I wish there were two of me

This week has suddenly changed from quiet and normal, to flat out and busy. I have had two orders come in for my ribbon browbands (see here if you are wondering what the heck a ribbon browband is,) I have the dentist coming for my horse in about 40 minutes, a friend coming over who needs help with her wall hanging, and now I discover I have to have 3 original items ready for next Tuesday. That's only 5 days away!

And why, you may be wondering, do I need to have 3 original items ready for next Tuesday? Well, I can't tell you just yet! Isn't that just horrible of me? But all will be revealed in time, but meanwhile I am tearing my hair out wondering if it's all possible.

So I think one of my items will be the quilt I just made for my Omi. Speaking of which, I gave it to her on Monday and she absolutely LOVED IT! It now sits proudly on her dining room table and she shows it off to whoever she can. I did tell her that it is a quilt to keep her warm, but she wants to have it on display as a tablecloth first!



So, if you don't hear from me for the next couple of days, it's because I will be living in my sewing room, madly creating, cutting and making. I will only emerge for chocolate and biscuts, and perhaps a cup of tea.


Well, I had quite a few bloggers interested in the paper bag swap from my last post. If there is enough interest I'm happy to run a swap on 'blogland.' I participated in the previous swap, but I have run and organised swaps and activities in the past on various forums, and I'm happy to organise a swap for here. So, if you like the sound of the 'paper bag' swap, and would be interested in hearing more, or joining in, please comment to say so. If we get a few people that are keen, I'll see about getting the swap up and running, after Tuesday of course!!

Wonder of wonders - it's been raining the past two days here!! There is a definate lift to the whole township now as the threat of the bushfires have greatly eased. We haven't had any serious rain here since, well, before Christmas I think. So it is so strange to hear these heavy drops on our tin roof. Thank you God for the rain!

And so finally, before I dash off to get my horse ready for the dentist, here are some goodies I bought just recently. I was in dire need of a new cutting mat, so mum bought it as an early birthday present. Of course, I couldn't leave the shop without some fabric too, and that little Singer tin was just too cute to leave behind. I'm such a tragic.

My quilt of perseverance

I am still yet to figure out how such a simple looking quilt could be full of such dramas and problems.

Never have I had so many issues than with this quilt. Of course, I don't need reminding of how badly it puckered when all the borders were sewn on to it, how long it took me to unpick said borders, or how I burnt my finger whilst attaching the iron on interfacing. But I guess this is the 'journey of a quilter,' and a quilt of perseverance and tenacity.

And for that very reason, I love this quilt. We have been on a journey together; we have suffered and thrown tantrums, and we have prevailed and succeeded.

I love how the quilting brings dimension and life to the quilt, and I love the little pieced strip along the back.

I sure hope my Omi appreciates all the work that went into this quilt!

What's this strange wet stuff falling on my head?

Well, I had some good news that my two little monsters from my previous post found a home! Two children found them (a boy and a girl - just like I had hoped,) and took them home. Their parents decided to donate the two toys to the Healesville Relief Centre for the fire victims. So I'm hoping some lucky child will find them and look after them.

Well, the new Homespun magazine came out this week, and inside were the two new blocks for the "Breast of Friends," mystery BOM. The third block in the series is a gorgeous applique by Natalie Bird, and the fourth one is a simple and pretty block by Rosalie Quinlan.

I have just completed the third block, and had a great time stitching it.

I did the wording part on mine slightly different to how the pattern suggested. I wasn't happy with the fabric I had chosen for the border originally, but I quite like it now. When you see it in person it really gives the block a pretty and refreshing look.

Check out Homespun Magazines website, as they have a blog that is updated every monday. This week they interview Rosalie Quinlan.

I have also been working on the quilt for my Omi. Yes, you remember that one that I had so much trouble with, right? Well I am pleased to announce that it is finally quilted!! And I stipple quilted the whole thing! I'm quite stunned with myself as this is the largest quilt I have stipple quilted other than a wallhanging. It's not perfect and there are quite a few mistakes, but I don't really care. And I don't think my Omi will either. Considering where I have come with this quilt and what we have been through, I'm so happy with it!

This morning I am pleased to report that we had a few sprinkles of rain! Praise God! We haven't had rain here for litterally months, and everything is dying. The beautiful hedge that we have around the back fence on our property is dropping it's leaves and looking miserable.
As it was drizzling this morning, I turned around and saw this rainbow, with the end of it sitting directly in the township of Healesville. It gave me a nice safe and secure feeling that Healesville was saved from all the desctruction of the bushfires, and the promise of rain is coming.

I'm back!

First of all, thank you so much for all your thoughts, and prayers, and best wishes! It has been greatly appreciated! I got my internet back a couple of days ago, but we were still on high alert here in Healesville with the bush fires, so I just haven't had a chance to update here. It's been a pretty horrible week here, with the fires coming about 1km away from the east and the north. The whole town has been on high alert for ember attacks, and alot of people have just up and left, not wanting to face the fire. We decided to stay and fight, as did most of our neighbours. Thankfully we live in a rather open and clear area, and we only have 1 tree on our property. It got awfully scary quite a few times last week, and most nights my dad and I stayed up, protecting the house, and watching out for embers.

Thankfully the wind was always in our favour! The CFA have been doing an amazing job, and I believe they are still trying to contain the fires around us. We are covered in smoke, and ash and debris, but I am just so thankful that we are safe and our house is standing. So many people have died, and so many homes have been lost from these fires. It is so close to home for me, and a nubmer of my friends have been affected. It's all just too devastating for words.

A bit of beauty in amongst the devastation....a beautiful sunset through the smoke.

If you would like to see any more photos, I have uploaded them to my Facebook account.

On to some good news! I have managed to get a start back on my sewing, and I have been working on my Omi's lap quilt. Remember my desperate post a little while back about the quilt that puckered? See, "Someone please hit me over the head with a fat quarter."

Well, I unpicked all the borders off, and gently ironed on some Iron on interfacing to the back of it. And it worked!! Hurrah!! I was so pleased that at least something went right this week! I have now sewn on all the borders again, and it's no longer puckered. It's looking great and ready to be all put together. My Omi (my mums mum) has always been an avid supporter of my sewing and crafts, and has often given me money as a treat to shop at Spotlight. So this quilt is well over due!!

Please...hit me over the head with a Fat Quarter...

Well, a sudden burst of enthusiasm overtook me last night and this morning to work on the quilt for my Omi. I was so proud of myself for getting stuck into it, and not being distracted by my BOM block, that I soon found myself sewing the borders on, and nearly finishing the quilt top.

Till when I laid it out on the floor, and EGADS! IT PUCKERED!

And badly too! The only reason it doesn't look puckered in the top photo is because it is taped down tightly. It's bad....quite bad...very bad infact. Oh you should have seen my hissy fit. I am so annoyed at myself. I had a feeling it might happen, but pushed those thoughts aside and continued sewing (maybe I did get a little distracted by my BOM block. *sigh*)

So now I don't know what to do. *sob* Any advice? Any help at all? Or am I going to have to unpick all the borders and start again, (please don't say that!) *goes off to sit in the corner and nurse some fat quarters.*