Terrific Giveaway!!!!

Check out Lori's blog for the great giveaway!!!

Just A Proud Mum

Luke sent me these photo's a couple of weeks ago. His last defence service medal presentation. He was rather chuffed that Peter Garrett (former lead singer of Midnight Oil) was the one to present him with his medal of service. Luke did 4 plus years in the Royal Australian Navy with several tours of duty. It's an experience that has changed his life forever, and not all of it was good. He's seen things that I'm sure none of us could ever imagine, but I'm such a proud mum, along with so many other mothers who's children or grandchildren have served their country.


This lady is the commander of the largest Naval base in Australia.

So now his time with the Navy is almost complete, only a few more months. Although he's been out of the navy for a number of years, like the military here, he can still be called to duty.

Thanks for allowing me to express how proud of him I am.

Linda

Merry Monday

That time for mailing is fast approaching which means I need to get my items finished. There's nothing worse than one of the hostess's being late or tardy with her mailing. Please remember this is a Christmas in JULY Christmas swap and the Mailing Dates are between July 11th - July 18th , so please no mailings before the starting date.
I've been scratching my head trying to think of last minute items you could include in your stockings, so here's just a few random ideas.

Christmas fabrics are now hitting the quilt stores, perhaps a few f/q's.

Does your partner knit or crochet? Yarn hooks, needles etc.

Every quilter needs a Purple Thang, for getting lovely turned points.

Christmas stationery.

Christmas hot drink mixes.

Ok my minds now drawing blanks, especially as I'm not quite so organised this week.

Happy Swapping.

Behind the Scenes

Oh how much cooler and more comfortable it is in the sewing room, once referred to as the sweat box.
As many of you know I ventured into pattern writing a few months ago, and just recently Stephanie has joined the ranks of a published pattern writer. What you perhaps do not know is that Stephanie has been one of my biggest encourager's, and so willing to share any knowledge she has, whether it's on computer programmes, page layouts, how to organise pattern testers or good books to purchase. We've shared many emails and phone conversations on the topic of pattern writing, swapping and sharing ideas and tips. There has never been any concern of competition or mistrust in all the information we've shared. All this is to say, how grateful I am for a friendship that's forming and for a a fellow blogger who is so willing to share her knowledge.
Thank you Stephanie, I wish you every success in your pattern writing venture.
Linda

Almost 100

When I did a search for an image for today's post I typed in too hot, hmm those photo's certainly wouldn't pass the "G" rating. Almost 100 is what it reached in my sewing room this week. With no A/C in there it's been beyond unbearable, add hot flashes to the mix and I'm sure you can imagine. But that will all change this afternoon, DH is going to install a window unit for me so I can sew to my hearts content, no matter what the temperature is.

So to keep myself busy I moved into the dining room and made a lovely mess cutting and leaving trails from my pinking shears.

The best news is that I have finished writing my second pattern, so pattern testers watch your mail box next week. Time to call Luke again and see what we can do with the graphics for the cover, but for now I need to clean up the horrible mess I've made in the dining room.

Happy Stitching.

What a Week It's been

I've been a little quite this past week, but that doesn't mean that I've been idle. Quite the opposite. Saturday I spent the majority of the day cleaning the mess I call a sewing room. It had gotten to the point that I could see either the floor or the cutting table. What a big difference a couple of hours makes.

DH picked these up for my last week, I've already gone through two bolts of the fusible fleece.

I also spent a lot of time washing all these lovely fabrics, which of course means that I've done a lot of shopping.

Washed and folded, but not pressed yet.

An this is what has kept me busy most of the week, projects all in different stages of being made.
In the process of all of that, I've designed another pattern, this time for a bag, and am finishing the pattern writing. Hopefully this will be ready to take to the Affair of the Heart, and I spent a number of hours on the phone with Luke yesterday working out logo's and pattern layouts. It's so good having a son who's a computer whizz, even if he is in Australia.

Happy Stitching.

Spring Swap - Closed - Finally!!!

Warning: There is a RANT following.




The Spring swap has finally closed, with the last three ladies receiving a parcel from an Angel. It saddens me to think that three swappers didn't keep their end of the commitment, but were more than happy to receive a parcel themselves.

These three ladies, Betsy, Deb and Mari were left in the cold with no parcel, but as always bloggers are wonderful women (and men) and I had three lovely Angels step up instantly to fill the shoes of the bad swappers. They were Lynn, Kris and Allie, thank you so much ladies you have made your partners extremely happy and kept a swap hostess from pulling her hair out.

Who were the bad swappers??? Normally I wouldn't publicly name these women, but I've had enough of putting up with excuses and promises of extra parcels being mailed so here they are: Darlene, Susan and Sudi-Laura.

I am aware that a couple of these ladies maybe friends of readers of my blog and I will apologise for offending you personally, but I will not apologise for bad swappers, there's just no excuse good enough, except for a life threatening illness or death that prevents a swapper from following through.

Linda

Merry Monday

We seem to be on the down hill run now, with only another six weeks until the final mailing date.
So this week it will be a mix of items you can include in your stocking/sack.
Last week Stephanie gave us all some lovely ideas for needle cases and a great addition would be Lisa's terrific covered tape measure that you can find here.
If your looking to make it a little easier on yourself how about a trip to the store for one of these?

Acrylic rulers
Ruler rack
Gift certificate from fabric shop
Quilting magazine
Ink Jet Fabric for quilt labels
Ready made quilt labels
Scissors
Needle Threader
Marking Pencils or Pens
Rotary Blades

That should give you all a few ideas for this week.

Happy Swapping.

Busy, Busy

It's going to get extremely busy in my sewing room over the next few months. Yesterday I received a package I've been waiting on. An acceptance letter and contract for one of the biggest craft fairs in Oklahoma, An Affair of the Heart . Once I have my Christmas swap items completed I know that this will keep me busy for the next four months. This all came about while I was at Hollie's baby shower. Several of the women suggested I look into it, and now I have the result I was hoping for.

Happy Stitching.

All Done

These lovely patterns arrived in my mail box yesterday from Julie. She was having a clean out and offered them on her blog, I was quick to shoot her an email to see if they were taken. Now they are resting in my sewing room, thanks Julie.
I managed to get the order done for one of the ladies that was at Hollie's baby shower. She wanted a teddy done in the same fabric as I did for Hollie. I'd run out, so that meant a trip to the store, what a shame.....
This little bear is for a little girl turning 6, so she wanted it all pink and girlie. What better way than a bow in her ear.

And a pretty vest trimmed with bows.

She also wanted a crayon roll.

Rather than doing the usual roll, we decided to include a spot for a sketch pad for her.

Now that these two are done I can get back to my regular sewing. Yesterday afternoon saw me having a load of fun with my Christmas in July swap item, but I can't show you any progress as I know my partner would guess what it is.

This also means that I can get back to pattern writing, I'm half way through stitching and writing another pattern and Stephanie's post yesterday about a great book on pattern writing couldn't have been better timed.

So now it's time to head back into the sewing mess and play with Christmas ..............

Happy Stitching.

Shopping Alert!!!

While I was having my lunch today I did a little online shop hopping (looking only at the moment), but I thought I'd share with you some of the terrific bargains I found through the True Up blog.

Fabric Depot is having a huge sale at the moment, and they have included Kona Solid Cottons for only $3.90 a yard. In-store: 20% off everything (6/2/09-6/9/09); 30% off all prints and thread (6/5/09-6/6/09 only)

Fabric Hound This week’s special-25% off select fabrics:Asian Imports, Neptune, Oh Cherry Oh, Soiree, Proud, Halloween and Pirates and Punks fabrics.

Fabric Worm: Denyse Schmidt County Fair, Joel Dewberry’s Aviary, Amy Butler’s Daisy Chain on clearance.

Hancock’s of Paducah: Amy Butler Midwest Modern II on clearance for $2.49/half yard. Don't forget to check out their web specials section.

Happy Shopping.