Welcome Annie Sunshine.....

I've been without my computer for three days, so after ringing the computer shop for some advice which provided a simple answer; here I am posting hurriedly before it decides it's not working again. We'll see.....

So without further ado; I'd like to introduce Annie Sunshine. This little Annie was made for me by Lindi of Quilty Threads. Aint she just so sweet!! She has brought with her her pal Marmalade and also some gifts too! Thank you so much Lindi! This has been such a fun swap thanks to Aunt Pitty Pat!

And if you happen to be passing by Lindi.....here's a sneaky peek of a little something which is heading your way as we speak...or type....and you'll just have to wait and see...

back soon......hopefully..

Catching Up.....

Well here it is, almost a month since my last post...hope everyone has had a nice Easter break. The kids are back to school again tomorrow so I guess it's time to straighten the house a bit and get back to normal again. GST to finish before anymore mischief can start, but as you can see, I have been busy.....and without a computer for awhile too, so that didn't help.

This cushion was the gift I made for my partner in the Easter swap. It arrived safely into the hands of Helena who seems happy with it, although I was concerned about making something for a published pattern designer though. Waiting for it to arrive is always a worry too!

My monochromatic quilt arrived at last! It was down to the last three to be posted and I was wondering. It came to me all the way from......Narelle! Anyone who visits on occassion would know that Narelle is mentioned on a regular basis and is only about 50 minutes away. She must have nearly busted every time I discussed the swap with her! And what a coincidence to get me as a partner in such a wide swap draw anyway! So here it is! My monochromatic quilt in purple. Doesn't it look so nice upon my wall. Thank you so much sneaky friend!

Mind you, she was probably only getting back at me for doing the same for her with her birthday present. Below is the runner that was supposed to be for Christmas but was somewhat delayed! I had it all wrapped up with extras in time for her birthday, sent from afar it seemed!

Just as well I got it done before the monochromatic was due, or I might have gotten an IOU in the mail instead!!

Well, that's pretty much it for now. Hopefully it won't be so long till I'm back again. The computer is back, but they said they could find nothing wrong?? It has however misbehaved again since being home only a few days. It just turns off all of a sudden in the middle of whatever, and sometimes just won't come back on for a day even?? Computers?? A mystery of the modern world. So, if possible.....be back soon.

Bon Voyage......

My contribution to the 4SQS5 is on its way over the seas. I sure hope my partner likes it as much as I do. The funny part was that I put pink down as the colour that I didn't want used for my quilt; fate played it's hand and landed me with a pink quilt to make. Must have been teaching me a lesson. I worked with the pink and turned out this beauty which I am very happy with. Now I can sit back and await the arrival of my quilt, wonder who's sending to me?? Here's part of an email I received in my inbox today. Thought I would share. It made me smile; hope it makes you smile too.

In the Mail...

Lookee what the mailman brought for me this week. My very own easter swap surprise all the way from Minnesota! What a thrill to share our craft all over the world! Vanessa from Crafty kids and Mama too went to the trouble of stitching this lovely easter wall hanging for me, and collecting these other goodies too. The choccies even made it to the photo shoot! Aren't I good.
And I just love the American Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Can you see the lovely chocolate cake in the bottom right hand corner? That's a pin cushion!! Looking forward to making one of those when I clear the decks a bit......Oh, and ??? your Easter swap surprise is on it's way. I sure hope you like it as much as I like mine. Also finished that afore mentioned belated christmas gift and just the binding left to go on the monochromatic quilt for that swap. Going well!!

Out for dinner....

Here's my froggy pal again. This time I caught a shot of him out and about for a bite to eat. He's just so cute. Finished one of my swap projects today and am busy on another project that needs finishing too. Better get back to it!!

Blog update....aren't I good..

I have been sewing but just because I'm not supposed to show too much as it's for swaps, here's a cute little speckled frog who's been watching me from under the roof on my verandah for you to look at instead. He looks like a happy fellow, and sat contentedly while I snapped away only a few inches from him. And here's another (new) photo of my orchids. I have shown them before, but look, they are still alive, and it's been nearly 3 years!

If you read Mel's blog, good, if you don't pop on over for a read. She's trying to spread the word on autism for autism day, but I'm not sure if I can add the button, so if not go to .......Mel's blog.

And I'm also making an Annie doll....go see.

What have I been up to....??

Is it so long since I've posted?? Time just gets away so quickly. Since last post I have had a trip to Brisbane to get my oldest settled into uni. This was a very emotional trip which involved lots of retail therapy to help me through. We managed to find quite a few patchwork shops and quite a collection of things to buy to help keep my mind off the torment of leaving our son behind. However, after a week of fun and frivolity which they call "O" week, to help get everyone over their homesickness and get to know a few, he is now starting to settle into the business end of his next five years of life as a veterinary student. So far, he is keeping in regular contact, hasn't starved and is enjoying the food and life of boarding at college; and I've gotten used to cooking less, and one less to wash for etc. Haven't quite gotten past the "wondering what he's up to" though, but guess it all takes time.

So, what have I been up to since then. Well heres some more mug bags which I made. Getting quite the dab hand at whipping these things up!
Next is one of the hand stitching projects which I took to Brisbane with me to keep myself occupied when I wasn't shopping. It is one of Anni Downs's projects which was featured in a recent copy of Australian Country Threads. It was then stitched into a cushion cover after returning from Brisbane and has since been gifted for a friends birthday. A second project was also tackled in Brisbane but it is yet to be stitched up, and is for a secret swap; so no peeks just yet.

Next project in line is a sneak peek of my four seasons swap. Someone's?? favourite colour was pink. But you'll have to wait a little longer for more on that one.

Well, that's about it for this time. I will endeavour to not take so long to get back again. My bloglines were so congested when I got home, I had to wipe it clean, it was impossible to catch up again. Hope I didn't miss out on too much in blogland. All up to date again now! cu