Chair Rescue

We needed a chair for our holiday shack. It didn't need to be large or imposing, just comfortable.

I had just the corner for it and it would complete the conversation square.
I mentioned this to Mr L & R and suggested he should perhaps keep his eye out during council clean up.
I put my order in for what it should look like.
I got a phone call from Mr L & R saying he had seen something that resembled my order along the street on his way to work.
It had been raining so I could only imagine that it probably wouldn't be worth rescuing, however we decided to give it a go and if it was no good we could then dump it.
Home it came and after it had time to dry out we sat on it , it was really comfortable so off to the Humpy it went to see if it belonged in the afore mentioned corner. Just perfect, so off to find some upholstery weight fabric.
First stop Material Obsession and the first bolt we picked we loved or should I say I loved, Mr L & R was a little dubious about the cabbages. He however took some photos of different fabrics on his beloved i phone , over the next week or so he was flicking back across some photos and he said that this particular fabric was really growing on him, whoo hoo the cabbage fabric it was going to be.
That purchased next it was off to the upholsterer Jan. Jan is on the Central Coast just north of Sydney and does the most amazing job. We have had her make slip covers, curtains ,chairs etc. so if you are in this area and need a good upholsterer this is the lady . (just click on the link) so this is the rescued chair, what do you think ?
I think I might claim this seat in the house as it is a perfect spot for sewing, beside a window with wonderful light.

you'll notice the detail of the piping around the seat cushion , so I think a small cushion in the same fabric with finish off the look perfectly.

Until next time

Happy chair hunting

j

Figs, Fabric and Fun

Yesterday I got to play at the gorgeous Broderie's place.
It was a day filled with lots of laughter and fun . As usual on these days there is loads of chatter, sew and tell , sharing and eating. Really what more could a girl want. you'll notice that everything that was consumed had a taste of fabric included.

even desert was accompanied with fabric.

We played masterchef judges on Liz's invention test. The decision was unanimous , Liz and her Salmon and Crab Quiche was the outright winner.

The ambiance of Liz's home is utter gorgeousness. Full of inspiration.

Those of you that read Liz's blog will have followed the journey on her HST. It looks really lovely in real life. There are still a few more rounds to be added but when you get to play with all your favourite bits of fabric who cares how long the journey takes.

The crowns are now together , just waiting to be hand quilted.

catching up with past acquaintances

and meeting new ones. Each with lovely stories.

Yesterday morning I had a quick walk to find an ATM. I came across this amazing queue outside the ANZ bank. It was Saturday, banks are not open on Saturday, I could only imagine they must have been giving money away, why else would you join a queue this long on a Saturday morning. I needed to get to Liz's I didn't have time for that queue.

This is just a snap shot of winter in Melbourne.

I so love Melbourne at any time of the year.

I thought you might be interested in a new blog I have listed on my sidebar. Osh Kosh Potatoes.

My brother and his mate are off to Osh Kosh in the US this week and have decided to log their journey.

He is my younger brother so I loads of memories of his younger days and that being as long as I can remember he wanted to fly planes.

Not only has he achieved that but he also built this amazing plane, a Falco , which took him on a ten year journey to completion. (never complain about how long it takes to complete a quilt lol)

I know he has wanted to take this trip to Osh Kosh for many years so this is the year. I am sure their record of this trip will have some amusing content, so pop by and say gidday and tell him I sent you.

I still have loads more but I will save that for next time.

Happy times

j

Sometimes Travel for Work

has its advantages.
This week has found me in Melbourne on a work assignment. Imagine my delight when I discovered the Quilt fair was on and only a 5 min walk from my office.
I planned my workshops to have a longer than usual break around lunchtime on Friday. I was scheming a quick whip around of the show.
I scanned the site map and discovered Threadbare had a stand as did Theodore Cleave.

I was standing at the threadbare stand when I heard a voice say Jean. Very quickly in my head I thought who would know me here, but looked around to hear a voice saying "Sue-Anne and this is Jan who works at Patchwork on Stonleigh"
I think we all had a little squeal and giggle, this was amazing , Jan had recognised me, well you can imagine ,chatter was going ninety to the dozen trying to get a zillion things said , however when things calmed down I did manage to get my camera out a catch a snap.
Wow, I think I am still pinching myself to be at the same stand at the same time, I can only say that it was meant to be.
I have long admired Sue-Anne's work and we have very similar tastes and ideas. Many an email has passed between us.
It was really lovely to meet Jan as well, Jan does not have a blog , maybe we might be able to convince her though.
Jan works at Patchwork on Stonleigh , a shop that I have long been a member of their fabric club and a shop that is on my radar to visit in the not to distant future. It is lovely to be able to put a face to the voice at the other end of the phone.
Sue-Anne, moi and Jan

I have to say this was the purpose for my visit to Threadbare, Corliss has began her version of this wonderful quilt that has been doing the rounds of the net in the past few months. Corliss's quilt still has to have the outer borders added, but what I have seen so far is truly wonderful.

I also had the pleasure of re igniting a past friendship, Barb Smith , Barb is the very talented designer behind Theodora Cleave. I knew Barb many years ago from Canberra before she moved interstate. Marg Low from Marg Low designs was helping out on Barb's stand ,it was lovely to meet Marg also, you may remember I made many coat hangers from one of her patterns as gifts last Christmas.Marg is also a very talented designer and does the most beautiful work.

As I have been travelling so much recently my sewing has had to take a back seat, I find it is much easier to pack a little cross stitch, hence I have dragged out this Beatrix Potter Sampler from sometime back.

Today I am off to have a days play at the lovely Liz's home. It is sewing day with the girls and I am getting to join in woho. See travel can have its advantages.

I fly home tonight at 8.30 pm into Newcastle and get to have a day or so at the 'Humpy'

I have loads to catch up on so maybe another post tomorrow.

Until then

Happy times

j

Introducing

I said I would let you know as soon as Brigitte had her website up and running.
Today she has launched http://www.brigittegiblin.com.au/ . I don't think that will be her permanent address , this is a start and I am sure Brigitte will put a redirection on as soon as it is available.
I have had a look at her website and the pattern for this purse is available to purchase and download for a very reasonable price.
Please drop by and say hello, tell her where you found out about her new website, she has an email link on her site.

Happy hexagon making
j

All the Fun of the Fair

This past week has seen the return of the annual Sydney Quilt show.
This year there were fewer quilts on display than previous years, however there were still some lovely quilts to see.
This quilt was made by my friend Paddy during some classes we took together.

it was hand pieced and machine quilted.

this quilt was based on a English medallion style, the centre being a favourite piece of fabric Paddy picked up on her travels.

Cathy from Material Obsession had a stall there, here she is sporting her beautiful scarf from Francis Ergen Designs

as usual her stand was a feast for the eyes

loads of inspiration

and supplies for the stash a plenty

another stand that was a must stop by

Here's the very talented Anni Downs owner and designer of Hatched and Patched. This wonderful pincushion was a pattern in a recent edition of Homespun in collaboration with Sue Spargo. It really was quite lovely in real life.

I have always been a fan on needle cases and pincushions so a little kit was a must purchase

Anni has also released a new book on making bags, along with a few other little notebook covers, phone cases key covers.

of course the mandatory stash builders

It was lovely to meet up with again with Janet and
Robyn for the first time.

and Christine and her friend.

I hope you enjoy this little snippet of the fair.

See you soon

Happy sewing

j

Lifes Treadmill

Gosh it has been so long since I last posted I may have even by passed a season.
I seem to be on that treadmill of life. You know how it is, you get up and go to work, spend the day so engrossed in the task at hand , the hours pass so quickly it is then time to go home, get the dinner, do a few more chores, sit on the lounge to catch a little telly and maybe put a couple of stitches into some cloth, then nod off just as you start to get engrossed in a program , you come to and its time to go to bed. Next day you do it all again.
My life is taken up with a project at work ( I feel sure I have mentioned this previously) we are migrating our computer system to our parent company's box. This has posed a few problems as our parent company is German and before we start anything we have a language barrier to break through, terminology is another hurdle not to mention the distance so time zones tend to disrupt normal routine.
I was on the project for the original implementation of this computer system over 11 years ago , time has faded the memories of the amount of time and energy that goes into these projects to ensure a smooth transition with as little disruption to normal trading of our business, not to mention travel that has been involved.
Recently I travelled to our Auckland office for some training , it was Autumn and the trees were displaying the most glorious leaf colours. I thought I would share some photos of some lovely old timber homes known as 'Villas' on Auckland's north shore.

I came across these villas in Birkenhead, a lovely harbour side suburb which is home to a wonderful needlework shop 'The Embroiderer'. Unfortunately it was Sunday and it was closed but they had a lovely window display.

These villas are built from timber and quite often are perched behind a picket fence.

These days they are very sought after and often they are relocated from their original sections. (Block)

O how I would love to live in one.

My work has been keeping me well occupied, however I have managed a little stitching.

As you know I attend a class with Brigitte Giblin and as always Brigitte has something to inspire us with.

This project is very portable and great for plane travel and also indulges my passion for hexagons.



this project does not require too much fussy cutting

now before I can reveal the finished article, I can tell you some really exciting news, Brigitte is about to launch a new website, where she is going to sell her patterns, that you will be able to download immediately. None of this waiting for the postman.

so if you love this purse just as I did you will be able to purchase the pattern from Brigitte.

I so enjoyed making this purse, you can use any leftover hexagons from previous projects or you can make new ones using your favourite scraps of fabric.

It is fun to include a few fussy cut hexagons.

I think you may even be able to purchase the clasp from Brigitte. I don't think it will be too long before she has her website up and running and as soon as it happens I will post the address for you.

I know many of you are also interested in my clamshell quilt and have enquired about the technique I have used, once again this is a Brigitte pattern that will be available for purchase.

If any one reading this is interested in taking a class with Brigitte I know there are some spaces available at Material Obsession at Gladesville, just give Cathy a call.

I am still plugging away at this quilt, I took to our holiday place last weekend and threw it over this chair , I just loved the way the light of the late afternoon sun draped itself across the quilt. I don't have too many rows left to complete this quilt, I really need to get cracking and finish it so I can hand quilt it this winter.

Last weekend we had a public holiday here in the Eastern states of Australia, celebrating the 'Queens Birthday' the first couple of days the weather was very bleak and cold.



We just love walking along the beach when the weather is like this as the light for capturing images is rather interesting

none of these images have had any enhancements, this is exactly how it looked.

These photos were taken with a very simple point and shoot, one that I always carry in my handbag ready to capture the moment.

The month of May is when we hold 'Australia's Biggest Morning Tea' a fund raising event to raise money for Cancer research.

I decided to hold such a morning tea with my colleagues.

Another of my passions is cooking so out came the mixer


and the cookbooks, ( I can highly recommend both of these books)
as well as some favourite old time recipes (This apple cake has a yummy maple syrup sauce) served with it. (If you are interested in the recipe drop me a comment with your return email)

a couple of slices

using one of my favourite ingredients (Lemon)

made for a great spread

enjoyed by all and raised some much needed funds.

Wow that was quite a post, loads to catch up on.

My project has a 'Go live' date of July 1 hopefully after that my life should return to more normality and hopefully some more stitching time.

Thank you for all of your emails of concern , I really appreciate it.

Happy stitching until next time

j