I'm feeling a little snowed under at the moment. Just the world taking over and too much to do. Kids busy with activities, full time work, and lots of mundane chores to complete.
I like to escape to my garden and get lost in the little things that I see out there.
One foot in front of the other . . .
. . . and the days go by
A day trip to Daylesford in central Victoria yesterday with a friend found me at Purls Palace, which was a yummy shop filled with yarn, wool, felt and fabric - not to mention books and cushions and all sorts of lovely things. It was definitely the highlight of my day.
Although I know how to knit, I would never call myself a knitter and I especially don't follow patterns. When I bought this delicious wool, I was given a free patten for a scarf, so thought I'd give it a try. I'm so pleased with myself, and can't believe I'm actually
It is a cold and gusty day today and this morning all my flowers were covered with droplets of water. We did have a shower last night, and I'm hoping for more today. 
A couple of new fabric buys of late . . .
. . . and I've discovered the joy of perle cotton for quilting. I love it! It is fun to work with and quick and easy. I also like the effect. My pink and green quilt is now all finished 
I know you have seen these quilts before, but just in case you think I do nothing but gardening and trips to the wild, I have to show you that I am up to the binding on my red and black quilt, and will finish it off tonight with a bit of TV. I am always doing just a little bit of sewing each night and they come along slowly but surely.
I did forget to post about the Resin Experience I had with Ric Rac during the holidays. It was something I hadn't tried before and the results were somewhat experimental, but I enjoyed trying something new, and hey, it was a good excuse to have a "craft day".
Ribbons were on special at Lincraft last week, so I couldn't help buying some
I'm feeling exhausted! I've dug, mulched, spread pea straw, moved plants, carted buckets of water, racked, weeded . . . and done the washing!
I love this one!
Thank goodness it is the weekend is all I have to say, as yesterday I had a trip to the local Wildlife Park along with about 150 kids . . .
I had to come home and do a good deal of gardening to feel calm again.
This Koala, however was a lovely site to see. Oh and the coffee from the cafe was nice too!!
This was a Kangaroo's front foot. They were just so tame and the children did love them. Their fur was soft and some had little Joey's in thier pouches.
Looking forward to more gardening today. From a distance and with a bit of time between the event and looking at the photos, it was a good day out. I know the kids loved it.
I love the seedpods of the Hollyhocks. I let them go to seed in my garden and then the next year, I find hollyhocks coming up in the most interesting places.
I have even shared them with my neighbour and now she enjoys them in her garden over the road.
This beautiful flower "Annie's Cape" flowers outside my sewing room window. This one is for Chookyblue.
I have had the most wonderful weekend in the my flowergarden. During my recent 2 week holiday, I didn't spend any time out there which is highly unusual, and I'm not really sure why I didn't, but I have been quite depressed about the state of the water or rather lack of it, and the struggle to keep everything alive. After my first week back at school (which I must say was quite exhausting) I decided to treat myself to a Garden Weekend, and to my delight, there was lots of colour and joy to be found out there. I have some self sown tomato's that are full of flowers and tiny fruits. Not sure if the sun will hold out long enough for them to turn red, but boy the plant looks good. There were ginger lillies flowering valiently, despite zero attention, and a couple of months ago I threw a packet of cosmos seeds down, and they are rewarding me now with lovely flowers.
The nastursiums I planted last year and let go to seed, have all come up again and are making a lovely display. I am really excited about my "Lime Light" salvia which has really kicked on and is quite a picture.
Still, my African Violets are flowering inside my sewing room, and I am quite proud of those, as this year is the first time I have been able to get them producing flowers. I must have finally found the "right" spot. After seeing an add in the paper on Saturday, I had a visit to a farmers paddock this morning and got a load of garden rocks - gratis - and had fun putting them around my garden. I will be back for more of those - maybe next weekend!!
I really lost myself in the pleasure of it all, and totally relaxed and had a terrific time. I hope others had a good weekend too.
Well, I guess it was pretty obvious it was a quilt in the making, but the surprise is, that is will be a gift for my cousin's youngest child's 21st. When he was born, I made my first quilt for his cot, so I thought it was only fitting that I made him another, to mark the milestone of both his age, and my quilting career!
My cousin told me his room was black, red and grey . . . at least that is what I thought she said!!! I have made the quilt top and pieced the back. Now all there is to do is sandwich them together. I have a few weeks, as the birthday is not until the end of April. I hope he'll like it.
Have I ever mentioned that I am not very good at house work??? Or cleaning??? Or cooking???I opened my pototo cupboard the other day and look what came out to greet me. I thought it was worthy of a photo.
And finally some goodness from Tracey in the post when I arrived home late from a school meeting tonight. A very welcome surprise indeed. Thanks Tracey!
Well, you asked for it, and here it is . . . the Ready Threader Tutorial. Not my own invention, but a great little idea, and quick to make. A good gift for a crafty friend or a nice accessory for yourself. Some have even told me you could carry your lipstick in it, in your hand bag, or even a couple of "white mice." 
3. With the fabric on the fold, cut one of the 6 1/2 inch by 3 1/2 inch shapes
For extra body, also cut one of these shapes from some wadding fabric that you just happen to have lying about in a box. I trim the wadding a bit thinner so that it fits snuggly inside and you don't need to cut the wadding on the fold.
4. From the smallest circle template, cut 4 extra pieces from the light card. These will go inside the yo-yo's for extra strength.
5. You will need to cut one shape out of felt, not on the fold this time.
6. Choose some buttons and some thread
7. Measure 4 inches of thread and knot at each end.
8. Lay the thread on the right sides of the fabric with a little bit poking out the end and sew around the large shape, leaving a couple of inches for turning.
9. Lay your wadding over the top of one side, and turn the main shape inside out, which will then be the right side out.
10. Now you have your wadding on the inside, and you will need to hand sew the little gap that you left for turning.
11. Press your main shape.
12. Now make your yo-yo's and insert the 2 little pieces of card into each of them.
13. I left the long thread of the yo-yo for later stitching of the threader
14. Now lay your felt over one side of the main piece and blanket stitch to that piece.
15. Now with your yo-yo's facing inside, sew them to the edge of your main fabric.
16. Once both yo-yo's are sewn on, turn the ready threader so that the buttons face outwards.
17. Now put your cotton in place, and slide your needle into the felt, and you are finished!
