Giveaway

I've just come across a little giveaway

at Linen Closet Quilts.

This book looks really interesting.

Check it out.

And tell her Mumsyblossom sent you.

Mr Fixit Paints

So I got home from the Retreat last Sunday and what to my surprise do I find? My darling Mr Fixit painting and just finishing off one wall in our bedroom. We'd been tossing around the idea and paint colours for a little while now. So this is Dulux Suede Effects in Fossil Beige. We really like it and have decided to do the other walls the same. It will make our room a little more cosy. We get plenty of natural light so it won't be too dark...

I should go away more often... there's one or two things that need doing...

Cheers!

Shari

Edit: We've had white walls for so long, and we want warm and cozy. The bedroom faces north for winter sun (opposite to the Northern hemisphere where south is the winter sun) so we do get lots of light in the room. And to top it off, the curtains are opened and closed electrically. Yes, Mr Fixit installed a motor on the curtain track. It's hilarious. At the moment we have to touch a button on the wall, but it won't be long before he decides he wants it remote controlled so he doesn't have to get out of bed. Next thing you know it will be on a timer...

Shabby Roses BOM

Purpleflowerpatch (Jenny) at ELEFANTZ has started a new block of the month called Shabby Roses. This is a delightful BOM and well worth a look.

In honour of this new BOM, Jenny is having a giveaway.

Check it out!

Tell her Mumsyblossom sent you!

Cheers!

Mugz on Monday

This is my everyday cup that I use for my tea.

I only drink black tea from it, usually made in a teapot.

If I have a flavoured tea, I use a different cup.

Pay It Forward

It was ages ago that I signed up for a "Pay It Forward" (PIF) with Jane. The idea is that she sends me a handmade gift and then I in turn send a handmade gift to three other people who signed up with me, and then they in turn send handmade items to three people. (My recipients are listed in my sidebar.) We have twelve months to complete our handmade items.

So lovely, darling Jane has sent me her package. I am so impressed at her generosity! Thank you so much Jane!!

So the first thing that caught my eye was this:

Edit: Customs opened it because the declaration only said 'fabric' and there was clearly more than that in it.

Thankfully there was no contraband! There was a time when I was on a Customs watch list and everything that came from overseas was opened and inspected - even wrapped Christmas presents for my girls! (They always carefully re-wrapped and it was not noticeable.) But that's a story for another time - this is all about darling Jane!

Jane sent lollies (candy) that have huge sentimental value to me. Simple Starlight mints may seem pretty ordinary - until you can't get them. What mints you can get just aren't the same. Jane sent me a couple of packs months ago (and I just realised I didn't blog about it! Sorry Jane!) and I've been carefully eeking them out to make them last. It's usually a Sunday thing as we like to suck on a lolly during the sermon. Also - Red Hots! My all time favourite childhood candy. It was always the first purchased (even before chocolate) and if I had money left then something else (although Cracker Jacks was always the first purchase at the movies - which is really funny as I no longer eat popcorn at all).

This adorable charm pack of Aunt Grace Polka Dots. I love Aunt Grace. If I wasn't on a self-imposed buying ban (with lots of exceptions - but that's a story for another time) I would probably get more.

Asssorted fabrics in these gorgeous reproduction-style prints, including a healthy length of fabric that matches one of Jane's hand-made gifts!

These sweet buttons in this adorable little box. I have a 'thing' for little boxes, tins and jars. I'm such a 'container' person! And I have a 'thing' for buttons. I have a 'thing' for fabric. Hmmm... I'm a very 'thingy' person...

Then Jane made me these two pink (of course) knitted dishcloths. Edit: Mum (MIL) loves them and can she please have the pattern) I've seen these out there in blogland. I must confess that I'll not use them as dishcloths (gasp!). I'm sure I will use them though - but that's a story for another time LOL...

And the jewel in the crown is this lovely table runner made in beautiful autumn greens and golds and purples... it's just perfect for me.

All tied up with pink ribbon.

Dear sweet Jane - you have certainly done a fantastic job in this PIF! Your spirit of generousity and giving is so pleasing and encouraging. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hugs - Shari

ANZAC DAY

Perth War Memorial

Ode of Remembrance

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

We will remember them.

(Laurence Binyon - "For the Fallen" - 1914)

To all who served and never came home

To all who served and returned

To all who serve now

To all who will serve

We will remember you.

Retreat Show and Tell

There were more than 50 items at show and tell.

I could not keep track of what belonged to whom.

Suffice to say that none of these were mine.

I'll show more later.

The chicken blocks were done by a variety of people.

It was commercially machine quilted with a chicken wire pattern.

These lovely large flower prints have been made into a stunning quilt by Carolyn. The quilt below was also made by Carolyn for her son, who asked for a quilt with magenta, fuschia and teal.

Can't remember anything about this cat quilt. I really liked it.

Donna is making this 'big cat' quilt. She found the tiger panel and a couple of matching prints with the rest of the fabric from her stash. It's a work in progress and she is making a braid for one of the borders.

Tricia has made this crane quilt from a Margaret Rolfe pattern. It is foundation pieced.

Another quilt I don't know anything about except I really liked it.

Cheers! Shari

Swanleigh Retreat

The sweatshop sewing area from a few angles.

It was a large rectangular room.

We set up our machines at one end

and had eating tables at the other.

Happy Houses

Retreat Project



Lurline's Happy Houses

Shari

Mugz on Monday

Retreat Mug

The beautiful morning view of our retreat at Swanleigh.

Still recovering so will post about it later.

Shari

Weekend Retreat

Edit: [Photo] The Swan Valley is a wine producing region but some of the grapes are grown for the table. I got these the day they were picked - big, sweet, juicy... yummmm-y!

I'm off to the Swanleigh Residential College in the beautiful Swan Valley for a Thursday to Sunday Retreat. Not sure of the numbers but I think about 60. Most bring their sewing machines. It is so much fun and I always joke that it looks like a sweat shop - and it does and they must really be slave drivers as they work from dawn until the wee hours. Although they do provide really yummy food! (and no washing up...)

Have a really good weekend and I'll catch up with everyone when I return. Thanks for all your encouragement about my planned projects!

Cheers

Shari

But First There's...

12 Men's Shirts

Cotton

Polyester

Silk

Viscose

Weekend Retreat

Project 1

This one requires a little explanation. These shirts belonged to my husband's cousin who died last year of metastatic melanoma (skin cancer that spread). His widow kindly gave me these shirts after I offered to make her a quilt out of them. I have had a lot of trepidation about this project and have procrastinated a little. However, my husband has helped me select a pattern and I have practised cutting up other shirts so feel I am ready to finally begin this project. I hope to make a really good start at the retreat this coming weekend.

I'll be 'out of touch' until Sunday evening so I hope you all have a great few days until we can catch up again.

What Next?

Teeny Sets of Strips

Teeny Tiny Squares

Blue Nine Patch

Weekend Retreat

Project 3

Mugz on Monday

What can I say? It's Cats.

And as close as I'll get as my husband's allergic.

What Now?

Terracotta homespun

White homespun

Moda charm squares

Disappearing Nine Patch

Weekend Retreat

Project 2

Bush Baby Jag's Secret Easter Swap

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I can now reveal the little quilt I made for Bush Baby Jag's Secret Easter Swap.

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The recipient, Lynda, loves it.

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The pattern I used is the same as Lurline's Happy Houses block swap. It was easy and fun to make.

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I hope you all have a happy Easter!!

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Cheers

♥

Shari ♥

Mugz on Monday

"Count your garden by the flowers.

Count your years with smiles, not tears.

Count your days by golden hours.

Count your age by friends, not years!"

This mug was given to me many years ago by a dear friend. We don't see each other very often any more. That happens sometimes as we begin to move in different directions...