Gum Valley Patchwork

Where did that week go?

Have you ever had one of those weeks where it's a complete blurr and you don't know where the days went? I'm sure you are all nodding.... well last week was just like that but it was a blast!

Monday ......... we headed to Lenora's for a fabulous dinner with her family and house guest Lorraine.

Tuesday......the Three Amigos hit the road for a trip along the Great Ocean Road. I rarely go along the GOR......living so close you just take it for granted......although I'm not quitting my day job....tourist guide I'm not!

Wednesday.......got the accounts paid and tax done (tax man happy - tick), and then it was off to Ballarat with Lenora, Lorraine and Janine to see Kaffe Fassett.....late night = knackered the next day.

Thursday.....it was back to the shop and straight into catering for a 18th birthday party.

Friday......spent the day stitching with a friend, Jodie (no blog).......inbetween customers. Back to the shop after milking for Scrapbooking with Sally. I don't participate (I mowed the lawns instead).......I've got too many other projects on the go to start a new hobby........I think Russell would kill me! Hannah decided to join in though and by the sounds of it had a wonderful time.

Saturday......More catering (for Sunday)...in between the shop, customers and friends calling in. It was lovely to catch up with Julie and also Joan.

Sunday.......Thirteen ladies from the Camperdown Clocktower Quilters spent the day in the classroom stitching, talking, eating and a 'little' retail therapy. A great day......they even had a private viewing of my Hexagon Quilt.....very lucky indeed as it now usually stays at home. 

So that was my week.....lots of Heytesbury Show stuff also tossed in for good measure but unfortunately not many hexagons. With the Show this coming weekend, I don't see this week being any different.........maybe next week.....fingers crossed XX

Linda   :)

'Buttercup' by Fig Tree Quilts

Yes that's right it has arrived! The new range from Fig Tree Quilts was delivered yesterday afternoon, and with some handy re-arranging (a job I seem to be doing quite frequently lately) it is now sitting nicely upon it's own pew.

 
Pretty isn't it? Fabric is priced at $22 / m, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes are $48 each and the charm packs are $17 each.

Linda   :) 

On the road again

Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again

That was the song we were singing yesterday afternoon as the Three Amigos plus Janine headed north on yet another road trip. This time Lenora, Granny Loz, Janine and I were on our way to Ballarat. Why Ballarat? We were off to see......... 
Kaffe Fassett at the lovely Mecure Hotel. And you can't go all that way without visiting the patchwork shops. Even though I own my own shop, I still love looking at all of the different fabrics that I haven't got room to stock. I even made a few purchases at Gails......for a special 21st birthday quilt for Hannah.....I'd better make her one seeing I didn't get a chance to do one for her 18th. I am not even looking at the fabric until I have finished my hexagon quilt though!

After the lecture and while we were enjoying supper........custard tart.....yummo.....Lenora lined up to get her book signed. Unfortunately someone walked in front of the camera just as I took the picture.....don't you hate that! A little cropping got rid of that.

 

And we made sure that Lenora didn't miss out on supper....aren't we good friends?

 

Another surprise was meeting the effervescent Jodie and had some happy snaps taken......I'm sure that they will pop up on Lorraine's blog over the coming week.

The drive home didn't seem to take very long at all.........possibly all the refined conversation made the time pass quickly. It has been a lovely 3 days spent with new friends whom I hope I will one day be able to call 'old' friends.

Linda    :)

PS. Not sure why my background is white but hey who cares!

Off we go......

The Three Amigos (Lenora and Lorraine and Linda - that's me) hit the road yesterday morning for a day of sight seeing, lunch and a little talking. After a few delays getting to the meeting point (road works, milk tankers and washing!) we headed down the road to the Boggy Creek pub. We didn't stop.....a little early in the day for a drink.......but we did enlighten Lorraine to some past stories about new years eve celebrations (Lenora) and the old Boggy Creek festivals that were held on Australia Day years ago. The Bay of Islands was our first stop. It is a beautiful place but not many tourists visit as they think that the only place to visit along our stretch of the Great Ocean Road is the 12 Apostles. It was then onto the Grotto....

 
another lovely spot.

We made our way along the coast, stopping in to check out the sights along the way.

 
London Gap Bridge. Can't believe it's 21 years since it collapsed.

 
Razor Island......check out the island behind......looks like 2 boobs!

 
Loch Ard Gorge....can remember attending the centenary celebrations in 1978......dawn  service with a huge bonfire on the beach. The sound of the crashing waves in the dark was amazing.

 
Lorraine at the Twelve Apostles. I wonder how many times this shot has been taken over the years. 

The experts taking their photographs.......

 
So if you want to see beautiful photos of our trip, pop over to Lenora and Lorraine's blogs....they are much better than mine! It was a great day....even if I did get a little sunburnt......and I was exhausted last night.

But that's not all......... this afternoon the Three Amigos pick up an extra passenger and head north for another 'little' trip to meet a famous person and also a little shopping......fabric of course!

Linda   :)

 

 

Two plus One = Three

 are being joined by a friend ......does this now make us the....

Hang on to your hats as we hit the road!

 
Linda   :)

Enjoy!

Well the wait is almost over but if you want to see a preview of some of the best and most delicious eye candy ever then head over here and have a feast!

Linda  :)

Grab & Go Bag

For a while now I have been trying to find a new handbag. Not too big but with a strap that's long enough to go across my body. You wouldn't think it would be that hard ..... there are plenty out there........but not ones that are green! Yes green! So what's the next thing if you can't buy one........you make one.........so that's what I did on Saturday.

 
I have called it my 'Grab & Go' bag. It's a smaller version of my Uni-Satch bag, just big enough to hold my purse, sunnies, keys and phone. I have found the bigger the bag the more junk I carry around.....lol. They are so quick and easy to make........

 
I made another 2........one for display in the shop and

 
the other is making it's way to Reservoir as a gift!

Linda   :)

New take on an old favourite

Many years ago I made my own version of Rosalie's 'Nellie's Sewing Bag'.

 
 
I know that it has been a popular pattern amongst sewers, and that's why I decided to make a new one using some of Rosalie's 'Sweet Broderie' fabrics. I decided on using some of the greens and pinks......

 
Notice the fussy cut squares and borders

 
and the strap.

 
Even the inside is pretty. You might also noctice how 'stiff' the bag looks.......that's because I have used some of the fantastic bag batting. What do you think?

Now what will I make today?

Linda    :)

More eye candy

I have been a busy beaver lately........trying to get some class and shop samples made up. Now before I go any further I just wanted to warn Lorraine that the following photos may be damaging to her purse and for her to turn off the computer now.......yes now....lol!

I made this Memo Board out of the new Fig Tree Quilts range of fabric called 'Buttercup'. The range is due in this month, but I used one of the charm packs. I think it looks fabulous......and would look great in some of the other ranges too........might have to make a second one!

 
Yesterday I finished off this floor mat that was featured on the Moda Bake Shop site. I didn't use a jelly roll for mine, but instead cut the strips using the 'Wild Rose' range of fabrics.
You should have seen the look on Russell's face when I showed him and told him what it was...........I quickly added it wasn't the type of mat that you wipe your dirty boots on! It would look great beside the bed.......uh oh might have to make another one of these too! I am going to scotch guard mine though.

Back tomorrow with another 'new' project

Linda    :)

Summer......where?

With under 3 weeks of Summer left we haven't really had any hot weather. Don't get me wrong I don't really like the heat but sometimes we just have to go through the seasons to have a 'normal' year. If we don't get a Summer what will our Autumn and Winter be like? At the moment the farm is looking a picture with lots of green grass, full dams, and happy cows....

 
I guess time will tell.

While I was getting the cows last night something caught my eye up in one of the trees. It was this fellow having a snooze.

 
Only hanging on with one 'hand' and one 'foot'.  It always amazes me how they don't fall out of the trees.......lol!

Linda   :)