Gum Valley Patchwork

One Day in May patterns

I just wanted to stop by and let everyone know that I have a catalogue at the shop showing all of Melissa's beautiful patterns.

I know that the ladies who attended the Stitch in Spring had a great opportunity to see all of the samples up close, and purchase her patterns. But if you missed out please let me know if you would like order any.

Some of the patterns even include the transfers.

I purchased a few six off Melissa on Sunday to make up into samples for the shop........I think that I had better get stitching!

Linda    :)

A warming Spring

After a busy few weeks with very little time spent in my garden, I took the opportunity yesterday to get out in the fresh and warming Spring air. It is still very wet underfoot and I am not able to do a lot of weeding for fear of pulling out huge clods of dirt. But I am sure that it won't be long until it dries out.......and we will then be complaining that it is too dry! I have ordered another truck load of mulch and expect it early next week, but before that arrives I had to finish planting out the border of miniature white agapanthus near the ornamental pears at the car park. I still have a few more rocks to place along the edge, but apart from that and the mulch, that part of the garden is all but done.......yay! I still have so much more to do, but I thought that I would spend some time in the hot house sowing some seeds in preparation for planting out later on. I sorted out a variety of vegetable, herb and flower seeds.......some from my collection and some from Mum's collection that I inherited.

Mum was really good at growing seedlings and plants.

An idea from Pinterest about growing peas in guttering sparked our interest, so Russell has decided to give it a go. The theory is that the roots fill the guttering and you just slide the plants out of the guttering and into a trench.

The ice-cream containers on each end are to stop the dirt from falling out. We figure that we have nothing to lose......just a few dollars for the pea seed.

The strawberries are starting to ripen and it won't be long until I will harvest my first crop of hot house fruit.

I have told Russell that if he loses me.....just check in the hot house....more than likely I will be in there!

Linda    :)

Stitch in Spring 2017

The day had finally arrived......Friday was set up day and I was up early, packed the ute and made the drive down to Port Campbell. I just managed to get unloaded before the rain came in again........it was quite pissistant. The bay was very dirty as the flood waters were pouring into the sea via Campbells Creek. On the Friday it was dirty out as far as the pier. 

But by Saturday morning it was out as far as the point.......and it was as rough as rough......but so very pretty.

(Photo: Janine Thow)

After a very long Friday, (and little sleep on Friday night), the room was all set for the Saturday ladies to arrive.

The name badges were all laid out

Every lady received a hand made goody bag, with some lovely gifts inside.....yes I made 132.....and yes that meant 132 zips!

There was also a bag filled with the kits for the projects designed by our wonderful tutors Melissa Grant (One Day in May) and Anni Downs (Hatched and Patched). I forgot to take a photo of all of the projects together......but you can see the 'Bunny in the Blackberries' Pouch in this photo of Melissa's display.

and her Sweet Lilac Book Wrap in this photo.

It was so lovely to see the detail of Melissa's work up close and her display showed many examples of the dimensional additions in her projects.

Anni's display was full of her whimsical projects, which often incorporate the beautiful wool, hand dyed by her husband Pete.

Anni's projects included a folder cover with the option of adding some wool, along with a hand stitched pencil case.

The day always starts with a run down of what the projects are and some basic 'rules' for the day.

Everyone listens attentively.

and then it is all action stations........interrupted by lunch........and Show & Tell......Tammy's quilt top.....

and Julie's beautiful hexagon and applique quilt.

and some Lucky Draws....

Our usual little helper Georgia has been replaced by her sister Madeline.

It seemed the idea of a 2 1/2 year old toddler running around wasn't that appealing to her mother........lol! A four month old was much easier to amuse!

Both days seemed to go so quickly and before we knew it the weekend was over and it was time to pack it all up and head for home.

I was missing two of my regular workers over the Stitch in Spring weekend with Russell (the usual eye-candy.....lol!) being in Albury for the Rotax Nationals for Go-karts for 4 days and Hannah had bridesmaid duties at a Hens party weekend. I had other friends offer to help, and I would like to sincerely thank them for their work in helping to make the whole weekend a great success.

To my friend Jodie, who helped on Thursday (to unload the first load of goods.....timed to coincide with the afternoon milking.....lol), on Friday in setting up, on Saturday when she ran the pop-up shop for me, and also on Sunday morning. Then was there for pack -up. You are a real treasure Jodie!

To my daughter Emma, who helped on Friday in setting up, and on Saturday and Sunday in the kitchen and also a little stint in the Shop......and then for packing up.

To my friend Sharon, who helped with packing kits on Friday.

To my sister Cathryn, who helped with setting up on Friday afternoon, and working in the kitchen on Saturday and Sunday. Packing up on Sunday was made a lot quicker with her help and also that of Craig's.

To my friend Lyndell, who worked tirelessly in the kitchen over the whole weekend. I'm sure she could nearly do it with her eyes closed!

To Lenora's daughter Sharna, who helped out in the kitchen for the first time on Saturday and Sunday. She was a great help, although I don't think she will want to do dishes again for a while!

To my friend Tabatha, who always seems to get the job of vacuuming up all of those pesky threads off the carpet. Tabatha tells me that it helps to work off the Honeycomb Cheesecake that she had for dessert.

and to little Madeline.........she kept my spirits up, a smile on my face, and kept me company on my Monday morning sleep in.

And finally..........but certainly not least.....a huge thank you to Melissa and Anni for being our tutors this year. I have received many wonderful comments, messages, and emails about how much the day/s were enjoyed by the ladies who attended. Thank you!

So if you missed out on attending this year, write these dates down on your calendar now. The 2018 Stitch in Spring will be held on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd September, with registrations opening at 9am on Monday 12th March 2018 (yes it is the Labour Day holiday Monday here in Victoria). I will announce who the tutors will be later in the year.

So there you have it.....my Stitch in Spring wrap-up blog post......I hope that have enjoyed reading about it.

Linda    :)

 

Shop Closed

Well I am all packed and almost ready to head to Port Campbell for a bit day of setting up for the Stitch in Spring which kicks off tomorrow. The shop will be closed today, tomorrow and Sunday but I will be back open for regular business on Thursday 21st September.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Linda    :)

Head down.....

I've had my head down and bum up for the last couple of weeks....which explains my absence from my blog. I have been busy organising everything for the Stitch in Spring, which isn't that far away. I am getting to the stage that I feel almost in control of everything........I did say almost! A few things have happened that have put speed humps in my way but I have decided to forge ahead and do the best I can. On Tuesday I was feeling slightly overwhelmed, so I decided to shout myself a 'Mental Health Day'. Usually it would involve spending the day in the garden but with the horrid weather we have been having lately that option wasn't possible.....not even with overalls, beanie and raincoat! So instead I decided to make cards. I set up my work area.......which didn't stay neat like this for very long at all......

I did have a list of cards that I wanted to make, and as Michelle had dropped off my latest Stampin-Up order on Monday, it gave me the perfect opportunity to try out my new 'stuff'.

I have to admit that all of my inspiration comes from Pinterest.....

but sometimes I add my own touches.....

I guess that I will get better at it, the more I make.

All up I made 12 cards........8 different designs. I really wanted to keep making them but unfortunately they will have to wait until after next weekend!

So did my self imposed Mental Health Day work?..........100%

Linda     :)