Gum Valley Patchwork

First contact

I have been trying to make the most of any non-rainy non-shop work days to get out into the garden and today was another perfect winter day to do this. I have had a huge pile of wood chips delivered to home
and I have been loading up the ute and taking it to the shop.
I have been working on several areas of the garden but one that passerbys see the most is where the lavender hedge along the driveway is was. The lavender hedge has looked lovely in the past but last year took a battering with the wet winter and several plants died from wet 'feet'. They are all going to be ripped out and replaced with the Hebe called Inspiration. The purple flowers should look great once they are established. Here is what I have done so far.........
and what is left to do........
I am hoping that the mulch will not only keep the weeds at bay but also stop people from driving over the top of the new plants..........yes they do it!

Lister always keeps me company while I am gardening but when he disappeared I went looking for him. I found him looking at this echidna..........
it is his first encounter with the spiny monotreme.........
the echidna wasn't in the mood for games and buried himself into the ground. Lister spent the next two hours sitting and looking and barking and digging but the echidna was safe and sound in his hole with his spines to protect him.
Uniquely Australian ......I love them!

Linda      :)

 

(New) Hexagon Quilt Update

Last night I stitched the next stage of my new Haxagon Quilt......which still remains nameless. It is not a very exciting border but I am pleased with the way it looks.
This border has been quite a worldly one as the pieces were stitched in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kansas City and all flights, trains and airports in between. The next part of the quilts will be stitched by the fire in Cooriemungle as there are no trips planned in the near future......lol!

Linda     :)

Winter solstice

Today is Winter solstice or the shortest day of the year so from now on the days will get longer......very very slowly though! Yesterday was very chilly with a lazy wind that went straight though you and today there is no wind but the rain is quite steady at the moment.......Winter in all her 'glory'. But I am hanging out for the longer days so that I can use my Mother's Day present that Hannah gave me.
A voucher for one days gardening and I am not going to waste it on these short winter days.....think I will use it once daylight savings is in full swing.......8am - 8pm is a days gardening isn't it?

And Emma's present was a day spent helping Russell split firewood.......a job I do but I don't enjoy.....thanks Emma!

Linda    :)

Working with wool

Back in February I received an order of beautiful wool from Weeks Dye Works in the US. I have looked at it nearly everyday and I really wanted to make something with it......but what? Well while I was at the Quilt Market I was very inspired by the large number of booths that incorporated wool into different projects. So much so that I purchased a number of patterns from different designers but also some more wool from Weeks and also Primitive Gatherings (and I wish I had got more!). Last weekend I decided to have a play with some of the wool and combine it with the Moda Crazy Corner Wool that I had in the shop and I made this.........my first attempt at a wool project..........
It is the Primitive Gatherings pattern called 'Scrappy Penny Candle Mat'. I had great fun stitching this project and the wool is lovely to 'play' with. I also bought some gorgeous patterns from Kathy at The Cottage at Cardiff Farms (I think I was her first sale to Australia too!).....and decided on Friday to start stitching her 'Daisy Chain Pocket'.

 

I chose some beautiful Weeks wool for the daisies and I used a primitive whip stitch to stitch them down to the biege Crazy Cormer wool. This stitch is fast and easy and it was the first time I have used it. Although the Pocket is sewn almost completely by hand it is quite simple to make and I completed my version this afternoon.

The pattern also includes a pin cushion and a needle case but I haven't made mine yet. Here is Kathy's version that I saw at Quilt Market.
Two other versions called 'Pocket full of Posies' and 'Penny Pocket' are available ($12 each) if you don't like daisies!
Mmmm I wonder what project I will make next........maybe one out of this book by Joann Mullaly
Now in stock for $32.

Oh and now I really can't wait until the 'Independence Trail' wool arrives ............ August is only 2 months away and I am sure time will go quickly!

Linda      :) 

Hexagonaholic

While I was at the Quilt Market in Kansas City I spent some time looking through the huge range of antique quilts and blocks at Cindy's Antique Quilts Booth. There were so many beautiful old quilts but unfortunately my budget could only stretch so far. But when I found this unfinished hexagon piece I decided that it had to come home with me.........it would be a reminder of my trip to the US. To preserve and protect it I have had it framed.
The piece measures 15 1/2 inches from point to point with the hexagons being 5/8",
still has all of the papers in it and is a little worn around the edges,
and was made in the 1880's (or thereabouts). 

My collection is growing..........do I need help?

Linda      :)

A must have

I have done more travelling in the past six months than the last six years..........with our holiday in February and then my recent trip to the US. All up 11 flights of various lengths on aircraft and waiting in the airport lounges.........that amounted to a lot of valuable stitching time. Many people have asked me whether I was able to stitch during the flights and the answer is yes. I packed my hexagons, thread, needle and travel scissors in my cute little tin and popped it in my handbag.
It went through all of the scanners and xrays and not once did anyone open it or question it. Gail also had her stitching with her.......so it wasn't just me! The scissors are airline approved and have very short blades with rounded ends........you could do more damage to someone with the plastic knife they give you with your meal. I have now got more of these handy little scissors in stock and what's more is that they are only $5 each.
You can order them here.

Linda    :)

Red Home

I have just placed an order for this lovely new book, 'Red Home' from The Birdhouse.

 
Natalie has designed ten new projects which include 2 quilts, pincushion, bag, mini-quilt, purse and more.  

They are $30 and will be in the shop Thursday or you can order online here.

Linda     :)

Fabric shading class

Yesterday Jodie taught her first class at the Shop......'Fabric Shading with Jodie'.
Seven lucky ladies spent the afternoon learning new techniques to enhance their stitchery projects.
I am sure that they all enjoyed themselves and as a special bonus Jodie also provided them with a lovely afternoon tea treat........very yummy!

Linda     :)

Full steam ahead

After four weeks of very little work being done on the new extension today saw the builders and plumbers on site taking advantage of the fine weather. While I spent the day in the garden mulching, the plumbers put the roof on and one of the walls up.
Stephen and Tom spent their time putting the frame up and decking down for the small back porch. This new porch will protect the back door from the wild weather that sometimes comes from a south westerley direction.
The roof line is the same pitch as the main building and we are thrilled with the way it is looking.
There is still quite a bit of work yet to do but after today it feels like we are getting somewhere.

Linda   :)

Right place right time

Anyone who has visited Gum Valley Patchwork will know that the shop isn't really that big. It is a challenge to display the ever growing amount of stock that I just can't help but buy......lol! So last week I decided visit Mailors Flat Demolitions and Antiques........I took the ute just in case I found what I was looking for..........a pigeon hole display cabinet.  Lenora jumped in for the ride.......(sorry for the doggy smelling ute!).  You could spend hours looking at all of the antiques and bric & brac but as we were on a time budget we wove our way way through the aisles and then I saw it..........yay..........it was perfect. I was lucky as apparently they aren't all that easy to come by and this one had not long been in stock. Loaded up I headed home with my purchase (after saying goodbye to Lenora :)).
The next challenge was getting it into the shop........it was a heavy mother of a thing........but between Russell and myself we did it with only minimal swearing.
As we are still waiting on the builders to come back (a little problem with the wrong coloured roofing iron ordered.....dooh!) the new cabinet may be shifted to another spot in the shop. But in the meantime I have started filling it up with lots of bits & pieces which has been fun.
Now I just have to fill up the empty spaces on the tables.....lol!

Linda    :)