FNWF, Ruby photos.

Last night I joined a group of lovely ladies and did some sewing. As I have some Xmas swaps on the go, I can't show you much of what I did but can give a sneak peek of a couple of things without giving too much away. Working with a bit of felt, some Ric Rac and adding some Christmas borders to a  stitchery.

I completed a couple of Xmas tree ornaments as well so in all not a bad night's stitching.
Today we attempted to give Ruby a bath, she was clean for a couple of hours then we had a storm with a little hail thrown in for good measure so after romping around in the mud, she is now as dirty as she was before her bath.

She loves the water and her pool which she has almost outgrown. With the hot weather she's been losing her thick undercoat so brushing every day has been a necessity

It's hard to believe she has her 1st BIRTHDAY next week.
Well must go. Will check out some blogs tomorrow and see what all of you got up to. Thanks for hosting Chez. Hope you are having a great holiday...........

A post at last......

I have had a crazy month and so no posts for a while. My son ended up in hospital a couple of weeks ago just as my grandson was due to go on his school camp to Canberra, the Snowy Mountains and Sydney so my time has been taken up elsewhere.. I had a last minute rush to get his clothes together and discovered that he needed a few more things so a quick trip to the shops, then taking up jeans and long pants and naming everything at the last minute, sort of meant I was exhausted when I  finally got him on the bus. They arrived back this morning and he had a wonderful time so it was all worth the last minute rush.  I am glad to say his Dad is also doing well and is back at work now.
This means I am very late with my SAL block for July. I have the background done and am in the process of tracing and choosing the fabrics for the flowers, birds and vase that are appliquéd to it.

May be a bit late in finishing as only a week to go.

Last Sunday was my Sunday Stitchers Group get together. Quite a few away this time but the girls that were there exchanged their Mini Swap. I wasn't in this one but all the quilts were just beautiful.
Here is a photo of the quilts they received. Lots of happy faces here.

I sent off my Christmas in July parcel earlier in the month and it has been received. I have also received mine and just remembered I haven't let Cheryll, our Swap Mum ma, know. Sorry Cheryll.

The parcel I sent. 

Only 1 day to go now till they can be opened.
To close I will show a couple of photos of Ruby, now over 8 months old. Look at those teeth. She is a real character but we are not too happy with her latest trick........chewing the hose that sprinkles the grey water over the back yard. Chris is going to dig a trench and bury it this weekend. Hoping this may stop her but as we move the hose around the yard there will always be some of it exposed. How long do they stay a puppy? TOO LONG I think...........

She really loves being brushed. She is a Shepherd cross Malamute so has a quite a thick undercoat.
Well must go as I have to tackle a suitcase that has lots of dirty clothes in it.
Till next time.... Happy Stitching......

FNSI, Ruby update.....

Friday night I joined Wendy of Sugarlane Quilts and friends for a night of sewing. THANK YOU to Wendy for hosting this enjoyable night. Knowing that you are stitching along with so many other ladies is a great encouragement which I am in need of at the moment.
I worked on my Natures Journey June blocks, so far so good as I am keeping up with the schedule.
I have all the pieces cut out and ready to go. Just working on stitching the circles on the three big blocks before adding the applique to them. The small blocks are almost complete then just the two 1 1/2" pieced circles to go.

Well, must go and work on finishing those blocks but thought I would add a photo of Ruby, now 7 months old before I go.

Nearly as tall as me, Ruby has had a growth spurt.  

A bit of work to do on this friendship. Oscar isn't so keen on Ruby's attention. 

Well must go and work on those blocks. Thanks for stopping by........
Happy Stitching till next time..........

Friday Sewing, Natures Journey, 1 Xmas Item a Month, Cooly Rocks.......

Friday night I joined other like minded ladies in a bit of sewing. Thank you to Cheryll from Gone Stitchin for again hosting this fun night. I managed to get a few things done which included some prep work for my June blocks for Natures Journey.
I cut some blocks for the backgrounds and traced out the shapes for the blanket stitch applique to go on them. Just need to get started on the blanket stitch circles and squares first.

Then I worked on a couple of blocks from my C is Christmas table runner by Michelle Ridgway. These blocks are for my May finish for 1 Xmas Item a Month hosted by Narelle from Pins and Whiskers blog. I know, I know I'm a bit late. Thanks Narelle.

Finally, yesterday we made a quick trip down to Coolangatta for Cooly Rocks, a hot rod and rock'n'roll festival held each year. It was quite windy and very cold early on but that didn't stop a big crowd from turning up. We looked at all the cars, then watched the parade and before we came home checked out the stalls. I was very good this year and didn't buy anything.

We had a lovely day but were happy to get home and see what this girl had got up to.

Only a couple of holes dug and an empty dish that needed refilling. Well that wasn't too bad as usually, she destroys a toy or two. Any suggestions for toys that are indestructible?
Well must go, be back soon..........Happy stitching till then.......

Catching Up.......

I have had a busy couple of  weeks helping  my family. Firstly my grandson was sick and off school for 4 days with a stomach upset and then his Dad, my son, had to have an op to repair a ruptured bicep in his left arm which he had done at work a couple of months ago. Scott can't drive for at least 4 weeks so have my taxi hat on at the moment getting Jake to and from school and driving Scott to doctor and rehab appointments.
Therefore not much happening in the sewing department here at the moment other than I got to spend the weekend with my quilting group at Boonah. Went up late on Friday and came home after lunch on Sunday. I took hand sewing up and made progress on my May SAL blocks. I did a little stitching on my In the Garden blocks too. See photos below. All circles now complete and have started to add applique to them.
I also helped pin a charity quilt ready to be quilted by one of the other ladies. The group is making a few of these quilts this year to be given away to people within our community.
Although I didn't manage to get a lot done, I enjoyed the company and the little break away and caught up on some much needed rest.

Ruby has been to the vet for her final check and been given the all clear for the Elizabethan collar to come off. It has been a stressful couple of weeks trying to keep her quiet so it was great to see her running around the backyard when we got home last week. She is a character and enjoying being out of the confined patio area. Am I dreaming but she seems to be a bit more settled. On her walk with Chris yesterday, he said she sat and waited quietly while he talked to a neighbour. Chris said he had to laugh when the neighbour asked is that the same dog? She still has her moments but small steps are okay.

She takes about 2 minutes to empty her food bowl, she is 6 months old and weighs 28 kilos.

Well must go as I have to try to search out some props for my GS who informs me he has to dress up to give a presentation to the class tomorrow or he loses points. Talk about last minute!!!!!!!

Poor Ruby ......

This week it was time to take Ruby to the vet to be de-sexed.  We picked her up on Wednesday after an overnight stay. Our instructions were that she was to remain quiet for at least the next few days and as she is a pretty active puppy and does a lot of jumping up, it was suggested that giving her a sedative was recommended for those first few days. So armed with the sedatives and pain relief, we headed home. Of course the other thing we had to do was put an Elizabethan collar on her. She doesn't like it but has adjusted to wearing it and can get to her food and water bowls without much bother now which is great.
She's been eating well and doing all the right things except the occasional jump up but without those extra tablets not sure that would be the case.

Now we just have to survive the next week or so with no dramas and she will be free to run around the back yard and go for her walks again.
Will be back soon hopefully with some quilting progress. Not much of that happening at the moment.
Till next time........Happy Stitching.......

What I'm Working On .....

I've been working on a few new projects lately so thought I would put some photos on here.
Firstly for the last couple of months I have been working on my Stitch-a-long (SAL) blocks. So far am up to date and am now working on my April blocks having completed my February and March ones on time. Yeah!!!!

Above February blocks

March blocks

I've left off some of the circles as I am thinking I may use buttons instead but if I don't will add the circles later. I am enjoying fussy cutting the fabrics which are French General in the most part although I have added a few 3 Sister ones as I didn't have enough for the backgrounds. The pattern is Natures Journey by Anni Downs. I have the blanket stitch border done on Aprils blocks just need to add the applique. I am blanket stitching mine not using needle turn.

Above is  the Easter Runner made for me by Inca from my Sunday Stitchers group. Isn't it beautiful. Thank you Inca for giving me such  a gorgeous runner. My runner to Inca is in a previous post.

I am also going to work on this project. In My Garden by Natalie Bird. My friend De has set up a Facebook Group so I can sew along with her and a few other ladies who have joined. I am using the above fabrics called Rambling Rose. Have ordered some yardage as the above is a charm pack. The background fabric is from my stash so now have to find time to transfer the designs so I can start stitching. Sixteen stitcheries in all though some are quite small.
Lastly, I must show you a photo of Ruby taken last weekend. She had puppy training on Saturday, then we had a vet appointment where she had a blood test. When she got home I found her taking a nap after her exhausting morning. Definitely not being a lady here. Today she is 5 months old, weighs in at 20 kg and is not biting so much now which is a blessing.

Well that's me for the moment.
Happy Stitching till next time.............    Hugs..............

FNWF, Happy Easter....

I joined in on Friday night to sew along with many other ladies for FNWF hosted by Cheryll from Gone Stitchin. A big THANK YOU to Cheryll for doing so each month.
Firstly I spent about an hour trying to get some order in my sewing room, and after making a small dent in the mess, I then stitched the third hexagon  of 'C' is for Christmas by Michelle Ridgway before  finally starting another Xmas stitchery by Natalie Bird which I have had prepared for ages, didn't get much done on that one though before my bed began to call me.
I hope to get over to Cheryll's blog to check out some of your blogs later on today.

I hope everyone is having a HAPPY EASTER.We have been busy catching up with family over the weekend. I think lots of these were eaten for dessert.
I was very lucky as I don't eat much chocolate due to migraines if I over indulge so it was a lovely surprise to get this when I opened the Easter box.

A armchair pin cushion made by my son's friend Rowen. It is just gorgeous. Thank you so much Rowen, not sure I want to poke pins in it though.
Well must go as I have some hungry takers for lunch. This girl included. She has been having lots of fun with the wet weather and likes nothing better than rolling in mud. She will be five months old in another week.

Happy Stitching till next time.............

Our new Puppy, SAL 2015.

Our household has increased by one with a new puppy arriving on Tuesday night.
Her name is RUBY and she was born 15 th November 2014. She is a German Shepherd Cross.
She is very cute although I am already sporting a few band aids from her sharp teeth. She has been sleeping okay at night but early mornings seem to be the go. Definitely not good as I am not a morning person.

Above are a few photos. The second one, she was helping with the zip ties for the temporary fence near the house.  Not sure Chris appreciated her help though.
The last one is of her sleeping, pity this wasn't happening at 3.00 am this morning. This too will pass.....Hopefully sooner than later........

And now to finish, I have also managed to complete my January Anni Downs stitchery for SAL 2015.

Just need to decide on the fabric I am using (hopefully from my stash) for Natures Journey and I am ready to begin in February for the first set of blocks.
Well must go I hear a bit of yelping going on outside so I had better check on Ruby.
Till next time..... Happy Stitching.......