Sewing room in need of a tidy

 This is one view of my sewing room, the cutting table- yes, a few works in progress.

The work table, some more works in progress and some tools of the trade to keep me on track. Cookbooks - of course and a colour wheel.

We went to the Lifeline Bookfest, it has been open for a week and still there are many thousands of books for sale. I could have bought a shopping trolley full, but was very restrained, we did come home with 3 jigsaw puzzles more cookbooks and a travel book for the next holiday.
I have 4 more days off work this weekend if you count the rest of today, lots of sewing to be done, some relaxing too as I have had one of those very busy weeks at work and am in eed of rest and relaxation.

Pictures at last

We have lived in this house for nearly 7 years, and at last have the family pictures on the wall. They have new frames, and are mostly of small children and tired parents! We are having a studion portrait session next week to get one of older children and not so tired parents!
Don't those children look cute- a little deceptive maybe!

At last Blogger has allowed me to post a picture too, a little troublesome, but I think I have it sorted out too!

This wonderful wire praying mantis sculpture and its mate was found wanting to come home with me from the Bribie Island Gallery last weekend, it joins a small collecton of wire insects.

 

bah humbug

Well, when the young butcher asked yesterday''did you have a good Christmas?" The only answer was well not really, worked every day and it was busy and not straight forward (many problems), had a middle ear infection, plus really bad toothache- about to go to specialist this afternoon- at last they think they know what is wrong, the pain is almost unbearable.
Poor man, might stop having small talk with his customers. So much hype about Xmas, and it really is one day, over in a flash.

Christmas is any day you get to spend with a friend or loved one, family or not.
That's the bottom line.
I have had some lovely days with lovely friends this past few weeks, some on Xmas day, some not. It doesn't matter what day it is , its the catching up that matters.

That's that for another year.


my words of wisdom for today.can't seem to post a picture again, will work on it asap. When my brain is in working order.

Leaves

We had a lovely few days at Lennox Heads, one day my husband played golf at Byron Bay, the golf course is lovely and green, many large trees, with a fantastic array of fallen leaves on the course for me to pick up.
If blogger would allow me to attach the pictures you could see them!

Hopefully they will be inspiration for a new quilt....

I have been trying hard to get my Queensland Quilters challenge piece done, just pieced the back, now to quilt it then add more applique.
There are many tiny remnants of the challenge fabric, can't justify to throw any out - just in case.
It makes me think outside the box, I really enjoy challenges, but what does one do with all these small quilts made with fabric that you would not ordinarily buy? mostly they are wall hangings. Good for gifts I suppose.

2 days off work to do some serious sewing and get my ......painful tooth fixed..... lets hope it gets better soon, might have to spend the holiday money on dentist fees.

Hmmmm

December challenge - just made it!

This is a piece of hand dyed fabric- Oz Dye in fact!

It lends itself to this design, even though  the centre is not done yet. Unfortunately the colour is a bit off, the top one is the best representation. I have taken to using 2 layers of batting lately, it does give better puff/loft, this one is a polyester, and even though is a bit stiff, I like the effect.

I did find that as I had no seams a few straight lines along the borders made a difference to the final effect.

The thread is a mixture of polyester variegated and Wonderfil. I am off for a few days to the beach, on the way back will stop at Ikea for new cushion inserts so I can use it.

I have had such fun with this challenge, will try to post the whole years work when I return. Thanks Sew Cal Gal for the inspiration!!

Food and fun

 Simons crunchy fried chicken, just what we needed to use up the buttermilk in the frudge- yum.
This carved woodblock is what my lovely children bought (together) for my christmas present- what a lovely treat. now to play with it.

I have much to do, some quilting for the December Sew Cal Gal challenge, about to start that now, then prepare for a few days away at a beach with my husband.
It will be nice to get away for a few days to relax, walk the golf course and generally chill.
Keep watch for fun pictures of work about to appear in the next few weeks!

Ho Ho its Christmas

 

hand made xmas tree decorations - sorry its blurred

Hmmm, Christmas can be a strange time, family, friends and work - for those of us fortunate or unfortunate enough to have a job that needs to be done 365 days a year. These days it is mostly friends that keep us sane and happy at this time as family live a distance away and I have a job that requires one to work  some xmas days(I did have last year off). A few lovely dinners and lunches with friends last week- good times. a lovely xmas lunch with friends and then extended family xmas dinner which was nice, they don't mind if I sleep on the couch as I have been at work since 7am!

Working with people who you would otherwise not spend much social time with, at what is traditionally a 'family' time is special, we share the good times and the not so good, we share - food, fun, workloads.

I am priviledged to work with such fine people.  

A good, if not interesting day was had by all.

 

I have been inspired by Peters aunt, she is a quilter and provided me with just what I needed before I slipped into uncounsciousness on the couch on xmas day (it was 8pm).

QQ challenge I am prepared! no showing as it is a secret.