Gum Valley Patchwork

Sneak peeks of class samples

I have been busy over the last month designing, drafting, cutting and stitching up the samples ready for the next lot of classes which are due to commence in March / April. Although I still have a few more to finish off I have decided to post a couple of photos of the samples which are already on display in the shop.

‘Trip around the Manor’ Quilt

‘Suzani’ Table Runner

with matching coasters.

and the large cushion - 'Aster Window'

 
The class list and newsletter will be finished and posted (both on the blog and in the mail) in about a week or so. I hope that you have enjoyed a little peek at the samples and remember they will also be available in pattern and kit form.

Linda  :)

  

What do you get........

when you combine a bag full of scouting badges and a jelly roll?

A wall hanging of memories.

I started this wall hanging for Russell two weeks before Christmas 2008. There I was Christmas morning madly trying to sew down the binding and a hanging sleeve before I went to the dairy to milk the cows. Too late I ran out of time so I just wrapped it up and gave it to him as it was………minus the 2 toggles and a bit of stitching. He was really surprised and loved it but for 12 months it sat at the shop waiting for just 30 minutes of stitching to complete it. Well one week after Christmas 2009 I finished it…………and it really only did take 30 minutes. At the moment it is hanging in the shop but it will make it home one day so that Russell can enjoy his belated finished Christmas present.

Linda   :)

PS. sorry about the fuzzy photo....not quite sure what happened there!

Quick and easy

Look at this quick and easy idea for table cloths……..

I decided to use some of Rosalie Quinlan's ‘Grandmothers Flower Garden’ laminates. Took me all of 5 minutes to do. Just cut to size…..squared up the ends…..and onto the table they went. I couldn’t decide between the pink or the green…….so had to have one of each!

Linda   :)

All's well now.

I hope that everyone was able to celebrate Australia Day ……….unfortunately I had to close the shop early……..I sincerely apologise to anyone who called in and found a locked shop……..but my mother in law was at a function in Simpson and took ill and passed out. When I was told about the situation I closed the shop and went to be with her. The ambulance had been called and there were two nurses (who were also at the function) tending to her. I waited with her until she was taken off to hospital. To cut a long story short, we picked her up from hospital on the Tuesday night and she is fine but still a little unwell, just resting up and not doing too much. Everything checked out okay - which is good news.

My Australia Day evening meal was this…….

 
My Mum shouted me half a crayfish…….Mum had the other half. It was very yummy too!

Linda   :)

Australia Day trading

Yes I will be open tomorrow on Australia Day.......11am - 4pm.

Linda   :)

Love Granny Love

Aahhhh…....it is so nice to sit down……..I have spent a busy day catering for Shirley B’s birthday celebrations and then because hubby is a speedway fanatic and is off at the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool (last night and tonight) I had to milk too! I was going to spend some time out in the garden but telly and some hand stitching are looking very appealing.

Shirley’s party was a lunch and afternoon with all her family members and close friends. She raised her 3 lovely sons on her own and they were all there with their wives and children. During the afternoon there was a power point presentation……….lots of lovely old and new photos…….but then came the best part………all of the grand children had drawn a picture and written a story on ‘Why I love my Granny’……… as I was watching from the kitchen my eyes started to fill up (and there wasn't an onion in sight that I could blame!)…….it was so lovely to see what the children had written and drawn. This love was certainly not one sided as Shirley is a loving Granny. The joy that the children bring to her is unmeasurable. Shirley is certainly not her own there………….Granny Sandra was in the shop the other day proudly telling me how Harry is crawling and how he absolutely loves his Magoo monkey that she made for him – he has to go everywhere Harry goes!………..Granny Carol sent me a Christmas card with ‘cute as a button’ baby Zahlie on the front. I love to hear all of the stories and see their faces light up……….I know this will be me one day (but not for a while I hope…..Emma & Hannah !!!!!!).

Linda   :)

Advent Angels

Yesterday I ordered the lovely new patterns for Rosalie's ‘Advent Angels’ Quilt.

 
This photo is from Rosalie's Blog ........she has lots of lovely close up shots of the blocks so pop over and check them out. You might even like to enter her giveaway to win a set of the patterns.

 I will be running 'Advent Angels' as a Block of the Month with all of the details in my next class newsletter which is due out mid February…….. fingers crossed. If you can’t wait that long to book a spot, please contact me and I will put your name in my big black book!

Linda   :)

Sewing Retreats

One added bonus of having a large classroom at the shop is being able to use it as my very own sewing room………which is great…….I have heaps of room to spread out and there are no interruptions like there are at home. Quizz………."Can you just come out and help me with.........

a/ drenching cattle,

b/ sorting out cows and calves,

c/ holding something / anything,

or d/ all of the above…………..plus more

Well if you guessed d/ you are right!!!!!

There’s no washing to be hung out, housework to be done, and the only ironing is that lovely patchwork fabric.

If you and your friends like the sound of this then you might like to book the classroom for a day or even a weekend. There is no charge……..but it is subject to availability (not available when classes are scheduled). All of the information regarding the facilities etc have been added as a new page – Sewing Retreats - under the section – ‘The Shop’. Just click on and check it out. I will include some photos when I tidy up my sewing off the tables…..lol!

Linda    :)

Anyone for a sleepover?

It’s been a while since I started my version of Melly & Me's "Sleepover Bag’ and it has been sitting there half finished for about 2 months. It certainly isn’t a ‘make it in a day’ type of bag by a long shot and today I made the pledge to finish it before I left the shop. Now although I have a few puckers in the lining (I’m guessing that doesn’t matter too much….no-one will see them as they are on the inside), I am thrilled with the result. I have used fabric from the range called 'Swanky' by Chez Moi...........I really love this range.

Half way through I thought that I’d never make another one but now I’m finished I keep looking at the ‘Suzani’ fabric by Michelle Marvig and I can see another Sleepover bag………..However I have two things left to do………the first is to scotch guard it and the second is to go on a holiday so that I can use it!

Linda    :)

One cool dog

Check out our dog Lister……….he loves it when we set the irrigator going…………

sits and waits as it travels around and then when the head returns he jumps up at it and barks

………..funny (and cool) dog!

Linda   :)