Gum Valley Patchwork

My week's stitching

You might recall that when I won first prize with my 'Dear Prudence' quilt at the Victorian Quilters Fabric of Society Challenge in July I was also lucky enough to win a new Brother sewing machine. For the last 30 years the only sewing machines that I have owned have been Janomes ....... 4 in total ........ so I wasn't quite sure how I would 'take to' a different brand of machine. A couple of weeks ago I called in to see the lovely Bree at the Geelong Sewing Centre and picked up my new machine.
The Brother Innov-is 400.....and wow! Bree gave me a demonstration on the features of the machine and I made sure that I read the instruction book before I did any sewing on it. So this week I set her up and away I went......

I absolutely love the thread cutting function, the needle up and down features/options, the slide speed control, the large extension table, the bobbin threading - oh it's just so easy, and the needle threader which works perfectly every time!
There are so many stitches I don't think I will ever use all of them....but I have had a play :) . I will pop back in to see Bree next time I'm going through Geelong and pick up some extra bobbins and a 1/4" foot but until then the Janome is packed away and the Brother is out to stay!

So what have I stitched this week on my number one machine? Well are you ready? First it was this new panel that arrived as part of a range called 'Susybee'.....couldn't resist the sheep.

Kits are made up and ready to go. Cost is $48 and includes the Panel, lovely backing fabric (which makes the quilt reversible), binding fabric and basic pattern instructions (excludes wadding).

Also in the 'Susybee' range were some larger block prints.....perfect for a Shaggy quilt. You could use this quilt on a cot, bed, floor or as a snuggly quilt on the couch for the little person in your family.

Kits are available for $90 and include all fabric plus pattern (excludes wadding).

Next I was able to finish of Jodie's great Selvage Tote. I have had the selvage panel made up for about 2 months (or more :P) so it didn't take long to finish it off. Instead of a covered button I used a lovely vintage glass button.....an ebay purchase from a few years back. I also used some of the new slim magnetic clasps which are beautiful and thinner than the regular ones but just as strong. They are available here or at the shop for just $2.00 each.

Did you notice the new selvedge phone holder? .......... Lenora suggested I make one to match my bag.......so I did! The pattern is available here and is just so versitile ......... Julie bought one today and was going to extend the length by about one inch to make into a glasses case. Great idea!

So finally this afternoon I filled in an hour and a half and stitched together a new table cloth from the beautiful Ruby range of fabrics.

It's not backed yet but that's a job for another day!

Now I really must do the BAS ....... Yes I know it was due on Friday. I wonder if they send me to jail would they let me take my new machine with me? .....and would you visit me?

Linda    :)

PS. Oh and I also extended those Santa pants for my other Brother.........Peter! 

A softie at heart

They make me smile everytime I see one.

And it's even better when they are on our farm..........it means that we are doing something right.

So what make the toughest heart soften?

The sight of a Koala with a baby.

 As Russell said no matter how bad you feel about things they just make you happy.....you can't help but smile.

 

Linda  :)

 

Two fine steeds.

Over the last fortnight I have been helping Tracey to make 2 of the Melly & Me 'Giddy Up' horses for her two young daughters. Tracey is expecting her third baby.......very soon......... and needed to get them finished for an upcoming birthday....and to save fights she decided to make one each! Even after a good few hours of sewing yesterday (making 2 of course takes twice as long)  they were still a little way off from being riden. So today I decided to put the ears. eyes and bridles/reins on for Tracey to save her the worry. And here are the two fine steeds ready for two little girls to love and ride.

Little Leah and Matilda are apparently horse made so I'm guessing these beauties will get a real workout. The fabric Tracey picked was from the 'Curio' range by Basicgrey and it looks fabulous. I really don't know which one I like the best.

Linda   :)  

Class List and Newsletter

Well as they say better laste than never......but that still doesn't excuse the lateness in getting this class list together. I know everyone says how busy they are so I won't bore you with all the details. If you would like to check it out  click on the link below.

Download Newsletter 2011 #2

Linda  :)

PS. My apologies for no joke this time around..........I have got a goodie for next time though.

An 'exciting' start to the season

Harvest time on the farm always brings lots of emotions out in otherwise 'normal' people. It is a time of stresses and worries about getting silage and hay done while the weather is warm enough to cure the grass and about machinery not breaking down. Yesterday was the start of our silage season. Last night after milking I headed back up to the shop to do some gardening and Russell was working on getting the mower ready to cut some grass. I arrived home at about 7pm and there was a burning smell in the air. I thought that maybe Russell had lit a pile of rubbish to burn  but when I heard lots of swear words coming from the paddock I realised something was wrong............very wrong..........especially when I heard "the tractor's on fire!". We do have a fire extinguisher but it was with the baler which was over in the back hayshed! Russell took off on the motorbike to get it as I stood there watching as the fire took hold..........not knowing what I could possibly do and hoping that Russell didn't come off the motorbike. I rang 000 ...... it's the first time I have ever done this. I gave them our details - they told me where I lived and I said yes that's right.......I also told them to just tell the Simpson Brigade it was at Russell and Linda White's place because they know where we live. Meanwhile Russell put the fire out, just in the nick of time too as the (plastic) fuel tank was full of diesel. The fire flared again and was once again put out. As Russell and I stood looking at the burnt tractor we saw the fire truck coming along the road. We walked up to the house to meet it and then watched as it drove straight past our driveway and on up the road. Again I had to ring 000 ........ when the truck arrived Alf and Leo said that they were not given our names but instead told 3 different road names as the location! Well that worked well didn't it! All I can say is that I'm glad it wasn't our house that was on fire or someone having a heart attack.

So the tractor is a write off which means that our silage season has been delayed somewhat.

until we can buy another one

at least it was insured

So what caused the fire?............a bloody birds nest!

Linda   

Weekend Stitching

It's that time again to have a little bit of a show and tell about what I have stitched over the last couple of days. First on the list was to get this bag finished. I have made myself one but this was a thank you gift to a friend who has done a couple of favours for me lately. You might recognise the pattern if you have the book - 'T'is the season' by Natalie Bird.

I stitched the buttons on this morning.......about 30 minutes before it was gifted........phew!

The next was a holder for my new phone.........the pattern, by Lenora, was released a couple of weeks ago and is available here or at the shop. I decided to add my own special touch...........only had to make 19 17 hexagons because I found 2 under the couch the other day when I was vacuuming....lol!

I have also stitched the second project for the Christmas Club girls ......... a quick and easy Table Runner using the Christmas fabric 'Reindeer Games' by Sandy Gervais.

 I am also part the way through making a quilt from the 'Tied Up' range of fabrics.....but I will show you that one when I have finished. The rest of the weekend stitching comprised of a couple of super hero jobs...........altering  a golden belt for Wonder Woman (aka Hannah)......and hemming a red cape for another secret super hero (aka Emma).......for my niece's 21st birthday party in November. The only other special job is lengthening Santa's pants (aka my 'little' brother Peter) but I will do that another day.

Linda    :)

Cobden Quilt Show

This morning I made a quick trip into Cobden to have a look at the Cobden Quilters Quilt Show. It is being held this weekend as part of the Spring Festival activities. I was the first through the door as I needed to get back to the shop by 11am. It was lovely to meet up with Anne, Nola and Val (who attended my Stitch in Spring in Simpson day) as they were putting the finishing touches to the display. It is a fantastic display of work. Here are just a few pictures of some of the quilts.

I loved this green quilt. It was part of a challenge....to use just one colour as the theme for the quilt. Nola's purple Drunkards Path is also very striking.

Some beautiful applique quilts.

And a special display of items and quilts made from old mens ties .......or should that be men's old ties!!!

The Quilt Show is on again tomorrow from 10am til 3pm (I think) at the Cobden Senior Citizens Clubrooms on the corner of Victoria and Parrott Streets, Cobden. Entry is $5 and includes a cuppa and morning / afternoon tea.

Linda    :)

What more new fabric!!!

Well sort of........when the delivery man arrived today I thought he might be dropping off the 4 remaining bolts of 'Ruby' that arrived the other day.......but he wasn't.......sad but true :( . Instead it was the Layer Cakes and Charm Packs for 'Prairie Paisley II' by Minick & Simpson.......yay!

The Jelly Roll are yet to arrive and the fabric is due in January. I also ordered a lovely Fat Quarter bundle of it for moi.........because I can't wait 3 months!

Now I'm just waiting for some tiny pieces of paper to arrive and it will be on again.........have you guessed yet?

 Linda    :)

Ruby has arrived

Yes the beautiful new range 'Ruby' by Bonnie & Camille has arrived in all her glory.

Blues and greys

Greens and reds

Precuts

and delicious flannels......13 of them

It was a battle to squeeze them in to the shop. There are also 4 bolts that haven't arrived, but I am hoping they won't be far away. The fabric is all $22 per metre, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes $44 each, Charm Packs $14 each and I have one Fat 1/8th bandle at $145.

Linda  :)

Pudding anyone?

Today was my 'must really do some housework day'. I have been putting it off for ages......you know the type of housework I mean........the full works! Well I always seem to get distracted....finding things I had forgotten about. Today I found my Grandfather's Army Cookbook. It's not a printed book but his own handwritten notebook with his recipes in it. My maternal grandfather - Alexander Scouller - was a cook in the Army in WWII in Western Australia. He never served overseas but did his service by feeding the masses. I remember him telling me stories of his time in the Army.......I idolised Grandad and would follow him arround everywhere when I went for holidays.........really wonderful memories of milking the house cow and separating the milk with the hand separator, feeding the bantams, the avairy full of all different birds, picking and eating mulberries, going eel fishing and rabbiting, Sam, Wally & Sally - the brown curly retreiver dogs......and so many more. This is me with Grandad when I was a cute and adorable baby.......lol!

 
 So if you are ever entertaining some large masses maybe you could try his Rissoles for 100 men: 40 lbs mutton or beef; 4 lbs of onions to be cooked; 8 lbs breadcrumbs; 3 lb flour and 1 dozen eggs. And for dessert try a Steamed Pudding: 6 cups Plain Flour; 3oz Baking Powder; 1 lb dripping; 1 1/2 lb sugar; 2 handfuls dried fruit and 2 oz cocoa for colouring. You have to steam it for about 12 hours and it only feeds 50 so you will have to make 2 of them.....and don't bank on getting much fruit in your piece.......2 handfuls between 50 people I think you'd be lucky to get 2 sultanas and a currant in your serve!

Maybe I will get my housework finished tomorrow.........probably not!

Linda   :)