Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Giveaway



thru the red door are having a Christmas Giveaway
pop on over and have a look at what you
could win.

I know I've been slack lately with my blogging
but life is so hectic at the moment.

I haven't been getting much sewing done
but lots of cooking


This cute little Gingerbread House we made and
DD and her girlfriend had a great time
making the snowmen and the teddy sleighs.


Reindeer Cupcakes

Cream Cheese Dip



 Birthday Cake for a friend.
Stacey actually made the cake and I decorated it, so easy.


I actually got a photo of my girls for Christmas a rarity, I know
and there smiling too.....bonus!!!

Not sure if I will get back here until the New Year, so I will
take the opportunity to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year

 Seasons Greetings!

Mandy

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Home from Festival

Well its been a while since I returned from Houston, it took me a while to get over the jetlag,
round about 2 weeks, and with work and Christmas approaching I haven't had
much time to blog.

We had a fabulous time in Houston, it was amazing to see all the quilts and
all the booths at festival, it was a feast for the eyes and it took a few days of looking around before
I could absorb that I was finally there.

Our classes were fabulous and we learnt so much, it was great
meeting all my quilting heroes. We had about 4 classes with Jamie Wallen, I love, love
Jamie he was so inspirational and a great teacher.

and Linda Taylor was fabulous as well.

Antique Quilts, I didn't think I would be so drawn to these gorgeous
quilts, every day I would browse the booths looking at the amazing
quilts, I ended up buying 2 quilt tops that I will quilt myself, both from the
1930's and 40's
Here's Karen with my teal and red applique quilt.
and this is the one Karen brought.

I also had my eye on another feedsack quilt that was
completed but because I procrastinated??? .....  silly me......
I missed out, I didn't realise how drawn I am
to feedsack quilts, oh well I will just have to make my own.

I did manage to buy some fabric, templates, books, threads, panto's
and other bits and pieces, that in the end I had to buy another
suitcase for the trip home


I knew I was in America when I saw the yellow school bus, you wouldn't think that someone could get so excited over a bus, it just reminds me of the Partridge Family and David Cassidy singing
I think I love you, ha ha!!.................... I know I'm showing my age..........and I know the Partridge bus was not yellow...........Ahh!! the memories. But we did have to usher the kind policeman out the
way so we could get this photo!!. He was very obliging.....he was probably thinking crazy tourists
it's just a bus.

It all seems like a dream now and really cannot believe that
I travelled all that way, lucky I have my photos and quilts to
remind me that I wasn't dreaming.

Hugs
Mandy





Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Houston Quilt Festival

Have arrived safely in Houston for the Festival and am having a blast.
We have attended Quilt Market and started our first classes of many.
Today we had two classes with Jamie Wallen, all I can say is amazing, he was
Fabulous in every way and I feel I have learnt buckets today, will follow up with
Photos later, looking forward to more classes tomorrow. Will follow up with
More later on my return.

Cheers
Mandy

Monday, October 24, 2011

Houston



Only 4 more sleeps till Houston, I'm so excited, my
bags are packed and all I need
is for Friday to come around.




Saturday, October 22, 2011

My Working Space


You know how things get shoved in the cupboard and end up
lost forever, well today I found my hidden treasure's and I say
treasures's as I didn't realise how much was in there.

As my Laundry/Sewing Room are shared......... things
get a little tight on space at times and I have the habit of just
opening the door and throwing things in.



But today I came up with the idea of some shelving at the end of the cabinet
right behind the door.
Brilliant!!.....I am so pleased with my self shelves.......... p.s ...it helps also when
hubby is a cabinetmaker........a girl has to have some benefits, right!!

Anyhoo, my lovely DD decided to help me out in empting all the 
cupboards and sorting out my stash.....what a lovey afternoon I had
finding fabric, folding it up nicely and stacking it neatly
in my new shelves.


I am convinced........ no not really........ that,  I don't need to 
go near a fabric shop for a while.
Shame though, its not going to happen............
as I am a self confessed fabraholic.............sigh!!!!!..........Oh well!!!
It could be worse.
 
 
I was in my element this afternoon with all this
yummy goodness......... even my DD was getting
excited...... she was planning a few quilts
for herself.........Shhh!! don't tell her but I think I
have her hooked.
 
Oh No!.... not two fabraholics in the family. Life's tough hey!!
 
Here she is working on her second quilt in the last month,
she already has plans for number three and four as presies for friends.
It's nice to have something in common, I will post photos
of the quilt she is working on soon............here's a hint, its made with Good Fortune by Kate Spain.

See you Soon

Mandy

Thursday, October 20, 2011

30 Sucks - Gift Idea

We all find it hard at times to come up with an idea
for a birthday pressie, but I stumbled
across this fabulous idea the other day on pinterest.

found@sistersstuff.blogspot.com

Perfect present for someone who you just want to
buy a small gift for, but with an added sense of humour.
You can change it up to any number.
Its so easy to make without a lot of effort and time.
(cause we all know we have plenty of that.............ha ha!!)
I bet you will get compliments.

Give it a try!!

Mandy


Sunday, October 16, 2011

Lovely

Very simple but very gorgeous, this quilt made by my
daughter for her friends twenty first birthday.

Made from a Layer Cake with "Lovely" by Sandy Gervais and
a narrow border, this quilt is a very simple and easy first quilt to make.


I have quilted an  all over Panto called Hearts in Bloom by Timeless Quilting. 
All in all I think she did a great job and her girlfriend loved the quilt.

Happy Quilting!!

Mandy

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Houston International Quilt Festival

Well it's time to fess up, I am so excited as it's only two weeks until 
International Quilt Festival in Houston
and I am going....arrrghhh!!!

I am so excited I could burst, Karen from
Quilts on Bastings and I are heading to Houston for the Show and
some Longarm classes. We have been planning
and booking over the last few months and I figure
I can start to get excited..... a little bit anyway!!!!
(don't let me down Qantas)

We have booked classes with Irena Bluhm, Sue
Patten, Jamie Wallen and Linda Taylor, it will be
so exciting meeting and learning from these icons
of the quilting world.

I must admit I am a nervous flyer and feel a little
trepidation about being so far from the family, after all, it is half way
across the world, but I know
I will have the best time ever.

I will definitely be taking lots of photos and will probably bore
you all with the details when I get back.

So its back to packing and washing and double checking
I have everything, its so hard to think of what you will need and
I'm not good at packing lightly, but I will force myself, as I know I will probably be sitting on my case 
to close it for the return trip.


Happy Quilting!!

Mandy



Friday, September 9, 2011

Farmers Wife Quilt Sampler

Yes!! I have joined in on the Farmers Wife Sampler Quilt
and I must say I was a bit hesitant at first cause I know
that I am good at starting things but not finishing them, so I thought
it will just end up in the cupboard.

But these are really addictive.

Box

Bat Wing

Big Dipper

Attic Windows

Autumn Tints

Basket Weave

All of them looking pretty together, not
sure if I'm liking the dark brown, but that can be changed later on.

I was orginally going to do these by templates, but gave up on that,
then tried paper piecing, definatley gave that a miss, my blocks were
not coming out the size that they should. Then I discovered
Lori's blog Bee in my Bonnet and I followed a few of her
tutorials on working on graph paper to rotary cut them,
much, much, better.

Sigh!!!
Now it is much more fun and I'm learning along the way.


Happy Quilting!
Mandy

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Daisies in the Snow

A finish finally, I have been dragging my butt latley and needed to
get some motivation going, and taa dah!!!

I made this quilt for my friend Lillian for her birthday, which was the
4th July, (that's how far behind I am)

But it's complete now and I love how it looks and love, the
quilting.

I have free motioned flowers on each snowball block,
with pebbling for the centres.  The corners I
have done a smaller version but with less petals, I really
enjoyed quilting this one.


I love the back just as much, I was a little worried about how it would look on the back
as I thought I  might have to do in the ditch but chose not to and it looks great. This quilt can be used
both ways. So enjoy Lillian and Happy Belated birthday!


Cheers!
Mandy



Friday, August 12, 2011

Sunny Darwin

Recently hubby and I and our good friends went to visit my
brother in Darwin

The weather was gorgeous and a great escape from
the bitter cold of Melbourne

Darwin Harbour

We had a fabulous time looking around Darwin
and the many attractions. Three Years ago this harbour
development was a dirt bowl so we certainly have noticed a big change.
Now with the new Wave Pool and Convention centre it certainly
has become a busy place.

Wave Pool and Convention Centre


Florence Falls

Next we headed to Litchfield Park and visited the many waterfalls
and billabongs, we had a swim at Wangi Fall which was very refreshing.


Termite Mound on my brothers property

Jumping Crocodiles

We also visited the Jumping Crocodiles at Adelaide River, which is a must
when visiting Darwin. It was amazing to see these
wild animals in their natural habitat and surprising at how
high these animals can jump, when a bit of food is offered. This is
one boat you do not want to fall off, of, as you would certainly be
somebody's dinner.

We also visited Mindle Market, Cullen Bay and Fannie Bay, its such a pretty place 
with some fabulous restaurants, hence the reason that I now
need to do some serious excercise.

If you get the chance Darwin is a great place to visit and the weather is fabulous, I certainly
could get use to it.

Cheers!!
Mandy

Monday, August 1, 2011


The Craft Fair was on here in Melbourne over the weekend
and I met up with a few blogger ladies.
(I didn't get any photos.......sorry)


Miriam - Yellow Roses
Christine - McDonalds Patch

 It was nice to meet you ladies and have a chat and no doubt I will see
you all in blogland.

Now the other reason for attending
the show was for this (below). I have been eyeing one of these off
for a long time and finally I have my own.

So I have been busy playing with my new toy, haven't done any 
sewing yet just cutting, but boy this is addictive and sooo
fast  !!


Also I have been seeing everyones blocks for the Farmers Wife Sampler
Quilt and decided to join in the fun, don't think I will be able to keep up so will 
dawdle along at my own pace. So any tips from those who have already started
would be much appreciated
Not sure which fabrics I will make it in yet.

Anyhow
Have a great day !

Mandy


Saturday, July 30, 2011

Hip Hip Horray!!!


Well today is a special day, my baby is 21, Happy Birthday
Simone
 


Who would of belived that this cute little baby would grow and mature to become


 
this beautiful woman.


I say this because when Simone was 15 she had an abcess
on her brain and had to have emergency surgery which involved
a month in hospital and copious amounts of antibiotics. She also lost her
beautiful hair that was down to her waist, which at 15 was a major
thing.
But she has developed into a beautiful, talented, woman and hopefully now can put
her health issues behind her.
So  have a fantastic day and I love you heaps my gorgeous girl.
Luv
Mum 
XXOO





Thursday, July 28, 2011

A little bit of Australiana

Recently we went for a visit to Balranald, New South Wales and 
from Melbourne its about a 5 hour trip there and back.

We had a great weekend with awesome company and hospitality.
We were taken around Balranald and enjoyed the picturesque countryside

Yanga Sheep Station 1916

The Sheep Shearing Season in Balranald occurred generally from August to
September. it coincided with a high river so the paddles steamers could navigate the 
Murrumbidgee River. The wool could then be transported to market
shortly after shearing occurred.


The station has been closed now for three years but you
could still smell the sheep who had previously passed through.
About 90,000 sheep were shawn each season.

One of the caretakers cottages.

Yanga Homestead


On the way we passed through Taradale and this beautiful bridge
is still in operation today.

As you can see I had fun with the sepia in Photoshop just to give
you more sense of the time.

Shearers quarters

The weather was glorious and we were getting around in Tshirts in the middle of winter.
Maybe I should consider Balranald for retirement.
 
All in all it was a great weekend.
Seeya
Mandy

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Kym's Quilt

I have been on a roll lately and getting some finishes done.

Kym's Quilt

A little while ago my daughter was bored and asked could
she make a quilt, so I had a spare jelly roll lying 
around and to keep it simple, being she's new to quilting, we
came up with this.
Not difficult, but none the less good for a beginner, this quilt has been on my pile
of  to do's for quite a while, ok, ok, a long time, as my daughter has since moved out of home
brought a house and become engaged.
This quilt was going to go nicely with my decor but as DD has
a home of her own now, she has claimed it and is always nagging
me about getting it finished.

I cannot quite remember the name of the fabric, so if anyone can
let me know it would be much appreciated.



I just did a pantograph all over, nice and easy

So DD your quilt is complete and you can now relax
on the couch and admire your work I mean your
 clever, talented, fantastic, best mother in the worlds, work he he!!!
 
Click on the Fabric Tuesday Button on the side bar for more yummy goodness.

Seeya  !!
Mandy


Thursday, July 21, 2011

A Gardeners Journal - Finish

A finish !!!....Yes.... but its not mine.


Lynda (AussieNeedleNut) and dear friend asked me to quilt her quilt and I have just finished,
she has given me permission to post about it, even though she hasn't seen it
 yet, as Hubby and I are off to the Country to deliver her quilt
and enjoy a weekend with Lynda and her hubby. Excited!!!!......

I know that she will be sneak peaking so Hi Lynda, hope you 
like my work.


I have meandered inbetween her stitcheries with a free motion
stitching which I call Hodge Podge its just a mixture of, leaves flowers,
feathers and loops and curves.

I  have feathered the borders starting from the middle
working out towards the ends


So I hope you love your quilt Lynda ...crossing fingers.... and we
will see you soon. Roll on weekend as I am excited about
our little getaway....whoo hoo!!

Soon I will be posting my finish of the same quilt, just a little lot behind in the
stitch a long, no worries
I will get there in the end.


Happy Quilting!
Mandy