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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Arrived at Hot Rod Nationals

Just a quick post to say we arrived at the Gold Coast this afternoon to join lots of other hot rodders at Parklands Showgrounds to register our car for the 4 day Hot Rod Nationals event.  We are lucky enough to be able to stay at our sons place which is only 5 minutes away from the venue.  Chris has been busy already, taking lots of photos but haven't downloaded any  as yet.

Mainly I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy and Safe Easter and that the Easter bunny leaves lots of lovely eggs for you on Sunday.

Hugs    Noela

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Tamborine Update, Let's Celebrate Easter

I enjoyed my retreat at Tamborine despite coming home with a sore throat. Feeling much much better now though. Whilst there I completed the stitchery on my place mat and finished that off on the first day, ready to use that night for dinner, put together a charm square table runner ready to cut up with my twister template (which I forgot to take with me) and completed the stitchery for the Xmas basket which I then finished for 1 Xmas Item a Month.

I did a few other bits and pieces which will be revealed at a later date.
It was great to catch up with the girls from Beaudesert as well as many who had travelled over the NSW border to be there. We spent most of the weekend laughing, sewing, eating and admiring all the beautiful things everyone was working on.  Below are a couple of collages of what was worked on, and some of the place mats made for the retreat challenge.
Block Bag, Miniature Twister, Tapestry Bag, French General Quilt, Flannel Shaggy Quilt, Twister Quilt., I Spy blocks and Quilt. 

A few of the 24 place mats made by each  quilter attending the retreat. The one top right won the challenge.
 For the retreat, Sue the coordinator  made us all a badge and also a few little extra goodies to bring home.

Dollies, pin cushions, my badge, all wonderful memento's of our retreat.
Thanks for a wonderful retreat Beauy girls, can't wait till the next one in August.
Before I close I would like to show you the beautiful gifts I have received from Kali, my partner in the Let's Celebrate swap, run by Karen from Mrs Martins Quilt Shop. The first swap was for Easter.
I opened mine on Monday as we head off to the coast for the Hot Rod Nationals on Thursday and will be away for Easter.  This has given me a couple of days to enjoy looking at them before we go. I can't show you what I sent Kali as yet because she is going to open hers tomorrow at her quilt group.

Pretty cute aren't they? Thank you so much Kali, I really love what you have made for me. Thank you to Karen also for running this swap.
So that is it for me tonight.   Hope you are organised for Easter as there is not long to go now.........
Happy Easter Stitching everyone.......   Hugs..........


Monday, March 25, 2013

1 Xmas Item finished, A Win, A Quiet Celebration

It is the 25th of the month so time to post a photo of my Christmas Item. Below is a photo of an Anni Downs pattern, The Christmas Goose Basket.  I finished it on the weekend while I was at camp.  It is very cute but was a bit smaller than I imagined it was going to be. I took the wrong size ric rac along with me so decided not to use any at all.  I think it looks alright without it. What do you think?
If you would like to see what others have completed this month head on over to Narelle at Pins and Whiskers to check it out.
Also a month or so ago I entered a competition on The Sentimental Quilter blog and was lucky enough to be one of  thirty winners.  I won an Andover charm pack, called Chateau Chambray and it is very pretty. ( red, pink, blue, cream are in the mix). I had forgotten all about it until it arrived last week, so thanks Andover for sending it and thanks to Kathleen for running the competition in conjunction with Andover and Valentines Day.
Well must go, my hubby and I have been celebrating our 18 th wedding anniversary today. We were going out for dinner to celebrate but I managed to pick up a sore throat on my retreat and have not been feeling the best today so we ended up having dinner at home which was just as nice. Hope to shake this bug before we head off to the Hot Rod Nationals on Thursday at the Gold Coast. Will be back tomorrow to do a short post about the retreat.  So till then......   Hugs........

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Off to another Retreat at Tamborine.

Well here I am again packing and sorting out projects to take with me to my second camp in two weeks.  This always happens in March every year, my group and the Beaudesert Quilters camps are on consecutive weekends and I love going to both so it is just as well I have a very understanding hubby.
This camp starts today with an afternoon arrival to set up our sewing space and our sleeping accommodation, then we all go out for dinner to the local bowls club. Tomorrow morning we will be ready to get started as soon as we get up.

'Happy Hour'  This photo taken at a previous camp. 
I am looking forward to catching up with these ladies so better get off this computer and get moving.  Will be back on Monday with some pictures.
Have a great weekend everyone.  Till next time......  Happy Stitching.........

Monday, March 18, 2013

Boonah Weekend

Last weekend my quilt group, Jimboomba Quilters and Stitchers, had our March Retreat at The Outlook at Boonah. We were a small group of only 11 this time as a few of our members were off travelling.
This is the house we stay in and the room we set up to do our sewing in. It has lots of bedrooms and a big kitchen as well as a small kitchenette in our sewing space so we don't have to go very far for the coffee we need to keep us awake for late night stitching. I don't think I got to sleep until after 1.30 am both nights so am having a quiet day today although sewing is on the agenda for later, some final touches to my secret sewing which I need to post tomorrow.
A healthy lunch, eaten on the verandah on Saturday and some visitors who stopped by to say 'Hello'.  After all the rain over the past months, they certainly had plenty to eat as did we.
Quilts worked on over the weekend.  Tops finished, tops basted ready for quilting and tops quilted.  All beautiful. 

Bags made, I especially love the Bella bags (Monica Poole pattern) made by Viv and Beryl. I showed the girls how to make my flower on Friday night using felt and a half jelly roll strip, topped with a button and Kathy made a roll for all her pens and pencils. 
Besides doing some secret stuff, I finished my pincushion which is the project for March SAL2013.  Also completed my March project for 13 UFO's in 2013, Lucy's Beach Bag.
The pin cushion is so cute, not sure I want to stick pins in it though, may just have to use it to decorate my sewing room.  My bag is made out of canvas fabric and was supposed to have a vinyl lining to make it waterproof but as I don't go to the beach much these days, I just added a cotton lining. It is a great size for shopping, has little labels on the front and back curved pockets and a label with my name on it on the inside pocket ( labels and pattern from my Sweetwater Label Club).
In closing, I would like to say a special thank you to everyone who commented on my last post wishing me a wonderful weekend at my camp. I so appreciate your comments and usually reply to each one but my weekend was internet free so didn't get a chance to do that. Your good wishes weren't wasted as I definitely  enjoyed every fun filled moment.
Happy Stitching till next time....................
 



Friday, March 15, 2013

Boonah Quilt Retreat

Well my bags are packed and I am about to put all my quilting things in the car and head off on the 50 minute drive to Boonah for my quilting groups March retreat.  I am excited to be going and looking forward to a  a couple of days of uninterrupted sewing with my friends.
Of course there will be a little bit of this along the way.
Hope everyone has a great weekend, I know I will...... Be back on Monday for an update on what we got up to......   Happy Stitching till then ......

Monday, March 11, 2013

Great Weekend !

Well, our weekend away was fantastic as it always is.  Had some rain which caused a couple of the activities to be cancelled but the organisers then went to one of the other plans they had up their sleeve just in case. On Saturday morning we were due to take a drive down the range from Toowoomba to the home of C W Racing but because the area was too wet and muddy for our cars, we went to plan B, a mystery run around the back streets of Toowoomba.  Armed with a map and directions we headed off.

We had three stops and at each one we had to do some sort of activity. At one stop, I had to see how many clothes I could put on in 60 seconds. I was able to put on 7, the man before me managed 13. I'm sure if it had been wrapping myself in quilting material I would have won hands down. I must say not the most glamorous photo I've ever had taken although maybe the blue hair might be an improvement.
We had a free afternoon so was able to do a bit of my secret stitching, have almost finished the embroidery part now.  I also managed to get to the Quilters Angel at Highfields. I was able to find a few goodies which just had to come home with me.
Goodies :  Teddy strip, Kasuri fabric to go with the jelly roll I have in my stash, Cottage Garden thread and small blue heart hanger. 
Saturday night, we had a lovely dinner at the Toowoomba Showgrounds with a band and dancing afterwards.

Sunday morning was the Show and Shine in the street, after that we had a farewell luncheon at the show grounds. We then all headed in different directions for home. In all another wonderful weekend.


Above are a few of the cars in the street. Luckily the rain kept away for this event
Sorry about the photo overload, well must go, it's nearly time to do the afternoon school pick-up.
Till next time........  Happy stitching.............

Friday, March 8, 2013

Pincushion Progress, Hot Rod Weekend

Just a quick post today as my hubby and I are heading  to Toowoomba after lunch for a hot rod weekend held by the Toowoomba Hot Rodders Club.  This is an annual event and will be our 8th year attending. It is always a great weekend with lots of activities finishing with a Show and Shine of the cars on Sunday morning in central Toowoomba. Hopefully the weather will be nice and not pouring with rain as it was last weekend when I went up for the Girls Stitch In.
Chris is just putting the finishing touches to the car by giving it a quick wash and polish. Hope it hasn't been a waste of time for him as the rain is still hanging around.
I am taking a bit of embroidery with me so hope I will get a chance to do some whilst away. I am also hoping to get to the Quilters Angel for a quick fabric fix.
Last night I finished my stitchery for the SKOW pin cushion. I stitched it in a purple colour as this goes with the fabrics I am using. It is such a cute stitchery. Will be able to finish putting it together next week.


So will be back on Sunday with an update.....  Till then ....... Have a great weekend.....

Sunday, March 3, 2013

FNwF, Girl's Stitch In

My Friday Night with Friends didn't go so well as I think my mind was on my planned day out to the Quilters Angel in Toowoomba for the Girl's Stitch In on Saturday.
I decided to get some preparations for the projects that I need to finish for March.  I started with preparing my stitchery for my SKOW pin cushion as part of  SAL 2013 run by Chookyblue.  Well the first stitchery I traced ended up in the bin as being in a bit of rush, I decided not to tape it down to save time and the design ended up crooked on the fabric. So I cut a second piece and luckily this time it turned out just fine as I took a bit more care, so then I looked through my stash  for the fabric I would use.  Decided on an old range called Cornucopia.  I will have enough of that fabric to make the sewing bag and needle case which will be made later in the year. I already have a mug bag in this fabric so it will make a nice set to take to workshops when I get them all finished.


I also cut out and traced a stitchery that is for a secret project so only a sneak peek of that.

By this time it was about 10.00 pm so thought I would pack it in and have an early night.
Saturday morning, we were on our way to Toowoomba bright and early. Luckily Chris drove me up as it rained non stop all the way there, all day and on the way back.  We arrived at our destination right on time and I was able to join my friends Cheryl and Lynda who had just arrived also.
Here we are at the end of a fantastic day.
I took loads of photos.  The designers for the day were Kris Meares from Tag-a-long Teddies and Nikki Tervo from Brandy Gully.  They had each designed a pattern which we received along with fabric.
Kris's creations.   A large embroidered bag, glasses case, phone holder, sewing bag,  small bag.

Nikki's creations. Compendium folder, loyalty card holder, small bag, tissue holder, photo album cover. 

Decorated room, goodies to buy, our gift box contained fabric, patterns and traced stitchery ready to start stitching ,  Kris's quilt behind Tilda fabrics for sale.

Samples of designers work,  2 patterns I won through giveaway.
In all we had a wonderful day, the food (chicken and asparagus quiche and salad plus fresh fruits) was delicious, we enjoyed great company, did lots of stitching, talking and had great instruction from the designers plus lots of eye candy to look at around the walls. Thanks to Marion and her helpers from the Quilters Angel for a fantastic day.
Till next time..... Happy Stitching..........  Hugs.......