Gum Valley Patchwork

Belated Birthday present

It’s always been tough having my birthday fall just a week before Christmas. Life on the farm in December is a hectic race against the weather to get the grass cut, raked and baled into hay, which really leaves no room to plan anything special. So when we were in Melbourne for Emma’s awards evening recently, I received my belated birthday present……….a trip to the zoo. I have taken the girls there a few times but it has been about 27 years since Russell and I have been to the zoo together………a long time ago when we lived in Melbourne.

It was a very warm day, so with hats on head (and trying not to get too much of that hat hair thingy happening as I wanted to go shopping afterwards) we headed off to see the animals.

We saw the usual suspects.

Brown Bears

Snow Leopards

Giant Tortoise…..I just love these fellows……if only they could talk

The penguins in their new and improved enclosure

Another favourite the Giraffes

But the main driver behind wanting to go now was to see this little girl

Baby Mali.

We only had to queue for about 30 minutes and then they let groups of 150 people through at a time. Russell and I were towards the tail end of the group so our positions along the fence weren’t fantastic but we still really enjoyed seeing her. She even went for a swim while we were there.

My photography is pretty ordinary but it is hard with the delay on the digital camera ……........there one minute gone the next!

We had a wonderful day……except for the fact that we completely forgot to get a parking permit ticket for the car and were landed with a $58 parking fine! I guess it’s not that bad if you average it over 27 years…..lol.

Linda   :)

Cosmo threads

Look what arrived at the shop last week........

They look wonderful..........112 different colours.................only $1 per hank................can't wait to use them!

Linda   :)

Fun weekend

I’ve only done it once before……….….and last weekend I did it again for the second time ………....and boy was it fun! No it wasn’t bungy jumping or sky diving – you won’t get me that high up in the air without an air hostess and on board movie. I was attending the Colac Quilters Biennial Exhibition with the shop in tow. It was a great weekend. I caught up with lots of ‘old’ and ‘new’ ladies and also met the lovely Joy & Faye from Joy’s Craftworx in Portland. I set up my shop early on the Friday morning and was then able to have a wander around the wonderful display of quilts and antique bits and pieces. If you weren’t able to make you certainly missed a great exhibition, and unfortunately you will have to wait another 2 years for the next one.

Linda   :)

Not bad for a counrty kid.

Sorry for my recent slackness in posting anything on my blog. The past week has been a blurr and I will have lots to report over the coming posts so stay tuned. Most importantly it’s time for another brag……..every parents right I think! Last Tuesday night Russell and I traveled to Melbourne to attended RMIT’s School of Medical Sciences award evening. We knew that Emma was the top fourth year student for Laboratory Medicine. We were thrilled when it was also announced that Emma was the Top Graduating Student – Bachelor of Applied Science. This award covered the disciplines of Biomedical Science; Human Movement; Physical Education; Medical Radiations; Pharmaceutical Sciences & Laboratory Medicine……over 400 students!

We are all so proud of her, she has worked hard and she has been rewarded. Emma was stoked……and also liked to $1,000 cheque and trophy. Not bad for a country kid.

Linda  :))

Bum down feet up

Well my 3^rd birthday Sale is over and I am quite enjoying sitting down and typing this post. It has been a very busy sale and even the 2 days leading up to the weekend were flat out. I did have a quiet spell, which luckily coincided with Lenora & Amy calling into the shop on the Saturday. It’s always nice to catch up and I was really excited as Lenora dropped off some of her new Headband patterns and samples for me………they are so cute…….would look terrific made from the ‘Verna’ fabric.

There are now a couple of excited young girls who will be bugging their mothers to make them for them…….in several colours too I am guessing……..….maybe one for everyday of the week….……good luck Lana and Anthea!

I will need to spend the next few days preparing everything for the upcoming Colac Quilters Exhibition on the 19^th, 20^th & 21^st March. The group puts on a fabulous display of quilts and there will be lots of quilt shops in attendance too. I will be having a few special offers throughout the exhibition….these include: a free fat ¼ with every pattern purchased……and 4 fat ¼’s for $20 (normally $22). I will have lots of patterns, kits, fabric bundles, fat ¼’s etc for sale.

Well I think a quick easy tea is on the cards then I’m off to veg out on the couch for the night………watch Bones and then an early night.

Linda   :)

PS. Lenora's Headband pattern is $15 and I have ordered the on/off glue which will hopefully arrive this week.

Birthday Sale & Farmers Market

Just a quick reminder that my 3rd Birthday Sale is on this weekend. There will be 20% off all stock (including the new ranges) on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th March. Why not come along on the Sunday and also enjoy the Simpson Farmers Market. Check out the list of Stallholders:  Emerald Valley Potatoes, Apostle Whey Cheese, GORGE Chocolates, Paul's Stir fry oils, Paratte Smoke Eel co., Lynnes Biscuits, White Ibis Native Nursery, Parlours Vege seedlings, Foothills Organic veges, Weerite Flowers, Lana Campbell's relishes, Red Duck Brewed beer, Schulz organic cream, yogurt & milk, Allfresh Fish, Lockhart Almonds, Birregurra Estate Olives, Shoebridge Blueberries, Ziv Cochavi's calzones AND the Simpson Lions Van AND Red Cross Calling AND Joe Musico's entertainment. It runs from 9.30am thru til 1pm.

Linda   :)

PS. Happy Birthday Russell.

Please be seated

Now I hope you are sitting down because I have a rather ‘shocking’ announcement to make. Are you ready……………..well here goes. For the 30 years that I have been with my darling husband Russell he has only given me flowers once. That was until last night when these were delivered by our waiter to our table at Waves Restaurant in Port Campbell.

 
I was flabbergasted to say the least. You see Russell isn’t the least bit romantic……soppy he isn’t……and I have known and accepted that all these years. But last night we were celebrating our 25^th wedding anniversary so I guess he thought that it would be nice to surprise (and embarrass) me. We have had a wonderful 25 years of marriage, he is my best friend and we have two fantastic daughters. I look forward to our 50^th wedding anniversary as I think that that will probably be the next time I get a bunch of flowers off him!

Linda   :)

Winnings

A few weeks ago I entered a giveaway over at Barb's blog and I won this beautiful button.

I have been so wrapped up in the show and work that I forgot to thank Barb (Theodora Cleave) and show everyone my winnings. I still have in stock some of her lovely Christmas buttons.

The other surprise was receiving this bag of selvages in the mail from Nikki .

I have been collecting selvages for about 12 months or so……..I am going to make a quilt from them and when I saw that Nikki was giving away her collection I couldn’t help but put my name in the hat.

Now I just need enter a giveaway to win some time so I can make a start on it!

Linda   :)

'Garden Party' has arrived

It's almost cow time but I just had to pop in and let everyone know that 'Garden Party' by Blackbird Designs has arrived........yay! The delivery guy carried in four large boxes and within half an hour it was all unpacked. Also delivered were some charm packs and layer cakes.

Linda   :)

Lister gets tutored

Have you ever seen this Far Side cartoon…….

 
Well Lister went to the vets last week to get tutored!!!!

Linda   :)