Going "over the border"!

 After a busy time of preparation, cutting and packing ready for this weekends Kaniva Quilt show, we took some time out today to sit in the pergola and relax before going 'over the border'. We did go down to the street yesterday to get some fuel in the car, and Raylene said she felt like we were 'escaping'! And today, sitting in the pergola she said it felt as though she was on holiday!! I must admit to feeling a bit lost myself as the 'to do' list has all been crossed off! Next week it will be back into action with Max.

                                      

It was pleasant outside today and the temperature reached 26deg, and I had to look for a T Shirt for the first time this season. It has been jumpers for so long, and even the fire up until the last few days.

All the preparation has been a team effort and I am so thankful and very blessed to have such great friends, doing what they love to do, and do best. I love to select the fabrics and bundle them together into kits of packs and design with EQ. Pat is the maths guru and checks my calculations and counts the pieces of the fabrics. And my fairy, aka Raylene, puts the finishing touches to all of this. She folds and packs and ties the ribbons and makes the packs all look lovely............

..............and Yvonne also loves to put the finishing touches and package things nicely. While they do that job, I can work on the next fabric selections and more cutting.

........one of the fabric bundles packed by Raylene. 

After our 'sojourn' in the pergola at lunch time, we packed the car and drove 'over the border'.

....you can see there was just enough room in the front for Raylene and I!

It didn't take too long to unpack it all, but trying to work out how to fit it all on the tables was the next job. This is how we left it this afternoon, and we will be doing some fine tuning in the morning.

On the way home we played being a 'tourist' and drove around the town. They have joined the many towns of our country and painted their silos.

Around the streets of Kaniva there are many sheep, all painted in different colours. I snapped a few but there were many more.

In the centre of the main street is a windmill, and alongside is the Windmill Cafe.

The patchwork group is called the Windmill Stitchers so I must investigate and find out a bit more of the significance of Windmills in Kaniva. We enjoyed our afternoon out after a busy period.

We would love to see you at the Quilt show tomorrow or Sunday. It seems a long time since I have caught up with Victorian quilting groups, and perhaps feel like we have been 'let out of school'!!

Blessings, From Jude

Kaniva Quilt show

 Not long now until the Kaniva Quilt show, this weekend. It's all systems go at Number 8 this week, preparing things for sale. Looking forward to meeting up with quilters this weekend. After the shut downs of the last few years, I am sure there will be lots of quilts on display.

Hope to see you there.

Blessings, From Jude

The Retreat that wasn't...... Refugees from the floods

 Sometime ago, I marked in my diary scheduled visits by these 2 ladies. The first being Wednesday afternoon for a coffee stop on their journey across the border with the intention to attend the SCQuilters retreat at Lilydale. They had planned to travel across country north of Melbourne city and down to Lilydale, and stay at Number 8 on their return trip Monday evening. They drove through a lot of rain to get to my place, and across the border there was more.

Leaving here mid afternoon  they made it to Horsham for the first night stay. Next morning they set off across country. Photos were sent of the wet countryside. 

They made it to St Arnaud, and were planning to head to Bendigo, but further up the road they came to a stop. I have "borrowed" some comments from their facebook page which tell more of the story.....  

"cant’ go over it, can’t go under it, can’t go around it… and the nice policeman said not to go through it!"

" every which way was blocked by water over the road - couldn’t get through to Bendigo - now can’t get anywhere so sitting in a motel playing patience!"

I received a message telling me they were coming back to SA and would stay here for their "retreat" if they couldn't get through to Lilydale. Raylene had arrived since they had called in the day before so we were looking forward to their company.  The beds were made, the wood barrow filled and I put a roast in the oven to cook ready for their arrival!! They made an attempt to drive back to Horsham and return to SA but............  

"the nice policeman did say the road to Horsham was open! And it didn’t look that bad/far until we got into it!  .....   And the nice man in the ute cleared the water for us and was there to haul us out… together with the 4WD in front of him!"

".........back in last night’s room at the motel! They hadn’t even had time to change the sheets!"

  I probably added insult to injury when I sent them a photo that evening of Raylene enjoying the yummy roast lamb that I had cooked for them! (and do notice that she has to eat while on the job!!)

Saturday morning I received this message...... we're up and dressed and leading the high life...... have been to IGA, now drinking coffee in the local shop.....very hospitable people.... chatting up the locals about the roads and when we say we're trying to get back to SA, they just groan and look sympathetic!......

After 2 nights in the motel at St Arnaud and playing tourist, they discovered someone who told them of a road that was passable to get them back to SA. The road to Horsham was still closed but they went by a roundabout route through Donald, Warracknabeal and down to Dimboola, so they hurriedly packed their gear, for the second day in a row, and headed off. But this time they didn't tell me of their plans until they were safely passed the road they were worried about, and on the road close to Horsham!

The Vic maps that detailed road closures were followed carefully for the latest updates............as the were lots of places with flooding............

About 6pm Saturday evening, 3 days after they had left they returned to Number 8, (instead of the planned 5 nights after).

They had packed quilts for Show and Tell at the SCQuilters conference, so we photographed them here and they posted them to the facebook page of the SCQuilters. Some amazing work in these quilts!!

There was lots of relaxing and time with the screens, and note that one lady is working hard! 

I had my collection of Batiks sitting on the table ready for some cutting, and Dot spent time colour coordinating them for me. I had planned to cut a lot for sale, but after her doing such a good job, I have put some back on the shelf with a kit in mind instead.

After a couple of nights in Bordertown they packed up again and headed back to the city. Although it wasn't quite the trip they had planned, it was definitely a good story to tell.

While this flood story has a good ending, we are mindful that there are many stories with not such good endings. Our sympathy goes out to those whose houses have been flooded and those who have lost income from flooded crops and business'.

Blessings, From Jude

The same old story.................

 Once again I am way behind in updating newsfromjude, as well as reading blogs and replying to comments. Where do the weeks go?? And what has happened? Not many photos in the files either.

Since the retreat concerning the quilters descending, life has been very full on. The day after the last guest departed I packed up and went "down" the highway. This was the first trip over the border to see DD3 and family for 3 years. I was rather apprehensive about the drive, with all the traffic in Melbourne, and it was raining, but thankfully the phone and Google Maps did not let me down.  It was lovely to spend some time and be with Mt Jett for his 3rd birthday.

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Earlier in the week I was talking to a customer from over the border and their group was preparing for their quilt show, which was due to open the day after I drove home from Melbourne. She was very kind and told me to phone her when I was travelling through Stawell and I could have a sneak peak!! Thanks Lois, it was good to catch up with you and your group. I will only post a couple of pics of their amazing quilts, as I don't have permission from the owners. But as I have posted these 2 earlier in my customer quilting post, I know it's ok to post again. They always look so different in a hanging position. I love the purple one and how the colours are placed.

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A couple of days after I arrived home from Melbourne was the scheduled 100 year reunion of the Jervois Primary School where my 3 girls went to Primary School. I had been undecided about attending and eventually decided something had to 'give' in my life, so stayed home. I do admit to having serious FOMO, especially after looking at photos that were posted on the facebook page after the event. One thing I will say, is how "unrecognisable" some people were, and I was thankful for name tags. It certainly brings it home to me that I am much older too!! It was more than 30 years ago that we left that district.

The next 2 photos are ones that include DD1 and DD3 that were on display at the reunion, and how quickly all those little people have grown up and are now in their 40's.

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Last weekend it was very special to have a lovely catchup with Faye and Kim who were on their way home from a holiday. Pat and Michelle came for the afternoon and we reminisced about our Aussie Quilters USA tour in 2018 that we all went on.

Faye, Kim and I then enjoyed an evening meal at the local hotel.

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I have spent some time with Max, and will update those in another post "sometime".

I have had a bit of stitching time making QFO quilts, which I will also post about later.

The garden is being neglected once again, and the back vegie garden was looking quite weed free at one stage, until we have had more rain and the weeds have grown almost overnight. I need to plant my summer vegies, but that will have to wait for another couple of weeks yet.

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Most of my time has been spent with bolts of fabrics and making up bundles and Ready, Set and Sew kits. Preparation is underway for another 2 markets that are coming up soon.

A few bolts have been emptied......

.....more time spent with EQ8 and scanning fabrics and cutting.......

....sorting more stuff..............

.........cutting another collection..........

...and a bundle of greys for a kit............

........all of this in preparation, ready for the fairy to come and add her 'magic touch' in the folding and packing!!

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Our next market will be at the Kaniva Quilt Show next weekend. This time next Friday we will be crossing the border and setting up ready for the show on Saturday and Sunday. We would love to see you there!!

They have their sign up at the entrance to the town.

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I showed this quilt awhile ago, and yesterday received the exciting news that it won a prize at the Nhill Show this week!

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Time to post this update, and get back to my "to do" list. My fairy (and also whip cracker) arrived by train yesterday, so is keeping me on my toes as there is still a lot to pack and sort. 

My apologies to those who have commented on recent posts, I thankyou and will get back to you 'sometime'. 

The weather has turned into cold and wet again here this week, but not as wet as many parts of our country. While it is lovely to have the rain and see the green grass, perhaps there is too much in areas that have flooded and our hearts go out to you. 

Back to work I go............

Blessings, From Jude

Churn Dash update

 

It is the end of the month and I am supposed to update my progress of Chooky's Churn Dash SAL. I admit to not making any more progress since I posted back on August 10th when I completed the top. Sadly my top is still being patient in the queue, and even with the backing chosen, and waiting for my quilter to get her act together. 

Hopefully she will be able to do something in the next month. I am not sure if it needs to be totally completed by end of October or not?? If I did an allover quilting job, it could be done soon, but part of the quilter in me would like to custom it, and that would take up time I am not sure I have in the next month?? Decisions, decisions. Watch this space.

I have spent time tonight in catching up on blog reading, so am feeling pretty good about that, but I guess over the weekend that people will post and I will be behind again?

Blessings, From Jude

Happy birthday

This post is a day late, but better late than never. 

 Yesterday was the 3rd birthday of this little guy. And is the first birthday he has had and not been in lockdown!! So really the first time he has been able to celebrate with family and friends. 

It was lovely to be able to share this time yesterday after my 6 hour drive to Melbourne for a visit, my first trip over for 3 years.

Doesn't his face say it all.

Blessings, from Jude 

The Quilters descended......................

 

We have just had the best retreat, that lasted from last Tuesday, to this morning!! The above words were written by one lady in the guest book so I had to share. Ladies came and went, some for 3 nights, some for 5 and a few day visitors who stayed elsewhere, as well as local ladies who called in to say hello.

It was just so special to be able to gather in greater numbers again, after an absence of more than 2 years. I am humbled that quilters want to "descend" to my place. Friendships were renewed and others met for the first time. 

Another message said in part...thanks for a memorable time with your memorable friends.......  Another comment in the guest book.......I have missed my Bordertown time... old friends, new friends, lots of laughs.... a few 'bubbles', I have really relaxed, No 8 is better than therapy..... oh, almost forgot, I quilted too!

Robyn was the first arrival after driving 3 hours from her home, and soon set to work with her project, a hand appliqued sloth!

Progress was made over the next few days..........

..and now it's ready for quilting at home. 

Pat was the next arrival and was on a mission to sew the borders on a quilt that will be a wedding gift for her grandson................

When she had finished, I loaded it to Max and it was quilted with an allover pattern. Then it was time for some binding, and here she is working on this. The quilt was VERY large, and she is pulling it back onto the table!! Soon after this, a chair was placed in a strategic position to support the weight.

The next arrival was Dot, who came bearing some goodies, and Pat is choosing her favourite flavour!!

Here is Pat's quilt laid out on the bed, so you can see how large it is.

Then it was time to work on the next project. Quilters always have 'the next one'.

Dot set to work on a quilt that needed the borders added, and then pieced a backing, and this was my next job. Note that I am not the only one that wanders around taking photos!!

Dot then set out to finish another quilt and here she is about to add the burgundy border, with Pat also at the cutting table.

The borders are going on........

.............and then I had another quilt to load onto Max.............

....and here is Dot's next project in progress.......

.............and a finish just before her departure. This one will be quilted by Dot.......edit..... but only after Dot does some reverse stitching and shifts the block in the centre around. (error spotted by Pat after the blog was posted)

And her next WIP being laid out.

It wasn't all work, with some socializing when friends called in to say hello..........

.....................and evenings were for sharing.

Thursday was a declared Public Holiday for Australia, to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth. 

Some of the girls decided that they would start the celebrations at breakfast that morning, with a toast of Champagne and orange juice!!

..............and the celebrations continued into lunch time!

.....and we made a full day of the celebrations by partaking in afternoon tea using my grandmother's cups and saucers, and eating cucumber sandwiches and scones with jam and cream!

There was a debate about whether the little finger should be up while we drank our tea??

Julie was working on a string quilt, using these colours, and sorry I forgot to get a pic of her blocks before she left.

Yvonne continued with the string border for her quilt and decided to do a bit of sorting on the strings!

Ruth brought 2 quilt kits all cut and ready to sew, and wondered why she didn't get them both finished! Some of her time was spent in deep discussion, and I believe she spent time at the local golf course as well. (Robyn is also a golfer, so they had lots to discuss!)

Ruth brought a quilt top with her that she was having some issues with, and I offered to quilt it for her. This quilt had some very friendly borders, but it is done.

Then it was time to set to work with her green and purple.............

.................and now a decision was needed to be made re the border.............

.....and here is another quilt that Max has finished off....................

.......and I've just received this photo with the striped binding attached, ready for hand sewing!!

Now onto the next kit, but only this progress before it was time to depart............ but I don't expect it will be long before I receive a pic of the finished top from home.

                             Time for an afternoon cuppa, and note, that there is no bottle in sight!

Gayle was working on a block of the month project and was the quiet achiever over 5 days. It is very special that she drives an 8 hour journey to come and stay with us. Gayle was last here in March 2020, just before the border was shut.. 

Each block was printed and placed into plastic sleeves in a folder, with the pieces already cut. Such organisation, and I know someone else who loves this idea.

                                     There was some night sewing one evening....................

..................perhaps they were helped along?

Here are the blocks that Gayle made...... lots of triangles in these blocks and she is a very precise sewer........... another edit..... but apparently not quite correct as Raylene has spotted the top left corner that needs to be turned around!! (Just as well there are some eagle eyed ladies, and just as well it was spotted before quilting!!)

Saturday afternoon was the AFL grand final and one lady had a relative playing in the Sydney team, so the TV was switched on, with no sound, so we could watch. If you know what the final score was, it would be no surprise that the TV was switched off before the end!! A very one sided match.

Val came to visit one morning, and renewed friendships.

The cook had a night off one night and we went to the local hotel. 

After quilting 5 quilts with Max, it was now time for me to sit and sew, and I had these jelly roll strips in a tub to use up. This is my progress so far......

That "other camera" caught me as I was taking the 'recycle' rubbish out to the bin!! 

This is the group photo for this retreat.

It was disappointing that Raylene (the fairy) was unable to be here, due to family issues, and I know she was suffering FOMO. We kept in contact with her over the week with phone calls and photos, so she could still feel like she was a part of the gathering.

Pat had left us on Thursday evening to go to Adelaide for her grandson's birthday party, but called in on Sunday evening on her way home and we enjoyed tea and a birthday cake to celebrate Pat's birthday.

And now it's Monday. This morning it was time to say good bye to Gayle. All is quiet in the house after a fantastic week.

The washing machine has been working, bathroom cleaned, fridge cleared out, some beds remade and  the kitchen sorted. The weather is drizzly, so the washing is hanging  by the fire, and my lounge looks like a chinese laundry. I might even admit to having a little nanna nap by the fire about lunch time.

We haven't watched any news, or read the paper for almost a week so it must be time to get back into the real world. Be back soon.

Blessings, From Jude