tassie

I've just spent the best long weekend in Tasmania with a few friends. Non-quilters so i couldn't go to any quilting stores. It was busy... yet relaxing. Time was spent at the Salamanca market in Hobart where i bought some great chocolate/mint tea.. Yummy... and some PJ's for my doggie... Yes i said Pajama's for a dog (photo to come) they were too cute to resist.



There was a small old town called Richmond that had a very old cemetery from the late 1800's. As you can see they're ready to go tumbling down the hill.

And i found a great home wares store that had great ironwork structures... like seats and gates. So tempted to send something back to Victoria.

An interesting town on our road trip was called Dootown (actual name of town) and every house has a name. And being a little immature at times.. I had a giggle at these...


There is a man in the man in the window staring at me...

Port Arthur was fantastic. They have the oldest Church in Australia... It was burnt in a fire long ago. The guide was trying to paint a pretty picture of convict life by pointing out that it was non-denominal so that everyone could attend. I have so many beautiful photos of Port Arthur as it was beautiful down there and all the grass was so green. I also did the ghost tour on Saturday night. Apparently Port Arthur has one of the most haunted houses in Australia. Scary. Although not once did i get scared because the guide was very funny.

A great story was a tour were a goats head (placed on a disection table for effect) kept moving and freaking everyone out (including the guide) until the guide lifted it to reveal a mouse who then ran up a girls jumper. Let's just say the next tour group who heard everything didn't want to enter the room next.

How cute are these Tasmania Devils. They have just been put on the endangered species list. And will die out in the next 10 years if they don't cure a facial cancer that is being spend when they bite each other. And believe me they fight A LOT!!

And no Tassie Tour is complete without visiting the Cadbury factory and buying a 5kg box of random chocolates (the picture doesn't do it justice) and massive boxes of Roses as presents for the people i love.

I Love Perth

Yesterday i was in the beautiful Sunny Perth... Having a day to kill i finally got two Softie books that i've been eyeing off for a while now. I even got some bed socks to make some monkeys with. They are so soft i found it hard not to put them on... But why do i need socks when i finally got a new heater! I arrived home this morning to a roaring gas heater begging me to curl up in front of. But I think Rupert had something to say about that.

I also caught the bus down to Textile Traders at Booragoon. They were so inexpensive that i was getting a metre of everything. Lots to make softies with. I'm definitely going back there.

The lovely Rachael at Four wise monkeys is having a giveaway of Gift by Rosalie Quinlan. Head over and leave a comment.. And have a look at her work.. She's very talented.

Something to brighten up my day

I got very excited when i bought my new ironing board today. I've been using my table top one for 2 years now and after doing some fusing on it, it was looking a little worse for wear, and not being able to buy a new cover small enough for it didn't help. But i digress...

I christened my new board today by ironing my Chloe's Quilt that i started yesterday. It's come together so quickly and having to just finish the border it will be finished in no time. It so bright with the majority of the fabric from Prints Charming, which i have been eying off feverishly lately. And the material is unbelievably soft and i could stop stroking it when i was cutting it..

After i finish this Quilt it's definitely time to buy some backing and then start on my Melly and me softies...

Crisis Averted

A few days ago I got excited when i could take this picture of my Tequila Sunrise finished Quilt Top. I felt found that I'd completed it in a week (even though i went to bed a tad later then i should have for my early starts at work). I felt pretty good about myself. But when you look a little closer......
You notice that i put a Stripes pattern piece on backwards (being a woven fabric).. Grrr...
It's taken me a day to convince myself that i can redo it without destroying the entire quilt. 2 none quilters said "just leave it, you can't notice it" followed by "people will look at it and wonder why you did it". But alas, it is now corrected and you couldn't notice it if you tried. Yay for me. I really am more talented then i thought...

Cupcakes and Tea

Thank you to everyone who left great comments welcoming me to the Blogging community.

I've found a great swap that i'm keen on... Rachael at Rachael Rabbit is doing a cupcake and Tea Swap.
You have to register before th 20th and you have a month to complete a cupcake themed craftie and send your favourite tea....
I just can't decide what to make.... choices...choices....

The first of many...

Let's get this party started...


After reading so many creative blogs i figured i better start my own and at the very least chart my quilting progress..


All my quilts are a work in progress...


My very 1st quilt is a stack and slash with 16 fat 1/4's, sashings and big borders... MASSIVE is an understatement... It has been Machine Quilted by Bernadette from the Quilting B and looks devine... I just need to put the binding on...
It's so big it wouldn't fit on the camera....




Quilt number 2 is the bears in the heavens from Chocolate Coated. I saw the ad in a quilting mag and just had to have it.




And Quilt number 3 is a Tequila Sunrise version of Lime and Soda from ballarat Patchwork. Emma picked out some great Kaffe Fassett fabrics. And the way it looks.. it will be finished before my Bears in the heavens...

Yesterday was spent at Bernadette's house. She taught me how to do the Stack and Slash... She's such a patient teacher. I'm looking forward to next time...