TheSilverThimble

The holidays are over......

 

...nothing signifies the end of the holidays more clearly than a line full of sheets, towels and quilts! 

And that was just the start. 

It's always difficult  when they leave, we call it "The post Rocklea Stress Disorder" as the kids always have a hard time settling into school routine after the freedom of being here.  As I said, it's time for me to go back to work and school is your work, so we just have to get through that and look forward to the next break, when we can do it all again.

Every Christmas for the past several years, I have taken a photo of them all on the same old wooden seat - it's interesting going back over the old ones.  Here's one for 2015.

Left to right - Back Tyler 17, Jackson 14, Harrison 11, Lachlan 10 Front Lily 9 (almost 10) Bronte 9 and Declan 7.

As I said last week, there's been a fair bit of work happening at Rocklea, this time not in the garden, but a new set of steel yards.  Bruce and William had been planning them for some time, to replace the timber ones we built when we first arrived here in '82.  So it was all hands on deck, firstly to remove the old ones and peg out the new.  Post were cemented in, rails and gates, cut and welded.  Jackson had his first lessons in welding and Tyler's friend Mitchell, out for the weekend, was put to work immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's a whole lot more to do, but they made a great start and the remainder will happen as time permits.

We had our annual visit from our very good friend Sam Lovell from Derby.  Some of you may remember that he spoke at Bruce's service.  He's the greatest story teller and the kids are always enthralled.  William, who has been listening to him for many, many years, says that he's only ever heard the same one story twice!  He made a couple of CD's for the children to listen to a whole lot more.  Sam just turned 82 and makes the trek across the country to attend the Tamworth Country Music Festival every year.

 

The Silver Thimble has had a "summer clean".  There's been a bit of a change in layout and a whole lot of cleaning out!  Lots of great specials to start off the year.  Patterns, books and threads all need to be culled!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books at $5.00 each, some only one copy left.  Embroidery threads at 50c each or 20c each if you take the remainder of the box.  Patterns at $2.00 and the best of all, Duet threads at 50c each.  I cannot purchase these threads any longer (and they were a great collection) so I have ordered the Gutterman range which should arrive soon.  Once again, I must thank my good friend Norrelle who has been helping me all the way with this massive job.  There are lots of new fabrics to arrive in the next month, so hope to see you all before too long.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

Advice from Pete.....

....I have passed on this advice to several people over the years, but thought it timely to mention it again, this time through the blog.  Pete Nicholson, from Pete's Sewing Machine Service, has just been on his annual visit to the shop.  He has often said that one of the best things you can do for your machine, is to choose the most complicated stitch and run it!  Doesn't even have to have any thread - just use it, to allow all the "stepping gears" in your machine to MOVE!  In most machines it is the honeycomb stitch.  If you have more than one machine, use them both at some stage.  The old saying "use it or lose it" is very appropriate for sewing machines.  There were some machines in this week, that were on the point of seizing up, because only the straight stitch had been utilised.

Quite a few people have had a busy week with Pauline's workshops.  Her final day was in Winton on Saturday, which was also her birthday! Hope you had a wonderful day, Pauline.  There were some lovely projects completed, from bags to jackets and many quilts as well.  Pauline and Rob left the West to head for Melbourne and the Australian Quilt Convention - a week of workshops, huge vendors' mall, announcements of Australian awards in quilting and lots of socialising.

 

For those, that subscribe and generally receive the magazine in the post, they have gone out.  Others are at the shop for collection at your convenience. 

I believe No 12 will be out relatively quickly, due to the lengthy delay for this one.

 

 

 

 

 

These gorgeous fabrics are by French General - all their signature colours!  Only Jelly Rolls, Fat Quarters and metreage left.  The day after I took this photo, all the Layer Cakes were sold!

There's another much larger range in as well, but I am still dealing with that one, so no photos yet.  It's a little bit "different"!  Should have it finished tomorrow and on the shelves.

 

Due to school holidays, there will be no late night or Sat. afternoon sewing this week and if it's not busy, I may just sneak away at about 3 in the afternoon.  If you plan on visiting the shop, please come earlier in the day and you won't be disappointed.  First of the grandies, arrive tomorrow!

Had a late afternoon rake up yesterday - the cat just loves to get in the wheelbarrow!  You could totally bury it under leaves and it doesn't seem to worry, only pops her head out when you go to move it.  Mad cat!

 

That's about it for me.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Land of Contrasts.......

 

....hard to imagine, the amount of rain that has fallen along the coast in such a short time, and this side of the range?  Not a drop!!  Our thoughts are with those people having to evacuate their homes, those primary producers that have lost stock, infrastructure and their future income!

From bushfires to floods in one week!

Finally got back into the swing of things last week, even if it was only half days.  I've handed all the grandies over to their parents, so this week will be back to normal trading hours Tues to Saturday 9am to 5pm.

 

 

I'm hoping to find the time to use some of these - Cottage Garden Threads.  Hand dyed, here in Australia and the colours are to die for.  Now that my Vignette quilt is done, I need some more hand sewing.

Also showing, some new books by the Jelly Roll pattern specialists, Pam and Nicky Lintott.  The one in the middle is a repeat, top and bottom are new editions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been working on the  h u g e  hexagons, from time to time.

 

There's a lot more than this, but I was just having a look at a layout.

 

 

 

 

The next range to be placed on the shelves is Prairie Rose by our very own Sue Daley.  Sue is the Queen of paper piecing.

 

It's almost like a modern reproduction, which is a bit of an oxymoron I know, but the colours are sharper than the usual repro ranges, which just gives it an edge.

I'm supposed to be attending a shop owner's retreat with Sue, the week after next, at Eumundi but we'll see in the next few days,  if the weather has changed any of those plans.

 

Hope to see you some of you during the week.

Talk soon, Sandy.

Fabrics, books and horse racing.....

We managed to score a little shower of rain over the weekend, which was very welcome.  Made the WEEDS a whole lot easier to pull out!  That's about the extent of my gardening lately, forever cleaning up, although I did manage to plant a few things out today as well.  They had been waiting in pots for some time.  Spent half a day yesterday, raking up leaves which is always a job at this time of year.  When you have four Kurrajongs and a couple of Fiddlewood trees in the yard, you're always going to have leaves to clean up!!  But the breeze was blowing from the right direction and that helped and it was nice to spend some time outside. (Mopping of floors went to the bottom of the list!!)

A new book arrived in the shop this week - just one - and it's mine!  Their has been a great deal of thought and attention to detail taken throughout the book.  All the pages have an interesting backdrop behind the printed recipe, there are a few pictures of the actual food but it's not full of glossy pictures which I feel, can sometimes turn you off making the item 'cause you know yours is not going to turn out like that!!  The added bush photography throughout the book makes it extra appealing.

The recipe book has been produced on behalf of the Longreach School of Distance Education and contains recipes submitted by parents and friends involved with the School.  It has been hugely successful and in fact has gone to a second printing which should be available early December.  If you would like a copy of the book, you can let me know.  The price is $30.

 

And Vignette No 8 also arrived!  I just managed to get that centre piece together with borders on etc and  wouldn't you know it, Leanne has added four extra hearts and a few more dots right in the centre!! 

 

I think it will have to be my project for the Retreat weekend coming up. if I get a chance.   Have you all got your projects sorted out?  Contact me nice and early if I can put together anything for you.

 

For those people who have the magazine ordered from me, most of them went out last week.  I've just got a couple left awaiting confirmations of details etc.

 

 

I keep saying that there are new fabrics due any day - well, hellooooo - look what turned up.

 

That little package on the top are some little specials sent by my favourite suppliers Lloyd Curzon in Adelaide, as giveaways at the Retreat.

So far, I've only opened a couple of the parcels, so you know what I'll be doing tomorrow!

 

 

Beautiful new batiks-

 

 

 

 

 

 

These look a little lighter in the photos than they actually are.  I'm always drawn to the gorgeous aquas that they produce - as evidenced in the pictures!  These are from a new supplier and are just $19 metre.

As all Aussie readers would know, we're leading up to the Melbourne Cup and that means Sweep time.  If you would like to participate, the cost is a Fat Quarter.  If your horse wins, you receive 15, 5 for second, 3 for third and 1 if your horse runs last.  Let me know through the week if you wish to go in the draw as I can only take 24 names.  The draw will be done on the Monday night under strict regulations with Bruce as my trusty sidekick!  This year, it will be a Public Holiday in Barcaldine on the Tuesday of the Cup so I will be ringing most of you with the horse that you have drawn.  That means I get two days off after the Retreat - how's that for timing?

As mentioned last week, I have been working on a couple of projects that I will show you this weekend.  They may be something you would like to try later on.  One of them, contains a gazillion 2 1/2" squares and I got a bit carried away with the cutting and have a bundle left over.  Any one interested??  Leave me a comment and let me know if you have a project in mind that could use them.  Open until next Monday night and I'll draw that as well as the horses.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

I know I missed out last week.....

 

.....sorry about that...... Home in time, but too tired to blog.  Glad to know that a lot of you checked up on me!!

It was a lovely weekend, catching up with Bruce's family.  We havn't done that in quite a while, but a 60th Wedding Anniversary is a pretty good excuse I think.

Bride in the front on the right and groom, centre + Bruce and his two other sisters.  Out-laws in the back row.

Now, down to business.  Retreat this coming weekend - bring any project for an "Anything Goes" couple of days.  I will demonstrate some Foundation Paper Piecing on Saturday afternoon for those that are interested.

 

 

 

 

These are a couple of samples that I have prepared.  Simple heart block, through to a New York Beauty block.  Long skinny points that would be difficult to achieve with normal piecing.

Your choice, if you wish to participate.  A requirement list will be attached to the notification email for those people interested.

 

For those that have put their name down, can you please give me a ring during the week to let me know what food is most convenient for you to bring?  I just need to know so that we have all bases covered - smokos, lunches, nibblies, and Sat. night dinner. I know that we'll never go hungry, but it's good to have a variety.   I think there are about 16/17 people booked, so room for a few more!

Several new backings delivered this week - sorry, no photos yet, plus haby bits and bobs.  Amazing how quickly some things can disappear, like rotary cutter blades!....and large hexagon papers!!  All  back in stock now, so plenty to go round.

A book that I have been waiting on, also arrived last week.

 

 

Free Motion Quilting by Angela Walters.  Her young age, belies her expertise and experience.  Angela quilts a lot of the quilts that go to the Spring and Fall markets, especially the "modern" quilts.

The book has very clear diagrams and explanations on how to begin etc. and I just want to sandwich some fabric and wadding and start sewing!!

 

 

 

 

 

A further box of goodies also arrived, Sashiko sampler stitcheries.  Each block is 12" square and they can be used in cushions, a quilt or maybe a side panel for a bag.  I've been busy working on one over the weekend and should have it finished tonight.  You can see that it is clearly marked, you just have to follow the dashes. Thread in all colours is available, plus special sashiko needles and the sampler squares are in the traditional indigo and some in white.  It was a bit difficult getting used to the larger needle after sewing hexies with a tiny one and although I did iron some stabiliser on the back of mine, I don't think it's really necessary.  The trick is not to pull it too tight.  I think there must be a better way to unravel the thread also.  I certainly made a mess of mine!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's about it from me tonight, looking forward to seeing everyone at the Retreat.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

Hot, cold, wet, dry....

....take your pick, we've had it all this past week.  Two days with temps way above average after some more drizzly weather and then came the wind!  Cold and dry and no getting away from it!!!

The wind is generally present on School sports day, but this time it waited a while until Athletics Club day!  I think there may have been a couple of wind assisted times and distances recorded, however I'm sure that Lily's long jump was all her own doing!

 

 

Finally got the hutch moved into position in the shop.  It's very tall and VERY heavy.  Not sure if this will be it's permanent home or not yet,  but I do know for sure, that I wont be trying to move it by myself!  At the moment, I have placed the trims, braids and laces on the shelves plus there are some lovely beads there too.  These were the better quality beads that retailed betweeen $27 and $32m.  These have all been half price this past week and I think I will leave them at that for this week as well, plus patterns and books, plus all haby.  So that is virtually everything in the shop except the fabric.  (That's coming of course!)

 

 

 

 

Saturday, in Barcaldine, was a day for the ladies....or as they were called..

              Chicks, Hens and Boilers! 

A day devoted to the health and well being of women.  Very well attended and all reports said it had been great.  I had a small display at the Hall, along with several others that had "women's interests" at heart.  Accessories, jewellery, skin care products, plants and flowers.

 

 

Once things were set up, there was a fair amount of sitting - guess what I just happened to have with me?  A box of hexagons.  GIANT hexagons!!

 

That's a normal sized rotary cutter for comparison, not a mini one either!  By the way, I did finish the embroidery that I was doing, so I haven't abandoned everything!

I'm going to love and leave you now though - too cold in this room to stay up late plus I have a rep. due at 9 sharp in the morning.

 

Remember, all books, patterns, trims, laces, beads and haby - all half price this week.

 

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

It's that month of JULY again....

 

...and I hope you know what that means. Apart from feeling a lot like Winter, we will have lots and lots of bargains for the shop's birthday celebrations. 

I'm going to do things a little differently this year....The Sale will run for FOUR weeks with something different each week.

 For the first week of July, ALL books will be HALF PRICE!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above, is just a small selection of the books available and for this week ONLY, they will be HALF PRICE!!

It's actually going to be a sad week for the locals, as a business that we have come to know and love will be closing it's doors for the last time.  Deb has decided that Gone Shopping has run it's course and after a month of super bargains for everyone, she will be closing at the end of this week.  My bargains were some new shelving systems so I'll have to move a few things around (again!!) to fit them in.  So, I also need to get rid of some stock and the books are the first cab off the rank.

Who knows, what will be next week?  Definitely, more bargains.

 

I read this on the net a few days ago, and thought it was priceless!  I'm sure you all follow these guidelines.

 

Wash the dishes and make the beds, maybe, but put the good dress and make up on!!  I'd never get near the sewing machine if I had to go through all that!  And this was only 60+ years ago!!  My, how times have changed, thank goodness.

School hols. in Qld. at present, so have had the house full of young ones.  Been a busy day mustering and drafting today, so will all be ready for hot showers and tucker very shortly so I had better get moving. 

Talk soon,

Sandy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WESTECH is only 2 weeks away...

   As from tomorrow that is.. yes, Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th September is Westech 2011.  The only Field Days geared for the grazing industry, and lots of exhibitors for our rural lifestyle - that's where I fit in!  The Ken Wilson Pavillion, Site W7 - last on the left when you come in the front door - next to the Mother's Room.  See you there!  The shop will be closed for those 2 days.

I have been busy preparing new fabrics.  Packs and kits and samples where I can....consequently, no fabric  photos for the blog as yet.  All will be revealed in good time!

A few weeks back, I spoke to my Saturday afternoon ladies about making the "Farmer's Wife" quilt.  The current book was published (I think) back in '09, but there has been a resurgence in it's popularity due to a "quiltathon" being conducted over the net.  It's all about a competition that was conducted (in the U.S.)back in the early 1920's when farmer's wives were asked to write in and say if they would like their daughter to marry a farmer.  There were over 7000 entries and the majority were favourable.  Several of these letters were published and 111 blocks were allocated to match the letters.  Hence "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt" was born.

 

This one is done in fairly traditional type fabrics.  Many of the new ones being done, are bright and modern.

The blocks are 6" square and are ALL different!  There are no rotary cutting instructions - all the blocks are constructed from templates.  There is a CD in the back of the book, from which you can print out your templates.  Some of the blocks would suit machine piecing but some might be better hand pieced.

If you wish to make the quilt, you need the book.  There is one in the shop but I am waiting on further copies.  If you would like me to order one for you, please let me know.

 

 

These are some of the links where you can look at some modern versions.  Amanda, Angela, Thelma,
and Camille. 

Just a few more notes about the Christmas Secret Swap, which I mentioned last week.  If you are coming to the retreat in November but do not wish to participate, that's fine.  It's your choice.  The gift that needs to be hand made, need NOT be sewing related - it could be a cake, a batch of bikkies, maybe a Christmas pud!  Make it special and make it from the heart, that's all I ask.

For those of you that follow my niece Lisa on her blog Little Hoot (in my sidebar)  the latest post is introducing their new baby daughter Arlie.

Just a little early note that Pauline Rogers will be in the shop on Saturday October 1st for a Schoolhouse Day.  We had been hoping to see Pauline earlier in the year, however, the weather prevented her visit at that time.  Pauline always has the latest gadgets and information on what is happening in the quilting world.  More info later on, but mark the date on your calendar now.

Talk soon, Sandy.

That RIVER again....

Without a doubt, we have been blessed with the best season, or maybe that should be seasons, plural.   I know that some areas have suffered immenseley from too much rain, but ours has been magnificent.  No damage -  creeks, gullies, waterholes and the river all full.  Green grass, as high as an elephant's eye, (a small elephant) and as far as you can see!   Heavy rain in the headwaters of the Alice last week, made it impossible for me to cross the River, so haven't been home since last Tuesday!  Home today, just in time to do the blog.

However, not a whole lot to tell you.  "Retreatees" preparing for the weekend, gathering patterns fabrics, and some pre-cutting.  Any last minute participants?  Still plenty of room if you decide to come. 

Shop was ticking over all week, enought to keep me busy at the counter, with a bit of time to play with some quilting out the back.  Also been working on the Mystery Medallion Quilt, the final border!  It's been quite a process but It's a HUGE quilt and I really like it. 

Can you believe, there are several boxes of new fabric in the back room and I haven't even opened them??  Sure sign I didn't have much energy, but I'm sure that's going to change this week!

 

 

I forgot to mention last week, that Leeanne Beasley's Issue 2 of "Vignette" had arrived.

I have managed a fair bit of the embroidery for Block 2 but there's a whole lot more for Block 3 plus some more piecing and applique.  Betcha I'm not waiting for the next Issue to arrive - I'll be hoping that it's held up for a week or so!!

I always like to have some hand work on the go, but this week it has been bindings.  No photo yet, as the quilt needs washing to remove the markings I made for the quilting design and today was a bit overcast.  Actually, it's drizzling right now!

 

 

Should have heaps of news and photos for you next week after the Retreat.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

 

 

Back to normal.....

....at least it felt like a normal week.  Tuesday to Saturday, no watching the river or leaving early, just in case!  Of course there was a Cyclone to look out for, only the biggest Qld. has ever seen!!

Do hope my readers up north of here, only managed the rain out of Cyclone Yasi and not the destructive winds.  What a system, to think that it's now in the SW of the Northern Territory!  It goes without saying, that our thoughts are with those that suffered badly and now bushfires close to the city of Perth and more floods in Victoria,  Mother Nature rules!

I intended to start this post early tonight, but got caught up watching the Allan Border Medal presentations.  I do like the cricket (would like it even more if we'd won the Ashes!!) so congrats. to Shane Watson and because of you I'm going to have another late night!!

The weekend just gone WAS the weekend that I was going to spend with Mr Kaffe Fassett, or at least a day anyway - with a lot of other gals!  For several reasons, it didn't happen, so I'm looking forward to catching up with the ones that did attend, Lyn, Terryann and Kylie.  I did manage to cut at least four thousand FQ's though, well maybe 400!!  Have been working my way through all the fabrics, as I usually do early in the year, generally tidying them up and reorganising.  Just a few more colours to go and then I should be able to think about some sewing! 

This is a new range by Saffron Craig, one of our very own Aussie designers, called Beetles and Bugs.  Once again, my photography is pretty hopeless, as the bugs could be flowers in these photos!!  Take my word for it, they are the cutest little critters - love the one second on the right - little beetles walking on the dotted line.  Or maybe they're leaving the dotted lines behind them!

Because of it's "boutique" status, this fabric is a little dearer than others and is $28metre.

I did get to finish a little quilt for a new baby boy, born in Dec.  Yikes, was it that long ago!  Have had it all completed, except the label, which is done now, for at least a month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's from the range "Child's Play with Kate and Nate", which I also have in girly colours and prints as well.  The magic nine patch or disappearing nine patch is such a versatile pattern.  I've used it often and it works well every time.

I want to tell you about a couple of new books that I have in the shop and one that I found at the newsagent. 

The first one is The Practical Guide to Patchwork (left in pic)  It's by Elizabeth Hartman who has a very popular blog www.ohfransson.com  It is a book for the 'modern' quilter and covers everything from supplies and the vocabulary of quilting, along with the elements, planning and choosing fabrics.  There are step by step instructions on piecing, quilting and it also shows alternate colour ways.  The only thing I don't like is that she presses her seams open, which I find very time consuming.  It covers beginners to intermediate quilters.  There are traditional blocks explained, along with a contemporary twist.

The second book is "Simplify" by Camille Roskelly.  These patterns use more of the pre cuts. ie. FQ's, charm squares (5" x 5"), jelly rolls (2 1/2" strips) and layer cakes (10" x 10")  It also has a very good introduction to quilting and has patterns for quilts, table toppers, cushions etc.  Camille's blog is www.camilleroskelley.com   Both of these books contain patterns that I would like to make up - some day!!

 

Essential Quilting

 

I picked this book up at the newsagents, hadn't seen one of these before.  It's an Australian production, but not by one of the main stream publishing houses.  It's all about scrap quilts, which I love, and there are about a dozen or more patterns.  It would make a great addition to anyone's collection for only $9.95.  Also a great one, to have for a group as I'm sure someone could always find something to follow.

 

 

 

There was plenty of stockwork done here at Rocklea over the weekend.  Three very keen boys aged 4, 6 1/2 and 10.  Horses, motor bikes, mustering and yard work - what more could a boy wish for! 

 And you always have to wash your horse when you've finished a hard days' work.

 

Talk soon, Sandy.