Monday, October 26, 2009

Post 26 ~ Tackling the list

I allowed myself an extra day to get my weekend list completed (wish it had been a long weekend). I got a few things done but still have a long way to go.

  1. EB Doll Quilt Swap completed - nearly done

  2. Cate solo dance costume - finished!!

  3. Buy another glue gun - Bob did this for me

  4. Neptune hourglass quilt - some done

  5. Organise Cate's birthday party - never even gave it a thought!

  6. Sew binding down by hand on Black & White & Teal quilt - tonight I promise

  7. Return Library books - eeek!

  8. Organise sewing area - done!!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Post 25 ~ Cate's Solo Costume

I hated working the last school holidays, I should of been home having fun with the kids. Especially on Wednesday's, Cate had 2 dancing classes that Bob had to sit through.Solo and Duo competitions are on November 1st, only one more week of practice. Her last practice on Tuesday is a full dress rehersal, for her solo we have gone with a Christmas theme, dancing to "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year". Costume is made from a deep burgandy velvet with silver dots all over, $15 a metre at Spotlight, leotard pattern by Butterick $13, (it is actually an Ice Skating Pattern number 6660), generous in size, Cate is wearing a 4, the skirt is attached and has a full twirl, I love it. I bought the fur trim in Adelaide from DanceFX, $6.50 a metre and the sequins from Spotlight $5 a metre, I sewed both on by hand and hot glue gunned the snowflake motif on the ends for extra security. I had to buy a new glue gun $8, and extra glue sticks $3. Not sure about the headpiece yet, she is going to wear a wiglett so will proberly just attach some little silver beads on wire that I found for $2 a packet.Present prop, I bought a $3 box and covered in a stiff silver brodergie type fabric that was $4 a metre and hot glue gunned down. I added a velvet burgandy trim $5 a metre and some red, green and silver curly ribbon $2. I glued them on in the centre and after seeing the pic above I have stretched out the ribbon to the edges and glued down to cover the silver, Cate has to shake the present and lift up in the air so want it to be effective from where the judges sit. I have not glued the lid down, its held on quite secure, Cate wanted to be able to reuse the box for treasures.Cate will be competing in the seven year old group even though she is still six (based on your age come 31st December), 17 girls in the solo section so some competition, the duo looks easier with 5 pairs competing and 5 places!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Post 24 ~ EB Doll Quilt Swap

Sneak Peak of my EB doll quilt swap I have been working on. Just finishing it up now to have in the post no later than November 1st.My partner likes red, aqua and white, very popular doll quilt colours. Don't forget about my blog giveaway, your in the running if you make a comment on any of my Blogtober posts.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Post 23 ~ huge weekend ahead

I have a huge list of things to get done this weekend, starting now.
In no particular order~
EB Doll Quilt Swap
Cate solo dance costume
Sew binding down by hand on Black & White & Teal quilt
Organise Cate's birthday party
Neptune hourglass quilt
Return Library books
Buy another glue gun
Organise sewing area (desperately in need)
...more to be added, no photo, no time!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Post 19 ~ Fabric shopping with Emma

Emma and I went fabric shopping allllllll day! From one end of Adelaide to the other we did travel in her BMW Stationwagon. I can't remember the names of all the shops we visited, but my fave was Tricia's Discount Fabrics where I got these half metre pieces of Sheri Berri Holiday I got some Alien prints for Stuart from Emmas local quilt shop And I scored the last Nancy Halvorson Christmas Panal from Quiltaholic's; Oliver looks so thrilled about this!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Post 17 ~ Workshop at Hetties Patch

One thing you will not read about on Hetties Patch, is the fact that the shop owns 11 cats! Yep, you read right, 11 furry friends, something for me to aspire to (and one was even named Bob!)However, believe it or not, I did not travel to Adelaide to be surrounded by alley cats, but rather to attend Kellies workshop. I had a fantastic time hanging out with Emma, I nearly died with laughter when she snapped a machine needle, but then was so embarassed being told off in front of the whole class for not having my machine threaded properly! Kellie's quilts are just so bright and beautiful, Cate asked me to make Rainbow's and Lollypops for her, I will make an effort to complete it for her 8th Brithday (she's turning 7 in two weeks so I have plenty of time!)

Friday, October 16, 2009

Post 16 ~ Helen at the Airport

I am off to Adelaide to meet Emma (hope she picks me up!!) My sister made this quilt in Homespun...go check it out!!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Post 15 ~ Betrayed Cat

This is the funniest thing I have ever seen!!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Post 12 ~ Happy Birthday table runner

I made this bright table runner to celebrate all the birthdays in our house over the next few weeks, I was supposed to be finished for Stuart's 9th Birthday in September but I ran out of time. Cate's birthday is next, November 4th.Nice and bright using my "Citruz Yarn Dyed Plaid" Jan Mullen fabric, not much of this left in my stash. I traced the letters onto vlisofix and secured with raw edge / free motion applique. I am not very good, hence I have justified my trip to South Australia to master the art with Kellie!I tried out some stipple quilted pebbles for the border which looks great on the backing, a bright orange spot. Measuring 16" x 43" it's perfect for our table.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Post 11 ~ Spinach-Cheese Swirls

I am ready for round 2 of the CL bake off tomorrow. Savory Finger Food is the theme.Recipe here, yummo!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Post 10 ~ filler post

oops, a day late! Snap shot of Muffin gripping on for dear life, he was not going to get off the ironing board and he's really not one to share. Luckily his tail did not get singed!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Post 9 ~ 10 reasons why we should move to Ballarat (Victoria)

1/. Wide open spaces with room for a pony (need the Mercedes and swimming pool too!)
2/. Ballarat is the heart of Calisthenics.
3/.The chance of snow come winter.
4/. Ballarat Patchwork for all my shopping needs.
5/.Ballarat Quilters for some social fun.
6/.Amitie Textiles just down the road.
7/. Upholstery Gallery for something different.
8/.Ballarat Steakhouse, the best meal I have EVER had.
9/. We have the opportunity to go with very little disruption to the kids schooling.
10/. Why not??

Post 8 ~ For Donna

Some Christmas Cheer.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Post 6 ~ Happy Birthday Oliver!!

My baby is 10.
10 years old.
A 10 year old boy.
In my house.
Who would of thought! Still Pokemon mad, his fave present is his Platinum DS game and Poke Manuel. This is last years pokebook, I think we get our $$$ worth!Party held at our house today, perfect weather, all the year 4 boys from school plus mutliple sibling brothers = 12 boys plus Cate and her friend.
On a sad note it's was also Oliver's first birthday where he has not shared his cake with our Nan.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Post 5 ~ Happy Birthday Table Runner

A sneak peak of a little project I started a few weeks ago! A birthday table runner. Sadly I am yet to finish it in time for the boys birthdays! Muffin seems to like it, it's Cate's birthday in November so hopefully it will be completed by then.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Post 4 ~ Double Hourglass Blocks

I am sure these have a proper name, just not sure what it is, so Double Hour Glass blocks. Semi based on this tutorial here, I have made my blocks using a Neptune Honey Bun and 1.5 metres of white homespun. Each strip in a HB is 1.5" wide x 42" long and there are 41 strips in this HB. To make one double hourglass block, cut each HB and each white strip in half (so 1.5" x 21"). Sew one HB strip to a white strip then repeat so you have 2 strips, then sew the 2 together so you have 4 strips alternating. Iron flat. Then using your trusty triangle ruler, measure up and cut out 4 triangles. Match into pairs then sew together to become 2 bigger triangles. Then sew the 2 triangles together to become 1 square measuring 7.5" And then your done! Be careful with the seams, my centre doesn't line up neatly but I had an impatient helper, who desperetly needs a haircut! This one will be for Stuart's teacher for Christmas, 35 more to go!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Post 3 ~ The quilting is nearly complete

Another hour or so should do it. Then to sew the binding on. Love it.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Post 2 ~ Happy Birthday Stuart!!

Stuart turned 9 on Monday, a public holiday so we had a long weekend to celebrate in style. He's into Lego, and Star Wars, so Star Wars Lego makes a perfect present. He also got some DS games, a plush lego man, new bathers, PJ's and some clothes, less excitement there. Stu's party was today (I got a flex day from work so another long weekend!!), he invited 8 friends from school to come over for fun and games. We played pass the parcel, musical bobs, musical statues and had balloon races in the backyard (the irls team won!!) Stuart had a great time with his friends and yay, we get to do it all over again on Tuesday to celebrate Oliver's 10th Birthday!!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Post 1 ~ Blogtoberfest

Everyone's in, its Blogtoberfest. I failed at "Post A Day in May" last year and haven't been game to try again! Here's hoping. Every blog post needs a pic, so here's one of the boys from about 5 years ago, I think Oliver's about 5 so Stu would be 4, Stuarts on the computer, showing his first sign of addiction / possesed-ness! Taken at our neighbours old house, glad to see someone is as messy as we can be (and they never even had kids then!)