he he he do I say that its only 11 months till Christmas.......

Can anyone else believe that in 12 days time its the end of January ALREADY..

 

Somehow after a weeks training in Adelaide I managed to loose a week and was hoping against all hope that yesterday was only the 10th and not the 17th of January -

apparently I as wrong....

 

No 1 son about to start Yr 10 and get his licence in May, Middle son is about to turn 12 on Australia Day and is in his final year at Primary School, Miss 3 is in Yr 4 and still rules the roost.  We've now lived in Waikerie 8 years and its almost the longest time I have lived in one town, amazing how quickly time flies.

 

This year I made the resolution to finish some workshop projects - I may have a few starting from Australasian Quilt Convention in 2009 to Indulge in Stitches in 2014 - with lecturers from Anni Downs, Natalie Bird, Gloria Loughman, Braenda Gail, Gail Pan, Libby Richardson, Rosalie Quinlen, Melly Hurlseton (McNiece), Browyn Hayes from Red Brolly, Natalie Ross to name a few.

Block Keep from Indulge in Stitches 2014 designed  by Robyn at Country Hart

 

Pincushion from Indulge in Stitches designed by Bronwyn at Red Brolly

 

 

Haven't I been lucky - to attend a workshop is such a wonderful experience for all and to be honest my first time I had no idea of what to expect but no matter where I have gone I have meet some wonderful people, many whom I can now call friends.

 

Mind you have some more to do... (and this is only part of them)

This is only from last years Indulge in Stitches

 

 

Spent the afternoon in Nays Place - added some more shelves (gotta love a quick detour to Ikea after training last week) over 40 bolts of fabric arriving next week - slowly running out of room, I think that's a good thing.

 

 

Stay tuned for more fabric photos to be uploaded to facebook and pinterest.

 

Not sure if I showed you all but I did participate in Gnome Angels mug mat swap - I received a parcel from Trayce W from USA - complete with some chocolates (mm they went pretty quickly)

 

 

Think I shared a sneak peak of mine..

 

 

Cant wait to show you the fabric that I have coming in and yes it will mean rearranging 'Nays Place'

 

Keep Stitching

 

Nay



A great weekend and an update at last

WOW -

 doesn't a weekend of sewing restore your soul.

 

To be in a room full of people who just get you and understand you when all you want to do is look at the fabric and ponder what it would be like - to touch, feel, look, twist and turn and just go "oohhh yum" and let your mind wander and go overtime in what you can make with this.

 

Once again I as lucky enough to attend Robyn Welsh - Country Hart Indulge in Stitches weekend with Rosalie Quinlen and Bronwyn Hayes.  About 100 of us all headed to Seppeltsfield in the Barossa Valley South Australia to Maggie Beer Pheasant Farm for two days of fun, laughter, lots of talking and projects, projects, projects.  3 new projects per day - almost to much but I have lots of projects to go on - there are a few 'over achieving' ladies who have already finished - I'm sure if you visit Sue from Mallee Country Craft and Fudge you will see her finished projects.

 

Photo overload but have fun - mum and I meet up with the lovely Brooky Girls - aka Alison M, Alison W and Maxine - we meet some new friends Jenny, Jan, Tina, Karen and Renai.  Also caught up with ladies form our table last year Cherie, Fiona, Anne, Pauline, Trish and Joy and reminisced about how 2 ladies how two ladies that weren't very nice made last years weekend and nice it is to not have them here this year. 

 

Robyn, Abbie, Steve and Kirrily did a great job again, Ellie Beer and staff did a magnificent job of the catering - and ye Robyn has booked the venue again for next year - be interesting to see who the tutors are?

 

Our table - the Brooky Girls (minus 1) Alison M, Alison W, Maxine with Jenny, Jan, Tina, Karen and Renai (who venture over from Melbourne by herself)

 

Rosalie and myself

Bronwyn Hayes Sewing Bag

Robyn Welsh Armchair Caddy

Rosalie Quinlens Stitchery

Rosalie Quinlens Stitchery

Bronwyn Hayes Pin Cushion bag

Robyn Welsh Block Holder

Rosalie Quinlens Cottage Garden Thread Club Project

 

Bronwyn Hayes

 

 

So this has got me thinking - when you look at going to a sewing weekend/day what do you want - multiple projects - full kit for each project, finishing kits to purchase, full catering, accommodation included or book your own, set tables or move each day so you can meet new people. 

 

Now that our local shop has closed it doors - Nays Place will be going full steam ahead - as much as I can anyway and I would love to host a workshop

so tell me everyone would you travel to the Riverland

for a weekend of fun, fabric, chocolate and more?

 

 



ooohh Cottage Garden Threads Collectors Club arriving soon and a facebook giveaway

oohhh love love love the colours in Cottage Garden Threads 

I have used them in quite a few projects so when Katie mentioned they were having a Collectors Club over 12 months I thought - why not?

Its a fun way to add to your stash over 12 months - you might ask what's in it for me.  Well for the cost of a cup of coffee a week you will get 4 wonderful Threads skeins, a free stitchery pattern, be part of a stitchery sampler each month and go in the draw to win a prize pack each month.

Normal RRP is $26 per month - Nays Place Price is $22 per month a saving of $48.  

This is a 12 month commitment and I can organise a paypal invoice monthly, charge your credit card or give you the details for a direct deposit.
1st Lot has sold out - ordering 5 more sets - please get in quick if you would like to join.
3 out of the 5 left - let me know if you would like to join. 

It's not to late to join - first mail out is in February. Simply email me to join naysplace@hotmail.com  

Cottage Garden Threads are also offering a pattern for this gorgeous thread case to compliment the Collectors Club - if you subscribe you will receive a 20% discount off the pattern.  Isnt it cute

Love the fabric that Katie has used in this case.

Collectors Club Guest designers in no particular order are 
Gail Pan Designs
One Day In May, Creations by Melissa Grant
Lisa Cantalay of Fig'n'Berry 
Brenda Ryan of Thimblestitch
Hugs 'n Kisses by Helen Stubbings
Rosalie Quinlan
Jo Maxwell of The Elephant Patch
Jenni Spencer of Stitching Sisterhood
Matching Pegs by Claire Gee
Libby Richardson
Leanne Knell of Petals and Patches
Katie Dawson from Cottage Garden threads

And an apology - I cant believe its been 4 months since my last blog - I have started a Nays Place facebook page as well and am posting daily to this - so please go in and like my page.

I will be having a 100 like giveaway and have a pile of goodies just waiting to go...will post to anywhere in Australia.  

So where do I start - family life has been very busy - cant believe birthdays have been and gone, Christmas went flying past (I think I stopped and celebrated), school holidays are over and I now have a Yr 9, Grade 6 and Grade 3 students.  As Mr 'almost got my drivers licence' is reminding me - 16 months till he turns 16, 5 1/2 years till I turn 50 - both will come around quick enough - seriously we're almost in FEBRUARY.

On the shop front I am selling Bronwyn Hayes from Red Brolly, Gail Pan from Gail Pan Designs,  Karen Buckley products - perfect scissors, perfect circles etc, Cottage Garden threads, Annie Downs from Hatched and Patched, all the fantastic designers from Creative Abundance as well as my other supplies.

Slowly but surely the 'shop' is starting to take place.  Keep an eye on my facebook page for specials.

I love that things are starting to fall into place.  I must say some very persuasive ladies were very keen for me to try - I met these ladies when Anne and I attended a Christmas Gathering with Gail Pan and Leanne Beasley at the Novotel Glen Waverley in November 2013.  A very fun weekend catching up with old friends and making some new.

and from Gail

I am lucky enough to be taking my mum with me again to Robyns Indulge in Stitches this time to be hosted at Maggie Beer's Pheasant farm with the wonderful Bronwyn Hayes, Rosalie Quinlan and Robyn herself.  Glad I talked mum into it as it is now sold out.

My promise to you

So from now on I will post regularly

I will be having Sunday sew days - call me to confirm times

I will be adding products to this site

I will be following my dream

Take care and keep stitching

Nay

A Sad loss, a start, and some help needed

 A long time between post,

Unfortunately my Father in law passed away earlier this month - he had been fighting a tough battle with cancer but he no longer had the energy or body to fight with.  I been involved with this family for 20 years and Warren was a wonderful man who called a spade a spade, would give his right arm to help you if your needed help, loved his family and enjoyed a red and chocolate or two.

So many people are effected by Cancer whether it be Breast, Prostate, Bowel, Pancreatic, Bone or Emphysema, mother, father, brother, sister, cousin or friend.  I have plenty of exposure with my dad being diagnosed with Breast Cancer 17 years ago and having a mastectomy, then Prostate Cancer to follow on and my mother being diagnosed with Breast Cancer 3 years ago, as well as my Father-in-law.   Yesterday Shane Crawford cycled through the town on his way from Melbourne to Perth, lets hope he can raise as much money as he can to help more research to try and find a cure for this disease.

A lovely day celebrating Warrens life and as a symbol of goodbye we gave each person that attended a small bag of sunflowers seeds - these were Warrens favourite - to plant in memorial.  Hopefully next year there are sunflowers everywhere, including our place as we have a leftover 25kg bag of sunflower seeds. ;)

So home again and I am still thinking of hexagons.  I so loved Natalie Bird's Quilt that we did at Robyn's Country Hart  retreat.  (see previous post).  I have always wanted to do a Grandmother Flowers Quilt I have an idea in my head but really don't know where to start.

So what do I do instead - start another project - this time crochet.  So I am still doing hexagons, must thank my mum for helping me by picking up the wool at Spotlight.  We only had to substitute one colour but have started.  Mum got me extra of the beige marle so I had added extra flowers in plain to make the rug bigger.  The pattern is from the Better Homes and Gardens June edition.

(only another 98 to go plus 100 plain ones - not that I'm counting)

http://blog.ajpadilla.com 

 www.quiltinggallery.com 

So I have this idea to make a quilt in shades of red and cream but ladies (and gentlemen) I need help - is this one of those quilts that is better in scraps, tones of colours or do you think red and cream with work????

Love the French General range and they have the yummiest of reds.......

End of school is coming up soon - 1 week to go and then school holidays.  We are heading off for a family holiday with a group of 23 friends, then on to Melbourne to visit DH's sisters.  Oh and I might have to extend the holiday in Melbourne as I happened to find out that the Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair is on whilst I'm there......sssshh don't tell DH

Keep Stitching,

Nay

PS Anne and I are off to Melbourne to join Gail Pan and Leanne Beasley in a Christmas workshop in November - birthdays presents for ourselves.  Aren't they the best.

Indulge in Stitches, Natalie Bird, Libby Richardson, Country Hart, time with Mum and I hate being sick.....

So,

Last weekend saw Mum and myself drive ourselves to the Novotel at Rowland Flat (the Barossa) to the "Indulge in Stitches" weekend put on by Robyn Welsh from Country Hart in Port Pirie - 

 this is the 3rd that I have been to and my mum's first.  

Mum was exactly like me the first time I went to a weekend away - I'm not good enough, 

I don't know enough about quilting (mum has started quilting - yet),

I wont know anyone there and the excuses keep rolling on.  Guess what she survived!

I will post photos of my projects and purchases once I buy new batteries for the camera.

I have been to a workshop with Natalie Bird before - at Tricia's at Almond Grove - 

Natalie along with Anni Downs from Hatched and Patched

it was to be Tricia's last and I knew that mum would enjoy the stitching.

Robyn normally has them at her shop but having moved recently to Alexander St Port Pirie

 she doesn't have the room until the shop next door is vacant.

Natalie Robyn and Libby

10:30 saw us roll up, parked out front and then we were meet by Robyn and her daughter Abbi with morning tea.  A coffee machine to work out and some lovely food and then it was time to settle in.

One project each from Natalie and Libby with another 2 on Sunday.

Natalie Bird Saturday Project

Hexagons - I mean seriously - I have always wanted to do these but never tried - looked to hard - 

wow was I wrong...helped with the templates...

the table of 7 ladies had decided to start with hexagons as Libby had to get to 4 tables and we didn't want to sit around waiting, it was also mentioned that nobody had done them before so we were all starting something new.  So after a few false starts and Natalie coming to help we all managed to get out a flower or two (I will post my projects in the various stages of finishes once I get new batteries for my camera as they died today after taking the Princesses photo).  Now I can see why these things are addictive and easily portable - and yes I love my sewline glue stick.  

We had 1/2" hexagons to deal with some crazy ladies even attempted the 1/4" hexagons - OMG - these are tiny and one lady even fussy cut rose buds for them...I mean seriously....check out Linda Whites "Dear Prudence" Quilt to see the size of these amazingly small hexagons -  Dear Prudence

Libby Richardson's Saturday project

So after much harassment from two on our table - Libby came across late in the afternoon 

( we were suppose to be first thing Sunday but oh well no pleasing everyone).  

Mum was SO EXCITED about this as she has a few projects at home that she wants to stitch that has painted backgrounds.   

This was so much fun and surprisingly very easy - mum was impressed as she believes that she can't draw, can't paint so was keen to see how she would go, and she finished her drawing - not the stitching but the painting and it looks great.

Natalie's Sunday Projects

Punch Needle - something that I was introduced to by Anni Downs and seriously I had forgotten how much fun it was.  It must be addictive as I stayed up (whilst completing the washing Monday night) to finish it - finished the bird on the weekend and now the house. 

 Bought the kit to make the bag - will show you the finished project - very cute.  

Now have so many ideas going through my head - any stitchery/applique design can be done as punch needle.  

Libby's Sunday Projects

A cute wall-hanging - almost finished the stitching but not quite.

So can say the accommodation at the Novotel is pretty good, the food was amazing and if you went hungry then you only have yourself to blame. 

 I know Robyn and the hotel had a few complaints - that's sad -

 I know a lot of hard work and time goes into these weekends so it must be disappointing when

 some people (two in fact) find a way to complain about EVERYTHING - 

when even Mum says they're B______S you know its bad. 

Came home to three kids, one husband, one father (thanks for kid-sitting Grumpy), a house full of washing and still sick kids.  Mr 14 going on 40 has had glandular fever and an infected ear drum for a week now, Mr "I miss out on everything" and She who must be obeyed had already had their fair share of a viral infection. 

Thought I had escaped it but no Tuesday night I got hit by a "Mack Truck" - went to pick up No 2 from Karate and felt dizzy and started shivering uncontrollably - went home and crawled into bed and 3 hours later with 2 hot water bottles I started to warm up.  

Wednesday couldn't talk, couldn't swallow as someone had chucked a trailer full of glass down there, felt crap and probably looked like it.  Spent the next 3 days in bed - sleeping - dragged myself to the Dr's and yep guess who got Glandular fever and Tonsillitis - so a few days off.  Normally a bonus just not at the moment with 2 new staff returning from their training on Thursday - great welcome really.

Woke up Saturday morning and realised that I could swallow WOW  took the kids to Berri for No 1's footy game - his first hint of activity for 2 weeks, went shopping and came home and laid on the couch for the next 5 hours - didn't expect to get that wiped out - perhaps this really does knock it out of you.

Today stayed quiet - finished my beanie to match my scarf, knitted some more of Princesses scarf, cooked a yummy meat pie for tea and dessert was some lovely Raspberry, Blueberry and Nutella turnovers YUM.  Managed to sit through one of Princesses performances - they're getting longer and more ab-libed.  

She who must be obeyed "Performance"

Back to work on Tuesday. 

Take Care and keep stitching,

Nay

A Girls Weekend - absolute BLISS....

So what does a girl do on a girls weekend....nothing...

Arrived at Burra Bakehouse 7pm Friday and didn't leave the building till Sunday 12 noon. (other than a small sojourn across the road to ask for a couple of lemons for the Baked Raspberry Cheesecake)

Talking, Eating, Talking, Drinking, Talking, Sleeping, Talking, Solving the problems off the world and our own worlds, Talking and just having fun.  We try and do this once a year - we all have 3 kids, work, have husbands who at times just dont get us and this is our chance to just go blah...have people listen and understand and say nothing or everything back.

I'm so lucky to be able to do this - DH had the kids although 'she who must be obeyed' had 2 sleepovers and a birthday party and the boys had footy and yes I came back to the washing, mess and no dinner but oh well.

Thanks to Nic and Sandra - 12 months had better go quickly.

We were lucky enough to have lunch at La Pecora Nera, great food, cheap prices and lots of food.  

YUM.  

Managed to catch up with good friend Paula who lives nearby for coffee and cake (gelati)

Last night 'She who must be obeyed' reminded me that her class was going to the Loxton Historical Village.  She had given me a notice last term but who knows where that ended (oops found it today at work on my desk) so LOVE the fact that Nay's Place is fully stocked with lots of fabric and manged to whip this up. 

Not bad even if I do say myself - pattern what pattern. 

This weekend mum and I are off to Robyns from Country Harts Inspired Stitches Weekend.   

A weekend with Natalie Bird and Libby Richardson at the Novotel Barossa Valley. 

 Cant wait -

 Mum has never been to a weekend before so I am introducing her to all

 the 'secret womens business' 

Will post photos this weekend.

Keep Stitching

Nay