TheSilverThimble

Sale is over......

 

.....It has been an extremely busy fortnight with lots of fabric finding new homes, many new quilts in the planning  - and a whole lot of boards in the wheelie bin!!!  Thank you all for your support.  Parcels went to Winton, Eulo, Charters Towers and quite a few places in between. That's a fair chunk of Queensland! Even sent a package to Melbourne! 

Now it will be time to re-arange things and endeavour to fill the spaces!  I may even get some work done on some projects as well.  Apologies, too, for no blog last week - the system was incredibly slow for some reason and did not want to co-operate.  All appears to be OK tonight.

I had a visit from the twins this week, took a photo and left the camera at the shop!!!  A couple of other things that I was going to show you will have to wait as well.  While I was away, I bought an I Pad which I have been trying to navigate, but I'm a bit of a slow learner!  The idea was to get information to you all, quicker than I have been - it will happen, eventually. 

It was a busy weekend in Barcaldine with the Goat Races and Expo. being held at the Showgrounds.  Grandson Harrison had several "drives" - the last of the day, in the Cup.  He was in the lead by 5 metres when his goat stopped in its' tracks, about 10 metres from home!  They certainly have a mind of their own.  There was a terrific crowd present for all the events so I'm sure the organisers would have been very pleased.  Earlier in the day, I had watched both Bronte and Lily play netball.  Thanks again to Sandra for holding the fort at the shop. 

I requested a photo from Anna when she told me that she had completed her "Spring" table runner.

I'm sure you'll agree, that she has done a terrific job!  A lot of firsts for Anna with this one.  First time at a Retreat, first time for raw edge applique and first time for free motion quilting.

Well done, Anna.

 

 

 

Back at Easter time, when "borrowed" son, Damion and his family visited, I forgot to get a photo of Dean and his quilt.  Bron sent me one recently - he looks like he's really checking out that elephant!

Cute, cute, smiley boy!

That's about it for me tonight, with an early reminder that the next Retreat is 30/31 August and 1 September, booking from the 9th August.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

Time for a few new fabrics......

"Feathered Friends" - a sweet panel and six co-ordinates in the very popular, aqua, grey and butter. Chevrons, hexies, spots and stripes all make for a cute combination.  Quick baby snuggly, or cut the panel and use as random blocks in a full size quilt.

Below, is "Summersville Spring" - bright and colourful, just as Spring suggests.  Incorporates the graphics look, so popular with today's modern quilter.  I also have charm squares in this range.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now for something in the more classic colours with a design that's on the edge.  Beautiful taupes, beiges and soft tans that almost take on a light green look.  All with a hint of silver to top it off.

 

Fairmount Park is the name of collection.  A customer has chosen this range to mix with a few more creams and a piece of fabric that has been in her stash for some time -soft green with a touch of light pink, to make a Stack and Slash style quilt.  Should be beautiful!

 

 

 

Thanks for all the positive comments about the table runners featured last week.  I thought it might make a nice change from a full on quilt while perhaps learning or perfecting a new technique.  Also, could be very handy to build up a supply for gift giving.

Of course, if you have something else in mind for the Retreat weekend, then that is fine too. 

The weekend past, has seen the traditional May Day celebrations for Barcaldine, concentrated into just two days, due to the change of public holiday dates.  So, a very busy schedule.  Sat. morning saw the Float Parade down the main street, and some of the grandchildren took part.

Lily and friend Shelby as the "track girls" leading Harrison and Declan on their go-carts.  The boys were just itching to rev them up! 

And a couple of older style cars that may or may not have made the track at the Revfest.

 

 

 

 

My Dad had a Holden ute like the one on the right, many years ago.  It towed the float to a lot of country harness race meetings in Western Australia when I was a kid.  In keeping with our busy schedule for this time of the year, next weekend is the Barcaldine Show.  Blackall have just had theirs, Longreach follows Barcy and then Isisford is the 25th May.

That's about it for me tonight.

Talk soon, Sandy.

Power at last.....

....my computer has a NEW power system!  I've been having issues since Christmas - as you are all no doubt aware - but it appears to be functioning well since it's return, so here's hoping!

I should have lots of news for you tonight, but I have had a very busy weekend of "secret sewing" and haven't really prepared anything for the blog.  All should be ready to reveal next weekend.  This will be the suggested project for our next Retreat to be held on the second weekend in June - 7th, 8th and 9th.  This is the Queen's Birthday long weekend, but we will be finishing on the Sunday as per usual. (I need my Monday off to recover!!)  I have had lots of enquiries about the retreat, but I will not be taking bookings until three weeks beforehand - that's about the 17th May.  By that time, everyone should know if they can make it or not.

Pauline has completed her workshops in the district.  Everyone that I've spoken to, has enjoyed them immensely and have worked on some wonderful projects.  I would love it if you sent me some photos of Works in Progress - or even completed ones from the super achievers!  Really looking forward to the girls from Winton who were doing the Mystery quilt, as I had quite a bit of input into their fabric choices.

Pete has been and gone for another year, so machines should all be purring away once more.  Mine has definitely had a work-out today.

We can hardly have a blog post without a photo, so here's a couple of shots of the great black and white selections in the shop at the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And one of my constant companion when tidying up.

She chases the rake, scatters the leaves and generally makes a nuisance of herself, but I haven't seen a mouse in the house since she moved in!  She can stay....

Thursday, of course is ANZAC Day and the shop will be closed.

Talk soon, Sandy.

May Day Festivities......

....Celebrated in Queensland this weekend, but at different times around the country.  I didn't get to participate in too many activities, and what should have been a productive weekend at home, didn't quite go to plan.  The cold that I thought I had beaten early last week, returned with a vengeance. No energy - blah, blah, blah....you know the story.  I think it's on the way out now - hoping, hoping!!

My thoughts today, were with family members in Western Australia.  Love and hugs to my special Aunty Edna and her family, whose son Robert (my cousin) passed away last week.  Thinking of you all.  xx

Saturday morning kicked off with markets in the main street.  It was very busy in the shop as well - it's always good when people from out of town "discover" The Silver Thimble!  The reactions are quite humourous at times..."Didn't think I'd find a shop like this, waaaaaayy out here!!"  or  "You must have a lot of quilters in the area, I suppose they're looking for something to do!!"  That's the one that gets my hackles up as I try to answer with a smile (without gritting my teeth!) that the hardest thing for most people, is to find the time!

 

The camels seemed to do a very good trade.  Bronte tells me that they were a bit smelly and it was scarey when they sat down, despite that, she enjoyed the rides.

 

 

 

 

Horse races, drag car races, goat races and football filled the weekend, so there was certainly something for everyone.  Of course the parade is always popular too, and I had promised to take Bronte and Lachlan.  Pity I didn't check the time on the poster that had been in my window ALL week and find out that it was NOT an 11 o'clock start!!!!  There's always next year! 

It's just over 4 weeks until our June retreat, which I mentioned last week is now on the second weekend which is the Queen's Birthday long weekend, however,  we will finish on the Sunday as per usual.  The project I have chosen is the SWOON quilt, a pattern designed by Camille Roskelly, which has been very popular around the world, especially on the net as a Quiltalong.  If you go to Google, choose Images and type in Swoon quilt blocks, you will see hundreds of variations.  The size and style of the block are different from anything else around - each block is 24" square!!  For a single bed, you would only need 6 blocks (2 x 3) plus some borders, a queen would require 12 (3 x 4) plus borders.  Each block takes 2 FQs plus some background.  It's a great pattern to work with a range of fabric, or would look fabulous in a controlled colourway as well.

I have finished just 3 blocks, with another cut and ready to go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having fun with the Flea Market Fancy range!  And, as you would have probably guessed, I'm using the "tool" to cut all my Flying Geese and Half Square Triangles.  Love that tool!

Of course, if you wish to work on your own projects at the Retreat, then that is OK too.

Thanks to those who have made "comments" these past weeks, it's always nice to have some feedback.  At least I know that I'm not just talking to myself here!!

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick nack week.......

 

That's a pretty lame title for something as popular as these little Angel scissors!!

I've had them in a few times before and they last no time at all - I think everyone likes the fact that you can actually fit your fingers in the handles!....and the price of just $4.75ea!!

 

 

Whilst we're on the subject of 'good buys', these tape measures in a tin are also great value.  These are the 150cm and the 3m lengths - $2.50 and $3 something - not a lot anyway, the normal soft fibreglass tape measure and a cute little tin to boot!!

 

It was a rather "steady" week.  Vickie the Virus took a backward step, only to be replaced by Nellie.  That's Nellie New Monia by the way.  Buckets of anti biotics and we're almost as good as new!  I did manage to finish a little quilt made out of the Sherbet Pips charm squares.  Although I've done similar 'stacked coin' quilts before, this time I used the pattern from the Moda Bake Shop.

 
It's amazing though, with the addition of just a few extra fabrics, just how different quilts can look.  Take a look here and here to see what Rebecca and Kate have done.  I really like both of these quilts and Rebecca has kindly given me permission to replicate her design.  (I'm working on one right now!)  Kate's will be produced as a commercial pattern.

We seem to be lurching from one disaster to another across the world.  Our own floods, cyclones and bushfires in Australia to the devastation in Christchurch just a few weeks ago and now Japan.  While our hearts go out to those affected and there are thousands, we must be greatful that we live in a relatively "peaceful" area.  With no disrespect to those that suffered years of drought, the return of a decent "wet" season this year makes our lives seem almost untroubled in comparison.

Some more stockwork here at Rocklea this past weekend and the best way to view proceedings is from the top rail, according to Bronte.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

We have a winner....

The auctions for the Qld. Flood Appeal have been completed.  Thank you all so much for participating.  The winner of my quilt auction was Leonie Holden, who has bid $230 for "Duck, Duck, Goose"   I have sent an email to Leonie, so hope there is a reply by the morning so I can package up her quilt and pop it in the post for her.  The auctions have been amazing - after only the first 2 days, the pool stood at $45000!!   If you have missed out on a winning bid, perhaps you would like to try one of the raffles as these do not close until Wednesday.  Click on the pink umbrella logo to take you to the master list of raffles.  A very big thank you also, to Toni and Carli for setting things up to enable the auction and raffles to happen.

There are other appeals running as well, this time for blocks, unfinished quilt tops or completed quilts.  I will have more details soon, so I will let you know as soon as I do.  I thought perhaps, that we could use our first retreat as a charity quilt sewing session.  Any thoughts on that?  I've yet to book any dates for retreat weekends so let me know if there are any weekends that are absolutley OUT for you.

Just in case you are not on the email list, and only read the blog - Pete, the sewing machine man will be at the shop on Wed afternoon to service and/or repair machines.  If you require some work done, please have your machine at the shop by Tuesday if you can, as Wednesday is a Public Holiday, or on the Thursday.

Forgive me tonight please, for a short blog post.  We have had friends visiting since Sat. night that we have not seen for almost 20 years and there has been a "considerable" amount of chatting and catching up! I promise I will be back very soon with some gorgeous new fabrics, patterns and news.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

Queensland Flood Appeal Auctions

 
My regular blog readers, most of whom live in western Queensland would be well informed about the ongoing flood situation we are experiencing right now.  However, for those of you who are visiting via the Flood Appeal Auction site, welcome.

Thanks to Toni from Make It Perfect, for setting up this Auction to assist the victims of the Queensland floods.

Just a few details first, how the auction will work. 

1.  Bidding will start at $50.00 (Australian)

2.  You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address.

3.  Your bid must be in whole dollars.

4.  This auction is open to everyone and postage is FREE.

5.  This auction begins NOW and will end at 9.00am Monday 24th January, 2011.

6.  At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid includes your email address)  The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email.  Once that has been done, I will post your prize to you.

7.  Thank you for participating and happy bidding!

I am donating a fun cot quilt called "Duck, Duck, Goose"  It measures approx 44" x 60",all cotton fabrics and wool blend wadding, sewn and quilted by me.  The fabric is from the range Red Letter Day by Riley Blake.

 
You may start your bidding now!!

For my regular readers, I'm home for the first time in about 6 weeks.  Magaged to cross the river after a bit of a clean out of silt and debris by a local contractor.  If you click on the Qld Flood Appeal Auction logo in the top left hand corner, it will take you to the main site where all the participants will be listed.  It should be up and running by Monday 17th, January.

I will hopefully have more news for you later on, but at the moment my satellite internet connection is a bit dodgy as it's getting a bit stormy outside (again!) and I don't want to lose this post.

Talk soon, Sandy.

Winners are grinners...

...and our Melbourne Cup winner is Lyn!  15 FQ's of your choice Lyn, 5 for Eva, 3 for Terryann and 1 for Sandra, whose horse limped over the line, literally.  Two young grandsons were on hand to cut up all the little pieces of paper and draw them out of the buckets.  Bruce was the Stipendiary Steward to see that all was above board.  Thanks to all who participated - 12 month's time and we'll do it all again!!  A horse race is always more interesting when there's a chance of winning fabric!

There's been a great response to our last reTREAT for the year.  Looks like about 18 people for the weekend.  Remember that there will be a special day on the Saturday.  If you're attending but not actually sleeping over, please bring a towel on that day.  No, we are NOT running around under the sprinkler, we are NOT playing on a kid's waterslide (as has been suggested!)  The mind boggles!

It will also be our Secret Santa gift exchange, so if you are taking part in this, please send or bring along your gift, this weekend.

A few new fabrics in store - not ranges, just cute pieces I couldn't resist!

 

Owls, frogs, teapots and cupcakes!

 What a mixture!

 

 

 

Now, this is something different.

This is voile by Anna Maria Horner.

It is A.B.S.O.L.U.T.E.L.Y. gorgeous!!

Baby bottom soft and silky, hard to tell the back from the front, doesn't appear to crease when scrunched and 54" or 137cm wide.

It is being used for quilts, but I think it is ideal for clothing.  Anything drapey or flowing would be perfect.  Pull out your old patterns and dust off your dressmaking skills, this has to be seen (and stroked) to be believed.  And there is more to come - sooner rather than later I hope!  The Anna tunic by Amy Butler has been popular too.

I should only have one more "range" to arrive this year, plus bits and pieces.  All the new collections just released in Houston, will be available for viewing and ordering at the Melbourne Quilt Market in November.  I am heading to W.A. for a nephew's wedding and attending Quilt Market on the way home. I will be away from the shop from Tuesday 9th Nov to Wednesday 24th.  Sam, who used to be in the cafe next door to the shop, will be looking after things for me, so please be kind to her!   

I have promised a few people the URL's of a few websites where they have loads of free patterns.  I won't put them on my blog as a link, but if you check these out and like them, save them in your favourites so that you can go back to them any time.

The first is http://www.modabakeshop.com which, as the name suggests, is all about Moda.  Lots of quilts, bags, runners etc.

The next is http://www.crafster.org/forum/index.php?action=sitemap  This one is a little bit more difficult to navigate, but if you scroll down (when the page opens) you will find lots of sub titles.  As you scroll over them, they underline.  You can click on these to go directly to that page.

The last one is http://www.angelfire.com/planet/mcshelpsite/sewingstuff/freepatterns.html and has heaps of patterns for everything!!

I do hope those links work for you - please let me know if they don't.

Talk soon, Sandy.