TheSilverThimble

I'm getting there.....

Woohoo, I've finally managed to download the photos from my iPad to the laptop - what a process!!!  Because I've been at home and have absolutely NO data to spare there, I've had to wait until I'm in town to do it and as most of you know, the shop is not yet open for 2017  (Won't be too much longer) so it's been a while between visits. 

So much to show you seeing as it's been soooo long, I'll just go with a few before and after photos in the garden which these days, seems to take up most of my time.  And loving it!

Remember this lovely little plot of buffel grass?  Well it's been somewhat tamed and although there's still more to go, this is what it looks like now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The one that was ready for planting?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And you may have already seen this one - my favourite room in the whole house!

 

Son William and one of his offsiders had a few "wet" days and I got this.  How lucky am I? 

Last one for today, daughter Kelly became engaged to John Power, the day before Christmas, so wedding planning happening!

Promise there'll be a bit more "shop stuff" next time, just so glad to finally be able to finally have a chat with you all again.

Talk soon, Sandy

A trip to Winton....

....Congratulations to the members of the Art and Craft Group of Winton, who have a wonderful display of quilts, sewing, art, photography and silver at the Waltzing Matilda Centre.  I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the opening night on Saturday.  The venue is superb and the exhibition, which will be open for about 6 weeks, is a credit to a small band of hard working people.  I was so busy chatting and catching up with friends....not one photo was taken!!!  Maybe someone can send me a few?

The only downside of a trip out that way, is the desperate situation with the drought.  It's just heartbreaking to see it, let alone live it!

Star Quilt Competition ...  nominations are due now, but I'm sure they would still be accepted within the next few days if you're running a bit late.

Some time back, a lady came to me with some fabric that had been given to her by her sister, after a trip to the States.  My lady is a huge Elvis fan, so we had to incorporate the panels and because she had never done any patchwork before, she wanted to learn as many techniques as possible

I think she did a fabulous job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A close up of some of the quilting by Rosalie of Rose Quilting  There were guitars and music symbols everywhere.  Superb!

 

 

 

Have to have a little brag about Bronte's swimming last weekend.  Last carnival for the season and had a fabulous meet in Rockhampton.  Central Queensland Champion 9 yr old for Butterfly and Backstroke!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 swims and 9 PB's for the weekend,  Lachlan also a PB.

Ready now for netball and football - oh to have the energy!

 

For those that don't get to see the Facebook posts, a few new ranges have begun to arrive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the left is "Feed" and on the right is "Block Party".  Totally different and equally gorgeous!

By the way, patterns and templates have arrived for the Rainbow Row by Row.  If anyone would like to take up the offer of 4.5m of Kona background plus patt. and temp. for $85 the lot, let me know.  Sending a few packages of to Eulo early in the week for a couple of ladies that wish to join in.

Not much done in the garden this week, however it did have a good watering!  Very lucky to have 37ml on Sat. night and a further 14ml Sunday night.

Talk soon,

Sandy.

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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.

 

 

Catch up time......

....it's been a while!

Happy New Year to all - and here we are nearly the end of January!!  I hope that those of you that haven't had rain, that it comes very soon and even more for those that have had a bit.  It's easy to get excited over that first fall, but when there's no follow up....very disappointing.  We had those lovely falls in Dec. but very little since and the hot dry wind is not being kind.

It's been a busy time, both here at Rocklea and at The Silver Thimble.  Our Christmas was quiet but very enjoyable with all the family getting together at various stages.  The children talk about their Poppy all the time, so it was like he was, and still is, here.  Bruce was known for his "one liners" so they just have to drop their voice and issue a command or statement and everyone knows where it comes from....quite funny really.  I just hope they remember all the sound advice in their later years!!

After kitchen duties, (and man, these kids can eat!) the garden is still getting plenty of attention.  Jackson (just turned 14) built me a mulch pit which is very handy and William has installed the tank and the pump for the sprinkler system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the mulch pit, Jackson has added another pit for burning weeds etc.  The cat follows me everywhere in the yard and has found the perfect spot to oversee any activity!  John got busy with the weed eater and cleaned up a very neglected corner plus other areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This area is all ready to plant and the second one is ready to clear!!  What a beautiful crop of buffel grass!  Want to bale it?  I intend to plant some fruit trees in this corner eventually. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just before Christmas, I received "The Linen Cupboard", a gorgeous collection of florals, spots and stripes by Emma Jansen, one of our Aussie designers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm dying to use it in SOMETHING!  Haven't hardly touched a machine in four weeks, aside from a very little play on the Sweet Sixteen....a very little play!  There has been a fair bit of action at the shop, cleaning, painting and moving things around.  At this stage, I should be open on Tuesday 27th January, after the children go back to school.

There's a whole lot more to tell you, but I think that's enough for tonight.  I'm watering plants in between photos loading and Bronte is attending to the veges for dinner, better go and see what she wants me to do!

Talk soon,

Sandy

Almost the end of the trading year......

....and almost the end of this computer!  If it plays up one more time - it's gone!!

Better get a move on while it's playing nicely.

For those that don't follow The Silver Thimble Facebook page, a little rundown on the past weeks.

• The tank for the garden watering system has arrived. Not hooked up yet, but that will happen shortly.
• The old air conditioner in the house finally died but replacements have been installed in my bedroom and the sewing room.  Much more comfortable.
• The back room of the shop and my sewing room at home have had massive clean outs' with thanks to bossy britches, organiser extrordinaire ( and very good friend) Norrelle.
• My Sweet Sixteen domestic quilting machine has arrived and been set up in the shop for the moment. (Only waited about 3 or 4 years!)
• WE HAVE HAD RAIN!!!

Now for some piccies...

Bottom of the picture are the "pruned" shrubs from my scrub clearing episode, now all fresh and green.  Top ones are Bruce's favourite flowers, the good old Vincas.  He always said they would grow anywhere and I'm sure they would.  These are the little ones that are more of a ground cover with different colours.  Nice to have a spot of colour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can't wait to spend some "real" time on it. Loving it so far and intend to bring it home to have a play over the break.  Heaven knows I have a mountain of quilt tops waiting in the wings on which to practice!

And glorious rain.  I'm sorry for those that are still waiting, I'm sure it will come before too long.  Some of the grandies have been here and finding the cricket ball can be a bit of a problem!

This was taken about a week ago and the grass is even more lush now.  Just beautiful!

The shop will be open tomorrow until 4.30, (Tuesday) and Wednesday until about 1 or 2pm.  I will be closed then, for about 3 maybe even 4 weeks.  I will let you know when I will be re-opening via here and Facebook.  It's certainly been a topsy turvey year for me and I thank you all once again for your patience, understanding and support, especially during the time I was closed after Bruce's passing.  It was much appreciated.  There have been some gorgeous new fabrics arrive in the past week with lots more due in March/April.  I hope to re-instate our retreat weekends next year and our Sat. afternoon sessions.

I hope you all have a joyful and happy Christmas and New Year, with rain being the optimum gift.

Talk soon, Sandy.

Is your stash a little depleted yet?.....

.....I've given you a couple of months to use up ALL your stash and you should now be ready for a little retail therapy!!

Before I proceed, I must thank you all most sincerely, for your patience and understanding, your messages, friendship and support for our family since Bruce passed away.  It has been deeply appreciated.  There are still a few things to sort out at this end, the water situation is in progress but will still mean a bit of juggling over the next few weeks.

However, it's July and that is The Silver Thimble's birthday month which means SALE time and we can't miss out on that, can we?  So.....Tuesday is the day!!  The doors will re-open with lots of bargains to be had.  I have been in there this past week sorting things out and hopefully, I'm ready for the onslaught!  There are well over 100 bolts at $10 a metre, half price patterns, $2.50 FQ's and 20% of everything else, storewide.

Lots of colours, quite a few "ranges", several novelties, ALL Asian style (Japanese), ALL Christmas fabrics, just $10 a metre (half metre min cut) and their FQ's that are cut, just $2.50.

The TOP drawer are ALL $2.50 each, the remaining FQ's are just $4.50 each.

The SALE will run for a few weeks and Loyalty cards will not operate during this period.

Backings and wadding are included in the 20% off!

Despite the fact that I haven't been in the shop, I have been pretty busy over the last couple of months.  It's been nice to have a good session in the garden, cleaning up areas that have been calling out for years!  I'm totally over the cold weather I might add, and can't wait for a bit of warmth to see the fruits of my endeavours and a bit of growth!  My cupboards throughout the house are a whole lot emptier and tidier and that feels good - all the more room to stash more items.  Isn't it true, that the more room you have, the more rubbish you keep!  I now need to have that sort of cleanout in the back room of the shop, but goodness knows when that may happen!!

The recent school holidays were extra busy with the 7 grandchildren home here for the first week - just wonderful!  The second week was full on mustering, branding, weaning etc. so William and Kelly were here as well.  The kids insist on sleeping on the loungeroom floor (which I must say was the warmest place!) and it was wall to wall mattresses for those two weeks. 

The weaners were taken out just yesterday and here's our youngest one Declan (7) ready for action.  Now riding all by himself, no lead rope!

 

 

 

Today was Harrison's 11th birthday and was celebrated with family at his Nan and Pop's place in Jericho.  The Melbourne Storm cake was requested after I had made a Broncos cake for Lachlan last month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My cake decorating skills are a bit lacking, but the kids think they're "awesome" and that's all that matters!

Hope to see you all in the coming weeks - be kind to me, my calculating brain has gone clean out the window and may take some time to come to terms with "how much do I need for a backing" when I don't even know the size of the quilt yet!!

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

Thank you all....

 

......A very big thank you to all for the messages, emails, flowers and phone calls of support, condolences and friendship during these past weeks.

We had a wonderful gathering of friends last Friday - a few tears and lots of laughs and happy memories.

The Silver Thimble will be closed for a little longer.  I need to be at home to attend to a few jobs around the property, the main one at this stage is to keep up with the water for the stock.  This is what's keeping me busy at the moment.

 

The engine needs to be started and stopped every second day or so to pump up to that high tank which then feeds several other tanks and troughs.  We're in the process of finding out all the information for a solar pump, but it's going to take a while to install etc.  In the meantime, I'm actually getting a few jobs done that I don't usually have time for - like cleaning out cupboards!!

I will probably get into the shop within a few weeks on maybe a 9 to 3 basis for a while - if that doesn't happen, I will let you know.  Once we have the water situation sorted, we should be good to go.

Sincere thanks to everyone, once again.

Talk soon, Sandy.

A tough week.....

 ....as most of my local regular readers would know..

In the early hours of Thursday morning just gone, I lost my husband of 45+ years.  It was sudden but it was peaceful, for which we are grateful.  I was with him.  Bruce had had his health issues over the years, but in general terms he had been well and still actively working on our property.  The above photo was taken a couple of years ago, at Fitzroy Crossing W.A., when our entire family had made a return trip to the country that he loved - the Kimberley - for his 80th birthday.

Our son and daughter with their families have been here with me since then, sharing a few tears but lots of precious memories, especially the grandchildren.  They all adored their Poppy.

The Silver Thimble will be closed for a few weeks and I'm sorry, but the retreat scheduled for the weekend of 17th/18th will be postponed.  We will be having a gathering at the Barcaldine Racecourse on Friday the 16th May at 3pm to acknowledge, remember and share stories in a way that Bruce would enjoy.  He was never one for pomp and ceremony, but loved a get together with friends, laced with some good yarns and lots of laughs.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

Holiday fun....

 

......there has been a bit of that around here this week! 

The horses haven't been in for months, however they were quite happy to put up with a few hi-jinx capers!  I don't think it was the most comfortable of rides for the three of them, but their were lots of laughs!!

Despite my 3.00 closing this past week, it's been quite busy and I have managed to get a fair bit done.  This is the new range called Fox Fields by Tula Pink, quite a character it seems, from what I have read about her.  One, who always manages to include some whimsical animals/birds/insects into her designs.  Sometimes very subtle, but this time easy to find.  I love all the colour combos but I think it's the aqua/grey leading into the limey green for me.

I ordered this range when I was at Quilt Market in Melbourne last year.  It was a toss up between this and Amy Butler's newest collection or the one by Anna Maria Horner.  All bright and funky, gorgeous bold designs.....unfortunately I just can't have them all (darn it!!) and this was the one that won out.  And it's been pretty popular with others since it went on the shelf.  Yaaaay!

If you're in to the more traditional styles, then you just can't go past a Maywood collection, designed by Marti Michell, that naturally includes roses.  They do it so well!  With a few Shadowplay co-ordinates, you cannnot go wrong!

Bronte has helped me frame these up nicely for you to see, and the best news is that there are a few more to add yet, and they are on their way.

Not much sewing going on around here this week, although I have finished all my stitcheries for the Best Friends Forever hexagon quilt.  Still have to put them all together yet - after I make more hexagons of course!  Just so that I have a bit of hand sewing, I've dragged out yet another hexagon quilt, the paper pieced variety I started a while back, using Kaffe Fassett fabrics.  It's already quite large and very awkward to manage!!

Next weekend of course, is Easter.  Once again, I will be closing at 3pm of an afternoon and Friday will be closed.  Sat. morning open from 9.00 to 12 then back in on the Tuesday as per usual.

I hope you all have an enjoyable Easter break and the only bunnies you see, are armed with lots of chocolate!

Talk soon, Sandy.

Summer....the last hurrah!......

.....I sure hope it is!  The last few days have been back to our 40's plus and my air con has died!  Consequently, the sewing/computer room has been like an oven, so very little activity in here, including NO BLOG last night.  An early hello this morning with not a whole lot to report.

I did get to play with some new fabrics during the week, but forgot to photograph them - I promise to rectify that today.  In the mood for some blues, then I have plenty!  Plus some gorgeous batiks....

It seems we have quite a few new people interested in attending the Retreats, so am just going to run through the dates again.  The first is 17/18 May and the chosen project is Scrappy String Spiderweb.  The second weekend will be 2/3rd August and the final one, the 8/9th November.

Pauline's workshops commence in Aramac on the 27/28th March, Barcaldine the weekend of 29/30th, followed by Isisford, Ilfracombe and Winton.

One more date claimer is Pete, the sewing machine man, in the shop Tuesday 1st April.

I played hookey on Saturday just gone, to attend the final swimming carnival for the grandchildren, which was held in Longreach.  A very successful day for Team Gray!

 

I took the photo, but am not responsible for the fancy settings!  Leave an I-pad in the hands of children, and you never know what they will do!!  They all came home to Rocklea that night to finish off the day, swimming in the river and running up the sandhills.  Oh, to have the energy!!

Talk soon,

Sandy.