TheSilverThimble

Twice in two weeks......

....don't get too excited!!

Well, was it hot enough for you today?  My goodness, what's summer going to be like?

I had great plans for this weekend....to finish my scrub clearing..

See all that dead stuff?  The remains of a rampant Singapore Daisy some years back.  Thankfully, I seem to have most of it under control now (and hopefully dying!!)  Not even sure what the shrub is anymore, but I do know that the twigs are sharp...lancing your arm, sharp!  I'm attacking it from the back, the front still looks quite nice actually, but I've got to get it down to a manageable level.  I did make quite a bit of progress, but the heat drove me inside until later in the day.  So last week you saw the "pretty" bits, this is keeping it real!

I moved an extra table into the lounge room - right under the only air conditioner I have at the moment (the electricians are coming I hope) and set up my machine to play at quilting.  This is a scrappy quilt made ages ago, and pinned a long time ago as well.  Just as well they don't rust!

I always liked the floral on the khaki/tan background so picked out a heap of prints that went with it.  My plan is to work my way through a book that I have and try each and every design...could take me a while!

Busy week in the shop last week...totally different to the week before.  Can't pick it!!  Started off with friends from Blackall and finished the week on Friday with a visit from Bev and a couple of friends from Emerald.  Thanks girls, it was great to see you.  Hope you get a chance to get into all the new goodies you took home.

That's about it from me tonight - my bed is calling.

Talk soon, Sandy.

For those that have been checking.....

.....yes, I'm still here!!  Have had a "tiny" smack on the wrist from my favourite Aunty Edna, for not posting as often - she likes to check up on me!

I guess it has been a while but I do have a couple of legitimate excuses.  The school holidays play havoc with my allocated monthly download...that was gone after two days and I still had a fortnight to go before billing time!  Prior to that, a power outage caused my poor old computer to bail up and it refused to turn on.  This happened just before Westech so it was a while before I could get to Longreach to the repair man.

Anyway......Westech was great as per usual.  I thought sales were a little down over the 2 days, however I had a very busy Thursday in the shop with Westech visitors that had stayed over. (Just when I needed a quiet one to enable me to put things away at a snail's pace!)

The main focus fabric range for Westech was Terra Australis by EmmaJeanJansen, a young Aussie girl who has done extremely well.  This photo shows the items back in the shop - quilt called King's Cross, an Aussie cushion, koala bear and a couple of covered journals.

Emma is releasing a new range at Quilt Market in Houston very shortly called The Linen Cupboard.  She has a love for vintage sheets and that has been the inspiration for this new collection, although I have to say I've never seen sheets this gorgeous.  I'm sure if you Google it, there will be some pictures available.  Would love to know what you think of it.

 

The quilt that I made for West 'n' Breast was raffled during Westech and won by Lance Thompson, a very happy recipient.  There have been several kits put together and sold and I think a few of them may be commenced in Aramac tomorrow and Wednesday, during their 2 day Sew In.

 

 

 

Since the Westech flurry, things have totally quietened down in the shop.  Travellers have left or are on their way home, the weather has warmed up considerably and Christmas looms.  I have actually done a bit of sewing, surprise, surprise!!  Pictures to come....

Big news on the home front - the Solar Pump is installed and operating!!!

No more pump starting for me and I can check the water level from the house!  We have installed a reader which tells me the percentage of water in the tank and if it's filling or lowering....pretty snazzy heh!

As well, I have been busy in the house yard.  Mostly cleaning up areas that have been ignored for years, heaps of rubbish and dead wood cut out and carted away.  Long time readers may remember that the tank which was hooked up to a sprinkler system, split in two some years back.  That has never been replaced but a replacement is on my short list!

On the left and top right are in my "fern garden"...about the only one that's had any attention over the past few years.  Middle right is where the tank stood - my hill.  It was a veritable jungle that I have been slowly clearing, you certainly couldn't see daylight on the other side before!  It's probably the wrong time to be pruning but it's happening anyway.  The poly pipes are still there just waiting to be hooked up.  Bottom right is the proposed rose garden, all weeded, mulched and ready to go....next year!

So there you have it - a catch up on the last month or so.

Talk soon (or later!)

Sandy.

Still cutting....

......I've been busy this week, cutting Fat Quarters from the Kona cotton solids.  All 90 of them!  FQ box is bursting and there's a lovely big stack of 1/2m pieces for a customer as well.  I also need to place another order, especially for the lights, as many metres have been used as backgrounds for projects in Pauline's workshops.

I spent the afternoon, and also joined the girls for dinner at the Cultural Centre on Saturday.  There were 3 main projects happening that day - The Gadget Bag, the Jacket and the Rectangle Rock and Roll quilt.

Note the table on the right (forefront) ..it was a picture of pulsating purple!!!!  No guesses as to whom it belonged!  Workshops continued in Barcaldine on Sunday and today would have been the first of two days at Isisford, so hello to everyone down there.

 

I've been at my own personal workshop today.  Here's a peek......just some borders to go on and it will be ready for quilting.

Just sneaking it in on the last day of March, which of course is now known as Breast Cancer month.  I have plenty of the fabric and will be able to prepare kits for you soon, if you wish.

 

 

Just one more week until school holidays, and we're looking forward to having the children come to stay. 

Then it's going to be a busy time with Easter, Anzac Day, Tree of Knowledge Festival, the Harry Redford Cattle Drive, local shows and then.......our first retreat!  Scrappy is the order of the day, and I will have several samples to show you in coming weeks.

Pete, the sewing machine man, will be in the shop TOMORROW - TUESDAY 1st April.

That's enough for me tonight - I'll see if I can remember to put in the correct link in the email this week.  Sheila was kind enough to let me know that I didn't complete the address....

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

 

More interruptions to trading......

.....This weekend is a very special occasion for my eldest grandaughter, Tyler.  It's her Year 12 School Formal and I WILL BE THERE!  Travelling to Rockhampton on Friday and back on Sunday, so...the shop will be closed on Friday and Saturday.  I think this will be the last of "days off" for me, all should be back to normal after this weekend.

I chose, booked and had confirmation of, the dates for our Retreats at Wanpa-rda.  Good one Sandy - the first date I booked was the first weekend in May and if I had thought about it a little longer - it's the May Day weekend, although these days not a long one!  However, it's a busy time for Barcaldine so of course that date will have to be changed.  At the moment, I am thinking of moving forward 2 weeks to the weekend of the 17th/18th May.  If we go before May Day, it runs into Anzac Day, Easter and school holidays and I don't want to have it too close to Pauline's visit at the end of March.  So, I will check on those tomorrow and advise ASAP.  The other dates are the first weekend in August (2nd/3rd) and the second weekend in November which is the 8th/9th.  Yes, only three this year instead of four, as there are a few other things on the calendar, including Westech which is a busy time for all.  Lots of time to organise yourselves to be there!

While we are talking dates - Pete the sewing machine man will be making his annual trip out towards the middle/end of March.  I will remind you all when we have something definite.

Been busy this week making a start on refreshing the FQ's in the shop.  Just the novelties and neutrals done so far, so have a long way to go! 

Also found made time to play with the Sidekick Ruler from Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts.

Easy as!  Very clear instructions with the ruler and again with the pattern, Rock Candy.  These diamonds and triangles are cut from 2 1/2" strips, but the ruler starts at 1 1/2" size up to 4 1/2".  Really want to do more with this.

 

 

 

Also finished a top for a new quilt for Jackson for school.  He wanted mostly black, but we compromised (like I told him what I was going to do and he agreed!)  Well trained lad!

First pic - wrong way silly.  Second pic - that's better.  Third pic - the whole thing.

Very simple design using the tool for HST's and 6 1/2" strips across the WOF.   Two strips of each fabric make a chevron and I have made 7 rows in total, so it measures 60" by 84".  We will be seeing him this weekend but the finishing of the quilt will probably have to wait until the Easter hols.

 

Would you like to see another picture of the grass?  I'll show you anyway.....hasn't died off as we've had a little bit of drizzle today plus a few other cloudy days.  It's even got seed heads on it - all of about 6" high!  The handful of cows in the house paddock are loving it.

 

Talk soon,

Sandy.

 

Home from the big city........

.....It's been quite a number of years, maybe about 12, since I attended a Quilt and Craft Show in Brisbane.  There a few stands that have come and gone - not so many beads and paper suppliers, not as much yarn for knitting and crochet, although there was some.  Doll and bear supplies down a bit also.  There was a whole stand of scarves with accessories - like a fancy "frame" to help tie them in a miriad of ways.

The quilt shop displays were, as always, a mecca for a fabric lover like me. However, I came away thinking that The Silver Thimble is not lagging behind everyone else, we're up there with the best of them.  Not as many choices perhaps, but enough!!  These types of shows definitely rely upon prepared kits which I can understand. 

I saw lots of jelly roll race styles, with applique over the top (yep, we know about that) traditional blocks with added interest in the sashing (some people working on that too) and paper piecing and bags.  Batik seemed to feature prominently.  Did not see much "modern" quilting.  I'm also sure there were lots of things I didn't see.

The actual Quilt Show was stunning.  One becomes a bit overwhelmed after a while and it's difficult to give each and every quilt, the time and admiration it deserves.  It appeared to me that there was a lot more quilting in the quilts which I loved.

 

This wasn't huge, but the quilting was beautiful.

 

And this was just so cute, I have to show you.  Note the A4 size paper below it.  Needle turn applique and hand quilted!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're into hexies, this is for you!  Unbelievable!!

My second day in Brisbane was easily taken up with a visit to a major shopping centre and the last day at IKEA - I can now cross that off my bucket list!!  Hadn't ever been to an IKEA - I know, my education has been lacking!

Lovely to catch up with friends of course, so a big thanks to Di and Collette who totally spoilt me with chauffering me everywhere!!

And the best thing that happened while I was away?  We had just over an inch of rain at Rocklea - just over the house mind you, but if it's only going to cover a little bit, then it may as well be on the garden!!  A hint of green already sprouting!

Today is the day to book for the November "anything goes" retreat.  Guess I'll hear from a few of you.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

Can you tell me?......

 

.....Situated in the main street, I get a lot of requests for information...

• Is there a butcher in town?
• Is there an IGA in town?
• Do you sell sheets?
• Is there a newsagent? (three doors down)
• Do you sell boots for dogs to keep the prickles out?  !!!

And that was all on Saturday morning just gone, and all from different people!

Over the last couple of years, several of my customers have completed one or both of Therese Hylton's (The Patchwork Pumpkin) mystery quilts.  Therese, kindly allowed me to use these patterns, providing I kept to the rules and that was each round had to be completed and sighted before the next lot of instructions were handed out.  Both of these patterns were extremely popular and last week, Lee bought her Lighthouse quilt in to show me.  It had been quilted by Rosalie of Rose Quilting at Meringandan.  Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm only showing the centre, because there are some people still working on this quilt, but believe me the quilting over the whole quilt was amazing. Remember, you can click on the picture, to make it larger and get a really close look.  Lee was thrilled with the result, as she should be.  Great job Rosalie!  Hope you find a few opals on your trip to Lightning Ridge shortly.

I was tidying up my photos on the computer the other day, found this picture Jodi, now from Dalby, had sent me some time back, and realised that I hadn't shown you.  The pattern was in one of the Aussie mags.  The block is known as Birds in the Air.

Don't the colours look amazing?  Almost like they are shimmering.  Thanks Jodi.

I managed to get a bit of sewing done this week as well.  I always intended to put some extra borders on the Vignette quilt (the one with a whole lot of stitchery!!) and I did that.  Photos to come.  Made a bit of progress on my BFF hexie quilt and quilted a baby quilt for a friend.  There should be more new fabrics in this week, this time from Moda complete with Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes.

Remember, September is National Sewing Month - keep those needles moving!...

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

Gorgeous day........

.........cool start, NO howling, dirty, dusty wind (like Saturday) just sunshine and moderate temps. Just how I like it.

Very productive day too.  Bit of general tidying up outside, sprinklers on the lawn, which is being chewed off as fast as it grows, by the kangaroos!  Kitchen and housework out the way, laundry organised and in to the sewing room for most of the afternoon. 

I finished the last of the Blogger Girls BOM - see previous posts about these.

I've written the notes, just need to type them up and collate pictures. 

Finished a babys' quilt top using the Disappearing Nine Patch pattern, and added to my collection of Scrappy Trippin' blocks. 

And, finished off a stitchery that has been on the go for some time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Friends Forever Hexagon quilt has been very popular.  I only had 3 sets of patterns and they have all been "spoken for" so more have been ordered. 

Now that the stitchery is out of the way, I could probably use another hand sewing project.....(new hexis or BIG Kaffe hexis, new hexis - Kaffe hexis???)

Chasing suppliers this past week re fabric, but not a lot of joy.  Should be some plain Konas in this week which will be a start.  Batiks that should have been here in July - no word as yet.  Plain and boring, but very necessary wadding did arrive plus a few other odds and ends. 

 

Replacement Cottage Garden threads will arrive this week as well.   I used them for this stitchery and really like them - very smooth. (pity about the poor photo though!!)

 

 

 

 

I did have an early cancellation for the Retreat but that has since been taken up, so at this stage, we have a full compliment of 20 people for the weekend.  Should be fun.

You know I love my hexis - came across this one on the net and NO, I'm not planning to add this one to my list.  An entry in the Open European Quilt Championship in 2011, the Netherlands.  Sorry, but I can't tell you the maker, but isn't it divine?

 

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

 

Do you have a spare Jelly Roll?....

.......if so, then you need to come to the Retreat at the end of this month and we will turn it into a beautiful quilt.  With just a Jelly Roll plus a bit of metreage for inner and outer borders plus binding, you can make a single bed quilt over the weekend  -  with time to work on other projects as well.

It's known as the "Jelly Roll Race" or the "1600 quilt".  1600 as in inches, 'cause that's how long a Jelly Roll is when it is sewn, end to end to end and so on.

 

This Jelly Roll has been sitting in my cupboard for some time with no specific project in mind, so it was the perfect choice for this excercise.  (Sorry about the "sunspots" on it)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you don't have a Jelly Roll, then you cut your own 2 1/2" strips from your stash.  Either co-ordinated or totally random!

 

This is just a quarter of the super scrappy version, the equivalent of about 52 strips altogether, including quite a few shorter pieces and some very "ordinary" fabrics too.  On the whole, it looks quite good, despite the eclectic mix.

Strips have been the order of the day, as I continue to work on my "Scrappy Trips" as mentioned last week.  They come together so quickly and all of them look lovely, so unless you have another project in mind for the Retreat, come prepared with lots of 2 1/2" strips.

I also got a quilt pinned this week, ready for quilting.  I can't decide whether to hand quilt with perle thread (as I have done before, around each of the shapes) or machine it.  What do you reckon - am open to suggestions!

 

New in the shop this week, some stitcheries from Helen Stubbings of Hugs and Kisses.  'Feel good' sayings with a cute picture, with 12 in the series.  I'm happy to sell them individually as well as in sets.  Also, a selection of Creative Cards - simple designs for all manner of items, in a much less expensive form than a pattern.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm off the listen to the Test cricket - just maybe we can win this one if the weather Gods are kind to us!!

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

I've done a runner.......

....I've been wanting to use that heading for a couple of months and now I can!!!

Yes, I have done a runner, a table runner - actually FIVE of them!  One each for the four seasons and a fifth, because I liked it!  I'm not a "decorater" at home, but thought this was a great way to try out several different techniques - and you never know, I just may become a decorater after all!  These are the projects on offer for the retreat in June.  Of course, you are more than welcome to work on a project of your own choice.

 

 

        This is Autumn - a combination of autumn coloured leaves  with a tiny stem.  A nice easy size to practise some free motion and straight line quilting.

 

 

 

 

 

And Winter just calls for a Log Cabin don't you think?  Fire burning, hot chocolate, good book......mmmm.

Simple construction and simple in-the-ditch quilting.

 

 

 

 

Spring brings the flowers, birds and beetles!  Raw edge applique and some room to fancy up the quilting a bit.

Rounded corners and a bias striped binding to finish off.

 

 

 

Colours of Summer.

Want to try just a small project with English paper piecing?  Go on, you know you want to!  I've done some fussy cutting of an Amy Butler print, needleturned leaves, ric-rac and a tiny bit of hand quilting.

 

 

 

 

This one is Hugs and Kisses.  I had forgotten just how cute the bowtie block is, so played around with a miriad of reds just for fun.  I've scalloped the border by drawing a gentle curve on a template, and squared the corners because it was easier than making the scallops join up evenly!!

Once again, a bias binding to easily glide around the curves.

You can view all of these in full screen by clicking on the individual pictures.

I hope to have a Christmas runner completed in the next couple of weeks as well.

Now, you've seen what I've been up to - what about you?  I'm still waiting for some pictures from Pauline's workshops.  Some of you must have something to show!!

I have mentioned to the Saturday afternoon girls, about my friend Collette and her husband David, cycling around Europe for approx. 5 months.  They are writing a great blog with fabulous photos, so if you're interested, here is the addy.  www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/watsonsonbikes

I can't seem to get that to work as a direct link, so you will just have to type it into your browser - it's well worth it.  They're up to Day 61.  Check the bottom left hand side of the page and you can start from Page 1 if you choose.

That's about it for me girls, I just might get an early - ish night.

Talk soon, Sandy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross your fingers and touch wood......

.....Once again there have been a few issues with my computer, hence no blog last week.  My IT man now tells me it must be our power supply as everything is OK when it is in his shop.  So......we have a new UPS system set up (and it's only dropped out 3 times since Saturday!)  Today has been good, so I'm hoping we're finally on the right track.

This will be a fairly short post just the same.  Easter has come and gone and I do hope you have had a happy time with family and friends or just taken the time to do something for yourself.  Our place was chock full of family....at times 8 adults and 9 children - from 15 yrs down to 4 months.  The Easter egg hunt on Sunday morning was one ofthe highlights.  Funny thing, most of them are not even fussed about chocolate - it's just finding them!!

 

Then they had to show Sam how it's done....

The bigger ones then donned their boots and hats and headed out, either on a bike or a horse, to help out with the mustering.  They've had another big day today and have all been down and out since about 8.30.  Damion and family left this morning and have arrived back safely in Mt Isa.  It was great to have them here.  Sam thought it was wonderful to have so many kids to play with! 

 

By the way, the two quilts did get finished in time.  When I gave the one to Sam, he promply lay down on the kitchen floor, pulled it up over himself and pretended to go to sleep!!  Later on, he had lots of fun finding the animals.  I can't believe I didn't take a photo of Dean, the little one!  The quietest, smiliest baby you'd ever meet.  I'll have to wait now, for Bronny to send me one.

 

 

 

I really haven't had much time to sew this weekend - not even a bit of paper piecing!  The kitchen is my domain when everyone is home.  Hopefully, I'll manage a few things during the week.

Talk soon, Sandy.