Stitch-a-long with Chooky Blue and Susan, fabrics and more

I have joined Chooky Blue and her friend Susan on their annual Stitch-a-long

It's needleturn applique

Something I am extremely BAD at

so it is a challenge for me

another challenge was using my fabric stash without

buying anymore.

I was lucky I had a 'scrap bag' of Fig Tree Fabrics and a

1/2 meter bundle lots of California Girl from Fig Tree

 

February's Blocks

 

March's Blocks

 

Going to be interesting - am a bit behind as co-rodinating poppies for Anzac Day

has taken a lot of my time but I had so much fun doing it.

 

 

So proud to achieve this with over 2500 poppies being knitted and crocheted for the day -

When I started the project back in Sept last year I thought I would be lucky for 500.

 

 

Have finished my Markets for the season - during Winter by weekends

are taken up with football and netball with the kids.

 

I love the yellow table and chairs bought from my local Mitre 10 -

everywhere I go the are used mostly by husbands and kids but I love the look.

 

More fabric arriving more jelly rolls and meterage.

 

Just to show a few

 

 

And some yummy brushed cottons (think pj's)

by Moda

 

 

I had some spare time one sunday and decided to start working on my entrance.

Amazing what some time and cans of spray paint can do.

 

 

So migraines aside I am opening Sundays from 2pm - 6pm

Other times by appointment

(sorry Saturday's are family day)

 

Dont forget you can always go shopping at

Nays Place Online Shop

 

I always have fabrics and sales listed

 

Keep stitching and have fun

 

Nay



First Project for 2015 Finished and anyone got any ideas what the weather is up to?

Was listening to the TV the other day whilst cooking tea and they were

 talking about what it take to change a habit, way of life etc -

 

 the magical number being 66 days...

( and depending on what era you are from - apparently it's not 42)

 

So this year I decided to take the challenge and do things for me in between working full-time, 3 children, a shift working husband, kids sports, and trying to get Nays Place up and running.

 

You know the normal things mums do but generally forget to add the 'for me' part into life - so no more collapsing after tea I now go into Nays Place and sew for an hour and am still opening on the weekends when possible - (check out my facebook page for opening times.)

 

So after being a closet stalker for 4 years I decided to take the plunge and challenge and join Chookyblues stitch-a-long I have watched these ladies challenge each other for many years, enjoyed the quilts and projects they have completed and even joined in secretly from the wings -  buying my own books and following some of the projects.

 

My 1st Challenge was met tonight....

Finish Anni Downs Hatched and Patched free pattern Christmas Wishes before the SAL Quilt pattern arrives... DONE

 

I used my leftover threads to complete the picture using DMC, Cottage Garden Threads and Silk colours a little "mishmashed" but I'm using my stash.  The 2 1/2" Squares are Moda Christmas Countdown pack that I have in the shop and decided it's a good as any...not sure if shop stock counts as my stash but I'm using it.......

 

Now to wait impatiently for the pattern to arrive -

thinking brights to take me outside my square but really not sure.

 

Admittedly the weather for the last couple of days has made it easy to stay inside and sew and not feel guilty about NOT doing the washing.

 

We've gone from 40+ degrees to cold wet and rainy, all within 10 days of each other. 

 

 Think these photos really show the extremes..

Land near Waikerie taking New Years Days

 

Then in the last 2 days we have had enough rain to help fill our new rainwater tank.  I love the colours on our gum trees when it rains - my kids call them Shrek trees....

 

 

Went for a quick drive to Burra today to collect No 2 & 3 - they have been at Orroroo doing Vac Swim with a friend and then another friend had them for a couple of days as both my hubby and I were working and we decided that we need an excuse to go out for lunch.

 

If you haven't been you simply must try La Pecora Nera (the Black Sheep) at Burra....its YUMMY

Even my steak and 3 veg hubby managed to know back Pasta Beef Rangu and a Affagato for dessert.

 

And the crazy weather continued - No 2 needed a stop and this is us waiting for him at 3pm and yes that's fog not rain.....

 

Off to Adelaide tomorrow for a quick catch-up with relies and then some training for work. 

 Mum and Dad are coming to look after the kids as hubby on night shift - tell me what did I do when they were both working - so glad they have retired.

 

Getting excited for the next round of Cottage Gardens Thread Club to come out - I think I have managed to order some more will let you know this week...

 

This is me flying on New Years Day (that's me on the left) with my friends Nic - she knows I'm petrified of heights and I'm still not sure how she talked me into going flying in a little 2 seater Savannah plane but I would put me life in her hands without any hesitation and I can honestly say its magical up there...

 

 

 

And flying over our place

 

 

 

Thanks again

 

and keep stitching

 

Nay

SAL with Chookyblue and Susan with Anni Downs Natures Journey Quilt

So I've taken the plunge

and after following Chookyblue and now her trusty helper Susan   for many years on the SAL blog

 I have decided to join this year with Anni Downs new quilt 'Natures Journey".

 

 

 

To get us warmed us Anni has a free Christmas Stitchery to download on her blog.

 

 

 

I have decided that I will use what I have and that wonderful pile of 'threads' I am now trying to untangle and use up - before we get started.

 

This could be challenging as it will be a block a week

BUT

this will be my challenge to myself

and force me to make time for myself and sit and sew

I mean seriously how often do we do this for ourselves

when we are mums, work full-time and on various committees

(as we tend to find ourselves on when you have kids who are involved in different sports etc)

 

So it's the 6th Jan and I have started......

 

 

 

That's better than  nothing.....

 

Take Care and Keep Stitching

 

 

Nay