about the fact that has not yet been one for them.
Note: Blogger wont upload tonight so the quilt pic will have to wait for the next post.

Now, aside from the fact that, 1. I am only 38 and not yet on my deathbed, and 2. There are 5 metres of the perfect fabric picked just for that person just waiting to made up over in the sewing room, who out there in quiltmaker cyberworld likes to make quilts because they are told to?

I like to think my people kind of earn theirs....because life has dealt them a blow, because they have been very special to me, maybe even because they happened to compliment it just the right way when it was still homeless and therefore ended up with it. They are in fact MY quilts, my 10-100+ hours of work,my tens and hundreds of dollars and, just like the quiltmaker in The Quiltmaker's gift, they will be given where I see fit. (See, I told you I was having a little case of sensibility-don't worry, surely it will pass!)

Would being told in no uncertain terms that others have received them out of turn and then what should be on it(!!!) upset anyone else's sensibilities? Tell me what you think....and don't worry, I am being forced to learn resilience so I can cope with whatever you say.......maybe!

Lucky I only have one sister!

It is 11.32 pm. I have to leave for my sister's by 9 am, to celebrate her birthday, so why am I up?
Am I madly doing pilates so that I look skinnier than her.....a long running joke, as she once did it for 2 hours before I arrived during one of our little competitive weightloss periods.

No, not much point there, I have skinniest wrapped up at least until a few weeks after she has baby number 3!

Am I madly packing and organizing?

No, of course not, I am a quilter!- what else would I be doing than finishing her birthday present???!!!

This is the kind of joyful bit, the binding.

How do you bind? I cut about a 3 or 3 1/2 inch strip depending on my mood ...and the quilt.Then I iron it in half, iron it in half again and hey presto...ready to attach. Lots of people think this is too thick to work with but I like it, especially if I am doing that horrible thing ...and sewing it down with the machine!!!

I do my fair share of hand stitching down on bindings but sometimes the straight sewing road is the road best travelled, especially if it is a utilitarian quilt that your sister eyed off and intends using in the lounge room on the kids as a cosy wrap. And as she battles to tell which way her sewing machine should sit on the table, she isn't going to notice if I don't stay up until dawn hand sewing her binding!

She is especially not going to notice as this is not her only present....I really love giving presents (as well as getting them.).......and I made her up a photo calendar with all the good pics I have taken of her kids, it arrived today (from Belgium!!) and I am so happy with it that I keep sneaking up to the bedroom to look at it again. I am so excited to see what she thinks I will hardly sleep!

Here are a few sample photos for you.....photos are a little smaller than A4.

My DD got in one with her cousin.

You could add whatever you liked to the pages, I am not sure if you can see but I added , "favourite sister's birthday" to the 7th of August...never hurts to remind!!

The beach tomorrow will be a scenic change for us...this is our present scenic view...this is out my kitchen window where the men are harvesting the barley-2 tonne to the acre for those husbands who care!! Harvest is getting close to finished, we may see the darling husband and father...just in time for the kids to go back to school!

Have a great day....and thanks, I decided to go bloglines and can't believe the time it saves! If only they would invent something so I could comment from there as well! Tracey

In order to get anything done, I have to make lists ...and enthusiatically cross off as I achieve them. The important thing to do if you make lists....... is not to lose them!!!!

After industriously writing mine for the Make my Day award, I then misplaced and had to wing it and the result is that you need to pop over and say hello to Pins and Needles Carol today.(oops!!)

As well as digitally scrapbooking...remember the kids in the Canola, she is also a knitter and quilter...but at the moment she is still getting over her dad passing away on Christmas day.

Speaking of quilting friends, my friend Susan who lives over the other side of Australia, has been sewing up some of her Roman Holiday fabric. She has hit a snag with sashing, she forgot to get some. I have the red and green sashing type here, do you think the roman holiday red would be the go for this or will it be too bright for her Dad? All input appreciated by Suse, who reads my blog.

She has also finished this shaggy for her daughter, cute isn't it!

Had a good catch up with my friend L yesterday,her Mum and one sister were there as well, they had a great time picking out their clothes from the string blocks. Her Mum definitely wants it!

The night before I left I tipped out the second bag of scraps from the family, the really old ones. I almost tossed them all in the bin, they were very dull and unexciting-also a lot of poly/satin type bits.

But I persisted and this was what was able to show yesterday.

The few left over reds from the other bag really lifted the dull tones, this is going to be a 16 block wall hanging for the family.

I am becoming a big fan of this foundation piecing business-there would be no other way to use these mixed quality fabrics.

And finally, as I go off to spend a hard day supervising the pool- a beach kid pic....'cos I can!

Have a great day, Tracey

Makes my day

Okay, I can do this, I really can-it's just like pulling a band aid off, or pulling teeth or doing the farm paperwork ...do it quick, do it straight away...and it'll be painless!

Don't get me wrong, I will be including in my next Christmas card that I was nominated for the "make my day award", it's just the, "Yeah right...I am flat out picking a fabric, let alone only 10 blogs that "make my Day!" You all do, or I wouldn't read you, and comment to you and reply to your emails. So, on that score I will attempt to respond...oh wait, if you have received 3 nominations do you have to pick 30? Until someone speaks I will do 10.........Waiting, waiting, speak now or forever hold your piece..too late you running up the aisle waving, it's 10.

The awards rules are: “Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about blogland! Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so that they can pass it on. Beware! You may get the award several times! :-) "

Susan, Lou-Lee and Christine, my nominators, are a given.

Atet. feels like a friend around the corner.

Dawn. Ditto.

More Dawn. So many projects!

Ruth. Double ditto who has slotted a baby into crafting life effortlessly.

Patti. Paraphrasing Jack Nicholson in As good as it gets, her work and high level of organisation, "makes me want to be a better person."

Kim's big quilting adventure. Makes me spill my coffee.

Donna. Enthusiastic and gets things done.

Joyce. Great attitude and wows me with her work.

Tonya. Makes wonky work.

Libby. Just 'cos she is simply libby.

Finn.'Cos I want to be her when i grow up!

There, I am done! Now down to some other business, do you subscribe through bloglines, or use some other way? I just have everyone in my favourites and go through them, but it is a waste when people haven't posted...should I have a better plan?

Now, finally, a story about a kitten; a kitten that lived a fairly quiet life with a 7 and 9 year old and could still sleep, even if carted around in a pram, here is the vision of restfulness......

And here he is now......

Yes, he is now "Dizzy pusscat" and the proud owner of my gorgeous almost 3 year old niece....life, as he knows it, will never be the same!

Have a great day...and if you click on the coloured blog owners names you will be magically transported to their domains, enjoy..and thanks! Tracey

The 70's have called and they want their fabric back ...

or.....

being a "friend's mother" reaps it's own rewards-eventually.

Great news here, my longest serving friend, L is home from Switzerland for a week before starting her next stage of life with her husband's new job, in Kuala Lumpur. I am going down to see her at her Mum's on Friday.
This is exciting, but entails some work. L was home with her boys in April and when i visited her at her Mum's I came home with 2 garbage bags of fabric scraps....as you do! L, one of 5 daughters, was joining forces with her sisters to make her Mum do a clean out. I have a very sneaky suspicion that mine is the only stuff that would have left the building.
I offered to make her Mum a quilt with the scraps; there are 2 sorts, one bag of REALLY old, that were from my friend's grandma and great grandma dressmaking stashes and the 70's clothes-making efforts- though with 5 daughters 1-2 years apart don't ask me how she sewed!
I was more than willing to do this for my friend's mum because as soon as I was out of my teens I appreciated her SO much.
Well, I think I appreciated her in my teens, I always said my "thanks for having me " and offered to help and do dishes but I didn't realise then what all those extra friends bring to the workload-which is why I always send my kids with food for a play.
We lived a decent way from town so ours was not the hangout home, my Mum got it So easy in that department. It was either at L's home or my town friend's that we ended up.
They say that it is important for boys to have mentors to grow up on the straight and narrow, but I think friend's Mums are important as well. I was reading Dawn in Korea's blog about how her daughter's friend's mum let boys come for a sleepover at 11 pm and when the daughter rang Dawn to say she was coming home at once, the friend's Mum told the daughter to lie and say they weren't there.
That's not the friend's mum mentoring that gets a girl safely through her teens, but the guidance,advice and supervision I got was pretty darn good while letting us be teens.
Now my town friend was lost at sea a few years ago, but we tried to repay her Mum's teenage efforts with support and a photo journal when my friend died and cards and visits since.
I had never seen an opportunity with L's mum until the fabric thing. So here is how I went with some of the 70's fabric today.....with associated props of course!

I used a good quality bedspread as the foundation piece, that worked very well, you get a glimpse of it here in the wind, with Sigmund deciding whether he should eat it or not.

So it is essentially already quilted, i could add a backing and tie it and it would be done. This is just a 4 blocks, I have done 6 but thought I would show her before going further.

There are some great fabrics here.

This grown pet hereford, whose brother topped last Friday's sale , remembered about being fed and came for a visit...she seemed less than impressed with the sewing but hopefully L's mum will have a higher opinion!

Make my day awards tomorrow, as I am being called to bowl for cricket before it gets too dark, have a great day, Tracey.