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

I know its winter but seriously we have to find some warmth somewhere...

As winter hints most of Australia,

with record snow falls I've stoked up the fire and have tried to get some sewing done.

 

Mr 'I miss out on everything' was lucky enough to invited to a friends birthday party

 Aussie style sleepover in swags surrounding a big fire

 

 

A late night, big fire, cool evening but apparently they were all asleep before midnight and up by 7 - mmmm wonder why he tired and grouchy now.

 

(setting up the swags before it got dark)

 

Our quilting group Waikerie Piecemakers hold a "Quilt Fest No Stress" weekend each year -

two days - 20 hours of stress free sewing - pooled tea - lots of yummies and a chance to do your own thing, bring in your ufo's to sit sew and maybe get them finished.

 

This year Nay's Place sponsored a Charity Challenge Quilt - I have spoken about it previously

 

We managed to get the tops pieced together - final borders, peepers and the we need time to sandwich - quilt - bindings and we're done.

 

We made the decision this year to donate to local charities - everyone who completed a block could choose - winners have been drawn and we hope to present later in the year.

 

Don't they look great

(we're calling this cookies and cream)

(and the Red Quilt for obvious reasons)

 

I was very pleased with the results I think they look great.  Was feeling very pleased and then to cap it off on the ferry coming home saw this rainbow - love rainbows - this was a double

(the second to the left which you can just see)

 

Off to finish some tassels on my hexagon crochet rug

 

Keep sewing - even in this cold weather

 

Nay



 

 



Holidays over what next

So 2 weeks ago I had lots of plans,

 tasks to get finished

 and an idea of what I had to have finished

before I went back to work on Tuesday.

 

And how much did I achieve - almost nothing - seriously how did I get it so wrong. 

 

So lets recall the plan

2 weeks off - 1st week no husband at home - get stuck into all the 'household' jobs

 and then the 2nd week to start sewing....

mm great plan - didn't happen.

 

First day - got hubby ready to go with his family to scatter his dad's ashes over on the West Coast of South Australia - its been 12months since he has passed - not been easy at times and we all miss him (you all know how we feel)

Second Day - no hubby-kids at school - what did I do - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

 - spent the day simply relaxing, had a haircut, watched chic flicks -

felt guilty but goodness it was wonderful.

Third Day - went into the Princesses classroom and took a small group of cooks for a cooking session - today we made pancakes YUM - just in time for recess.  I don't get to help much during term so was only to happy to help when I can - a mix of boys and girls - it was great to hear all of them say that they have cooked before.  Then headed up river to help out a new staff member with some training that was troubling her - then spent 2 hrs shopping by myself.  AHHH PURE LUXURY

Fourth Day - OK so today I started with the housework - cleaning kids rooms etc etc

Fifth Day - Student Free Day for all the kids - so 3 kids at home - plans to go to Adelaide as my brother was flying out to Brazil tonight to realise a dream and go to the World Cup.  So the kids made a sign, decorated it and off we went - a quick trip to a few shops - meet DH at IKEA for dinner and some essential pickups and then on to the airport - it was great to surprise my  brother - he had no idea YEAH

The funniest thing about this photo - didn't realise how tall Mr I'm now 15 is getting.

 

Then it was the long weekend - DH and I tackled Mr 'I want to do everything' and the Princesses bedrooms - aarrrgghh and at 7pm we had had enough - almost there but not quite - now we just have to do some robe shopping or make them ourselves but in my mind I need to organise their rooms and anyone that knows me will know how funny that is because I was definitely not the neatest of kids but I don't think I was every that bad.

Sunday and the day of rest - I headed to Nays Place.  Had some lovely visitors in the morning - Michelle and Sandra came to check out Nays Place and almost 3 hours later they left - no sewing, quick cuppa and lots of talking later - it was fun.  The afternoon was spent doing more in Nays Place with a few phone calls for some orders.  Sorting out Grandma's fabric to try and work out what I am going to do with it all and decide do I actually want it or am I just keeping it because it was Grandma's

 

 

Monday and the start of another week - and I spent the day with the kids - watching movies, cooking just a fun family day and somehow I'm on to my second week and what have I done - not much.

Tuesday - todays the day - I decided that I had to finish at least one project - Last year I started on the BH&G crochet rug from their June 2013 issue.  I was asked if I could help people with knitting and crochet - I would love to - I'm not brilliant but know enough to get people started.
So I started crocheting lots of hexagons together - not finished yet but getting close - totally stuffed up the pattern was suppose to be rows of 8 and 9 - and I managed to do 9 & 10 - so not as square but more to wrap around you.

From the June 2013 issue

And my almost finished rug and yes I know I have some blocks together.



So how did I mange to go about this - well after laying them on the floor so many times in the end I just grabbed a pile and started crocheting them together - they are suppose to be sewn together but I was being lazy- but in the end I just grabbed a pile sewed them together and then put row upon row - 2 rows to go and then another row of cream ones to finish and the tassel's and them I'm finished.

 

Then on to Wednesday - another cooking session with the Princesses class - another group of kids and chocolate crackles this week.  We had promised Mr 15 almost driving a new bed - when I came in one day to find his size 11 feet hanging over the edge of his single bed  I decided that perhaps we should be upsizing - dragged him to the guest room and asked him to lay down on the double bed and yep that's ok until he turned over and those toes are still over the edge so queen size it is and what did he want a padded bedhead - why - cause I'm always leaning my pillow on the wall and I've seen how you can make them on all those reno shows - doesn't look that hard - unfortunately to buy the foam and fabric I was looking at a trip to Adelaide so instead went to a local shop - they had a sale and found one perfect for a growing lad.  Then DH and I made a bed base that will withstand a tornado and any amount of jumping shouldn't harm it.

Day 2 and it's messy already - should have guessed and yes he's waiting for his quilt to be finished ;)

 

 

Thursday a catch up with a friend for lunch and a quick trip to Lyrup/Paring to pick up some chooks from the Glenview Poultry farm -  6 hens have come home with me - I was a bit concerned their combs were very pale but guessed they probably got cold on the trip home.
It was a bit sad to see them come out of the cage I bought them home in - watch them spread their wings and all bar 1 overbalanced.  They really didn't know what to do - kept them in the a smaller area of our chook house for the first night then let them out the next day into the actual run - had to carry them out - cant imagine what life these hens have lead.  The cats have also been investigating and the chooks don't seem fazed by them at all - one bonus about being caged hens they are ok with people - the kids are picking them up all ok.
3 days later and we have eggs - not in the nesting boxes but in the straw -
we found 7 eggs today
yeah thanks hens

Saturday saw us head to Adelaide for my Uncles 50th - my mum's the oldest of 8 and he is the youngest - he was 3 when Mum and Dad got married, so it has always kept me amused being his niece and only 5 years younger.  We went to the Rezz Hotel at Newton  - great food, great company and a fantastic night - drove into the driveway at 2am this morning.

Sunday quiet day, nanny nap in the afternoon and finished the washing.

Tuesday back to work - oh well - some new products arrived during the week so will post some products during the week - check out this page or my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nays-Place/545715882174375
 

Keep Stitching
Catch up again soon 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello and guess who is on holidays - ME - WOO HOO

So its day 2 of my holidays and what am I doing - my blog - YEAH -

after a promise to some Brooky Girls to keep my blog updated regularly

(and yes Alison M I'm talking about you ;) ) 

 

 

So what do you do when you're on holidays and the kids are at school and the hubby is not around

well it goes a little like this

Day 1 - ... still in jammies at 10:30 am (does that set the scene)

help hubby with unblocking and cleaning the flue of the wood heater

lunch, facebook, coffee, facebook, coffee, pay some bills and then

start the challenge - finish as many UFO's as possible in the next 2 weeks

finally sewing all those hexagons together

 

BUT first

Day 2 - hair cut, clean some kids rooms (aarrgghhh) and then back to the UFO's

 

How about you - what are you doing today?

 

 

On Nays Place front my shipment from Gail Pan arrived and I know Red Brolly is arriving soon

 

Simply Christmas RRP $18.00 NPP $16.00

 

Stitching Makes my Heart Happy Sewing Thread Holder RRP $10.00 NPP $9.00

 



Meadowlark Quilt RRP$14.00 NPP $12.50

A Stitch in Time RRP $10.00 NPP $9.00

 

Little Bird Sewing Set RRP$14.00 NPP $12.50

 

 

Love Christmas RRP $14.00 NPP $12.50

 



Believe in the Magic RRP $14.00 NPP $12.50

Alphabet Home Table Runner RRP $14.00 NPP $12.50

Peace, Love & Hope RRP $14.00 NPP $12.50

Sampler in Blue RRP $14.00 NPP $12.50

 

I have also ordered Gails book Patchwork loves Embroidery but it is on backorder - stay tuned for more holiday updates

 

Keep sewing - I'm off for a haircut...

;)

 

 

 

 

 

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?

 

 



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