Kaniva Quilt show

Just a reminder that the Windmill Stitchers of Kaniva are holding their quillt exhibition this weekend. Perhaps I might see you there.

Gotta go, the rain is pouring down and the thunder is rumbling, so think I might switch the computer off and just listen to the rain. It is still hot outside and very humid, so staying by the air con and hoping the power doesn't go out.

Blessings, From Jude

Aussie Retreat Report

With the Aussie retreat only a few days away, this is what the entrance door looked like. Most of these boxes had been delivered for someone else, but a couple of them were horn sewing chairs that I had ordered last month. Thankfully the owner of the larger boxes collected them on Wednesday, which cleared the entry somewhat. Which meant that I had 2 days to either shift the other boxes to somewhere else, or perhaps find the time to assemble the chairs????

When Helen called to collect something the next day, I accepted her offer to help assemble the chairs, which cleared the doorway ready for retreat.

Now we have 2 new sewing chairs, (which are very appropriately decorated to match,) in the sewing room. Thanks Helen.

The flags were flying on the front table, and a few other Aussie decorations were around, and of course we had our Aussie headwear. Three of us purchased Aussie shirts which we were proud to wear.

We had some Aussie food, some savoury biscuits in the shape of our country, and an Australia tablecloth on the table,.................

..... the iced VoVo's, Tim Tams, Lamingtons, Arnotts biscuits, and some scones, as well as some rissoles, sausages, vanilla slice, fish and chips, and a pavlova.

In between all the laughs, and the stories that are shared, there was some sewing achieved. Pat was busy putting Cleapotra's Fan blocks together for a new quilt that she has designed. Of course, we all know that she has finished all her other UFO's don't we?? LOL!

All the blocks were made, and there is thinking time needed to decide on the next step, so here is another quilt started, and this is as far as Pat had progressed, before she received a phone call from hubby telling her that she was needed in the cattle yards at home!!

Julie was very busy hand sewing hexagons together for a quilt,............

                .....and this was her progress, after 2 days sewing. Sorry it is only a photo of the back of the quilt, but it is secret sewing at this stage.

Erica spent some time sewing bindings for quilts that will be on display at the Kaniva exhibition next week..................

.......................and then she started sewing the blocks for a child's quilt..........................

..........and here is her TaDa moment.

Cathie spent some time making hexagons, and her pile gradually grew............

                                     until she had more.......................

before deciding that a change of pace would be good, and a start was made on this quilt. There were some more blocks made, but sorry, no photo.

A decision was needed to purchase fabric for sashings for these sashiko blocks, and she chose the yellow as a contrast.

"Somebody" decided that we needed some brain exercises and handed out these word puzzles, and a few people received rewards for their efforts. My mind just closed off as soon as I looked at the page!

Margaret was sewing these "licorice allsorts" blocks, and I think there was some unpicking happening as well as stitching............

.....until her TaDa moment. There is still more to be added yet.

Val spent time making another child's book for me, as well as keeping tabs on the cricket and tennis scores on the tele..............

.....................and then settled in to making some string blocks.

Yazmin made more Log Cabin blocks for a quilt for her Grandma, and laid them out in 3 different layouts, and sent phone photos for her to choose from......................

.............and then this was her Ta Daa moment with the centre assembled, before borders are added.

We received visits from a few locals, who called in for cuppas, and some joined us for meals. Jocelyn came with some blocks and asked for opinions about finishing them. 

Of course, there are always more opinions than you perhaps want!

Raylene was handquilting and binding a charity quilt, and then took time out to occupy 2 little girls who had made cushions earlier in the week. They played games .......

and did crafty things......................

...while Grandma managed to get some sewing done.

Proudly showing the results of their time.....................................

.............and Grandma managed to sew borders to 2 quilts like this. This lady is one amazing quilter who also manages to quilt her own quilts on her domestic machine!!! 

And here is the obligatory group photo, with them all being good sports wearing the Aussie ears!?

Thanks girls for coming and making it such a great weekend celebrating this great country that we live in.

Blessings, From Jude

This and That, and This and That............

As promised, I am back with a newsfromjude update. Since the last post 11 days ago, there has not been a lot of quilting happening. I finished the quilts needed for the Kaniva exhibition and have spent lots of time sorting "stuff". I think, I think, I think, I can....... make some progress, but it is slow.

 I have spread over 2 rooms with piles everywhere, and have until this Friday to get the tables cleared, ready for the influx of Aussie retreaters.

I returned Mr 9 year old to the city one Friday, and we called into visit with my Dad on the way, and he was pleased to see us.

Mum travelled to the city with us, and looked after Mr 9 year old while I went to an appointment. And we met another passenger in the city, who came home with me to spend a few days in Bordertown.

 The scrap drawers have been sorted again, and lots more squares cut with the new Go cutter that was purchased to replace the old one. My "cutting fairy" has moved from her "L's" to her full licence now, and all the drawers are labelled with the contents. You can see that even the scrap squares have been sorted into colours!!

Much has been achieved and 2 new book cushions were made for the grandies, thanks to my fairy.

And Val turned up one day, wanting to know what she could do, and now those tiny squares that I posted about before Christmas, have been made into a couple of little child's books. Thankyou Val.

5 days later, I made another trip to the city and my fairy returned home, after a very busy 5 days of sorting, decluttering, shredding, and getting "stuff" sorted. I made a stop in Murray Bridge on the way home to do some shopping for more coffee pods, and had not intended to call on Mum. But, who should I meet as I came out of the shop, but my Mum!! I was sprung. And who else should I meet, but my sister. So an impromptu coffee break was then on the agenda. (Note to self - don't try and drive straight through town without telling mum!)

After that little interlude I casually strolled into the clothes shop, and they were having a big sale, that was too good to resist. (Another note to self - wear your reading glasses when shopping for clothes and next time you might read the correct size, instead of reading a 6 as an 0!!)

Back home again, and more clearing and sorting, and moving tables so I could wash the windows. (I won't show a photo of what I found behind the table that had not been moved for a loooong time, but I think you might get the picture!)

I even washed the window, and dusted all those ribbons, before pinning them all back on the clean curtains! This corner feels a lot more organised now, but I still need to get into the filing cabinet, where some of the files go back many, many years.

On Friday, the Melbourne family arrived for a couple of nights. And we all headed up the highway again on Saturday to go to the Barossa and attend Mr Tate's first birthday party.

This is Miss 19 year old getting to know Mr Jett. The oldest and the youngest of my grandchildren.

And Mum with her 16th great grandchild. (the 17th was born on January 8th, and the 18th is due in April, so they are mounting up.)

Miss Billie loved playing with all the other children.

Mr Tate has certainly changed in his first year, as you can see by these photos.

I think Mr Tate was rather stage struck at the party, and the normally smiley boy was very serious.

And I finally managed to get a photo of all of my grandchildren together. But due to the fact that Tate was not going to anyone but his mum or dad hold him, we have his Mum in the picture with the 10. (She doesn't look much older than the rest does she??) 

So by Sunday I was feeling a bit jet-lagged and after church I decided it was time for rest. I picked up a book to read, and spent the rest of the day in the recliner. Perhaps doing 3 highway trips in 8 days with all the sorting in between might be a reason, don't you??

Last night we were very blessed to receive 10mls of rain in the gauge. This is very welcome after so many hot days. Today I have spent time doing some overdue housework, and turned Max on to do some of the quilt that was loaded many days ago.

This afternoon a friend called in with 2 of her granddaughters, who are staying with her for 10 days. We set them up with a sewing machine each, and they enjoyed trying out the various fancy stitches, and different threads. This resulted in a cushion for each of them to take home. In between threading up the new threads, their grandma managed to sew some log cabin blocks together. Wonder if we might eventually have another couple of quilters??

Well, that's about all the newsfromjude for now. I hope to get that quilt finished this week, and prepare for this weekend's Aussie retreat. I have found the flags in the tub in the shed and even purchased an Australia Day shirt in that shop this week. Will be back with a full report soon.

Blessings, From Jude