Hexagon's...

I have been Very Inspired to use White lately...my DD Wedding Quilt was in White & now here...I had picked another of HB fabric in Pinks for the surrounding colour or background colour.....but wasn't really sure about it...then after looking here ...& getting lots of Inspiration...I thought hey use White and OMG what a Punch it has given my block....this is the first completed block after unpicking them and starting again....the White really makes the other Fabrics stand out....now I am really Pleased with this and have found a new desire to continue...I call these "Mindless Sewing"..it's the sewing I do when I am trying to watch one of my fav TV shows...I can watch without having to think too much about what I'm doing...lol....it works for me.

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Fabric for Mr.B

I went on a little shopping trip Yesterday to find some Fabrics to go with Mr.B's New Quilt...I had Purchased the 2 on the left and this is what I came home with to match...Pretty Happy with my choices...Now I am Thinking of 8 point Star to Highlight the fabric with the Old Woody Vans...Nothing too Complex at this stage...I am Planning on using the Surfboard Fabric on the Borders...Just a Lap size for His Lounge Chair and should go Nice when Mr.B gets his New Leather Recliner in the New House....Probably in Chocolate Brown.
We are Up and Running on the Market as of Yesterday...in the Paper & On the Internet....Now the Wait...
Enjoy the Weekend...

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Get me a Tissue and I'm a Big Bad Mamma.!!

If You are a Fan of this show you better get the Tissues out Tonight...it's going to be Happy & Sad....here I thought last week that Meredith was trying on HER Wedding Dress but as it turned out it was for Izzie....OMG get me a Tissue Quick.!!

First of all let me Explain....Our Little Dog Molly is just over 14yrs Old....now Molly has been with us since she was 6weeks old...she was my 40th Birthday Pressie.....she has been a great Watchdog & a Good Family Pet....maybe the Kidlets might disagree with me on that one at times she was a Biter.....now over the past 6months poor Molly has been showing signs of Aging...just like my Residents at work....Dementia..Incontinence...Sleeps most of the Day....Molly has been an Inside Dog all her Life UNTIL Yesterday.....when she had done her LAST Poo Poo on the Carpet.......I became the Mother from Hell.....I yelled so Loud at her she started to show her Teeth...which is Scary...so Now Molly is Outside in the Garage ....when Mr.B arrived home he got quickly told of the Incident and I had the Final Word...for a change....I must Admit she was very good last night didn't Bark to come inside....so Today I'm Not feeling so Bad...oh one dear Friend in NZ..who will remain Nameless...suggested I Shoot Her....Sorry Dear I feel Bad enough as it is without taking those Drastic Measures...lol.

So Now for some Goodness in the Mail...I recieved this Lovely Thankyou gift from Teresa for the Paper Bag Swap....it was so Lovely of her to do this & I'm quite Chuffed that she did.....But Thankyou again Teresa it was a so Thoughtful of You & I Love Charm Sq's ......

I saw this on some Blogs...sorry I have forgotten them now as it was some weeks ago....I decided to order this little book to see what all the fuss was about....firstly I was surprised by the size ..not very big at all but full of Great reading about our Aussie Crafters & designers...I haven't read it all yet but I will be ordering the next one....,made by 2 ladies in Melbourne...http://www.mixtapezine.com/

Also my Paper Bag Swap is wrapped ready to go to the Blue Mountains.nsw tomorrow so look out for it next week Mandy......

Had a very Quick Visit with Beth yesterday when we delivered some furniture and a pile of Quilters Companion magazines.....sorry it was short Beth but will make a sewing day with you soon..and another visit to Lincraft..lol..
..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Paper Bag Swap...

Morning All...Just a Reminder that the Paper Bag Swap is Due.....13th July...If you have yours ready to go you can post them off if you want....Hope Everyone has been in Contact with their Swappee's by Email....You can Email each other if you are going to be late.....
Thank You to Everyone who have Joined this Swap & hope You have Enjoyed making Your Items...
..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

The Week that Was.!

As you can see our House is on the Market as of Yesterday....the Ball is in Motion....my awnings are looking a bit crooked ..their Not it is very windy here today with a little Chill in the Air....Both Mr.B & I are so Sore & Tired after Cleaning & Sorting this week and there's more sorting yet....We are very Tired and Can't be Bothered with any Crap right now so Hope it will be Smooth Sailing from Here on End...

Another 8 Boxes packed up in My Sewing Room Yesterday and it is looking Very Un-Inspiring I must say...It has been Hard to choose what will stay & what can be packed up for 10months until the New Sewing Room will be ready.....Maybe there's Hope for My Blackbird Blocks to get Finished yet...lol..

This Table will be going to Beth's on Wednesday so that wll make the room look even more Bare...You can see my Lovely Pear from Lurline sitting Proudly on top of my Drawers...these drawers are the last to get packed...why.?...they hold all my Fabric.....can't pack that up just yet....2 trips to Lifeline in 2 days...the Men on the back dock are Loving me...Not..Magazines & Books for them to sort through....have another boot load to go again...we have some Furniture to Donate to them as well but that will wait until the Sold sign is up....
Off to Clean some more Windows...hope to get some stitching done this afternoon while Mr.B is having his Poppy Nap.!

To make this Quilty...Paper Bag Swap half done..Mr.B's Fabric arrived..ordered more Heather Bailey Freshcut for Hexie's...Bought 28ct Linen for Blackbird X-Stitch & Found Milliner's Needles for Applique...So it hasn't been all that bad of a week...
..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Friday & a New Project

Well it's Friday which is Nice....I have been itching to start something New...as We Do....I have 2 Quilty Friends with Birthday's in July...this will be a Cushion....can you Guess who Designed it...if you are a regular reader you will Guess....That's all for now as it is a Surprise.....will show the finish when it arrives at it's Destination.......It is Wool Applique...I bought some lovely Felted Wool Pieces from Hatched & Patched at the show....Buttonhole stitch using normal thread not DMC.....

A Short post today...off to do some shopping this morning & a Coffee at Mary Ryan's Bookshop....my Treat...now there are a couple of our Lovely Blogging Mates that have been Tempted by BOM's & Stitcheries of late...the Temptation has been way too much for them....we can all relate at some stage....and I was going to be Very Good after my spend up in Sydney....but hey who's Perfect...I have signed up for Material Obsessions new BOM with Sue Ross...now for you outsiders Sue teaches Amazing work at MO's shop in Sydney...Fussy Cutting to die for...so when it came up on their Blog yesterday I was in like Flynn...so to speak.....so I have joined my fellow bloggers in the Temptation....
well I figure it's cheaper than flying to Sydney to do the Classes.....LOL..OH.! and did I mention I have Ordered some Fabric to make DH his first ever Quilt as a Surprise for Father's Day...Well that's the Plan...I hadn't really planned on making him one this year but I saw some Fabric that I know he will Love.....
Have a Good Weekend...

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

I have Won & another BOM...

How Gorgeous is this...I WON this from Lurline's giveaway....I don't usually win on these giveaway's but I am Thrilled to have won this Gorgeous Pear Pincushion...I have been Admiring this from Heather Bailey's blog & nearly ordered the pattern....well Lurline has made it for me...she must have known....I also have a thing for anything Pear shaped ...I must be going through a middle aged thingy...Owls & Pears..go figure..lol.

Now I have been enjoying some Emroidery at the moment on my Paper Bag Swap...shhh can't say too much as I know my Partner reads my blog...HI to the Blue Mtns.....but my Creative Juices have been drying up so to speak...too much going on I guess plus I have 2 Birthday's next month that I want to sew for....plus sorting and packing...so have been happy doing this the past week UNTIL I read Material Obsession's blog this Morning & What.!! Oh No a BOM...a Sue Ross BOM...OMG what does a girl do...She Signs up of Course.....go take a looky Here ..there are 2 colourways Contemporary or Pretty Contemporary...which is the 2nd Circle Block..I think...that's the one I've picked...I am into Fussy Cutting at the moment too which is right up there with her work.....This will get me going again....see you just never know what's around the cnr in our Fabric World....Heaven I call it.....

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

comfort Food & looking Bare...

Hmmmm I Indulged in my First Comfort Food for this Winter....My Creamed Rice...now I am trying to be good this winter with this Pudd as I tend to put on more weight during Winter then I'm back to sq one in Summer trying to get rid of the Excess....this and Bread & Butter Pudding are my all time Fav...Mum's recipe of Course....gotta stick to Tradition...So I am classing these Favs as an Indulgence this year instead of Pigging Out as usual......I was going to be Good and save half for the next night but when DH polished all his off I couldn't help myself it was soooo Good.....
As you see some Progress has hit the Sewing Room...not that it is looking like one any more...Beth from Highland Hen is taking the white Bookcase & this old Table that I have been using for many years...it is an Old Pine Dining Table...our first ever Dining Table...the chairs are long gone....Beth's DH will do her up and she will look a Treat....DH was feeling a tad Sad to see her go...hey I said get a Grip it's only a B...Table...That Man is such a Hoarder drives me Nuts...
Back to Work last Sunday...nothing changes in Nursing Homes...one Death...more New residents...Staff come and gone....you know what they say same S--t...Different Day..lol...The Old Ribs started to Ache after the first 4hrs but just keep going....the Oldies don't care about our health just Their Own.....
So as you can see packing is happening well and truly...I'm into it now....so off to do some more...now that Coffee Table wasn't there before we are moving things around for the Sale...we took it out of the family room to make it look a bit bigger...another Bookcase will come in too once the table is gone...what ya gotta do to make things look roomy.....nothing more off putting than a crowded room for Buyers....
have you been on the SEWN website yet...Sarah is dong some Great Stuff & she has lots of things happening for herself as well...she is working on a New Book...pop on over to here to see her Blog....she is also Teaching Primary kiddies....such a Busy Gal....
Hope your Week has started well....

PS: Also sending Big Hugs to Our Blogging Mate Deb...she is having an OP on her Spine Tomorrow...Thinking of you Deb xx.

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Packing..I've Started...

Today was the day to start Packing up some of my Sewing Room...I have been getting Motivated all Week & it was either that or the Gardens....The White Bookcase & the Table on the right in the top pic are going Free...Beth from Highland Hen has been given the opportunity as she is close by...otherwise they are going to the Salvos...The Table is our Original Dining table from when we got Married...it's Pine and really needs an overhaul...Beth's DH does up Furniture & we won't have the room for it...it's been a Great Sewing Table for many years....it will go to a Good Home...
Now don't laugh as I have only just realized what was in these boxes...they are from work & I don't think twice about them as they are a part of my working day & have become 2nd nature..well not to me to my Residents...lol....but they make great boxes...not too deep for me to overpack in...always getting into trouble for making them too heavy....so these things will be in their new home for about 12 months so bad luck if I need anything out of them till then....I am being very good and am giving away heaps of magazines & knitting books to Lifeline...and any furniture that we won't be needing will be finding new homes....
A New Horn Sewing Cabinet is on the list for my new sewing room & my mind is Boggling with new storage Ideas ...
I know this will be the very Last time we Move...yes the LAST....I am quite Excited in how I am going to do the New Decor...White will be the Main Colour....
I know you might be thinking ...what.! she is packing already...but the house will be ready for the agent in 2 weeks & I always start straight away so I am not pushed incase we have a quick sale.....working & stitching in between well you know a Gal has got to get her Priorities right...
off to look through some Country Collections mags before they go to the Library...
Hope Your Weekend is going well...


..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Quilt Show ...aerial view.

Left..Middle..Right..I took these pics up on the Mezzaine floor while waiting to go into Michelle Hill's Trunk Show...this is just the Stalls...Im sure I still missed a few..lol.
just thought I'd share...apparently we are not allowed to put pics of quilts on our blogs from the show....hmmm.!


..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

It's all over.!!

Well what a Great Time I had in Sydney at the Quilt Show...as You can See I went a bit Mad.! I started off on the first day quite composed I thought...till about 3:30pm then it hit me I had only brought one book...I am Pleased with my Goodies even though I had NO Intentions on buying any Patterns....or the extra Fabric than I had on my list....but anyone that goes to these Big Shows will Relate to the Extra Purchases..lol...I found some Owl fabric..ah yeah right at the last minute on day two...went to a Great Trunk Show with Michelle Hill...she is so funny...we got a free cushion pattern...Met Helen Godden..she is so Cool..so Natural..got a piccie of her with her Quilt of the Lady Potter...her Man from Snowy River Quilt got Viewers choice...which was my vote as well so I was pleased she won that....it was Amazing...also did a Workshop with Sue Daley on Paper Piecing the fussy cut way...I learnt some tips from her which was Great..met up with Kathy from Mo..she signed my 2nd book of hers...also met up with Anni Downs..Cathy from Prints Charming..Leonie from Quilted Crow...she was asking me for some blogging tips..lol...Jenny from Amitie...it was so Great to be able to chat to these Ladies some New & some have known for a few years now....Also had 2 lots of Fabric waiting for me when I got home which I knew were coming...bottom right pic...some Chooks in the Green & the other I bought on Ebay...I'm not usually successful with ebay fabric but I must say this one is lovely..... The Bust Trip I went on was Good..I ended up mixing with some Teachers from Wauchope High School..they took me in their little Group & were really Friendly..will certainly be going on the Bus Again....we stayed at the Citigate Hotel which was just around the cnr from the show...Seafood Buffet for Tea & Buffet Breakfast...so Good.

Our Trip to Port Macquarie was a very successful one...we have our name on a block of land in a very Nice over 50's Lifestyle Village...we have picked out our little cottage & will be ready in about 12months ....that gives us plenty of time to sell here....we will rent down in Pt Macq if we are there before the 12 months is up.....so now the task of packing...I don't mind the packing bit it's the Selling that I am getting sick of.....but fingers crossed it won't take that long and we wll be on our way...
Thanks to everyone who has asked about my Ribs...they are 90% better....back to work next Monday...that will be the Test...
Have been catching up on Blogs slowly & we have one person already that has her Paper Bag Swap item finished....Hope the rest are coming along Nicely...

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

SEWN...I have a Winner.!!

I have drawn a winner from the 43 comments from my SEWN Post...the Random Number Generator picked:
Sue May 31, 2009 8:55 AM
gorgeous fabrics, I've just joined in on the party.
Sue has a blog called "share the love"...and is from Sth Aust...Congratulations Sue & ThankYou to Everyone who Entered....
Sue I will be away from Tomorrow till the follow Tuesday 16th June...if you could send me your Postal Address I will Post your Fabric off to you when I return...
If you have Entered the Official site for SEWN .Sarah is drawing her Winner Tomorrow...Good Luck to Me & You...
..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

My Blog badge...

This is what I came up with this afternoon....talking about a Badge to wear to the Craft Shows in my last post....it's a Hexie...measures 2.5"..laminated with a fabric Hexie to match the front on the back which will hold a Brooch Pin....what do You Think.??

If you see this Badge wondering the Aisles of the Quilt Show next weekend stop & say Hi....

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Blogger Badges.....should We.

Just Another Thought....Should We have "Blogger" Badges to wear when we go to these Craft Shows....the thought had crossed my mind during the week...what if I am passing A Blogger without knowing... well you know what it's like at these shows they can be crowded and we are always Bumping Literally into each other...well that is the Question....Should we have Blogger Badges....maybe for future reference we should look into our own design....anyone who has thoughts on this I would love to hear from you......I have a small sq fabric name badge that I made when I was in a Group at Wauchope...we all had the same pattern with our names stitched accross the middle....I found it while searching for other things during the week and am thinking of taking it with me on the Bus Trip next week...wether I wear it or not is yet to be seen.....
I will wait your Thoughts....OH.! if you are at the Sydney Show next Saturday or Sunday & You Recognise Me...PLEASE stop and say Hello....I would Love that.

Thanks for stopping by.....Cheers for a Good Long Weekend.....

Maree

This time next week..yeah.!!

Yes this time next week I will be arriving at the Quilt Show at Darling Harbour with a Bus load of like minded Females....this is where we will be staying...How Great does this Hotel look....Seafood Buffet on Saturday Night...Buffet Breakfast on Sunday Morning and a Chaffuer to take us to the show.....Heaven.!

I am still Recouperating with the Broken Rib...on the occassion I have had to go to town and need to wear a Bra has been a killer...( just had to share that)..it is quite Painful and I'm all for Ban the Bra..lol...
So I have been Meandering in and out of my sewing room...seems I just can't sit still this past week...a bit jumpy about the forth coming trip ...I have 3 things mainly that I have been working on this week..."Magoo" poor thing is still in pieces...hopefully today..my Paper Bag Swap item has been started & the Binding on cousin Joel's quilt....so this week hasn't been totally wasted...I CAN get use to staying home again..you wouldn't have to Twist my Arm...
I will be off-line from Monday till 16th...Thanks for Visiting my Blog....
Hope to have some Good Stories to tell when I return....

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Going ..Going..GONE.!!

edit: ALL THE FREE PATTERNS HAVE NOW GONE...
5 patterns going for FREE....yes that's right FREE...while you are Smiling at my new Blog facelift..lol...You will see the Link on your Left..I also have a full set for Sale....
Hope your day is going well ....

"Go the BLUES"

.Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

The Postie Rang Twice Today

Two parcels arrived today...one of them being the last to arrive for MY Birthday fat 1/4 swap...so here are all my Lovely Fabrics & Extra Goodies sent to me by my Group: THANKS SO MUCH..Jeni..Maree..Jenny..Cathy..Marc..Narelle..what a Lovely Swap..Glad I thought of it..lol...
The other Parcel was my Paper Bag Swap....if you are in this swap and you haven't already done so you might like to put a link up to it as that's where all the postings will be going just for the swap....I got Gorgeous Fabric ..Thread..Pom Poms..& Buttons to work with & the Choccies to die for....There were lots of Bags being posted today so keep popping on over to the Blog for updates....
Have "Magoo" cut out ready for some sewing Tomorrow....I've decided to try & cut down on my storage space with patterns....at the moment I keep them in flat plastic storage boxes but now I have 16 & they do take up some space...I am thinking ahead for the next house & got my trusty Laminator out & laminating the patterns flat..staple together in one cnr & I should get quite a few standing up in a Magazine Holder...Now I must Admit since I bought this Laminator it has been one of the best things I use ...I laminate patterns & cut them out for Templates...I find it is easier to cut than Template Plastic which can get a bit hard on the fingers...& it keeps the original markings on the pattern sheet to read....you can write on them with a pigma pen & they can be wiped off ....just thought I'd share...saw a little while back on another blog about the things you use most in your sewing room well my Laminator would be one of mine...


Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

Old & New...

Thought I would show you what I got up to today...all clear with the Dr with my R Shoulder now just to get the Ribs better....getting there..DS & FDIL gave me a Credit Voucher for my Birthday...we have a Gorgeous Canterbury Lace shop here & I always go there to buy something Special when need be...Firstly I have had this chest of drawers for nearly 28yrs..it houses my Fabric in my Sewing Room...been meaning for ages to change the Knobs...well that Finally happened today when I bought my new Gorgeous Pink & Clear Crystal ones home from C.L...while I was there I was browsing as ususal & came accross these 2 Gorgeous Shabby Chic pieces...the front one is to hang my Scissors on ..the other is a Shelf to go onto the wall with Hooks for my Lovely Bags that have been given to me over the years...this one will be put away for the New Sewing Room down the track....That's what I brought with the Voucher...well spent I Reckon..lol.

ALSO the ladies in the Paper Bag Swap were sent their Partners details today by email....tomorrow is the cut off...mine was sent today in a mad rush which didn't give me time to ponder on what I was going to send....If anyone has any quieries on the swap head on over to the blog it is all there...also an update for you to read...we have 24 ladies all together which was lovely considering all the swaps that are happening at the moment....I'm looking forward to this one....
Have a Good Weekend Everyone...I have caught up with blogs now...didn't answer them all as some were nearly a week old but am on track again now....
KATE WEBSTER could you Please Email me for your Paper Bag Swap details...your email is bouncing back.
Thanks for stopping by.........Maree

What a Week.!!!...Paper Bag Swap...

Hello Everyone...Well what a Week & a Lovely Week at that...The Wedding went off Beautifully...No Hitches & No Dramas...we couldn't have asked for a more Perfect Day from Start to Finish...I have made a seperate blog of some photo's that DS took with my Digital Camera..and as more come from the Photographer I will add them on...DD tells me this Morning they are Beautiful....Feel free to Browse..just click onto the pic on my sidebar...

ThankYou to Maree.Jeni.Jenny.Marcia & Narelle for my Birthday Fat 1/4 Goodies...I will put up a piccie when the last one arrives....They were All Lovely & I Appreciate the little Extra Goodies as well...

Now the Paper Bag Swap is Closing on Saturday 30th May...we have an even no of Swappee so if you are still thinking of joining we need 2 to keep the no's even as this is a Direct Swap...

No Work for a few weeks due to My Sore Ribs...I am paying for it now even more since I was Crankin it on the Dance Floor...I showed those Young Ones a thing or two...not keen on seeing the Video my DS took though..lol...I was going to make sure I Enjoyed what We paid for if it Killed Me..lol...

still catching up on emails & blogs so bear with me....
Was Pleased to see this Arrive...I had Finally got around to ordering this Lovely Puzzle for Me..

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

I feel Special...

I recieved this Gorgeous Gift yesterday from my Lovely Friend Deb in N.Zealand.....Totally Overwhelmed I am...This Bag is just Beautiful..it has a round bottom .. which makes it so Different.. in Gorgeous fabrics...Pansies made from Suffolk Puffs & Embroidery & Buttons....Love the Inside Fabric & with lots of Pockets....Gee I feel Special....THANKYOU so Much Deb....You know I Love it to Bits.....I am keeping this Bag for when we move back to NSW so I can show it off to my Old Sewing Buddies when I re-join my Old Group....
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for all the Lovely Emails I have recieved from my Fall & My Quilt...I am feeling Better this Morning...Soldier On I say...
I have Joined Fiona's Xmas Advent Swap...pop on over & have a look this one should be Fun....click onto the Logo on my sidebar...
Take Care & See You in a week...


..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree

SWQ.... a Finish...

Sorry if you are sick of hearing or seeing this but Taa Daah...it's a Finish....Struggled the last few nights sewing the Binding ( with the sore shoulder ) but a Girl's gotta do what a Girl's gotta do...lol...can't use the Machine at the moment so my Magoo's will have to wait.....We're in the middle of changing our Plans for our next 2 trips south and have decided to combine them into One...so my time in Sydney will be much less than had planned...I will be going Purely for the Quilt Show ...I will be there on the Saturday now...I will be going down by Bus with the Ladies from Port Macquarie...The penny dropped last night realizing I was making 2 trips in such a short period of time and seeing they are both south it is more beneficial money wise to join them together.....I'm still going to the Show that's the main thing & I'm sure DH can Amuze himself for one night whilst I'm gone.....
Not Good News regarding my Fall last week...I have a Broken Rib & Possible Ligament damage to my right shoulder...I manage to be on here for short periods...I have the last 2 Christmas Wish blocks to catch up on & Hexie's do get done while sitting....
The Birthday Fat 1/4 Swap is happening to Me this week and the Parcels so far have been just Lovely...will put them all up next week....
Till Next Time...Thanks for stopping by........Maree

Quilt Market....

Sorry if these seem small but you can click onto them to see them bigger..this is how they are coming through...just a few pics from Quilt Market in Pittsburgh....Look how Lovely everyone looks...I love to see the Booths all Dolled up....
Got my Mojo back today & am progressing nicely on the Binding ...have been resting up while DH has been doing some Domestic Duties....he is well Trained.!!...rung in sick at work for the next 2 days & have 3 days now to get ready to go south....DD went to a Wedding Yesterday..rung & told me she Cried her eyes out..oohhh someone is getting Nervous.....I don't know who will be worse her or the Groom...lol.
Hope your weekend has been a Good One.

..Thanks for stopping by.....Maree