Gum Valley Patchwork

My lazy Farmer's Wife

My post yesterday about the new Minick & Simpson fabric has reminded me that I haven't blogged about my Farmer's Wife quilt for quite a while. It's been almost 2 years since our Farmers Wife Stitch Along Group started meeting on the 4th Thursday of the month. In December last year I had made 31 blocks.......all using scraps from my very large stash of Minick & Simpson fabrics. It is very rare to find a M&S fabric in the 'End of bolt' box in the shop as they usually always end up in my stash!

Although I have missed a few of the Stitch Along days, I have managed to add more blocks to my tally........these four were in June....

and these were last week's effort.

My tally is now sitting at 52, and I have decided that I won't be making the full 111 blocks. So I will be a lazy Farmer's Wife and will only be making the smaller quilt which takes about 85 blocks. It's certainly not through lack of fabric.......more through lack of motivation to make the harder pieced blocks!

If you are interested in joining our small group let me know.......remember we meet on the fourth Thursday of the month (including December), 11am to 4pm (stay as little or long as you like)......cost is $2 (tea/coffee supplied)

Linda     :)

Farmhouse Reds

The one thing that really stood out for me when I rearranged the shop..........apart from it being more open and light........was how few red fabrics I had. How did this happen? I guess because I had the pinks and reds together it looked like there were more than there actually was, and I didn't see when they were disappearing. I was happy though that I had already placed an order for the new 'Farmhouse Reds' by Minick & Simpson for Moda. It's no secret that I love Minick and Simpson fabric......I even created a hashtag about it......this will be my seventh range from Laurie and Polly, and I know that it won't be my last!

While there are quite a few reds in the range, there are also some lovely creams which will be a welcome addition to my new neutral fabric wall in the shop.

The only negative..........I have to wait until January for it to arrive.

Linda    :)

A Hot House update

Those who follow me on Instagram or Facebook will have seen little updates every now and then about the progress of my plants in my Hot House. I have been so encouraged by the results that I fear that I may have become addicted to growing plants.....again! Many many years ago....probably about 20 - 25........I used to propagate, grow and sell plants from home and also from a few markets that I would attend. My trade name was Hill Top Herbs.

As I became busier with the farm and the girls, and sewing / teaching took priority, the plant growing slowly disappeared. My blog post in September showed my first seed sowing, and since then I have been sowing new and different varieties of seed about every week. So after 5 weeks I am running out of room and have started putting things up on the top shelf.

It won't be long until some of the flower seedlings will be planted out in to the garden. I have a huge range to choose from.....Cornflowers, Cosmos, Asters, Zinnias, Statice, Marigolds (French & African), Carnations, Pincushions, Violas, Alyssum, Aquilegias, and one of my favourites Love in the Mist. My Mum grew nearly all of these in her garden, and I remember as a kid the beautiful Asters and Zinnias, and the tall African Marigolds along the drive way which would attract the magnificent Monarch Butterflies every year. Mum never had a Hot House, but instead would grow them in a big Seedbed. She would then dig them out and plant them into straight rows around the Dahlia beds in the front yard. 

I have also had great success with the vegetable and herb seeds......84 Tomatoes (4 varieties), Capsicums, Chillis, Pumpkins, Cucumbers, Watermelons, Zucchini, Spring Onions and Lettuce. A few herbs....Basil, Parsley and Borage (for the bees).

A few early carrots in the raised bed will hopefully be ready for Christmas and I have been eating Strawberries for about a month. 

I usually do my potting up hunched over a wheelbarrow, but I am getting too old for that, so a few weeks ago I invested in a potting bench. It is the best thing ever! It is the perfect height for me and keeps everything reasonably neat and tidy.

I plan on potting up more plants from my garden, and in the coming weeks, setting up a small area to sell the excess plants and seedlings. I will let you all know when that happens!

Linda     :)

PS. If you are a local friend/follower and you have any spare seedling punnets / small tubes / small pots, I would be very grateful for any donations! I am running out and need more to feed my habit!

 

In Bloom

With Spring well and truly here, and the garden finally starting to show some growth and colour, it is only fitting that I finished my new quilt on Monday. I had been working on the centre section for about a week, and was up to deciding which fabric to use for the first border when the delivery man dropped in a box of some new Grunge fabric from Moda. I love these Grunge fabrics and am slowly building up my collection.

The beautiful new Pool colourway was just perfect!

It is now with Wendy at Clever Ducks Quilting, along with another new sample ready for quilting. Kits for both of the quilts will be available soon.

Linda    :)

A goode cause

Last Saturday I was charged with the job of providing morning tea to a small but dedicated group of 7 cyclists. The group (and 2 support crew) were riding from Colac to Warrnambool (via Simpson, 12 Apostles, Port Campbell and Peterborough) as part of the Tour de Depot raising money for the Leila Rose Foundation. My brother Peter was one of the riders and had asked if they could stop in on their way past.......and could I provide scones, jam and cream for morning tea. Well how could I say no! It was a glorious day and they arrived at about 11am.

The scones were ready.....

and quickly devoured.....

It wasn't long before they were back on their bikes and ready for the 'downhill' ride to the 12 Apostles......but not before a photo.

They were certainly very lucky with the weather on the day......especially when it came to taking the iconic photo shots.....this one was at the beautiful Bay of Islands near Peterborough.

They arrived in Warrnambool after riding for 164.4km / 6 hours......and raising $3,802. Congratulations and well done!

Apparently the scones were still being talked about during the week........think I might have a job next year?!

Linda    :)

I'm in a sewing mood

Since the big shop makeover I have been working on making up some new samples. This one, which I finished last week, is made out of lovely French General fabrics.

It is ready for Wendy from Clever Ducks Quilting to work her magic, and once it returns, I will be able to finish the pattern and kits.

I have also started on a quilt using the gorgeous 'Bohemian Manor II' fabric from Jason Yenter. I am embarrassed to say that I have had the fabric for a couple of months, but am excited that I have finally started using it.

 After initially trying machine applique.....yeah.....no.......I have decided to hand applique the blocks. My aim is to have it finished by next week......fingers crossed!

Linda    :)

Spring clean

Every year I get the urge to rearrange the shop. I have had it since the Stitch in Spring, but I haven't been able to do it as I needed 3 full days to pull it all apart, clean, rearrange and put it back together........and maybe adjust and tweek it a bit! I had 3 days of no commitments this week.....so on Monday I started pulling everything apart. By the start of Tuesday I was starting to regret the decision......

A couple of weeks ago we went to Ikea and purchased 2 new bookcases so that I could get rid of the old 'bed' that had been part of the shop for almost 10 years. I can't believe how much more open and roomy the shop is now.

I have shifted and collated more of the fabric into colour sections...........I am hoping that this will help customers with their fabric selection.

The newer ranges still have their own special display areas........'Petites Maisons de Noel' by French General.

and the new 'Sycamore' by Jan Patek Quilts.

The extra wide backings, which have been hiding away in the Classroom, are now out on the shop floor. The grey on the right is flannel.....more colours are on order and will hopefully arrive soon.

I am really happy with the way that my Spring clean has turned out. It has given a new lease of life to a tired shop.......well tired in my eyes as I see it every day.

My next big challenge...........remember where everything is in the shop!

Linda    :)

You have to be quick!

Registrations opened this morning at 9am for my Stitching by the Sea Retreat. There is a reason why I say 9am and why people ring right at 9am.......to make sure that they secure a place. I really truly wish that I could fit more ladies in to this event but I have to cap it at 50......mainly because people bring along their sewing machines so we need more room. By 9.07am this morning it was fully booked out and by 10.15am I had 13 on the waiting list. For those lucky enough to be coming along, please download the registration form below and return it (along with your deposit) by the 1st November........otherwise there are 13 ladies ready to swoop on your spot!

Linda   :)

Download Stitching by the Sea Registration Form 2018

Stitching by the Sea Retreat, March 2018

My two day 'Stitching by the Sea' Retreat will be held once again on the weekend of the 17th & 18th March 2018 at the beautiful seaside township of Port Campbell.

Registrations will open at 9am on Monday 16th October for anyone wishing to book in....no early registrations accepted. Please ring me on 0427 943 201 and leave a message with your details (and the names of anyone else that you are booking in for).

Here are the full details:

Gum Valley Patchwork

presents

‘STITCHING BY THE SEA’

2018 Retreat

Saturday 17^th March, 10am – 7pm &

Sunday 18^th March, 9am – 4pm

at the

Surf Lifesaving Club. Cairns Street, Port Campbell

Cost : $140 per person

Spend two days stitching with friends in the seaside township of Port Campbell. Enjoy the view from the upstairs function room at the Surf Life Saving Club, while working on your stitching project/s. A two course lunch, with homemade morning & afternoon teas will be provided on both days. A Saturday evening light meal of soup and scones will also be included this year.

You will receive a special ‘Retreat Goody Bag’, and of course I will have the shop there! 

Places are limited.....so book early to avoid missing out.

Not included: Accommodation is not included but there are over 20 options available in many price ranges. Sunday breakfast is not included, but again there are many options available for those staying in Port Campbell.                  

There will be no tutors at this weekend.  

A deposit of $70 is required by 1^st November 2017 to secure your place. The balance of $70 is due by 1st February 2018. Cancellation Policy: If you cancel before 31st December, your deposit will be refunded in full (less a $5 admin fee). Cancellation after this date, refund will only be given if your place can be filled by someone else. Full refund if the day is cancelled by the organiser (Gum Valley Patchwork ).

 

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Linda     :)

Sycamore

'Sycamore' by Jan Patek Quilts for Moda is the newest fabric range to arrive in the Shop. Three big boxes holding the 35 bolts and pre-cuts have been unpacked.

As I plan on rearranging the Shop next week, I have decided not to pop them out on the shelves just yet. But instead they will be in the classroom area if you would like to have peek at them over the next few days.

I am also trying to keep my online shop up to date with the new fabric as it arrives, and I am please to say that it is all listed here.

I will be back tomorrow with details of my Stitching by the Sea Retreat weekend next March.

Linda    :)