Friendship Swap 2013 - Cheryll & Dee

 

Friendship - A way of showing someone how you feel

Communal Friendship - such as ours - Friendship in which friends 'gather' often to provide encouragement and emotional support between two or more people. That's us :)

World Happiness Experts say that people with friends are happier than most.

Empathy, sympathy, compassion and understanding form the basis of all friendships, Here we show the ability  to be ourselves and to select the gifts we think that another would like. Re-read the basics, colour choices, hobbies, likes and dislikes certainly form the ideas we have in our heads. Our common interests can form bonding friendships.



 

 

 

"R"

 

"R" - Rest your Teapot on this (came with 4 serviettes too!)

 

"I"

 

"I" for Ironing Cord Holder in my favourite colour - PURPLES - yey

 

 "E"

 

"E" Enjoy this Owl pattern (You bet I will ) and Enjoy some Chocky & Tea (Nom Nom Yum)

 

 

"D"

"D" - Dry your hands on these - there was a little OWL button on one - HOOT HOOT!!

 

 " S "

"S" Store your bags in this
 

 

Random  - For Cheryll

 

I chose this pic as a random thing for Cheryll to show how much I appreciate her swap ideas.

The Parcels :)

I'm still OOOOing and AHHHHHing

 

 

 

 

 

The Items are truly GORGEOUS

 

 

"F"

 

"F" - FIND your Needles and Pins

 

 

"N" - Notebooks

 

"N" - Note Paper and Sticky Notes with OWLS :)

 

 

Sorry the pictures went on all over the place - having problems with the internet connection this time. So you'll have to go back and forwards to have a look - it's worth it :))

 

THANK YOU Cheryll for sending me this wonderous parcel Khris for organising the FRIENDSSHIP SWAP again this year. It's certainly a wonderful way of expressing friendship.



Friendship Swap 2013 - Part 1

Woo Hoo !!

My beautiful box of goodies arrived - though with a little dilemma. Unbeknownst to me and my swap partner - Cheryll - my 'Friendship Swap Goodie Box' had been misappropriated by a person known to Australia Post.

I pondered, and as excited. What would Cheryll send me ? As time went by, I became a little concerned at where the parcel may be, Never occurred to me that it was in 'no-mans land'. I just put the lateness of its arrival to our slap happy - sometimes its late, don't deliver on Friday thing :)

Then - I was driving up the street after going shopping - for food this time - and saw the postal delivery van.  My lust for parcels was in action. I parked and got out my car to await him walking across the street. I had been waiting for another two deliveries of bits and pieces I needed to complete some craft items.

As he walked across the tar, I notices he had two parcels and two letters. The letters amused me as he normally didn't bring those. He apologised for the lateness of the delivery. Huh? I said that I had been expecting some parcels. I noticed one had a digit incorrect and said "oops - that could have been an addressing error". He looked me straight in the face and said "Please read the letters first , it'll explain why your parcels are late".

Perplexed I took the parcels inside, noticed the slightly ripped package from Cheryll - excited I was - and told Mum that the delivery man was acting funny, and told me I had to open the letters first. So I sat down and opened the first of the letters. Oh Dear!!! Apologies from Australia Post stating that the parcels were allegedly stolen and under investigation by the police department. I felt overwhelming sadness as over 6 parcels in the last few months had disappeared, and the second in my hand was one of those. I had made a claim to PayPal and received my money back for that one, though I did write to the person involved and got him to send me an invoice to repay him - after all I did actually have the goods now.

I was soooo happy o note that the contents of both packages were intact.

So as NOT TO SPOIL the excitement, pictures and beauty of the swap gifts I will write a second BLOG to show you all what was sent to me.

Thank you to the employees of Australia Post who got Cheryll's parcel to me. You don't know how much it means to me and Cheryll its here safe

Yours in quilting heaven - Dee

Not sure if you can read this but its part f the A.P. letter

Market Day

Hooley Dooley it was hot yesterday but the weatherman said it would be cooler today. Thanking my lucky stars the weather was going to be kind - I had help to pack up the car to take the bits n bobs Mum and I craft for the market.

Together with my Quilty type things - fabrics, embellishments and patchwork goodies - I hand craft babies to toddlers rompers & hair things. Hair bands, berets, crochet owl hats, dragon beanies for great photography props, knitted bootees, baby blankets, embellished Eco bags, machine and hand embroidered baby bibs, tea towels, hand towels, crochet coat hangers, crochet terry towels and baby pillows. That's just a bit.

My goodness there's more ? :)

At the moment I am typing on my phone and I'll have add photos of the market a bit later - because - I don't seem to be able to download the app required to dhow you them.

Would you believe I had some petty theft today and so did my neighbouring stall holder. They lost a pair of Tibetan pants and at $25 wasn't good for them - I lost 3 hair bands - one if which was taken from the bag - but they left the embellishment !  So I'm down $10.50 with - not nice when you're trying to serve someone to have another pilfer from you.  It's school holiday time here and together with kids wandering the streets having 'nothing to do ' syndrome and the influx of cars and terrorists ooops did I type that - tourists visiting this beautiful area what else is there to do? Hope you sleep well tonight - not!

Yawn :O ..... I probably need a Nanna nap but too tired to get out of chair . Thank goodness there's always help putting up the gazebo( and. Getting out the tables or I wouldn't t be able to help . This stuffs the back up before you know it ,

Back to chat soon :) Dee

Fire and danger ......

Fires are raging all around the Mid North Coast of NSW at the moment. Have been up that way and today the Pacific Highway had to be closed to all North Bound Traffic at 2pm before being closed in the other direction due to high winds. The fire was not contained at that point. Very close to the service station and food outlets and the small township of Purfleet. Some relatives were up that way tin the morning and said they could smell smoke and see small flames late morning.
By 5m the Pacific Highway was also closed at the Forster/Tuncurry turnoff.
At the same time a large tree fell on the Bucketts Way - that was the only other access point to Taree !!
Whoops- headed home at 2pm to see plumes of smoke coming from down near Forster Keys/Green Point....and I didn't get to see the news so hopefully the 10 houses that were reported on the local radio station to be under threat survived it.

Hopefully you and yours are safe and out of harms way.

I'll be back later with my Friendship Swap 2013 picys :)

De

Showoff

Today I sit here - freezing and sneezing. Yet another cold has taken over my head and chest and the wind is howling outside!!!! BUT the sun is shining so it could be warm somewhere in the garden. So in between availing myself of the tissue box, I can sit here and blog away.

I don't want to 'infect' my sewing so I'll just write about and show off some of the creations I have been making for quite a while - a little later on in the blog.

The Craft depot is so close I am salivating. Going to go get Noreen some more bobbins for her new embroidery sewing machine and see if I can locate some winged needles for Mum and her friend. They can complete their tablecloths then. Amazing you can't find them in Taree.

Alas on my travels up and down the coast I can check a few stores - so annoying to have to stop in at each and every craft and fabric shop - to check on these hard to get necessities!

If my spelling becomes "erratic" its cause my fingers are frozen......brrrr Soz about this :/

I am wondering why my genetic makeup in crafts and art has not followed through to my one and only daughter.   The nearest to craft is the plaiting of the horses manes and tails and painting of their hooves for show :) She's also a mad hand at helping groom dogs too so that in itself is a craft of sorts I suppose.

My eldest son isn't creative either. Ummmmm. Nope can't think of anything here other than rolling up ciggies - doesn't really count though huh? Does playstation count?

Thank goodness in a round-about way, my youngest son - a middle child like moi - paints. Not just drawing etc but on cars. As a spray painter he is very good with colour matching - luckily for him didn't take after Dad & Paternal Grandmother with colour blindness. It's a dream to watch him paint. He glides his hands and arms like a ballerina - no make that a conductor. Tooing and froing left to right. His eldest son looks as though he has that creative link with drawings :)

My Mum - who any think I must take after - sewed my dresses as a child because affording dresses was a little too difficult. That's and knitting were the two crafts Mum kept busy at and  I loved my hand knitted jumpers and cardigans!  I loved the dresses don't get me wrong - but I craved a pair of jeans. I had to borrow a pair off a friend in year 9 for mufti day. She didn't want me coming to school to be made fun of in my quirky hand me downs and other. Oh to be bullied and teased. High school is another subject :(

I attended ceramic classes and made pottery bits and bobs at our Foster Arts and Crafts Centre when it was still located in the Bullring on Forster Main Beach - wow things have changed these days. My daughter was just a dream then.


We did a crochet class with Aggie McClutchey at Taree. She had a shop at Centrepoint Arcade. Always told me I was cacky handed doing the loops and she was amazed they still worked - I still don't understand the complexity of this explanation of my skills. Looks normal to me. I now make flowers without patterns cause I can't remember how to read patterns properly. A few loops here and there and wallah - a flower is created ! I reckon f the end result is what you want - well? Only getting around knitting - my 8ply bootees are quick and cute - at times. No cables for me. I have knitted socks and baby things, toys x heaps but a jumper for my hubby - well he could be in a nursing home by the time I got that completed :/

Then we attended machine patchwork classes in the old Nabiac Hospital now the Community Centre with Jenny from the Post Office. This was after a lady whose name I do remember, but as this is my story ..... told me that using a sewing machine wasn't patchwork and I basically wasn't welcome in their group - snobs !! I can do both now with some aplomb. See kids - there is bullying at all ages. Have a few UFO's but well... we'll keep that a secret...maybe not cause we all must have at least one.


I now handmake and handcraft items. Funnily enough I have only grandsons though most of my creations are for little girls :) Wishful thinking maybe?

My burpers and bibs are popular with their quirky sayings on them. Boottees and blankets are ooed and ahhed about. My dinosaur and owl hats are popular as are the little hairbands I buy to embellish. The little baby rompers I craft, have guipere lace, roses or hearts on them and for little boys I make ties and belts. Singlets are embroidered and I have eco bags and eco nappies. All good.







Loving Mums embroidery sewing machine and have been creating new bibs for her and other things for me - will have to hint in my 'Could be good idea for presies box' for my own. I could do sooo much more.






You do realise at this time I have another hundred years or more of life to complete all these tasks - am sure this is to happen (pffft)

That brings me to my fabric stash. Actually looks more like a shop or as I like to explain it - 'Its my Fabric Library.' I say to my hubby - 'And just how many screws, bolts, nails, tools and toys do you have?'  He is the one when we travel about to offer to have a quick stop at a fabric shop should he see one. He doesn't really complain. gotta luv him :)

Won't write much more here - want you to stay awake so you can go create something exiting - whether it be craft or a meal or even dusting - a job well done makes for a happier person.

Enjoy your day and remember to smile at strangers

Dee :)

 

Read on ......

 

Its a brand new day but only just - Its just 12.03am as I start to blog:) Must be getting in early and no I haven't had coffee since this afternoon.

Got that when I was handing out brochures on how to vote - yep again. No more for me now though.  I have voted early because I will be busy on Saturday and there are plenty of other volunteers that are willing and able (though some complaining about doing so, so I  wonder why they volunteered in the first place) to carry on through till Saturday. But that's as much about politics as you'll get from me. I like having friends you see. And of course the old saying runs so true - Politics and Religion ruin friendships.

Now on keeping myself busy ..........

I have made some more stock for my Market Stall. Funnily enough, I have so much more girl baby/toddler things than boys and all I have is grandsons aged 1, almost 3 and 7!!

So there is Eco Nappies and matching hairbands with cute flowers - can use the naps as swimmers as well, cute bunny ear styled hair bands, guipere lace embellished rompers - butterflies and gorgeous lace. Made up some more baby gift baskets and just have to wrap in cellophane to keep them pristine. I will write more on all this when I download my photos to the computer.

Swap.......

My Friendship Swap presies are burning a hole in their box!!! Still can't send/deliver then to my partner till she comes backs from holidays.

Holidays..........sigh........

This brings me to remember what a holiday is about. It's that time when phones are not supposed to ring  with children on the other end begging you to come home because some type of emergency is happening ( yes this did happen and my kids were all working age!), parents can cope without you visiting, jobs can still run without your input, pets can live without your undivided attention because they can love others who feed them the same diets and treats, markets don't need you every month and my doctor doesn't need her monthly allowance from me.

So to plan a holiday? Once again I can plan though that does not mean it will actually happen.

Ask my friend Jo. We plan, we delay - either way something crops up for me and vice-versa. BUT we do get together and when we do we make the best of the short time. That's the problem when we now live hundreds of miles apart. Hey Jo! Did you know there's a Quilt Market in November in Melbourne?

I joked only yesterday to Jo that I could run away, make sure I had money so no-one could track my whereabouts, leave my mobile phone off  and have a break away from the myriad of going's on at the moment Jo and I agree we could do with a break - big time LOL.

And now ............

This alas my friends is the point I should shut both the computer down and my brain to give it a rest. Heaps to do tomorrow, still have some new signs to write and three bibs to complete, help someone move some stuff before getting back home in time for dinner. Saturday is a catch up day before the Market on Sunday, Newcastle on Monday and heading down to visit my girl then relatives. A very special birthday event for my daughter - her hubby is away till November and he is missing this event for the second year in a row. That's the job he has as one of our defence personnel and something she signed up for - we all know how much he wanted to be with her for this birthday.  Her Dad and I will make sure she has a fantastic 30th :)

Adieu and Good night. Hope you're all sleeping well

Dee

Friendship Swap

How exciting to be able to join the Friendship Swap with Kristina McCarthy again this year !

Today I received a parcel from Cheryll - my partner .

On arriving home this morning I saw the postal van parked across the road on the grass verge. Ooo yeah I thought - some little bits and pieces I've been purchasing on line have arrived and maybe my Friendship Swap parcel has arrived.

I know the mail can be slow up here but I was getting a little worried as Cheryll let me know the parcel was on its way prior to going on her holiday. And there was a reminder from Kristina about sending and noting receipt of our parcels via emails. I had a couple of other parcels overdue but put in a claim to eBay for one and received a credit only yesterday.

The postal gent waved to me and I crossed the road to retrieve the parcels only to be told - 'Sorry about the late delivery luv". I didn't understand his comment when he added that he had a couple of letters for me as well.  Now this is the parcel delivery man not the postperson who delivers around 2pm.

I said to him that I thought the parcel went missing because when I saw that he number of the house was one digit out it was my fault. He then asked me to read the letter prior to opening the parcels. And he said it twice. Now this was an odd thing to be told so perplexed I took the letters and the parcels inside the house.

I spoke to my Mum as I walked in about what the parcel delivery man said. I then opened the  first of the letters only to find an apology letter from Australia Post, the second letter read the same. Apparently both these parcels had been allegedly stolen and luckily retrieved and the matter was still in the hands of the police.

I sat stunned.

Both parcels were unopened - thank goodness for that. Only the larger of the boxes had ripped brown paper. I quickly opened the smaller to find that it was the parcel Id just got a credit for and I which I had also left neutral feedback for as this was the second parcel I had paid for from this particular seller.

I called eBay and had my comment rescinded immediately and then contacted PayPal to resend the money back to the seller. After all I had received the goods.

I was a little worried about the second parcel as I recognised Cherylls name and address on the back of it. I opened the box to find all the bits and pieces still in there. I will upload pictures and make comments on that later.

I think I am still stunned as only two years ago I sent out a parcel that went missing from the local post office I lived near at the time. This was never found and I had to put in a claim for things I had bought and made for another friendship swap. Difficult to put a value on things like these. It took months to get the claim finalised and I felt like the person to whom it was being sent and the organiser of the swap may have thought I hadn't sent it. I can't believe I'm on the other side of it this time. That's twice in three years!

So I'm not sure if the parcels went missing from the front door or otherwise, though I did speak to Australia Post who assured me it wasn't from the house - I was almost in the car to go apply for a P.O. box if it was!

So a topsy turvy day it has been with me not even able to access my Blog for hours. There seemed to be a block to me accessing this tonight as well.....note the late hour of this authors notes LOL

Wishing us all a better day tomorrow - I will be volunteering some time in handing out how to votes for the weekends election before heading home to complete the last few items for my market stall on the weekend. And if my dogs are lucky ( or otherwise as they may think)  - they will have major haircuts when I get out the clippers out.

Yours in craft and life - Dee

I've Been Missing from my Blog :(

Hello All !!!

What a tumultuous year I have had.

I lost my sister-in-law who I spoke about last year. I spent a lot of time with Lee-Anne during her last few months and the last week was the hardest. On September 19, 2012 Lee passed away after a relatively short battle with breast cancer. This insidious disease metastasized. Chemo and surgery were not to be the be all and end all. The hospital and staff were fantastic letting me have the bed next to her so I could be with her till she was no longer.  I was there for her and she knew that she had love and companionship to the end as I had promised her.

My newest grandson was born weeks earlier - Lee never got to see him in person but my little phone videos and photos made her grin. She revelled in the fact I assisted his entry into the world.
Unfortunately Lee left four daughters behind. The eldest only 15 and the youngest only 2 at the time.
It saddens me to say its only two weeks til the anniversary.

I had my name on a list to train for voluntary palliative care and assistance and when I rang last week they had mislaid my name - I was told I now have to wait another two years for another training session. I feel saddened as I really felt I could help somehow.

Family crisis, both good and bad have competed for my time. Elderly parents in-law have developed the onset of old age, friendships changed due to locality. Family partnerships have stopped and started, a child born and torments of modern day living affected us all. And pets have too left us with holes in our hearts.

My computer died and as avid craftspeople you know my hard saved dollars would be spent on a new sewing machine before I would purchase a new computer. Thank goodness the craft I make and sell bought me this newest toy - my new 'Puta" :)

So now I can be blogging on and on and sharing of my crafts and busy life.

Warmest thoughts Dee

Just saying .... LOL

It's raining in the Blue Mountains where I am at the moment. Freezing and Misty. I am sitting in front of the television with my youngest grandson watching a children's program (thank you TV programmers). Not something we normally do as we both love to go outside in the fresh air - cool or not. Isn't that what our coats and hats are for? Keeping us warm and comfy. This does come at a small cost though. I am simply unable to get my sewing out as those 20 month old fingers try to help at every turn. :) Not that I mind. I gave him some fabric and a chopstick so he could mimic me. It was successful for a short time, but the lure of what Nan hand in her hands was so tempting, so I gave it up. Sorry to my teacher - I may not have my homework done for Sunday's class. It's been an interesting week and a bit. I have not child proofed my house, choosing to just use the logic of a simple two letter word - NO :)) LOL Another fave is my amazing ability to count - 1 - 2 - 3 !! Usually I get a reaction before three so all it's very good in this household. My grandchildren know that Nan and Pa love them heaps and smile so sweetly at us - like who us??? when they do something they know they maybe should not do.

 

I thought you might like to know how your brain is made up, so have added the following diagram so you can make sense of what happens with the hallowed walls of our heads :)))  I wanted to share this &  thought you could do it in a lovely patchwork cushion for your workspace and take note of it from time to time.. It's great therapy and gives you a good laugh :)))

Aren''t these cute. Just about to make some for pressies :)) Xmas is but months away

This is how I feel about my friends and patchwork buddies. Great Saying :)) It would make a great addition as a label or even within the quilt top itself.,

Enjoy your day, Love your Hubby or Partner & Family, Share with Friends and Just Be !

Quilty Hugs Dee

Prayers need for S.I.L.

This blog is a lot different to the norm today. Nothing about sewing, creating or quilting.               Today, I have to share some sad news. My foster sisterinlaw -  Lee's breast cancer has travelled. Though her breasts were removed in March and cancer found in five of the seven lymph nodes taken out, she was feeling positive that it was all found and was looking forward to a pain free period. Her doctors were positive that this cancer had been taken care of. We did know that there was cancer in her breastbone but were told radiation would help. Chemotherapy took its toll with the loss of her glorious auburn hair - which the darker hair bow coming through dyed blonde - cause she could :)) 

Her left arm blew up and the doctors thought it may be lymphoma though she thought it was because they stuck a port in her chest to allow chemotherapy but just hadn't taken it out. She has been having a lot of back pain and over the past few weeks shoulder pain, so she went to the doc's last week and then sent to see her cancer clinic. The nurse there took a look at her and sent her to hospital - where she thought she would be a day or so. She spent many hours sitting around waiting for a bed and within another 24 hours they had one upstairs in the hospital. After having her port checked and flushed yesterday, the doctors decided to do an MRI on her skull and found cancer in her neck :((( And next week more MRI;s for the neck and shoulders themselves. She is feeling weak today after having two rounds of radiation the last to days as well.

She is concerned for her four daughters ranging from 14 to just 2 1./2 :(( I have had them all sent Breast Care awareness packs kindly sent by Purple Boots - a Breast Cancer group, to each of them. The eldest understands very well, the two middle girls have auspergers and kinda understand and the youngest, too little to know much at all - other than Mummy losing her hair.

Am making her a pillow for her back at the moment. I am thinking of a quilt for Lee at the moment and as she isn't the feminine type of person - her words, ( she has been a tom boy the whole 36 1./2 years I have known her) was wondering what fabrics to use. I know she loves purples and lilacs just like me, so may go that way.


.
Any prayers, chants through faith and thoughts for Lee and her girls would be much appreciated by me and I am sure by Lee and her girls as well.



Keep well my friends and readers - Dee

Watch This Space - More Quilts to Make

How lucky am I? I have two beautiful grandsons and a third is on his way. No secrets here - my family (brothers included) are destined to be male dominated. My eldest brother and his wife have one son - probably thought that was enough and stopped. My own family consists of two boys and then lucky me, I had me a girl. My youngest brother has six - yes that's right - 6 boys!!! And now my own children look destined to follow suite. My father was one of three boys and Mum one of two girls, so you would think there would be some fairness and sharing of sexes. That is, at least some girls would come about - alas - like myself, there is one female per generation. My youngest son has two boys - both pictured, and suprise, suprise, there is another little boy is about to be born. He is coming to us next month!

Jordan's Donkey :))

This is JB - my eldest grandchild, who at 6 - almost 7 (not till December 10th) Nanna. He loves everything his Daddy likes. That is cars and motorbikes. He also loves hats - again like his Dad, and has amassed an amazing collection of them and little cars. The picture below shows him in his bedroom at Dad's. I started him off with some pirate things, and he seems to have got carried away with those too....or more probably his Dad. LOL.  He loves coming to see his Daddy and I think his favourite food is Mcdonalds, though he does adore chocolate milk and icecream. Have all the bits and pieces to do a Donkey quilt designed by Hot Possum for him in his favourite colours. Even though he is a big boy now, he still loves colour and animals !

This cheeky little chap is MJ, who will be two on November 1st. His smile lights up any room, and his enormous blue eyes which are exactly like Mummies, are gorgeous. Not sure why the car is in his mouth, probably cause his Mum calls him motormouth :)) Always welcomes his Nan and Pa will a cuddle and kiss. Runs to the door and swoops on us - just lovely !! The photo above shows him in his element, he also loves cars and is always mucking around with Daddy while he paints and fixes up mini-trucks. Dad is like his own father - they both love motorcycles - seems to be a thing with all the makes in my family! Think little MJ may talk his Dad into getting him a motorbike, quicker rather than later. This little man loves his food - anything at all - and everything is his favourite. The kind of kid everyone loves to have around too. If they can make more like him, I'll take six - LOL. MJ's new quilt is half way finished and features stars and stripes in the brightest of greens, blues and a bit of red thrown in for impact.



This is the latest little man on the right in his latest scan. Due in August and we can't wait to meet him! We may not be able to wait, but mother nature says we have to, so we will wait till Mummy obliges. In this image he is waving to his Daddy LOL. Now I will have to get busy and design another quilt for this little fellow. Have pretty well decided on wild animals. Have a great quilt to complete and a Giraffe Sketch to embroider on another blanket. Any ideas on some simply made toys would be appreciated as I know little presies from the baby to the big boys will make having a new member of the family more welcome by them. Have thought of toy bags, but maybe someone has some other great ideas they want to share with me.

Chat again soon - Quilty Hugs - Dee :))

Happy Birthday to Self - LOL

Who said birthdays are fun? Some certain hubby rubbing extra year in face at every occasion - wait buddy cause you've only got a few more years till your next large milestone birthday - OKAY !!! Hear me buddy!! And I WILL write about it on my blog in October - hear me? Anyway at least he remembered and left my birthday presie I selected and laybyed for him to go get so he could say he bought it, only to have to go and pay and collect - then he leaves it in a drawer at my Mum;s home !!! So I did a little retail therapy of my own, some nice new sheets - in a lovely purple shade of course, chocys, oil burner, neck pillow and a yummy mega chocolate birthday cake later - I came home :))

Had just spent a couple of nights with my daughter as her navy hubby was away and had a little girl time with her and hubby just had to go to his sports club on Saturday - my birthday - so I said, go - stuff around and I will go visit my nephew and nieces (adopted by me by choice) and have a cuppa with their Dad as well, Mum was at work :(( shame that - we always have a great chinwag. Then the shopping where I bought an enormous amount of fruit and veg :)) Except when I got home and opened the apples - there was mega soft bits on them - shame veggie shop - shame !!

I had a presie from my bro and sisinlaw - gorgeous stuff she made me - decorated a bag, a triangular doorstop and a hand made wood and glass display for my wall :)) Thanks Nique & Baz. Funniest thing is - we are decorating the same bags :))) So much of our craft at the moment is exactly the same and we live hundreds of kilometres away from each other - amazing again that soe of the items are so close in making its scary lol

This pic is sooooo true LOL

My kids rememberd me this year too - thanx for the sms's - I am soooo worthy of them. Hubby came home and rushed off to have a shower - let's go out and have dinner and go to the movies - so I checked the movies - went through them and stated them out loud - nup not that one - his Lordship says - nope that;s a kids prgram - funny that since it's school holidays again - nup, nup, nope, oh yeah that one - Snow White and the Huntsman. Soooo grown up. So dinner we had - lovely steak and a beer at the pub - yep - the pub and then went to check in at the cinema - WT????? A two hour wait, so we headed back to the pub, which is closest to the cinema and waited for a bit before deciding that 9.25pm was another 1..25 hours away and journeyed home. Have tried again to see it - another two hour wait - must be my old bones - can't walk quick enough to get there so miss out LOL



I particularly like this one - thanx a lot!!

A great quote I like is - The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to remember it once !!

One I made up is - Your birthday lasts 366 days a year - as you never age a day till the next birthday !! Who goes around saying I am 50 years, 8 months, and three weeks and 4 days ???? So 50 for all that time is very good huh? And once you reacdh 50 you are legally allowed to go backwards My choice and I am sticking to it !!!



Am so lucky to have friends, personally, on Facebook and via my Blog. have have heaps of well wishes - it's been awesome - so thank you all very very much -  mwah !!!! Life isn;t so serious when you can chat to a friend. I wrote to a lady only a month or so ago - and feel we have a lot in common already. I know when I am writing I can share funny anedotes, stories and read what you say and hope I respond with care, lightheartedness, fun, concern and all the emotions I feel from your notes.





Well it's time to be off and enjoy another round of cr** on the television and then off to bed.. Am doing some craft whilst I 'watch; - can cope well that way. That's a noisy square shape with pictures flashing on and off in it - at the moment there is a cougar that just caught a large bird and is crunching on it - lovely - :( glad I have already eaten my dinner.......



Dee

There's a Storm coming

hmmmmmm. Just heard on the news channel that the mountains of NSW are going to experience a storm. DER. The television is already mucking up, so we are getting our candles and torches to the ready. Water in the jugs - yes its electric but I have a gas stove and pans to boil water LOL.. And a large bucket or two of water for the loo cause that also requires water - funny that.

So have had dinner and a nice cuppa and might have to go to bed early, cause as soon as there is any thunder - the electricity will be turned off so as not to blow up all our electricals. That has happened before.

Only last week whilst  we were off enjoying ourselves the power went out due to trees falling on lines and an accident on the main road. Unfortunately that buggered up the fridge/freezer and we came home to a mess. A smelly trully awful mess, meat was soooo off and everything else in fridge disgusting too - luckily for us, garbage day was the following day. So there wasn't anything left to eat other than what we keep in cans, luck has it I have rice milk and that is in long life containers and hubby drinks his tea black :)) Have to make a claim on the insurance - about time I got something back after decades of payments.

These pics above were taken during and after the last been 'storm' we had. A carpet of white made it look like the Snowy Mountians instead of the Blue Mountains.

Going to investigate getting some more stuff for the puta and so I can blog more - you know it's old age - you know - the gigabyte thing. I only have 3 gigs a month and the way I am writing and using the computer I will need to increase it as soon as possible. Maybe I should send hubby to Telstra again as when he went today he got positive results after complaining of the 30 messages from Telstra saying his credit was less by the call, though they promised him a longer usage time. Although I reckon I can rock this little boat all by myself. I said to him, behave yourself and you get good results. LOL.  He came back and the first words to me were - I behaved myself and I got results. He was only gone 25 minutes too :)) So we are hoping in 21 days time we don't get messages all day long about running out of credit - cause I know he will do his block.

Going off so my puta lives to tell another blog tomoz

Nite all - Dee

Last Sunday of the month - Sunday Night Musings

Sunday is always a great day. People of faith go to church or venues with other like minded souls, those who don't visit friends and family or just enjoy the life they live. Its everyones choice how they live their lives. I have a faith that I don't need to shove down anyone else's throat - that's probably why I have friends from many denominations in life I suppose. Great huh.

As I awoke this morning from my slumber, I thought of my children and family and wonder what they will all be up to today. I know my relos who live close by, will welcome the morning with an early morning walk with the dogs, probably not my FIL who could be found snoozing away - which is deserved after being on this earth 82 years +. My eldest is visiting so he will be up and tickling the engine of a car he is fixing, the youngest son will be playing with his boys then venturing out to work and the youngest bidding farewell to her hubby for a bit as he sails off in his job. My Mum will probably be off to one of her markets unless my Aunty has got a visit out of her :) My brother will wake with the noise of 5 sons  before going through the days goings on with his wife. My hubby and I have jobs to do, like finding firewood for the relos fireplace, while I unpack from our break away, play with my little dogs and sort the wash.

Have sorted through my craft stuff for some new projects for my market stall and others that I am completing as a friend aand I have a quilt to complete each with similar fabrics - be interesting to see how we both see the same pattern come to life. I have another as part of a monthly class I have been doing. Will show more of that when I have some completed bits.

I sell these buttons and more at my market as well as on the net. The floral ones are very popular and the black and white ones are becoming so. Made of wood, they look great on all things crafts.

Found a few new blogs to read, though after I saved them - they haven't shown up. Disappointing that, cause it did say DONE, so I thought it was. Oh well. Will try again soon.

Am interested in making some door stops and pin cushions, so if you have any interesting patterns that you would not mind me using, can you pass them on? Many thanks. I have made mice before and some other ones that are a little common now, so something new would be good.

Have been busily crocheting flowers - from patterns in my head - its a long time since I did that two night class, and I can;t remember how to do some of the designs that I read. LOL. I willupload some pics when I take them. Very different designs methinx :))))

Sleep well friends :))) Dee

Friendship Swap 2012

Woohoo !! I have a new friend Illene in the 2012 Friendship Swap run by Sew Phrim Kris :)) Am so looking forward to chatting, swapping emails and little tokens of friendship over the next year. How great is that ? You can check progress on this blog or by going to http://sewprimkhris.blogspot.com.au/

I have some great ideas on what to send in my parcels, but am always happy to receive information on other ideas readers may have - so send via a comment or email me. :))

Today is beautifully sunny and a tad cool to the face - but a wonderful day anyway. Even after inclement weather most of our Great Ocean Road/Victoria trip, nothing could take away the memory of the coastline and the wellbeing we feel.. The weather added to the excitement with Mother Nature crashing waves against the coastline.

To everyone - enjoy your Day - Quilty Hugs Dee

Almost at the End of the GOR Travel

Ballarat to Bendigo via Daylesford and Hepburn Springs

Found a motel on the net - again through http://www.booking.com/ - great place to get great deals at the last minute. Pity there was no milk for a cuppa in the room though. No-one at the desk to ask for some - luckily I spot a petrol station next door - not that I like petrol in my tea - but they sell milk in cartons there - funny that . The visitor next door had his car over our car spot so we had to take up number 30's spot - luckily no one was booked in for the night. The motel looked quite different from the photo - in the morning we could see why - the newer suites were at the back . As it was pouring we reversed in to get our stuff out that we needed but didn't see the huge puddle of water laying in wait to get the unseeing. LOL. Wet slippers. Another cold and wet night. His Lordship was overly tired today. Wonder why with all the stopping, walking and playing tourists.

Found a few Patchwork shop addresses in the phone book and just had to go see a couple - or three planned for tomorrow:))

The first one I came to in Victoria Street was closed till 10am - forgot we were in the country, so we head off to the second one on the list, we can always come back later. This one closer to the centre of town in Mair Street.  Sovereign Needlework - Ballarat's largest supplier of 'Fine Needlework' was just opening and Elaine the owner for the past 12 months was checking that the log fire was going - just to keep the customers warm mind you. I was 'warmly' greeted and welcomed to browse around whilst she continued to open up. Lovely wools, fine fabrics and embroidery cottons of every colour imaginable hung on the walls. Great quilters patterns as well as ones for crochet, knitting and tapestries were strewn around the displays. I just happened to purchase a ball of wool for a scarf and another piece of fabric for my GORVQ (Victoria quilt) too.

His Lordship was busily checking a store two doors us - just something he had to do as it encompassed all the sports he loves.

Next stop was the store that was closed beforehand. We waited a little longer as it was still before opening time. The window display was very ecletic with Melly and Me patterns and all the latest fabrics. Beautifully done quilts, bags, toys etc around for display. The owner was busily tapping away on her computer. I did feel I was interupting her a bit when I asked questions - there was no-one else in the store so I thought it was okay. Purchased a couple of bits and pieces though I can't say I felt welcomed here.

My next stop was opposite an amazing church built from Ironstone where Lord S dutifully took some photos for me - the tourist thing - while I HAD to go into a store professing a SALE!! My goodness!! A sale!!!!   Isn't that just was a patchworker loves?

Eureka Patchwork :)))

Elizabeth cutting my fabrics

'The Selection!!!!'

Eureka Patchwork at the corner of Victoria Street amd King Street was calling me. I walked into the store and said 'Good Morning' to anyone who was listening as I always do. Alison was busily cutting and sorting fabrics behind one counter and welcomed me in. WOW - a glorious range of fabrics in all sorts of tonings, colourways and beautifully displayed fabrics that said 'pick me' 'pick me'! SO I did. I was told all fabrics were $20 a metre but they were having a sale and everything on display was now $15 a metre. Elizabeth the owner came out to greet me. What a wonderful lady. Showed me the latest collection of fabrics from Jenny Beyer, her secret stashes out back - as there wasn't anywhere else out front to put them, some fabrics in between and more. Elizabeth showed me a catalogue of the Stone Collection of fabrics coming in soon - very very noice :))

Elizabeth is trying to amass 2000 bolts of fabric for her store - and by the look of it is succeeding very well. A few dollars later pffffft, I have added to my Fabric Library some gorgeous things. Toy Fabric, some for my GORVQ and a little more LOL. Both some fabric for a gift too - just know the recipient will love the colours.

Thank you so much Elizabeth & Alison for being so genuine, warm and welcoming to this traveller :)) Check their website -  If you are looking for a particular type of fabric Elizabeth probably has it or knows where you can find it :))
Travel on driver !!!!

Drove on to Creswick where I thought I was going to see a craft store - called Lemon Tree Cafe - ok - some painting and produce on the walls but not quite the craft I was looking to see - by the way - wasn't all fabrics - I do love other crafts and already made ones :)) Right next door was Twin Needles - Embroidery & Patchwork Supplies where  the owner Elaine was telling me they produce their own Crewel Wools, Stranded silks and Organdy ribbons under the name Cascade House. Beautiful. I bought a pattern for embroidering a baby blanket with wools to match. I also got some ribbbon and fabric for the GORVQ.Well worth a visit either in person or on the internet.  http://www.cascadehouse.com.au/

By the way - I did not get anything for FREE at any of the stores I visited - just in case any of you are wondering why I am 'advertisng' for the stores I visit. I AM NOT - I am just passing on where I went on my travels and a personal view to what I see and hear.

Onwards to Daylesford where I had hoped to indulge in 'the waters' to help my ailing bod. But alas time was going quicker than our eyes and car. I perused some stores in Daylesford and found some lovely presies. The Tourist Information Centre was very helpful with their maps and displays. East to see where one should go and see and stay by looking at them. Very well done.

I found Threadneedle Craft in Vincent Street, Daylesford - the main street - where I was invited to look and ask for help should I need it - this gentleman's family lived in Newscastle and we had a quick chat on that topic as well as the type of fabrics he kept as that is what his local customers were after. Got three pieces of fabric for the GORVQ.

Next we stopped at Hepburn Springs - where I did not partake of the waters nor did I 'see' any springs. Might not have been looking in the right place, so next time :))

Up the hill a bit, the journey was starting to take a dark turn. I was laden with enough pills to keep a race horse from the track , that was doing little help to my pain wracked leg and back. Lord S stopped so I could stretch - it was less than 3/4 hour since the last stop - things were looking uncomfortable for the travel ahead.

Onwards towards Ballarat is the Chocolate Mill.

The Selection

A well built straw bale building greets the visitor with a pleasant entry garden. Within the garden is metalwork animals - Kangaroos, Echidnas and Emus. Inside there is a chocolate lovers haven. All made within the walls - this hallowed chocolate lovers paradise beckons.....take me home.....eat me now....take me home. Everything chocolate ...... Chilli, Fruit, Nut, Plain, Dark, White, Rum and sooooo many more. His Lordship and I selected a few chocolates and $17.50 later - 10 chocolates. Hot dark chocolate and mudcake we shared then left to venture on.

Looking for a motel room tonight with a bath tub as I really need to soak the bones. First one we found at Kangaroo Flat - his lordship went in to check - nope its already booked even though the computer link says it isn't - so onto look again - yep - found one - lets see. His Lordship comes back with a key - goodness knows what he has found as he isn't the most budget conscious person at times. Driving into a darkened area, reversing up - where the h is he going to I think. Opening the door - I thought - Honeymoon Suite - LOL. Well it is 35 years since we stayed at Bendigo. This time there is a huge king size bed that greets me at the door, with TV and dressing table to the left, a small wood dining table at the back with a kitchenette (no microwave though that's another  $15 for three nights the brochure states lol). I need to refresh myself - and kapow - there is a spa bath - thanks heavens you say - I did ask for a bath if possible -its a DOUBLE spa bath!!!! I hold my stomach and I laugh in hysterics!! Within 15 minutes I had my bag in the room and was sitting in that spa bath with a glass of wine and soft bubbles, blowing my cares away. My body was saying thanks.

Funny 35 years 3 months and 2 weeks ago exactly - our 'Honeymoon' of 3 days - we had $150 left in our bank account after Lord S's truck needed mechanical repairs the week before our wedding, this our livelihood - :( consisted of a caravan somewhere near Sovereign Hill and the cost of 2012's one night accommodation (gonna throttle him) was enough to pay (1977) for the petrol to travel, the caravan park we stayed at and where the heating consisted of a blow heater under the bed and our coats on top of the meagre blanket we were given, the attractions we saw - S.H. and Kryall Castle and the food we ate. But we did enjoy the sights of end of the Begonia Festival, the swans etc and the one small much treasured honeymoon souvenir - a Glass Blown Horse which was done for us whilst we watched and waited the craftsman to do.

Going off to plot the push onwards ....... Dee

Port Campbell to Warrnambool, Ellerslie, and Ballarat

The day starts at Port Campbell after a great snooze and lie in. Again the weather is with us - rain that is.

Doll Heads displayed at the Port Campbell Tourist Information Centre found from ship wrecks.

The view of Port Campbell.

Well, who'd have thought such a little distance could take such a long time to travel.
So much to see:)))))))) Grotto, London Bridge, Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, Crofts Bay, Boat Bay, Massacre Bay probably more.

London Bridge has fallen down

Kept watching the waves crashing on the coastline.

We had the tourist information staff laughing at Warrnambool when we said we'd had a busy day so far. We had left Port Campbell the largest suburb next door to Warrnambool and travelled 6 hours. The distance travelled way less than 100 kilometres lol. Too busy having fun, stopping every five minutes -  well it seemed like that anyway - to traverse the tops of the GOR coastline, take photos, gaze in absolute
adoration at the sights before us, and wonder at Mother Natures magnificence. So much in fact, anyone who asks, will get a descriptive monologue of everything you can see while driving on The Great Ocean Road.

Stopped in to the supermarket and picked up supplies for a picnic. Then there was the - do we stay here or do we gone on monologue. We decided to go on a bit further. On the top of the mountain range I was perusing the maps when His Lordship mutters - whoa- and slows the car. He thought there was a dog sitting in the middle of the very busy road. In fact, it was a weary looking adult male Koala!! Soft, grey fur fluttering in the breeze. All I could think was, please let the car coming the other way see it - we put our flashers on and pulled to the side of the road so other cars could see why we were stopped as we tried to usher him off the road. The other car coming towards us came to a halt - in the middle of the highway - and opened his car door onto the Koala's back pushing him on. He didn't move, so together with the other driver we scooted him off the road and into the line of gumtrees we could see some 200 metres from the road.  I hurried back and drove the still running car of the other person onto the side of the road as there were some big prime mover trucks coming up. The driver nodded in appreciation and both cars headed their seperate directions. Thats even closer than the last Koala encounter. Lucky for this one - he did not get run over.

At the side of the road at Ellerslie is an old bridge with the cleanest BBQ/Toilet and picnic area we have seen throughout our travels. So we stopped and partook our feast before travelling on to Ballarat.
Got onto a website to help us find accomodation for the night, booked it and stopped. Busy road though - a little noisy, but Lord S did not notice as as soon as his head hit the pillow he was out like a light :) Nite S No cuppa tonight - the proprietor forgot to give us milk.

Nite all :)) Till the moro comes