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For lovers of Natalie Bird (aka The Birdhouse) projects I now have in stock her three new patterns. 'Starry Eyed' uses a combination of hand piecing, applique and stitchery to make a gorgeous runner; 'Hearts Return' is a lovely stitchery project which includes the preprinted stitchery design as well as 2 beautiful buttons; and finally 'Simple Joys'
which includes the preprinted stitchery and also this cute button.
I know these will be popular.
Linda :)
Russell was away last weekend.......off in Portland stewarding at a go-kart race meeting.......and I was at home on my lonesome.......just Lister and me. On Saturday afternoon I decided to take the camera with me when I went for the cows.......to take a few snaps around the place. The farm is looking great at the moment and although we do need some rain (and it is raining today) the paddocks look lovely and green.
We have been composting fertiliser on the farm this year for the first time and a couple of weeks ago it was screened (lumps taken out) and it is now ready for spreading.......all 270 tonne of it!
I am sure I will be able to sneak a few ute loads for the garden........surely Russell won't miss it!
The cows were already on their way home to the dairy.........
the looks I got as if they were saying 'where have you been you are late!'
I want to introduce you to my favourite cow ....... 716. All of our cows get numbers not names.
She is lovely Brown Swiss Jersey cross cow, always clean and never gives us any hassle. She is also our oldest cow. 716 was born on the 25 June 1995.......the year Hannah was in kinder! She will be 17 years old this year and I told Russell that when we sell the farm she will be retired to our outpaddock and NOT sold.
But for the time being it is milking time again.
Linda :)
On Thursday my Mother in law not only gave me the box of goodies from the old Singer Treadle Machine but she also gave me a very special present. A photo of Russell when he was in Grade One. You see Russell and I were in the same grade in 1969 and we both own a copy of our school photo from that year. When I met Russell again way back in 1980 I immediately remembered that he was in the same grade as I was. Here is our grade photo.
I always tell him that it looks like Miss Kerry grabbed him by his tie and shoved him in the photo.....lol!
And here is the photo that Pearl gave me.
Angelic is not the first word that springs to mind.........maybe mischevious would be better.....lol! There aren't very many photos of Russell when he was young so this will be treasured.......and copied for Emma and Hannah to add to their family albums.
Linda :)
Two days ago I had a visit from my lovely Mother-in-law.......yes I did say lovely as she most definitely is. Pearl was having a clean out and came across this box and thought that I might like to have it.
It belonged to her mother, Mary and was the assessories for her Singer Treadle Sewing Machine. Mary married in 1902 and used the machine for many years and then passed it on to Pearl who also used it. The machine was left behind in Gippsland when they moved to Simpson but the box of assessories made the journey.
And look what else was in the box..........an antique Ruffler foot!
I am so excited to now own a second Ruffler foot as well as those other bits and pieces in the tin box...........though there is another contraption that we can't quite work out what it is........my guess is a buttonholer but not 100% sure.....actually not even 20% sure!
Linda :)
PS. the redness was the reflection of the sun.......and isn't the colour of the assessories.
After Lenora pointed out that it might get a little chilly in July and August sitting out on the 'deck' stitching I decided to go with the original plan and the walls started to go up yesterday.
I hope I won't be disappointed....lol! Russell informs me that this will be the one and only extension to the shop......but maybe a deck would be nice. Never say never!
Linda :)
With the lifting of fire restrictions on Monday the pyromaniacs have emerged from hibernation and are now setting fire to their accumulated piles of 'stuff'. The DSE / Parks are also doing burn offs in the Otways so our area at the moment is very smokey. Last night I snapped this photo of the glorious red sunset through the smokey haze.
I also swept the new floor......(this is the before shot)
Maybe we don't need walls on the extension.......wouldn't it be nice to sit out on the 'deck' and stitch!
Linda :)
We have been enjoying some beautiful Autumn weather here in south west Victoria and I have been trying to make the most of it. The garden is getting some tlc.......pruning, weeding, transplanting and planting....... and a visit to Pearson's Nursery yesterday afternoon saw me leave lighter in the purse and heavy in the car!
The builders are also making the most of it
and the stumps were put in on Monday
Even the jets were leaving their mark in the clear Autumn skies
Back to the garden today......but after we drench the calves.
Linda :)
Just a quick look at Gail's new patterns that will be arriving this week.
This cute new little Petite Pattern called 'Stitch with Me'
A gorgeous wall hanging called 'Hana's Basket'
Make an early start on Christmas with 'Blessed at Christmas'
Or how about a new bag.....'Gather Sweet Blooms'
This 'Stitch me happy' folder would make a great gift for a stitching friend
and last but certainly not least ..... this beautiful small quilt / wall hanging.
Wow ........ aren't they gorgeous!
Linda :)
About 12 months ago I bought this for my sewing machine.......
This weird looking contraption is a ruffler foot. Yesterday I decided it was time to get it out and have a go at using it. After reading the instructions and then breaking a needle I finally got it to work.....and wow is it great! It has 4 settings. The first is 0 and is just straight sewing .....no ruffling. The next is 1 and it pleats every stitch and looks like this...
The next setting is 6 and it pleats every six stitches.......this is my favourite setting.....
and the last setting is 12 and yes it pleats every twelve stitches.
Don't be surprised if you start seeing pleats and ruffles in some of my future projects!
Linda :)