Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Colours and other things........

Monday morning we walked a bit later so the light was a little better for taking photos......we were treated to a rainbow (which I am sure ended over our house)....autumn colours and running water - not much running water, but a bit more than we have seen in the creek for a long while.....





.....back at home the computer tech -aka the prince - had a go at fixing the computer......yes.....that is a screwdriver .......decided that discretion is indeed the better part of valour and put it all back together to take offsite....

More progress on the braid quilt.....the braids and one applique panel finished - this is a pic of two of the braids and the centre applique panel.....hopefully the top will be together this weekend.
Our little stitching group will get together on Saturday and one of us is leaving for a trip around Aus for a few months....I stitched a little needle case for her.....I can post this pic because I don't think she reads this blog.....if you are Linda....look away now! LOL


The time has slipped away again this morning - time I wasn't at this computer!!! there is another one waiting for me at work...

Enjoy your day........Lorraine

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Sunday, April 27, 2008

Weekend musings.......

Anzac Day on Friday has made this weekend a long weekend........but Anzac Day is not just another public holiday...........this year was especially poignant for me as it was the first Anzac Day without Dad (who served in WWII) - Dad always enjoyed coming to Adelaide and catching up with old mates on Anzac Day and joining in the march..........he hadn't felt well enough to come in the last couple of years and he passed away in January this year......the Prince and I stayed in the city on Thursday night - (we were surprised to see our room on this floor.....it was like being home....)... well sorta.....

...........and the next morning we went to the dawn service at the War Memorial - we walked from the hotel joining a large and quiet crowd ..... the atmosphere was one of silent reverence - a very moving experience......the father next to me explaining the significance of the dawn service to his small daughter in whispered tones adding to the atmosphere......the haunting rendition of the Last Post and the silence which followed.....indeed.....Lest we Forget!

After the service we caught up with the kids who had also attended....Rhi said "I bought Pa with me".... and produced from her bag a photo of her beloved "Pa" and her taken some years ago.... .... she knew how much it meant to Dad to be there!!
We all adjourned to the hotel for breakfast and it was great to catch up with everyone and see them all enjoy a hearty breakfast! The boys especially! Mark's phone (wake up alarm) went off during breakfast and he made the comment that it was unusual for him to be up (and eating breakfast) before his alarm went off! I would say very unusual! After breakfast we ventured out to watch the Anzac Day march - I particularly wanted to see the boys from the 2/10th who Dad served with - there weren't a lot of them, and I am sure Dad was there in spirit........

After the march we went back to the hotel, to pack (I always take way too many clothes - and it was only for a one night stay!??) and drove home.......Chelsea was pleased to see us - she was waiting patiently on the front porch.....actually she was sound asleep in her chair....... we watched the dawn services from Gallipoli and France and the football........and had a "nanna" nap! (not necessarily in that order - lol)!

During the week I received my scrap swap parcel from Melanie......thank you so much Mel - it is fabulous.....
One of the things on my "to do" list this weekend is to start sewing some of the scrappy blocks........

Yesterday I went here for a class - Emmy's Braids - with Carolyn Fuller. I even cut into one of the jelly rolls I have been collecting!!

Below is a photo of the applique which forms the rows between the "braids"...... after coming home and thinking about it I have decided to order some more of one of the green toned fabrics as my applique rows......so will make up the other "braids" while I am waiting for that to arrive....it is such a pretty quilt.....or it will be when it is done!!
Carolyn will be teaching another class in May which I have enrolled for as well......classes are fun! Hello to Sue who I met yesterday....the MIL of one of the guys I work with.....small world. Speaking of work.....I have taken an extra day off work tomorrow (Monday) which is a dedicated sewing day.....yay!

We have had some wonderful rain over the past couple of days and it is quite cold here today which is great......bring on winter!!

If I don't post anything in the next little while it may be because we are having a few problems with the computer and the prince has offered his services as "computer tech"....whilst he is many things "computer tech" is not one of his strong points.....so whilst I am thinking positively about this (or trying to anyway) it may not all go to plan and his day off tomorrow may be spent taking the compy "off site" to see a real tech!! I will keep you "posted"........

Before I go today I would like to thank Donna and Carey for choosing me as a winner of one of their giveaways.....I love blog friends!!

'Til next time........Lorraine

Friday, April 25, 2008

Monday, April 21, 2008

So what is - "tidy"?

Ok....does being able to see table top equate to "tidy"??? If so I have achieved that - at least for now!

I was standing on the balcony this morning when a fox came dashing down the back drive - Chelsea was out the front barking - probably at her nemesis - a guy riding to work on his bike - so the fox does a lap of the back yard obviously looking for a place to get out and while it is doing that a rabbit hops out from the bushes and sits in the middle of the drive checking things out......where was my camera.....???? Downstairs on "charge"....... Chelsea arrives on the scene but by now the fox had disappeared up the back and the bunny had made its way to its burrow so all she could do was "ask" to come inside so see what she was missing there.....breakfast probably!!

Never mind about Goldilocks - seemed like a scene straight from Peter Rabbit!

And thanks Carey - yes I should have said (in the previous post about finding THE lounge).....ahhhh ....and this one was juuuuuust right! (TaDa isn't very Goldilocks-like is it!)

I was just in my sewing room and the Prince walked past and reminded me it was a work day...........so.....better be getting myself organised - for work that is!
Enjoy your day whatever you are doing!

'Til next time......................Lorraine
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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Quiet .... like a Sunday morning....

It was pretty quiet this morning when the Prince and I (and Chelsea!) set out for our walk.....I have put together a few pics taken on the way...........including me putting my best foot forward and Chelsea waiting for himself to come out of the shop with the paper...it was like "I am so not going anywhere without him..." We have some great shops - including a fabulous bookshop and an antique shop - Antiques and More @ 24 - which we always have a peek in when we are out and about.....haven't been into the shop for a while though as I always think I can just look, but invariably can't .........so we just peer thru the windows (I am sure others do too as there are sometimes nose "prints" on the windows!)

one of the photos is of some animals in a paddock near the school......there is quite a contrast between the school lawn and the paddock.....we really do need some rain........Angas Park is one of our favourite places.......and always worth a a look if you are visiting Angaston.......not sure if you can see it but behind the rose is a fabulous old house - the garden is beautiful even with the drought.

Yesterday we spent looking for a new lounge suite.....I felt like Goldilocks....(but anyone who knows me will vouch for the fact that I am nothing like Goldilocks).....this one's too soft, this one's too hard.......and most of them were plain.....well ...... plain......or just ugly! Some of them felt like they sucked you in and wrapped themselves around you....it was scary!! We had a break from sofa shopping to go and watch Rhi play netball....it was pretty warm - about 26C and the girls were great....I worked up a sweat just watching from the sidelines! After the netball we thought we would have a look at one last shop.......walked in and there it was.....ta da.......a vision in chocolate leather.....so it looks good.....is it comfortable???.........yeeeeeess!! And better yet it was on special....!!! We did look around a bit more but kept coming back to this one......so ordered it

and a three seater as well.............after all, Chelsea has to have somewhere sit! So that done we ventured out to North Adelaide and treated ourselves to an early dinner before driving home.......

After messing about with a bit of housework this morning I finally got into the sewing room and had a major tidy...........well I had to - I was struggling to find things....so dragged out a couple of books as I have to make new pillows/cushions for the lounge......

......and probably a throw as well........bought this book a couple of weeks ago at The Patchwork Apple and have a few jelly rolls stashed away and a long weekend coming up so no excuses for not getting something done!

Here is a pic of my messy room before I tidied it up a bit.......unfortunately the battery "died" in the camera before I could take a pic of the new look room so you will have to take my word for the fact that I did do it........

It looks worse than it is......really..........I have been looking a mags and patterns and just putting them on the sewing table....instead of where they belong...........so once they were put away it was much better! I will post an "after" photo during the week.........this photo was taken to send to Karen - who was taken to task for having an untidy scrap basket last week.......now this is untidy!!

I even managed to finish a small project this afternoon - I will post a pic with the new look sewing room later in the week.......

'Til next time......have a great week......Lorraine

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Not a creature was stirring..........

And by the time I finished stitching last night it was very quiet indeed! This wall hanging was all but done before Christmas last year and then Christmas itself "got in the way"......and the rest as they say is history......All it needed was some hand quilting and the binding so on Sunday I finished the quilting and last night I sewed the binding......and here it is all ready for Christmas 2008! The light at 6am isn't that great for photos though!

I am in full time "finishing" mode at the moment which could last a while as I have lots of projects which "just" need the quilting/borders/backing/binding! LOL.... But it is great to tick another project off the list and get to enjoy it in its finished state. This is a pattern from one of my favourite designers, Natalie. I have started stitching the girls from Truly Scrumptious and they are looking great but have been put on hold while I am in the current "finishing" mode.

The prince and I have just got back from our morning walk and it looks like another perfect day here - I am thinking I would rather have grey clouds and rain rather than "perfect", but since I can't change the weather I might as well enjoy the sunshine! I am sure the rain will come....and sooner rather than later would be nice!

I should be getting ready for work - it's "hump" day today - middle of the week and all "downhill" to the weekend! Off to the city to watch Rhi play netball on Saturday and do some shopping for a new lounge - the one we have is certainly well past its "use by" date. Sunday looks like it may be tailor made for stitching! Well - that's the plan and I am stitching - sorry sticking - to it! Enjoy your Wednesday.
'Til next time...............................Lorraine
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Sunday, April 13, 2008

Sunday Stitchery

It's Sunday and I have managed to spend some time in my sewing room catching up with my Lynette Anderson Noah's Ark BOM.....


apart from that I have been playing in blogland and catching up with comments and emails......so I have to say - thank God for slow cookers! There is a nice beef casserole bubbling away in the kitchen - and it smells divine! ....and it should take care of a couple of meals during the week as well.

I have signed up with Kate for Another Little Quilt Swap which is going to be fun.....now to work out what to make! I missed out on the little quilt swap here but managed a spot with Kate.

I still have a couple of places left in my Pay It Forward - so if you want to come and play please let me know........

Have a great week!

'Til next time................Lorraine

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Friday, April 11, 2008

Scrap Swap goodies......Thank you Jane!

On Tuesday night I received this in my letter box:
Which meant I had to wait until lunch time on Wednesday to pick up this:

The blue "parcel inside the parcel" revealed this - just a few of the pieces in the parcel (hard to get all the great fabrics in!) ....

Thank you Jane - you have been very generous - I hope you have received my parcel by now......the lace is delightful and I have just the project in mind to use it (if I can bring myself to cut into it!) the other fabrics are all quite different to those I have been using of late (which was the whole point of the swap) and will add a zing to my scrappy log cabins.....the magazines and sweets were also fabulous......thanks again!

I would have posted this yesterday but woke up feeling a bit under the weather.....went for our walk as normal but struggled a bit as I had a dizzy head and couldn't walk in a straight line (and no I don't drink LOL) - it was like that tho when the whole room spins when you close your eyes...icky!.... there was the prince holding the dog with one hand and holding me up with the other....if I hadn't felt so revolting I am sure I would have thought it was funny! ...so spent the day resting on the lounge - what a waste of a day....couldn't even read or sew....but what it did do was make me really appreciate feeling well!

....and as for daytime TV.....we won't even go there!

So up and feeling better this morning and off to work for me.....looking forward to the weekend and hopefully some stitching.
Have a great day - whatever you are doing and if you are feeling under the weather I hope you are feeling better soon

'til next time..............................Lorraine

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Saturday, April 5, 2008

Stitching and a freebie

The girls were here for stitching today and it was fantastic to catch up with them.... Cheryl suffers from asthma and picked up that someone somewhere was burning something!! Sure enough there was a pile of leaves alight at the top of the vacant block across the road....burning is not allowed at this time of the year due to the incredible dry spell we have had....it wasn't long before the local CFS crew turned up and the fire was out in no time....it was at the base of a large pine tree so could have been nasty if it had taken hold!

So after that bit of excitement we went back indoors and Cheryl sewed up a storm on her "new/old" Elna which which she purchased recently - just right for taking out for stitching days and classes.....

It was a great afternoon (as it always is when we get together).......Cheryl you won't be surprised to learn that while we were out saying goodbye to everyone Chelsea helped herself to what was left on the fruit/cheese platter......(Chelsea has a past history of stealing food - particularly expensive cheese!)

Have just been out in blog land and Anne at Bunny Hill is giving away a couple of fat quarter packs ..... so hop on over to be in the draw!

'Til next time...................Lorraine

Australian Home Journals 1948 and 1949

I was looking for something in my sewing room and came across these gems....a couple of mags from 1948/49 - and no I didn't buy them new .... (Almost could have tho!)



the pattern for the "gay,novel shoe bags" caught my eye........



Along with the pattern for summer gloves........

.
And last (but by no means least!) this advert featuring a Mrs D........, "typical Australian mother" (and goes on to give a height and weight of the said "typical Australian mother").....with a chart of what you should weigh...and the heading of course says....."her rheumatism goes as she loses ugly fat"......these capsules pretty much cured everything! Wonder why they aren't around today...or maybe they are in a different form.......!

There are some cute knitting patterns for a tea cosy, toy rabbit.....along with an ad for "Sun-glo Shrinkproof Knitting Wool" which goes on to say....."there isn't a man in a million who won't fall head-over-heels for one of the new Sun-glo Men's Wear designs...."

On that note......time I was getting ready for a day of stitching with the girls.....haven't had the house all to myself this morning ...... Mark (DS2) was up and about early..........on a weekend.....couldn't be for any other reason than......a football game! )(well a trial game anyway) Yes, it's back - the footy season!

Enjoy your day................................ Lorraine
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Friday, April 4, 2008

Tote Bag - Free Pattern

Hop on over to Buttonberry - they have a cute tote bag pattern on offer.....using charm squares - also love their "stash buster" quilt pattern.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

stitching.....

Time I was in bed, but couldn't resist a last little look around.......stopped by Linda's blog...(she and I are keeping busy with dentist visits).....and found that Janet over at Wildcraft Farm is having a giveaway, a lovely free stitchery design. So hop on over and read the details.

Here are some pics of a couple of stitchery designs from two of my fave designers Leanne and Natalie that I am working on at the moment...well not at this exact moment because I am in the study messing aroung in blogland!


I am looking forward to the weekend - a few of the "Stitch 'n Bitch" girls are coming over on Saturday......we have been meeting once a month for a few years now......and it is my turn to host this time.....we don't see each other much between stitching days so have heaps to catch up on when we do get together.

'til next time................Lorraine

the week that was.........

Started the day on Monday with a walk...we try and do this every morning......best time of the day....usually we walk at around 5.30am and it is a bit too dark to take photos - because we had the day off we were a bit later.....this church is just down the road from us and I am not sure why, but speakers have been put in the spire..sort of spoils the look overall!

I had to visit the dentist first thing in the morning...(great way to start the day......but it was all pretty painless) - on the way home stopped off at the post office to send my scrap swap parcels to Spain and the US - looking forward to the posty bringing me a couple of parcels instead of bills! Because the prince also had the day off he headed off to run some errands and Chelsea (our Cocker Spaniel - who by the way was already named when I first got her!) was upset he didn't take her with him ...so she waited patiently on top of the lounge chair in the bay window for him to get home..... I was trying to get her to look at me but she chose to ignore!

Later in the morning we drove to Adelaide to attend my daughter's uni graduation.....had a "lazy" hour to spare so it was straight to DJ's for some retail therapy (I deserved it - I had been to the dentist!).....Amazing what "damage" one can do in 45 minutes.......the prince left me waiting for him while he put these in the car (which was on about the last level in one of those revolting high rise carparks)

Well......what is a girl to do while she is waiting.......just happened to be right outside this wonderful store where I found the buy of the day......(I won't call it a bargain because it probably wouldn't be classed as that!) but it is brilliant - a wool blend wrap which is soooooo warm and cosy....I love it.....the prince was a bit shocked to see I had yet another bag by the time he got back......lol......"so what did you get?" he asked...."oh just this scarf thing"....."oh OK" ....bless him he is a gem!! We waked down to the Festival Theatre for the graduation ceremony and found that our seats were only two rows behind the grads.....had to snap this of my girl:

It was the culmination of four years of uni for her and she has decided to go back to do a teaching degree so will be a student for another 18months........

.....and that was about it for the day........we had dinner in a restaurant overlooking the beach and then drove home......it was an excellent day and I went to bed a tired but happy shopper and a proud mum - giving thanks for all that is good in my life!

'til next time........Lorraine

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